Mohabbat mein marziyan nahi chalti hain
Gardane jhukayi jati hain hukum-e-yaar par

°°°

With weary footsteps, Dawar entered his home. Regret filled him for talking to Laraib in such a manner. There were other ways to handle the situation. He had planned to apologize to Laraib, but an empty house awaited him.

Dawar searched the kitchen, bedroom, guest rooms, washroom, balcony, but Laraib was nowhere to be found. Opening a cupboard, he discovered her clothes were missing. Closing the cupboard with a loud noise, he went to sit on the bed. The intention to excuse himself to Laraib had turned into frustration.

•••

"Laraib, taiyyar ho jao niche tumhari saas ayi hain." Nazish informed her daughter through the door.

(Laraib, get ready; your mother-in-law is here.)

"Woh kyu ayi hain?" Laraib asked while drying her wet hair with a towel, she has just got out of shower.

(Why did she come?)

"Uswa ki shadi ka card dene ayi hain, jaldi taiyyar ho aur niche aao."

(She's here to give invitation of Uswa's wedding. Get ready quickly and come downstairs.)

"Mummy, taiyyar hone ka aap aise keh rahi hain jaise woh pehli baar mera rishta lene ayi ho?" Laraib rolled her eyes, then pondered. "Lekin kyu ayi hain?"

(Mom, the way you're asking me to get ready, it seems like she's coming to propose for the first time.)

(But why did she come?)

"Kaha na card dene ayi hain." Saying this, Nazish left.

(I told you, she's here to give the wedding card.)

"Nahi, Shayad sab janne ke liye ayi hain." Laraib suspected Dawar had returned home, and Asim and Rabia had come to know what happened between them. This realization dampened Laraib's mood.

(No, maybe she came to know everything.)

•••

Asim and Rabia were surprised to see Laraib there. Laraib stiff demeanor added to their embarrassment. Nazish tried hard to maintain a calm atmosphere.

Asim drove to Dawar's house to talk to him.

"Hua kya tum dono ke beech?" Rabia asked Dawar again, who remained reluctant to share. He was already embarrassed that his parents knew Laraib is living with her parents. Dawar believed Laraib would come back on her own after gaining some sense.

(What happened between you two?)

"Mummy, kuch bhi nahi hua bas aunty ki tabiyat theek nahi thi isliye." Dawar made a feeble excuse.

(Mom, nothing happened; Aunty wasn't feeling well, that's all.)

"Mujhe sakhti karne pe majboor mat karo, Dawar." Asim warned him. "Hyra ke sath Hayder ka rawaiyya tumhe itna nagawara tha ki tum ussey apne sath le aye, aur ab tum apni biwi ke sath wahi kar rahe ho." Asim was trying to control his anger, but it was evident that his daughter-in-law is living with her parents in such a condition bothered him.

(Don't force me to be strict, Dawar.)

(You didn't like how Hayder treated Hyra and you brought her along with you, and now you're doing the same with your wife.)

"Aap mujhe Hayder se compare kar rahe hain?" Dawar looked shocked, turning to his father.

(You are comparing me with Hayder?)

"Nahi, tum mein aur Hayder mein farq hai. Hayder me kabhi Hyra ko ghar se nahi nikala chahe jin bhi halat mein unki shadi hui thi."

(No, there's a difference between you and Hayder. Hayder never kicked Hyra out, no matter in what circumstances they got married.)

"Maine bhi ussey ghar se nahi nikala, apni marzi se gayi hai." Bitterness crept into Dawar's words. For Laraib, he had left his home, and now, because of her, he felt ashamed in front of his parents.

(I didn't kick her out. She left on her own.)

"Apni marzi se toh nahi jayegi. Ussey toh hamesha se alag rehna tha aur ab alag reh rahi hai toh kyu jayegi ghar chorhke?"

(Don't act like she left willingly. She always wanted to stay separately, and now, why would she leave her home?)

Rabia had been silently listening to the argument between father and son, but now she felt that Asim was getting angry, so she thought it necessary to intervene. "Dawar, dekho beta koi bhi baat ho, miya biwi ke beech hi rehni chahiye, uska ghar chorhke jana achhi baat nahi. Tum jao aur ussey wapas leke aao."

