In Memoriam
My young friend and confidante
Fayza Haq
When I first saw Novera, I had no notion that we would become fast friends. Yet we were. As we worked together in the culture page, and I got to know her through her courtship, marriage and the experiences that we shared with our assignments and our work at the office, I realised that she was a wonderful person, with a warm and generous personality. Even when she bore a petulant face, which was seldom, her eyes always lit up with joie de vivre. With her shining eyes and curly top, she won the hearts of all whom she encountered in the office.Novera came only once or twice to my house but her presence charmed everyone at home. We went out together twice or thrice but I'll never forget the moments. We went to the costume jeweller's shop and to an exhibition for costume jewelry. Novu, as I called her, had a fascination for costume jewelry, and we often discussed the topic. We gazed at the ads on the computer and shared our likes and dislikes. We talked about clothes, friendship, dating, families, books, music, and what you will. She was years younger than me but I never felt it. Once I was in a tight position when defending one of my writings, and it was Novera who came to my rescue. I will always be grateful to her for that. Sometimes when going home, she gave me lifts and paid the fare herself. I felt she could read my mind when looking at my face. That can only happen when the other person is truly a good friend. When I was full of anger and desperation she would say something utterly funny and make me laugh and forget my cross mood . As we shared our lunch-time at the office cafeteria, with others in the group, she was the life of the gossip and banter sessions. I have never met anyone so full of life. She had many friends both in and outside the office. Sometimes, just for fun, we said foul things about our work, but now, when I look back, all that was pure jollity. Intelligent, hard working, and full of daring, she would surely have made one of the best female reporters in our country. In the moments we could catch being together, despite the pressure of work, I got to know about her family, college and university friends, and her many likes and dislikes. Apart from writing, she could draw and sing well. She read copiously whenever she had the time. When she got married, she made herself useful in the kitchen by experimenting with intricate dishes. She sewed her own clothes, too, even though the fitting of these "shalwar-kameezes" may not have been all that experimental. I found her a fascinating friend and colleague. I will always treasure the moments with her, with her sparkling eyes and ready smile.
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