مَتَاعِ حیات
𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐚'-𝐞-𝐡𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐚𝐭: 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞
noun: a being who is precious to someone
or a very crucial asset of life.
تیرا ہجر میرا نصیب ہے، تیرا غم میری حیات ہے
مجھے تیری دوری کا غم کیوں ہو؟
تو کہیں بھی ہو، میرے ساتھ ہے۔
𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗷𝗿 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗻𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗯 𝗵𝗮𝗶,
𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗶 𝗵𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗶
𝗠𝘂𝗷𝗵𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗶 𝗸𝗮 𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗺 𝗸𝘆𝘂𝗻 𝗵𝗼?
𝘁𝘂 𝗸𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗵𝗶 𝗵𝗼, 𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝗶.
❏ ❏ ❏
THE VELVET REGALIA OF THE PURPLE EVENING SHADOWS DROPPED PAINSTAKINGLY SLOW DOWN UPON THE SHOULDERS of dense forestry, the soul guardian of the pathan village.
A soft scented smell came into the air, sweet, even though no flower was visible in all that land, still the redolence felt serene.
The sun held no harshness as blue and deep purple coloured mystery, spread all over the area as if it were a mantle. There was no sign of variableness, hotness usually never came thither.
The white manorial house stood firm in its usual place, right in between the thick greenery. The place sang the same rhythms of imperturbability.
However, what did change for the thy empyreal white mansion, undoubtedly will be the addition of heavy supplication between the ostentatiously pale walls.
Like always, Anabiya was actively involved in the completion of her wazeefa.
In the next-no longer than 20 minutes, the girl was finally done with her regular prayer of invocation.
Reciting short surahs from Quran, the girl opened bottle placed beside her and softly blew over water. She then placed her tasbeeh aside while getting up to her full height.
Anabiya grabbed the beige coloured chadar and neatly wrapped it around herself before leaving her room. In no time she was sprinkling little amount of water on every single corner of her home.
The little forms of ibadat were habitually ensured by her. They held a soothing effect to her pain.
Reaching back to her room, the girl walked towards the dresser and took a hold of her mobile before calling her husband's number.
The call was received right after a few rings.
"Assalam u Alaikum!" The octave voice rang through the sleek device and a little smile curved on Anabiya's lips upon hearing his gruff voice.
"Walaikum Assalam, kesay hain aap?" Her voice was tipped with gentleness.
"Theek .. aur tum?" The consistency in his daily clipped responses had somewhat started to hurt Anabiya's head,
She was about to retort back a smart reply when she stopped from doing so. With sealed lips and a new intent in her mind, the girl pulled away her phone and ended the call.
The abrupt action caught Jalal Shah by surprise.
Whereas Anabiya became swift in her plan, quickly grabbing her earphones, the girl left the room once again.
The journey towards the roof of the mansion took quite a few minutes and as soon as she reached her destination, a content breath escaped her lips.
The cold air whipping across her face was deeply felt as her eyes fluttered close on impulse.
Feeling someone else's presence near her, the girl immediately opened her eyes only to find the roof guard gathering his things. Anabiya's face flushed pink in embarrassment and she could only turn around to quietly observe her surroundings till the guard finally left,
And then after ensuring that it were only her present in the spacious roof, the girl loosened her chadar to uncover her head and relaxed onto the satisfyingly cold floor.
She then patiently waited for a couple of minutes more before her phone started ringing, notifying about the incoming call. It was about time he called.
A short chuckle left past her lips as she hurriedly answered the call, "Jee Jalal?"
"Call kyun band kee thi?" He sounded aggravated.
"Baat karnay ko dil nahi kar raha tha!" Anabiya reply was bone-dry.
"Kya karun mein tumharay iss dil ka? Hadd hai waisay, be parwaiyon say baaz hee nahi aata!" He taunted.
"Haan tau iss sab kay baaray mein mujhay kya maloom hoga? Jab kisi say baat karnay ka mann nahi karta tau zabardasti tau nahi kar sakti na?" Anabiya's tone was as calm as possible.
"Larki, call tum nay khud kee thi, meinay nahi! Itni fursat meray paas bhi nahi hai jo tumharay dil lagnay ka intezar karta rahu!
Aur waisay bhi, aisi kya masroofiyat aan parhi hai jo mujh say baat kartay waqt tumhay itni takleef ho rahi hai?" Jalal was pressed.
The coldness laced in his tone hurt Anabiya in multitudes, like always, all it took was his little raised voice for all the words to die down in her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes as she forced out a reply.
"M-Mujhay bhi tau aisay hee ignore kartay hain na? Bus h-hisaab barabar kar rahi thi!" Her voice was noticeably on the verge of breaking down.
"Arey wah, yeh tau barra hee fakharya kaam sar anjaam diya hai tumnay!" He lightly mocked.
Anabiya's lips quivered as she shook her head in disappointment. "Kitnay zaalim ho gaye hain aap Jalal, pehlay pyaar kay bol barsaatay huay aapki zubaan thakti nahi thi, aur ab ... tuff hai aapki doghli muhabbat pey!"
Anabiya's heart cried out in utter helplessness as the painful thought slid into her mind, nevertheless the girl sniffled out a little and urgently wiped away the shedded tears.
But her cries reached Jalal's ears, effortlessly.
"Lo jee, ab madam ki hasb e mamool aur hasb e sabiq, bin mausam barsaat shuru hogayi hai!
Dekho larki, iss sab ko sunnay kay liye meray pas itna waqt nahi hai, mein call band karta hun, tum sukoon say jee bhar kay ro lena!" Her vulnerability always left him in a state of unease and discomfort.
However, for Anabiya, this very reply allowed a wave of fury to crash within her.
"Baray achay tareekay say aapki masroofiyat kay baaray mein maloom hai mujhay Jalal!
wo jin say mein say ek ka naam Sonia tha na? Uss say tau kuch hee dino pehlay mulaqaat hui hai meri!" The girl became livid.