(Dawar, look, no matter what, a husband and wife should stay together; leaving one's home is not a good thing. Go and bring her back.)

Dawar remained silent, turning his face away.

"Dawar! Tumhari behen ki shadi hai, achha lagega ghar ki badi bahu apne mayeke se attend kare?" Asim pressed.

(Dawar! It's your sister's wedding; it wouldn't be nice if the eldest daughter-in-law attends from her in-law's house.)

Dawar wanted to tell them that Laraib didn't want to attend this wedding even from her in-laws, but he kept quiet.

"Dawar, main nahi manti ki shadi shuda bachho ki zindagi mein dakhal dena chahiye. Lekin zara socho khandaan wale, rishtedaar kya kahenge?" Rabia made her voice tender and told Dawar.

(Dawar, I don't believe that we should interfere in the lives of married children. But think about what relatives will say.)

•••

"Mummy, aap meri side hain ya Dawar ki?" Laraib questioned her mother with huffed cheeks,

(Mom, are you on my side or Dawar's?)

Asim and Rabia had left, and it was time for a conversation.

"Koi bhi maa apni beti ka toota hua ghar nahi chahti. Aur uske liye mujhe tumhare sath sakhti karni hogi toh woh bhi karungi." Nazish spoke with anger. She knew Laraib hadn't come here without a reason, and the way Laraib had met her in-laws today had confirmed Nazish's suspicions. It didn't her any time to get the truth out of Laraib. In Nazish's opinion, the mistake was Laraib's, and Dawar was right in his stance.

(No mother wants her daughter marriage to break. And if I have to be tough with you for that, I will.)

"Galti meri nahi. Dawar ne mujhse kaha apni mummy ke ghar chali jao." Laraib kept repeating this statement.

(It's not my fault. Dawar told me to go to my mother's house.)

"Kyuki tum uske ghar nahi ja rahi thi. Aur uska ghar kya, woh ghar tumhara bhi hai. Galat toh nahi keh raha hai woh ki shadi mein wahi reh lo. Konsa zindagi bhar ke liye keh raha hai."

(Because you weren't going to his house. And it's not just his house; it's your house too. He's not wrong to suggest staying there during the wedding. It's not like he's saying it's forever.)

"Tum abhi apna saman pack karo aur ghar wapas jao, Dawar se hi nahi apne saas sasur se bhi maafi mango." Nazish ordered her. There was no room for any argument for her.

(Pack your belongings and go home, apologize not only to Dawar but also to your in-laws.)

"Mummy?" Laraib looked at her mother with unease.

•••

"Hyra! Hyra!" Hyra was in Kubra's room with Uswa when Hayder called her.

"Uffo, inhe kya chahiye?" Uswa asked irritably. They were packing Kubra's belongings. But talking more, with less work, and Hayder calling Hyra at that moment tested Uswa's patience.

(What does he want?)

"Koi zaroori kaam hoga. Hyra, jao dekho." Kubra said abruptly.

(There must be some important work. Hyra, go and see.)

Hyra, who was already quickly putting down the dress she was holding, complied.

•••

"Meri shirt press kardo." As soon as Hyra entered the room, Hayder ordered her immediately, while passing her his black shirt.

(Press my shirt.)

"Iss waqt kaha ja rahe hain aap?" Hyra took the shirt but asked while standing.

(At this time, where are you going?)

Hayder, who was dialing a number on his phone, glanced at her. With just one look, Hyra nervously started to leave the room. However, Hayder caught her arm and pulled her towards him.

"Achhi lagti ho aise biwiyo wale sawal karte hue." Hayder held her arms and pulled her closer. Hyra, already nervous from her question, become even more uneasy with Hayder's behaviour. For some reason, his proximity still made her breath hitch, though she couldn't understand why.

(It sounds nice when you ask such questions.)

"Tumhari information ke liye bata doon tumhare bhai ki call ayi thi, ussi se milne ja raha hoon." Hayder gently placed a hand on Hyra's cheek and explained.

(For your information, your brother called; I'm going to meet him.)

"Iss waqt?" Hyra glanced at the clock and asked, worried about Laraib. The thought crossed her mind suddenly, what if something happened to them. God forbid. Hyra shook off the thought.

