Chapter 16

"Itna achha larka hai, Asim bhi bata raha tha Randhawas kafi shareef log hain." Hayder didn't tell anyone why he refused for the proposal, and Hanif Mirza was in foul mood since Hayder left.

(Sarim is a nice guy, even Asim was telling me about Randhawas, they are decent people.)

"Sarim mera bhi achha dost hai, mujhe toh woh achha laga." Shahzaib was also not in good mood.

(Sarim has become my good friend, I liked him for Kubra.)

"Ek toh iss larke ka gussa bhi toh nahi samajh ata, bewajah gussa karta hai."

(I can not understand Hayder's anger, be gets angry without a reason.)

"Humne toh jo plan socha tha woh bhi theek se execute nahi kar paye." Shahzaib added.

(We couldn't even execute our plan properly.)

"Dimagh kharab jo kar deta hai yeh." Hanif Mirza grunts. They could never talk like this in front of Hayder, and that's why they were discussing it now.

(Because he spoils our mood.)

Hyra came there with tea, and placed it on the table.

"Hyra bachhe, tumse kuch kaha Hayder ne kyu mana kar raha hai?" Hanif Mirza asked to her.

(Hyra dear, did Hayder tell you why he is rejecting Sarim?)

His question embarrassed Hyra. How she is supposed to tell him Hayder doesn't even share how was his day, why would he share this with her.

"Nahi, baba." Honestly, she told him.

(No, baba.)

"Dekho, kisi ko toh kuch batana zaroori hi nahi samajhta yeh." Hanif Mirza turned to Shahzaib and said. Shahzain also shook his head and disapproval manner. His elder brother truly disappointed him.

(See, he doesn't tell anyone anything.)

Hyra awkwardly stood there, wondering if she did something wrong.

"Jao, beta, tum jao." Lovingly, Hanif Mirza dismisses her.

(Go, dear,)

Hyra nods her head and left. Kubra was in the kitchen, washing the dishes.

"Kya hua?" Kubra saw her standing there gloomily, and asked.

(What happened?)

"Baba bohot gussa hain Hayder pe." Hyra told her.

(Baba is angry at Hayder.)

"Kyu?"

(Why?)

"Woh jo rishta aya tha na apka... Sameer Randhawa?" Hyra guessed the name.

(The proposal for you... Sameer Randhawa?)

"Sarim Randhawa!" Kubra corrected her.

"Haan wahi, Sarim Randhawa ka rishta jo unhone reject kar diya. Isliye Baba gussa hain."

(Yes him, because Hayder rejected Sarim Randhawa.)

Putting the washed cups away, Kubra told her. "Kuch sochke hi mana kiya hoga."

(He must have a reason.)

Hyra shrugged her shoulder, how would she know what were Hayder's thoughts before rejecting Sarim Randhawa.

Kubra's phone started ringing, turning off the faucet, she dries her hands and went to attend the call.

"Hello?" It was an unknown number.

"Hello, Kubra, main baat kar raha hoon, Sarim." The voice from the other side of the phone said. Kubra's eyes widened.

(It's me, Sarim.)

"What?" Hyra mouthed. But Kubra shook her head and left the kitchen.

"Hello? Kubra? Are you there?" Sarim Randhawa asked.

After entering her room, Kubra locked the door and answered. "Yeah, I..." She didn't know what to say. How she is supposed to ask why did he call her?

"You must be wondering why I called you." Sarim understands her hesitation, and said.

"Actually..." Scratching his forehead, Sarim started saying. "Mom proposal leke gayi thi bas uss barey mein baat..."

(I wanted to talk about them proposal...)

"Yaar, main seedhi baat karta hoon, I like you. Aur mom bas jaise tumse mili woh... dekho, main tumse koi answer expect nahi kar raha. You can take your time, bas, maine socha apni feelings clear kardu. Baki agey tumhari marzi." Sarim Randhawa was talking very softly, but firmly. He sounded genuine, and his words made Kubra's breath hitched.

(I will talk clearly, I like you. And when Mom met you she... see, I do not expect any answer from you yet. You can take your time, I just wanted to tell you my feelings. Rest I leave to you.)

"Kubra api!" A knock on the door startled Kubra, as she quickly disconnected the call and went to open the door.

"Cook ayi hain." Hyra informed her. "Kya hua apko?" She added when saw Kubra's face was pale,

(Cook is here.)

(What happened to you?)

"Ku.. kuch nahi." Kubra shook her head and went out with Hyra to see who the cook is.

