"Ammi(Mom) I will be leaving for Lahore in 10," Shehraz informed, gulping the last bits of the orange juice. A dispute between the customers at the hotel had occurred and the directors summoned Shehraz to reach there as soon as possible. Sakeena couldn't argue and knew that this was never going to end due to the nature of his occupation; it reminded them of how absent her husband had been through her time.
Shehraz stood up, placing his chair back when Sakeen said.
"Take Jahan with you," Her spoon fell from her hands clashing with the plate but quickly picked it up pretending to eat.
'What's Ammi up to?' She thought of Sakeena the glint in her deep brown eyes which had slight mischief. Jahanara shook her head while Sakeena ignored her attempt of pleading. Shehraz stood there buttoning the sleeve of his shirt and the royal blue coat laying on his free arm.
"But Ammi there is nothing for her to do, she will get bored and Raaya?" He voiced out.
"Don't worry about Raaya. I and Ammi are here along with Aisha, just show her Lahore and your house," Danish asserted, savouring the kofta dish giving a thumbs up to Jahanara earning her a chuckle.
"Okay cholo(come on) Jahan quick," Her eyes widen as he wrapped his hand around hers but she halted. "Wait my phone," she ran up quickly, skipping the steps, grabbing her purse and phone while placing kisses on Raaya's face.
"Aisha take care of her," Jahanara stated in a firm tone and ran down with a racing heartbeat and wore her flats slowly walking outside not before bidding everyone goodbye by the time she was sitting beside shehraz her body gave up.
Shehraz pulled a bottle from the backseat, unscrewing the cap and passing it to her.
"Thank you," she whispered, letting the cool liquid calm her internal system which seemed heated due to the sudden action. Her cheeks were tinted in the darkest shade of red as she stared outside the window which could be misunderstood as if she is blushing.
"Did you even meet Raaya?" Jahanara asked not appreciating if he just ran out.
Shehraz did not expect that but took a sharp turn and answered. "Of course Jahan I met Raaya,"
When he broke the news at lunch. Jahanara was disappointed in him. Not even a few days and he already was leaving. She understood his situation but he had to spend more time with his daughter even though she was thankful to Sakeena that she pushed her to go.
Secretly she does but would never admit it.
Shehraz by now noticed without any reason she wouldn't question him like this but wanted to know what she was thinking so hard that brought worry lines on her forehead.
"Naraz ho?" Shehraz asked. (Are you upset?)
Jahanara tilted her head looking at him but this time a bit longer. His hair slicked back the dark circles were less which meant he was getting enough sleep. She admired how he kept such a neatly trimmed beard.
Jahanara wanted to say so much yet she for once closed that part of her side and uplifted her lips shaking her head.
"Then why did you ask this question? Obviously, I will meet my daughter and leave," There he finally said it, the burden lifting of his shoulders exhaling. It was ridiculous because now the silence was adding fuel to the already burning fire. Jahanara caught the irritation from his tone of speaking more like he was upset and one wrong thing they could get into an argument.
He would get furious and raise his tone, something so unusual and a sight impossible to see but even impossible can become possible. Jahanara believed this was his way of venting out his emotions. It's better than keeping them bottled up as she did.
Which is never a good option.
She remembered the verse about If your spouse is angry, you should be calm. When one is fire, the other should be water narrated by Umar Ibn Al-Khattab.
"No shery that's not what I meant actually I met her and then you already left sorry," She calmly stated. His shoulder dropped as he closed his eyes composing himself. It worked, calling him shery calms the whole thing down. She noticed once he was arguing with Danish and how Ammi called with her sweet tone, making a smile as she turned to see the passing buildings.
"I am sorry too," He whispered after a while.
The exhaustion had finally called it a day as the couples without conversing dumped themselves into the comfort of the mattress. Not knowing what fate has in store for them.
As the sun shone like mercy on the large windows a big win-win that promises bold lights. Jahanara stirred, peeking her one eye and sighed at the intensity of it while her brain wanted to get up and shut it. Her body didn't agree with it as she turned to the other side pushing her head into the pillows.
The soft knock wasn't enough to break her sleep as Shehraz poked his head to see Jahanara's unconscious state. But now he felt even worse about what he was going to do. He entered by shutting the door behind him and stood beside her with two broken buttons of his shirt.
"Jahan wake up," He softly called, patting her arm. Jahanara pulled the pillow away to see a very irresistible Shehraz the pant hugging his figure while the white shirt curved around his torso the open buttons revealed his toned chest.
'Damn' she thought, gulping the sinful sight.
"Good morning," She whispered, rubbing her eyes and stared in space for a while trying to process her surroundings as she remembered she wasn't in the comfort of her room.
"Good morning I am so sorry to wake you up so early," Shehraz sighed showing the broken buttons and his attempt to put the thread in the needle wasted his time. Jahanara could feel their heart beating at the proximity and stood up excusing herself to the bathroom as Shehraz waited for her in his room while scrolling and attending a few calls before she made her appearance with her wet hair.
"Can I borrow your clothes?" She asked, biting her lips. She had no choice because it was his fault for not allowing her to pack.
