The Incomplete

THE GET TOGETHER

Zawad and Rimi entered the parking lot of the palace. It looked centuries old polished with modernity. It has been six years they came here. Nothing changed about its beauty. Only that it got better.

"Shafqat cannot be blamed about his show off attitude. He has things to show off." Rimi said, watching the whole place as Zawad parked the car. He only laughed in response. Both of them got out of the car as they saw Shafqat coming towards them.

"Here comes Mr. Richie Rich!" Zawad said aloud, reaching for an embrace.

"Hey buddy!" Shafqat exchanged a quick hug with his college friend. Rimi stood behind them, watching reunion of best friends.

"Hey Rimi! Long time no see." Shafqat gave her a smiling glance.

"Yeah...you look great" Rimi replied with a smile.

"Who wouldn't be great in such a get together?" Shafqat gestured them to follow him.

They passed through the big hallway into a large room where all other friends gathered. The 'hi-hello' became a complete cheerful chaos.Shafqat took a quick glance at the whole gathering and looked every face of happiness. All the flashback topics begun hitting the memories of college life and each face beamed with nostalgia. He tried to feel satisfied for bringing all in one place. He couldn't. Someone was missing. Should he call her? Try to convince her one more time. Or maybe let others do the same request to her. Will she turn all their pleadings too? He felt greatly disappointed at the unpredictable thoughts. His uncontrolled thoughts were only revolved around her. Being occupied among friends failed to distract his thoughts about her.

"Hey where is Ishana? Wasn't she supposed to be here?" Adil asked abruptly at the dinner table.

"She said she got stuck in the work" Shafqat answered flatly.

Shafqat relaxed as the topic died there. However, his relief didn't last long. The topic raised again in the bonfire party.

"So, why is Miss Psychologist not here?" Rimi inquired.

"Told you, she had some work." Shafqat frowned.

"Where did you even find her?" Labiba asked, "It seems like ages I didn't see her."

"We all didn't see her." Adil rolled his eyes.

"I found her at an orphanage. She owns it." Shafqat didn't feel like talking about her.

"Whoa...I thought she was in London." Adil exclaimed.

"She was...she just didn't inform us about her comeback. Yet." Rimi said.

"That's so Ishana! Always staying away!" Labiba said in aversion.

Everyone had resentment towards her. Suddenly every face talking about her frowned in disappointment. Though Shafqat himself had complain about her, he didn't approve their chagrin.

"Don't jump to conclusion so quickly guys. Is it really her fault? You know how messed up her life is...Marriage, divorce. She got busy in handling the chaos." Zawad manifested, easing up the situation. Defended her, just what Shafqat intended to do.

"She could share, right? What are friends for?" Labiba said indelicately.

"Oh...com'on! She needed space to recover. You gotta understand that." Zawad defended again.

But would she contact us if Shafqat never found her?" Adil doubted.

"She would" Rimi said firmly. "Guys, don't you see... Ishana got all she doesn't deserve.She didn't contact us, true. She made us known her whereabouts. Her being psychologist, her marriage, her divorce, her family abandoning her, which story you don't know? It's not that you heard it from people. She herself shared. Just because she didn't show up tonight doesn't mean you'll hold grudges against her. Do you have the slightest idea how complicated can a divorced girl's life get?"Even if she tries to move on, everyone questions her past."

Rimi's logic was more of a lecture. Everyone remained quiet in guilt for a while.

She is going through a lot. She deserves our empathy, not chagrin." Zawad sighed.

Shaqat listened quietly all this time. The topic faded but her thoughts didn't fade away from his mind.