The Storm after 12 Years
1009 Words
Tariq, bring me some tea,” he said as he collapsed onto the sofa in the lounge after a long day at the office. It had been a hectic day, filled with meetings and stress. But more than that, it was the growing emptiness inside him — one that mirrored the silence of his home — that had begun to weigh on him.
“You took forever! Where have you been?” he snapped, trying to control his frustration.
“Sorry, Wali Baba, just a little delayed,” the servant replied quietly. Everyone around Wali had grown fearful of his temper lately. He hadn’t always been this way, but something inside him had changed. He was always on edge now, as if carrying a storm within.
His phone rang. “Where have you been, man? Even as a doctor, I’m not as busy as you seem to be running your business!” his friend Ali started complaining the moment he picked up.
“Maybe people finally realized what an amateur doctor you are — no wonder you have fewer patients these days,” Wali shot back.
“Wow, shots fired. I guess you’re missing your wife again today, huh?” Ali teased.
Wali gritted his teeth, wishing he could punch him through the phone. “Ali, I swear, you sound better when you shut up.Amma and Abba are coming back from Swat this week. Tell them to hurry up and get you married already — it's all they care about anyway.”
“Let’s go out tonight. I’ll call Rahim too, maybe he can get a break from holding onto his wife’s dupatta and join us single losers,” Ali laughed, trying to cheer him up.
“I don’t want to go anywhere,” Wali said firmly.
“Then I’m coming over with Arham — and don’t blame me if your sanity doesn’t survive the night.”
“Fine. Half an hour. Let me freshen up,” Wali surrendered.
“Knew you’d give in,” Ali chuckled.
Later that evening, while the three of them were out having dinner, Ali began again, “Bro, please, let’s fix this chronic bachelorhood of yours. I want to see the flowers of love bloom in your life.”
Wali couldn’t help but laugh at his dramatic tone. “And you think you’re not a chronic bachelor yourself? Stop projecting on me.”
“Nope, I’m only mildly single. I’m three years younger than you, and I plan to marry soon. You, on the other hand, don’t even seem interested.”
“You know, Wali,” Arham joined in, “he’s not wrong. You’ve been alone long enough. What are you waiting for? There's not even any hope you’re holding onto anymore.”
Wali didn’t argue. He listened in silence, because deep down, he knew they were right — and yet, he wasn’t ready.
Back home, the silence hit harder. It didn’t just surround him — it seeped into his soul. Why can’t I move on? he wondered. Why am I so helpless?
He opened w******p. The last message he’d sent her was over two months ago — still left on read. With a sigh, he threw the phone aside and buried his head in his hands.
The next morning, his phone buzzed with a call from Dadi.
“Yes, Dadi, I promise I’ll come this weekend,” he said. “No, I really will — last time something came up. But this time for sure.”
“You’re all I have, beta. No one else even asks how I’m doing anymore,” she said with a sigh.
“Don’t say that, Dadi. I’ll be there — make all my favorite dishes, okay?” he tried to lighten her mood.
Meanwhile, at the haveli...
“Sheryar? You came after all these months?” Dadi looked surprised to see her son. “Didn’t bring your wife, I see.”
“She doesn’t like being in Pakistan. Says it affects her health,” Sheryar explained. He had moved to London with Sophia and their two sons years ago. He only visited his mother a couple of times a year — and even then, rarely asked about his daughter, Ayat.
“I’m here for something important,” he said seriously.
Dadi raised an eyebrow. “You never show up without a reason.”
“I want to fix Ayat’s marriage,” he said bluntly.
“What? Ayat’s marriage? With whom?” Dadi was stunned — when had he started caring?
“Sophia’s brother. He’s a good guy — a CA with a stable job.”
“Oh, so your wife sent you to do this?” Dadi said sharply. “Let me tell you something. You’ve done what you wanted with your own life. But when it comes to Ayat’s future, I’ll make the decision — not you.”
“Amma, listen... Rabia is trying to fix her up with her nephew. I don’t want that to happen. At least meet Sophia’s brother once. Please.”
“I’ll talk to Ayat myself before I make any decisions,” Dadi said sternly and walked away. Sheryar realized this wasn’t going to be as easy as he’d thought.
Back in the city...
Wali had just returned from the office when his phone rang again.
“Wali, you have to come to the village tomorrow morning,” Dadi said the moment he picked up.
“But Dadi, tomorrow’s Friday. I told you I’d come Saturday.”
“Then you can come see my dead body on Saturday,” she snapped.
“Dadi! What happened? Are you okay?” Wali was alarmed.
“Just come tomorrow. We’ll talk then.” She ended the call abruptly.
Wali stood frozen. Something was seriously wrong
As Ayat sat on the plane, memories from twelve years ago flooded her mind like an open wound that never truly healed. The pain remained just as raw. She was going to see her father because he had called for her—but deep inside, she was terrified.
- Writer
