Chapter no. 10: The Incident (II)

Qandeel had called Yousuf Mairaj a while ago and told that she would be late, the reason that she told was that she had to go somewhere outside due to an office issue. So, therefore he was not waiting for Qandeel on tea, instead after coming back from Asar prayer he was seated in the courtyard and having his tea besides the reading of a book.

The door was knocked after a while. He kept the book on the table then looked the wrist watch. Qandeel could have not come so early, then who could be on the door at this hour of the day….while thinking he stood and moved towards the door.

He opened the door, then looking the person standing at the door, for a moment he was just shocked.

She was looking him and smiling.

“Have you remembered me, Yousuf Bhai?” Yousuf Mairaj just came out of the shock. How could he forget her, she had a very precious thing of his for many years, and now she was the only memory of the most beautiful period of his life for him, how could he forget that innocent girl who was now a graceful woman.

“How can I forget you, Ayesha?” She smiled. “I just was shocked due to surprise, looking you at my home after so many years. You suddenly left visiting us, although I had thought that Qandeel would be able to get your guidance in the young age, but don’t know where did you disappear? No information, no knowledge, no address….” This time the smile of Ayesha grew deeper.

“Now would you invite me inside or would ask all questions standing here?” Yousuf Mairaj smiled.

“Come inside.” He stepped aside to let her come in.

She came inside then stopped and started looking the house. Shutting the door Yousuf Mairaj looked her.

“Come here, let’s sit here and then we talk, instead first I should bring tea for you.” Leaving Ayesha there he went into the kitchen.

When he came back with tea, she was still standing near the stairs.

“You are still standing here.” He gave her tea smiling.

There was a strange impression on her face.

“I still remember very well, the day when I first time came here with Omer to meet Miss Saima then don’t know how long all three of us had kept talking sitting here on stairs. I kept complaining to Miss Saima about Omer and she kept scolding Omer for each and every complain, and Omer….” She just stopped saying something. Yousuf Mairaj saw her; she was taking breath in an old moment. “Omer, who always used to fight, and argue with me, that day how quietly he kept hearing my complains and scolds of Miss Saima.” Then she turned towards him. “These stairs are just the same and this house….each and every thing of this house is just the same. Nothing has been changed, the position of these plants, the length of this floral plant, this tubelight, this courtyard, those pillars, that veranda and those three rooms. Everything is just the same how it was; it doesn’t feel that twenty six years have been passed; both I and you have got old, it seems like just in a moment Miss Saima will be appeared from the kitchen having a tray of Samosas in her hand, and while eating those me and Omer will fight. I will say to Omer that you will be over weight eating too much and he will answer that you are already over weight even then have attacked Samosas like you have got nothing to eat before. And then you and Miss Saima will reproach Omer.” Yousuf Mairaj had seen some water flowing in her eyes which was waving like an ocean in her blue eyes.

For a while both of them kept standing there silently then were seated on the chairs in the courtyard. Ayesha was once agin normal now.

“I can not see Qandeel, isn’t she at home? I especially came here to meet her.” While having tea Ayesha Asked.

“Normally she comes back till this time, but today she had to go to somewhere important after the office that’s why she will be late.” Yousuf Mairaj explained.

“Doesn’t matter, I will wait for her and will go after meeting her. Yesterday I had been to graveyard to meet Omer and just there met Ilaaf as well; felt very good and was happy to see him after so many years. He has been grown much and…..” She stopped for a moment.

“And…?” Yousuf Mairaj looked Ayesha with questioning sight.

“And that he is just like Omer and his eyes are exactly the same, I just took one moment to recognize him.”

“Did you tell him that who are you?”

“Nope….didn’t feel the need. He would have not known me; I know nobody would have told him. In any case he has to know slowly and gradually. I have entrusted a very precious thing of his and Qandeel each, to collect that someday he would have to come to me. That day he will know himself that who I am?”

“Where did you disappear suddenly, Ayesha? I had thought that you will keep visiting and Qandeel would get a kind friend whom she would be able to share everything, even those that she can not share with me. Shama is in Islamabad, after many years Qandeel meets her for few days, Saleha Aapa never allowed her to feel comfortable. She could never get the love and kindness of a woman in her entire life and for that I will be sad forever.”

“I don’t think so that she would have ever needed the love and kindness of a woman, Yousuf Bhai. The girl who has a father like you, she doesn’t need anyone else.” Yousuf Mairaj smiled. “As far as the question raises of my disappearance then there is a reason.” She suddenly went serious.

“When I last time had met Ilaaf, he was just eight, I used to visit his school to meet him because my entry in the house and the mansion was prohibited. Those days I also met Qandeel, if you remember….perhaps Qandeel was six. Few days after that, Papa had become seriously ill; his condition was so pathetic that I had to take him to America immediately for the treatment. He was the only relationship I had in this world, after Omer if I was living for someone then it was only Papa, I tried a lot, kept fighting till the last moment but blood cancer left him taking his life. He went and I couldn’t do anything, and after his departure I was totally ruined, it was felt like everything just got ended for me in the world. Life was seemed horrible, I felt like no happiness, no love has been written in my fate; whenever had thought to come Pakistan then the memory of Omer used to grasp my whole body like a monster. For many years, my life didn’t move a single step ahead……..and then……” She rubbed her eyes with the shawl then kept looking Yousuf Mairaj.

“Then what happened?” He asked.

“Then one night everything was changed. He, whom after his martyrdom in the desire to see in my dream, I prayed for many years, many years I asked to God even then could never see him a single time in my dream, the same Omer Laashari that night came into my dream and like he was with me in real. Sitting besides me, holding my hand he kept talking to me, I felt his sense of touch, I saw his fragrance penetrating into my breathing, he kissed my forehead, and then talked to me a lot.” She was crying; tears were slipping on her cheeks and shedding down her neck and she was just crying like a child.

“He said, Ayesha, you were never so much hopeless, you were always the hope of life for me, then what has happened that you are running away from life? Why are you doing all this to you? Why are you hurting me? I want to see you happy. You had said, you will help me, you will accomplish my incomplete tasks whether I will be alive or not then why are you living this motionless life leaving everything? I am with you, you can feel me every moment, whenever you want to see me, just stand in front of mirror and look yourself, you will see me. Whenever you want to touch me, touch your eyes, you will feel my touch, touch your cheeks, you will find me smiling, touch your lips, my lips would be there. You have to do many things, all those things which I wanted to do, now you have to. Come back to Pakistan, here all are loved ones, they need you, just share their joys and griefs, and you will forget your grief. Come back, many years have been passed since you visited me. I wait for you everyday, but you didn’t come. Come back, Ayesha, I am waiting for you.” Didn’t know what happened, tears starting to come out from eyes of Yousuf Mairaj as well. Love is just like that, makes one not only to cry in grief, but also in happiness.

