"After my contract with Rauf's, I'm going to Thailand for a break, I swear. I've already looked up all the best.." 'ring.. ring' "uhh, sorry I need to take this call." She took a deep breath. "Hey, mom." In just 3 seconds all excitement was gone from her voice.
"Saira! Thank god you picked. Have you eaten? Did you check the profile I sent you?"
"I was in a meeting mom, no I haven't eaten and no I haven't seen any profile nor I will be, what else do you need?"
"Can't I call you without a purpose? Gosh lady!"
"Ok.. my dear mother how did I get the honors of your call at this time of the day?"
"Lets have a family dinner at 'Grills' this weekend."
"Comon no mom! I'm busy and will not be coming." The two friends; Saira and Kiran reached the elevator with hands filled of files and blueprints.
"Why do you have to cross me at everything!? I'm not even asking you for something big.. just a dinner, that's it. If you come I promise not to show you any pictures for a week. Promise."
"2."
"Ok. 2."
"Saturday. Grills. 7pm." And she put the call down.
"Your mother? Family dinner?" Kiran asked
"Mm." Saira only hmmed in the answer. She doesn't really has a great relationship with her family.
"Why? Is she booking you another blind family dinner date?"
"Gosh, Kiran. Hope not!"
Of course she hopes that's not the case. Ms. Sidra, Saira's mother has been booking her family dinner dates for 3 years now. Saira is turning 30 this weekend, she hopes it's a birthday dinner with her parents and brother. Well nothing in the Anees family was simple. So how could the dinner be and she already knew.
"Monday is inauguration right?" Kiran asked as they boarded the elevator.
Saira nodded. "I'm a bit nervous though."
"Oh comon you'll rock!" She giggles giving Saira half hug.
Saira too smiled but deep down the dinner was making her more nervous than the inauguration.
"Saira, have you told the team this Saturday is your last day?"
"Friday."
"What? Oh.. I see" Kiran's tone got visibly sad.
"You coming to opening party monday night? I'll let you go earlier don't worry."
"Of course!.. I'll try" Kiran replied chuckling.
Saira pouted but didn't say further. The elevator stopped with a ting and the two unboarded to their department.
"I'll take all the sketches and prints from here on ma'am." Kiran said smiling and took some stuff off of Saira's hands. She nodded with a smile. The smell of coffee, ink from printer, and wood from the mini models of buildings filled her lungs, making her forget all her worries. But soon that happy feeling brought her a sense of loss amd sadness as she was leaving this place soon.
"Ma'am, would you like a cup of coffee?" One of her team members Mr. Shaffique asked.
"Yes, please. Thank you." Saira replied as she plopped into her chair. "Everyone." She said in a loud voice. "I have an announcement. My own architect firm that I've been working so hard on will have its inauguration on monday. Of course you are all invited although I know it'll be impossible for you all to come. You are all also invited to the opening party monday evening at Kitchener's. I submitted my resignation last week and this friday is my last day with you all. Ms. Kiran will be taking over all my projects, so a big round of applause for her. This was a marveloustime with you all, I'm not good with speeches but I hope my massageof gratitude reaches you all." She was so filled with excitement for her own firm that her speech lasted only 10 seconds, she said in such a hurry.
There was a huge silence and then gossips and gasps and then oh no's.
"Ma'am.. your client Mr. Rehmat has but asked to meet you and the contractors on weekend, I.. told them it was fine.. they are an important client.. I'm sorry I should've asked.. what now, ma'am?" Shaffique's soul had left the body upon the news.
"This weekend? Saturday?" Saira asked with a smile.
He nodded in reply.
"Of course I should meet them one last time. I'm handing over all my projects to Kiran, I should bring her too with me." Saira winked at Kiran. Kiran rolled her eyes smiling. She knew very well what was going on in Saira's brain. This meant she didn't need to attend the family dinner.
"You seriously.."
"Comon.. it's important after all."
"Yes. Yes" Kiran smiled anyways at Saira's expressions. She seemed so excited.
"I'll confirm it to the client then." Shaffique left with a sigh of relief.
"Hey, I don't understand what's wrong with getting matched up, going on blind dates while it's like not even just you and some man it'll be whole family there."