(No... nothing.)

Kubra likes cooking, and that's why she always refuses Hayder when he ask her to hire a cook, but now, Hayder didn't even ask her and ordered Shahzaib to hire a cook.

•••

"Kubra api, kya soch rahi hain?" Hyra asked to Kubra, who seems lost.

(Kubra api, what are you thinking?)

"Hyra, ek baat batao." Putting her feet up on the sofa, Kubra sat in criss cross position and asked.

(Hyra, tell me one thing.)

"Ji?" Hyra sat with Kubra on the sofa.

(Yes?)

"Tum Hayder bhai ko nahi bataogi na?" Kubra asked to confirm.

(Promise you won't tell Hayder bhai.)

"Hum dono kuch share nahi karte, Kubra api." Sulking, Hyra reminds her. Kubra and Uswa are the only ones who know the complete truth about Hayder and Hyra's marriage.

(We don't share anything with each other, Kubea api.)

Kubra, who wanted to share with Hyra what Sarim told her, become speechless by Hyra's words.

We don't share anything with each other. Kubra's heart sank in realisation.

"Kya kehna tha, api?" Hyra again asked. But Kubra shook her head. Hyra's words made her heart sank. She could not say anything now.

(What do you want to say?)

Hyra huffed her cheeks, both brother and sister are same, they do not think someone else is worth to know what's going on in their mind.

•••

In the evening, when Hayder returned from office, he found Hyra watching TV. Sitting on the couch, hugging a pillow close to her chest, her eyes were glued to the TV, and that's she didn't even hear him entering the room.

Hayder didn't say anything, he walked over to her, and placed a shopper on the coffee table, which startled Hyra, and he left for the washroom.

Hyra's eyes darted to the plate. She looked at Hayder, who has already left.

Suspiciously, she picked the shopper and looked inside, there was a white box in it, which she opened and saw her favourite gulab jamun. Her eyes gleamed as she again looked at washroom door.

"Thanks," Hyra said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hyra picked up one of the gulab jamuns and took a bite. It was delicious, as always. Sugar syrup fall on the corner of her lips which she licked it clean. When she finished eating one, she was about to pick another one, but then thought she would after dinner.

Turning off the TV, and licking her right hand, she left the room to place gulab jamun in the kitchen.

It was such a small act, but it made her happy that he bought gulab jamun for her. But she doesn't know why he bought it for her, but she is not complaining. Maybe Hayder did care for her, cares about her likes and dislikes, in his own way. And for now, she was content with the sweet treat.

•••

Yaar main seedhi baat karta hoon, I like you. Sarim Randhawa's voice rang in her room. Groaning, Kubra sat up.

Why does she keep thinking about him? Putting her face in her hands, Kubra thought.

She called Zara in the evening to tell her this, Zara didn't receive her call. And now, Kubra was getting anxious while thinking about Sarim Randhawa's proposal.

I should not think about him. Kubra scolded herself. Hayder has already rejected him, no need to think about him.

But she was feeling guilty. She didn't even get a chance to reply him back. And what was she supposed to even say?

She suddenly thought of Hayder and Hyra. The way both are, she doesn't want same for her.

If Sarim is genuine for her, shouldn't he deserve a chance? Zara is right, she can not reject a proposal because of Rafey.

But again, Hayder already rejected Sarim Randhawa.

Laying down, she covered her face with the duvet, but she can not remove Sarim Randhawa from her mind.

•••

Hayder was getting for office, while Hyra stood beside the sofa hesitantly, tapping her one foot on the floor, she was looking down.

Hayder looked at her reflection from the mirror, "Kuch kehna hai?" He asked.

(You want to say something?)

Hyra almost jumped on his voice, and looked at him. Quickly, she shook her head. And went to sit on the sofa. Picking a book from side table, she flipped the pages to appear to seem busy.

Hayder's brows knitted in confusion on her behaviour, she is behaving weird. He went to sit on the bed and wore his shoes.

"Woh..." Hyra finally got some courage and spoke, but when received Hayder's eyes on herself, she again looked away.

(I...)

"Kya hua, Hyra?" He made his soft, as soft as he could, which still came out gruffly.

(What happened, Hyra?)

"Ba... baba keh rahe the ki..." Hyra didn't know how to say it, clearing her throat, she closes the book and sat straight.

(Ba... baba was saying...)

"Baba keh rahe the ki..."

(Baba was saying...)

