T H E sterile smell of the hospital corridors was the first thing that hit the nostrils when you walked in. The pristine white walls with equally pale tiles, metal stools hovering both sides of the long hallway that looked uncomfortable to sit on for more than ten minutes. Men and women in neatly ironed white coats walked with purpose only stopping occasionally to talk to a patients family.

Rizwan wheeled Mustafa inside the large hospital. As soon as they entered, they made their way to the receptionist getting their number for the therapist. Mustafa's therapist, Dr. Akbar was a renowned physiotherapist. Master at his art so it was no wonder that even on a Wednesday morning when people would typically be in their offices, a huge crowd had accumulated to meet the doctor who only did physical therapy once a week. Twice if he was feeling generous.

"Number twenty-three. That's four less than the last one. Sweet!" Rizwan exclaimed, delighted at the fact that they would have to wait a shorter amount of time.
"Intezar tou phir bhi 2 ghantay hi karna paray ga na?"
[Still going to have to wait two hours though isn't it?]
Mustafa sarcastically inquired from his extremely cheerful friend.
"Please man stop raining down on my happiness. You're just jealous you did not get my optimistic brain," Rizwan contorted his facial muscles. No way would one think on seeing them that one was an ideal businessman and the other an ideal secretary.

Time trickled by like a slow snail. One that is even slower than a normal snail. The number of people in the waiting room seemed to lessen and increase by the minute. The tiny space began to freak Mustafa out. He hated hospitals with a burning passion. If it was up to him he would stop coming to these useless exercise sessions. Hell Rizwan could give him the same at home. But no. Rizwan would never let him compromise on his health hence why it was mandatory to visit the over charging doctor. Who charged 15,000 rupees for a fifteen minute session. Not to forget the free three hour of waiting time.

"Rizwan mujhe ghutan ho rahai hai. Bhair le chal na,"
[Rizwan I feel suffocated. Please take me outside]
Mustafa whined to his assistant, friend and mother.
The man was truly a jack of all arts.
"Acha Mustafa bhai, mein aap ko bahir lawn mein le chalta hun".
[Alright Mustafa brother, I shall take you outside]
Rizwan smiled at the delicate man.
No matter how much Mustafa tried to act like a macho man, deep inside he was just a boy craving someone to pamper him aswell.

Since the large hospital was privately owned, it meant that it was a thousand times better than the government owned ones. With new state of the art technology and a lot gardens. That's right, the hospital covered a heft five hectares of land and had an abundance of lawns for the patients and their visitors to enjoy. The entire backside was covered in thick and lush greenery which was a pleasant and welcome contrast to the monotone whiteness of the interior of the place.

Rizwan and Mustafa strolled the place for thirty minutes. Absolutely taking in the air that seemed to be super crisp amongst the shade of Orange trees that were beginning to have their fruits ripened by the October Sun. An occasional leaf fell from the tall branches, caressing their perfectly styled hair, reminding them that Autumn was still around.

"Acha Mustafa bhai let's go inside. Appointment miss tou nahi karni na!"
[Do not want to miss the appointment]
Rizwan reminded the man he was accompanying of their actual purpose of visiting the health care facility.
"Han... han... chalo andar chalte hain,"
[Yes let's go inside]
Mustafa silently sighed to himself.

Luck seemed to be on their side. As soon as the stepped into the well furnished waiting room, the intercom rang.
"Patient number twenty-three please head to Dr.Akbar's office. Thank you, for your patience!" A mechanical voice was heard through the speakers.
"Ya Allah shukr!"
[Oh Allah Thanks]
Rizwan breathed out loudly.
Wiping non - existent sweat from his forehead. Lord had the waited for "some time".

They walked through the densely crowded area and finally reached the office. Rizwan opened the door and led Mustafa inside. His wheelchair rolling effortlessly over the thick, lush blue carpet inside the doctors office. The doctor himself was seated behind a wooden desk, with two chairs placed opposite to him. In one corner of the office was a patient's bed, that was where he checked all his patients or helped them with their physical therapy.

Noticing the presence of two men, Dr.Akbar, adjusted his glasses and looked up from what seemed to be a patients file.
"Mr. Mustafa please come in. I have been waiting for you," the doctor spoke to him the words he said to hundreds everyday out of courtesy.
His large mustache that was curled up perfectly - Mustafa believed he used some gel to hold it up - seemed hilarious as it twitched with every word he spoke.
"Feel the same doctor". Mustafa said the words with a heavy heart.
"That is good then. Let us lay you down and begin then," motioning towards Rizwan he continued, "Mr. Rizwan if you could help me".
"Of course sir". Rizwan addressed him out of courtesy then walked towards Mustafa.

