The traffic was quite slow at this time of the day as many people were going back towards their homes or offices after their lunch break. Aida put her car in the second gear and drove slowly, giving her mother ample time to complete her shopping before she went to pick her. It was burning hot outside, almost forty two degree centigrade and she was almost sweating even with the air conditioner that was blowing cold air on her face. She turned the dial on the radio and listened to Bryan Adam’s Heaven blast over the speakers.
It was one of her favorite songs.
She had just reached the Harold’s Super Store when she saw her mother and younger sister, Rameen coming out of the store, laden with shopping bags. She opened the back of the car and stepped outside, embracing her mother and smiling at her. She slapped Rameen playfully on her head. Her mother beamed at her and transferred some of the bags from her hand into Aida’s.
“How was your shopping excursion, mom?” she asked.
“It was good. I brought dresses for you, Aida, and this time I want you to at least wear them once before you throw them away.” Her mother chided her.
“Yes, mom. I will wear them.” Aida grinned because her mother knew her habits. She was turned off making new clothes whereas her younger sister was a shopping freak. Her morning started with “Aida, what should I wear?” and it ended with “Aida, what am I going to wear tomorrow?” therefore, Aida secretly planned that she would give the clothes to her sister to wear. Smirking at her wicked thoughts, she got back in the car when all the bags were transferred into the car and made her way towards their home.
“How was your trip to the library, Aida?” Rameen asked her from behind, munching on a bar of snickers.
“It was good. I brought back some books which I want you to read as well.” She said and looked at her in the rear - view mirror.
“Your wish is my command, boss.” She saluted her which made all three of them laugh out loud. As Aida turned into her driveway, her neighbor’s house which had previously belonged to Mr. Saleem Javed was being cleaned out. Workmen were spread out around their house; some trimming the garden while some were seen painting the house. Renovation of the house was underway. She looked at her mother who was looking the same way with surprise and astonishment.
“I guess the owners are finally are returning back here.” Her mother commented. Aida grunted.
“We haven’t met them in about fifteen years, mother. Do you think they would still remember our close friendship with them? “Rameen asked.
“They will definitely. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have been able to rear both of you after your father’s unexpected tragic demise. We owe them that much.”
“We owe them nothing.” Aida said and parked the car in the driveway. Their servant, Asim, rushed forward to take out the shopping bags from the car.
“Aida dear, being neighbors, it’s our duty to be friendly with them. Don’t be so turned off them like that and when they come, I want you to go and meet them with me.”
“Sure mother.” She said and turned to her room.
****
“Please, take your seat, Mr. Javed. Sir will take only five minutes then you can go on inside.” The receptionist told him. Haashir smiled gratefully and took the seat closest to the door, his stance relaxing as he picked up a magazine and flipped through it. He was busy working in his office when his superior had called him and told him to meet him in his office right away. Leaving the half written report about a crime case which consisted of the rape of an eleven year girl and then brutally killed her right then and there, Haashir had come upstairs to the office.
