•______________•
Zindagi hai ya koi toofan hai
Hum tou iss jeenay k hathon mar chalay
•______________•
Soft winds blew swaying the thin white net curtains not only causing the coldness to seep in but also allowing the warmth filled morning sunrays to peek through the glass window that was slid open at the moment.
The white curtains swayed with breezes and the sunlight fell on the penholder filled with different coloured gel pens along with the table lamp causing it's glass surface to glint under them.
Faint scent of flowers lingered in the room from the flower beds that stood in the lawn outside diffusing in the air entering through the partly slid window leaving a trace of lingering scent behind that occupied the room.
On the soft bed with the huge white bedpost that stood attached with the cream coloured wall with the light pink comforter pulled till the top only causing the edge of the light pink pillow and the head peeking out from it to show.
With the long straight honey tendrils disheveled-ly scattered on the pillow, only the face till her hooded and swollen honey brown orbs showed.
The lids were swollen and the corners of her eyes were slightly red showing the grief she went through the whole night as a thin sheet of moisture still covered them.
She sniffed softly blinking her long eyelashes that appeared even lighter under the morning sun's light that illuminated the room.
She shut her eyes snuggling more into the soft and fluffy pillow as the comforter slightly slipped revealing the small slim straight nose that was blazing red from its tip and the lips that stood below were in a pale red colour.
The stray strands of hair sticking to her forehead and cheeks as she hid her half face completely in the soft pillow.
So many thoughts swirled in her head, so many images flashing in the back of her mind, so many voices echoing that she felt her head throb as she the other second raised her slender hands and pressed the corners of pillow in a way as if trying to shield her ears with them.
Her muffled groans and frustrated screams got muffled in it for a whole minute before she finally loosened her grip on the soft pillow and turned with her face facing the ceiling now.
A soft sigh left her lips as she gazed at the golden lined ceiling fan that was swirling with full speed.
She kept looking at the wings that were passing by in blur as the nose of hers and the corners of her eyes turned redder.
She shut her eyes raising her hands and pressing her palms to her forehead groaning softly as she turned towards the left almost pulling herself in a fetish position,
"How could I just..."?
The thing that had kept her awake the whole night and even till now wasn't willing to leave her mind.
Just how did she?
How could she do it?
"Why did I not refuse"?
She almost groaned in disbelief as the face of hers completely hid behind her soft hands.
"What was I thinking?! How could I......"
The groaning immediately came to a halt when the realization dwelled in.
She felt like pulling her hair in frustration and disbelief realizing what the reason of her oh so confidently saying yes was.
Oh the way even with all the resistance and rejection dancing on the tip of her tongue, she still said 'qubool hai' and the reason was just so so damn astonishing and embarrassing that she felt like drowning in a cup of water.
Those eyes.
Those pair of ferocious eyes.
Those cups of obsidian yet lifeless orbs.
Those ruthless inky irises.
How could the mere eyes of the brute effect her so much that she literally said yes, literally said yes to the relationship that was going to tie them for eternity.
Bond that would bound her to him forever.
How could the mere eyes of his have the power to change the rejection dancing at the tip of her tongue to acceptance, to submission?
Though the circumstances were hopeless, though she couldn't do anything and couldn't help anything.
Eventhough she was forced and hand and tongue tied but still,
Still there was no way she couldn't voice out her rejection.
It wasn't only the fear that didn't let her do so, it wasn't only the helplessness.
Shanzay pondered back to what had she seen in those dark eyes flashing across her closed orbs that she immediately held in the refusal.
And the answer that echoed in the back of her mind made her want to kill herself at the moment and disappear from the face of this planet the other moment.
She placed the back of her palm on her orbs covering it from the light that had filled the room as a soft, an extremely soft whimper left her lips for the umpteenth time.
She thought earlier that her eyes would have turned dry with the amount of tears she had shed last night but she was oh so wrong.
The realization only made her sob out louder but she stifled the urge biting her lower lip.
The realization that it was the warmth shining in those obsidian cups, the sense of assurity lacing his tone and the lowered orbs of his giving her a sense of security that made the difficult and heartbreaking words leave her lips.
She felt at loss.
