The Internal Shift
Kayan spent the rest of the evening in his study, the keys to the Jaguar sitting on the desk like a silent witness. He tried to focus on the spreadsheets for the Sialkot merger, but the numbers blurred.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the way she laughed—head thrown back, completely unselfconscious. It was so different from the artificial smiles of the women in his social circle. Those women moved like they were on a stage, every hair in place, every word calculated.
But her... she was chaos. She was colored. She was a purple flash in a grey world.
"It's just a crush," he whispered to the empty room, his voice harsh. "You're Kayan Zarar. You don't fall for a girl in a stadium like a lovesick teenager."
He picked up the keys and stood up, walking to the window. Below, the Jaguar sat in the moonlight, looking like a dark omen. He realized then that he wouldn't be able to rest until he saw her again. He didn't want to love her; he wanted to understand why she had such an effect on him. And in Kayan's world, understanding something was the first step toward owning it.
Jailani Sahib was a massive businessman. He had lived in America since finishing high school and married an American woman who had converted to Islam. Kayan was born to them, but his mother passed away shortly after his birth. Jailani raised Kayan alone. He never remarried because he loved his wife deeply and couldn't give her place to anyone else, nor did he want a stepmother to affect the love Kayan received. He fulfilled Kayan's every wish, whether right or wrong, which made him stubborn. Otherwise, Kayan was a good person with no vices common in their social circle—no girlfriend, no smoking, no drinking. He had no interest or belief in "love" or "romance."
They had returned to Pakistan five years ago. Jailani Sahib's business was vast, with major branches in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot. After coming to Pakistan, Jailani's close friend, Mr. Laghari, asked for Kayan's hand for his daughter, Hareem. For Laghari, it was a business deal; Hareem was his brother's daughter, whom he had raised after his brother and sister-in-law died in a car accident. He loved Hareem and wanted to secure her future and expand his business. At Laghari's insistence, Jailani agreed. When he asked Kayan, Kayan said these things held no value for him and it didn't matter—if they wanted him to marry Hareem, he had no objection.
Kayan was sitting in his office, working on his computer. Feeling tired, he leaned back and closed his eyes. As soon as he closed them, the girl with the enchanting smile appeared before him. He opened his eyes, startled. Just then, there was a knock on the door. He frowned and spoke rudely.
"Come in."
His aura and authority were such that everyone was afraid of him. He hated it when anyone entered his office without permission, and everyone was careful about this. His secretary, Hina, entered fearfully, having already guessed his mood from his voice.
"Sorry for disturbing you, Sir! Actually... Miss Hareem is here to see you. We told her you were busy and had forbidden anyone from coming in, but she isn't listening and is insulting everyone."
"Hmm... fine, send her in."
"Kayan, your staff is so rude! They were stopping 'Mrs. Kayan' from coming in to see you. I told them to tell Kayan his Hareem is here—he can never refuse to see me! First of all, I want this secretary changed; I don't like her. She's always trying to hit on you and..."
As soon as Hareem entered, she started talking nonstop, as was her habit. Kayan's thundering voice put a break on her nonsense. He spoke with a scowl.
"Shut up! Don't you have the manners to knock before entering? Go out, knock, and get my permission to come in."
"Kayan... you... this..."
"Do what I say."
Hareem went out and knocked. Upon receiving permission, she came back in. Kayan spoke:
"So, what were you saying... 'Mrs. Kayan'? Not Mrs. Kayan, but To-be Mrs. Kayan. You haven't become my wife yet. As for my employees, I will not tolerate any interference in my affairs. When Hina told you I was busy and didn't want to see anyone, it meant I didn't want to see anyone. Why were you creating a scene? Don't forget, this is just a business deal happening at your Dad's insistence, in which I have no interest. So, you'd better stay within your limits and refrain from interfering in my affairs. Now, get out."
Hareem left with tearful eyes and a humiliated face. Kayan himself didn't know why he had been so rude. After she left, he reproached himself.
