Chapter 15

"Yeh tumhare hath ko kya hua?" On lunch, Kubra saw Hyra's fingertips were red, and injured as if poked a needle there many times.

(What happened to your hands?)

Hanif Mirza's eyes also went to her hands.

"Yeh kya hua, Beta? Kaise hua yeh?" Worriedly, he asked. Hyra got hesitated under their gaze, not knowing what to say, she decided to tell the truth.

(What's that, dear? How did this happened?)

"Woh inke shirt ki button toot gayi thi. Bas wahi laga rahi thi."

(I was stitching his shirts button.)

"Ek button se aisa hua?" Hanif Mirza didn't ask anything further after hearing this, but Kubra still had questions.

(Your injured yourself stitching one button?)

"Ek button nahi tha. Unke kisi bhi shirt pe button nahi the." Hyra leaned toward Kubra and whispered.

(It was not just one button. I stitched button in all his shirts.)

"What?" Kubra become more shocked. Before she could ask something else, Hanif Mirza started the topic of ludo tournament which he is going to attend in the evening, in his tablet. He is one of the players too. Both girls heard him keenly, even if they were not really interested in it.

After lunch, Kubra went to Hyra's room to know what's the matter of shirts and buttons.

After hearing everything, Kubra smack her forehead. "Uff, tum log ko maloom hai koi bhi prank karogi toh sabse pehla shakk tumpe aur Uswa pe jata hai, toh aisa prank karo jisme faso hi na."

(When you two know whatever happens, you and Uswa are always the suspect, then do some kind of prank where you don't get caught.)

"Uswa ka plan tha. Full proof. Huh, fool proof." Hyra told her.

(It was Uswa's plan.)

"Prank ko chorho. Tum Hayder bhai ke samne itna darrti kyu ho?"

(Forget about the prank. Tell me why are you so scared of Hayder bhai?)

"Haan toh, apne kabhi dekha hai unko? Itne scary lagte hain." Putting her hands over her waist, Hyra told her. Unknown to her that her words offended Kubra. "Ankhein itni badi badi kali kali, Dracula jaisi, uppar se chalo chehra itna achha nahi toh kam se kam smile kiya kare, aise dekhte hain." Narrowing her eyes, Hyra tried to mimic Hayder's angry look, and failed miserably.

(Have you looked at him? He looks so scary.)

(His eyes are so big and dark like Dracula. And his face, even if he is not that good looking, the least he could do is smile, but he always look like this.)

"Itne achhe toh dikhte hain. Humare khandan mein sabse handsome hain." Kubra was quick to defend her brother.

(He looks handomse. He is the most handsome in our family.)

"Nahi, sabse handsome Shahzaib bhai hain. Maine aur Uswa ne rank di hai. Shahzaib bhai, Dawar bhai, Rafey bhai, fir Hayder." Proudly, Hyra was saying. As if Uswa and she have solved the most important case of their lives. Which they have. Once, Uswa and Hyra got into an argument who is most handsome in their family, Hyra said Rafey, Uswa was saying Dawar, until they saw Shahzaib walking in the lawn in black kurta pajama, and the mutually decided Shahzaib is most handsome. Sami asked for his rank, and once again both girls mutually decided that Sami's handsomeness is incomparable.

(No, Shahzaib bhai is most handsome in our family. Uswa and I have given them rank. Shahzaib bhai is firse, then Dawar bhai, then Rafey bhai, then Hayder.)

"Yaha beauty contest nahi chal raha hai. Aur chal bhi raha hai toh Shahzaib ko pata nahi kaha se 1st position mil gayi." Hyra opened her mouth to tell her the reason why Shahzaib is ranked 1 but Kubra showed her palm to her. "Woh sab chorho."

(You are not running a beauty contest, and even if you are, how could you give Shahzaib first position.)

(Leave that.)

"Theek hai Hayder bhai tumko lagte honge scary... lekin woh hain nahi." Gulping hard, she said those words, then hastily added.

(Hayder bhai may look scary to you... but he is not.)