What was she that anybody's slight assurance could shake her like this?!
How could she forget that it wasn't just anything but the marriage papers that she signed and he wasn't any one but the arrogant and notorious heartless sardar whom everyone living on those lands feared.
How could she lose her sanity, turn a blind eye to the fact?
How could she act like she was possessed?!
There was that strange sense of grief filling her heart along with the regret and pain swirling there.
A pain too unbearable.
A guilt utterly impossible to confront.
A grief too heartbreaking to endure.
She could only silently shed a few more tears crying on either the cruel dealing of fate or the cruelty she brought upon herself.
Oh she wasn't blaming herself!
Not at all!
She knew she was wronged.
She knew she was forced.
She knew she was innocent and still was treated like that, dealt like that and couldn't help but pity over the people and get disgusted by the sick mentality possessing those so called men of the haveli.
It was just the feeling, the heart ripping feeling of her being so unwaveringly and submissively lowering her head infront of those people and accepting the agreement of nikkah.
It wasn't a game, nor a two days play.
Than how could she just oh so silently accept her fate like this.
How could she not resist and not speak up for herself.
She wasn't so weak, she had never been raised up like this, she had never been taught to bow her head to tyranny and cruelty.
Than why was she silent when it was her own life that was wronged, forcefully manipulated and ruined?
She let out a shaky sigh as the crystal tears of hers soaked the pillow.
Too much agony, too much grief ripped her insides, shaking her apart almost killing her as she tried to stifle the whimpers struggling to leave her lips.
Those eyes were warm, even if the heart was cruel and the hands were cold, the eyes were indeed warm,
But how could she just be deceived by those eyes and fall into this trap by willingly signing a death warrant for herself?
How could the mere voice of his have the power to change the rejection that danced on the tip of her tongue seconds away from being let out?
Was it just the warmth?
Just the assuration?
How could he oh so easily manipulate and petrify her like this?
He wasn't even physically there, it was just his voice, just his eyes!
Or was it her who had gone mad, failed to grip at her sanity and nearly lost her mind due to shock and pain?
Her head throbbed more painfully making her barely stifle a wince as she rubbed her orbs roughly wiping the tears with the back of her sleeves.
The wet curl of her lashes swept past the air catching the sight of ceiling that appeared blurry due to the moisture dancing in those beautiful cups.
Why she crying?
Who was she crying for?
She really wanted to shake her conscience and beg it to be strong for once.
How could she do the most important decision of her life like this?
Had she lost her mind?
The internal conflict she fought with herself was too strong, too agonizing that she immediately gulped down the agony wiping the soft cheeks of hers roughly turning them almost beetroot.
The other second she gripped the edges of comforter and sat up straight causing the long straight strands to slide over her shoulders and cup her cheeks.
She needed to give her eyes a rest, she needed to give her mind a rest.
She feared that if she didn't, she'll go mad.
The grief, the pain and the agony would eat her alive.
With her shaky fingers, she pulled away the comforter and turned sliding towards the edge of bed and dangling her legs till her soft cotton like feet touched her slippers.
The baby pink silk nightsuit pajama set cladding her frame with the cute red carrots littering the fabric glinted under the sunlight accentuating her rosy cheeks and pale complexion.
She immediately let out a shaky sigh trying to contain her emotions and calm herself as she pushed her feet in the slippers and stood up from the bed.
Taking small steps, she reached the desk and picked up her phone.
The notifications popped up one after another after she turned on the mobile data and her friends' WhatsApp group shone with more than 100 unread messages but she couldn't reply even if she wanted to.
She didn't have the heart to open them.
Her emotions were all over the place and she simply turned off the data and turned her phone's screen towards the desk resting it there again.
Letting out a deep sigh, she silently walked inside the attached bathroom and after nearly half an hour walked out.
The frame of hers was now clad in a loose long sweatshirt that reached few inches above her knees paired with trousers as she dragged her slippers clad feet towards the dressing table.
Since she was staying the day indoors and it was only her mother, herself and their family housemaid in the house, she opted for this comfy outfit.
She dried her wet, water dripping strands and than brushed them folding them in a rough loose bun that she held in place with a black hair claw.
