Assalam-o-Alaikum! 

Update Again :)

Aur tamam jawabaat, comments, and messages  ko mad-e-nazer rakhtey hue ye faisla kiya jata hea k am not gonna change the names of my characters as most of you want :) <3 

4| The Assent 

Shehry

Lahore | the next morning

"Shehry! let's have breakfast somewhere" Maha strike the idea, her favorite one; let's dine out. "Halwa poori" she added excitedly, I emptied the water bottle and kept it over the kitchen counter.

"No am not going to eat anything unhealthy I have already put on pounds" I clearly rejected the idea and she pouted.

"tch! You can eat plan yogurt then, let me and Hussain have halwa poori. Please Shehry! I don't want to eat these scrambled eggs and its Sunday yar! Let's have something different" Maya pleaded and I looked at her with my brow raised.

"Achaw ji? To tum dono urao halwa poori or mein khaoon dahi? Wo bhi phikki? Na re na!!!" I shook my head and Maha glared at me but then her expressions suddenly turned softer and she held my hands in hers. I jumped up mockingly.

"O ki ker rai ae?"

"Shehry I promise I will iron your shirts for office for a whole next week and I will do your part of laundry as well for the next two turns. I shapatt!" she insisted dramatically as if it wasn't a halwa poori but some treasure she wanted.

Maha and her wishes.....both were strange.

"Whole week?" I asked and she violently nodded her head, her messy morning hair jumped up and down.

"and polish my shoes as well?" I added just in the poor innocent hope that maybe she will agree but....

"Shehry!" she gave me a disapproving look. "you don't make a girl polish your shoes" and jumped instantly into her feminine self. I rolled my eyes.

"Okay okay! so it's done; whole week iron and my laundry, twice?" I confirmed and she nodded in agreement happily.

"Ah! I will be a free man!" I exclaimed, Maha rested her palms over my back and pushed me out from the kitchen.

"Now go, wake up Hussain and I will get ready. Give me two minutes"

She ran towards her room and I reluctantly headed to Hussain's. I kicked his door and it flung open making me face to face with a half naked, clumsy Hussain lousily sleeping in his bed with his snores so audible. I swear upon the love of life they were the reason lizards never appeared in his room... even they were afraid of Hussain's snoring.

"Who sleeps shirtless in December bro!" I shook my head as I stated a little louder on purpose but he didn't even stir a little in his place. I pushed aside the curtains and opened the window, it was a little foggy no sign of sun this morning too.

I was a little too happy, after all it was a happy, special occasion; its not everyday that Hussain agrees upon getting married.

"Shehry get out and lemme sleep, its Sunday man!" his sleepy tired voice made me turn around and I rolled my eyes.

"It's already 11" I stated, well lied actually it was only 9.

"Hussain get up! we are going out for breakfast" I held his blanket and was about to pull it off him when he grabbed it in a fist and covered himself even his face in annoyance.

"Tu ja mujhy sone de" he turned his side under the blanket and the next moment he was snoring again.

Radha | Kashmir

"... Om Jai Jagadeesh hare....."

"Radha!" I was silently chanting the morning arati behind Shanta Bua when I heard Shiva whispered and I looked at him to my right. "Where is Maya?"

It has been the whole day Shiva and Maya didn't talk in fact Maya didn't step out from her room, she didn't even come for morning Arati.

"In her room. She didn't take dinner last night and didn't go for jog today either" I stated and Shiva looked back at the grand statue of Saraswati Ma stood all tall, the goddess of wisdom.

"....Swami dukha binase mana ka.....Sukha sampati ghara ave..."

"... om jai jagadeshe hare...."

Shanta bua ended the bhajan bowing down her head over the silver arati platter in her hands and then turned towards us. Bringing the platter forward she offered Shiva the blessing and he moved his hands over the kindled flame before moving them over his head.

"Parashad" she offered the sweet to him and then I did the same. Shiva stepped out from the temple flapping his shawl over his shoulders and called the servant;

"pali!"

