The sky was a shade of light blue mixed with a tint of white by the greatest painters of all. The sun up high placed in the centre of the universe. Not a single cloud clouded the sky. Warm winds touched the skin full of  sweat. Last night it had rained and the trees, that were free of soil were proof of that. Their green foilage more vibrant. However the rain had only caused the life of people to be more difficult. With the rain, humidity har increased however since there were no strong winds, the heat has become more unbearable. Miraculously, overnight the dark skies had become as crystal clear as Zain's love for Mahrukh.

The family of the late Sahir Sahab would usually stay amongst themselves however that did not mean that their interaction with the outside was zero. A lot of people had come to know about the rejection of Sajid. With there being a series of mixed reviews. Some clearly applauded Mahrukh for rejecting someone who did not show that the meeting held aby importance for him. And some thought that the real reason had been his skin tone.

As the famous urdu phrase goes " Jitnay moun utni baatein" (the more the tounges, the more the gossips). As soon as word had got out about the whole fiasco, women had begun talking. One of the neighbouring lady had called all other ladies over for brunch where all they discussed was Mahrukh. How she walked and talked. How she was running the household. And all other things that come under the moon. They may have been the wives of elite men, but they were at the end of the day Desi women. Who could not live without their daily dose of gossips. One woman, Mehru, who was particularly close to Zainab decided to visit their house.

Mehru was a woman in her late forties. With hair dyed brown with golden highlights. Her black beady eyes and thin lips were the highlight of her face. Thinly made eyebrows and dark purple lipstick was her signature style. Mehru, was an overweight woman who regardless of how the outfit would look on her would wear it. Doning a red embroidered shirt and black trousers, with a pair of black sandels, she headed to Zainab's home for lunch.

Arriving at around two pm. Mehru headed in the home like she owned it. Not greeting anyone in her way, she engulfed Zainab in her arms kissing both her cheeks in the obnoxious manner most do.
"Zainab you forgot me it seems,"
the woman in question looked at her friend. Dismissing her remark she spoke
"No Mehru. Its just that a lot has changed since Mahrukh became the owner".

It was time for Mehru to strike a nerve.
"Hmm... thats what evryone is talking about. That neice of yours... she's become very famous for being the owner of the home. Waisay why did your abba do this?"
(By the way)
The look of pain and anger that suddenly took over Zainab's face, Mehru knew her goal had been acheived.
"I don't know. That girl has done some magic on everyone. No one can hear a word against her. I wish she and her mother would leave our lives!"
Mehru hummed concentrating on the delicious  mutton kadahi that had been prepared by the woman the two were slandering. Coming to her main point Mehru spoke clearly to her friend
"Well leave that. Tell me why did they reject Sajid?"
Zainab taking this as an opportunity to have Mahrukh's reputation destroyed into tatters in the neighbourhood spoke in a  mischievous tone.
"That was all a lie to cover up. Mahrukh actually ahs an affair with a large number of boys. Even our Akbar. His wife, Amna cries all day long. May Allah save us from women like her!"
and then continued to eat as if she had just not slandered an innocent woman.

The rest of the day, the two friends spent talking and discussing people and ending their conversation with the typical "khair sanu ki" (oh well why should we care). As soon as Mehru had stepped foot out of the house she called up all her friends telling them what they had found out in a voice recording. However, she accidentally ended forwarding the voice note to Shifa as well.

Shifa's fury knew no bounds as she confornted her sister in law. Bursting inside her room, Shifa slapped Zainab.
"I TOLD YOU TO STOP SLANDERING MY DAUGHTER  BUT NO . YOU NEVER LEARN!"
Hearing the loud voice of the usually calm Shifa, everyone burst inside Zainab's room. The redness of her skin and eyes shook everyone in the room. Mahrukh tried to console and calm her but today the mother inside of her would not stop.
"I've had enough of this woman. Get her out of this house. Had it been I who did what you have done, you would've forced Saad to divorce me. Get lost. I dont want to see your face ever again".
Zainab lost it. Seeing that she was being kicked out she fell i to the feet of her ledes t brother crying for help.
"Bhai stop thsi brutality from happening. I have dine nothing wrong. Just said what all of us could see".
Zain having enough of his phopho decided to speak up
"WE will not kick you out. But remember your place. You have no right to accuse Mahrukh. Becaus it seems to me that you are the only one who is seeing things".
Zain tried to reason with his aunt but his own sister Laraib went against his statement.
"Stop it bhai. Stop defending her . All of us have eyes. We see it all!"
Utterly done with the conversation that was repeated every few days, Mahrukh coaxed everyone out of the room telling them not be concerned with the statement.