The small stray strands reaching her chin evaded the grip cupping her cheeks lightly giving her a soft and delicate look.
She made her bed, folding the comforter and setting the pillows before finally walking out of the door exiting the room as she closed the door behind.
She descended the staircase and in the lounge met Farzana who was holding a small tray with a teacup and a small plate with sugar free biscuits.
Farzana smiled at seeing Shanzay,
"Salam choti bibi. Jaag gayee ap"?
"Wasalam Farzana baji. Yep, I woke up a while ago. Are you taking this to Ma's room"?
Shanzay asked as a soft and polite smile invaded the curve of her lips however it failed to reach her eyes.
Farzana nodded in response,
"Yes, I was".
Shanzay smiled as she spoke,
"Than I'll take it to her. I was going to her room anyways".
She spoke stretching her hands as Farzana handed her over the tray.
The back of Shanzay's hand still had faint henna prints that glinted under the LED lights.
She took the tray from Farzana and turned towards the corridor that led to her mother's room.
Reaching the door, she knocked it slightly before pushing it open and entering inside softly closing the door behind.
Her mother who sat on the plush sofa turned her head slightly startled before the other second a small smile invaded her lip as the corners of her brows relaxed,
"You woke up bachay"?
Shanzay smiled giving her a nod as she approached her frame,
"G Ma".
Once reaching her, she placed the tray on the small round glass table before taking the seat on the other single sofa.
She folded her legs pressing them to her chest on the sofa as she propped her elbow on the armrest, resting her chin on the palm of same hand as she glanced at her mother, the trace of smile still hanging at the corners of her lips.
If it was in normal circumstances, Shanzay would have never dared to sit in such a messy position in front of her mother because the other second her mother would have scolded her for not being elegant and girly enough.
She would have rebuked at her and told her how much importance etiquette and elegance held in a woman's life.
But today, maybe because circumstances were a little different, maybe because the hearts were grieving and the minds were too agonized to fret over this unimportant issue, neither did Nadia begum scold her proving as the usual strict mother, nor did Shanzay become too much conscious of the sitting position she was in.
Maybe, it was after a long time that she was comfortable, seated like she wanted to infront of her mother without the unnerving fear of being scolded for every little thing, every tiny flaw her mother noticed who wanted to raise her up as groomed of a child as she could.
For a long minute, the two pair of eyes glanced at each other before the other second, her mother silent evaded her gaze gazing across the huge wall sized glass window where the curtains were pulled aside revealing the beautiful view outside.
Shanzay easily caught the expression in her orbs,
It was shame, embarrassment and regret tinged with obvious sadness.
"You don't have to be guilty, Ma".
She spoke with the same soft smile invading her lips as the orbs of her softened gazing at the frame of her mother who looked tired, broken and utterly agonized.
Even her bun was loose with so many strands out of place giving her always perfect and flawless dignified frame a slightly disheveled look.
The shawl was slipping down from her one shoulder and the orbs of hers held sadness.
Shanzay felt her heart clench at her condition.
S
omething in her broke apart at seeing her elegant and graceful mother looking so lost and so disheveled like this.
The smile occupying her lips earlier couldn't help but shrink until it completely faded.
She remembered that even in such impossible circumstances, it was her mother who had still proved to be a strong shield for her and fought with her own family and brought her back the other day.
Yes, they'd been able to leave the haveli and even if the inhabitants of that haveli wanted to stop them, why would they?
What right they have to do it after ruining her life like this?
She remembered Zainab's teary eyes when they were leaving as she hugged shanzay and asked in her teary voice,
"Will I see you again? Will y-you visit the h-haveli again"?
The quiver in her tone couldn't be hidden as she spoke after few seconds at seeing Shanzay silent.
A soft giggle left her lips as she spoke with teary orbs of her while hugging Shanzay tighter,
"It alright. I'll k-keep on pestering Shahmeer until he takes me to visit you"!
And she couldn't help but finally break the fence that was keeping her tears sealed.
She couldn't help but drip tears as she hugged back Zainab.
The pain was too much, it almost churned her insides.
She was the only one after Shahmeer who supported her during her stay there. Who selflessly stood for her and spoke for her with all the sincerity. How could her heart not cry when parting from her?
