I waited for the new academic year, and he waited to got me admitted in school for further studies. But there was a problem. Our village didn't had any school which gives education after class 10th. So He had to send me to nearest city.

The admission process was completed and all the documents were submitted, I just had to join classes which were going to start after a week or two. I was happy as so was Abbas but there was a pain in both hearts regarding separation. After more than one and a half year of marriage we were use to of each other's company.

I also didn't want to go away from my husband but sometimes one have to choose between two favourite things, as so in our case. Our dreams were pushing us for separation but our love and relationship was making the separation difficult.

Love!

Did we both really love each other?

Or we were just living together due to our relationship?

Maybe we love each other! Maybe not? I didn't have a faintest idea!

"Rone di ki lod pe gayi jhalli?"

(Idiot what's the need of crying?)

I was packing my last suitcase to went hostel next morning but that voice made me realise that my eyes were flowing tears, but his statement actually made me angry because he was saying me not to cry! I turned towards him with disappointment in my gaze.

"Tusi menu yaad nahi karoge ki?"

(won't you miss me?)

I asked with disappointment while wiping my tears with the back of my hand, and he took steps towards me before embracing me in his strong arms.

"Nahi, main ten'nu yaad nahi karanga"

(No, I won't miss you)

He said making me shocked and tears rolled down from my eyes one more time. I break the hug and saw him with tearfilled eyes, my lips were trembling like a small kid, I was going to cry loudly at any time.

Was he trying to push me out from his life on the name of my studies?

"Mere Jane to baad tusi duja viah kar loge? Meri Soot (sotan/ cowife) liyawange?"

(Will you remarry after I leave? Will you bring another wife for yourself?)

I asked with anger! But He smiled on my question and wiped my tears with his rough palm.

"Nahi lawanga teri soot, bas kaam wich waqt nhi milega ten'nu yaad karan da, tu wi men'nu yaad na kri aur Kitaaba wich dhiyan lagai. Samjhi?"

(I won't get time to remember you because I'll be busy in my works, and you too don't miss me, but focus on your studies. Got it?)

He said with full of love in his voice and again embraced me. Maybe he was also feeling broken as same as me but wasn't showing that in front of me. I wrapped my arms around him and and cried for long time.

He was an ideal man for me... In his 26 years of life he had proved himself as a best son and then he was in the way of proving himself as a best husband.

=================

"Dhyan Rakhi, hor yaad hai na principal sahiba ne ki bataya si?"

(Take care, and don't forget what principal madam had told you)

Those were his words when he was going to drop me  to my hostel and I nodded in response.

"Yaad hai men'nu"

(I remember)

I assured and he smiled sadly, we both were walking on the well built concrete path which was unlike the boulevards of our village. For a couple of moments He stopped on the corner of the completely empty road and I was completely puzzled on his act, I wanted to ask the reason but my tongue didn't work. He keep watching me with the desire filled gaze. First time ever I felt that one can talk with eyes too, his eyes were saying something which was actually his tongue wasn't saying! Stepping towards me he quickly kissed my forehead, making me shocked. That wasn't a small thing for us! In our village husband and wife doesn't even walk holding hand in hand as people considers the couple as a shameless one, but there he was pecking my forehead on the middle of road.

"Tusi ki kar rahe ho?"

(what are you doing?)

Looking everywhere I Asked in disbelieve, he couldn't do so on the road, there weren't anyone on that road but still... Maybe that wasn't enough for him to give me shock that he suddenly pulled me in a tight but quick hug making my breath stop in my chest and my eyes wide open.

"Yaad rakhi, Dactar ban kar hi waapis aana hai ten'nu, aur yaad hai na principal sahiba ne ki bataya si?"

(Now you have to come back only after becoming a doctor and don't forget what principal madam had told you)

He said after cupping my face with one hand while his other hand was still lifting my bags. I nodded with a proud smile on my face and we both went towards the hostel to start a new chapter of our life. 

================

AFTER TWO YEARS

"Kesi hai meri joru?"

(How is my wife?)

