Hassas- Pt 1

(The translation for urdu dialogues can be found in the comments beside the text! All translation credits for chapters 1-6 of Hassas are solely the hard work of apurbaghosh123 )

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"Qubool hai."

"Qubool hai."

"Qubool hai."

The memory was as fresh as a new wound, burning her peace and thoughts whenever she closed her eyes to forget it all.

"Mayza, neeche aa jao. Kuch baat karni hai."

A knock on the door made her close her eyes and take in a deep breath. Looking into the mirror, she found her eyes staring at a blank porcelain doll- or she was told she was. Easy to break, to mend, to be forgotten.

"Aayi mama!"

She replied to her mother, forcing a smile on her face. Gazing at her lips that seemed to be stretched forcefully into an emotion of happiness when all she felt was sorrow, Mayza gave a gentle pat to her cheeks, allowing herself another few minutes to collect her thoughts.

Not wanting to be left alone with the condescending feelings within her, Mayza was quick to give her attire a check and walk out of the room. The Bukhari mansion felt eerily quiet, unlike the times when there was no place for silence in the house.

A small smile- a genuine smile pulled on her lips when she remembered the past shenanigans of Zuhayr and Sabir, her cousins- the same shenanigans she once used to be a part of.

Shaking her head to reduce the heavy weight that had suddenly been put on her heart, Mayza rubbed her chest a little when it felt hard to breathe.

There were hushed sounds coming from the living room, sounds that clearly looked like someone was arguing. Frowning in concern, Mayza increased the pace of her steps and found herself in front of her family that shushed down once she came in view.

"Kuch hua hai?"

She couldn't help but ask when each of them wore a different expression of conflict. Her taya abbu, Abeer, shared a glance with her father, Amir, who looked ready to lose his temper any moment now. Her mother, Ibtizam, whispered a few things in her father's ears and it worked like a charm when Mayza saw her father relaxing just by a little.

"Nahi, kuch khas nahi. Aao na, yaha baitho."

Her tayi ammi, Falak, smiled widely at her and motioned for her to take a seat beside her. Her eyes looked around for her cousins but found none.

"Baki sab kaha hai?"

Daiba, her chachi, rolled her eyes at the question but nonetheless, the fond smile on her face clearly said enough.

"Arey, they are busy re-watching the highlights of the last cricket match. Samajh nahi aata ki same cheez bar-bar dekhne mein kya maza aata hai teeno ko."

The three of them- Ahzan, Zuhayr and Sabir.

"Acha, unki baatein chodo aur meri suno."

Mahnoor, her younger chachi, spoke with an excited tone. Her mismatched eyes were shining with joy as she typed a few things on her phone.

"See what I found! Apparently there's an offer going on a full-packed trip to Rome. Aur aur aur, the package includes literally everything- a discount on tickets, a well-furnished hotel room to stay, a tour guide to visit the most beautiful places in Rome and the best part? The tour company happens to be well-known with 4.5 stars and a good rating when it comes to security."

Mayza gave a confused look to her chachi, clearly not understanding the purpose of her words.

Ibtizam cleared her throat. Sharing a look with her husband, the former spoke in a gentle tone.

"We- ahm, we all think you should take a break from here. A new surrounding will help you clear your thoughts bacha."

Mayza froze at the underlying reminder. Subtly pinching her thighs slightly to let the pain overpower her thoughts, she shook her head at her mother.

"I'm fine, mama. Really. I don't need a change of place or-"

"We all know the truth, Mayza and it's alright. Please go on this trip and freshen your mind. Trust me, you'll feel a lot lighter and happy. We want what's best for you."

Falak pressed gently, trying to pursue her into going. Mayza took in a shaky breath, not liking the thoughts that were clouding her mind.

"You're weak, far too sensitive to bear the consequences of life."

"My goodness! Have you no shame? Denying the words of your elder!"

"Mayza!"

Ibtizam was quick to rush to her daughter's side upon seeing the pale ghost in her eyes. The sunshine within her had been hidden behind an eclipse that was lasting for far too long. Tears clouded Ibtizam's eyes upon seeing the condition her daughter was forced to endure- to be pushed so far in the dark that she was now afraid to even accept the shadows.

"M-mama, I-I can't.."

Mayza coughed when she tried to speak. Her throat felt like it had been parched. Black spots clouded her vision and she felt a cold touch against her lips.

"Drink this, bacha."

It was her father's voice, demanding her to gulp the drops of chilling water that she had not bothered looking at since morning. Taking huge gulps, she closed her eyes and rested her head on her mother's chest who was running a hand through her hair, occasionally kissing the crown of her head.

Mayza zoned out the voices around, seeking comfort in her mother's embrace. Her mind had dulled into nothingness as she went through the lanes of oblivion, not really aware of what she was in search of.

*****

Mayza had been left alone to make a decision, even though her family did want her to forget and join the trip, she held the slightest bit of hesitancy. They had particularly chosen Rome since as a child, she had always been excited to visit the country but the desires of it were crushed mercilessly- an incident about which she was the only one aware of.

