CHAPTER 5 - EVERY PROBLEM COMES WITH A SOLUTION

Ahmed found it difficult to cope without his loving wife and family. Years ago, he worked in the Middle East for a few years. But he was a bachelor back then, and he did not know what having a woman in life would mean. Now that he knows Aliza's effects on his life and her presence around him brought him joy and a new purpose, everything has changed.

He stayed in the men's hostel arranged by his office, which had two rooms and a shared bathroom. Ahmed would have preferred it happily if not for two more colleagues to share his room with. With the bit of cooking experience he had gained from his Middle East days, Ahmed managed to cook breakfast and a light meal for lunch before leaving for the office. But every day, after returning from the shower, he found himself left with the food at the bottom of the vessel because his colleagues took away a large sum of it for themselves. Ahmed was not keen on fighting back because he believed in coexisting, but it became more challenging daily. 

Some days, he found the trashcan overflowing with garbage and food waste. On other days, his roommates dumped their plates into the sink without washing them. They sometimes stole his T-shirts and even underwear in the context of being late for the office. He was slowly growing impatient towards their antics. Ahmed finally made it his resolution to leave the hostel and stay alone. 

The next day, just after calling Aliza and his parents from the corner booth, he set out in search of a rental flat. Maybe if he could find a decent one, he could bring Aliza here for a few days. And if his parents agreed, she might also stay a little longer until he got transferred back to his hometown.

The first landlord he met rejected him outright after asking for his name without even proceeding further, and Ahmed knew what it meant. A second one-storeyed building on the first floor looked perfect, but the renter denied saying he doesn't take in single men as tenants. When Ahmed said he would soon bring his wife, he told him he would consider renting him his flat if he brought his wife along. Two or three other owners rejected, quoting one of the same reasons, and by now, Ahmed was tired and contemplated getting adjusted to his roomies. 

On his way back to his room, he came across a 'for rent' board hung on a gate, a black slate with the rental details written with chalk. Ahmed reluctantly opened the gate and rang the doorbell. A lady in her late fifties donning a beautiful black Zari saree opened the door and let Ahmed in. Ahmed was impressed because she was the first landlord to let him in. And to top it off, she did not question his religious beliefs or marital status. She asked where he worked, where he came from, and if he would give her the rent before the 5th of every month. 

The house that Ahmed found was a one-storeyed building with a hall, room, kitchen and lawn. It overlooked the landlord's house and appeared so minuscule in comparison. Nevertheless, Ahmed was happy to have found a decent place for himself. He shifted into his new house the week after he visited his hometown. After all, finding a suitable rental house is like a match made in heaven.

To be continued…

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