Eid | عید

-Unedited:

Kabi yun bi aa mere ru baru,

Tujhe pas pa kay mein ro parhun.

Muje manzil-e-ishq pay ho yaqeen,

Tujhen darhkano mein sunna karun.

Chaand raat:

"Are you going to stare at your hands the entire night? We should leave now", Mahum said, but Faryal kept looking at her henna decorated hands, especially Zohaib's name.

"Huhh, why did you have to do this?", Faryal questioned and let out a frustrated sigh. "I'm going to ask them to hide it with the henna", She stood up to go back to the girl but Mahum stopped her.

"It's your husband's name Fary you are reacting like God forbid he is your secret boyfriend or something", Mahum laughed.

"But I'm not a bride Mahum", Faryal reasoned. "It's written very clearly, anyone can read it", she mumbled worriedly to herself.

"Take a chill pill, Zohaib will get happy after seeing it", Mahum winked to which Faryal rolled her eyes.

Faryal heaved a deep sigh. She understood the damage has been done. She went towards the counter of the salon and paid them their charges.

"Let's go, Huzaifa is waiting outside for us", Faryal said and they both went outside the salon.

Huzaifa stepped out of his car when his eyes fell on them.

"Sorry for making you wait Huzaifa", Faryal said.

"No worries", Huzaifa stated. He opened the front passenger door and signaled Faryal to take the seat. Mahum looked at him and quickly climbed into the car.

"I'll sit here", Mahum smirked.

"No..you can not. Come outside", Huzaifa demanded.

"Let her sit there Huzaifa if she wants to. It doesn't matter.", Faryal said and settled down in the back passenger seat. Huzaifa glared at Mahum and started the car.

Mahum kept talking to Faryal, but which she was giving her short replies. Huzaifa slightly turned his head back and asked "All good?".

"Yup all good, bhook lagi hai (I'm hungry)", she replied. "Mahum marvayegi muje (Mahum is going to get me killed)", she mumbled.

Mahum was laughing and unknowingly kept her hand on the dashboard. She pulled back her hand when the realization hit her.

"Ufff, I messed it up", She said looking at her fingers. Huzaifa shifted his eyes from the road to her and then to the dashboard. There was a patch of henna on the dashboard. Huzaifa threw daggers at Mahum, he fetched a deep breath and cleaned it with a tissue paper.

"Badtameez (ill-mannered)", he stated.

"Tum nay muje badtameez kaha? (did you call me ill-mannered?) Now I'll show you how an ill-mannered person behaves", Mahum huffed.

She grazed her fingers on the cream-colored leather seat on which she was sitting. Huzaifa braked quickly. That's was the last straw, his patience has run out.

"OUT", He yelled.

"What?", Mahum looked at him.

"GET OUT", He repeated. "Right now".

Faryal moved forward.

"Calm down Huzaifa", she picked up few tissue papers and rubbed them on the seat. She knew Huzaifa has bought this car recently and how precious it is to him.

"She is crazy", Huzaifa said in annoyance.

"Look, thankfully it didn't leave any stain. Ab janay b do Huzaifa (Let it go Huzaifa) ", Faryal requested. Huzaifa looked at the seat and it was stainless.

"Don't call me crazy, or else I'll do something else", Mahum warned.

"Mahum", Faryal looked into her eyes. "Please".

Mahum nodded her head and looked outside.

"This is your first and last time in this car, mark my words", Huzaifa said angrily and ignited the engine again.

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"Miii", Zahra said looking into Zain's eyes.

"Huh?", Zain asked in confusion.

"Um..miii", Zahra said again.

"What are you saying Zahra, Chachu couldn't understand beta", Zain said.

Zohaib turned his head back while chewing the food. He looked at Zain and Zahra who were sitting on the floor of the dining area whereas the rest of the family was having dinner.

