Tera har andaz achha hai
Siwaye nazar andaz karne ke

•••

Agar yeh keh do begair mere nahi guzara
Toh main tumhara

•••

Meena Baig announced that she is going to Shyra's wedding, she wanted other members to accompany her, but everyone seemed to have busy schedule that day.

"Main kahi nahi ja rahi, aur na hi meri bachhiyan jayengi." Zinnirah told her husband. Beena and Gulfisha silently agreed to her. Even they didn't want to go to Shyra's wedding.

(I won't go, neither will my daughters.)

Mujahid gave a feeble excuse to his mother that Zinnirah is not feeling well and Beena and Gulfisha had to make some college project.

Tarik and Numa lived in another city, and when there was going to be no wedding of Basim, they left for their house early in the morning.

Tanimah never goes out. Rayed and Hania didn't feel like going either, they were supposed to celebrate Basim and Shyra's marriage today. How could they go there. Rayed excused that he has some important work, while Hania had a reason that this was the first wedding function after her marriage, how could she attend it without her husband.

"Theek hai koi nahi ja raha toh. Main akeli chali jaungi." Meena Baig said.

(Fine if anyone does not want to go. I will go alone.)

"Ammi, main apke sath chal raha hoon." Farzand said, Kazim is his youngest and dearest brother- since childhood, Farzand has pampered Kazim as his own son, how could he not go to Kazim's only daughter's marriage.

(Ammi, I will come with you.)

"Dadi, main bhi chalungi." Esha said, raising her hand.

(Dadi, I will come with you too.)

Meena told them to get ready, while she also left the living room. Before going to her room, her eyes fall on Basim's room. The door was opened, but room was pitch dark.

"Basim?" Entering the room, she called him and turned off the light.

Basim, who was laying on his bed with his arm on his eyes, moved with the sudden light. Removing his arm, he looked at the person who disturbed his sleep, but seeing his grandmother there made his sit up.

"Ab tak so rahe ho?" Meena looked at him with disapproval and went to sit on the bed.

(You are still sleeping?)

"Dadi, main.." She has saw beside his feet, making him quickly cross his legs.

(Dadi, I...)

"Raat mein theek se soye nahi kya?" Looking at his face, Meena asked.

(You didn't sleep well last night?)

Eyes swollen, hair messed up, and face looked tired. Meena Baig felt pity on him.

"Basim, main janti hoon humne tumhare sath achha nahi kiya, Tumhe shikayat bhi hogi humse. lekin samajhne ki koshish karo, woh larki apni khushiyon ki qurbani de rahi thi. Abhi do din ki tumhari jo takleef hai, woh zindagi bhar ki takleef se toh behtar haina."

(Basim, I know we didn't do justice to you, but try to understand, that girl was sacrificing her happiness. Your two days of pain is better than lifetime of unhappiness.)

"Janta hoon, aur Ap log se mujhe koi shikayat nahi." Looking down, Basim said. He already knows this was the right thing to do, even he can't marry Shyra after knowing she liked Kabir, but, still, he was upset over the fact that they should have said it earlier, why at the last moment where his family had to face all humiliation, and they are celebrating.

(I know, and I don't have any complaints from you.)

"Jante ho toh yeh haal kyu banaya hua hai apna? Raat mein bhi tum khane pe nahi aye the. Abhi bhi suraj sar pe hai aur tum so rahe ho. Hume nahi achha lag raha hai tumhe aise dekhke. Jao, munh hath dhulo, nashta karo." Advising him, Meena Baig lovingly pats his cheek and left the room.

(If you know then why are you like this? You didn't eat dinner with us last night, and you are sleeping this late. We can't see you like that. Go, freshen up and eat breakfast.)

Basim did as she told him. Taking shower, changing into fresh clothes, he went downstairs to eat food. He wasn't going to sulk over this always.

•••

"Kabir Abdar Khan, apka nikkah, Shyra Zehra Kazim se tay hua, apko yeh nikkah qubool hai?" Molvi saab went to Kabir's side and asked.

(Kabir Abdar Khan, do you accept your marriage with Shyra Zehra Kazim?)

Kabir didn't take a second, and replied in loud and happy voice "Qubool hai!"

(I do.)

When Kabir said qubool hai for the third times, everyone raised their hands in air to pray for the newlyweds.

While praying, Ayat looked at Hanan, who looking in front of him, praying. He felt someone's eyes on him, and looked at her way, but instantly looked away when found her looking at him.

Defeated, Ayat looked at her hands, praying for him to have a change of heart. She regrets what she did, how long is he going to punish her.

When Ayat looked at her hands, Hanan again looked at her.

Beautiful she is, with her soft pale skin, blue eyes and brown hair, she is a stand out beauty. But today, in that black and silver lehenga, no beauty of the world could come close to her. Hanan's eyes keep falling on her, no matter how much he tried to not to look at her. The black dupatta on her head made her face seem as if bright moon around dark, grey clouds.

