"Aaj Akhtar bhaisahab k salesahab aaye the daftar mein" Zubair sat on the bed and bent to open his shoes...

(Today Akhtar bhai's brother in law had come in the office)

"Kyun" Nafisa after keeping his coat in the wardrobe turned

(Why)

"Wo apne bete Shehryaar ke liye Hania ka haath maang rahe hain....."
(He is asking for Hania's hand for his son Shehryar)

"Kya"

"Haan....aur unka beta Hania ke hospital me hi kaam karta hai........mujhe lagta hai wo janti bhi hogi"

(Yes...and his son works in Hania's hospital only...I think she must be knowing him)

"Toh kya socha hai aapne"

(So what have you thought)

"Bhaisahab wahin par the...unhone unhe ghar par bulaya hai.......unka kehna hai...puri tarah pehle ladke ke baare me janenge"

(Bhai was there ... he had invited them home...he wants to know everyhing about the boy before taking a decision)

"Bilkul sahi kaha hai bhaisahab ne...hamari beti ki baat hai"

(He is right...it's about our daughter)

"Hmm...aise wo log sharif log hain.....khandaan acha hai.....lekin tum pehle Hania se is baare me baat karo" Zubair rested his back on the bed rest.

(They are good people...but you talk to Hania first)

The next day Nafisa talked to Hania about the matter and the twinkle in her eyes was almost successful in relating the actual story to her mother.

--------------------------------

"Suno kal kuch guests aa rahe hain ghar par....toh tum sab sharafat se ghar par rehna....." Iqbal warned the bunch of musketeers who nooded obediently

(Tomorrow some guests are coming..so you all should be present there)

"Aapi aap ye pehenna kal....jiju dekhte reh jayenge" Anaya was trying every dress on Hania in excitement which made Hania chuckle "Mujhe toh samajh me nahi aata tum apni shaadi par kya karogi......har ek "qubool hai" par ek lehenga change karne ka irada hai kya tumhara"

(Aapi....you wear this...Jiju will be impressed)

(I wonder what you will do on your wedding...you will be having a separate lehanga for every "I do" or what)

"Aisa kar sakte hain" Anaya questioned making Hania hit her head to stop the over dramatic crazy thoughts of his little sister...who if given a free hand would actually like to try that.

(Can we do this?)

So before Anaya could come up with a crazier thought, Hania zeroed in on a pastel pink colour chudidaar and called it a day.

--------------

"Hume yeh rishta manzoor hai Anwar bhai........hume pura bharosa hai aapki family hamari Hania ko bahut khush rakhegi" Iqbal said making the two families congratulate each other...with hugs and sweets.

(We accept your proposal Anwar bhai....we have faith in your family that you all will keep our daughter happy)

Shehryar looked at Hania who averted her gaze in shyness

"Aapi....jiju ki taraf ek baar dekh lein...nahi to unki nazrein ...." Hania pinched Humeira's arm making her shut her mouth.

(Aapi Jiju is looking at you...give him a glance at least)

"Iqbal bhai...hum aapse ek aur baat karna chah rahe the......agar aap logon ki razamandi ho to" Anwar held Iqbal's hand

(Iqbal bhai...we wanted to have a talk with you regarding something else too....if you are okay)

"Haan bolein"

(Yes... please say)

"Aap agar apne chhote bete Arham ke liye hamari Ameera ko qubool kar lein to ..... hamari khushi duguni ho jayegi"

(We would love to have your younger son Arham as our son in law)

Iqbal's eyes went to Arham who was shocked....he was not expecting something like this. True he had left the decision of his marriage on his parents but still it caught him offguard.....and his expression didn't mask any of it.

Iqbal could very well understand his son's turmoil and asked Anwar for some time "Bhaisahab humein thodi mohlat dein......."

(We need some time)

"Bilkul Iqbal sahab...hum samajhte hain....aap log waqt lein..." Anwar's words could speak for his gentle nature.

(You can take as much time as you want)

Later ... the two families had lunch together admist some fun talks.

--------------

"Bhaijaan bas rang na badal lein..aap shaadi ke baad......" Asif entered Arham's room and hugged him.

(Bhai ... don't change after marriage)

"Oye....hato" Arham made a face pushing Asif who was wiping his fake tears "Aap badal gayein toh phir hamara kharcha pani kaise chalega"

(If you changed... how will we manage?)

None of the younger cousins could muster up courage to go to Adil and demand for pocket money or something. Arham was their sole feeder.....

"Pehli baat maine shaadi ke liye haan ki nahi hai aur .... shaadi ke baad mai kya kahin rukhsat hone wala hun jo abhi se itna wahiyat matam mana rahe ho"

(First of all I have not said yes for the marriage.....and after marriage I am not going anywhere so why are you pulling this disgusting act of yours)

"Bhaijaan...." another second Humeira came jumping with a photograph in her hand ......."ye hain hamari honewali bhabhijaan ki tasveer"

(This is our going to be our sister in law's photograph)

Humeira forcibly showed Arham the photograph holding his chin......and before he could understand anything, he saw Aqib with a guitar taking a pose.............it was obvious..he was just waiting to make an entry

"Zara tasveer se tu nikal ke saamne aa
Meri Mehbooba....
Meri Mehbooba..."

