, just like the time when Shehryaar was coming from California. Shehryaar went with Sajjid to the Jinnah Airport, the famous one in Karachi. It was huge and the cleanest with proper facilities; taxi cabs swarmed at the terminal. Everyday someone was arriving or departing and it caused the crowd of people. Luggages, baggages and suitcases were transferred from airport trolley to the trunk one after another.

Shehryaar waved high at his dad, who later saw him and dragged his maroon luggage along. They sat in the car, where Sajjid was waiting for them in the parking lot. The sun was chiding on the top. Heat had toasted the car seats; it was unbearable to even touch. The small holes for the air-condition did the best to keep it cool. Sajjid put the stuff in the trunk and abandoned the airport for home.

When they reached the destination, a massive bungalow, Saliha came out to welcome Zafar's arrival.

"Daddy!" Manal popped up.

Zafar, a black bearded man with mustache, grinned. His small eyes appeared a thin line. "Aray, meri jaan Manal. How is my daughter?" He opened his arms for a hug. Manal dove her head in his chest and wrapped her arms around his torso.

"I am really good. How are you, daddy?"

"Excited to come home." He laughed.

Saliha was standing at the side of the car, happily watching. "How was the trip?" she asked.

"The whole way I was thinking about Manal and Zoha. Where is Zoha? I don't see her." He expected her to come, but then a cloud of concern overpowered his good mood when he didn't see her. He began throwing glances behind Saliha.

Manal parted from Zafar, as if she was disturbed to hear what he said. Saliha's smile drew into a frown. She didn't respond until the silence began to demand the voice out of someone. An answer for which Zafar shifted his gaze to over each person.

"She went to her khala's house," she said.

Shehryaar detected the slight growing tension. He stood still by the car side, while Sajjid took out the luggage and plopped it on the floor.

"From how long by now?" Zafar asked.

"Three days." Saliha didn't meet eyes with Zafar very much, who looked serious.

"How can you let her go?"

"I tried to stop her a lot."

"Then how could she?"

Manal moved away from Zafar as she saw him taking the matter firm in his hand.

"She said it was her choice. I wouldn't have ever let her go."

"You know she is my only daughter of my deceased brother. I was really hoping to meet her and make her feel better after ma's death. To tell her she is not alone. And nobody seems to care about that she has left for three days now." He heavily breathed. "What's her khala's name? Where does she live? I am going to pick her up. Right now." He headed back towards the backseat of the car, parked near him.

Sajjid for a while stood to listen. He drove the luggage inside the house. Then came back out.

"Sajjid went to drop her. He might know the address......" Saliha trailed off, uncertainty painted her eyes.

Manal joined Saliha by her side and watched Zafar, as he began asking about the address.

"How far is it?" Zafar asked earnestly.

"Forty five minutes."

"Take me there."

"Sahab, you just came. You are tired. I can take you.." He was interrupted.

"No, I have to go now. It's really important." He opened the car door. Then looked up at Shehryaar across from him. "Shehryaar, beta, can you come with me?"

"Sure," he replied with slight hesitation.

"Saliha, I am going to come back in about an hour or two. I will call you if it gets late," Zafar informed solemnly. Then he sat in the car wordlessly. Shehryaar climbed in the front seat. Sajjid opened the gates and pulled up on the road.

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

Zafar was surprised to witness the neighborhood that Zoha's khala lived. Alleys small and confined. Their car seemed giant in a small space. Shehryaar scanned the passing view of the place. Houses were built closely alongside each other. Electric poles were planted at the corner of every block, linking insulator wires down the long distance. Since they were inside, the heat was unfelt in the coolness of air conditioner; the internal walls were cold too.

Sajjid stopped in front of the same house that he did three days ago. Zafar lightly jerked forward, as he managed to look through the window. The sound of the buzzing AC died away with the engine. Sajjid clicked the key in the ignition and shot a glance in the rearview. Zafar was busy examining.

"We are here, sahab," he declared.

Zafar looked into his watch. "Took twenty minutes up."

"Because of the traffic."

"It's this one over there, right?" He made sure.

Shehryaar turned to the block, perching his elbow at seat's back. He looked at the white small gate of the house where Zoha lived.

