âWoh aaye aur mere gale lag jaye.
Uff! Yeh mehenge mehenge khwab.â
Third Person's POV:
"Mere Allah!!" Mahoor's hands were glued to her cheeks as she watched in awe the scenery before her eyes.
"Maine zindagi mein kabhi issey zyada khoobsurat garden nahi dekha." Her russet brown eyes twinkled with the reflection of the field of flowers.
It was more like a field of tulips, sunflowers, roses, daisies, lavender dandelions and wildflowers.
In the middle of the meadow, there was a huge circle where an oak tree stood, surrounded by the slots of flowers.
They were standing behind the haveli, near the golden gates of Bagh-E-Azyan which was guarded by two takle mushtande in Mahoor's language as the guys were massive and tall in size and were bald.
At first, Mahoor along with Seyran got scared as the guard had rifles and were at every corner or door of the haveli.
Mahoor thought that maybe they wouldn't get a glimpse of the bulky men outdoors but the quantity of hulks were in a greater number compared to the number of the men indoors.
The sight of guns made Mahoor gulp in fear and while taking the tour of the gigantic kothi, she pondered that what if someone's mood changes and they shoot her and Seyran both?
The dreadful thoughts were adding more to her misery but nonetheless she tried to stay cool.
The upper part of the golden gate was covered with creeper plants and wildflowers in white and yellow which added their beauty to it.
After a while, a genuine smile crawled up to Mahoor's lips and she grinned.
Removing her sandals, she let her feet absorb the softness of the grass which tickled her skin.
Whilst giggling, Mahoor ran through the huge field, her hands sprawled in the air, lightly touching the flowers and her dupatta soaring in the wind with her.
Seyran chuckled seeing her sister living her Bollywood dream. She followed Mahoor's lead who was now standing under the oak tree.
Mahoor twirled around to see only for them to be encircled by the colorful petals.
She sat on the grass, resting her back against the oak tree. Her lips curled up once again seeing the small wild flowers near her feet.
"Arey heroine, bada muskura rahi ho?" Seyran sat beside her on the ground with a soft smile on her face.
Mahoor bobbed her head in agreement, "Prakriti ka sparsh khush kar deta hai."
(Touch of nature makes you happy)
Seyran rolled her eyes, "Sudhar ja, teri bhasha urdu hai kab tak hindi hi kehti rahegi?"
"Tujhe samajh aaya na? Bass hai."
Seyran shook her head and they both sat in silence, absorbing the beauty and calmness of the environment.
"Hum pakka kar rahe hai yeh?"
Mahoor's brows drew together at Seyran's question and she turned her face towards Seyran whose legs were drawn up to her chest just like hers.
Mahoor eyebrows raised, "Tumhe doubt kyu ho raha hai?"
Seryan blew out a puff of air, "Yaha kone kone pe security hai, hum kaise bhagenge? Aur bhaag bhi gaye toh yeh guards ki nazar se chup ke kaise niklenge? Abhi tak tou humne bas yeh haveli ke peeche side ka dekha hai aage ka mauka nahi mila."
Mahoor sat up straight, "Hum kaunsa din ke ujale mein Bhaag Milkha Bhaag ka execution karenge? Raat ke andhere mein Usain Bolt ki aatma banenge aur humne dekha tou hai exits. Ek seedhi ke neeche ka darwaza ye garden ko lead karta hai aur kitchen ka."
Seyran slapped her forehead,"Offo,Mahi! Main guards ka keh rahi hu, tum kya ye Milkha Singh aur Usain Bolt ko leke baith gayi? Yeh bagh se mujhe koi exit tou nahi dikh raha kyu ke kahi bhi nazar ghumao tou phool hi phool aur patte hi patte hai."
The harsh wind swirling around the girls made them shiver and Mahoor's hair with each jolt of wind would slap her face, making her irritated.
Mahoor clicked her tongue in annoyance and harshly removed her hair from her face, "Ek tou yaha dopeher ko bhi itni thand hai upar se ye mere baalo ko chain naa hai khudko main character samajh ke, le mere muh pe guest appearance maar rahe hai."
