"Specialisation kisme karoge?"

(What will you specialize in?)

When Kian had agreed to meet Ishmal, he hadn't imagined that Kaif and Ayla would drag him to her house the very next day. Now, sitting awkwardly in their living room, Kian felt like a fish out of water.

He stole a glance at his surroundings. The setup reminded him of an old-school arranged marriage meeting, the kind that only existed in 90s Bollywood films. The room was brightly lit, furnished with just the right mix of tradition and modernity, and smelled faintly of rose.

Kaif was deep in conversation with Zarrar, who, despite being of the same age, looked worn out and frail due to his illness.

Amina, Zarrar's wife, exuded an air of quiet elegance, her silk dupatta draped perfectly over her shoulder. She was speaking warmly to Ayla, her words measured and polite.

Among all the unusual things that day, the most shocking was that Momo sat quietly there, nibbling on a cream puff. Yes, even Sharfa had tagged along. The moment she heard they were going to see a girl for Kian, she announced she'd be joining, no matter what. In fact, she had told Ayla that even if they decided to leave Kian behind because the group was already too big, she would still go.

Kian had tried to reason with his mother, warning her not to bring Sharfa as she might reveal all their family secrets. But Ayla's affection for her niece won, and Sharfa got her way.

Now, Zarrar and Amina's two elder daughters, accompanied by their husbands, were busy dissecting Kian's life with questions.

Kian answered them all with a polite smile, but his thoughts were elsewhere. His eyes kept darting toward the door, leading to the inner part of the house. Where was she?

Would Ishmal appear suddenly, shyly carrying a tray of tea? The mere thought made Kian shake his head in disbelief. Ehan had spent the entire humming songs from Vivah, filling his mind with these ridiculous expectations.

"Sidra, jao Ishmal ko le aao." Amina instructed, pulling Kian out of his thoughts.

(Sidra, go bring Ishmal here.)

His heart skipped a beat. He adjusted his posture slightly, sitting up straighter.

When Ishmal arrives, should he smile at her? Would it be polite, or would it come across as too forward? Perhaps it was safer to keep his gaze lowered-who knew what people might think if he dared to look at their daughter like that?

And then there was the bigger question that tugged at his mind: what would Ishmal be like? Would she be as quiet and composed as her family seemed to be, or would she surprise him with a personality that didn't match his expectations at all?

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt as Ishmal walked in, accompanied by her sister Sidra. She wasn't carrying any tray, nor did she have her dupatta draped over her head or keeping her gaze lowered. She walked in naturally, confidently, and composed.

Without thinking, Kian stood up as she entered. The movement, though intended as respectful, drew all eyes toward him-including hers. For a split second, their gazes met. His heart stumbled in its rhythm. And then, realizing the awkwardness of the moment, he quickly sat back down, his ears burning.

"She's not your teacher," Sharfa whispered slyly in his ear, barely suppressing her laughter.

The room rippled with quiet amusement. Though they tried to hide their smiles, everyone noticed his flustered state, including Ishmal, whose lips curved into the faintest smile. Yet, she chose to ignore him and went to sit beside her mother.

Ayla began a casual conversation with Ishmal, who responded with ease and confidence. She spoke clearly and without hesitation. Kian tried to focus on a forced conversation with Uzair, but his gaze betrayed him, drawn back to her again and again.

She was dressed in a white churidar pyjama with delicate floral patterns that seemed to mirror her gentle demeanour. Her hair was neatly styled in a French braid, and if she wore any makeup, it was so subtle that it was almost imperceptible. Small earrings glinted softly, and the natural smile that lingered on her lips while she spoke.

•••

Amina suggested that Ishmal and Kian should talk in private.

Kian's stomach twisted uncomfortably at the idea. It wasn't that he'd never spoken to girls before-his school, college, and hospital days ensured plenty of professional interaction. But initiating a casual, personal conversation? That was entirely different. It felt unfamiliar, awkward even, and the presence of Sharfa and Ishmal's elder sister, Dua, tagging along didn't help.

He cast a silent plea toward his father, hoping for some reprieve, but Kaif merely shrugged as if to say, You're on your own, son.

