The days passed and Jalaludeen's patience was exhausted.
"I will go to Turkey myself," he revealed to his wife Fatma one morning. He had not even had breakfast, but was sitting quietly in his study, lost in thought.
"And what will be the reason for this sudden decision?" she frowned.
"I think this boy wants to kill me." he muttered, heaved a sigh and covered his face with his palms.
"Then what are your plans? What do you want him to do?"
"To report to work! For him to return to the office! If not, why did I send him to Turkiye? Do you think he should buy me Turkish carpets?" He snapped in anger.
"What can I do about it?" she hissed, closing the door behind her. She had intended to call him downstairs for breakfast, but she was in no mood to tolerate his foul mood that morning. That was one of the many reasons why Aabid and she had a hard time getting along. They were both hot-headed. Almost at the same time she had left, the phone rang. Quickly, Jalaludeen answered it.
(Salaam, father.) a voice announced itself from the loudspeaker. (This is Aabid). The father recognised his son's voice even before he introduced himself.
"And upon you too be the peace. Ah, yes. I understood immediately." He replied calmly, listening carefully to his son's voice to find out if anything was wrong. Aabid rarely calls him.
(I will start work tomorrow)
"Why so early?" he laughed nervously, rubbing his moustache, but he was content to hear the news from within.
(Is not that what you want?)
Jalaludeen paused.
(How are you?) Aabid asked after the father did not reply.
"Oh, I am well, alhamdulilah." He picked up a pen and began to play with it with his fingers. "Just a little headache and all" he muttered.
(Okay. I called to tell you about my plans for tomorrow. Have a nice day.)
"Oh, sure. By the way, when you get to your office, please send me the list of VIP clients from Ankara. That's a fresh start, is not it?"
(Sure it is. I'll do it)
"And also think about the issue I told you about and then tell me what you plan to do," he referred to the discussion they had had about the marriage proposal.
(Abba, I also plan to talk to you about it)
"Sure. I am listening. How about it?"
(Abba, I do not want this. I really do not.)
"You must not want it! It's your need, Aabid." Now Jalaludeen felt tense. Aabid still did not agree with the decision.
(Abba, please listen to me and accept my request)
"Alright, tell me something."
(Okay...)
"Why are you so against it? Give me a good reason and I will cancel it."
(I do not love her, Abba. I do not know her, never seen her...)
"Of course you do not love her. You have not even met her, how can you love her, you silly boy? Of course you have not seen her because you have not seen her!" Exclaimed Jalaludeen. "Look. Do not think this is all business. You will also benefit a lot by having a good person by your side. Don't you want to get married?" He was now stroking his shaved chin with his unsteady hands. Something he usually did when he was tense.
(I do want to get married, Abba, but-)
"What then? What's the problem?" He cut Aabid off.
(I want to marry the woman I told you about? She is the one I love.)
"Listen. Go and sleep, you little idiot. You do not have a clue and you are parroting things that do not make sense. That girl is unacceptable!"
(Abba, how do you know the one you want to marry me off to is a good person?)
"Go to bed. It's two in the morning in Turkey. Why are you still awake?"
(Abba please...)
"Okay, I did some research." He replied.
(Wow. Do you intend to say that you dispatched spies to spy on her? Laa...)
"You claim that I sent some spies, despite my word that I conducted some study. Do not disturb me, please."
Aabid let out a sigh.
"You have unconsciously accepted everything whether you like it or not, therefore I don't require you to think about it. You must now report to work, and we'll probably talk again shortly." and before the son could continue, the father quickly cut off the conversation.
Jalaludeen got out of the chair and said to himself, "Thank you, God."
He was ready to enter the conference that was waiting for him.
---
Even though Jalaludeen knew it was early in Turkey—around 5AM—he immediately dialed ma'Naima's number after reaching his desk. Nevertheless, he was fully aware that she typically woke up at that hour to perform her fajr prayer.
(Peace be upon you, husband) A croaky, female voice greeted him.
"Zawjatil azizatu, Upon you be the peace. How is the dreadful cold you're experiencing?"
(All praise to God, it is slowly disappearing. I truly hope that everything is going properly on your ends.)
"Yes, thank God. That makes me glad to hear. Don't forget to consume the herbal tea and take your medications."
(God-willing, I won't, and I appreciate your worry.)
"Please accept my sincere apologies for interrupting you so early in the day."
(not at all! I am happy to have your call)
"Its concerning um... Aabid. Kindly pressurize him, so that he will start work diligently."
(God willing, I will work on that. I believed it would be too soon had it been I began this earlier than now.)
"Yes, sound reasoning! Please don't let me down," he looked at the wall clock and spoke in a cordial manner. "Additionally, I need you to convince him of the arranged marriage. Recall how I told you that if this strategy works out, it will have a positive impact on our industrial base?"
(Absolutely. It still feels like yesterday that you told me this.)
"Great. Work on that, please. Any moment now, I'll be anxious to hear your response. You three know that the child just pays attention to what you say."
(Yes, dear husband)
"Good. Now i'm counting on you. We talk later. I would not want to disturb you," he sweetly told, lowering his voice.
(Okay okay, God willing. Infact, i will call you about any progress.) with that, ma'Naima disconnected the call herself to engage in the early morning prayer.
---
Three women walked out of the airport, one holding a boy in her arms and the other holding a girl's hand, towards a Toyota Fortuna. The eldest of the three, a woman in her late 40s, was the first to enter. They were both much younger than she was. They hopped into the car after pushing the two children inside and loading the boot with their belongings with the driver's assistance.
(urdu)
"Shift quickly, let your auntie Zara get in!" The woman yelled, arching herself to the back seat to peek at her daughter who was engrossed in her gaming gadget.
"I will definitely cease this stupid item, since you are not listening!" The mother snapped, trying to get hold of the gaming pad. The daughter hissed and shifted to the middle.
"Jaya, You will see what i will do to you at home." Her auntie Zara exclaimed as she got in. The other woman silently closed the door, dragging the sleepy little boy unto her laps.
"I am thirsty, water... auntie Sallu"
The little boy voiced to his elder sister with chapped lips. She quickly proceeded to feed him water from the bottle. He pushed it away after he drank to his fill.
Fully sure everything was in rightful order, the driver ignited the engine and they drove to the Loharani Residence.