Seyran's lips formed into a thin line, "Bakch*di mat kar, Mahoor! Seriously jawab do!"
Mahoor's mouth fell open in shock at the curse word and she slapped her hand on her mouth, "Haww! Tu gaali de rahi hai?"
Seyran gritted her teeth, "Agar mere sawalo ka jawab nahi mila na tou sirf ab gali nahi," Seyran signed her hand in a slapping action, "Saath saath ek thappad with mukka free milega."
Mahoor eyes twinkled as she sighed dreamily, "Thappad tou maine Mirza ke jo lagaye hai, uff!!! Itna sukoon zindagi mein na aaya mujhe."
"Ha, ha tum unhe chu ne ke bahane hi tou dhoond rahi thi isiliye gaal pe pyar ka thappa de rahi thi madam aap." Seyran smiled sarcastically.
Mahoor scoffed, "Aise pyar ke thappe tou roz lagau main unhe."
Seyran's aggravation flew away and she laughed at Mahoor's statement.
"Aur jaha tak jawab hai tumhare sawal ka bhai mujhe lagta hai saamne gate se jane nahi milega because of the guards aur badi strong feeling aa rahi hai ki yeh garden ka ek exit hoga jaha se hum bhaag sakenge."
"Aur wo hum kab dekhenge? Parso se tumhari shooting hai aur plan ke hisab se chale tou aaj hi nikal ke humein police station dhoond na hoga aur raste ka malumaat karne tumhe koi na koi wajah se yeh haveli ke bahar jana hoga! AUR YEH KAISE HOGA?"
The plan was simple. The sisters will get out of their room and escape from the haveli late at night. They will go to the police station or seek someone's help to get there and will put charges on Altan for abduction.
Altan will be in jail for his crime and Mahoor, Seyran will be leaving Pakistan for good.
Mahoor will be living her dream and Altan will be imprisoned for half of his life for making their lives a living hell.
They thought so..
Mahoor swung her head from left to right, "Mai akeli nahi jaungi. Mai uss mushtande ke saath ek second akeli nahi reh sakti, tum bhi chalo saath."
Seyran gave Mahoor a tight lipped smile, "Pehle tou bhai bhai keh ke bazaro mein ghuma jaa raha tha, hotelo mein baith ke khana khaya jaa raha tha tab behen ki yaad na aayi ab dekho bada yaarana sooj raha hai."
"Tou kya mujhe khwab aaya tha wo gora gunda, bhaiya se saiyya banne ke irada kar raha hai? Hein?"
Seyran opened her mouth to say something but closed it again.
"Mai akele nahi jaungi unke saath, Seyran."
"Guarantee de rahi hu main, wo mujhe tumhare saath nahi le jayenge. Wo mauka dhoondte rehte hai tumhare saath waqt akele bitane ka."
Mahoor's jaw ticked in anger. She knew Seyran was spitting facts as last night and this morning Altan sent Riza to Mahoor's room, asking her to join him for dinner and also morning's breakfast but both the time, Mahoor denied harshly.
Seyran brushed the strand of hair away from Mahoor's face, "Ye ek aakhri qurbani de do, fir In Sha Allah dekhna sab hamare haq mein hi hoga."
Mahoor palmed her face and stiffly nodded. She wasn't doing it for herself, she was doing it for Seyran first then for her dreams.
Mahoor didn't tell Seyran but the guilt and pain was eating the twenty one year old alone, from inside because her cousin had nothing to do with all of this ruckus and Seyran got dragged into this mess since she had a relationship with her.
Once Altan had tried to harm her just because of Mahoor and he didn't hesitate to threaten her with Seyran as he clearly came to know that Seyran was indeed Mahoor's weakness and he was using it against her.
So, Mahoor would do anything to get out of here even if she had to spend the time with the devil itself.
Seyran stood up and put her hand out for Mahoor to grasp it.
Mahoor placed her hand in Seyran's and Seyran helped her in getting up, "Chal, meri sherni. Dikha de apna kamal."
Mahoor chuckled softly and they both made their way to the entrance.
As they walked, Mahoor asked a question, "Agar unhone pucha ki kyu jana hai bahar tou kya jawab dungi?"
