Bas meri mohabbat hi na samajh ayi ussey
Baki har galti ka hisab rakhti hai woh.

•••

Tum bhi ishq kamal karte ho
Pehle barbad karte ho, fir sawal karte ho

•••

"Mamma, bas! Hum itna nahi kha payenge." On breakfast table, when Rubab refilled Ayat's plate again with food, she exclaimed, putting her hands over her plate so Rubab won't put more food.

(Mamma, enough, I can not eat this much.)

"Aaj kal aap bohot kam kha rahi hain, Ayat. Weight dekha hai apna, kitni kamzor ho gayi ho. Batak jaise munh ho gaya hai apka, kha lijiye yeh sab." Rubab didn't hear a word from her, as she filled her glass with juice.

(You are eating less these days, Ayat. Have you check your weight, you look weak. Your face is as small as a duck. You have to eat all of this.)

"But humse itna nahi khaya jayega." Ayat made an innocent face.

(But I can not eat this much.)

"Mamma, don't force feed her, she will throw up. Jitna amount woh kha rahi hain kafi hai unke liye, uppar se woh medicines bhi toh le rahi hain." Ayla told her mother, she was eating her breakfast alone. Azrin demanded to eat breakfast with Kaif today, Ayla had to take her to Huzaifa's house. Rukhsar invited her too, but Ayla refused. Now, she felt alone, she was used to feeding Azrin breakfast.

(She is eating enough for her nutrients. And she takes medicines too.)

"Toh fir yeh din ba din itni kamzor kyu ho rahi hain? Ankhein dekhiye, itne dark circles toh panda ke bhi nahi hote." Sitting down, Rubab asked to Ayla.

(Then why she is getting weak? Look at her eyes, even Pandas don't have this huge dark circles.)

"Batak! Ab Panda? Aap log ko sarey janwar humi mein kyu dikhte hain?" Ayla and Rubab ignored her whining.

(Duck! Now Panda? Why do you see all animals in me?)

"Shayad stress ki wajah se." Looking at Ayat, Ayla guessed.

(Maybe because of stress.)

"Haan, stress toh bohot hai." Ayat nods her head, thinking about Kabir and Shyra, all night she thought of what she could do to help them, but no idea came to her mind. Just one, she has to make soft spot in Shyra's heart for Kabir, but how? She needs to figure this out.

(Yes, I am stressed.)

Ayla gave Rubab a pointed look, then left, she didn't feel like eating anything.

"Kaisa stress?" Rubab asked.

(What are you stressed about?)

"Aap nahi samjhogi, 2 zindagiyo ka sawal hai." Picking up the juice glass, Ayat told her.

(You won't understand, it is about 2 lives.)

"Balki 2 kyu? 4, hum bhi toh hain." She whispered to herself. Now, thinking about Hanan. Her whisper was audible enough to reach Rubab's ears.

(In fact 4 lives, not 2.)

"Kon 2 4 zindagi? Ayat, aap kya keh rahi hain?" Rubab was confused.

(What 2 4 lives? Ayat, what are you saying?)

"Woh... woh hum Barfi ki baat kar rahe the, aur unki family. Pata nahi kiske ghar ke hain, waha kya khate hain kya nahi, hum toh yaha jo banta hai de dete hain kahi koi cheez unhe nuksan na kar de."

(I... I am talking about Barfi and his family. I don't whom he belongs to, or what he eats there, I feed him whatever food I've, what if he is allergic to something?)

"Aap bhi, Ayat." Rubab tch at her. "Hume laga kuch serious hai. Aur Barfi ki tension na lein aap, unhe kya khane ke liye dena hai, kya nahi, apse zyada kon janega. Kuch nahi hoga Barfi ko."

(Really, Ayat?)

(I thought it's something serious. And don't worry about Barfi, who would better than you what to feed him.)

Ayat didn't say anything, nodding her head, she again focuses on eating. Her stomach was now empty after all the talking.

•••

"Fuppi... aap kahi ja rahi hain?" Ayat went to Hamna's house after breakfast, thinking of spending time with Shyra, but found them ready to go out.

(Are you going somewhere?)

"Nahi main nahi ja rahi, Shyra shopping ke liye le ja rahi hai Beena aur Esha ke sath." Hamna told her, smiling.

(I am not going anywhere. Shyra is going on shopping with Beena and Esha.)

"Kyu?" Ayat looked at Shyra, who looked disturbed, she didn't want to go out and it was clear by her face.

(Why?)

"Shadi ki shopping ke liye. Din hi kitne bache." Hamna said.

(For wedding shopping. Not many days have left.)

"Haan! Zyada din toh nahi bache." Ayat nods her head, thinking hard.