~

It was now time for munh dikhai, pushing the the flowers curtains away, Kabir went to Shyra. He sat in front of her on his knees, and slowly lift her veil. Shyra, who was looking down, looked at him, her eyes were still full of tears.

Removing her veil, he placed a kiss on her forehead, earning hooting from his cousins. Shyly, Shyra looked down.

•••

From Kazim's family, only Meena Baig, Farzand, and Esha came to Shyra's wedding. Though Kazim and Hamna weren't expecting them to come either. Kazim and Hamna thought they all must be angry at them.

When Meena met with everyone with love and friendliness, didn't mention anything about Basim and Shyra's marriage, didn't complain about anything, it made Hamna embarrassed.

Esha even took participation in every rasm, wether it was joota churai or doodh pilai, she was in front along with Ayat. They both gave Kabir a tough time. And in the end, they got the amount of money which they demanded, after lots of argument with Kabir's cousins.

Hamna never liked anyone from her in-laws. All her life, she was pampered by her parents and three older brothers, it made her demanding and bratty. After her marriage, when the responsibilities of marriage fall on her shoulders, she couldn't handle it, and demanded Kazim to move to her house, where she is most comfortable. Now, she thought, she took a hasty decision in the earlier days of her marriage, maybe if she had been patient enough, she would have got along with her in-laws. Meena Baig proved to be a supportive mother, and grandmother.

"Kya hua?" Kazim saw her staring into space, and asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder.

(What happened?)

"Huh! Kuch nahi." Smiling, she shook her head.

(Huh! Nothing.)

"Achha suno, ammi keh rahi thi muklawa ki rasm humari haveli mein ho." Hesitantly, Kazim told her.

(Okay listen, Ammi was saying that the muklawa ceremony should be held in our mansion.)

"Ammi keh rahi hain toh theek hai." Without any argument, Hamna agreed, giving Kazim Baig shock.

(If ammi wants it then okay.)

"Lekin Zinnirah bhabhi?" This made him relax that she does have a point to disagree. Hamna could never agree to anyone without an argument.

(But what about Zinnirah bhabhi?)

"Ammi sambhal lengi unhe." He assured her. Hamna nods her head. She doesn't have any problem with it.

(Ammi will handle her.)

•••

Function has almost come to the end, most of the guests have left after eating food, now only close friends and relatives were present. Hamna took Shyra to a room, where she can rest for a bit, and will go downstairs when it will be time for rukhsati.

"Maama, mere samajh nahi araha achanak se yeh sab." Being alone in room with her mother, Shyra decided to ask her.

(Maama, I am not able to understand anything.)

"Yeh faisla tumhare papa ka hai. Woh nahi chahte the ki tum apni khushiyon ki qurbani do." Shyra's mang teeka moved from its place, fixing it properly on her forehead, Hamna told her.

(This is your father's decision. He didn't want his daughter to sacrifice her happiness.)

"Papa ka? Par, Maama, dadi log sab?" Shyra was worried about everyone's reaction at Baig Haveli.

(Papa's decision? But, Maama, dadi and everyone?)

"Agar unko issue hota toh aaj yaha ati?" Hamna questioned. "Tum inn sab ki fikar na karo. Dusro ka sochke apni khushiyan kabhi nahi maarni chahiye."

(If they had a problem with it then your Dadi would have come here?)

(Don't worry about them.)

Before they could talk further, Kazim came there, telling them it is time for rukhsati. Getting up from the bed, Shyra went to hug her father. This made Kazim emotional too, as he hugged her.

•••

Hamna and Kazim lived in the same haveli, but still, Shyra couldn't control her tears when she was leaving the banquet.

Hanan was holding Quran E Pak on her head. Stopping beside the car, Shyra turned to her parents, and hugged her father.

"Roke mat jao. Khushi khushi jao." Kazim told her in heavy voice, his eyes were full of tears too, but he didn't let them fall. Patting her head lovingly, he pulled her away and kissed her forehead.

(Don't go while crying. Be happy.)

"Nayi zindagi ki shuruat muskura ke karni chahiye." Farzand was beside Kazim, and put his hand on Shyra's head.

(You should start new journey of your life with a smile.)

Meena Baig and Naziya Begum couldn't come there, old age made them easily tired, they didn't have energy to come out anymore. They wanted to go to home now. Azrin was sleeping beside Naziya Begum.

After meeting her father and uncle, Shyra turned to Hamna to hug her. Hamna didn't leave Shyra for few minutes. Her little girl has grown up so fast, she wasn't not ready to leave her.

"Khayal rakhna." Pulling away from Shyra, Hamna pat her cheek and said, while sniffing.

(Take care.)

No one could see Shyra's face full of fallen tears as it was hidden behind a veil.

Everyone were emotional there, but what shock Ayla was that Kaif was also shedding tears beside her.

"Kya hua?" Wiping the tears off from the corner of her eyes, she turned to him and ask.