The abrupt shift in the argument confused yet at the same time, amused Jalal Shah to the core,
Even though the name didn't ring a single bell in his head and he was completely clueless in the matter, the man didn't mind playing on,
"Sonia? Tumhari uss say kab mulaqaat hui? Meray baaray mein kuch puch rahi thi kya?"
The man placed an arm behind his head as he laid on his back atop of the charpai bed. Somehow the open sky turned more beautiful to look at.
Whereas Anabiya was rendered still by the audacious reply.
Her heart sank.
"M-Mulaqaat? Aap mulaqaat ki baat kar rahay hain?! Wo tau mujh say aapka number bhi maang rahu thi, hadd hoti hai besharmi ki, Pata nahi kya samajh rahi thi khud ko wo churail"
She didn't know where the vexatious emotion was coming from but all she cared about was that this certain feeling was excessively disliked by her.
"Aisi mahjabeen ko itna bura laqab dena tau sarasar zyadti hai Anabiya!
Agar wo bechari itna israar kar rahi thi tau dey deti number! Dil tor diya hai tumnay uska!" Jalal bit back a smile replying back in a feign concerned voice.
"Uskay dil ki tau aisi ki taisi! Itni be sharam nahi hun mein kay uss larki ko apnay shohar ka number dey deti aur usko pyaar jataatay huay chup chaap bethay dekhti rehti!" Anabiya scoffed.
"Haan haan, dunya jahaan ki sharm o hayaa ek bus tum hee mein tau aakar khatam hoti hai!
Aur iska suboot tau issi baat say laga saktay hain kay
Kisi dusri ko kya pyar jataanay diya jaye, mauhtarma hain kay khud tak shohar say munqatah hui bethi hain!" Jalal Shah was quick to counter back.
The underlying sarcasm didn't go unheard and Anabiya lips turned down on their own.
"M-Mein ... mein kya karun Jalal? Mujh say pyar muhabbat nahi jataanay hota!
Mera dil dar jaata hai, ghabrahat honay lagti hai aisi baatain suntay waqt bhi!" Anabiya's worried voice was barely audible, clearly indicating her anxiety.
A short smile formed on Jalal's lips after hearing her confession.
"Tau tumharay maslay ka hal bhi maujood hai meray paas, apnay iss dil ko meray hawaalay kar do! Mujh say itna door rakhti ho na? Issi liye itna dar jaata hai,
jis roz meri malkiyat mein aagya tau ghabrana bhool jaye ga!" He gently spoke in a low meaningful manner.
The girl's face flushed red.
Hearing no reply afterwards caused a crease to form on Jalal's forehead,
"Dekho Anabiya, mein tumharay haal ahwaal say bekhabar nahi hun, lekin phir bhi tumhay barray saaf lafzon mein bata dena chahta hun kay muhabbat kay maamlay mein barra hee hasaas aur khud sar hun
Mera bus ek hee usool hai, kay agar kisi say muhabbat karo, tau be hadd karo, itni kay mehboob samaid, sab uski gawahi denay ko tayyar haun, lekin agar wapsi mein wohi garam joshi ya shiddat na milay, tau mehboob ko dil say nikaal bahir phenko!"
This was undeniably a lie, especially in the case of Anabiya, but the man was the only one aware of it.
As if he understood the necessity to throw her into a panic.
As expected, the girl became a stuttering mess in no time. "A-Aisay tau mat kahay Jalal, p-please?" She plead out with tears.
"Kyun Anabiya? Kya mujhay koi haq nahi hai kay kuch pal kay liye hee sahi, lekin mein bhi apnay liye tumhari qadar dekh saku?
Tumharay jazbaat jaan saku? Taras gya hun yar! Sirf ek tumhara izhaar sunnay ko!" He breathed out his words.
This made Anabiya very thoughtful of the situation, she couldn't help but pity herself, "J-Jalal? Apki koi ghalti nahi hai!
Mein na shuru say hee aisi rahi hun, buzdil aur kam himmat. Khuda gawah hai kay mein waqaye apki bohut qadar karti hun,
Lekin bus itni darpok hun kay ... apnay hee jazbaat, apni soch ki bina pey, zuban par nahi la paati!"
Her faint voice was enough to worry Jalal.
"Arey yeh kya baat hui?
Mujh say ziada ibaadatguzaar ho tum tau yeh kyun bhool gayi kay rab ki zaat koi ehsaas apnay banday kay dil mein be sabab nahi daalta!
Aur waisay bhi, ham dono kay iraadon kay sath sath rishta bhi naik hai Anabiya, tumhay kyun sharam mehsoos hoti hai? Allah nay khud kaha hai kay jab miyan biwi ek dusray say pyar o muhabbat say paish aatay hain tau wo uss chaahat ko pasand karta hai, unn dono kay darmiyan uss ehsaas ko barhaata hai, barkaton say nawaazta hai!"
The vehement expression was very much liked by Anabiya, a soft smile touched her lips as she listened to his voice with profound intensity in her heart.
"Aur baat suno meri, yeh jo tum itna khud ka darja ghattati ho, mujhay bohut takleef pohnchati ho. Khoobsurat cheezay tawajjah aur ghair zaroori tareefay nahi maangti Anabiya!
Tumhari ehmiyat bayaan karnay kay liye mera itna hee kehna kafi hai kay agar tum mujhay khud ki mureedi bhi karwanay pey amadah hojao, tau mein khushi khushi say tayyar hojaun ga,
bhaye jis say ham nay dil lagaaya hai, wo koi aam hasti thori hai?" The man teased by the end.
A lively laughter bubbled out of Anabiya, he certainly knew his way to turn every situation, enjoyable.
"Jalal ... I-I love you!"