“That morning when I woke up, in my room, on my bed, there was his fragrance everywhere, the same fragrance which was the part of his body and which always used to spread in my room whenever Omer had been with me. And that day I came to know that martyrs never die, to remove their presence is not possible for any power of this world. They spread in air like a perfume and nobody is ever able to catch or remove the perfume. I immediately came back Pakistan and when I visited Omer’s grave then for the first time Ididn’t feel like he is not in this world. I felt like he is talking to me, he is answering me, he is showing his opinion in each and every matter like he used to do it always. I made myself busy in people around me, solving their problems and sharing tiny and little bliss of life I got my purpose of life. I wanted to contact you and Zainab Bhabhi; wanted to meet Ilaaf and Qandeel as well but then thought that will meet them when they will grow up, many years passed like this and yesterday when I saw Ilaaf then felt that Qandeel and Ilaaf have been so much grown up and I am getting so much old.” Saying the last sentence she started laughing.

“I am very happy that you decided to live your life so purposefully, Ayesha. Love is very strange, if we will enclose it inside the heart then like a poison it eats our body and soul and if we will allow it to spread in body, soul and the air outside then it makes not only us but our world beautiful as well.” She smiled.

“I am starting a school, the same what Omer wanted to make. Last few years I did hard work for this purpose and now its construction has been started MashAllah. Visit my school along with Qandeel, someday. I will need your guidance everywhere.” Yousuf Mairaj felt glad to know it.

“I am very happy, and surely will visit and helping you regarding anything would be pleasurable for me, Ayesha. You don’t know how pleasing it is for me to see the fulfillment of any of Saima and Omer’s dream?” Ayesha suddenly remembered something.

“You also wanted to form an academy? Once you told me, what happened then?”

“Its proper documentation and paper work is nearly completed, construction will be started in some time, InshAllah, just pray.”

“If I can do anything for this project then it would be an honor for me.” Yousuf Mairaj shook his head.

“How is Zainab Laashari? I couldn’t make any contact for so many years.”

“You know it very well, the rules and regulations of Laashari Mansion. Ada Saaiyen and Baba Saaiyen even don’t allow Zainab Bhabhi and Maa to meet me, how would have they allowed them to contact to you?” Yousuf Mairaj couldn’t give any answer this time.

There was silence for a while then at last, Yousuf Mairaj asked what he wanted to ask to her.

“Have you brought that entrust of Qandeel with you?” Ayesha smiled.

“I knew, you will ask this question to me. I have taken that entrust of Qandeel with me here, but I will take it back with me as usual, I am bound due to my vow.” Yousuf Mairaj nodded his head.

“Can I see that?”

Ayesha while shaking her head took her shoulder bag which she had kept on the table, and taking out a medium sized black diary handed over to Yousuf Mairaj.

The heartbeat of Yousuf Mairaj was suddenly very fast. With trembling hands he held the diary in his hands then, bringing it near to his face looked it keenly. That was pretty old but he was sure that the words inside that diary would be as fresh and lively as it were always. Touching the diary he was grasped in some strange feelings, for a moment he felt like with diary Saima also came and stood besides him.

With love and respect he touched that diary with his eyes, just in a way he used to touch Saima’a hands to his eyes, and then he opened the diary.

On the very first page the name of Saima Yousuf was glowing; the name, whose ink had been dried a bit, was still illuminating as the face of Saima Yousuf used to illuminate always.

That was the diary of the woman with whom his first meeting was the most beautiful moment of his life, her love in which he fell without any reason was the most powerful strength of his life, and every moment which was being passed with her had brought the complete life for him, in whose presence he never felt life less than an eternal bliss. Who despite of being absent in his life was still present in his life like she was always and in whose love he had found each and every face around beautiful.

Chapter no. 10: The Incident (I)

For a moment Qandeel was surprised to see Ilaaf there. She could never imagine that Ilaaf would reach her office following her. A day before Asghar Sahib had showed his intention to give the responsibility of an interview to her. And she got agreed despite of the work load because she had never conducted any interview before, it was a new experience for her and Qandeel got interested in that. Interview had to be conducted by Tanveer and his team, Qandeel had just to be with them and look after little management related issues, but it was true that if she had doubted a little while talking to Asghar Sahib earlier about this interview that the person who is giving the interview is Ilaaf Laashari, then in any case she would have refused by making any reasons and would have separated herself from that assignment. And now this was troublesome for her, for a moment she got angry on Ilaaf in the same way she used to get angry all the time, and therefore looking him she felt the smile of her face turned into seriousness.

Asghar Sahib was saying something, Qandeel was not attentive towards him that’s why couldn’t hear anything. Unintentionally she turned her head and looked Ilaaf once again. Ilaaf’s eyes met with hers, Qandeel felt like he didn’t want to look into her eyes because he had immediately changed his direction of eyes towards Asghar Sahib. She couldn’t know that either Ilaaf did it under the impression of guilt and embaarassment or couldn’t make an eye contact with her due to the stealing that was caught.

“Qandeel, get the contact number of Ilaaf so that we could remain in contact with him all the time.” Qandeel looked Asghar Sahib.

“Sir, I have to say something.”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t see my schedule of this week yesterday, and that’s why got agreed to accept the responsibility of this interview, but today when I rechecked the list of the assignments I have to complete this week then I felt that I would not be able to manage this interview. And I know that this interview is very important for you, that’s why it is better that I should inform you earlier instead that I would not be able to complete the tasks on time. My ongoing project with Khalida and Ghani is also very important. We have to finalize the survery reports this week in any case and send it for editing; I can not dealy that as well that’s why in my opinion you should give this responsibility to someone who can mange it well with full concentration and responsibility.” She was Qandeel Yousuf who had always felt lying as comfortable especially when that lie is harmless and there is no chance for it to affect any other person but is beneficial for herself. She knew that Asghar Sahib was giving so much importance to this interview that’s why keeping hand on his aching nerve she had found out the way to escape.

Asghar Sahib was thinking.

Ilaaf was quiet. Qandeel looked, he was sitting quietly with his head down like he is waiting for the announcement of his punishment, and has no hope to be released with respect and honor.

Didn’t know what happened, for a moment Qandeel felt pity for him but the next moment the angry Qandeel of inside came out and got control over her.