"Of course," he casually said without looking up but from the inside, he couldn't wait to see her in his clothes.
Jahanara stood in front of Shehraz curiously looking at how expertly she twisted the thread into the small hole and breathed a victorious smile.
"Begum,(Wife) how did you do that?" He asked with a cheeky smile. Jahanara couldn't help but smile at the word Begum, not that she was complaining. It felt really special.
"Shohar(Husband) it's called magic," she remarked and placed the button ignoring the tingles she felt every time her finger accidentally touched his bare chest. Shehraz stared at her intently, her blue eyes twinkled and blush was evident on her cheeks.
"Thank you so much acha suno (Okay Listen)," He said.
"Jee batai (Yes, tell me)," She asked looking up at his face.
"What's this redness? Is it makeup?" He teased touching her cheek. Jahanara being the clueless one turned to the mirror having an internal breakdown of the fact she forgot to remove her makeup.
"No this is natural," She muttered with furrow brows. Shehraz sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose with a threatening smile on his face. The joke backfired on him and she did not get it.
"Haye Allah Jahan sara joke karab kardiya (Oh Allah Jahan you spoiled the whole joke)," He said as her brain drowned in more confusion, not understanding him.
"What joke?" She asked innocently, making me go all awe at her confused state deciding not to trouble her any further he placed his hand on my shoulder twirling her.
"Let's eat breakfast, come on," he pushed her, strolling behind her to the dining table. Jahanara stopped at her room to grab her shawl and learned they weren't the only ones present at the moment.
"Asalamwalakum," Greeted Jahanara to the elder lady who gave them a kind smile as Shehraz introduced her as Sana the cook.
"You don't need to cook, let Sana Ammi handle it all. I want you to rest and enjoy," Shehraz said. Jahanara nodded and wondered how long he was going to stay out because the idea of being completely alone is unsettling.
"Just a few hours I promise Sana will stay here till I come," He informed her. Time seems to pick up momentum. Jahanara came out to see off Shehraz.
"Take care," she said but rather he stepped closer and came beside her.
"We will have movie night and Takeout," He whispered with a soft peck on her cheek and turned back walking down the steps. It happened so quickly Jahanara froze, her heart thumping against her chest loud enough for the walls of the house to hear a beating heart.
Her hands lingered on her cheek as a smile played on her lips. Showing affection was not her cup of tea but receiving it from Shehraz made her instantly bloom. Her eyes widened as she clamped her hand on her mouth with the sudden realization of the joke.
Better late than never.
Jahanara thought that the woman looked intimidating but realized how soft and kind she was the way her hands would move when she described how her day goes. She talked about her husband Ibraheem who once worked as Shehraz's father driver but now runs real estate in the country.
They sat on the terrace that displayed the views of the lush greenery surrounded by the house and many others. You can never go wrong with some hot chai and biscuits.
"I have no kids," Her brown orbs laced with sadness as she stared at her hands that rested in her lap somehow reminded Jahanara of the incident that took place months ago. "I was worried he would leave me because it was an arranged marriage but Ibraheem was very supportive," That smile which could win hearts as Jahanara placed her hand giving a squeeze.
They chatted away but Jahanara barely talked and enjoyed Sana's company. Nighttime rolled off as Jahanara sat on the couch with food and drinks waiting for Shehraz.
"You chose the movie?" He asked to dabbing his hair with a towel and tossing it on the couch earning a glare from Jahanara.
"Acha(Okay) later," He excused and dipped beside her as Jahanara switched on the Television to Netflix which she found hard to use because she had no idea about it. Shehraz's body tensed at the movie and swallowed at the genre she had chosen.
'Ya Allah help I can't let her know I hate horror,' He thought pushing himself inside not realizing how his arms touched hers propelling jolts to her body. They were in the middle of the movie. Jahanara stayed unfazed while Shehraz clutched the cushion with his strength hiding while a jump scare came. Jahanara took it that he wasn't up for the horror movie and decided to scare him more. She took a piece of fries leaning back.
His eyelids were pulled upwards and mouth open as he kept hiding behind her without realizing it. She snaked her hand around his shoulder and slowly traced his arm as he looked at his left side.
"Bow!" She shouted as he jumped but was held back by her. Jahanara laughed at his priceless reaction and almost rolled off the couch.
"Ah don't do that," He cried out as she offered some fried chicken making it up to him. "I am sorry Shohar, I did not know you were a scary cat," she said.
Shehraz looked offended. "No, I am not what you think of me," He exhaled, which displayed a dimple staring at the screen while Jahanara couldn't help but cherish the whole moment.
A/N: Some Cuteness going on! Aweeee!!!
Anyways my Urdu is very simple not too advanced. my translations may not be accurate but you get the idea and usually, the convo's are in English so we all good :)
I don't mind translation in the comment section if anything I wrote is incorrect.
A request no pressure please do share my story and help spread the word. It will be very kind and helpful of you.
Hope you enjoyed the chapter before the storm sweeps ya all ;)
Till then take care! <3 <3