Stepping into the lawn, Kian took a moment to compose himself. Though not as sprawling as the Khan Haveli lawn, it had its charm. Neatly arranged flowers in vibrant colors bordered the space, their gentle fragrance adding to the serene atmosphere.

The group stood in an awkward silence until Dua broke it. "Sharfa, aap bolti nahi?" she asked, her tone warm but curious.

(Sharfa, you don’t talk?)

"Kian bhai ne warning di hai zyada mat bolna, warna achha nahi hoga." Sharfa replied bluntly, causing Kian to momentarily consider banging his head against a nearby tree.

(Kian bhai warned me not to talk too much, or it wouldn’t end well.)

"Bohot galat baat hai, Kian, apne aisa kyu kaha baby ko?" Dua demanded, turning her attention to him.

(That’s really unfair, Kian. Why did you say that to the baby?)

"2 minute baat kar lijiye aap issey, apko pata chal jayega maine aisa kyu kaha." Kian replied with a faint smile, trying to play it off.

(Talk to her for two minutes, and you’ll understand why I said that.)

Dua laughed lightly and turned to Sharfa. "Achha toh aap bohot bolti hain? Toh hum aisa karte hain, inn dono ko yahi rehne dete hain. Aap mujhe apne barey mein bataye." Without waiting for a response, she began leading Sharfa away.

(Oh, so you talk a lot? Let’s do this: let them stay here, and you tell me about yourself.)

Ishmal's composure faltered as her eyes widened in shock. She instinctively grabbed Dua's hand, her silent plea not to leave evident in her expression. But Dua only smiled, pulled her hand free, and walked off with Sharfa, leaving Ishmal and Kian alone.

The confident young woman Kian had seen earlier was now visibly nervous, glancing around as though searching for an escape. Her uncertainty softened something in him, making him feel less awkward.

"Baithe?" he offered, motioning toward a pair of chairs on the lawn. Ishmal nodded silently, her fingers clutching the dupatta draped over her shoulder.

(Shall we sit?)

They both stepped forward, but in their shared haste, they almost collided. Ishmal's arm lightly brushed against his, and she stopped abruptly, looking up at him.

For a fleeting moment, time seemed to pause. Kian's gaze met hers, and he felt something stir deep within him. There was an unfamiliar warmth in her wide eyes, a faint vulnerability that made her seem both fragile and strong. And in that instant, he caught a flicker of familiarity, a fleeting glimpse of something he couldn't quite place.

Before he could make sense of it, Ishmal stepped back, breaking the connection.

Their moment was interrupted as Sidra entered the lawn. "Ishu!"

Ishmal, seizing the opportunity, quickly excused herself and left, her hurried steps betraying her relief.

Kian stood rooted in place, his gaze following her retreating figure. And though she was gone, his mind lingered on one puzzling thought: Where had he seen her before?

•••

Eifa's health showed no signs of improving since last night. If her blood pressure normalized, a fever would replace it. Her mind was a battlefield, and her heart carried the weight of exhaustion from relentless overthinking. For the first time in her life, she faced a problem she couldn't confide in Ehan. Since childhood, she had shared everything with him, and he had always found solutions with unwavering patience. But this time, the matter was far too delicate. It wasn't just her-it involved two families and a situation that could easily ignite her brother's protective instincts.

She needed another perspective, someone who could help her think rationally. So, she called Huda. But the moment she explained everything, Huda's disbelief hit like a cold splash of water.

"Shahnan? Woh bachha?" Huda asked incredulously, her tone making it clear how absurd the idea sounded to her.

(Shahnan? That kid?)

Eifa sighed deeply, lowering her face into her hands. The gesture wasn't just exhaustion; it was frustration and helplessness rolled into one. "Main bhi ussey bachha samajhke dismiss kar rahi thi but..." Her voice trailed off as her fingers tightened against her temples, unable to finish the thought.

(I dismissed him thinking he’s just a kid, but…)

Huda leaned back, her expression unbothered. "Waise yeh itna shocking bhi nahi." she remarked, almost nonchalantly.

