Chapter 35

Aisa hi hai woh,

Phool bhi apko dena parhta hai

Kehna bhi apko hi parhta hai

Ki mere baalo mein laga do

•••

The next day was no different. Hayder thought he would talk to Hyra in the morning about their previous day's argument, but she had already gotten up before him and gone downstairs. He hesitated to join the ladies' gathering. So he decided to wait for her to come upstairs.

Function was about to start, but Hyra didn't come upstairs. Confused and worried, Hayder decided to go and check on her.

Hayder descended the staircase, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on Hyra, adorned in a black churidaar with a pink dupatta. She sat amidst her cousins, her laughter resonating through the room. Without any makeup, her natural beauty radiated, instantly bringing peace to Hayder.

"Hyra, idhar ana," Before he could call her, Bushra's voice called out.

(Hyra, come here.)

Hyra excused herself and went to Neelam.

"Hyra, yeh kuch kapre hain, inhe press kar dogi? Dikkat toh nahi?" Hyra noticed the bundle of clothes in Bushra's hands that were not just 'some,' but rather quite a lot. Now, even if the other person had trouble, what could she say it?

(Hyra, I have some clothes, can you iron them? Will it be a problem?)

"Laiye, mami, main kar dungi." Hyra smiled and took the clothes from Bushra. They were 3-4 heavily embroidered wedding dresses. Hyra was momentarily taken aback when she picked them up for a second, but then she composed herself.

(Of course not, mami, I'll iron them.)

Hayder was watching them from a distance, observing how Hyra was struggling to handle those clothes. Unable to resist, he walked towards them, but Bushra left before he could reach them.

"Kya hua?" Taking the pile of clothes from Hyra's hands, Hayder asked.

(What happened?)

Hyra's hands relaxed because the weight of the heavy clothes was lifted. However, she was not ready to accept it in front of Hayder.

"Wapas karein, mujhe yeh press karne hain."

(Give them back to me, I have to iron them.)

"Yeh sab? Tumse inke wazan toh uthaye nahi ja rahe, press kaise karogi?" Hayder looked at the clothes, then glanced at Hyra.

(All of this? You can't even lift their weight, how will you iron them?)

"Main..."

(I...)

"Kashish, idhar ana." Hyra was about to say something, but Hayder ignored her and called Kashish from the crowd.

(Kashish, come here.)

"Ji, bhai?" Kashish came to them and asked.

(Yes, bhai?)

"Yeh lo, tumhari mummy ke kapre hain inhe press kardo." Hayder handed the pile of clothes to Kashish without even looking, unaware that Kashish's face had paled upon hearing about the task.

(Here, these are your mom's clothes, iron them.)

"Laundry room uss taraf hai." Hayder added.

(The laundry room is that way.)

"Ji," Kashish wasn't pleased, but she couldn't say anything to Hayder. She cast a glance at Hyra, who was looking down. Hyra wasn't happy either, but she didn't want to confront Hayder in front of others.

(Okay,)

"Hayder, woh mehman hain." When Kashish left, Hyra had to say something to Hayder.

(Hayder, she's guest.)

"Mehman ho ya koi bhi ho, yeh sab tumhare kaam nahi." Hayder didn't allow Hyra to do any work even upstairs. She only had some small tasks; otherwise, besides the cook, he had also hired a full-time maid. So that Hyra wouldn't have to do any work.

(Guest or not, this is not your work to do.)

"Unhone mujhse kaha tha." Hyra was also determined.

(But she told me to iron them.)

"Hyra, agar kal ka badla tum iss tarah se le rahi ho ki yeh sab karke mujhe mazeed gussa dilao toh trust me your plan is working." Hayder spoke each word very slowly, trying to control his anger.

(Hyra, if you're trying to make me angrier by taking revenge in this way for what happened yesterday, trust me, your plan is working.)

"Apko gusse dilane ke liye mujhe kuch bhi karne ki zaroorat nahi waise hi ajata hai..." Hayder's deep dark eyes were fixed on Hyra, but she hadn't lifted her head to meet his gaze. She had to express his anger as well.