"Keh dena kuch saman lena hai."
"Aur agar kaha ki kya samaan lena hai tou?"
Seyran rolled her eyes, "Tu zyada soch rahi hai, Mahi. He won't ask."
"Chal thike par maine Mirza ko dhoondu kaha? Maine subah se unko kahi nahi dekha."
"Puchte hai kisi se chalo."
They got out of the garden and Mahoor's eyes fell upon Riza who was running to the haveli.
"Riza!" Mahoor shouted and Riza ceased.
Upon seeing Mahoor, Riza came sprinting where the sister duo was standing.
Riza panted and lowered her head to the ground, "Ji, Mallika Aanam."
Mahoor's nose crinkled at the royal title but nonetheless she asked her question.
"Tumne Mirza ko kahi dekha hai?"
"Ji. Sultan Zaeem bahar hai, haveli ki entrance ke paas par wo.."
Mahoor intervened, "Shukriya."
Mahoor and Seyran walked to the front of the haveli, leaving Riza's conversation unheard as Mahoor was tired of her being treated as Queen Victoria by everyone around her except Seyran.
"Par woh bohot gusse mein hai." Riza said only for her words to be never heard.
Altan sat on a chair on the front porch of his kothi in rage.
First of all, the man had slept for only one and a half hour as his insomnia was getting worse.
And even in that one hour of sleep, he was shoved into a nightmare which was scratching his skin and every time he closed his eyes, he would be pushed into that dreadful dream.
The woman walked towards him and Altan stood there rigidly.
The woman smiled softly at him and she stepped closer to hug him but a shot rang in the air and Altan tried to move himself but he couldn't.
He felt as his bones were cemented as whenever he motioned to make any action, his body would just not budge.
The woman touched the back of her head and all she saw was blood.
The blood made it's way out as it slowly covered the side of her neck, dripping down her body to the ground.
Panic struck Altan's being and he attempted to move forward but then again his action went futile.
The woman smiled again which Altan adored but now the grin on her face didn't reach her eyes which rose an ache in Altan's chest.
She showed her palm to Altan. Tears rolled down her eyes, "Dekh rahe ho?"
Altan wanted to answer but his lips were zipped. He didn't know what was happening, he was standing there paralyzed not being able to move a single muscle of his body.
"Meri qurbani ka ye sila de rahe ho tum, Altan?"
The woman stepped forward, "Tum apni duniya mein itne masroof ho gaye ho ke apna maqsad yaad nahi rakha?"
He wanted to tell the lady that he didn't forget anything! The thirst of revenge wasn't quenched yet and hell would freeze before it did.
Suddenly the woman was now covered in blood from head to the toe, widening Altan's eyes.
"Tum uske aate hi, Azyan ko bhool gaye?"
Altan opened his eyes only to see a man on his knees begging for his mercy.
His body was in the present but his mind was left in the past.
In the past of his dreadful ephialtes.
He didn't forget anything nor did he got engaged in his life to forget his own mission of avenging Azyan's murder.
After Bakhtawar's death, he was sure there was a traitor amongst them who informed the killer and to hide their identity, they poisoned Bakhtawar and before Altan could even get his answer or any lead to Azyan's murder.
"Ye pichle chaar mahine se ek hi baat keh raha hai ki jo paise udhar liye the wo agle mahine lauta dega par abhi tak ek kaudi nahi di hai."
Altan shook his thoughts away and focused on the matter before him.
He gestured for the guard, Ahsan to go on as Altan lit a cigarette.
"Isne 1 saal pehle jo karz apni beti ka ilaj karane ke naam pe lia tha wo sare juye mein uda diye aur iski beti ka ilaj waqt pe na hone ke wajah se uski halat aur kharab ho gayi hai."
Altan smoked out a cloud of puff and his eyes squinted as he scratched his eyebrow whilst holding the toxic stick.
He saw several greedy people and this wasn't something new but it hit him in his nerves that his daughter was suffering and this man splurged all the money he had taken as a loan in gambling.
Placing the dart between his lips, he stood up. While his nose was releasing the toxic air, he shoved his hands in his pants pocket and ambled towards the man who was on his knees, silently wailing.
