'Kuch iss tarah woh apni jagah bana rahi hai mere dil mein,
Dhadkano ko bhi ab unki ijazat leni pad rahi hai.'
~Mehek Syed.
Third Person POV:
"Utho, Mahoor!"
'Nahi yaar.'
"Uth, peede!"
'Ay uparwale mujhe uthale.'
"Uth ja, bhains!"
"Mahoor!" Mahoor woke up with a jolt from her never ending slumber.
"Kiski saas mar gayi joh mujhe aise uthaya jaa raha hai?" Mahoor mumbled groggily.
Aira threw a cushion which hit Mahoor's face, making her irritated.
"Khala ammi!"
"Chillau mat. Peechle aade ghante se tumhe utha rahi hu, par main bhool gayi thi tumhare andar toh kumbhkaran ki aatma hai."
Mahoor rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock. She clicked her tongue in annoyance and looked for her phone on the bed.
"Dikhta toh hai nahi bina chashme ke aur ghadi ko dekh rahi hu time pata karne." She mumbled to herself.
She got her phone and clicked on the screen,"Sirf 9:30 hi hue hai, kyon atyachar kar rahe ho mujh pe? Neend aa rahi hai raat ko der se soyi thi, sone do."
Mahoor laid down on her bed and rolled herself in the blanket.
Aira marched towards the bed and pulled away the comforter. She held Mahoor's arm and jerked her up in a sitting position.
"Chup chap se brush karo aur wo ladko ko nashta de aau."
Mahoor looked up with a scrunched face, "Arey toh Seyran se kahe na woh mushtando ko nashta de aaye. Meri neend haram kar ke usko kyu araam dia jaa raha hai?"
Aira combed her hair, "Woh cafe gayi hai, usne do din aur jana hai fir woh job chod deni hai. Bhool gayi tum?"
Mahoor was still in the state of sleep. She stood up from the bed like a zombie and went to the bathroom.
"Mahoor." Aina knocked.
'Insan ko sukoon dharti ke koi kone mein nahi hai. Washroom mein bhi nahi hai.'
"Haa?"
"Main baba ke ghar jaa rahi hu. Tum woh ladko ko nashta de dena aur chahe toh baba ke ghar ajana nahi toh yaha aa ke wapis sojana, thike munni?"
Mahoor opened the door of the bathroom with a straight face, "Pehli baat toh woh ladke nahi, mushtande hai. Dekhe unhe, aise lambe lambe light ke khambe aur itne chaude pehelwaan, unhe ladke bulana paap keh layega."
Aira slapped Mahoor's forehead,"Aise kisi ke bare mein nahi kehte. Ab brush karo aur woh dono ko khana de aana," Aira turned to leave but swiveled around and narrowed her eyes at Mahoor, "Hasi, mazak nahi karna unke saath. Chup chap se apna kaam kar ke nikal lena. Samjhi?"
Mahoor rubbed her forehead and nodded, "Hanji main samajh gayi, par yeh hinsa ki zarurat nahi thi mere bheje mein yeh baat fit karne."
Aira huffed, "Uff, yeh ladki aur iski yeh bhasha. Kabhi sudhregi nahi," muttering beneath her breath, Aira left the room.
"Suna maine sab."
"Mujhe farq nahi padta."
Mahoor rolled her eyes and shut the bathroom's door.
After cleaning herself, she stood in front of the mirror and wore her spectacles.
She peered at her reflection in the mirror and wondered,
"Kapde badal ke jau?"
She was wearing a black baggy tshirt in which three humans could fit in easily. Her pink cartoon straight night pants were comfy and her hair was tied in a messy bun which did not give a Pinterest look to her.
"Baal bana leti hu. Kaunsa maine zyada der rukna hai waha. Sirf bartan dungi aur wapis aa jaungi."
Mahoor nodded at her thoughts and untangled her messy hair. She combed her hair and rolled them in a bun by clipping it with a claw.
She flattened out the creases of her attire and went to the dining table. Her eyebrows darted up seeing the number of dishes being lined up for their guests.