"See the problem?"
"Comon. How embarrassing can match making be?" Kiran asked laughing.
"Yes. Yes. Why don't you try yourself."
"I'm done with that bullying, thankfully."
"Everyone is getting on my nerves. I can't understand what's wrong with not marrying and building a career!? Money never betrays, honey! You should too get your head straight and think like a business woman."
"Well that I'm not. And for the 100th time, it was all your own doing. Who asked you to break that asshole's heart. If not for that incident, you parents wouldn'thavebeen on your heels for years."
"Gosh comon Kiran! Not that again!"
"It's true though." Kiran rolled her eyes at Saira's reaction. "Moreover, marriage has so many ups, why only look at the downs? You are such a positive person but why do behave like such when it comes to marriage? As of its a plaque.."
"Give me a single good example of a marriage. Show me a single person who is happy in their marriage. Why like seriously why should I put this rope around my neck with my own hands? I've builded my own career. I'm literate, degree holder, working on a high post in countries biggest architect company, have created my own company. I'm earning 13 lacs per month and even more with commissions. Like what would I need a man for? To drive me here and there?"
"Saira your concepts really need to be demoralized." Kiran rolled her eyes with the remark.
"Yeah. Yeah. Well, whatever, I'm not going to the dinner anyways."
"The meeting will be at lunch miss genius." Kiran laughed reminding the over-excited Saira.
Saira's expression dropped but she shrugged her shoulders, mouthing: "still not going!"
The week went on super fast and super busy. She had so much to hand over before leaving, and so much to look out for. Thankfully, 'Anees architects' was completely done with nothing on to do list. Completely ready to be inaugurated at any moment. Her biggest dream was just round the corner to come true.
But here she was.
After all her efforts to not to attend the family dinner, here she was at the dinner with her so-called family.
The client came by themselves on friday morning. No reason left to not to attend the dinner. Even her hopes of a farewell company dinner died too as the bastard womanizer boss got malaria and ended up in a hospital.
Still she had all her plans to not to go somehow. She even called her brother coughing. But no one knows her better than her brother, Sameer. Of course, he used to be her best friend.
Her phone kept ringing. Sameer. But she was hellbent on not going.
And then there he was at her door.
"Saira, I'm giving you 15 minutes." Was all he said and hence here she is now at the Grills with her divorced parents and divorced brother, all trying to talk her into marriage. The so-called dinner was just a spot to fight once more. This is all this family do fight and fight and fight.
When she got to the Grills, it seemed like her parents had already fought and were now fuming high ready to burst at anyone. And she knew very well this anyone was she herself.
"Tomorrow, don't go anywhere, stay at home. Mr. Qureshi, my colleague's brother in law will come to see you for their elder son." Her father said in a stren voice, the moment she sat down.
"I'm sorry, dad. Maybe next time, I've work to attend to. Monday is the inauguration of my firm. I've to get ready for it." Saira tried to brush it off with a smile and a genuine reason.
"No arguments! He is a good match for you. 44, widower, no kids, lecturer at a university. Perfect everything. Already everyone has started to think you have some problem that's why you haven't gotten married yet. The men asking for you now, I won't be rejecting them anymore."
"What's that supposed to mean? You'll marry me off to anyone?"
"Saira, shh. You are already late. Eat something first and we'll discuss it over later."
"No, mom. No discussions. Dad why am I not precious to you? Why must you speak like this. We are seeing each other in 5 months, you didn't even asked how I was doing." Although she sounded strong but cracks had started to appear in her voice.
"How well can office girls be. Flaunting themselves here and there. All you want is to work by men, been seen by men. You women are happy as long as someone is drooling over you!" He growled. "You aren't allowed to work anymore! This is it! Women should stay at home!"
"The hell Ahmed!? How can you speak to your own daughter like this!? You've learnt nothing whatsoever over so many years! I feel ashamed I birthed your children, loved you at a time of my life!" Sidra snarled.
"You shut up, Sidra, don't cross me. Don't make me open my mouth you vile woman!"
"Dad, relax. Lets eat first and then we can all have this discussion." Sameer patted his father to calm him down offering him water.
