Getting into civil service comes with a lot of responsibility and also contacts. This was making sense to Nahyan Hassan just few weeks into his posting. He wasn’t someone unknown in his circle but being the first person from his family to land in bureaucracy was introducing him to many things. Adeem Sukhera was his senior in the field but being in the same division and coming from the same institutes had them reacquainted and now here he was, attending a gathering hosted by Adeem and his father for the people from the same department of administrative services.
The air around the house had a festive feel to it and during the talks Adeem had told them his sister was getting married in about three days and the ladies were celebrating her Dholki only. It felt strange to Nahyan, holding a gathering when there was a function already going on in the house but maybe Sukheras worked this way only. Who knew?
He had gotten many things clear though. Adeem and his father were very generous in giving information about the department. Anecdotes of the old fall outs, the dark sheep and the friends who could help you with everything, all this was important and maybe the sole purpose of this small gathering. Adeem and his father were also looking for new allies as it suggested. Nahyan had no plan of becoming one. He wasn’t the kind of person to tweak with the things that didn’t concern him. Keeping himself clean was his number one rule and he wasn’t going to break it anyway. Yeah, Adeem and his father were helpful but they were trying to make pals and Nahyan didn’t become someone’s pal like that.
It was when he was leaving and walking towards the driveway, his eyes found the vision in white standing by the fountain.
Nahyan hadn’t stopped to look at her because he was mesmerized by the picture she was making, that’d be farfetched. She was a part of this jubilant environment only. Her dressing was an indication but still she was looking such a mismatch to her surroundings. As if even she was here still she didn’t belonged here.
A swan that didn’t look like the part of this wetland.
It was the only thing that Nahyan could think of.
“You plan on staying here for the night?”
Adeem asked jokingly seeing him not moving from his spot near the lawn boundary.
“Of course not, I have to get up and leave early in the morning anyway.”
A smile had adored his features as the prospect of his travel the next day came to his mind.
“Plans, I see.”
“Plans I’m so looking forward to. So gotta hurry up now.”
He shook hands with Adeem for one last time and reaching his car sat down inside. His eyes lingered on the garden fence but then he had taken the steering and in no time it had gone to the back of his mind.