"Kahan marr gayi hea?" Shiva sounded annoyed. "Pali!!!" the second call almost came like a roar and pali came shivering into the main hall. Shiva's eyes fuming flames.

"j-ji Sarkaar?"

"Ek awaz mein sunai nai deta? Namak haram!" Bua commented roughly, Pali kept looking down at her tied palms, her head bowed low.

"Go and call Maya" Shiva ordered in the same thunder like tone and Pali looked up, giving a node to her head she turned and left.

"What have you decided Shiva?" I asked hesitantly as he kept on parading in the hall.

"Kis barey mein bahu?" Shanta bua interrogated instead of Shiva and I gulped down knowing she would make a whole scene out of that, I looked at her and remained quiet with a shake of my head. "nothing bua"

"I talked to Nana ji last night he was fuming with rage for what Maya did yesterday in panchayat. After all that he will never agree for this" Shiva replied but somewhere I felt as if the brother inside him had convinced the angry Shiva already. He was up all night parading in the study with a frown over his forehead that screamed he was double minded. 

"paraya desh hea wo bhi dushman, chori ko bhejna matlab sanp dekh ker aankh moond lena. Or chori bhi aesi herrafa phir to...

"Serkar!" Pali's voice made Bua stopped; she looked at the poor servant in great distaste. "Maya didi ko to buhat tez taap (bukhar) hai" she informed.

"Bus! Bahane shuroo" Bua made a face waving a hand in air.

And without a word Shiva marched towards the stairs ignoring Shanta bua blabbering at his back. Sometimes I wanted to give a piece of my mind but then again she was our elder, we ought to respect her.

Shiva

Softly knocking at her door I waited for a few moments but she didn't reply which made me step inside anyways, entering in her room the first impression I got was her wrath, it was so like mine, it knows no bounds.

Hey Ram! I never wanted my sister to be exactly like me, not at least the anger part.

I stumbled a little as a broken vase came in my way and I silently shoved it aside, the whole room was in mess nothing was in place not even my sister; the bed was totally messed up, pillows and cushions scattered everywhere. She had a bad night, so did I. 

She was half over the couch half lying down, the comforter was tangled between her legs and the table at the front. I shook my head walking towards her and knelt down reaching near the couch.

She wept the whole night; I could see that from her face. I lightly touched her forehead, it was burning and I instantly felt bad for shouting at her. "Maya?" I called but she didn't budge, she was lying over her stomach and her hands folded under tummy..... empty! She didn't have dinner even.

I held her forearm and turned her in her place making her lay straight in the couch and my gaze caught sight of her left hand holding the brown diary firm in grip.

I was sick of it; no day would pass without witnessing this in her hands.

I tried to take it from her but she gripped it even tighter and turned her side in the couch. "Maya!"

"Go away" her voice sounded weak and my heart skipped a beat.

Sighing helplessly, I looked around and got up over my feet. Making up her bed I kept the pillows in place and then turned back towards my stubborn sister.

"Maya! Come on get up." I tried to get her up but her fever was acute and strength zero in her body. Bending down I picked her up and carried her to the bed before placing her cautiously down. I sat over the brim and kept the diary on the side table as I held her hand in mine.

"Why are you so stubborn Maya? I can convince the whole world but you! you are just too hard on your brother. It isn't fair" I spoke softly as I kissed the back of her hand, I knew she was listening.

Just then the door got knocked and on the permission it pushed back I saw Pali coming inside holding a tray in her hands followed by Radha. Pali kept the tray over the table and left.

I looked back at Maya, she looked so weak and hurt and I knew this time it wasn't just Shanta bua's words it was me.... I have hurt my sister.

I felt a hand over my shoulder and her presence at my back. "De do ijazat Shiva! She is not asking much" I looked up at my wife who pressed a small smile, she patted my shoulder a couple of times and then left the room.

