Mehrem- The Confidant

15

Umair

As soon as we stepped out of the car, Dawood approached.

"Sab ji, Sajid Sab is waiting. Some people from the village are here," Dawood said, which only irritated me.

Illiyeen's brow furrowed. "Is everything alright?"

Dawood nodded hesitantly. "I think so, but they're asking for Umair Sab." Then Dawood turned to my wife before introducing himself, "Welcome, Bibi Ji. I'm Dawood."

"Thank you, Dawood." My wife replied, but just then, her hand reached out to me, tugging on my forearm. "I'll be waiting inside."

"Perfect." I sighed. "Chalo," he said, following Dawood to the outhouse while Illiyeen stayed behind. The room was filled with men surrounding Baba, including Mamo and Ahsan Bhak. I greeted them, though I already sensed the tension.

"We need to return to the village this week," Baba said abruptly.

I sat down, exhaling. "Why? I thought you were stepping back from politics?"

Baba's eyes lowered. "I was, but our people need me."

Another man chimed in, "Beta, the village is suffering. There has been no electricity for 20 hours, and inflation is unbearable. Your father used to take care of it all."

My temper flared. "We can send funds and aid. That should be enough." I stood, but Bhai pulled me back down.

"We have to go," He insisted.

My voice darkened. "No, we don't."

Baba looked at me with a pleading gaze. "We can't abandon them now."

My frustration boiled over. "They abandoned us first. Baba, after everything you did, they turned on you."

"Take a moment, Umair," Mamo suggested. "Think it through."

But I decided years ago, and I'm not changing it now. "I'm not letting anyone humiliate us again."

Bhai tried to calm me. "We've forgiven them, Umair. You should, too."

My eyes hardened. "I haven't, and I won't."

With that, I stormed out.

***

Back inside, I entered the room in a fury, startling everyone. I could feel a certain pair of eyes on me, my wife, but I couldn't focus. Bhaj followed closely behind.

"Umair, you need to listen—" He started.

"No, Bhai, I've made my decision. We're not going back."

Ahsan Bhai grabbed my shoulders. "It's been years. Let it go."

Mom noticed the commotion. "What's going on?"

Bhai explained, "Some people from the village want us to return."

Sajida Phopo shot up. "What? Why?"

"Exactly my point!" I snapped.

Mama's voice rose. "Umair, chup raho!"

I scoffed. "You always say that, but I'm not returning to the people who betrayed us."

The room fell silent. Illiyeen, sitting among the Ansaris and my family, observed me; her confusion was evident. Humna Api reached out to comfort me, but I cringed. I was clearly in no mood to think.

"I've decided," I said firmly. "I'm not going, and no one can change my mind."

Meena Phopo stepped in, her voice soft but firm. "Beta, go rest. You have a flight tomorrow. We'll talk later."