The confession was made amidst the laugh, a moment of weakness, and when the realisation of her own words sinked in, the girl slapped a hand to her mouth.
There had been a complementary silence from Jalal Shah's side, clearly indicating that he as well was finding it hard to believe.
Mustering courage and strength to face the consequences, the girl brought the phone closer to her face once again before speaking up, "H-Hello?"
Jalal Shah, who was earlier lying on the bed, now got up in a sitting position. The sudden rapturous feeling had him elated.
"Bura na lagay tau kuch keh du?" The man asked for his wife's permission and Anabiya- who had been expecting a cheerful response, became cautious all of a sudden.
However with a little hesitant pause, the girl affirmed him.
"Barra hee koi wahiyat kisam ka jumla lagta hai yeh mujhay!" The girl's eyes widened on accord.
"Aisa farsooda aur ghissa pitta fiqra, ek khaalis aur laazawal jazbay ki toheen hai larki, tumhari muhabbat ko itna aam hona zaib nahi deta!
Pata hai kya? Tumhay chahiye tha kehna kay Jalal Alam Shah mein dil o jaan say tumhay chahti hun, tumharay pyaar mein nidhaal hun, tum say be pannah muhabbat karti hun aur akhri dam tak karti rahun gi!"
It took a few seconds for Anabiya to actually understand that he wasn't cross at all instead, playful as he could get.
All of her worries lifted away and a giggle left past her lips.
Getting a control over her merriment, the girl cleared her throat to speak in a voice imitating his style.
"Jalal, mein aap ko dil o jaan say chahti hun, muhabbat karti hun, aur hamesha karti rahun gi!" She promised all while following his suggested dialogue.
It somehow felt easier for her to finally accept her feelings for the man.
"Ab iss iqraar kay baad zaroor tum khud ko halka aur taaza mehsoos kar rahi ho gi?" Jalal knowingly inquired in a puffed up tone.
"Haan bilkul, lekin yeh aap ko kesay pata chala?" She was surprised.
"Tum nay khud pey rakha hua qarz jo chukka diya hai .. Aur wo qarz thehra tumharay iss dil mein meray liye rakhay ehsasaat!
Zindagi bohut choti hai Anabiya, issi liye muhabbat ka aitraaf kartay huay kabhi dair nahi lagaani chahiye!" He advised with audible contentment.
"Jalal chup hojaye aur please yeh zindagi maut kay baaray mein mat bataana shuru kar diya karay
Acha iss baat say yaad aaya, aap nay mujhay apni akhri tareekh kay mutalliq kuch bataya kyun nahi?" She expertly changed the topic.
While Jalal Shah took a deep breath after hearing her complaint.
"Wo iss liye meri jaan kyun kay mujh say jhoothi tassalliyan aur be maqsad ki safaiyan paish nahi karnay hota, jab mujhay khud iss case say mutalliq koi umeed nahi, tau phir tumhay kis haq say umeed du?" He didn't hesitate while sharing truthfully.
"Jalal itna na umeed kyun hain? Pareshan mat hoye please, meray Allah nay har mushkil kay baad asaani ka waada kiya hai, aur uska har waada sacha hai! Insha'Allah aap jald hee wapis laut aye gay!"
Her small hopeful voice relaxed him.
"Bus phir ab yehi dua karo kay judge ka ain waqt dil naram parh jaye, kyun aur tau koi mumkina hal mujhay dikhta nahi!" He joked.
"Insha'Allah kyun nahi!" While Anabiya remained stubborn as usual.
"Suno, mein waqaye hee filwaqt bohut masroof hun, aur inhin masroofiyat ki bina pey tumhay bhi waqt nahi dey paya, aur thora thora ghussa bhi tha tum pey lekin khair chorro iss baat ko!"
"Arey aisay kaisay? Aap nay tau theek say Sonia walay mauzu ki koi justification bhi nahi dee!" His farewell remark provoked Anabiya unconditionally, who ignored the second sentence.
"Uff kitna larti ho tum Anabiya, mein tau issi gumaan mein maara gya hun kay meri biwi nihayat shareef aur pur aman tarbiyat hai!" The man let out a dramatic sigh.
A little angry grumble was enough for him to laugh amusedly.
"Meri muhabbat ka, aur mujh say haqeeqi mayni kay taaluq rakhnay ka azeem sharf sirf aap hee ko haasil hai Begum, Sonia ya jo bhi ho, Mein har hawaalay say sirf tumhara hun!"
His deep voice erupted multiple of sensations in Anabiya's heart, "Mujhay laga aap mujh say khafa hain tau-"
"Tumhari sirf ek iss awaz ko sunnay kay baad iss kambakht dil mein muhabbat kay ilawa aur koi jazba bachta hee nahi, lekin yad rakhna; khafa zaroor tha, magar be wafa nahi jo kisi dusri aurat say dil laga leta!"
"Itni mushkil baatay kyun kartay hain aap Jalal!" She didn't want to give away her unstable nerves.
"Baqol tumharay mein waisay bhi kuch dino baad tumharay paas hun ga,
Issi liye fikar mat karo begum, tamaam khadshaat ek hee dafa nihayat muhabbat say door karu ga aur phir kabhi koi gilah nahi hoga tumhay mujh say!" The baritone voice sounded too hypnotic to Anabiya.
She was trying all of her best to steady her erratic heart beat but he wasn't helpful at all so she thought of ending the call.
"A-Allah Hafiz Jalal!"
"Allah Hafiz, Jaan e Jalal!"
The feeling of longing like always was very destructive and no one knew it better than Jalal Shah himself.