“What you are telling is exactly true, Qandeel. The project on which Ghani and Khalida are working is very important and that’s why I myself asked you to assist them, but this interview is very much significant for our newspaper and despite of the fact that you are inexperienced, you are highly responsible and that’s why I wanted to give you the entire responsibility of this interview. Would not you even be able to take little time for this purpose? While right now we have to see some arrangements as well, the interview will be held later on.”

“Sir, I have told you the whole situation, and now decision is yours. I have an idea about the importance of this interview and just because of this I want you not to wait for me to get free, instead give this responsibility to Daniya, she will manage this interview very well.” Talking about the importance of the interview her tone had critical impression which was perhaps only understood by Ilaaf sitting next to her, because for a moment the color of his face was changed.

“Asghar Sahib, I think Miss Qandeel is right. If she is busy and can not take out time then please give this responsibility to someone else, I will remain in contact myself. Don’t take risk on your important projects due to my interview; it’s not a big deal.” If there is something like to become stony due to surprise then for a while that moment Qandeel had really become a stone due to surprise. She could never believe that these words had come out from Ilaaf Laashari’s mouth and reached her ears. He could be agreed to leave her way so easily, this was very hard to believe for her and especially in a situation where Ilaaf had complete opportunity to bound her through Asghar Sahib, and how easily he was telling Asghar Sahib that he will cooperate with someone else except Qandeel.

“Alright, Qadneel. You must go. Let me think about it that whom should I give this responsibility now, while I had thought that you would mange but anyhow, you can leave.” Qandeel nodded then before getting up she looked towards Ilaaf.

He was looking at her. Qandeel looked; Ilaaf had defeat in his eyes, tiredness and a grief, a grief which had even shaken Qandeel for a moment.

She got up and just then she felt like the ground beneath her feet had grasped her. There was a power that wanted her to stay, either it was the gravitational force or emotional force, she didn’t know.

She took a step, her each step was extremely heavy. Somehow, she reached the door then opening the door she immediately came out of the room.

And coming out, a storm of thoughts attacked her.

Holding the railing of stairs she was standing motionless there. A powerful feeling had just stopped her to go down.

Whatever she did, how did she behave with Ilaaf, was it right? It was true that during last few days she remained busy and didn’t get enough time to think about what Baba had said that day and thus could be able to decide something, but even then did Ilaaf Laashari deserve the same attitude of her? It was not definite that he reached here himself following Qandeel, it was possible that Asghar Sahib would have decided it himself to give responsibility of his interview to Qandeel, and Ilaaf also would be unaware of this whole scenario. Then should Qandeel have refused by telling a lie being so fearless, what she did?

Keeping both hands over the railing she bent down her head and like a guilty one tried to count her crimes.

During last one month, didn’t know how many times she had cursed herself for the attitude of that day and thought that she should apologize as well, then what happened today when he came in front of her, so that she showed the same attitude and behaved in icy cold manner? How senseless she was? That one man who was ruining himself like a mad behind her and whom she had kicked out of her home a month ago, she even couldn’t give a kind smile to that man, where from could bring the courage to apologize? She was narrow-minded, extremely blinkered. People used to say that she is the daughter of Yousuf Mairaj and resembles with him in many habits but in real, it was not true. She was the daughter of Yousuf Mairaj but none of her habits was like Baba, otherwise she would never have treated Ilaaf in a way she had treated him just a while ago. She was the low-minded daughter of a magnanimous person.

She raised her head, and then pushed back her hairs from her face.

“Should I go back?” She asked the question inside. “Should I get agree for this interview? Should I give a chance to Ilaaf Laashari?”

“Yes” the uncontrolled heartbeats ordered her, and this time she fell weak. The egoistic and stubborn Qandeel inside couldn’t resist this time because she knew; whenever Qandeel Yousuf hears to her heart, follows the instructions all the time.

Turning back she moved towards the room of Asghar Sahib, and knocking the door entered inside.

Asghar Sahib surprised a little looking her. Ilaaf also looked her turning his head then straightened himself.

“What happned, Qandeel? Anything special…..” The questioning sight of Asghar Sahib was on Qandeel.

“Sir, I have just rechecked my schedule again and now I feel that perhaps I would be able to manage this interview besides my other duties. It woud be little hard for me, but I will try my level best to do every task in a proper way. I myself have a very prominent idea that how significant this interview is for our newspaper, and this is an honor for me that despite of being so inexperienced you provide this opportunity to me, and I feel sory that I refused earlier that I should have not. If you have not assigned this task to any other person then I would like to mange this interview.” Asghar Sahib smiled as he just got rid of some burden from his head, and Ilaaf…..Qandeel felt like his eyes had disbelief. Perhaps it was hard for him to believe that Qandeel even can bear to look his face.

“Thank you, Qandeel. You have made me comfortable now.” The gratitude that was present in his tone, Qandeel knew the reason of that very well. Hearing the refusal from his assistant coordinator in front of Ilaaf Laashari would have probably hit his ego and now which was satisfied on the apologizing behavior of Qandeel.

“I think that rests of the details are to be discussed by both of you. Right now, I am getting late, in a while there is an important meeting and I have to leave for that otherwise I would have included myself in the conversation sitting with you people.” He looked towards Ilaaf and Qandeel.

“Qandeel, kindly take Ilaaf with you downstairs, and decide the important things regarding the interview. If Tanveer is in office then call him as well so that he could meet Ilaaf too. It’s very important to have a good coordination."

“Yes, sir.” Qandeel said, and then looked towards Ilaaf.

“Come, please.” Ilaaf had so much wonder in his eyes that moment that even Qandeel got worried for a moment that what she had said, and then she thought that she never has talked to Ilaaf in such a respectable and well behaved manner, so he had to be surprised for sure.

He got up like a machine, and then following her came out of the room.

She was going downstairs, just then she looked, with expressionless face and empty eyes he was following her; perhaps in between belief and disbelief a man could have the same condition.

Both of them came into the room of Kashif Sahib, Qandeel had her small cabin at the corner of the room. Kashif Sahib was not in the room, she came straight towards her cabin.

Coming inside when she turned back then she looked, he was stopped at the doorstep of the cabin.

“Come inside, Ilaaf.” He came inside and just then Qandeel looked; despite of the cooling of air condition in the room, perspiration was shining on the forehead of Ilaaf and his face had turned white. She knew, Ilaaf would be nervous because before this neither she had given him so much respect nor did she talk in such a kind tone, but he would turn pale, she hadn’t expected.