"Tum na, unse dara mat karo. Shadi hui hai, aise darr darr ke puri zindagi thori rahogi. Himmat karo unke samne. Datein, toh suno nahi, defend karo khudko. Tumhari galti nahi toh bilkul daat na suno." Kubra was advising her while Hyra keep nodding her head.

(You should stop being scared of him. You are married to him, you can not be afraid of him all your life. Be strong. If he scolds him, don't listen to him, defend yourself. And if you are not at the fault, then don't listen to him at all.)

After Kubra was done giving Hyra courage, she went to the kitchen to take first aid box and apply ointment on Hyra's fingers.

•••

"Ab kaisa lag raha hai?" Laraib's mother- Nazish asked, as she put a tray on the bed.

(How are you feeling now?)

"Theek hai, lekin mera dil abhi bhi bohot ajeeb ho raha hai." Laraib, who was laying down, sat up when her mother entered the room.

(Fine, but I am still feeling weird.)

"Dawar ko bataya tumne apni tabiyat ka." Picking the bowl from tray, Nazish passed it to Laraib and asked.

(Did you inform Dawar about your health?)

It was the first time Nazish came to meet Laraib in her new home, and when she came, Laraib's body was burning in fever, and she had walked to the door with difficulty. Nazish quickly supported her to her room and went to make soup for her after hearing that she hadn't ate anything.

Slowly, Laraib shook her head.

"Achanak se tabiyat kaise kharab ho gayi?" Nazish again asked.

(How did you fall sick?)

"Pata nahi, meri toh subah ankh hi nahi khuli, pata hi nahi chala Dawar kab office chale gaye." Blowing the soup, Laraib answered.

(I don't know, I couldn't even wake up in the morning, I didn't know when Dawar left for office.)

"Usne tumhe jagaya bhi nahi?" On Nazish's question, Laraib shook her head.

(He didn't wake you up?)

"Sab theek haina tum dono ke beech?" Nazish again asked. She found it weird that Dawar didn't bother to wake Laraib or ask about her health. How could he not know she is sick.

(Is everything okay between you two?)

Once again, Laraib shook her head. There was nothing okay between them. Though, Dawar doesn't say it, and tries to be happy in her presence, but Laraib has noticed the distance between them. All because she wanted to move out.

"Maine kaha tha, Laraib, koi jaldbaazi ka faisla na lo. Tumhare alag ghar ke demand ki wajah se tumhara shohar tumse naraz ho gaya."

(I told you that, Laraib, don't take any hasty decision. But your wish to live separately has made your husband upset.)

"Toh aap kya chahti hain? Waha rehti? Aap janti hain mujhe nahi hai adat. Samiya ki shadi mein jab hum gaye the toh main hotel mein rahi thi, kyuki unke yaha bheed itni thi."

(Do you want me to stay there? You know I don't have habit of it. In Samiya's wedding, I stayed in a hotel.)

"Woh alag baat hai, yeh alag. Khair support toh uss waqt bhi maine tumko nahi kiya tha. Tumhari khala bohot khafa hui thi ki ghar hote hue bhi tum hotel ruki thi."

(That was different. And I wasn't happy woth that decision either. Your aunty was very upset that why Laraib is staying in the hotel.)

"Jab mujhe nahi pasand hai toh main kya karu? Mujhe nahi pasand har waqt ka shor, mujhe nahi pasand jiska jab dil karta mere kamre mein ajata, ya hum kahi bahar jaye toh Sami Uswa Hyra ko sath le jaye. Mujhe akele rehna pasand hai." Desperately, Laraib said. Dawar doesn't understand her, now her own is displeased by her.

(If I don't like it then what should I do? I don't like noise, I don't like that anyone can come to my room at anytime, or whenever We go out, we have to take Sami, Uswa, Hyra with us. I like to live alone.)

"Dawar naraz ho gaya woh tumhe achha lag raha hai? Yeh khali khali ghar tumhe achha lag raha hai? Subah se beemar ho koi nahi tha tumhara khayal rakhne ke liye, tumhe nashta dene ke liye. Yeh sab achha hai?"

