Light Upon Light

#6 The Fitrah

Assalamualaikum!!

I hope you are all fine and doing well! Have fun reading another chapter of Junaina's life.

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#6 The Fitrah

When we got back home, news of the events at town had already reached home. Dawud Chacha was waiting for us in the foyer. I thought we were done for.

Instead my jaw dropped down on seeing him patting Samar's back and saying he's proud of him for protecting the honor of the family. Who knew delivering filmy dialogues could up your image in your family's eyes.

Ayesha Di rolled her eyes as Samar smirked. She flicked his forehead when he started lifting his collar up and acting all cool. I couldn't stop myself from smiling. It turned into full blown laughter when Phuppi came to greet us in the hall and embarrassed Samar even more.

"Here comes the hero of the family! My sher,  I am proud of you!"

Her exaggerated antics got us laughing as Samar blushed and stalked away in annoyance. Poor thing, he actually was a hero. Phuppi followed him, no doubt to pacify his bruised ego.

"Juni beta, did you get everything you need?" Chachi asked.

I nodded. "Yes Chachi, just my uniforms left."

"Ah, that you will get from Marwa after you join there. You may have to attend class without them for a week or two." She said smiling.

"Okay, let me just get these stuff upstairs and go meet Dadi."

"Annu will help you. And Ammi is in the terrace," then addressing Di she said, "Ayesha beta, come and help me serve the mint juice. You'll need something refreshing after your day out."

Di nodded and followed her to the kitchen. She had handed her abaya to the maid who was waiting.

"Di, let me take that from you," she said.

She looked about my age. I felt awful about making her carry my stuff upstairs when I had hands and feet to do it on my own.

"No need Annu. I'll be fine."

"Di, please let me do my work." She requested.

I huffed in defeat. So much for being nice.

I split the stuff between the two of us. When we got to my room I told Annu to dump them on the floor and leave. The next thirty minutes were spent in putting things in their place and organizing my room in general. I still had to unpck my luggage. Figured I'd do it with Annu's help later. I still had to meet Dadi.

I was huffing and puffing by the time I reached the terrace. After I regained my composure, I took a look at my surroundings. The roof is my favorite part of Ashiana. Coming up here not only lifts up my spirits but is a complete aesthetic experience.

Spread around randomly are mats with spices scattered on them for drying. The vastness of the roof gives a taste of freedom. The slight chill that permeates the air up here is refreshing. With the sky up high as the ceiling, I could lay here all day long. And the view of the world down below was downright breathtaking.

Dadi was giving instructions to some maids on spreading the spices and collecting them and whatnot. I only understood half of the rapidly spoken Urdu. Thankfully she spoke to me much more slowly. Another perk of being an NRI product, even your mother tongue ends up being accented. Especially if you never used it, like me. Mom, Samir, Safwan and I always conversed in English. Only Dad insisted on speaking in Urdu at home.

"Salaam Dadi." I greeted, walking over to her.

Dadi's face lit up with a smile on seeing me. It gave me the best feeling ever. And it also reminded of Dad, they had the same smile.