'Beyond the Horizon': There's more to it...

Chapter - 23

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Shehnaaz was finally primed after trying few dresses on, she so wanted to wear the yellow salwar with the most beautiful applique work on it, her favourite, but it seemed she had put on some extra layers that the dress was not ready to slip through. So, she had to consider another simpler beige one with some maroon embroidery at the neck, which at least was going down with a decent space to move her hands and arms freely. They were keeping their clothes and stuff still packed for they had plans to shift to a rented house soon, until they finalize to own theirs'. With the frequent visits to Mumbai for years now, her father had bought a property long ago which was set for rent for last 9 years or so. It was on lease basis, and they cannot take it back before it completes the 10 years tenure. Their Taya ji's place was a family home but the clan living here had been comfortable on their own for the longest of time and her family had no intent to disturb their living styles for more than required span of time. Shehnaaz's father was a self-indulgent man, he never went for asking anything from anybody. The only time he did out of extreme helplessness, it costed them a life changing repercussion and a definite lesson.

She was descending the stairs to go out with Nawaz when her mother called her to join her for few minutes. They were sorting some light jewelries to wear for the day's meet with other women from neighborhood after the 'Satsang'.

"Sana...Ye ring daal ke rakh beta...yaha se wahaan hui toh hawa nahi lagni kisine..." Her mother said, slipping it onto her finger. It was the same ring that they had bought from Karachi, which also happened to be the last purchase for them from their home country. It was the smallest jewelry piece from the lot which they were simultaneously arranging at Tayi Ji's locker for some time now.

"Acha...Merese sambhali nahi to?" Shehnaaz asked her mother. It was a big responsibility, adorning gold piece in a finger. Trivial much but the metal was expensive, hence the apprehension of losing it was natural.

"Te pher tu jaan, te teri pasandida anguthi..." Her mother replied playfully.

Shehnaaz could say nothing but the childlike face of hers creeping slight sense of worry was not something her mother could stand and so she decided to give her a slice of wisdom.

"Dekh laado je ye ring tuhaanu boh pasand aa te ye kabhi nahi kho skdi tu...Jehdi cheez tuhannu boht jyada pyaari hove uh kade guwach(misplace) ni sakdi...uhno boht saambh(sambhaal) ke rakhde ho aap... te pher vo koi chiz ho ya phr log" Her mother expressed. She felt it was important to have a message conveyed to her, now was the time to start with the philosophical lessons for her daughter was at an age when she can gather, understand, and make use of such cognizance.

Shehnaaz responded smiling at it, the already gracious heart couldn't control from bringing it out on her lips. She took a leave after the short discussion, informing them about her outing and that she will be back soon.

Another landline call had interrupted their way out of home. It was from their father asking Nawaz to join them as soon as possible for they have been informed about a location best suited for the clothing showroom and that they needed to go check on it as early it can get to not lose the space to someone else. It was situated in the most bustling area in terms of residents and trade crowd as per the real estate agent's information.

"Terko chhod ke nikal jaaun me vahaan ke liye? Tu theek ravengi na? Ya ruku vahaan sath me?" Nawaz asked taking the bike cover off and climbing on it.

"Vo...Sidharth honge na..." She replied. An indecisive tone followed all through, out of her shyness in speaking his name in front of her brother. She wasn't anyway able to visualize Nawaz staying around while they meet and talk. The meeting was special, and it was taking a toll on her earlier, thinking about Nawaz being there with them, she would not be able to even look at Sidharth if he stays at the site. So, it was relieving to know that he'd be leaving soon after dropping her off.