~Hooriyah

Two toasts layered with a little butter and jam, one large steaming hot cup of coffee and a dancing boiled egg was enough for me to kick start this mesmerizing morning which was expected to lead to the most auspicious day of my life.

It was getting hard by every passing minute to interpret the unexplainable vibes coming my way.

Nervousness? ...... Not really!
Butterflies? ........... Perhaps!

I answered my own weird questions to calm down myself until another shiver of anxiety ran through my spine.

"The driver is here Hoor." Baba smiled and patted my head with so much love that it became much difficult to gulp the last sip of my coffee.

His extra affection towards me always made me want to stay as much close to him as possible.

That soul-shaking fear never leaves me alone. The fear of losing him! The fear which almost made me insane when I was 15 when he had to go through a heart surgery.

He is getting weaker day by day, but his affection was growing stronger. He was a strong man with a heart of gold. He was the man I idolized and always wanted to make him feel better everyday , just like he did when we were on the verge of being homeless.

I wanted him to stay with me forever!

"Hooriyah? The driver is waiting princess."
Baba kissed my forehead while noticing some unwanted tears brimming in my eyes. He knew the reason.

"Don't let these silly drops dull the glow of this angelic face" He smiled while wiping my tears off. And I melted. His smile always melted me.

I hugged him tightly wanting to protect him from each and every sorrow of this world and ask Allah to bestow His uncountable jewels of health and prosperity upon my Baba.

"I'll just come downstairs in five minutes Baba" I smiled while kissing his weak hands and ran towards my room.

As soon as I performed ablution, I stood on the prayer mat and offered two nafl hajat for the health of my Baba. I prayed to Allah to take care of him in my absence and give him so much strength that he becomes a Superman!

I giggled.

I know it was so childish of me! But I loved being a stubborn child in front of the One Who loved me more than seventy mothers.

My Rab! The One and Almighty!

"Hooooooooooriyaaaaahhh!
Making others wait for so long is considered to be bad manners!"

I quickly got up from my prayer mat as Ami shouted from downstairs.

While having a final glimpse at the mirror, I quickly tied my long wet hair into a loose braid and covered my head with a turquoise shawl.

The beautiful silver jhumkas kissed my cheeks as I swirled my black velvet frock shyly.

Grabbing my luggage, I quickly ran down the stars. Everyone was waiting outside where the car was parked.

"MashaAllah wari jawan soniye! Someone's looking freaking awesome!" Iman hugged me tightly.

"Will miss you little one!" I kissed her forehead.

Ami blessed me with lots of prayers and instructed me to be careful throughout the journey and recite lots and lots of prayers for security.

"Oho Nazia, she's only going to Lahore! Not England! Shehroze will treat her like a princess."
Baba smiled proudly .

"She will go to England too! Am I right big sis?"

I stared Iman with immense anger. My eyes were going to pop out of horror any second.

"Iman, stop annoying her!"

Baba sensed my hesitation and enveloped me in his warm and beautiful embrace.

"Please take care of your health Baba. Iman if I heard that he had missed even a single course of his medicines, I am gonna come straight away from Lahore and kill you! Understood?"

Everyone burst into laughter.

"I wish with all my heart that may your truest desires get fulfilled in front of these beautiful eyes of yours!" Iman whispered.

"Ameen" I hugged her again.

Bidding everyone a goodbye, I sat inside the black Mercedes which was waiting for me, and the driver stuffed my suitcase in its trunk.

Don't know what was making me feel so disturbed. It was just a matter of two weeks man! Then why was my heart signalling about something I wasn't ready for?

Why were my optimistic thoughts gradually transforming into the pessimistic one?

A tiny seed of pain had started growing slowly inside my heart.

Something was stopping me from continuing this journey.

"A fear of rejection!"

I recalled my own words from last night while talking to Iman.

The car started to move. I waved my hand for one last time as Baba threw a flying kiss towards me.