(And you liked it now when Dawar is upset with you? You like This empty house? You are sick since morning and no one is here to take care of you, you like all of that?)

"Mummy, aap toh kam se kam aise baat na karein. Aap toh samjhe."

(Mummy, at least you don't talk like that. You should understand.)

"Laraib, tumhare sasural walo ka behaviour agar tumhare sath achha na hota toh main samajhti bhi. Lekin tumhari sass itni achhi lady hain, Uswa bhi itni pyari bachhi hai. Koi riwayeti sasural nahi tumhara. Mere time toh sab joint family mein rehte the, aur saas majal hai kabhi kisi bahu ki kadar karein, aur bhabhiyan bhi sari apni achhai mein hamesha baki dusro ki kamiyo pe tanz karti rehti. Jab meri nayi nayi shadi hui mujhe toh dusre din hi kitchen ka darwaza dikha diya tha tumhari dadi ne. Tumhari paidaish se pehle unki death ho gayi, zameeno ka batwara hua toh sarey bhai alag ho gaye, tum kabhi rahi nahi aise environment mein, rahi hoti, toh aaj kadar kar rahi hoti apne sasural ki." Nazish was trying to make her understand, but her words brought fear in Laraib's heart.

"Mummy, apki yahi baatein mujhe darati hain. Bachpan se leke aaj tak apne hamesha dadi, fuppo, badi mummy ke zulm ki kahani sunayi hai mujhe. Main bas nahi reh sakti joint family mein."

(Mummy, these things scares me the most. Since childhood you have told me the stories of how your in-laws tormented you. I just can't live in joint family.)

"Allah kab aqal ayegi tumhe, Laraib? Isliye nahi sunati ki darro, balki iss liye ki sasural mein kadam jamane ke liye efforts karne parhte hain."

(When will you become mature, Laraib? I don't tell you all of this to scare you, but to make you realise that you have to make efforts to win your in law's heart.)

"Aaj nahi toh kal Dawar maan jayenge. Main waha wapas nahi jaungi." But Laraib was adamant. Her mother's words made no impact on her.

(Dawar won't be upset with me always. I am not gonna move back.)

Nazish didn't say anything further. There was no use of it.

•••

Arzoo and Rabia were sitting in the lounge, watching t.v while talking about what to make in dinner when maid came thee and informed them that someone names Azma Randhawa is here to meet them.

"Azma Randhawa?" Arzoo heard this name for the first time, but Rabia recognises it.

"Tumhare bhai ke dost ki bhabhi hain." Rabia informed her, then told the maid to show Azma Randhawa living room, they will just come.

(She is sister-in-law of Asim's friend.)

"Lekin yeh yaha kyu ayi hain?" As Arzoo stood up, she asked, fixing her dupatta on her shoulder.

(But why she is here?)

"Pata nahi." Rabia shrugged her shoulder. Together, they both went to living room where Azma was already seated.

(I don't know.)

"Assalam-Alaikum." Standing up, Azma went to greet Rabia.

"Walekum-Assalam." Hugging her back, Rabia said. Azma then went to Arzoo to hug her. Both Rabia and Arzoo were taken aback by her friendly behaviour.

"Mrs. Mirza, main janti hoon aap mere unexpected visit se surprise hain, main seedhi baat karti hoon, main yaha apne bete Sarim ke rishte ke liye ayi hoon." Maid was serving them tea when Azma told them the reason behind her visit.

(Mrs. Mirza, I know you are surprised by my unexpected visit, I will come to the point, I am here for my son Sarim's proposal.)

Arzoo and Rabia, who were sitting opposite of her on the sofa, shared a look. They both had same thought, that Azma is here for Uswa.

Rabia opened her mouth to tell Azma that Uswa's marriage is already fixed with Rafey.

"Mujhe apki bhatiji bohot pyari lagi. Mujhe aisi hi larki chahiye thi Sarim ke liye." Azma added, without noticing their expression.

(I liked your niece a lot.)

"Maaf kariyega, lekin meri bhatiji ki shadi ho chuki hai." Rabia interrupted her. Azma, who was taking the saucer and cup from maid, looked at her with shock.

