A few days later, Zakaria Khan sent Aneesa to Lahore by bus. Omar was waiting at the bus stop to receive her. Omar was years older than her but close in age to Samaira. They had a good understanding between them.
Aneesa had planned to stay in Lahore for as few days as possible. She had decided this on the very first day. But for now, she had to stay at Aunt Farhana's house with Omar. She was certain that Zakaria would check if she had arrived in Lahore or not. Her assumption was correct. As soon as they sat together in the car, Omar called Zakaria Khan.
"Hello, Uncle...yes, Uncle, she's with me...you don't need to worry."
It was about a thirty-minute drive from the bus stop to their house.
"You've been quite quiet these days," Omar asked.
"No, not really."
"Then why aren't you talking like before?"
"I'm just not in the mood."
"Why aren't you in the mood?"
"I don't know."
"Why don't you know?" Omar teased her.
"I don't know; if I'm not in the mood, I'm not."
The traffic light turned red, and they stopped.
"Would you like some ice cream?" Omar asked when he saw a bakery.
"No."
"Mango ice cream?" Mango was her favorite flavor.
"No."
"Cake? You'll have cake, right?" Omar thought she would say yes, but he was wrong.
"No." She had a serious expression on her face, and her changing behavior puzzled Omar.
"Are you annoyed by my talking?"
"No."
"Then why do my words seem pleasing to you?"
"No."
"Then why are you listening? Why aren't you refusing to listen to me?" He teased her, looking at her and smiling.
"Can I say something, Aneesa?" Since there was no response, he continued, "There are many words besides 'no' that you can use." She remained silent.
"What's wrong with you? Are you mad at me?" He felt something was off about her behavior.
"Is there something Zakaria uncle said?"
"I...no...what will Dad say? He doesn't say anything. I'm just feeling sleepy, and I have a headache."
"Well, we're going home, so you can sleep. You should have told me earlier; I wouldn't have said anything. I just go quiet." He said, repeatedly glancing at her face while speaking.
Aneesa turned her face toward the window without saying a word.
When they arrived home, Farahana warmly embraced Aneesa. However, Farahana's daughter, Mashal (Umer's older sister), and her husband Naveed were not at home. They hadn't returned from work yet. Farahana brought Aneesa to the drawing room.
"Mom, let Aneesa rest; she has a headache," Omar explained.
"But I haven't set up her room yet."
"Dad didn't tell you I was coming." Aneesa felt a silent anger but managed to swallow it. She genuinely wanted to rest because she was quite tired.
"No problem, Aneesa. I'm going out for some work, so you can sleep in my room."