I chuckled. What a hero he was!

The car sped off towards the expressway.

Beautiful snow capped peaks were hidden behind a thick dark blanket of clouds, ready to bid me farewell.

The roads were still wet and slippery due to yesterday's heavy downpour.

"So Madam! You are the same childhood friend of Alizeh mam who used to come and stay at Lahore 18 years ago?" The driver who was around 65 or 70 asked enthusiastically while smiling ear to ear.

"Umm, yes! I think so. " I smiled politely

"Madam, you must have forgotten. I am Gulrez Khan. You kids used to call me khan baba!" He laughed while recalling a beautiful memory.

"Of course I remember, Khan Baba" I smiled while noticing a layer of shock dance through his old eyes as he looked at me through the rear view mirror.

"And please, Hooriyah is fine, madam doesn't seem good Khan baba!" I added politely.

"May Allah bless you. You have grown up to be such a beautiful and well-mannered girl MashaAllah. My whole life was spend with my very generous and pious master Shehroze Sahb and his family, so I can't even dare to call his beloved ones by their name. So how can I call you by your name beti?" He lowered his gaze from the rare view mirror as if hiding his embarrassment.

"So now you are calling me beti (daughter) but can't say my name? Isn't that injustice?" I frowned.

"Hahahah. So clever! Still the same as eighteen years ago." He laughed beautifully.

"I still remember how you and chotey sahb used to request me to take you both to the ice cream shop, when his parents denied his offer. Then I used to buy lots and lots of scoops of strawberry and vanilla ice cream for both of you!" Khan Baba chuckled.

"Chotey Sahb?" I asked with curiosity.

"Oh Chotey Sahb! Sir Shahveer. "

A chill ran down my spine as goosebumps rose all over my arms. I immediately tried to calm down myself while rubbing my palms together which had suddenly gone icy cold despite of the heater being on.

"I am sorry I forgot that it might be hard to remember someone after 18 years. How foolish of me." He apologized.

"You both were the brightest and shiniest stars of the mansion. And whenever you came to the mansion, you brought lots and lots of blessings along with you. Sheheroze Sahb and his wife used to be so happy on your arrival that they used to arrange a grand party for your family. Everyone is dying to meet you at the mansion."

"Everyone?" A ray of hope shined straight from my heart.

"Yes of course! And do you know what did Alizeh madam say? She ordered me to drive with the speed of Burraq and bring you at the mansion before 12p.m although I kept on reminding her that it takes six hours to reach Lahore from Murree but she was not ready to listen any of my excuses."

I chuckled. Stupid girl.

" The moment she stepped in Pakistan she was instructing me to quickly prepare myself to go to murree and pick you up. She might have made the whole mansion go crazy up till now, I believe!"

I laughed really hard this time.

" She loves me a lot. Sometimes I believe, more than my own sister!" I shook my head while laughing uncontrollably.

"No doubt! She seems to be super elated for your arrival. Thousand times more than being elated for her wedding." Khan baba giggled.

"Everyone seems to be looking forward for my arrival! Except one!"

I murmured to myself with a bit of almost nonexistent disappointment which was dancing through my heart.

"Sorry?"

"Uh.. Nothing Khan Baba! How long will it take to reach?"

" Just an hour more to go beti" He smiled.

And then a beautiful astounding view danced in front of my eyes. I was engrossed to the full. The late autumn fields stretched lazily across the billowing plateau, a beautiful patchwork of gold stubble and green pasture. Those golden squares, glowing in the dying winter sun, were a blessing and a treat to the eyes.

The herds of buffaloes and goats roamed freely while grazing their favorite grass.

The yellow mustard fields swayed along with the cool breeze scattering the magic of love everywhere. The farmers were busy looking after the irrigation whereas the women were harvesting the rice fields. The kids danced in the tube well while splashing water on each other's faces.

SPLASH!!

