T E A R S dripped from the bridge of her nose. Falling into her cupped palms. Her over weight body shaking with full force as sobs continued to wreck through her body. Jahan-ara's eyes were rimmed red, for she had spent much of her time after Fajar in crying. Her heart was full. To see the precious little children that she raised with warmth and love deviate from their duties hurt her more than it should have. Eventhough, she maintained the look of a strict, no nonsense woman, deep down it was all a facade she had made to keep herself safe from being hurt and yet that was what happened.

"Ya Allah! Iss sai tou behtar tha meray dil mein pathar rak deta. Kamaz kam apnay bachun ko zindagi mein pechay rehtay dekh kar dukh tou na hota. Kaash keh meray sinay mein in do bin maa keh bachun keh liye kabhi mohabbat hi na jaagti! Allah jab aulad di hai tou inkay dukh sai bhi bacha. Allah meri aulad ki zindagi khushiyon sai bhar dei!"
[Oh Lord! It would have been better than this that you had given me a stone for a heart. Atleast I would not have felt sad seeing them fail. I wish in my heart I would have never felt love for these motherless children. Allah when you have given me kids, then save me from their sorrows. Fill their life with happiness]
Jahan-ara cried to her Lord about the grief that filled her heart from top to bottom.

"Arey Jahan-ara begum iss dukh ko chod do. Jab apnay khuda par bharosa rakhthi ho tou phir aisay ansoon kiyun bahati ho? Chalo ab Rab ka shukr ada karo aur phir bahir aajao. Hoor tumhe charpai par na pa kar kahin valvala na macha dai,"
[Oh Jahan-ara leave this sadness. When you have faith in your Allah then why are you crying? Thank Allah and come outside. Not seeing you on your seat, Hoor might create a ruckus]
Kamal wrapped his arms around her shoulder, comforting her in his own manner.

"Aap sahi keh rahay hain Jamal sahab. Hoor tou bechari sab ki fiqr karti hai. Par hum hi uskay qabil nahi,"
[You are right Mr.Jamal. Hoor worries about everyone. It is us that are not worthy of her]
Jahan-ara spoke in a somber tone.
"Iss baat sai mein soo fisad mutafiq hun begum,"
[I agree with this statement a hundred percent]
Kamal agreed.

Providing Jahan-ara support to get up from the small wooden chair, on which she prayed. She gave out cries of pain as she stood, her knees unable to support her body.
"Meri dandi pakda dein,"
[Give me my stick]
she gestured to her age old companion, whilst giving her body support by leaning on the vanity in the meanwhile.
"Hai shukriya Jamal,"
[Oh thank you Jamal]
she thanked him and grabbed the wooden stick with full grip.

She walked at the pace of a snail to her usual spot in the house. Sitting slowly so as to not shock her weak joints. Jahan-ara regretted being so forgetful about her health in her youth. Now approaching her fifties, she was suffering from a severe case of diabetes, and her addiction to sugary stuff in no way helped her.

"Assalamualikum ammi!"
[Peace be on you mom]
Jahan-ara's train of thoughts were broken by the chirpy greeting of her daughter.
"Waalikumassalam Hoor,"
[Peace be on you too Hoor]
she extended her arms to give her a kiss on her forehead.
"Khariat ammi aaj kal bohat piyaar araha hai mujh par!"
[Is everything alright mom these days you are showing me so much love]
Hoor joked.
"Han beta khariat hi hai. Mein bas ab chahti hun keh tumse bepanah mohabbat karun. Meri eik hi tou beti hai,"
[Yes child everything is alright. I just want to love you unconditionally now. I only have one daughter]
Jahan-ara's words caused Hoor to thank Allah for finally awarding her with the love of her mother.

"Acha ammi ab baaton mein waqt zaiya nahi karti. Nashta tiyaar karti hun".
[Right mom lets not waste time in idle talk. I am going to prepare breakfast]
Kissing her ammi's cheeks, Hoor walked inside the small kitchen.
She took out a few pans and placed them on top of the stove. Throwing some ghee [clarified butter] in the pans, Hoor cracked eggs as soon as the oil began to sizzle. Simultaneously, she set the bread on a flat pan, to toast it until golden-brown and crispy.

"Hoor apnay abbu ko raat ka salan bhi de dena!"
[Hoor give your father yesterday's gravy]
Her ammi shouted from outside.
"Ji ammi".
[Okay momp
Replying to her she opened their refrigerator that had occupied the same spot for ten years and had still not given up. She warmed the pulao [a rice dish] and placed the yogurt in an airtight container. To prevent it from spilling inside the lunch bag.

"Salam ammi!"
[Greetings mom]
Ali shouted, heading for the door.
"Kidhr ja raha hai? Idhr aa!"
[Where are you going? Come here]
Jahan-ara may have softened up for her daughter, but her tone with her son had become even more stiff.
"Ammi mein dosto keh-"
[With friends mom]
"Koi zarrorat nahi janay ki. Chup chap ghar par betho!"
[There is no need to go anywhere. Sit at home]
The sense of finality in Jahan-ara's tone was a clear indication that this matter was not up for debate.

A few moments later, Hoor stepped out with plates and dishes, setting the table with great diligence. Ensuring that everything placed was straight and not in a crooked order.
"Nashta lag gaya hai!"
[Breakfast is served]
Hoor called out to her family members.
Not sitting down just yet, knowing that a list of other small jobs was soon to follow.
"Hoor beth jao. Kisi ko kaam ho ga tou khud kar lay ga!"
[Hoor sit. If someone has any work they can do it themselves]
Jamal glared at his son.
"Ji abbu,"
[Okay dad]
Hoor smiled and sat down on the dining table.
She tore into the warm, crispy bread, savouring every bite. Her eyes closed at the feeling of a warm morsel, usually she had cold breakfast so having it warm was a treat.