(What happened?)

"Azrin bhi ek din aise badi hoke chali jayegi." Looking at Shyra and Kazim, Kaif said.

(One day Azrin will also grow up and leave us.)

Ayla didn't know what she should do, laugh at his words, or cry because it made her realise how faster Azrin is growing. Ayla did both- laughing, she shed the tears which she was trying to hold.

•••

Meena Baig was very angry when she reached her haveli, it was late at night, but she still ordered maids to go and call everyone in the living room.

Everyone had sleep in their eyes, some were about to sleep, some were already sleeping, but Meena Baig didn't take any pity to their tired appearance.

"Koi sharm, koi lihaz hai aap log mein?" Sitting on the sofa, holding her walking stick in front of her, she asked her kids except for Farzand, who was sitting beside her, everyone else were standing in front of her. Her grandchildren were standing in the corner.

(Do you all have any shame?)

Beena turned to Esha and asked her what's wrong, but Esha could only shrug her shoulder. Even she don't know what happened, Meena Baig was happy in the function.

"Fuppi, kya hua?" Tanimah got the courage to ask her.

(What happened, aunty?)

"Kya hua? Kuch pata hai aaj Shyra ki shadi mein kitni sharmindagi hui hume? Batao, ghar ki bachhi ki shadi hai aur yaha se gaye kitne log the, sirf 4. Hamna ke yaha se sab the, dost rishtedar sab. Lekin Kazim ke yaha se koi nahi. Jaise ki woh lawaris."

(What happened? Do you know how embarrassed I was at Shyra's wedding today? Tell me, it's our girl's wedding and only 3 people went from here. Everyone from Hamna's family and friends were present at there. But no one came from Kazim's place. It was as if he is orphans.)

"Ammi, kaisi baat kar rahi hain aap..." Mujahid said,

(Ammi, what are you saying...)

"Aur kaisi baat karu? Kal sab walima mein jayenge, mujhe koi bahana nahi sunna ki main toh bahar hi nahi jati, meri tabiyat theek nahi, meri parhai hai, ya mera kaam hai." She glare at everyone, first Tanimah, then Zinnirah and then her eyes fall on her grandkids.

(What I am supposed to say? Tomorrow, on walima, I want everyone there. I don't wanna hear any excuses that I don't go out, I am sick, I have study to do, or I have to go to office.)

"Aur, Farzand!" Farzand, who was silently sitting beside her, got startled when got her eyes on him, he didn't do anything.

(And , Farzand,)

"Tarik ko phone karke fouran ghar bulao. Yeh koi baat hoti hai, Basim ki shadi nahi hui toh kya hua, Shyra bhi sagi bhatiji hai uski. Tum log ke kuch farz Kazim aur Shyra ki taraf bhi hain." At first, she was talking in normal voice to Farzand, but then raised her voice and strictly said so everyone in the living room could hear her loud and clear.

(Call Tarik and tell him to return here quickly. So what if Basim and Shyra didn't get married, Shyra is still his brother's daughter, he have some duty toward them too.)

"Fuppi, aap gussa na karein, kal hum sab chalenge." To pacify her mother-in-law, Tanimah said, others said yes in unison.

(Aunty, don't get angry, we all will go there tomorrow.)

"Shyra ki muklawa ki rasm bhi yahi hogi, uski bhi taiyyari karo sab." But Meena Baig's anger didn't cool down, glaring at them for one last time, she left for her room.

(And Shyra's muklawa ceremony will happen here too, prepare for that.)

"Pehle khud hi shadi se mana kiya ab khud hi keh rahi hain Shyra ki shadi mein jane ke liye." Zinnirah muttered and left for her room.

(First she refused for the marriage and now wants all of us to attend her marriage.)

One by one, they all left, except for Basim, he sat there on the sofa. Beena, who was going to her room, stopped.

"Basim bhai!" Sitting beside him, she called him. She thought he is upset over the fact that Shyra is married to someone else.

"Aap theek hain?" Putting her hand on his shoulder, she asked.

(Are you okay?)

"Huh? Haan, theek hoon." Basim was startled by her touch, looking at her, he tried to muster a smile, and failed, and said.

(Yeah, I am fine.)

"Jao so jao, late ho raha hai." Saying this, he left for his room too.

(Go and sleep, it's getting late.)

•••

Shyra and Kabir didn't get any chance to talk to each other in whole function. Stage was  full of guests that they couldn't talk. Now, even at haveli, there were many rasm Rukhsar had to do, and aangan was full of relatives.

Kabir and Shyra were sitting in front of each other, between them was huge copper bowl full of milk and roses petals.

"Kabir, dhyan se, yaha hare toh puri zindagi ghulami karni hogi." One of Kabir's cousin, Afzal, teased him, as Rehnuma put the ring in the bowl.

(Kabir, be careful, if you loss here, you will have to bow down to her all your life.)