(I am sorry, but my niece is married.)

"Kab?" She was beyond shock. Did Sarim forgot to mention this fact, or was he unaware of this too?

(When?)

"Kafi time ho gaya." Arzoo added. She was liking this lady lesser by every minute. How could she come here for Hyra.

(It's been long time.)

"I am really sorry, mujhe maloom nahi tha. Mujhe toh laga... I am really sorry." Embarrassingly, Azma started apologising.

(I didn't know. I thought...)

"Koi baat nahi. Galti toh ho jati hai." Rabia assured her.

(It's okay. Mistakes happen.)

The air around them filled with awkward silence, Azma sipped her tea to avoid looking at either of the ladies.

"Waise bohot pyari bachhi hai Kubra, jiske bhi ghar gayi hai bohot khushnaseeb honge." Azma said, trying to be polite.

(Kubra is a really nice girl, whomever she is married to is very lucky.)

Rabia nods her head, indeed Hyra is good girl and Hayder is lucky to have her... Kubra? Rabia looked at Arzoo to see if she heard it right. Seeing Arzoo's expression, it was confirm that Azma said Kubra.

"Kubra? Aap Kubra ke proposal ke liye ayi hain?" Rabia asked.

(You are here for Kubra's proposal?)

"Ji?" Confusingly, Azma answered.

(Yes?)

"Oh, I am sorry. Mujge laga aap Arzoo ki beti Hyra ki baat kar rahi." Sheepishly, Rabia apologised.

(I am sorry, I thought you are talking about Arzoo's daughter Hyra.)

"What? Oh no, of course not. Hyra ki shadi ka toh maine suna tha." Laughing a little, Azma told them.

(I have heard about Hyra's marriage.)

Both Arzoo and Rabia was now ashamed. Because of their misunderstanding, they would have loss such a good proposal for Kubra.

•••

Rabia and Arzoo took Azma upstairs so Janif Mirza could meet her, and ask about Sarim.

"Assalam-Alaikum!" Hyra was the first person whom they met upstairs. Going to them, she greeted Azma then looked at mother with questionable eyes.

"Yeh meri beti hai, Hyra." Arzoo introduce them.

(That's my daughter Hyra.)

"Hyra! Baba hain?" When Hyra nods her head, Rabia told her to call Hanif Mirza in the living room.

(Hyra, is baba home?)

"Aur suno, Kubra se kaho taiyyar hoke chai bana de." Arzoo whispers in her ear as they went to living room.

(Listen, tell Kubra to get ready and make tea.)

Hyra become confused by this, but did what they told her to do. After calling Hanif Mirza, Hyra went to Kubra's room.

"Lekin aya kon hai?" Kubra asked, putting her phone down.

(But who came?)

"Pata nahi, koi lady hain. Bohot khoobsurat hain." Hyra couldn't help but the praise the lady whom she has met only for few minute.

(I don't know, it's a lady. She is very beautiful.)

"Woh khoobsurat hain toh mujhe kyu taiyyar hone ko keh rahe hain? Theek toh lag rahi hoon." Getting down from her bed, Kubra looked at herself and commented.

(Why are they telling me to get ready? I look good.)

She was wearing a plain brown loose-fitted shalwar and a long kameez. The fabric was soft and comfortable, with a subtle pattern that added a touch of elegance to the outfit. The brown color was warm and earthy, complementing her pale skin tone. Her face was clear of any make-up, revealing her natural beauty, hair was styled in a messy bun, with strands of hair falling out around her face. It was clear that she hadn't spent much time on her hair, but the casual style suited her. Her hair was thick and shiny, with a natural wave that added texture and movement to her look.

The only accessories she wore were gold stud earrings, which added a touch of sparkle to her outfit.

Kubra's appearance was casual a good to wear to relax at home. She liked it better. Unknown to her that the lady outside is here for her proposal.

•••

Azma Randhawa sat in the living room, her eyes scanning the room as she waited for Kubra to appear. She has met Kubra only once but under a different circumstance, the poor girl was stuck in rain and had to take refuge in her home.

