The Dawn Is On Us

C H A P T E R 2 8

She turned back to her food, paying no attention to the man next to her who carried a 1000 megaWatt smile on his face. Mustafa forwarded his plate infront of her. As the dishes were far away and he could not stretch much, he had no option but to ask for her help. He wondered if it was something to do with his mother.

"Hoor mujhe thora sa halwa daal dein," he spoke softly.
"Acha ji," Hoor picked up the spoon and added half a spoonful of the sweet into his plate. Passing him a puri.
Alia smiled at their interaction, hoping that this peace and harmony would continue forever.

T H E E V E N I N G

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Hoor was sitting in the tv lounge with the rest of the family. All day she had noticed the rude behaviour of Mustafa's uncle's family. First, Rumaisa had accidentally told her about the crush that Mustafa had on her and his desire to marry her. Next, Munazza had asked her to make something sweet but hid anything that had a form of shakar in it. When she asked for it, she was rudely replied too. And had no choice but to leave the kitchen. The mother daughter had left no table unturned to make her feel that the class difference was real. All day, they had communicated in English, asking for her input.

Thankfully, Alia had come back and put them in their place. Reminding them silently of the fact that Hoor was now in a more powerful position than them. Mustafa and Raees had locked themselves up in his study. Playing on the PS4 that had been installed a few days ago. Hence why they were oblivious about what had been happening.

Now, everyone had once again gathered in the lounge to have their evening tea. Snacking on the samosay and pakoray. The chilly afternoon called for such snacks to be prepared.
"Acha bhai, do dinon keh baad, New Year's hai. 2020 akhir kaar aa hi gaya hai. Ab mujhe yeh batao, keh bacho kaise celebrate karney ka plan hai?" Sajid inquired.
"Uncle mein aur Rumi tou apnay doston keh saath ja rahay hain, Bahria mein fireworks dekhnay," Shahrukh replied.
"Abu mejn Mustafa aur Hoor bhabhi khanay par jain gai. Raat ko puray 12 bajay, ice cream kha kar wapis aajain gai!" Raees told his father.

Hoor was shocked to be involved in their plans. She had not imagined that she would ever have a plan on the eve of 31st December. And she was ecstatic.

"Hoor beta," Alia looked towards her.
"Ji aunty?" She asked puzzled.
"Pehli baat tou yeh, keh aap mujhe Mustafa ki tarah ma bulain. Dusri baat, beta humne aap ki wardrobe ko aaj eik makeover diya hai. Yeh saaman hum nai kal ghar jaa kar lia aur kuch aaj dopehar ko. Bura mat manna beta. Par meri tou koi beti hai nahin, isliye aapkay liye kapray kahreed liye," she talked to her hesitantly.
"Par is sab ki kia zaroorat-"
"Beta zaroorat hai. Mein nahin chahti keh iss ghar mein koi bhi aap ko judge karay. Mein chahti hun aap confident banain. Aur confidence ki taraf pehlay kadam apnay aap ko khoobsurat lagna hai," she tried to reason.
Hoor was still sceptical. She wondered if it was actually because she was poor and did not have designer clothes like the rest of them. However, Alia was the wife of a successful businessman. If she could not convince her, what was the point? And so Hoor was convinced and a bit excited about this new part of her life.

Just then the doors of the home were opened with a loud thud. A few police officers stepped inside. Looking furious. And holding an arrest warrant.
"Assalamualikum. Kia yahan par Hoor Mustafa hain?" The burly man asked.
"Ji par inspector sahab huwa kia hai?" Sajid asked, worried.
"Inn par chori ka parcha kata hai. Mr.Rizwan Rehman aur unn keh walid nai katwaya hai!" He replied sternly.
"Mein-- mein nai koi chori nahin ki," Hoor tried to prove her innocence.
"Tumharay ghar sai ho kar aarahay hain. Rizwan sahab ki maa keh sonay keh kangan ghaib hain. Tumharay ghar par bhi nahin hain. Isliye thanay chalo. Baat wahin ho gi!" The police officer nodded at the female constables to put handcuffs on.

Hoor was hysterical as the took her away. She cried for them to let her go. But all in vain.
"Hoor fiqr na karo. Mein tumhai riha bhi karwaun ga. Aur tumahri innocence bhi prove karun ga!" Mustafa spoke to her, as the inspector gave her a few minutes of privacy to talk to him.

And Hoor had no idea why his words calmed down the frenzy inside her heart.

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