Trying to evade those heart wrenching memories, she tried to stifle her emotions as she turned her gaze back towards her mother.
Nadia begum's orbs slightly appeared red under the sun's light as she tried to stifle the emotions bubbling in her chest as she spoke still not meeting her daughter's eyes,
"I am your mother, Shanzay. If I couldn't save you and end up throwing you infront of vultures too, I....."
She paused as if the words were too painful for her to speak as she simply lowered her head gazing on her lap,
"What's the difference between those people and me? H-how could I be so helpless to not only give them a chance to play with your life but also encourage you to bow your head to their tyranny"?
Shanzay's heart trembled at her words as she immediately spoke trying hard not to sound hoarse with the amount of emotions she was feeling,
"But Ma, you didn't. You didn't do anything wrong. You were also helpless and hand-tied. You couldn't do anything even if you wanted to, so how can you just blame yourself?
Those who did the cruelty wouldn't even bat an eyelid and even ponder for a second if they did wrong or not, so why should we who are wronged grieve so much and blame ourselves for something that wasn't even our choice in the first place?
Don't you think we are being too cruel on ourselves"?
She spoke slightly tilting her head.
Shanzay couldn't remember when she had such heart to heart talk with her mother the last time.
Maybe a month ago, maybe few months ago.
She had never been too close to her mother especially when it came to emotional attachment.
She indeed loved her mother to bits, but when it came to sharing things, sharing the emotional turmoil or things that were bothering her, the first person she used to approach was her father.
She was more emotionally attached to him than anyone else because unlike her mother, he wasn't that strict, more like a good listener and adviser.
He never blamed her, never judged her, never criticised her and never scolded her before hearing the full matter patiently.
It wasn't that her bond was a little cold with her mother, it wasn't.
She loved her mother and sometimes even followed her plans and decisions for her, she loved her beyond words could describe and deeply respected and adored her.
But she just couldn't form the same deep emotional attachment with her, the same as she had with her father.
Though, they both were her life, the pieces of her heart and soul and she knew she was utterly incomplete without them.
It was impossible to even imagine another breath without them.
They were the pillars that had her stand firm without fear of losing balance and falling.
They were also the hands of support that didn't let her get discouraged no matter how difficult the circumstances were.
Shanzay knew she wouldn't endure to live a day where they weren't there in her life.
She shakily let out a sigh and her breath almost stopped at seeing her mother raise her head and gaze at her with those teary eyes of hers.
From childhood, it hadbeen barely few times that she had seen her mother cry.
She was a strong woman who didn't break down easily in the face of circumstances, a strong and brave woman Shanzay always looked up to.
A sad smiled invaded Nadia begum's lips,
"When did you grow up bachay?
Now I feel like my Shanzay is not that immature child anymore instead she's the one who's caring for her mother trying to help her evade this emotional turmoil".
Shanzay let out a soft laugh that was melodic to ears yet the sadness in her orbs couldn't be ignored,
"Ma, you sound like I was a dumbo before"!
Nadia begum also smiled as she spoke in a tone as if telling a secret,
"You were! Extremely dumb and stupid! Fragile as a glass and emotional to an extent it took seconds for your tear ducts to drip rivers"!
The mother daughter duo couldn't help but laugh again.
It was after few seconds that Shanzay spoke smiling at her,
"So just don't think too much and hurt yourself. Ap nay khud hi tou kaha tha k aisay halaat main apnay maamlay Rab k hawalay kertay hain aur us per bharosa kertay hain. Allah k faislay humari khwahishun say behtar hain".
Nadia begum smiled nodding her head.
It was after few seconds that her wet lashes raked the air as a soft whisper left her lips that reached Shanzay's ears clearly,
"But it hurts more than anything because it was my people, my family, the people I called my brothers and my father who did this to you".
Shanzay saw the way her lashes quivered, the way sadness invaded her graceful face as she immediately stood the other second walking towards her mother's frame before silently settling on the armrest of the single sofa on which her mother was seated on as she silently stretched her arms pulling her in a soft hug,
"It's alright Ma. It's not your fault. Even if they are your family, your father and brothers, you aren't held accountable for their sins. You shouldn't be guilty for it, you shouldn't be. Please don't blame yourself".