As she waited, her eyes fell on Kubra's appearance. Who was coming in with Hyra. Azma's face lit up seeing her, but she was also surprised to see her dressed so casually.

Rabia and Arzoo, who had accompanied Azma because there are no ladies upstairs, were shocked at Kubra's appearance. They had expected her to be dressed in her best clothes, with her hair and make-up done. Azii had told Hyra to tell Kubra to get ready, but she had no idea why Kubra wasn't not ready. Her clothes weren't that bad, but at least she could have done make up and do her hair.

Kubra, on the other hand, was also shocked to see Azma. She had no idea that Azma was here. Suddenly, she felt embarrassed by her appearance, both times she has met Azma in such a situation where she is not best dressed up. Last time she was drenched in rain, and had towel wrapped around her, now she was wearing simple shalwar kameez which she only wears at home. Only if she had listen to Hyra. Nevertheless, she tried to put on a smile.

As Azma stood up to greet Kubra, she could sense her unease. She smiled warmly at her and introduced herself again.

Once again, Kubra was surprised by how kind and friendly Azma was. Smiling, Kubra went to sit with them. Azma asked her to sit with her.

"Mujhe Kubra bohot pasand hai." Holding Kubra's chin, Azma told them.

(I really like Kubra.)

"Aap bhi kisi din humare ghar aiye. Sarim se bhi mil lijiye." Azma was now talking to Hanif Randhawa, while Kubra felt her body turning cold.

(You should come to our house, you can meet Sarim too.)

Dress up, she like Kubra, to meet Sarim. This is why she was here. With wide eyes, Kubra looked at Arzoo, who have already senses her anxiety, and nods her head assuringly.

Kubra felt the air around her getting thick, as if she could not breath, while her throat dies up.

She couldn't make sense of what Azma and others were talking there, until she heard Rabia's voice.

"Hyra, jao beta Kubra ko kamre mein le jao." Rabia didn't want any more discussion to happen in Kubra's presence. They have yet to meet Sarim, they have yet to ask Hayder, Shahzaib, Asim about this, and Azma looked like as if she would put a ring in Kubra's finger anytime now.

(Hyra, take Kubra to her room.)

With Hyra, Kubra left the living room. Hyra seems happy with the proposal, as she was talking about Azma Randhawa, but Kubra made no comment about it. When she reached her room, she told Hyra that she wants to be alone.

Shrugging her shoulder, Hyra left her alone. She decided to go downstairs, she have to share this with Uswa too. Hyra was sure Uswa doesn't know this, because if she had, she would have come upstairs with everyone. And Hyra was right, Uswa was soundly sleeping in her room, unaware of everything.

•••

"Hyra, Hayder ko call karke kaho aaj jaldi ghar ajaye." After Azma left, Hanif Mirza was discussing with Arzoo and Rabia about the proposal when Hyra came there, and seeing her, Hanif told her.

(Hyra, call Hayder and tell him to come home soon.)

"Main?" Hyra's eyes widened, she looked at him expectedly, hoping for him to change his statement, but when he didn't, she went to call Hayder, unwillingly.

(I?)

"Allah pak please Hayder call receive na karein." Before dialling his number, Hyra prays. But her pray went unanswered, because he received her call on second ring.

(I hope he doesn't attend the call.)

"Hello!" Hayder's voice made her drop her phone again. This morning, after he left for office, she stitches all the buttons in his shirts. She neck and arms were paining because of it, and her heart was still upset over the fact how he scolded her when she was trying to help.

"Hyra?" When no answer came from her side, Hayder called her.

It startled her, wiping the sweat off from her forehead, she mustered up the courage. "Aap aaj ghar jaldi ajaiyega." As soon as Hyra said that, she smacked her forehead. She didn't mean it that way.

(Come home soon tonight.)

"What?" Hayder was surprised by her demand.

"Baba keh rahe the." Meekly, she added.

(Baba was saying.)

"Achha? Koi kaam tha?" His voice was monotonous.

(Alright? Is there some work?)