"Dosa, medu vada, appam, sambar aur khopre ki chutney." She clapped her hands in appreciation, "Waah, khala ammi, waah! Kya mehnati aurat hai, Allah ji. Subah subah uth ke sab itna banaya hai, kabil-e-tareef hai Aira madam ki khatirdari."
Mahoor picked up the two dishes and thankfully the door of her flat was open. She didn't wear chappals and got out of the house as the guests were staying right in front of their room.
She looked at her hands which were occupied with the utensils, hence she kicked the door lightly.
She waited for a few seconds and decided to kick the door again. She leaned back a little and put her body pressure on her right foot and raised her left foot to strike on the door again but the gate of the flat opened and her foot froze in the air.
Altan looked at Mahoor whose face was painted with astonishment and mortification. His gaze fell on her frozen feet which paused in the moment.
His eyes went back to her face and he arched an eyebrow at her.
Mahoor smiled awkwardly "Ji, assalamualaikum?"
Altan replied with a straight face, "Wa alaykummasalam."
"Mai..woh.. woh..main.."
"Pehle seedhe khade hojaye."
Mahoor looked at her hands then at her feet. If she would want to stand on her two feet, the bowls from her hand should be taken away.
Altan's lips were sealed in a line but he stared at her in amusement. The woman who stood with her leg in the air looked like a dancing statue as he could see her body losing balance.
He shook his head and took the bowls from her hand at which Mahoor released a breath of relief and stood straight.
Altan ambled to the dining table which was placed in the hall and kept the bowls. He turned around to ask Mahoor to come in but got to see her gone.
His brows creased and he moved forward to see her coming out of her flat with a tray which had more than two dishes of pot and a plate.
Mahoor stood at the threshold with the tray, "Yeh reh gaya tha."
Altan nodded and took the tray from her hands.
"Umm..Umeed karti hu deri na hui ho. Kuch aur cheez ki zarurat hai toh bolna zarur." Mahoor said and smiled lightly to clear the air of embarrassment.
The girl was a walking disaster as she was clumsy but she had no idea that Altan would get a free show of her blunder today itself.
Her conduct of acting normally was out of her control.
She falls, trips, drops things which became normal for everyone around her but not for the new people.
Altan nodded.
'Thank you hi bol de yeh mushtanda?'
Mahoor cleared her throat, "Aryan bhaiya nahi hai? Woh kahi dikhaye nahi de rahe."
'Kyu pucha? Kyu panchat tujhe itni Mahoor? Chup chap se exit lena!'
But it was too late to curse herself for letting her mouth open.
"Nahi. Woh kuch kaam se bahar gaya hai."
Mahoor's insides churned in disappointment,"Oh. Toh aap akele nashta karoge?Akele khane mein koi maza nahi. Main company de du? Maine bhi nashta nahi kia hai."
Altan stood there dumbfounded. After her, Mahoor was the second one lending him a shoulder for his loneliness.
When was the last time someone cared for him enough to not let him eat or stay alone?
Nobody cared enough yet the woman who didn't know him, to whom he was lying for his own welfare did.
Mahoor stood there fighting with her consciousness.
'Yaar tu muh bandh karne ka kitna legi?
'Itni beizzati karati hai khud ki yeh aurat, tauba!'
'nikal lo, Mahoor.'
"M..mujhe na chai banani hai mai chalti hu."
Mahoor turned around to leave but stopped in her tracks on hearing his voice.
"Aryan ko aur time jayega aane mein aur woh shayad bahar hi nashta kar le. Tum aajau mere saath kha lo?"
Mahoor released a breath of relief, 'Chalo beizzat hone se inhone bacha lia.'
She swiveled around and beamed, "Aap chalein, main darwaze ko lock laga ke aayi."
Altan nodded and mossied towards the dining table. He placed the tray on the table and stood by it.
Mahoor came in and closed the door lightly.
She walked to the dinette and her brows drew together, "Aap khade kyu hai? Baithiye."
Altan gestured towards the other chair, "Pehle tum baith jao."