"Jee."

Zafar came out. The repulsive, greasy summer air stung his skin. Back in San Francisco, it was mostly sunny. But experiencing the Karachi's weather, he sensed an unlikely humid and hot wind. He pressed the bell and waited. Shehryaar and Sajjid were in the car. Fariqa opened the gate. She looked at Zafar cluelessly.

"Aslam-e-laikum. I am Zoha's uncle. Zafar." He smiled familiarly.

Fariqa let him in.

When Zafar was welcomed to sit on the sofa, he met Yumna and Shaheen. But he didn't see Zoha anywhere.

"Aslam-e-laikum," he said to Yumna.

"Walaikum-Salam," Yumna greeted. She sat on the sofa apart from him.

"I don't know if you recognize me. We haven't met much. I am Zoha's uncle from America. I just came from the morning's flight today. When I found out Zoha is here, I immediately came."

"Yes I know about you. It was very sad to hear about your mother's death. We came at the funeral. She was a really generous person. Zoha talks about her," Yumna consolidated.

"Bas. It's all about what Allah wants. And over that I couldn't even come. My lifelong remorse. Unfortunately, my son got to bury her." He casted his eyes downward, thinking away.

"That's good. Will you prefer anything cool to drink? Juice?"

"Just a glass of water. It's really hot," Zafar said.

"Zaroor. Shaheen, please bring water," Yumna said. Shaheen promptly did it. Fariqa went in the room. Just in few seconds, Zoha came out with her. She appeared surprised to see Zafar. When Zafar saw her, he said, "Aray, Zoha. How are you?"

Zoha came and sat with Yumna. Fariqa stood by.

"I am fine. When did you come to Pakistan, baray abu?"

"Just now, before I came to pick you up." He unraveled the reason for coming over.

"Baray Abu, I am staying here with my khala."

Shaheen brought a glass of water and placed it on the table.

"Thank you, beta," he said to her. Then resumed his attention to Zoha. "It was surprising to hear you were here. I was missing you."

Zoha dropped her gaze.

"I am here to pick you up."

"I told bari ammi that I will be visiting. She didn't want me to leave either. But I came......."

"What made you leave your home? We are still here for you. Doesn't mean that your dadi passed away so we forgot about you. Our relationship is more stronger. I would want you to come back." Zafar spoke with true love.

"Baray Abu, I never thought that you all forgot about me," Zoha said meekly.

"Then come home. Please." He drank half glass of water. "You remind me of my brother. I see his reflection in you."

Zoha quieted and her eyes were fixed at one place. She pondered. Then Yumna put a hand on her shoulder. Zoha looked at her then.

"Zoha, you should go if your baray abu is insisting you so much," she said.

"Believe me, I only thought about you throughout the trip. I was hopeful to meet both of my daughters. After all it has been a very long time since we met. Seven years ago," Zafar said. He drank the left over water to satiate his thirst.

"Don't think much, Zoha. That is your home. You grew up there. How can you adjust in this small house?" Yumna said.

Zoha stared into Yumna's eyes. She grew wistful. "Your small house gave me so much love. I feel attached to it."

"But you know you are not going to live here longer. I am happy to keep you. But what would your baray abu think? That I stole their lovely daughter."

Zoha embraced Yumna. Zafar didn't expect Zoha to feel that attached in just three days. It made him feel that he hadn't done much compare to what her khala did. If that house was really hers, she wouldn't have left it like that. Perhaps, things had changed after the death of dadi. Without her, the family was falling apart.

"Baray abu, can I come tomorrow?" Zoha asked.

Zafar looked up. "The purpose of me bringing you home is not to force you. If you are happy here, then it's pointless to insist. All I want you is to be happy. And you are." He got up. "I think I should be leaving now."

With dignified, unsmiling face, he left the house. As he saw Sajjid come of the car in a questioning look, he ignored him like his presence didn't exist and climbed in the backseat.

"Sahab, Zoha didn't come?" Sajjid sat in the driver's seat.

"No."

"Why? I thought she......"

"Zoha is more happy here than her home. I didn't find it suitable to force her. Without mother and father, a child is already homeless."