"She is saying Ammi", Zohaib said. As much as he wanted to deny the fact that Zahra learned Faryal's name first but he couldn't deny it. He had understood that was the fact even if he does not accept it. For the last few days, Zahra keeps calling her "Mii" and Faryal is on cloud nine.

"Ma'Sha'Allah when did it happen?", Dad asked in awe.

"It's been days dad, you might have not paid attention to it", Zohaib replied and stuffed his mouth with food.

"Ma'Sha'Allah Ma'Sha'Allah", Dada Jan stated.

"Ohh", Zain pulled Zahra's cheeks lightly. "Your Ammi is coming Zahra", Zain said lovingly.

"Assalam u Alikum", Faryal called out as she entered the dining area.

"Walikum Assalam", everyone replied.

Zahra crawled towards her hurriedly. Faryal settled down on the floor.

"Ammi can not pick you up but you can sit on my lap Zahra", Faryal said in a love-laced voice. Zahra quickly sat down in her lap.

"She kept calling you bhabhi", Zain spoke.

"Aww Mera Bacha (My baby)", Faryal dipped down her head and kissed Zahra's cheeks.

Mahum directly went up stair and Huzaifa joined everyone in the dining area. Zain looked at Mahum's retrieving figure and then back to Faryal.

"Did they fight again", he questioned.

Faryal nodded her head.

"Zain can you please bring Zahra with me to our room?",

"Yes bhabhi",

"Aren't you hungry?", Huzaifa asked her.

"I am, but", she signaled him toward her hands and pouted.

Zain and Faryal stood up and went upstairs. Huzaifa took a seat at the dining table to have dinner.

"She didn't have anything in Iftaar and now she is skipping the dinner as well. She does not take care of herself at all", Dadi Jan shook her head in dismay.

Zohaib grabbed a tissue paper and cleaned his hands. He picked up a clean plate, filled it up with the food. All the eyes were fixed on his actions. He looked around to find something. Mom understood.

"Take this", Mom smiled and forwarded a tray towards him. He glanced at mom and took the tray from her. He placed a tortilla and the plate in the tray and went upstairs.

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"These lights are looking so pretty, Haina Zahra? (Right Zahra?). I knew you will like it", Faryal showed Zahra the star string lights and fairy lights. She has decorated the balcony yesterday.

They both were sitting in a double seater swing chair which Zohaib had bought for them a few days ago. The little things he was doing for her involuntarily, were leaving greater imprints in their lives without even their knowledge.

Zohaib entered the room and it was empty. He knew where these two can be. He went towards the balcony.

He stepped into the balcony and looked around. Everything seemed so fresh, lit, and exotic.

"Did you like it?", Faryal inquired.

"Hmm", he hummed and placed the tray on the table. He picked up a chair for himself, placed it in front of the swing, and settled down on it.

He made a morsel and brought it near her mouth. She looked at him in bewilderment.

"Do you want to eat or should I leave?", He asked with a straight face.

She quickly opened her mouth and chewed the morsel while her eyes were fixed on his face. "I was starving", she said.

"Thank you for being the bestttt friend Zohaib".

"You are welcome, for being the besttttt friend Faryal", he mimicked her. She laughed.

"You are such a cheater", she stated.

She kept talking to him and he kept listening to her not ending chatters, patiently. Zohaib made sure she was full until he stopped feeding her.

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Eid Day:

"Tayi Ammi do you think it's presentable", Faryal asked hesitantly looking at the Sheer khurma she has cooked. Tayi Ammi had helped her a lot. Tayi Ammi filled a spoon and tasted it.

"That's Amazing Fary", Tayi Ammi praised her. Faryal's eyes lit up.

"I'll place the things on the dining table they will be coming from the eid prayer", Mahum said.

"I'll help you", Faryal picked up the plates and they both sat up at the table together.

A few minutes later the gents of the family came back from the mosque. They first greeted eid to the elders and then to the younger ones. Zohaib sat down on the sofa at the far end of the living room. He was probably talking to someone on the phone. Faryal went there along with Zahra in her hands.

