hello guys! here is the update :)

hope u all will love it as always ;)

P.S: guys i have done a little changes in the cast..... you can check it up.

happy Reading <3

CHAPTER 5: HOPING FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

MAHEEN'S END

“Hmm! Hunn lag rae ho na tussi ek dum Superstar!” giving the sketch few final touch ups I held it at an arm’s distance and looked at it with a critic’s eye. “Perfect! Muuuhaaa” giving a tight peck on his cheek I blushed myself, though it was only a sketch, it wasn’t like in real… but still my feelings ufff! Un expressable uncontrollable. God! Save my soul once I will be in his city, pata nia fir kii hoye ga mera. Definitely the magnetic field will go stronger and ufff! Allah tobah!!!

I was big big…like seriously a really big fan of Hussain Asif…am that kind of a fan who could drool over his cuteness and sexiness for hours without getting bored or tired, I could watch his stupid as hell videos for tons of times without getting fed up of them…. Ahhh! My first wala love he was.

I chuckled over my own crazy thoughts. Flapping my sketch book close I put it in my suitcase, placed open on the bed, on which I was busy making his sketch for last 2 hours and finally it was done…..

Getting up from the bed I looked around, my messy room looked like a real shit…. Aarrghh! Who will clean up this mess now? Sighing deep I bent down, started picking up stuff from the carpet and started dumping things over my bed.

If you will peak in my room you will find it as if it was a Dhoombros studio or something I dunno why and how, but my room’s interior specially the colour scheme, just go perfect with the dIb logo and I was completely in love with that… For last few months Baba was asking me to renovate my room but I was being stubborn in keeping it… like forever

“Shit shit shit!” picking up my favourite Sidhart Malhotra t-shirt from the heap of….. everything, I smacked my forehead hard. “How can I even forget to pack you baby?” folding the shirt nicely I unzipped my already packed wheeler and put it along with other clothes inside.

“I wish I could take you with me as well” I looked up at Sid’s huge poster pasted on my dressing wall. “Will miss u baby” I pouted.

Yes! I was kind of crazy about him too and please don’t get me wrong; I wasn’t doing a two timing on Hussain or something…. definitely Hussain Asif was my first ever solid wala, unevitable wala, ishq wala hard core crush…. But I like Sid as well, maybe because he looked so like Hussain…. I had a huge poster of him in my room and few shirts I had with his picture and name painted on them. so yeah! you can say we humans are ungreatful gits who normally don’t get satisfied with few things…we need…..MORE!!!

Suddenly my cell phone vibrated in my jeans pocket and I took it out, Nida’s name was flashing on the screen and I smiled picking up the call.

“Hello!” I chirped as always.

“You Dumbass! Why did you leave the college earlier? I waited for you at the gate for like 30 minutes. You idiot!” Nida burst up blabbering and I chuckled.

“Am sorry Nidziii! It’s just that, well I had a call from my tailor and I had to collect my dresses, you know it’s my flight in the morning baby! I needed to collect them” I told her pouting.

“Whatever! Ek to tu dorr rai hea yahan se ooper se teri itni jurrat, we had a plan out today remember?” She sounded upset and I rolled my eyes.

“Acha chor na , sun! I have completed his sketch” I said in almost a whisper and heard her shrieked, as expected.

“Seriously? I need to have a look Mahi! Right now, Watsapp ker mujhe Abhi k Abhiii” Nida said I could hear the excitement, I never used to share my feelings, my crushes, and my fantasies with anyone despite having a handsome friend circle but yup… Nidzii was special my childhood bestiii, with whome I just feel like being myself.

“yeah yeah! kerti hoon but lemme pack first Nidzii it’s a total mess here in my room I don’t even know what I am missing from packing and what extra garbage I have packed already” I looked helplessly at the heaps of this and that on the floor.

I went to my study table to make sure I have packed all my important stuff and I pulled the drawer open.

“I knew it” shaking my head disapprovingly I took out my writing pad from the drawer and turned to put it in my suitcase.

“What did you miss girl?” Nida chirped and I rolled my eyes sighing.

“My writing pad” I stated.

“Oh My God!” she exclaimed in a horrified tone and I chuckled. “wesey I wish yaheen chor jati tu isey, terey haseen khayalat for that haseen Hussain…perhne ko to miltey kam az kam” Nida said playfully and I rolled my eyes.