I looked back at Maya who was now looking at me with remorse and complain with her eyes weary and bloodshot. 

I don't know why every time Shiva Avinash Thukral loses the battle of rules and pride against the brother inside me. 

Maha

I quickly changed into a fresh kameez shalwar, wore my favorite sweater and tied my hair up in a ponytail. I pulled out a scarf from the hanger knowing Hussain cum Abbu ji will be grumpy, before rushing out from the room.

Every Sunday was my turn day, I mean it was the day I was suppose to make breakfast for all three of us and it was seriously so tiring Hussain would always want a parathey wala breakfast with perfect bani hui chae I seriously sucked making tea and Shehry.... he would always complain; you poured milk before adding cornflakes today, you added too much milk today, you didn't add the right amount of honey bla bla bla!!!!

Thank God! I didn't have to make those parathey now.

Happily I ran towards Shehry's room but found it empty and messy like always. He must be with Hussain, thinking this I rushed towards his room and found him standing near his bed... singing?

I stopped in my tracks near the door frame as I heard Shehry singing all loud enough to wake up the neighbors. I stepped forward and found him in an attempt of pulling Hussain's blanket. What was he up to???

Shehry held the blanket and slowly pulled it off Hussain as if he was pealing him off.

"Suhaagraat hea blanket hata raha hoon mein"

I giggled as he sang all filmy, Hussain doesn't matter tried to snatch it back he failed the blanket was now in Shehry's hand. Hussain angrily sat up in the bed fuming flames towards Shehry who seemed totally unmoved by his anger.

"Simat rahi hea tu sherma k apni banhon mein....." he leaned in touching Hussain's bare shoulder fluttering his eye lashes and I couldn't control but burst in laughter as I stepped inside.

"Shehry bakwas band ker yar! Dafa ho yahan se" Hussain grumpily shoved him aside.

"Eeeiieeew! Shehry you are so gay" I slapped his arm but the next moment I realized what I just said a loud. Oops! I hope he didn't notice. Shehry raised his eye brow but then made an innocent face

"What did I do? I woke him up, you should be happy" Shehry countered and I rolled my eyes still smiling.

"Kia maut pari hea tum dono ko sawery sawery?" Hussain was now wearing his t shirt standing near the bed.

"Halwa poori ka plan hea. we both are ready only you are left my lazy lousy bhaiya!" I told him and he dragged his lazy self reluctantly towards the washroom blabbering. "Sunday ko bhi sukoon nai"

"oye! What did you call me han?" Shehry twisted my ear the moment Hussain stepped inside and I made a sweet oblivious face at him.

"What? I didn't call you anything" I flutter my eyes and he made a knowing face keeping his fist over his waist like that sab se chalak wali phupo

"from where did you learn the word han?" he interrogated. Come on Shehry! am not a kid, I know much more than just a word. Duh!

"In my literature class; In Wordsworth poem" I quickly came up with the lamest reply and he frowned.

"Han ji? Literature which vi honda ae ye sab?" he asked acting innocent.

"Oho! It was a poem Shehry! A poet could not be but gay in such a laughing company....." I explained giving exact reference. "it was a poem, daffodils"

"Achaw? So Wordsworth was a gay?" he asked and I rolled my eyes.

"And you study this behooda literature in school? Bus! Kal se tumhara school jana band. Ghar betho roti haandi karo" he ordered all loud and I shook my head.

"Shut up Shehry! by gay he meant happy" Annoyed, I marched out from the room leaving him chuckling at my back. Seriously he loved pulling my leg.

Hussain

"Don't worry Mr Douglas I will be there, there is no issue at all you know, I always wanted to be a part of this" I looked at Shehry busy on phone.

Waiter had served our breakfast but unfortunately flies wanted to enjoy that.

"Shehry come on man! hang up now" He was on the phone for last ten minutes annoying me and Maha. "It is getting cold" I pointed down at the halwa poori platter and he made a face and then gestured us to start.