*

The morning dawned and the sun emerged from behind the clouds which were in a conundrum over night whether to let the waterfall begin or not, at last they had resorted to staying put and being there just for the show. No rain had fallen, just a gentle wind which was playing with the curtains of the window.
Mrs. Shahnaz Hassan looked towards at the dancing curtains. She closed her eyes letting the fresh air fill her with the newness of it. Unlike the other occupants of this house she wasn’t a big fan of air conditioners and would always do her morning Duas sitting in front of the open window only. This window was also where she would let the windows of her past open. Reminiscing about her life with her husband in this house, giving birth to three children she was so proud of today, welcoming her first daughter in law and then second, sending off her only daughter to her new home, doting on her grandchildren and then just few years back seeing her husband off with a promise of meeting in the heaven for having the true happy ever after. Her old wise eyes had seen it all.
“Good morning, Biji!”
Adeela, her younger daughter in law entered her room through the open door and placed the glass of milk in front of her.
“Wa Alaikum Assalam. Is everyone up?”
Adeela ignored the way she was greeted back. It had been years this was going on. Adeela and Mrs. Shahnaz didn’t quite agree upon many things, still it had never created any mess.
“Hardly. I’m going to start with today’s menu in just a few hours. Bhabhi and Bhai Jaan are on their way so she’d help. I thought first I should get done with the breakfast, of course, Bano was going to but you know her don’t you? She’s more trouble than worth. She went to wake the children up but as usual they refused and now you should go outside and sit in the TV lounge. Hearing your voice they’ll definitely know the sleep hours are up.”
“Hmm.”
Adeela’s long monologue and Mrs. Shahnaz’s monosyllable replies or lack thereof, the usual way both of them interacted, nothing out of ordinary.
“I also called Hadiya, she’s just getting started. Says the kids were so excited on the prospect of visiting Nano’s house that they didn’t sleep at time and she had such a hard time waking them up but no worries they are arriving in just few hours.”
The conversation had turned to Mrs. Shahnaz’s only daughter and the beloved phupho of the family, Hadiya was married into a family residing in Jehlum but that didn’t stop her from visiting her maternal home whenever she got the chance. She was the person everyone in the family could turn to with their problems. Her rapport with everyone was admirable and that’s why her visits were always special in Hassan House.
The occasion the family was gathering together to celebrate was Mr. and Mrs. Nadir Hassan’s 30th wedding anniversary. Nadir and Fariha, Mrs. Shahnaz’s eldest son and daughter in law, they lived in the heart of Islamabad as Nadir’s business had its base there. He had moved out years back due to his professional reasons but his and his family’s relation to Hassan House or Dado Ghar as it was famous among the younger generation, was never broken. It only strengthened with time.
Mrs. Shahnaz felt like it was just yesterday when she had said yes to Fariha’s proposal for Nadir and now two of their children were also married. Numair and Shafaq were happily married for a year now. Feeha’s Nikkah had taken place just few months back. Time flies flapping its wings and we’re left wondering where it had gone.
The commotion from the outside pulled her back from her nostalgia. The way Adeela was gushing excitedly was enough to tell Mrs. Shahnaz one of the birds of this house had come back to the nest. She was about to get up taking the support of her stick when she was held by two arms and even before looking up a smile had reached her face.
“I should’ve known. You beat even your parents in reaching on time.”
“Assalam Alaikum, Dado.”
Nahyan hugged her sideways and then kissed her hands in a way of respect and adoration. Mrs. Shahzan caressed his hair and made him sit right beside her on the bed.
“Wa Alaikum Assalam. It’s been so long I’ve seen you in person.”
“I’ve been busier than I thought I’d be.”
“This was the given. It was because of this only Numair and Nadir were stopping you from going into civil service.”
Nahyan knew this already. His father had an established business and his brother was now also playing a vital part in expanding it. Feeha had opted for medical and was a doctor. Their parents had always given them free reigns in their career choices but when Nahyan announced he was going to sit in CSS exam that came like a shocker to the whole family. No one had ever shown interest in this line of work in their clan but Nahyan was true to what he wanted to achieve. Despite his father and brother’s reservations, he had gotten to where he aspired to be and now was appointed at a coveted post.
“But look, here I’m. Before anyone else. Not even the always before time Feeha is here yet!”
Mrs. Shahnaz ruffled his hair smilingly.
“You’ve been taking your medicines?”
“Nahyan! Don’t start with this please.”
“Looks like you aren’t. Chachi!”
He called to Adeela who was inside the room smiling mischievously after few seconds.
“Your Dado really loves skipping her medicines, Nahyan. Even your Chachu complains how stubborn she can get.”
Nahyan narrowed his eyes at his grandmother who was looking around sheepishly. For a woman of few words and gestures, his grandmother was almost like a child when it came to medicines and her food.
“Let’s have breakfast first then we’ll see about that. Chachi, your unit is up yet?”
He inquired about her kids.
“Bano has gone to get the task done. By the way I hear the whining, I can say she has succeeded.”
Nahyan shook his head. Adeela’s kids were heavy sleepers and there were no two ways about it.
As he sat down on the table with Mrs. Shahnaz, everything related to work had vanished from his mind. He was right now just Nahyan, a son, a grandson, and a brother.