(I don't need to do anything to make you angry; it happens on its own...)

"Hyra," Hayder gently placed a hand on Hyra's shoulder. "Kal ke liye I'm sorry, main janta hoon tum naraz ho lekin yeh koi tareeqa nahi hota. Hum akele mein baat karte hain iss barey mein."

(I'm sorry for yesterday. I know you're upset, but this isn't the right way. Let's talk about this privately.)

"Mujhe aur koi tareeqa nahi ata. Apki tarah chilla ke gussa nikalna nahi ata mujhe. Aap mujhe kuch derr ke liya akela chorh dein, Please." Hyra's eyes held a plea, and tears filled her eyes again.

(I don't know any other way. I can't express my anger by shouting like you do. Please, just leave me alone for a while.)

Taking deep breaths, Hayder averted his gaze from Hyra. There seemed to be countless emotions inside her, and she often welled up with tears at the slightest thing.

"Fine," Hayder's voice emerged with profound authority. Only he knew how he restrained himself from saying anything at this moment. "Tumhe akele rehna hai, raho. Lekin tum mujhe ek spoon uthati hui bhi na dikho. Warna tumhe seedha uppar le jaunga aur apni nazar se ek second bhi durr nahi hone dunga."

(You want to be alone, fine, stay. But don't let me catch you even lifting a spoon. Otherwise, I'll take you straight upstairs and won't let you out of my sight for even a second.)

Hyra looked at him with wide eyes in response to his words.

"Jao." Hayder said only this much, and Hyra immediately left. Perhaps she was afraid that Hayder would truly take her with him and would not let her leave.

(Go.)

•••

Dawar had been observing Hayder's distress for quite some time, and when he couldn't resist any longer, he approached Hayder. After all, Dawar realized that it was his mistake yesterday.

"Yaha aise kyu kharhe ho?" Hayder was standing alone in a corner of the lawn when Dawar went there and asked.

(Why are you standing here like this?)

"Dawar, abhi mera mood waise hi kharab hai, tum kuch na hi kaho tumhare liye behtar hoga." Hayder gave a warning, and his anger was evident in his words.

(Dawar, my mood is already bad, it's better if you don't say anything.)

Hayder's anger was nothing new for Dawar. "Yaar, kyu gussa ho rahe ho. Manta hoon kal misunderstanding ho gayi thi mujhe. Lekin tum jante ho Uswa aur Hyra mere liye kitni azeez hain. Unki takleef ka main soch bhi nahi sakta. Ab tum naraz na ho."

(Buddy, why are you getting angry? I understand there was a misunderstanding yesterday. But you know how precious Uswa and Hyra are to me. I can't bear to see them in pain. Now, don't be mad.)

Dawar felt that Hayder was angry with him because of his actions yesterday.

"Tum meri biwi ho jo main tumse naraz honga." Hayder spoke sternly.

(Are you my wife that I'll stay mad at you.)

Unexpectedly, Dawar burst into laughter.

"Toh phir yeh munh kyu banaya hai? Ab yeh mat kehna tumhara munh hi aisa hai. Aisa hai tumhara munh, lekin mujhe pata hai tum kab pareshaan hote ho."

(So why are you making this face? Don't tell me this is just how your face is. This may be your face, but I know when you're troubled.)

"Hyra naraz hai mujhse." Hayder admitted with a heavy sigh.

(Hyra is upset with me.)

"Hyra naraz hai? Kyu?" Dawar's brows furrowed in confusion. Dawar couldn't understand why she was angry with Hayder despite such good news.

(Hyra is upset? Why?)

"Kal maine ussey data."

(I scolded her yesterday.)

Dawar's smile vanished, frustration visible on his face. "Tum sudhar nahi sakte na?"

(You can't change, can you?)

Hayder didn't say anything and looked away.

"Jhagra kis baat pe hua tha?" Keeping control over his anger, Dawar asked.

(Why did you two argue?)

"Hyra ab mujhse baat nahi kar rahi." Hayder didn't disclose the reason for the argument, but he shared the cause of his distress.

(Hyra isn't talking to me now.)

