Ecstasy

Chapter 11

‗If you‘re going to Lahore then stop by Imama‘s hostel on your way
back. I‘ve got her clothes from the tailor—you could drop them off,‘
said Salma to Hashim Mubeen.
‗I‘m going to be very busy—I can‘t possibly go around to Imama‘s
hostel.‘ Hashim wasn‘t too happy with the idea.
‗The driver‘s going with you; if you can‘t go then he can deliver the
parcel. The season‘s coming to an end—if she doesn‘t get the clothes
now, they‘ll just lie unused, and I don‘t know when she‘ll come next.‘
Salma launched into a long explanation.
‗Right—I‘ll take them. If I don‘t find time, then I‘ll send them over with
the driver,‘ agreed Hashim.
He spent a fairly busy day in Lahore and it was past five by the time he
was free. He decided to take the parcel himself to Imama and went to
the hostel. It was the first time he had come here since her admission.
He sent her a message through the gatekeeper and waited for her. Ten
minutes passed…then fifteen, then twenty: he was getting impatient.
Before he could send another message, he saw the gatekeeper coming
back, accompanied by a girl. When they came closer, he saw it was Imama‘s childhood friend from Islamabad.
‗Assalaam Alaikum, Uncle!‘ said Javeria.
‗W‘alaikum Assalaam, child—how are you?‘
‗Very well, thank you.‘
‗I‘ve got some clothes for Imama—her mother sent these as I was
coming to Lahore. I‘ve been waiting here for nearly an hour, but she
hasn‘t come.‘ Hashim sounded plaintive.
‗Uncle, Imama‘s out shopping with her friends. You can give me the
parcel, I‘ll hand it over to her.‘
He held out the parcel for Javeria and saying goodbye, he left. Javeria
went back to the hostel. The smile had disappeared off her face and her
anxiety was only too apparent. As she turned in towards her room, she
came across the warden and her smile reappeared.
‗Did you talk to her father?‘ the warden enquired.
‗Oh yes. There‘s nothing to worry about—she‘s at home in Islamabad.
Actually, he brought me some clothes sent by my family; as he was
coming to Lahore, Imama suggested he take them along. But he asked
for Imama instead when he got here.‘ In one breath, Javeria rattled off
many lies.
The warden breathed a sigh of relief. ‗Thank God! I was worried
sick…she‘d told me about going home for the weekend…where could
she be?‘
As Javeria stepped into the room, Rabia jumped up. ‗What‘s the news?
She is in Islamabad, isn‘t she?‘
‗No,‘ Javeria said despondently.
‗My God!‘ Rabia put her hands on Javeria‘s shoulders. ‗Where could
she have gone?‘
‗How should I know? All she told me was that she was going home—but
she didn‘t. then where is she? Imama is not that kind of a girl,‘ said
Javeria, as she tossed the parcel on her bed.
‗What did you tell the warden?‘ asked Rabia, worried.
‗What did I tell the warden? I lied; what else could I do? If I‘d told her
that she wasn‘t in Islamabad, all hell would‘ve broken loose—she‘d
have called the police.‘
‗And what did you tell Uncle?‘ asked Rabia.
‗I lied to him too that she had gone shopping.‘
‗But what happens now?‘ Rabia was very worried.
‗I am concerned that if she doesn‘t get back, I‘ll be in real trouble.
Everyone will think that I‘m hand in glove with her—that I knew her
programme and I lied to her father and to the warden.‘ Javeria‘s anxiety was mounting.
‗Could Imama have met with an accident? She‘s not the sort who…‘ A
new fear struck Rabia.
‗What can we do now? We can‘t even discuss this with anyone,‘ said
Javeria, biting her nails with worry.
‗Let‘s talk to Zainab,‘ suggested Rabia.
‗For God‘s sake, Rabia, be sensible for once! What are we going to
achieve by talking to her?‘ Javeria was really annoyed.
‗Then let‘s wait. Perhaps she‘ll be back by tonight or tomorrow
morning—then there‘s no problem. And if she doesn‘t, then we have to
tell the warden the truth.‘ Rabia spoke seriously as she considered the
situation. Javeria said nothing but worry was written large across her
face.
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