(Well, this isn’t that shocking either.)

"I always suspected he had a crush on you. But itna serious hai yeh idea nahi tha."

(But I didn’t realize he was this serious.)

Eifa's head shot up, her eyes narrowing in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Huda shrugged, as if the answer were the most obvious thing in the world. "He’s closer to you than anyone else in the house, mujhse ya Azrin api se itni baatein nahi karta jitna tumse karta hai. Hum jab bhi sath hote hain toh woh tumhare kareeb baithta hai aur..."

(He never talks to me or Azrin api as much as he talks to you. Whenever we’re together, he sits near you and…)

"Huda, please." Eifa cut her off, her tone sharp. "If you've got a solution, just tell me. Woh udhar zidd pe baith gaya hai ki mujhse shadi karega." Her voice broke slightly, and she paused to steady herself. "And I can't figure out how to make him understand."

(He’s being stubborn, saying he’ll marry me.)

"Dekho, tum ussey akele baat karna band karo. Yeh jo tumhe lagta hai tum samjhaogi aur woh samajh jayega toh yeh khayal nikal do apne zehen se. Ussey kuch bhi samjhane ki zaroorat nahi tumhe." Huda replied, her tone as casual as if she were discussing the weather. "Woh 20 saal ka hai, iss age ke larko ko kuch bhi samjhana impossible hai."

(Look, stop talking to him alone. If you think you’ll explain it to him and he’ll understand, get that idea out of your head. You don’t need to explain anything to him.)

(He’s 20. It’s impossible to explain anything to boys that age.)

"Toh kya intezar karu woh rishta leke aye?"

(So should I wait for him to bring a proposal?)

"Le bhi ayega toh kya?" Huda asked, folding her arms. "Mamu ne tumhari marzi ke begair Kian se tumhara rishta tay nahi kiya toh Shahnan ke sath karenge?"

(Even if he does, so what?)

(Mamu didn’t arrange your marriage with Kian without your consent, so why would he with Shahnan?)

Eifa opened her mouth to argue but faltered, her words caught in the knot of anxiety that had been building inside her. "Khandan mein sab kya sochenge?" she finally asked, her voice barely audible.

(What will the family think?)

Huda groaned, smacking her forehead in exasperation. "Tumne theka liya hai sabke sochne ka? Jo sochna hai soche. Tum khandan ke barey mein itna kyu sochti ho?"

(Why have you taken responsibility for everyone’s opinions? Let them think whatever they want. Why do you care so much about the family?)

Eifa didn't answer. She couldn't. Huda's words echoed in her mind, but they didn't erase her worries. She wasn't just afraid of judgment; she just wanted her family to remain as close-knit and loving as they were. Even if Hanan Uncle wasn't around, she wanted everyone to stay connected, with love in their hearts for one another. She didn't want the physical distance to create emotional distance within their family.

"Look," Huda continued, softening her tone. "Tum akele mein ussey baat karne ki koshish mat karna. Aur sabke sath raho toh normal hi raho. Bachha hai, crush ko pyar samajh liya hai. Thora bada hoga toh khud hi aqal ajayegi."

(Don’t try to talk to him alone. And when you’re with everyone, just act normal. He’s just a kid who mistook a crush for love. When he grows up a little, he’ll understand on his own.)

Huda's words lingered in the air, calm and logical, but Eifa remained silent. Her lips pressed into a thin line as a memory flashed in her mind-Shahnan's eyes. There had been nothing confused about the way he looked at her. That gaze was deep, unwavering, and filled with something far too intense to be dismissed as mere infatuation.

Thinking about Shahnan's eyes sent an involuntary shiver down Eifa's spine. They were a mesmerizing blend of grey and blue-a unique shade that shifted with the light. From afar, they seemed to hold a stormy grey hue, but up close, subtle flecks of blue danced within them, creating a hypnotic depth that was impossible to ignore. Even as a child, Eifa had been captivated by them.

"Tumhari ankhein bohot khoobsurat hain, Shahnan. I've never seen anyone with eyes like yours," she had once told him, her young voice filled with awe.

(Your eyes are so pretty, Shahnan.)