In other circumstances, she would have never dared to do this because the other second her mother would have scolded her to be too reckless and roguish and not elegant and graceful enough.
But the circumstances were different. It didn't matter how she sat, how she behaved, it was the emotions that were all over the place, it was the mutual agony they felt and it was the comfort the embrace provided them with.
You didn't had to be perfect and flawless always, you didn't had to be graceful and maintained to perfection, you didn't had to be too composed and prim and proper at all times,
It was okay to let yourself loose sometimes, it was okay to be yourself sometimes, it was okay to act more human, show more emotions and let out the pain and grief that was churning your insides, and share it with someone.
We all were human afterall, we all needed a shoulder to rely on.
One couldn't hold in the emotions for too long.
One couldn't portray himself to be strong when he wasn't.
One didn't need to be brave when he was shattering bit by bit.
It was okay to feel and cry, it was okay to be a little less strong.
It was okay.
One was a human afterall.
One could feel the emotions afterall.
🌹🌹🌹
The cheek of hers was burning, the jawbone aching as if it was minutes away from falling apart from the harsh slap she got from her grandmother earlier.
It hurt and it hurt bad but she bit her lip stifling it as the mind of hers raked over the earlier turn of events.
Did she regret doing it?
A voice arose from the pits of her heart.
Struggling to ignore the sudden throbbing of her heart and chills running down her spine, she immediately shook her head vigorously, somewhat stubbornly.
No, she didn't.
Even it was to happen again, she knew and was sure, she'd do the same.
She wouldn't give a damn to what had happened with others as long as she got what she wanted, what she desired.
She didn't care what was wrong and what was right, she could least care about it.
Atleast the man she wanted was now free, was only hers and she had no rival at the moment.
To hell with conscience, to hell with the righteous path.
She'd rather walk on the wrong path and go astray than loose that man she'd loved for years and see with her eyes as he became someone else's.
That's how twisted her mind was. That's how vile her thinking had turned. That's how cold her heart became and she could literally care less if anyone hated her or not.
She was willing to even endure a few more slaps if that gave her assurity that at the end, the man still belonged to her.
The door of the room snapped open with a thud hitting the wall as walked in none other than the utterly infuriated figure of her mother who was decked in emerald colour shalwar kameez suit with cream coloured shawl draped over her shoulders and hair of her as always tied in a graceful bun with no strand out of place.
Faseeha walked towards her, stopping only when her kohlapuri clad feet stopped on the carpet near the bed Shahana was sitting on.
She roughly yanked her daughter's frame making her stand before the other second her heavy palm landed on her already swollen cheek with a loud sound.
Shahana felt that the jaw that was aching earlier had now been dislocated as she barely stifled the wince but couldn't help as the moisture gathered in her orbs due to the pain.
The other second her jaw was roughly held as her face was turned to face her mother who glared back at her with fury dancing in her orbs.
Shahana blinked her orbs letting go of the gathered moisture as her vision cleared.
The expressions invading her mother's face were too scary, she felt chills cascade down her spine but she kept a straight face showing as if she wasn't bothered.
Her mother's ring had successfully left a thin small cut on her cheek where it hit her making the small graze seep a drop of crimson blood.
Faseeha pinched her chin roughly as she seethed in an unforgivable tone,
"The last thing I'll accept is you tainting my reputation and making me lose my respect in this khandan! God forbid, I won't wait a second in killing you with my own hands if a single finger raises on my brought up"!
Shahana silently gazed back at her mother before averting her gaze elsewhere,
"I didn't lock the restrooms".
Her mother gritted her teeth in utter infuriation as she grabbed her jaw making her hiss as her face was forcefully turned to face her again,
"Even if you didn't, still knowing well that the locks were faulty, you sent her there and later left pretending you didn't know her whereabouts"!
She nearly shouted.
Shahana's lips trembled as more moisture gathered in her orbs before she roughly pushed her mother's hands away,
"That's because I couldn't endure another sight of her!!!
I've had enough of her getting close to Shahmeer each day!! I can't endure it anymore"!!!
She finally let out the words that were oh so badly churning her insides.
