Strangers | اغیار

Phir yun hova keh aik dosray ko takthay rahe,

Woh andaz-e-bayan say qasir,

mein lafz-e-ibtida say aajiz.

DURRANI HOUSE:

"Faryal bibi (Ma'am) give me your luggage so I can keep it in the car", Saleem bhai (house help) said.

"Saleem bhai please take these two bags", Faryal said, pointing towards the bags laid on the floor.

It's been a week since they got married but Zohaib is still avoiding her like a plaque. He leaves the house in the morning without breakfast and comes back home late at night, the only time when she could see Zahra for few minutes, that too from a distance. The thing which was hurting her the most was that he was not only avoiding her, but also trying to keep her away from Zahra.

She started going to university as there was no point to sit at home for nothing. She also stayed at Khan villa for a night two days back. Baba jan and Amma jan looked tense after seeing her alone and kept asking her constantly about Zohaib and his behaviour. Meesha used to call her frequently to ask about her well-being. Faryal tried hard to make them believe that there was nothing to worry but deep down she had also realized that she was unable to convince them.

Today the Durranis are leaving for Lahore. Dada jan and Dadi jan could not attend their wedding due to uncontrollable circumstances so they have decided to give a reception in Lahore. She has already met Taya abu and Tayi ami (Zohaib's Uncle and his wife), Maham and Usman (their cousins) in the wedding.

They are supposed to leave the Durrani house after offering Namaz-e-Jummah.

They will stay next 10 days in Lahore. Mom has taken off from her NGO, Dad, and Huzaifa will manage the work of their company through phone and e-mails, Zain and Faryal took leave from their institutes, and Zohaib after a lot of insistence agreed to take off from the hospital.

Faryal came downstairs and walked towards the place where Zain and Huzaifa were standing.

"What do think how should I greet them", She asked them.

"To greet whom?". Huzaifa furrowed his eyebrow. " Come on Faryal you are still nervous to meet them, you don't have to get nervous just act normally. It's been 4 days since you are asking these questions".

"I've never lived with so many people around me that's why sometimes I get very nervous", she replied nervously.

"You don't have to get nervous, we will be there around you", Zain said, giving her a side hug to which she nodded with a nervous tight lipped smile.

After some time she went towards the car porch with Zain. Mom, dad, and Huzaifa were sitting in a car while Zohaib was standing in front of another car. He was talking with someone on phone whilst holding Zahra in one hand. Faryal looked at them briefly and went towards the other car, but before she could sit in the car Zain hurriedly came in front of her opened the door and sat in while muttering "Sorry".

She was flabbergasted. She looked at Zain pleadingly and than to Huzaifa who shrugged because he could not exchange his seat with her as he was driving the car.

Zohaib has also witnessed the drama in front of him. He was expecting that his mother will sit with him to take care of Zahra but the scene happening in front of him was telling him another story.

"Bhabi is garhi mn tou aur jaggah nahi hai (We don't have space in the car), You can come with bhai", Zain said with an innocent expression.

"Bhai please come after us, we are leaving", Zain shouted this time and Huzaifa started the car and exited the house.

Faryal didn't know what to feel anymore. Previously she was nervous to go to Lahore but after Zain's stunt she forgot the nervousness and was more worried about how she will spend more than 6 hours journey with her husband.

Zohaib took a deep breath, placed Zahra in the baby seat, opened the door of the front passenger seat, and signaled her to take the seat.

She hesitantly took the seat, he closed the door and turned towards the other side of the car, and took the driving seat.

She looked at Zahra whose seat was placed between their seats, facing the rare.

He started the car. Faryal kept stealing glances of Zahra while pretending to look outside.

Sometimes she would smile at her but other times she would try to communicate with her through expressions. Zahra was also enjoying. Zohaib was fully aware of the situation but kept quiet.

After some time, Zahra started crying.

"Zahra what happened dear", Zohaib said and lightly patted her with his one hand "look daddy is here Zahraaa" he snapped his fingers to get her attention to which she stopped crying but after a few seconds she started crying again. He was desperate to stop the car and held his daughter but due to heavy traffic it was impossible.

Faryal was also getting restless so she forwarded her hands to pick up Zahra and looked towards Zohaib for permission. He had no other choice so he nodded positively.

Faryal picked up Zahra, placed Zahra's head on her shoulder, kept one hand on her head and neck while with the other one she started patting her back.

"sshhh...Zahra meri Jan (My love), stop crying" Faryal said but Zahra kept crying. An idea popped up into her head.

She started singing a lullaby which her Baba Jan used to sing for her. Zohaib immediately snapped his head towards her. Both held each other's gaze for a few seconds and than he diverted his eyes back to the road. Zahra had stopped crying for which both of them sighed in relief.

Finally few minutes later they heard soft snores, Faryal looked at the little munchkin who was sleeping in her embrace and a smile crept on her face. "Mera Bacha (My baby)", she mumbled, lowered her face, and kissed Zahra on her forehead. She started looking outside and fell asleep as well.

Zohaib looked beside and realized that Faryal was also sleeping.

*****

Faryal opened her eyes and noticed that the car has stopped somewhere. She looked at the driving seat but it was empty. Due to her movements Zahra also woke up.

She was talking with Zahra in a baby voice when Zohaib came in, this time none of them looked at each other.

"Take this," He said and forwarded a shopping bag towards Faryal. The only two words he has spoken to her after marriage she thought.

Faryal looked at his hand and took the bag hesitantly. Zohaib took Zahra from her and fed her the formula milk.

Faryal opened the shopping bag and realized that he has brought snacks for her. She was thankful to him because she was feeling hungry. She took a bite from the sandwich and gestured Zohaib to have some but he shook his head indicating a "no".

She knew he must be hungry as he didn't have brunch with them at home, but decided to keep mum.

Zohaib placed Zahra back in her seat and started the car whereas Faryal kept playing with Zahra for the rest of the journey.

Faryal was happy to spend some time with Zahra, she has also realized that Zohaib is a great father just like her own Baba jan. On the contrary, Zohaib was surprised to see Zahra being comfortable with a stranger, which he has never seen before with someone else.

After about 2 hours they reached Dada Jan's haveli where mom, dad, Huzaifa, and Zain were already present.

"Thay have arrived", Zain said with a smug look.

"Assalam u alikum!"Zohaib said and went towards Dada jan, Dadi jan, Taya abu and tayi ammi whereas Faryal followed him and copied the way he was meeting with everyone.

"Saba you have found a gorgeous bride for my Zohaib", Dadi Jan said holding Faryal's face in her both hands. Dadi jan's loving nature reminded her of her Amma jan.

" Yes Ammi, She is beautiful inside out", mom smiled proudly.

Faryal took seat between Usman and Maham.

"Tayi Ammi where is Dadi-phupho (she is dada Jan's sister) and Uzair( sibling of Usman and Maham ?", Huzaifa asked.

"Dadi phupho is offering the prayer and Uzair- ", she paused "Oh here he is" she looked at the door.

"Assalam u alikum everyone", Uzair said cheerfully.

He met everyone but did not see Faryal.

"Uzair bhai you forgot to greet our bhabhi",  Maham said while pointing her finger at Faryal who was sitting beside her.

Uzair moved his eyes towards Faryal and said "You?", with a puzzled look.

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ASSALAM U ALIKUM EVERYONE!

How was today's episode?

Which scene was best according to you?

Andddd, How does Uzair know Faryal? Any guesses?🧐

I'll be waiting for your comments.❤😋

Stay safe!