Chapter 40

Hyra sat on the balcony of their hotel room, a gentle breeze playing with her hair as she gazed out at the sea. The rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore filled her ears, transporting her back to that terrifying moment just two days ago.

She could vividly recall the scene: the sun setting on the horizon, casting an orange glow over the water as she ventured into the shallows in search of her lost anklets. The waves had seemed so inviting, lapping gently at her ankles as she waded further into the sea.

But then, without warning, a powerful wave had surged towards her, knocking her off balance and pulling her under its relentless grasp. Panic had surged through her veins as she fought against the currents, desperately trying to push herself back to the surface.

But her efforts had been in vain. With each failed attempt to break free, she had felt herself sinking deeper into the cold, dark depths of the ocean. The salty water had stung her eyes as she struggled to catch her breath, the sound of her own heartbeat pounding in her ears.

It had felt like an eternity before strong arms had pulled her from the water, dragging her back to safety just as she felt herself slipping away. And now, as she sat on the balcony overlooking the sea, Hyra couldn't help but shudder at the memory of how close she had come to losing her life.

As Hyra's mind drifted back from the harrowing flashback, her hand moved to her bump, where a life inside her was growing.

"Agar tumhe ya bachhe ko kuch ho jata, Hyra, toh mera kya hota?" She remembered Hayder's words.

(What if something were to happen to you or the baby, Hyra, have you thought about me?)

The thought of what might have happened if she hadn't been rescued sent a chill down her spine. What if she had succumbed to the ocean's grasp? What if she had never made it back to shore? What if something happened to the baby because of her? Her heart clenched at the mere idea.

She had never felt the joy of having this child, but the fear of losing it was profound within her.

She heard the sound of footsteps approaching, and she looked up to see Hayder entering the room.

His expression was unreadable, his features masked by a veil of stoicism. "Ab tabiyat kaisi hai?" he asked, his voice neutral.

(How are you feeling now?)

"Theek," Hyra replied, offering him a faint smile as she noticed the concern in his eyes.

(Fine,)

"Abhi puri tarah se tumhari tabiyat theek karta hoon main." He remarked dryly, setting a delicate pair of anklets on the table between them.

(I'll completely cure you.)

Hyra's eyes widened in surprise as she recognized the anklets. Hyra couldn't believe her eyes. She was feeling so upset about losing the anklet. It's now lying on the table in front of her. Hyra's gaze kept shifting between Hayder and the anklet. Then she reached out and picked up the anklet, wanting to believe that it was indeed hers.

"Yeh apke paas kaise aye?" Hyra asked.

(Where did you find it?)

"Chalke aye."

(They came to me.)

"Haan?"

(Really?)

"Basin pe the." Hyra's mind suddenly lit up as if a light bulb had switched on.

(It was on basin.)

"Arey haan, maine hi toh utare the lotion lagane ke liye, lekin Uswa ki call agayi thi toh main ussey baat karne lagi fir mera beach pe jane ka dil karne laga aur fir..." Excitedly, she began to tell Hayder, her voice filled with joy.

(Oh yeah, I've taken them off to apply lotion, but then Uswa called and I talked to her, then I wanted to go to the beach and then...)

"Fir beach mein jake tum doob gayi." Hyra made a pout at Hayder's sarcastic tone. Her heart, which had been so happy to find the anklet, suddenly dimmed as she realized Hayder's scolding was complimentary with the anklets.

(And then you drowned at the beach.)

"Seriously, Hyra, tum issey basin pe rakh kaise bhool gayi ki inke liye samundar mein jane lagi? Kya tum mein..."

(How could you forget that you put them on basin, then went to the sea to look for them, don't you have...)

"Itni bhi samajh nahi hai, badd aqal larki." Hyra completed his sentence. "Hadd hoti hai laparwahi ki bhi, aise hi nahi datta main tumhe." Hyra carelessly completed Hayder's sentence while wearing the anklets in her ankle.

(This much sense, foolish girl.)

(There's a limit to negligence. That's why I scold you.)

After putting it on, when she looked up and saw Hayder was glaring at her angrily. He wasn't impressed with how she had interrupted him and mimicked his words.

"Apke badle ka maine khudko daat liya, ab aap kuch mat kahiye." It was the first time Hyra didn't start crying out of fear of Hayder's anger, but instead confidently expressed her feelings. She was genuinely happy to have found the anklet again. Losing Hayder's precious item had weighed heavily on her heart. Now she was at peace.

(I've scolded myself on your behalf, now you don't need to say anything.)