"Kitna karz liya tha?" Altan's cacophonic voice cut through the deafening silence, creating a very tense environment also making all the people aware that his inner beast was very near from getting unleashed.
"Do..do lakh, Zaeem."
Staring at the burning cigar, Altan asked, "Aur kya kia uska?"
The way Altan's face and voice held no emotions was surprising as he was very near from bursting into the lava of rage yet he knew when to unfold the layers of his anger.
"Juye mein ud..uda diye, Zaeem!"
The man stuck his palms together and placed his head on the ground, begging.
"Aap ka.. ek ek paisa mai chuka dunga, Sarkar. Bas mujhe jane do, do betiya hai, unke liye jane do."
The man only wanted to have his life back but he didn't have any ounce of guilt for letting his daughter's health detroit.
Altan lowered himself to the ground and clutched the man's hair, jerking him up.
He gnashed his teeth,"Do betiya hai par jis ke ilaj ke liye paise liye the uspe ek rupay tune kharch nahi kiye."
"Zaeem, ra..rahem."
The demons inside Altan's head roared in laughter and some lusted for blood at which his face neutralized and his eyes went dead.
Altan didn't respond instead he placed the burning cigarette on the man's cheek and the screams of the man reverberated in each corner of the kothi.
A sadistic smile crawled up to his lips as Altan pushed the cigarette deeply in the man's cheek until it didn't extinguish.
The man's screams, loud wailing and the pleading of mercy made Altan feel merry.
The monster inside him felt proud and it widened in honour.
Altan dropped the cigarette to the ground and stood up to his whole height.
Lifting his foot up, he kicked the man in the chest, throwing him flying in the air.
A sudden loud gasp, made him snap his head in that direction.
All the men dropped their gazes to the ground except Altan.
His jaw clenched seeing Mahoor at the very place where she shouldn't have been.
Mahoor looked at the man, wailing in the pain and it seemed like he was about to pass out because of the immense agony.
Her gaze flickered back to Altan and a shiver ran down her spine, seeing him staring at her with a menacing gaze.
Everything in her told her that she should just leave from there however she couldn't stop herself from speaking against injustice.
Sensing the terror in the air, Seyran tugged at Mahoor's sleeve and whispered in her ear, "Mahi, chalo yaha se.. Kuch sahi na..nahi lag raha hai yaha."
Mahoor ignored her. Collecting all the courage, she spoke, "Ye kya kar rahe hai aap?"
Altan's palm curled into a fist. His voice dropped into a lower modulation and it came out as a threat, "Andar jau."
The way he said it was enough for her to back out. The Altan who stood in front of her right now scared her to bits.
His eyes burned with venom, the veins on his neck pulsed and his body language screamed fury which was enough for Mahoor to escape.
"Nahi, jaungi. Woh uncle aap se umar mein bade hai aap aise kaise kar sakte hai unke saath?"
A lock of hair fell on Altan's forehead and his lips drew back in a snarl, "Mujhe apni baat dohrane mat lagau. Andar. Jau."
"Abhi wo uncle se maafi mange.." her voice shut out as he could only hear one thing.
'Tum uske aate hi, Azyan ko bhool gaye.'
The pain in his head intensified and a muscle twitched in his jaw.
"Tameez nahi hai aapko bado ke saath.."
"ANDAR JAU!" Altan barked in wrath and Mahoor recoiled in horror.
Mahoor's eyes swamped with tears and her hand clutched her chest.
Seyran grasped her wrist, equally terrified as her, "Chalo yaha se."
Mahoor's lips trembled and a tear flowed down her cheek.
They left not before Altan taking the notice of her tears and realising what he has done.
"Ye aadmi ko andar basement mei dalo aur koi bhi masla raha tou Arya se kehna."
Altan ordered and his men nodded at his command, taking the man and leaving for the basement.
As now Altan was left alone, he calmed down and his anger dissolved.
He raked his hand through his messy hair and Mahoor's frightened state flashed in front of his eyes, making him wince internally.
He looked at the vacant space where a few minutes ago, she was standing and he had asked more like commanded for her to leave in anger.
