Enigma of Time

"Well, It's the story about how my grandfather died, sounds boring, wait till you hear it, I'm certain that you will change your mind afterward".

It sure is weird that after all these years my grandmother remembers that she has a grandson living there somewhere. it's not that I'm complaining or something but losing both of my parents and being isolated from any form of relatives is lonely and I hate being alone in this world without anyone beside me. I don't remember my mother, since I was very young when she left us. my father was my everything he was the best father anyone could ask for but had really limited time in this world and left me all alone to fend for and live by myself for the rest of my life.

it was one of those hot summer days, the scorching heat of the evening burned my skin sweat trickling down my forehead as I entered the house. the air-conditioning was on and the cool air brought me back to dear life. the maid did all her house chores, the floor was clean, and the smell of after-wash calmed my nerves. no matter what the comfort of my home was always there to embrace me after a long day at work.

running my father's business after him was a challenge, I was freshly graduated from university and had a degree in BBA but had zero experience. but with time I learned to thrive and worked hard to maintain the image my father worked so hard for all these years. I went to my room took a comfortable pair of pajamas and a T-shirt from the wardrobe and went to the bathroom to take a cold shower. I took a long shower to wash all the tiredness that seems to settle deep in my bones. I was lacking any sort of excitement these days and it was increasing with time I didn't understand how was I supposed to get out of it. My friend and business partner suggested that I should take some time off and travel to some place to take my mind off of my busy and tiring routine. " what's the meaning of earning so much and working your ass off, when you don't even have time to eat properly and be happy", he said questioningly. " I don't know Harris, the things that use to excite and made me happy, no longer do the same I feel like I lack purpose, running this business was my sole purpose in life. Now that I've successfully established it, I no longer feel the kick of adrenaline to lose myself in work and forget everything", I said while losing the tie that seemed like choking me. he looked at me with sympathy his brown eyes kind.

"if you don't know what to do with your life anymore, find a new purpose". he made it sound so easy. " take some time off I will look after everything while you're gone"." I'll think about it Harris", I'm a workaholic and he knows it, leaving work behind like this and going on a trip somewhere just to get my track of happiness right sounded ridiculous to me but I didn't say anything I said goodbye to him and left for home.

as I got out of the shower thinking about the conversation I had earlier. I heard my landline ringing downstairs which was odd since it was very rare that I got calls on my landline. as I was about to reach the phone it stopped ringing. I picked the receiver considering whether I should redial or not, I pressed the redial button, and I heard the faint sound of ringing, 'hello Shameer beta(son)'. A weak voice boomed from across the line, I was surprised at hearing my name from a stranger I didn't know. " umm yes how can I help you", I said questioningly. " it's me, you don't remember me shah meer, her gasp was audible". I frowned at her as if she could see me. " pardon me If I don't remember your name because I don't know you", I said trying hard not to sound rude. " I'm your grandmother Begum-Ara, how are you beta", I was so struck by her name that it took a whole minute to process what I heard because she can't be just calling me out of nowhere. I haven't heard from her since my father died its been a very long time, and her voice was weak. which was surprising because she is the strongest woman on the face of the earth. I remember when my father died she was holding everyone together, especially me I was a wreck at that time. The thought of him made my throat tighten, I cleared my throat and greeted her, and we chatted for a bit then she said," shah a nickname, she gave me after my grandfather died, you're the only heir of our family and all the inheritance is going to be yours. All the necessary paperwork is ready you just have to come and sign it. and I haven't seen you like forever".

Her call was the last thing I expected, though I'm the only heir of my family, but never in my wildest dreams did I think it was all inherited from me. I didn't hear from her in so long that I almost forget about her being my only family left. " I will come to visit soon dado(grandma), we said goodbye and I hung up". Maybe it was my sign to get my head out of the tiring routine and visit my childhood home and renew the memories of my parents. to be honest I was running away from the old days, visiting my grandma would renew all the hurtful memories I'd been avoiding for so long. I went upstairs to my room started packing my stuff in a bag and took out my phone to let Haris know that I was going to Hyderabad.

