This story takes us back to a time when mobile phones weren’t yet common. In the university hostel, there were only two PTCL landlines, and whenever we got the chance, we would randomly dial numbers, hoping that maybe we would get through to some charming lady. Some of our friends had actually managed to make friends this way and took great pride in it.
By God’s grace, one day, I tried my luck and, to my surprise, a soft, melodious voice of a gentle lady emerged from the other end. For a moment, I lost my composure, but I told myself, “Don’t waste this chance.” Mustering all my courage and controlling my breath, which sounded like the rattling of a train, I said, "Hello," and in an improvised manner, I asked, "Is Gulab Chandio at home?" I prayed that no one by that name lived there. Luckily, my prayer was answered, and the reply came, "No, this is not Gulab’s house." I quickly said, "It seems like a wrong number, I apologize for bothering you." I explained that Gulab was a classmate, and we were supposed to work on a project together, but he hadn't shown up at the hostel yet, so I thought I’d call him.
In the most sweet, syrupy voice, she replied, "No problem at all."
Before she could hang up, I gathered more courage and said, “It seems like you might be a student too?” She responded, “Yes, I’m studying at a college.” My happiness knew no bounds as the conversation continued instead of her hanging up.
Now, a regular exchange began, and we even talked about our subjects.
This wrong number had now turned into an acquaintance, and we began calling each other frequently.
Our conversations started building a place in my heart, and love, like the sun, began to shine brightly, even blazing like a hot summer day. Finally, I expressed my feelings in some way, and the charming lady expressed her desire to meet, but only for a brief glimpse from afar. I took her home address, put on a checkered shirt and borrowed jeans from a friend, donned sunglasses, and borrowed a motorbike, as I had bragged to her about looking like Waheed Murad (a famous Pakistani actor) and being as dashing as Sunny Deol (a Bollywood star). The only issue was that I didn’t know how to ride a motorbike, so after much pleading, a friend agreed to ride with me. I sat behind him, and I even gave her the motorbike’s number so she could recognize us easily.
Finally, we reached the street of my beloved. She was standing by the window. Oh, what a delicate and beautiful sight she was, even more so with her light blue dress, which made her look like an angel from heaven. She waved, and we, looking around to avoid suspicion, waved back. Returning to the hostel, my heart was restless. I thought, "Let me ask her how I looked," so I called her and asked, "How did I look?" She was overjoyed and enthusiastically replied, “You looked so handsome! I never imagined you would be that good-looking. But who was that monkey sitting behind you???”