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Should I write the translations with the dialogues?

Almeer(18)

Almeer Khan sighed heavily as he watched Shadaab and Khurram's figures vanish into the distance, a sense of disappointment and frustration settling over him at their apparent cowardice. With a silent curse, he silently wished them ill fortune for their failure to confront the truth.

Turning his attention to his wife, Aynoor, who was still engrossed in her playful antics with the rabbits and ducks, Almeer couldn't help but feel a twinge of irritation. How could she be so carefree in the face of their uncertain future, whispering what seemed like nonsense into the rabbit's ear as if it were her confidante?

Shaking his head in exasperation, Almeer made his way towards Aynoor, his irritation evident in his demeanor as he approached her.

"Aye ladki!" Almeer called out, his frustration evident in his tone as he struggled to capture her attention. Aynoor glanced at him briefly before returning her focus to her playful pursuits, seemingly oblivious to his presence. Almeer's incredulity grew.

"Tum se baat kar raha hu mai, behri hogyi ho kya?" Almeer's voice took on a stern edge, but Aynoor remained unperturbed. With a nonchalant air, she rose from the ground, paying little heed to the dirt that clung to her clothes, and approached him.

"Behri toh nahi hu, lekin shayad aap andhe hai. Dikhta nahi mai khel rahi hu?" she retorted, her demeanor surprisingly immature for her age as she placed her hands on her hips in a defiant stance, ready to challenge him like a seasoned fighter.

Almeer couldn't help but notice the smudges of mud adorning Aynoor's clothes, her innocent face contrasting sharply with the disarray of her appearance. Despite himself, he found her undeniably adorable-if she weren't his wife, he might have been tempted to twirl her around in delight.

But the weight of his father's decree hung heavily over him, casting a shadow over any semblance of joy. The forced marriage loomed ominously, threatening to unravel his sense of control and composure.

"Badon se baat karne ki tameez nahi hai tumhe?" he chided, attempting to maintain a serious demeanor. Instead of showing any sign of remorse, Aynoor met his gaze with a fierce defiance.

"Aap mujhe bacha samajhte hai? poore 11 saal ki hu mai?" she shot back, proudly displaying her ten fingers. Almeer stifled a laugh at her innocent assertion, momentarily amused by her innocence.

"Toh badi ladki, please mere saath chalo ghar jaana hai der horahi hai hume," he implored, lowering himself to her eye level in a bid to convey the urgency of their situation.

"Mai aapke saath kyu jaaun?" Aynoor's suspicion was palpable as she scrutinized Almeer's intentions. He sighed inwardly, resisting the urge to facepalm at her naivety.

"Kyu k abhi abhi tumhare bhai ne kaha mujhse k mai tumhara khayal rakhu aur tumhe apne sath lejaun," Almeer explained gently, his voice tinged with a mixture of resignation and compassion. He couldn't blame her for her brother's actions, nor could he bear to subject her to the weight of his anger and grief.

"Kya, sach bol rahe hain?" Aynoor's narrowed gaze bore into him, her innocence shining through. Almeer nodded earnestly, hoping to reassure her. With a cautious nod, she acquiesced, and together they made their way to his wagon, the weight of their uncertain future hanging heavy in the air.

Almeer's expression reflected the inner conflict raging within him. He wasn't prepared for the weight of responsibility thrust upon him-after all, he was just 18 years old. How could he possibly navigate the complexities of being a husband to an 11-year-old girl? Yet, despite his apprehensions, he had made a silent vow to himself: he would shield Aynoor from the consequences of his own family. No matter what transpired, this innocent girl would not be made to suffer for the sins of others.

Meanwhile, Aynoor's eyes widened in astonishment as she caught sight of Almeer's car. With uncontainable excitement, she bounded around him, her curiosity piqued.

"Ye aapki hai?" she asked eagerly, her enthusiasm infectious.

Almeer observed Aynoor's excitement as she gazed at his car with wide eyes brimming with anticipation.

"Haa ye meri hai," he replied tersely, his tone betraying his inner turmoil.

"Mai isme baith k jaaungi?" she inquired, her fingers delicately tracing the sleek exterior of the G-wagon.