He didn't mean to. He was already frustrated by the nightmare and the issue in front of him and it wasn't a place where Mahoor should have been, seeing his sadistic side of his being.
"Hun main innu kenj manawa?"
(Kaise manau ab main isey?)
'Peeche jaa uske.'
A voice in him guided Altan and he didn't waste a second to listen to his inner voice as he hastened to Mahoor's room.
Altan climbed up stairs three at a time, all thanks to his long legs.
He sprinted to Mahoor's room and thanked the heavens, seeing the door open.
He knocked on the door and entered. He saw Mahoor's tear smeared face and she immediately turned her head away from his sight
"Seyran, insey kaho yaha se chale jaye."
Seyran looked at Altan who didn't waver his gaze from Mahoor.
He gestured to Seyran for her to go aside and give them space to talk who in return scoffed but Altan's one glare shut her up.
He moved towards the bed and Mahoor shot up from her seat to be away from him but Altan held her dupatta, stopping her from escaping especially when she was naraz at him.
Mahoor angrily pulled her dupatta, swirling around, she threw it and Altan caught it effortlessly.
"Aap ko mere dupatte se obsession hai, rakh lein fir inhe!"
Altan looked at the stoll in his hand and then back at her.
"Kyu ke tumse judi har cheez mujhe haseen lagti hai. Aur dupatte le aaunga, naraz toh nahi ho mujh pe."
Mahoor wiped her tears, "Itni narmi se kyu baat kar rahe hai aap? Zara zor se," her lips quivered, "chilla ke mujhe jhidki dena mai samajh jaungi."
Altan stepped forward and Mahoor showed her palm to him, ceasing his steps.
"Main yaha apni marzi se hu? Main yaha khush hu? Meri mutabiq sab cheezein ho rahi hai kya? Aap mujhe yaha zabardasti rakh rahe hai aur tevar aise dikhate hai jaise koi nek kaam kar rahe ho!"
Altan stood there with his hands clutching her dupatta tautly and he listened to it all. After all he was the one at fault.
"Pehle chilla lo phir mu utha ke kam..kamre mein aajao safayi paish karne," Mahoor's voice broke and she turned around to hide her tears away from the man who was the cause behind it.
Mahoor was a bubbly girl even though she pretended to be the piece of iron, her heart was very fragile and couldn't take any brutality.
Blame it on her sensitive nature.
"Aap yu logo ko maarte hai bina umar dekhe, zameer marr gaya hai kya aapka?"
"Mai koi safayi nahi dene aaya hu, manta hu meri galti hai par ro tou nahi."
"Aapko pata hai na aap ki galti hai? Tou chale jaye yaha se."
Altan strode towards Mahoor. He stopped a few meters away from her.
"Tumhe manane se pehle mai kahi nahi jane wala. Beshaq tum jitne ghante ya din le lo, par jab tak tum nahi maan jati mai tumhe khush kiye bagair yaha se nahi jaa sakta."
He held her arm and turned around. Mahoor protested, "Haath nahi lagaye mujhe! Chodein!"
His eyes softened seeing her crying face. He knew she was a sensitive case but he wasn't in his senses.
Altan didn't want Mahoor to see his demonic side where he killed people mercilessly because all she would believe would be that he's a heartless murderer.
He was one but he only had a heart for Mahoor.
"Wo kaho jo mere qabu mein hai. Batau kya karu tumhe manane ke liye?"
Mahoor's jaw set and she glared at Altan with red eyes. Altan made an effort to swab away her tears but Mahoor thwacked his hand.
Mahoor's gaze fell upon Seyran who was standing behind Altan, mouthing words to her.
"Bahar jaane ka bol."
The idea of the bulb lighted Mahoor's senses and to take the proper advantage of this situation brightened her sight which vanished the hurt as the plan to escape would become easier if she'd get out of the house once.
"Kuch bhi karenge?" Mahoor asked innocently.
Altan's left eye twitched seeing the innocence on her face and he nodded, "Tumhare liye kuch bhi karunga."
"Mujhe bazar le chalein?"
"Itni si baat? Chalte hai, chalo."
"Sacchi?" Mahoor gawked at him as if not believing how the devil itself agreed to the agreement.