عِشق بھی کیا عجیب بیماری ہے،
زندگی ہماری، پر طلب تمہاری ہے۔
𝖨𝗌𝗁𝗊 𝖻𝗁𝗂 𝗄𝗒𝖺 𝖺𝗃𝖾𝖾𝖻 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗆𝖺𝗋𝗂 𝗁𝖺𝗂,
𝖹𝗂𝗇𝖽𝖺𝗀𝗂 𝗁𝖺𝗆𝖺𝗋𝗂, 𝗉𝖺𝗋 𝗍𝖺𝗅𝖺𝖻 𝗍𝗎𝗆𝗁𝖺𝗋𝗂 𝗁𝖺𝗂.
❏ ❏ ❏
Noor lifted her daughter in the air to continue showering her with loving phrases.
The delightful glint visible in Anadil's eyes along with her merry laughter made her mother extremely affectionate, the girl couldn't help herself but place kisses all over the tiny frame.
Daryab Khan entered the room and a chuckle left past his lips after assessing the wonderful display of sentiment, "Lagta hai Anadil ki mama aaj bohut khushgawar mood mein hain!"
He commented while walking towards them.
Noor carefully placed her hyperactive daughter on the bed before turning around with a smile, "Daryab mein aapka itna wait kar rahi thi, itni dair kyun laga dee?"
Daryab Khan bent down to drop a kiss over her forehead and replied back, "Ab aagya hun na? Tum batao saara din fursat mein hee guzaara hai kay kuch parha bhi?"
This caused Noor to let out an irritated breath and she immediately tried to make a move away from him,
But Daryab was quick as he grabbed her arm to flush her against him, "Daramay baaziyan mat karo, medical kar rahi ho, pehlay hee itna waqt zaya hogya hai ham say, mein ab aur zarra si bhi dheel nahi dunga!"
He sent a stern look towards the girl who huffed in aggravation, "Offo Daryab, mein kesay time du gi medical kay subjects ko? Ab Anadil bhi tau hai?" She carefully tried treading out of the situation.
"Anadil ko sambhalnay kay liye uskay baba yahan maujood hain, aap uski fikar mat karay!
Aur waisay bhi, sab hee itna attached hain meri beti kay sath, har koi usko time denay kay liye raza mand ho jayega tumhari ghair maujoodgi mein!"
The girl was aware that there was no point in arguing with him over the issue, everyone loved Anadil to bits.
"Dil, mehrabai wakrey, meray liye?" [please]
The gentleness in his voice caused the girl's lips to curve into a shy smile.
"Acha theek hai na, don't worry, I'll manage, aur aapkay kapray nikaal diye hain meinay, tau ready hojaye!" She shoved him back a little to move out of his arms and finally leave the room,
Whereas Daryab Khan eagerly dropped onto the bed to lie next to his daughter who had been shifting in her place for quite a while now.
"Baba ki jaan, kya kar rahi hai?" He cooed at the baby while gathering her in his arms.
Noor entered the room once again but now held onto the tray filled with food and as soon as she witnessed Daryab Khan's laziness, she became furious "Daryab please Jaldi karay na, aap tau abhi tak tayyar bhi nahi huay, dair hojaye gi!"
"Kitni jaldi hai tumhay mujhay bhejnay ki" The man shook his head in a fake disapproval to which Noor feigned a glare.
Releasing a prolonged sigh, he half heartedly placed Anadil back on the bed to walk towards the girl standing still in front of the door.
"Acha na yar tayyar hojaunga, wahan waisay bhi waqt ki itni ehmiyat nahi hoti, tum iss sab ko chorro aur mujhay yeh batao kay tum nay bhi khana kha liya hai kay nahi?" He took the tray away from her to place it on the side table before engulfing her hands in his own.
"Haan haan, bus aap hee reh gaye thay khaanay kay liye aur please ab aur susti mat dikhaana!"
She was as feverish as she could get.
Daryab Khan rolled his eyes but couldn't help himself from ruffling her hair a little as he walked past her towards the bathroom.
Like always it didn't take Daryab Khan more than 15 minutes to take a shower and get ready,
And after finishing his food, he took Anadil from his wife's arms, "Dil, yar tum din kay time issay ammi ya chachi kay paas bhijwa diya karo. Itna bhaag dorr karti ho, iss tarah tau tum thak jao gi?"
She was young, busy with studies and throwing a child to mix had her husband very concerned. If it were on him he'd readily take his daughter every day to the dera with him.
"Arey jab aap itni care kartay hain tau phir mujhay kesay kuch ho sakta hai? Stop worrying." She assured with eyes filled with love.
Landing a soft kiss over her messy hair, he directed his attention back to his daughter, "Anadil Jaan, aj baba kay sath jao gi kya?" He inquired in a way to indirectly tease Noor.
"Sharam karay Daryab!" Noor was horrified by the suggestion.
Letting out a rumbling laughter he grabbed his wife by her shoulders while the other hand remained protectively firm over his daughter.
❏ ❏ ❏
Jalal Shah was notified about Haider's arrival by a prison guard,
He then motioned him to lead the way while Jalal Shah in his usual calm and composed gait started to walk behind him.
As soon as the visitors were notified about Jalal's arrival, Haider took this as his cue to hurry outside towards the man, "Saeen andar hee betha hai, intezar kar rahay thay ham aapka!"
"Hmm, ab kesay halaat hain uss zaleel kay?" Jalal Shah inquired in a rather dimmed volume.
"Aap fikar hee mat karay Jalal Saeen, aisi dhulai lagayi hai kay waqalat ka paisha chunnay ko bhi pachta raha hai!"
A chuckle left past the man's lips and he slapped Haider's shoulder lightly before walking past him to enter the room.
"Jalal Saeen!" Memon cried out after finally coming face to face with the brute of a man, "Arey Memon, yeh kya hua tumhay?"
He inquired very casually, As if the man's body hadn't been visibly all purple from being bruised.
Memon urgently got up from his chair and limped towards the man.
"Saeen dekho tumharay bando nay kya haal kiya hai mera! Yeh kahan ka insaf hai? Mein tau aapka waqeel hun!" Memon hollered.