"Kayan, why are you behaving like this for some stupid, unknown girl? This is just a temporary attraction that will fade because I won't meet that girl again, and she won't occupy my thoughts again. Kayan Haider cannot be a captive to any girl."
Crying, she walked out of Kayan's office and ran into Jailani Sahib. Seeing her crying, he realized Kayan must have said something, but he asked anyway.
"What happened, child? Why are you crying?"
"Your son is very rude; he doesn't even have the manners to speak."
Hearing this, he said, "Come with me to Kayan."
Standing outside Kayan's office, he knocked. Hareem was surprised to see him knock too. He explained:
"Kayan's nature is very different. He doesn't compromise on these things."
Kayan recognized the knock and knew it was his Dad. Jailani Sahib came in with Hareem. Kayan knew what his father was going to say, so he spoke first.
"Dad, tell her not to interfere in my life, or no one will be worse than me. You explain it to her."
"Kayan, son, I will explain it to her, but you should also pay attention to your behavior," Jailani said gently.
"Dad, my behavior is just like this. Currently, I'm going to a meeting. We'll talk later when it's just the two of us." Saying this, he left.
After he left, Jailani addressed Hareem. "Hareem, Kayan isn't a bad person at heart; you just have to understand him. Try to spend time together. And stay away from his professional matters because he doesn't tolerate interference. Look at me—even as his father, I don't enter his office or room without knocking. As for his behavior, I hope his wife will fix it with her love."
"Uncle, I will do as you say," Hareem replied, sounding satisfied.
The Study: A Lesson in Silence
The heavy oak doors of the study creaked slightly as Kayan pushed them open. Inside, the room was a sanctuary of old-world intellect, a stark contrast to the sterile, glass-and-steel boardrooms Kayan had spent his day in. The air was thick with the comforting, dusty scent of leather-bound volumes and the faint lingering aroma of the cardamom tea his father favored.
Jailani Sahib sat in his winged mahogany chair, bathed in the amber glow of a single desk lamp. He looked every bit the retired tycoon—relaxed, yet possessing an aura of authority that didn't need to be shouted. He was deep into a thick, weathered book on the history of the Subcontinent, his silver-rimmed reading glasses perched precariously on the bridge of his nose.
Kayan loosened his tie, the tension of the Sialkot meetings finally beginning to bleed out of his shoulders. He sank into the leather chair opposite his father, the silence of the room ringing in his ears.
"Dad, have you eaten?" Kayan asked, his voice dropping an octave to match the quietude of the study.
Jailani didn't look up. He didn't even acknowledge the question with a hum. Instead, he slowly lowered his glasses, letting them hang by their chain, and fixed Kayan with a look that was part scrutiny, part disappointment. It was the look of a man who knew exactly how to use silence as a weapon. After a heartbeat of piercing eye contact, he pushed his glasses back up with a deliberate flick of his finger and returned to his page.
Kayan couldn't help it; a small, reluctant smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Dad, really? You've started sulking like a misunderstood wife," Kayan teased, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. "And you know me better than anyone—I wasn't born with the 'coaxing' gene. I don't know how to play these games."
Jailani's lips twitched, a tiny ripple in his stoic expression that proved he was fighting back a smile. He turned a page with an exaggeratedly loud thud, still refusing to speak.
Kayan sighed, knowing he had lost this round before it even began. He knew what this was about: his cold treatment of Hareem earlier that day. His father was a man of grace and expected the same from his son, especially toward the girl they had taken under their wing.
"Fine," Kayan conceded, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "I'll make it up to her. I'll go to Lahore myself tomorrow. I'll visit that designer she's been obsessing over—the one whose appointments are booked months in advance—and I'll get her whatever dress she wants for the upcoming gala. Personally. Does that satisfy the court?"
The book was closed instantly.
Jailani Sahib looked at his son, his eyes sparkling with a victorious warmth. "Absolutely, my prince. Now, I am happy. It's not about the dress, Kayan; it's about the effort. A man of your stature should know that the smallest gestures often carry the most weight."