Back then, his eyes had radiated innocence, a gentleness that matched his boyish charm.

"Dadi says I've stolen the most beautiful features from mom and dad," Shahnan had replied, blinking with an almost childlike pride.

Hanan's sharp grey eyes had always been a standout feature, while Ayat's azure blue ones were equally unforgettable-a rare trait passed down only to her and Aniya in their family. Shahnan had inherited the perfect fusion of both, as if nature had conspired to craft something exceptional just for him. Khushnuma's observation wasn't far from the truth-he truly had "stolen" the best from both parents.

"So, you have a habit of stealing beautiful things," Eifa had teased, her tone lighthearted.

"Maybe," Shahnan had replied, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he watched her with quiet interest.

At the time, Eifa hadn't given much thought to the way his gaze lingered. To her, he had been just Shahnan, the boy she shared carefree banter with, free of any pretense or formality. If she had known then what she knew now, that her easy friendship would one day give him an unshakable hold over her. Perhaps she would have set boundaries.

But time had slipped away, and so had the innocence in his eyes. Now, when she looked into them, there was no trace of the boy she used to know. Instead, his gaze carried an intensity that unsettled her, a passion so fierce it left her feeling scared and vulnerable. Eifa knew Shahnan wasn't confused.

•••

Eifa and Huda couldn't continue their conversation because Kaif and his family arrived. Soon after, Kulsoom and Sharfa enter the room, followed by Ehan, Nomi, and Shahnan, all curious to know what had happened.

For once, Sharfa got to narrate everything in detail, and no one interrupted her for talking too much. It was a rare treat for her, and she made the most of it, enjoying the undivided attention.

A little while later, Kian entered the room, freshly changed. Ehan had already messaged him to join the group in the larger sitting room. The moment Kian stepped through the doorway, Sharfa stood up at the sight of him, an exaggerated display of respect that had everyone bursting into laughter.

"Kian, tum larki dekhne gaye the ya class attend karne?" Ehan teased, grinning ear to ear. Kian shot him a sharp glare but said nothing, his annoyance only adding to the humor.

(Kian, did you go to meet a girl or attend a class?)

"Yeh batao, tumhe Ishmal kaisi lagi?" Eifa finally spoke up, unable to hold back any longer. She had been sitting quietly until then, deliberately ignoring Shahnan, who had-as expected-positioned himself close to her. He sat on the floor, his back leaning against the sofa where Eifa sat, stealing occasional glances at her.

(Tell me, how did you like Ishmal?)

Kian shrugged, his response deliberately nonchalant.

"Inke chehre ka noor dekho, light off karo yeh glow karenge aur humare samne ban rahe hain." Ehan exclaimed, tossing a pillow at him.

(Look at the glow on his face. Turn off the lights, and he’ll shine, but here he’s pretending.)

"Hume toh pasand ayi." Sharfa announced confidently, crossing her arms as if to seal the deal.

(I liked her.)

"Mujhe bhi milna hai unse." Kulsoom said. She had initially wanted to go with them too, but Huzaifa refused because he didn't want there to be too much crowd. He didn't go himself, nor did he let Rukhsar go, saying it was more important for Kian to meet Ishmal.

(I want to meet her too.)

"Mummy ne unn logo ko dinner pe bulaya hai kal." Kian informed, his tone casual but giving away just enough to spark more teasing.

(Mummy has invited them for dinner tomorrow.)

"Apne matlab ki sari information leke aye hain, janab." Ehan teased again, unwilling to miss the chance.

(You gathered all the information you needed, mister.)

Before Kian could retort, Shahnan asked in with a mischievous gleam. "Bhabhi bhi ayengi?" Ever since Kian had personally refused Eifa's proposal, the mild jealousy Shahnan had harbored for Kian since childhood had finally disappeared.

(Will bhabhi come too?)

"Bhabhi..." Kian opened his mouth to respond, but as soon as the word registered, he froze, his face turning an undeniable shade of pink. Without saying a word, he turned away, trying-and failing-to hide his embarrassment. And as Ehan would have put it, his face was indeed glowing, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

"Yeh dekho, yeh blush kar rahe. Tum dulhan ho kya?" Ehan asked, laughing so hard he nearly fell off his seat. The rest of the cousins joined in, their laughter echoing through the room, while Kian ran a hand over his face, trying to regain his composure.