"Tch, arey Haider yeh kiya tum logon nay? Kitna kutton wala haal kar diya hai iska? Yeh bohut ghalat harkat hai yar!" Jalal Shah's voice, as always held no remorse as he feigned sympathy,
And being a thick headed person as he is, Memon didn't bother dissecting the cryptic response.
"Saeen inhon nay acha nahi kiya meray sath, din dahaaray sadak say utha kar mujhay yeh log aapkay deray pey lay gay, aur phir jo inhon nay kiya, wo aapkay saamnay hai, bohut barri zyadti hui hai meray sath!"
Seeing a grown man cry is always enough to soften anyone's heart, only if the heart isn't the one hardened like Jalal Shah's.
"Ghalat fehmi hogayi thi meray bandon ko, Memon!
Bus issi liye khud ko rok na paye yeh log! Aur inn maamlon mein meray larkay, meri kahan suntay hain?" The man then shot a look at Haider who then came forward.
"Sardar Saeen hamain khabar milli thi kay iss waqeel nay rishwat lee hai Badar Saeen say!" Haider informed in a very firm voice and this information was enough to turn Memon, sickeningly pale.
"J-Jhooth hay yeh khabar, b-bilkul jhooth hai, y-yeh j-jhooth k-kis nay nashar kiyan haan? A-Abhi batao mujhay!" The lawyer spluttered out his words while weakly questioning Haider.
Haider fought against the urge to beat him up again but he saw Jalal Shah raise a hand in air, as if motioning him to stay back.
"Badar Shah nay khud bataya hai!"
It was Jalal Shah himself this time.
Memon's shock was so strong that he couldn't contain his emotions and he stumbled on his steps. "Aisa kaisay..."
Coming forth in a placid stride, Jalal Shah took a hold of Memon's- already hurt shoulder with such a force that an agonising pang clutched Memon's entire system and he couldn't help but let out a pained noise.
Helping him sit on the seat by a forceful shove, Jalal Shah levelled his face with his lawyer, "Kahan na, ghalat fehmi hogayi thi, tum tau meri himmat ko zach karnay ki ghalti nahi kar saktay, heina Memon?"
The man enunciated each word with an impression that seemed too aggressive.
His lawyer as if on impulse, furiously started shaking his head in negative. All the words clogged in his throat.
"Bus phir iss haftay ki tareekh kay liye mein khaasi kamyaabi ka khawahishmand hun!
Tum har haal mein mujhay yeh case jeetwao gay Memon, aur agar nateeja kuch aur nikla
tau umar qaid ya phansi tau baad mein milay gi mujhay, lekin uss say pehlay yeh jin do taangon pey tu yahan jail chal kar aya hai, inko apnay hathon say toru ga, sahi?"
His lowered volume and cold demeanour ran chills down Memon's spine and he started to assure in a stupor.
"S-Saeen aap-aap fikar hee mat karay, aisa k-koi mauqa nahi aanay du ga!"
Truth be told, Memon hadn't expected such a betrayal from Badar Shah either, therefore he concluded that there had to be a shift in his plans immediately.
"Chalo ab jao!" Haider took Jalal Shah's brimming rage as a cue to dismiss Memon.
Memon nodded his head and almost sprinted out of the room. Haider then moved towards Jalal Shah before calling out, "Kameenay nay Badar Shah say muthi tau garam kar lee magar qismat kay bhi kya hee kehnay hain, aaya wapis aap kay paas hee Saeen!"
Jalal Shah let out a deep chuckle before answering back, "jithay di khoti, uthey aan khaloti!"
[The donkey has come to stop at the very place it started off from/back to square one]
After watching Memon trembling like a leaf under his stare, it was enough to put Jalal Shah's nerves into peace. Silver Lining.
Thus he was only left with a final matter to resolve; that of Badar Shah.
Badar Shah was a foolish man to think that he could ever succeed in disguising his disloyal intent, It hadn't taken much for Jalal Shah to believe that he was being deceived by his own cousin.
But despite being expected, the betrayal still felt unbearably hurtful, especially after coming from someone who he had spent almost all his life with.
Familial betrayal always succeeded in breaking a person from the inside.
For who is a man to trust if his own blood lacks loyalty?
یہ محلوں، یہ تختوں، یہ تاجوں کی دُنیا،
یہ اِنسان کے دُشمن سماجوں کی دُنیا،
یہ دولت کے بُھوکے رواجوں کی دُنیا،
یہ دُنیا اگر مِل بھی جاۓ تو کیا ہے؟
𝖸𝖾𝗁 𝗆𝖺𝗁𝖺𝗅𝗈𝗇, 𝗒𝖾𝗁 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝗁𝗍𝗈𝗇, 𝗒𝖾𝗁 𝗍𝖺𝖺𝗃𝗈𝗇 𝗄𝗂 𝖽𝗎𝗇𝗒𝖺,
𝖸𝖾𝗁 𝗂𝗇𝗌𝖺𝗇 𝗄𝖺𝗒 𝖽𝗎𝗌𝗁𝗆𝖺𝗇 𝗌𝖺𝗆𝖺𝖺𝗃𝗈𝗇 𝗄𝗂 𝖽𝗎𝗇𝗒𝖺,
𝖸𝖾𝗁 𝖽𝗈𝗅𝖺𝗍 𝗄𝖺𝗒 𝖻𝗁𝗈𝗈𝗄𝖺𝗒 𝗋𝗂𝗐𝖺𝖺𝗃𝗈𝗇 𝗄𝗂 𝖽𝗎𝗇𝗒𝖺,
𝖸𝖾𝗁 𝖽𝗎𝗇𝗒𝖺 𝖺𝗀𝖺𝗋 𝗆𝗂𝗅 𝖻𝗁𝗂 𝗃𝖺𝗒𝖾 𝗍𝖺𝗎 𝗄𝗒𝖺 𝗁𝖺𝗂?