“I have told you a ton of times Nidziii you can read the stories of Wattpad girl! I mean that’s a free app, terey pesey ki bhi bachat” I said mischevously and she giggled.

“yeah yeah tu to pata nai mujhe kitna kanjoos samajhti hea” Nida said trying to sound up set and I laughed.

“yahan reh jata ye or kaheen Adnan ya Baba jani perh lete to?” I said and felt her sighing. “I will be grounded completely agar unhon ne perh liya” I added.

“Your bros and Imran uncle are the sweetest family I have ever seen girl! Tu bus na-shukrii hea” Nida said seriously. “They will appreciate you I know if they will come to know about this talent of yours” the same advice she had given me for like thousands of times before.

“yeah! but right now it doesn't sound like a good idea Nidzii! So please” I tried to avoid going into details as always.

“Acha chal ye bata Mahi! Now as you are going to New York and definitely you will meet your hero….

“Hey hey hey! Hold your horses Nidzii! I am not going anywhere to meet any hero shero” I hurriedly cut her in the middle. “I am going there to study and to become something so that when I come back here I will be able to show my relatives my p….

“what? your middle finger?” Nida cut me in the middle and I literally gasped.

“Idiot!” I hide my chuckle and heard her giggling from the other end. “well, why show them only a finger? I will show them my whole palm” I said and she burst in to laughter, so was I.

“God! Mahi seriously your relatives suck” she said chuckling. “but still yar, milna to banta hea us se, at least show him the stories you write. Uffff! He will go crazy only if he reads them. Trust me ishq wala love ho jae ga usey tujh se.” She said excitedly and I rolled my eyes.

“Yeah why not! Wela betha hea na wo merey liye k Wattpad per stories perhe ga…huhn!” I said shaking my head and scooting down I placed my writing stuff where I had put my paints and sketch books.

“Maheen beta!” I was about to zip my wheeler back, when I heard Baba calling me.

“Oye chal rakhti hoon, got to go, Baba Calling” I said getting up.

“Chal okay! Take care and I will come in the morning inn shaa Allah. pata nai phir kab teri boothi dekhne ko mile gi” I heard him saying as if… Kameeni ahsan ker rai ho merey sr per. Huhn! We hung up and I threw my cell phone on the bed and I got disappeared in the heap of clothes over that.

“Coming Baba Jani!” Announcing aloud I hurriedly crossed my hell messed up room.

Almost running to his room down stairs I stopped in front of the door and dusted my dress off, once I was sure that I was decent I opened the door and peaked inside. “Ji Baba Jani?”

“Maheen beta! come, come inside” he looked up from the book he was reading and I entered into his room shutting the door at my back I headed towards him.

 Mama was sitting on the couch holding a magazine and her eyes fixed on the tv screen plastered on the front wall. Watching the repeat telecast of the famous Pakistani Drama Humsafar and for a moment Shehry and Hussain’s idiot faces flashed across my mind…. I could hardly control my chuckle.

“Maheen shut upsss ho jao tum before Mama would spank you for making fun of her favourite show” hiding my grin I walked up to Baba.

I stopped near the bed and he put the book back, putting the specs down from his eyes he looked at me smiling.

“Come, sit!” he patted the free space near him on the bed and I almost jumped sitting on the it.

“Are you happy?” he took my hands in his and asked, looking at my face.

“Is it even a question, Baba Jani?” I raised an eyebrow and knew what he was about to do now.

“Oho! Stop doing this Maheen!” He touched my raised eyebrow with his index finger and put it down on its place making me giggle. “Aese he reh jae gi, kahan se seekha hea tum ne ye?” he made a face saying.

“Acha tell me why do you look upset? Is it because of this roney dhoney wala drama?” I whispered the last part bending down towards him and he laughed.

“And by the way why did you ask that am happy or not?” I pressed his hand and he looked down. “Of course I am Baba Jani! I am very happy, Never happier before” I added firmly and he smiled looking up at my face.

“I know” he touched my face softly. “I just wanted to make myself sure that you are comfortable going…. alone” he said and I smiled.

“Am okay Baba Jani! yeah there is just one thing and that is” I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest. “I will be far from you all Baba Jani! And yeah! That’s what am uncertain about, ap sab k bagher rehne ki adat nai hea na” I added and he stroked my hair softly.