She placed Zahra on the sofa, put her index finger on her lips, and signaled a shhh to Zahra. Zohaib ended the call and was about to stand up when Faryal placed her hands on his eyes from behind. A smile crept across his face, he knew who can do this but he sat there, silently.

"Why is he not saying anything?", She thought.

Both of them stayed in the same position. Seconds turned into minutes but he didn't utter a single word.

"Zohaib", Faryal whined and removed her hands from his eyes. Zohaib laughed.

"You are such a killjoy. A normal person would ask, Kon hai? (Who is that?)", she pouted and picked up Zahra in her hands.

"Yeah, like it was a quantum physics theory that I won't understand", he laughed again.

"You spoiled all the fun",  She huffed and turned around, keeping her back towards him. He turned her around.

"Eid Mubarak", He greeted her.

"Eid Mubarak", She smiled. He slightly dipped down his head, kissed Zahra, and said "Eid Mubarak Zahra".

"Where is my baby's Eidi?", Faryal asked. "Zahra tell him we are not accepting simple Eid greetings", She spread her hand in front of him for the Eidi. Zohaib picked up few currency notes from his wallet.

He placed some on her hand and said "This is for Zahra",

"and this is yours. You're a child too", He placed the remaining and teased her.

"I'm not a child. Take it back", She reasoned. Before Zohaib could reply his eyes fell on his name on her hand.

"I only asked for Zahr....."Faryal looked at him and then followed his gaze and froze.

"Zohaib I...I did--",

"Zohaib come here beta", Dadi Jan called him.

"Ji Dada Jan", Zohaib replied looking into Faryal's eyes. His face was devoid of any emotion and he went away.

"He misunderstood", Faryal mumbled.

"Let's go back", She said and joined everyone.

"Fary", Mahum called her. "Come take a seat and have Sheer khurma with us", she gave her a bowl. Faryal sat down on her seat at the dining table between Zohaib and Zain.

"Tayi Ammi as usual your sheer khurma is so delicious", Zain praised Tayi ammi.

"Oho I think I'll have to step back from this position now as we have an expert in the family", Tayi Ammi stated.

"Who?", Usman questioned.

"Faryal", Tayi Ammi replied.

Zohaib snapped his head in Faryal's direction. He examined her, she looked completely fine. He knew Faryal and kitchen was a lethal combination.

"You have magic in your hands", Dada Jan complimented her.

"Thank you dada Jan", she smiled.

After having their breakfast the elders gave Eidi to them. Faryal gave everyone the gifts she has bought for them. Faryal's family and Ayeza's parents arrived at the Durrani house and spent the day together and left in the evening.

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Faryal, Mahum, and Uzair were sitting in the living room watching Eid's program on the TV. All the elders left the house to meet Dada Jan's brother after Faryal's family and Ayza's parents left the Durrani house. Whereas Huzaifa, Zain, and Usman were gone to have a get-together with their friends.

Zohaib came downstairs dressed up in casual jeans and a polo shirt along with Zahra.

"Are you going somewhere?", Uzair asked. Faryal turned her head towards Zohaib and realized he was going out.

"Yes, we have a father-daughter date today. It's been a while we haven't gone for one", Zohaib said looking at Zahra.

"Oh, have fun", Faryal smiled.

Zohaib glanced at her and replied, "Thanks".

Faryal looked at his retrieving figure and comprehended that they didn't have any interaction after the morning incident.

"I'll explain to him when he will come back home", She thought.

"It's just three of us in the house now", Mahum said when Zohaib left the house. "Let's go for ice cream". she suggested excitedly.

"Count me out", Uzair said quickly.

"Me too", Faryal stated.

"Are you guys serious? How will I go alone", Mahum groaned.

"We had a tiring day already Mahum..kal chalein gay (Let's go tomorrow)", Uzair said flipping through the channels.

"Please Faryal", Mahum took Faryal's hand in her hands.

"I'm tired please try to understand", Faryal stated.