A large splash of water was thrown towards my face which was resting peacefully on the window pane making me immediately jerk from my position.

"O Bacha! Watch out!" Khan Baba shouted at the kids angrily.

"It's okay Khan Baba! It's more like I wanted to freshen up myself a bit!" I laughed while realizing such a perfect way of welcoming it was.

The foggy highway was becoming more clear as we crossed bunches of miles. The fields were slowly and gradually disappearing. Myriad of houses started to appear before my eyes and then the small villages were started to be replaced by a beautiful city.

Welcome to Lahore!

A large billboard gathered my attention.

And that's when I started feeling nauseous. My heart raced wildly while my hands shivered madly. Just when I passed my hand through my forehead, I realized that I was sweating too.

Gosh!

This city was not even close to what I had witnessednl 18 years ago. Every single thing was transformed beautifully. Lahore looked amazingly picturesque.

Khan Baba sped off towards what seemed like possibly the most posh society of Lahore. The luxurious and elegant bungalows stood tall flawlessly which seemed to be extremely welcoming, but perhaps only for the elite class.

This was not something I was habitual of watching. All I had seen throughout my life were small wooden cottages, mountains , rivers, and spent my life with middle or probably lower class people like me.

Neither I asked , nor I wished for them. Luxuries and elegance never fascinated me in anyway!

A layer of nervousness ran through my chest making my heart pound faster as the car slowed down towards the end of the street which seemed like never ending to me.

The Mercedes came towards a round about with a fountain at the center, swept around it, and continued up toward a fantastic sprawling house. It was flawless like always, redbrick topped with copper domes and spires that had long ago turned green. There must have been at least a hundred windows on three floors facing the drive. It was a house that just didn't know where to stop.

The freshly grown grass spread across the what seemed like never-ending-garden, sparkled perfectly due to the rain drops.

Had it rained in Lahore too? Or was it about to?

I was mesmerized!

The garden was mostly decorated with the bushes of floribunda roses and grape vines which added more beauty to the manor.

The car stopped right in front of the entrance which I believe may lead to the lounge.

Khan Baba came out to take out my luggage from the trunk.

"The most prettiest star is here to sprinkle the beauty of her elegance. Tonight is going to be the most magnificent night of all times!"

A deep, cheerful and manly yet familiar voice immediately grabbed my attention breaking the trance in which I was a few seconds before.

"Shehroze Uncle" I smiled as I came out of the car, carefully lifting my black velvet frock to avoid it getting dirty due to the wet floor. Khan Baba smiled while looking at us.

" Indeed she is the prettiest star of our sky , Shehroze Sahab. Look how charismatic she has become in all these years MashaAllah!"

Khan Baba was so sweet indeed.

"No doubt Gulrez!" Shehroze Uncle smiled and came forward and hugged me softly and blessed my forehead with a kiss. His embrace reminded me of Baba. The same warmth. The same affection! Just like Baba's.

"Khan Baba, just leave it I will hold it on my own!" I stopped the old man from lifting up my luggage.

Shehroze Uncle smiled.

" Without any doubt, only Jahangir's daughter can be this much well-mannered!" A sweet melodious yet motherly voice interrupted all three of us.

A smart model like figure emerged from the lounge. Her hair were chopped till shoulders . She carried herself so elegantly as well as gracefully, that it was hard to believe that she was a 45 year old woman.

Mrs. Shehroze Ali Khan came forward to hug me and kissed my forehead.

" MashaAllah! My angel has grown up to be a princess. Life had been quite weird without you all these 18 years my darling!" I could notice some tears brimming in her eyes.

Wiping the corner of her eye she hugged me again and blessed me with lots and lots of prayers.

"The poor soul must be tired Samiya. Come on Hoor! Would you please allow us to lead our majesty towards her royal bedroom?" Shehroze Uncle smiled childishly as I giggled at his innocence.

Such a cutie pie they both were!

