Chapter 18

"Tum samajhti kya ho khudko? Ho kya tum? Kubra ke liye koi faisle kis haq se liya tumne?" Hayder's roared, holding her elbow, he pulled her to himself. He was holding her elbow so tightly that a whimper left her mouth.

(What do you think of yourself? Who gives you the right to take decision for Kubra?)

"Jaise tum mere kabil nahi, waise woh Kubra ke kabil nahi, kyu kiya tumne yeh?" He didn't take any care of her crying.

(Sarim isn't worth of her, like you are not to me. Why did you do this?)

"Woh... gulab jamun." She was on the edge of crying.

"Uski mithai ki dukan hai toh kya tum meri behen ki ussey shadi karwa dogi?" A slapped was plastered on her face.

(He owns a sweet shop doesn't mean you will fix my sister's marriage with him.)

Jolted, Hyra sit up. She looked at the empty room, Hayder wasn't here.

"Sapna tha..." Gulping down the saliva, she wiped her sweats and told herself.

(It was a dream...)

"Bohot bura sapna tha." Taking her hand to her heart, she tried to calm it down which was beating so brutally against her chest.

(A very scary dream.)

As Hyra again laid in the bed and wrapped her body in duvet, her heart raced. This was the the most terrifying nightmare, and she couldn't shake the feeling of fear that had settled over her. What will Hayder do? Will he hit her? Tears brimmed in her eyes.

Suddenly, her phone starts ringing, making her jump. Still holding her heart, she picked her phone from side, and her heart practically stopped when saw Hayder's name flashing on the screen, the mobile slipped off from her hand, as she backed away from it as if it is a poisonous snake.

"Ka.. kahi inhe.. inhe pata toh nahi chal gaya?" Her chest was raising and falling hard, as her breath become rigid.

(Do.. does he... he know what I did?)

"Nahi nahi... inhe kaise pata chalega? Yeh toh Mumbai mein hain..." She answered her own question, trying to calm herself.

(No no... how would he know? He is in Mumbai...)

"Fir iss waqt call kyu kar rahe hain?" She was now on the edge of crying.

(Then why he is calling me?)

"Utha ke dekhti hoon." With shivering hand, she picked her phone. "Phone se nikal thori ayenge." She made a feeble attempt to console her heart, but before she could receive the call, the call was disconnected.

(I should attend it.)

It made her breath in relief, as she put the phone away.

"Unhe nahi pata hoga." She told herself, again laying down. But now, sleep was miles away from her. She couldn't sleep after that dream, every moment, she felt Hayder would barged into the room and would make her nightmare come to reality.

(He doesn't know.)

In the morning, she woke up with a severe headache and her body burning in fever.

Seeing her condition, Hanif Mirza decided to cancel their plan of going to Randhawa's today.

"Baba, main theek hoon, aap fikar na karein." She tried to make him understand, but he wasn't ready to leave her alone. Shahzaib and Kubra are also supposed to go with him, he could not leave her alone in the house.

(Baba, I am fine, don't worry.)

"Baba, niche toh sab hain, aur fir Uswa ko main bula lungi uppar." She assured him. Reluctantly, Hanif Mirza left, even Kubra wanted to stay with her, but Hyra didn't allow her either.

(Baba, everyone is downstairs, I will call Uswa here.)

It was better if they go there today because tomorrow, Hayder will return.

•••

"Tumhe kya zaroorat thi jhoot bolne ki?" Uswa almost screeched when Hyra told her everything, her lie, her dream, and her fear.

(Why did you lie?)

"Kubra api ke liye jo theek laga maine kiya." Helplessly, Hyra told her.

(I did what I thought was right for Kubra api.)

"Hayder bhai lekin theek nahi karenge ab. Ek toh woh waise bhi itne gusse mein rehte hain..." Uswa took pity on her, also angry how could she do this.

(But Hayder bhai won't anything right now. He is always in anger...)

"Uss waqt maine wakai mein consequence ka nahi socha..."

(I didn't think of consequences at that time...)

"Hyra!" Uswa become helpless in front of Hyra's tears, "Chalo, jo hona tha hua," Uswa wrapped her arm around Hyra's shoulder and told her.