"Achha hai nahi kar rahi. Balki main bhi baat nahi karunga tumse."

(It's good she's not talking to you. In fact, I won't talk to you either.)

"Tum naraz mashuqa pehle ban jao." Already troubled, Hayder was further angered by Dawar's words, and spat.

(Don't behave like an angry lover now.)

"Waise kyu data tumne ussey?" After thinking for a while, Dawar asked. Dawar knew better than anyone how small issues could turn into significant problems later. He didn't want anything to become a problem in Hayder and Hyra's life.

(Why did you scold her in the first place?)

"Data nahi tha." Hayder defended himself.

(I didn't scold her.)

"Ghazal sunayi thi? Woh bhi torture se kam nahi dekha jaye toh." Dawar couldn't refrain himself from passing a sarcastic comment.

(You sang a song for her then? That's no less than torture, to be honest.)

Now, Hayder responded firmly, pushing Dawar, distancing himself. "Zyada bakwas na karo, mera already dimagh kharab hai, issey pehle sara gussa tumhi pe nikalu, behtar hai chale jao."

(Don't talk too much; my head is already messed up. Before I vent all my anger on you, it's better you leave.)

"Mujhpe gussa nahi nikalna? Kya Hyra ke samne gussa hone se pehle sochte ho yeh?"

(Don't want unleash your anger on me? Do you even think before getting angry in front of Hyra?)

"Main Hyra pe gussa nahi tha. Baat hi aisi thi..." Frustratedly, Hayder said. Then, he explained to Dawar about what happened last night. The sudden proposal from Hyra had deeply disturbed him.

(I wasn't angry with Hyra. It was just the situation...)

Hearing everything, Dawar felt the urge to give Hayder a punch, and he would have done so if Sami hadn't arrived and called him over.

"Dawar bhai, mummy bula rahi hain."

(Dawar bhai, mummy is calling you.)

"Tum jao, main araha hoon." Dawar told Sami.

(You go, I'll just come.)

"Dekho, Hayder, Hyra ka bachpan koi tumse chupa hua nahi hai, aur yeh baat tumhe bhi maloom hai beena parents ke bachhe kaise hote hain. Hyra ko hum sab ne hamesha apni taraf se kisi cheez ki kami mehsoos nahi hone di, lekin baap ki kami toh koi puri nahi kar sakta." Taking a deep breath, Dawar began speaking.

(Look, Hayder, Hyra's childhood isn't hidden from you, and you know how children without parents are. We all ensured Hyra never felt a lack of anything from our side, but the absence of a father is something no one can fulfill.)

"Uppar se choti mummy bhi ussey hamesha samjhota karne ko kehti thi. Inn sab cheezon ne Hyra ko kafi insecure aur sensitive bana diya hai. Ussey adat nahi hai zidd karne ki ya gussa karne ki, koi cheez buri lagti hai uspe khamosh rehne ki adat hai ussey, aur yahi sab baat aur khudpe sawar kar leti hai." His voice was quite serious,

(Moreover, her mother always advised her to compromise. All these things have made Hyra quite insecure and sensitive. She's not used to being stubborn or angry; staying silent has become a habit for her, and she internalizes everything.)

"Tumhari iss ek baat se gussa nahi hai, tumhari har uss baat se gussa hai jab jab tumne bewajah uspe gussa kiya hai. Ab har woh cheez ko overthink karegi woh. Iski wajah se ab tum Hyra se durr rehne ke bajaye, ussey samjhao tumhe kal kya bura laga. Aur please, apne gusse pe kabu rakhna seekho."

(She's not upset about one thing you said; she's upset about every time you've been angry with her for no reason. Now, she'll overthink every little thing. Instead of staying away from her, explain to her why you were upset yesterday. And please, learn to control your anger.)

"Tumhe kya lagta hai kya mujhe gussa nahi ata? Itna sab tum kabhi bardasht na karte jitna main kar raha hoon. Lekin bohot kuch sochna samajhna parhta hai. Kubra ki ankh mein ek ansu aya toh tum Sarim ko chorhoge nahi, aur woh sab main bhi kar sakta hoon Hyra ke liye." In the end, he warned Hayder.