"Let's start Hussain! Shehry is on diet, remember?" Maha reminded me and I shook my head.

"Yeah! I'll pick him on my way" Shehry replied on the phone coming near the table and dragged the chair. "Uh- no that's okay with me, just tell me how many days will the camp take?" he further asked sitting down and was about to drag the platter towards himself when Maha quickly beat him keeping it to her.

"Dietinnnng!!!" she whispered and Shehry rolled his eyes. I silently started my breakfast.

"Fine I will be there by 6 in evening" Shehry informed with a smile. "Okay! See you then" and he hung up with a loud sigh.

"What happened?" I inquired taking a sip from my lassi.

Shehry huffed up. "Am leaving for Peshawar today" he informed making me frown and Maha stopped in her, devouring halwa poori.

"Peshawar? Why?" she asked, Shehry was now stuffing himself with his plain yogurt.

"Camp hai. For the earthquake victims it's a relief camp UNICEF has organized a week back and a few members were going from my NGO but one of them just called and refused so I have to fill in the space" Shehry explained shrugging.

"Yeah! You being the let-me-volunteer man" I said and Shehry rolled his eyes.

"Of course man it is for kids how can I refuse?" Shehry being Shehry; crazy for kids and after being the child protection program head, in an international NGO he has become a little too inclined towards children.

"How many days?" Maha asked and Shehry raised his both palms up; one with all the fingers open while the other raising only index.

"Six days?!" Maha exclaimed loud enough to freak out the family next table. "That's too much. Say No" she ordered getting upset, thumping her oily palm over the table and I smiled at her freaked out face.

"I know" Shehry scrunched his nose at her. "But I can't refuse Maha it's a noble cause you know, in fact when my boss announced the camp plan I wanted to be the part of it in the first place but the quorum was completed already so I backed off" he explained, convincing Maha who seemed reluctant.

Shehry was more like a mother, a typical caring and too much affectionate Mommy not only for Maha but at times for me as well and we all know what a child feels when the Mummy leaves home for a whole week.

"So you will leave today?" She asked and Shehry nodded. "And you won't be home for six days" she added in melancholy almost to herself and he smiled softly.

"So what? Abu will be here darling" he sweetly stated pointing his spoon at me and I shook my head, Maha looked at me and then looked back at him.

"But Abbu scolds me all the time in your absence and he doesn't even know how to make my hair. He only sleeps I swear I will miss my school. Abbu is lousy" Maha complaint in a single breath, I smacked her head making her pout. Shehry chuckled.

"Changa ae han puter ji! Paal pos k tenu isi din vastey vadda kita si k tu baap ton ungli uthaye han? Tu kaar chal dasna mein tenu!" I eyed her severely pretending angry and she showed me her fist but stopped when the waiter brought some fresh pooriyan.

"hey! Shehry I want 7up" She nudged his arm pointing at the waiter who turned and left but Shehry shook his head hushing her up.

"Gala kharab ho jaye ga Maha! it's too oily. No!" he shook his head firmly serving her another hot poori in her plate and Maha pouted looking at me wanting help but I faked a sweet smile.

"Serves you right sweetheart" I stated with a wink and Maha jerked her head disapprovingly, once again concentrating on the breakfast.

The rest of the breakfast done in silence and then Shehry paid and we left the hotel for home; Shehry had to pack for the trip, I had to check the maps and designs my creative head sent me for approval and Maha had to spend the rest of the weekend watching silly idiotic Disney dramas. Lots to do.

Maha as always jumped rather walked towards the parking lot while Shehry and I followed her to the car.

She was still that three years old vulnerable sister of ours who got abandoned of the love of parents at such tender age, me and Shehry brought her up being her Ammi and Abbu which made her more like a daughter than a sister.

"Khala told me about a girl yesterday. Kaho to meeting fix karaoon teri?" Shehry inquired, in a tone that showed I was used to of meeting girls every weekend so it was a piece of cake; meeting her and then marrying her as well. I rolled my eyes.