Mahoor chuckled and sat down on the chair, "Ah, Gentleman. I see."
The demons in Altan's mind laughed. The snicker of their demonization echoed in his head with full rage.
He was anything but a gentleman.
Altan pulled the chair and sat down. He drew a plate closer to him but Mahoor took it away.
"Yeh plate lijiye." Mahoor pushed a plate towards him which was fully served with the food.
The two small bowls contained chutney and sambar. Two dosas along with two medu vada and appam were dished on his plate.
He looked at Mahoor who was filling her plate. His gaze then went back to his plate.
'Yeh lo. Sabse chupa ke tumhare liye yeh khane ki dish bhar ke laayi hu. Kha lena acche se.'
When the demons inside his head went silent, the sweet melodic voice reverberated in his head.
His palm curled into a fist. His knuckles went white because of the pressure he was putting it on.
If Mahoor lending him her companionship wasn't enough, her filling his plate went overboard.
"...khaa hi nahi rahe."
"Bhai.."
"Haider bhai."
Mahoor waved her palm before Altan's face, bringing him out of his cursed thoughts.
"Kaha kho gaye, bhai aap?"
Altan shook his head and opened his mouth to say something but he ceased.
'Bhai?'
'Sahi suna maine? Ya kaan bajj rahe hai mere.'
"Maine tawajjo se suna nahi, zara fir se kehna."
Mahoor's face wrinkled in confusion and she stuffed a bite of her food, "Tawajjo matlab?"
Altan tilted his face,"Tumhe tawajjo lafz ka matlab nahi malum?"
Mahoor shook her head, "Meri hindi acchi hai, urdu bohot kamzor. Main jis mahol mein pali badi hu, waha sab log zyada hindi nahi toh marathi ya fir English zyada kehte hai." She passed the bowl of sambhar to Altan, who chewed his food while listening to her with patience and heed.
"Kya hai na main mere aaju baju hindus hi zyada the, actually hai. Toh maine kabhi urdu unke saath kabhi itni boli nahi. Aur jiske saath aap itna rehne lag jate ho, toh unki bhasha bolne lag jate ho na." Mahoor grinned softly and Altan stared at that smile.
'Iski yeh muskurahat.."
He feeds himself, "Yani ki tum Hyderabad ki nahi ho?"
"Main paida Hyderabad mein hui hu par meri parvarish Mumbai mein ki gayi hai. Main toh rehti bhi wahi hu bas mera naniyal aur shayad thoda bhot dadiyal bhi yahi hai. Vacation ke liye aati rehti hu yaha."
Altan swallowed his food. After a decade or two, he felt light. He felt normal. The conversation he was having with her while eating the meal circulated the serenity in his veins.
He has surely eaten meals before with everyone but he never tried to initiate a conversation or let anyone have him participate in the conversation.
He didn't speak much and didn't like people talking to him unless it's related to his business as the definition of his tranquility was silence.
Now the meaning of his peace was gently growing into something else.
Seeing the empty dish, Altan took a dosa and put it into Mahoor's plate.
Mahoor shrieked and pulled her plate back, "Haider bhai, mera hogaya. Ab maine aur khaya na mera pait phatt jayega."
Hearing the term 'bhai', Altan instantly choked on his food and wheezed.
Mahoor immediately sprang up from her seat and patted his back.
He turned and glared at her who confusedly looked at him.
She immediately pulled her hand away and jumped back realizing what she did.
Mahoor totally forgot everything as apprehension clouded her vision while seeing him cough violently and everything just happened in a reflex.
"Mujhe kyu aakhein dikha rahe ho aap? Darne walo mein se nahi hu main."
She poured a glass of water and gave it to Altan, who gladly took it.
He gulped down the whole liquid like he was parched for years.
Altan placed the glass on the table and they continued having their breakfast.
"Main tumhe aankhein nahi dikha raha tha woh bass ho gaya."
Mahoor gnawed on her food, "I get it. Hota hai kabhi kabhi aise jab zor se thaska lag jaye toh."