(Do you think I don't get angry? I tolerate much more than you ever would. But we need understand and think lots of things. If Kubra has a tear in her eye, you won't spare Sarim, right? And I can do all that for Hyra too.)

•••

Dawar realized the delicate atmosphere by entering Rabia's room, and seeing Laraib's parents there, he felt his nerves tensed.

"Lo, agaye! Aap hi puchiye ab issey." Laraib's father, Naseer, said in a stern voice.

(Here he come! Now ask him everything.)

Dawar had some inkling of what he was talking about. He glanced at Laraib, who was sitting on the bed with her mother, and Rabia was also beside her.

"Dawar, kya yeh sach hai? Tumne Laraib se talaq ki baat ki hai?" Asim had asked in a gentle manner, as if he was sure Dawar would say no.

(Dawar, is it true? That you talked about divorce to Laraib?)

"Ji!" Dawar's tone was quite restrained. However, he avoided making eye contact with his father.

(Yes!)

Dawar had just said this, and Laraib's beautiful eyes welled up with tears again.

"Dawar, tum aisa soch bhi kaise sakte ho?" Seeing Laraib cry, Rabia couldn't bear it and asked her son.

(Dawar, how can you think like that?)

"Mummy,"

"Tumhe agar Laraib ko talaq dena hai toh abhi issi waqt do, hum apni beti ko apne sath le jayenge." Naseer spoke harshly.

(If you want to divorce Laraib, do it right now. We'll take our daughter back with us.)

"Kaisi baat kar rahe hain aap? Baat kya hui hai yeh toh batao koi." Nazish quickly said, afraid Dawar might give Laraib divorce on the spot.

(What are you saying? First, tell us what happened between you two.)

"Main aur nahi reh sakta iske sath. Roz isko ek nayi cheez se problem hoti hai. Pehle chahti thi hum dusra ghar lein, fir isko yaha kisi bhi family gathering mein nahi ana tha, Uswa ki shadi mein bhi nahi ana chahti thi yeh, aur ayi bhi toh hazar problems hain issey."

(I can't live with her anymore. Every day, she finds a new issue with something. First, she wanted us to move to another house, then she didn't want to come to any family gathering here, she didn't want to attend Uswa's wedding, and even if she came, there are a thousand problems with her.)

"Main ab iski betukki zidd puri nahi kar sakta. Relationship ek tarfa nahi hote, dono ko ek dusre ke liye kuch na kuch compromise karna hota hai, lekin apki beti kahi bhi zara sa bhi adjust nahi karna chahti. Aur main tang achuka hoon." Nobody in the room expected to hear all this from Dawar. Everyone looked at him in astonishment. Then, Nazish looked at Laraib.

(I can't fulfill her stubborn demands anymore. A relationship is not one-sided; both have to compromise for each other in some way. But your daughter doesn't want to adjust even a bit anywhere. And I'm fed up.)

But before she could say anything to her daughter about her wrong behaviour, Rabia spoke. "Dawar, kuch bhi kehne aur karne se pehle yeh sochlo tum dono ke sath ek aur zindagi bhi judi hui hai."

(Dawar, before saying or doing anything, think about the fact that there is another life connected with both of you.)

"Main apne bachhe ke barey mein sochke hi keh raha hoon, Mummy, khud toh issey akele rehne ki adat hai, mere bachhe ko bhi zehni mareez bana degi yeh."

(I am considering my child in this, Mummy. She's used to living alone; this will make my child mentally disturbed too.)

"Meri beti ko tum zehni mareez keh rahe ho? Abhi issi waqt talaq do tum Laraib ko, main ussey apne sath le jaunga." Naseer couldn't hear anymore of it and demanded.

(Are you calling my daughter mentally disturbed? Give Laraib a divorce right now; I'll take her with me.)

"Ek baar bachhe ko ajane dein, de dunga talaq." Dawar said.

(Let the child be born first; I will give her divorce then.)

"Dawar, bas. Tumhe hum kuch kehte nahi iska yeh matlab nahi tum koi bhi ulta seedha faisla khudse le lo." Asim spoke sternly. He couldn't believe that his calm and composed son could say such thing.