(Look at him blush! Are you the bride or what?)

"Shut up!" That's all he could muttered.

•••

In the evening, Arsalan arrived to pick up Huda, and Sharfa's face lit up the moment she saw him.

"Arsalan bhai, hume apse kuch puchna tha." she said, practically bouncing in her seat, her excitement impossible to ignore.

(Arsalan bhai, I wanted to ask you something.)

"Yes?" Arsalan replied cautiously, slightly wary of Sharfa's enthusiasm. She reminded him a lot of Azrin, and experience had taught him that when Azrin wore a similar gleam in her eyes, it usually spelled trouble. Bracing himself, Arsalan folded his arms and nodded.

"Apne ab tak shadi kyu nahi ki?" she asked innocently, her voice brimming with curiosity.

(Why haven’t you gotten married yet?)

The room fell silent.

Ehan, in the middle of sipping his coffee, choked and coughed violently, prompting Eifa to pat his back. Shahnan, who had been casually lounging, suddenly sat up straight, his expression a mix of disbelief and embarrassment.

"Momo," Shahnan hissed under his breath, trying to warn her off.

"What?" Sharfa replied, blinking in confusion. "Arey, I'm just wondering, yaha Kian bhai ki shadi ki baat chal rahi lekin bade dono toh single hain. Ehan bhai ka theek hai unhe toh Neha ne rakhi tie kardi, lekin, lekin Arsalan bhai, apne shadi kyu nahi ki? You are now 34, that's old." She rattled off the words without pause, her oblivious enthusiasm managing to offend everyone in the room in one breath.

(Everyone is discussing Kian bhai’s wedding, but the elder ones are still single. Ehan bhai is fine because Neha has tied rakhi to him, but Arsalan bhai, why haven’t you married? You’re 34 now, that’s old.)

"Neha aur main school mein the. Aur yeh baat sabko batana zaroori nahi." Ehan grumbled, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

(Neha and I were in school back then. And it’s not necessary to share that with everyone.)

The rest of the group collectively exchanged wide-eyed glances, their heads in their hands as they processed the audacity of Sharfa's question. Arsalan, meanwhile, stared at her in stunned silence, clearly unprepared for such bluntness.

"Momo jaan, buri baat." Shahnan began patiently, though his tone carried a warning edge. "Arsalan bhai apse bade hain, apko unse aise baat nahi karni chahiye."

(Momo jaan, that’s rude.)

(Arsalan bhai is older than you; you shouldn’t talk to him like that.)

Sharfa, however, seemed genuinely puzzled. "Humne badtameez toh nahi ki?" she asked, her big, innocent eyes now focused directly on Arsalan.

(I wasn’t being rude, was I?)

Arsalan, realizing that all eyes were on him, cleared his throat and straightened up. "Nahi, tumne badtameezi nahi ki." he said calmly.

(No, you weren’t.)

"Toh phir bataiye apne shadi kyu nahi ki?" Sharfa pressed on, still determined, her lack of boundaries shining through in full force.

(Then tell me, why haven’t you gotten married?)

"Momo!" Shahnan interjected sharply this time, his voice carrying enough authority to make her pause. Startled by the shift in his tone, Sharfa frowned and lowered her gaze.

"Alright, I'm sorry. I was just curious," she said with a pout. Rising from her seat, she turned on her heel and walked off, clearly upset.

Shahnan sighed heavily and followed her out of the room, unable to bear seeing his little sister sulk for long.

The rest of the group sat frozen in awkward silence, unsure of how to move past the situation. Arsalan wasn't the type to demand authority, but his composed and mature demeanor naturally commanded a quiet respect. None of them would have dared to casually question him about his single status, except for Momo, of course. Her American upbringing had left her blissfully unaware of such delicate boundaries, much to everyone else's mortification.

