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He smoked three-cigarette packs at a time and watched films without restraint, and he had established a strong reputation in society. One evening, he saw Naz at a cinema hall in Lahore; she had gone there with Khan Sahib to watch a film. When he met her, the very next evening, Naz was sitting with him at the cinema house.
He told Naz that he was an All-Pakistan inspector for an American insurance company, and in addition, he was a film distributor. Moreover, he would soon be producing his own film. Naz's eyes widened with excitement; she was happy. The story had already been written—now only the heroine was missing. "I want to introduce a new face," he said.
In the midst of their conversation, Aslam exclaimed in surprise, "Oh no! I've arranged everything for the film, but I didn't even check whether there is enough money in the bank or not!"
He took a passbook out of his pocket, sighed with relief, and said, "It will work; six and a half lakh rupees are available."
Naz's eyes sparkled; her heart started beating fast. She didn't even notice that Aslam was wearing patched shoes, the color of his coat had faded, and it had been bought from the Landa Bazaar for eight annas. In Naz's eyes, the image of Khan Sahib blurred.
Well, money is not a concern. If he calls now, checks worth millions can be delivered to the hotel immediately. But what about Naz? Aslam leaned forward, placed his hand over hers, looked into her eyes lovingly, and said, "This wealth is consuming me; people consider me a prince. I wish someone could also know that my loneliness is eating me up."
Naz understood these gestures very well; now she even understood his subtlest signals. She pressed Aslam's hand as if saying yes to becoming the companion of his loneliness.
Although a minister's niece and a minister's niece-in-law were persistently pursuing him, Aslam said, "Whenever I saw those girls, you were the one who came to my mind. I don't know why. Back when you studied in Hyderabad in seventh or eighth grade, I have been cherishing my love for you in my heart. Fate hasn't allowed us to meet yet, but our souls have been one since time immemorial. Oh Naz, support my helplessness—I only need you."
Naz held Aslam's hand and drifted into the world of dreams.
Six and a half lakh rupees
Film distributor
The story had already been written:
Searching for the heroine?
The next day, Naz sat beside Aslam in the shadow of Jahangir's tomb, playing the part of Noor Jehan, though she had to leave home for college.
That same evening, Aslam met Naz's brother. He knew that Naz's brother was self-important, and he had demanded a bribeAnd, leveraging his sister, he had established his own foothold. Aslam also captured him—a big catch—into his control. They had known each other since Hyderabad. Naz's brother mistakenly believed that Aslam was the owner of vast estates, though Aslam's parents knew the truth. When they asked Aslam, he told a single lie and became a property owner. "I have won the case, and the entire property has been transferred to my name," he said.
Within a few days, Aslam became dominant over the entire family, and Naz strongly began to feel that she had fallen in love with him. Her restless youth experienced, for the first time, a new kind of pleasure, fueled by both her own passion and Aslam's wealth. Aslam seemed to live entirely by Naz's subtle signals.
Naz's parents finally began to breathe in relief. The boy is good, and he has property. They decided, "This is a very suitable match; the boy belongs to our own country."
Now a complication arose. Khan Sahib had asked Naz's brother for her hand in marriage, to which her brother had agreed. Naz was supposed to confirm the matter with Khan Sahib. He had already divorced his third wife. For Naz, only the wedding date remained to be set, though she had no idea about this arrangement; her brother had told her nothing. All she knew was that Khan Sahib was a government secretary with considerable wealth and power. He often sent gifts and had even hosted a party in her honor, but he was three or four years younger than her father.
Naz's brother was very pleased with Khan Sahib.
Then a shock occurred at home, and Naz was shaken. Her brother had tried to soothe and persuade her about Khan Sahib, and she almost slipped twice, but the thought of Aslam stopped her. Naz only loved wealth, luxury, and fashion—all of which Khan Sahib had—but in her mind, the same things were present with Aslam. Between Aslam and Khan Sahib, only two differences existed: age and love. Naz was already entangled in Aslam's love.
She told her brother in clear words, "I do not approve of marrying Khan Sahib." For the first time, her brother realized that Naz had become exceptionally independent. He tried to persuade her, but she refused. She declared that she would marry only Aslam.
"Naz, aren't you ashamed?" her brother asked angrily.
Naz stared boldly into her brother's eyes, as if saying, "Look carefully." Her brother's gaze dropped. Aslam realized that his rival was a government secretary, and he wanted to flee the field—what could he do against a secretary? Fear of exposure crept in. Perhaps for one and a half months, he had been carrying Naz with him; their love-filled whispers echoed in the corners of amusement spots.
In Shalamar Gardens, at the tombs of Jahangir and Noor Jehan, in Bagh-e-Jahan and the bushes of the Shimla hills, on a small boat drifting with the gentle waves of the Ravi, in the darkness of film houses, and in private rooms of hotels, Naz had completely lost herself in Aslam. Her femininity and purity were also enveloped in dreams of a desired future. They had broken all ties and restrictions.
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To be continue