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One Wrong Step
“Sherry, you know what Ali said to me?” I turned back and gazed at Manahil with a reproaching glance. With that fierce look in my eyes, Manahil’s tongue came to a halt.
“Listen Manahil I don’t know and how many times am I supposed to tell you that I am not interested in your Alinama. Don’t you have anything else to talk about? You know very well how much I detest this topic and still you want me to share your feelings. Hasn’t your conscience indicated to you that you are on the wrong track? What you are doing is unethical. Your parents trust you and what are you up to? Eager to shatter their trust to tiny bits. Just think on these lines and decide for yourself either you want me to remain your best friend or Ali to be your boyfriend.”
“Sherry, don’t you think you are acting too harshly.”
“Enough Manahil. You have got only 12 hours to think so don’t waste time. Start pondering and bye for now.”
Oh readers, you might be confused with this conversation. Let me clarify, I am Sherry, Manahil’s best friend and college mate. Actually Manahil wanted to tell me something about her boyfriend. From the past three months she had been going out with this boy, Ali. I had told her many times to refrain from such activity but my pleas fell on deaf ears.
The next day she came to me and told me that I am acting severely and that I am being conservative. It’s actually me who is boring and I am not going according to the times. After saying this she went away. From that day both of us started avoiding each other and a wide gulf of strangeness came in between us.
A few days after that conversation we became complete strangers. My board exams were approaching so I engrossed myself in studies. After completing my college education I got busy with my professional studies.
A few days ago I saw Manahil while shopping. She was not like the one I parted with three years ago. She looked completely different. When she saw me she came forward and hugged me. I wasn’t expecting a hug from her because of the break-up. She took me to a nearby restaurant although I didn’t want to go with her. Then she started with her story of what happened during the past three years.
“Sherry, you know what?” Manahil started.
“Yup Manahil this time I do know,” I just cut her in between.
“Know what?” She asked a little baffled.
“I know that I was right and the thing I was foreseeing came true. That person ditched you. He was just having a good time with you. You have lost your parents’ trust because they have come to know everything and now you stand nowhere.”
“How did you know Sherry?” Manahil asked with tears rolling down her cheeks. I mean it’s all true.
“Manahil dear, it was quite obvious. Do you remember I used to repeat a statement every now and then and that used to annoy you? ‘One wrong step of a girl leads her to destruction’. I knew you were wrong and that your enjoyment would turn your life upside down.”
“Sherry, my family is still dubious about my character. My past has overshadowed my future. My life is like hell. I regret what I did but I know it’s too late,” she said dolefully.
“Manahil it’s never too late. Try to regain your parents’ trust. Ok I have to leave now. Bye.”
“Sherry can we still be friends?” Manahil asked.
“No,” I replied.
“But,” she cut me in between “just now you said it’s never too late.”
“Yeah it’s never too late but in some issues it’s always late,” I said and moved on.
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