Baba Waqas remained silent for a few moments, as if savoring Imran's restless curiosity. When Imran's patience began to break, Baba Waqas finally said, "Son, her parents have placed guards around her. As for why she loves you, son, love is such a delicate feeling that it can take root in anyone's heart unexpectedly. When this feeling truly settles in the heart, no worldly power can turn its spring into a winter, nor can any injustice stop it from flourishing and blooming."
"And son, she is no ordinary girl, nor any ordinary princess. She does not belong to your homeland either. She is a fairy, the daughter of a respected chief of the Ayman tribe; a radiant girl whose beauty is incomparable. Her family is Zeshan, and her tribe is Mumat."
We will start the sequence from there.
Imran Baba became so engrossed in Waqas Baba's conversation that even after Baba Waqas's silence, he couldn't come out of that spell. When Baba Waqas shook his shoulder, Imran felt as if someone had awakened him from sleep. What happened? Where had Imran Mian gone? Waqas Baba asked, and Imran, with a very despondent tone, looked towards Baba's feet and said, "Baba, I don't know why any fairy would want me. I am not so handsome that any fairy would fall in love with me, nor have I ever harbored such a desire in my heart. However, like all children, I have always been interested in stories of creatures like these. But I never even thought that any fairy would become mine, let alone fall for me." After saying this, Imran looked at Baba Waqas.
Baba Waqas gently ran his hand over Imran's head and began the conversation. "Imran, my son, the answer to your first question is that love is not only for beautiful faces. It also captures people's hearts when their character is good, and their manners are admirable. I don't know what exactly has made her fall for you. But what I do know is that she can do anything for you because she truly loves you. And as for that day's disappointment, good news for you is that it wasn't the first and last meeting. This meeting will not stop now. Son, a veil shrouds human eyes which prevents them from seeing creatures like these, but now, whenever you want, you will be able to see these creatures easily. But always keep the veil of caution close and try to avoid looking into their eyes and conversing, as there's a risk that your sight might fade temporarily."
"Baba, can you arrange for me to meet that fairy?" Imran asked in surprise.
"Why not!" Waqas Baba replied confidently. "But you will need to wait three more days, and before the meeting, you also need to prepare. As soon as Baba Waqas said this, a wave of happiness seemed to awaken within Imran. Baba Waqas told him to recite a special divine name daily without fail and also to read Surah Kausar a certain number of times. Additionally, on the third day, he emphasized applying a special fragrance from Jasmine Gajras and perfume on new clothes before coming. Baba Waqas shared several important details that, according to him, Imran needed to know. Imran was filled with a feeling of euphoria, and he couldn't believe that in just three days, he would meet a fairy who loved him immensely and was eager to meet him herself."
After that, Baba Waqas, in a cautious tone, bade farewell with a handshake and whispered, "Son, whatever happens, never mention this to anyone before the meeting—God forbid if the cruel hunters get wind of it and set a trap. If that happens, not only will you regret for life, but my conscience will also continually reproach me for not keeping this secret. Keeping this matter confidential is of utmost importance." Saying this, Baba Waqas got up to bid farewell, and Imran, reluctantly, also had to stand. Though his heart still wanted to talk more with Baba Waqas, out of respect, Imran quietly prepared to leave. As he left Baba Waqas's house to return home, Imran felt as if he was not walking on a road but was soaring in the skies.
(To be continued)
When Imran Baba met Qasim and reached his home, the joyful expressions on his face could not be hidden even from his wife. While serving food, she said, "What's the matter? You look quite happy these days—don't talk much, nor do you give me the importance you used to. Is there some trouble, or is something fishy going on?"
Imran, sensing the hidden sarcasm in his wife's tone, thought that he should tell her today that the woman he considers an ordinary man's wife is actually not an ordinary girl but a princess of noble descent, caught in his love. Just as he was about to say something, he remembered Baba Qasim's words—this matter should not be revealed to anyone yet. Besides, Imran was sure that his wife would never believe his words, or she might mock him throughout the house because she often compared herself to him and suffered from a sense of superiority. She thought no girl could love or even express love for a man like Imran because, although he had money, he was so simple-tempered that he didn't care whether his clothes were ironed or wrinkled, and he was never stylish. Who would be interested in such a man, fooling women?
Considering the delicacy of the situation, Imran responded vaguely to her sarcastic question, "You know better than me where I stand in matters of love."
"Yes, that's true! But there's that couplet of Chacha Ghalib—'There are no shortages of fools; Ghalib, find one in a thousand.'" His wife replied in Turkish, back and forth.
Imran knew this conversation could turn dangerous, so he quickly swallowed his bite, washed his hands and face, turned off the light, and laid down on the bed, closing his eyes. He started visualizing that beautiful, sweet-talking maiden who always appeared in his dreams. Lost in this futile effort, Imran soon fell asleep.
Imran was eagerly waiting for days to pass. When the third day arrived, he, in an unusual move, reached Baba Qasim's shrine as early as 7 a.m. Baba Qasim was reading a book. Seeing Imran, he smiled and said, "Son, it seems you didn't sleep all night. Be patient a little longer; by noon today, your meeting with her will happen."
Feeling a bit ashamed, Imran said, "No, Baba, that's not the case. I was passing by and thought I'd say hello to you."
"Alright, son. Now go to your work, and come back with the necessary things for Dhuhr prayer. Also, have lunch with us today," he said as Imran bid farewell and returned. Once at the office, he did his work but mainly kept watching the clock. As soon as it announced 12 noon, Imran took out his motorcycle and headed to the market. First, he purchased the desired perfume, then a garland of jasmine. On a whim, he also ordered two jasmine bangles. After completing these, he bought sweets from the famous sweet shop of the city and reached Baba Qasim's shrine. When he arrived, he could smell delicious food from the house. Baba Qasim, seeing Imran, said sharply, "Just one more hour, son. Pray Dhuhr, then come back, continue reciting 'Yasbatu,' lower your eyes, and by then, the food will be ready, and guests will also arrive."