Read Online Pir-E-Kamil: The Perfect Mentor by Umera Ahmed - Free Book Online Page A

hostel?'
    'I lied to him that you had stepped out on an errand. He gave the clothes and left,' replied Javeria. Imama drew a spontaneous sigh of relief.
    'That means he did not get to know anything,' said Imama as she sat on the bed and undid her sandal straps.
    'No... he did not find out. Next week you can take off somewhere else.
    Mind you, Imama, I am going to talk to the warden about this business.
    We've had enough worries on your behalf and we're not going to take any more. It is better that your parents should know what you're up to.'
    Rabia was terse; Imama looked up at her.
    'What am I up to? What have I done?'
    'Done what? You say you're going home and disappear from the hostel—that's nothing unusual for you.'
    Imama did not reply. She began to undo the straps on the other foot.
    'I should have gone to the warden,' said Rabia as she moved towards the door.
    Javeria got up and stopped her. 'We'll talk to the warden later. Let's first talk to her—don't be hasty.'
    'But just look at her cussedness...her attitude. Not a trace of embarrassment on her face,' Rabia gestured towards Imama; she was furious.
    'I'll tell you everything; there's no need to get so agitated. I haven't done anything wrong nor gone to any wrong place...and neither did I run away.' Imama spoke softly as she released her feet from her shoes.
    'Then where had you been?' Javeria enquired.
    'With a friend.'
    'Which friend?'
    'There is one...'
    'Why did you have to lie?'
    'I wanted to escape your questions and if had told my family or asked their permission, they would never have allowed me.'
    'Where did you go and why?' Javeria was mystified.
    'Didn't I say I'll tell you? Give me some time,' replied Imama.
    'Give you time so that you disappear again and perhaps not return this time!' Rabia was still angry, but spoke less severely now. 'You didn't even realize you were putting us in an awkward position. Do you know how humiliating it could be for us—have you any sense at all?' she continued.
    'I never expected Baba to turn up here so suddenly, nor did I think it would create an embarrassing situation for you—I would not have done such a thing otherwise.' Imama's tone was repentant.
    'At least you could have trusted us and told us where you were going,' added Javeria.
    'I'll never do this again,' promised Imama.
    'Well, I don't have any confidence in you or your promises,' said Rabia brusquely.
    'Rabia, let me clear my position—you are grossly mistaken,' Imama replied weakly.
    'Do you realize that our careers and our lives are at stake? Is this what you call friendship?'
    'All right, I made a mistake—I am sorry, forgive me.' Imama conceded defeat.
    'Until you tell us where you had disappeared to, we're not going to accept any apologies or forgive you.' Rabia was adamant.
    Imama looked at them silently. After a while she said, 'I had gone to Sabiha's.'
    Rabia and Javeria exchanged surprised glances. 'Who?' they asked in unison.
    'You know her,' replied Imama.
    'That fourth year student, Sabiha?' Javeria could not contain herself.
    Imama nodded. 'But why did you go there?'
    'She's my friend.'
    'Friend? What friend? You barely know her. You only meet her in college; you don't even know what kind of person she is, and you go off to spend the weekend at her place,' exclaimed Javeria.
    'And that too by deception—at least there was no need for you to lie to us or to your family about this,' added Rabia. Her tone reflected her anger.
    'You can call her up and ask her if I had been there,' offered Imama.
    'Fine, you were there, but may we ask why?' persisted Javeria.
    'I needed her help,' said Imama after a pause.
    They looked at her, surprised. 'Help with what?'
    Imama looked up and stared at them without blinking. Javeria squirmed. 'What sort of help?' she repeated.
    'You know very well,' replied Imama softly.
    'I?' Javeria was somewhat taken aback; she looked at Rabia who was watching her intently.
    'Yes, you know very well.'
    'Don't talk in