(Yes! Not many days have left.)

"Ayat! Tum toh iss waqt akeli hoti hona ghar pe, tum bhi Shyra ke sath chali jao, dil behel jayega." Hamna suggested, misreading Ayat's face. She thought Ayat was bored that's why she came here, and now she is upset because Shyra is going out.

(Ayat, you usually are alone at this time, why don't you go out with Shyra. You will enjoy.)

"Hum?" Ayat looked at Shyra, who shrugged her shoulders. "Hum taiyyar hoke atey hain." Showing off her teeth, Ayat said and left.

(I?)

(I will get ready.)

•••

Ayat wore a floral yellow kurti and white trousers, putting the dupatta on her shoulder, she recalled Hanan's words when she wore a same coloured jeans top.

"Yeh mango ice cream ke alawa aur koi colour nahi mila tumhe?" They were teenagers back then, and Hanan used to compare her with most bizarre things. Mango ice cream, naagin, tea cup (because of her short height.) and his most favourite- Chuhiya.

(Why are you dressed up as mango ice cream?)

Shaking her head negatively, Ayat wore her slippers and left her room.

•••

When Shyra and Ayat reached shopping mall, Shyra started walking toward the entrance, while Ayat turned to the driver.

"Bhai, aap ghar wapas jaye, hume time lagega, kya pata ghar pe koi zaroorat ajaye apki. Hum apko call karke bula lenge."

(Bhai, you can return home. We will take time. What if someone might need you at home, we will call you once we are done with shopping.)

Nodding his head, he drove off.

"Kya hua? Driver kaha gaye?" Shyra asked to Ayat, when they entered the mall.

(What happened? Where did the driver go?)

"Woh... ghar se call agayi thi." Making an excuse, Ayat took out her phone, and started walking forward to avoid answering more questions of Shyra's.

(He... got a call from home.)

To Ayat's luck, Shyra met her cousins and got busy with them.

Shyra's cousins were more excited for shopping than Shyra. With them, Ayat learned one thing, she would not accomplish them again for shopping.

Tiredly, she sat on the sofa, while Shyra went to trial room to try fitting of a dress which she liked.

Esha was doing her own shopping, while Beena was asking Ayat's opinion on two dresses which she was holding.

"Blue mera favourite colour hai, lekin abhi maine Rayed bhai aur Hania ki shadi mein blue hi pehna tha, lekin pink mein yeh dress itna achha nahi lag raha." Beena was saying, but every word of her dodge Ayat.

(Blue is my favourite, but I just wore blue to Rayed bhai and Hania's wedding, but I don't think this dress looks good in pink.)

"Koi aur colour dekh lein?" Confusingly, Ayat suggested.

(Why don't you buy another colour?)

"Sahi keh rahi ho." Beena seem to like her idea, putting those two dresses back, she went to check out other dresses.

(You are right?)

Boredly, Ayat looked at the glass door of the boutique.

Ayat's eyes gleamed when she saw Kabir entering from there. Instantly , she stood up.

"Shukar, Kabir bhai, aap agaye, hum bore ho rahe the." Going to him, she told him.

(Thank you, Kabir bhai, you are here. I was bored.)

"Itni emergency mein kyu bulaya sab theek haina?" Kabir was taking long breath, as if he has ran. Which he had in the mall to reach the boutique. Ayat's msg was short and to the point, asking him to come to the mall as soon as possible, scaring him that something might have happened.

(Why did you call me here in such an emergency? Is everything okay?)

"Haan! Sab theek hai. Hum bore ho rahe the toh humne apko bula liya." Casually, Ayat nods her head.

(Yeah! Everything is fine. I was just getting bored so I called you.)

Kabir looked at her with blank expression. She was bored? "Ayat, main office se yaha bhag ke aya hoon."

(I literally ran from office to come here.)

"Aap bhage kyu? Car se ajate." She replied in same tone as his, and again went to sit where she was sitting earlier.

(Why did you run? You could have come by car.)

Having no option left, he went to sit with her. "Waise tum aunty aur Ayla api ke sath shopping pe ati hi kyu ho jab bore hoti ho." Crossing his arms over his chest, he grumpily asked.

(Why you come to shopping with aunty and Ayla api if you get bored easily.)

"Hum mamma ke sath nahi aye hain..." Before she could say anything further, Shyra came out from the trial room, wanting to ask Beena and Esha's opinion on that dress, but they both were nowhere in sight.

(I didn't come here with mamma...)

Kabir was the first one who saw her, blinking, he stood up.

Shyra was wearing a deep sea green pishwas with embellishments and floral embroidery, the multi hue dupatta was casually put on her right shoulder, her hair open which she put on other shoulder.

