The next day the Farooqi haveli is up and bustling with activity before the sun even touched the horizon. 

Dua had known about Zaroon Sheikh and was actually an admirer of his paper as well as his articles. She made sure to always read what he had written. From what Dua could gather he was a man of ideals much like her father, a man of an open mind and great honour again much like her father. 

She had always been fascinated with his thoughts on the ongoing political scene of the country, on the position of women in the society and so many more of his opinions were very much like hers. 

He had wanted to meet the man behind some of her favourite articles, but somehow, even when residing in the same city they had never crossed paths. He rarely attended the parties which his father attended, which her mother made her attend in hopes 0of grabbing a well educated, money owning groom for her. 

He did not attend though, not because he did not want to, like Dua rather because of his aligning wife. Rehana Zaroon was his wife, they got married quite young, probably younger than Dua was right now. And they had a love like none of the new couples of this city. 

They had been a happy couple, by all means, Rehana was a great host and an even livelier guest at the social gatherings. They had were the talk of the town, women envied the love Zaroon showered his wife with and men envied Zaroon, for his luck getting such a gorgeous and intelligent wife. 

Even though Rehana had not gotten a formal education and only been homeschooled she was known for her wit more than her beauty. Perhaps that is what drew Zaroon to Rehana when they first met at a party, and soon Zaroon asked his parents to send word for a marriage proposal.

But Allah always had his own ways of testing his humans. And so, the test came, Rehana was diagnosed with Cancer. Even with the resources that the Sheikh family had, it had been impossible to save her. Allah only knew how many days Zaroon and Rehana had with one another. And so, Zaroon Sheikh had stopped attending parties, to spend as much time as he could get with his wife. 

It is was a wonder in itself when Mir Farooqi had came home and told everyone of the news, that Zaroon along with his father Idrees Sheikh were visiting them regarding a series of articles that Mir would be writing. 

What was more of a shock was that if Rehana was feeling well then she would accompany them as well. 

Dua was excited she would finally get to meet Zaroon and she would also meet Rehana Zaroon, a woman her mother constantly told her to be like. And Dua did want to be like her but not for the reasons her mother wanted her to be. 

It was a hyped-up day the Faqoori Haweli, curtains were changed, vases were filled with fresh flowers. The house has given a makeover by her mother, as long as it wasn't her makeover Dua did not mind. 

Dua's best clothes were taken out, and ironed and so were her brothers, in their best kurta pyjamas. 

Dua like a diligent student went over all the articles written by Zaroon just so she could talk about them in front of him, or rather so she could hold her own in a conversation. 

It was when she was reading these articles when her father came over to her and sat down in the chair in front of her, "I want you to stay with Rehana," Mir told his daughter. 

Dua looked from her father then, questioning the tone of voice he held.

" It is no secret that Rehana will not be with us for long, and I can not imagine what I would do if I knew I would not get to see your Amma every day anymore, that she won't be a part of my life anymore," Dua watched as her father's face grew a shade paler at that mere thought of separation. 

" I can only imagine what both Zaroon and Rehana must be going through, so if we can give them a few moments of reprieve, moments of happiness which they can cherish. So, make sure to make her smile, I am sure Zaroon would love," her father completed smiling at her, with his usual kind smile. 

"I will Abba, I am sure I can to Zaroon later on," Dua replied in kind. 

Dua kept the articles aside and thought of all the things she could talk about with Rehana, but truth be told she had no idea what to talk about. She was always considered to be a pariah in elite societies be it the Hindu or the Muslim communities. 

After all, she had been allowed to study at times with special permissions in the best institutes with the best of subjects which were not allowed for many other ladies her age, or any age really. This had led her to be outcasted by the girls her age. 

She didn't mind really, it was okay she had her own mind and voice, her own opinions which did not revolve around how to grab a man before another girl does. But at times it did hurt her, even if she never said that to anyone. 

But Dua Farooqi would not give up just for the fear of being outcasted by Rehana Sheikh either. 

Later that evening the Sheikhs came calling toFarooqi haveli and naturally the women were in another parlour while the men took the conversation to the living room. 

Rehana Zaroon Sheikh, even ill, was a vision and was immediately taken away by her mother who kept talking about so many things that Dua did not get a chance to speak, and Rehana's friend who apparently had tagged along with her was also not helping the situation. 

Talking to her mother as if she knew her since forever. And the sad thing was that her mother was enjoying talking to the girl, whatever her name was. 

Her mother never did talk to her like that, with such rapt attention and equal participation. She was lost these thoughts when Rehana's voice startled her.

"Your name is Dua, right?" she asked sweetly.

