Chapter 2 The Journey

The blaring sound of my alarm woke me up, the most hated sound in the whole world for sure, I squinted my eyes to turn it off on my phone. I pulled the duvet covers on my head, and as I was about to close my eyes, the entire conversation from yesterday jolted me upright. I was going to Hyderabad to visit My grandma. I rushed to the bathroom to get ready as fast as humanly possible, the train was about to leave in less than an hour and I was late! shit.

I dressed quickly grabbed my bag and phone, took the keys, and lock my house. I give some instructions to the guards and left.

I booked a career car I stood outside my house waiting for it to arrive, it's been so long since I took some off and visit someplace like this, and now was the perfect time to do so. I cleared some business stuff with Harris, I was reluctant to leave everything like this. while some people may consider me selfish but I cared a great deal about my employees and can't just leave them like this. but I have faith in Haris that he'll handle everything for a while.

the car icon on the app was near my house, I looked up and spot a white corolla car approaching me. it stopped in front of me I put my bag in the trunk and took a seat at the back I greeted the driver, and he began to drive to the train station.

I always travel for business meetings and appointments by air, it was my second time traveling by train. my dad was always big on traveling he would take some time off and we would visit different places across the country. the first time we traveled by train was when we visited Lahore which was only 2 hour's journey from Islamabad. that was one of the most beautiful and memorable journeys I've had with my father. we reached the train station, I paid the driver and took out my bag. I stood there for a moment taking it all in.

the platform was swamped with people it seemed like everyone in the city was going somewhere, the whistles and the smell of chai(tea) were in the air. parents were holding their kid's hands, a small smile spread on my lips which was strange and so unlike me I don't remember the time I smiled so easily. I took a newspaper from the nearby stall and headed toward the train. a coolie approached and offered to help me with my bag I showed him my ticket he guided me inside the train, soon we found my seat and I put my bag on the berth above me I tipped the coolie and scooted closer to the window. the train started moving slowly.

I looked outside and the memory of me and my father and rushed back to me, God it was the same as before. he always valued the desi way our people did things, a true experience of travel can only be achieved while interacting with the local people of that place. the journey by train is something you would never forget for the rest of your life.

we made a lot of stops on our way refreshing and eating stuff on the way. it was a long journey but I was fine by myself I booked a business class and was quite comfortable the whole time. the train arrived at at 6 pm at the station. I gave a call to my grandma and informed her that I was there she was happy at my arrival and told me she'd sent her driver to pick me up. I grabbed my stuff and went outside I stretched a little sitting in the same position for a few hours had made my back stiff. I looked around for the driver who was there to pick me up. I spotted a bald man in his mid-fifties in a khaki shalwar kameez holding a name board of my name.

I went closer and greeted him " hello I'm shame I'm sure my grandma sent you here to pick me up", he looked at me from head to toe wide-eyed, he seemed so surprised. after a few beats, he took my hand and gave it a shake I felt his fingers tremble a little. it was strange as hell! , I didn't even know this man, while he seemed to know me. he cleared his throat " sorry Shaho you just look, he stopped abruptly and shook his head, nevermind, let's get you to Haveli(mansion), Amma Sai is waiting for you".

it was beyond weird, I followed him to the car he took my stuff and I took the front seat. he started driving, I didn't mind the silence but it was super awkward sitting beside him in awkward silence . "how do you know my name, I started, I've never met you before". he glanced nervously at me and said, " everyone knows your name Shaho, your grandmother talks so much about you" . that was a poor explanation but I didn't proceed further. I focused on the way the surrounding had changed tremendously. by the time we reached haveli it was getting dark the sun was setting. the driver stopped in front of the haveli we got out of the car, and I got out and stood in front of the main gate which was a huge wooden gate, even the surrounding of the haveli was intimidating.

" you didn't tell me your name", I asked the driver. "it's Maqsood", he said sheepishly, sorry Saab for my behavior I hope you don't mention it to Amma Sai", he was referring to my grandma. " no don't worry I won't, I assured him. its no big deal.

"Okay then let's get inside, He said.

"yeah let's go".

As we got inside my grandma was standing in the corridor waiting for me. she was looking thin and weak, and she headed towards us beaming, arms wide she embrace me into a warm hug. "I'm glad you're here beta, God! look at you you're all grown up into a handsome man shah,

I missed you so much".