Hyra's innocence in her words melted away any intention Hayder had of scolding her, and he simply shook his head. "Tum daat khane wale kaam karti hi kyu ho?"

(Why do you do thing which make me scold you?)

"Aap har baat pe datte hi kyu hain? Insan hoon aur galtiyan toh insano se hi hoti hain. Choti moti galtiyan nazarandaz karni chahiye. Jaise main apki karti hoon." Hyra answered.

(Why do you always scold me? I'm human, and humans make mistakes. Small mistakes should be overlooked, just like I overlook yours.)

"Kya, tum meri konsi galti..." Before Hayder could reply, his phone, which was placed on the table, started ringing. It was a call from Dawar.

(What? What mistake of mine you...)

"Hello," Hayder answered the call.

"Kya kar rahe the? Disturb toh nahi kiya?" Dawar, who was eager to tell Hayder something, suddenly realized that Hayder might be in a meeting, so he felt it was necessary to make sure he wasn't disturbing him.

(What are you doing? Did I disturb you?)

"Tumhari behen ki aqal pe naaz kar raha tha, lekin woh toh roz ka hai isliye tum disturb nahi kar rahe." While Hayder was talking to Dawar, his eyes were on Hyra, who was sipping tea. But, on his words, she narrowed her eyes at him.

(I was appreciating your sister's intelligence, but since that's routine for us, you weren't disturbed.)

"Kya hua?" Dawar asked.

(What happened?)

"Kuch nahi, tum batao, itni subah call sab khairiyat?" Hayder changed the subject, not wanting to worry anyone by telling them about Hyra's antics.

(Nothing happened, you tell me, is everything okay?)

"Haan, sab theek hai woh bas... tum chachu ban gaye ho." Dawar's words conveyed joy and pride.

(Yeah, everything is fine it's just... you've become an uncle.)

"Wakai?" As happy as Dawar was while sharing the news, Hayder felt the same joy. Hyra began to look at him with questioning eyes.

(Really?)

"Larka hua hai ya larki?" Rising from his chair, Hayder sat next to Hyra on the couch and placed his arm around her shoulder and asked.

(Is it a boy or girl?)

This question made Hyra realise what news Dawar had shared. If Hayder's arm hadn't been around her shoulder, she would have jumped with joy.

She started asking Hayder about everything through gestures.

"Larka hai. Bohot bohot mubarak ho, yaar." Hayder first answered Hyra's question, then congratulated Dawar over the phone.

(It's a boy. Congratulations, buddy.)

"Larka?" Hyra repeated. The feeling of becoming an aunt was indeed so beautiful.

(Boy?)

She was about to ask Hayder to give her the phone when her own phone started ringing. It was Uswa, so Hyra quickly answered it.

"Kya tumhe news mili?" Excitedly, they both asked together.

(Did you get the news?)

"Haan, abhi abhi call ayi thi." Again, they both answered together, then laughed at each other's excitement.

(Yes, I just got the call.)

"Hyra, mujhe toh yakeen nahi ho raha humara promotion ho gaya. Batao, hum log phuppo ban gaye." Hyra giggled on Uswa's words. "Mera dil chah raha hai main urhke ghar chali jau."

(Hyra, I can't believe we've been promoted. We've have become aunts.)

(I feel like flying back home.)

"Tumhe urhke hi ana hoga." Hyra stood up from the sofa and went to the room while Hayder was still talking to Dawar.

(You'll have to come here flying.)

"Naam socha hai tumne kuch?"

(Have you thought of any name?)

•••

"Mujhe toh Mohsin naam pasand hai, lekin Laraib se iss barey mein baat nahi hui." Dawar answered as he patted his son's cheek, who was sleeping in his cot.

(I like the name Mohsin, but I haven't talked to Laraib about it yet.)

His son was so adorable that Dawar's heart yearned to hold him all the time, and even when he was asleep, Dawar only wanted to gaze at him. Rabia was saying the baby was a spitting image of Dawar, but Dawar noticed the baby's nose and lips resembled Laraib.

"Achha main baad mein call karta hoon." Dawar ended the call as Laraib entered the room. He didn't want to disturb her.

(I'll call you later.)

Laraib settled on the bed, while Dawar, who was sitting in a chair nearby, moved to the sofa, which was at a distance from the bed. Although Dawar hadn't left the hospital since yesterday and since Laraib had been shifted to a private room, he was with her all the time, but they hadn't spoken a word to each other. They would steal glances when the other wasn't looking, but neither initiated a conversation.

Laraib laid on the bed while Dawar started doing something on his phone absentmindedly, then he thought of sending Hayder a photo of his son. Once again, as Dawar looked at his son's photos, a smile appeared on his face.

