There came many times where Mehreen became the girl who cried wolf. She would make a call, usually short, leaving only few details that would entail something drastic: something that required immediate attention. And whoever it was she called always came. In a hurry they would and just to find out it was a fashion tragedy, a new celebrity gossip or something equally as trifle and equally as unimportant.
Of course it was unsurprising that she did so, for she was the pampered daughter of one of the wealthiest man in Karachi, actually the only daughter he pampered.
It didn't mean that Mehreen was a spoilt brat or something similar. No, Mehreen was very grateful but in at the same time she was naive and very enthusiastic about unnecessary things. However for someone like me who was her regular target, such nature of hers thinned the line to annoyance.
I was expecting her to pull the same act when she called me that day. About five months before the day that changed my life and hers.
During the new evening came her call and all she said. in what I thought of as a rather unusual stoic tone, was that she needed to see me as soon as possible and where it was that I should meet her.
After having one of the rather awful days with teaching the pompous teenagers in Solstices Academy where I taught as a Biology teacher for the higher graders and as English teacher for the lowers, a terrible case of migraine naturally followed. Her request was the last thing I could have wanted then.
Despite of all that, I called Ammi informing her that I would be late and made my way looking for an auto as quickly as I could.
Nur-wa-Pak Park was built in the west wing of the more newer affluent district of Karachi, Shahenn-e-Shah. It was smaller in size in comparison to most others in the city, but people hardly cared about that. The grasses there was always managed in height and in hydrated green, the rose bushes and daffodil scrubs were always immaculately trimmed and the park was fitted with a large pond where it was made sure the fishes weren't to be caught and the swans to be hunted. The jogging path was satisfyingly long and ivory colored benches and gazebos were all around. With an exception on the weekends, the park was mostly empty other than the usual joggers and youths who resided close by. That was maintained by the tough security who only allowed the residents of the exclusive area and their guests. Akbar Javadd's influences allowed both of us an open entry.
It was also located at an equal distance from both of our houses, leaving to low chance of meeting anyone we knew. Karachi after all was bigger than it seemed. And that was why we chose this place as our sanctuary. A place where we choose do anything we wanted. Laugh, cry, eat, laze, read, and write, anything but always just the two of us.
Due to the after-hour's traffic, I arrived at the park's chrome gates 30 minutes longer than the expect time. After wiping away the sweat and dusts that had smothered my face, I made my way to look for her.
As expected most of the park was empty, saving for a bunch of adolescences boys playing cricket on the far end field and a few couples here and there strolling, but even as I scrutinized my vision I couldn't locate Mehreen. However who I did find was Rahim kaka.
The cleaner had been sweeping the floor as I approach him and ask him for Mehreen. The protruding bellied man who was already used to the presence of both of us curved his lips to a smile that revealed many of his bronzing teeth.
'' She went that way Zehra beti,'' pointing towards the sole and old pine tree of the park. '' She was awfully quiet today.''
My breath quickened in such mention. Perhaps she wasn't lying about the wolf.
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Living In Contrast (ON HOLD)
Romance(A/N: Story on hiatus ) Her life was a book. Written by everyone but her. She, however did not fight. Her life was painted. The colors decided. She, however did not crack. But changes they come, as inevitable they are. She learns things. She...