"lemme think, don't rush man!" I hushed him up as he was about to open his mouth.

Once we sat in the car Maha took off the scarf, throwing it on the seat next to her she sighed in relief. I shook my head and Shehry chuckled knowing my annoyance.

"Why do you even wear it if you hate it so much?" Shehry asked driving out from the parking, bringing car on the busy road.

Maha moved forward in between the two front seats and stated. "Because Abbu likes it"

"yeah because you are not a kidy anymore you are 16 and it's for your own good, you don't...

Maha quickly kept her palm over my mouth firmly, stopping me. "Okay okay okay! Dear Abbu! I agree with you with aaalll my heart and that's why I cover my head wearing the scarf, but ub no lecture okay Hussain!" I sensed her frown.

"Yeah Abu lectures us a lot Maha! kuch kerna parey ga yar" Shehry took her side and I rolled my eyes. Maha's palm still covered my lips.

"No lecture, okay?" she demanded being the bossy Maha and I nodded, only then she removed her palm.

"Get him married and bring a bhabi" Maha excitedly threw her favorite suggestion and Shehry squealed like a school girl, I knew they would start all over again.

"Yes! We want bhabi!!"

"We want bhabi!!!"

"We want bhabi!!!"

Together they literally took the whole car on their heads by the shouting; shoving their fists up in the air, Shehry could shove only one because he was driving with the other.

"We want bhabi! We wan....

"I think somebody is forgetting the deal" I loudly interrupted them both and they stopped. "Shehry will get married first. Remember guys?" I reminded them the deal we three had and Shehry rolled his eyes waving a hand in air, disapproving like always.

"So first get me a bhabi and only then I will get one for you two" I further added and Maha moved her head as if she agreed with me on this point.

"Wesey Shehry! Hussain is right. You are the elder one so according to the norms you should get married first" She explained like our Amaa Dadi. Shehry slapped lightly over her head which was moving to and fro like a pendulum between mine and Shehry's seat.

"Ji Dadi Amaa jo hokum ap ka, dhoondta hoon ap k liye bhabi" Shehry sweetly stated and Maha laughed clapping her hands.

"I like that girl in your team Shehry! that tall one, US return, with long curls and her eyes.... Gosh! She is beautiful man. What was the name?" Shehry did a huge eye roll as I said, annoying him. I knew he couldn't even imagine anyone other than Amna as his life partner. 

"The name is So-pheeyaa!!!" Maha rolled her tongue taking her name in style and jerking her hair off her shoulder, with the back of her hand. I laughed at how perfect she mimicked her.

"Sophiya nai chipkali" Shehry corrected us. "Chipak jati hea to hatney ka nam he nai leti, pata nai kon si dheet wali German glue khati hea" 

"You know what, I think she is perfect for Hussain. Aesi he kuri labni mein tere vastey jo ek vaari chipak gai na Hussain putter!  te fer hatna nai bandi ne sari umer" he further stated and Maha laughed hysterically.

"No but she fancies you man!" I countered. "Shehry and Sophiya. Sounds good to me, q Maha?" I teased him and Maha agreed hurriedly.

Thaali ka began hea Maha, kabhi Shehry k court mein to kabhi merey. I mentally chuckled at my thought.

"Camaat na kha leen merey hathon tu ub" Shehry hushed me up as he pushed on brakes and I looked out, we were home already? Pata he nai chala baton mein.

Shehry

"Umm 4 shirts will be enough, yeah?" I asked myself taking out the stacked shirts from closet but then rethinking I took a couple more of them.

"Jeans to ek bhi kafi hea, ek haftey ki to bat hea" and pulled out the dark blue jeans from the hanger.

"han underwear jitney hon kam hen" I grabbed a few of them and turned back kicking the closet shut.

I packed cum threw my stuff in the duffle bag place on my bed. Maha was silently sitting in the far corner of the bed, clutching my pillow to her tummy with a constant pout over her lips as she watched me packing.