(Now?)

"Bas ek kaam tha, fikar na karo." Hayder reassured her, and Hyra nodded, relieved.

(Just had some work; don't worry.)

"Meri shirt," Hayder reminded her.

(My shirt.)

"Oh, main abhi ayi!" Hyra quickly rushed out of the room.

(Oh, I'll be right back!)

•••

Hyra returned with Hayder's ironed shirt, only to find him shirtless in front of the mirror, applying deodorant. A flush of embarrassment tinted Hyra's cheeks as she caught sight of him half-naked. Quickly averting her gaze, she handed him the shirt.

"Apki shirt," she mumbled, trying to hide her shyness.

(Your shirt.)

Hayder's lips curled into a smirk, and he ignored the offered shirt, crossing his arms over his chest. Leaning against the dresser, "Pehna do." He ordered.

(Put it on me.)

Hyra's eyes widened at the unexpected request, and she looked at him, only to quickly avert her gaze again.

"Aap... aap kya keh rahe hain?" she stammered, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks.

(What... what are you saying?)

Hayder moved closer, standing beside her, "Yahi, ki, Hyra, mujhe shirt pehna do." He was standing so close, and now her name from his lips stopped her heart for a moment.

(That, Hyra, put my shirt on me.)

"Khudse pehen lijiye, aap bachhe nahi." Hyra, still flustered, said.

(Do it yourself; you're not a child anymore.)

"Ab toh bilkul nahi." Hayder refused, adamantly. "Tumhi pehnao mujhe shirt." He seemed to enjoy her coy behavior, insisting even more.

(Not at all now.)

(You put it on me.)

"Kya ho gaya hai apko?"

(What's wrong with you?)

"Kya ho gaya hai apko." Hayder repeated her sentence. "Itna kyu sharma rahi ho? Shohar hoon, tum dekh sakti ho mujhe, balki tumne dekha..." Before Hayder could complete his sentence, Hyra shoved his shirt onto him, without even sparing him any glance.

(What's wrong with you?)

(Why are you so shy? I'm your husband; you can look at me. You've seen...)

"Tab lights off rehti hain."

(Only when the lights are off.)

She was about to run off, but Hayder hold her wrist. "Mujhe late ho raha hai, tumhe toh main akey theek karta hoon." He warned her in low tone and left her wrist. And Hyra quickly ran out of there.

(I'm getting late; I'll talk to you later.)

•••

"Itni derr se kaha thi?" Uswa immediately questioned Hyra as she entered the room.

(Where were you?)

Hyra saw that despite all the work she had done, nothing had changed. Uswa, the lazy one, hadn't done any of her share of work. But it was also thanks to Uswa' that Kubra hadn't worked either; otherwise, Hyra knew Kubra would have just sat there after finishing all the tasks.

"Hayder ki shirt press karni thi." Hyra replied briefly, sitting on the bed.

(I had to press Hayder's shirt.)

"Waise khala sahi kehti hain." Uswa said after giving it some thought, looking at Kubra and Hyra one by one as if waiting for them to ask her to speak up.

(By the way, Aunt is right.)

Hyra didn't say anything, but Kubra asked, "Kya kehti hain tumhari khala?"

(What does your aunt say?)

"Yahi ki jo larke jitne khadoos hote hain, shadi ke baad utne hi joru ke ghulam ban jate hain. Iska living example dekh liya maine Hayder bhai mein." Uswa shared this amusingly.

(That the boys who are strict become henpecked after marriage. I've seen it with Hayder.)

"Uswa!" Kubra couldn't help but laugh at this, but she also couldn't tolerate hearing such things about her brother. So, she scolded Uswa with a fake sternness.

"Aisa kuch bhi nahi hai, bas kaam tha unhe toh..." Hyra, not liking Uswa's comment either, interrupted to defend Hayder.

(There's nothing like that; he had some work...)

"Toh kaisa hai? Din mein tumhe 100 baar awaz dete hain woh." Uswa shrugged and said. "Irritation nahi hoti?"

(How is it then? He calls you a hundred times a day.)

(Doesn't it get irritating.)

Hyra chuckled, knowing that Uswa was just teasing. "Nahi! Nahi hoti."

