They went to Hayder's study room. Putting his laptop on the table, Shahzaib went to turn on the printer.

"Apne laptop se kar de raha hoon. Isko on karne mein time lagega." He told her while plugging the wire.

(I will connect this with my laptop.)

His laptop was already on, and Zara's picture flashed on the screen. It made Shahzaib's eyes wide as he quickly closed the image. But Hyra has already seen it.

"Woh... main shadi ki pictures dekh raha tha."

(I... was looking at wedding pictures.)

"Shahzaib bhai, mujhe apke aur Zara api ke barey mein maloom hai." Hyra looked at him weirdly and said.

(Shahzaib bhai, I know about you and Zara.)

"Tumhe kisne bataya?"

(Who told you?)

"Uswa ne."

(Uswa told me.)

"Usko kaise pata?"

(How does she knows?)

Hyra shrugged her shoulder, Uswa told her the reason, which Hyra doesn't remember. It was long ago when Uswa told her this. Maybe when they all went to farm house years ago.

It isn't Hyra's fault that she forgot this information Uswa gave her because one particular memory of it engraved in her mind made her forget everything that happened in the farmhouse.

Sami, Hyra, Uswa, Kubra, and Zara were playing cricket, with Shahzain as their umpire. Hyra was batting, and she hit the ball so hard it crashed with Hayder, who was sitting in Gazebo with Dawar, while talking on his phone. The ball hit him so hard that it made him drop his phone, while redness appeared on his forehead where the ball hit.

Hayder scolded all of them a lot, even when Dawar tried to calm him by saying they shouldn't have been here if the kids were playing, but Hayder heard none of it. He even broke the bat that Hyra was holding. Hyra cried a lot that day and fell sick by the time night arrived.

Hyra's heart sank down on that memory.

"Hyra?" Shahzaib snapped his finger in front of her face to break her trance.

"Huh?" It made Hyra startled.

"Tum kisi ko bataogi toh nahi na?" He asked her.

(You won't tell anyone about it right?)

"Ab tak nahi bataya, ab kisko bataungi?" Hyra huffed her mouth and asked.

(I didn't tell anyone yet, whom would I tell now?)

"Apne shohar ko? Hayder bhai ko nahi bataogi na?" This made Hyra more upset.

(Your husband. Promise you won't tell Hayder bhai.)

"Unko kyu bataungi." Then she realised her tone was not appropriate, she cannot let Shahzaib know the truth of their marriage.

(Why would I tell him?)

"Mera matlab yeh toh apka secret haina." She then added. This made Shahzaib relax.

(I mean that's your secret.)

"Shahzain bhai, print out nikal dein please, Dawar bhai wait kar rahe honge." Shahzain quickly did what she said.

(Shahzaib bhai, can you please take the print out? Dawar bhai must be waiting for me.)

•••

It was already more than a week since Hayder left, but there was no news of him coming back soon. He was stuck with some work there. And this made Hanif Mirza angry.

"Tum ek hafte ka keh kar gaye the." He scolded Hayder on video call.

(You said it will only take a week.)

"Baba, kaam agaya hai." Hayder was explaining him, but Hanif Mirza didn't hear any of it.

(Baba, I am stuck with some work.)

Hyra was sitting on some distance, hearing their conversation, but paying more attention to the file she was making.

"Rehne do. Sarey kaam tumhe hi toh atey hain." Hanif Mirza scoff.

(Let it be. As if you have to do all the work by yourself.)

"Baba!" Hyra's eyes widened as she looked at tablet, Hayder's video, he is whining. This made her snicker, as she bowed her head down to her notebook. She was sitting on a little distance from Hanif Mirza, Hayder could not see her, while Hanif Mirza was too busy scolding Hayder to notice her laughing.

"Baki sab kaha hain?" Hayder asked.

(Where is everyone else?)

"Shahzaib toh office mein hai, Kubra apni kisi dost ke yaha gayi hai, Hyra mere pass baithi hai, lo ussey baat karo." Hyra's whole body jolted as Hanfi Mirza turned the tablet to her, and left to give them privacy.

Meekly, she looked at Hayder's video, who was already looking at her.

(Shahzaib is in office, Kubra has gone out to her friend's house, and Hyra is sitting with me, here, talk to her.)

"Assalam-Alaikum!" She quickly propers her dupatta and greeted him.

Few days ago, when he video called her on her phone, but when she attended the call, he scolded her seeing her appearance, she wasn't wearing her dupatta, and it made him angry for some unknown reason that she didn't know why. It was late at night, she was preparing herself to bed, how else she is supposed to look?

"Walekum-Assalam!"

Now, Hyra was holding the tablet, and looking around everywhere but him. And Hayder looked only at her.

"Kya kar rahi thi?" After some time of silence, he asked.