Kabir felt as if his heart skipped a beat. She looks mesmerising.

Kabir and Shyra's gaze were locked with each other, completely unaware of their surroundings.

"Achhi lag rahi haina Shyra?" Ayat's voice broke their trance, she looking at them with huge grin, wiggling her eyebrows.

(Shyra looks beautiful?)

This made Shyra glare at her, while Kabir sheepishly looked away, scratching his head.

"Shyra... wow, bohot pyari lag rahi ho tum." Esha came there, looking at Shyra from head to toe, she whistles.

(Shyra... wow, you look beautiful.)

"Kabir, aap?" Same time, Beena came from other direction, she first noticed Kabir, as her eyes got stuck on him.

(Kabir, you?)

"Woh... Ayat ne bulaya tha..." Kabir felt awkward between them.

(Ayat called me...)

He was used to going on shopping with Rehnuma, Ayla, Ayat, and Shyra. But with Beena and Esha, he felt weird. Esha eas definitely giving him a judging look

"Achha haina." Beena smiled, "Aap agaye toh..."

(That's good.)

(Now you are here then...)

"Beena!" Whatever Beena was about to say, she couldn't, as Shyra called her warningly.

Now Shyra was under Beena and Esha's attention, as they looked at her questioningly.

"Hume itna awkward kyu lag raha hai." Ayat whispered to Kabir.

(Why I am feeling awkward?)

"Tell me about it." Kabir whispered back.

"Hum Kabir bhai ke sath food court ja rahe hain." Ayat announced, as she could not stand there anymore.

(I am going to food court with Kabir bhai.)

•••

"Waise Beena bata rahi thi ki Basim bhai ki mummy ne bohot pyara lehenga liya hai Shyra ke liye nikkah ka..." Ayat was relishing the chocolate cake, as well as telling Kabir, she wasn't looking at him though.

(Beena was telling that Basim bhai's mother bought a really beautiful wedding dress for Shyra...)

"Kyu dil jala rahi ho, Ayat." Holding a cup of tea, which he didn't even sip, Kabir mumbles. The fact that Shyra is here for her wedding shopping didn't sit well with him.

(Why are you making me jealous, Ayat?)

Ayat's hand, which was taking the spoon to her mouth, stopped, as she looked at Kabir. "Ab dil jalane ka fyada? Jab mouka tha apne hi Shyra ko kaha Basim achhe hain, ab modern day Majnu banne ka koi fyada nahi."

(What's the point in getting jealous? You are the one who told Shyra to marry Basim, he is a nice guy. No need to become a modern Romeo now.)

Kabir did not reply her. Sipping his tea, he looked at the other side. His brain formed a image of Shyra in bridal attire.

Ivory and gold lehenga with embroidery of tilla work which fitted her body perfectly well, he couldn't take a glimpse of her face, which was hidden behind a beil, he can tell she looked beautiful. Kabir soon broke out of his imagination when saw Basim beside Shyra.

"Kya hua?" Ayat, who saw him shudder, asked.

(What happened?)

He shook his head.

Before Ayat could say anything further, her phone started ringing.

"Shyra ki call hai..." She told him, and stared eating her cake quickly, then received the call.

(Shyra's calling...)

"Chalein?" She didn't receive the call, she automatically assumed Shyra is calling them back.

(Let's go.)

•••

Basim came to pick Beena and Esha,

"Ho gayi tum log ki shopping puri?" While taking the shoppers from Beena, Basim asked, looking at Shyra, who was standing beside Kabir, looking down.

(Are you guys done with your shopping?)

"Abhi kaha, mujhe toh kuch bhi samajh nahi aya." Esha answered, while giving him her shoppers too. Despite not liking anything here, she had 5 shopping bags.

(Not yet, I didn't like anything here.)

Kabir looked between between Shyra and Basim, then came forward to stand in front of Shyra, blocking Basim's view.

"Kabir! Sorry, didn't notice you." Basim got startled by Kabir's glare, mustering a smile, he said.

"Nazro ko thora kabu mein rakhoge toh aas paas ke log bhi dikhenge." Muttering, Kabir took his hand forward to shake.

(You will if you'll control your eyes.)

Ayat was strongly hit by a memory when Hanan met Ahmed, how tightly Hanan held Ahmed's hand that made his hand red.

Right now, Ayat could tell that Kabir put extra pressure on the handshake.

Both are same. Ayat thought.

When Kabir left Basim's hand, Basim quietly massaged it to soothe the pain.

"Chalein?" Kabir turned to Ayat and Shyra, and asked.

(Shall we?)