Pulling his sleeves up, Kabir was ready for the challenge. As they both their hands in the bowl to search for the ring.

"Kabir hi jeetega." Rehnuma said, confidently.

(Kabir will win.)

Shyra, who was overwhelmed by the turn of the event, looked at everyone with nervous eyes. All of them were cheering for Kabir. She felt something touching her hand, she took her hand out and showed everyone that she got the ring.

"Kabir, ab toh zindagi bhar ke liye surrender kardo." Saif teased him.

(Kabir, now surrender for the rest of your life.)

"Main toh pehle hi sarey hathiyar daal chuka hoon." Kabir mumbles, looking at her. Making her look down, she didn't find the ring, Kabir gave it to her.

(I have already surrendered my weapons.)

Taking her hand in his, Kabir put the ring in her finger.

"Chalo, ab sari rasmein ho gayi hain, inhe aram karne do ab." Rukshar told everyone, and indicated the maids to take the bowl away. Everyone stood up, some leaving for their rooms, while some stayed.

(Come on, every ritual is done, now let them rest.)

Getting up, Kabir extend his arm out for Shyra to hold. Putting her hand in his, she stood up too. The heavy lehenge made it difficult for her to stand up with ease. Ayat and Rehnuma with other cousins, took Shyra to the room, but when Kabir started following after them, his male cousins stood in front of him.

"Aap kaha ja rahe hain? Thora humare sath baitho." Wrapping his arm around Kabir's shoulder, Hanan said. Kabir looked at then with wide eyes. He was with them all the evening.

(Where are you going? Sit with us for some time.)

"Achha sab log bas karo, jane do ussey." Kaif scolded them, while laughing at Kabir's reaction.

(Enough with you all, let him go.)

"Jao," Removing his arm off from Kabir, Hanan pushed him forward.

(Go,)

But it was not in his faith to meet his bride so easily, Ayat and Rehnuma were standing outside of his room. Demanding him to pay them if he wants to go to his room.

"Tum toh Shyra ki taraf se thi." He points at Ayat and asked. She has loot him this evening for joota churai and doodh pilai, but it seems like it wasn't enough for her.

(Weren't you from Shyra's side?)

"Ab apki taraf hain." Auat shrugged her shoulder.

(Now I am at your side.)

"Decide karlo, kiski side ho. Dono taraf se nahi ho sakti tum." Kabir argued.

(Decide first whom side you are on. You can't be on both sides.)

"Hum waha jaha humara fyada." Raising her hands, she told him then crossed them over her chest.

(I will be there where I am getting benefits.)

"Bhai," Kabir turned to Kaif, who quickly put his hand on his pocket, but then realised there is no cash in it anymore.

"Eh... cash toh khatam." Sheepishly, he told them.

(I don't have any cash.)

"Hum debit card bhi le lenge. Hume chalega, haina, Ayat?" Rehnuma quickly said. Ayat nods her head.

(We can take debit card too. Right, Ayat?)

"Nahi nahi nahi, aap log pura account khali kar doge." Kabir shook his head.

(No no no, you two will empty my account.)

"Theek hai fir, shayad apko jana hi nahi andar." Leaning her back on the doorway frame, Ayat said. The door was opened, but the dim light made it difficult for anyone to see inside.

(Fine, maybe you don't want to go in.)

Kabir looked at Kaif and Hanan for help.

Shaking his head in displeasure, Hanan looked at the flower vase on the table, sneakily, he knocked it off.

"Kya hua?" Not only Rehnuma and Ayat, but Kaif and Kabir were startled too. Ayat stood up straight and saw on his way, while Rehnuma has took few steps forward without thinking.

(What happened?)

Seizing the opportunity, Hanan pushed Kabir in his room.

"Arey!" That's all Ayat and Rehnuma could say. As Kabir locked the door from inside.

"Bas, ho gaya. Humara Dulha gaya andar, no money for you." Shahzil said.

(Our groom is in his room.)

"That's cheating." Ayat whined.

"Everything is fear in love and war." Leaning toward Ayat, Shahzil told her. All night, Shahzil bothered her a lot. Even when it was joota churai negotiation, he was one of those who argued with her and Esha the most. Ayat couldn't argue with him much, but Esha was very quick to response to his words, but still, he addresses Ayat the most that time. Even now, he was teasing her.

Hanan cleared his throat and said in a tight voice. "Mere khayal se hume yaha kamre ke bahar bheed nahi karni chahiye."

(I think we should leave from here.)

"Haan, chalte hain. Main toh thakk gayi." Rehnuma said, and left from there. "Arsalan bhi pata nahi kaha hain." He was with his father most of the evening, but now Rehnuma worried about him.

(Yeah, let's go. I am so tired.)
(I don't know where Arsalan is.)

Kaif also left from there, but Hanan stayed.

"Mera chai peene ka mann kar raha hai." Shahzil stretched his arms up and said. While they all walked away from Kabir's room.