(What were you doing?)

"File bana rahi thi." She mumbled.

(I was making my file.)

"Ankhon mein koi dikkat hai kya?" Hayder's question made her look at him,

(Do you have some problem with your eyes?)

"Nahi toh." She had taken off her specs, thinking he is talking about it, she started looking for it on the sofa, she has put it somewhere here.

(No.)

"Screen pe dekh nahi rahi thi mujhe laga." Hayder's voice made her look at him again.

(You weren't looking at the screen so I thought.)

"Maine aise hi chashma utara tha." She didn't understand his sarcasm and explained.

(I took off my specs just like that.)

Hayder smiled on her explanation, and she, who was searching for her specs, didn't notice.

"Achha suno," Hayder started saying, getting serious. "Baba tumhari wajah se zyada pareshaan rehte hain, unhe lagta hai nayi dulhan ko yun ghar pe chorhke mera yaha rehna achhi baat nahi."

(Okay listen,)
(Baba is worried because of you, he thinks I shouldn't have left you alone at home.)

"Tum unhe samjhao tumhe koi dikkat nahi hai issey, aur main yaha koi ghoomne nahi aya hoon, kaam ki wajah se aya hoon."

(You should talk to him and make him understand that you don't have any problem with this. I am not here on vacation, I got stuck on work.)

Hyra felt rage filled in her on his demand. Since he went to Australia, he does call her every night, but always asked about other's well being and would hung up, never once asked how she is. She hasn't slept since he left, the lone room scares her, and he didn't even ask her about her health. And now he is expecting her to talk to Hanif Mirza that she is fine by him being away.

She so badly wanted to go to Hanif Mirza and complained that Hayder is troubling her, and then enjoy how Hanif Mirza will scold him.

"Bolo, baat karogi baba se." Hayder's voice broke her trance, she looked at his face.

(Tell me, will you talk to baba?)

"Nahi! Aap khud baat kar lein." She hurriedly disconnected the call after saying this. If she had been on call, Hayder would have scolded her for being disrespectful, that's why. Hayder called her again, but she didn't attend it. He kept calling her, and she put it away. Picking her file and in her arms, she left for her room.

(No! You can talk to him by yourself.)

The roaring of clouds were coming from afar, but this was not enough to divert her mind off from Hayder. Selfish man.

•••

"Maine kaha tha rehne dete hain mousam achha nahi, ab dekho fas gaye na." The winter rain fell in a gentle mist, coating everything in a glistening sheen that made the world seem colder and darker. Kubra glared at Shazia.

(I told you not to go out in this weather. Now see, we are stuck.)

"Sorry na yaar, mujhe kya pata tha aj barish hogi, bin mousam barsat." Shazia made an innocent face.

(Sorry, I didn't know it will rain today.)

Shazia wanted to watch a movie, and Kubra suggested to stay at home, but Shazia dragged her with her. Now, both girls got stuck in rain. Their rickshaw got broke too.

"Bhai, kitni derr lagegi?" Kubra asked to the driver. Both girls were sitting very close to each other, rainy pour were getting inside of the rickshaw from sides. Both were wearing warm clothes but still, it wasn't enough to keep them warm.

(Brother, how much time it will take?)

"Didi, yeh mujhse theek nahi hoga, mechanic ke paas jana hoga. Behtar hoga aap kuch aur dekh lein." Another tragedy fall on them.

(Sister, I won't able to fix this, I have to take rickshaw to the mechanic. It will be better if you two arrange another vehicle for yourself.)

"Kaisi baat kar rahe hain aap? Aise mousam mein hum kaha se kuch aur dekh lein?" Shazia scolded the guy.

(What are you saying? How will we arrange another vehicle for us in this weather?)

"Isme unki galti hai." Kubra pinched Shazia's arm because of her rude behaviour, making Shazia rubbed there.

(It's not his fault.)

"Toh ab kya kare? Itni barish mein toh cab bhi nahi hogi." Shazia asked.

(What should we do now?)

Kubra opened her bag to call Shahzaib, but saw she her phone was not there. She again turned to Shazia.

"Kaha tha itni jaldi jaldi na niklo, main kuch bhool rahi hoon. Phone bhool gayi main apna tumhare ghar." Her lips turned blue because of cold, each word was taken with very difficulty.

(I told you not to hurry. Look, I forgot my phone at your house.)

"Arey toh mera phone haina, lo meri jaan, use karo." To pacify Kubra, Shazia gave her phone to Kubra.

(I have my phone, here, my love, you can use my phone.)

"Mujhe Shahzaib ka number nahi yaad." Sheepishly, Kubra told her.

(I don't remember Shahzaib's number.)