"You should be happy you got over with the one week ironing and laundry sweetheart!" I tried to make her smile, reminding her about our morning condition but she refused to smile.

"Acha tell me what will you bring for me from Peshawar?"

Maha asked and before I could come up with the list Hussain entered the room. "Naswaar"

Maha stick her tongue out at him while I laughed. "Tum khana naswaar mein achi cheezen khati hoon"

Hussain almost fell in the bed chuckling. Resting his head in Maha's lap he held both her hands and placed them in his hair, she made a face but then smiled anyways and started moving her fingers in his hair while Hussain calmly laid there with his eyes shut.

For a few moments I felt my feet got stuck to the ground and my gaze fixated on the lovely scene; Hussain was so used to of this; he would lay down resting his head in Ammi's lap for hours and she would caress his hair with a constant soft smile on her face.

Maha's smile always reminded me of Ammi. A moment when it was difficult for me to decide if I was happy or sad?

"You know what Shehry" Maha's words brought me back to reality and I jerked my head. "For Hussain bring a pathani from Peshawar, jo buhat moti ho, naswaar kahti ho or pushto bolti ho or bandook chalati ho. Topak zama kanoon!!!" Maha stated and flaunted a pushto dialogue at the end making me laugh forgetting the grim, Hussain was smiling. His eyes still shut when he tried to slap Maha but she backed off timely.

I shook my head still having the smile and zipped my bag.

"mein ne suna hea jahan zalzala aya hea wahan halat buhat kharab ho gaye hen. People have started to rob and a few are even making fake claims about the little babies who have left abandoned" Hussain stated seriously and I nodded, knowingly. "They are even cutting hands and ears of dead women just for stealing the gold they were wearing at the time earthquake came." he added disapprovingly and Maha gasped.

"Seriously Hussain?" She asked in utter disbelief and he nodded, getting up sitting straight in the bed. "This is such a shame" she added looking at me still in disbelief and distaste.

"It is" I agreed. "A shameful reality of our country; we all have become so heartless and cruel. This is one of the reasons why we have failed as a nation today"

"And what will they do with the babies by the way?" Maha asked and for a moment I and Hussain exchanged a glance before we looked at Maha's horrified face, who blinked her eyes in innocence.

"uh- nothing yar!" Hussain casually waved a hand in air and stated; "they are related to those babies, the uncles you know, like phupa, khaloo, mamoo waghera so they want their custody that's it" we both knew such a big scare cat Maha was and such kind of horrifying harsh realities freak kids out and Maha was on top of them all; she would watch a scary movie with us and then kept on fearing the next whole month from even the mare curtain that stirs due to air.

Finally my packing was done, Maha didn't demand anything from Peshawar realizing the situation there, being my sensible and almost-mature little baby. It was 5 in evening and I had to pick up my colleague from the way to my office, so I thought I should leave.

Maha handed me her backpack filled with her toys, paints, games, a few sweaters and God knows what else, for the children who were suffering in Peshawar.

"Take care" Hussain and I hugged at the gate as they both came to see off me, as if I was the bride at the time of my vidaai. Babul ki duaaen leti ja ja tujh ko sukhi sansaar miley. I rolled my eyes mentally as the song popped up in my mind.

"And take care of my baby okay, don't mess up, don't annoy her too much, don't scold her at all and try to learn making her hair in these six days at least Hussain!" I instructed and he nodded as if he didn't mean it at all.

"Don't worry. You take care" he assured me smiling. Maha gave me the best teddy bear hug, kissing her forehead and waving a good bye I stepped out and jogged towards the cab I ordered, now parked in the street.

So Peshawar! Here I come.....

....

So guys how was the chappy? Hope u liked it :)

Any predictions about the coming chappies or is it that obvious? :D lolx

See you till next update inn shaa Allah 

till then smile and spread smiles :) <3