Chapter 5

The rest of the week Zaroon and Kashaf continued to have casual chats on call or Whatsapp. They had gotten close to each other as friends and took care of each other even though they were in different cities.

They had shared their likes and dislikes, their family issues, office problems.. Almost everything. Zaroon also knew about Kashaf's father who had had a second marriage and was no longer staying with them.

Zaroon took a flight to Karachi on a Friday evening so that he could spend the weekend there and meet Kashaf.

Friday Night 10pm.

Zaroon switched on his Whatsapp and sent a quick message to Kashaf and laid on his bed after a night dinner and some family time.

Kashaf was in the car reaching her Ammi's place is Nazmabad when her phone buzzed. She opened it knowing it would be Zaroon.

Zaroon: In Karachi, at home! Lemme know when you reach! 

She quickly typed a reply and sent it. Zaroon's phone buzzed.

Kashaf: In the car. Will be reaching in 20 mins. 

Zaroon: We're meeting tomorrow!  Decide the place and time and temme! 

As soon as Kashaf read the message, she smiled to herself.

Kashaf: Okay! I will.. Gimme sometime. Going off.  Battery low!  Will call you when I reach home. 

Zaroon got the message and replied. Kashaf's phone buzzed.

Zaroon: Okay! Will be waiting for your call. 

She smiled and switched off the 3G. She quickly called a number.

"Hello!", said the person on the other end.

"Osama.. Agar tumhe milna hai to kal lunch pe miltey hain!", she said.

"Great! Theek hai! Let's meet in Pearl Continental tomorrow at 1", said Osama.

"Theek hai! Bye!", she replied quickly and cut the call.

By then the driver pulled over the car in front of her Ammi's house. She got off and turned to the driver.

"Saamaan andar le aana!", she said and knocked on the gate.

As the opened she saw her sister Sidra.

"SIDRAAA!!!", squealed Kashaf in excitement.

"Kaisi ho Kashaf?", asked Sidra with equal excitement as she hugged Kashaf.

"Tum America se kab aayi? Bataya bhi nahi!", complained Kashaf.

"Tumhe surprise dena chahti thi.. Isliye nahi bataya! Ab andar chalo!", replied Sidra and the two sisters made their way into the house.

Kashaf glanced at her phone and went to her room to put in on charge. She made a quick call to Zaroon.

"Zaroon! Main Karachi pohonch gayi hoon! Osama and me are meeting for lunch! Tum bhi aa jaao!", said Kashaf.

"Osama bhi aa raha hai?", he asked.

"Haan.. We will have a quick lunch then you and me could go shopping! Tumhe Sara ke liye kuch khareedna tha na?", asked Kashaf.

Zaroon had a wide smile on his face at the thought of him and Kashaf going for shopping together.

"Zaroon!! Tum sun rahe ho na?", asked Kashaf.

"Haan.. Hmmm.. Yeah okay!", he replied.

"Zaroon.. Tum theek ho?", she asked with concern.

Sidra had entered the room by then and had heard the name 'Zaroon' from Kashaf's mouth. She looked up in shock and surprise and then raised her eyebrow at Kashaf which she clearly ignored.

"Haan Kashaf.. I'm fine! Tum theek se ghar pohonch gayi na?", asked Zaroon.

"Haan pohonch gayi! Tum so jao.. I'll talk to you tomorrow.. I have an early morning meeting! Bye.. Good Night!", she wished.

"Okay! Good Night! Take Care!", replied Zaroon and cut the call.

Kashaf put the phone back on charge, took her night suit and turned to the washroom to change when Sidra spoke up.

"Ye kya ho raha tha?", asked Sidra with a smirk.

"Phone par baat ho rahi thi!", replied Kashaf as a matter of fact-ly.

"Zaroon?", asked Sidra with a wicked smile.

"Mera colleague hai!", replied Kashaf.

"Sirf colleague?", asked Sidra with a raised eyebrow.

"Dost bhi!", stated Kashaf.

"Tum aur Zaroon Junaid dost ban gaye????", asked Sidra in surprise.

"Haan! Bohot ache dost! Wo bohot badal gaya hai Sidra!", replied Kashaf with a smile.

