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In this article, we explore the flaws within the Pakistani society. Issues such as marriage and children are explored.

I have known her for years. Counting months might get tricky. I guess. From days we wore those white lace and pink baby collared frocks to the days teenage started playing its part in our lives with butterflies in the stomach every time our crushes looked at us; from days when we were struggling through the college applications to the days we were roaming in Liberty Market for my bridal jora’s perfect ‘kumkhwab’ with just the right sized paisleys; we had always been together.  I remember how bitterly she cried at my ‘rukhsati’; so much that everyone started consoling her forgetting how badly my eyes watered . While I was married off the earliest possible as a symbol of social piety, she went to London for her specialization. I am still guilty of not keeping much in touch.

My husband’s timely breakfast, my in-laws’ expectations to spend most of my day with them and my parents’ lecturing of being the best wife and daughter-in-law possible mattered more to me. My career, friends, happiness, my real being everything took a back seat.

Years passed like months and days. Such was the pace of time. Destiny decided to bring us face to face once again. I was walking down the aisles of the supermarket looking for the tomatoes that were neither too ripe nor too raw. This quest was real; while maintaining both my blow dried golden hair to make sure I did not miss the sight I was looking for. But to err is human. I soon bumped into someone I had always known and yet forgotten. It was her. Yes, her!

After the first glance, we collapsed into a giant hug shrugging away all those years we had been away for. It was surreal; at least for that moment. All these years had not left any mark on her face or arms. She stood fresh as a rose. Clad in an emerald green designer kaftan, diamonds dangling down her ears, standing firmly on her delicate pencil heels she was an epitome of both grace; oozing confidence from every angle one would see her through. She was no more the same old shy girl I had known ever since.

We kept giggling like little girls for no profound reason; just like the years that we had lived together.

I: So how have you been all these years yaar?

Her: I am working as a consultant physician in London these days; came here for a workshop at a local medical college for the doctors-to-be. It has been an amazing ride. You tell how beautiful life has been to you.

I: Delightful; happily married, blessed. My hubby loves me day and night. What about you? What does husband do?

Her: Thankfully I didn’t marry, letting life to be as smooth as possible. And hey, how many children do you have?

I: Ummm, no children yet. Life is child and carefree. Hahahahaha

With this, we quickly pulled ourselves apart. We had to leave. We had to depart like both of us always did after these most frequently asked questions from us; with our hearts drenched in agony and anger.

We social animals are obsessed with these landmarks everyone around us is so eager for us to achieve. Just the landmarks maybe.  This quest is real.

We both did not know how happy we were. We both were unable to please the people around us no matter how hard we tried.

Soon we were walking towards opposite directions; still directionless. My child, her marriage, her marriage, my child… repeat!

 

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