HUMDUM- Laiba & Fahad

21| Changes

[ROOM]
Fahad found himself tossing and turning in his bed, he looked at his phone that read 1:35 am.
Sleep seemed to elude him, without the presence of Laiba. He quietly stepped out of the bed.
His search led him to the balcony, where a soft glow emanated from within. He peered through the glass, he caught sight of Laiba engrossed in a conversation with Jiya. He stood at a distance silently admiring them.

[MORNING]
FAHAD
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie and straightening my suit. It's my birthday, and I have planned to spend the evening with Laiba, a romantic dinner, just the two of us, what better way to make my day special?

As she walked inside after a shower, she looked at me through the mirror. I approached her.
"Aaj shaam ko kahi bahar jaaye?"
"Kyun? Aaj kuch special hai?" Her words echoed in my mind. She doesn't know it's my birthday.
"Kuch nahi.." I turned to leave the room disappointed, a sudden voice voice broke the silence. "Happy birthday" her tone laced with mischief. Astonished, I turned back to face her, and there she stood with a playful smile on her face.
A smile tugged at the corner of my lips and I walked towards her ,"Were you messing with me?"
She shrugged her shoulders avoiding the question. "Tum yeh batao ke birthday pe kya gift chahiye"

Caught off guard, the words escaped my lips before I could stop them. "A kiss," I blurted out, my face turning crimson with embarrassment. Did I really just say that?

To my relief she didn't hear it clearly. She responded with a simple "huh?"
"Nothing..rehne do" I tried to leave.
"Aree yeh kya baat hui..bataoo"

"Jo mein chahta hoon, woh tum nahi dogi"
"Tum batao toh sahi..phir mein sochungi" she replied innocently. If I told her, my birthday would become my last day.

"Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye..because I've already got the best gift, you" she looked at me confused.

"Have a good day" I said leaving the room with a smile.

LAIBA
I clutched my phone as I listened to all my family members instructing me to wish Fahad a happy birthday from their side. As the call ended, I approached Maa who was sitting in her room.
"Maa..mujhe aapse kuch puchna tha.."
"Haan beta, pucho" her smile appealing as always.
"Fahad ko khaane mein kya accha lagta hai? Matlab unke favourite dishes.."

"Biriyani aur gosht bohot pasand hai ussey"
"Tum uske liye khana bana rahi ho?"
"Haan..lekin agar aapka koi aur plan hai toh-"

"Nahi..har saal uske liye party arrange karti thi, aur woh meri khushi ke liye aa jata tha..lekin iss baar usne kaha hai ke woh sirf family ke saath hi celebrate karna chahta hai"

I had the perfect thing planned in my head, "thik hai maa..main sab dekh lungi"

"Main kuch help karu?" She asked and I agreed.

************

I sat in the car gazing out of the window, lost in thoughts, all the preparations were done, the only thing left is to get him a present. I watched Jiya get into the car from her college.
She hugged me, "thank you so much bhabhi agar aap kal meri madad nahi karti toh pata nahi mein aaj kya karti"
"Yaar tum mujhe yeh bhabhi bulana band karo..sirf do saal hi badi hoon main tumse..aur hum toh dost hai na? Just call me Laiba."

"Mujhe accha lagta hai na bha-bhi" I gave her a look.
Koshish karungi bha- I mean Laiba" We both chuckled.

Jiya and I entered the mall and we were surrounded by a sea of options. We walked into one of the clothing stores. Jiya said this brand was Fahad's favourite. My eyes were immediately drawn towards a shirt of a vibrant shade of blue. I felt that color would complement him and decided to purchase it.
My attention shifted to a nearby watch store. Watches always seemed like a safe bet for a gift, and it would be something practical that he could use every day. But since Jiya was still unsure of what to take, I suggested her to buy the watch I chose as a gift from her side. She agreed and thanked me.
I grabbed my phone and messaged Fahad to come home early.

FAHAD
I walked into the house, my heart swelled with anticipation. I couldn't help but smile as Jiya and Ammi hugged and wished me. The hall was decorated in a simple manner, just the way I like.
My eyes fell on Laiba, who approached me with a determined stride. My hopeful smile did not falter, thinking that maybe she would hug me too? Instead, she took hold of my hand and guided me towards our room.
She handed me a shirt. "Main chahti hoon ke aaj aap yeh pehne"  Would I ever deny her? It was a simple yet thoughtful gesture. It was as if she wanted to break the ice, to bridge the gap between us. Her eyes sparkled with hope and anticipation, and I couldn't help but smile and agree.