Her mother gazed back at her frame with disappointment,
"Even if she hasbeen removed from your way, why are you so damn sure that you'll get Shahmeer?! Wo tumhain Pasand nahi kerta"!!
"Wo karay ga!! Wo zaroor karay ga!! Shanzay chali gayee hai tou wo zaroor karay ga"!!
She snapped back barely stifling the sobs from escaping her lips.
Faseeha wanted to pull her hair in frustration,
"He thinks of you as his sister! Kiyun pagal bun rahi ho us k peechay"?!
She barely stifled the urge to slap this idiot daughter of hers again.
Shahana stubbornly shook her head as the brim of her kajal laced eyes blazed red, almost scarlet,
"He won't! He won't soon"!!
Faseeha stepped forward as she gripped Shahana's arm roughly almost digging her fingers in the soft flesh in an extremely painful way as she growled in an unforgivable tone,
"Tum bari ho us say!! Kiyun is safaid sar k saath mujhe sharminda kerwa rahi ho"??!!
Shahana gazed back at her mother holding her seething gaze as she snapped back,
"Two years is nothing! If a man can marry a woman few years younger than him, why can't a woman do the same"?
"Main jaan le lu gi tumhari, bakwas na karo"!
Faseeha seethed in a venemous tone pushing her frame on the bed.
Faseeha raised her finger pointing it at her rebellious daughter,
"If your baba jaan knows the stubborn rebellious soul you've become, he'll not waste a second in taking your precious life"!
Shahana pushed the strands behind her ear as she turned her neck gazing back at her mother with her bloodshot orbs that were filled with unshed tear,
"What's wrong with a girl wanting to marry the person she loves? You all would accept a man doing this but won't when it comes to a woman"!!
"Besharam"!
Faseeha barely stifled the urge to slap her daughter again to knock some sense into her.
She tried hard not to let her blood pressure soar high as she closed her orbs taking in a deep inhale of fresh air before opening her orbs again,
"Apni manmani ker k dekh lo tum! Lekan bakhuda agar Shahmeer nay inkar kiya na tou phir tumhari aik bhi sunay baghair apni marzi say tumhari Shaadi kardun gi main. Bohut bitha liya tumhain ghar per! Umer beeti jarahi hai tumhari"!
She snapped in a rude tone and turned to leave before throwing one last glare towards the headache of a daughter she got before leaving the room shutting door with a loud noise.
Shahana roughly wiped her cheeks wincing softly as the fingers touched the cut.
She wasn't going to hesitate now.
The red painted nails of her dug deeper into the soft mattress as the teeth of hers gritted together.
All she needed to do was to wait till Shahmeer comes.
This time, she was going to confront him and talk to him clearly.
To hell with consequences and her image in his eyes, she wouldn't let this chance go even if she had to be rebellious and stubborn.
She wouldn't wait for another Shanzay to snatch him away.
🍁🍁🍁
"Api yarr, ye kuch terha nahi hogaya"?
Hamza asked scratching the back of his head as he gazed at her with his raised head.
She who stood on the wooden stool while setting the linear row of baubles on the wall immediately frowned in displeasure as she spoke through gritted teeth,
"Than why don't you come up and set them yourself"!
She immediately got off the stool as she fanned her self with her hands letting out a deep sigh,
"I'm exhausted".
"Api yarr, the only thing you did since morning that I remember clearly is just putting the glass vases on the glass tables and setting this linear wiring of baubles on the wall, we who havebeen working like labourers since morning when it's our birthday celebration that's going to happen tomorrow, we aren't even tired than how come you are exhausted"?
Huzaifa's voiced echoed who stood on the stool in the left corner of the lounge as he tied the cluster of balloons near the metal rod where the huge beige and golden curtains hung covering the huge wall sized glass windows.
The crease between her brows deepened as the gazelle like orbs of hers narrowed,
"Huzi Jawad Shah! Do you wanna die"?!
A groan left Huzaifa's lips as he turned gazing at Daneen with utter disappointment dancing in his dark irises,
"Yarr Api, kab jaan choro gi ap is nickname ki"?
Daneen flicked her hair from her shoulder as she spoke nonchalantly,
"Never! Not until I'm alive".