"Didi, jaldi kare mujhe mechanic ke pass jana hai." The driver again said. He was standing outside with a umbrella protecting him from the rain, but the coldness has made his bone freeze. He wanted to drop them off quickly and go to his house.

(Sister, please, hurry up, I have to go to the mechanic.)

"Bhaiyya, apka rickshaw chori karke toh nahi bhaag jayenge na hum. Thora ruk jaye na, sochne dein abhi kya karein. Mujhe toh yeh bhi nahi pata hum hain kaha." After scolding the driver, Shazia looked out from the rickshaw to see where they are. The place looked very posh, also familiar.

(We are not gonna steal your rickshaw, let us think what we should do. I don't even know where we are.)

"Bhaiyya, mera ek kaam karenge, zara check karke ayenge yeh samne wala ghar kya Randhawa's ka hai."

(Can you do one thing for me, can you check that house and see if it is Randhawa's house.)

"Randhawa's? Woh kaha agaye?" Kubra looked at her with shock. The driver quickly ran towards the house to check.

(Where did they come from?)

"Arey, Sarim Randhawa yaad hai humara classmate? Woh wapas agaya haina Canada se, main kai baar mili hoon ussey, ek dusre ke ghar bhi aye gaye hain hum. Abhi bas barish mein mujhe samajh nahi arahi jagah. Uska ghar hua toh achha haina, barish rukne tak wahi ruk jayenge." Shazia explained everything calmly.

(Hey, do you remember Sarim Randhawa, our classmate? He's back from Canada, I've met him several times, and we've visited each other's homes. I'm not sure where we are right now, it's raining heavily. It would be great if we could go to his house and wait there until the rain stops.)

Within the time, the driver came and informed her that it is Randhawa's house.

Shazia took a relief breath out. And quickly dialled Sarim's number.

After she talked to Sarim and informed him about their situation, Sarim told them to wait there, he will come to get them.

"Shazia, mere bhaiyo ko agar iss baat ka pata chala toh..." Kubra has never been to a guy's house before, she has never been a friend to any guy outside of her school or college.

(Shazia, if my brothers got to know about this then...)

"Toh hum unhe batayenge hi nahi." Shazia waved her hand in the air in careless manner.

(We won't tell them.)

Sarim came there to take them, holding an umbrella to save himself from drenching in rain, he gave the other two to Shazia and Kubra. Shazia has started talking to him on the road, but he told them to get inside first.

Kubra was taking her steps slowly after them, there was uncertainty and fear inside her. She may knew Sarim before in school, but not anymore, was it safe to go to his house? She looked at Shazia and saw how relax Shazia is, it eased Kubra's tension a bit, Shazia wouldn't go anywhere if it is unsafe. Besides, Sarim and her brothers are now business partners. Sarim Randhawa can not be a threat.

Though Sarim has brought umbrellas for the girls, but when they were getting down from the rickshaw, they got wet.

It was the starting days of January, the winter rain was the most bitter thing, cutting through the air like icy knives and leaving everything it touched chilled and damp. Both girls were shivering badly when they got in.

Sarim ordered maids to get towels for them, while he showed them the way to lounge, where room heaters were on. He excused himself and went to call his mother there.

Maids gave them fresh towel, wrapping one towel in her hair, Kubra wrapped the other one around her body, she was never big fan of winters, or rains, she liked summer best.

Shazia and Kubra were sitting in front of heater to keep them warm when Azma Randhawa entered there. Shazia was the first one who noticed her.

"Assalam-Alaikum, aunty." Getting up, she greeted the lady in front of her, catching Kubra's attention too, she also stood up and greeted her.

"Assalam-Alaikum!"

Mrs. Randhawa was the epitome of sophistication. Her perfectly coiffed hair, designer clothes, and expensive jewelry all spoke to her impeccable taste and discerning eye. She greeted Kubra with a polite smile and a firm handshake, her piercing brown eyes taking in every detail of Kubra's appearance. Kubra felt a sudden pang of self-consciousness, acutely aware of her own modest clothing and lack of accessories, and the towel around her body, she quietly removed the towel from her hair and body. Getting nervous under Mrs. Randhawa's gaze.

But Mrs. Randhawa quickly put her at ease, engaging her in polite conversation and showing genuine interest in her life and background.

Sarim has never taken any interest in anyone, no matter how many girls she has introduced Sarim with, he never liked anyone. But last month, when he returned from a wedding of his business partner, it was the first time Azma heard any girl's name from him. Kubra Mirza. Azma instantly wanted to meet her, but Sarim calmed her down, saying it was not the right time. And today, the circumstances made them meet. Azma was proud of Sarim's choice. She liked Kubra.

Maids came there with warm tea and soups for them.

When the rain stopped, Sarim dropped them off to Shazia's house. Shazia was sitting with Sarim on front seat, while Kubra was sitting in backseat, but she felt as if Sarim was looking at her through rear mirror.