Kayan shook his head, a mix of admiration and exasperation on his face. "You really do get your way with me without saying a single word. You've become incredibly stubborn in your old age, Dad."
Jailani let out a hearty, booming laugh that echoed off the bookshelves, the tension in the room evaporating instantly. He reached out and patted Kayan's hand, his expression softening into one of great pride.
"What can I do, son?" he said, his voice rich with affection. "Where do you think you got it from? I am your father, after all. Your stubbornness is just a mirror of mine—I've just had thirty more years to perfect it."
"Hooreen, you haven't done any shopping yet. My Nikah is coming up, but you and Sehar aren't taking it seriously. Come with us!" Amna said with a pout.
Amna was Hooreen's cousin as well as her best friend. They had been together since childhood. In college, they became friends with Sehrish. Since then, the three had been best friends, studied together, and were now working together. Amna was getting married to her maternal cousin, Zaid. The three were at Hooreen's house, trying to convince her to go shopping.
Sehrish added, "Hooreen, why aren't you agreeing? Come with us. Along with Amna's Nikah shopping, do some shopping for my wedding too. Who knows when the good news might break?"
Hearing this, the other two shouted with joy. "What? Really? When? And who is he?"
"Yes, really... he's one of Papa's relatives. His name is Usman, and the wedding is in a month," she replied shyly.
"You were keeping secrets!" Hooreen said, nudging her.
"At least show us a picture," Amna said. Sehrish pouted. "I'll show you once I see him myself."
"You haven't even seen him and said yes?" Hooreen asked in surprise.
"Yes, because I am certain my parents would never make a wrong decision for me."
The other two hugged her. All three were like that—obedient to their parents.
"Hooreen, are you coming or not?" Amna turned back to her. When Hooreen remained silent, Amna pulled her into the hall where Ilyas Sahib was sitting.
"Taya Abu, look at your daughter. She doesn't value us at all—she's refusing to go to Lahore with us."
"Hooreen, go, son. Don't show your tantrums to our other daughter. She's been asking you for days."
At her father's request, Hooreen said sadly, "No, Papa, you know how Mamma is. I'll shop from here."
Saying this, she looked at Halima Begum, who was glaring at her. Halima said angrily:
"Always defaming your mother everywhere. Go wherever you want, with whoever you want; it makes no difference to me. If anything goes wrong, you will be responsible for yourself."
"Begum, watch your words! You are talking about my daughter," Ilyas Sahib said, controlling his anger. Hooreen lowered her head to hide the moisture in her eyes. For the first time, her parents were arguing because of her, and that too in front of her friends. Halima Begum often said such things, but Ilyas Sahib usually took it as a joke; today, it became serious because he couldn't tolerate anything negative regarding Hooreen.
Sensing his tone, Halima Begum normalized her manner. "Ilyas, she is my daughter too, but the circumstances out there are bad; that's why I said it."
"Hooreen isn't going with a stranger; she's going with her Uncle and her friends." He came over to Hooreen, gave her money, and said, "Go, son, get ready. Go shopping and enjoy yourselves. Your Mamma won't say anything."
Without a word, Hooreen went to her room and came back down ready, though her mood was still low. They took Hooreen outside, where Amna's family was ready to leave. As the three sat in the car, Sehrish whispered in her ear:
"Looking at your Mamma, it seems she doesn't love you at all."
"No, that's not true. She suffers if I am in even a little pain. I just don't understand her behavior," Hooreen replied thoughtfully.
Then Amna spoke quite seriously. "Guys, I'm getting worried. What if Sehrish's fiancé is bald, fat, and dark? What will our beautiful friend's kids look like? What a 'classy' family it would be! Just imagine."
At this, Hooreen burst into laughter, while Sehrish started playfully threatening Amna. Soon, the sound of the three friends laughing echoed throughout the car.