ANOTHER GLIMPSE FROM THE PAST

"Rady Children's hospital has accepted my application. I am

going to San Diego in two days." Daniyal announced his

departure in a quiet voice.

We all were lounging lazily in our living room.

I looked round for reactions. Since I already knew about it.

I saw how Mama's eyes widened all of a sudden and she

looked at Daniyal with a pained expression. I felt sorry for her.

I saw how Hamza looked up from his book and stared at

Daniyal for a brief second before focusing back to his book

again.

Daniyal was looking down nervously fidgeting with his hands.

I saw how daddy looked shaken and almost angry. He

slammed his cup on the table and got up.

"Are you serious?" he asked him angrily. I had never seen him

this angry before not even when Hamza had been caught

consuming drugs.

"Why would I joke about this, Daddy?" Daniyal said quietly

still gazing down.

Daddy looked shocked.

"But, what about my business? What about me? You were

supposed to assist me in it. You were supposed to inherit it

and be the next CEO. Will you leave your father all alone?" he

asked Daniyal with a pained voice.

Hamza was majoring in Computer science. He could help

daddy in his business. He could work in the software

development in the company. He could use his skills to take

the company to a whole new level. But I wasn't sure if daddy

would allow him to work with him and he didn't seem

interested either.

Daniyal had just graduated from medical school. He was far

away from business. I didn't understand why daddy even

asked him about it.

I on the other hand was still in high school at that time. Still

no plans in pursing business as my career.

"Daddy, I thought you must have known by now that I will not

be working with you. I will not be inheriting your business nor

do I plan to take up the position as a CEO." he explained

quietly.

"That is not my problem. You are my child. You are supposed

to support me." he yelled loudly.

"I will support you, daddy. After I complete this residency...."

"To hell with your residency. I want you to support me in my

business. I don't want your money." Daddy yelled again.

I saw Mama crying. And Hamza looked scared too.

"Why must I? I have dreams daddy." Daniyal spoke in quiet

voice. I could see him all angry and red.

"If not you, then who will Daniyal?" daddy looked worried

now.

"There's Hamza. And then there's Romi too."

At this both me and Hamza looked at Daniyal worriedly.

I had planned to support my parents but not by working with

daddy. I didn't wish to pursue business. I had planned out

everything.

"Romi, is just a kid. Besides, she is not going to live with us

forever. She will have to eventually marry and go away from

us."

I closed my eyes. I felt really angry when my parents talked

about my marriage. Marriage was the last thing on my mind. I

wanted to live with my parents and support them.

"What about Hamza?"

Daddy looked away.

I saw Hamza looking at daddy with a pained expression and I

saw him walk away quietly. Mama cried some more.

Daddy did not trust Hamza with his business. It was wrong for

him to judge Hamza like that. Hamza had not created any

other trouble after that drug incident. He was a changed

person.

"You can always sell the business and take an early

retirement."

"What did you say?"

Daddy asked him quietly and came to stand in front of him.

Daniyal got up.

"You can sell your..." he began.

Daddy slapped him.

Me and Mama got up.

"Daddy." I yelled and rushed towards Daniyal. His head was

turned to the side. He did not look up.

"Ali. What are you doing? He's, our son." Mama pushed him

back.

"Did you hear what he just said? He asked me to sell the

business."

"Ali, he..."

"Should I sell the business that your ancestors trusted me

with? Should I sell the business your grandfather asked me to

take care of on his deathbed." daddy yelled. Mama was

struggling to push him back.

I saw Daniyal quietly walk outside.

"Is this the way you explain things to your kids? Look, he is

gone. He would have listened to you if you would have talked

to him decently." I heard Mama yelling in the background.

Later that night, I walked into Daniyal's room. He was

packing his stuff.

"Are you really leaving?" I sat down on his bed and noticed his

bruise.

"I am leaving earlier than decided. I am leaving tomorrow

morning."

"Why?" I got up.

"I thought we could spend some more time together." I held

his hand.

"I will always have time for you, Romi."

I walked with him outside. It was early in the morning

everyone was asleep.

"I will drop you." I told him and we sat in the car.

I saw daddy standing in the balcony. He was looking at

Daniyal with hopeful eyes. But Daniyal didn't see him. I saw

him close his eyes for a while and then walk back inside.

"He left?" Mama asked me when I returned back home from

the airport.

I nodded.

I saw her burst into sobs and rush to her bedroom.

I felt empty that day.

The house felt empty that day.

My family felt empty that day.