THE PRICE OF LOVE

episode 2 the trap

The next morning Yusuf came back. He had a file in his hand.

"Sir, this is that girl."

Ali Khan opened the file. On the first page was Saba's picture. It was the picture taken from her college admission form. A simple picture, with the same shine in her straight eyes that he had seen yesterday.

"Saba. Age 18. Resident of Chandpur. Father: Gulab Khan, bicycle repair. Mother: Fatima B, housewife."

Ali read slowly. Every word went into his mind.

"Student of Political Science at Prestige College. Lives in hostel. Part-time job: Assistant at the city central library. Monthly income: 5000 rupees. Hostel rent: 3000. Remaining 2000 for food and other expenses."

A smile played on Ali Khan's lips. "Only 2000... for the whole month..."

"Yes sir. And she still has to pay college fee. 15000 rupees. Only one week left before the date."

Ali turned the pages of the file. There were pictures of Saba's house. A small house made of raw bricks. Her father's bicycle shop with 'Gulab Cycle House' written on it.

"And that boy? The one I scolded yesterday?"

"His name is Rehman. He is also from a poor family. Your friend Sami got him a job. As a waiter in a hotel."

Ali Khan raised his eyes and looked at Yusuf. "Sami did?"

"Yes sir. He said you ordered it."

Ali Khan became silent. Yesterday's scene was going around in his mind. Saba's words... "You have everything but not humanity..."

He suddenly closed the file. "Okay. You can go now."

After Yusuf left, Ali Khan went to his study room. There was a big window from which the whole garden was visible. His grandfather's picture was on the wall. A strict Pathan who always stood straight.

"Dada Jaan..." Ali said softly. "You used to say that defeat the enemy not with his strength, but with his weakness."

He opened Saba's file again. Her financial problems... this was her weakness.

But there was something else too. Those eyes... those eyes that were not scared. That pride... that pride that had not died even in poverty.

Ali Khan picked up his mobile. Called Sami.

"Dude, what is there in college tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? Oh, there is a Faculty Welcome Party. For all new students. At 6 pm."

"And that girl... Saba... will she come?"

"Oh yes. It is compulsory for all new students."

"Okay."

Ali Khan cut the phone. A plan was forming in his mind. A plan that was the answer to the attack on his ego.

He sat on the chair. Closed his eyes.

"Saba... you have challenged my honor. In our Pathans, honor is everything. And whoever challenges our honor... we give him a punishment he can never forget."

He opened his eyes. There was a strange shine in them.

"You think you have won? You don't know... the war has just started."

At the same time, in the hostel room where Saba lived, she was writing on the last pages of her diary:

"Today I think I made a big mistake. I challenged a man who is far out of my reach. But I remembered what my dad said. 'Son, we are poor but our honor is our wealth.'"

She put down the pen. Looked toward the window. Outside were the lights of the city. Lights that had always pulled her.

"Mom... Dad... I am scared. But I will not give up. I am your daughter. I am that Saba whom you always said should shine."

A message came on her mobile. From college. About tomorrow's party.

Saba read the message. Took a deep breath.

"Okay. I will come. I am not scared."

She didn't know that this party was not just an event. It was a trap. A trap that Ali Khan had laid for her.

And tomorrow... she was going to fall into that trap.

It was the night of the Faculty Welcome Party. The college auditorium was decorated with shining lights, flowers and silk drapes. Everywhere were the laughing, talking faces of new and old students. Some were standing in groups talking about fashion, some were busy on mobile phones.

Saba was standing in a corner of the auditorium. She was wearing that same simple blue suit which was one of the two or three good clothes she had. Her hair was tied back, she was wearing a silver bracelet with 'Saba' written on it. Which her best friend Mah-e-Jabeen had specially made for her on her birthday!!

She wanted to stand for a while, complete the formality and leave.

Feroza and her friends were standing in the auditorium. They were smiling seeing Saba.

"Look, it's that village girl. Even in the party she is wearing that old suit."

"Maybe she doesn't have any other suit."

"Oh come on, she is from a poor family. What will she do?"

Saba tried to ignore their talk. She turned back, looked at the door. When would she get out of here?

At that moment the big door of the auditorium opened. And a person entered.

Ali Khan.

But today he was not like Saba had seen him yesterday. Today he was completely like a Pathan chief. White shalwar kameez with light golden embroidery. A light grey shawl on one shoulder. Peshawari chappal on his feet. His hair was naturally messy, but today there was something else in them.

His eyes moved around the auditorium and stopped on Saba.