*

“You can never change, Numair!”
Feeha pointed her finger in Numair’s direction while laughing heartily. It was way after the party had gotten over. They all were gathered in the lounge while the elders were in Dado’s room reminiscing the old days, the usual.
Numair was recounting this hilarious experience he had with a client and it had Feeha in splits, Nahyan just laughed lightly but it felt good being around his siblings after so long. They all were busy in the whirlpool we call professional life. With Numair neck deep in office work and Feeha’s never ending hospital duties, they both seemed to never have the sibling time even though they lived in the same house. Things with Nahyan were altogether different. He was living in the house allotted to him by the government as it was his job requirement.
“Shafaq didn’t find it that funny to be honest but that’s on her sense of humor.”
Numair said looking around. Both Nahyan and Feeha rolled their eyes at his gesture. Numair was a jolly guy but Shafaq didn’t return his sentiments most of the times. She found his jokes either dark or bland. It wasn’t the case but as Numair said it definitely was on her sense of humor.
But even with the contrast in personalities Numair and Shafaq were goals for their family.
“Her sense of humor isn’t bad. You do go overboard with your jokes sometimes.”
Feeha pointed out.
“That’s why you were laughing like this is the only funny thing you’ve heard all week. Your doctor guy doesn’t have good jokes on him?”
“Don’t bring Wasi into it.”
“He came in the trio the day you both got married.”
Feeha’s husband Wasi was a senior of hers in the hospital she was working at. Both met during Feeha’s job there and slowly started liking each other to the point that they had involved their families and in just two months the Nikkah was done. The Rukhsati was scheduled at the end of the year.
“Is he treating you right though? Or should we both break some bones?”
Numair pointed between him and Nahyan. Feeha left an exasperated sigh.
“You just need a chance to go off. Enough about me and Wasi. Nahyan, you tell us how civil service is treating you so far?”
Nahyan leaned more into his couch.
“So far there’s nothing I can start complaining about. Just the normal workload.”
“I like your government car though. Do you get body guards as well?”
“Who am I? Bill Gates? Of course I don’t get body guards.”
“Yet!”
Numair chuckled. Nahyan just gave them a look which made them smile some more. It was the norm, Feeha and Numair would gang up on him.
“Shafaq! Come sit with us!”
Feeha called out to Shafaq who had just come out of Dado’s room.
“I was just about to join you three but Baba has asked for tea.”
“Bano can make that!”
“Baba doesn’t like tea made by Bano, Feeha. I’ll just come back in a few. By the way Nahyan, I wouldn’t be this relaxed if I were you. Do you know what the elders are discussing right now?”
Nahyan raised an eyebrow.
“Your marriage, of course. They are saying now that both Numair and Feeha are settled with their respective partners, it’s your turn.”
He just shrugged his shoulders.
“They can plan for all they want to but if I’m not ready, they can’t do anything.”
“Ha! See Feeha! How easy it is for the guys. Imagine us girls doing this!”
Feeha nodded totally agreeing with her.
“Wait a minute, is this rant coming from two happily married women?”
Numair looked between the two.
“You are very confident I’m happily married.”
Shafaq narrowed her eyes in Numair’s way.
“Because I know it.”
“You can be wrong.”
He chuckled.
“I know I’m not.”
Shafaq kept on looking at him and then smiling lightly almost ran towards the kitchen. Feeha and Nahyan didn’t comment on the exchange between the husband and wife but that didn’t mean they didn’t find it cute.
It was evident why Shafaq was so adored by their family. Her caring nature had them all love her just few days after her arrival in the house. There was no typical sister in law drama. Feeha as a person was easygoing and Shafaq was caring. Both these traits made them good pals almost immediately.
“How easily Shafaq has blended into our family though. Who can say it’s been just a year. Seems like she’s been here forever.”
Numair could agree to this.
“When I got married this was something I was worried about. You know how close knitted our family is and I didn’t want my wife to feel suffocated by it neither I wanted her to start ruining what’s going on for years. But Shafaq molded into this setup like she was a part of it.”
“I think it has to do with the fact that Shafaq’s father is Baba’s best friend. She comes from a family just like ours. Living separately but the essence is of joint family. Maybe that’s why?”
“I don’t think so.”
Nahyan put in.
“Sometimes you can literally marry your children off into your sibling’s houses and problems still find a way of catching up to you. It depends upon the mental compatibility and also the fact that how much people are welcoming of each other. We all were as accommodating to Shafaq as we could be and see she adjusted fine. She was also as accommodating to us as she could be and I think this is how this works?”
Feeha raised an eyebrow.
“You are planning on marrying someone out of our circle, sir?”
“You are hopeless, Feeha!”
Nahyan looked around and found their younger cousins sitting in front of the TV.
“Oi! What are you three doing there? Come here!”
Rooba, Khuala and Hashir paused whatever they were watching. They were avoiding sitting with their older cousins because their mother had asked to give them space. Adeela knew Nahyan, Numair and Feeha were sitting together after quite some time that too in a setting where they could talk about anything. So being the mindful Chachi that she was, she had asked her kids to not disturb them until they specially ask them to join.
“Your hair has gone long, Khuala.”
Feeha commented pulling Khaula in her lap. Hashir was blabbering about his new videogame with Nahyan and Numair while Rooba was just listening to them all and smiling because it had so long they all had gotten together like this.
“Rooba, how’s the creative writing going on hun?”
Rooba nervously looked at them. She always found being the center of attention nerve wrecking. This kid of their Chachu was so shy yet so good with words. Her talent had come in front of them recently that too due to the confidence Rooba had gotten because of a teacher of hers otherwise she’d always hidden her pieces from them thinking they’d judge her.
Nahyan and Feeha were the most supportive of her talent and had even talked to Chachu and Chachi to let her decide the course of her career once she was in university. This freedom in their house of being able to who you wanted to be had always felt like the biggest blessing to the kids of this family. This was the reason Rooba was now so invested in her creative writing and often used to show her work to her mother as well.
“It’s going good. My article got published in the newspaper.”
“What? Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I was waiting for today.”
The happiness oozing out of her was infectious. Nahyan, Numair and Feeha looked at each other and decided that this called for celebration.
“Khaula sweetie, go tell your and my mama and phupho that we all are going out and if any of them wants to join us they can! Okay, go!”
Khaula leapt out of Feeha’s lap and went to Dado’s room.
“You are going places and we are so proud.”
Numair exclaimed side hugging Rooba who beamed at him. These two big brothers of theirs were kind of role models for them so was Feeha Aapi.
“I never knew I could do that you know. But my teacher really pushed me and rightly so. She’s just so nice.”
“I agree on this. I once saw a piece Rooba had written and her teacher’s remarks on it were so pleasing to read. I mean it’s hard finding teachers this supportive these days. I’d really like to meet her someday.”
“I might.”
They all looked at Nahyan questionably.
“We have a visit to her school scheduled so I was saying in that context.”
“You are coming to my school?”
Rooba was beyond excited.
“It’s just for inspection purposes.”
“And you are in the inspection team?”
“No, I’m going there to see if the inspection team does their work correctly.”
“This is so cool!”
Hashir shouted. He loved the fact that one of his cousin brother was now on an authoritative post in the government sector.
“But I won’t tell anyone that the in charge of the inspection team is my brother.”
Hashir’s eyes went wide as if his sister was mad.
“Are you out of your mind? Why would you do that?”
“Because she’s sensible. I like the way she thinks.”
Nahyan reciprocated Rooba’s smile.
“I want to meet her teacher. Nahyan, take me along!”
Feeha whined like a teenager while the teenager was Hashir.
“Let’s do one thing, we all go in my government car and on the way back I’ll treat you guys with ice-cream as well.”
His sarcastic comment made them laugh. While they were waiting for the elders to join them, Rooba had run to her room to fetch her journal and as Feeha had pointed; her teacher had left small comments on different paragraphs and also pointed out a few mistakes. The note she had left at the end was very encouraging. Nahyan couldn’t help agreeing with Feeha. Finding teachers this invested in their students’ aspirations was hard these days.
As they all got up to go outside towards the patio, Nahyan looked behind once more. The words written with pure love and intentions had formed a scribble on his mind as well.