Shehryaar froze, listening in the front seat.

"You are all right. Poor girl," Sajjid said. He threw his hand on the wheel and started the engine.

Suddenly, the door opened and Zoha showed with a luggage. Yumna was with her in the back. They hugged each other.

"Allah-hafiz, Zoha," Yumna said. She kissed her head.

"Take care of yourself," Zoha said.

Glum on Zafar's face cracked and smile blossomed. "You made me really happy, beta," he said, as she decided to come along.

Zoha gave one last wave to Yumna before she joined Zafar in the backseat. Yumna stood at the door for a while, then went inside.

"Sorry, baray abu, I bothered you," she said. Her eyes darted over to Shehryaar in the front seat. Sajjid kept his eyes on her through the rearview mirror.

Zafar patted her head, grinning. "No, beta. I just wanted to see you happy."

"It was good, Zoha beta, that you came. I was really missing you," Sajjid said. He pulled the gear and turned the wheel, without any reason to stop him again.

Zoha gave a measured smile.

"You know I thought after a long time, we will all be together once again. This is different that your dadi is not with us anymore." He inevitably touched upon this topic, guilt hardened in his heart that he couldn't come on his mother's death. Couldn't see her for the last time. He blamed his business for this shame. He wondered what Zoha thought about him. "Your choice made me happy."

"I shouldn't have kept you insisting," she said.

"Now forget about it. Begin your day again. More happily."

Shehryaar glanced at Zoha through the side view mirror. They were out from the alleys and were on the proper paved road. People were swarming around on the streets. Zoha stayed quiet, watching out.

"You know I brought gifts for everyone. And you too Sajjid," Zafar said.

"Really, sahab? What did you find in Amee-rica?"

Zafar laughed. "You will find out when the time reveals it. Zoha, you must like gifts."

Zoha looked at him. "Yes."

"Daddy, what did you get for me?" Shehryaar said.

"I didn't get anything for you. You already have so much. This time I bought for my daughters." Zafar was in a better mood. "I am just kidding. I have, but I won't tell you now. It's a surprise," he said.

"Yeah, but you told us that it is a surprise. So it's not it anymore," Shehryaar said.

"I know your tricks. You can't fool me. Why don't you just quietly wait like Zoha. By the way do you both even to talk to each other?" Zafar gave a mischievous look from Zoha to Shehryaar; Shehryaar to Zoha.

Shehryaar turned and looked over his shoulder at Zoha. "I realized that. We don't talk very often."

Zoha was caught off guard. Her cheeks were flushing pink.

"It was not a happy time for her that's why."

"Maybe," Shehryaar said, lightly nodding.

"Beside this, she has always been a reserved and calm person. I remember when I came to Pakistan, you three were little. You and Manal would play together and she would just watch you two sitting with dadi," Zafar said.

"Yeah, I remember." Shehryaar faced forward and looked through rear view mirror.

Sajjid took a turn on the left in a more peaceful street. He was smiling, listening to the conversation occurring in the back. His memories seemed to revive, too.

"This is the best part about coming back home. A wave of fresh breeze." Zafar closed his eyes and made a ah sound as if he was really feeling the breeze. "There is no better place than it."

"Are you excited for Manal's engagement, daddy?" Shehryaar asked.

"Is that even a question to ask? Yes of course."

Zoha looked at Shehryaar with surprise.

"Have you decided how we are going to set the event? Decoration? Place?"

"I still need to consider that. I haven't properly talked with your mother yet. Were you there when your Rubab khala came?"

"No."

"It's best to leave it on the circumstances. When we meet with Usman and their parents, then I will plan with precision."

"I have never been to weddings here in Pakistan. They are more fancy and fun.Whole real experience."

"Zoha, are you happy?" Zafar said.

She looked confused. "I didn't know about Manal's proposal..."

"Bari ammi didn't inform you?"

Zoha shook her head.

"That's strange. She must have forgot," he said.

When they reached home, Saliha came out to receive Zoha, but as Manal saw her, she scoffed and didn't even go near her. Zafar noticed the slight off behavior, but he didn't speak about it. He kept his smiling face on and listened.

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