she took out last evening, skillfully tucking in the dupatta, and shalwar then dressing the kameez over it. She carefully hung them, keeping space between other clothes.

As she closed the wardrobe, she turned her eyes back to Saliha, expecting the following task. Saliha escorted her down to the living area and told her to spray clean the glass furnitures and when it was done she should water the lawn. Since Rumina was not expert with planting and soiling, Saliha hired a mali, gardner to do the job every two weeks, checking the plants and flowers for their proper growth. Abundance of greenery sparked a good mood for spring. Whenever anyone loitered in the lawn, they were attracted by the emitting fragrance, frivolous in the thin air as if someone had sprayed a flower smelling perfume.

In the kitchen, there were prepared ingredients for the afternoon meal on the counter. According to the list of needed items there was everything. Otherwise sometimes Rumina at least forgot one thing. But this time her propensity of doing that was resolved. Saliha washed the chicken meat and fired the stove. Putting the pot on the top, she acquired the oil filled in the glass jar and poured some with accurate measurement. The fresh, hewed bell pepper and juicy tomatoes sitting in the plate were soon to be added.

As she left the kitchen, leaving the Chicken Jalfrezi stewing, she came to the living area and eased her back on the comfortable sofa. She had been consistently working, looking here and there, taking care of everything. Few minutes of relaxation made her sluggish. She didn't feel like getting up and performing the task again. Closing her eyes, she soothed herself off the tension and maintained composure for a moment.

When she was thinking silently in her head, she recalled the proposal of Manal. Last night this thought was keeping her from sleeping, replaying the spoken words of Rubab again and again and turning the train of thoughts at the idea of Manal. She was still not sure if this was the news to be revealed this soon before discussing with Zafar. If she did, how would it turn out? What was the possible reaction of her? That same ignorant reply of a spoiled girl, not yet wanting to end relying on her mother and learning to accept the responsibility? Zoha was around her age, a year and half older and did things that Manal was never seen doing.

This made Saliha think of her daughter's abilities and potentiality. Would she ever change and become mature? Despite that fact, the proposal wasn't something that could have been hidden for longer. It was a big deal. Before Manal overheard this in secret she wanted to tell her now. Being her mother was an extra responsibility. Things did not always favored her.

After Manal came back from university, visiting Saliha for a brief moment. Saliha told her that she had an important thing to talk about. At first Manal said that she could talk about it now. But no. This was not something to be discussed sitting on a flying horse, she said.

So Manal got fresh, jumped in comfortable clothes and presented herself downstairs with an utmost curiosity. Saliha lowered the flame of the stove so in case if it took longer, the food wouldn't burn, then came sitting in the living area with her.

"What's so important?" Manal questioned as she saw the heavy-set expression on Saliha, carved in bewilderment. It didn't take her long to get involved in this untold affair.

"It's not only important, but sensitive too." Saliha prepared the words. "Yesterday when we went to Rubab khala's dawat, Rubab told me about a proposal. For you."

"For me?" Manal for the first time did not accept what she was hearing. "How come?" There was patience in her voice that barely met her before. She appeared serious and dissolved in the new news she learned.

"There is friend of Rubab. They are best friends from school times. Her name is Rukhsana. She lives in Islamabad. When the last time they met each other Rubab told them about you because they were looking for a girl."

"She has a son?"

"Yes. He is a lawyer, completing his studies. Rubab showed them your picture and they were immediately interested. Offered the proposal. Rubab says they are from a very good background. Have the same status as us."

Manal paused, thinking.

"Rubab gave me his photo. Good looking boy." Saliha persisted.

"What's his name?"

"Usman."

"Will they come over?" Manal asked with a touch of tiny fear.

"I don't know about that."

"How can I decide?"

"I mean this is your choice. I want to see what you think after seeing the picture. And perhaps you can talk with Khala. She knows more about him."

"But... I am nervous."

Saliha placed her hand on Manal's lap. And matched her distant lost gaze, which gave her the view of her inner world. "Right now you might want to say no. You are afraid. But the more you think about it from a positive lens, you will see the beauty of forming a new relationship. Things will change for the better."

"But what if they don't? I will miss my this life. No restrictions over my freedom," Manal worried.

"Rubab said to think about this from a peaceful mind. Don't rush. She has chosen this for you because she values you."

"I can't doubt that," Manal said with a little more energy.

"She could have put you back and talked about Faiza into this proposal. But no. She told me that she didn't find this suitable. She knows Usman from when he was a very young boy. He grew up in front of her. A good-natured person. She said he will keep you happy." Saliha little by little tried to convince her to say yes to the proposal. As much as the boy's family was interested in her, she was double intrigued to form this bond between them. She doubted if ever in life she would find a caring family like this one.

Manal contemplated and then clasped Saliha's hand in her lap and said:

"When it is time to show how much I love Khala, I wouldn't waste it. You can say I am accepting this proposal."

Saliha was stunned. "Manal? Are you sure?"

"Yes, mummy. I realized that Khala has done a lot for me. She cares about me. And never let my friendship with Faiza down. Whatever she got I got the same thing too. If she does this much for me then why can't I? This will have a good impression on her friend. Make their bond stronger."

Saliha's small eyes were stuck on her, pupil glinting with bliss. She couldn't recognize the speaker inside Manal: conciliatory and understanding. Had she ever seen her this face before? The way she was struck by hearing about the proposal, she was triple times astonished by her new behavior. How could this moment be described in better words? What made her act that way? It was a secret earthed in complex layers which made it harder to evince the true roots.