'Bhai bulati hai aur khasi pe apni galti ka kasurvar pakda rahi hai.'
"Accha, aap sanchak mein aa rahe hai na aaj?"
Altan leaned back in his seat, "Sanchak? Zorawar ne kaha tha aaj toh mehendi hai. Sanchak kya hota hai?"
Mahoor dusted her hands off as she was done with her breakfast, "Usey mehendi bhi kehte hai par Hyderabad ki rasm or rivaz mein Sanchak kehte hai kyu ke ladke wale dulhan ka shadi aur valima ka joda lekar aate hai aur haldi lagate hai. Fir ladki wale raat ko unke ghar jaa kar dulhe ko mehendi lagate hai."
Altan tilted his head and his eyes glittered with complete admiration.
'Isey baat karte hue ta umr sun sakta hu main.'
"Par khala ammi keh rahi thi ki hum unke ghar nahi jayenge. Mehendi ki rasm cancel ho gayi hai kyun ke ladke ko mehendi se allergy hai." She chuckled while completing her statement.
Altans' lips twitched and his eyes crinkled slightly but he covered it before he could show any sign of elation.
"Toh aap aayenge na?"
Altan nodded, "Zarur, har dawat mein main aur Aryan hazir rahenge."
Mahoor placed her left hand on her heart and smiled dreamily, "Haye, bhot maza aayega."
Before Altan could absorb more of her sweet reactions in his memory, the doorbell of the house rang. Altan stood up to open the door and Mahoor went to the bathroom to wash her hands.
Altan opened the door and Arya entered, "Ae, kishan kanhaiya! Kitni garmi hai."
Mahoor came out of the bathroom and surprise took over Arya's features.
"Oh, Mahir? Tum yaha?"
Mahoor glanced at Altan then back at Arya, "Bhaiya, mera naam Mahoor hai. Aur main nashta dene aayi thi par dekha ki Haider bhai akele khane wale the toh socha unhe company de du."
Arya eyebrows shot up in astonishment and his eyes looked between them back and forth. He pointed a finger towards Altan and questioned Mahoor, "Yeh insan ne tumhare saath khana khaya hai?"
Altan rolled his eyes and Mahoor scratched the back of her neck, "Toh uss mein k..kya ho gaya?"
Arya shook head, "Tum janti nahi par.."
"Yeh aise hi apni baaton se tumhe uljhata rahega. Isey nazar andaz karo." Altan interrupted and threw daggers in Arya's direction who mocked him by imitating his own reaction.
Mahoor moved towards the door, "Mujhe chalna chahiye, nanu ke ghar bhi jana hai. Aap log se sham mein mulaqat hogi."
"Suno."
Altan's voice halted her steps in between and she whirled around.
"Ji?"
Altan pushed his hands behind his back, "Tawajjo ka matlab hota hai, attention."
'Joh meri sirf tum pe hai.'
The corner of Mahoor's mouth curled up, "Shukriya."
Altan nodded and Mahoor unlocked the door of her house and shut it softly whilst Altan stood there like a statue.
"Chali gayi woh, andar aa bhi jau ab." Arya's voice pulled out Altan from his state.
Altan stretched his neck from left to right and shut the door of his apartment. He strolled towards the couch and sat on it. He pushed his long muscular legs in front and rested his head on the sofa whilst keeping his eyes close.
Arya crossed his hands over his chest and observed his demeanor.
He was bothered since yesterday by his strange behavior towards a specific individual which was none other than the brown eyed girl, Mahoor.
"Baat kya hai, Altan?"
Altan opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling, "Kya kehna chahte ho tum?"
Arya sighed and sat on the sofa chair, "Main kal se dekh raha hu tumhara badla badla rawayya woh bhi meri taraf nahi.." he paused. "Kisi ladki ke taraf."
Altan looked at him and Arya continue, "Tum kabhi koi ladki ke saath kabhi narmi se paish nahi aaye ho, akele kabhi koi ladki ke saath khana nahi khaye ho, baat karna toh durr ki baat hai. Mamla kya hai?"