Laraib, noticing Dawar's smile while looking at his phone, was taken aback. It was a rare sight, seeing him smile so genuinely. She couldn't help but feel a pang of longing for their old days when such smiles were more frequent between them. She closed her eyes and turned her back toward him.

•••

"Kitna cute hai." Hyra cooed upon seeing the baby's photo. Hayder, who was looking at the baby's photo, glanced at Hyra, then a sparkle came into his eyes, and he drew Hyra closer to him.

(He is so cute.)

"Mujhe bhi pehli aulad beta chahiye."

(I want my firstborn to be a son.)

Hyra was startled by what Hayder said and looked at him.

"Tum yeh mat samajhna main larka larki mein farq kar raha hoon, iske baad mujhe 2 beti bhi chahiye. Lekin pehli aulad beta chahiye." Hayder interpreted Hyra's reaction differently and began to explain gently and kissed her forehead.

(Don't think I'm discriminating between a boy and a girl; after this, I want 2 daughters. But I want my firstborn to be a son.)

Hyra had no response, so she lowered her head. She often used to forget that she was pregnant. A life was blossoming inside her, but she still didn't feel any attachment to it. But after the incident that day, she started to think about her child now.

She had never thought about whether it would be a son or a daughter. And here, Hayder had done all the planning. Suddenly, a new fear took root in Hyra's heart: she wasn't a good mother. Her child would hate her.

"Kya hua?" Seeing Hyra remain silent, Hayder asked. He noticed how every time the topic of their baby came up, Hyra seemed to drift away.

(What's wrong?)

Hyra shook her head. Not knowing what to say.

Hayder didn't ask again. This was new for both of them, but Hyra is a bit naive; perhaps she's scared of such a big responsibility.

"Tumhe darr ne ki zaroorat nahi hai, Hyra, haan yeh kafi badi responsibility hai lekin main hoon na." Hayder reassured her as he hugged her protectively.

(You don't have to be scared, Hyra, I know this is a big responsibility but I'm here.)

•••

The hospital room echoed with the sound of glass hitting the floor, jolting Dawar awake. Sitting up groggily on the sofa, he blinked away the remnants of sleep and focused on the bed where Laraib sat, her expression a mix of surprise and dismay as she stared at the shattered glass at her feet.

Before Dawar could fully register what had happened, the cries of their newborn son filled the room, piercing through the silence. His heart clenched with worry, Dawar's gaze darted to the cot where his precious bundle lay, his tiny face scrunched up in distress.

With swift movements, Laraib rose from the bed. She reached the cot in a few strides, Dawar was also moved towards the cot, but Laraib was closer, and she picked up the baby from the cot.

Dawar remained rooted to the spot as he watched Laraib wife cradle their son, soothing him with gentle whispers, as she sat on the bed with the baby in her lap,

Dawar looked at the scattered pieces of glass on the floor. Laraib, without thinking about the scattered glass, had moved towards the cot. In her carelessness, she might end up hurting herself.

"Kuch chahiye tha toh utha deti." As he picked the glass particles, he said to her.

(If you needed something, you should have woken me up.)

Laraib, who has quieted the baby and was now trying to put him to sleep, looked at Dawar. "Mujhe bas pani chahiye tha. Sorry meri wajah se apki neend kharab ho gayi."

(I just needed water, sorry for disturbing you.)

Dawar glanced at Laraib for a moment, then disposed of the glass shards in the dustbin and went to the attached washroom to wash his hands. When he returned, he poured water into another glass and handed it to Laraib.

Without looking at Dawar, Laraib took the glass.

"Lao baby ko main cot mein rakh doon." Since the baby fell asleep again, Dawar offered.

(Let me put the baby in crib.)

Laraib hesitated, but then she handed the baby to Dawar. Dawar's face lit up as he took his son. He gently kissed his son's forehead and laid him in the cot, then went to lay on the sofa.

This time, Laraib couldn't stop herself and said, "Apko ghar chale jana chahiye tha."

(You should've gone home.)

Because the sofa was too small for Dawar, and he seemed visibly uncomfortable. Only one person could stay with the patient overnight in the hospital, and Nazish was supposed to stay with Laraib. But Laraib didn't know how Dawar convinced her to go home and stayed himself.

"Apne bete ko chorhke jane ka dil nahi kiya." Dawar said, placing his arm on his eyes to sleep.

(I don't want to leave my son.)

For a moment, Laraib remained quiet, and then she spoke again. "Aap baby ka koi naam nahi rakhenge?"