"Lunch ka time ho raha hai, why don't you all join us for lunch?" Beena, who was noticing her brother's longing look at Shyra, suggested to Kabir, expectedly.

(It's already time for lunch, why don't you all join us for lunch?)

"Nahi, maine Maama se kaha tha lunch se pehle ajaungi." Shyra spoke for the first time, glaring at Kabir.

(No, I told mamma that I will be back before lunch.)

"Woh, chachi bhi toh bula rahi thi Shyra ko, dress ki fitting ke liye? Shyra, tum humare sath chalo, baad mein Basim bhai tumhe drop kar denge." Esha suggested.

(Chachi was calling Shyra for dress fitting? Shyra, why don't you come with us, Basim bhai will drop you later.)

"Nahi! Humare khandan mein shadi se pehle larkiyan apne sasural nahi jati." Kabir answered on the behalf of Shyra, then he again turned to Shyra and Ayat. "Car mein jake baitho."

(No! In our family, girls don't go to their in-law's house before marriage.)

"But... Shyra toh humare khandan ki hai." Basim mumbles when he saw them going away.

(But... Shyra is from our family.)

•••

Sitting on the backseat, Ayat tried to wave the awkward tension around the car. Both Shyra and Kabir were glaring at each other from time to time, in this moment, Ayat wished she could just disappear. Or she had Doreamon's anywhere door.

Taking a deep breath out, she looked outside of the window, sound of music hit her ears. She looked in front and saw Kabir turned on the radio station.

Kabhi hua yeh bhi
Khali Rahon pe bhi
Tu tha mere saath

Kabhi tujhe milke lauta...

The song was turned off abruptly by Shyra.

"Kya problem hai?" Kabir's frustrated voice came.

(What's your problem?)

"Mujhe gana nahi sunna." Shyra replied in the same tone as his.

(I don't want to listen song.)

Soon, the argument break between them. The anger they had was coming out over a petty thing.

"Meri car hai, mujhe sunna hai."

(It's my car, I will play song.)

"Main bhi baithi hoon, mujhe nahi sunna."

(I am also sitting in it, I don't wanna listen anything.)

"Song chalega."

(I will play a song.)

"Nahi chalega."

(You won't.)

"Meri car hai."

(It's my car.)

"Abhi roko car, mujhe nahi jana tumhare sath."

(Stop the car, I don't want to go anywhere with you.)

"Aap log, plesse jhagra na kare..." Meekly, Ayat told them.

(You guys, please don't argue...)

"Tum chup raho."

(You shut up.)

"Ayat, tum mat bolo." Shyra and Kabir said at the same time.

(Ayat, don't say anything.)

Huffing, Ayat crossed her arms over her chest. Now, she understands how everyone around her felt when she and Hanan used to argue over the smallest things.

•••

"Ayla! Hospital nahi gayi?" Rubab looked at Ayla, who was sitting in the lounge, then at the wall clock. It was past afternoon.

Ayla comes home when Azrin gets off from school, after having lunch with Azrin, when Ayla put her for afternoon nap, it is when she left for hospital again, but today, she was still here.

(Ayla, you didn't go to the hospital?)

"Kya hua?" Sitting beside her, Rubab asked.

(What happened?)

"Kuch nahi." Ayla held her forehead in her hand, softly massaging it, as she answered.

(Nothing.)

"Azrin kaha hai?"

(Where is Azrin?)

"Kaif ke sath. Unhe Kaif ke sath lunch karna tha." Ayla mumbles.

(With Kaif. She wanted to eat lunch with him.)

Now, Rubab understands why Ayla looked upset.

"Aap... are you jealous?" Slowly, Rubab asked.

"Of course not." Ayla got offended by her words.

When Rubab gave her a knowing look, Ayla took a defeated sigh. "I am not jealous, bas... Azrin aur hum hamesha sath rahe hain, lekin aaj kal unhe har cheez mein Kaif chahiye, breakfast unke sath karna hai, lunch bhi, playtime bhi unhi ke sath spend karti hain. I feel left out."

(Azrin and I were always together, but these days, she wanna do everything with Kaif. She wants to have breakfast with him, lunch, she even spends her playtime with him.)

"Ayla! Azrin ne kabhi baap ki mohabbat mehsoos nahi ki, ab jab unhe woh pyar mil raha hai toh woh chahti hain zyada se zyada woh Kaif ke sath rahe, ki kahi yeh pyar unse firse na chinn jaye. Kaif ne bhi Azrin ki zindagi ke 5 saal miss kiye hain, zahir hai woh bhi chahte hain Azrin ke sath time spend karna. Apko bura nahi lagna chahiye yeh, unn dono mein se koi apko mana toh nahi kar raha waha jane se. Azrin Kaif ke sath lunch karna chahti hain toh aap bhi sath chali jati..."