Altan sat up straight. He relaxed his one hand on the head of the couch and pushed his one leg over his other knee and his eyes bore into Arya's who didn't avert his gaze away from his.
"Yeh ladki ke baare mein mujhe puri khabar chahiye. Yeh kaha rehti hai, kya karti hai, kiske saath rehti hai, kaun dost hai, maa baap ke naam, sab kuch," he tipped his to the side, "Ek katra bhi boond ka na choote, mujhe iske mazi se lekar aaj tak ki malomat chahiye."
Arya gave him a lopsided grin, "Lagta hai Sultan ko uski Mallika mil hi gayi."
â¢â¡â¢
The 'Noor-E-Jahan' bungalow buzzed with the cheers of the ladies and hustled with the men's loud conversation.
The young girls giggled with the dulhan who was getting ready for her haldi.
"Mahi, yeh tray lejau aur aangan mein jitne bhi mardana hai unhe de do. Sab ko barabar sharbat dena, kisi ka haath khali na rahe."
Mahoor stood in the kitchen as the never ending work of the shadi kept her on her toes.
A line appeared between her brows and she shook her head in disapproval,"Naah, mami. Maine nahi jaana bahar aangan mein kisiko kuch bhi serve karne. Mamujaan ki galia kaun khayega aur baatein kaun sunega ki admio ke saamne tum aayi kyu, wohi falana dimkana."
Razia huffed and pushed the tray of soft drinks in Mahoor's hands, who had no option but to hold it, "Tum akeli nahi rahogi, Seyran bhi aayegi ek tray waha leke aur tumhare mamu ne hi kaha hai tum dono ko waha ka serving ka zimma dene ke liye."
"Par mami.."
"Kya ho gaya?" Seyran came into the kitchen all beautifully dolled up in her purple and green lehenga.
Razia looked at Seyran, "Isey ab tum hi batau ke tumhare Mamu ne kaha hai ki aangan mein tum aur Mahoor, Zorawar aur Rehan saath saath sab mehmano ki mehman nawazi karoge?"
Seyran sighed and turned at Mahoor, "Haa tum jab ready ho rahi thi tab Mamujaan ne kaha tha ki hum charo bahar ka dekhenge aur baki ke bache kuch andar ka."
Razia crossed her hands and she scoffed, "Dekha. Madam ko ab yakeen aayega jab se main japani mein keh rahi thi isiliye iske zehen mein koi baat nahi jaa rahi thi."
Mahoor's jaw clenched and her hold on the tray got tightened. She could have easily retaliated back but for the sake of her khala, she always kept quiet.
Seyran noticed the gleam of anger in Mahoor's body posture and got away from the kitchen to go to the aangan.
Mahoor gritted her teeth, "Sali, ganji chudail! Samajhti kya hai khud ko."
Seyran sniggered, "Waah, re! Ganji chudail. Perfect nickname hai."
Mahoor chuckled along with Seyran. Even her sour mood turned into a sweeter one with her favorite woman.
"Sunna, baby girl."
They both stopped in their way and Mahoor looked at her.
Seyran caressed hair softly, "Bura nahi maano woh aurat ki baaton ka, thike? Ignore karo. I know tumhe bura laga hai uski baaton ka par woh jaanbooj ke karti hai kyuke usey pata hai tum react karogi aur koi ulta jawab dogi. Just don't give into her intentions, okay?"
Mahoor's eyes softened and her body relaxed, "Main bass tum log ke khatir chup rehti hu. Woh badi hai izzat deserve karti hai isiliye nahi. Varna fir meri parvarish aur maa baap nahi toh khala ammi ko beech mein laya jayega isiliye muh bandh rakhne mein hi bhalayi hai par believe me, bhot mushkil hai chup rehna aur yeh sab sunna, jab tumhare paas muh tod jawab ho dene."
Seyran patted her back, "Aye, baby girl. I'm genuinely proud of you."
Mahoor winked at her, "Thank you! Ab bohot ho gayi tareef. Ek tray tum bhi le lo. Main jaa kar tab tak yeh serve kar du."
