chapter 12

Waseem saw Imama sitting out in the lawn. She had the earphones on and was listening to something on her Walkman. He slipped up very quietly behind her and grabbed the earphones off her, but she swiftly turned off the Walkman.

'What are you listening to, sitting here all by yourself?" he said in a loud voice as he stuck the earphones into his ears.

Imama had already switched off the cassette. She got up and pulled at the earphones.

"This is the height of bad manners-Waseem, behave yourself!" She was furious. Waseem did not let go of the earphones: Imama's anger had no effect on him.

I want to hear what you were listening to what's rude about that?

Switch on the cassette."

'I wasn't sitting here with this for your listening pleasure. Annoyed, she detached the headphones. "Here, take these and get lost.'

She sat down again, firmly gripping the Walkman. Waseem felt that she seemed somewhat disturbed...worried. But why should she be worried? He shrugged off the thought. Pulling another chair, he sat down and put the earphones on the table before her.

'Here take these and don't be so angry. Carry on with whatever you were listening to,' he said, trying to placate her.

"No-I don't want to listen to anything now. You can keep them."

Imama did not reach for the earphones.

" By the way, what was it?"

"What could it be?" she replied in the same tone.

"Ghazals, perhaps?" wondered Waseem.

You know, Waseem, you share many traits with old women.'

'For example?"

For example, nit-picking." And...?"

And spying on others without the least embarrassment."

And do you know how selfish you are gradually becoming? Waseem replied likewise.

Imama did not mind it. So now you know how selfish I am?" she replied with a smile this time. "You are so silly that I couldn't believe you'd come to this conclusion."

"If you're trying to embarrass me, then don't bother-I'm not going to be ashamed. He was being bull-headed.

*But still, it is one's duty to try."

'Aren't you being too smart today?" Waseem looked at her closely. Possibly.

Not possibly certainly. Anyway, it's better than that monastic silence you adopt on your return to Islamabad."

What monastic silence?" Imama responded.

"You've changed a fair bit since you went to Lahore."

"I'm under the pressure of studies."

"Everybody feels that pressure, Imama, but you seem obsessed."

Waseem said, interrupting her.

'Let's not fall into this silly argument...tell me, what are you doing

these days??

"Having a ball!" He was rocking his chair.

"That's what you do all year long. I'm asking you about any special interest now.'

Just hanging out with friends. You should know what I do once the papers are over you're forgetting everything, Imama. Waseem looked at her somewhat sadly.

'I asked you this in the hope that you may have improved-but

obviously my question was redundant, replied Imama.

You should know that I am a year older than you, so please wind up your allegations.' He was trying to rub in his being older. "How are things with this boy next door?" Imama suddenly remembered something.

Chu-Chu? Somewhat strange, I'd say,' shrugged Waseem. "He's a

weird chap. If he's in a good mood, he'll exalt you to the seventh heaven; if he's in a bad mood, he'll dump you into the gutter.' Most of your friends are like that," she said with a smile. "Birds of a feather flock together."

'No-that's not the case. At least, I do not behave the way Chu-Chu does.

"Wasn't he going abroad?' Imama asked Waseem.

"Yes, he was supposed to, but I'm not sure. I think his parents don't plan to send him."

"His appearance is very odd-looks like he's from some hippy tribe or will be.

Have you seen him lately?"

'I saw him yesterday, when I was coming home. He was going out then there was a girl with him."

A girl? Was she wearing jeans?" Waseem was suddenly interested. 'Yes.'

And she had mushroom-cut hair? She was fair? Waseem snapped his fingers with a smile. "Ursa-his girlfriend."

"The last time you named someone else,' said Imama, staring at him. "The last time? When was that?" Waseem wondered.

Seven or eight months ago, when you spoke to his girlfriend." "Oh, that was Sheba. Wonder where she's now?"

"Then he had a mobile number painted on the rear screen of his car,' laughed Imama as she repeated the number.

You mean you remember the number?" laughed Waseem.

How could I forget? I've never seen a mobile number written so boldly and that too on a car!" she laughed again.

'I think I'll put my mobile number on my car too,' he said, running his fingers through his hair.

Which mobile? The one you haven't bought yet?" she scoffed. "I'm buying one this month.'

"Then be prepared for Baba's wrath...if you have the number painted on the car, he'll be the first one to call you."

"That is what holds me back, Waseem said with resignation.

'It's best for you that rather than have your bones broken you should keep your emotions under control. Besides, there are other issues...

what if Samiya gets to know about your mobile connections?"

Waseem cut her short. 'What will she do? I'm not scared of her."

'I know you're not scared of her but she's the only sister of six brothers, if you please. While you plan to get engaged to her, do consider the pros and cons of consequences that may arise from any untoward action on your part. Imama was bent on teasing him.

Alas, what can I do now? My fate is sealed, Waseem replied with a mock sigh. I should never buy a cell-phone as it will be of no use to me at least, not for finding a girlfriend. He began to rock on his chair again.

'Better late than never, but you have seen sense, Imama said, as she reached for earphones on the table.

"What was it that you were listening to?" Waseem remembered s he saw

her pick up the earphones.

"Nothing special,' she replied, putting off the question.