"Kya keh rahe the baba?" Irritatedly, Hayder asked.

(What was baba saying?)

"Jo proposal aya tha Kubra api ke liye woh chahte hain ek baar mil lein unse." Hyra finally mustered up the courage and do the task which Hanif Mirza gave her.

(He wanted to meet Sarim Randhawa once.)

Hayder become silent for few moments, then he stood up and picked his writs watch from dresser. He hadn't answered her yet, and Hyra keep looking at him, expecting him to say anything.

"Kubra ke liye galat faisla nahi lunga main. Kuch sochke hi mana kiya hai." He told her then was about to leave when again turned to her.

(I won't take wrong decision for Kubra. I have reasons.)

"Ek baat batao, Rafey aur Uswa ka rishta kaisa hai?"

(Tell me one thing, how's Rafey and Uswa's relation?)

His question made Hyra confused. "Engaged hain dono?"

(They are engaged?)

Hayder held his head on her stupidity.

"Bewaqoof larki, Unn dono ke beech kaisa rishta hai main yeh nahi puch raha. Uswa khush hai ya nahi?" He made his question more clear.

(Idiot, I am not asking what's their relationship. Is Uswa happy or not?)

"Khush hai." Reluctantly, Hyra said, confused by his question even more. Why is he asking about Uswa?

(She is happy.)

Hayder didn't say anything further, and left.

"Yeh mujhe kabhi samajh nahi ayenge, do lafz kehte nahi aur kamre se chale jate hain." She complained in the empty room. Even yesterday, when she thanked him for gulab jamun, he just hummed, didn't even look up from his file. Spoiling her mood. She, who was very happy that he bough something for her, that too her favourite sweet dish, got disheartened by his cold behaviour. She shouldn't expect anything from him.

(I can not understand him. He speaks two words and left the room.)

•••

"Kya? Woh mere aur Rafey ke barey mein kyu puch rahe the?" Uswa was as confused as Hyra, when Hyra told her about her conversation with Hayder.

(What? Why was he asking about me and Rafey?)

"Pata nahi." Hyra shrugged her shoulders.

(I don't know.)

"Yeh Hayder bhai mujhe kabhi samajh nahi ayenge." Hyra looked at her with an expression, which says same. Even she could not understand Hayder. She always gets upset thinking about his behaviour and what their future holds for them.

(I can never understand Hayder bhai.)

"Aur yeh Kubra api ko kya hua?" Uswa asked, Hyra has told her about Kubra's weird behaviour too.

(And what happened to Kubra api?)

"Woh bhi mujhe nahi samajh ati. Uss ghar mein koi samajh nahi ata mujhe." Hyra complained to her.

(I can not understand her either. I can not understand anyone in that house.)

"Haye, meri golu." Uswa felt bad for Hyra, wrapping her arms around Hyra, she hugged her to console her.

Golu the nickname which Hyra and Uswa use for each other whenever they are upset or have to tease each other.

"Achha chorho, mujhe shopping pe jana tha, chalo na mere sath." To cheer Hyra's mood, Uswa suggested.

(Leave that, I was going for shopping, come with me.)

Hyra didn't feel like going out, but nods her head.

•••

After shopping, Uswa and Hyra decided to go to a cafe for coffee.

After placing their orders, they went to sit when Hyra felt someone is looking at her. Confusingly, she looked around to see, her eyes fall on Hayder, who was sitting on the other side of the cafe, he wasn't alone, with him were three men. Maybe he is here for a meeting, thinking this, turned her attention to Uswa.

"Waise mujhe lagta red wali dress pyari thi, tumhe lena chahiye tha." Uswa telling her,

(I think the red dress was really pretty, you should have bought it.)

"Mere paas abhi itne sarey naye kapre hain, kahi pehne hi nahi, ab aur kyu lena." Hyra mumbles. She again sneak a peek on Hayder, he was sitting with three other men, but he stands out from others, the way he was sitting and talking, other three were just listening to him while nodding their heads. Other had smiles on their faces, but Hayder, always had serious look on his face.

(I already have lots of dresses, I didn't wear them yet,)

Hyra looked away from him and focuses on what Uswa was saying.

"Lekin mummy fir bhi kahengi mehenga le... Hayder bhai?" Uswa was talking when she stopped and looked behind Hyra. Startled, Hyra looked back, and saw Hayder has come to their table.

(But mummy will say it's expensive...)

"Tum log yaha?" Sitting on the chair beside Hyra, he asked. The other men have left, maybe his meeting was over.

