She took Humaira’s and Habib’s hands and held them to her eyes, just as her father would do with Tarlok and her as children.

Life had come full circle.

Travel Companions

Mumbai, India

Habib had booked them all into one of the finest five star hotels in the city and wouldn’t listen to Rajan and Arathi’s protests about wanting to pay for their rooms themselves.

‘It’s the least I can do for my sister, after all these years,’ he said.

‘But you’re . . . ’ Rajan had started to say but then stopped himself from finishing the sentence. A guest in our country.

Inaya couldn’t wait to attend the cricket match—and perhaps get the chance to meet her hero, Jhulan. It was a day-night game, and she had been ready a good hour before they were supposed to leave, waiting restlessly in the hotel lobby for Jai and the rest.

Twenty long minutes later, everyone was finally in the lobby. Humaira, Irfan and Inaya were wearing the Pakistan cricket team’s green T-shirts, while Jai, Rajan and Arathi were in the Indian team’s blue ones. Toshi and Habib were the only two not wearing the team T-shirts.

‘Aren’t you coming, Badi Ma?’ asked Jai.

Toshi shook her head and smiled, ‘While all of you watch the match, I thought I’d take Loki—I mean Habib—to meet some of our cousins. He hasn’t seen them since he was six. And then, when the match is over, we’ll meet you back at the hotel for dinner.’

‘If he complains too much about aches and pains, just ignore him, Toshi Aapa,’ said Humaira.

‘Good idea, Humaira. I’ll take my hearing aid off, if he starts,’ laughed Toshi. ‘Now go, all of you—the car is waiting—enjoy the match.’

‘And say hello to Jhulan for me,’ added Habib, ruffling Inaya’s curly hair.

The match was completely enrapturing for Inaya. She had never watched a women’s cricket game live before—and to watch Jhulan Goswami play right before her eyes, that too against Australia, was simply beyond anything she could imagine.

Jhulan was on fire. She managed to get four quick wickets and keep the Aussie scoring under control. At the end of the Aussie innings, Inaya waited breathlessly by the side of the steps, as the players returned to the pavilion for their break. As Jhulan passed by her, Inaya desperately wanted to say something but found herself tongue-tied.

Jai uncharacteristically jumped into the fray, ‘Er, Jhulan!’ he shouted. ‘Your biggest fan from Pakistan is here and wants to say hello.’

Jhulan Goswami looked up at Jai. Jai pointed to Inaya. Jhulan sportingly ran back to shake Inaya’s hand.

‘Good to meet you. Thanks for coming all the way to watch me.’

‘She’s an amazing tape-ball cricket player herself,’ added Jai, since Inaya was still in a dumbfounded state. ‘Her name is Inaya Haider. She was runner-up in the tape-ball league match in the UK.’

‘Fabulous!’ said Jhulan. ‘Good luck, Inaya. Keep playing.’