Yeh dil pagal bana baitha
Isey ab tu hi samjha de
Dikhe tujhme meri Duniya
Meri duniya tu banja re
Hoon khushkismat jo kismat se
Tumhe aise main paaya hoon
Main tumse ishq karne ki
Ijaazat Rab se laaya hoon
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Anisa Begum bought a plate of sweets from the kitchen for her daughters to announce the special news.
"Munh meetha kar lijiye. Ek hafte baad aapka nikah hai," Anisa Begum smiled.
(Have sweets. Your Nikah will be in a week)
Faiza was lost in her deep thoughts. She never expects Arsh to behave like that. His words were affecting her mind and she was busy in her thoughts.
"Aap kya soch rahi hai?" Sehrish asked as she saw Faiza lost in her thoughts.
(What are you thinking)
"Kuch nahi. Bas ham Arsh ke baare mai soch rahe the. Aaj kal wo bohot ajeeb behave kar rahe hai," Faiza said hesitantly.
(Nothing. I was thinking about Arsh. He is behaving so different)
"Itna accha ladka hai, Arsh. Tumne zaroor kuch kah diya hoga. Ek tou tumhaare zubaan pe qaabu nahi rahta. Agli baar milna tou yaad se maafi maang lena warna hamse bura koi nahi hoga," Her mother threatened.
(He is such a nice person. You must have said something to him. You never have control over your tongue. Apologize to him whenever you can)
"Ammi, aap ko hamesha aisa kyu lagta hai ke ham hi galat hai? Wo bhi tou galat ho sakta hai na," Faiza groaned.
(Mom, why you always think that I am wrong? He can also be wrong)
"Ham tumko bohot acche se jaante hai. Arsh ki tumhe zara bhi qadr nahi hai. Wo tumhari har cheez mai kitni help karta hai. Tumhari kitna fikr karta hai. Tumhara kitna khyaal rakhta hai. Aaj kal aisa dost nahi milte. Qadr kiya karo warna aisa na ho ke baad mai tumhe malaal rah jaaye," Anisa Begum explained.
(I know you very well. You never valued him. He always helped you. He always cared about you. It's difficult to find a friend like him. Value him or else you will regret it your whole life)
Her mother's words somehow force her to think about everything all over again.
"Matlab aap kya chahti hai? Wo kuch bhi fuzool si zidd kare aur ham haan karde," Faiza argued.
(You want me to agree on his nonsensical stubbornness)
"Arsh bohot accha aur samajhdaar insaan hai. Usse maloom hai ke tum kesi ho. Tum dono ne saara bachpan saath guzaara hai. Wo kabhi koi aisi zidd nahi karega jisse tumhe koi takleef ho. Maine uss ladke ke aankh mai tumhaare liye fikr dekhi hai. Tumhara abbu ka jab inteqaal hua tha tab wo har waqt tumhaare saath tha. Arsh ne tumhe kitna support kiya tha. Agar wo tumse kuch apne dil ki khwaish kar raha hai tou usme tumhaari hi bhalaai hogi," Anisa Begum smiled at her daughter.
(Arsh is very smart and understanding. He knows you very well. You both spend your childhood together. He will not do anything that will hurt you. I have seen the concern for you in his eyes. When your dad died, he was always there for you. He always supports you. If he wishes something for you then it's good for you)
"Ammi, hame kuch samajh nahi aa raha hai. Ham bohot confused hai," Faiza said as her lips pursued into a pout.
(Mom, I am unable to understand anything. I am so confused)
"Tumhe ek din ye sab kuch samajh mai aa jayega par aisa na ho ke bohot late ho jaaye," Her mother words was scaring the crap out of her.
(You will understand everything one day but I hope it won't be too late)
Faiza heaved a sigh and gulp down the glass of water to calm down her erratic breathing.
"Imran ki job Kuwait mai start ho jayegi kuch mahino mai. Imran tumhe apne saath le jaana chahta hai. Iss wajah se tumhara nikah ek hafte baad hai. Rukhsati kuch mahino baad hogi. Tab tak tumhara visa bhi ban jaayega," Anisa Begum said to sehrish.
(Imran job will start in Kuwait in few months. He wants to take you with him. That's why your nikah is in the week. Your rukhsati will be in few months. Until your visa will be made)
"Wo tou theek hai, Ammi. Par hame lagta hai ke aunty ne Faiza ko pasand kar liya hai Zimraan ke liye," Sehrish said in a mischievous tone while looking at Faiza.
(That's alright. But I think aunt has chosen Faiza for Zimraan)
A crimson color fell on her cheeks as her eyes become widen.