"Haan ladki! chalo ab mera dimag na khao," he responded, ushering her towards the open door and allowing her to climb inside.

Aynoor bounced onto the seat, her eyes sparkling with wonder as she took in her surroundings. "Ye toh kitni naram naram hai! Mere palang se bhi zyada. Mai toh yahi rahungi!" she exclaimed in delight, her infectious joy momentarily lifting Almeer's spirits. With a subtle smile, he ensured the window was closed before taking his place in the driver's seat, prepared to navigate the uncertain road ahead.

»»---->

Not a moment passed after the car started before Aynoor's incessant chatter interrupted Almeer's brief moment of peace.

"Shah bhai kab aayengy?" she inquired, her gaze fixed on him with hopeful curiosity. However, at the mention of Shadaab's name, Almeer's temper flared.

"Nahi aayega wo. Ab mere sath he rehna hai tumhe," he replied firmly, causing her eyes to well up with tears.

"Kyu? Maine toh koi shararat nahi ki, phir wo aisa kyu karengy?" she protested innocently, her confusion palpable.

"Wo toh main bhi nahi jaanta k usne aisa kyu kiya," Almeer admitted, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.

"Ab mai kya karu gi, meri amma jaan mujhe dhoond rahi hongi," Aynoor lamented, her voice trembling with sorrow. Almeer's heart ached at the sight of her tears, and he turned towards her with a heavy sigh.

"Chocolate khao gi?" he offered, hoping to distract her from her distress. Instantly, her demeanor brightened, and she eagerly forgot her troubles at the prospect of chocolate.

"Aap mujhe chocolate denge?" Aynoor asked hopefully, her eyes brightening with anticipation. Almeer nodded in response.

"Haa agar tum rona band karo toh," he replied, trying to hide his amusement as she quickly wiped away her tears and sniffles with her chaddar. Suppressing a cringe, he coughed to compose himself, realizing just how endearing he found her innocence.

It wasn't her fault that she was the cutest creature he had ever seen, but it also filled him with a sense of apprehension. Aynoor's innocence was both charming and concerning, a delicate balance that Almeer couldn't help but feel responsible for maintaining.

"Nahi roya maine..." Aynoor insisted, looking at him with earnest eyes. Almeer nodded, still maintaining a stern expression despite the twinge of amusement at her innocence.

Reaching into a compartment in his car, he retrieved a large chocolate bar, assuming that after crying, she might appreciate a sizable treat. However, the puzzled expression on her face caught him off guard.

"ITNI BADI?!!!" Aynoor exclaimed, her eyes widening in astonishment as she stared at the oversized chocolate bar. Almeer couldn't help but be amused by her reaction.

"Chahiye ya nahi?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her. Without hesitation, she eagerly grabbed the chocolate and tore off the wrapper. However, before taking a bite, she paused and looked at him.

"Amma jaan toh mujhe bas us din toffee deti thi jab mai test mai ache number laati thi. Aur toffee bhi itni choti," she explained, indicating the small size with her forefinger and thumb. Almeer's smile widened as he realized she came from a poor background.

"Chalo ab khalo zyada bakwas na karo," he chuckled, returning his attention to the road and driving carefully.

In the span of five minutes, she had finished the chocolate, surprising Almeer with how quickly she could eat. He decided not to comment on it, but the silence didn't last long as she resumed her chatter.

"Mai aapko kya keh k bulaau?" She said, licking her fingers which were covered with chocolate.

"Kuch b nahi," he replied, fetching some tissues from the tissue box and handing them to her. "Haath saaf karo inse."

She took the tissue and nodded. "Aap mere kya lagte hai?" she asked again.

He sighed at this question and replied hesitantly, "Shohar."

"Wo kya hota hai?" she looked at him with eyes full of confusion, and he sighed. "Kuch nahi hota wo, ladki."

She kept quiet for a while, but then she asked again, "Shohar ji, aapki koi behan hai?"

"Nahi," he replied. She pouted, saying seriously, "Mai aapke ghar nahi jaaungi." He was surprised at her tone.

"Kyu?" he asked.