(Ayla! Azrin never experienced a father's love before, now that she is getting Kaif's love, she wants to spend as much time as she can with him. Afraid that he will leave again. Kaif has also missed the 5 years of Azrin's life, he wants to spend more time with her. You shouldn't feel bad, they both never refused you to join them. If Azrin wanted to eat lunch with Kaif, you could have gone with her too...)

"Itna asan nahi hai." Frustratedly, Ayla exclaimed. "Aur hume bura nahi lag raha hai ki Azrin..."

(It's not that easy.)

(And I don't feel bad that Azrin...)

Ayla's sentence was interrupted in the middle when Rukhsar's maid came there.

"Ayla! Woh Azrin seedhi se gir gayi." Hastily, she informed her.

(Azrin fell from stairs.)

"What? Kaise?" Ayla felt her body turning cold by this news, standing up, she ran to Huzaifa's house, Rubab followed after her.

(How?)

When she reached Huzaifa's house, the first thing she heard was Azrin's loud cries, and Kaif's comforting words. She went to living room and found Azrin sitting on Kaif's lap, crying loudly while hugging him. Her face was hidden in his chest. Hugging her back, Kaif was trying to calm her. Rukhsar was sitting beside them, holding a tissue which was covered in blood.

"Kya hua? Kaise giri Azrin?" Going to them, Ayla questioned.

(What happened? How did Azrin fall?)

"Azrin!" Sitting on the floor in front of them, Ayla called her.

"Mamma!" This was the first time Azrin took her face out from Kaif's chest, as she extended her arms out for Ayla.

Taking Azrin in her arms, Ayla stood up and examine her body, she was fine, but there was a nasty cut on her lips which was bleeding.

"Kaise lagi chot? Aap kaha tha dhyan nahi de sakte the?" Accusingly, Ayla looked at Kaif.

(How did she get hurt? Where were you?)

"Main woh phone..." Kaif, who was still shook by Azrin's blood, and cries, got startled, as he tried to answer.

(I was on the call...)

"Phone!" Ayla scoff. "Itna apko maloom hona chahiye bachho ko complete attention deni chahiye. Lekin apko kaise maloom hoga, itna saal mein toh kabhi the nahi yaha Azrin ka khayal rakhne ke liye."

(You should known better than to leave her alone. But how would you know, you were never here to take care of Azrin.)

"Ayla!" Rubab called her in scolding manner. "Bachho ko itni chot lagti rehti hai."

(Kids get hurt a lot.)

Ayla did not say anything, she left the house with Azrin.

•••

"Aur tum jo Basim se aise baat kar rahe the? Bura laga hoga unhe." Entering the house, Shyra told to Kabir, who was walking just after her.

(And how did you talk to Basim? What if he gets offended by your words.)

"Ussey zyada toh tumhe bura lag raha hai."

(You seem more offended by it.)

"Zahir hai, fiancee hain mere, mujhe bura kyu nahi lagega?" Turning to him, Shyra told him.

(Of course I am, he is my fiancee, why won't I be offended?)

"Shyra, tum..." Rage filled Kabir's body on the word of fiancee, but before he could say anything else, Ayat walked off from between them, making them stumble.

(You?)

They first looked at Ayat's walking figure, then glare at each other. Scoffing, Shyra left for her house.

"Isko kya tumhare mangetar ke sar pe jake maru?" Kabir shouted behind her, while raising his hands in air which was holding her shopping bags.

(Should I throw these on your fiancee's head?)

•••

"Ayla, aap ne Kaif se jo kaha bohot galat tha, apko aise baat nahi karni chahiye thi." When Ayat entered her house, she heard Rubab's scolding voice.

(Ayla, what you said to Kaif was very wrong.)

But she didn't think about it, going to the lounge where Rubab and Ayla were, Ayat threw her body on sofa, groaning. "Mamma, humara sar bohot dard kar raha hai, kaise bachho ki tarah larhte hain yeh dono."

(Mamma, my head is aching, they fight like kids.)

She put her palm on her forehead, taking deep breath in and out to calm herself.

"Kon dono?" Both Ayla and Rubab's attention went on Ayat, her face was red, this made both of them worried.

(Who?)

"Shyra Kabir."

Ayat never thought her good deed will trouble her this much, she thought of helping those two with their love story, but only if she knew she had to endure their bickering, she would have back off earlier.

"Ap toh Shyra ke sath gayi thi na, Kabir kaha se agaye?" Confusingly, Rubab asked.