“What happened? Are you alright?” Qandeel asked. She was herself surprised on the word “Aap(You)”, before this she had always called him “Tum”. She was unaware of this sudden change, and just now felt that she had talked to Ilaaf with unusual respect.

“I am fine.” He had hardly said.

“Have a seat.” Qandeel said.

He was seated at the chair in front of her, and kept looking her without saying anything. His eyes had still the same disbelief. Qandeel felt embarrassment for a moment. She had always behaved in such a bad manner that now on this change in her attitude he was like in a shock.

“I think, you are not well.” Qandeel said.

Ilaaf suddenly came out of that state.

“I am alright…..just want to have a glass of water.” He answered by changing the direction of his eyes.

Qandeel poured water in the glass and kept the glass in front of him.

Ilaaf picked the glass and started drinking, and then just in the short gap of three gulps he had poured that water inside his throat.

Qandeel kept looking him. He was really in a state of shock; the shock of wonder.

Keeping the glass on the table he looked towards Qandeel.

“Did you forgive me?” His condition was much better now.

“For what?” Qandeel looked him surprisingly.

“For whatever I did and said that day in the store.”

“Yes.”

“But I haven’t apologized yet. First let me apologize.”

“There is no need to, because how I misbehaved with you that day in my home, that was immoral too and for that I am guilty.”

“But you did nothing wrong, Qandeel. After acting in such a wicked manner, perhaps I deserved that.”

“My opinion is different.”

“Because you are the daughter of Yousuf Mairaj, daughter of a man whom God has created with the clay of love, otherwise I am sure that after that incident you would have treated me in the same way throughout the life how you treated me that day.” How true that was, and how stupid she was that could never follow her father.

There was silence for a while. Perhaps Ilaaf was looking things around in the cabin intentionally and she was looking him in intervals, and just then for the first time she felt that the color of the eyes of Ilaaf was not pure black, they had a mixing of brown color. They were apparently felt black on looking but just for a moment the hidden shade of brown color getting overrule and had totally changed the shade of Ilaaf’s eyes.

“I think we should talk something.” After a while Qandeel had said.

Ilaaf looked her.

“What?”

“About the interview.”

“I don’t wanna discuss anything related to the interview. The day, time, and place whatever you will decide and ask me, I will give the interview. There is no need for scripting as well, whatever you want you can ask, whatever you want you can make it to publish, I don’t care and I don’t have any concerns.” Ilaaf had said in a strange disgusting tone and this was surprising for Qandeel. Ilaaf Laashari had no interest regarding his interview, not even that a single word which will be published in the paper, what affect it can make on his political career.

“If we can not talk about the interview then I don’t think so that we have anything to talk about.” Qandeel had seen the shade of fear in his eyes.

“Are you asking me to leave?” He asked in the weak tone.

“No, I am not asking you to leave.”

“Then…..”

“I am asking that what we can talk about then?” Ilaaf suddenly straightened himself; the ocean of surprise was waving in his eyes.

“We can talk about ourselves.”

“What do we have to talk about ourselves?”

“Perhaps you wouldn’t have anything, but I have much to talk and to tell, but only if you want to hear….” Ilaaf had looked her.

Qandeel had seen the shades of hope on his face.

“I would like to hear once.” Qandeel had said.

Ilaaf had just looked her face. Perhaps the extreme of surprise had made him unable to speak that moment.

“Are you saying the truth, Qandeel?” Qandeel felt like his voice was coming from a long distance.

“Yes.” For the first time she smiled, and her smiling and looking Ilaaf perhaps was unbelievable for Ilaaf as well.

“I can’t believe.”

“What can I do for you to believe?” Qandeel asked smiling. She was now enjoying this strange state of Ilaaf in real. For the first time she had an idea that somewhere there is an innocent man present inside Ilaaf Laashari.

Ilaaf hadn’t replied for a while, and then looked her.

“Can we talk right now?”

“I think, I would not like to hear in the office, it looks odd.” Qandeel had said in a serious tone this time.

“So would I, I value your respect and honor more than myself.” Qandeel didn’t feel like he was telling lies, for the first time she had felt the respect for her in each word coming out of his tongue.

“Some other time, somewhere outside, we can meet and talk.” Qandeel said.

“Now…..” Ilaaf left the sentence incomplete and looked her.

Qandeel looked him surprisingly. He was really a lunatic who had no intention to be patient even for a moment.

“This is the office timing, and I have to do some work right now. I can not leave office like this and come with you.” She explained.

“Can you come after the office? I will wait outside.” Ilaaf replied immediately.

For a moment Qandeel couldn’t answer anything.

“There is much time left. And you will have to wait long.”

“I can wait centuries for you, Qandeel.” The restless answer of Ilaaf had made her speechless; there was no way to refuse now.

“Alright, I am coming after finishing my work.” She had given up.

For the first time Ilaaf smiled, and Qandeel felt like he is happy. Before this, Qandeel had never seen such a smile on his face.

“My car has been parked across the road in the parking area. I am waiting for you in my car.”

Qandeel shook her head.

Ilaaf had left, and while leaving had grasped Qandeel in a strange feeling.

Before that day, she always felt herself furious in presence of that man. And for the first time now, he was present in her office long and not for a single moment Qandeel felt his presence unpleasant for her infact, perhaps she felt it pleasant. What it was that was liked by her? Ilaaf Laashari sitting in her office, or showing with purity what was lying in his heart or she had liked Ilaaf Laashari? She coldnt decide anything that moment. What need did she have to reach a decision so early? She was never impatient in case of taking decisions, and in her opinion it was better before reaching any decision to think about everything in detail and where necessary, to get the guidance of Baba.

Right now, she just wanted to hear Ilaaf Laashari, what does he want to say? What does he want to tell? Which facts does he have in order to prove his claim? She just wanted to know these things that moment. And she had kept rest of the things in a corner of her mind for a while; she didn’t want to make a mess of thoughts inside her brain.

It took much time for her to finish the rest of the tasks of that day, office timing was ended a while ago and now she was feeling bad that Ilaaf would be waiting for her outside, but she was powerless. Due to the work load, time was over, and that madman…..he himself was interested in waiting, Qandeel wasn’t responsible for that.

Immediately after finishing her work, she locked her cabin, then coming out of the room she called Baba and told that she would be late today, the reason that she told was the office issues, and she didn’t want to take Ilaaf’s name that moment. First, she wanted to understand the entire situation herself and then telling Baba wanted to take his advice.

Coming out of the building she looked. The white land cruiser of Ilaaf was parked in the parking area across the road. Crossing the road she came near and just then she looked. Folding both arms on his chest and closing his eyes, tilting his back on the driving seat, perhaps he was sleeping. Qandeel was surprised and perhaps felt sorry as well, she was so late that he got to sleep waiting for her.