"Jab aapki koi behan nahi hai toh mai aapke ghar mai khelu gi kis k sath aur aapka ghar toh kitna door hai Kamal waha kaise aayegi?" She was trying to act serious, but what seriousness could come from an 11-year-old?

"Mai tumhari dost ko le aaya karu ga....." he said, trying to assure her.

"Is gaadi mai?" she asked happily.

"Haa," he replied, unsure of what else to say.

"Iss gaadi mai aap mujhe ghar bhi lejaiye ga. Mujhe ye gaadi bohat achi lagi hai." She was smiling, but his jaw tightened at her words, and he completely ignored her statement. Oblivious to his mood, she continued, "Ye gaadi aapko kaha mili?"

Now he was irritated beyond limits at her questions. "Sadak pe padi hui mili toh mai utha laaya," he said seriously.

"Heinn?? Aisa bhi hota hai?" she asked again, and he felt like slamming his head on the steering wheel at how clueless she was.

"Aap mujhe aisi gaadi lekar denge?" she asked with so much innocence and hope he couldn't hold back his words, "Haa, jab tum meri jitni badi hojau gi toh le dunga."

"Sachi???" she asked excitedly.

"Muchi," he replied, and she laughed in excitement.

Almeer looked a little tense as Khan Haveli came into view. He stopped his car a little distance from the haveli and turned to her.

"Apni chaddar mujhe do," he ordered. She looked at him with wide eyes, and he smiled, relieved that she wasn't extremely dumb.

"Nahi," she said curtly. He smiled at her and handed her a couple of wet tissues.

"Ye lo, apna chehra saaf karlo," he said, flipping the sun visor where there was a mirror. She craned her neck to see the dirt on her face from the time she was playing in the farm. The chatterbox was a little bit ashamed now.

"Laao, apni chaddar do, is par se mitti mai saaf kar dun," he said calmly, and she handed her chaddar to him.

He very delicately scraped off the dirt and then dusted it a few times until he was assured it didn't look dirty anymore. While doing this, he didn't care about the pieces of dirt flying here and there in his beloved car, almost as if he did not care.

"Chalo meri taraf dekho," he ordered, and she turned to him. Very carefully, he wrapped the chaddar around her frame, making sure everything was covered, while Aynoor was busy looking at the cats outside their car. Just then, he got a message from his father who was calling him to one of their farms. He sighed and looked at her.

"Tum seedha Haveli ke andar jana. Aur haan, kissi se koi fazul kism ki baat na karna. Mai kuch der mein aa jaunga lekin mujhe tumhari shikayat na mile, thik hai?" he advised her.

"Mai akeli kyu jaun? Aap bhi aayein na... Kahi aap mujhe kisi aur ke ghar toh nahi le aaye? Mazak toh nahi kar-" she was cut off.

"Chup hojao aur ek dum khamoshi se andar jao. Aur haan, koi mulazim mile toh kehna tumhe Khan ke kamre mein chord de, samjhi?" he asked. Instead of answering, another question faced him.

"Kon Khan?" she asked curiously, bending closer to him. Leaning backwards, he seethed.

"Jao, bolna!"

She gave him puppy eyes and said cutely, "Jaati hu na, gussa kyu karte hain." She left the car, and he looked at her tiny figure waddling like a duckling until she entered the Haveli and shook his head with a sigh.

"Pagleth."

»»---->

Aynoor entered the palace-like haveli with awe written all over her face as she looked around, taking in the intricate details of the royal setting. She searched for someone who could guide her to Khan's room, and soon enough, a polite and pleasant-looking woman approached her, asking, "Kon ho tum?" Aynoor looked at the lady and smiled politely.

"Mai Aynoor hu, Aynoor Khurram Shah," she said, a hint of pride in her voice. But the woman before her wore an expression of pain and hurt. It was Khanum, Almeer's mother. She had anticipated something like this happening, but seeing Aynoor, so young and innocent, broke her heart. Khanum gently caressed Aynoor's face with sympathy and asked, "Tumhe yaha kon laya hai?"

Aynoor responded, "Mujhe yaha wo neeli aankho wala ladka laaya hai. Aapko pata hai, bohat ache they. Wo daant-te toh bohat hai lekin unhone mujhe chocolate bhi di." She started rambling, making Khanum smile. Despite her relief that her son hadn't treated the girl harshly, Khanum couldn't shake off her disappointment at his decision to marry Aynoor and the path it could lead to.

