Your Average Girl.

Not Your Average Reunion.

"Why do we have to go to this thing every frikkin yeaarr?" Whined Jehanzeb, Minaal's older brother.

"Haan bhae. Itnay kaam paray hain. Minaal ki mangni mein din hi kitnay reh gaye hain. Aur hum Risalpur ja rahay hain" Minaal's mom pitched in.

"Aray sab kaam hogaye hain. Caterer ne khaana sanbhal liya hai. Hall walay ko advance dediya. Saari invitations bhej di hain. Aur kapray toh zindagi bhar ke liye le liye hain sab nay. Ab aur kya kaam hain? Aaraam se thora relax karo sab." Said her Dad with a finality that was not to be challenged.

"Abbu mein abhi bhi keh raha hoon. Acha mauqa hai. Maangni ko proper rukhsati kardein, aik baar issay jaan chootay." Taimoor, her younger brother, chimed in.

"Beta jab chali jaon gi na chor kar, toh ro gay beth kar. Dekhna."

"Yar tum jaanay wali toh bano. Aagay ki phir dekhi jayegi"

"Hmnph. Bas karo dono chalo" came the annoyed voice of their mother.

Their father remained uncharacteristically quiet throughout the whole exchange. Even though he was very sensitive to the topic. Actually, Minaal had noticed that her father had been acting quite differently in the past few days. He had scheduled this trip. Then instead of taking a C-130, he had insisted on them all taking the train. Even though none of them had the slightest interest in doing so.

She had talked to her mother about this and her mother had assured her that it was nothing to be worried about. Her father had a lot on his mind these days. First and foremost, the fact that his little girl was going to be engaged was enough to send any father into a state of reflection and nostalgia. He didn't yet know how to properly process this sudden change.

She was having the same difficulty as her father, that's why she had seemed so distant and disconnected from everyone throughout the trip. At least, that was partly the reason. Throughout the trip, one thing or to be specific, one person had dwelled on her mind. The Air force pilot she had met at Civil. She still had the pen he had returned her or given her, to be accurate. She afforded a rare smile to herself. The pilot had played the oldest trick in the book. And she had been giddy with joy. Swooning over his mannerism. For some reason, a ploy as ancient as the pen itself seemed totally justified. The guy had been a gentleman, a remnant of a bygone era. If anyone was allowed to pull this off, it was him

Immediately after she had reached her car that day though, Minaal had realized that she had completely forgotten to ask him his name. She had actually toyed with the idea of going back to ask him. But she held herself back. The pilot might like her enough to play the pen trick, but he would definitely think she was crazy if she pulled this off. So she had set out for home, disappointed at herself. It was only on the train ride, when she had been observing the pen, did she notice an engraving. An engraving that gave her more joy than any thought of her engagement did. It was of the pilot's name, Captain Nabeel Khan.

A vast ground greeted them on their arrival to the Risalpur Airbase. There were hoards of people all around. Officers, trainees, cadets and alumni like her dad. Across the ground, was located the air strip. With its many array of carriers, C-130s and fighter jets. Minaal had always wanted to sit in a fighter jet, but could never fulfill her dream. Her eyes then fell on a group of soldiers marching along. She squinted her eyes to catch a better view, in case she could locate Cpt. Nabeel amongst them. But alas, her luck would not cooperate with her.

"Ye hot bandon ko check out karna chordo beta. Maangi honay wali hai." Jehanzeb interrupted her train of thought.

"Honay wali haina, hui toh nahi hai. Chill karo phir"