there was another bomb blast in Pakistan today. again it was at the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP). this time it was a huge car bomb in a busy market in Peshawar itself. The carbomb killed at least 90 people and injuring more than 200 persons.
i have a friend who lives in Peshawar.I got to know Atiq when i was travelling almost monthly to Lahore. PL and I met him when we were at the Wagha border. PL being the friendly creature she was managed to get this guy's attention from miles away. And, i think, she was as besotted by his dreamy eyes as I was, cos she gave him her mobile no. He came by the hotel the same evening we met, terribly excited that he had made such exotic friends. As he was in Lahore visiting his sister, he even introduced us to his sister and his niece who sorta chaperoned him around during his trip.
Atiq was a sweetie. Everytime i was in Lahore i'd call or text him to say hi, and if he was in Lahore he'd come by to the hotel for a short chat. But he lived in Peshawar. So most of the time it was just short calls to say hi, keeping in touch with this lovely friend i'd made.
He liked to talk to meabout what modern life was outside of Pakistan. He came from a wealthy family and was expected to join the family business. He was also expected to marry someone of his parents choosing.We spent a lot of time talking about marriage and how he wanted a love match much to his parents unhappiness. I think I was his link to a world he desperately wanted access to, while i was fascinated by his life which seemed like a bollywood movie come to life.
We lost touch after some time as my travels to Lahore became infrequent, especially as PL's trips to Lahore with me became less frequent. It just wasn't nice for a young (then) single girl like me to keep meeting another young single man like him. Plus his dreamy eyes (and sexy stubble) just made it way too difficult to be just friends with him. i had to stay away. *kidding*
And now, i wonder. Whether he's ok. Whether his family is ok. Whether they're still in Peshawar and safe. Tonight my prayers are with him and his family. I pray that they be kept far from harm.
Atiq- i hope our paths cross again. insyaallah.Labels: the eveel clan