Huzaifa gazed at her for few seconds with his brows furrowed before turning back to doing his work.
The other second something hit his back making him groan in frustration and turn,
"Kiya hai ab"?
"Oh teeki mirchi, terhay lagayen hain tum nay balloons"!
Hamza, who had thrown the sofa cushion towards him, spoke trying to remind him.
Hamza's nostrils flared as he snapped back rudely,
"Meray khayal say tumhara demagh terha hogaya hai tabhi sab kuch tumhain terha lag raha hai"!
Before turning back to doing his work.
Daneen also nodded in agreement as she settled on a single seater sofa leaning back comfortably,
"I also thought the same".
Hamza gazed at the two of them with underlying infuriation and complain before turning his head like a tantrum throwing maiden who seemed to havebeen heartbroken,
"I won't talk to you guys now. The only thing you know is being rude and snap at me".
Before he himself stood up on the stool where Daneen stood earlier and began setting the baubles properly so that they didn't appear tilted and disorderly.
It was after half an hour and now he was setting the small fairy lights as he spoke clearing his throat softly,
"Api, by the way what are you going to gift us this time"?
The precious silence occupying the atmosphere was shattered by his voice.
Daneen who seemed to be seconds away from falling into a precious much needed sleep immediately got startled as she sat straight and turned her face gazing at Hamza's back with her drooping lids.
Huzaifa snorted softly as he set the photo frames adjusting the huge golden happy birthday letters balloons above the photoframes, the space that was free,
"Someone said that he wasn't going to converse with anyone".
Hamza royally ignored him turning his face towards Daneen,
"Tell me na Api, what would you gift us"?
Daneen yawned as she propped her chin on her palm as the elbow of hers rested on the armrest of sofa,
"100 rupees ki dairy milk".
She spoke lazily with her eyelids dropping.
Hamza was so shocked that he let out a shriek in disbelief,
"WHATTT"?!!!
The voice so loud and sudden startling Huzaifa who nearly fell from the stool as he barely regained his balance holding the wall for support as he spoke through gritted teeth,
"The heck Hamza!! Why the hell are you shouting like that you idiot"?!!
Hamza turned while still standing on the stool as he now placed his hands on either side of his waist and gazed at Daneen's drowsy frame in utter disbelief,
"What did you say api?!!!!
100 rupees ki dairy milk?!!
Dil torna hi tha mera tou kam az kam zara narmi say torti?
Why break my heart into a thousand pieces and that too with a bang"?
The voice of Hamza coming out in a disappointed and quivering tone as if he wanted to cry.
Huzaifa snorted as he turned his gaze towards his frame while still standing on the stool as he folded his arms on his white t-shirt clad chest,
"I didn't know your heart was this dainty and fragile?
Is nazakat k mutabiq tou din main das bara dafa toot jata hoga tumhara dil"!
Hamza only threw him a glare before his red brimmed orbs turned towards Daneen's frame whose eyelids were halfway closed,
"Api yarr! It is utterly unacceptable. You promised you'll buy us our favourite gaming VCR when we turn seventeen. How can you go back on your word"?!
Hamza asked in disbelief.
On the mention of VCR, Huzaifa's ears also perked up as he straightened and nodded speaking in a serious tone,
"Yes Api. You can't go back on your words. We didn't raise you like this"!
Hamza nodded vigorously,
"Yes, we didn't. We taught you to be upright and honest and humble and kind. How can you prove to be a miser in a matter like this"?
Huzaifa also nodded,
"Yes, it's a matter of life and death for us"!
Hamza nodded turning towards Huzaifa's frame,
"Hain na? How can our worth be this low? A hundred rupees chocolate? Like seriously"?
Huzaifa snapped his finger in air pointing a finger at him,
"You're right bro. Seventeen is a lucky number and this birthday we won't settle on anything less"!
Hamza gave him a firm nod,
"Right bro! No one can bend us to their wishes".
Huzaifa raised his fist in air and spoke almost enthusiastically,
"Yep! We aren't this weak that anyone can manipulate us. Birthday comes once a year and the least we can expect for is a good precious gift for our humble selves ".
Hamza also nodded accompanying him,
"Right, we have every right to"!