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".

she felt so thin in my arms, the wrinkles on her face were so prominent. but her amber-colored eyes were the same as always. her eyes were so piercing, even when as a kid if I would do something she would see right through me. I hold onto her smelling her scent, she smelled the same, and the nostalgia hit me hard. I tried to shake myself from it.

"you look so thin dado, I didn't expect you to look so weak, what happened are you even taking a proper diet?"

she waved her hand dismissively at me like it was no big deal. " I'm an old woman Shah, you don't expect me to be energetic and young always".

she said, the lines on her forehead deepening further. I dropped my arms and stepped back. she was stubborn as a mule, and this trait of hers had passed on to me. I dropped the subject for now.

"let's go eat something, I'm sure you're so tired right now," she said while gesturing to someone behind me, I looked behind to find a young woman standing there, " serve dinner in the dining room, Tara!, and ask someone to get Shah's stuff and take it to his room". she said coldly to the young woman. it was weird how her tone changed so easily, she was talking just fine with me.

Tara nodded without saying anything and disappeared into the long corridor. I was too tired to say anything to her I just followed dado to a large room. the room was the same as before, even the dining table and chairs remained the same color and size. It was like time had stopped here, the walls were the same rustic color, with huge ceilings, and expensive Irani carpets. it was like I stepped into an old era from a posh and modern city.

the dinner was served and I dug into it the smell of roasted lamb chops made my stomach grumble in response, we ate in silence dado was never keen on small talk neither was I, but after such a long time I wanted to hear something from her, about the Haveli the people living in the village, anything. But she remained quiet, after finishing I said good night to her, and she looked at me with those amber eyes. I could see the longing in her eyes, for a moment, but it was gone as soon I saw it. she wished me a well good night's sleep.

"Anwar will show you to your room". I suppose he worked here.

So that was it! I expected our encounter to be awkward, but it was fine considering the fact how long we've been apart, it was okay so far and I was glad about it. but I couldn't deny the strange pressure on my shoulders since I came here it was like someone was watching me, I stopped and looked around the Haveli. most of the lights were turned off. the sky was dark and filled with stars. I shook the strange feeling that there was no one watching me. I headed toward my room following Anwar. he put my stuff down, I thanked him he left, and close the door behind him.

I stood there and looked around the room it was a comfortable room with a large open window facing the huge lawn outside. the bed was rustic with empty under space, with the same huge ceilings, and white walls. I looked for a bathroom, I spotted a brown door in the room, it was a bathroom. I got inside and took a quick shower. it freshens me up a little I got dressed into my comfortable pajamas. and went to bed, I opened my mobile after a long and odd day, it seemed like I forgot that I even had a phone. I had some messages from Haris asking about my journey, and some business stuff-related questions. I shoot a quick text answering him. And assured him my journey was smooth and will talk to him soon.

I closed my mobile phone and tried to sleep, which was hard considering it was a new place I was used to sleeping in my comfortable bed. after rolling around in bed finding comfort, after some time my breathing even out and I was fast asleep. I don't know at what time of the night my eyes opened suddenly my body was covered with sweat and my heart was hammering in my chest I felt a strange pressure on my chest, similar to the pressure I felt earlier. which was absurd, what is happening to me? I shook the feeling maybe it was a new place and I was not used to sleeping in a large Haveli, but the feeling didn't go away, irritated I sit up on my bed and looked around the room. everything was the same nothing ordinary, or different. I stood up and washed my face a few times to calm my nerves, the cool water helped a little.

going back to bed, again I felt like someone was watching me, the hair on my neck stood up and a shiver ran down my spine I looked around but no one was there, as soon as my eyes landed outside the window, a shadow was standing between the lawn facing my room's window. it was not moving from its place just standing there, I tried to blink and looked again there was no one! I stood at the window and looked outside no one was there. " no need to feel scared, maybe it was one of the workers, that were staying in the Haveli". I gave myself a mental note that there was nothing wrong with this place. but my gut had a different perception. shrugging I went to bed again and tried to sleep again, trying hard not to think about the shadow outside I just saw, I didn't know if it was real or if I saw it from my peripheral vision. after struggling for a while I fell asleep