Coming near, she moved towards the side seat and intentionally knocked the mirror of the side seat while the door wasn’t locked.

She looked Ilaaf was shrugging and opening his eyes, he had got up.

Turning his head he looked Qandeel, his eyes were red like they had slumber of centuries. Then rubbing his eyes he moved his hand and opened the door of the side seat.

Qandeel came inside. Till then Ilaaf had straightened himself.

“I am sorry, I got very late.” Qandeel had said while looking into his red eyes.

“No, you are not very late, just two and half hours.” The satisfactory tone of Ilaaf had made her to be wondered. The man hadn’t given any importance to his two and half hours which were wasted waiting for someone. Perhaps love frees the man from the limits of time, but was that lunacy of Ilaaf Love; she hadn’t decided this yet and wanted to decide.

“Were you sleeping?” Ilaaf looked her.

“Yes, don’t know when I got to sleep while waiting for you.”

“Didn’t you sleep at night?”

“I have no difference among the days and nights now, Qandeel. When I feel sleepy then get to sleep, and when I don’t then…….” He left the sentence incomplete.

“Then….” Qandeel looked him with a questioning sight.

“Then I use to pass my time with your remembrance.” Qandeel felt like he had completed sentence with so much difficulty. The color of the face of Ilaaf once again went white, she couldn’t know the reason.

For a while Ilaaf kept sitting quietly with his head down keeping his arms over steering, there was no conversation between them.

“Will we be staying here or will talk somewhere else?” Qandeel asked after a while.

Ilaaf raised his head and looked her.

Qandeel looked, his eyes again had doubt, and on his face the same shock of surprise, and his hands…..perhaps were trembling. And just then for the first time Qandeel had keenly observed his hands and fingers.

His hands were long and the shape of the fingers along with the unusual curving of the nails was looking beautiful. Looking his fingers and his hands anyone could be able to guess that these were the hands of an artist. And Qandeel…..beautiful hands were always her weakness. She used to meet people and used to look just their eyes keenly at first sight, and after that immediately her eyes used to turn towards the hands and feet of them.

She looked at his feet, it was impossible to look his feet in the shoes.

Then she heard Ilaaf saying.

“I want to believe that this is not a dream or illusion, but I am not able to believe.”

She just smiled, for the first time she had seen a man talking like this. And that’s why for the first time she had enjoyed this, looking that disbelief of that innocent man.

“Where to go?” Ilaaf asked.

“Anywhere, I don’t have any objection regarding this; just have to say one thing.”

“What?”

“Try to control yourself before you drive, otherwise I don’t think that it’s better to drive in such a state. Whether you love your life or not, but I love my life very much.”

He smiled.

“I am perfectly fine now, Qandeel. The belief of your presence is enough to bring me in my complete senses.” She couldn’t say anything in reply, what could she have said in reply of this lunacy.

Ilaaf was starting the engine. Qandeel had again looked him keenly.

His eye lashes were thick and bit turned. His straight poised nose and the slight curve of his chin was charming. If there would be a list of the most beautiful men in the world then, Qandeel was pretty sure that the name of Ilaaf Laashari would have been included in that list. He was undoubtedly handsome and Qandeel was surprised that why didn’t she look him keenly before this.

Chapter no. 9: The Unknown Fragrance (III)

Ilaaf had no intention to stay more than a week, but due to insistence of Daadi he had to stay two more days. Baba and Daada Saaiyen were back from Nawab Shah and Ilaaf had passed the whole week in their company most of the time as usual. Lands, Datepalm gardens, political bondings, relatives, and some friends, as usual these were the only things for him in the village.

In datepalm gardens he met with Hussain Bakhsh as well, but this time he had just behaved in a very normal way, Ilaaf hadn’t felt any unusual thing in his attitude what he had seen during the last meeting. He was surprised; he was totally different Hussain Bakhsh this time to what he was in Karachi.

Whole day he used to be with Baba and Daada Saaiyen, however in evening he used to give his horse some time. There was only night time which was left for Maa and Daadi and even that was not enough because most of the time he used to feel himself too much tired that wished to go to bed immediately after dinner. Both of those patient women even then never complained to him and took good care for his convenience.

His time was passing very quickly in village, but it was true that even then he couldn’t forget Qandeel for a single moment. Like a dream which is seen with open eyes, she had become the part of his vision, she was hidden inside Ilaaf like a desire, like the passion for the destiny she was slipped inside him. On looking into mirror he used to find her reflection on his eye pupil every time, on breathing he used to smell her fragrance in the air, before going into the valley of slumber and on waking in the morning he used to hear her name on his heartbeats. Like a feeling she was with him every moment, although in real she was very far; so far that if he would have called her name then she could never heve heard it.

Love is perhaps just the name of a feeling, which forms an enclosure around man. Neither to look something outside that enclosure is possible nor to hear anything and inside this enclosure is just found the face of the beloved and voice of the beloved. Coming out of that enclosure is never in man’s own hands, that’s why by trying to leave that enclosure one should not waste his energies.

Ilaaf didn’t want to come out of that enclosure now, he wanted to remain imprisoned inside with his own wish. The central axis of his life was now Qandeel Yousuf; she was the only desire of life and purpose of living for him.

That was his last day in the village; he was leaving for Karachi the next day.

In evening, when he was just taking out his horse from stable just then Baba Saaiyen had called him thorugh a housekeeper in Bethak.

Handing over the reins to Shahnawaz and asking him to wait for a while, he came towards Bethak. Baba and Daada Saaiyen both were there. Their intentions were seemed suspicious to Ilaaf, he got an idea that he has to hear the same typical perceptions. He had no intention to argue worthlessly once again on the same topic, so he decided to hear everything quietly and keep approving everything they would say.

“The overall political situation is changing very quickly throughout the country due to the current conditions, and parliament can be resolved any moment. And therefore me and Baba Saaiyen have decided that you should fully take part in political activities now.” Qaiser Laashari like had said the final word.

Ilaaf looked Baba Saaiyen but didn’t say anything.

“You have to take out some time from your personal activities now onwards and will have to visit village regularly. We both want you to be with us everywhere so you could be able to understand the system well. Beside this, you have to allow media to reach you as well and have to be in news all the time, each and every political activity whether it is related to some social work or our political party, you have to be ahead everywhere. This year in August, you are going to be twenty five, Ilaaf, and thus you are eligible to participate in the next election and that’s why Baba Saaiyen wants you to participate in the election from his own seat. And for that it is very necessary for you to be known among people and to be well aware with our political allies and rivals. I admit and praise your abilities but somehow there are some political tricks and traps which are only understandable after experiencing politics. Politics is just like a profession, and like all other professions in the world it has its own principles of success without learning which, nobody can take a single step forward.” Ilaaf looked Baba Saaiyen.