"Kaam?" Hyra scratches her head, Hanif Mirza didn't mention why he is calling Hayder early. "Pata nahi." After thinking hard, she answered.

(Work?)

(I don't know.)

"Theek hai, baba se kehna ajaunga jaldi. Aur kuch?"

(Okay, tell Baba I will come early. Anything else.)

"Nahi, bas." Hyra shook her head, as if Hayder could see her through phone.

(No,)

"Theek hai, rakhta hoon." He disconnected the call, and Hyra took a relief breath out.

(Fine, I will hang up now.)

•••

Like Hayder told her, he came home early, Shahzaib was with him too. Both men had no idea why they were called early today.

But Hanif Mirza gave them no answer, he was playing the tournament, it was the final round, and very important to him.

"Main tab tak fresh ho jata hoon." Shahzaib and Hayder both have directly came to his room, but now when he doesn't want to talk, Shahzaib excused himself and left. Hayder also excused and left.

(I will get fresh until then.)

When Hayder entered his room, Hyra was sitting on the sofa, her feet placed on table, and laptop on her lap.

Seeing him, she quickly put the laptop aside, and stood up. Fixing her dupatta on her shoulder. Hayder saw white bandages on her fingertips.

"Assalam-Alaikum!"

"Yeh hath pe kya hua tumhare?" Coming in, he asked. He hadn't even answered her.

(What happened to your hands?)

"Yeh... buttons laga rahi thi toh...." Looking at her hands, Hyra told him.

(This... I was stitching the buttons...)

"Konsi buttons?" Hayder had an idea of what buttons, but still asked to confirm.

(What buttons?)

"Apke shirts ki buttons." Looking up at him, she answered. Expecting him to be great full of her.

(Your shirts buttons.)

"Tum pagal ho? Dimagh nahi hai?" And this was not the reaction she was expecting, but what else she should expect from him.

(Are you crazy? Don't you have brain?)

"Kisne kaha tha buttons lagane ko?" Taking her hands, he examine it to see if there is any other injury.

(Who told you to stitch buttons?)

"Aa.. apne..." Nervously, she told him. Trying to step back, but his hold on her hands tightened.

(Y... you.)

"Maine? Maine kab kaha?"

(Me? When did I say?)

"Subah..."

(In the morning...)

"Sirf ek shirt mein lagane ke liye kaha tha, tumse kab kaha ki sari shirts mein button lagao,"

(I told you to stitch button in one shirt. When did I tell you to stitch buttons in every shirt,)

"Toh dusre din fir kehte..."

(Next day you would hai...)

"Tailor ke paas theek ho jati. Subah iss liye kaha kyuki late ho raha tha main office ke liye. Aaj sari shirts main waise bhi Shahzaib ko de deta tailor ke paas le jane ke liye." Taking a deep breath, he left her hand and told her.

(Tailor would have fix that. I told you to stitch button in the morning because I was getting late. I would have given all shirts to Shahzaib who would have get it fix from tailor.)

"Tum mein zara si aqal nahi? Itna common sense toh hona chahiye na."

(Don't you have any common sense?)

Hyra's eyes brimmed in tears, she did a good deed, and that's how he is repaying her by calling her crazy. The least he could do is thank her.

"Main toh..." Sniffing, she bowed her head down and started explaining.

(I was...)

"Rehne do. Tum abse ek kaam nahi karogi. Kitchen mein jao toh kuch na kuch girati ho, button lagane ko kaha pehle mere lagi, fir apne hath ko zakhmi kar liya, tumhe ata kya hai."

(Leave it. You won't do any work now. If you go to kitchen you drop something there, if I ask you to stitch button, first your pierced the needle in my chest then injured your hands. What can you do.)

All the courage that Kubra gave her, jumped off from the window, as she couldn't even look at Hayder now. She just stood there, looking at the floor.

Shaking his head, Hayder left the room.

"Sab kaam ata hai mujhe." She said in empty room, what she couldn't say in front of him.

(I can do everything.)

