Gem | گوہر

.مرشد میں جل رہاہوں ہوائیں نہ دیجئے

مرشد اذالہ کیجئےدعائیں نہ دیجئے۔

(Murshid mein jul raha hun hawayein nah dijyen

Murshid azala kijyen duayen nah dijyen)

DADA JAN'S HAVELI:

Early in the morning the artistic golden sun got up like a baby and started painting the dark black sky into a bright blue sky. The bright looking milky clouds woke up from sleep and started traveling around the sky. Fresh, cool, and crispy air was whistling like an invisible ghost.

"Assalam u alikum Dada Jan", Faryal sai and forwarded a cup of tea to him.

"Walikum Assalam!", Dada Jan looked at her astoundingly.

"You are up early!", He said with a delighted tone and took the cup from her hand.

"Yup! I'm kind of a morning person, couldn't sleep after fajr. I was coming downstairs for a morning walk but after seeing you from the distance I decided why not we should start our friendship with a cup of tea. My baba say I make amazing tea.", She replied with a blooming smile.

Dada jan took a sip of tea and looked at her carefully, she was anticipating a reply.

"Ahan..the tea is fantastic, prompting this old man to accept your proposition", Dada Jan said lovingly, tapping his index finger on his chin pretending to think.

She stretched her hand forward for a handshake and said "then friends?".

"Friends", he replied with a heartfelt smile and joined her hand for a friendly handshake.

Both of them sat together, Faryal told him about her Baba Jan, Agha Jan and Amma Jan, her studies, etc whereas Dada Jan also told her about his life experiences and stories.

"Ahmed (Zohaib's father) was managing business with me at first, but after a few years, he decided that he wants to build something on his own. He started a new business and succeeded in it Alhumdullilah and later moved to Islamabad."

"When Zohaib was born he brought life to this haveli. Although he was our second grandchild, he was always a quick learner, a lively and naughty kid, you won't believe despite being younger than Uzair he started talking and walking first", Dada Jan added. His lips were stretched into a smile.

"He was born here?", Faryal asked.

"Yes. He was two years old when they shifted to Islamabad. I still remember a tiny Zohaib running behind me, calling me Dada Jan, Dada Jan with his little mouth". He replied with a glint of pride in his eyes.

"Zohaib is not himself these days. That lively, cheerful Zohaib is lost somewhere, but I can assure you he is a gem of a person. The sudden demise of Ayza has affected him deeply, If any one of us was in his shoes we would have surely reacted the same way. Right beta? I completely understand and accept that you at the same time deserve an understanding life partner. It's your right as well. But please beta just give him some time."

She nodded. She knew dada Jan was trying to guide her.

"Beta Rishthon ko waqt dena chahye, yeh phoolon ki tarh hothay hain. Pyaar say rakho tou zindagi mehka dete hain aur khushyan bhur dete hain lekin agr torh do tou hamesha k leye bikhr jathay hain (My child we are supposed to give time to the relations. They are like flowers. If we keep them with love they fill our lives with their fragrance and happiness but if we pluck them they scatter for forever)". Dada Jan patted her head.

"I understand your concern dada Jan", She took both hands in her hands and assured him.

"May Almighty keep you happy and prosperous", He said lovingly.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, the Durrani family was busy checking their outfits, keeping eye on the decorations of the haveli and arrangements, the arrival of relatives, and enjoying family time.

*****

Faryal and Zohaib were sitting on the stage together. Her Turquoise flowy maxi was spread on the floor whereas Zohaib was wearing a navy blue suit, complementing the overall white and baby pink floral decor of the reception. The best thing about the event was that Faryal and Zahra were twining which was Tayi ammi's idea.

"Like mother, like daughter", Faryal thought.

Zain, Huzaifa, Usman, Uzair and Maham were busy in looking after the relatives and arrangements.

Mom and Tayi Ammi were introducing her to the guests when Zohaib excused himself and left the stage.

A few minutes later Faryal heard a shriek "Faryyyy", a smile appeared on her face knowing the idiot.

"Faryyyy", Meesha shrieked again and hugged her tightly.

"Oh my God, Tum tou qayamt dha rahi ho aj (You are looking so pretty)", She added playfully.

"Meesha", Faryal laughed.

"Where is baba Jan?", she moved her eyes and saw him standing behind Meesha.

"Babaaa", Faryal's voice cracked and she hugged him.

"I've missed you so muchhh", She said with tear-filled eyes.

"I miss you too my love", Baba Jan replied.

"Where are Amma Jan and Agha Jan?, She moved out of his embrace and asked looking into his eyes.

"You know Amma Jan can not travel so Agha Jan had to stay with her as well. And I had to accompany this troublemaker but thankfully her husband was with us to handle her", Baba Jan smiled and wiped the tear at the brink of Faryal's eyes,

"Tou r kya (Exactly)", Fahad Bhai (Meesha's husband) agreed. Meesha glared him. If looks could kill Fahad Bhai would be dead by now.

"How did you reach here?" Faryal asked in bewilderment because in between the preparations she had totally forgotten to send the address to the Baba Jan.

Baba Jan moved his face to the right side and said "Zohaib has contacted me last night and arranged an escort for us, Thanks son".

"My pleasure", Zohaib replied sincerely.

That was the moment she realized that Zohaib has seen her melodramatic state. A blush of embarrassment crept up her face. But at the same time, she was beyond grateful to him for respecting her family.

*****

After an event full ceremony, they called it a night. Baba Jan agreed to stay for a night in the haveli after a lot of insistence.

"Huhh I'll kill Maham for doing this to me", Faryal whined to which Zahra giggled.

Maham had insisted her to go for the Bridal bun and assured her that she will help her to remove the pins and detangled the hair. But now she is nowhere to be seen. Faryal can not go out of her room to call her and at the same time, Mahum was not picking her call as well.

"Zahra what will I do know, I can not sleep with this nest on my head. Ohh.... how will I remove the dozen of pins from my hair", Zahra was lying on the bed in front of her and was laughing whenever Faryal would say anything.

"Not fair, Zahra Zohaib Durrani. Instead of helping your Ammi, you are laughing", Faryal said playfully and slightly pressed Zahra's button nose to which Zahra giggled again.

Faryal moved her head towards the sound of footsteps. Zohaib was standing behind her, he looked like he had just come out of the shower. She stood up from the bed and moved aside. He was about to sit beside Zahra when Faryal called him.

"Zohai..b", His name sounded so foreign to herself, that was the first time she was calling out his name aloud.

He looked at her with a deadpan expression.

"Can you please remove these stupid hairpins from my hair", She said nervously looking at her hands. She knew that's the only option now.

He thought for a brief period and finally opened his mouth and said, "I don't know how to do this".

"You Just have to find a pin and remove it, I can't sleep like this", she pointed towards her head.

He pondered for a minute and then moved his eyes towards Zahra and then back to Faryal. She understood what he was trying to say.

"Don't worry I'll take care of her", She said with a hopeful tone.

"Please", she added weakly after a pause.

He nodded his head indicating a yes.

"Thank you", Faryal smiled. She sat down beside Zahra on the bed. She kept talking to Zahra in order to keep her busy alongside guiding Zohaib on how to detangle her backcombed hair after removing the pins, which he did very carefully.

"He is a gem of a person", Dada Jan's words echoed in her mind.

--------------------------------

Assalam-u-alikum my lovelies!

How was today's update?

What do you think about Dada Jan's advice?

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P.S: Thank you everyone for your comments, votes, and for following me. It means a lot. I hope you are enjoying reading my story as much as I am enjoying writing it.