Like Chalk And Cheese [Completed]

And Finally Bliss

Mama Jaan was beyond delighted at my arrival back and couldn’t stop kissing my forehead time and again. She said she’d been praying since last night when Baba Jaan told her they’d be bringing me back the next morning. Of course the question never left my mind regarding how they even got to learn the truth, but I told myself to hold it, it’ll come to light too.

At the breakfast table, where everyone was present save for Wajiha, Agha Jaan announced the news of the upcoming wedding, and I couldn’t stop blushing as everyone kept throwing me knowing looks, especially the girls and Aunt Maheen. I knew I’d be bombarded with questions as soon as we’d be excused from the table, but thank God for the college, allowing me to leave the house with the other school going children of the family.

Agha Jaan told the women to decide how much time they’d need for preparations, and Baba Jaan to see for the bookings of the available banquets accordingly. And just like that everyone got down to chatting incessantly among themselves, and I made a mental note to invite my college friends too.

---

It was a bit after dinner when Nimra was browsing through Instagram and fashion magazines simultaneously to pick out the type of dress she’d wanted for all the functions, and I was completing an assignment that Baba Jaan knocked on the door.

Excusing herself, Nimra walked out of the room giving the two of us the privacy we required. I got down from the bed and saw as Baba Jaan reached me and perched down.

Lowering my gaze, I waited for him to speak.

“Sit down, Warda.” When he finally spoke after a few silent seconds, he sounded older than he’d ever did. “Apnay Baba ko maaf kardo-” he began once I’d complied but I interrupted immediately.

“Aisay mat kaheyn. Nothing bad came out of it after all. I’m actually glad that it happened . . . Hasan achay hain.” I added quietly after a pause.

“Oh I’m sure he is. But I hate myself for not trusting my daughter.”

I didn't know what to say to that so I stayed silent. To be frank, I’d hated him for it too, for the time I hadn’t fallen for Hasan, though once I did, it no longer mattered what circumstance brought me to him. All that did, was how to win his heart. “How did you find out?” I asked instead.

“Wajiha came clean herself, told Agha Jaan the other night.”

“How come?”

“I don’t know, neither do I care. I”m more than just glad that she did though, I wonder how else I would have been able to see your face. It’s always been hard for fathers to let go of their daughters, and I’m no different.”

We talked for a couple of minutes more, where we discussed the wedding, where he told me to come to him for any complaint against Hasan, where he asked me what I was studying and how long was it going to go on.

And before he left, he added as an afterthought that he’d make sure that Hasan didn’t forget taking me to Egypt during our honeymoon, since he knew how passionate I was for a ride on the camels in the desert, and exploring the pyramids since I had been eight.

---

It was Sunday, a couple of days later, when I was waiting for the evening to come so we could go shopping while lying on the bed pretty idly, when I decided that I’d had enough. I had to go over to see him, so I rushed out of the room and was out through the main door in no time.

But just as my eyes rested on the figure leaning against his car in the driveway, I stopped in my tracks. It was too late to turn around and run away, for he too had seen me coming.