(I want to drink tea.)

"Main nahi bana rahi koi chai shai." Nida, his sister, told him.

(I am not making any tea for you.)

"500rs dunga." Shahzil tried to bribe her. And it worked, she agreed to make tea for him.

(I will give you 500rs.)

"Ayat, aangan mein baithte hain. Abhi bhi waha rounak hai." Shahzil turned to her and suggested.

(Ayat, come on let's sit in the aangan, everyone is still there.)

"Nahi, hum thakk gaye hain, hum ghar ja..." Ayat started saying, she was indeed very tired, specially in this heavy lehenga, she wanted to take it off as soon as possible.

(No, I am tired, I am going to my roo...)

"Arey kaisi thakan, konsa sab roz roz ikhatta hote hain." But Shahzil didn't hear a word and told her.

(Come on, we all don't meet everyday.)

"Zabardasti kyu kar rahe ho. Jab woh keh rahi hai woh thakk gayi hai..." Hanan spoke, looking at Shahzil with sharp eyes.

(Why are you forcing her. Is she is saying she is tired..)

Shahzil is so irritating, No wonder Khushnuma doesn't like Shahzil's family.

This made Shahzil shut up.

"Nahi, aap theek keh rahe hain. Roz roz thori sab sath hote hain." Ayat said, looking between Shahzil and Hanan.

(Actually you are right. We don't meet everyday.)

Do opposite of what Hanan say. Khushnuma's words.

•••

The fancy lights were dim, and the beautiful candle stand with the flickering candles added to the beauty of the room. The combination of all the lights made the room extremely beautiful. And Shyra, sitting in the middle of the bed as the bride, looked stunning today.

Her heart was beating loudly, the person in front of her was looking at her with such eyes that it made her lose all her confidence and senses, she couldn't look up.

So many time have passed, but both didn't say anything. Kabir just keep looking at her without blinking.

Main yaha hoon muntazir
Tum waha ho be-khabar
Aur halke halke se mann chaahe
Maanga jis ko wo mil jaaye
Ye raat tham jaaye sau saal ko
Aur ek ho jaye hum tum

Anxiously, Shyra put her hand over the petals on the bed, but she almost jumped when Kabir put his hand over hers.

"Main soch bhi nahi sakta tha hum iss tarah se sath ayenge. Aaj main khudko iss duniya ka sabse khushnaseeb shaks manta hoon ki meri mohabbat yun mere samne hai meri biwi ke roop mein." Each word had sincerity, as he looked at Shyra with love.

(I couldn't even imagine that we would be together like this. Today, I consider myself the luckiest person in the world that my love is in front of me as my wife.)

Love! Shyra suddenly felt a jolt, as she snatched her hand away from his. It shocked Kabir.

"Aur iss mohabbat ko pane ke liye apne kiya kya?" Asking this, she got down from the bed.

(And what you did for your love?)

"Matlab?" Kabir also went after her.

(What?)

"Matlab ki agar mere parents kuch na karte toh aap toh khamoshi se meri shadi Basim se hone dete, aur khud Naaz se shadi kar lete." Her anklet and bangles created tinkling noise with her every move.

(If my parents hadn't done anything then you would have let me marry Basim, and you would have marry Naaz.)

"Maine Naaz ke liye kabhi haan nahi ki. Aur fuppa fuppi tabhi mane jab maine unse baat ki, warna tum toh kar rahi thi Basim se shadi..."

(I never said yes for Naaz. And fuppa fuppi only accepted this when I talked to them. Otherwise you would have married basim...)

"Aur mujhe iske liye bola kisne tha? Tum Basim se shadi karlo. Please, Shyra, tumhari jo bhi feelings hain mere liye woh pyar nahi woh.. woh..." Shyra repeated his words. In her anger, Shyra forgot the word Kabir used.

(And who told me to marry him? You should marry Basim. Please, Shyra, whatever feelings you have for me is not love, it's...)

"Infatuation?" And Kabir helping her to remind the word made her more angry. She glare at him sharply.

"Apko toh yakeen hi nahi tha na main apse pyar karti hoon. Aaj bohot khush ho rahe hain." She mocked.

(You never believed that I love you. And today you are very happy.)

"Shyra!" Tiredly, Kabir asked. "Beeti baaton ko bhool jao na. Maine already uski saza kaat li hai. Iss khayal se ki tumhari shadi kisi aur se ho jati, yeh mere liye bohot khaufnaak tha... main bohot pyar karta hoon tumse."

(Forget about the past. I have got the punishment of. You have no idea what I felt whenever I thought of you getting married to someone else. I was a scary thought for me...)

"Mujhe Yakeen nahi." Shyra didn't soften by his words.

(I don't trust you.)

"Itna pyar tha toh stand kyu nahi liya? Sab kuch khamoshi se kharhe hoke dekhte rahe aur wait karte rahe koi aur apke liye rasta banaye."

