By Kanishka Jain
A designer white, curvy, and lavish covering structure on the terrace restaurant with plants hanging and kept all around. The ambiance of the setting sun turns the sky into an abysmal red colour. Three world-renowned companies are conducting their meeting with full enthusiasm and passion. The luxurious corner above the sea, with wooden shine pillars all around, has brilliant and focused advocates of Seema and Associates. The middle seats are occupied by esteemed school members of Noorani School, where one feels like sitting in nature. The internal corner near the inner seating of the restaurant is taken by the voguish dancer's company known as "The Warriors."
The dance company owner seems to be swingy by the casual wearing yet having an intense discussion with the other members. The school staff is strict yet with vividity wearing their cultural ethnic wears. On the other hand, the advocates have formal clothing and relation with each other, leaving the fact that females with pride are showing off the compulsory Indian cultural sarees.
The meeting concludes, and Seema in her flawless silk saree gives an envious and astonished look to Noorani, the principal, with school staff flaunting her hijab with pride just like her. Noorani, with her derogatory eyes, looks at Ayira, the owner of the dance company, wearing free apparel like baggy striped jeans with a creamy sweetheart line flared crop top with embroidery below the neck and net. As the three of them are somewhat leaving together, their paths clash, and they notice that they are old school friends.
Unable to believe her eyes, Seema says, "Excuse me! Do I know you.... Amisha?"
"Seema! Not changed a bit. But my name now is Noorani," showing off her ring finger, she informs, "Married to my lovely husband Imran Anjum, just like I wanted to!"
"Seema and Amisha... really! What an amazing coincidence!" exclaims Ayira.
Noorani and Seema both notice the undying child in Ayria and sigh looking at each other.
One thing leads to another, and the three of them are now having a very different cuisine dinner together at one table. Seema, breaking her principles, is enjoying foreign vegetables with delicious Mexican sauces in her taco with chipotle rice. Noorani, with an obligation to eat her favorite falafel and pita bread with hummus. Ayira devotedly messing her cheese pizza away. Now they are in an old-fashioned, luxurious, and red rugged roof seating of the restaurant. Some jazz music playing on the side. Then they start remembering the old school days. They share an unbelievably mesmerizing laughter and conversations. Stories about the present and school time unfold the brutal and beautiful truths of their lives just like a smelly fruity old wine.
Ayira expresses, "Do you remember those times when we used to sing vulgar songs at the top of our voices, thinking nobody could say anything to us? Like we were the queens of the school."
Seema laughs, "And how actually, we were just dumb, lost people with a lot of confidence and attitude."
Noorani, in a cynical tone, "I would call it enjoying some friends' time together."
Ayira sings, "Oh god! Here is to never growing up!" and raises the glass of wine to clink.
Seema joins in, "Singing Radiohead at the top about love."
Noorani sings as well, "With the Boombox blaring as we are falling in love" and raises her glass of wine too.
Ayira, Seema, and Noorani all three shout at the top of their voices, "Here is to never growing up!"
As everybody stares at them, they share humongous laughter with a clinking of their wine glasses. Their eyes glittered up, and smiles widened.
Catching up with everybody and as usual starting the conversation and taking the initiative, Ayira asks Noorani and Seema, "So, what are you doing nowadays?"
Noorani, "I am doing Imran! (Laughter), No, no. I am a school principal." The other two woo, saying how impressed they are and appreciate her achievements. Seema, "Good for you, man!"
Ayira, "I own a dance company, which is my passion, dream, and everything to me since my childhood." Noorani and Seema looked at her as a kid and anyway supported her and said, "I know you were made for big things in life."
Noorani taunts, "So, how much do you earn in this field, anyway?"
Ayira flaunts, "Enough to buy a sea-face house."
The three of them woo and laugh out of feeling amazed.
Seema and Noorani share a stare of surprise as they know Ayira doesn't lie.
Ayira raises her eyebrows and inquires, "What's up with you Noorani?"
Noorani smiles and answers, "Just being a principal of a school as one has to do something in life. My real life is my husband Imran. My happiness lies in his name and with him."
Ayira and Seema share a derogative astounded stare.
Seema out of concern asks, "Who told you to change your name? By the way, if you don't mind me asking."
Noorani, "I, myself thought of it. I am very inclined towards Urdu."
Seema jeers, "Even though nobody asked. Yet everybody sharing their stories. I would also like to flaunt my achievement of being a senior Advocate handling supreme court cases of criminals."
Noorani and Ayira in unison, "Oh sorry! Congratulations yet it is boring." (laughs together)
Seema makes childish faces and turns up her nose at them. Seema, "Blah, Blah Blah! And like being crazy about a guy is interesting and full of low self-esteem."
Noorani screams, "At least I don't hide my wishes behind culture and society restrictions."
Ayira consoles, "Guys let's cool down a bit."
Noorani and Seema shout, "Shut up! Ayira, people with real lives and who have responsibilities towards their loved ones are talking."
For once in all, Ayira leaves the table out of anger and goes to the washroom and cries. Seema looks at Noorani with anger and tears in her eyes and rushes towards the opening gate of the restaurant to have some air. Noorani just sits there and tries to swallow the insult by staring at the void. As Noorani stares at the void, she realizes the satisfaction of peace of mind. In not thinking about her lover 24/7, she realizes the burden she was putting on her shoulders all the time.
In the fresh air, Seema takes a deep breath and opens her arms to let the air fill in every pore of skin and give her a tight hug to tell her she can be anything she wants to be and not stick to her representation and reputation all the time and with every little thing. She would be accepted by her people. Like if she takes a breath the way she likes and the air doesn't mind. Just as nature accepts everybody she also would be accepted.
Ayira, hiding in the washroom, having a loud cry and cursing her destiny for not bringing the love of her life till then. Calms herself down and realizes that there is nothing in her hand and she cannot do anything in this and wishes to God for somebody to love. The three of them put a brave smile on hoping for better in life. After a while, they all join up together to finish lunch.
Noorani accepts that there is relief in not thinking about her lover/husband all the time and showing her love through every small thing like eating a lot of pita loaves of bread and falafel even though she loves it, she should be open to other outcomes and things in life. Seema cries her eyes out and confesses that she loves all kinds of cultures and clothing and food. But just following her family traditions had made her suffocated and she would also like to explore more in life.
Ayira tells the tale of her life in which she just doesn't get the kind of guy she wishes to be and there is a lot of compassion and passion in her but nobody trustworthy enough to show it. She accepts herself and her life as it is and how it has been very harsh and hard on her to be herself in every situation and simply don't give up on people and life.
Both Noorani and Seema appreciate her and apologize for their behavior.
Noorani sings, "The light that shines within."
Seema joins, "There is hope that waiting for us in the dark."
Ayira in a crying and stumbling voice, "We should know we are beautiful just the way we are."
Noorani, Seema, and Ayira together, "And we don't have to change a thing, the world can change its heart. No scars to we are beautiful, we are stars and we are beautiful."
Glasses clink,
Eyes glitter, and
Smiles widen up.
By Kanishka Jain
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