Journey of Souls

3. Family | خاندان

I woke up to the sun slightly peeking through through the mosaic-tiled window.

My first morning in Pakistan. I could hear the roosters and street vendors around the area, something that helped my reality set in of being here.

Ammi was still sleeping and luckily, there was a bathroom connected to our room. I quietly shifted around the room and opened my bag and took out a kurta with matching trousers and a shawl. I laid everything out and decided to hop into the shower. It was much needed.

After showering, I combed through my hair and apply moisturizer and sunscreen. I noticed my eyes looked dull and my skin was paler than usual. It must have been the effects of travelling and the lack of sleep. I took out my makeup bag and minimally applied some concealer and blush. There, much better.

By the time I had stepped out of the bathroom, Ammi was awake and she told me she would also shower. I told her I would wait for her so we could go out together. When Ammi was ready, we left the room and went out into the gallery where we ran into Safia Mumani, Iqbal Mamoo's beloved wife.

"Salam Baji and Alizey! Oh I am so happy to see you."

She hugged us one by one and asked us to join the rest of the family downstairs. As we descended the stairs, we were first met with 14 year old Adil and 16 year old Faryal. They were Iqbal Mamoo's kids. Then Ammi saw Nani Jaan and immediately went into her embrace. The reunion of mother and daughter made my eyes water and I found myself smiling at the sight.

"Alizey why are you just standing there, come to your Nani."

I quickly walked over to where Nani Jaan was sitting and gave her a warm, strong hug while she gently kissed my face and admired me.

"MashAllah, you have gotten so old and have become so incredibly beautiful. You remind me of your mother when she was in her youth."

Ammi was truly beautiful in her youth and even in the present. When I used to go through Ammi and Baba Jaan's wedding pictures, I always thought of how much of an attractive couple they made. Hearing my Nani say I was beautiful and had Ammi's features made me blush and I looked down at my hands.

Mid-thought, I heard the voice of Sufyaan Mamoo, who's the eldest of the family.

"Baji and Alizey! Assalam-o-Alikum!"

He walked over to Ammi and planted a kiss on her forehead and gave me a hug while smiling and laughing.

"You must remember Zoya, your mumani?"

I turned to look behind and there she was standing, waiting her turn to greet us.

We hugged Zoya Mumani and following that Safia Mumani called us over to the dining area for breakfast. Everyone took their seat and began eating when I noticed the absence of someone.

I looked around and couldn't see Badar anywhere.

"Sufyaan Mamoo, where is Badar? Was he not interested in seeing us?" I asked curiously.

"No no, he had to go out for work early this morning but he should be coming back any second now. He was the most excited out of all of us to meet his dearest cousin and phupho," Mamoo explained and let out a small chuckle.

Minutes later, we heard a car pull in and a man stepped inside. Badar.

"Salam phupho and my dearest cousin Alizey!"

He rushed over to the dining area and hugged and kissed Ammi before coming to sit right beside me and wrapping his arm around me in a side hug.

"How are you and how was your journey?"

"Alhumdulillah it went well and I'm also doing well. It feels good to be back and sitting here with everyone."

"I'm sure it is but don't waste much more time now. Hurry up and finish breakfast we have a lot of catching up to do."

He gave me an earnest smile and I grinned back.

Badar's place in my life was like Bhai Jaan's. But Badar was also my best friend. Even though I had not visited for years, we kept frequent contact through messages and video calls. He even called me the day he got engaged. I could easily tell him anything. When Baba Jaan passed away, Badar used to call me daily and would stay on the line for as long as I wanted. He was my support through the toughest time of my life.

I had finished my breakfast and took the last sip of my chai before getting up to go wash my hands. Everyone retreated into the main living room.

I looked over at Nani Jaan. Amongst the chaos of the morning greetings, I had failed to notice how weak she had become. Nani Jaan was certainly afflicted by old age and her heart had weakened. She often could not make it out of bed on some days. I held her hand while sitting by her and examined their frail, bony structure.

"Aaj main bohut khush hoon ke meri beti aur nawasi ghar aaye hain. Itne dinon se mujhe inka intezaar tha aur ab to meri tabiyat bhi behtar ho gayi hai inko dekh kar." [I am very happy today to see my daughter and granddaughter. I was waiting for them all these days and now I feel so much better having seen them.]

I smiled at her remark and suddenly all my apprehensions washed away. Coming here was a good decision. There's no greater strength for me than my family and I want to be their strength too. The uncertainty of life sometimes leads to regret and now being here, at least I won't regret missing out on the love and bond of my loved ones.

Badar walked up to where I was sitting and asked, "Alizey I hope you still like eating faloodas."

I looked at him quizzically and before I could speak he asked Ammi for permission to go with him. Ammi said yes and the both of us said goodbye before getting into his car. He told his driver that he was not needed this time.

And just like that, I was home surrounded by people who cared about my most and with my best friend's physical presence. I missed this feeling.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------hello everyone!!

thank you again for reading this piece so far, it means a lot. be sure to vote and let me know what you think. I know it has been slow so far but I feel like these are important for the story build up. But don't worry, the rest of the characters that you all are waiting for will be arriving soon.

sincerely,
A <3