“Just take it as your practice before your….

“Baba Jani!” before he could complete his most cliché statement I pulled back and looked at him with a pout on my face and he chuckled.

“Whats wrong?” he kept on chuckling, I heard Mama giggled as well. “ek na ek din to hamesha k liye jana he hea tum ne beta” he added and I looked down, fidgeting with my fingers.

“Beta Shadi to kerni he hea na…” Mama said and I remained quiet. “in fact sending you abroad is completely your Baba’s decision, werna mein to chahti thi k bus koi acha sa righta dekh ker shadi ker den tumhari” Mama got up from the couch turning the tv on mute and I literally looked at her with my eyes popping out, out of surprise.

“Mama!” I literally gasped. “how could you? I mean… abhi koi shadi vadi nai kerni mujhe” I added looking at her and she smiled.

“Mujhe nai jana kaheen bhi ap se door.” I said frowning, looking at Baba. “Why is it so important for a girl to get married Baba Jani?” I asked looking up at his face; a smile was there so soft so close to my heart.

“Baba Jani?”

“Hm?”

“Baba jani! what was Phupo saying on the phone?” I asked still looking down and for a couple of moments Baba didn’t answer me back, I slowly looked up at his face. he was looking at Mama with a serious look and then looked at me… a smile appeared.

“Nothing much Maheen beta! You know the usual talks and all that” Baba said and I knew he was trying to avoid the talk.

“You don’t have to think about all that Maheen! Just concentrate on the studies once you are there” Mama said and I looked down.

I remained quiet couldn’t understand how to put my sentiments in words. “Am sorry Baba Jani!” my gaze shifted down to my hands.

“Sorry? Why?”

“I know you  and Mama had to go through a lot because of me… because you are sending me abroad for studies when nobody in the family is willing for this” I said. “Phupo to wesey bhi naraz he rehti hen hamesha hum se, unhen moka mil gaya ub ek or” I shook my head disapprovingly.

“Maheen beta! you don’t have to think about all this, mein abhi zinda hoon” he said and I looked up at his face, my eyes getting moistened. “tumhari phupo naraz theen mager is ka matlab ye to nai k mein apni bachi ki khushiyon ko unki narazgi per qurban ker doon” he added, his tone firm but soft.

“Why does she do this Baba Jani? Firstly she had issues with Mom and now she has digged out issues with me” I pouted. “Unhen lagta hea mein pata nai q ja rahi hoon wahan…. Keh rai theen gulcharrey uraati hen lerkiya bahir Akeley ja ker” Mama placed her hand over my head.

“So prove her wrong” Mama said firmly and I looked at her face, wondering if I will be able to do so…. Wondering if I was that strong or not? “And we now you will Maheen” her hand came down over my shoulder.

“Trust me all this money we have spent on sending you to New York is the money we have been saving for your wedding beta!” Mama continued saying. “And I was really scared, I was uncertain about this decision but yes, your Baba is right, we can not gaurentee the future but we can secure the present, we can live our present to the best we can” Mama smiled at the end making me smile too.

“You are going to study there Maheen! And we know you won’t let us and our pride down, right?” Baba held my hand in his and said firmly.

“Over my deadbody” I said firmly too and he smiled shaking his head.

“Bus to phir kisi ki baton ki perwah he na karo, matti pao tussi janab” Baba said like a mischievous young boy and I giggled.

“Maheen!.... Maheen!”

“Lo agaye shahzadey apkey”I jumped down from the bed and Baba smiled, putting back his specs he picked up his book again.

“Maheen ki bachi kahan hea?” I heard Adnan calling me from upstairs at the top of his lungs.

“Maheen beta! Ask Adnan to get up early in the morning, he will drop you to the airport before going to his Uni” Baba said.

“Adnan and you two, right?” I asked pointing my index finger towards him and Mom, he sighed.

“Beta! I am leaving for Qatar in an hour, business issues you know” he said, his lips pressed in a hard line.

“No, Mom! This is not happening, okay! You both are coming to see off me…. and

“Oye Moti! Where is my gym trouser?” I was in the middle of my sentence when Adnan came rushing into Baba’s room.

“Baba Jani! Look at him, he again called me this” I pouted looking at Baba who glared at Adnan from the back of his specs…giving him a shut up call.

