“Shahzeen, wake up, wake up! It’s time for the class, and you know how strict Sir Faiq Qureshi is about it. Even if a student is a little late, how sternly they behave. Sabiha was in a state of anger, worry, and distress as she scolded Shahzeen, who got up flustered and sat down.
What’s the matter? What happened? I thought maybe an earthquake had struck the whole world… And why is it that you always have the fear of Sir Qureshi looming over you? If they put ‘absent’ on the attendance sheet, I wouldn’t care. If there’s a lecture miss, I’ll ask someone for notes. Anyway, you know how many PRs I have…
Sabiha, grabbing Shahzeen’s shirt collar, said with a serious tone that made Shahzeen shrink.
“Go away, Shahzeen, and oh, do give my regards to Sir Qureshi.”
Shahzeen, feeling embarrassed, hastily pulled her scarf and wore it, lying down.
Where is Shahzeen feeling ashamed? She retreated into her cover and went to sleep.
This was the second year at the university for these three. Shahzeen was less focused on studies and more on her comfort and ease. When she came to the hostel, she got the opportunity to be more assertive with Sabiha. She had a good friendship with Sabiha, who had understood Shahzeen’s nature to a great extent. Meanwhile, Maha was different from both, focusing on her work, not mingling much. Shahzeen belonged to a middle-class family. Her father was employed in a bank. She had three brothers. She would often cry while mentioning her sister.
Shahzeen often cried while mentioning her sister.
“Friend Sabiha, you don’t know the pain I felt when I saw my sister’s face at the time of her death.”
Whenever she mentioned her sister, she would say this.”
