Invisible String

chapter 3

In the dining room, Farjaad and Umeed sat down for lunch with both their families. The air carried a sense of post-celebratory calm, yet a formality remained.

Their fathers, engaged in discussions about business strategies and potential collaborations. Business jargon filled the air, and the weight of expectations pressed upon the newlyweds.

Meanwhile, their mothers, steered the conversation toward more personal matters. In hushed tones, they inquired about the married life, glancing between Farjaad and Umeed as if seeking confirmation of a connection.

Umeed's mother, her eyes gentle yet probing, asked, "Umeed, shaadi shuda zindagi kaisi guzar rahi hai?"

Umeed, offering a diplomatic smile, replied, "Thori challenging hai, lekin main adjust kar rahi hoon."

Farjaad's mother, with a knowing look, turned to Farjaad. "Aur tum, Farjaad? Tumhare liye shaadi shuda zindagi kesi ja rahi?"

Farjaad, maintaining composure, responded, "Ek naya chapter hai, Mom. Hum dono saath mein isse tajwez kar rahe hain."

Amidst the discussions of business and inquiries about their personal lives, Farjaad and Umeed exchanged subtle glances. The lunch table, a seemingly ordinary setting, became a microcosm of their arranged union.

Umeed's father, cleared his throat before announcing, "Humare paas tum dono ke liye ek surprise hai."

Farjaad and Umeed, now curious, turned their attention toward Umeed's parents.

Umeed's parents held a subtle excitement in their eyes. The air became tinged with anticipation, and Farjaad and Umeed exchanged puzzled looks as their parents seemed to share a secret.

"Humne faisla kiya hai ke hum tum dono ko ek haftay ke liye Japan ki trip gift kar rahe, tumhare honeymoon ke liye." Umeed's mother declared, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Farjaad and Umeed exchanged surprised glances, the mention of a honeymoon catching them off guard. The mention of such a personal journey clashed with the reality of their marriage and their contract.

Farjaad, his eyebrows furrowed, attempted to refuse graciously. "Thank you, lekin iss ki kya zaroorat hai. Hum chahte hain ke aapko takleef na ho—"

Umeed, agreeing with him, added,
"Jee, iski sach mein zaroorat nahi—"

Their protests were met with insistent smiles from both sets of parents.

Kamal Pasha chuckled, "Bilkul nahi! Tum dono ko shaadi ke functions ke baad ek break ki zarurat hai. What better place to relax than Kyoto? Wahan ki khuli fiza, haryali aur mausam behtareen honge. Ye hamara tohfa hai."

Farjaad's parents joined in, expressing their agreement. "Bilkul durust keh rahein Pasha Sahab, Honeymoon main toh har married couple jatay hain."

The exchange became a polite tug-of-war, with Farjaad and Umeed trying to decline the unexpected gift, and their parents persisting they accept it.

Eventually, Pasha Sahab, with a hearty laugh, declared, "Bas aur behes nahi! Tum dono ko kuch waqt saath mein guzarna zaroori hai."

"Aur haan, flight parso ki hai" they added.

Farjaad and Umeed gave up. With reluctant smiles, they finally accepted the unexpected gift, aware that this one-week trip to Kyoto would be more than just a honeymoon—it would be an awkward disaster.
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Once they entered their bedroom, Farjaad and Umeed found themselves worried about the unexpected honeymoon. The air was thick with an unspoken tension as they exchanged wary glances.

Farjaad, furrowing his brow, broke the silence. "Ek surprise honeymoon? Aapko iss barey mein mujhse pehle baat karleni chahiye thi."

Umeed, equally taken aback, responded, "Mujhe konsa iss barey mein pata tha? Hum dono ke liye surprise tha."

The atmosphere in the room grew tense with an undertone of frustration.

Farjaad, leaning against the wall, crossed his arms. "Well, main yunhi aik haftay ke liye sab kuch nahi chorr kar ja sakta. Humari zimmedariyaan hain, Umeed."

Umeed, her voice tinged with annoyance, retorted, "Jese mene ye tohfa demand kiya hai?. Ye mere parents ka sirf faisla tha. Mere bhi aur bohat se kaam hain."

A bickering dialogue unfolded, each voicing their concerns and objections. The tension between them escalated. The conflicting desires of personal autonomy and the obligations imposed by their parents.

Farjaad, feeling cornered, ran a hand through his hair. "Hum aik normal couple ki tarah honeymoon par nahi ja sakte, Umeed. Ye toh bas aik contract marriage hai."

Umeed, frustrated, shot back, "Maine ye shaadi nahi chuni, Farjaad, aur naa hi ye surprise honeymoon. Lekin hum is baray main kuch nahi badal sakte, bas isse behtar bana sakte hain."

Her statement silenced Farjaad, she was right. They did not even have a say in their marriage, what made him think she had any in whatever arrangements her parents were making. Apart of him felt bad for lashing out on Umeed.

Amidst the escalating tensions, a momentary pause hung in the air.

"Chalo phir, hopefully Japan hamare is dilchasp business trip ke liye taiyaar hai." A playful smirk crept onto Farjaad's face as he tried to lighten the mood.

Umeed, catching the shift in tone, rolled her eyes.

"Oh yes, kyunke har business trip mein toh khoobsurat manzar, romantic dinner, aur couple activities zaroor shamil hote hain." she uttered sarcastically.

Farjaad chuckled, "Shayad humara trip thora munfarid ho, jaise hamari shaadi thi. Humare skills souvenir negotiate karte waqt kaam ajayein."

Umeed, unable to suppress a grin, retorted, "Matlab mujhe aapko dukaan-daaron se behes karte hue dekhna hoga? How exciting!"

Farjaad, feigning seriousness, remarked, "Aur main umeed karta hoon aap mere behtareen snowman-building skills ke liye tayyar hai. Yeh corporate world mein ek zaroori hunar hai, samjhein?"

Umeed, with a mock gasp, replied, "Wow, meri waqayi aik business prodigy se shaadi hui hai. What a catch!"

Their banter introduced a lighthearted note into the room, a momentary relief from the underlying tension. They continued to bicker, each comment escalating into playful jabs, creating a blend of humor and disagreement.

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HONEYMOON WILL BE A TREAT HONESTLY

welp atleast their comfortable enough to bicker now😋 they're coming out of their shell, slowly though.

twt/x: @iskochupao