As soon as I receive the call he asked me with enthusiastic voice.

Since two years I was living in hostel. During vacations when all the students went to their homes, I stay in hostel to study hard because I and Ab.. Abbas

Takung his name is still difficult for me!

Hmm.... So I was saying that I use to stay in hostel because we both knew that I couldn't study if I went back to my village home, as I would become busy in all the household works, but we both talk to each other on call sometimes.

"Main Theek hu"

(I'm Fine)

I replied meekly

"Awaaz naalo ta theek nahi lag ri, Shama das men'nu ki gal hai?"

(But you're not sounding fine, Shama tell me what's the matter)

Abbas asked with concern.

"I... I am sorry" I cried out making Abbas worried, I could sense his worried voice.

"Ki gal hai, hun kuch dasegi? Shama ro mat te das men'nu ki hoya"

(What's the matter, will you tell me? Stop crying and tell me.)

He asked worriedly.

"Main tumhara khwab pura nahi kar sakti"

( I can't fulfill your dream)

I cried bit maybe I was making him confused as well as more worried.

"Ki hoya hai? Tu theek tap hai na? Shahir wich koi uch nich ta nai hui na tere naalo?"

(Is everything fine? Don't tell me you have some problem in city)

He almost shout while throwing something, maybe that was the plate of food, because that time he was having his lunch

"Doctor ban'ne k liye bohot mushkil parhai parhni hoti hai, main nahi kar sakti. Main wakeel ban'na chahti hu"

(One have to study very hard to become doctor and i can't do that, I wanna be a lawyer)

I shared while crying, I was feeling guilty that I wasn't able to achieve his dream but even after all my efforts I was unable to establish my interest in biology, which is of course main subjects for becoming a doctor.

"Dara ditta si tune ta."

(You made me scared.)

Abbas sighed with relief before adding the next sentence which made me smile

" Agar dactar nhi te wakeel hi sahi, tu wakeel hi ban ja."

( If not doctor then lawyer is also a good way)

His words made me satisfied because then the burden to fulfil his dream was taken off from my shoulders.

In two years of studying science I had been realised that medical field wasn't for me but my  interest was increasing in law and pol. Science by every passing day. Thought those weren't0 my subjects but I use to study that with my roommate.

"Thanks" I said with a smile and Abbas hummed sadly

"Teri yaad aa rai hai"

(I'm missing you)

Abbas utter in almost no voice and I smiled sadly

"Mujhe bhi"
(I'm also missing you)

I replied and we both stay quiet, maybe we didn't had words to say to each other but our silence was  talking in mean time.

"Ten'nu kuch chahiye?"

(Do you need someone?)

Abbas asked after a silence of five minutes or maybe more.

"Hmm.. Thode pese bhej do, kuch Kitaabe leni hain, aur kuch kapde bhi lene hain, mere sare kapde purane ho gaye."

(Hmm... Send me some money, I have to buy few books and some clothes too)

I demanded to my husband, that wasn't new for both of us

"Theek.... Hor kuch?"

(Fine... Anything else?)

"Hmm... Hostel fee" I added and Abbas hummed.

"Fikar na kri, main bhijwata han"

(Don't worry, I'll send)

Abbas said and we both were again silent, in two years we lost all the topics of conversations.

I was the same Shama who use to sleep after placing my head on his arm while talking so much. But then we two didn't even know what should we talk about.

"Parhai karti hai ya nahi?"

(Do you study or not?)

Abbas asked like a scolding and I just hummed in reply.

"College me admission lene ke liye to Parhai karni hi padegi"

(I have to study to take admission in college)

I utter meekly and this time Abbas hummed.

"Shama yaar I'm tired of this hostel food, let's go somewhere to have lunch" my room mate Richa come in the room with this sentence and I nodded while replying "Okay let's go" and again focus on call

"Main baad me baat karti hu. Apna dhyaan rakhna, aur khana time par kha lena, aur Haan... us din ki tarah mat karna... Dhyaan rakhna please"

(I'll talk to you later, take care and have food on time... And yeah... Don't do anything like you did other day, please take care)

I said in whispered and hanged up the call in hurry. I was feeling a bit worried for Him because few days back he placed the kitchen dusting cloth near gas stove which cached fire, but thankfully he was saved.

