Teri Kasam

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - Sanam
Email from National college of arts:
We would be delighted to inform you that you have been selected for a sponsorship to get a masters in interior design. Please contact us within two weeks to confirm your place.

This was a big opportunity but what could I do. I wanted to go and accept it but I didn't want to leave Abu and Asfi behind as I would have to move to Lahore and leave Karachi behind. I had never left the small comforting streets of Karachi. If felt like home.

Abu had told me to go and make him chai. I went to the kitchen and started making the chai like I usually do. First the milk then the chai patti then my secret ingredient peppercorn. " Abu said that you have to prepare snacks as an important guest is coming, something about someone coming from Punjab, oh and make sure it's all vegetarian", said Asfi. Punjab? Wait who is it, I asked and he was already gone.

Punjab it sounded sooooo familiar Abu was always mentioning this city whenever he would lecture me about my future. I remember it's the special student. Well at least that's what I called him. Abu Jaan always compared me to him as he was an A star student while I was the one who was always getting Cs and often focused on painting.

I started painting as a way to honour ami's death after she died in childbirth after she gave birth to Asfandyar but it kind of became my passion after that. Abu was a doctor and gave free tuition to students who couldn't afford it. I set the table with an array of steaming hot samosas, crunchy pakoras and crispy sweet jalebis. I just wanted to eat it all. Though I noticed I had spilled some chutney on the tablecloth and was trying to get it off before I get scolded at again for being so clumsy. " Sorry, to disturb you," said a deep voice from beside me.

I looked to my right and standing there was a man who didn't look much older than me but his beard made him look quite mature. He had soft curly hair which had become messy as I could see a delicate curl resting on his forehead probably from the winds we've been getting lately in Karachi.

I was mesmerised by his golden brown ankhe which were hiding behind his glasses perched on his nose. He was quite tall and was wearing a light blue kurta which surprisingly matched with my outfit." Dr Rashid told me to ask you for a glass of water, could I get some?." Of course I said. Shukria, he said and smiled kindly. He then left me to my thoughts. What was I even thinking he must think I'm mad. I was probably staring at him for way to long. He must think I'm crazy.

What am I even thinking I should be hating this guy. He's the one who's been making my life a misery. I may have tried to forget about the past but it will always haunt me. If he hadn't been there that day perhaps I would be somewhere else right now.

Arjun:

Dr Rashid had told me to come down to Karachi and visit. I was quite concerned when he asked but he had reassured me he was fine and just wanted to see me before I start my new job. I had not told him of my arrival but did tell him I would be coming soon. I had phoned him a few hours before I reached Karachi. Karachi was different from Punjab. The streets were buzzing with vendors, the air was humid and misty while Punjab was quiet and peaceful and the air smelt of sweet sweet grass and the birds sang there melodies early morning before the sun rose.

I had arrived at my professors house, it was very different compared to my house. It was very modern with high ceilings and paintings hanging on the walls. From the corner of my eyes I could see uncle approaching. " It's nice to see you beta and he embraced me in a tight hug."Uncle it's nice to see you too. He started coughing. I'll go get you some water. I went to the kitchen and there I saw her.  It had been ages since we last met. The last time we saw each other was that day. She was wearing light blue shalwar kameez which somehow matched the kurta I was wearing.Weird.

Her cheeks were turning a rosy red shade as she was becoming frustrated trying to get some stain of the table cloth. She looked cute . Pagal. What am I even thinking? She had soft long curly eyelashes and her hair was done in a plait with two strings of curly hair hanging loosely on the sides of her face. " Sorry to disturb you, she looked at me confused. It seemed like a few minutes had passed and she was still silent. She looked lost." Could I please get some water." " Sorry, yes I'll get you some",she said flustered. I returned to the living room where Dr was waiting for me silently writing in his diary.

The room became tense and Rashid looked deeply into my eyes. It looked like there was worry in his eyes. "Beta." " Yes, uncle I said. He started of by telling me how he remembers when I first came to his doorstep asking him if he could teach me his ways, and how he was shocked someone so young like me wanted to learn from him. This was due to the fact that most students were scared of him due to his harsh teaching methods. Then he drifted away from the conversation and told me something shocking. It broke me. How did this happen, I said. " I don't know beta." Dr Rashid told me. Tears began to build up in his eyes. I knew he wasn't upset due to what happened but because he was worried what would happen to his children as they had no one other than him . He had stage four brain cancer and he only had a few months to live.

He told me not to tell Asfandyar or Sanam as they would be shattered. He told me to promise that I would always look after them and never leave them alone. I didn't know what to say yes I would do anything for my teacher but Sanam she's a different case. She hates me and I kind of hate her. I'm supposed to right ? What happened that day wasn't my fault and she blamed it all on me. "Promise,",I said. Tears began to fill my eyes when I noticed Sanam about to enter the room. I quickly wiped them hoping she didn't notice. Should I bring the snacks in Abu, she said. She looked at me and then exited the room to bring the food. The smell coming from the food was divine. We began to eat, casually stopping and catching up on everything that had happened since the last time we met.