"I didn't mean to pressure you, my sweetheart. Are you still sure? That fast? You haven't even seen the photo of him."

Manal nodded. "Yes, mummy. This is my decision."

"I can give you some more time."

"If I will take more time, then I will start seeing fake faults in this proposal. Later will be late."

"I am really happy, Manal. You made me a proud mother. I will never forget this." Saliha embraced her, swiping the tear from her eyes that she didn't realize were there. "You made me so happy. May you live longer and happily. I will tell this good news to your daddy."

"You didn't tell daddy?"

"No I haven't. I thought it would be better to discuss with you first."

"How about bhai?"

"Not yet. But now it would be a good news for him. It's incredible that you agreed on this so fast. Out of my imagination. I really want to give you more time. It all seems unreal."

Saliha pulled away and observed her daughter's face, like she was finding something new that she hadn't seen before. She couldn't believe if this was real or a dream, because it seemed surreal. Manal was far from what she had always seen her as: stubborn and reckless. Maybe the idea of forming a new relationship and getting married made her that way.

They got separated by the noise of Zoha's footfall. As she saw Saliha with Manal she decided to go back upstairs. But Saliha had caught a glimpse of her and she invited her to come over. Heart beating fast in Zoha's chest, she dealt to join her in the presence of Manal, who seemed irritated all of a sudden.

"What were you doing, Zoha?" Saliha's question put her at the edge.

"I was just going to the kitchen," Zoha half lied, in an uncomfortable tone like what she said mattered so much.

"Come sit here. Why do you look so scared? Did I stop you in the middle of your work or something?"

"No. No-" she sat, slightly nervous looking back and forth from Saliha to Manal.

"I wanted to ask. What did you do yesterday? About the dinner? Did Rumina helped you out or you did it yourself?"

Manal's face was smeared with a bitter look, happiness folded away, despising the interruption that Zoha had caused.

"I-I wasn't as hungry. I didn't realize I fell asleep working," Zoha said.

"I thought you were gonna leave a miss call. Didn't even see you when came back home. Probably that was the reason. But we had a delightful time at Rubab's," Saliha said.

Zoha's lips slowly spread into an unsure smile. She refrained from looking at Manal, whose eyes she felt against her face, making her fingers tremble.

"Bari ammi, I needed to tell you something." Her stomach clenched and adrenaline erupted, waking the bumps on her arms, and making her feet came together.

"I need to tell you something too. But since you said it you go first."

"I moving to my khala's house."

Saliha shook out of her comfort zone. "You are moving? But why, my dear?" Her buoyant face was struck by the shattering news.

"I am not moving because I don't like it here," Zoha addressed the misconception. "Khala is the only one who was close to my mother. If I lived with her it would make me feel like my mother is still somewhere with me. I barely remember her face and don't remember how she sounded. But despite that I am deeply missing her after I lost dadi. If I am with Khala she will give me a feeling of my mother. Of her being alive."

"Zoha, my dear, is something wrong here? Is something bothering you? You don't feel comfortable?" Saliha sounded like she would come to Zoha's feet, imploring her to stay. "Tell me if I ever treated you roughly or made you sacrifice your wish that made you upset of me?"

"No, bari ammi. You have always been fair and loving. How can you ever do that to me. You gave me everything that I needed. I want to tell you that my this decision isn't made because of anyone of you." She dared to look at the penetrating eyes of Manal, then drifted them back to Saliha. "It's my personal decision."

"I don't believe you, Zoha. You are hiding something from me," Saliha said, looking at the vulnerable face of Zoha, who tried to mask the true reason. "I can't let you go like this. What would others think, that after dadi passed away you became homeless? No. You are staying," she insisted.

"I'm sorry, bari ammi. I never mean to hurt you. But if you really love me wouldn't you let me go? Have my own choice and freedom? Wouldn't you?" Zoha waited for Saliha's reply whose eyes grazed at the floor, glumly.

Manal's acrimony melted away and out emerged a mocking smile. Folds of tension smoothened on her forehead. She slackened back on the sofa, curling the strand of her hair around the index finger, blithely.

"It's your choice I guess," Saliha said in an inactive tone.

"Bari ammi?"

Saliha slowly looked up.

"Please don't be upset. Then I would regret making this decision. Please?"

"You don't even want me to be sad?"

"I will keep visiting you."

"But it wouldn't be same as- as you lived with us."

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

Zoha got the address of her Yumna khala's house from the contact diary. The numbers were faded, but she got through it and copied the address on to the piece of paper. Next day she dragged the luggage with her under the early morning sky, and told Sajjid to drop her. She missed her class, just so she could get to her khala's before the afternoon.

Along the way, she informed her khala about the arrival anytime soon, one hour drive. Sajjid's face hung low, eyes touching pity when he found out that Zoha was leaving the house. He lost the strength to drive her there.

His quiet, sallow lips held unmoved, once throwing glance in the rearview mirror at Zoha. She didn't ever wanted to leave like this. The memories of her dadi were fresh like a dew on a leaf; her wounded heart wasn't healed yet that another loss of going far away from home cracked open, spilling sorrow inside of her. Her eyes swelled with morose tears as she looked out the window, muting the sob behind her closed mouth.

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