She went to her ex’s wedding… uninvited.
Story: The Gift
“Will you buy me something?”
— “I don’t have money, dear. I can’t buy anything.”
— “Who said you’d use your own money? I’ll give you the cash, you just get it for me.”
— “You’ve been roaming shopping malls all day. Why should I be the one buying it now?”
— “I have my reasons. First, promise you’ll get it.”
— “If it’s your money, then why not? Tell me, what is it?”
— “****”
— “What?? What do you need that for?”
— “I need it.”
— “Need it for what? What could you possibly do with that nonsense?”
— “Why nonsense? Everyone needs it.”
— “That’s different.”
— “This is also different. And I’ll show you why I need it. Don’t worry. Just get it for me, please.”
…
— “Here, take it. Never bought this even for myself, but had to for you.”
— “Give me the rest of the money.”
— “I spent it.”
— “You what?”
— “I went through so much for you, so I used the leftover to have falooda.”
— “You greedy jerk. Now listen carefully.”
— “Go on.”
— “Today’s Wednesday, right?”
— “Yeah.”
— “We’re going out the day after tomorrow.”
— “We, as in you and me?”
— “Is there anyone else here I’d be talking to?”
— “Nisa, what are you up to?”
— “What do you mean?”
— “Buying stuff and then planning an outing? Are you trying to trap me or something?”
— “Haha. So what if I am?”
— “Look, it’s true I like you, but I never bothered you. Since I found out about you and Nehal, I backed off.”
— “There’s nothing between us now.”
— “Yeah, I know. How could there be? That selfish jerk.”
— “Let it go.”
— “Why should I? When you were dating, didn’t he see you were short? After all this time, he dumps you for a taller girl?”
— “Haha, so what? There are plenty of crazy guys like you who love short girls.”
— “Exactly. Shouldn’t a guy love a girl for who she is, not her height? May Nehal’s tall wife tie him to a tree and beat him.”
— “Why are you getting so mad?”
— “What else should I do? You dumped me and chose him. And now? He ditched you. Even if you were under 4 feet, I’d still love you. I fell for your heart, not your height.”
— “Hey, you’re insulting me now. I’m 4’10”!”
— “Just saying. Now tell me—where are we going and why? You wouldn’t take me on a trip without a reason.”
— “That’s true. It’s not really a trip—more like an invitation to eat.”
— “Thank God. At least I won’t be attacked.”
— “You rascal, I’ll smack you!”
…
He ran off. I’m Nisa. That’s my friend Imran. He’s liked me for two years. When he first told me, I thought he was joking and brushed it off with a laugh. He’s the quiet type. Never tried to convince me he was serious. A few months later, I got involved with Nehal. He seemed to love me—or maybe he just acted like it. I still don’t know. When his family arranged his marriage, he simply told me—his mom wouldn’t accept a short girl, and he wouldn’t disobey her. Poor Nisa. What could she do? You can’t fight nature.
…
— “Hey, where are we going?”
— “Why so many questions? You’ll see.”
— “Nisa, I don’t trust you one bit.”
— “Why?”
— “Who knows… What if you’re channeling your rage at Nehal on me?”
— “Not a bad idea. I didn’t think of that. Let’s go with that plan.”
— “God save me. I’m digging my own grave.”
— “We’re here. Get down from the rickshaw and help me.”
…
We entered a community center.
