Chapter 19
Zafar
Zafar thought it would be a good idea to keep some distance from Reshma for a while because he was on the cusp of combusting. It was that simple.
Dancing with her had been a test of his endurance and restraint in a way he’d never been tested. He’d had to remind himself at least a dozen times that he was in a family setting and getting any more hands-on than he had was a b-a-d idea.
He was now sitting beside his wife’s uncle – who, thank God, couldn’t read Zafar’s thoughts, otherwise he’d probably have one meaty paw around his throat in a flash – trying to cool himself down with a third glass of some exotic fruit juice.
He couldn’t say which because he’d necked the first two glasses like his life had depended on it.
Waiters weaved in and out of people, carrying trays of hot drinks and plates of desserts.
Uncle Jawad lifted a plate and was about to tuck into it when his son came and swiped it out of his father’s hand.
‘You’ve already had two of these, Dad. I saw you earlier.
Here, have a cup of tea instead.’ Shoaib pushed a cup and saucer into his father’s hand and then plonked himself on his father’s other side while he made quick work of the dessert as his sire grumbled.
He finished it and then got up to go and get himself a drink.
The party was very much still in full flow and everyone had a smile on their face. The DJ was on a break as Zafar’s grandmother and Reshma’s aunts entertained everyone with the dholki and folk songs.
Auntie Bilqis used her hands on the two sides of the drum and her sister-in-law used a big metal spoon, in lieu of a drumstick, to hit the top of the wooden side to add to the rhythm.
Anyone who knew the lyrics of the songs and wanted to join in did and it didn’t take long for the crowd to fall silent and enjoy the performance, many clapping along with the beat.
After the first song, they handed the dholki to Daadi who demurred for a minute before she accepted it. After striking the first beat, her hands flew across the flat sides of the two-sided drum as she provided the music for the next three songs.
Reshma was sitting beside Daadi with Haniya, both of them clapping their hands and singing along. Daadi lowered her head towards Reshma and said something and Zafar saw his wife throw her head back and laugh, Haniya joining in as Daadi waggled her eyebrows at the pair of them.
She was clearly having the time of her life and it filled Zafar with a great deal of satisfaction to see his grandmother so happy.
She was mingling with friends, both old and new, and was joining in with all the fun with the same exuberance as some of the younger people in the crowd.
She certainly had more exuberance than him.
Reshma also seemed to be in a better place than she had been and that too buoyed his mood.
Things were looking promising on that front and he was hopeful that they would carry that momentum home with them, though he was mindful that it was early days and they’d not been put to the test with the addition of his work and family responsibilities.
‘Sometimes I wonder …’ Uncle Jawad’s voice broke through Zafar’s thoughts and he turned to look at the older man before following his line of sight.
He was looking at Reshma’s father sitting with his two sons.
‘Actually, more often than sometimes, I do wonder about Ahsan. I know he’s my brother but …
’ Zafar faced Uncle Jawad, the older man’s eyes fixed on his younger brother.
He shook his head before looking at his niece and daughter where they sat with their heads together, an indulgent smile emerging on his face.
‘At least Reshma doesn’t look too affected by his sudden arrival. How has she been?’
He took a sip of his tea and Zafar did the same with his drink, feeling his body temperature come down significantly as he debated how much to tell Reshma’s uncle about her initial reaction at seeing her father.
He had no idea if Reshma wanted her uncle to know how she had broken down at the beach the day her father had arrived, so he’d have to fly by the seat of his pants on this one.
‘She’s been as good as can be really. Of course, she was shocked when he arrived, much like everyone else, and there’s been minimal contact between them as far as I know. In fact, since my little, erm … conversation with him, it’s been nothing but the odd hello or an acknowledging nod from him.’
Uncle Jawad shook his head. ‘My heart goes out to that girl. She’s never come out and said anything to me or Bills, but I know it must bother her.
How Ahsan can do what he does, I have no idea.