The doctor and his friend picked him up, gently, ensuring he felt no pain and then carefully lay him down on the patients bed.
"So first things first we are going to move the legs a bit". Asking for assurance from Mustafa, Dr.Akbar raised his legs and massaged his lower calfs to ensure blood flow.
He then massaged the heels and carefully examined the soles to see if there was any open wound, if there was one then they would have to send Mustafa to a foot specialist since that would be the sign of him having low blood circulation to his feet.

"Now I will begin to do some exercises okay?" He again asked for a pass.
"Ji doctor sahab. Aap karein jo aap ko theek lagta hai,"
[Go ahead doctor. Do whatever you feel necessary]
Rizwan gave the green signal.
The doctor smiled at the overprotective friend and began to raise his legs gently. He moved them back and forth, stretching them out as much as he could.
"Mustafa if you feel uncomfortable at any point do tell me. This should not cause discomfort on your upper body," the doctor educated him. It was important for the patient to be aware of what was good for him or not. So that the treatment could progress with best effects possible.

"Now I am going to massage your back. Okay?" Dr. Akbar questioned.
"Go ahead doctor". Mustafa gave his agreement.
The doctor raised him up and had Rizwan support him by the front of his body. Dr.Akbar massaged his lower back with his palm, applying pressure just enough to not make him scream with pain.

The rest of the session went away fast with the doctor telling them when to come next time and giving Mustafa a shoulder massage to relive the tension inside his neck muscles.

J A M A L H O U S E, ANDROON LHR
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Hoor was dressed in her favourite outfit. She was praying that today be the day that she finally gets accepted. That today all her prayers are accepted. And she finally meets the prince charming she has been waiting for for so long.

Dressed in a lemon yellow cotton suit with white flowers embroidered on it, paired with white trousers and a white cotton duppata [veil] with golden lines on it. Her hair was thrown into an effortless bun and her feet covered with her favourite tilla khusas [traditional footwear with embroidery] . Ofcourse, the silver dangling pazeb [anklet] was the showstopper for her that particular evening.

Walking with a bit of oomph to her footsteps, Hoor walked to her parents room. Where her mother was sitting, wearing her purple palachi [a kind of fabric] outfit. Clearly Jahan-ara loved the colour purple. In all shades. If her wardrobe was not a testimony of that well then her lavender painted bedroom sure was.

"MashAllah Hoor. Aaj bilkul Hoor lag rahi ho!"
[Allah has willed Hoor, you look like a literal Hoor (women that live in heaven)]
Jahan-ara, unlike her usual self, gushed.
Perhaps it was the mother inside her realising that the little girl with the two piglets whom she had raised in her jawani was now old enough to leave soon and start her own beautiful family.
"Ammi aap bhi kisi shehzadi sai kam nahi lag rahi!"
[Mother you aren't looking anything less than a princess yourself]
Hoor smiled at the old woman.
Then grabbing a pink lipstick out of the abundant plum shades Hoor swiped it onto her lips.

However, it seemed Hoor was doomed to not have a perfect love story. No sooner had the guys family arrived that chaos struck. The sahab had sent the chef of their cafe at the office to her place. The man earned well and his mother was a wonderful woman who soothed Jahan-ara's worries about dowry.

Then it happened. The metal door of their tiny home was shook with such force that it seemed it would fall into two pieces in a jiffy.
"ALI BHAIR NIKAL!"
[Ali come out]
A savage man from outside shouted.
Ali, who was giving the guests company began to sweat. He knew that man very well. It was the gangster that lived in their street, more specifically the man he owed a hefty hundred thousand rupees to.

"A-aaraha hun,"
[Coming]
Ali stammered and went outside.
Standing in front of the giant hulk he pleaded, "dekhein bhai, aap keh paise mein luta dun ga. Par andar meri behan ka rishta aaya  huwa hai. Agar unko kuch bhi pata chala tou woh rishta-"
[Listen guys, I will return your money. But inside a potential suitor has come for my sister. If they get to know then they will -]
he was however, cut off.

The men on hearing about a proposal stomped inside. Normally they would never hurt anyone, who owed them moneys family, unfortunately Ali had pissed them off time and time again. They decided it would be better to humiliate him in a way he would remember.

"Aunty ji! Idhr apnay betay ka rishta mat kariye ga! Unka beta juwa karta hai. Aap ke betay ko bhi lut le ga!"
[Dear aunt do not marry your son here. Their son does gambling. He will rob your son]
The man with a big beard, who happened to be the leader, spoke.
The woman, Mussarat on hearing this, automatically left with her son. Not even staying to talk to them once.

And that is how thanks to her elder brother, another potential alliance was flushed down the drain. Leaving her feeling miserable.

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