(Present)
Umar is coming the day after tomorrow," Nana suddenly said to Aliza during lunch.
Aliza almost forgot to eat.
"He's coming the day after tomorrow? Who told you that?"
Aliza asked, restless and startled.
"You were asleep then. Umar wanted to talk to you, but when I told him you were sleeping, he said not to wake you."
Nana explained in detail, and a faint smile bloomed on Aliza's lips.
"He's coming for a vacation?" she asked.
"Yes—something like that. He's leaving the Foreign Service. Said he'll be joining the Police Service within a few weeks."
Aliza's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Umar… and the Police Service? I can't believe it, Nana! Leaving such a perfect post—what will he even do here? Didn't Uncle say anything to him?"
Aliza still couldn't grasp it.
"He had some sort of argument with Jahangir. He didn't tell me much, but… they aren't talking these days."
"What's new in that? This has been going on for years."
Aliza wasn't surprised at all.
"Yes… but this time, something serious must have happened again. We'll understand once he arrives."
Nana didn't seem too worried.
"He'll stay here, right?" Aliza asked.
"Yes. He said he'll stay until he receives his posting. He asked if you or I need anything—he'll bring it along. I didn't ask for anything for myself… but I did tell him to bring some perfumes for you. He laughed when I said that."
Uninvited, a wave of old memories washed over Aliza.
"He said, 'This is nothing to ask for… how can I go before Aliza without a perfume?'
Then I told him to bring you some good books as well—especially something about painting."
Nana kept speaking, but Aliza was drifting through memories.
"You trouble him unnecessarily, Nana…"
"No, he insisted himself. Anyway, just prepare his room a bit, and clean the annex too. All his belongings will arrive soon. For now, he'll keep them here. Later, when he gets his posting, he'll take them."
Giving her instructions, Nana finished her lunch and left.
Aliza sat there for a long time, lost in thoughts that had suddenly risen to the surface.
"So… Umar Jahangir… after all this time, you are finally coming back."
A soft smile touched her face.
With that thought lingering, she got up and walked toward the room where Umar always stayed.
The moment she opened the door, something warm and magical brushed her heart.
She often visited this room, and every time, she felt as though Umar was still somewhere inside it—just out of sight.
His rocking chair seemed to sway in the same silent rhythm he used to rock it.
Every object seemed to carry a trace of him—his scent, his voice, his calm, steady words, the sudden bursts of innocent laughter.
Stepping inside felt like stepping into a living memory.
Shadows of old emotions stirred around her as if the room still breathed in his presence.
Even the fragrance that used to cling to him lingered in the air.
His small belongings were placed exactly the way he used to keep them—
as if he had left only yesterday.
She tried to recall the first time she ever stepped into this room.
She didn't have to try too hard.
She remembered everything—
the year, the date, the day, even the hour.
Some memories refuse to fade.
And she remembered clearly the day he left too—
though some memories the heart does not wish to carry.
But to her, it always felt as if he had never really left.
As if he had been here all along—at least inside this room.
Suddenly she heard the door open behind her.
She turned, startled.
"Oh… you came to see this room too. I thought I'd come check it as well."
Nana entered, scanning everything with a critical but satisfied eye.
"I think everything is fine, but still, look carefully once. I don't want him to face any inconvenience."
Saying that, Nana left the room.
Aliza walked toward the dressing table and picked up a perfume bottle.
Slowly, she opened the cap and inhaled the familiar scent.
A soft smile touched her lips again.
Another old scene flashed before her eyes.
She lifted her gaze to the mirror—
and for a moment, it felt as though another version of herself stood there,
from years ago…
and she stepped back instinctively.
She could almost feel drops of that same perfume touching her neck and hair…
(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.