❏ ❏ ❏
Well acquainted apparently with the way in the house, the woman hastily thumped on the bedroom's door, and called out her message through it, "Falak, jaldi karo bachay, dair hojaye gi!"
Falak, who was already done packing her belongings, opened the door right away.
"Jee ammi, nikaltay hain!" She informed the elder lady with a polite smile.
Despite having most of the affectionate relations surround her, the girl felt her nerves splatter all over the place. It wasn't easy for her.
Tomorrow was going to be a big day for her, her baby's delivery.
They had decided upon getting Falak admitted a day before her delivery, just to ensure her and the baby's proper wellness and check up.
And as soon as she came outside of the house, her sight was met with an visibly anxious man, Hassan.
Sending a tight smile towards the women, Hassan opened the car's doors for them.
Easily grabbing the duffel bags, he walked around the car to place them inside the car's trunk. Zahida audibly started reciting Surah Yaseen before she cupped Falak's head and lightly blowed the blessings of goodness over her daughter in law.
Falak lightly squeezed her hand and when she saw Zahida finish her dua, she placed her head over the older woman's shoulder to try relaxing her tense frame.
And in that very moment, she could only think of her brother.
Her prayers immediately became directed towards her brother's wellbeing as if the only wish she held dear onto was of her brother's case to resolve.
Hassan sent a quick text to Haider, asking him to keep him updated on even the most littlest of news before he made his way back inside the car.
His emotions were somewhat similar to that of Falak's but he was also finding it hard to believe that he was about to become a father.
Sitting inside the driver's seat, his eyes connected with the ones of Falak through the rear mirror and looking at her worried face hurt Hassan uncontrollably.
"Relax" he could only mouth out the word as in a feeble attempt to de stress her.
And after interlocking eyes with man she loved- it was enough for Falak to allow a little smile to form on her lips.
This was enough as assurance for her husband who finally inserted the car's key to the ignition.
With a heart thrumming against his rib cage, and only stress on his mind, the man began the car ride towards the hospital.
❏ ❏ ❏
Haider decided upon not leaving Jalal Shah alone for the day,
They talked about various matters, shifting between the case and Jalal Shah's time spent in the prison. Their active conversation lightened Jalal's mood.
"Saeen uss waqeel ko mazeed fees tau nahi deni na?" Haider suddenly brought back Memon's topic once again.
"Kyun uss nay tumsay kuch maanga?" Jalal Shah raised a brow.
"Ro tau bohut raha tha kay ab ilaaj kay liye paison ki zaroorat parhay gi, aur uskay bachon kay school ki fees ka bhi koi maamla tha!" Haider informed the piece of information.
This made Jalal Shah let out a cold chuckle.
"Jin logon kay zameer murdah hojaye unn pey tars khaana sarasar himaaqat hai Haider,
Uss shaks nay yeh sab zilalat apnay liye khud chunni hai, aur sach batau tau mera iraada yeh hai kay jo raqam uss ko Badar Shah say milli hai, wo bhi mazeed dhulayi kay baad ek hee dafa sab wusool karu ga,
haan lekin iss baat pey ghaur o fikar, final hearing kay baad karay gay, kahin case say pehlay bhaag hee na jaye yeh kameena!"
Haider let out a laughter upon hearing the idea, "Saeen, maannay kee baat hai waisay, aap kee soch tak ham mein say koi bhi pohnch nahi sakta"
A lazy smile formed on Jalal Shah's face as he replied back.
"Dekh Haider, 100 haraami kaam kiye hongay meinay,
Lekin meri kamayi halal hai, 1 1 payi ko aketha karnay mein meinay apna khoon paseena ek kiya hai, iss maamlay mein zarra si bhi kotahi, meri bardasht say bahir hai!"
"Bilkul Saeen, aap pura haq rakhtay hain!" Haider affirmed with an understandable nod.
"Aur Saala haraamzaada Badar, khud ko koi taup cheez samajh betha hai, ek hee dafa akarr nikalu ga uski!"
"Yeh tumhara anaa aur taqabbur mein choor wujood hee hai jis nay aj tumhay iss haalat mein pohncha kar chorra hai Jalal!"
The sentence was spoken by a new voice, that of Daryab Khan.
Jalal Shah got up in an instant, he was visible surprised by the other man's arrival. "Daryab Tum?"
"Haan jee, tau phir batao, apnay sagghay taya zaad say inteqam kay mutalliq kya socha hai tumnay? Waisay bhi logon ki zindagiyan tumharay aagay koi khaas ehmiyat nahi rakhti, tum nay unhay bhi apni jageer ka hissa jo samajh liya hai!"
Daryab Khan let out a sardonic chuckle after his own remark while settling down on the sofa nearby.
Jalal Shah however, completely ignored his taunting reply and allowed a short smile to uplift his lips.
"Kya karun? Aadat say majboor hun, paisha war jageerdaar jo thehra!"
His spirited voice displeased Daryab Khan who could only roll his eyes at the confident reply.
"Dheet tau tum awal roz say kafi rahay ho Jalal! Afsos bas yeh hai kay itna sab kuch kay baad bhi tumhari khud sar shaksiyat mein koi lachak nahi aayi!"
"Kesay aati Daryab? Meri sifaat say badgumaan tau kafi huay, magar innhin sifaat ki islaah karnay kay liye sath koi maujood kabhi na tha!" Jalal Shah stated as a matter of fact.
"Apnay kiye pey agar tum waqaye hee naadim hotay tau mein khud tumhari tarbiyat drust karnay kay liye paish paish hota, lekin tum nay mujhay iss sab kay qabil kahan chorra Jalal?" Daryab bitterly voiced out and after noticing the switching of tones, Jalal Shah gestured Haider to leave the room.
