Usman and Haider told Asrar that there was a vacation in their college but because their cousin was coming from Bahrain, they had delayed their visit to the village. Asrar told them that when he and his friends left the village they had other plans and ambitions, but after meeting Mohammad Ali and hearing about the diamond business, they had decided to take it up. Usman appreciated their decision and advised them to make sure to learn the skills of recognizing, sharpening, cleaning and polishing the diamonds. The acquiring of a skill was always profitable. Usman told them that Mohammad Ali was more skilled than his own boss was in this business. And that was the reason why his boss treated him so well. Haider added, ‘Mohammad Ali is a pure-hearted man. He himself would want to assist you boys in acquiring the skills.’ One could sense the closeness between Usman, Haider and Mohammad Ali.
The afternoon call for prayer was resounding in the air. Usman asked the newcomers if they had to offer namaz.
‘No,’ they replied in unison.
Usman had to buy a few books from Mohammad Ali Road. He thought that if the newcomers accompanied him, it would be a good pastime for them. ‘Let us all go to Mohammad Ali Road,’ Usman said and after a pause added, ‘A restaurant in that area serves delicious kebabs.’
They all got ready and came out of the building. The sun was at its brightest.
They stopped near the Dum Dum sweet shop. Aslam went on to the paan stall at the turn of the road and got himself some mawa. They crossed the footpath and started moving towards JJ Hospital. There were a lot of small shops there. Concrete shops and vending stalls. A lot of vending stalls had changed into shops. In one such stall, along with newspapers, files and books were also laid out neatly. They all stopped at the newspaper vendor’s shop. Haider pulled out an English newspaper. Aslam and Asrar were busy looking at detective novels. Qasim found the theme of one book particularly interesting. Seeing his friends flip through books, he told Usman that he wanted to buy that book. Usman shot a glance at the book and asked Qasim why he required the book at this time. Qasim snapped, ‘I could need it anytime!’
He peered deep into Usman’s eyes and added, ‘It is mandatory to acquire knowledge in our religion.’
Usman smiled at this justification and asked the vendor the cost of the book. After much bargaining, they bought it for Rs 40.
Qasim murmured the title of the book: Islamic Ways of Sexual Intercourse.
His face bore a victorious smile.