That Restaurant

"I will not leave you. When you have your daughter, I will snatch her.... I will snatch her..... I will snatch her.... I will snatch her...."

"Biya..." Zaman, who was in deep sleep, got up with a jerk, shouting his daughter name. While on the other side, his sleeping wife also got up.

"What happened, Zaman? Are you fine?" His wife switched on the lamp and gave him the glass of water.

"Yes, I am fine. I just saw a bad dream. B.... Biya where is Biya? I... I mean did children sleep?" He asked in a stuttering voice.

"Yes, they slept long ago. It's four o clock now. Only a few hours are in the morning." She said, glancing at the watch.

"Zaman, what did you saw in the dream? I heard whoever sees a dream at that time turns out true. I am scared...."

"No, it will not happen." Before that she expresses her fear more, Zaman cut her off and said immediately.

"Nothing is going to happen. Don't worry. It was just a dream. It made me scared behind my closed eyes, but it can't make me afraid with open eyes." He said to lessen her worries. But this dream has now clenched him tightly from inside. He knows he has to quickly take some decision.

"Saeda, I was thinking about something..."

"What?"

"We should marry Biya." Saeda, who was still thinking about his dreams, was startled by his news.

"M... marry. That suddenly...but where?"

"Biya is twenty-one years old. Now it's the time to marry her. While Haya had also turned nineteen."

"Yes, you are right. But Biya is still studying in the first year of her master's. She will not agree. And on top of that, what about the boy?"

"Hey, why are you getting worried? It's my job to make Biya agree and about her studies....she will continue it after her marriage."

"And what about the boy?"

"Miss Anna the one who lives in our neighbors asked me several times about Biya for her son. I always dodged her, but now I am thinking I should say yes to her. Taimoor is a good guy and he is serving in a good job."

"Yes, Taimoor is a good guy, a very respectable one. If it feels suitable to you then let it be that way. But first, you have to tell Biya about that."

"Yes, tomorrow I will talk with her. And then I will tell Anna... right."

On the next day, don't know what Zaman told Biya that she agreed without questioning or arguing with him. And after seven days her engagement ceremony with Taimoor was arranged at their home. It was a small ceremony in which other than their close relatives, some neighbors were invited.

Taimoor and Biya exchanged the ring to each other. Everyone congratulated them. While the date of their marriage was fixed after three months period.

After that, a session of refreshment started. Her friends Hira and Ahad were also invited. And they both were leaving no opportunity to tease her.

Zaman himself was also very happy, though unaware of the fact that this happiness is his last moment of happiness. After that, only pain and misery he will be facing.

******

"Saif, bring me that file which I give you for completion."

"Yes sir." After instructing Saif, Sikandar then dialed a number on his mobile.

"Sikandar Shah speaking... are all arrangements done? I want everything perfect."

"We have reserved the most expensive hall in the city. Everything is perfect....and every single thing is ready." His man informed him in detail.

"Good, see you in the evening. Bye."

"Yes Farid, report me."

"Sir, we received all the members of the delegation and all the cars are going towards the venue. And everything is ready in the restaurant."

"Good Farid, ok bye." After putting down the intercom, Saif forwarded the file in front of him.

"Ok Saif, you can go. And warn everyone that I want back the files which I gave to everyone. For once, I myself will study all these files before forwarding it further."

"Yes sir." Almost fifteen minutes passed and he was busy studying the files, which Saif bring him. After two hours, he was done with his presentation and studying every single thing when his intercom rang.

"Sikandar Shah speaking." He said, taking phone near his ear.

"Sir, the meeting will start right at seven thirty PM. Sir, I informed everyone who is taking part in this contract."

"Ok good." He put back the intercom and glanced at the time which was indicating one o clock. It means there are still six hours left. In a relaxed posture, Sikandar rolled in the chair and smiled.

He was very happy. Today is the big day of his life. His seven years of struggles and preservation were going to give him its result. He smiled on thinking that.

*******

"Biya, Hina is calling you."

"Mama, I don't want to talk with her. Leave it." She was watering the plants when her mother informed her about her friend calling.

"Why? What happened? Did you both fight?"

"No mama."

"Then"

"Mama, she wants me to go on shopping with her. The wedding of her cousin is coming closer and still she didn't did her any shopping."

"So you have to go with her." Her mother said, giving her permission.

"No mama, I am not going anywhere."

"Why?"

"Mama, please. Papa gets tense, and...."

"Hey, what mother and daughter are gossiping about?" Mr. Zaman questioned, entering the home. And upon his asking, her mother started telling him the whole matter.

"Biya, you can go." Mr. Zaman instantly gives her permission.

"But Papa."

"Go.... call Hina. Both Ahad and Hina will be there. .. and after all, they have their car....then there's nothing to worry about." With her father's permission, she came to her room and called Hina about her coming. She then started getting ready.

******

"Ufff, Hina you are very idiot.... you made me so much tired." For the last two hours, Ahad and Biya were walking behind her in an exhausted state because she was not getting the matching shoes with her dress in the whole mall. And at last, Biya punched her on her shoulder, and jerking her she sat on a nearby bench.

"Yes, exactly you are right Biya...." Ahad also said sitting beside her. Unwillingly, Hina also has to stop there.

"What's your problem? Did I bring you both to take a seat here? Enough of your carelessness.... I have a long list of to-do work and here you people are wasting my time." Hina said, scolding them both. They both were badly glaring at her as if they want to eat her alive. Hina just averted her eyes.

"What....we are wasting time." Biya stood in front of her, placing her hand on her back and shouted at her. Hina has to quickly put her hand on her ears as she can't bear listening to her shrieking voice.

"Ufff Biya... how loud you are shouting....? It's a public place...behave a little. Don't know how many speakers are fitted in your throat?"

"Right? I'm shouting. Ok, now go by yourself. Come Ahad, we will go back." She said, holding Ahad by his hand. And he also stood up with her, following her.

"Stop...stop, let's go Biya." And Hina came to her senses. She abruptly ran behind Biya and Ahad who were almost out of the mall.

"Ahad, Biya please stop...." Almost running, she came to them and stood in front of them, blocking their way. She was taking long breaths.

"Ufff buddy, I am so sorry." Her breathing was really got uneven. They both kept on standing silently, staring at her and with their arms folded around their chest.

"Now please go with me. I will not make you late anymore......"

"No way. I'm not going anywhere other than eating lunch in that restaurant in front of us, ok....and you will have to pay for it, got it." Cutting her off in the middle, she gestured towards the long building, which was in front of them. On the one hand, Ahad was failing badly to control his laughter and on the other side, Hina's voice got lost in her throat because of shock.

"Are you mad, this restaurant?" When Hina came to her senses she shouted. "That restaurant....do you know about it? Here taking one order cost your father a whole month's salary."

"So? And when did I say I am going to pay my father money? You are the one who's going to pay your father money..." Biya said carelessly on her raising her hand again and again in front of her.

"Biya, it's very expensive..." Ahad again laughed at Hina making a poor face. She laid a strong punch on him and sneered, glaring at him.

"Why are you showing your teeth? As if giving an ad for some toothpaste."

"What expensive.....it doesn't make any difference for you.... your father has a lot of money....and what you will do with that much money...."

"Oh no."

"Going to this restaurant, at least I have a chance to see this big restaurant from inside."

"Ok enough enough. Don't be pretentious.... you actor...."

"Let's go, you idiots."Hina pushed them both and they went ahead with her.

Now the three were going towards that restaurant.