(What are you doing here?)

"Hum... shopping pe gaye the." Uswa answered.

(We... went on shopping.)

"Hmm, ho gayi shopping?" He looked at Hyra and asked, and Hyra, who wasn't even looking at him, felt weird under his eyes, she raised her head to look at him and saw he had a look of disapproval in his eyes. Hayder looked away from her, and Hyra could not understand what she did to make him unhappy now. Then she thought he is always unhappy and she should not think about him.

(You are done with your shopping?)

•••

Hayder drove them off to home. Uswa, who was sitting on backseat, quickly got down and ran off. But Hyra, who was sitting on front seat, couldn't get down because Hayder hold her wrist.

Her heart leaped on this as she looked at Hayder with wide eyes.

"Kitni baar bataya hai chadar leke nikla karo." He told her in low, but angry voice. "Pehle ki baat aur thi, Hyra, lekin ab tum meri biwi ho, mere hisab se rehna hoga."

(How many times I have told you wear shawl outside.)

(It was different earlier, Hyra, but now you are my wife and you should live accordingly to me.)

"Biwi?" Hyra asked. She didn't need to say or ask anything further, her eyes spoke for what her lips couldn't.

(Wife?)

Since when she become his wife? He was the one who told her not to expect anything from him or this marriage, how could he expect her to live according to him.

Hayder left her wrist, and without a word, Hyra left the car.

•••

"Kubra, tum bhi na pagal ho bilkul. Aur kya chahiye? Banda samne se propose kar raha hai, genuine hai." Zara scolded Kubra on the phone.

(Kubra, you are an idiot. What else do you want? He genuinely proposed you.)

"Hayder bhai mana kar chuke hain usko,"

(Hayder bhai has already rejected him.)

"Hayder bhai ka chorho, woh toh har cheez ke liye mana karte hain. Tum apna batao, kya wakai mein uski sachhai se tum impress nahi hui? Main tumhari jagah hoti toh abhi jake Hayder bhai se kehti ki ek baar mil toh lein Sarim se." Zara was speaking as if any moment she would go to Hayder and ask about his decision.

(Hayder bhai refuses for everything. Tell me what you feel, are you really not impress by his honesty? If I was in your place, I would have gone to Hayder bhai and tell him to meet Sarim at least.)

"Achha bas karo. Shahzaib ke waqt tumhe aisa koi stand nahi lena hoga. Kisi ko koi objection nahi hogi."

(Enough, you won't have to take any stand for Shahzaib. No one will have any objections.)

"Shahzaib toh humari conversation ka hissa hi nahi." Zara clicked her tongue. "Sarim ka batao."

(Shahzaib is not part of our conversation.)

(Tell me about Sarim.)

"Kya batau?"

(What should I tell?)

"Tum Hyra se baat kyu nahi karti? Woh baat kare Hayder bhai se?"

(Why don't you talk to Hyra? Can't she talk to Hayder bhai?)

"Zara, pagal ho? Janti ho na Hyra kitna darrti hai Hayder bhai se."

(Zara, have you lost your mind? You know how scared Hyra is of Hayder bhai.)

"Yaar, hain toh miya biwi na, kya woh itni si baat nahi kar sakti Hayder bhai se?" Zara didn't have much knowledge of Hayder and Hyra's relation, Kubra didn't tell her that Hayder and Hyra doesn't have any relationship like husband and wife.

(They are husband and wife, can't she talk to him about this?)

"Chorho, mujhe waise bhi nahi karni Sarim se shadi." Kubra shook her head, and told her.

(Leave it, I don't wanna marry Sarim.)

"Pagal ho tum. Itna achha larka hai." Zara again scolded her.

(You are an idiot. He is such a nice guy.)

"Aur tum yeh ek mulaqat mein samajh gayi."

(And you know this in just one meeting?)

"Tum toh school se janti ho na, batao koi kami hai toh."

(You know him since school, tell me if he is not a good guy.)

"Zara, school mein sab hi achhe hote hain. Ab woh kaisa hai mujhe kya maloom. Achha chorho na, yeh batao tumhare papers kaise hue?" Kubra shook her head and asked. She didn't want to talk about Sarim Randhawa. He was making her head spin.

(Zara, everyone is good in school. I don't know how he is now. Leave that, tell me how was your paper?)

"Theek hue bas." Soon, they started talking about random things.

(Fine.)