(No, it doesn't irritate me.)

Yes, Hayder probably calls her a hundred times a day, but Hyra isn't bothered by it. The feeling of being special is very beautiful. Because she never got unconditional love before. People did care for her, but Arzoo used to say it was out of pity because she didn't have a father. Her own mother never made her a priority, so now, when Hayder loves her so much, it makes her feel truly special. Having someone, her husband, pay so much attention to her is something Hyra never thought she could ask for.

•••

The clock ticked past midnight as Hayder returned home. He quietly entered his bedroom, expecting to find Hyra peacefully asleep. To his surprise, the room was empty, the bed neatly made.

Concerned, Hayder decided to call Hyra. As he dialed, the soft glow of his phone illuminated the dark room.

In Kubra's room, the ringtone disrupted the tranquility. Uswa stirred on the sofa, muttering in her sleep. Kubra, half-awake, noticed the disturbance.

"Kiska phone hai?" Uswa groggily asked, rubbing her eyes.

(Whose phone is it?)

"Hyra ka," Kubra replied, reaching for the device on the bedside table. "Hyra! Hyra! Tumhara phone."

(Hyra's."

"Hyra! Hyra! Your phone.)

In a daze, Hyra grabbed the phone. "Hello?"

"Kaha ho?" Hayder's voice came through the phone.

(Where are you?)

"Kubra api ke room mein." Her sleepy voice came, but Hayder's frustration increases.

(In Kubra api's room.)

Hayder's frustration was palpable. "Waha kya kar rahi ho? Apne kamre mein aao."

(What are you doing there? Come to your room.)

With a sleepy mumble, Hyra replied, "hmm," and nonchalantly disconnected the call.

Kubra raised an eyebrow, "Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

"Kamre mein jana hai," Hyra murmured, snuggling back into the warmth of the bed. Uswa and Kubra were sleepy too, and didn't hear her.

(I had to go.)

•••

Times passed, and Hayder was now furious, he decided go to Kubra's room. He marched down the hallway to Kubra's room and knocked sharply on the door.

Now, Uswa, Kubra, and Hyra were awake from their sleep.

Kubra opened it cautiously, her eyes widening at the intensity of Hayder's expression. "Kya hua, bhai?"

(What happened, bhai?)

"Hyra yaha kyu hai?" Hayder demanded, his voice low but seething with anger.

(Why is Hyra here?)

Kubra, caught off guard, stammered, "woh.. so rahi hai, hum baat kar rahe the aur..."

(She is sleeping, we were talking and...)

Hayder's eyes narrowed. "Humare kamre mein bhejo ussey."

(Send her in our room.)

Before Kubra could respond, Hayder turned on his heel and stormed away, leaving a bewildered Kubra in the doorway, she quickly went back to her bed.

"Jao apne kamre mein." Hyra blinked in response, trying to focus.

(Go to your room.)

"Hayder bhai hain." Kubra added. Which now removes all Hyra's sleep and she remembered Hayder told her to come to the room.

(It's Hayder bhai.)

Uswa, who was also fully awake now, whispers, "kaha tha na joru ka ghulam."

(I told you he is henpecked.)

Hyra, still half-asleep, yawned and mumbled, "Shut up." And with that, she left the room.

•••

"Apko kya zaroorat thi waha aney ki?" Inside their room, Hyra complained to Hayder.

(Why did you need to come there?)

Hayder's frustration grew. "Maine tumhe call ki thi, tum kyu nahi ayi?"

(I called you; why didn't you come?)

"Hayder, aap itna na karein. Log apko joru ka ghulam bulaye yeh mujhe nahi pasand." Hyra's words slipped out, perhaps still tangled in the remnants of sleep. She ran a hand through her disheveled hair.

(Hayder, please don't do this. I don't like it when people call you henpecked.)

"What?" Hayder's jaw opened. "Kisne kaha hai? Of course Uswa ke alawa aur kon keh sakta hai." His tone, a blend of defensiveness and disbelief, echoed in the room.

(Who said that? Of course, besides Uswa, who else can say that.)

The sharpness in Hayder's voice acted like a sudden jolt for Hyra, pulling her out of the fog of drowsiness. "Ha... Haan toh, aap mujhe adhi neend se waha se yaha aney ko kahenge toh Uswa toh yahi kahegi." Walking past Hayder, Hyra headed to the bed, she started oepning the blanket.