"Shama with whom you talk secretly? And why you always hang up the call when I enter in the room?" My roommate as well as closest friend RICHA asked and I shook my head.

"No one, you tell me where will we go?" I said to Richa and she smirk mischievously while jumping on my bed and sat down with crossed legs.

"Shama.... Do you talk to your boyfriend?" Richa asked and I was shocked to listen that.

"What? No way. I don't have any boyfriend" I replied and stepped out from he bed to drew out my clothes from cupboard.

"Sometimes I feels like you're in a serious relationship. You don't take interest in boys and always talk to someone but not in front of anyone" Richa said and I sighed.

At the time of admission, when the school principal got to know that I was already married she advised Abbas and me to hide that marriage because I was a minor and Abbas would face problem for marrying a minor if that case come in the eyes of higher authorities. So I was hiding my relationship status since two years. Abbas also never come back to meet me because we both didn't had any other relationship to define in front of other. Only principal and warden knew about mine and Abbas' relationship, they both ladies respect Abbas as he didn't let his wife live a typical household woman's life but he gave her permission to study further.

"Shama tell me yaar, with whom do you talk?" Richa again asked and I turned to saw her.

"Why are you so curious to know?" I asked but Richa again insist.

"I talk to my husband, fine? Don't ask this question again" I said and again looked towards my cupboard to drew out the clothes, Richa was shocked to listen what did she said anything but after a good moment she burst into guffaw

"What a joke! Your husband!" Richa was laughing while rolling on bed and I was gawking at her.

"What a sick joke shama." Richa was Mumbling constantly but I didn't felt the need to explain everything in front of her and we both went to market to buy books then to have lunch.

"Richa"

"Hmm"

"After 12th I'll also do BA LLB, I dropped the plan of medical" Richa became happy to knew that and gave a high five to me. We both were giggling while walking on road and soon we reached to the food shop near our hostel.

"Richa he is again here" I whispered in her ear when saw that boy in the food shop.

"I had call him to come" Richa informed and I glare her while huffing. "Why?"

"what's wrong with you Shama? Vihaan is my boyfriend." Richa shrugged after rolling her eyes.

"You're only 18,why you need a boyfriend?" I asked like a scolding

"Yes, exactly my point. I'm only 18 and  you're also 18, this is the age to make boyfriend, even I'm advising you, make a boyfriend" Richa said like a smart one but I literally smack my forehead on her demand and smack shook my head with disappointment.

"I don't need a boyfriend" I muttered while approaching towards the shop holding the books in my hand

"Come on Shama, you know what, you have come out from your village but you haven't let the village come out of you. You're still a villager by your narrow mind." Richa said but I ignored.

I didn't want to forget my ethics and morals to prove myself not a villager

"Hey Vihaan!" Richa greet him happily and he lift his gaze towards her from his mobile

"oh hii.." Vihaan suddenly pulled a face after witnessing me. "You have again bring this antique item with yourself!" Vihaan mutter in Richa's ear about me and Richa glare him while saying something under her breath.

I know Vihaan since one year, he was not a 'Bad Boy' type person but he always make my fun my saying that I'm not fit according my age, not physically but mentally because I wasn't cool like all the other teenagers of my age!

"Vihaan we have a good news, Shama have dropped the plan of staying medicine and now she will join us in BA LLB." Richa informed and Vihaan smack his forehead while looking towards both of us.

"Shama madam I was expecting that you're the bodyguard of my girlfriend for only few months, but here you're going to come in between us for next 5 years too." Vihaan said while joining his both hands in front of me and I  giggled on his drama.

He always pull my leg, idiot!

"Now order lunch" I ordered him and three of us moved towards the counter to give our order.

