Departure and New Plans

(The morning sun streams through the windows, casting soft rays over the dining table. It's 10 o'clock on a Sunday, and the family gathers for breakfast. A plate of warm parathas, fried eggs, and a kettle of chai sit at the center. Aliza and Mrs. Muneerah sit opposite each other, the air thick with unspoken tension. Aliza, unable to contain her thoughts any longer, speaks first.) Aliza: (Softly) "So, Mom… what did you think?" Mom: (Distracted) "About what?" Aliza: (Muffled, struggling for patience) "Mother, I was talking to you yesterday." Mom: (Sharply) "I already forbade you." Aliza: (Calm, but with determination) "Mom, please, just let it go... it's only a month, and then I'll have no time for anything once my career starts. This is the only chance—" (Before Aliza can finish, the phone rings. Mrs. Muneerah stands up to answer it, leaving Aliza mid-sentence. With a heavy sigh, Aliza leans back into her chair. Moments later, Aaliya saunters into the room, her hair in a messy ponytail. She flops down at the table, picking up a paratha.) Aaliya: (Teasing) "Well, well... the debate is still going, huh?" (Aliza glares at Aaliya, holding her fork like a weapon.) Aliza: (Growling) "Eat your breakfast quietly, or I swear I'll make you eat this fork." (Aaliya giggles but obeys, stuffing a bite of food into her mouth. Mrs. Muneerah returns to the table, her expression unreadable.) Mom: "That was your aunt. She's insisting I visit her in Karachi." Aaliya: (Perks up) "Oh! When are we leaving? I'm ready to go!" Mom: (Decisively) "Aliza, you'll go with your friends. Aaliya will come with me to Karachi." Aliza: (Cheering) "Ya-hoo! Thanks, Mom! You're the best!" (Mrs. Muneerah chuckles at Aliza's enthusiasm, but Aaliya's excitement fades. She pokes at her food quietly, looking down at her plate.) Aliza: (Softening) "Hey, Aaliya… not hungry?" (Aaliya shakes her head and trudges back to her room without another word. Aliza watches her leave, guilt flashing briefly across her face.) --- After Breakfast: The Flight Booking (Mrs. Muneerah takes out her diary, flips through it, and dials the PIA flight inquiry number. After a few rings, a male operator picks up.) PIA Operator: "Hello, PIA Inquiry Service. How may I assist you?" Mrs. Muneerah: "This is Mrs. Muneerah Usman Khan. I'd like to book two tickets to Karachi for this evening." PIA Operator: "One moment, please…" (After a pause, the operator returns.) PIA Operator: "Ma'am, due to bad weather, the flight is heavily booked. We only have one seat available tonight. But we can easily book two seats for tomorrow." (Mrs. Muneerah pauses, considering her options.) PIA Operator: "Should I confirm the single seat?" Mrs. Muneerah: (Decisive) "Yes, please. What's the flight time?" PIA Operator: "7:30 PM tonight, ma'am." Mrs. Muneerah: "Thank you." (She hangs up and immediately calls her sister, Naheed Apa, in Karachi. After a few rings, her sister picks up.) Naheed Apa: (Weakly) "Assalamualaikum, Muneerah… How are you?" Mrs. Muneerah: "Waalaikum Assalam, Apa. I managed to get a ticket for tonight. I'll arrive around 9 PM." Naheed Apa: "What about the girls? Aren't they coming with you?" Mrs. Muneerah: "I could only get one seat, Apa. But I'll send the girls on a trip with Aliza's friends. Once the weather clears, they'll visit you." Naheed Apa: "Alright. I'll send someone to pick you up from the airport. Travel safely." Mrs. Muneerah: "Allah Hafiz, Apa. See you soon." (Mrs. Muneerah hangs up and sits quietly for a moment. A plan forms in her mind: she'll let Aaliya go with Aliza on the trip and give the house staff some days off. Feeling satisfied, she calls her daughters into her room.) --- The Announcement (Aliza and Aaliya stand before their mother, waiting curiously. Aaliya clutches her packed bag, ready to leave. Mrs. Muneerah smiles warmly at her youngest daughter.) Mom: (Teasing) "Look at her, already packed and ready to go!" Aliza: (Grinning) "I think she misses Karachi more than we thought." Mom: "Aaliya, there's been a change of plans." Aaliya: (Blinking) "What do you mean?" Mom: "I could only get one seat on tonight's flight. So instead of coming with me, you'll go with Aliza on her trip." Aaliya: (Eyes wide) "Really? I get to go with Aapi?" Mom: (Smiling) "Yes, sweetie. I want you both to enjoy yourselves. Take care of each other." (Mrs. Muneerah pulls Rs. 70,000 from her closet and hands it to Aliza.) Mom: "Here, Aliza. This is for your travel expenses. Keep it safe." Aliza: (Taking the money) "Thanks, Mom. I'll call my friends and confirm everything." (The girls leave their mother's room, excitement bubbling between them. Aliza calls her friends, finalizing the trip for the next morning.) --- Evening Farewell (At 6:00 PM, Mrs. Muneerah finishes her tea and gets ready to leave for the airport. Aliza and Aaliya accompany her to see her off. At the airport, Mrs. Muneerah speaks with their driver, Feroz.) Mom: "Feroz, I'll be in Karachi for a few days. The girls are going on a trip with friends tomorrow, and I've given the house staff some time off. You can take a vacation too." Feroz: "Thank you, ma'am, but I'll stay close. I live nearby, and someone needs to keep an eye on things." (Mrs. Muneerah smiles gratefully and hugs her daughters goodbye. They watch her enter the terminal before heading back to the car.) --- Back Home: Trip Preparations (Back home, Aliza dials her friends.) Aliza: "Be at my place by 9 AM tomorrow. We leave right after breakfast." (Aaliya grins, practically bouncing with excitement. Aliza rolls her eyes affectionately.) Aliza: "Don't stay up too late, Aaliya. We're leaving early." Aaliya: (Saluting playfully) "Aye aye, captain!" (The night ends with the sisters eagerly packing their bags, their minds filled with thoughts of the adventure that awaits them.) --- (The scene fades as the house falls quiet, the sisters ready for a new day and a new journey.)

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