“Adnan!” Mama shot a look at him as well. “Behave yourself” she added seriously.

“Sorry Mama!” he mouthed looking at her and then his gaze shifted to me. “Meri piyari si, choti si…. Duniya ki sabbbb se achi wali behna! Mera trouser kahan lukaa diya hea bata dejiye, meherbaani fermaa ker” he started with his stupidy in the sweetest tone and I rolled my eyes while Baba chuckled.

“Well, that sounds better” I said raising an eyebrow and he sighed.

“So will you please help me finding that because am getting late” Adnan said and dashed out of the room.

“Baba Jani! We are not done yet, okay?” I looked at him with a warning gaze. “let me handle him then will come back, okay?” I asked.

“Okay Baba ki jan! ub jao is se pehle k shahzada gulfaam poorey ghar ka search operation ker dhalen” Baba said and I laughed heading out of his room.

Am Maheen, Maheen Imran am almost 20 and dead passionate about few things; food, chocolates, painting, Baba Jani and last but not least…..writing. I have a couple of brothers too, Adnan he is 21, the most annoying brother ever and Rehaan bhai, he is 24 and the cutest and most amazing person on earth I have ever had after Baba.

Though I was going to study architecture there in New York but my heart lies in writing stories, I dreamt of becoming a famous writer once but then I had to dump it along with other useless dreams because I preferred my parent’s dream upon mine.

Baba and Mama had a dream to see me successful in some solid reputed profession, so I said a good bye to my dream of becoming a writer and I was happy with that… I could write on internet and literally I was enjoying, I had a huge readers’ circle who loved my stories. Especially my fan fictions on Dhoombros as they were getting viral around globe and seriously they deserved to be so…they were awesome people… Khas ker Hussain Asif, bus afsos ki bat yea thi k wo janta tak nai tha k how crazy I am and what shit I put about him on paper…well web page actually. Chalo khair ub ja rahi hoon us k sheher…kiya pata kaheen kisi din yun hi mulaqat ho jae or phir….phir?  

Oho! Maheen! This is your real life baby! And trust me you are not Maleeha Imran…… you are Maheen, an ordinary looking girl with ordinary dreams…ordinary life. So stop day dreaming and get your shit together…. Ahhh! New York! Here I come.

I smacked the back of my head and with a wide warm smile on my face I almost ran upstairs… I had to finish my packing.

WAQAS’S END

“Shit!”

“She failed?”

“Well, Macro Economics? Sounds gross”

For last whole hour I was bound to listen to Hussain’s blabbering and those idiotic sounds he was making while reading God knows what on his phone. His eyes fixed upon the screen, I could see the redness in his eyes through the light falling on them out of that illuminating screen, his hands cletching the sides tight and expressions… well funny I would say; sala! kabhi hasne lagta tha to kabhi rone wali boothi bana leta tha, saans rok k parh raha tha Sala!

“Oye! Marr na jaaeen kaheen” I shook him by his shoulder and he jerked my hand off, getting annoyed.

“Oye! Harami insaan kia perh raha hea?… jaan kun nikal rai hea teri. Bata mujhey!” I shook him again, putting my laptop back on the bed and his face showed how pissed he was over my interruption.

“Kia jawab doon ga mein Shehry ko? Tu marr gaya to….. Saley! Bol kuch” I tried to snatch the phone from his hand when he jerked his face up towards me, his eyes slightly red and face stern…

“Kia takleef hea yar? Can’t you see am in the middle of a hell important task, Perhne de….dafa ho ja yahan se” Hussain almost shouted and I hide my grin.

“O! per hua kia? Merne wali shakal q banai hui hea? Mar gai kia bhabi ji?” I said chuckling and he shoved his elbow hard in my abs making me groan in pain.

“Allah na karey… mare us k dushman” Hussain eyed me and I laughed at his childish attitude.

“Come on! Hussain it’s only a story dude!” I said and he narrowed his eyes looking at me.

“It’s a story I know… but It’s MINE” he gave extra emphasis on the word making me roll my eyes. “and it’s damn close to my heart” he added firmly and I chuckled again.

“Acha bata na! What were you reading? Kahani mein raqeeeb agaya kia?” I asked again trying to annoy him and he sighed in frustration.