"Ham kabhi aisa nahi hone denge. Hamne Faiza ke liye already kisi ko pasand kar liya aur Faiza ussi se hi shaadi karegi. Shahzaada hai wo ladka," Anisa Begum said making her froze. Faiza was shocked at the newly discovered information.
(It won't happen. I have chosen someone for Faiza and she will only marry him. He is the prince charming)
Hamari love marriage ke khwab pe ammi ne paani pher diya, Faiza thought.
(Mom had just destroyed my dream of love marriage)
"Kon hai wo? " Faiza asked curiously.
(Who is he)
"Wo tou abhi ham nahi batayenge. Pata kar sakti ho tou pata karlo," Her mother said and went to the kitchen.
(I won't tell you now. Find out if you can)
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Arsh runs his fingers through his hair in frustration. He was angry at himself for acting like this. When he saw her in the kitchen with him, it was the last straw for him.
He couldn't see her with anyone else. All he wants to do at the moment is kill that man who dared to flirt with his girl. At that moment, all he wanted to do is kiss her so hard that she won't be able to think about anyone else.
Arsh gaze went to the envelope and his heartbeat faster. He got acceptance later from the Stanford University of Business Administration. He was somehow nervous about it. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. It's time for him to enter the land of struggle and success. It was hard for him to believe that he got admission to one of the best universities in America.
But he has to leave everything behind. Arsh needs to concentrate on his future. He somehow has to forget her.
No matter how real my feeling is, she will only understand me like her friend, Arsh thought.
Arsh took a deep breath and left his room.
He knocked on his father's study room and tapped his foot impatiently.
"Come in," His father authoritative voice echoed.
His father was a very disciplined and strict parent. He always wanted his son to be perfect and discipline in every way. That's maybe the reason, they both didn't bond very well.
"I got an opportunity to study at the Stanford University of Business Administration. I want to study there. I even got an acceptance letter," Arsh said in a low voice while staring at the floor.
"Beta, aap akele waha kaise rahoge," Her mother said on the verge of crying.
(Son, how can you live there alone)
"I will manage," Arsh said in a low voice.
"Jungle ya pahad mai jaana ki baat nahi kar raha hai. America jaana chahta hai. Waha ki padhai bhi bohot acchi hoti hai. Kuch takleef nahi hogi," His father said in a cold tone.
(He is not going to a forest or mountain. He is willing to go to America. The study of America is excellent. There won't be a problem)
"Semester kab start ho raha hai?" His father asked.
(When will the semester start)
"Next week se padhai start ho jayegi," Arsh said in a low voice.
(Next week)
"Aur tumhe ab jaake yaad aaya hai. Apni packing start kardo. Mai tumhare rehna ka intezaam karwa deta hu," His father said glaring at him.
(And you told me now. Start your packing. I will take care of other things)
"Tumhari graduation tou agle mahine hai na?" Her mother asked as she wants her son to stay more with her.
(Your graduation is in next month)
"I have talked to my principal. I will get my degree online," Arsh said making her mother sigh.
An uncomfortable silence was prevailing around. Arsh took it as a cue to leave.
"Aap kyu nahi rok rahe hai usse? Anjaan shaher mai akele kaise rahe ga. Kon uske khaane peene dhyaan dega?" Her mother said as tears fell on her cheeks.
(Why you are not stopping him? How can he leave alone? Who will take care of him)
"Begum, waha par hotel bhi hote hai," Arsh Father sighed.
(Wifey, there is a place called hotel)
"Hotel ka khana khaa kar bimaar nahi pad jaayega mera beta," Sabiha Begum said.
(He will get sick eating restaurant food)
"Kuch nahi hota, begum. Itni fikr mat kiya kare. Kuch din ghar se door rahega tou akal thikaane aa jayegi. Saari heropanti bahar nikal aayegi," His father said making sabiha begum angrier.
(Nothing happens. Don't worry. He will be on the right path once he will stay away from home)
"Ham bhi dekh lenge aapko. Dekhte hai aapko bhar ghante chai kon banaa kar deta hai," Sabiha Begum snarled and close the door with a thud.
(I will see you. Let's see who will make tea for you every hour)
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A few days later
"Ammi, meri packing ho gai," Arsh said and took a deep breath.
(Mom, I am done with packing)
"Beta, mat jao apni ammi ko chhod kar. Hame tumhari bohot fikr hoti hai," Sabiha Begum said with tears in her eyes.
(Son, don't leave your mom. I am so worried for you)
"Allah, ammi aap mat roiye. Sirf kuch saalon ki tou baat hai. Aap meri fikr naa kare," Arsh said kissing his mother's palm.
(Mom, please don't cry. It's a matter of few years. You don't have to be worried for me)
"Tumne Faiza ko bata diya?" Sabiha Begum asked.