Just when I was about to enter the mansion, someone screamed madly and ran like a bolt of thunder towards me. I stiffened as I had already imagined how this thunderstorm was going to welcome me.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

She screamed so loudly that I nearly fainted. Oh God ! Is this girl a melodrama?

"HOOOOORRRRRIIIYAAAAAAAAAHHHHH"

Alizeh finally burst into me and enveloped me into a tight soul-shaking hug. She was literally jumping with I don't know should I say this or not but what seemed like......

MADNESSSSS!

She kissed my cheeks and hugged me again not ready to leave me any soon. Struggling to get some breath though my lungs, I hugged her back only to experience some extra tightened grip along my shoulders.

"Uffff Larki! Leave her! She had just stepped here. Do you want her to run away back to Murree?"

Mrs. Shehroze gasped at her daughter with horror dancing playfully in her eyes.

"I'm Sorry. I'm Sorry! It was just that, I couldn't control myself! HEHEHEHE!" She laughed hysterically.

But she was crying too. Tears rolled down mercilessly through her olive green eyes. The eyes which were totally identical to her brother's. What a pathetically emotional and oversensitive princess she was!

I giggled while wiping off her tears and hugging her back again trying to console her by patting her back.

"My Alizeh is the strongest girl I have ever seen in my life right? I am here! SEE? All these 18 years can't just steal away the deep friendship we share okay? Now stop crying, you look like a stupid baboon" I kissed her forehead. She was my sister indeed!

Mr and Mrs. Shehroze laughed hilariously.

I was finally ushered towards the lounge where I was asked to sit on the royal sofas. The interior was breathtaking. The golden ceiling and large beautiful chandlers dancing on them, white and purple curtains swaying gracefully, and the matching off-white furniture resting exquisitely on the crystal like carpeted marble floor , were enough to leave anyone in an awe.

Yet these luxurious and fantasized accessories were not something I was fond of, nor were they fascinating me that much. The only thing my eyes were dying to catch a glance of , was something far different from all of this. A glance of someone who was a lost fragment of my incomplete soul.

My heart was yearning madly to feel his existence! To finally see the result of those nights which I had spent praying tirelessly, continuously, while shedding uncountable tears. To finally see the outcome of those prayers!

My soul craved for his existence, madly!

Rukhsar bibi, a servant, brought a large glass of orange juice, followed by some fruits and then lots and lots of sweets and placed it before me. Although I tried to stop her every time, but each and every one of them was adamant to not to listen to me at any cost.

Finally I mustered up some courage to drink the orange juice.

As soon as I took the first sip, a harsh slam or perhaps a thunderous bang was heard from somewhere not too far.

Alizeh jerked as she looked upstairs.

My whole body stiffened!

I wasn't habitual of hearing such loud and thunderous sounds.

They used to freak me out, a lot.

I could barely breath!

And just within the matter of few seconds, a man angrily came downstairs as fast as he could while swearing loudly.

"WHAT THE FREAKING HELL???"

He shouted so loudly that my heart almost stopped beating out of fear.

"WHERE THE HELL IS MY IPHONE'S CHARGER RUKHSAR????"

His olive green eyes were nothing but just a volcano which had ruptured, overflowing endless lava.

Mr. Shehroze stood up with shock and rage.

"WHY THE FREAKING HELL HAVE YOU HIRED THEM DAD? I WANT MY DAMN CHARGER RIGHT NOW!"

He wasn't stopping any soon.

He was breathing heavily as his face first turned yellow, then orange and finally red. He was going to explode any second.

"Behave yourself Shahveer! There is someone sitting between us! "

Mrs. Shehroze glared him with immense anger as she quickly came and sat by my side.

"TO HELL GOES YOUR FREAKING GUEST MOM!"

Without even having a glance of the new guest who was sitting nervously while her hands trembled with fear, he yelled ferociously and walked madly towards the exit of the house.

There was a complete pin drop silence in the mansion. As if