He had considered politics a profession, and perhaps the main reason of all issues existing in the country was that all politicians had considered politics a profession, not a responsibility. And what were the principles of this profession with which Baba Saaiyen wanted him to be aware, he knew very well. Lies, fraud, hypocrisy, procrastination, profit seeking, personal needs, were the only principles on which the politics of his family and many of other political families of Pakistan was proceeding.

“Alright, I have no conflict with any of your decisions, if you people want me to take part in political activities then I have no objection, but I want liberty for one thing.” Speaking very seriously he looked both of them one by one.

“What’s that? We will respect your wish anyway.” Adil Laashari had asked smiling, it was pleasing news for him that Ilaaf who was showing carelessness towards this issue for a long time, now was suddenly agreed. He knew that how much strength his party would get with this move.

“My political life will be going on with the advices of you people, but in my personal life the right to take each and every decision will only be mine, and both of you will have to give me assurance that you will not have any objection regarding my decision and won’t stop me taking any step.” Ilaaf had to play this wager someday, then why not today? Thinking this he had presented his only condition in front of them. When trading is a must then why not it should be settled earlier, why to be late and for what? He could bear the interruption of those politicians in all other matters of his life but it was unbearable for him in his personal life. His personal life had just been revolving around Qandeel and he didn’t want to lose the hope to reach Qandeel just because of those traders. Who were Baba and Daada Saaiyen, they were just traders who had considered every relation, every emotion, every individual just the resources of trading, like the playcards one after the other they were ready to sacrifice everyone for their benefit.

For a while both of them couldn’t answer, and then Daada Saaiyen said.

“You will have the full right to take each and every decision of your personal life independently, Ilaaf. This is my promise, and you know that Adil Laashari is not among people who go back from their words.” He looked Daada Saaiyen, he knew very well that how determine he was in case of his words. Hearing such sayings from a politician he was no doubt surprised but that moment those words were very important for him. Even if Daada Saaiyen would forget his words then Ilaaf was not going to forget, and he knew very well how to remind people their promises.

“With personal life, I mean each and everything related to my personal life, Daada Saaiyen. Where and how I have to spend the money that I own, how I have to continue my personal activities, this will only be decided by me. Where and when I have to go, whom I have to meet, whom I have to make friend, and whom I have to marry, I will decide each and everything myself.” This time Qaiser Laashari stared him with a strange look, he couldn’t know how that impression was?

For a while there was complete silence in the room.

“Would you even don’t like to take our advice in case of marriage, Ilaaf?” He was not surprised hearing the grave tone of Adil Laashari, he knew that it would not be easily acceptable for them.

“The most important decision of one’s personal life in this period of age is marriage, Daada Saaiyen. And without giving me the freedom for this decision, how can you claim that you are allowing me to take the decisions related to my personal life independently?” Adil Laashari had squeezed his lips, he was thinking.

Qaiser Laashari was quiet; he had an expressionless face that moment.

“Alright, we accept your condition.” Adil Laashari was extremely serious. The agreement of trade was settled with difficulty but Adil Laashari was still towards profit.

“By the way, have you chosen any girl to be married?” The question was asked suddenly but Ilaaf was ready for this attack so didn’t get puzzled.

“No, but someday I will, and that’s why I want this liberty to marry a girl whom I would chose myself.” He answered with satisfaction. This time both of them had a feeling of relaxation on their faces.

“My horse is waiting for me outside, can I go now?” Ilaaf asked smiling.

Qaiser Laashari smiled.

“Yes, you can. I just have to inform you that reaching Karachi you have to meet Asghar at his office immediately.”

“Asghar….who?” Ilaaf asked.

“Asghar Siddqui, my friend whom you had met last time in Sukkur.” Ilaaf had suddenly looked him surprisingly. “He is insisting for a long time, he wants to take your interview for his newspaper and I want you to give your first interview for his newspaper, it will provide a flourishing start to your political career, after this you will be allowed to see these things yourself, which paper or channel you would want to give your interview and which not, it would be your own choice.” Ilaaf remembered, Qandeel was doing internship in Asghar Siddiqui’s paper. But she would not be found there now, that internship had ended even before her exams; Rohail had told him.

Ilaaf rose.

“Alright, ask Asghar Sahib to contact me once I reach Karachi and then will decide rest of the things.” Qaiser Laashari smiled; perhaps he was not expecting such flexibility from Ilaaf’s side. Ilaaf was always very determined in case of decisions, he wanted to see fulfilling his condition and that’s why he was ready to fulfill all conditions of Baba and Daada Saaiyen. In order to reach Qandeel, he wanted to get rid of every hindrance somehow that could block his way.

How strange it was, the newspaper whose editor was very desparate to take his interview and for that he made an especial request through Baba Saaiyen, outside the office of the same newspaper many days he used to wait several hours like a beggar just to look Qandeel once.

After dinner when he came in his room then he was feeling very strange, since evening the thoughts about Qandeel were grasping his heart and mind in such a way that he was feeling a lunacy penetrating inside him once again. The silence, the quietness which was holding him inside out for many days, suddenly broke up and the ice of senselessness was melting.

He wished, to go outside and leave himself on the current of air, may then that air take him to Qandeel’s home and at this hour of night when she would be visiting the valley of dreams in arms of goddess of sleep then could see her just for a moment through the air passing from her window; could provide some contentment to his eyes somehow, could provide peace to his heart somehow, but he couldn’t do anything, except having that harmless wish, that priceless desire what else he could do that moment.

In the mirror of dressing table, he had seen the same redness, the same deep slumber, the same reflection penetrating in his eyes; had felt the lunacy of her love and her desire stabbing inside him in the form of some intoxication.

And just that moment Sakeena came and told him that Zainab Laashari is calling him in her room. Ilaaf remembered, he always used to be in the room of Maa during his last night at village, he used to lie on her bed keeping his head in her lap like a little child and used to talk to her a lot all the time. And it never had happened before that Maa would have called him in her room, he always remembered that himself and sometimes in a wish to talk to Maa he used to spend his whole night in chatting before leaving for the city, and now for the first time he even didn’t remember it, perhaps thoughts and remeberance of Qandeel had snatched his memory.

