Kissa

The Time of Testing Has Started

KISSA

*Chapter 22: "The Time of Testing Has Started"*

Night fell in Karachi.

The city was loud outside.

My room was quiet inside.

Dinner was on the table.

Mom and Dad were already seated.

Plates were full.

There was the smell of grilled chicken.

But I was not hungry.

"How was day one back?"

Dad asked without looking up.

"Normal."

I moved rice around on my plate.

Mom looked at me. "Normal does not look like that."

"You are here, but you are not here."

Dad put his fork down. "Talk to us."

I forced a smile. "I am managing."

"I am completing my course."

"Plus college traffic."

Mom did not believe it. "Think again."

Dad leaned back. "Kissa, we are not blind."

"You came back from the village different."

"Something happened there."

"Or someone said something here."

My hand stopped in the middle.

I kept my eyes on the plate.

"Nothing happened, Dad."

"I miss the village too."

Mom looked at Dad.

"Okay."

"Get yourself better soon," Mom said.

"Eat."

Dad said.

The rest of dinner was quiet.

Only the sound of spoons.

The TV was on low in the living room.

Neon lights shimmered on the window.

After dinner I went to my room.

I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling.

The city was loud.

My mind was not.

I thought about Ali.

That dot.

Those three rings.

That wall.

Then I slept.

No dreams.

Just darkness.

Morning came early.

Sunlight came through the blinds.

I showered, got ready, had coffee.

College was waiting.

The car entered the main gate.

Security waved.

As soon as I got out, Khushi saw me.

She screamed.

"Kissa is here!"

She ran and hugged me tight.

Lubna, Sana, Zara came too.

The circle was back.

"Today we own college."

Khushi said. "No class."

"Only chaos."

We all snapped our fingers.

We walked down the corridor like we owned it.

People were watching.

Some waved.

Some looked away.

First period was Math.

We sat for two minutes.

Then Lubna stood up.

"Fire drill."

We walked out laughing.

Sir Junaid saw us.

He just shook his head.

"Trouble squad."

We reached the canteen.

The table was reserved.

Cold coffee, fries, noise.

"Friday cafe plan is on," Sana said.

"Rooftop?"

"Yes."

"Selfies?"

"Of course."

We talked, laughed, threw fries.

For two hours I forgot everything.

No village.

No dot.

Then the phone rang.

It was Noor.

I stepped outside to take the call.

"Where are you, ghost?"

Noor said. "I said canteen."

"I can hear the noise."

"You sound alive," Noor said.

"I said I am alive."

"Good," Noor said.

"Listen, I need to ask something."

Her voice got lower.

"What?"

"Ali."

I changed the topic right away. "We are at the new college cafe today?"

Noor stopped. "Do not change the topic."

"I am not."

"Yes, you are," Noor said.

"Kissa, Ali talked to me about you."

My throat went dry.

"I asked what did he say?"

"Nothing," Noor said.

"Just your name."

I laughed loudly. "Weird."

"Not weird."

"He is worried."

"So?"

"Talk to him, Kissa," Noor said.

"I said Noor, drop it."

"Noor said why are you running?"

"I said because I want to."

There was silence on the line.

Then Noor took a breath. "Fine."

"Drop it for now."

"But you cannot hide forever."

"We will see."

"Stubborn."

"I said I can do anything. Anyway, forget it. Anything else?"

"Noor said yes."

"It is about Ali."

"I cut her off right away. Tell me later."

"I will tell you."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye."

I put the phone down.

My hands went cold.

What did Ali say to Noor.

And why?

I went back to the canteen.

My friends were loud.

I laughed with them.

Inside, I was not laughing.

College ended at three.

I drove home.

Traffic was bad.

My head was worse.

Mom was in the living room.

Dad was on a call.

Both looked serious.

"Come here, Kissa," Mom said.

I sat on the sofa.

"Khawaja Alam called again today."

Mom said.

"I said what did he want?"

"Why did he come?"

"He wants to bring a rishta soon."

Dad said. "For his son."

I blinked. "Why?"

"I already gave you my answer, Dad."

Mom said. "Good family."

"Good business."

"He is interested."

"He wants to talk."

I stood up. "I am not interested."

"Kissa, sit down."

Mom said. "We are just telling you."

"I heard you."

"And I already gave you my answer," I said.

Dad frowned. "Do not be rude."

"I am not rude."

"I am clear."

"There will be no rishta talk."

"Not now. Not at all."

Mom softened. "We are not forcing you."

"We just want you to be settled."

"You are twenty-one. That is normal."

"But not with a stranger."

Dad said, "Khawaja Alam is respectable."

"His son is educated. From abroad."

"That is not the point."

"The point is me," I said.

The room went quiet.

Mom looked at Dad.

Dad looked at me.

No one spoke.

"Okay."

Mom said.

"But think about it."

"Do not decide in anger."

I went to my room.

Closed the door.

Sat on the floor.

Took a hard breath.

The phone rang again.

It was Noor.

I picked up.

"You will not believe this."

Noor said. "I said what?"

"It is about Ali," Noor said.

My heart stopped.

"Tell me fast, Noor."

"Noor said he and the jagirdar’s son fought before."

"I asked who with?"

"The jagirdar’s son."

Noor said. "There was an even bigger fight now."

"In the market."

"I asked what about?"

"No one knows."

"Some say words. Some say land."

"But Ali broke his nose."

"Police came."

I closed my eyes.

Ali. A fight.

Blood. Police.

"Is he okay?" came out of my mouth without thinking.

"He is fine."

"But the jagirdar is angry."

"He wants revenge."

"His father told Ali to go underground for some time."

My hands shook.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you need to know."

"You are hiding from him."

"And he is hiding from trouble."

Noor said. "Coincidence?"

"I do not believe in coincidences."

"Neither do I."

"So what now?"

"Noor said now you decide."

"Do you want to know him?"

"Or will you run?"

I did not answer.

"Noor said think, Kissa."

Noor said, "Choose. Everyone has a time in life."

"When they have to choose something."

The line cut.

I stayed sitting there.

The room was dark now.

Neon from outside was on the wall.

Red. Blue. Red.

Mom knocked. "Dinner?"

"I said I am not hungry."

"And Kissa?"

"I said what?"

"Mom said the one you are running from."

"Will you find him here too."

She looked into my eyes for a while.

Then she left in silence.

I lay on the bed.

Ali’s face came again.

Angry. Bleeding. Waiting.

The city was bright.

My heart was not.

Two names tonight.

Danyal. Safe. Boring.

Ali. Trust. Friend?

I did not know.

I pulled the blanket over my head.

And waited for sleep that did not come.

To be continued....