*

Inara pushed the bundle of marked sheets and yawned feeling her sore muscles in dire need of some rest. The exam season had ended two days back and now the drill for the teachers was grinding them to have the papers checked and results handed to their respective HOD.
Life after Afaaf’s marriage got back to normal pretty quickly, though the rest of her family was still reeling from the effects of it. Inara hadn’t gotten time. Just after two days of the reception she had the first exam scheduled and she needed to be there to invigilate, so she wasn’t very much updated on the after marriage happenings. But she knew one thing, Afaaf was happy by the looks of it. Good for her.
“Inara?”
Inara looked towards the door where Zoha was standing with a box in her hand.
“Your Dado brought gifts for the whole family when she came for the wedding. I forgot to give yours.”
Inara picked it from her mother and eyed it curiously.
“What’d do you reckon is inside?”
Zoha shook her head indicating she didn’t know.
“I hope it’s not a fairness cream.”
Her mother opened her mouth to rebuke her but then closed it again. She was right in assuming that because she always knew how disappointed Mrs. Sukhera was with Inara’s lack of reaching the beauty level of the Sukheras.
“I was about to come to you, by the way.”
Zoha raised an eyebrow.
“Really? Why so?”
“There’s a friend of mine who has rented an apartment close to the school I’m teaching at right now. I was hoping to move in with her.”
Inara saw the range of expressions on her mother’s face. From surprise to discomfort, from anger to resignation, from resignation to determination.
“You can’t live away from us.”
“Mama, I lived in Lahore for four long years. The apartment building is at just twenty minutes’ drive from here.”
“Your Baba won’t allow it, Inara.”
Inara wanted to say he wouldn’t even care but refrained from commenting.
“Adeem has also shifted to his government allotted house, Afaaf is at her new place, you’re the only one here with us. This house will be so empty with you gone as well.”
Inara didn’t know whether she wanted to laugh or cry. When both of her perfect kids were away, her mother was worried about her leaving as well.
She turned back to the papers lest her mother should see the moisture in her eyes. Her crumbled expressions she couldn’t fathom but tears that she’d recognize.
“Also, your baba and I have other plans for you.”
“Like?”
“Like your marriage.”
Inara jerked around with shock written on her face.
“Marriage?”
“Yes, marriage.”
“But isn’t it Adeem’s turn now?”
Zoha shook her head smilingly.
“We have no one in our mind for him neither he himself has told us about anyone so whenever he or we find anyone suitable, we’ll start with the preparations.”
“And me? You have someone in your mind for me?”
“Your Baba is actually looking for potential suitors. He should finalize one soon.”
Zoha had started walking towards the door.
“But I don’t want to get married right now.”
“We aren’t asking you to marry someone today itself, Inara. But make your mind because both of us are very serious about this matter.”
Zoha had crossed the threshold and was now walking away. Inara sat there wondering what the hell had just happened.