"Wo badla ya na badla ho.. Usne tumhe bohot badal diya hai!", replied Sidra with a smirk.

"Shut up! Chalo ab! Khana kha lete hain! I'm feeling very hungry!", said Kashaf.

"Aajao!", said Sidra as the sisters made their way to the dinner table.

Kashaf had a nice meal with her Ammi and 2 sisters with light talks and Sidra spoke about her life in America post her wedding and about her husband who was ever so sweet and supportive.

"I'm so happy Sidra ke tum khush ho!", said Kashaf.

"Ab to tum bhi shaadi karlo Kashaf!", said Sidra.

"Arey.. Kar lenge.. Kya jaldi hai?", questioned Kashaf.

"To kya buddhi hokar shaadi karogi?", asked Sidra making Shehnila giggle.

"Shehnila.. Pehle tum hi shaadi karlo! Bohot shauk hai na tumhe!", said Kashaf with a wicked smirk.

"Kya Kashaf Aapa.. Aap hi karo! Mujhe abhi nahi karni.. Aapki shaadi ho jaaye.. Phir main kar lungi!", replied Shehnila.

"Chalo bacchon.. Main sone ja rahi hoon.", said Raafia.

"Okay Ammi!", replied the girls in unison.

"Main bhi jaa rahi hoon! Kal college hai!", sais Shehnila and went to her room.

"Sidra.. main change karke aati hoon!", said Kashaf and took her night clothes and walked into the washroom.

"Theek hai!", said Sidra as she plopped on the bed. Suddenly Kashaf's phone rang flashing Zaroon'

"Hello!", said Sidra as she picked Kashaf's phone.

"Kashaf?", said Zaroon confused as he recognized the voice to be different.

"Ji nahi.. Main uski behen baat kar rahi hoon!", replied Sidra.

"Oh! As-salam alaykum!", he greeted.

"Waleykum As-salam!", Sidra greeted back.

She continued, "Kaise hain aap?"

"I'm fine! Aap kaisi hain?", he asked nervously.

"Main theek hoon!", replied Sidra sweetly.

"Aap mujhe jaanti hain?", asked Zaroon confused.

"Ji.. Bohot suna hai maine aapke bare mein..", said Sidra.

"Mere bare mein? Accha.. Oh.. Kashaf se!", spoke Zaroon.

"Ji.. University ke zamane se hi sunti aa rahi hoon!", replied Sidra.

Zaroon let out a laugh and replied, "Phir to kuch achha nahi suna hoga aapne mere baare mein!"

"Pehle nahi suna tha.. Aaj bohot kuch achha suna hai aapke bare mein!", replied Sidra.

"That's good!", replied Zaroon.

"Waise mera naam Sidra hai! Main America mein rehti hoon! Meri shaadi ho chuki hai.. Aaj kal aayi hui hoon yahan pe!", said Sidra.

"Oh.. That's nice! Aapse baat karke badi khushi hui mujhe!", said Zaroon.

"Mujhe bhi aapse baat karke khushi hui!", said Sidra.

Kashaf walked out of the washroom and asked, "Kaun hai Sidra?"

"Zaroon ka phone hai.. Lo baat karo!", said Sidra handing over the phone to Kashaf.

"Bolo Zaroon..", said Kashaf sweetly.

"Umm.. Kashaf.. Kal meeting kitne baje ki hai tumhari?", asked Zaroon.

"10 baje ki hai.. It will go on till 12.. 12.30 i guess!", said Kashaf.

"To main tumhe pick karne aa jaun? We can go together for lunch..", said Zaroon hoping for a positive answer.

Kashaf smiled to herself and spoke, "Uski koi zaroorat nahi hai Zaroon.. Main khud aa jaungi.. PC jaana hai.. So you come there directly!"

"Tum haan bol rahi ho.. Warna main kal nahi milunga tumse!", said Zaroon.

"Blackmail kar rahe ho mujhe?", she asked with a slight giggle.

"Yehi samajh lo!", he replied.

"Fine.. Aa jaana.. At 12.30.", she replied.

"Great! See you.. Good Night!", he said in excitement.

"Good Night!", she replied and cut the call.

Sidra lay on the bed along with Kashaf and they drifted off to sleep after talking about random things having a midnight sister's gossip.