(Dawar, enough. Just because we don't say anything doesn't mean you can make any rash decisions on your own.)

"Naseer, shadi ke waqt humne apse kaha tha Laraib abse humari beti hai, sirf kaha nahi tha, mana bhi tha, uske sath hum kuch galat nahi hone denge." Asim tried to explain things to Naseer.

(Naseer, during the Laraib and Dawar's wedding, we told you Laraib is now our daughter. We won't let anything wrong happen to her.)

"Apka beta sabke samne keh raha hai talaq dega. Ab bacha kya hai? Laraib, apna saman pack karo aur chalo." But Naseer's anger was not subsiding. He couldn't bear to see a tear in his daughter's eyes.

(Your son is declaring he'll divorce my daughter. Now, what's left? Laraib, pack your things and come with me.)

"Apko le jana hai Laraib ko toh le jaye, lekin meri behen ki shadi mein tamasha na karein." Dawar was also adamant in his stance.

(If you want to take Laraib with you, take her, but don't create a scene at my sister's wedding.)

"Laraib, apna saman pack karo aur chalo." Naseer couldn't stay there any longer and told his daughter.

(Laraib, pack your things and come.)

Laraib was looking at her father and then at Dawar with disbelief. Naseer had always been able to understand her distress from her voice, and today, when he saw her red puffy eyes, he asked he what's wrong, and it was only a matter of time before Laraib started crying again and revealed everything to him. But Laraib didn't expect that everything would unfold in this way. Something like this had happened once before as well, and today, it was happening again.

Dawar didn't say anything; he just glanced at Laraib. There was a lot in those eyes, but before Laraib could decipher them, Dawar left the room.

Behind him, Naseer also left; now, he didn't want to stay there either.

The remaining people in the room stood in silence, avoiding eye contact with each other.

"I am sorry, inn sab ki wajah ss Uswa ki shadi..." Then, Nazish started the conversation.

(I'm sorry, because of this Uswa's wedding...)

"Laraib, agar tumhe koi masla tha toh hume batana tha, hum iss barey mein aram se baithke bhi baat kar sakte the." Rabia spoke to Laraib. "Lekin tumne hume kabhi apna mana hi nahi."

(Laraib, if you had any issues, you should have told us. We could have calmly discussed this matter.)

(But you never considered us as your family.)

"Bhabhi, bas apse ek hi request hai, Uswa ki shadi ho jane dein, uske baad hum baat karenge iss barey mein. Aur koi bhi galat faisla nahi lene denge bachho ko. Laraib humare liye Uswa aur Hyra jaisi hi hai." Asim requested. They were the boy's parents, but they were still speaking in such a gentle tone.

(Bhabhi, I have only one request, let Uswa's wedding happen, then we can discuss this matter. We won't make any hasty decisions for the children. Laraib is like Uswa and Hyra to us.)

Nazish looked sharply at her daughter, who was now sitting with her head bowed in shame.

•••

Zara, with a plate of vibrant mehendi in hand, walked through the crowd. Her intricately embroidered dupatta kept slipping off her shoulder. She attempted to fix it.

Just as she was about to go to the living room, Shahzaib stood in her path. Their eyes met in a fleeting moment of surprise, and Zara's dupatta threatened to defy her efforts once again. With a suave grin, Shahzaib smoothly takes the plate from Zara's hands, saying, "Tum apne dupatte ka weight sambhalo." His playful remark hangs in the air, but Zara, caught off guard, remains silent.

(Hold the weight of your dupatta.)

As Zara attempts to make a swift exit, Shahzaib, undeterred by her lack of response, strategically positions himself in her path once again. He raises an eyebrow. "Tumse kuch puchna tha."

(I wanted to ask you something.)

Confused, Zara raised her head.

"Kya iss baar tum apni awaz ghar pe bhoolke ayi ho? Jabse ayi ho, itni khamosh ho." Playfully, he teased her.

(Have you forgotten to bring your voice this time? Since you came, you've been unusually quiet.)