(If you really loved me then why didn't you take stand? You keep standing in the corner, waited for someone else to pave the way for you.)

"Main kya karta? Tumne mujhse kaha tum Basim ke liye mana nahi kar sakti, fuppa ki izzat ka sawal hai." Now she was being unfair to him, Kabir's heart complained.

(What was I supposed to do? You told me that you would never refuse for Basim's marriage now, it's about your father's reputation.)

"Haan, aur aap bohot nek aur shareef the ki maan gaye. Toh ab yaha dialogue na bole ki meri mohabbat meri biwi ban gayi and all."

(Yeah, and you are too noble to let go of your love.)

"Toh tum kya chahti thi main kya karu?" He demanded. Now getting angry by her behaviour, also confused.

(What do you wanted me to do?)

She wasn't the only who was suffering all these years, he was too. How could she only think about herself.

"Haye, masoom, kuch na karte aap." Sarcastically, she said and turned to go to the washroom to change her lehenga. But before she could hold the handle, Kabir's hand yanked her toward him. She fall onto him.

(Oh innocent you, you shouldn't have done anything.)

"Kya..." She wasn't able to complete her words as Kabir hold her arm in his hand, and put another under her knee and threw her over his shoulder.

(What...)

Throwing her on the bed, he hover over her. "Nek aur shareef? Let me show you my bad side."

(Am too noble?)

"Kabir," Shyra's eyes widened on his words, disbelief crossed her face.

Kabir put his finger on her lip, not letting her to say something.

Her anger was temporary, and Kabir's love and passion had resolved all her complaints, as she melts into his arms.

•••

Ayat was sitting on the jhula tiredly. She has come with Shahzil, but was now getting bored. She wasn't friendly with any of Kabir's maternal cousins, Ayla was. But as soon as they come home, Ayla went to her room because Azrin has fallen asleep. How life changes after motherhood.

Ayat only came here because she thought Hanan will also follow her, just like he always do. Whenever he told her not to go there, and she would go, he follow after her. But tonight, he didn't.

Soon, one by one all stared leaving for their rooms. Now, Shahzil and her were alone there. But she didn't notice, she was busy complaining about how tired she is in her heart.

Her feet was now killing her, she took off her heels, her feet was now red and swollen while tiny bumps appeared there too. She started massaging her feet.

"Yeh kya?" Shahzil looked at her feet and asked, pulling a chair, he sat in front of her and asked.

(What's this?)

"Humara pair bohot dard kar raha hai bilkul chalne ki himmat nahi. Shahzil bhai, aap please api ko bula denge." She requested. She thought Ayla will give her some ointment or medicine and then she will feel better.

(My feet is killing me now. Shahzil bhai, can you please call api?)

"Lekin yeh..." He didn't know what to say, as he took his hand forward to touch her feet, but Ayat's hand came in between.

(But this...)

"Aap Ayla api ko bula dein." She said in a hard voice.

(Can you call Ayla api?)

Hanan has went to his room after Ayat said she wanted to stay with Shahzil and others, but in his room, he was more disturbed. Throwing his sherwani coat on the sofa, he paced around the room to calm himself, but when couldn't, he thought of returning to aangan.

When he entered there, he found Shahzil sitting close by her and was about to touch her. Clenching his jaw, he went to them.

"Kya ho raha?"

(What's going on here?)

"Hanan,..." Shahzil sat straight and started fumbling.

"Puri raat yahi baithna hai kya? Chalo ghar chalo." Hanan didn't even spare Shahzil a glance and turned to Ayat,

(Do you want to stay here all night? Come let's go home.)

"Woh, hum..." Before Ayat could explain him anything, Hanan held her hand and made her stand on her feet, unaware that she was barefoot and her feet were paining. Shahzil opened her mouth to say something, but none of them paid him any attention. Shrugging his shoulder, he left.

(I...)

"Hanan!" Ayat almost screeched, removing her arm from his grip. She quickly sat down to the nearest chair and looked at her feet with tearful eyes.

"Yeh kya hua?" Hanan was shocked seeing her feet, which were swelled red and full of tiny bumps.

(What's this?)

"You care?" Mockingly, Ayat asked. "Aise kon kheechke lata hai jaise hum insan nahi suitcase hain. Ek toh hume Itna dard ho raha hai aur aap yun..." Again looking at her feet, she mumbles, sniffing.

(Who drag a person like that as if I am not a human but a suitcase. My feet is paining and you...)

"Tumhe allergy hai footwear se jo pehenti hi nahi." Sitting on his right knee, he put her feet on his right knee and asked, examine it. "Yeh hua kaise?"

(Are you allergic to footwear that you don't wear them.)
(How did this happened?)

"Pata nahi! Shoe bite hoga. Udhar parhi hai humari heels." Ayat points at the jhula side where her heels were.

(I don't know. Must be shoe bite. My heels are there.)

"Pehenne se pehle check nahi kiya tha kya?" Hanan scolded her.