"shahi paneer and naan" Richa and vihaan both ordered same for them and I ordered stuffed Aalu kulcha with butter. In mean time my mobile started ringing and I excused from there as that was Abbas' call. Richa and Vihaan took their seat and I went towards washroom to attend the call.

"Tere mobile utte pese bhijwa dit'te hai, wekh le"

(I have send the money on your mobile, check it)

Abbas said and I checked the same. Abbas wasn't know about those things so he use to took help from a person of our village who was known about online transection and all.

"Yeah I have received!" I replied in short

"Oye ye angreji wich ki khit pit kar di?"

(what you have said in english?)

Abbas asked with confusion and I giggled on what I have said... While studying in english medium school my life and life style was completely changed, I wasn't the old Shama who use to talk in typical punjabi accent but them my accent as well as vocabulary was completely changed and most of the time we use to speak in english as that was the requirement of our school environment, in the beginning everything was different and difficult for me but passing time made everything fine.

"Ohh.. pardon, mera matlab tha pese aa gaye. Achha ab na main baad main baat karti hu, Kitabe lene nikli thi, to socha khana bhi bahar hi kha lete hain, hostel ka khana kha kha kr thak gayi hu main to"

(Oh, pardon... I was saying that I've received the money. Okay now I'll talk to you later, I was in market to buy some books then we decided to have lunch. I'm tired of eating hostel food.)

"Chal tu khaa le roti shoti, Maine ta apne waste daal chawal banaye hain"

(You have your lunch, I have cook myself rice with pink Lentil.)

Abbas said and I smiled.

"Aaj to chawal nahi jalaye na?"

(You haven't burnt the rice today. Right?)

I asked while suppressing my  smile as I knew he always burn rice.

"Ab ta bina jale chawal usi din khawanga jis din tu apne hatha to paka kar menu khilawegi"

( now I will eat unburned rice on that day when you will cook and serve for me)

Saying that Abbas hanged up the call as the half burnt rice were waiting for him to be consumed. And I March towards the table, the food was being served by waiter and I took my seat but before I could lift the dish which I had ordered for herself, suddenly a pair of hand hold that. I looked up, a guy who was hardly three or four years older than me came and sit next to Vihaan. He had a different charm on his face which made me numb for a sec, but I was confused too on the act of that person.

"Thanks for ordering dude, I was literally dying due to hunger" The guy exclaimed looking towards Vihaan  and without paying attention to me he eat the first bite of that stuffed Aalu kulcha which I had ordered for myself and I was only gawking at him with slightly open mouth.

What was that? I ordered that for myself!

"Zamil It's not for you, she ordered this for herself" Vihaan took the plate from him while saying so and then that guy realised about his mistake.

Vihaan conduct a formal introduction of that guy among us.

"He is my friend, Zamil... Zamil shaikh. He is already doing BA LLB, actually he is advising me everything regarding my studies" Vihaan said and Richa shake her hand with Zamil but I just passed an uncomfortable smile.

"I'm sorry Miss...." stretching the word 'Miss' Zamil said to me while watching the plate of my food and I passed a fake smile

"Shama.. Her name is Shama" Vihaan introduced me, and I slightly glare him.

Who told him to introduce me?

"It's okay you eat this, I'll order another one for myself" I told Zamil with hesitation filled smile and stood up to went towards the counter to order another one aalu stuffed kulcha for myself but somehow I felt uncomfortable because Zamil's gaze was moving with me. I felt awkward but after ordering for myself I came back to table, thankfully then he wasn't watching me but talking to Vihaan. I started having my lunch when suddenly

"What?" Vihaan exclaimed and chuckled too in the response of something which Zamil whispered in his ear.

"What happened?" I asked him as same as Richa, but he shook his head, still snickering

"Bro Not Dusky beauty but Dusky budhhi (Old woman)" Vihaan muttered near Zamil's ear and I saw him suddenly.

That means Zamil call someone Dusky beauty! Looking everywhere I didn't find any dusky girl in that place except one...

Who was no one else but...

Me

=================

Twist...

😁😁😁

_Naaz Jamal