Startled, Zara scans the surroundings anxiously, then leans in, her voice barely audible, "Shahzaib, koi dekh lega, hato."

(Shahzaib, someone might see us. Leave.)

"Arey, tumhari awaz toh bilkul theek hai." Shahzaib expressed himself as if he was genuinely surprised upon hearing Zara's voice.

(Your voice is back.)

Ignoring his attempts at banter, Zara's eyes meet Shahzaib's briefly before she sidesteps him. she walks away,

Shahzaib watches as Zara hastily retreats, leaving him standing there with a perplexed expression. A sense of confusion clouds his features, and he wonders why Zara seems to be avoiding him.

•••

Shahzaib approaches Minal, handing her the plate with a puzzled expression. "Fuppi, Zara ko kya hua?"

(Fuppi, what happened to Zara?)

"Kya hua?" Minal asked him in return with a puzzled expression.

(What happened?)

"Jabse yaha ayi hai itni khamosh kyu hai?"

(Since she came here, she is silent.)

"Oh," Minal chuckles knowingly, "Larkiyan aksar shadi ki baat se khamosh ho jati hain."

(Girls often become silent when it comes to their marriage.)

Shahzaib raises an eyebrow, initially surprised, but then a slow smile creeps across his face as he processes Minal's words. The realization dawns on him, and he can't help but feel a sense of joy at the thought.

Shahzaib knew Baba and Hayder were discussing Shahzaib and Zara's marriage. Now Shahzaib understood why Zara seemed so anxious around him.

•••

The Mehendi rituals were about to begin, so Hyra had to go upstairs. First, the ritual was for Rafey, and then the left over henna would be applied to Uswa. (This ritual wasn't part of Hyra's wedding as Hayder had firmly refused to dip his finger in mehendi.) Despite their individual issues, everyone set aside their problems and started enjoying the Mehendi function for Uswa and Rafey.

Hyra looks elegant in a mehendi green shalwar adorned with intricate embroidery along the border. Her short frock complements the ensemble, sharing the same vibrant hue. A yellow dupatta drapes gracefully over her shoulders. With her hair styled in a braid, she opts for a natural look, choosing not to wear any makeup. Despite her simplicity, her beauty shines through, something had happened in Hayder's heart; he knew that Hyra's simple look was because of what he said yesterday.

Hayder approaches Hyra, determined to mend the previous day's misunderstanding.

"Hyra..." However, before he could talk to Hyra, Minal came there to call Hyra.

"Hyra, idhar ana..."

(Hyra, come here...)

"Fuppi, mujhe baat karni thi Hyra se." Minal was about to take Hyra with her, but Hayder stopped her.

(Fuppi, I have to talk to Hyra.)

Hyra's eyes widened in astonishment, but Minal's face broke into a mischievous smile.

"Janti hoon Hyra bohot pyari lag rahi hai, lekin uski tareef tum baad mein kar lena." Minal playfully remarks, pulling Hyra away before Hayder can utter a word. The tension lingers as Hayder watches them leave, contemplating how to make amends with Hyra.

(I know Hyra looks very lovely, but you can compliment her later.)

•••

After the rituals upstairs, Hyra had to come down again with the crowd. The repeated up and down movements had made her dizzy, so she decided to sit in one place.

Kubra sensed her condition, so without saying anything to anyone, she quietly approached Hyra. The house was filled with guests, and Asiya Begum had specifically instructed everyone not to discuss Hyra's pregnancy in front of the guests. The initial days of pregnancy are delicate.

"Kubra api, main theek hoon. Aap jaye function enjoy karein." Hyra reassured Kubra, managing a faint smile.

(Kubra api, I'm fine. You go ahead and enjoy the function.)

"Theek hai, ab bas mehendi toh lagwani hai, mujhe koi jaldi nahi." Kubra was adamant, too. "Kal toh mehman ki wajah se, fir Sarim agaye main toh tumse baat hi nahi kar payi." Lovingly, Kubra spoke. Hyra smiled at Kubra's words.

(It's alright, now I just need to get henna applied. I'm not in a hurry.)