(Won't you name the baby?)

Removing his arm from his eyes, Dawar looked at Laraib with empty stare then muttered. "Tumhe toh meri koi cheez nahi pasand, bachhe ka naam bhi nahi pasand ayega." And he again closed his eyes.

(You don't like anything of mine, you won't like tha name either.)

Tears welled up in Laraib's eyes against her will. She had intended to start a conversation, but perhaps Dawar didn't want to talk to her.

These days, she was very angry with Dawar, and her mind was always filled with negative thoughts. But now, seeing Dawar after so many days, her anger seemed to dissipate. She wanted Dawar to talk to her, but he made no effort to do so, and now, even if she tried, Dawar didn't seem to care.

"Ek baar yeh bachha ajaye, hum koi haqmi faisla le lenge." Laraib recalled Dawar's promise, and fear gripped her heart. Dawar might leave her now. The thought weighed heavily on her.

(Let this baby come, we will take a final decision.)

•••

"Main na bilkul aag bulbul ho rahi hoon." Uswa angrily said over the phone.

(I'm fulling in anger.)

Without indulging in Uswa's anger, Hyra corrected her idiom. "Aag baboola hota hai, Uswa."

(It's fuming in anger, Uswa.)

"Jo bhi hota hai, main bas ho rahi hoon." Hyra couldn't see her at the moment, but from the way she spoke, she understood that Uswa was indeed quite angry.

(Whatever it is, I'm just very angry.)

"Hua kya yeh toh batao?" Hyra asked.

(What happened, tell me?)

"25 saal pehle Rafey hue the, aur ab woh mera dimagh kharab kar rahe hain," Uswa replied. As serious as Uswa's anger was, her response was quite the opposite. Hyra couldn't help but stifle her laughter.

(Rafey was born 25 years ago, and now he's driving me crazy.)

"Hyra, tum haso mat." Uswa didn't appreciate Hyra's laughter at this moment. She's her friend, and if she's angry, it's incumbent upon Hyra to be angry too.

(Hyra, don't laugh.)

"Mujhe batao toh hua kya."

(Tell me what happened.)

"Dekho, Rafey ne mujhse promise kiya tha jab baby ayega toh hum India jayenge, lekin ab keh rahe hain abhi nahi ja sakte, work load bohot hai, maine abhi kuch mahine pehle hi office join kiya hai, baad mein chalenge... main kya karu kuch mahine pehle join kiya hai? Kyu kiya kuch mahine pehle join? Ek saal India mein bematlab ka jo the, issey achha yaha akey apna office dekhte na. Toh ab na hota workload."

(Look, Rafey promised me that when the baby comes, we'll go to India, but now he's saying we can't go now, there's too much workload. I just joined the office a few months ago... So what should I do? Why did he join a few months ago? It was pointless for him to be in India for a year; it's better to come here and set up office. So now there wouldn't be any workload.)

"Rafey bhai ko wakai zaroori kaam hoga na, warna woh kyu mana karte tumhe." Hyra tried to explain to her. Because Hyra knew Rafey was genuine. Otherwise, he would never say no to Uswa.

(Rafey bhai must have important work, otheriwse he would never refused you.)

"Arey toh unhe kaam haina, main toh free hoon, lekin maine akele jane ka kaha toh kehte tumhare begair kaise rahunga. Jaise bachpan se leke ab tak rahe hain aur kaise?" But Uswa's anger wasn't going to dissipate with Hyra's explanations.

(Well, he has work, but I'm free, but when I suggested going alone, he said, 'How can I live without you?' Like he have been living since childhood until now, how else?)

Hyra felt like smacking her head on Uswa's reasoning. She used to say herself that she wanted Rafey to be crazy about her, and now that Rafey is exactly like that, she doesn't even realize it.

"Uswa, unhone kaha toh baad mein chalenge, choti choti baat pe tum gussa na ho Rafey bhai se."

(Uswa, he said you two can go later, don't get angry with Rafey bhai over petty things.)

"Ab main Rafey se gussa na hoon toh... toh kya Hayder bhai se gussa hoon?" Uswa didn't take Hyra's words seriously and instead questioned her.

(If I can not get angry with Rafey, then... then should I be angry with Hayder bhai.)

This time, Hyra couldn't control her laugh. "Nahi, tum Rafey bhai se gussa ho."

(No, you get angry with Rafey bhai.)

"Woh toh main hoon, aur main tab tak nahi manugi jab tak woh mujhe chotu se milwane India nahi le jate." Uswa was adamant.

(I am, and I won't talk to him until he takes me to meet the little one.)

