7

— H O O R —

°°°

One more week of my life has passed. Nothing new happened in it, nor did I want any new surprises. I was fine with the way my life was going, except for the day when I would be able to start earning a decent income and get my father treated. 

Every morning I would prepare breakfast and lunch for Papa and Parul. I do my breakfast with him and secure the lunch before getting ready and leaving for The Cooper's Corner. 

There my work would be only till 3 in the afternoon after which I would leave to take up my other job. For the time being, I found a job in a bookstore because my salary coming from only one job was not so enough that I would depend on that single job. 

After that, I would leave for home in the evening and inquire about the well-being of Parul and Papa. They both always tell me that they are all right but I know they lie to me. 

Seeing the worry and tiredness on my face, they don't want to bother me more, so they give me false consolation, but I am not so stupid and careless as to take all this lightly. 

Worrying about them is not only my duty but also my responsibility. I want to be with them in the next phase of my life. Don't want to leave them alone when they actually need me and pretend like everything is alright. 

Even if this moment is full of troubles, I hope that everything will be fine. It does not let my passion and desire to work hard break. 

“You're leaving?” A voice interrupts me from behind while I am removing the hat that I used to prevent my hair from getting dirty. 

Putting it down in its place, I turn around to acknowledge the owner of the shop as I already recognized her by her bored tone. She is always tired. In her late forties, I understand. She has become old, now she does not have the energy like a child. 

“Yeah, my shift has ended so…” I shrugged, gripping my bag. 

Now do not tell me about any other work because I am very much tired. Plus, this back pain. Standing has become a hard task for me, especially at the moment when I am on my period. 

But old ladies ignore that. I remember the lady — who is now standing in front of me — told me that in her ancient times, she used to climb up the mountain just to get herbs. Her mother-in-law was a soul-crushing woman who used to give her such tasks. 

I am not lying. 

This lady keeps lecturing me like this. Because for her, I am the laziest person alive. What an irony, no? 

“Hm… I see,” she murmured, yawning and leaving me alone. 

I sigh. Thank goodness! I did not want to waste my time here listening to her another lecture about her ancient times in which ladies used to climb up the mountain. 

Quickly grabbing my stuff, I leave the place. 

As soon as I come out of the air-conditioned room, the warm air captures me from all sides. The sky is orange once again and I can smell the sweet aroma of coffee and pastries coming from the shop beside the bookstore. 

Putting the strip tight on my shoulder, I ignore the rumble of my stomach and leave for my home. I didn't even have lunch today. In the rush of work, I forgot. Today I had to go round and round in the scorching sun for continuous deliveries but I am finally looking forward to the sleep I get tonight. 

I am quite happy when The Cooper's Corner keeps getting orders, because this means I am getting a bonus at the end of the month.  Today my manager told me that Mathews company has placed a big order with The Cooper's Corner. 

He danced around the room and a few customers watched him in awe. He stopped all of a sudden and went into his office because he was flushed. 

As much as I wanted to tease him, I kept myself away from this desire and handled my work. 

The walk home was peaceful but the pain in my legs. A few kids were met on the way, playing, and I remembered my childhood when everything was fine and I had no responsibilities. I did not want to start a session of self-pity at that time so quickly left from there, reaching my home sweet home. 

I go upstairs and knock on the door before getting inside. “I'm home!” I chirp like always, closing the door behind me. 

I remove my flats and notice sets of expensive shoes put neatly in some corner of the floor. I see there are Parul's slippers as well. 

Has anyone come to meet my dad? 

The thought runs in my head while I walk into the living area. Our apartment is very small but comfy. It has different rooms, fortunately for different purposes so I took a sneak peek before entering the room and noticing two men engaged in a conversation with my dad. 

Parul sits on a chair, listening to them with keen interest. 

But the thing that literally surprises me is that the men with my dad I seem to know already. 

The older one is Ryan's grandfather — the kid I met in the park last week. The other man is the one whom I helped in the general store. But the question is, what are they doing here? Does Dad know them? He looks friendly with them, too. 

“Papa…” I trail off, putting down my bag and getting everybody's attention in the room. 

Well, this is awkward now. I know I am looking like a witch with a tired face and hair like a ruined nest where birds did WWE. And when they smile at me, I smile back, excusing myself the very next moment into the bathroom.

I exhale when I'm in the bathroom. I take a look at my image in the mirror and cannot help but agree with my previous guess. I indeed look like a witch with ruined hair. Well, more stupid. The eye bags make me look malnourished, and the natural rosiness of my cheeks had said bye-bye to them already. 

I huff and proceed to wash my face and set my hair. 

If I did not have to study along with work, or if such a phase never would have come in my life, where I would have to manage work along with studies, I would have definitely worried about my face at night and do night care but I can't do it when I am forcing myself to remain awake to focus on my studies. 

It is sometimes useless to study late at night because mostly nothing enters my brain, so I hug my pillow and sleep for a few hours before waking up around four in the morning and continuing my studies. 

At least that time lets my brain eat as much knowledge as I am trying to feed it. 

Once I am satisfied with my look, I grab the towel and wipe my face before I come out. 

There, Dad looks at me again with a different glean in his eyes that stuns me as well as leaves me happy. 

