and Saliha reached to pick it up. It was Rubab. She called to inform that her friend, Rukhsana was coming with her husband and Usman in the evening. Just as Saliha was delivered the news, she stormed into Manal's room to inform her. Then to Zafar and Shehryaar. The preparation commenced in the noon. It was a huge thing. The guests that were soon to be tied in a relationship, were visiting for the very first time. Saliha listed the sweets for the evening and gave it to Zafar to buy them, while rest of the work sat on Rumina's shoulder.

The guests arrived at six, when the day was still alive and glowing yellow. Saliha and Zafar welcomed them, beaming. They settled down in the living area. Manal showed up later when Saliha sent Shehryaar upstairs to call her, because Rukhsana was wishing to meet her.

The basket of fruits and big rectangular box of sweets were placed on the center table, brought by the guests. Saliha called Rumina to take them in the kitchen and bring the sweets from their side. They gossiped, then moved on to discussing about the future plans. Manal spoke as she was asked. Other than that she stayed quiet. She was amazed to see her life partner, sitting with his dad. He had a good sense of clothing style and appealing looks.

Later, Rubab came too, with Umair and Faiza. The place began to populate. Families met and exchanged greetings. Shehryaar got up to give space for Rubab to sit. Faiza gave Manal a hug and congratulated once again. They sat together and chit-chatted lightly around the idea of marriage. Adults talked and laughed at their moments. In all of this Zoha was absent. She was by herself in the room, reading book. There was nothing related to her affair.

Shehryaar and Umair strode out in the lawn. It was none of their business to involve in adults' conversation. They liked to hang out with each other. Outside there was a bit of humid in the air, heat nipping their bare skin.

"For how many days is your dad going to stay?" Umair said.

"Week, two weeks. Until the engagement?" Shehryaar said.

"And you?"

"I was thinking..... since I am free from college, why not stay for longer. When I go back, I miss everything about this place. The moments. Memories. So beautiful." He looked at the sky, coincidently finding a flight of birds flying across. "I am stuck choosing in between where to spend more time. It becomes hard to decide. My most of the childhood was spend there."

"I understand. Must be hard to manage."

"Remember I told you about the blog. Two months ago I put this painting. Just found out someone is willing to buy it."

"That's good."

"Yeah. But it would have been better if I was there. Now daddy is here too. So there is no one to look after."

"It's good thing that you chose a different path. Over here most of us are stuck with three choice; lawyer, doctor and engineer. There is no life. You work just for money."

Shehryaar stopped, hands plunged in his pockets. "Sometimes it's only about money. I totally don't agree with that. You are given life for once, and you should make a careful decision about how you want to lead your life. I didn't care what others thought. Always did what my heart told me to."

Umair put hand on Shehryaar's shoulder. He nodded. "When are you planning to get married?"

Shehryaar laughed. "Is it true that when one person in the family gets married, everyone else joins the queue?"

"Then you are not intending right now?"

"I mean there is no fixed time. Whenever I find an ideal girl."

Umair stared at him, then a smile leaked from the corner of his mouth, dimple pinched in his cheek. "Did you find her already?"

Shehryaar looked back. "No. Why?"

"Nothing. Just asking. I thought you would have told your mummy and kept it from me."

Shehryaar gave a quizzical look.

"Is it that easy to find an ideal girl?" Umair said.

"For me an ideal girl is a girl whose pure heart shines her eyes." They began to walk. Shehryaar was clung to an image in his head. He could imagine the girl with him, on his side. "It's true that it's hard to find that type of girl. Sometimes you have to look for her, but sometimes she is near you. Only effort you have to make is look up and meet your eyes."

Umair looked ahead, his side touching Shehryaar as they strolled. A web of silence veiled their tongue. The distant cawing of crowd filled the air. They saw Faiza come and join them in the lawn. Though the guests were still inside. The noise of talking was lightly heard because of the living room window nearby.

"Hey guys, what are you doing?" Faiza spoke with a preceding thrill in her voice. Her skin was fairer with extra layer of foundation on her face.

"It's so much better here," Umair said.

"Not really. It's kind of hot out here. And plus there are so many exciting news to keep up. I can't wait to start the preparations. Just imagine." She drifted her smiling eyes from Umair to Shehryaar.

"What do we boys have to buy? The weddings are only for girls."

"I know that's what I am talking about. Don't you think Manal will look cute as a bride?" Faiza said cheerily.

"Yeah. Indeed. She is pretty. Why wouldn't she?" Umair said. "What are they talking about inside?"

