""Do you hate people?

I don't hate them...I just feel better when they're not around." 

― Charles Bukowski, Barfly

Areeb's parents are here.

I have no idea how I am supposed to react. There's nothing in the book of etiquette regarding your Ex-fiance's parents. He wasn't just a fiance though, he was also a life-long friend, I grew up with. Which makes this all the more complicated. Do I ignore their presence? Do I spit in their faces, for raising such a jerk? Do I add rat poison to their tea? What is the accepted behavior here?

EMV is scowling mad; 'Let's throw them to Kulsoom nani's mercy!'

I decide to hide in our kitchen and eavesdrop on the conversation going on between the two sets of parents.

Areeb's Mom is sobbing; "Ayesha, Amin Bhai, You have no idea how utterly humiliated and desperate we feel after Areeb's actions...."

His dad is subdued and sounds almost dead; "I know it is too much to ask, but I hope in some time you will find it in your hearts to forgive us. It seems unfair to ask you to forgive our son. What he did is unforgivable..."

My parents mostly stay silent, and hesitantly accept their apologies. Even though I know how hard it is for my dad to yield on something like this. My parents are a constant source of inspiration for me. They are politely, patiently accepting someone's regret, and apologies, despite the fact that they hurt them.

"I wanted a daughter so badly! with Mina, I thought all of my dreams, and wishes would come true... But, It was't meant to be. I am so, so sorry. I never raised him to be this cavalier about relationships! I feel inadequate, as a mother." I hear some more suppressed sobs from Farah Auntie, which makes my heart clench invluntarily. She sounds so desolate, and hopeless. For the first time since the break-up, I realize that I am not the only one who was affected by this.

Areeb's father insists on paying for any advanced costs and expenses we had already incurred on the wedding ceremony, while my parents steadfastly refuse his offer. They also wanted to return all the gifts we had sent over for Areeb before the engagement, and after it. My parents suggested that they donate all of it to a needy family.

I quietly head upstairs, and start collecting all evidences of Areeb from my room. I grab a spare carton and stuff any book, any souvenir he ever gifted me with. In went my favorite Mickey Mouse snow-globe, followed by the twilight collection he had gifted me as a joke. My eyes caught my stunning purple engagement dress hanging in my closet; I folded the heavy dress in half before stuffing it inside. I push, the delicate pearl necklace he gave me, inside an African, leather hobo pouch. The last to go is my stunning sapphire ring. I carefully place it inside it's velvet-covered box, and add it to the pile.

My life with Areeb can fit inside a twelve by eight cardboard box. I smile humorlessly, wishing it were that simple to purge the memories of him and his treachery from my memories.

I am panting by the time I carry the box downstairs. Areeb's parents are just about to leave when they are startled by my appearance. Neither of them can look me in the eyes, and I feel slightly sorry for their guilt. Nobody deserves to be humiliated, and humbled by their own child.

I mumble a salam to both of them.

"Auntie, this is stuff that he...Stuff that I'd rather not own anymore." I gently push the box towards her.

Her hands hesitantly come up to grasp the box. "Mina Beta, will you ever forgive us?" her eyes look wild, desperate. "I just want your forgiveness. I don't want a broken heart on my conscience! Allah doesn't forgive the wrongs done against his creation, even if he does forgive the wrongs done against Him....Please find it in your heart to forgive us, if you can!"

I glance towards my own parents who are watching the exchange without expression. They are wondering what I'll do now.

"I forgive you." I whisper; "But don't ask me to forgive him. I am not quite there yet." I doubt I ever will be.

....................

I am startled awake from my nap, by insistent prodding. I groan slightly, realizing that I fell asleep in the middle of the day, curled up in front of our TV.

"Minnnaa, I am leaving Minnaa! pweaze wake up!" a squeaky voice whispers in my ear.

I rub out the confusion in my eyes to stare at Rania's grinning face, too close to my own.

"Kitten? How did you get in?" I croak sleepily, hugging her to my chest.

"Your Mom let me in." She chirps back."I would never leave without saying goodbye to you Minnnna."

I swallow down my tears, in order to avoid upsetting her. She hates tears, and raised voices. We end up taking a few selfies, (hey, this is standard procedure for when people leave town!) I also press a small gift I got for her.

"Open it on the plane!" I urge her. "And take care of your Mama okay? Moms get super scared during plane rides!"

She eagerly grabs the brightly wrapped present; shaking it enthusiastically to figure out its contents. I got her a tiny, clay-modeling kit for the long, boring plane ride.

She pouts as I escort her towards her house. "Shehzer is going to Lahore now. I'll miss him at home."

I'll miss him too kitten. I refrain from voicing out my wayward thoughts.

She chatters about plane rides as we head outside. I spot an airport cab parked outside the our home. Shehzer's mom is directing the driver with the luggage. She smiles sadly when she sees me, and briskly approaches me for a hug.

"It was wonderful meeting you after so many years Mina dear. You're a lovely woman now! I wish you all the happiness for your future."

I hesitantly hug her back. Why does everything sound like a pity party for me?

Does she pity me too? This horrible relationship of mine has twisted me into an insecure mass of nerves. I smile ruefully at the fact that I cannot even accept a simple compliment without questioning the person's motives.

Shehzer appears from the house suddenly. He is dressed casually in T-shirt and old, faded jeans, for travel I suppose. He is carrying two impressively massive wheelie bags in each hand. The aviator sunglasses perched on his nose should be illegal. I marvel at my ability to ogle this man while I am being hugged by his mother.

EMV chuckles; 'How can you NOT ogle at him?"

He grunts out a greeting, while hefting the heavy bags inside the cab's boot. Dusting off his hands, he walks towards is mother and me, a curious twist in his lips.

"Ready to go ladies?" He asks his Mom and Rania, but his eyes are on me. I shyly look away. This boy will never cease to disarm me. I kind of hate him for that. EMV snorts derisively at the idea.

While his mom leaves to say goodbye to her sister and other family, Shehzer stays near me, trying to get me to talk.

"How's the finger?" he asks, going all annoying doctor on me. I scowl at that, and hold up my middle finger for his inspection.

He barks out a laugh; "Mina, I'm pretty sure it was your index finger."

"It's doing just fine, thank you!" I mutter, while my brain is reeling; Please don't leave me, please. Apparently, I am irrationally scared of people leaving me now. This is something new. Thank you for this too Areeb. Ass.

"How are you doing?" He asks in a lower tone now, concern etched in his eyes.

"How do you think I am doing?" I whisper back.

"I think you're very brave." he shoots back. "And very beautiful. Don't you dare forget that; no matter what your overactive imagination wants you to believe." My insides are doing all sorts of acrobatic moves at this statement.

Rania interrupts us then, with requests for "One Last Hug!"

Pretty soon, I am holding back tears as they get ready to pile themselves inside the car. My family is also outside by now, waving goodbye, and throwing out "Safe travel" wishes.

Shehzer turns to me before settling his tall frame inside the car; "I'll be back." he smirks at his terminator reference, and I end up letting out a teary giggle at that.

As the car pulls away from the driveway, I feel a heaviness settle in my heart. I hate goodbyes.

...................

A/N:

Thank You for the touching comments folks!!

I loved the feedback so much, I decided to update once again. :D

My book is now currently on #11 in the spiritual category! Eeep! how crazy is that! I just started 20 days ago. This is all because of your support and appreciation. Love you guys.

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