aab e hayat ( English version)

chapter no 12

"Salar! The lounge looks nice now, doesn't it?" Salar glanced at the new curtains on the lounge windows. He had just come home a few moments ago.

"Even if Imam hadn't informed us in the state of utmost happiness, he would still not have been able to ignore this clear change as soon as he set foot in the lounge."

"He said 'a lot' while hiding his disappointment. Imam looked at the curtain with a proud demeanor. He had performed the iftar on the way today. Imam had had iftar at Furqan's house, and now they were both having dinner together."

"So, sir, how was your day?" Salar asked as he started the meal. She began to describe the activities of her whole day. This was the first detailed conversation between them that had taken place today. Salar had called her twice during the day, each time for a minute or two, but the conversation had only been about general updates.

"I have seen the iftar dinner cards on your desk. Are you not going because of me?" Imama asked.

"No, I don't attend iftar parties or dinners," Salar said casually.

"Why?" she asked, surprised. "Because I believe these parties mock the spirit of Ramadan. I don't go to anyone's house for iftar during Ramadan."

"But you do go to Furqan's house," Imama said without hesitation. He smiled then. He was currently eating food that had been brought from Furqan's house.

I have been eating at Furqan's house even before Ramadan, and if he invites me for iftar or dinner, there is no special preparation. We eat the same food that is usually cooked at his house, but this is not what is typically cooked on regular days," Salar said, pointing to three or four items on the table.

"Then..." she said, more surprised.

Furqan and his wife are making all this effort for you because we've recently married, so they are also taking care of suhoor and iftar for you. Otherwise, we usually eat simple food. During Ramadan, we spend half the money on groceries for our kitchen compared to other months, and with the other half, we arrange for another family to have a month's worth of rations. Your food is getting cold," Salar pointed out, as he finished his meal and was now eating dessert.

"This was a tradition at Dr. Sibt-e-Ali's house. The ration that came to their house during Ramadan was reduced by half. The ration for the two servants of the house during Ramadan was bought with the value of the remaining ration. Imama!" Salar then directed her attention back to the food.

She began eating. Salar had already finished the dessert and was now waiting for her to finish her meal. He was absorbed in sending continuous messages on his cell phone. It was hard to determine how much of his change was due to Dr. Sahab's influence and how much was his mindset. While eating, he always waited for her to start her meal. He would always place something on her plate and would only leave the table after she had finished eating. She didn't want to notice these things, but she couldn't ignore them either.

He was strange. Strange? No other word came to Imama's mind. After dinner, they went out to buy a kitchen storage shelf. If Imama hadn't heard Salar's conversation, she would have prepared a long and detailed list for the kitchen. However, she was very cautious while shopping. Most of the things she bought were containers and jars. She had purchased very little cooking equipment.

"What is this?"

The next night, while she was busy putting the purchased kitchen shelf, jars, and containers into place, Salar came into the kitchen area with an envelope from his study room.

"This contains your checkbook," Salar informed her, placing the envelope on the counter and leaving.

Imama opened the envelope and pulled out the checkbook. Along with it, a pay slip also came out. It was for thirty lakh. Imama thought she might have misunderstood. She looked at the slip again. It was indeed for thirty lakh. Why had he deposited thirty lakh into her account? Surely, there must have been some mistake.