Sitting on the sofa, she was rambling, angrily. "Apko hi nahi dikhta, har waqt toh datte hain, gusse ke agey dekhenge toh dikhega na. Gabbar Singh ke Ustad."

(You just don't see it, you only know how to scold me, how will you see my works beyond your anger. Gabbar Singh's master.)

She didn't notice Hayder returning back to the room and he heard her.

And this was the first time he heard his nickname Gabbar Singh ke Ustad.

He didn't say anything, and again left the room.

•••

"Sarim toh bohot achha hai, lekin mujhe samajh nahi aya uski mother ne kaha dekha Kubra ko?" This was the first question Shahzaib asked when heard about Sarim's proposal.

(Sarim is a good boy, but I don't understand one thing when did his mother meet Kubra?)

"Meri shadi mein Feroz Randhawa aye the, shayad unhone bataya ho." Hayder answered.

(Feroz Randhawa came to my wedding, maybe he told her about Kubra.)

"Jaha bhi dekha ho, mujhe toh woh kafi achhi lagi, aur fir tumhare walime mein maine Sarim ko bhi dekha tha, baat toh nahi hui lekin makool laga mujhe." Hanif Mirza told them.

(Wherever she has saw her, I like that lady, and I have seen Sarim in your reception, he seems like a good boy.)

"Agar apko achha lag raha hai, Baba, toh kisi din hum unke ghar chalte hain." Hayder said. Even he has met Sarim Randhawa few times and he liked that boy.

(If you like him then we will go to their house some day.)

"Sunday ko bulaya hai unhone." The men decided everything on their own, forgetting to ask Kubra about her consent.

(She have invited us on Sunday.)

•••

After talking to Hanif Mirza, Hayder returned to his room which was now empty, Hyra must be in the kichen. Going to his cupboard, he took out kurta pajama to wear when his fall on the shirts hanging there. He hold the sleeves of one shirt and recalled how Hyra stitched the buttons of all his shirts, and he has scolded her for that. Guilt took over him.

She did all of this because she was afraid of his wrath, and once again, he scolded her, proving her that his anger could not change.

He scratches his forehead, thinking he should at least appreciate her efforts.

•••

"Tumne toh mujhe bataya hi nahi tum Sarim ke ghar gayi thi." Zara was complaining on the phone. Hanif Mirza has told Minal about Sarim's proposal, and Zara heard it too, she quickly called Kubra to know everything. She was shocked when heard that Kubra has met Azma Randhawa before.

(You didn't tell me that you went to Sarim Randhawa's house.)

"Zehen se utar gaya, ussi din toh Hyra aur Hayder bhai ke barey mein maloom hua tha. Aur fir yeh itni ahem baat toh nahi thi." Kubra was making tea in the kitchen while her phone was attached in between her shoulder and ear.

(It slipped off from my mind, that day I also got to know about Hyra and Hayder bhai's relationship. And this was not that important.)

"Yeh ahem nahi? Tumhara rishta agaya aur tum keh rahi ho ahem nahi."

(It's not important? She came here with your proposal and you are saying it's not that important?)

"Mujhe kya pata tha woh rishta le ayengi." Adding ginger to the tea, Kubra said. "Aur mere yeh samajh nahi araha ek mulaqat mein kon bahu pasand karta hai."

(I had no idea she will come here with a proposal.)

(How could she like someone for her son in just first meeting?)

"Buddhu, Bahu nahi pasand ki hai ek nulaqat mein. Balki Sarim Randhawa ko tum pasand thi. Bas yeh confirm nahi ki school time se pasand thi ya ab jake usne pasand kiya." Zara was in very happy mood after hearing this. When she first met Sarim, she didn't mention it to Kubra, but she was hoping something would happen between Sarim and Kubra.

(Idiot, she didn't like you in first meeting. It is Sarim Randhawa who likes you. I am just not sure if he liked you since school or now.)

"Achha woh chorho, tum batao, tumhe kaisa lagte hain Sarim Randhawa?"

(Forget all of that, tell me what do you think about Sarim Randhawa?)

"Pata nahi." Holding her phone with her hand, Kubra leaned her back on the countertop.

