The Life of a Single Working Woman in Islamabad
Chapter 25 of “Hold On”: Bhara Kahu 2016
(N.B. I’m writing a novel, a chapter a week, here on Medium. Find out why I write here, start from Chapter 1 here, and always feel free to give me feedback in the comments. I write here for the community.)
Hira’s life took a new turn when she moved to Bhara Kahu to live with a woman from her neighborhood who worked as a nurse in Islamabad. Her family was quite concerned about Hira moving to Islamabad by herself for work. Her mother mentioned that a woman from the next street works as a nurse in Islamabad. Hira’s mother approached the woman, who revealed that she had rented a room in Bhara Kahu and was willing to share it with Hira. Her parents felt more at ease knowing she would be living with someone from their neighborhood. Hira was filled with mixed emotions as she embarked on this journey of independence, excited to start her new job, but apprehensive about the challenges she would face.
Every day, Hira had to endure a long and exhausting commute from Bhara Kahu to the F8 sector of Islamabad, changing two vans, and spending a significant amount of money and time. The constant jostling and noise in the crowded vans left her feeling drained, with a commute that took an hour and thirty minutes each way. She would return home every evening, her body aching and her spirit dampened by the overwhelming exhaustion.
The harassment and inappropriate touching she faced during her commute made her feel vulnerable and powerless. Her heart would race with fear whenever she boarded a van, and she would wrap her arms around herself, trying to create an invisible barrier against the lewd advances. Living independently for the first time, Hira was too afraid to speak up against such harassment, as her mind was clouded with shame and confusion. She simply did not know how to speak up and protect herself, as that meant drawing attention to herself in a public space. All her life, she had been taught to become invisible in the streets, averting her eyes and rushing to her destination.
Her daily walk through the narrow, dilapidated street in Bhara Kahu was another nerve-wracking experience. The deserted street would make her feel small and exposed, and she would quicken her pace, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to reach her destination as fast as possible. Even the streets of F8 were deserted as not many people would be walking on unsafe and dilapidated walkways.
Hira had always heard about the serene and beautiful city of Islamabad, but it seemed like an unattainable dream, as she was trapped in a life dictated by financial constraints. Her heart ached with apprehension and dread as she thought about how she would have to endure this reality for at least three months during her probation period, determined to save Rs 20K per month to send back to her parents.
With the hope of a salary increase to Rs 75k, Hira worked tirelessly and dedicated herself to her job. Despite the mounting pressure, she persevered, fueled by love for her family and the desire to give them a better life.
However, the lack of internet access at her residence posed another challenge. She yearned to stay late in the office to avail the internet, but the fear of commuting alone late in the evening, from office to van stop and from drop stop to her shared room, held her back. Her attempts to work through her mobile hotspot were futile, as poor signal strength in her neighborhood made it nearly impossible.
Hira’s life in Bhara Kahu was a constant struggle between her dreams and the harsh reality she faced. Yet, she remained steadfast, hoping that one day her sacrifices would pay off, and she would finally be able to live the life she had always imagined in the beautiful city of Islamabad. Hira eagerly called Ahmad after joining her new office wanting to share her experiences with him. She exclaimed happily, “The office environment has been welcoming and supportive.’’ InfoTech’s CEO, Shehryar Zaidi, was a decent gentleman in his early 50s who had established the company 10 years ago after returning from the US, where he had studied and worked for 20 years. Passionate about giving back to Pakistan, he set up the tech company in Islamabad and employed around over two dozen computer science engineers, housing them on the ground floor and basement of his family home in F8 Islamabad, a property inherited from his grandfather.
Shehryar lived upstairs with his wife and daughter. His wife was a talented cake artist who crafted beautiful, artistic cakes and sold them through her Instagram page. Their daughter attended an elite school in Islamabad, studying for her A levels. Hira was assigned to work with an AI specialist who had been with Shehryar since the company’s inception. Her immediate boss welcomed her warmly, and she felt deeply moved by the respect and dignity she received from her new colleagues, even though she came from a humble background.
The work culture at InfoTech was very flat, with no apparent hierarchy. The company provided AI solutions for cities in the US, which Hira found fulfilling. Having completed some online computer vision and GIS courses, she was able to grasp the basics of the work quickly. Shehryar’s wife and father would often visit the office and interact with everyone. His wife greeted Hira warmly and asked, ‘’Hira, how about you join us for dinner someday? I have heard you have moved here all the way from Peshawar.” Hira was glad to accept the offer, overjoyed at the prospect of building friendships in an unfamiliar city.
As Hira embarked on this new chapter in her life, she and Ahmad shared their experiences and supported each other from afar. Ahmad told her about his progress at work, but he also expressed how much he missed his family and Hira. She reassured him that she had internet access in Islamabad and they could easily communicate through WhatsApp and long calls.’’ Hira encouraged Ahmad to focus on his achievements and the opportunities he had gained through his education and the creative environment he was in.
‘’Ahmad, look, we should be grateful for the blessings we have because now we can talk freely after this move to Islamabad. Once you return after completing your education, we will be together forever’’, Hira said. In the meantime, Hira and Ahmad cherished their deepened connection and the opportunities that life had presented to them, knowing that their love and support for each other would only grow stronger as they pursued their dreams.