"Daryab, mujhay apnay kiye pey waqaye hee bohut pachtawa hai!" As soon as Haider left, Jalal Shah settled on the chair ahead of Daryab Khan's sofa.
"Kya faida iss sab ka? Meri ghairat tau rondh dee na tumnay? Bhai bana kar haveli mein aanay ki ijazat dee, hamesha tum pey andha bharosa kiya, tumhari gunnahgaar shaksiyat jaannay kay bawjood!
Lekin ab ... Sharam aati hai mujhay apnay tamam liye gaye faislon pey!" The venomous words made Jalal Shah turn his head away, not being able to hold eye contact anymore.
"Itna begairat tau mein bhi nahi tha kay khud kisi bhi larki ko shay deta!" The unintentionally spewed out words by the man made Daryab Khan furiously land a straight punch over his jaw.
The man however, unflinchingly allowed the impact upon his face. Spitting blood out of his mouth, Jalal Shah then let out a cynical laugh,
"Mujh pey haath uthaanay ka agar itna hee shoq ho raha hai tau saamnay betha hun, jitna maarna hai maar lo,
Tumhari maar say mein mar tau nahi jaunga, lekin kam az kam, tumhara ghussa tau thanda parh jaye ga!"
This turned Daryab Khan, livid.
"Khuda qasam meray buss mein ho tau aaj hee 2-3 goliyan tumharay seenay mein utaar dun!" Daryab Khan roared out his words while standing up.
"Kar lo Daryab, lekin ek baat yad rakhna, mein maafi liye baghair tumhay iss kamray say bahir nahi jaanay du ga!" The man followed Daryab's action and levelled himself to the other man's height.
"Jitni kameengi tumharay andar bhari hai na Jalal Shah? Wo meri 20-30 minute ki dhulayi kabhi khatam nahi kar sakti!
Behen ya biwi kay hathon majboor na hota tau idhar ek qadam bhi na rakhta, itni nafrat hai mujhay kay tumhari shakal dekhna bhi gawaara nahi mujhay!"
This made Jalal Shah clench his jaw till the point of hurting but he didn't bother to reply back.
"Ghin nahi aati kya khud kay wujood say? Yad karo unn dino ko jab tum nashay mein dhundh hoya kartay thay aur mein tumhay salamat ghar pohnchaata tha?, kya apnay laa zwaal gunnaho ko bhool bethay hain jo aj maafi talaafi kay liye ajzaana darkhwast kar rahay ho?
Kis munh say kehtay ho kay tum maafi kay laiq ho? Tum mein rakha hee kya hai... haan?!" Daryab Khan pushed him,
And stumbling back slightly, the man still chose to remain silent with his head lowered.
"Kya yad nahi jab mein tumhay ghaseethta hua fahash mehfilon say lekar aata tha? Jab tumharay ghaleez kisam kay aibon pey pardah daal kar, har muqaam pey tumhari tarafdaari karta tha? Meray ehsanaat ko bhool bethay ho?
Arey tum jaisay bhatkay huay na paak mardon kay liye saza aur jafa iss dunya mein hee rakha gya hai Jalal! Kya tum meri behen kay qabil thay jo uss say nikkah kar liya?!" He spoke with an uncontrollable fury and something broke inside Jalal Shah.
He could feel the hit of abhorrence, brimming inside his system, the feeling of resentment clouding his own thoughts.
"Tumhara imaan tau itna kamzor hai kay tum tau khuda say bhi maafi kay qabil nahi, mujh say kya maang rahay ho?"
It was all true except, Jalal Shah couldn't bring himself to accept the last statement.
"Bhool gaye hain aap uss Allah ki zaat ko Jalal ... Aur shayad-shayad khud ko khuda samjh bethay hain" her words slid into his mind and he remembered the ignorant man from that certain day,
The contrast between the Jalal Shah in the past and present felt no less than a whiplash and he then turned his head up to finally meet Daryab's stare but now with firm determination.
The dogma of his faith was finally being put to test, and Jalal Shah knew nothing else at that moment except that; No one, not even Daryab Khan, could ever assign limits to God's mercy.
"Meray imaan ko tum parakhnay ki hesiyat nahi rakhtay Daryab!
Tum say meinay maafi sirf aur sirf iss zumray mein maangi kyun kay Bukhtawara ko jawabiya message bhejnay pey mein sharmindah tha aur ab bhi hun, kyun kay hamara darmiyan dosti ka rishta itna bay wuqat nahi tha, jitna meinay bana diya!"
His eyes became bloodshot, as if he was suppressing anger yet anguish both at the same time.
"Tumhari qadar meinay shuru say sirf iss liye kee kay tum jaisa bannay ki kashish mujhay hamesha tumhari taraf khenchti thi, mein tau tumhay bohut naik or muttaqi samajhta tha,
lekin tum tau apni deen daari aur khudi mein aisa khoye huay ho kay khud ko saza or jafa tak denay kay haqdaar samajh bethay ho? Mera hisaab sirf wo rab ki zaat kar sakta hai, tum ya koi aur nahi, kyun kay uss say behtareen koi munsif nahi!
Tum khuda nahi ho Daryab, meri tarah ek mamooli say insan ho, uss khuda ki yaqsaa banayi hui makhlooq ho, ham dono mein say koi momin nahi. Issi liye tum say mujhay maafi ki koi umeed bhi nahi haan lekin apnay gunnahon say mutalliq mujhay Allah ki rehmat pey kabhi shaq nahi ho sakta.
Agar meray iss jism mein saansein maujood hain tau mein gunnahon ki maafi maangnay kay liye ahl hun, aur mein maangta rahun ga jab tak maut meray qadam ko nahi choo leti, ...
Mein gunnahgaar tha, wo iss liye kyun kay bhatakna ussi ki raza say hua, aur aj nadamat bhi ussi ki raza kay mutabiq hai!"