Altan lightly tapped her nose with his finger, "Mucchi."
"Abhi chalein phir."
Altan's brows darted up, "Chalein phir. Par lena kya hai?"
Mahoor's eyes flickered to Seyran as if saying 'ab kya bolu?'
Seyran mouthed, 'Samaan.'
Mahoor cleared her throat, "Kuch samaan lena hai."
"Aur kya samaan lena hai?"
Mahoor looked at Seyran as if telling, "Dekha, maine kaha tha na yeh mohalle ke chachi puchegi hi ki kya samaan lena hai?"
Mahoor looked straight at Altan in the eyes, "Mujhe kacche lene hai, ye samaan hai."
Seyran slapped her forehead and Altan batted his lashes at Mahoor.
"Itni hairat se kya dekh rahe hai? Aap nahi pehente kya kacche?"
Altan tilted his head and his sea green eyes shone in amusement. He nodded, "Pehenta hu. Abhi bhi pehna hai," Altan lowered himself to her ear and whispered, "Tum kaho tou tumhe dikhau?"
Mahoor's eyes widened and she backed away.
If she thought there was no one to beat her when it comes to embarrassing someone?
She was proved wrong by her zabardasti ka hone wala shohar.
Altan stood straight and smirked.
Exiting the room he said, "Neeche intizar kar raha hu main tumhara."
â¢â¡â¢
Altan peered at Mahoor who was staring out of the window keenly.
They were in the car going to the most famous Anarkali bazaar of Lahore.
When Mahoor came down and sat in the car, the path from the front door to the haveli's gate itself seemed like a journey to her.
And she saw how the sides of the pavement had palm trees under which a guard stood with a gun, making it nearly impossible for her and Seyran to escape so the last option was to climb up the walls of the garden and run away from there if there was probably an exit.
"Aapka garden bada pyara hai." Mahoor broke the silence unwillingly as only Altan knew the answer to the questions she needed badly.
"Pasand aaya tumhe?"
"Sukoon bhari jagah hai, main ek baar kya gayi mera wapis waha se jaane ka dil nahi kia."
Altan looked at her then back at the road. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel as he felt happy for the first time in the day and in a while, knowing that she truly liked his personal creation which he made in the honor of Azyan.
"Tumhe kuch aur phool lagwane hai waha?"
"Khyal koi aaya nahi kyu ke jo bhi mujhe phool pasand hai sab hai udhar."
"Jab aajaye tou bejhijhak kehna."
'Ha, ha India se call karke kahungi jab aap jail mein chakki pees rahe honge.'
Mahoor shifted in her seat and fired the question she was willing to ask, "Wo.. hum log jab jhaad ke neeche baithe the tab bhi bass phool hi phool dikh rahe the, like never ending dikha wo, koi exit nahi hai as in koi exit gate jaise entrance pe hai?"
"Woh phool ke maidaan ek jagah khatam hote hai aur fir jungle shuru hota hai isiliye deewar bana di thi waha. Jhaad ke paas khade honge tou nahi dikhenge, thoda aur chalke jayenge andar tou dikh jaati hai."
'Pehle India to Pakistan ki boundary kudhi ab yeh garden ke deeware kudh ni padengi.'
"Oh, thike."
Silence fell upon them and Altan didn't like it.
Whenever he was with Mahoor, the environment always felt chirpy because she didn't know when to stop the conversation and now that the terms of their relationship has changed, the quietness of her's pierced his skin painfully as he loved listening to her talking about anything,
Even if the conversation was about the kacches.
Mahoor was engaged in learning the road or simply some direction marks which would help them after they'd escape.
She wasn't even interested in talking to Altan so a conversation with him right now wasn't even on her mind.
Altan cleared his throat and Mahoor ignored him.
"Tumhara favorite janwar kaunsa hai?"
Mahoor's face scrunched in disinterest, "Kyu puch rahe hai?"
"Apni honewali biwi ki pasand na pasand janna chahta hu, isiliye."
'Ab audience dekho mera kamal.'
Mahoor attempted a sardonic smile, "Puchein, puchein."
"Tumhara favorite janwar kaunsa hai?" Altan hated repeating himself but the woman in front of him had him breaking his own rules and barriers for her.