(You went out with Shyra, where did Kabir come from?)

"Humne bulaya tha. Galti kardi bula ke... mamma, pani toh de dein." Her throat was dry, as she gulped saliva down to wet it, but it pierced her throat, she turned to Rubab and made innocent face.

(I called him. I made a huge mistake... mamma, give me water.)

"Abhi late hain." Rubab went to the kitchen.

(I will bring it.)

"Api, yeh blood..." Ayat's eyes fall on Ayla, whose blue kurti was stained by blood on the shoulder, she got scared seeing blood.

"Yeh... woh Azrin ko chot lag gayi thi." Ayla glance at her shoulder and informed her.

(Azrin got hurt, this is her blood.)

"Kaise? Kaisi hain woh?" Ayat sat up straight and asked, her eyes expanded in fear.

(How? How is she now?)

"Gir gayi thi woh..."

(She fell down...)

"Ya Allah! woh theek hain? Kaha hain woh?"

(Oh my god! Is she okay? Where she is now?)

"Theek hain, so rahi hain abhi. Jump kar rahi thi stairs pe, gir gayi." Ayla told her everything.

(She is fine, sleeping right now. She was jumping on stairs,)

"Shukar, theek hain." Ayla was calm, it assured Ayat that Azrin is indeed fine, she took a relief breath out, leaning back.

(Thank god she is fine.)

•••

After Azrin slept at night, Ayla went to kitchen to make tea for herself, her head was throbbing in pain. Azrin's bloody lips scared her a lot. There were many times when Azrin got hurt, but she never shed any blood. This was the first time, and Ayla, who has seen worst of the worst cases in her patients, couldn't bear it when her daughter's lips was bleeding. She didn't go to hospital afterwards, and stayed with Azrin all the time.

When tea was ready, pouring it into the cup, she went to the terrace.

Before she could go to her favourite spot on the backside of the terrace, she found Kaif was already there, sipping tea.

Instanly, she turned back to leave, but stop when recalled Rubab's words. She again turned to look at Kaif, who was unaware of her presence. With slow steps, she went to him.

"Ayla!" He was surprised to see her. She stood a little far away, but close enough for him to see her properly, since he has come, she didn't come in front of him, neither he went out to her, both were trying to avoid each other. But tonight, seeing her close to him, made his heart beat again, as if it hadn't been the same before. Ayla looked the same, her alluring face gleaming under the moonlight, the warmth of her eyes was same as ever. For a moment, Kaif felt as if nothing have changed, they are their past selves which came here to meet. He break out from his thoughts when he saw her hesitation. His Ayla was never hesitant with him.

Ayla didn't say anything, she sat down on the floor, with a little distance away from him.

Taking a sip of her tea, she pretended as if she couldn't feel his eyes on her. When Kaif saw she was not going to give him any attention, he again looked at the sky.

"I am sorry." She said in undertone. Kaif would not have heard it if they weren't alone.

"What?" Kaif looked at her.

"Don't make me say it again. You know I don't like saying sorry." Putting the cup down, she glance at him.

"Lekin tum sorry kyu keh rahi ho?" Kaif smiled at her grumpy mood, she hadn't changed much.

(But why are you saying sorry?)

"Hume dophar mein apse iss tarah se baat nahi karni chahiye thi."

(I shouldn't have talked to you like that in the evening.)

"Tumne kuch jhoot toh nahi kaha tha. Sach hi tha. Mujhe nahi pata Azrin ko kaise handle karna hota hai. Mujhe yun ussey akela chorhke call receive nahi karni chahiye thi." Looking away from her, Kaif assured her that it didn't matter. But it did, only he knows how much it have hurt him that he wasn't here for Azrin and her for 5 years, he doesn't know what his daughter likes to eat, or what her favourite cartoon is. He doesn't know anything about Azrin.

(Whatever you said wasn't a lie. It was truth. I don't know how to handle Azrin. I shouldn't have left her to receive call.)

Ayla's eyes filled with tears, knowing very well what Kaif is thinking right now. It made her feel guilty, in her jealousy, she forgot that Kaif has all rights to spend time with Azrin.

Clearing her throat, she looked at her tea. "I didn't mean it, Kaif. Isme apki bilkul bhi galti nahi thi. Azrin ko aksar chot lagti rehti hai, bohot shararti hai, jis kaam ke liye mana karo wahi karna hota hai."

(It wasn't your fault. Azrin always get hurts. She is very mischievous, she would always do what you tell her not to do.)

"Shararti toh nahi hai, I think adventurous hai, tumhari tarah. Jiske liye aunty mana karti thi tumhe wahi karna hota tha ki kyu mana kiya."