(Yes, so if you wake me up from half-sleep to come here, Uswa will say this.)

"Jitna defend Uswa ko karti ho, kabhi meri taraf se bhi utna bol liya karo." Hayder didn't like her taking Uswa's side.

(As much as you defend Uswa, have you ever said so much in my favor?)

"Apko defend karne ki kya zaroorat? Iss ghar mein kisi ki himmat nahi apko kuch kahe. Sab bas mere aur Uswa ke piche parhe rehte hain." Hyra's frustration lingered, her arms crossed defensively over her chest.

(Why do I need to defend you? In this house, no one can say anything to you. Everyone just scolds me and Uswa.)

"Tum dono kaam hi aise karti ho." Hayder stepped behind Hyra.

(You both always act this way.)

"Ab maine kya kiya?" Hyra turned to face him, her eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and defiance. The close proximity startled her, and she stepped back, but the bed trapped her movement.

(What did I do now?)

"Kubra ke kamre mein kyu soyi?" Hayder's complaint carried a tender note, a subtle hint of concern for her choices.

(Why did you sleep in Kubra's room?)

"Ek raat main waha so hi jati toh kya jata? Meri neend kharab kardi khamakha." Hyra's justification held a trace of innocence, her expression softening.

(If I had slept there for one night, what would have happened? Your spoiled my sleep for no reason.)

"Mujhe neend nahi ati." Hayder's confession brought a shift in the atmosphere. Hyra's face turned crimson, and she sat down.

(I can't sleep.)

"Main konsa apko lori sunati hoon jo apko neend na ati." Scoffing, she said.

(I don't sing a lullaby that you can't sleep.)

"Ussey bhi bohot badhiya kaam karti ho." Hayder sat beside her, teasing back, his fingers lightly brushing hers.

(Yoi do something better than that.)

"Mujhe neend arahi hai." Hyra understood his underlying meaning, quickly excused herself.

(I am sleepy.)

"Abhi tumne kaha tumhari neend kharab ho gayi."

(You just said your sleep is ruined.)

Sensing his unspoken yearning, Hyra tried to distract him, "Dawar bhai ne kyu bulaya tha?"

(Why did Dawar bhai called you?)

Hayder silenced her with a finger on her lips, his gaze unwavering. "Duniya bhar ki baatein kal karenge. Abhi sirf tumhari aur meri baat hogi." And he, gently pushed Hyra to lie down.

(We will talk about the whole world tomorrow. Right now, it's just about you and me.)

Hyra couldn't look into his eyes and turned her face on the other way when she realises something. "Lights..." She said in undertone.

He leaned in, brushing a soft kiss on her forehead. "Aaj on rahengi."

(They'll be on tonight.)

Before Hyra could speak further, Hayder silenced her, but this time not with his finger.

•••

The following morning buzzed with activity as preparations for Kubra's haldi ceremony were underway. Excitement permeated the air as Minal and Zara entered the house, welcomed by a lively atmosphere.

"Assalam-Alaikum!"

"Walekum-Assalam! Agaye mere bachhe," Hanif Mirza joyfully called Zara and Minal over. Zara approached Hanif Mirza, her gaze met Shahzaib's, who was sitting beside Hanif Mirza, a subtle tension hung between them. Zara quickly remove her eyes off him, while Shahzaib sensed something amiss, but refrained from asking anything in the presence of others.

(My kids have come.)

•••

Zara excused herself, and headed to Kubra's room to meet her. Kubra, engrossed in her preparations, noticed Zara's arrival. An unspoken resentment tinted her voice as she questioned Zara, "Aaj bhi kyu ayi ho? Direct shadi wale din ana tha na."

(Why have you come today as well? You should've come to only on the wedding day, right?)

With a weak smile, Zara joined her on the bed, saying, "Sorry, bas ghar ke halat toh tum janti ho."

(I am sorry, but you know the environment of my home.)

"Ek toh tum... kya hua, Zara? Tum itni kamzor kyu dikh rahi ho?" Kubra was about to complain more but when she noticed Zara's pale appearance, she asked worriedly.

