Zeenia picked up her luggage and was waiting on the railway platform with anticipation. Three months in a different city had made her home sick. She loved travelling, yet, this time she felt a need to return to her roots.
A strong gust of wind hit her face as the train stormed into the platform. Clambering her luggage, she ran unsteadily towards her compartment as the entire platform became a flurry of activity. The cool air of the air conditioner was a welcome relief to the dry heat that was so common of the city she was leaving behind. Pushing past people, she located her seat and began adjusting her luggage. Settling down in a bustling compartment she gazed outside the stained glass window noting that the train would start in about 5 minutes. Everybody seemed to have settled in.
As the train pulled out of the station she allowed her mind to wander. The last three months had been a whirlwind. Her book had become an overnight best-seller and she had spent majority of time giving seminars in the University or featuring on TV shows. Her dream was a reality, yet now she was finally going home.
The old lady sitting next to her simpered trying to establish a conversation. She turned her attention towards her and smiled automatically. A few minutes of communication brought light to the fact that her grandson had obtained another seat in a compartment for two and would she, Zeenia, mind switching with him?
It would have been beyond blasphemous to refuse this request to the family audience in that compartment hence she complied and moved her luggage out.
She came by the compartment and noted that her co passenger had taken a detour somewhere while their luggage lay scattered on both the seats. Roughly piling it on one side, she quickly arranged her bags under the the seat, and fished her phone out of her bag to update her bestfriend of the latest happenings.
His voice reached her before she could even see him. Footsteps accompanied with a humming of a song. She startled and looked ahead as she finally saw whom she was sharing her compartment with.
"Jawwad!"
"Zeenia!" he said stopping in his tracks, "What a surprise!"
They shook hands as the train lurched into another station. He settled opposite her. His expression somewhere between disbelief and happiness. She suspected her face reflected his. Suddenly the entire world around them had become a non entity. Awkward glances leading to awkward questions. Soon laughter and familiarity sunk in.
The next hour was spent in nostalgia as they recollected the years spent together, discussed mutual friends and enquired after each others families. They spoke about everything under the sky except what mattered the most.
"So Zeenia!" said Jawwad settling into his seat comfortably, "28 and author of a best selling novel! You didn't surprise anyone there!"
He handed her a cup of coffee from the vendor and she felt herself blush at his compliment.
He raised his eyebrows.
"Have you read it yet?" she asked expectantly.
"What do you think?" he asked, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"I don't know what to think." she muttered, "The Jawwad I knew back then would have read it, this Jawwad is new to me."
A dark look crossed his face momentarily before he said "He wouldn't be if you had bothered to be in touch."
Silence hung between them. He had finally touched on the conversation that she had been religiously avoiding. Yet the moment had to pass.
She caught her breath but then proceeded to ask, "I am sorry, but I don't know what are you doing now." She had a perfect idea of what he did and the incredulous look on his face clarified that he knew that she knew.
"Do you feel even a shred of guilt that you didn't bother to keep a track of me like I bothered keeping of you?" he teased.
"I am sorry." she said testily determined to not fall for that, "So what is it that you do?"
"The same thing I always wanted to do." he said playfully.
"Would I have seen or heard any of your work?" she asked playing along.
"I doubt it. I have moved my base to the city of my dreams." he said.
"You had changed your mind about that city as far as I can remember."
"It is change of heart that matters. And now I am finally there."
"Like you always wanted to be." she smiled.
The next few minutes were spent discussing his career but she couldn't contain herself and ended up asking, "Why didn't you read my book?"
"I believe It was you who promised me the first signed copy of any novel you write!" he retorted.
"That was 7 years back! I wasn't even sure if I would ever publish a book back then. And how could I give you the signed copies when I didn't know where you were"
"Promises are promises." he said stubbornly.
"There were only five signed copies. The publishers gave them away in some contest or something." she said sadly.
"Then you can hardly complain!" he said with mock anger.
"Jawwad---"
"I must go have a smoke." he said laughing at her angry glares.
He was gone a few minutes when she got up to take out her family album to show it to him. As she rummaged for her bags, her hand accidently knocked his bag pack which fell to the floor spilling out the contents.
She bent down to scoop his possessions and froze;
-- In there were five copies of her book and her heart knew even before she opened each that they were all signed copies!
Disclaimer: The character names (Jawwad and Zeenia) bear resemblance to the lead in Pakistani Drama "Malal". Yet the story is mine and so are the journeys of the characters.