His eyes suddenly started burning too much.

Somehow controlling his nerves he came towards the room of Maa.

Sitting on the bed, Zainab Laashari was waiting for him. Ilaaf entered the room quietly and came towards bed, and then without saying anything sat down on the carpet near the bed and kept his head over the knees of Maa.

Zainab Laashari kissed his head then holding into her hands raised his head and looked him.

Ilaaf smiled looking her, but the same moment he had seen the smile on face of Maa was disappeared.

For a while she kept observing his face and eyes, and then like in a stony voice she asked Ilaaf.

“Have you started drinking, Ilaaf?” Her tone had disbelief.

“No.” Ilaaf answered in extreme surprise.

“Any other drugs….?” She left the question incomplete.

“No, Maa, not at all.” Ilaaf hadn’t believed that in so many years for the first time she had doubt in her tone.

“Then why are your eyes so red? What is this intoxication in your eyes? This type of intoxication is only visible when someone has drunk too much or………” While saying suddenly like a thought or idea made her to stop.

Ilaaf looked Maa like he didn’t understand anything. She was thinking, and then she looked Ilaaf. She had a very strange impression in her eyes.

“Ilaaf, are you in love with someone?” Ilaaf could never expect such a question by Maa.

He kept looking her with surprise.

“Give me the answer.” This time her tone had some satisfaction.

Ilaaf nodded.

She smiled and this time her smile had spread a light over her face so that Ilaaf couldn’t move his eyes from her face.

“Who is she? Do I know her?”

“Someone, a girl only one of its kind. You don’t know her Maa; I just met her few months ago.”

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier, Ilaaf? You are here for one week and you are going back tomorrow and you didn’t feel any need to tell me during the whole week.”

“I am embarrassed, Maa. I should have told you, but the problem is……” He couldn’t decide what to tell Maa.

“What happened? Is there any problem?” She asked taking his face into her hands.

“She is not agreed to marry me.”

“Why?” She was surprised.

“She doesn’t like me, infact she hates me.” He replied in odd tone.

“Why does she hate you?”

“She thinks I am a wicked guy; perhaps just a corrupt richman and nothing more than this.” His tone was weak.

“You would have done something, Ilaaf, so that she thinks like this otherwise without a reason why would she have not a good opinion about you?”

Ilaaf didn’t answer. If there would be some place in that room or mansion where Ilaaf could have hidden in order to prevent that questioning sight of Maa then probably he would have hidden that moment. What he could tell her that why she doesn’t want to even look his face?

“I have made few mistakes, Maa.” He replied moving his head down.

“For those mistakes you can apologize, Ilaaf. And those mistakes can be overcomed. And even then if the problem doesn’t solve then just tell me, I will explain it to that girl myself with your Daadi, would tell her that my son is bit silly but not wicked.”

Ilaaf smiled unwillingly.

“First let me try it myself, Maa.” Zainab Laashari nodded her head. What an astonishing reality it was that totally opposite to Baba and Daada Saaiyen, Maa had no concerns that the girl whom Ilaaf had chosen, who is she and from which background; her status, her family nothing was important for Zainab Laashari, perhaps this was the only reason that Ilaaf felt peace sharing everything to her.

“By the way, I had chosen a girl for you myself and thought that will tell you about her on right time. But now as you have already chosen a girl for you then it is of no worth to talk to you about that girl.” She told Ilaaf after a while.

“You never told me this before, Maa.”

“Didn’t feel the need, thought to talk to you at some suitable time. And now I think that I did right not to talk about that girl before. I trust your choice, Ilaaf, and now I am very eager to meet the girl whom my son has chosen for him.” He smiled.

What a different woman his mother was who just had given importance to her son’s choice. Ego, arrogance, stubbornness, nothing was inside her so that she could ever be able to behave like a common woman coming down from motherhood’s height. She was a mother, a mother who was a complete woman in her love.

It was just coincidence that Ilaaf and Zainab Laashari kept talking to each other long after that but neither Ilaaf thought to tell Maa the name of Qandeel nor did Zainab Laashari remember at least to ask the name of the girl about whom Ilaaf was talking to her.

That night he slept in the room of Maa, and what a peaceful sleep that was he could never learn to describe that one in words.

Next morning when he was leaving for Karachi, Maa sent him with lots of prays. And for the first time in life he felt that how unfortunate are those who don’t have their mothers with them. Then he thought about Qandeel, she hadn’t her mother with her even then how lucky she was perhaps because she had a father like Yousuf Mairaj with her. Ilaaf was envious to her, despite of being a girl her father gave her full independence to take her decisions and he….despite of the fact that he was a boy, was supposed to do trade with his father for each and every decision of his life.

Perhaps people say truth; when God takes away something to someone then He gives much to counter the effect.

Qandeel hadn’t the blessing of mother but, in the form of Yousuf Mairaj she was blessed with the most precious relationship in this world; the relationship of love, trust, and purity which was not associated with any kind of selfishness, ego or benefit.

He reached Karachi by night. He had met with Adnan and Rohail on the way to home. He didn’t talk to Rohail about Qandeel intentionally, Rohail perhaps also didn’t remember to talk anything about Qandeel and so that he kept asking the details of Ilaaf’s visit.

Next day in the evening he decided to visit Omer Chachaa’s grave. He couldn’t break the vow he gave to Daadi; he had learned from Maa and Daadi to be firm about his words.

That was a military graveyard in the cantonment area where Omer Chachaa was burried. Few years back Ilaaf had visited his grave along with Daadi, he had not remembered the exact location of the grave but he had decided to search or to ask someone to help him.

Parking his car he moved towards the gate of the graveyard. Exactly near the gate on a marble tablet there were written some Quranic verses and their Urdu translations, Ilaaf neglected these and came straight inside. And coming inside he had moved his eyes all around so that he can decide where from he had to start the search for the grave, incidently the graveyard was nearly desolated at that hour of the day. He could see neither any gravekeeper nor any other man who could provide some help to Ilaaf, so he was little disappointed. Few people were having prays on their loved ones’ graves around.

Ilaaf then moved ahead reading the inscription plates of graves. He felt it was a very difficult task to search out a grave in this way because graveyard was wide and there were graves all around. He moved somewhat ahead just then a woman coming from the opposite direction crossed him, Ilaaf was so busy in reading the inscription plates of graves that he couldn’t feel that the woman after crossing him suddenly was stopped and then came back towards him.

“Are you searching something, Ilaaf?” He stopped suddenly and looked the woman.

