Lost and Found

Chapter 18

The drive back home was full of conversation but not once my dad spoke about the topic I wanted to talk about seems like he isn't going to discuss 'something' that easily with me.

Fine! It's not that I am really interested!

Okay maybe I am.

Who am I kidding? I definitely am! I mean when almost everyone is giving me that suspicious smirk I have to become interested, its human philosophy for heaven's sake!

But all the thoughts vanished as I stepped inside my apartment, it wasn't feeling of homesickness or excitement of coming back rather I realized that I didn't even missed this place for once and standing at the entrance I was rather missing my days in Pakistan and now when I won't be able to have continuous broadcasting of azaan or when instead of driving on those streets of Islamabad I would be struggling on these streets of New York or instead of having an hourly bulletin in Urdu the news have to be from CNN or ABC news or not having Jameel baba asking me what type of curry he should make for dinner , it surely going to be hard to adjust back in my own home.

"Wali?" I was brought out of nostalgic thoughts from my mother's voice.

"Hmm?" I turned towards her to find her observing me because there was this faint smile on her face which is always there when either she is looking at me or Dad. "Missed me a lot, I guess?" I teased her while wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"Obviously never before I have spent both of the eids (Islamic Festivals) without you!" she said with a frown and I leaned to kiss her head.

"No worries we'll have some gathering or let's arrange a family barbeque total desi type!" I grinned "I have hundreds of photos from the barbeque Salman chachu arranged in Karachi, everyone was there! It would be thousands time more fun if you all would have been there but nonetheless it was fun from marinating to cooking we guys did all the work!" I smiled at the memories of late night barbeque we all had, by now all three of us been seated in the living room.

"Chalo Masha Allah I am glad you enjoyed your stay." Mom patted our intertwined hands with a warm smile, "Khair why don't you fresh up and eat something then you should rest too."

"Sounds like a good plan!" I agreed and stood up to get back to my room while my mother already went inside the Kitchen, Joe wasn't here as he had gone because his wife wasn't really well so for the time being someone else will be here from Virginia not that I need it but it can't be easy to make your parents understand it.

Going up to the familiar stair case I went to the room at the end of the corridor which was locked so twisting the keys in the lock I finally entered into the familiar midnight-blue and white painted room with similar themed furniture and decoration, I turned on the light to find the room completely set up and clean not even a dust particle on the furniture, though the large bed and soft pillows were silently welcoming me towards them but I made my way towards the closet to change into clean clothes because it's been more than twenty four hours that I am dressed into the same outfit and now my body was craving for a shower. A warm shower is a great place, you can just stand and enjoy while your nerves are relaxing and on top of it enough time to think and gather your thoughts so standing there and enjoying the warm water running down my body my thoughts went back to Pakistan, the office, Hala, school and Buri dadi who was persistent on getting me settled, the only thing which was used to make me miss US and lastly about my surgery which I had already planned out with doctors in Baltimore. After I was done wrapping the towel around me I got back to my room to find mom sitting on the edge of the bed.