یہ جو ہلکا ہلکا سرور ہی،
یہ تیری نظر کا قصور ہے،
کی شراب پینا سکھا دیا

  ///////

The nights at the Shah Villa were quiet for Mirha and Minal. Both of  the sisters were too quiet suddenly, shocked due to the things they had to experience in such a short amount of time. Some nights they would cry, some nights they would lay down on each other's arms like they used to when they were kids.

They were nearly of the same age, the one year difference between them was not visible but still, Mirha tried to be the elder sister. She truly did but failed miserably. Most of the times, it was Minal who would support her and guide her, be her shield. Their mother always said that Mirha needed to learn from Minal, stop being so chicken- hearted. But since she had been so sheltered and loved always, she never felt the need to.

But now, she remembered every single one of her mother's advices.

In the vast lawns, the owls hooted and the moon loomed above the tall red brick building as the two sisters slept.

However, one of the sisters was staring out from the large window while she lay in the bed with her sister, unable to sleep. Restlessness and a tingling feeling across her foot kept her awake for the whole night.

                ////////////

In the vast pink sky, three black birds flew above the villa to welcome the day, only a couple of people in the house were awake.

Mirha stood in the terrace, staring at the red brick walls again. She had woken up for the Fajr prayer and now she was going to water the plants but the fresh air outside had mesmerised her. Mirha bent down to see a white flower that had just bloomed in one of the potted plants that lined the terrace, the heavy vines slithering across the building to other balconies when she heard a sound. A sound like a glass door was sliding. She looked up quickly, eyes clashing directly against his eyes.

Something was in the air, as the sudden wind blew, making the loosely held dupatta on her head fly away, rich brown strands of her hair suddenly floated into the air and the sun decided to come out right then, enveloping everything in a golden glow, all while Mirha was unblinkingly looking into his eyes red from sleep.

Shehryaar closed his eyes for a second, feeling like he was still in sleep because why was he seeing a hoor on earth? Opening his dark eyes again, he saw her again, unbelievingly he saw her again. Now fighting against the wind to cover her long threads of hair which were intwining among themselves, those glass- like eyes which looked translucent in the sun now bent down.

In a trance like feeling, Shehryaar slowly went back into his room without turning around, slowly not to disturb the nature and silently not to frighten the hoor.

              //////////////

It was the middle of the noon now, everyone busy in their own business when a loud voice in the hallway echoed.
 
Mirha trembled quiet literally as she stood with her head low, sweaty hands nervously entwined together as she listened to Fatima scolding her.

"Why are you so clumsy? huh? You just broke an extremely expensive vase!"

Her eyes were already full of tears as she looked down at the broken little pieces of stained glass. Why couldn't she do anything right?

The hallway was empty and Fatima's voice echoed in the space, who was still scolding her despite the tears blurring her eyes. She informed her of the price,

"Who will pay it's price? Hmm?"

Mirha was shaking like a leaf, pink soles of her feat cold against the white marble of the floor. Then, she heard some heavy footsteps. Once, twice.

"Yey kya ho raha hai?"
(What is happening here?)

It was his voice, dark and rich like the first sip of coffee in the morning. Mirha didn't look up at his face, scared he will scold her now. Staring at his black,perfectly polished boots, Mirha closed her eyes, making a trail of tears fall down her cheeks.

Fatima was telling him about the vase and Mirha's hands were getting sweatier.

"Kyun itna daant-ti hain Miss. Fatima. Abhi bachi hai. Jaanay dein."

(Why do you scold them so much, Miss.Fatima. She is a child yet. Let her go.)

Mirha's eyes shot open to find that he was already looking at her.

Black against glass.

Looking at the way she trembled, the way her eyes blinked and the long dark lashes touched her cheek, he swallowed. Tilting his head to the side he said,
"Jao. (Go)"

  And she was quick to turn away, running upstairs towards her room.

                   ////////

  Ahmed slowly walked across his room, thinking about some ways to encounter that little girl again. He was twenty four years old but since he had a very responsible elder brother, he himself was very irresponsible. He had tried to help his father and his brother but... yes, he was still trying.

His door knocked suddenly and he asked them to come in, his eyes twinkling suddenly upon seeing her.

Minal was holding a pile of folded clothes, some hangers in her hands, stepping in she looked at him for a second and immediately averted her eyes after seeing him looking at herself.

She walked straight to the cupboard without asking him, starting to put the clothes in there while he sat down slowly, leisurely watching her do so.

Minutes passed by like that, with his unblinking staring when she immediately turned around.
"Kya masla hai, Mister?"
(What's your problem, mister?)

Ahmed raised his head from his hand, eyebrows flying up.

"Kya?"
(What?)

But Minal was speaking today, a fierce expression on her face which she had learned from days of watching Fatima scold people, trying to hide her trembling hands  by clutching the sides of her dupatta.

"Aap itnay dino sey ghoori ja rahay hain. Yey na samjhein k hum akeli hain, acha? Mey abhi ja kar Shehryaar bhai ko batati hun!"
(You have been staring for many days now. Don't even think that I am alone okay? I am going to tell Shehryaar bhai right now!)

Ahmed jumped at Shehryaar's name. Why was his brother so trust-worthy for everyone?

" Acha, acha sorry."
(Okay, okay. Sorry.)

He stood up, brushing his hair back with his fingers. Minal was watching him with fierce eyes.

"Kya naam hai tumhara?"
(What is your name?)

He knew her name but he had to show that he didn't. He didn't know exactly why.

"Minal."

She placed the hung the last hanger and swiftly walked to the door when he said,
"Darrti nahi ho tum, haina?"
(You aren't afraid, right?)

He was suddenly mischievous, or rather smug. She immediately shook her head.

"Hmm, dekhtay hain phir."
(Hmm, we'll see then.)

Minal immediately opened the door and slammed it back, her heat beating loudly in her chest as she placed her hands on it to calm it down.

She had prepared herself for this encounter for days and now it was finally over, but with a red warning about the future.

What is he going to do, now?

                         /////////

Bros and hos,

We are moving forward.

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