"Besuron band karo........." Arham threw his pillows at them who didn't deter ... instead increased their volume "Meri mehbooba"

(You idiots..stop all this nonsense)

With Humeira joining them...it became worse....

Seeing no other option, he literally started pushing all three out of the room....showing no mercy.

"Bhaijaan.......what is this behaviour" the trio laughed

"Arham......." the sudden intimidating sound echoed in the corridor..

"Ye kya hulia bana rakha hai" Adil scrunched his brows seeing Aqib dress up like a rockstar .. with a guitar in his hand.

(Why are you dressed up like that)

Asif and Humeira were trying so hard to hold their laugh and that could be guessed out looking at their faces.

"Bas bhaijaan.....kuch baat karne aaya tha"

(Just wanted to have a talk)

"Aise" Adil rose his brows

(Like this?)

"Bas bhaijaan ek nayi composition tayyar ki thi to bas......"

(Bhai..I had just composed a new composition so)

"Haan bhai...aapke nikaah ke liye bhi isne ek tayyar ki hai.........Aqib... bhai ko sunao" Asif didn't want to let the opportunity go...

(He has made one for your wedding too....Aqib.....sing for bhai)

"Kamine" Aqib stomped on his foot making him hiss "Aaah"
(Idiot)

"Acha Humeira....dekho Anaya kahin akele Mall road ja rahi hai...uske sath chali jao" Adil ignored the boys and then turned to Humeira.

(Humeira..Anaya is going to Mall road alone...accompany her)

After Humeira left, Adil again looked at the boys.

"Dafa hone ke liye bolna padega"

(Should I tell you guys to get lost?)

"Bas hone hi wale the bhaijaan" with that Aqib ran away leaving Asif who limped as fast as he could muttering curses.

(We were just about to bhai)

"Acha Arham .... sare quotations sab dekh liye hain na tumne theek se...kyunki kal tumhe subah 9 baje nikalna padega" Adil entered Arham's room

(Arham...have you gone through all thr quotations.....you will have leave by 9)

"Ji bhai....don't worry...I won't disappoint you"

"I know" Adil smiled warmly

His eyes went to a picture kept on the table "So kya socha hai shaadi ke bare me"

(So...what have you thought about the marriage proposal?)

"Bhai aapko pata hai na....I believe in the concept of inner beauty.....ek tasveer se pata nahi lagaya ja sakta hai ki insaan kaisa hai............" Arham sat on the bed

(Bhai I believe in the concept of inner beauty....a mere photograph can't let you know how a person actually is...)

"You know .... your wife will be very lucky........" Adil knew the fact that his brother was a gem of a person....he speaks less but has a lot of depth..

"Aur aapki bhi" Arham politely smiled but Adil just shrugged and patted his head "Allah...tumhe hamesha khush rakhe" .... with that Adil was out of the room.

(Yours too)

(God bless you)
----------------

It was 9 in the night and everybody in the Khan villa was in a state of restlessness as Arham was still not home....he was expected to reach by 5 ..... his phone was coming switched off and that was scaring the hell out of everybody.....

Suddenly Adil rushed downstairs with car keys...his panic stricken face made everyone rush towards him "Aqib gaadi nikalo....jaldi"

"Huwa kya hai......"

(What happened)

"Abbu ....Arham ka accident.. huwa hai"

(Arham has met with an accident)

"Allah......" everyone gasped

Not wasting anytime Adil rushed out....with Asif .

After sometime Iqbal also came with Jameela in the hospital

Arham was in a critical condition.....doctors were trying their best.......finally the hard work paid off with doctors declaring him out of danger....

"Allah tera shukar" Jameela closed her eyes and prayed for her son.

(Thank God)

Arham was still unconscious.....

"Aqib...Asif....tumlog ghar jao....mai hun yahan" Adil said caressing Aqib's shoulder when he just hugged him and broke down in tears

(Aqib..Asif..you both go home..I am hete)

"Arre.......Arham theek hai ab" Adil lovingly caressed his hair......he knew Aqib and Asif were very attached to Arham and his condition scared them.

(Hey.....Arham is alright now)

---------------

Finally, Arham was out of his unconscious state ..... but still feeling drowsy. His right leg was feeling numb....and when he complained, the doctor assured that it would be alright...in a few days' time.

Everybody met him turn by turn .... and now he was asleep due to the effect of the medicines.

"Mr Adil ......." the doctor called him in his cabin...."

Adil came out of the cabin.....and went towards Arham's room.......the unshed tears in eyes were caught by Iqbal who pulled him out "Kya kaha doctor ne"

(What did the doctor say?)

Iqbal lost his balance listening to Adil who immediately caught him "Abbu ... hum bahar le jayenge Arham ko....wo phir se apne pairon par chalega.......bade se bada doctor karenge hum...sab theek ho jayega"

(Abbu we will go abroad for his treatment....he will be able to walk again...we will contacting the most efficient doctors)

A couple of weeks had gone by and now Arham was home in his family's care.