Shahzaib picked Kubra from Shazia's house, and by the time she reached home, her body was burning in fever. Making everyone worried about her.

Hyra made soup for her, Shahzaib quickly called the doctor, and Hanif Mirza stayed by her side.

"Baba, main theek hoon." Her voice become very rough, her throat was piercing. As soon as she said that, a sneeze left her mouth, she quickly cleaned her nose with tissue.

(Baba, I am fine.)

"Dikh raha hai kitni theek ho." Hanif Mirza said in a scolding manner.

(That I can see how fine you are.)

On Hanif Mirza's instruction, Kubra had her dinner in her room, to give her company, Hyra also stayed there.

"Lekin mujhe movie ka plot kuch khas laga nahi." Kubra was talking about the movie which she watched.

(I didn't like the plot of the movie.)

Hyra's phone started ringing, interrupting their conversation.

Picking it from beside her, she saw Hayder's name flashing there.

All day, she avoided receiving his call, but Kubra has saw her phone, and his name, she can not decline the call.

"Hello!" Receiving it, she put it on her ear and softly said.

"Aqal hai ya nahi? Kitni calls ki hain koi jawab kyu nahi de rahi thi?" Hayder's angry voice came from other side, making her close her eyes in terror. His voice was loud, and Kubra, who was sitting in front of Hyra on the bed heard it, she looked at Hyra with shock.

(Do you have any sense? How many times have I called, why weren't you answering?)

"W... woh main Kubra api ke sath thi, unki tabiyat theek nahi." Hyra controlled her emotions with difficulty, his harsh voice brought tears in her eyes and she didn't want to cry in front of Kubra.

(I... I was with Kubra api, she is unwell.)

"Kya hua Kubra ko?" Hayder quickly asked.

(What happened to her?)

"Fever."

"Toh tumne mujhe pehle kyu nahi bataya, bewaqoof larki. Koi jab pardes mein ho toh uski calls ko aise ignore nahi karna chahiye."

(Why didn't you tell me earlier, foolish girl? When someone is abroad, you shouldn't ignore their calls like that.)

Badd-aqal, bewaqoof, he used to call her that before marriage. After their marriage, he never called her that, but seems he was now remembering her nicknames.

Hyra couldn't say anything further, her heart sank down because of his words. How worried he is for Kubra, but can't he consider her small heart which easily get scared because of his voice.

After scolding her for more time, Hayder disconnected the call.

"Hyra, are you okay?" Kubra, who witness all of this, softly asked, putting her hand on Hyra's shoulder.

"Mujhe adat hai." Crying, Hyra told her. "Shadi se pehle bhi woh aise the, shadi ke baad bhi."

(I am used to it now.)
(He was like that before marriage, and he is same after marriage too.)

"Kya tumhare aur bhai ke beech kuch bhi normal nahi?" Kubra asked, she had her doubt that Hayder and Hyra's relationship was not normal, but she didn't think that it was this bad.

(Is everything normal between you and bhai?)

"Normal? Jab mann chaha life partner na mile, apko apke ideal se mukhtalif ek badd-aqal larki se shadi karwa di jaye toh kuch normal kaise hoga. Unhe mujhe shadi karni hi nahi thi, baba ki wajah se ki unhone shadi warna unki ideal toh koi aur hai. Koi unhi ki tarah khadoos hongi." Hyra said whatever came to her lips.

(Normal? When you don't get a partner of your choice, you get married to a foolish girl, who is so different from your ideal, how could everything be normal. He never wanted to marry me, he only said yes because of baba. Otherwise his ideal was someone. Maybe someone as rude as him.)

"Uff, bhai bhi na." Kubra smacked her forehead on her brother's behaviour. She was embarrassed.

"Tum fikar na karo. Aaj nahi toh kal unhe tumhara ehsas zaroor hoga. Nikkah toh itna khoobsurat rishta hota hai, Allah pak miya biwi ke dilo mein mohabbat paida kar hi dete hain." Kubra console her. Same time, her phone started ringing, it was Hayder, maybe he didn't know Hyra is with her, that's why he called Kubra on her phone to ask about her well being.

(You don't worry about this. Now or later he will realise your worth. Marriage is a very beautiful relationship, Allah blooms love in husband and wife's hearts.)

•••

When I was writing Sharar, I made a promise to myself that I won't write a story with multi couple 😶 but when Khizaan's idea came to my mind, I forgot all the promises and added as many characters as I could🥴🥴 now, not only you guys, but I am getting confused with the characters 😅 so I am thinking that I should focus on the couple (Hayder and Hyra.) who are more important, others story will be included, but won't be given that much importance. Hope it is okay with you 👉🏻👈🏻

-Ufaq