(You told Faiza)
Arsh took a deep breath and turned towards his mother.
"I will talk to her. But don't tell her anything. It's just so hard to say goodbye and I am not ready for it. I will talk to her properly once I settled there," Arsh said raking his fingers through his hair.
"Kab tak chhupauge usse?" Her mother asked.
(How long you will hide)
"Ammi, mujhe nahi pata. Mai usse baat karlunga. Par aap use kuch mat bataiyega," Arsh said as his heart was pounding faster.
(Mom, I don't know. But I will talk to her. But please don't tell her anything)
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Faiza was on her full sway. She was wearing a burgundy color gharara. Her matching dupatta had a delicate work of zardozi.
Faiza was looking so beautiful. Tomorrow was her sister nikah and she was very excited.
Faiza was in the lounge area checking the decorations when she heard a faint voice of footsteps.
She lifted her gaze and saw Arsh. Her heartbeat fastens as she saw him in the black kurta. He had folded his sleeve to his elbow showing his veins.
"Tum itne late aa rahe ho," Faiza sighed with disappointment.
(You are late)
"Faiza, kuch zaroori baat karni hai. Can we talk?" Arsh asked raking his fingers through his hair.
(I want to talk about something important)
"Arsh, abhi ham bohot busy hai. Baad mai baat karte hai," Faiza said holding the plate for her rose petals but he holds her wrist.
(I am very busy. We will talk later)
Arsh pulled by her wrist making her collided with her chest. The rose petal on them as they were looking into each other eyes.
"I will miss you," Arsh said pressing his lips on the top of her head.
"Kya hua Arsh? Sab theek haina?" Faiza asked in a worried lace in her tone.
(What happen Arsh? Is everything alright?)
"Everything is alright. I was just missing you a lot," Arsh said making a smile spread across her lips.
"Tum aaj bohot khoobsurat lag rahi ho," Arsh said cupping her cheeks.
(You are looking so beautiful)
A crimson color fell on her cheeks making his heart skips a beat.
"I bought a gift for you," Arsh said pulling away a bit.
He bends down on his knees making her heart skips a beat.
"Please don't propose me," Faiza muttered in a low voice making his heartbeat erratic.
A chuckle escaped his lips as he took out a velvet box from his pocket.
He opened the box and took out the silver paayal.
Arsh put her feet on his lap and helped her wearing them. Her face heats up in embarrassment.
"I have to go," Arsh said taking a deep breath.
Faiza nodded her head while her cheeks felt heavy.
Maybe this was their goodbye. A sweet goodbye.
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"Aunty, arsh kaha hai? Wo tou aapi ke nikah mai bhi nahi aaya tha. Aur wo naa hi phone utha raha hai?" Faiza asked as she entered his home.
(Where is Arsh? He didn't come to my sister Nikah nor he is picking up his phone)
Sabiha Begum looked at her hesitantly.
"Aapko Arsh ne nahi bataya. Wo tou America gaya hai padhai karne ke liye," Sabiha Begum said hesitantly.
(Arsh didn't tell you. He went to America for studies)
"Aunty aap mazak kar rahi hai na. Arsh ne tou hame kuch nahi bataya. Wo aise kaise chale jaa sakta hai," Faiza said on the verge of crying.
(You are kidding, right? Arsh didn't tell me. How can he go there out of a sudden)
"Ham bhi nahi chahte the ke wo jaaye. Par hamse rok nahi paaye. Wo ab paanch saal baad aayega," Sabiha Begum uttered in a low voice making her shock.
(I even don't want him to go. But I can't stop him. He will come after five years)
"Aunty aap, please mujhe Arsh ka phone number de dijiye," Faiza said in frustration.
(Please give me his phone number)
"Beta, Arsh ne hame mana kiya hai aapko number dene se. Aap phir bhi chahti hai tou ham aapko de dete hai," Sabiha Begum said hesitantly.
(He told me not to give you his number. If you still want, I can give you his number)
Tears pooled up in her eyes when she realized what he had done. He didn't even tell her before going to America.
"Rehne de. Agar wo nahi chahta hai ke ham usse baat kare tou ham nahi karenge," Faiza said in an adamant tone but only she knows how much she was hurt by his action.
(Leave it. If he didn't want to talk to me, I will also not talk to him)
Sabiha Begum forced a smile at her.
That night, she swears to herself that she will forget him. She decided not to let him play with her feelings like this. It was so easy for him to forget their friendship.
Those five years pass like bloom. Let's see what destiny holds for them when they will meet after years.
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5 years leapð³
Are you all excited to see what will happen after five years?
Are Arsh actions justified?
I am hella excited for the next chapter ð¤©
I am working on a bonus chapter of Qurbat. It will be updated soonâ¤
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-Fatima