(Past)
When Aliza opened the car door, she noticed the lounge door swing open and Nana stepping outside.Perhaps she had come out after hearing the car horn.Seeing her, Nana stretched out her arms from afar.Aliza walked to her with a smile and embraced her tightly.
"I missed you so much this time,"Nana said, kissing her cheek again and again.
"I missed you all so much too, Nana,"Aliza replied as they walked inside toward the lounge.
"I know,"Nana said warmly, wrapping an affectionate arm around her shoulder as they walked together.
"How was your qiyam? Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes… I enjoyed it a lot."
"How is Samina? When is she coming to Pakistan?"
"Mom is fine. She has no plan to come to Pakistan right now. Maybe next year."Aliza placed her bag on the sofa as she spoke.
"It's been four years since she left… and she still doesn't feel like coming back,"Nana muttered softly.Aliza looked at her face for a moment.
"They are thinking of moving from Australia to America. Uncle's contract is ending this year. They're considering an offer from an American company.Mom said if their decision becomes final—if they really move to America next year—then she'll come visit Pakistan once before leaving."
Aliza spoke gently, trying to comfort her.
"How are your other brothers and sisters?"Nana tried to read her face.
"They're all fine. They've grown up a lot now. I've brought photos—you'll see them."Aliza bent down to remove her joggers, avoiding Nana's eyes.Nana watched her quietly.
"You've become weaker than before."
"Yes, maybe. I was a little sick there. The water didn't suit me."Aliza gave a small smile.
"You fell sick but didn't tell me? Samina didn't say anything on the phone either."Worried, Nana sat beside her.
"I told her not to. You would've worried unnecessarily. It wasn't anything serious,"Aliza replied indifferently.
"Still, you should have told me. How can you hide something like that—"
"Nana… please. I'm fine now. Look at me—do I look sick to you?"Aliza tried to change the subject.
"Where's Christy?"She suddenly remembered.
"She was sleeping under the stairs.I didn't even ask if you wanted tea. Let me go tell them to prepare something for you."
Nana stood up and walked toward the kitchen.
Aliza took a deep breath and leaned back against the sofa.After a month away, a wave of peace washed over her—a calm, soothing relief.It felt like she had returned home.
Everything was just the way it used to be.
She stood up and walked toward the window.Outside, the gardener was cutting the grass.She watched him for a few moments without any purpose, then turned to the corridor.
As she crossed the corridor, her eyes fell on the stairs—and unknowingly, a small smile lit up her face.
"Christy!"Aliza called loudly.
"Meow!"
A white cat darted out from under the stairs and ran toward her.Aliza knelt down on the floor.The cat ran straight into her arms and she lifted it gently.
She stroked its head and soft fur for several long minutes,then lifted it closer to her face.
"I missed you so, so, sooo much,"Aliza whispered to the white catas if it fully understood her words.
"Did you miss me too?"
The cat replied with a soft "meow,"as though trying to answer her.
"Yes, I know… you missed me a lot too."Aliza stood up with the cat in her arms and walked back to the lounge.Sitting on the sofa, she placed Christy on her lap and ran her hand lovingly over its body.
"Ah, so—it finally reached you."Nana returned from the kitchen just then.
Aliza smiled at her words.
"No, she didn't come on her own. I brought her.Where's Nana?"Aliza suddenly asked, remembering him.
"He was home, waiting for you.But then he got a call from the Gymkhana—some work.He told me he'd be back in three or four hours.But you know him… his 'three or four hours' never stay three or four."Nana said, sitting beside her.