"Waise issey yaad aya, tum kab jaogi wapas?" Uswa suddenly remembered and asked Hyra.

(By the way, it reminded me, when are you going back?)

Hyra realized that she didn't even know when they were going back. Hayder had said they would stay for just a few days, but it had already been a week. "Hayder aye toh puchungi."

(I'll ask Hayder when he comes.)

Hayder didn't want to leave Hyra alone and go to the office, so he had arranged to meet the client at the hotel.

"Sahi. Waise kitna golu molu baby haina. Mera dil chah raha ussey kha jau." Uswa said, and the conversation then shifted to their nephew.

(Right. By the way, the baby is so chubby. I feel like eating him up.)

•••

Azma and Kubra were sitting in the lawn, savouring cups of coffee as the evening draped the surroundings in a serene dusk when Azma asked Kubra when she is going to the hospital to meet Laraib and her baby.

"Laraib bhabhi ghar ajey tab jaungi unse milne."

(I'll meet Laraib bhabhi once she gets home.)

Kubra never liked going to the hospital. She would feel dizzy as soon as she stepped there, so she was still reluctant to go to the hospital. Neither she was unaware of Laraib's behaviour, that's why Kubra didn't want to meet her alone. She thought it would be better to wait until Laraib is discharge and at home because then she could also meet others at her home.

"Yeh bhi theek rahega. Waise bhi aise haal mein kisi se milne ka dil nahi chahta, tumhari bhabhi aram chahti hongi."

(That would be the best. In this condition, your bhabhi must want to rest instead of meeting everyone.)

"Jab Sarim hua tha toh mujhse pehle din hi itne sarey log milne agaye mujhe toh itne logo ko dekhke uljhan hone lagi thi, Sarim ke dad samajh gaye the meri situation aur unhone sabko hataya, fir jab tak main hospital mein thi unhone kisi ko aney nahi diya, sirf Sarim ki dadi aur nani ati thi."

(When Sarim was born, so many people came to see me on the first day that I started feeling overwhelmed seeing so many people, Sarim's dad understood my situation and told everyone to leave. Until I was in the hospital, he didn't let anyone come, only Sarim's grandmothers were allowed.)

"Sarim ke dad bohot khayal rakhne wale the, aur bilkul waisa hi Sarim hai, choti choti cheezein jo tumhe yaad na ho bhale se, ussey yaad rehti hain." When Azma mentioned Sarim, a smile spread across Kubra's face. Sarim was indeed caring yet careless. He was different. Kubra is still trying to figure him out.

(Sarim's dad was a caring person, and Sarim is just like him, even the little things that you might forget, he remembers.)

"Sarim bachpan mein shararti the?" Kubra asked. They attended the same high school and intermediate college, but Kubra didn't know Sarim that well during their school days. Sometimes, they ended up in the same team for a project, or they would just casually say good morning to each other. Other than that, Kubra didn't really know much about Sarim.

(Was Sarim mischievous as a child?)

"Aisa waisa? Bohot shararti tha, ghar ko sar pe uthaye rehta tha. Main toh din bhar uske piche bhagti rehti thi kabhi yeh cheez torhta toh kabhi woh cheez." Azma chuckled, reminiscing about his childhood antics.

(Mischievous? Very mischievous, he used to trouble the house all day long. I used to run after him all day, sometimes he would break something, sometimes something else)

"Hello, ladies," At that moment, Sarim also arrived home from the office, and seeing them in the lawn, he walked over to them.

"Assalam-Alaikum," Kubra greeted him.

"Aaj tum jaldi agaye?" Azma asked.

(You came early?)

"Haan, aaj koi zyada kaam tha nahi, toh agaya." Running his fingers through his hair, Sarim replied.

(Yes, there wasn't much work today, so I came early.)

Kubra stood up to leave, but Azma stopped her. "Tum kaha ja rahi ho?"

(Where are you going?)

"Main Sarim ke liye coffee..." Kubra said, looking at Sarim.

(I'm going get coffee for Sarim...)

"Coffee rehne do, bas pani le aao." Sarim told her. Nodding her head, Kubra left.

(Forget coffee, just bring some water.)

"Achha suno, ab main agayi hoon toh tum aur Kubra thore dino ke liye kahi ghoom kyu nahi atey?"

(Okay listen, now that I'm back, why don't you and Kubra go somewhere for a few days?)

"Kaha?" Confused, Sarim asked.

(Where?)