The dinner was set and she took a seat beside Zuhayr who was busy fighting for a piece of naan with Sabir.

"Dekh Sabir, yeh meri hai."

Zuhayr spoke with a determined tone and tried to pull the naan towards him, making sure not to apply more force that might tear the delicious delicacy into two.

Sabir narrowed his eyes at Zuhayr, clearly not giving up so easily on the fight.

"Naam likha hai tera is par?"

"Likha hai na, but if only you had a good eyesight."

Sabir dramatically gasped at the insult. The specs he wore were equally disturbed by the truth being told so loud and he whined like a wounded puppy at his cousin.

"You already ate the last 2, yeh wali mujhe de!"

His protests fell on deaf ears as Zuhayr coughed and didn't let go of the food.

"Zuhayr, kyu tang kar rahe ho use?"

Daiba, his mother, scolded him and would've pulled his ears if not for when her eyes fell on a silent Mayza. The latter was looking at the two minions with a smile- a small but a genuine smile on her face.

Feeling giddy on seeing her happy, Daiba left the two to their task of nonsense while Zuhayr and Sabir remained unknown to the fact that their banter had made Mayza smile.

"Na teri aur na iski, yeh hui meri."

Ahzan casually caught the two off guard when he pulled the naan from them. The two let go off due to not being prepared for the action and watched with betrayal filled eyes when Ahzan tore a piece of it and dipped it in the salan, making faces to tease the two who looked ready to cry.

"Ahzan!"

Falak smacked the back of her son's head, not knowing how he remained a child even though the age of 5 had passed decades ago for him.

"What? I acted as a mediator."

"You mean the bandar from the story '2 cats and a monkey'."

Mayza butted in, finally speaking much to everyone's surprise. The whole family covered the excitement on their faces and acted neutral while Ahzan faked a scowl at the insult-

But if only she knew how happy he was on seeing the mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Toh moral of the story kya tha?"

He refused to accept defeat and glanced between Zuhayr and Sabir who were busy sulking as they served themselves the pulao.

"Phir se nursery mein admission lena hai tum dono ko?"

Abeer raised an eyebrow at his son and niece, both of whom were looking no less than the 4-year olds who wouldn't shut up even after 5 hours of nursery rhymes and stories.

"Iska admission karaye. She brought up the reference!"

"At least I remember what I learnt, unlike a certain someone who forgets mathematics tables if not revised on a daily basis!"

"Do not get personal woman!"

"I wasn't-"

"Chup chap khana khao warna bhuke pet sone jao."

Ibtizam's voice held a stern tone, making it clear that she wasn't bluffing.

Giving a stink eye to Ahzan, Mayza swallowed down the reply that rested on the tip of her tongue and begrudgingly finished the food she had mindlessly put on her plate.

Not long after everyone had dinner, the whole Bukhari clan sat together in the living room for a movie night. Mayza sat on the couch with a smile. It had been long since she had taken part in the banter and she couldn't bring herself to express the chirpy feeling of happiness within her.

"Remote kaha hai?"

Ahzan asked while throwing a few cushions here and there and everyone got onto the task of finding the device. Mayza too looked at her side and found it tucked at the edge of the sofa. Her eyes moved from the remote she had clutched in her hands to her stomach and like a plague not ready to leave her, the smile she wore dropped in an instant when an undesirable memory flooded her mind.

"Here. Eat salads for a few weeks. It'll help with the extra fat."

Ahzan snatched the remote from her hands, breaking the hold the voice had on her and as her eyes blinked at him, she found everyone gazing at her with a concerned expression.

Ahzan cleared his throat as he gave a subtle glance to everyone and clapped once.

"Bolo, kya dekhna hai?"

"Aladdin!"

"DDLJ!"

"Chennai express!"

"Fantastic beasts!"

"Unfortunately, yaha pe sirf ek hi tv hai bacho."

Amir sassed when different replies echoed from all around. Zuhayr and Sabir yet again started fighting over what to watch while Ahzan gave his inspirational advice every now and then.

Mayza looked at her family that was trying to behave normal, trying to hide the worries, the doubts and the concerns. A part of her felt guilty for putting them through this but the sane part in her, the one who was buried forcefully for so many months, spoke of what was right. It made it crystal clear that she was not at fault- she was never at fault.

She coughed a few times, gaining everyone's attention in an instant. Amir gave his daughter an encouraging smile upon seeing the hesitantacy in her eyes and Mayza relaxed her shoulders a little before speaking what she had decided not long ago.

"I- I'll go to Rome."

**********

Yeah, that little depressing chapter was...

*Clears my throat*

I'd love it if you could be polite for a while- until I wave the red flag with full force of course. After that, the words are yours in any language you please!

P.S. How was the surprise? *wink wink* I mean, I didn't actually plan on writing a story about Humaid, but haye, I'm far too merciful to let the guy go with a disheartened face.

Buckle up people, because trouble is getting real!

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