(She isn't mischievousl, she is adventurous like you. Remember if Aunty used to you forbid you from doing anything, you always end up doing the same thing to see why she told you not to.)

"Mamma aur tayi ammi kehti hain yeh apki adat thi." Gasping, Ayla said. This made Kaif laugh a whole heartedly.

(Mamma and tayi jaan say this was your habit.)

When it was only three of them, Kaif, Rehnuma, and Ayla, they gave handful of time to everyone in the haveli, until Hanan and Kabir were born. After it, when Kabir and Hanan started following their footsteps, the trio felt a sense of responsibilities for it and started behaving properly, but it was too late, Hanan and Kabir were two steps ahead of them.

There was still silent between them, as the both drank their tea.

Kaif recalled how they both used to meet here before their rukhsati, sharing the details of their day.

Ayla's mind was stuck on the day when Kaif left her and Azrin, when he didn't even wait for her to get conscious. She wanted to complain about it, but held herself back, they have no such a relationship where she can complain to him.

Ayla felt her throat dry, to soothe it, she thought of drinking her tea, but then realised the cup was now empty,

Sniffing, she put the cup down.

Kaif looked at her. "Ab tak pareshaan ho?" He asked, thinking she is upset because Azrin is hurt.

(You are still worried?)

"Hum hamesha se chahte the aap wapas ajaye, hum nahi chahte the ki Azrin apke beena badi ho." Shaking her head, she told him, honestly.

(I always wanted you to return. I never wanted Azrin to grow up without you.)

"Main bhi ana chahta tha, lekin main tumhe koi aur takleef nahi dena chahta tha." Kaif turned to her, and started saying. "Main janta tha main agar yaha rehta toh tum kabhi move on na kar pati, paas rehta toh tumhe baar baar wahi aziyat yaad ati jo maine tumhe di thi."

(I wanted to come too, but, I didn't want to hurt you again.)

(I knew if I stayed here, you won't able to move on, if I had been here, you will keep remembering the pain I gave you.)

Ayla didn't know when tears brimmed in her eyes, as she started crying because of Kaif's words.

All these years, she tried to hate him for leaving her, but hearing it from his mouth why he left, made her realise she could never hate him.

"Humare sukoon ke liye apne khud ke liye akelapan qubool kar liya?"

(Because of my peace, you made yourself isolated from others?)

"Pyar karta hoon tumse, Ayla." Without a blink, Kaif said. "Tumhare sath tha toh kabhi tumhare liye kuch kar nahi paya, bas hamesha tumhari takleef ki wajah bana raha. Isliye socha tumse durr reh kar tumhari zindagi asan kardu."

(I love you, Ayla.)

(When we were together, I never did anything for you, I was always the reason behind your misery. That's why I thought me being away from you was better.)

"Well..." Wiping her tears, Ayla tried to controlled her heart. "You were wrong. Apke yaha na hone se bhi hume koi sukoon nahi mila."

(I wasn't at peace after you left.)

"Kissey puchke jane ka faisla kiya tha apne? Kissey puchke khula ke paper sign kiye the? Humare hosh mein aney ka intezar nahi kar sakte the aap? Agar aap intezar kar lete toh..." Ayla stopped talking, she has buried these complains in her heart for 5 years.

(Who told you to leave? Who told you to signed those papers? Couldn't you have waited for me to regain conscious? If you had waited then...)

"Toh?"

(Then?)

"Aaj hum teeno ki zindagi aisi na hoti." She whispers, looking into his eyes.

(We three would have lived a different life.)

Then she left, without turning back, while Kaif looked at her going away from him.

•••

"Mummy! Mummy! Hadd hoti hai kisi cheez ki." Angrily, Hanan left his room and climbed down the stairs, calling for Khushnuma.

(Mummy! Mummy! There is limit to everything.)

Khushnuma, who was in living room, stood up to check on him, but before she could go to him, he came there.

"Hanan! Kya hua?" She asked.

(Hanan! What happened?)

"Ayat ko samjha le hadd mein rahe apni." Hanan was full of rage, he didn't notice his surrounding.

(Tell Ayat to behave.)

He was done with Ayat's silly pranks. In just three days, she has pulled numerous prank on him. Yesterday, he was getting ready, when he picked his freshly ironed shirt from the bed, he saw the backside of the shirt was badly burned. He had to call the maid and ask her how she got it burn. The maid herself was confused, she ironed it neatly. Hanan instantly knew it was Ayat.

Then once, when he was wearing his shoe, it made a weird squishy sound, as he felt something on his toe, looking inside the shoe, he found Azrin's squishy duck in it.