"Tum-" Khanum's words were caught in her throat when Zoya harshly pulled Aynoor towards her by her hair, eliciting a scream of pain from Aynoor. Zoya snatched her chaddar and threw it away, her anger palpable.

"Tum ho us kaatil ki behan?!" Zoya asked with a harsh slap on Aynoor's soft cheek, causing her to fall to the ground. Khanum stood there motionless, knowing that this was Aynoor's fate and her family had thrown her into this.

"Utho, mujhe tumhari ye manhoos shakal dekhni hai," Zoya said as she pulled Aynoor up by her hair. Aynoor was too shocked and pained to utter a word. Zoya landed another slap on her cheek, almost making her fall again, and declared, "Tumhari zindagi tabaah kardungi mai," followed by another slap.

"Mere bache ko duniya mai aane se pehle he yateem kardiya," she said with venom, landing a couple more slaps until Khanum couldn't take it anymore. She intervened, coming in front of Aynoor and holding her hand.

"Chhod do issey, Zoya. Is bachi ka koi kasoor nahi," Khanum pleaded. But Zoya was blinded by rage.

"GULEY!!! GULEY!!" Khanum called their maid, instructing her to take the crying Aynoor to Almeer Khan's room.

»»---->

Aynoor was crying non-stop, her face red from the pain. Guley made her enter Almeer's room and placed her on the couch. Aynoor looked around, tears still streaming down her face.

"Tum yahi ruko, mai dawaai lekar aati hu," Guley said sympathetically to her. Aynoor didn't respond. Guley returned with a first aid box, ice packs, and water. She gave her painkillers and medicine for inflammation, applying some cream on her cheeks. Then she instructed Aynoor to put ice packs on both of her cheeks. Aynoor winced at the first touch of the ice packs, but soon the pain started to fade away.

"Mujhe bhook lagi hai," Aynoor told Guley, who looked at her with pity and said, "Tum yahi raho, mai kuch laati hu." Aynoor nodded in response.

In the kitchen, Guley was preparing some food for Aynoor when Zoya came in, seething with anger.

"Ye be-waqt bhook kise lagi hai?" she almost yelled.

"Bibi ji, wo jo ladki aayi hai na," Guley tried to explain.

"Wah, tum kahi usey yaha ki malkin toh nahi maan baithi na? Jo itni khidmat kar rahi ho?" Zoya seethed, her eyes burning with fury.

"N... nahi nahi bibi ji, usne kaha-" Guley's words were cut off.

"Chup!! Koi khana nahi khayegi wo, mar jaaye bhook se," Zoya ordered, her voice dripping with malice.

»»---->

At night, Almeer entered his room, his tired eyes scanning the darkness. His hands carried two paper bags which he placed on the table before looking around the room carefully. Swiftly, he switched on the lights, and his gaze landed on the figure on the couch. Relief washed over him.

"Bak bak bandariya soo rahi hai," he smiled to himself and went towards the washroom to freshen up. When he emerged, he noticed she was sitting up, but why did it look like she had been crying? Concern etched on his face, he swiftly moved towards her.

"Tum roo rahi ho?" he asked gently.

"Nahi!!! Hass rahi hu mai. Mujhe nahi rehna yaha, bure hain aap log mujhe ghar bhej dein, khuda k liye please...." she cried again.

But he seemed to be in a trance, looking at her face, which was starting to show signs of bruising. There was a split on her lip, and rage coursed within him. He gripped the side of his sofa and started taking deep breaths, his nostrils flaring. Gathering all his courage, he asked the question he already knew the answer to.

"Ye sab.... ye sab kya hua hai?" She looked at him with so many complaints in her eyes, and he felt ashamed for the first time in his life. Her silence felt like a slap to his face.

"Puuch raha hu na main kuch!! Kisne kiya ye sab?" he asked again. Somehow, Aynoor felt safe again in his presence, and she burst out.