"Mujhe nani ne bulaya tha," Nomi mumbled suddenly, using the excuse to escape the suffocating tension. He bolted from the room without waiting for a response.

(Nani called me.)

The others exchanged brief glances before following suit, each deciding they had somewhere better to be. Within moments, the once-bustling room emptied, leaving Huda alone with Arsalan.

Huda, seated quietly in the corner, watched the door swing shut behind the others before meeting Arsalan's amused gaze. She sighed. "Dua kariye Momo mummy se na mile warna yeh dono kal hi apki shadi karwa dengi."

(Pray Momo doesn’t meet mummy; otherwise, they’ll have you married off by tomorrow.)

•••

"Momo, maine tumhe mana kiya tha na tum aisi koi baat nahi karogi." Shahnan had just managed to console Sharfa when Eifa came in and scolded her.

(Momo, didn’t I tell you not to bring this up?)

"But apne Azrin api se baat karne ke liye mana kiya tha, Arsalan bhai se nahi." Sharfa replied with wide, innocent eyes, leaving Eifa to smack her forehead in frustration.

(But you only told me not to talk to Azrin api about it, not Arsalan bhai.)

"Momo ko clear instructions dena chahiye apko. Once, Mom grounded her and told her not to cross the doorway, so she climbed out the window instead," Shahnan added, as though all the blame rested on Eifa for not being specific enough.

(You should have given her clear instructions.)

Eifa shot him a glance but quickly looked away, having already decided she wouldn’t speak to him. Shahnan noticed her deliberate avoidance and couldn’t help but feel it.

"Hey, hume abhi yaad aya..." Sharfa suddenly exclaimed but didn’t share her realization with them. Instead, she dashed off toward Kaif’s house.

(Hey, I just remembered…)

Eifa, too, felt the urge to leave, but Shahnan stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Aap mujhe ignore kar rahi hain?" he asked so softly that Eifa was momentarily surprised. Was this the same boy who had stubbornly declared yesterday that he would do whatever he pleased?

(Are you ignoring me?)

"Boliye, Eifa," he urged when she stayed silent, leaning slightly to meet her gaze. A few years ago, he had been shorter than her, but now, at just 20 years old, he was already as tall as Ehan.

(Tell me, Eifa.)

Her resolve faltered for a moment, but she quickly pulled herself together. “Shahnan, mujhe tumse koi baat nahi karni. Tumne kaha tum apni marzi ka karoge, mujhe meri marzi ka karne do.” she said helplessly, avoiding his gaze.

(Shahnan, I don’t want to talk to you. You said you’d do what you want, so let me do what I want.)

For a moment, Shahnan’s usual teasing demeanor slipped. Seeing her so defeated, without her usual spark, left him unsettled. He liked her best when she was teasing him or even fuming with anger—not like this.

"Aap mujhe ignore toh na karein, main yeh bardasht nahi kar sakta." Shahnan said with such sincerity that Eifa could only stare at him, wide-eyed. What kind of person was he? Did he not realize how inappropriate his words were?

(Don’t ignore me. I can’t bear that.)

"Toh tum mujhse aisi baatein karna band kardo. Shadi ka khayal apne dimagh se nikal lo." Eifa said firmly, crossing her arms and looking at him challengingly.

(Then stop saying such things to me. Get the idea of marriage out of your head.)

Shahnan squinted slightly, his expression contemplative.

"Aap ignore kar lijiye. Main shadi ke baad mana lunga apko." he countered, throwing down his own challenge, leaving Eifa stunned.

(Go ahead and ignore me. I’ll convince you after we’re married.)

Pulling out his phone from his pocket, Shahnan walked away. He had resolved last night not to speak to his dad about this matter after upsetting Eifa. He was willing to wait a few years if she gave him reason to believe she was his. But now, his mind was made up—he would marry her no matter what.

•••

I know you’ve all been waiting for Azrin’s scene for a while, but what can I do? There are six couples in this story 🥲

Sometimes one couple will have more scenes, and sometimes another, but don’t worry, now or later, all couples will have their moments 👉🏻👈🏻

Khair, how’s the update?

-Ufaq

Dedicated to @Anishakhatoon4554