Seyran nodded and sprinted to the kitchen to get a platter of drinks or savory as well.
Mahoor ascended the stairs of the bungalow and looked at the aangan in awe.
There was a huge mango tree in the center and on each branch a thin wire of fairy light was carefully rolled in. Surrounding the corner of the aangan, long pine trees stood with pride and the twinkle lights around them shone softly, lighting the dark environment and giving it a delicate touch of spark.
The whole aangan lit up and had a gentle yet enchanting appearance.
Mahoor strode towards a trio of boys who looked older than her. They had no drinks with them so she thought they didn't get any.
"Assalamualaikum." Mahoor greeted them with her kind smile.
The boys looked at each other and in the middle, Rafael cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Wa alaykummasalam."
"Aren't you Mahoor Durrani, the famous influencer cousin? Jiske charche hi charche ho rahe hai." Bilal, the other brother asked.
'Mere charche?' Bewilderment clouded her mind.
But nonetheless she went with it,"Umm.. Haa."
Rafael beamed, "Arey aapko toh chashma tha na par? Chashme ke bina dikh raha hai aapko?" He pushed his two fingers out and swayed them in front of her face, "Yeh kitne hai?"
'Abey bhen ke pakode!'
Shock glued her face but she didn't show it to let their ego have the satisfaction.
The other two cousins laughed at Rafael's remark which only pushed Mahoor on the edge.
Her lips pulled up in an ironic grin, "Chasme ke bagair aap jaise log aur aapki yeh farzi dunia dhundli dikhti hai par logon ke napaak irade nahi."
The three men went silent and Mahoor smirked internally.
'Ab bol.'
She pushed her tray a little forward, gesturing them to take the refreshments, "Jal lijiye, thakk gaye honge logo ki burai karte karte."
Rafael's lips pursed into a thin line in shame.
He took three glasses of the cold liquids and passed the two glasses to the next two.
But it wasn't over for him.
He cleared his throat, "Aur kuch le aayein, yeh refreshment toh dukano mein bhi mil jata hai. Kuch unique sa jisey khane mein aur dekhne mein," his eyes dropped to her feet and roamed around her body till he lifted up to her face, "maza aa jaye."
Mahoor's jaw ticked in rage and she shifted uncomfortably on her feet. She saw how he eye raped her but had to shut up to not to create a scene or else she knew what the consequences of it'd be.
Mahoor looked at the gate then at Rafael, "Taxi le aau? Ghar chalein jaye."
Rafael's face dropped and the other two snickered which made him more angry.
"Apne ghar ke khane mein aur deeware dekhne mein maze hi maze hai. Toh behtari isi mein hai ki ghar jake aap apni maa behen ke saath aiyashi kare."
Mahoor left from there. She walked at a fast pace as her eyes welled up with tears.
'Yeh dunia harami kyu hai?'
'Haramkhor, neech! Kaisi gandi nazaro se dekh raha tha!"
'Rona nahi.'
'Rona nahi.'
'Rona nahi.' She chanted in her mind.
Mahoor was so busy in her own sappy thoughts she didn't see someone coming from front and collided with them. The tray fell from her hands.
She lowered herself to the soil and picked up the empty glasses as the liquid was now scattered on the ground.
The dam of her patience broke and a year slipped down her eye.
"De..dekh ke nahi chal sakte?" She sniffed.
"Tum ro rahi ho?" Her head snapped to the voice and shock smothered her features, seeing Altan staring at her with a poker face and his hand holding a glass which he might have picked up to help her.
"N..nahi toh." Her voice broke and another tear streamed down her cheek.
Altan saw the tear fall from her eye. His jaw clenched and the grip on his glass got tightened.
His lips drew back in a snarl, "Kisne kiya yeh? Kisne himmat ki tumhe rulane ki?"
Mahoor's lower lip quivered. The guy checking her out from toe to head with lust in his eyes, flashed in her memory.
It hurt her.
Even though she did hit them back with her savage replies, it still hurt her.
Altan's eyes softened and his heart pounded in his chest, seeing her lips tremble.