She was a middle age, good looking and graceful woman who had covered herself with a white shawl. She was tall with beautiful features especially her dark blue eyes were making her personality so attractive.

He kept looking her with surprise; hadn’t met her ever before that day.

“I am….searching a grave.” He answered while thinking.

“I think, I can help you for that.” She replied smiling.

“How do you know me?” Ilaaf asked immediately.

“Like many other people know you.” Her smile grew deeper.

“But I never met you before.”

“It’s not very surprising, you will meet lots of people who would have known you but you wouldn’t. And the very apparent reason is that you are not an ordinary man, Ilaaf, somehow everybody knows you, those whom you know and even those whom you don’t.” Didn’t know why Ilaaf felt like, she didn’t want to tell him the original reason.

“Whose grave you are searching?” She asked.

“My uncle, Omer Laashari’s grave.” Ilaaf saw the color of her face suddenly changed.

“I wonder, you even don’t know where your uncle’s grave is? Have you been here first time?” Ilaaf nodded with an embarrassment.

“Let’s search the grave.” Both of them started moving ahead between the graves.

Just in a while, the woman finally found out the garve. Ilaaf felt like she already knew where the grave of Omer Chachaa is, although she behaved like she is searching the grave with Ilaaf.

Both of them came near the grave and stopped.

Ilaaf looked the inscription plate of the grave; read Omer Chachaa’s name, his date of birth and date of martyrdom and then read the couplet written in Urdu there.

He knew Urdu very well but even then he had felt like those words just passed above his head.

“Ishq key mizraab sey naghma-e-taar-e-hayaat

Ishq sey noor-e-hayaat, Ishq sey naar-e-hayaat”

He just kept looking the inscription plate.

“You have fetched these flowers for the grave I think.” The woman indicated towards the flowers Ilaaf had in his hands then she moved ahead and had taken those flowers from Ilaaf, and kept over the grave. Then she raised her hands for the pray and just then Ilaaf thought to have pray as well. After pray he kept his hands over his face and then read those words on the plate again, perhaps he couldn’t understand the meanings of those words but there was something like a strange feeling like he had read those words before somewhere.

Then they got the way back.

“We should keep visiting our loved ones, Ilaaf. They always wait for us.” The woman said walking besides him.

Ilaaf looked her turning his head and then shaking his head had said.

“You helped me in finding the grave, thank you so much.”

“This is very pleasing for me that I have done something for you.”

“Who is burried here whose grave you came to visit?” Ilaaf asked unintentionally.

“There is someone, a beloved, who is resting here for many years and that’s why evertime I have to visit him.” She smiled.

Both of them reached the gate and Ilaaf was just about to say bye so could leave for home when the woman suddenly spoke.

“Can I ask something?”

“Yes” He couldn’t say anything else.

“Can you write with your both hands?” Ilaaf shrugged with surprise.

It was true that apparently despite of being a righty he had an exceptional quality that he could hold the pen exactly in the same way with both hands, due to which on the time of need he could have used his left hand for writing as well.

“Yes, I can write with my both hands; not much tidy writing with left one, but yes can write with it. But how do you know that?” Her smile grew deeper.

“When I know you then knowing about your habits and qualities is not so surprising.” Ilaaf couldn’t say anything in reply. “I think it’s very late, I should leave now.”

“May I ask your name?” He felt that woman was interesting.

“Ayesha……” Perhaps she just stopped not to take her full name. “Ayesha is my name.”

Ilaaf felt like she didn’t want to tell him her full name.

“Allah hafiz.” She disappeared in the parking.

Ilaaf kept thinking for a while about that strange woman then went to home.

That night Asghar Siddiqui called him; Ilaaf didn’t want to give the interview immediately but he was insisting that he wants to take interview as soon as possible. For a while Ilaaf tried to make some explanations then finally being very irritated got agreed, Asghar Siddiqui asked him to visit his office next day in order to discuss further details.

How strange it was, previously when Qandeel was having internship in Asghar Siddiqui’s paper, during those days neither Baba Saaiyen thought that Ilaaf should give an interview for Asghar Siddiqui’s paper nor did Asghar Siddiqui. And now when he had no hope to meet or see Qandeel there then he was supposed to visit his office.

He didn’t know what Qandeel is doing now days, neither he asked from Rohail nor did Rohail tell. He was in complete darkness; wanted to meet her but there was no way that could be a better option for this pupose.

During last seven weeks he hadn’t seen Qandeel and didn’t know that when would be able to see her again.

Next morning as soon as he woke up, as usual he had prayed to God in his heart that may he could see Qandeel today, but he didn’t know that sometimes a moment can be of moment of fulfillment of pray when no pray is rejected and perhaps that was the same moment.

In the afternoon, he came to Asghar Siddiqui’s office. Calling his name on reception immediately he was sent to the office of Asghar Siddiqui.

Asghar Sahib was very happy to see him; perhaps to get such a success for his newspaper was very important for him.

For a while he kept telling him that what kind of an interview he was interested in and kept asking Ilaaf about his interests. Then he pressed a number on his intercom, but perhaps nobody received at the other side. He dropped the line and pressed another number.

“Qasim, where is Miss Qandeel? I am calling in her room continuously but she is not picking her phone.” Somebody had pulled out his soul. “Alright, wherever she is, just trace her out and immediately send in my room.” He kept looking Asghar Sahib with empty eyes. Dropping the line he looked towards Ilaaf.

“I have called my assistant coordinator; you both discuss and settle the remaining things for the interview.” He couldn’t say anything in reply, just kept thinking that would she be the same Qandeel, not necessary that she would be Qandeel Yousuf, might be any other girl with this name. But if this was the case then why with each and every passing moment his heartbeat was getting out of his control, why with each second his heart was saying she is Qandeel. Asghar Sahib was saying something but he was no more able to hear anything, and thus kept shaking his head in the answer of everything.

After few minutes the door was knocked. Somebody had grasped Ilaaf’s heart in his fist. He had felt the cold perspiration on his forehead.

The door was opened and somebody came in. Ilaaf had his back towards the door but his ears were hearing the footfalls.

“Yes, Qandeel, please have a seat. I had told you about an interview yesterday, and therefore called you to introduce you with my guest so that you can discuss all details with him and then communicate everything to Tanveer including the date and time of the interview, you have to manage all things.” Ilaaf turned his head. She had come and was seated on the chair next to him. His life was sitting besides him.

“He is Ilaaf Laashari and she is our assistant coordinator, Qandeel Yousuf.” This time Qandeel turned her head and looked him. His heart suddenly stopped beating, because like always looking him the smile on Qandeel’s face was disappeared.