Azma smacked her forehead. "Shadi ke baad insan kaha jata hai? Honeymoon pe. Meri wajah se waise bhi tum dono kahi nahi ja paye, Kubra bhi bechari ghar mein akeli bore hui hogi. Tum log kahi ghoom aao, Kubra ka bhi mood fresh ho jayega. Mujhe thori ghumsum lagi woh."

(Where do people go after marriage? On a honeymoon. Because of me, you two couldn't go anywhere, Kubra must have been bored alone at home. Go somewhere, Kubra will also feel refreshed. I found her a bit gloomy.)

Sarim avoided eye contact after Azma's last words. Kubra was genuinely puzzled, and he couldn't understand the reason behind her gloominess.

"Kubra, tum batao kaha jaogi?" Sarim was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice when Kubra arrived. It was Azma's voice that made him raise his head, and he saw Kubra placing a tray on the table. Although Sarim had only asked for water, Kubra had still brought coffee and some snacks for him.

(Kubra, where do you want to go?)

"Kaha?" Kubra asked, placing the glass and cup in front of Sarim before sitting down and giving Azma a questioning look.

(Where?)

"Apne honeymoon pe aur kaha?" Azma asked the question so casually as if it was not a big deal. But Kubra blushed deeply, and Sarim started choking on his water. Sarim and Azma share a bond of friends, but Kubra wasn't yet accustomed to such frankness. Sarim could understand how embarrassed Kubra must be feeling.

(On your honeymoon, where else?)

"Mom," Sarim called his mom softly. "Hum apko baad mein decide karke bata denge." Sarim said so Azma won't speak on this topic again, then he glanced at Kubra, who was looking down at her hands, lacking the courage to lift her gaze towards Sarim or Azma.

(We'll decide and let you know later.)

Azma looked at Sarim, silently asking him if she had said something wrong. Sarim nods his head.

"Sarim, tum jaldi agaye ho toh tum dono kahi bahar dinner pe chale jao?" Azma suggested, trying to smooth things over and make Kubra feel comfortable again.

(Sarim, since you're back early, why don't you both go out for dinner?)

"Maine dinner bana liya hai." Kubra immediately replied,

(I've cooked dinner already.)

At the same time, Sarim said, "Kubra ko bahar ka khana nahi pasand."

(Kubra doesn't like outside food.)

Azma looked at Kubra, surprised that she had cooked dinner without her noticing. While Kubra glanced at Sarim, wondering how he knew about her preference for homemade food. Kubra couldn't remember ever telling Sarim that she didn't like eating outside.

"Ab main tum dono kuch nahi kahungi, tum dono hi jano tumhe kahi jana hai ya nahi," Azma gave up. All she wanted was for Sarim and Kubra to feel better. So what if she hadn't been home for so many days? Just by looking at Sarim, she could tell he was disturbed. Kubra, too, seemed quite reserved. Azma wasn't sure if Kubra's silence was just a part of her personality or if she was also troubled by something.

(I won't say anything now, you two decide whether you want to go out or not,)

Azma didn't want to interfere too much in her son's married life, so she was trying her best to encourage them to go out, hoping it would lift their spirits.

•••

"Kaisa raha tum log ka stay?" Hanif Mirza inquired, a gentle twinkle in his eyes as he put the cup down.

(How was your stay?)

"Bohot achha. Pata hai, Baba, hum safari pe gaye the," Hyra exclaimed excitedly.

(It was very good. You know, Baba, we went on a safari,)

Hayder, taking a sip of tea, couldn't resist commenting. "Jaha Hyra ko chakkar agaya."

(Where Hyra felt dizzy.)

Hyra shot him glare before continuing, "Hum Burj Khalifa bhi gaye the."

(We also went to the Burj Khalifa.)

"Jiski height dekhke hi Hyra darr gayi thi," Hayder added with a smirk, earning another glare her.

(Hyra got scared just looking at its height,)

"Lekin mujhe kuch bhi itna khas nahi laga. Haan, Hayder keh rahe the ki sari achhi cheezein raat mein hoti hain..." Hyra's sentence trailed off as Hayder coughed, realizing she was about to reveal too much to Hanif Mirza.

(But nothing felt that special to me. Yes, Hayder was saying that all good things happen at night...)

"Hayder, tum theek ho?" Hanif Mirza's concerned voice interrupted, his attention now Hayder.

(Hayder, are you okay?)

"Ji, baba, main theek hoon," Hayder quickly replied, clearing his throat and shooting Hyra a warning glance, which she countered with an innocent smile.

(Yes, baba, I'm fine.)

"Tum kya keh rahi thi, Hyra?" Hanif Mirza again turned to Hyra.

(What were you saying, Hyra?)

