Katherine:the hajera within ~by mariam

chapter 5

As I embarked on my writing journey, my cousin's inquiry about my book caught me off guard. I was perplexed by his sudden interest, wondering what sparked his curiosity. I brushed it off, thinking he was too old for Kat and they weren't a compatible match anyway. I told him to wait until the book was published and read about her then, hoping to deflect his attention. Little did I know, my response would only fuel his curiosity, setting off a chain of events that would leave me astonished.

He continued to pepper me with questions, his genuine interest evident in his tone. He asked me to describe Kat briefly, and I obliged, trying to downplay my enthusiasm. Again, he casually mentioned reading the book when it was finished, his nonchalance belied by his piercing gaze. But then, he revealed a different side - a curious and innocent one, like a child unraveling a mystery. He asked how I would write when I ran out of words, his eyes sparkling with intrigue. I replied, "I'll write with such depth and emotion that the reader will yearn to meet her,"(itni gehrayi se likhunga apni lafzon me usko,ki padhne wale ko talab hojaye usse Milne ki).Hoping to satisfy his curiosity.

However, he persisted, asking to see the soft copy of my book. I hesitated, unsure if I was ready to share my work, but his enthusiasm was infectious. I showed him my handwritten pages, and he read with rapt attention, devouring every word. He read only five pages but was hooked, his mind racing with questions. He asked to see Kat's photo, but I refused, even if I had one, hoping to maintain some secrecy. However, he convinced me to show him photos of my friends, including Kat, and I reluctantly agreed.

Unexpectedly, a photo popped up with Dora, Liz, and Kat in a laboratory, preparing for their graduation ceremony. Kat was anchoring the event, her confidence and charm radiating from the image. My cousin's eyes widened as he guessed who she was, his face alight with excitement! I was shocked, knowing he had a knack for understanding people's minds, but this was uncanny.

He dropped out of college but became a successful chartered accountant with a white-collar job, his analytical mind serving him well. He claimed he could understand a person's nature by talking to them for just five minutes, a skill he demonstrated with uncanny accuracy. He asked me to describe Kat in one line, and I said, "She's the story I never want to end," hoping to capture her essence. He was stunned, his eyes locked on mine, and left the place, leaving me wondering about the encounter.

I'm still amazed by his ability to guess Kat's identity and understand my emotions, his insight leaving me speechless. His curiosity and perceptiveness revealed a depth to his character I hadn't appreciated before, and I realized that some people can indeed read others like a book, uncovering hidden truths and emotions.

He was the sole confidant with whom I could share my innermost thoughts and feelings, exploring the depths of my mind without fear of judgment. His exceptional talent for roasting left our relatives in awe, his quick wit and sharp tongue slicing through the ordinary with ease. While some might say he was too skilled, too cutting, I admired his ability to find humor in the mundane, to poke fun at the seriousness that often shrouded our family gatherings.

Unlike others who dismissed him as humorless, I found his jokes, often dark and dirty, to be a breath of fresh air, a respite from the stifling traditionalism that often characterized our family's interactions. His humor, though not everyone's cup of tea, was a symphony of irony and wit, a cleverly crafted blend of the irreverent and the unexpected.

Spending time with him felt like being enveloped in a warm embrace, surrounded by people who accepted me for who I was, without condition or expectation. He had a gift for making me feel at ease, like I was among old friends, sharing secrets and laughter around a crackling fire. Our conversations meandered through uncharted territories, exploring topics that others might shy away from, but with him, I felt safe, protected by his unwavering acceptance.

His roasting skills were the stuff of legend, leaving our relatives in stitches, their faces contorted in a mix of shock and amusement. He could poke fun at anyone, including himself, with a twinkle in his eye, a mischievous glint that hinted at a deeper intelligence, a quicker wit. While some might say he was too harsh, too unyielding, I saw it as a sign of his confidence, his willingness to speak his mind, to challenge the status quo.

In a family where humor was often forced, clichéd, or predictable, he stood out as a beacon of originality, a shining star in a sea of mundane conformity. His dark jokes, though not everyone's taste, added a layer of complexity to his personality, revealing a depth, a richness that few could match. In a world where people often pretended to be someone they're not, he remained unapologetically himself, humor and all.

Kat and I shared an unbreakable bond, forged in the crucible of our strict upbringing. Our parents, with their similarly rigid mindsets, inadvertently created a sense of solidarity between us. We empathized deeply with each other's frustrations, having both experienced the suffocating grip of parental authority. I vividly recall times when we both felt trapped by the rules and expectations, leading us to rebel in our own ways, seeking to assert our individuality.

Self-respect was our top priority, and we wouldn't hesitate to stand up for ourselves if disrespected or taken for granted. If someone wronged Kat without justification, she'd reciprocate with equal measure - a tit-for-tat approach that demonstrated her unwavering commitment to her own worth and dignity. This unshakeable sense of self was something I admired and respected deeply.

One of Kat's most defining traits was her discerning nature when it came to friendships. She wouldn't hastily label someone a friend; instead, she'd carefully evaluate the relationship, ensuring trust was earned through shared experiences, mutual support, and genuine connection. Her circle was extensive, but not everyone within it held equal significance. She had many acquaintances, but few true friends - a distinction that might seem subtle but was crucial to her. Kat's friendships were built on a foundation of mutual respect, trust, and emotional intelligence.

Kat's approach to friendships was intentional, guarded, and thoughtful. She wouldn't blindly trust others or surrender her emotions without reason. Her relationships were built on a deep understanding of the other person, their motivations, and their values. I understood this aspect of her personality intimately, having witnessed it firsthand, and I'm confident that, with time, you will too.

WORD COUNT:1146 WORDS
I'm literally sorry for using those hard words yet i wanted to make my gratitude majestic before her and she liked it too
and I'm now care free that i have a friend who has a great english vocabulary and the one who polishes my chapters wisely
Thanks to my friend Hajera again for lovely friendship you share with me🥀