"Say yes please, I'll convince bhai", Mahum requested. "Pleaseeee".

Faryal took a deep breath and nodded her head.

"Yayyy", Mahum clapped.

"Please Bhai come with us", Uzair looked at her and nodded his head disheartedly because he knew there was no one else to take them outside.

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"I want to eat vanilla-flavored too", Mahum said.

"But a few minutes ago you wanted to eat the chocolate-flavored", Faryal looked at Mahum in disbelief.

Uzair went to grab icecreams for them and strictly instructed them to do not to leave the car. They were sitting in the car, parked in a deserted parking lot.

"I changed my mind", Mahum said. She dialed Uzair's number but the phone started ringing in the car.

"Ohh, bhai didn't take the cell phone with him, I'll go and tell him", Mahum said and opened the door.

"Uzair warned us", Faryal tried to stop her.

"He won't say anything don't worry", Mahum said and quickly exited the car.

"Mahum don't go", Faryal came out of the car but Mahum was already crossing the road.

Faryal kept looking at Mahum until she entered the ice-cream parlor.

"Ohooo", Faryal heard an unfamiliar voice. She looked around and saw two men were standing at some distance ogling at her. She shivered and covered herself with a dupatta. She pulled the handle of the door, but it was locked. It got locked accidently. A cold sweat formed on her forehead. She wanted to get away from them. She took quick steps towards the road but before she could take another step one of the man grabbed her hand.

"Where are you going?", He smirked. Faryal shrieked.

"Please let me go", She pleaded. The tears in her eyes had blurred her vision.

"HELP HELP", she started screaming while struggling to release her hand from his grip. "PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME".

"No one can help you", the man said and he pulled her pendant forcefully.

"I'll give you money please don't take this. Apko Allah ka waasta (For God sake) PLEASE LET ME GO", she pleaded.

"There is no one to save you", The man laughed evilly and grabbed her other hand too.

Uzair and Mahum came outside of the ice-cream parlor.

"What the hell", Uzair yelled when he saw what was happening. He threw the icecreams and ran towards Faryal without caring to look around on the road.

The men left Faryal's hand when he saw Uzair. He quickly sat down on the motorcycle behind the other one and they escaped.

Faryal fell on her knees on the floor. She was trembling.

"It's okay I'm here Faryal. They are gone", Uzair said taking her in his arms. He rubbed her back.

"Faryal", Mahum took Faryal's face in her hands. Her eyes were bloodshot and her cheeks were covered with tears. Seeing her in that state was heartbreaking. Mahum started crying too.

"Ghar (home)", Faryal whispered.

"We are going home, don't worry", Uzair said to her in a calm way.

They made her sit down in the car Mahum took a seat beside her while Uzair drove the car at high speed. Uzair looked at Faryal in a rare mirror, she looked numb. Tears were falling down her face but she didn't say a word after sitting in the car.

"I'm sorry", Mahum kept saying to Faryal.

A few minutes later they reached their home. Uzair parked the car and signaled Mahum. He opened the door for Faryal.

"Faryal we are home", Mahum shook Faryal slightly.

Faryal looked into Uzair's eyes and she ran inside the house. Mahum quickly came out of the car and followed her. Tears formed in Uzair's eyes, seeing her in such a devasted state was heart-wrenching.

"Faryal bibi", Nadia baji called worriedly but she climbed upstairs. Nadia baji turned her head towards the main door and saw Mahum was running behind Faryal and she was crying too.

Faryal locked herself in her washroom.

"Faryal please open the door", Mahum requested.

"What happened?", Uzair questioned.

"Bhai she locked herself in the washroom", Mahum replied.

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Assalam u Alikum/Namaste,

How was today's update?

*The last part of the update was EXTREMELY hard for me to pen down. Imagining a girl in that situation was heartbreaking. The tears were literally rolling down my cheeks while writing it. My Almighty saves every woman from such a situation.

Ameen.