"Bulgari snake, Porsche Horse, Cartier Panther aur Hermes ka ghoda bhi!"
Altan looked at her from the corner of her sides, not knowing what to say as he was left
*Shik Shak shok*
He threw the next question, expecting a normal answer this time.
"Favorite Sabzi?"
"22 carats."
*Shik Shak Shok*
"Favorite chocolate?"
"GEMS" (ððð)
*Shik Shak Shok*
"Favorite fruit?"
"Tom Ford Lost Cherry."
*Shik Shak Shok*
"Favorite thing to watch?"
"Sky from the window of a private helicopter."
*Shik Shak Shok*
"Favourite Sport?"
"Tennis bracelet."
*Shik Shak Shok*
Altan stopped the car at the red lights and averted his gaze to her who was looking at him with an amused face.
"Aise jawab deke faida kya hai jab ki mujhe pata hai tum gold digger nahi ho "
Crossing her hands on her chest, Mahoor pushed her glasses up and nodded, "Sahi keh rahe hai aap."
She tilted her head, "Main gold digger nahi, diamond digger hu."
Altan couldn't control it and a full blown smile glowed on his features.
'Ek mukka maar ke inke ye white daaton pe khoon jab bahega, kitna accha lagega.'
"Agar tum diamond digger hoti tou bazaar nahi mall kehne ko chalti."Altan said while driving out on the road.
"Par khushi hui jaan ke tum heere pasand karti ho. Humari diamond jewellery ke diamonds tumhe khoob pasand aayenge aur kehna padega baaton mein tumse koi jeet nahi sakta."
Mahoor squinted her eyes, "Aap bhi nahi."
Altan parked his car, shutting the engine down. He turned in his seat, giving his whole attention to her.
"Har bazi mein mujhe marna manzoor hai par tumse jitna qubool nahi. Apna dil tou har chuka hu main tumhe, mere zehan pe bhi sirf ek tumhara hi khumaar chaya hua hai."
He placed his face on his palm and supported it by keeping his elbow on his thigh.
"Meri nazaro se dekhogi mai tou jeet gaya hu tum par mar kar, tumse haar kar; aur mujhe meri haar ki koi nadamat nahi."
He retreated his hand back from his face, and rested his head on the car's seat and looked at her with a hint of a smile,"Altan Mirza, apne aap ko tum par haar chuka hai. Aur ye aisi shikast hai jaha meri fateh hui."
Mahoor stared at Altan as he had grown a second head. She immediately opened the door of the car and got down as his romantic words were spinning her head.
She clutched her dress on her chest and murmured to herself, "Allah miya! Yeh aadmi kya roz teeno waqt apne khane mein shair khata hai?"
"Jab dekho jab aise shayarana baatein kar kar ke mere dimag ka bulb jala deta hai."
Altan came to her side after locking the car. Seeing her clutching her dress, he passed a comment.
Altan pushed his hands back, "Maine tumhe bhagne walo mein se nahi samjh tha tum tou darr gayi aur halat se bhag gayi."
Mahoor scoffed, "Excuse me? Na main halat se darti hu, nahi aap se!"
The corner of Altan's mouth quirked up, "Meri sherni darti nahi, darati hai."
Mahoor grinned sardonically and walked in the bazaar, "Yeh sherni na sirf darana nahi, insan ko kaccha chaba jana bhi janti hai."
Altan's forehead creased as he followed her, "Tumhare liye mutton, chicken, macchi kam nahi tha ki ab insan ka bhi gosht khana hai?"
Mahoor twirled around and her eyes bored into a glare at him at which Altan gave her a sheepish look.
He came beside her, "Kya lena hai kaho?"
Mahoor opened her mouth to say something but Altan interrupted her, "Tum kaho tou sara bazaar lein du?"
"Kya karungi main ye sara bazaar leke?"
"Jo tum chaho."
"Thike mai fir aapki haveli ke hi bahar ek mini bazaar kholungi aur aapko pehle stall pe bithaungi, chalega?"
"Nahi dila raha hai main pura bazaar tumhe. Jo chahiye woh le lo."