•••

"Maine bol toh diya usko jitna waqt chahiye le sakti hai, par kitna waqt chahiye usko?" Sarim asked to his friend- Wasif.

(I told her she can take as much time as she needs, but how much time she needs?)

"Kal hi baat hui hai tumhari, sabr karo. Larkiyan waise bhi waqt leti hain." Wasif tried to make him understand, but his words made no impact.

(You talked to her yesterday, have patience. Girls take time.)

"Lekin kitna waqt leti hain?" Wasif had no answer for that. Sarim keep pacing around his office, then he stopped. "Ussey firse call karu?"

(But how much time they take?)

(Should I call her again?)

"Bhai, kya sochegi woh kitne desperate ho. Sabr karo, achha hoga sab."

(Bro, she would think you are desperate. Have patience. Everything will be okay.)

Sarim sat on his chair.

"Tumhe kya lagta hai kya kahegi Kubra?"

(What do you think will be her answer?)

"Main abhi call karke puch leta hoon. Kubra bhabhi, apna jawab bata dein warna mera dost pagal ho jayega." Sarcastically, Wasif took his phone out. He doesn't have Kubra's phone, he doesn't even know her.

(I will call her and ask. Kubra bhabhi, tell me your answer otherwise my friend will lose his mind.)

Sarim picked a globe and was about to throw at Wasif, but Wasif put his hands up in surrender manners.

•••

Lekin ab tum meri biwi ho, mere hisab se rehna hoga. He was such a typical man. He never treated her like his wife, but knows how to claim her as his.

Hyra was fuming in anger, if she could, she would have shouted at him. But as always, she could not say anything. She just keep thinking about his words, and murmured angrily in the empty room.

"Khud mere hisab se gussa kam karein toh main bhi rahungi inke hisab se. main toh aisi hi rahungi."

•••

Usually when Hayder returns from office, he finds Hyra in the room, watching tv or reading book. But today, she was not in the room.

He left the room to search for her, and found her in the lounge. Watching TV

"Hyra," Standing on the doorway, he called her.

Startled, she looked at him.

"Kamre mein aao tumse baat karni hai." He ordered and turned to leave, but then he felt she didn't even move from her place, he again turned to her. She was still watching TV.

(Come to the room, I want to talk to you.)

"Hyra! Sunai nahi de raha kya?" In a hard voice, he again called her.

(Hyra! Aren't you listening?)

"Main... main busy hoon."

(I... I am busy.)

"Tv dekhne mein?" He went to stand in front of her, blocking her view to the tv.

(Busy in watching TV?)

Nervously, Hyra got down from sofa, and stepped away from him. "Main..."

(I...)

"Kamre mein chalo." Holding her arm, he said.

(Come to the room.)

"Apko jo kehna hai yahi keh dein. Datna hi hoga." But Hyra didn't listen, she was angry on him,

(Whatever you want to talk about, say it here. You must want to scold me.)

"Tumhe koi baat samajh nahi ati, main..." Hayder's sentence was interrupted in the middle when Hanif Mirza and Kubra entered there. He quickly left Hyra's arm and stepped away from her.

(Don't you understand anything, I...)

"Assalam-Alaikum, Baba."

"Walekum-Assalam, abhi aye ho office se?" Hanif Mirza saw Hayder was still in office attire and asked.

(You just returned?)

"Ji, baba, bas abhi aya hoon..." He glance at Hyra, then replied to Hanif Mirza. "Main fresh hoke ata hoon."

(Yes, Baba, I just came...)

(I will get freshen up.)

Hanif Mirza nods his head, Hayder turned to leave. But before leaving, he called Hyra. "Hyra, Idhar ana." And then he left.

(Hyra, come here.)

Hyra stood there in shock. She meekly looked at Kubra, who was looking at her questioningly.

"Hyra, jao bachhe ussey koi kaam hoga." Hanif Mirza told her.

(Hyra, go dear, he must have some work.)

Huffing, Hyra left for the room. Wondering what he wants to talks about. Does he want to scold her more for not wearing shawl?

•••

Who was the person who said she will only focuses on Hayder and Hyra?😶

I don't know... it wasn't me... 👉🏻👈🏻

Okay, it was me, but... Main adat se majboor hoon😭 and besides, you guys were the one who told me to add Sarim and Kubra's scenes too🙊

Khair, how's it?

It's going too slow ik, I just wanna skip to the chapters when everything will be okay and happy lovey dovey🙈 but waha jane se pehle yeh sab toh sametna hoga

-Ufaq