“Waqas! let me finish this” he said seriously and I hide my amusment. “please!”

“okay dude! Maf kiaya” I picked up my laptop again and shifted my gaze upon the stupid work Nosheen has given me to do for her.

She was busy in launching her fashion boutique here in New York after designer jewels she was stepping into dresses as well and had a lot of work to finish before the launch so she assigned me with some horrible work of graphic designing…in which I sucked! But still had to give it a try. Khud to muhterma Pakistan puhanchi hui theen susral or mujhe phasa gaeen theen….. mager behen thi aakhir kia karoon.

“I wanna end this….?”

“What the shit am I talking about?” On his sudden out burst I looked up from my screen, and found him holding his head in his both hands and his eyes popping out.

“Really? is this for real?”

“How on earth can I do this to her?” Hussain almost threw his phone on the bed, he looked disgusted.

“Seriously?” he looked at me frowning and I shrugged my shoulders, being completely oblivious to his madness. “Mein ker sakta hoon aesa? Poora maheena I was out on my promotions of Yaari and now after coming back… am showing my cold ass to her. Like… seriously?” Hussain blabbered frowning and I shook my head, trying to control my chuckle. He looked completely lost.

“Bechari bhabi!” I said acting sad, biting my lower lip I tried to stop my laughter.

“I literally want to meet this writer” Hussain said firmly. “banda poochey! Kia dushmani hea ap ki muhterma merey sath? acha khasa hero tha mein… amresh poori bana diya” he added and finally I burst up laughing, while he just stared my face with hell serious expressions.

“Sorry han but amresh poori? Seriously?” I again started laughing and he shook his head disapprovingly.

“You won’t understand na! ye dil ki batein hen… ahsas ki batein hen. tumhen nai samajh aaen gi” Hussain said all serious and I pressed my lips into a hard line stopping my self from bursting up again.

“Kuch Kuch hota hea Rahul! Tum nai samjho ge…..right?” I flaunted dramatically, touching his arm and he jerked my hand off.

“Dafa ho! Saley! Sarey emotions ki mother sister ker di” he said in annoyance and got up from the couch.

“Assalam-o-alaikum!” I was about to respond to his upset mood when Shehry entered into the room throwing his sling bag on the study table.

“Walaikum Assalam!” I replied while Hussain remained quiet.

“What happened?” Shehry fell on the bed near me, when his gaze went on Hussain’s hung down face and he asked.

“Abey o! dukhi Preeti Zinta, kia hua?” He asked, pulling a bit up resting his elbows on the bed supporting his weight.

“Nothing man!” Hussain tried to ignore and I winked at Shehry who was trying to inquire the issue through his eyes. Hussain stepped into the bathroom and shut the door at his back.

Picking up the phone from the bed I swiped the screen finding the last page of the story already on the screen, I grinned….

“Ruk! Batata hoon tujhe…mamla kia hea sara!” I winked at Shehry and he got up straight on the bed, already listening closely. “One Heart… two Souls and Chapter is….han! A sick Joke” I added looking at the header on the screen.

“I call out to him in a plain shivering voice… Hussain!”  I started reading the last few lines on the page to Shehry and Hussain at once came out of the bathroom…in his trousers only.

“What are you doing Waqas!?” he asked raising his eyebrow and I got up from the bed. “give it to me, NOW” he asked for the phone and I giggled.

“Suna Suna! Phir kia hua” Shehry said smiling sounding excited and Hussain rolled his eyes.

“He doesn’t even turn to look at me” I read in a mocking grim sad tone and Hussain stepped towards me making me back off.

“Saley! Meri bhabi k sath aesa salook? Murr ker bhi nai dekha! Khotey! Aesa kerta hea koi?” Shehry said in mock anger as he got up from the bed and I kept on chuckling.

“Yar! Stop it Waqas! give it back to me….. stop this stupidity” Hussain ignored Shehry and was about to head towards me when I hurriedly jumped over the bed with the phone in front of my face.

“Hussain! whats wrong?” I ask quietly…he doesn’t turn around. I read aloud and Hussain almost jumped towards the bed.

“Shehry! pakerrrrr” I shouted and Shehry hurriedly grabbed his arms from behind, making him halt in his place.

“Shehry! let me go…. Ahh! Don’t tickle” Hussaain shouted.