At first, Dua was very surprised at Rehana actually talking to her. So, rather than replying properly, she nodded briefly. 

" Come sit with me, I have heard you are very good at converse on a vast variety of topics," Rehana called her to her seat where she was sitting alone. 

Dua still a bit baffled got up and sat down next to Rehana, " You don't speak much do you," Rehana asked quietly, in a tone that would not have carried over to her mother and Rehana's friend. 

"I do speak just have no one to talk to," Dua replied honestly for some reason. Rehana smiled a kind smile at her, which somehow reminded Dua of her father. 

"Fatima can be a bit overbearing, she likes to be in the limelight, so if you are not talking because of her then don't stay quiet," Rehana told her in a tone that had a bit of mischief in it. 

"No, no, I rarely find anyone willing to talk to me," Dua again gave an honest answer, and mused perhaps it was Rehana that prompted this honesty. 

" Are why, If had been as intelligent as you I would never let anyone else talk, especially not about what Siddiqui Sahab's daughter wore last night," Rehana said, which made Dua giggle a little, catching the attention of the other to women. 

Rehana smiled and they looked back and went back to discussing all the gossip. 

"I would, but there should be someone else accompany me too right, mostly no one talks about what I talk, and they want to, so why should I be a fool and say what I want to people unwilling to listen, their loss," Dua said what she really felt. 

Rehana listened with great attention, "Well that is exactly why you should say what you feel, what they don't want to listen to because you can save them from the loss," And with these lines, Rehana Sheikh had made Dua speechless, or rather she set the foundation for what change was about to come.

Dua after a few minutes of deliberation said, " I never thought of it like that, but who will listen to a 20-year-old young girl. Who would listen to a girl who wants to let every one of their foolish faith in the government, or that girls are not a burden? Who will listen when I want to talk about what is right, and what is wrong. Who will listen when I say that I women should have compulsory education and that this society needs to be built on socialism," 

"Then be an anonymous person, be a no one, with no name or gender or identity, be a voice and write what you feel, If we have the power to be the change then why let gender stop us," Rehana said these lines with such reverence that  Dua was undoubtedly made a fan right there and then. 

"And where would I write these anonymous thoughts," Dua said so seriously and excitedly that any would have caught on to her excitement. At her question, Rehana gave a bright smile, one that screamed that she knew just how scandalous and conspirational this was.

"For the paper," came a quiet voice from her side making both Rehana and Dua look towards it. 

There standing just a few feet away from them was Zaroon Shiekh with a smile on his face. Duo smiled back for some reason, and Rehana saw something which would turn Dua's life around. 

" You would publish my opinions anonymously in your paper," Dua asked a bit astonished, and a bit star-struck. 

" Yes, absolutely but only if actually talk about all things you spoke about right now," Zaroon replied as seriously as an editor-in-chief would reply, in Dua's eyes she saw a fine leader for unheard voices.

On the other hand, Rehana could see though just how impressed Zaroon was, it was the way his eyes sparkled for the first time in so long. The small smile he had on his smile hearing Dua talk. Rehana had not thought it would ever be possible for her to witness Zaroon with his spark, and mischief in his eyes again. But here he was looking at Dua, with a small spark, and a little mischief. 

And then there was Dua, Intelligent, young, intellectual, and looking at Zaroon as if he had held out stars for her. 

In that moment Rehana had known no one else, could be able to care for Zaroon after her. Rather she would never want anyone else because no one else could take her place in Zaroon's life, but maybe, just maybe Dua will make her place in his heart. 

It was because of this that Rehana knew that she had to talk to her father-in-law and Mir Sahab. 

"I would," Dua replied after a minute. 

"Well then, Miss Farooqi, I'll send you a letter regarding your articles soon, you will have to send in a sample and if it is up to the par then I will publish it," Zaroon said and Dua's eyes widened beyond what would be deemed appropriate for a girl. 

Both Zaroon and Rehana chuckled at Dua and her disbelief over this prospect. It was clear that she had been protected to a great extent. But then again, she was the only daughter, and quite young. 

"I came to say that, Mir Sahab asked Dinner to be served," Zaroon said, and Dua nodded and duly went to her mother and whispered the same to her. 

Rehana had in her mind an image now, and no matter what happened she would make it happen. 

Later that night after dinner was served and eaten by all, the Sheikh's and Farooqi's were talking about tea or coffee after dinner. Rehana with Dua and Aisha Begum and what was her name were discussing the food, and beverage arrangement, while the three men went on the living room again. 

Then was when the sound of glass breaking and crashing startled them all. 

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