(Didn't you try it before buying?)

"Maama leke ayi thi."

(Maama got it for me.)

"Ek minute ruko!" Saying this, he got up and left.

(Wait, sit here.)

"Aise pairo ke sath hum bhagne wale bhi nahi." Ayat puffed her cheeks.

(As if I am gonna run.)

Hanan returned after a few minutes, holding a bowl full of ice. Taking out handkerchief, he put ice in it and put it on her foot, making her hissed and remove her feet from his knee.

"Kya kar rahi ho? Rehne do, it will soothe the pain." It made Hanan scold him more.

(What are you doing? Leave it,)

"Thanda hai." Ayat complained, her eyes hadn't dried yet.

(It's cold.)

"Ayat, ice thandi hi hoti hai." Irritatedly saying, he again holds her feet and puts ice on them.

(Ayat, ice are cold.)

"Hume toh maloom hi nahi tha, yeh knowledge dene ke liye shukriya." Rounding her eyes, Ayat said, as if she heard it for the first time. She was now used to the ice on her feet and didn't remove her feet from his knee.

(I didn't know. Thanks for giving me this knowledge.)

Hanan looked at her on her sarcasm. "Chuhiya kahi ki." Mumbling, he looked down.

(Mouse.)

"Kya bulaya apne hume?" She looked at him with shock. Since he has come, he is only calling her Ayat, not Chuhiya.

(What did you call me?)

Hanan didn't say anything, now realising what he said.

"Apko yaad hai, hum kitna chirhte the iss naam se, aur aap hume utna hi Chuhiya aur moti keh kar bulate the. Ab toh hume yeh naam bhi bura nahi lagta."

(Do you remember how you used to tease me by calling me mouse and fatso, and I used to get irritated with it. Now I don't hate this name anymore.)

Ayat waited for him to say something, but he didn't. He just kept pressing the ice to her feet.

She didn't say anything else further. Silently, they both sat there, with her feet in his lap, and her eyes stuck on him. And he, not even sparing her any glance. When the ice melted, Hanan stood up, and took off his slippers, and pushed it with his feet toward her.

Ayat glare at the slipper then at him, she didn't wear it, picking up her lehenga upto her ankle, she stepped away from him.

Ziddi larki! Hanan thought in his heart, and picked his slipper.

Ayat was walking very slowly due the pain and Hanan catch up with her, she stopped when saw him in front of her, and he put the slipper on feet. Standing straight, he points at her to wear them.

"Apko kya?" Ayat asked. Proving to be a stubborn girl that he thinks she is.

(Why do you care?)

"Ek taraf kehte hain talaq chahiye, dusri taraf fikar kar rahe hain. Mix signal na dein hume." Mumbling, she looked away.

(One side you said you want to divorce me, and here you are caring for me. Don't give me mix signals.)

"Koi mix signal nahi de raha main. Tumhari jagah koi bhi hota main yahi karta." This made her look at him, how badly she wanted to hit him for comparing her with others, but she controlled herself.

(I am not giving you any mix signal. If it was someone else in your place, I would have done the same thing.)

"Jhoot! Ap na karte yahi. Isra ne bataya hai hume aap kisi ki taraf dekhte bhi nahi." Narrowing her eyes, she glare at him.

(Lies! You wouldn't. Isra told you never cared about anyone.)

"Tumhe kya?" Hanan, who was looking at the other side, looked at her.

(Why do you care?)

"Hume hai. Aap apni ankho se patti hataye. Maan kyu nahi lete aap abhi bhi humse mohabbat karte hain. Maaf kyu nahi kar dete."

(I do care. You should remove the veil from your eyes. Why don't you accept that you still love me. Forgive me.)

"Pehenna hai toh pehno, nahi toh jao I don't care." Instead of replying to her words, Hanan told her and was about to leave, but Ayat held his arm firmly.

(Wear it if you want to otherwise don't.)

"You do care, Hanan, Then why are you pretending? Hum apse bohot pyar karte hain kya apko nazar nahi ata?"

(Can't you see how much I love you?"

"Yeh pyar tab kaha tha jab tum mujhpe ilzam laga rahi? Kya kaha tha tumne, yeh mohabbat nahi hawas hai." Hanan turned to her and asked, not removing her hand off from his arm.

(Where was this love when you accused me? What did you say, this isn't love but your lust.)

Ayat's eyes squint in confusion, as she tried to recall what he is talking about. Then her eyes widened in realisation.

She has almost forgotten what she said, she wasn't in her senses that night, all she remembered was Kriti's words, and she just said to Hanan whatever comes to her mind without thinking.

"Hum..." She opened her lips to say something, but Hanan left her hand and again trued to leave.

(I...)

"Aap yun baar baar bhaag nahi sakte humse." This made Ayat almost shout.

(You can't keep running away from me.)

"Ruke aur humari baat sune." Her voice was so loud and demanding, that it made him stop.