“Waqas! perh, agey kia hua?” Shehry asked enjoying the scene, and I looked down on the screen.

“Waqas! shut up! Put it back” Hussain yelled trying to get out of Shehry’s grip but…. failed.

“Maleeha… I wanna end this. Right here…. right Now” he said in a low tone…

“What? Seriously?” I was about to complete the sentence when Shehry at once left his arms and went to stand in front of him, his expressions weird and Hussain ignoring him snatched his phone from my hand… making me pout.

“What? Why are you looking at me like this?” Hussain looked at shehry.

“Don’t you dare betray my bhabi, okay?” Shehry said in mock anger and Hussain rolled his eyes. “inni soni jaii hea gi, te tu shokha tareen insan!” Shehry grabbed his neck in between his arm and Hussain groaned.

“Shehry chor yar!” Hussain yelled and Shehry let his neck go out of his grip. “and secondly, it’s not me bro! it’s… it’s that bejeweled_30” Hussain said making a face and Shehry shot an eyebrow.

“Bejeweled_30?... strange name though” Shehry said raising his eyebrows and Hussain rolled his eyes.

“Abey o! Sexy princess… Sweety Candy Crush….or Papa ki Lado…in sab se to behter he hea jo sab terey Facebook k friend requests mein pari hen.” Hussain said rolling his eyes and both of us burst laughing.     

“Don’t say any thing against her Shehry! Hussain fancies her” I whispered into Shehry’s ear loud enough to be heard by Hussain.

“Achaaaw! Crush ho gaya hea bakriii ko writer ji per, han!” Shehry said with a cheesy grin on his face and Hussain sighed in frustration.

“No way! But yeah she writes damn well, I have fallen in love with the story” Hussain said seriously. “Though sometimes I feel that it’s not me she is talking about….       I feel guilty you know” he added quietly and Shehry and I exchanged a look.

“Why guilty?” I asked.

“Because sometimes our fans think so high about us that we feel bad, I mean I am not THAT good as she portrays me to be, am full of vices and bad habits and temperament issues and all that… but her version of Hussain Asif is completely mind blowing” Hussain explained with a smile on his face. “It’s, as if mujh mein koi buraai hea he nai…am perfect, though am not” he said shurugging his shoulders.

“You know what! You should meet her and tell her that… baby! Am not that good, please wake up” Shehry put his hand over Hussain’s shoulder saying seriously and I burst into laughter, while Hussain shoved his hand off his shoulder.

“dafa ho ja tu to!” Hussain shook his head disapprovingly and Shehry chuckled.

“Chal ub kia nanga nikal aaya hea khotey! Ja… jo ker raha tha ander, wo poora ker k aa” Shehry smacked the back of Hussain’s head and he rolled his eyes.

“Nahane ja raha tha mein” Hussain stated forcefully.

“To mein konsa keh raha hoon k tu board ka paper dene jar aha tha….kaprey utar ker. Huhn!” Shehry said in a duh tone and I laughed aloud while Hussaini gnored him, entering into the bathroom.

“oye! And don’t you two dare to read my story” Hussain yelled from the bathroom and I rolled my eyes.

“No baby! We will wait for the next update” I yelled back.

“Wo q?” Hussain asked aloud.

“Woy un k tujhe chitter paney hen agle chapter vich…bhabi ji de hathon. So we will enjoy reading that” Shehry yelled winking at me, while switching on the TV and I chuckled.

“Salo! Tum jesey dost hon to dushmano ki kia zaroorat kisi ko” Suddenly Hussain popped his face out from the door slightly open, and said like a taney marney wali phuppo, water drops dripping down on the floor.

“Oye! Harami insaan geela ker ra hea karma…werr ander” Shehry yelled aloud in an angry tone. “tujh se he lagwaoon ka pochaa” he added yelling and Hussain laughed, pulled back inside shutting the door at once.

MAHRUKH’S END

“Pata nai ye mein kia kerne ja rahi hoon…Ya Allah! please make things easy for me, show me the right way, show me what is right and what is not. Please! Help me…you are all knowing and all blessing on your creatures, please bless me… bless me with guidance and knowledge of righteousness.”