"Hoor aaj tou bari khush lag rahi ho,"
[Hoor you look very happy today]
Jamal sahab smiled at his young daughter. It had been a long time since he had seen her glow so much.
"Pata nahi. Bas subah sai hi dil kaafi khsuh hai,"
[I Don know. Just from morning my heart is very happy]
she smiled at her father.
"Allah aisay hi khush rakhay,"
[May Allah keep you happy like this]
Jahan-ara patted her head.
The rest of the breakfast was filled with small talk. Enjoying the air of peace that was felt by the family once in a blue moon.

As he was heading out, Jamal immediately turned around. As if he suddenly remembered something of great importance.
"Ali karza kaisay utaro gai?"
[Ali how will you pay the debt]
He inquired from his son.
"Abbu woh-"
[Uh dad that-]
Ali was speechless. He had no idea of what would he do.
"Kia? Paisay churatay waqt nahi socha tou ab kiya pareshani hai?"
[What? When you were stealing at that time you did not think so what is the tension now]
Jamal asked.
The man was furious. He was not ready to hear any bullshit logics of his son who was old enough to distinguish right from wrong.
"Shaam ko meray anay tak kuch intazam huwa ho!"
[By the time I come home in the evening, you better have made a way to pay it off]
Jamal left his home, giving a clear deadline to his son. Who could do nothing but agree with the elder man.

K A MA L M A N S I O N, D H A, LHR
●●●●¤¤●●●●

Mustafa was wheeled over to the dining table by Rizwan. Both the young men were a feast for eyes. Their clear harmony with which they worked without ever clashing was something that was the envy of many.

"Arrey Mustafa beta aao. Betho".
[Oh Mustafa son come sit]
His chachi welcomed him with open arms.
Rizwan rolled him into his place at the head of the table, after which he sat himself to the left of him. Mustafa on not finding Shahrukh was confused.
"Chachi Shahrukh kidhr hai? Ussey aaj office nahi jana?"
[Auntie where is Shahrukh. Is he not going to the office today]
Mustafa asked, a frown marring his face.
"Arrey woh tiyaar ho raha hai. Tum nashta karo abhi ajai ga!"
[He is getting dressed. You have your breakfast till then he will come]
Munazza smiled at her nephew.
"Hmm," Mustafa silently hummed to himself, gesturing towards Rizwan to fill his plate.
Who was busy murmuring to himself about the injustices the people at this table served to the owner of this place.

"Mama mein tiyaar hun,"
[Mom I am ready]
Shahrukh entered the dining room with enthusiasm. A jump in his step.
"Han beta nashta kar lo. Phir Mustafa keh saath hi office chalay jana!"
[Oh son have breakfast. Then go to the office with Mustafa]
Munazza suggested to which Mustafa nodded his head in agreement.
"Ji mama,"
[Alright mom]
Shahrukh smiled.

The family ate in silence, trying to eat to their hearts content before starting the day. Mustafa and Rizwan waited thirty minutes inside the car before Shahrukh finally showed up.
"Sorry mein late ho gaya. Mama nazar utaar rahi thi!"
[Sorry I am late. Mama was warding the evil eye off]
Shahrukh apologised, sitting down next to Mustafa. Rizwan having changed his seat, was sitting next to Jamal who looked a bit upset. Mustafa knew well about the reason behind his sadness, it was the rejection of his daughter once again.

J A M A L H O U S E, ANDROON LHR
●●●●¤¤●●●●

Hoor was invested in sewing the khadar shirt. With October having arrived women were in a hurry to get their winter outfits ready before the actual season started. It was always nice to have them prepared before hand than to wait till the last second when all tailors were already preparing tonnes of orders.

"Hoor kiya kar rahi ho?"
[Hoor what are you doing?]
Jahan-ara questioned from her seat.
"Ammi Shakila baaji ki kameez silai kar rahi hun,"
[Mama I am stitching Shakila sisters shirt]
Hoor replied without lifting her head, all her concentration on sewing the shirt without any errors. For she knew if there was any problem she would need to redo everything.
"Acha beta shaam ko tumharay abbu keh mehmaan aain gai. Tou biryani bana lena. Aur Ali sai kaho dahi bharay lai aai".
[Okay in the evening your father's guests will come. So make biryani. And ask Ali to bring (desi snack)]
Jahan-ara ordered.
"Ji ammi. Bas kameez honay hi wali hai phir karti hun,"
[Yes mom. This shirt is about to he done. Then I will do it]
she replied.

Having told Ali what their mother had asked him to do, Hoor herself walked into the kitchen. Preparing the chicken with salt and lemon, setting a heavy bottom pan on the stove. As the time progressed, the aroma that was given off from the bawarchi khana [kitchen] became increasingly attractive. Arousing ones senses and causing the stomach to rumble with full force.

"Hoor yeh dam par rakh di hai?"
[Hoor have you kept on steam?]
Her ammi asked about the Biryani.
"Ji,"
[Yes]
Hoor gave a silent reply.
"Acha phir yeh patay saaf kar aur kapray badal lo,"
[Okay then clean these leaves and change your clothes]
Jahan-ara begum told her.
Hoor nodded her head and then continued to work on removing the leaves that had fallen as a result of the arrival of Autumn.

●●●●¤¤●●●●