'The entire family is happy for Haneef'

While it is celebration time at Dr Mohammed Haneef's house, the scene is quite the opposite at the residence of his cousins Kafeel and Sabeel Ahmed.

While Haneef batted for the parents (Dr Maqbool Ahmed and Dr Zakia Ahmed) of the duo stating that he would offer moral support to them, the parents refused to come out in the open and comment on Haneef.

Neighbours, however, say that Kafeel's mother, Dr Zakia Ahmed is happy for Haneef and prays that her sons too come out clean.

"The entire family is very happy and grateful to Allah that Haneef has been released," Sabeel's sister Sadiya Kausar said.

Dr Zakia and her husband are never seen outside the house. "They remain indoors all the time and hardly talk to anyone," a neighbour said.

Another neighbour who used to go on walks with Dr Zakia at a nearby park everyday says, "I miss her a lot. She has stopped coming for walks after this incident. She was such a jovial and strong lady, but this incident has taken all that away from her. Now she breaks down so easily and a day does not pass without her praying for her sons, who she feels should come out clean."

However at the moment there seems to be a ray of hope with Sabeel being granted consular access. She feels that the situation is easing out and hopes that her son too could return home like Haneef did.

Recalls a neighbour, "A day before news of Kafeel broke, Dr Zakia had said, "I am eager to see my children."

At present the parents have nothing but sympathy in the neighbourhood.

There seems to be a sense of gloom in area surrounding the house. "We understand what they must be going through. She was waiting to see her sons, but things took an ugly turn," a neighbour said.

Family friends say that the parents are still unable to believe that their children are involved in the attack. Deep within her heart the mother does think it could be Kafeel who drove the burning jeep in the attack. However, she seems confused on seeing the images on television and says that her son's face looks too fat and hence it may not be him.

As of now, it seems like an endless wait and all the mother does is pray and requests well wishers to do the same.