(Stay and listen to me.)

"Ayat, shadi mein tamasha banane ki adat ho gayi hai kya?"

(Ayat, have you developed a habit of creating a scene at weddings?)

"Haan, ho gayi hai. Kyuki aap humari sunte hi nahi, hume samajhte hi nahi. Jab hume waqt chahiye tha, chahiye tha ki aap aram se humse baat karein, tab aap sirf woh karte jo apka dil chahta tha. Jab mann karta tha yun haq jatate the, jab mann karta tha Shyra ke sath ghoomte the. Humara toh kisi aur se baat karna gawara nahi tha apko chahe woh Kabir bhai hi kyu na the, khud Shyra ka hath pakadte, unke baal piche karte, hum kya mante? Jo ap kehte the, ya jo hum dekhte the?" She drew a sharp breath in, she was talking without a pause.

(Yes, I have. Because you don't listen to me, you don't understand me. When I needed time, I needed you to talk to me calmly, you only did what your heart wanted. When you felt like it, you asserted your authority on, when you felt like it, you hung out with Shyra. You never liked me talking to anyone else, whether it was Kabir bhai or anyone else, but you can held Shyra's hand, pulled her hair, what I am supposed to think? What you said, or what I saw?)

"Nahi thi utni samajh, nahi samajh paye hum unn jazbaton ko, galat matlab le liya, lekin aap bataye? Kitni baar apne humse ijazat li thi? Trial room mein apne pucha tha humse? Humare kamre mein apko maloom tha jab hum disturb hain kyu aye humare kareeb? Janna chaha hume kya hua..." her breathing pace become loud and unsteady, her each word was shivering because of her holding back her tears.

(I didn't understand that much, I couldn't understand those emotions, I took it the wrong way, but can you tell me one thing? How many times did you ask for my permission? Did you ask me in the trial room before kissing me? You knee I was disturbed when you came to my room, why did you come near me? You didn't try to understand what happened to me...)

"Main baar baar puch raha tha, Ayat. Kya maine tumse pucha nahi tha kya hua tumhe, but you pushed me away."

(I was asking you, Ayat. Didn't I ask you what happened to you?)

"I was disturbed, and you knew." Ayat shouted. "And even after that, I am trying to mend everything. Lekin akele kya kar lein hum jab apko humari sunni hi nahi, humare rishte ki parwah hi nahi."

(But I can not do this alone when you don't even listen to me, you don't care about our relationship.!

"Aap hume kabhi samajh nahi atey, Hanan. Kehte hain apko talaq chahiye, fir akey humari itni fikar kyu karte hain. Aise pehle bhi aap hamesha kehte kuch aur the, fir jab hum koshish karte the apke ke liye toh..."

(I can not understand you, Hanan. You say you want a divorce, then why do you care so much about me? You always said something else from what you feel, and when I tried to do something for you...)

"Jhoot mat bolo, tumne kabhi koshish nahi ki." Hanan interrupted her.

(Don't lie, you never tried.)

"Ki thi. Humne ki thi. Ammi jaan ke kehne pe hum apke liye taiyyar hue, lekin uss din toh aap Shyra mein busy the..."

(I did. I did tried. When Ammi jaan told me to get ready for you, I did, but you were too busy with Shyra to look at me...)

"Shyra cousin hai meri." Hanan stopped her from saying anything further.

(Shyra is my cousin.)

"Shyra cousin hai meri, Ayat tum mohabbat ho. Aisa kabhi kaha hai?" Ayat complained.

(Shyra is my cousin. Ayat you are my love. Have you ever said this to me?)

"Hamesha bas yahi kaha ki shadi tumhari mujhse hogi, mujhe koi problem nahi. How I am supposed to know you love me and you were happy with this marriage? Inn lafzo se domination ke alawa aur kya zahir hota hai?" Her voice break as she burst into tears, and leaned toward him.

(You always said that you will only get married to me, I don't have any problem with this marriage.)
(These words only shows domination.)

"Aap galat nahi hain, Hanan. Lekin aap khudko humari jagah rakhke kyu nahi sochte? Humne jo kiya nadani mein kiya itni badi saza kyu de rahe hain." Hugging him, she mumbles into his chest.

(You are not wrong, Hanan. But please, think from my view, whatever I did was my foolishness. Don't give me such a big punishment.)

He could never bear her tears, and when she cried and hugged him, Hanan instinctively wrapped his arms around her to provide comfort.

It was a night like this they got separated, it was such an night when Ayat asked for a divorce in front of everyone. But today, that girl was crying in his arms and asking him not to leave her, not to give her such a big punishment.

They don't know how much time have passed with them standing there in each other's arms. They just keep standing there, Ayat crying and Hanan consoling her.

•••

Phew! 2 papers down, 7 more to go.. but unke beech ke gap itne lambe hain😫 ek din mein sarey paper leke chutti do na yaar

Khair, how was the chapter?

-Ufaq