Daryab Khan remained stunned in utter silence and Jalal Shah didn't bother stopping to acknowledge his stupor.
"Tum nay baat kee thi Imaan ki kamzori ki, tau jaan lo kay imaan say muraad, mehaz ek do pal ki zindagi kay guzray waqiyaat ka majmua nahi hota, balkay dil mein rakhay uss zaat pey pukhta eitemaad aur muhabbat say hota hai,
aur mujhay yaqeen hai kay agar wo zaat mujhay khud kay aagay jhuknay aur apni islaah karnay kay qabil bana sakti hai, tau wo mujhay bila shuba Anabiya kay qabil bhi bana sakti hai!"
Daryab Khan hadn't expected the outburst,
He now intently observed the man standing before him, this certainly wasn't the Jalal Shah he once befriended.
"Tum jo kuch bhi keh lo, iss baat ko nahi badal saktay kay ek insan ki jaan lee hai tum nay! Kya tab tumhay khauf e khuda nahi tha?" Daryab Khan swallowed the bile before commenting,
"Tumhara shuru say ek hee masla raha hai Daryab, tum bohut asaani say dusron ki baaton mein aajaatay ho,
umeed karta hun kay Allah mujhay itni umar atta kar day kay apni begunnahi kay suboot tumhay dey saku, aur agar yeh na ho saka tau duago rahun ga kay meri maut kay baad tumhay Allah khud shaoor say nawaaz day!"
Jalal Shah let out a deep breath while easing himself down on the chair once again.
"Mein Gulistan Khan kay qatal ki baat nahi kar raha Jalal Shah!"
Now it was Jalal's turn to be rendered still, it didn't take him much to conclude where Daryab Khan was coming from.
"Gulistan Khan ka hisaab tum courts tak hee mahdood rakho, mujhay uski parwah nahi, haan jiski hai woh, woh shaks hai jiska baap ghareeb tha, jo betay kay haq mein awaz nahi utha saka,
Jiski aulad mein say ek bacha tau aisa hai, jiski paidaish say theek 2 din pehlay, uskay baap ka inteqaal hogya, mein uss aurat say milkar aaraha hun Jalal! Aur jitna woh dukh mein hai iss waqt, uss ko mein lafzon mein bayaan bhi nahi kar sakta!"
Jalal Shah had no answer to his accusation,
He himself was finding it hard to believe the fact, since when did the situation get out of his hands?
"Agar tum waqaye hee be qasoor thay, tau tumnay tamaam suboot kyun mitaye Ek insani jaan samaid? Meinay kisi say iss baat ka zikar tau nahi kiya, magar khud ko bohut behis samajh raha hun, kay ab maloom hota hai kay ek ghareeb ki jaan ki waqaye hee koi hesiyat nahi!"
Jalal Shah's head started throbbing with intense pain. Everything started connecting in his mind, the man he had been searching for, all this time, had fallen a prey to Jalal's own selfish reasons.
"Aaj meri yahan shirkat, sirf aur sirf Anabiya aur Dilainoor kay sath kiye waadon ka paas rakhnay ki bina pey hui hai,
Aur tumhay yeh bhi batana tha, kay jo tumnay Bukhtawara aur Anabiya ko beech mein mulawis kar kay meri ghairat ko lalkaara hai, mein iss sab ko bhoolna chahta hun,
Uss roz hospital mein tumnay meray ilaaj kay liye taraddud kiya, tumhara ehsaan ek hee dafa muka raha hun mein, itni meray andar himmat nahi baki rahi, kay mazeed dushmani aur nafrat ka sath nibha saku, tumhay maaf karta hun! Bus koshish karna, apni shakal meray saamnay phir kabhi mat laana!"
Daryab Khan didn't stay after biting out his words,
And Jalal Shah could do nothing but watch him leave, as his whole system remained shaken.
He wanted to scream and shout in front of everyone, that he hadn't killed anyone, but now the same sentence made him think otherwise,
The soul of the departed could never be in ease until unless it was avenged, and verily in Allah's court, justice is always prevailed,
'life for life, eye for eye, ... and wounds equal for equal'
He once again was left with Allah alone amidst all of the chaos, he had no one to help him lessen the burden of guilt, no one except the only one who was aware of his innocence in the matter.
نہ تھا کُچھ تو خُدا تھا، کُچھ نہ ہوتا تو خُدا تھا،
ڈبویا مُجھ کو ہونے نے، نہ ہوتا میں، تو کیا ہوتا؟
𝗡𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮 𝗸𝘂𝗰𝗵, 𝘁𝗮𝘂 𝗸𝗵𝘂𝗱𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮,
𝗸𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗻𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗮, 𝘁𝗮𝘂 𝗸𝗵𝘂𝗱𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗮,
𝗗𝘂𝗯𝗼𝘆𝗮 𝗺𝘂𝗷𝗵 𝗸𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝘆,
𝗻𝗮𝗵 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝘂 𝗸𝘆𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗮?
𝖶𝗁𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝗐𝖺𝗌 𝖦𝗈𝖽;
𝗁𝖺𝖽 𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀, 𝖦𝗈𝖽 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗌𝗍𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇.
𝖣𝗋𝗈𝗐𝗇𝖾𝖽 𝖻𝖾𝖼𝖺𝗎𝗌𝖾 𝖨 𝖾𝗑𝗂𝗌𝗍𝖾𝖽, 𝗁𝗈𝗐 𝗐𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝗂𝗍 𝖺𝗅𝗅 𝗁𝖺𝗏𝖾 𝗆𝖺𝗍𝗍𝖾𝗋𝖾𝖽 𝗂𝖿 𝖨 𝖽𝗂𝖽 𝗇𝗈𝗍 𝖾𝗑𝗂𝗌𝗍?
• • •
What do you think will happen in the chapter's next part? What will be the end of Ishq Zaat?