"Hayder keh rahe the Dubai mein raunaq raat mein..."

(Hayder was saying that Dubai comes alive at night...)

"Shahzaib office mein hai?" Hayder asks, hoping to divert the conversation away.

(Is Shahzaib at the office?)

"Haan, woh toh shaam mein ayega," Hanif Mirza replies,

(Yes, he'll come in the evening,)

Hayder nods his head, then sets his empty cup down on the table.

"Main hospital ja raha hoon Dawar se milne." Hayder stood up from the sofa and announced.

(I'm going to the hospital to meet Dawar.)

"Main bhi chalu?" Hyra was about to get up with Hayder but was stopped by a gesture of his hand.

(Can I come too?)

"Tum aram karo, safar se thakk gayi hogi." he said. Hayder didn't want to tire Hyra out, especially after such a long journey. Going to the hospital immediately wouldn't be good for her health.

(You should rest, you must be tired from the trip.)

"Main theek hoon," Hyra said in an undertone.

(But I'm fine.)

"Beta, Hayder sahi keh raha hai, iss waqt tumhe aram karna chahiye, kal main tumhe leke chalunga," Hanif Mirza interjected, siding with Hayder.

(Dear, Hayder is right, you should rest, I'll take you to the hospital tomorrow,)

With two against one, Hyra remained silent and reluctantly sat into the cushion of the sofa, suppressing her objections.

"Main jaldi ajaunga," Hayder said, affectionately placing his hand on Hyra's head before leaving.

(I'll come back soon,)

"Main niche chali jau?" Hyra wasn't really feeling tired, so she asked Hanif Mirza for permission to go downstairs.

(Can I go downstairs?)

"Haan kyu nahi."

(Sure why not.)

Downstairs, only Arzoo and Sami were at home. Sami began telling Hyra about the baby as soon as he saw her. "Maine ussey goud bhi liya tha, woh itna chota sa hai," Sami said, forming a cup with his hands to show Hyra.

(I even carried him in my arms, he's so tiny)

Arzoo had left them in the living room and gone to the kitchen. She thought of preparing something for Hyra to eat. Although the maid must have prepared food upstairs, Arzoo wanted to cook something for Hyra herself.

She couldn't muster the courage to face Hyra, feeling overwhelmed with guilt for all the injustices she had inflicted upon her. Arzoo had robbed Hyra of her childhood and instilled a fear of love in her, where even the thought of taking affection scared Hyra. And then she had forced Hyra into marriage. Thinking of her actions, Arzoo's heart weighed heavy once again. How would she ever make amends for all this?

As Arzoo worked in the kitchen, her mind drifted to the past, replaying the moments of pain and regret. She knew she couldn't erase the past, but she was determined to make a change, to be there for Hyra in whatever way she could, even if it meant starting from scratch.

"Sami kaha gaya?" As Arzoo returned to the living room, she found Hyra was alone,

(Where's Sami?)

"Uske dost agaye the, woh park gaya." Hyra informed her, a moment of awkward silence hung in the air between Arzoo and Hyra. After Uswa's wedding, Arzoo and Hyra hadn't had any conversation, and this lack of communication had led to a deep silence between them now.

(His friends came, so he went to the park.)

Hyra fidgeted with the edge of her dupatta, feeling a sudden pang of guilt. She regretted why she had said those things to Arzoo. She should have kept those thoughts in her heart, as she always did.

Her gaze fell on the small wrapped box she had brought with her from Dubai.

"Maama, yeh aapke liye," Hyra said softly, extending the gift towards Arzoo.

(Mama, this is for you,)

Arzoo's eyes widened in surprise as she accepted the box, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions. She didn't see what was in the box and looked at Hyra.

"Hyra, main..." Arzoo struggled to find the right words, how she should apologize? Puzzled, Hyra looked at Arzoo.

(Hyra, I...)

"Hyra, main tumhe majboor nahi banana chahti thi." Arzoo took a deep breath and expressed her feelings. "Main bas chahti thi ki... tumhe woh sab face na karna parhe jo maine kiya, aur Allah na kare kabhi aisi koi situation aye toh tum har cheez ke liye taiyyar raho, isliye shuru se hi tumhe zamane ki talkhi batana chahti thi. Mujhe nahi pata chala inn sab mein maine kab tumhara bachpana cheen liya, I'm sorry..."

(I never wanted to make you helpless.)

(I just wanted... you not to have to face everything I did, and God forbid if such a situation ever arises, you should be prepared for everything, that's why I wanted to tell you about life's harshness from the beginning. I didn't realize when I took away your childhood in all this, I'm sorry...)