"Waise ek baat batao... yeh achha khase businessman ko tumne mithai wala bana diya?" She asked in a teasing manner,

(Tell me one thing... why did you make such a good businessman a sweet seller?)

"Sapna tha, Uswa, mujhe kya pata main kya dekh rahi hoon." Hyra become embarrassed and told her, making Uswa laugh.

(It was a dream, Uswa, I didn't know what I am dreaming.)

"Wahi baat hai, khargosh ke khwab mein doodh." Laughing, Uswa said.

(it's same thing as a rabbit only dreams of milk.)

"Billi ke khwab mein doodh hota hai, khagorsh doodh ka khwab kyu dekhega?"

(Cat dreams of milk. Why would a rabbit dream of milk?)

"Tum toh gulab jamun ka khwab dekhti ho na..." Before Uswa could say more, they heard a sound of honk,

(You dream of gulab jamun...)

"Itni jaldi agaye?" Their first instinct was that Hanif Mirza and others have returned. Quickly throwing pillows off from their lap, they ran outside of the room.

(They came early?)

Both girls were excited, but soon their smile vanishes when saw it was Hayder.

•••

Kubra and Sarim's families sat around the large dining table, the room was filled with the sound of chatter and laughter, as everyone talked.

Rabia was talking with Azma, while Hanif Mirza and Asim were talking to Firoz Randhawa, Sarim's uncle. Azma suggested for Kubra and Sarim to talk to each other, on which Hanif Mirza agreed. Sarim stood up, pointing at her to follow him.

They walked out to the lawn. The sun was setting, casting a warm glow over the landscape, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of flowers.

"Thank you." They were walking in silence, untill Sarim broke it. Kubra looked at him with confusion.

"Kis... liye?"

(For... what?)

"Mujhpe trust karne ke liye, mujhe ek mouka dene ke liye." He stopped walking, and turned to her. His voice, as always was calm and genuine.

(For trusting me, and for giving me a chance.)

"Mouka meri family ne diya." Looking away from him, Kubra mumbles. She didn't want him to think that she has feelings for him. She wants to be honest with him.

(My family gave you a chance.)

"Chalo... mouka family ne hi diya ho... tumne mana toh nahi kiya. Tum bhi meri sachhai se mutassir ho, mere liye yeh kafi hai." His words once again shocked her. Since Sarim Randhawa returned, he has giving her shock after shock. First the proposal, then his confession, and now his beliefs.

(It's okay... even if it's your family's decision. You didn't refuse them. You believe me, that's enough for me.)

"Aur jaha tak pyar ki hai toh... woh bhi ho jayega, tumhe bas thora sa loosen up hai." Now he was being confidence, as his lips curved into a smirk. Kubra looked at him with disbelief. So much confidence just because they came here?

(And about love then... you will fall in love with me, you just need a push.)

After they went inside, only then Kubra got to know why Sarim was so confident. His mother was already ready to put ring in her finger, but Hanif Mirza tattled the situation and said they will have a huge engagement ceremony after Hayder will come.

•••

"Assalam-Alaikum, Hayder bhai." Hyra's soul left her body, she couldn't remove her dream from her mind, and the way Hayder was looking at her, she would have fall down, but Uswa was holding her hand.

"Uswa, niche jao, mujhe Hyra se baat karni hai." Hayder told Uswa, without even looking at her.

(Uswa, go downstairs, I need to talk to Hyra.)

"Hayder bhai, woh..."

Hayder's eyes went on Uswa, looking at her sharply, which shuts her up.

"Niche jao!" His hard voice startled both girls.

(Go downstairs!)

"Uswa, jao." Meekly, Hyra whispered to her. Uswa looked at her, telling her through her eyes that she isn't going anywhere, but Hyra shook her head.

(Uswa, go.)

When Uswa left, Hayder holds Hyra's elbow and pulled her to the room. Hyra didn't say anything, he let her drag her.

•••

"Toh, kya kaha tumne baba se?" Leaving Hyra's arm, he closes the door of the bedroom, and turned to her.

