4. NABBED

Shahleena P.O.V

I hated my grandfather's huge parties but I had to attend them as usual for my grandfather's sake. As I grew, I was forced to attend more and more of such parties where girls only came to show off their accessories and dresses. It was like a competition to defeat each other in accessories which were fun in the beginning but now I got bored with it. Every gathering or party required extensive research of designer wears and selections by splashing out huge amounts of money just to make everyone's head turn and admire you. And I have always enjoyed the attention.

There was no such thing as friendship in this competitive environment and people smiled at your face but as soon as you turned your back, they would envy you for being rich and glamorous. My grandfather insisted me to meet people and learn the knack of getting along with fake people and see the reality of the world which I had faced already in her College life. I had been shattered, hurt, betrayed by my friends so I preferred distancing myself. I loved to be home surfing the internet and reading romantic books as I preferred keeping myself lonely and away from any sort of betrayals.

I finished my soft drink and tried to rearrange my beautiful red gown when somebody cleared his throat to grab my attention.

"Nawaz, where the hell was you?" I reacted in a huge voice when I finally get to see him standing behind me.

"Assalaamualaikum Madam," He said giving me his charming smile. I didn't care to answer as I purposely displayed how upset I was with him.

"I am really mad at you," I complained. "You know I hate these parties and yet I come because I cannot break my Daadamiyaa's heart but from the last two parties, you have just vanished. You know how bored I get if you aren't around to company me with your jokes in these parties."

"Ms. Bakhtiyaar. I was on a trip to the Middle East as your Daadamiyaa sent me to give presentations." He explained as Nawaz Qureshi was my Daadmiyaa's assistant and my very close friend. He was in his mid-thirties but appeared to be in his late twenties. He had silky black hair, a wheatish complexion with deep black eyes, and a friendly smile. He knew how to cheer people with simple words that would make them roll on the floor including me.

"How is Annu?" I asked and he shrugged.

"As usual fussy and adamant," Nawaz complained about his five-year-old daughter. "But cute as ever. Alhumdulillah."

"So what else is going on?" I asked in a friendly tone as my anger faded when he mentioned the reason. "I was wondering if you found someone to settle down."

"Not yet," Nawaz answered looking around though he was in a serious mood today. "I met a few people but I am scared to trust Annu with anyone. You know how possessive I am about her."

"But you have to give someone a chance. After Saira left, you have only trusted Annu with your sister." I said concerned and he nodded in response. He seemed to be far away as I expected him to say something witty.

"I am a father, Miss Bakhtiyaar. I can never leave my daughter in the hands I don't trust. Easier said than done." He said and it hit her deep. That's when her Daadmiyaa signalled Nawaz to come and he made an excuse and left. What's wrong with him? I thought as he spat those words on me. I shrugged it off as I felt better without him as I got used to attending parties; after all, I successfully managed two.

The main reason I had liked Nawaz was his sense of humour and he was the most caring father towards his unattended and deserted daughter Anam. Nawaz was married to one of the reputed family's daughters Saira and was blessed with a beautiful daughter but Saira left him and Anam when she was only 2. Nawaz was shattered yet he chose to do his best and bring up his daughter on his own.

I still remember when I first met him cracking jokes and making people laugh at simple things that I suddenly came to admire him. I never knew that under that warm, joyful person was a shattered father who was struggling with his daughter.

Whenever I thought about Anam, I begin to yearn and wished I had seen her father too. I don't know why I always get this feeling as I always connect him to Nawaz who was doing an outstanding job raising her all alone. I was two years old when my parents died in a terrible car crash and I was left in the care of my grandfather. My heart ached to feel the love and presence of my parents as I felt unlucky as others enjoyed the benefits of a parent's love. Something I would never experience no matter how much money I spent on it and this was the biggest void I couldn't fill.

I started detesting myself and all my luxuries when they can't give me what I yearn for. What is the point in having everything when you feel missed out? I look out at poor vendors or farmers carrying and holding their children and feel that they are much richer than I am. This made me depressed and sympathizes with myself.

I felt an unknown attachment with Anam when I first met her. I liked Nawaz a lot and craved for this love which she and Anam had been missing for years. I always believed that Nawaz would make a nice life partner but I was certain that I was infatuated with him because his thoughts were in my mind only for few possible minutes and then it's just gone filled by yearning and desire for my parent's love.

Secondly, I knew that Daadamiyaa will never approve of Nawaz due to their financial status and age difference. Never did Nawaz showed any such intentions towards me but at the time I just wanted to be by his side and listen to his stories about Anam which reflected how deeply he loved her. My heart could sense the warmth of love he showered at his daughter and she missed her parents most during this time.

"Shahlu, you can go home with Nawaz if you are bored,"Daadamiyaa said and I exhaled a sigh of relief. He was going to sit for a table of 'Rummy' with his friends and I knew he would return late. I rolled my eyes as I picked my stuff and kissed Daadamiyaa good night.

"I am so tired, Daadu. I will go and hit the bed instantly." I said and they were at the parking lot as Nawaz went to get his car requesting her to wait at the door. I was bored so I walked up to a gate which was visible from a door hoping Nawaz to witness me easily as I stood all alone in the dark when somebody grabbed me from behind and before I could scream, a loud thing hit my head as the pain was instantly deep and everything reeled. Nothing made sense and I began falling into darkness as my head throbbed in pain and the last words I heard were.

"Oh yes, we have her! We did it!"