Heartbeat on Wheels

Part 6:

_Hamza_

“Hi, Bhai Jan— Dear Brother! Do you know where the Bandar Colony is?”

“Sorry, What?”

“Brother, I said -Bandar Colony-, is it somewhere near?”

The Rickshaw driver and his fellow partner exchanged looks and the driver passed him a manipulative smirk.

“Ohhh! Bandar Colony? Yeah yeah… I’ll tell you. But, are you from outside Karachi?”

“Yes, Bhai. I’m from Sargodha. It’s far away from Karachi”

“Yes, I can tell you’re not from here.”

“So, Where is it? Bandar Colony?”

“Oh yes. It's a 20 minute ride from here. Do you wanna go there? I can give you a free ride.”

“You’ll take me there? Thank you so much, Sir. But, I’ll make sure to pay.”

“No problem! Come sit and I’ll take you there…. SAFELY”

Hamza jumped in the Rickshaw and headed toward the non-existing Bandar Colony. During that 20 minute ride, he kept staring at the box of Chocolates. There was something weird with Hamza’s smile this time. He was blushing for no reason. Was it because he was excited to see that silly girl again or was it just because of his gratitude for her?

“This time I’ll tell her the reason I asked for her address. Silly girl! Thought of me as some freak. I’ll thank her and show her that decent people still exist.”

It had been almost 2 years since Hamza talked to himself with such a cautious and friendly tone. He let out a small chuckle after ending each line. He was surprised at himself as well.

The Rickshaw stopped and the driver motioned Hamza to step out of it.

“Here I come, Lady Gaga!”

“How much, brother?”

“200 Rupees it is.”

“Alright… 200 rupee….”

Just as Hamza was taking the cash out from his wallet, the Rickshaw Bhai suddenly, with a single tug, snatched his wallet, rode his Rickshaw with full speed and fled.

“Ohhh My! C’mon, not this now. Already looked like a wretched man by face.”

But, Hamza didn’t seem too astonished this time. He looked chill even after his wallet got snatched. Maybe because seeing Roshi again was much of a big deal for him than worrying about his wallet.

“Hi, Sister. Is this Bandar Colony?”

Hamza stopped by a nearby house from where an Aunt appeared at the front gate and asked her about the address.

“Are you trying to insult us??”

“Insult? No, no! Sister, I meant to ask if it is Bandar—(Monkey) Colony?”

“This is Hayat Colony. Not some Monkey shit!”

“Wha… Whatt?”

“And let me tell you, as far as I know, there is no Bandar Colony in Karachi. Maybe you can ask someone else too and confirm it.”

“Thank you, Sister. I will.”

“Ducking hell! What is this now? Where do I find this Bandar Colony?"

"Ohhhhhhh! How stupid of me. Why didn’t I use Google Maps, simply? "

Hamza opened Google Maps and searched for Bandar Colony Karachi.

NO RESULTS FOUND for Bandar Colony.

He tried it with different spellings; Bndr Colony….. Bander Colony….. Even, Monkey Colony!

Still; NO RESULTS FOUND

“What am I doing? Google would have searched any of these spellings…! It means SHE…. She lied to me. She deceived me. Oh, Roshi… C’mon. I just wanted to Thank-You.”

"This girl! Why does she take things too FAR–making things more complex?"

Hamza was very happy to reach that place but after realizing that Roshi gave him the address that didn't exist— made him sad. His gaze lowered down at the box of chocolates that he had specially bought for Roshi. His excitement–Gone!

_Roshi_

“What?? Are you sure there’s no one named Hamza who works here at 'Mugal Pai'? Please look into it again. I’m sure there would be a different spelling combination. Something like “Doc” with his name?”

“No Ma’am. I've already mentioned that it's against our rules to let a customer know about our employees details and yet I let you know that there’s no employee named Hamza. Not even from the last of last year's employees.”

“I’m really sorry to get you in trouble. I appreciate your kindness and help.”

“This only means ONE THING. Hamza tricked me too. He didn’t tell me the truth. He isn’t here for the restaurant job. C’mon man! I just want to help you out. Shit….You don’t know about the people here. Scams and Looters. Aww…. Poor him. Mirha was right. I’m way too cold inside then I appear on the outside. Hamza, Where are you yaar— man!”

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The Next Day:

Phone bell rung.

—---- —- —--- —----- —-----

Kept ringing.

---- ------ --- ---- ------ ------

“Hello! Who is it this early in the morning?”

Roshi forced her phone with her, disgusted by the inconvenience it caused and annoyingly answered the call.

“Mam, it’s not early. It’s 8:00 in the morning and you’re late. Yesterday you took a leave and today you’re already late. Did you forget there’s a new candidate for Ambulance Service whom you have to interview?”

It was a call from Hospital management.

Roshi’s eyes widened as she realized she’d never gotten late but today she was.

“8:00?? Shit. I’m sorry, Sir. I’ll be right there in 10 minutes.”

"A new candidate? I already appointed one, who is this new-one?"

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A/N:

The Interview? IYKYK!