“mein to chali jaoon gi yahan se…mager, mager Ya Allah! Heer k liye aasani fermana. Us ki zindagi mein koi ghum, koi dukh na aaye. Wo buhat masoom hea… usey buhat khushiyan ata fermana. Merey hissey ki bhi sari khushiyan us k hissey mein dal de Ya Allah!”

“Mahrukh! Mahrukh beta!”

I was in the middle of prayer when I heard Amaan calling me, I slowly brought my palms near my face ending the prayer and wiped my tears away. I felt needles going deep into my eyes as my fingers touched them…side effects of crying.

Getting up I picked up the prayer mat and folded it up, placing it on the bed I stood in front of the mirror of my dresser, looking at my reflection; puffed, swelled, bloodshot eyes, pale face and… and fear, fear that was so evident there.

“Mahrukh beta!” Amaan entered in the room and I jumped out of my thoughts.

“Ji Amaan!” I turned to look at her, she came near me.

“Mahrukh! beta kitna samjhaya hea mein ne tumhen, mat roya karo itna” She touched my face softly and I looked down unable to look into her eyes.

“Amaan!” I almost whispered. “mujhe… mujhe maaf ker dejiye ga’ I said, feeling my heart sinking inside my ribcage and breath uneven.

“Aese q keh rahi ho Mahrukh! Tum to duniya ki sab se achi beti ho” She said softly, and I wanted to cry even harder.

“Amaan! Ek bat kahoon?” I held her hands in mine and she looked into my eyes.

“Amaan! Qasam khaiye meri” I placed her right hand over my head making her frown. “Qasam khaiye ap Heer k liye koi buhat acha lerka dhoonden gi, us ko aese kisi bhi jahil insaan k sath nai biyahen gi ap” I said, a tear rolled down my cheek and Amaan just kept on staring my face. “Khaiye qasam Amaan” I pressed her hand over my head and she blinked absent mindedly.

“Amaan khaiiye na qasam… chup q hen ap?” I asked as tears refused to stop coming out.

“Mahrukh! come on we are getting la…..

“Oh!” before Amaan could respond Heer burst into the room blabbering and Amaan turned to look at her, wiping her tears with the corner of her shawl she looked at her.

“Kia hua Heer?” Amaan asked and Heer hurriedly tried to normal her expressions.

“Um… Amaan wo Mahrukh ko mehndi wali ne bulaya hea. kal barat hea na to aj he lagwaen ge” Heer explained, my heartbeats getting wild inside and I looked down.

“Acha! Han han jao shabash” Amaan looked at me and tried to smile but her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “per jaldi aa jana, Abba ka to pata he tumhen. Parlour se bhi late ho gaye thy us din to kitna hungama kia tha unhon ne” she added warning us, Heer and I exchanged a glance

“Mahrukh! chalen?” Heer looked at me and I gulped down, nodding my head uncertainly. For a moment I looked at Amaan who stood there with a helpless smile on her face and I pulled her into a hug…wrapping my arms around her I wept over her shoulder, trying to empty myself.

Maybe it was my hug….maybe I will never be able to look at her again, touch her again, see her smile or feel her warmth. Maybe….. maybe…. My breath hiccuped as she kept on stroking my back.

“Nai meri bachi! Aese na ro…. Mera dil pehle he buhat ghabra raha hea najane q?” Amaan said and I whimpered over her shoulder, knowing the reason deep down.

“chalo shabash! Jao ub…” Amaan pulled back and wiped my tears. “or piyari si mehndi lagwana meri bachi ki” she turned to look at Heer who hurriedly wiped her tears from her face.

I along with Heer stepped out of the room, wearing a yellow plain kameez shalwar with a multi chunri dupatta I looked a typical desi mayion ki dulhan…. There were guests all around in the house. Who knew the fact that this dulhan was actually running away?… my heart started beating dangerously fast at the thought of this horrible scene.

“Haye! Inni sonni dulhan! Allah nazer na lagaye” an aunty came walking towards us, holding me by my arms she said in a typical accent.

“Aunty! Allah q nazer lagaye ga… log nazer lagatey hen” Heer corrected her, who made a terrible face as if she didn’t like being corrected. “kehiye ke, Allah nazr-e-bad se bachaye” Heer said as if actually teaching her with a sweet smile on her face.

“huhn!” Aunty made a face and went away, finally.