He hated himself for feeling like that as all these feelings were new to him but he wasn't backing away from accepting them.
Mahoor stood up with the tray hastily, she turned around and walked two steps ahead but got frozen in between.
Altan held her dupatta, halting her strides.
"Jab tak tum mujhe wajah nahi bata deti, main tumhe yaha se jane nahi dunga."
Mahoor swiveled around and the dupatta slipped from Altan's hand.
She gave him a teary smile and his chest collapsed seeing the hurt in her eyes. She sniffed, "Woh.. Hadia aapi ko hal..haldi lag rahi hai andar. Unki bidai ka soch soch ke ro..rona nikal raha hai."
She looked down at the ground and felt ashamed.
The one thing she hated most about herself was she couldn't control her tears. She cried in front of everyone even if she didn't want to. It was just out of her hands.
Mahoor tried to take charge of her cries a number of times but the harder she tried to control her sobs in public, the more she shattered.
The cold wind blew past them, making her hair flutter in the air.
"Aa..aap please mujhe jud..judge nahi kare. Mera ch..choti choti koi bhi fi..fizool baat pe rona nikal jata hai."
Altan stood there like a statue. He didn't know what to say further or let alone console a crying person. He was the worst when it came to comforting someone.
But the girl crying in front of him had him on his knees and when he saw her teary eyes, a tear falling down through those russet brown orbs, burnt his heart in agony.
'Yeh sab mujhe mehsoos nahi karna chahiye.'
'Barbadi hi laate aise jazbat.'
He cleared his throat. He opened his mouth to say something good which would calm her nerves down but he pursed his lips into a thin line as he fell short of words.
More likely, he didn't know what to say.
Altan closed his eyes and tried to put the words together for Mahoor.
He cleared his throat,"Rona acchi baat hoti hai chahe woh choti cheez ko lekar ho ya koi bade haadse ki wajah se. Kuch aasuon ke behne ki wajah se tum kamzor nahi hote. Yeh toh tumhe aur mazboot karti hai," he paused as he saw Mahoor's shoulder tremble a bit due to the cold.
He removed his shawl which was on his shoulders and spreaded it on hers, "Ghum har kisiko hai, takleef bhi, jab hum khul ke izhar nahi kar pate toh humari aakhein kar deti hai kyu ke alfaz kabhi humara dard nahi bayan kar sakte," Mahoor looked up and saw the shawl around her and he stepped back, "Aur yeh aankhon se behta pani iss baat ka saboot hai ki zinda ho tum. Jab bhi dil kare ro lia karo, logo ka nahi socho. Hum agar khul ke ro nahi sakte toh hasenge kaise? Hmm?"
Mahoor smiled genuinely, making his heart race in his chest.
She didn't expect consolation or any sweet words from the man standing in front of her.
She wiped away the fallen tears from her face and let out a puff of air.
She rubbed her hand softly and nodded, "Shukriya, mujhe yeh sab sunne ki bohot zarurat thi."
Indeed, she wanted to hear those words from someone to make her heart feel at ease.
And Altan did.
He crossed his hands over his chest, "Fikar nahi karo, main judge nahi karta."
Mahoor sighed and kept the tray down. She removed the shawl from her shoulders.
She moved ahead and carefully standing on her toes, she sprawled the cloth over his broad shoulders.
Goosebumps garnished every inch of his skin. Her gesture was unpredicted for him and hence his heart again found a new reason to beat rapidly.
The latter was frequently happening in just two days of his existence and for the first time in his life, he didn't have control of it.
Mahoor stepped back and picked up the platter of the glasses,"Main toh andar se shawl le lungi abhi jaa kar. Par aap ko kahi thand na lag jaye toh odhe rahiye yeh."
Now how could he feel an ounce of cold after he just got the warmth from her?
"Shukriya, mujhe judge nahi karne ke liye."
Altan didn't know what to reply to her so he
nodded and Mahoor left from there. He stood there watching her go inside the house.
He sighed seeing her disappear from his vision. He walked to the further corner of the aangan.