○~○

Late at night. When the moon was highest. Stars were brightest. Mahrukh cried. She cried for all the pain bestowed on her by her own blood. She had never tried to harm anyone with her intentions yet it seemed the world could only hurt her. Maybe her grandfather had been wrong in leaving her the home. She was not strong enough for this. Her heart trembled with weight of it all. She was tired of the worls constantly tainting her pure relationship with Akbar. Was mankind always so blind when it came to right and wrong? Mahrukh was tired of hearing Sajid's name. Yes she had rejected him but not for the reasons everyone seemed to be talking about. Instead she did it because she felt no connection.

However, while the feelings of sadness were their, another bud was blooming inside her heart. Recently, Mahrukh had begun to see Zain in a different light. The way he spoke and walked. His attitude with everyone especially him always coming to protect her. It caused her to feel giddy. Mahrukh felt a sense of immense euphoria take over her anytime Zain's body would brush against hers.

His smile was the showstopper. The rolled up sleeves that gave view of his muscular arms and veins gave her a bloody blush all day, everyday. His gentle and calm voice as he talked to her and explained the basic things to her about life, would make her weak in the knees.

Lately, all she had been able to think about was Zain. He had been visiting her in her dreams aswell. With the two of them running around in lush green forests with water flowing by them in a strong rush. Mahrukh did not inow what was wrong with her. She could not share her feelings with her mother as she felt shy. And that only left Akbar. Who would soon be coming to her room with a glass of milk as he had been since she turned six.

Akbar entered silently handing her thr glass. Mahrukh, did something unusual. She drank the whole glass without any fights or complaints. Proving to him something was wrong.
"Mahrukh do you want to say something" Mahrukh grabbing all the courage her tiny heart had spoke up in a shy voice
"Yes". Receiving the nod of approval from him she began to narrate ger feelings.

"Well its about Zain bhai. Recently, I've been feeling things. When he is near me the world stops. When he talks to me I can not hear or understand a single thing. When he talks to mama or tayimama his behaviour makes me feel happy. But most of all when he stands uo for me my heart cries with joy and a feeling of euphoria takes over me. Makes me weak in the knees.
It seems to me now that when a day passes that I don't see him I cant breathe. It feels I am underwater and my chest will collapse under pressure. He has it seems, become the sole air I breathe.
I have no idea what is happeing. I can't imagine a life without him. Akbar bhai what is happening to me" . Akbar looked into her eyes with a deep intensity. And gave her a breathtaking smile. Saying casually before heading out
"You my child have fallen in love"

○~○

The next morning, the weather was a bit better. The sun a little less hotter. All night, Mahrukh had tossed and turned with the words of Akbar clouding her head. She would think that what Akbar said was true but in the next minute she would tell her heart that he was way too elder than her. She was just going crazy.

The entire day, Mahrukh looked at him and everytime he would catch her gaze a light pink blush would coat her cheeks that would make Zain's heart clench. Today, Mahrukh had felt all her emotions with double the intensity. She was going crazy from within. Her heart knew what she was trying to deny. But for how long could she deny?

Zain, came inside his bedroom and fell on the bed. He had asked his love to bring him a strong cup of tea to cure the headache that he was having. Mahrukh stepped in the room witha tray that had a cup of tea along with some bsicuits in it. Zain felt he lost his mind completely seeing her smile. He could imagine the scene. He and Mahrukh married and spending their days inside this room. Ah! How he wished for such days. Mahrukh was about to dash for the door when Zain called her
"Sit with me. I'm not half as bad as Akbar. I promise". Mahrukh looked into his eyes that observed her with such an intensity that it did something to her heart. She felt as if it would stop in a second or two. Running out of the room she caught her breath when realisation struck her. Eureka. Akbar was right all along.

She was in love with Zain.

○~○