(Firstly, you... what happened, Zara? Why do you look so weak?)

"Kuch nahi, main toh bilkul theek hoon. Tum sunao," Zara reassured her, shaking her head.

(Nothing, I am perfectly alright. How you are?)

"Tum mujhe bilkul bhi theek nahi lag rahi ho. Kya hua hai?" Kubra insisted.

(You don't look fine to me, what happened?)

•••

In the evening, Ibtisham Mirza and his wife arrived, though Rafey was absent due to office work. With the assistance of Minal and Tabu, Hyra finally found some well-deserved rest as they took charge. Both were genuinely impressed with Hyra's dedication.

As the evening unfolded, Minal and Tabu playfully teased Hyra, reminiscing about her past timid moments. Laughter filled the room as they exchanged lighthearted banter.

"Bhabhi, kya yeh wahi Hyra hai jo ghar ke darwaze pe hi kharhi rehti thi lekin kabhi dehleez cross nahi karti thi," Minal teased, while Hyra was serving tea.

(Bhabhi, is she the same Hyra who used to stand at the doorstep but never crossed the threshold?)

"Bilkul bhi nahi. Ab yeh humari bahu Hyra hai," Tabu proudly declared, taking a cup from Hyra, who blushed at the compliment.

(Absolutely not. She is my daughter-in-law, Hyra.)

As the banter continued, Hayder entered the living room, asking, "Kya baat ho rahi hai?"

(What are you talking about?)

"Tumhari biwi ki tareef kar rahe the," Minal grinned and informed him.

(We're praising your wife.)

"Achha? Aisa bhi kya kar diya inse?" Hayder asked, feigning shock, looking at Hyra.

(Really? What did she do?)

"Lo batao, itne achhe se ghar ko sambhala hai isne," Tabu praised.

(Because she has managed the house so well.)

"Toh isme iski itni tareef kyu? Mera kamal hai daat daat ke sudhara hai isko," Hayder joked in a serious voice, catching everyone off guard. A moment of surprised silence followed before the room erupted in laughter, diffusing the playful atmosphere.

(Then why are you praising her? I have worked wonders by scolding and correcting her at every step.)

"Tum toh chup raho. Meri bachhi pehle se hi itni achhi thi, usne tumhe sudhara hai," Hanif Mirza quickly sided with Hyra, creating a jovial atmosphere. Hyra joined in, and the room resonated with laughter, making even her unable to resist a smile at their playful words.

(You stay quiet. My daughter was already so good; she has improved you.)

•••

Uswa sat in her room with a slightly disappointed expression. And now, it was Hyra's time to tease her.

"Hayder joru ke ghulam kyuki woh mujhe 100 baar bulate hain din mein. Aur Rafey bhai nahi aye tum upset ho, tum kya hui? Shohar ki ghulam?" Throwing her arm around Uswa's shoulder. Hyra, with a teasing glint in her eye, remarked.

(Hayder is a devoted husband because he calls me 100 times a day. And Rafey didn't come; why are you upset? Are you a devoted wife?)

"Nahi!" Uswa playfully rolled her eyes. "Shohar ki deewani." And proudly proclaim the name.

(No!)

(Just madly in love.)

•••

As the morning sun painted the sky with hues of warmth, the bustling atmosphere at Mirza house reached a crescendo.

"Shahzaib, tum photos click kar lena." Hayder told Shahzaib, who was ready with his camera.

(Shahzaib, you click the pictures.)

"Ji, bhai." Shahzaib showed the hanging in his neck.

(Okay, bhai.)

"Main khane ka dekhke ata hoon." Hayder said and was about to leave, but Kubra came out of the room with her aunts and cousins. Catching Shahzaib and Hayder's attention.

(I'll check on food.)

Kubra wore a radiant pink suit, a blend of excitement and nervousness etched on her face.

Shahzaib, with a camera in hand, paused mid-click, his lens capturing not just a moment but a transition in his sister's life. Hayder momentarily halted too, a silent acknowledgment passing between the two brothers. Kubra's transformation into a bride marked the end of an era, a shift in the dynamics of their close-knit family.