"I'm leaving, I had a long day, I'm tired." Saira stood up from her chair.
"You are not goimg anywhere, sit down and finish your food." Ms. Sidra pulled her down by her arm.
"Why are we even gathered here today?" Saira so much wanted to hear for your birthday. But such didn't happen.
"To discuss your marriage once and all and from now on you are not allowed to work. It was my own leniancy that made things go so far. I should have thought, you are just like your mother! Unable to keep a family. Unable to make anyone happy!"
"Comon, Ahmed. You are such a lousy person, I had never thought!" Sidra scoffed standing up to leave too. "You sure deserve your lonely life!"
"Mom, please." Sameer pleaded her to stay. She finally sat down.
"Dad," Saira took a deep breath, she knew her father was a bitter tongue, always saying hurtful things. "I'm totally happy in my life right now. I've my own house, own car, I'm at one of the highest posts in my current company, I've opened my own company now. People recognize your daughter's name in the field of architecture. I earn enough to buy another house. I don't want to get married. I live so happily daily. I wake up go to work, do work I love and enjoy all day long, then I come back home, eat, watch some show and go to bed. Please stop now."
"YOU SELFISH, UNGRATEFUL BRAT!!" Ahmed yelled at her. Every head turned towards their table, Sidra was shushing at Ahmed, but he continued in a low growl. "You both need to grow up from your bullshit! No matter what you earn, you are a woman at the end of the day you must have children and cook and care for the family!" Her father gritted his teeth. This was the billionth time he said all this and of course the billionth time Saira's blood boiled up over it. Her patience was gone.
"Comon dad, don't poster everywhere why mom left you!" She replied gritting her teeth too. She was her father's daughter after all.
"Saira!" Ms. Sidra shushed her.
"Had it been the old times you'd have been beaten to a pulp by now!" Her father growled.
"Dad!" Sameer stopped him pulling him back.
Saira stood up picking up her purse, ready to leave. "See, this is the very reason I don't want to come to any dinner and I don't wanna marry! You guys are the bloody hell reason!! You," she pointed at her mother, "are as silly and naggy and after the damn skin of the hair always! You don't understand when people tell you to stop! You can neither defend your own self nor me and Sameer. And you," she pointed at her father, "are a bitchy father with zero respect for daughters and women! And zero mannars. And.." a slap came across her face. So hard, her whole existence seemed to have shaken up. Her ear went ringing and brain died for a moment.
"Sameer!" Ms. Sidra yelled. She quickly pulled Saira in embrace, hiding her away from the so called men of the family.
Sameer wasn't always like this. He used to be patient and gentle and respecting. But then he ended up with an extra marital affair with a teacher at his school and Saira was the one who forced her sister in law to divorce Sameer, despite of his so many apologies. Since then Sameer had started to hate Saira.
"Hahahahaha..." Saira started laughing loudly, and finally left.
Leaving, she sang herself the birthday song loudly. Everyone listening. She wanted to turn back and see her family's reaction but tears were rolling down so fast she couldn't even see where she was going, turning around was of no use, she won't be able to see them anyways.
She cried throughout the night. Kept questioning what she had done to deserve all this. And fell asleep with tears in eyes.
That night it rained and thundered alot too.
Next day was sunday. A not very big but yes busy day. She had to be at her firm by 11 am sharp so she needed to leave house by 10 am sharp which all meant she needed to wake up be 9 am sharp but crying all night had tired and dried her soul.
She woke up around 10.30 due to extreme thirst and dry mouth. But all dryness and thirst was gone once she saw the time. She had no time to even account yesterday's events. She quickly ran to the bathroom to freshen up.
She hadn't changed her clothes last night and an idea popped in her head as she was washing her face. 'Lets not change, just wear scarf quickly and I'll be ready.'
Rubbing her face with her towel she opened the door and walked out in alot of noise.
Yes, her empty house had sudden filled with alot of noise, she pulled the towel down and almost cried out loud. She was not standing in her house, but in lobby of some mall. She quickly turned around, and there was no door to bathroom behind her but her towel in her hands.
"What the hell.." she cried quickly putting the towel in her hands at her head, wearing it as a scarf.