*

“I almost can’t believe I once studied here as well.”
Zaidi, one of the members of the inspection team exclaimed taking another drag of his cigarette. Nahyan fiddled with his aviators trying his best not to call the fellow officer out for his less than professional behavior. This could land him in trouble but Zaidi wasn’t looking even a bit worried.
They were passing through the school grounds. The team had just arrived and now all of them were being escorted to the principal’s office where a luncheon was arranged for them, the same old protocol to be followed to please the higher government employees. Nahyan almost rolled his eyes and he definitely could. No one would be able to see it under his sunglasses but he was also a part of this drill now so there was no point of being bitter.
“Mr. Zaidi! Can you come forward?”
Nahyan smirked. He knew this was coming. He and Zaidi were at the last. Nahyan had to take a call so he had joined the team after the delay of some ten minutes so it was totally given that he’d be at the last of the entourage but Zaidi’s reasons were totally different. He had to comment on everything along with catering to his need to smoke.
“I’m doomed. Can you please discard this for me?”
He asked handing Nahyan the cigarette. They were now outside the principal’s office and the rest of the team had already gone in.
“What you’ll do about the smell?”
Zaidi shrugged his shoulder.
“Boss isn’t going to dive in my mouth right?”
“I don’t know. If I were you I wouldn’t take any chances with the guy.”
“You’re a killjoy, Nahyan Hassan!”
“So I’ve been told. Now go inside before I’m also called in.”
Zaidi had lost through the door. Nahyan looked around trying to locate the trash bin but to his frustration, couldn’t find any nearby.
“Lack of trash bins. I will surely report this.”
He thought walking out of the hallway in to the open space and finally he had located one. He was just walking towards it when the call had him stopped in his tracks.
“Excuse me!”
Before he could turn around the blur of white had passed him. His eyes had found Rooba’s nervous at some distance but he was sure she wasn’t the one who had called him.
“Sir, do you realize that you’re standing in a school where teenagers study?”
He pulled his focus away from Rooba and looked at the woman standing in front of him.
“What? What are....”
She pointed towards his hand where the unfinished cigarette was slowly giving out the smoke.
“Smoking in a public place is as it is a bad practice but here we have you, doing it in the premises of a school. This isn’t the kind of example you should set for the kids!”
She was holding the same journal Rooba had showed them that night. The wheels of Nahyan’s mind were working in full force. He had seen this woman before and he for sure knew she was holding his cousin’s journal. His mind was busy in calculation that’s why he hadn’t said or done anything which had made her angrier, if her narrowed eyes were an indication.
Cute.
“How insensitive you are being1 Here I’m talking to you and instead of apologizing for this irresponsible behavior you aren’t even responding to me! Should I go and complain to the DC then?”
“My saying anything is based on you giving me time and chance to explain this to you but yeah go off.”
She pursed her lips. Where had he seen her before? She was vaguely familiar.
“Nahyan!”
Zaidi’s voice had stopped the comeback she had at to tip of her tongue.
“Sir is asking for you. Why haven’t you come inside yet and you still have my cigarette in your hand? Get rid of it! Where’s the trash bin?”
Nahyan pointed across the ground. Zaidi scrunched his brow but snatching the cigarette from him started walking there to dispose it off. Nahyan could swear he had seen Zaidi taking a last drag.
When he had focused back on the woman in front of him, he was pleased to see her face was showing the remorse of her blunder.
“I don’t know much but I can say not letting others explain their side of the story is also not a good practice either.”
She looked sideways. Nahyan wasn’t expecting an apology from her. He knew opinionated people often weren’t good at accepting their wrongs.
“I’m sorry about that. You’re right; I should’ve given you the time and chance to tell me what was going on.”
And that’s where Nahyan Hassan rebuked himself internally for believing this stereotype about opinionated people.
“Nahyan Bhai!”
Rooba called him making sure her voice wasn’t too loud. He smiled in her way.
“This is my…”
She pointed towards the woman standing next to him.
        “Your English teacher. I figured out.”
He smiled at the teacher in a professional manner.
“I have an important meeting to attend inside so I need to go. I wish I could say this but it was really not that nice meeting you.”
She was surely not expecting him to be this straight forward. Rooba scowled at him on which he just ruffled her hair and started walking towards the principal’s office.
And Inara Sukhera stood there with a bad taste in her mouth.
She didn’t like bureaucrats.

*