“Aye nikki wali….vadi tez hea gi, jalal di dhi.kann katey ki sass de apney” we heard that aunty remarking about Heer and she chuckled, putting a hand over her mouth as if trying to control her laughter.

“kan, nak sab kaat doon gi aunty ji… tussi tension e na lo” Heer said aloud and I gasped, tugging on her arm to hush her up I glared and she pouted mouthing a “sorry”

We were finally out of the house where Raniya was already standing talking to Abba.

“Arey nai nai uncle, bus yei koi ghanta do ghanta lage ga” Raniya was saying.

“Do dhantey? Aesa kia kerna hea wahan?” Abba ji asked in a thunderous tone and I held Heer’s hand firmly.

“Uncle ub dulhan hea… itna time to lagta he hea na” Raniya said sweetly and Abba looked at us with his expressions all rigid as always.

“Jaldi farigh hone ki kerna…faltoo mein idher udher nai ghoomney lagna” he addressed Heer sternly and she smiled, obediently nodding her head. Abba walked past us and entered in the house.

“Heer! come on we are getting late” Raniya said hurriedly soon after Abba was completely inside the house.

“Where is the bag?” Heer asked Raniya and she pointed towards her car.

“Good!” they gave each other a high five, completely ignoring my fainting state.

“Mahrukh! please, stop being such a looser” Heer glared at me, her teeth gritted and voice low. “be happy! And welcome your freedom with open arms and smiling face” She touched the corner of my lips and pushed them upwards making me smile.

“That’s more like it baby!” she winked and we headed towards the car.

“The clothes are there on the seat, once we will be out of the premises of this area… you can change” Raniya instructed, taking the driving seat and my eyes came out of their sockets.

“what? are you two mad? I will change here in the car? With all these windows?” I almost shouted and Heer placed her palm over my mouth, trying to hush me up.

“Chup ker ja meri maa! Q merwaye gi khamakhan!” Heer said and I went quiet. “we will be on the highway then you will change, you know how empty and desserted kind of a road that is…hardly koi gari aati hea or wesey bhi sheeshey kaley hen meri jan….no worries” Heer added in her as always cool tone and I sighed.

“Here is the passport and her visa copy…and….” Raniya took out a small sleek envelope from the middle space of the front two seats and extended it to Heer who was sitting with her. “And her photocopy of ticket as well” she added and Heer took out the papers, along with the passport.

“Mahrukh! you will be picked up by some Mr. H. Jordan” Heer read through the letter she was holding, the letter I received after I passed the interview from Fulbright. “so stay there at the arrival area and please don’t get lost, okay” Heer looked at the back and I nodded my head. She smiled warmly at me, her eyes shinning.

“I can’t believe you are going to New Yoooooork, finally” her excitement was beyond words and I smiled weakly. “Am so happy Mahrukh! bus ub dil laga ker perhna, enjoy kerna or Facebook per account bana lena…phir selfies bheja kerna apni” she added with sheer excitement but I could feel the grimness in her words… I could feel she was breaking inside, she was missing me already, so was I. I wanted to get out of the car right now and hug her tight…hug her for one last time before leaving.

“Per tumhara to account he nai Facebook per” I tried to cheer her mood up. “to kahan bhejoon gi selfies? Hawa mein?” I asked and she chuckled.

“Mera to hea na” Raniya said, Heer patted her back and I smiled.

I was still so uncertain about all this…though I knew that once I will be out of this place no one would reach me, once I will be there in New York I will be starting a new life… a better one indeed. But I was worried about Heer, about Aman Abba… un ki badnami merey he hathon q likhi thi? agar ye khudgerzi thi…to ub to mein ker chuki thi ye, ub koi rasta nai bacha tha murne ka… Ya Allah rehem! Rehem kerna mere Maa Bap per, Heer per uski zindagi per. Putting my head back, I closed my eyes and tried hard to forget about all this… tried hard to keep my mind and heart at peace, tired hard to think about.... the better tomorrow.

so finally Mahrukh is going to New York :)

excited???? 

and I hope those who were asking about the Fermaanberdar bivi of Hussain got a hint :-p or maybe the whole of the answer ;) 

Maheen Sajjad!!! love you lerkiii <3 stay blessed always and I pray u get your dreams true :) this is just a lilltle i love doing for the story which made me come up with my own stories :-p 

love u all :)