I smile back, going to him. 

“Hoor, meet Uncle Harshit, my childhood friend.” He introduces me to the old man. I bow respectfully to him. He smiles and puts his palm on my head as a gesture of blessing me. 

“And Adyant, his eldest son.” He introduced me to the younger man whom I helped in the general store. 

I greet him, too, earning myself a polite smile from him. 

“I remember,” I murmur, catching a glimpse of drinks and cookies served to them already. I am proud as well as thankful to Parul for handling this all behind my back. 

I sent her a secret smile. 

“And Harsh, this is my Hoor,” Dad introduced me to his friend. 

“I see. She was only seven months old when I held her,” he said with a small smile, “She looks just like her mother.” 

“Indeed she does,” Dad murmurs with sadness. I sigh, squeezing his shoulder in a comforting way. He sends me a sweet smile. 

“Well Hoor, Harsh has come here to ask for your hand for his son.” The few words leave me in confusion as I give him a confused stare before he adds, “In marriage.” And that leaves me stunned. 

So stunned that I couldn't answer him for a moment. Seriously? 

“In marriage?” I almost whisper before I add what my heart screams inside, “But I don't want to get married at this age. I'm only twenty-one.” 

From the corner of my eye, I see Uncle Harsh giving me a hopeful look which I choose to ignore. I look over at my father and say, “I want to do something for you.” 

“I know, dear, but how long will I be living? I want you to be happy with a life partner.” He pats my cheek while speaking of the second sentence that irks me more than it should melt my heart. 

“Is it necessary for you to think negatively every time? Why am I still enduring everything with such confidence then?” I almost whisper as my throat tightens just thinking of the moment when my dad won't be with me. 

This is absurd! 

I know he is going to live longer and see me getting successful and living a good life. 

“Hoor…” Parul tries to comfort me, putting a hand on my shoulder but I do not listen to her. 

I see sadness covering my dad's eyes before I turn to look at Uncle Harshit. He looks dejected but I had no other way to reject this proposal. I do not need a life partner to lead a happy life. 

Why can't this society think in some other way? Is it really necessary to have a man by your side? Absurd! 

“Uncle, Papa always talks like this but I'm sure that his life is not that short. As far as marriage is concerned, I'm not yet ready for marriage. After I finish my degree, I know that I'll be able to handle everything and I won't need a partner.” 

I know I sound rude but it was necessary to drill one thing in everybody's head that I do not want to get married already. Politeness doesn't always work, I have noticed. 

 Do not care if Mathews are so fucking rich enough to rule half of the country, I am still wishing to get everything on my own. If a man can manage to build up an empire, why can't a woman at least live on her income and lead an amazing life in which she won't need any man to pay her bills? 

With technology being advanced, why don't people's brains also get advanced? 

“Hoor, that's rude—” Dad tries to interrupt but Uncle Harshit stops him, saying, “It's okay, I understand. Every girl has the right to think and act on how she wants to live her life.” 

Dad stays silent. I lick my upper lip in nervousness. 

Uncle Harshit is kind and understanding. I did not like the way I answered him but I am glad he understood what I wanted to say. 

Giving me an assuring smile, he says, “I'm proud to see you're a mature woman now.” He pats my cheek before he gets up and hugs my dad. They bid their goodbyes while I stand behind and watch them parting their ways. 

Dad sighs and rolls the wheels of his wheelchair, coming back into the room. Parul also left after giving me an excited smile and telling me she supported my decision. 

Dad goes into his room while I follow him, knowing very well why he is so silent all of a sudden. 

“Dad, are you upset?” I ask him, turning the lights on. 

He looks at me over his shoulder and then after a few seconds pass, he shakes his head. A helpless smile falls on his lips. 

“No, Hoor, I'm not upset. Rather, I'm delighted to see that my daughter can make good decisions now.” 

I walk to him and take a seat on a chair beside him. Holding his weak and warm hands, I ask, “Did you like the proposal for me?” 

“What's the need for my opinion here?” 

I bite my bottom lip. I knew that. I knew that my answer disappointed him but he is not angry with me. The look in his eyes tells. 

“Tell me, Dad,” I insist, tiling my head. 

He sighs, nodding his head. “I was happy thinking that if you say yes, then your relationship with Harsh's son will be fixed and your life will be easy. I have seen you struggle from a young age. You didn't even deserve so much trouble to tackle at that age, dear,” he says, holding my hands tightly, he adds to his confession, “For a moment, I was selfish for you.” 

I knew that. 

“How can I leave you alone like this?” 

He shakes his head. “Of course, and I know that's why you rejected the proposal.” He knows me more than anyone. “Don't I know how much you can sacrifice for me?” He chuckles gingerly and it is not full of humor. “Seeing so much of your love for me, how can I be upset with you, Hoor? People long for this love only.” 

He cups my face in his big palms, sending me some warmth as he adds more to his heart-melting confession, “Such a daughter is in my destiny, the more I am thankful the less it is, Hoor. I'll never force you for anything.” With that said, he leans in to kiss my forehead and a lone tear escapes my right eye. 

Oh, Dad, I am so grateful to have a father like you. No doubt I did not make any wrong decision by rejecting the proposal.