(So, what did you tell baba?)

Hyra's body was shaking in fear, as she stepped back. Hayder was too angry to see her shivering.

"Batao! Kya kaha tumne?" He took steps forward and asked.

(Tell me! What did you say?)

"Woh..." Hyra once again stepped back, but Hayder hold her arms and brought her closer.

(I...)

"Ek jagah kharhi raho aur batao mujhe, maine kab tumse kaha ki baba jaye aur sarim se mil aye?" Leaning toward her small frame, he asked in a low voice.

(Stand here and tell me, when did I tell you that baba can go to Sarim's house?)

"W.. woh.. woh..."

(T.. that... that...)

"Woh woh nahi, saaf larz aur beena atke bolo... idhar dekho. Maine kab tumse kaha baba Sarim ke ghar jaye?" Hyra couldn't look at him, which made him shake her body and ordered her to look at him. Scared, she looked up.

(Speak loud and clear... look at me. When did I say Baba can go to Sarim's house?)

"Jhoot, kyu kaha?"

(Why did you lie?)

"Kub.. kubra api... proposal achha tha.. mujhe laga..." Hyra tried to free herself, only for Hayder to tighten his grip on her arms.

(Kub... Kubra api... proposal was good... I thought...)

"Tumhe laga proposal achha tha? Tumhe lagta hai main apni behen ke liye koi galat faisla lunga?"

(You thought the proposal is good? You think I will take wrong decision for my sister?)

"Baba ko bhi laga..." Her voice was breaking, tears streamed down on her face.

(Baba also thought...)

"Woh baba aur mera matter tha. Tumne jhoot kyu kaha?"

(That's baba and my matter. Why did you lie?)

"I.. I am sorry..." Hiccuping, she said. Her breath was becoming rigid, any moment, she was waiting for a slap.

"Sorry? Hyra, mujhe sakht nafrat hai jhoot se aur tum..." Hayder couldn't complete his sentence, Hyra's body has given up, as she turned cold and fainted in his arms.

(Hyra, I hate lies and you...)

"Hyra! Hyra!" Hayder, who was scolding her, in his rage couldn't see her tears, got scared seeing her passing out like that.

"Hyra!" Sitting on the floor, he holds her in his arms and pats her cheek.

•••

The meeting was postponed to next week, and that's why, Hayder decided to leave Mumbai today. Before boarding the plane, he called Shahzaib to pick him from airport, and through Shahzaib he got to know they are going to Randhawa's house today.

"Tum log waha kyu ja rahe ho?"

(Why are you all going there?)

"Bhai, apne hi toh Hyra se kaha tha hum chale jaye Sarim ke yaha." Shahzaib told him.

(Bhai, you were the one who told Hyra that we can go to Sarim's house.)

"Maine Hyra se kaha tha?" Hayder's eyes widened on this information.

(I said this to Hyra?)

"Haan... haan, maine hi ussey kaha tha... theek hai, tum log jao, main land hoke call karunga." Then he composed himself, and said.

(Yes... yes, I told her this... fine, you guys go. I will call you after landing.)

Hayder disconnected the call. But through out the plane ride, he keep thinking about Hyra's lie. How could she do that? Even when he told her his decision, how could she go behind his back and lie to Hanif Mirza?

He was fuming in anger when he entered he house. He didn't see anything in anger, her pale face, shaking body, how hot her body was, he couldn't see anything, not until she fainted in his arms. Only then realises that she was burning in fever.

Quickly picking her in his arms, he left the house.

•••

"Chachi, chachi.." Sami entered his house and called for Arzoo.

"Kya hua, Sami?" Arzoo, who was in the kitchen making tea, came out and asked, getting scared by his loud voice.

(What happened Sami?)

"Hyra behosh ho gayi. Maine abhi dekha Hayder bhai usko le ja rahe the..." He told her everything in single breath, then paused to breath properly.

(Hyra fainted. I saw Hayder bhai was taking her in the car...)

"Kya? Kya hua ussey lekin? Kaisi hai woh?"

(What? What happened to her? How is she?)