Kubra unaware of the profound impact her departure would have, looked around with wide eyes. Her happiness was visible. Hyra guided her to the designated spot on the sofa. The room hushed into a sacred serenity as the family gathered around, each member contributing to the haldi ritual.

Azma Randhawa came there with haldi paste and gifts for Kubra, and she was the first person who put haldi on Kubra.

"Khush raho, aur jaldi se ab apne ghar aao, sab tumhara intezar kar rahe hain." Azma lovingly told her, then she leaned forward. "Khaskar Sarim." And whispered.

(Stay happy, and quickly come to home, everyone is waiting for you,)

(Especially Sarim.)

A shy smile graced Kubra's face as she looked down.

Then, one by one everyone put haldi on Kubra. Shahzaib was engrossed in capturing every smile, every gesture, realizing the fleeting nature of these moments. While Hayder, stealing glances at Kubra, couldn't help but feel a mixture of pride and nostalgia.

Minal called out, "Hayder, Shahzaib, tum dono bhi aao apni behen ko haldi lagao."

(Hayder, Shahzaib, come and put haldi on your sister.)

Kubra's smile wavered for a moment as she realized the limited time she had left in this familiar space. Tears welled in her eyes. Hayder, tenderly lowering himself to his knees, delicately applied haldi to Kubra's cheeks, the lump in his throat stifling any words. He pressed a kiss to her head before quietly departing, his heart whispering prayers for her happiness.

Shahzaib handed the camera to his cousin and stepped forward.

"Joker lag rahi ho," he whispered in Kubra's ear, evoking a gasp without a verbal response. Azma Randhawa was nearby.

(You look like a joker.)

Unlike Hayder's courtesy, Shahzaib, unreservedly playful, sat on his knees. He began with a small amount of haldi, eliciting a smile, but mischievously continued to paint her face with haldi paste.

"Bhai!" Kubra almost shouted, laughter erupting from the onlookers.

"Tum nahi sudhroge," Tabu chided, holding his ear.

(You won't mend your ways,)

"Sudhre woh jo bigrha hua tha," Shahzaib cheekily replied.

(He should reformed the one who had gone astray.)

"Bhabhi, main toh kehti hoon iski biwi le atey hain. Tab sudherega, kyu?" Minal interjected,

(Bhabhi, I suggest get him marry now. That's when he'll improve, right?)

"Neki aur puch puch." Shamelessly, Shahzaib said.

(Don't ask permission for good deeds.)

This earned him a playful slap from Tabu. "Badmash!"

(You naughty boy!)

•••

As the festivities continued, Hyra took the leftover haldi to put it away. However, a mischievous thought sparked in her mind. She couldn't resist the temptation, so she dipped her fingers into the haldi paste.

Leaving the scene, she stealthily sought out Hayder in the lawn, where he was overseeing food arrangements, standing beside a pillar.

"Hayder!" Spotting him, Hyra called his name, and he turned towards her.

"Main abhi aya," He excused him, and approached her.

(I'll just come.)

"Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

Lovingly, she gestured for him to bend down, hiding her hands behind her.

"Khairiyat?" Her smile brought smile on his face too, as he asked.

(Is everything okay?)

"Niche kariye na chehra." Hyra said like a kid asking for toffee.

(Get down.)

"Achha theek hai." Hayder bent down to her level, expecting a kiss.

(Okay, fine.)

Hyra had mischievous glint in her eyes a secret, didn't utter a word. Instead, with a sparkle in her eyes, she bit her lower lip. To Hayder's surprise, he felt something cold and wet touch his cheeks.

"Kya..." Startled, he straightened up, and Hyra swiftly ran away, leaving him in shock. He touched his cheek, realizing it was haldi.

(What...)

Amused, Hayder couldn't help but smile at her playful antics. "Pagal hai."

(She is crazy.)

•••

😐😐😐😐😐

Ik, Ik, Ik, kaaaaaaaaaafi late hai update but... kya hi kahu😅. Iss baar no promise of early update... nothing, jab bhi promise karti hoon late zaroor hota hai, ab bas koshish karungi jaldi post karu 🥺

Khair, coming back to the chapter, how was it?

Pata nahi main jab bhi sochti hoon story ko kam chapters mein end kar dungi, story mere kehne pe chalti hi nahi. Moye moye 🥲

-Ufaq