(Yesterday, due to guests and then Sarim's arrival, I couldn't talk to you at all.)

"Sach, Hyra, tum hume itni badi khushi de rahi ho." Kubra's face reflected her happiness, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

(Truly, Hyra, you are giving us so much joy.)

"Aur Hayder bhai, mujhe toh itni khushi ho rahi hai ki finally woh apni life mein settle hain. Pata hai, Hyra, maine bachpan se dekha hai Hayder bhai ko aksar apni zaroorato ko piche rakhke meri aur Shahzaib ka khayal rakhte hue. Unhe high fever hota, lekin meri zara si cheenkh pe woh raat bhar mere paas hi baithe rehte the. Unhone bohot compromise kiya hai, pata hi nahi chala kab woh apne sare jazbaat dabate dabate itne sakht ban gaye, lekin ab unhe khush dekhti hoon toh mujhe bohot sukoon milta hai." Kubra's eyes became teary with emotion.

(And Hayder bhai, I'm so happy that he has finally settled in his life. You know, Hyra, I've seen Hayder bhai often putting his needs behind, taking care of me and Shahzaib. Even when he had a high fever, he would sit with me all night if I sneezed. He has compromised a lot, I don't even know when he became so stern, suppressing his emotions, but now seeing him happy brings me great peace.)

"Aur yeh sab tumhari wajah se." Kubra gently cupped Hyra's face in her hands, expressing heartfelt gratitude.

(And all of this is because of you.)

The atmosphere momentarily shifted when Shahzaib came there, wearing a slightly bemused expression. "Husband tumhare atey hain, aur chakkar mujhe idhar udhar katna parhta hai Kubra kaha gayi uski bulao," he joked, a playful grin on his face.

(Whenever your husband come, I've to roam around to find you.)

However, his humour faded when he noticed the subtle signs of emotion on Kubra and Hyra's faces. The twinkle in Kubra's eyes and the glistening tears on Hyra's cheeks were enough to make Shahzaib's playful demeanour turn serious.

"Sab theek hai?" Shahzaib inquired, his concern visible in his voice.

(Is everything okay?)

"Haan, sab theek hai." Kubea nodded and gently said. "Main ati hoon." Then she excused herself to go to Sarim.

(Yes, everything is fine.)

(I'll just come.)

Shahzaib, now sat beside Hyra, shifted his focus to her. "Tum theek ho na?"

(Are you okay?)

Hyra took a deep breath, wiping away a stray tear. "Ji, Shahzaib bhai, aap fikar na karein sab theek hai. Hum bas baat kar rahe the aur..."

(Yes, Shahzaib bhai, don't worry everything is fine. We were just talking and...)

Shahzaib nodded understandingly. "Aur tum dono ka favourite kaam hai rona. Waise itne ansu kaha se lati ho? Koi personal samundar wamundar hai kya ansu ka?"

(And both of you seem to enjoy crying. By the way, where do you get so many tears? Is there a personal ocean somewhere for tears?)

"Shahzaib bhai!"

•••

Tired from the mehendi function, Hayder takes off his wristwatch and looks eagerly at the door, hoping for Hyra to come. When she doesn't show up, he checks the time, wonders why she hasn't come, and decides to search for her. Climbing down the stairs, he encounters Arzoo and Rabia in the living room.

Both were speaking in hushed tones about their own matters when they fell silent upon Hayder's arrival.

"Choti mummy, Hyra kaha hai?"

(Where is Hyra?)

"Woh toh Uswa ke sath hai." Arzoo told him with a smile.

(She's with Uswa.)

Nodding appreciatively, Hayder makes his way to Uswa's room,

"Arzoo, ab hume bhi sona chahiye. Subah bohot kaam honge." After Hayder left, Rabia said. Her eyes were red, but not from lack of sleep.

(Arzoo, now we should also sleep. There's a lot of work tomorrow morning.)

"Bhabhi, aap fikar na karein. Insha'Allah sab theek ho jayega." Arzoo consoled her. Laraib missing from the function prompted people to talk, but Rabia informed everyone that Laraib wasn't feeling well and is resting in her room. Still, her distress was inevitable, as her son's marriage was falling apart right before her eyes.