Arya came and stood beside him. Altan thanked the Lord for his presence as Arya would definitely come up with any rant and his attention would divert from Mahoor.
It was becoming dangerous for him, how much of a control and effect she had on him.
It wasn't too late to drop her away from his system yet the thought of pulling her out of his mind wasn't settling down with him.
There was a war going inside his head to either accept his feelings and go for her or just let her go and walk his way.
"Maine Mahoor ki baare mein sab pata kara liya hai."
Altan closed his eyes and heaved a breath.
He wanted a distraction from her and now it seemed she wasn't going to leave his mind, even if he'd move heaven and the earth.
Altan opened his eyes and murmured, "Bolo."
Arya sighed, "21 saal ki ladki hai. Pura naam hai, Mahoor Sinan Durrani. Baap zinda hai nahi, mar ke 8 saal ho chuke hai. Maa saath rehti nahi. America mein hai aur Mahoor akele Mumbai mein flat mein rehti hai joh uski maa Aina ke naam pe hai."
His face morphed into a few particles of distress, hearing she lived alone and her father was dead and her mother was absent from her life.
"Tourism padh rahi hai aur first year mein hai under graduation ki. Mumbai ki top college mein padh rahi scholarship ke through."
"Mehnati hai, ladki."
Arya agreed, "Woh toh hai."
Altan looked at Arya and raised his brow, "Dost, kaam kya karti hai, yeh sab?"
Arya rolled his eyes, "Sabr. Bata raha hu. Teen best friends hai jinka naam hai Vani, Robin aur Ayan. Influencer hai aur abhi abhi ek acting role bhi mila hai jiski shooting agle hafte Philippines mein hai aur woh Seyran uski behen ke saath waha jaa rahi hai teen mahino ke liye."
Altan was amazed by hearing about her information. He did not expect her to be a media person but who was he kidding? Everything about her felt unique.
"Yaha aane se pehle, she got into a fight with her college rival, Adhira. Mahoor only has some scratches or bruises on her face but Adhira has a fracture in her hand. The woman broke her bone, Bach ke rehna padega issey. Jitni seedhi hai utni baghi bhi."
Altan smirked proudly, "Sherni hai."
Arya's face dulled. His posture tightened in worry, "Altan".
"Hmm." He hummed but his eyes lit up seeing Mahoor standing on the stairs, giving a tray full of glasses to Zorawar.
Arya followed his gaze and saw what Altan was looking at. He sighed, "Yeh ladki ko zehen se nikaal do. Uske kuch khwab hain jis ke liye woh mehnat kar rahi hai. Humari duniya mein usey lana matlab uske har sapne ko aag lagana hai. Koi aur dhundlo, par isey jane do."
Altan listened to his ted talk keenly. He knew Arya was stating the facts which he already knew but did he care?
No.
He looked at Mahoor who was standing beside her mamu, chuckling a little at whatever he said.
Her long black hair dangled softly in the air. She wore a plain yet heavy satin navy blue gown and a golden dupatta which was heavily embroidered with golden threads hung on the left side of her shoulder. Two golden pearl sarasari kundan earrings swayed in her ears.
She kept her look minimal as her eyes were coated with a thick layer of Kohl which enhanced the color of her eyes. Her cheeks were covered in a soft pink hue and a brown pigment lipstick completed her look.
She wasn't wearing spectacles as he saw in the morning. He cannot even forget how mesmerizing she looked when she stood in front of his door, merely saving herself from falling.
The morning sight of her beauty was a vision to hold.
He wished to see it daily.
And Arya was asking him to give that up.
But would he?
Her eyes lifted and clashed with his. The chilly breeze tickled her face, making her silk locks soar in the air.
She smiled softly at him and his hand clenched.
"Der ho chuki hai ab."
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Pronunciations:-
Mahoor: Maa-hoor
Altan: Ul(Al)-taan
Seyran: Say-raan
Arya: Aar-yaa
How's the story so far?
Altan holding Mahoor's dupatta and stopping her from leaving is my favourite scene of this chapter ð¤
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