Read Online The Holy Woman by Qaisra Shahraz - Free Book Online Page A

couldn’t get away from prying eyesand ears. They let their father, grandfather and mother see to the guests and the funeral arrangements.

    Jafar was laid to rest in his family’s splendid plot of land in the local cemetery, annexed to the mosque in Chiragpur. His body was ceremoniously taken there by a truck on the second day. This was the most unbearable day for all, particularly for Jafar’s parents, his two sisters and for his old friend from the village, Khawar. Khawar had wept openly on Siraj Din and Habib’s shoulders a number of times, overtaken by the horror of his personal loss. The two sisters also wept in each other’s arms all day, thinking of their beloved brother lying beneath the soil.
    On the third day, Sikander and Zarri Bano happened to pass each other. He and his parents had stayed on like the other guests after the funeral.
    They stopped and looked at each other sadly. Wanting to say so much, Sikander managed very little, social niceties restraining him. Until they were formally engaged, in the eyes of everyone they had no right to liaise or to seek out each other’s company.
    Zarri Bano, for her part, now displayed no recognition of their special relationship. The days spent together in Karachi appeared to have happened eons ago. ‘It is almost as if, with the death of her brother, she has wiped me and those tender moments in the Karachi orchard and on the beach out from her mind,’ Sikander noted with despair. Only a ghost of a smile signalled to him that she knew who he was.
    ‘How are you, Zarri Bano?’ Sikander tenderly enquired, pained by her grief-stricken appearance. The dimple in her left cheek appeared to have been ruthlessly erased. She was still very beautiful, in hersubdued coloured outfit and white chiffon headscarf, but the sparkle in her green eyes was no longer there. The gaiety of youth had been snuffed out – the laughter in the eyes all gone!
    ‘As well as one can expect, in the circumstances, Sikander Sahib. Thank you for being here and for all your support. I am sure that my father appreciates it,’ she answered politely, not quite able to look him in the eye, ready to move away.
    ‘Not at all,’ he answered, managing to muster a similar tone.
    Seeing that they were in a public place, out in the courtyard, with men and women watching and listening to them with interest, Zarri Bano felt awkward in Sikander’s company.
    ‘I must go, Sikander Sahib.’ Excusing herself, she walked away from him.
    Reluctantly he let her go. Stared after her with despair . He had long since recognised that he had fallen deeply in love with her, from the day of the
mela
. He now ached to protect and shield her from all this pain and suffering. If only they had been married before Jafar had died! He could then, have taken her away from this sad place and comforted her with all his loving heart. Now he was helpless to do anything. Almost as if he had no part to play in her life.
    The mourners weren’t the only ones watching the short exchange between Habib’s beautiful eldest daughter and the tall, handsome businessman. Fatima had darted a conspiratorial smile at Shahzada in the courtyard as she saw them.
    It was only as Fatima passed Kaniz and saw her face turn livid that she glanced in the direction of the woman’s furious glare. Over in the far corner of thecourtyard, Firdaus was sitting with Ruby, but Khawar was standing behind her, bending over her shoulder, whispering something in her ear. Firdaus had looked up at Khawar and laughed.
    Kaniz had throughout kept a careful watch over her son. She looked up, just as Fatima moved away, but not before she caught the triumphant look on her rival’s face. The plate of food in Kaniz’s hand shook and fell with a crash on the concrete floor. Turning back, Fatima quickly and neatly whisked away the debris from around Kaniz’s feet.
    ‘Chaudharani Kaniz, would you like me to fill your plate again?’ she asked politely, while still