"Mujhe kya pata kaun thi. Bilkul he bhains jaisi thi. Aapke ghar mein toh sab ajeeb hai. Maine toh kuch nahi kiya tha. Mai toh aapki mehmaan hu na? Kya yaha mehmaano ke saath aisa he saluuk hota hai?" she started ranting, her eyes flowing non-stop.

"Unse galati hogayi, Noori, mai unki taraf se tumse maafi maangta hu aur I promise k aaj k baad tumhe koi haath bhi nahi lagayega," he assured, and she somehow calmed down.

Both of them were in complete silence. Almeer Khan Aafandi, now the heir to the "Murshid" title, was sitting at the feet of an 11-year-old girl-his baby wife. While Aynoor was finally calm after his apology, she began feeling hunger inside her. She looked at Almeer, who was immersed in his thoughts, still sitting on the floor, and nudged him a bit.

"Bhook lagi hai," the tone she used almost brought tears to his eyes. He coughed, trying to erase the pang in his chest, and shook his head. He got up and went towards the paper bags he had placed on the table. He also fetched a water bottle from his mini-fridge and placed it near her on the table. Unconsciously, he sat on the floor in front of her again and started unpacking the food. If his father were to see him like this-on the floor, serving food at the feet of a girl-he would have been furious, because Almeer Khan Aafandi was a literal prince.

"Ye kya hai?" she asked, looking at the container he had for himself. He hadn't had dinner himself and had bought Biryani for her and Noodles for himself. She peeped into his noodles and he offered her some.

"Ye noodles hai, tum khao gi?" he asked, and she instantly smiled and nodded her head. He handed her the fork and also the container.

She tried multiple times to scoop them onto the fork, but each time they slipped off, and now she was getting irritated. Almeer was barely containing his laughter.

"Dekho, mai sikhata hu tumhe," he said, taking the fork from her and swirling the noodles around it. She looked at him with pure admiration.

"Aap ko toh sab aata hai," she said. He smiled and handed her the fork, and she tried to do the same as him but failed again. Aynoor looked at him with so much hope in her eyes.

"Tum biryani khaalo," he said quickly. She shook her head and said, "Mujhe poodle he khane hai." Almeer choked out a laugh, and she looked at him in awe.

"Poodle nahi, noodle hota hai, Pagli," he smiled.

"Aap mujhe kitne naam denge, kabhi Pagli, kabhi ladki, kabhi Noori, kabhi kuch..." she complained. Almeer's mouth hung open.

"Maine tumhe Noori kab bola?" he blinked, trying to remember, and then it clicked.

"Abhi. Aap mujhe Noori he bola karein mujhe koi aur Noori nahi bolta," she said, and he nodded, for whatever reason.

"Ye aap mujhe khila dein," she pointed at the noodles, and he looked at her as if she was crazy.

"Mai tumhari dayi amma nahi hu, jo tumhe khana khilata phiru. Chup chaap khao," he said, taking a spoonful of biryani. She pouted and sat down on the floor with him, and only then did he realize that he, Almeer Khan Aafandi, was sitting on the floor at her feet. He felt a surge of emotions within him, but she didn't give him enough time to compose himself.

"Please na, dekhein mujhe chot bhi aayi hai, khila dena. Thanda hojayega, nahi toh," she pleaded. The moment he sighed, Aynoor knew she had convinced him. Almeer took the bowl from her hands and started feeding her. The first spoonful made her eyes widen at how tasty it was. With her mouth full, she exclaimed, "mmmmmmm, kitna yum-" and suddenly she started choking.

Almeer quickly rushed to her side, holding her close while patting her back and giving her water. He seemed to be panicking more than she was. "Saans lo!!! Naak se saans lo, pagal!! Marna hai kya Noori?!!! Saans lo, nahi toh jaan se maar dunga tumhe mai..." he said urgently, tapping her back with a little more force. Finally, she was able to breathe again, and beads of sweat formed on Almeer's temples as they flowed down. After Aynoor caught her breath, they shared a moment of eye contact, and then burst into laughter, filling the room with their joy. Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.

"Ab tum chup chaap Biryani khao gi, aur ek awaaz na aaye," he said with a smile, and she nodded obediently, ready to enjoy her meal without any more mishaps.

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