"Kya ho gaya?" Uswa, who heard Sami's voice, and was coming to check on him, heard Arzoo's words and asked.

(What happened?)

"Hyra behosh ho gayi." Sami informed her too.

(Hyra fainted.)

"Kya? Par kaise? Abhi toh theek thi." Uswa's eyes widened as she asked.

(What? But how? She was fine.)

"Sami, jaldi jao mera phone leke aao, Hayder ko call karu, kuch hua tha toh hume batana chahiye tha ussey." Arzoo ordered him.

(Sami, go get my phone. I will call Hayder, he should have informed us if Hyra is unwell.)

Sami quickly ran to her room to get her phone.

"Chachi, fikar na karein, theek hogi Hyra, fever tha na usko toh bas..." Uswa made a feeble attempt to calm Arzoo, and her ownself too. But inside, she was cursing Hayder, she was sure he may have done something which causes Hyra to faint.

(Chachi, don't worry, Hyra must be fine. She had fever...)

"Chachi, kuch jal raha hai." Uswa sniffs, and asked.

(Chachi, something is burning.)

"Arey, chai bana rahi thi.. Uswa, zara dekhlo." Arzoo couldn't walk to the kitchen anymore, she felt jittery.

(I was making tea... Uswa, go and check it.)

Uswa went to the kitchen, and saw the tea had boiled over and made a mess on the stove. Quickly, turning off the stove, she began to clean up the spilled tea and burnt pot. After she finished cleaning, she again went to the living room where Arzoo is.

Arzoo, who was earlier looking so worried, was now relaxed, Uswa thought she has talked to Hayder.

"Chachi, baat hui Hayder bhai se?" Sitting beside Arzoo, Uswa asked.

(Chachi, did you talk to Hayder bhai?)

"Nahi, usne call receive nahi ki. Shayad drive kar raha ho ya Hospital mein..." Uswa was shocked that if she hadn't talked to Hayder, then why is she relaxed.

(No, he didn't receive my call. He must be driving or in the hospital...)

"Toh fir aap itna calm kyu hain?" Uswa couldn't hide her curiosity and asked.

(Then why are you so calm?)

"Pagal, tum nahi samjhogi, abhi choti ho." Arzoo smacked her head and told her.

(Foolish girl, you won't understand,)

Uswa indeed didn't understand anything. She was just worried about Hyra.

•••

Hyra slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. Everything was blurry at first, but she could make out the white walls and the beeping machines next to her bed. As she tried to sit up, she felt a sharp pain in her head and groaned.

"Aram se," A familiar voice said. She turned her head to see Hayder sitting next to her bed, looking worried.

(Be careful.)

His presence made her jolt up.

"Hyra!" Hayder quickly hold her, before she could fall over. He sat beside her, holding her in his arm. Her temperature was very high, and blood pressure low. Doctor told him she may have got scared and that's why her blood pressure is low. This made him guilty, he has scared her so much which resultant her fainting.

"Please, aap mujhe mariyega nahi..." she whimper, closing her eyes tightly.

(Please, don't hit me...)

"Pagal ho?" Hayder looked at her with disbelief, how could she think that.

(Are you crazy?)

"I am sorry maine jhoot bola. Main jhoot nahi bolti, lekin mujhe laga rishta ke liye haan karna ya mana karna Kubra api ka haq hai, unhe yeh chance milna chahiye ki ek baar mil lein..."

(I am sorry I lied. I never lie, but I thought Kubra api should make a decision of her own, she should get a chance to at least meet him...)

"Shhh! Calm down." Hayder didn't let her say anything further, putting her head on his chest, he said to her.

"I am sorry..." Crying, Hyra again said.

"Hyra, baad mein baat karenge." Hayder didn't let her complete her sentence and told her.

(Hyra, we will talk about this later.)

His voice always scares her, but this time, she found it soothing. Maybe due to medicine affect, that's what she told herself. Closing her eyes, she fell asleep.

•••

Kal paper hai mera, and as usual, I am writing instead of studying. 😴 Y'all pray for me, kal wala paper tough hai🥶

Khair, how's the chapter?

-Ufaq