Faiza looked over her shoulder. "You know all the formalities."

"Manal is still sitting with them?" Shehryaar said.

"She was until I came here. It would be rude if she hung out with us. So she went to her room." Faiza kept looking at Shehryaar with mysterious energy. Smiling. Enthused. Giving more attention to him.

"Shehry, I think you should get married too. I really want to see who is your dream girl." Umair poked him. "You come to Pakistan then go back to California. Now since you are here this time, why don't you take your wife with you."

"You are more worried than mummy." Shehryaar chuckled. "She hasn't even talked about it once. Calm down."

"I was just kidding," Umair said. "I was just testing to see if you are really interested in anyone."

"These gathering turn your mind like aunties. It's better when we are with boys in the car."

"You don't like me here?" Faiza said.

"You are too young to be called aunty," Shehryaar said. "I didn't mean that."

"It's okay if I am bothering." Faiza almost turned away to leave.

"You can stay with us as long as you want. I am not kidding."

Umair's phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket, slid the finger across the screen and put it against his ear. Later when he ended the call, he said: "Guys, I gotta go somewhere. I will be back in half n' hour."

"Where are you going?" Shehryaar said, like he didn't want to be left alone.

"It was Fahad. When I come back I will tell you." Umair slipped away.

"Man, you will leave me like this?"

Faiza's eyes darted in the way Umair left them. Almost an awkward position. She turned to Shehryaar who was facing her. "He's so unexpected. I sometimes don't trust him. Never know when he will leave you," she said. Her hands entwined into each other in her lap.

Shehryaar thought with a fixed gaze on Faiza. When she waved to distract him, he smirked with an imperceptible jolt. "Sorry," he said.

"It's alright."

"Do you still want to stay here?"

"If you don't doubt there is a problem."

"Problem? Not at all." He brushed away the awkwardness.

They began to stroll peacefully. The silence shattered when Faiza cleared her throat. "Well it must be great for you," she said.

"Yeah, really," he said.

"Do you have plans ahead of time for wedding?"

"Haven't thought much."

The conversation wasn't grounded in any real enthusiasm. Shehryaar thought before a word escaped his lips. He wished to stay alone, rather than forced to speak to someone who was ready to ask him about everything.

"What do you do in your free time?"

He considered it. "Inspiration. I think a lot. That's my activity as an artist. Before I begin painting, I come up with a vague sketch of my ideas." When the talk of his interest struck, he felt himself shrug out of his tight layer.

"Wow. That's really interesting. It's rare I have met anyone like you." There was no strain in her words. "Artists are amazing people. Their way of seeing things differently attracts me." She smirked.

"I would take that as a compliment."

"Yes, of course." She laughed.

Shehryaar looked at her. "What about you?" Hesitancy became less common.

"Um." She thought looking at her teal-painted nails. Then lifted her head up. "I read magazines. I am into fashion."

A slight pause stretched. "Manal is into fashion too it seems like. Whenever I see her she is always dressing up. Taking hours and hours in front of the mirror."

"I used to take long time too. But not anymore."

"You stopped dressing up?" He clicked humor.

"No. I dress up fast. Otherwise mummy says she would leave me if I take one more minute."

"I never thought khala as strict."

"She isn't. You know-"

"I have seen her. She doesn't seem like it either."

They turned around and continued walking. The evening was slowly drawn into the charming night. The lawn sank in the navy-blue color, giving way to the interminable silence. In the hedges, the fireflies blinked their tiny lights, sometimes appearing near them and sometimes sparkling like magic spell from far away in a bunch. The post lights flickered one after another sending farewell to the fiery light of the sun. Shehryaar took a sigh, dragging his hand through his hair. He looked skyward, impressed by the streaks disappearing as the train of clouds floated across. Only a transitory glowing hue was left, which would soon be gone too.

When his eyes traveled down to the ground, he caught a glimpse of Zoha standing at the window of her room. She, for a tiny while glanced at him and Faiza and looked away. Shehryaar was struck by the thought of her. Faiza was by him, who hadn't notice Zoha.

"Do you want to go inside?" she said. "Let's see what Manal is doing."

Shehryaar got distracted from the line of thought. "No, I am going to stay here. I will see if Umair comes back."

"Okay."

"Otherwise I will come in."

Faiza blithely went in.

When Shehryaar attempted to check if Zoha was still there or not, she was, but now the guests were leaving. He tried to wave her. Instead she chose to look somewhere else, in the expansive view from up there.

**************

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