Chapter 2 The coin encounter

She stilled in silence.

Is this a joke? How did the sender know I was going to Sabanci? The letter is from yesterday but I received the acceptance mail today. I was told officially today how the sender knew it beforehand. If she hadn't told Zara herself she would have thought she did it and Sabanci yesterday wouldn't have sent it because a local carrier stamp was placed on it. Who sent her this?

Water glass remained untouched on the counter. Carrying the bouquet and envelope she went to her room.

It was evening. Purse hanging on her shoulder, wearing small heels she went to her car parked on the porch. Her brother Raheel owned it first but he went to the US for further studies so she took the ownership.

Just as she was turning the key in the lock, she saw Zara coming in from the gate. This brought a smile to her face.

"Haya I didn't receive any mail" Zara got seated in the passenger seat. Her face was gloomy. She was Haya's age fellow with average facial features.

"Don't worry it will come in a few days. We applied together I got selected and you will too"

"But the list which was placed outside the ordinary office didn't have my name on it"

"Did it have my name?"

"Only yours and another girl named Khadija Rana from the environmental sciences. I think I didn't get selected"

"Oho," She felt sad. After yesterday she was talking to Zara now.

"Leave it were you going somewhere?" Zara asked.

"Yes, I was going to the market with Iram. My heels got lost which I was supposed to wear in Dawood Henna. I think the maid stole it. I have to buy new shoes now. Will you come with me?" She was dressed in a sky-blue long shirt and tight trousers. The bottom of her shirt was slightly above the ankle. The same colored scarf was wrapped around her neck, hair was scattered on the back and eyeliner was placed on her eyes as usual.

"Yes let's go" Zara instantly agreed and sat on the front seat.

"We have to pick up Iram" Haya turned on the key in the ignition.

"How did your strict uncle allow Haya to go with you"

Iram was a junior of both and was not in their department so Zara could not meet her much.

"He is only strict about wearing a headpiece otherwise he is very nice."

She parked the car at the door. Iram was a neighbor of Haya. A door was constructed between the two houses through which they could go to each other's house. But whenever she had to pick up Iram she goes to the main gate. She horned and a few minutes later Iram came outside.

Iram practically ran and sat in the book seat "Hello Haya, Hello Zara." She said cheerfully and closed the car door. Whenever she had to go out with Haya, she became very happy.

"How are you Iram? We can barely meet nowadays." Zara half turned towards her.

"Your department is very far from mine and yes Haya was telling me that you got selected for Turkey."

"I did not get selected, Haya did. God may have planned something better for me. You did not apply?"

"Only if my father gave me permission." She got sad.

"I don't think parents should be this strict," Zara said.

Haya glared at her, Iram was already self-conscious and Zara was making it worse but Zara's face was turned towards Iram. Expectedly Iram got sad.

"I don't understand my father. Do you think it is easy to wear a head scarf in such heat? And do you know for tomorrow's Henna he did not allow me to wear half sleeves? Haya is also wearing half sleeves. They look so good but Dad is not even a bit like Uncle Sulaiman."

"Iram, what are you going get today? I have to buy shoes." She was getting agitated so she turned the conversation. Iram's habit of complaining all the time annoyed her.

"I have to buy bangles but with the top full sleeves they are not going to look good." She huffed and Haya shook her head turning on the music player.

Reaching Jinnah supermarket, Iram was gone in an instant to find bangles. Both Haya and Zara went straight to Metro Shoes.

"Show me the gold one placed on the third number." She has been looking at this high heel ever since she came in.

"This one ma'am." Saleman placed the shoe in front of her, he was sitting on the floor. Meanwhile, both girls were sitting on the sofa.

"Should I help you wear it?" The salesman asked in a dim voice.

"Do you think my hands are broken? I can wear it myself."

"Sure ma'am." The salesboy smiled and forwarded it to her.

"Put it in front of me, I will pick it." The salesboy ignored her rude behavior and placed the shoe.

After paying the bill, the same boy was standing at the cash counter. He was holding the remaining money in such a way that when Haya grabbed it, her hands were surely going to touch his.

"Thanks." Haya pulled the note holding the corner, the coin remained in the boy's palm.

"Maam your coin." The boy said victoriously forwarding the coin. Now you have to touch my hand...

"Put it in the charity box." She said without a care in the world and turned. Zara burst out laughing.

"You should have seen the boy's face Haya."

"I wanted to smash his face with the shoe box. I don't know when is our man going to change. They stare like they have never seen a girl before." She said angrily.