Last night, when he told maid to make black coffee for him, it had black pepper in it, which burned his mouth. Once again, Maid knew nothing. How she is doing this. Hanan was confused, because not once she stepped here, someone was definitely helping her in her pranks.

"Kya kiya usne?" Khushnuma looked at his face then body to see if Ayat pranked him with colours again, but he was clean. This made her confused.

(What she did?)

"Mere bathroom mein pani nahi araha hai."

(There is no water in my bathroom,)

"Hanan, woh kaise karegi yeh? Zaroor pani khatam ho gaya hoga..."

(Hanan, how would she do this? Water supply must be off...)

"Woh chuhiya sab kar sakti hai." Hanan's mood worsen when Khushnuma didn't believe him.

(That mouse can do anything.)

"Mummy, aap bas ussey bol dein ki..." He didn't get a chance to complete his sentence as his eyes fall on a person sitting on the sofa, "Yeh yaha kya kar rahi hai?" Before he could stop himself, he asked.

(Mummy, you tell her that...)

(What she is doing here?)

Isra, who was silently sitting there, looking at the banter between Hanan and Khushnuma, got startled when got his attention.

"Hanan!" Warningly, Khushnuma called him. "Maine bulaya hai ussey yaha." She looked at Hanan with sharp eyes, daring him not to utter a word against Isra.

(I called her here.)

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Hanan calmed himself then again looked at Khushnuma. "Ayat ko mana kar dein dubara mere sath aise pranks na kare warna achha nahi hoga." Telling her this, he left.

(Tell Ayat not to play these silly pranks on me.)

"Tum khud kyu nahi mana kar dete." Khushnuma shouted after him.

(Why don't you tell her that yourself?)

"Sorry, ignore him, he gets very cranky in the morning." Going to Isra, Khushnuma smiled apologetically.

"I am used to it." Isra smiled assuringly, sipping her tea, she suddenly realised something. "Who is Ayat?"

"Huh?"

"Hanan was talking about her." Isra points at the place where Hanan stood earlier and was complaining about Ayat.

Isra was curious who would dare to prank Hanan Shahzain Khan. He is infamous for his foul temper in the office, and here that girl is intentionally asking for trouble.

"Oh, woh! Shahzain ke bade bhai ki beti hai."

(Oh, her! She is Shahzain's brother's daughter.)

Isra nods her head.

Isra came here only for a visit, but Khushnuma didn't allow her to leave. She told her to stay here at least for a week. Khushnuma didn't hear a word Isra said, and told her to get her things from hotel. She will stay here.

An angry Hanan stood on the doorway of the kitchen, his arms crossed over his chest, left shoulder leaning on doorway frame, and frown plaster on his face.

"Ussey rokne ki kya zaroorat thi?"

(Why did you stop her?)

"Hanan, mere dost ki beti hai woh...." Shahzain, who was taking water bottle out from fridge, scoff at Khushnuma's choice of the word- friend.

(She is my friend's daughter.)

"Haan lekin..."

(Yeah, but...)

"Hanan, behave. Woh yaha tumhari employee nahi, guest hai. You will treat her well." Khushnuma's warning made him more irritate, as he left.

(She is a guest here, not your employe.)

"Omar tumhara dost kabse ho gaya." Pouring water in glass, Shahzain mutters.

(When did Omar become your friend?)

"Jaise Nigaar apki dost hai." Looking at him, Khushnuma replied, monotonously.

(Since Nigaar becomes your friend.)

Shahzain, who was about to drink water, put the glass down. "Nigaar meri ex fiancé nahi hai."

(Nigaar isn't my ex fiancee.)

"Right! Woh toh apki almost wife ban chuki thi." Khushnuma scoffs.

(Right! She was your almost wife.)

A maid came there to help Khushnuma in cooking, but when found Shahzain and Khushnuma in tense look, she quietly left again. As if she never came there.

"Tauba karo, Khushnuma, tumhare liye pure khandan ke samne stand liya tha." Shahzain reminds her.

(For you, I went against my family.)

"Haan, jaise papa ko maine beena mehnat ke mana liya tha." Khushnuma rolled her eyes.

(Yeah, like I didn't go against my father's wish.)

•••

Uff, I recently shifted from Iphone to android phone, so I am having trouble to write on this phone 😬 that's why even when I have so much to write, my brain gets lazy ki iske keyboard pe kuch samajh toh aa nahi raha kya likhu😮‍💨 I hope I get used to this phone jaldi se.

Khair,  how's the chapter?

Oh oh oh, I remember what I wanted to say in previous chapter which I forgot... I wanted to ask y'all's opinion on Kaif and Ayla. Do you want them back together?

-Ufaq