The thought of not having anything to do with Shoaib and Haniya, or even Reshma, makes my blood run cold. They’re everything to me.’
Zafar could see the anguish on the older man’s face at the thought of not being a part of his children’s lives. Even he couldn’t understand how Reshma’s father did what he did. For all his faults, he couldn’t imagine his own father being that way either.
‘I still remember the day Ahsan first brought her round. I think she was seven or eight at the time. She was dressed in mismatched clothes and a rucksack half the size of her petite frame was on her back, telling me how involved a parent Ahsan was.’ He tsked and Zafar felt a churning in his gut at the thought of a small Reshma being neglected and forgotten about by her only parent.
‘He asked me to keep her at the garage while he went to work because he had forgotten that her summer holidays had started and there was no one to look after her.
‘For a week, he brought her and the poor thing spent the whole day in this little office we had there, drawing pictures or quietly playing by herself. She hardly made a sound. I could see that my brother’s particular brand of parenting was going to destroy her if he didn’t get any help or support and when I said as much to Bilqis, she was generous enough to suggest we offer to look after Reshma for the duration of her school holidays.
Of course, it ended up being longer than that, but I wouldn’t change that decision for all the gold in the world.
It was the best decision we’ve ever made and I love that girl just as much as I love Sho and Niya, as does my Bills.
’ He pressed his index finger and thumb into the corners of his eyes and Zafar swallowed the golf ball lodged in his throat, taking a sip of juice to try to help it down.
‘For what it’s worth, Uncle Jawad, I think you and Auntie Bilqis are amazing. Not many people would do what you’ve done for your niece.’
He waved his hand in the air, brushing the comment away, as though it were nothing.
‘She’s a treasure, that girl, and I feel privileged that I get to be a part of her life.
Over the years, Ahsan would make promises about coming to see her or to take her out and she’d patiently wait by the front window for him, but he hardly ever delivered.
Whenever he told her that he would take her back to stay with him, he’d follow it up with the latest excuse about why he couldn’t.
I could always tell from Reshma’s expression that she was upset, but she never said a word.
She just accepted whatever came her way from everyone.
If someone gave her more attention than she was used to, she didn’t know what to do with it.
She’d come and find me or Bilqis and burrow into our laps and become as small as she could.
’ A tear rolled down his cheek and he wiped it away with a chuckle.
‘Even now when I think about the life she’s had, it can bring me to tears.
That’s why Bills and I wanted nothing but the best for her future.
’ He turned to face him, his eyes shining and a broad smile on his weathered face.
‘That’s why we introduced you to her, son.
I saw the similarities between the two of you and the way you both complemented each other.
I knew you’d be perfect for each other. It pleases this old man very much to see that you both seem to be in a good place. ’
Zafar swallowed a lump of a different kind this time. No pressure then , he thought wryly.
Before he could respond or their conversation could continue any further, he heard Daadi call out his name.
While he’d been listening to Uncle Jawad, the gathering on the floor had dispersed and he caught sight of his grandmother sitting with a few of her friends and Reshma’s aunts.
‘Jawad, you come over too. There’s something I want you boys to do.’
Boys? Him and Uncle Jawad?
What was his grandmother up to?
He saw Uncle Imtiaz already beside Auntie Ruqayyah and a few other couples were gathered too.
‘Right, husbands.’ Daadi clapped her hands and got everyone’s attention. ‘Haniya and I have decided to have an impromptu competition this evening, with Ruqayyah and Imtiaz’s blessings. Nomaan, Saleema, Haniya and I will be the judges.’
Zafar looked around him in confusion and caught Uncle Jawad’s eye. The older man shrugged and Zafar felt a sense of foreboding snake down his spine. He caught sight of Haniya, who grinned at him, and immediately he felt like he needed to be on high alert.
Daadi alone was a handful. As was Haniya. The two of them together? He didn’t even want to contemplate what mischief they could – and were about to – get up to.
Reshma was sitting next to Auntie Bilqis and she looked at him with … Was that guilt on her face?