(Bhabhi, don't worry, everything will be alright.)

Hayder steps echo in the quiet hallway. He pauses for a moment, then, with a sense of longing, gently knocks on the door, hoping to find Hyra within.

"Kon hai jisko iss waqt bhi chain na... Ha... Hayder bhai?" Uswa swings the door open with irritation and demanded. However, as her eyes meet Hayder's, her voice catches in her throat, and she stumbles over her words.

(Who is there who doesn't have peace even at this moment?)

Unperturbed by her reaction, Hayder inquiries about Hyra. "Hyra hai?"

(Is Hyra here?)

"Ja... ji?" Uswa, still recovering from the surprise, steps aside, allowing Hayder a view of Hyra peacefully asleep on the bed. Hayder's demeanour softens, a mixture of relief and tenderness flooding his expression as he watches Hyra rest.

(Ye... Yes?)

Uswa was looking at Hayder, a mix of fear and surprise in her expression. She couldn't understand why Hayder had come at this moment.

Hayder, gazing at the sleeping Hyra, turns to Uswa and says, "Hyra se kaho humare room mein aye."

(Tell Hyra to come to our room.)

"Kyu?" Uswa, now back in reality, demands.

(Why?)

Hayder looks at Uswa, his expression unreadable.

"Mai... Mera matlab aaj yahi rehne dein na ussey, kal waise bhi meri shadi hai Rukhsat hoke chali jaungi." Uswa, fear and desperation in her eyes, quickly composes herself and said.

These days, Uswa was getting all her work done through this emotional blackmailing. However, Hayder was unmoved by her pleading.

(Me... I mean, just let her stay here for tonigh. Tomorrow, anyway, I'll be leaving after the my wedding)

"Rukhsat hoke tum uppar hi aaogi, Uswa." Calmly, Hayder replied.

(After your marriage, you'll come upstairs, Uswa.)

Uswa's cheeks turned red with embarrassment over her foolishness, and she looked down at the ground, trying to find another excuse.

"Hyra bohot late soyi, aur thaki bhi thi. Ussey na uthaye... please." In the end, she resorted to pleading, hoping that it might have some effect on Hayder.

(Hyra slept very late and was tired. Don't wake her up...)

But Hayder remained unaffected. He gestured for Uswa to move aside, which she immediately did.

Hayder cautiously enters the dimly lit room, his footsteps barely audible on the soft carpet. The delicate fragrance of lavender lingers in the air. As he approached the bed, he found Hyra wrapped in a serene slumber. Gently, he leans down, his fingertips brushing against her cheek, invoking a gentle stir in her tranquil repose.

Just as he relishes the tender moment, a sudden awareness dawns upon him – Uswa, silently observing from the corner. Hayder's eyes flicker with hesitation. Swiftly, he lifts Hyra into his arms, cradling her with utmost care.

Uswa, left behind in the quiet room, is baffled by Hayder's unexpected actions. Her eyes follow the departing duo, and a cascade of conflicting emotions dances across her face. Yet, a subtle smile tugs at the corners of her lips, a silent acknowledgement of the unpredictable course of life.

"Rafey bhi itne hi deewane chahiye mujhe. Mere begair neend na aye unhe." She whispers.

(Rafey should also be equally infatuated with me. He shouldn't be able to sleep without me.)

•••

Hayder carries Hyra to their room, gently placing her on the bed. Carefully, he settles beside her, enveloping her in his strong embrace. She remains peacefully asleep, oblivious to the shift in the room.

A gentle smile lights up Hayder's face as he admires her peaceful sleep. His fingers tenderly brush against her cheek. Mujhe nahi pata tha meri chirhiya jaisi biwi mein itna gussa hai.

He seals his affection with a tender kiss on her cheeks, forehead, and small nose, drawing her closer in a comforting embrace, eventually drifting into a peaceful sleep alongside her.

•••

Hyra be like - bohot gussa karte haina, abhi naraz hoke sara gussa nikalti hoon😂

Btw, how's the chapter? Do give your valuable feedback. ❤️

-Ufaq