(I don't know.)

"Matlab?

(What do you mean?)

"Matlab mujhe shadi nahi karni." Kubra told her, irritatedly. She went to the shelf to take cups out.

(I mean I don't want to marry yet.)

"Kyu nahi karni? Rafey ki wajah se." Zara wasn't really asking, she was sure Kubra is refusing only because of Rafey.

(Why not? Are you saying this because of Rafey?)

"Nahi, Rafey ki wajah se nahi. Bas mujhe nahi karni shadi."

(No, not because of Rafey. I just don't want to marry.)

Kubra likes Rafey, but that does not mean she is gonna stuck on that phase all her life, she was just not ready to move on yet.

Hayder heard Kubra when he was coming to the kitchen to ask for tea, and froze on the doorway. Kubra didn't see him, as her back was facing the doorway.

Before Kubra could turn, Hayder left from there, not wanting her to know that he heard her.

•••

"Mom, kya zaroorat thi Kubra ke ghar jane ki? Kya sochegi woh?" When Azma Randhawa told Sarim she went to Kubra's house, she was expecting him to be happy, but his reaction was complete opposite of being happy.

(Mom, why did you go to Kubra's house? What will she think?)

"Aap do din pehle hi mili hain ussey, aur aaj rishta leke chali gayi, maine kaha tha abhi ruk jaye."

(You just met her two days ago, and today you went to her home with proposal, I told you to wait for some time.)

"Haan toh tumhare kehne pe kaam karu main? Tumhari agar sunne baithu tum toh saalo tak kahoge abhi sahi waqt nahi. Itni pyari bachhi hai, tumhe shayad shadi ki jaldi na ho, lekin uske ghar wale kahi aur uska rishta kar dein toh?" Azma defended herself, as well as scolded him.

(I am not supposed to do anything according to you. If I listen to you, you will tell me to wait for years. Maybe you are not in hurry to marry yet, but what if her family fixes her marriage with someone else.)

"Still, kya soch rahi hogi woh?" Sitting on the sofa, he asked her.

(Still, what must be she thinks of me?)

"Kuch bhi nahi soch rahi hogi, itna achha rishta hai, waha pe sab hi khush the."

(I am sure she is not thinking anything wrong. It is such a good proposal, everyone was happy.)

"Na khush bhi honge toh apke samne toh zahir karne se rahe." Sarim was still not happy with the fact. He likes Kubra, and wants to marry her, but all of this is happening too quickly. What if she will get wrong impression of him.

(Even if anyone was unhappy, the wouldn't show it to you.)

•••

What about Rafey? Hayder keep thinking about what he heard from Kubra. Her refusal didn't affect him, if she does not want to marry Sarim, no one is going to force her, but Rafey? What was she saying about Rafey. What Rafey had to do with anything? He is engaged to Uswa, why would Kubra refuse because of him. Hayder keep thinking about all the possibilities. Still didn't come to any conclusion. But one decision he has made, that he would reject Sarim's proposal. Kubra's happiness matters the most to him.

•••

"Par, mana karne ki wajah? Kam se kam ek baar mil toh lein Sarim se." Hanif Mirza was shocked when next morning Haydet told him to refuse Azma Randhawa.

(But, what's the reason to reject Sarim? At least we should meet him once.)

"Baba, mujhe lag raha hai yeh sab bohot jaldi ho raha hai. Abhi Kubra ki umr hi kya hai,"

(Baba, I think all of this are happening very quickly. Kubra is still very young.)

"Par, bhai, Sarim wakai mein bohot achha hai." Shahzaib was in the favour of Sarim, but one glare from Hayder made him shut his mouth.

(But, bhai, Sarim is a good guy.)

Hanif Mirza couldn't say anything further, because Hyra and Kubra came to the dining table with breakfast.

"Yeh batao, ab tak koi cook nahi mili tumhe?" Hayder looked at Shahzaib and asked.

(You haven't found any cook yet?)

"Aaj ek ayengi," Shahzaib informed him.

(She will come today.)

•••

How's it? Do vote and comment ❤️

-Ufaq