She wore a white salwar and frock which had miniature peacock feathers embroidered on it. When Yusuf came to pick her up, he handed her an envelope. Hina knew that the envelope was for Darakhshan. It had Rs 25,000. Darakhshan opened it and said, ‘What is so much money for?’ Yusuf looked at Hina and said, ‘Use this money for the college fees and for buying books.’ Darakhshan had got her answer. Yusuf bid farewell to Darakhshan from the doorstep itself, ‘Khuda Hafiz.’ He always said Khuda Hafiz and to these words were attached Darakhshan’s hope that someday he would definitely return to her. She mumbled back, ‘Fi Amanillah!’

They were at Aymal’s room on the twelfth floor of the Taj hotel by around 6 p.m. Aymal told them that Burashid was busy organizing a seminar in Egypt. Wardatul Sa’adat looked like a wise adult that day, even though Yusuf had seen her when she visited Mumbai with Aymal two years back. Today she seemed more mature. Hina shook hands with her and was reminded of their first meeting. She recalled that during her first meeting, Wardatul Sa’adat had said certain things that she was unable to make sense of.

They talked about various things over tea. Jokes were cracked. Aymal took out a chocolate box from the cupboard and offered it to Hina. Wardatul Sa’adat got up saying, ‘Just a minute, please.’ She took out a book from her bag and presented it to Hina. ‘This is to celebrate your passing the examination. Had I known in advance, I’d have gotten something more.’ She smiled. Hina smiled back. The chocolate box was transparent. She read the title of the book—Being and Time by Martin Heidegger. Hina thanked her. For some time Aymal spoke to Hina about her career plans and explained many things to her. She emphasized a lot on reading. Hina told her that she had read four or five novels as well as Whitman’s collection of poems that her teacher had given her. That made Aymal happy. She laughingly said that even Yusuf read many books. This was a revelation for Hina. She smiled and said, ‘That is why Abba’s grammar has now become perfect.’

‘Even his vocabulary has expanded considerably,’ Wardatul Sa’adat added.

Aymal gave a tight-lipped smile while Yusuf scratched his hair dramatically.

Wardatul Sa’adat and Hina seemed engrossed in their conversation when Yusuf said, ‘You both can keep exchanging ideas while both of us will go out and do some shopping.’ Yusuf and Aymal left.