Episode 6
It felt like something had fallen on top of him. Haider's briefcase dropped from his hand, and he himself fell to the ground. When he composed himself a bit, he saw the same man, Bair, standing beside him, brushing off his clothes. Haider was astonished at the sight and said, "Why do you always fall from above like this?" Bair kept staring at him intently.
Haider said, "Let me meet Kali Das."
Bair replied, "He's not here either. I'm responsible for the hut, and if you weren't Kali Das's friend, I'd be chewing your bones by now. No one is allowed inside. He can't meet you. And the reason you've come here—he knows it all."
Haider asked in surprise, "What intention have I come with? Tell me."
Bair laughed and said, "Take this briefcase, it's a gift from Kali Das. Don't reject it, or you'll regret it."
Haider asked, shocked, "How does he know everything?"
Bair chuckled, "That you'll have to ask him."
Haider asked one last question, "At least tell me, what was that settlement? Were they jinns or was it magic?"
Bair, laughing and turning away, replied, "It's all illusion... just illusion."
Haider brushed the dust off his clothes, picked up the briefcase, and headed toward his motorcycle. He abandoned the idea of going to college and turned home instead.
---
Early in the morning, after breakfast, Meherin and Jawad had already left. Rabab came to the breakfast table after getting ready for college and asked Jahaan Ara, "Amma, where did Khala Meherin and Jawad go so early?"
Jahaan Ara replied, "Jawad's aunt was unwell, so they had to leave early."
Rabab nodded and started eating. Just then, Shahmeer arrived and joined them at the table.
"I need to talk to you about something important," he said to Rabab.
"Yes, Abbu, I'm listening," Rabab replied attentively.
"Look, Rabab, you are our only child. I've never called you a son so you wouldn't feel inferior, but sometimes daughters surpass sons. Still, daughters must leave eventually. They are someone else's to begin with," Shahmeer said, becoming teary-eyed.
Rabab felt a sudden unease and said, "Why are you saying all this?"
Shahmeer continued, "When Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) arranged the marriage of Hazrat Fatimah (RA) to Hazrat Ali (RA), he first came to her and asked, 'Fatimah, a proposal has come from Ali. Shall I accept it on your behalf?' The beloved Prophet laid the foundation that a woman's consent must be sought. I am just a sinner, but I, too, want to ask my daughter for her consent."
Rabab was stunned. A proposal? Consent? What was going on?
Shahmeer added, "Yesterday Meherin came with a proposal for you—from Jawad. We didn't respond right away. We wanted to ask you first."
Rabab was shocked at the mention of Jawad's name. A storm began brewing in her mind. She got up and rushed to her room. Jahaan Ara and Shahmeer sat there, watching her go.
---
Haider, with heavy steps, parked his motorcycle at home and entered the house carrying the briefcase. He took out all the money and placed it in the courtyard. He went to the kitchen, fetched some matches, and said angrily, "Kali Das, you may have accepted it, but I won't."
He lit a match and threw it onto the notes. But nothing happened. The money remained perfectly fine. He lit another match and threw it—again, no effect. In frustration, he used the whole box of matches, but it was useless.
Furious, he began shouting. Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Who could it be at this hour?" he thought.
When he opened the door, no one was there. As he was about to close it, he noticed an envelope lying on the ground. He picked it up and went inside.
Opening it, he read:
"Dear friend Pail,
Heard you visited our home. Seems you're quite eager to meet your friend.
You even asked some questions, so I thought I'd give you some answers.
That village—yes, it belongs to our kind. Bair, Bheero, Lona Chamari—all of them live there.
Had it been anyone else, their bones wouldn't even be found.
But you were my guest—that's why they treated you well.
This money is specially for you. Do what you want with it—it's your destiny now.
This is just a small gift. You could be playing in millions.
Eat, drink, enjoy—invest it in business.
And no matter how many times you try to burn it, it won't burn.
Your friend,
Kali Das"
Reading this letter left Haider's head spinning. How did that man know so much about his life? One thing was clear now: he couldn't escape him.
---
Rabab was sitting on her bed, lost in thought. Was she really old enough to leave her parents' home now? The very idea made her soul tremble. And Jawad? She had never even thought of him that way. And then there was Haider. Did she truly love him, or was it just emotional attachment from years of familiarity?
All these questions were tormenting her mind.
There was a knock on the door, and Jahaan Ara entered. Rabab stood up and offered her a seat.
Jahaan Ara asked, "Why didn't you go to college today? This is all a part of life."
Rabab replied, "Amma, am I really old enough that you'll marry me off now? That I'll have to leave my home?"
Tears welled up in Rabab's eyes. Jahaan Ara could understand a girl's thoughts and smiled softly.
"You're acting like a sixteen-year-old," she chuckled. "In the old days, girls your age already had four or five children!"
Rabab laughed involuntarily. Jahaan Ara then asked, "If there's someone you like, just tell me. I'll talk to your Abba."
Rabab wasn't expecting that question and grew nervous.
"No, Amma, there's no such thing," she said.
"Well, then listen to me—Jawad is a very decent and mature boy," Jahaan Ara said, gently patting her hand.
"Alright… just give me some time to think," Rabab replied
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