Imperious

Chapter 2

Fear not. Indeed, I am with you both; I hear and I see. (Quran, 20:46).

A March sky was a pleasant one in the village of Khanumpur. A blue so clear that the outlines of each cloud were sharp and defined, settled in their own place, seldom budging. Fused with the green tree-tops of Empress Trees, or the overbearing stature of Tipu Trees. Unlike the sweaty, humid winds of the monsoon season, Spring brought with it, a sense of cleanliness. The air was tinged with a soothing ice, yet it was not cooling enough for the Jatoi temperaments.

"You should have gone today," Parissa sighed, as she and Nafeesa stood on the terrace, looking out for a trace of the neighbouring pigeons that had taken a fancy to their area.

"I just did not feel like it."

Nafeesa had made an enemy at their grammar school. It was not the way to end her final year, but such sentiments were beyond her control. When she took a dislike to someone, it persisted until she did not reach closure with that person, or did not avenge them for the wrongdoings they inflicted upon her.

Such was the case with her brother-in-law, Karam, the husband of their eldest sister, Sadia. She felt such an overbearing animosity towards him, that tolerating even his presence at family events, proved impossible. The numerous times he had hurt their sister, cheated on her perhaps, was enough to maintain a longstanding hatred towards a man they considered unworthy of their pious sister. Ever since having slept over at their residence last week, Nafeesa found herself to be in an agitated mood.

Parissa gently tapped her sister's foot with her father's 20 gauge shotgun, "Is something wrong?"

"She's pregnant again, and he treats her like rubbish," Nafeesa remarked, "Won't sleep in the same room because he can't deal with her sickness. Always out gambling and drinking."

Parissa sighed. It was beyond their control to do anything but complain about the matter. Pray for their eldest sister, or take pity upon her. It was not as if there father would listen. There was a severe lack of communication between him and his daughters. Their conversations did not span beyond pocket money and education. He was interested in their progress, their behaviour but once they were wed, it was unlikely he would ask of them again. Such was the distance he automatically created once a person was out of his sight.

"I want to tell Abbu," Nafeesa reaffirmed, "Because I know the drinking and gambling will bother him, if nothing else does."

Parissa nodded. Violations of religious principles was a sensitive topic to both Sarwat Begum, and their father. Abstinence from alcohol, from drugs, from gambling, a failure to stick to the five-times-a-day prayer routine, indecent clothing and behaviour, were some of many concepts that their family liked to judge their surrounding friends and relatives by. If they were to find their own son-in-law indulging in such unsaintly habits, they would be determined to take action. But it was a question of finding time for that sort of dialogue.

Their father was heavily preoccupied with thoughts of expanding his steel factory, simultaneously working with Falak's husband to increase his influence in the inner city areas. Whilst their uncle was in a bid to build his political career. Both men were seldom at home to stage family meetings. And when Sarwat Begum did ever eventually get around to delivering important messages, the matter had either been resolved or died down.

"Tell Daadi Maa," said Parissa, "When Abbu comes back she can tell him directly. No use in us going to him."

Nafeesa pursed her lips. She would have attempted to tell her grandmother, if only she had not continuously harped on about the numerous recipes and kitchen duties that she wanted her to learn.