When It Rains

The girl in the rain

Farjaad was finishing a virtual meeting when he heard a car coming into the driveway.

He was not supposed to be at home, he was supposed to be at the office. He was stopping by his house to collect a file when the rain started pouring. Being the stickler for schedules, he asked Mehak to organise a virtual meeting with the client. Farjaad was pondering over the details of the project when he heard the car door slamming and two excited female voices.

Has Mimi brought someone with her? Maybe a university friend.

Unlike him, Mimi had time to maintain friendships, Farjaad thought ruefully. When was the last time he met a friend or even talked with so much excitement just like Mimi is doing right now?Farjaad doesn't remember. His life went upside down after his father passed away. His life was not what a normal man in his 20s would live. But, Mimi would not have to do that. She would live exactly how she wanted, and Farjaad would ensure that even if his own life had no relaxation whatsoever. Farjaad usually does not have time to think about his life choices, but in rare breaks like this, his mind goes back to thinking what if? What if his father was alive? What would his life look like?

Farjaad shook his head. He can't think like that. He has to take care of his family. He can't waste his time thinking about the what-ifs. That route only brings heartache. Farjaad can't afford that. This heavy August rain has ruined his schedule anyway. He had an important meeting with Mr Sajjad and Farjaad hate postponing meetings.

His train of thought suddenly got interrupted by Mimi's shrieking "Yaar! kya kar rahi ho! Idhar aa jao, Thand lag jaye gi tumhe", followed by a boisterous giggle and an unknown female saying "Kuch nahi hoga Mimi! Tum bhi aa jao, enjoy karo baarish ko, dekho kitne dino baad itni acchi baarish ho rahi hain!".

Who was this girl?! Why was she instigating Mimi to get drenched in the rain? What if she catches a cold?

Farjaad went to the window and craned his neck to look outside the window. The rain had slowed down slightly. He could see a girl wearing a black dress, shorter than Mimi, standing on their lawn and gesturing to Mimi. He could not see her face because she had also pulled Mimi onto the lawn and was twirling around. Mimi shrieked and started laughing. The sight brought a smile to Farjaad's face. His usually introverted sister being unabashedly happy made his heart full.

The rain slowed down slightly, enough for Farjaad to see Mimi's face but the girl was still turned around. Just as she turned towards Farjaad's window the rain picked up the speed. Farjaad craned his neck further but before he could see her face his phone on the table started ringing. It was Majeed Sahab.

By the time Farjaad finished the call the rain had slowed into a drizzle. He looked outside but Mimi and the girl were gone.

Farjaad felt a tinge of disappointment but he collected his files and went down the stairs. He had to return to office. The new project needed his immediate attention.

He met Mimi coming out of her room. She had already changed into dry clothes thankfully.

"Bhai aap kab aye? Aap aaj jaldi aa gaye office se?" she asked gleefully.

Farjaad knew he could barely give Mimi time for the last couple of months. His sister wanted to spend time with him and was happy to see him home suddenly. Sadly he had to disappoint her again.

"Bas file lene aya tha aur baarish shuru ho gayi. Abhi wapis jaa raha raha hu beta." He saw her face fall slightly. "Tum batao, abhi university se aa rahi ho naa?"

"Ji, ek class cancel ho gaya aur baarish bhi ho rahi thi, to aa gayi ghar."

Farjaad thought back to the girl in the black dress. "Haan, dekha maine, lawn pe baarish me bheeg rahi thi aap" he said sternly.

Mimi gave him a sheepish grin "Woh bhai, meri dost.."

"Haan, aapki woh dost jo instigate kar arhi thi aapko"

"Ji woh itni pyaari hai, how can I say no to her? Waise I enjoyed it so much bhai! Umeed
hamesha kehti hai..."

So that's her name. Umeed.

Right then his phone rang, it was his secretary.

"Uh, I have to go back to the office," he informed Mimi with a wince. She gave him a bland stare.

"Drink something warm beta, thaand lag jaye gi. See you at dinner". He patted his sister's head and went out.

"Umeed, that's a pretty name" he thought. The girl in a black dress twirling in the rain.

That image stayed with him for the rest of the day.

Even in his sleep, she saw her. How he wished he could see her face.

Maybe someday.