Mahoor rolled her eyes, "Bade kanjoos hai aap."
They, specifically Mahoor, stopped at the bangles shop. She didn't want to but if she wouldn't buy anything, Altan would suspect something about her which she couldn't think of letting him do so.
Mahoor bought three sets of bangles, one for herself, one for Seyran and the other one for Riza and Altan started to daydream.
"Mirza, yeh pehna dein?"
"Mai pehnau?"
Mahoor bit her lips and nodded timidly, "Aap mang hai na mere, aap nahi tou aur kaun pehnayega? Aap ke haath se pehnungi tou ye chudio ki chamak aur keemat dono badh jayengi."
Altan held her hand, gazing softly into her eyes; he slid down the bangles on her wrist.
"Ghalat baat kahi tumne. Yeh chudi ki keemat aur chamak tumhare pehen ne par badhegi na ki mere pehnane par."
Mahoor lowered her gaze, a shy smile broke out on her lips.
Altan lightly held her chin with his fingers, delicately jerking it up, "Sharmati bhi hai aap?"
Mahoor punched his chest lightly, "Na karein."
He pushed her glasses up and sighed heavenly, "Ma Sha Allah, kisi ka sharmana aaj tak itna qatilana nahi laga."
Mahoor held his hand and stroke his fingers, "Ye haya bhi aap ke liye aur main bhi."
...Za"
"Sun hi nahi rahe!"
Altan felt a jab in his gut, pulling him out of the trance.
He blinked and looked at his surroundings only for him to be at the same place and position but different scenarios.
"Aapne mann badal dia kya cheezein dilane ka? Kab se awaz laga rahi hu, aap apni hi duniya mein khoye hue hai."
Altan massaged his temple, 'Woh dunia mein jaha tum mujhse chudi pehen rahi thi, mere liye nazarein jhuka rakhi thi, apni haya aur apne aap ko mere naam ki thi.'
'Yeh mehenge mehenge aur aukat se bahar wale khwab.'
"Kitna hua vaise?"
"1200 keh rahe hai ye bhaiya. Mujhe nahi pata ki ye saste hai ya mehenge."
Altan removed a 5000 rupee note from his wallet and handed it to the seller.
"INR mein 1200 PKR sirf 359 hote hai tou fikar nahi karo. Vaise bhi jo khareed na hai khareedo paiso ki fikar nahi karo, hmm?"
"Main aapko lauta dungi saare paise, mai udhar le rahi hu aap se filhal ke liye, bas ek baar.."
Altan placed a finger on his lip, "Mujhe meri Mahoor ke kharche aur nakhre dono bina kisi udhar ke uthane hai. Bass tumpe agar koi karz hai," He leaned his head to the side and his sea green eyes darkened with emotions, "tou wo hai meri chahat ka hai jo tumne mujhse mohabbat kar ke chukana hai."
Mahoor batted her lashes at him in astonishment. She loathed the man deeply from her guts and was thinking of ways to get away from his clutches however he was here talking of how she has to return his feelings for her.
Altan took the change and placed it in Mahoor's hand. He held the plastic bag of the bangles.
Mahoor glanced upon the money in her hands and if it wasn't enough Altan pulled out four notes of five thousand and gave it to her.
"Aage kuch lena hai tou kaam aayenge."
Mahoor nodded. She needed the money when they'd escape to take a rickshaw or a cab to the police station as she saw only a single police headquarters in their way and it was indeed very far away from Altan's place.
As they moved further in the bazaar, Mahoor hoped for this day to end super soon and night to fall upon as she couldn't wait to relish the taste of her freedom.
â¢â¡â¢â¡â¢â¡â¢â¡â¢â¡â¢
Back to the chapter!!!
I'm update after a long time so thought of giving a lengthy chapter to you guys!
Altan is very delulu which make me love him moreð¥º
Also, do you all think that Mahoor will be successful in running away?
Hold on to your seats, as things are getting serious from the next chapter!
Thank you so much for all the people who are writing me text messages and also in the comments that how this book deserves to go viral and deserves a million reads! Because of you all, I have become very confident of the plot and I love you all for the efforts you put by reading, commenting and voting â¨