Shehryar's family had also visited him after a couple of days and in indirect words, kind of taken back the proposal.
Iqbal didn't react as he didn't want to destroy Hania's future but Jameela was devastated.........first Adil who never seemed happy with his marriage ... and now Arham ....... people thinking of him as worthless just pained her beyond measure....

Arham was in no good state.......he had become aware of the things....he was miserable.....

"Koi mere Arham ko apni beti nahi dena chahta...........usne toh theek se zindagi bhi nahi shuru ki thi...aur uske sath ye sab" Jameela's hiccups were squeezing everybody's heart with pain....

(No body wants to give their daughter to my Arham...he has not ever started his life......and look what happened to him)

"Ammi paani ....Arham theek ho jayega...maine Dr Haqib se baat ki hai...wo London ke bahut bade doctor hain....sab kuch theek ho jayega Ammi" Adil hugged his mother

(Ammi ...Arham will get absolutely fine)

Shoib couldn't stand the scene......he just walked upstairs .. Sarwat followed him "sambhaliye apne aap ko...."

"Iqbal Bhai aur Bhabhi ne kabhi kisi ka bura nahi chaha........kabhi bura nahi socha....phir unke sath...." Shoib sat on the couch feeling helpless......he had seen Iqbal crying on the terrace the other day.....he just felt helpless.

(Bhai and bhabhi have never thought bad of someone.....then too this happened to them)

He was just remembering the day when Jameela had put Arham in Sarwat's arms ......Sarwat was having problems in conceiving.......and Jameela was ready to sacrifice but Shoib had vehemently opposed.....it was Allah's blessing that they were now blessed with three children.

He walked to Sarwat and cupped her face "Mai ek faisla karne ja raha hun....mera sath dogi"

(I am going to take a decision...will you be with me in this)

Sarwat raised her head "mai janti hun aap kya chahte hain".....she could read her husband's eyes.

(I know what you want)

"Ammi.....ye aap kya keh rahin hain...mai kaise Arham bhaijaan se shaadi kar sakti hun....?" Humeira was shocked .......

(Ammi....what are you saying...how can I marry Arham bhai?)

"Kyun....kya burai hai usme......ya phir tum bhi unme se ho jo " Sarwat was cutoff by Humeira

(Why....what's wrong in that.....are you also thinking like those people)

"Kabhi nahi...Ammi....pls mujhe un logon se compare na kare...mai kabhi aisa soch bhi nahi sakti.....unse acha shaksh maine apni puri zindagi me nahin dekha"

(Never Ammi...don't compare me to those people...I can never think like that....I have never met such a nice person in life)

"Ammi ..Arham bhaijaan jise milenge wo duniya ki sabse khushnaseeb ladki hogi...."

(The girl who will get Arham bhai as her husband will be the luckiest)

"Toh phir problem kya hai bache........aur aisa nahi hai ki wo kabhi theek nahi ho sakta ...Adil ne kaha hai"

(Then..what's the problem dear....and also it's not like he will never recover...Adil has said)

"Ammi .. aap phir usi baat par aa rahi hain...mere inkaar karne ki ye wajah kabhi nahi ho sakti..........it's just that maine unhe hamesha ek bade bhai ki tarah dekha hai......mai kaise "

(Ammi you are again going bringing that lame thing....I am not saying because of that...it's just that..I have always taken him as my elder brother)

"Lekin wo tumhara bhai nahi hai.....beta Jameela bhabhi ki haalat bahut kharab hai......." Sarwat knew she was emotionally blackmailing her daughter but she also knew that this was one decision Humeira will never regret taking.....she can vouch for that.

(But he is not your brother....moreover Jameela bhabhi's condition has gone from bad to worse)

It just took Arham a look at his devastated mother ... he was in a state where he could do anything to bring a smile on her face..he was finding himself responsible for all her trauma........but he couldn't be selfish..that too with Humeira. He was angry at her for saying yes..........it was because of her yes, he didn't have any option left. His mind was in a different zone.......he would hate if somebody showed sympathy.....a little bitterness would creep up in him thinking Humeira showed pity on him by saying yes...because he knew she always wanted a lively person as her husband and here he was..nothing close to being even fun.

-------------

With in a couple of weeks........Arham and Humeira were married in the presence of family and close relatives. It was a small affair. Humeira was looking divine in a red lehenga but Arham didn't spare her even a glance. From the time, the marriage got fixed, no exchange of words took place between the two.

Aqib and Asif were always there to help Arham when he had to move. They didn't want their Arham bhai to use a wheel chair when they were there.

Humeira was made to sit in Arham's room.......she was waiting for him....
1..hour...2....3....the hours went by and he never came.

She knew next day he was leaving for London with Adil and Jameela. The treatment will take a couple of months.....she also wanted to accompany them but Adil advised her to focus on the last month of her internship.

Humeira wanted to have a talk with Arham....she kept looking for chances to meet him alone....but Arham didn't let that happen.....and without having any word with his newly wed wife, he left for London.

Note

Abbu : father

Ammi : mother

Aapi : elder sister

Bhaijaan: elder brother

Bhabhi : sister in law