"Maama, please aap sorry na kahe." Hyra, who had been silently listening to Arzoo without saying anything, interrupted her at her last words.

(Mama, please don't apologize.)

"Hyra, main sharminda hoon..."

(Hyra, I'm embarrassed...)

"Jane dein," Arzoo had more to say, but Hyra stopped her from speaking further.

(Let it go,)

There's no point in this, Hyra knew. What's done is done. Apologizing doesn't fix anything; the innocence of childhood that's gone won't come back. The fear that settled in her heart won't just disappear.

Tears streamed down Arzoo's cheeks as she enveloped Hyra in an embrace.

Hyra was taken aback; she couldn't remember the last time Arzoo had hugged her. Some things aren't fixed by sorry, but a simple act of hug can make them right. Hyra felt as if a sense of peace had settled within her. Years of pain melted away, replaced by a newfound bond of understanding and love.

•••

Rabia knew her words didn't hold much significance, yet she still made an effort to talk to Nazish, suggesting that Laraib and the baby should go their home after discharge.

"Bhabhi, chahti toh main bhi hoon Laraib apne ghar jaye lekin...." Nazish reluctantly left her words incomplete. In front of the stubbornness of her husband, daughter, and son-in-law, who would listen to her anyway?

(Bhabhi, even I want Laraib to go to her own home but...)

Rabia was disappointed, too. If only Dawar had once suggested taking Laraib along, then who would have dared to take Laraib elsewhere? But Dawar was the most obvious among them all.

Rabia nodded her head, understanding Nazish's situation.

Rabia thought about talking to Laraib once, but she dismissed the idea. She knew Laraib would refuse, and just like Naseer had created a scene at Uswa's wedding, Rabia was afraid he might do something similar at the hospital too. So Rabia stayed silent. Before Laraib's discharge, she showered her grandson with a lot of kisses. She didn't know when she'll meet him again.

•••

Laraib sat on the hospital bed in a simple attire, while Nazish packed her belongings in a bag. Once the bag was ready, she handed it to Naseer, who took it and left. Then Nazish took the baby in her arms and went to Laraib.

"Chalo, beta," Nazish called her only daughter lovingly.

(Come on, Dear.)

"Mummy, Dawar?" Laraib asked.

"Woh toh ghar gaya." Nazish informed her.

(He's gone home)

Laraib's heart sank. She watched silently as Nazish cradled the baby, feeling a pang of loneliness deep within her. Was Dawar really leaving her? Did he only care about their son? The thoughts swirled in her head, casting shadows over her already fragile emotions. Tears welled up in her eyes as she imagined the worst-case scenario - Dawar filing for divorce, leaving her alone with their child.

"Kya hua, Laraib?" Worried, Nazish put the baby down and hold Laraib's cheeks.

(What happened, Laraib?)

Laraib couldn't shake the feeling of impending loss and abandonment. She clung to her mother and started crying.

•••

After dropping off Rabia at home, Dawar started heading towards Laraib's house. However, upon reaching there, he found the house locked. By now, they should have come from the hospital since it was quite close to their house.

Dawar returned to his car and retrieved his phone from the dashboard.. He wanted to call Naseer to check if everything was okay. But before he could make the call, he received a call from Rabia.

"Dawar, kaha ho? Jaldi ghar aao," Rabia's voice was tinged with urgency.

(Dawar, where are you? Come home quickly.)

"Mummy, main Laraib ke ghar aya tha, sab khairiyat?" Dawar inquired

(Mummy, I'm at Laraib's house, is everything okay?)

"Haan, sab theek hai, tum bas ghar aao," Rabia insisted.

(Yes, everything is fine, just come home.)

"Laraib ko toh ajane dein hospital se, main shaam tak ajaunga," Dawar couldn't understand why Rabia was calling him home so urgently, especially since he had just dropped her off.

(Let Laraib come from the hospital, I'll come by evening,)

"Dawar, maine kaha ghar aao matlab abhi aao,"

(Dawar, I said come home means come now,)

Perplexed, Dawar glanced once more at the locked door before resigning himself to returning home. As he drove, he attempted to reach out to Naseer and Nazish, but both calls went unanswered. Calling Laraib was futile since he knew her phone was at home. Worried, he drives back to his home.

The drive back felt longer than usual, each passing second weighed down by worry. When he arrived home, Dawar rushed inside, his mind racing with possibilities.

•••

I'm feeling giddy giddy becuase this story is near the end🤭 Now I can publish new story😁

Khair, how's the chapter?

-Ufaq