Lost and Found

Chapter 9

*1 MONTH LATER*

Sitting in lounge of Abu Dhabi airport my mind was just drifting back to the last similar conversation with Abdullah bhai and Irtiza, suddenly out of a blue when earlier this week Abdullah bhai brought topic of my marriage I became uncomfortable with the thought, though it's not the first time I was pushed into the same conversation of people talking to me about getting married but with the way Abdullah Bhai discussed it and the way he asked me about my intentions I was sure that it wasn't just a regular conversation it was more than that and the way he was saying 'we'll discuss it further once you return from Pakistan' was the big reason behind my restlessness, it seems like he wasn't just talking about it like my other family members, he was telling me to do it or more like asking me for saying yes and things got more uncomfortable with Irtiza's sudden ideas, and whole one hour conversation, mainly in which he only spoke about 'now I should just get married'.

Marriage, just this mere thought is enough to make me sleepless. It's not the common 'I want to enjoy my life' situation, I get anxious when I think about this because I guess I won't be able to give her, whoever she would be, what she would need, what if I won't be able to give her the comfort and love she needs and the main fear over every other doubt is, what if I turned like him, it's just too frightening to just even think about it, I don't want to be a reason of a life getting destroyed because of me, again.

"Good afternoon passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 4B7 to Karachi. We are now inviting those passengers with small children, and any passengers requiring special assistance, to begin boarding at this time. Please have your boarding pass and identification ready. Regular boarding will begin in approximately ten minutes time. Thank you." As the announcement was made I thanked Allah that finally continuous waiting from last fifteen hours would be over.

I would be finally on my way to Karachi, the whole last month went in just getting to consulate, packing, discussing my meetings, trying to resign from the company, taking guides from dad and the cycle just repeat itself. My family's business when expanded in Pakistan ten years ago, we never thought we would ever be seeing such a huge success, at first when I wasn't taking much interest in the family business, now my father had sternly told to take my part in it, and when I finally agreed and decided to resign from J.S.T my resignation letter got rejected and surprisingly they are okay with me working for my father at the same time I would be working for them, in a sense it is good for me too because the more I'll be busy the less I'll be thinking about things which makes me restless, so now I am heading to Pakistan for six months to open a third branch of ZIST Software in Islamabad after it's remarkable success in Karachi and Lahore. Though I am a MBA and far away from knowledge of software and technology I am right now the chief finance officer of entire ZIST Groups and similar situation goes for J.S.T.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome onboard Flight 4B7 with service from Abu Dhabi to Karachi. We are currently third in line for take-off and are expected to be in the air in approximately seven minutes time. We ask that you please fasten your seatbelts at this time and secure all baggage underneath your seat or in the overhead compartments. We also ask that your seats and table trays are in the upright position for take-off. Please turn off all personal electronic devices, including laptops and cell phones. Smoking is prohibited for the duration of the flight. Thank you for choosing Emirates Airlines. Enjoy your flight." After waiting for hours because of delay due to the weather condition I was finally seated in the plane with the hope to get to Pakistan in three hours time. Though it was past midday but due to the horrible jet lag my head was throbbing and I decided to spend the next three hours of my journey sleeping.

"So you are on a business trip?" my eyes quickly open on a loud voice from beside me and it took whole two seconds to steady my heart beat.

"Yes... yes sir." I replied to quite old man sitting next to me.

"Dad put you hearing aid, please." I looked at his son who was sitting on his other side and was helping the man with the ear machine.

"Did I shout again?" the man asked innocently with a worried expression whereas his son shook his head with a slight smile, I chuckled and slightly patting him I replied, "Yeah but it's cool though or I wouldn't have replied you, I am quite a heavy sleeper." I said with a grin and the man relaxed smiling at me.

"You seem tired." He said after couple of seconds.

"Yes sir I guess now the jet lag is getting the best of me." I sighed.

"So where do you work?"

"I work at J.S.T but I am going for my family business matter." I smiled at him.

"What have you studied?"

"MBA, Sir."

"Are you married?" I choked over this, marriage? AGAIN? What is with everyone around me right now? Turning my head to look at the old man sitting beside me, who was now looking at me with a frown?

"Sorry?"

"I know you heard my question, so are you married?" He asked again or more like inquired like an FBI agent.

"Um... No... No sir."

"Musalman to ho na? Namaz purhtai ho?" I looked at him and regaining my posture I nodded. "Yai mano kay liyai acha lurka hai!" he whispered more loudly then he intended to his son and this time I choked with full force on which he turned and said, "Kya pani peena bhool gayai ho lurkay?"

Luckily I was saved by his son who quickly apologized and managed to divert his father's mind elsewhere and I quickly took this chance and go in deep sleep, praying for him to not turn his back on me.

Marriage? Ya Allah it seems like entire universe have teamed up against me.

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A.O.A

It's a short chapter and just a filler to just show that we are now going to see Wali in Pakistan for few days or more like months with flashbacks.

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