He than turned facing his elder sister,
"Api, you can't unjustly-"
The mouth of his remained agape and the tongue of his halted at seeing Daneen's frame who seemed to have rested her head on her arm that was propped on the armrest as the eyelids of hers remained closed and small even breaths left his lips.
Hamza gazed back at her in disbelief for few seconds before immediately getting off the stool and approaching her frame as he crouched down on the carpet near the sofa and called in disbelief,
"Api"?!!!
Huzaifa had also gotten off the stool as he placed the remaining alphabet balloons on the carpet before approaching the two figures stopping beside Hamza's crouching frame.
Hamza seemed to be in disbelief,
"Api, how can you fall asleep after breaking, shattering and tearing our hearts apart into a thousand pieces"?
Huzaifa folded his arms on his chest as he gazed at Hamza's whining frame whose cheeks looked puffed up and blazed a deep red as he spoke gazing back at Daneen's sleeping face with visible shock, disbelief and disappointed marring his features,
"Api! How can you wound your baby brother's heart like this? Ap itni sungdil tou na thi"!!
Huzaifa let out a snort,
"Your behaviour is so exaggerated! Eewww"!
Hamza turned his infuriated orbs and blazing face as he snapped back at him loudly,
"The heck if I am! It's the matter about my precious birthday gift! My precious VCR"!
Huzaifa immediately realized something and crouched down beside him as he spoke,
"Yep! Our precious VCR"!
Before they both turned towards Daneen's sleeping frame at the same time and called in a loud tone in unison,
"Apiiii"!!!!!
Daneen who seemed to have slipped into a soundly sleep immediately flinched in panic as the orbs of her snapped open at the loud voices that echoed just beside her ear.
Not only was her precious sleep broken but also in such a horrifying way as she immediately sat straight gazing around her in fear,
"Wh-what happened"?!
Hamza pulled her sleeve snapping her attention towards himself,
"Api! Seriously? Dairymilk? You couldn't think of anything else"?
He asked in sadness laced tone.
Daneen turned her head towards him gazing at his frame with her slightly red eyes.
The hair of hers looked a little disheveled as the stray strands cupped her cheeks.
Her brows furrowed in confusion not understanding what happened,
"En"?
Huzaifa spoke turning her attention towards him,
"100 rupees dairymilk? Like seriously Api? This is too much"!!
Hamza also nodded,
"This is peak of cruelty! An unpardonable crime! Utterly unbelievable"!
Daneen gazed back at their frames in confusion thinking that they definitely had gone mad and loosened a screw in their heads.
She slid her feet in her slippers and stood up to leave when Hamza gripped the hem of her dupatta again,
"Api yarr, how can you leave like this at such a critical moment"?
She slapped the back of his head slightly making him wince,
"The heck has happened to you both? Have you hit your head somewhere"?
Huzaifa gazed at her in confusion,
"Where are you going"?
Daneen gazed back at him and replied nonchalantly,
"To eat dairymilk".
"Whatttt"?!!!!
Both shouted at the same time making Daneen wince softly as she pressed her palms to her ears before throwing them each a glare,
"What has happened to you both? Why are you shouting like maniacs"?!!
Hamza gazed at her in utter disbelief as a look of betrayal raked his orbs,
"100 rupees ki dairymilk"?
Daneen nodding in confusion not understanding what both of them were saying.
Hamza turned gazing at Huzaifa who was also looking at him in disbelief before he turned back towards Daneen's frame as he grabbed the hem of her chiffon dupatta and wiped the fake tears with it as he spoke in an exaggerated heartbroken tone,
"Aik tou humara gift itna nanha munna, ooper say wo kha bhi khud rahi ho Api?! Itna zulm kiyun"?!!!
He asked tugging at her hand as if he was gravely wronged.
Daneen gazed back at the crackhead with a slightly startled look as she pushed his frame away taking a step away,
"The heck are you saying Hamza? Have you lost your brain or what? Why on earth would I eat your gift"?
At this, both Huzaifa and Hamza raised their heads and gazed at her in confusion,
"But you said yourself you're eating dairymilk"?
Daneen rose her brow,
"Yes, so what"?
"Isn't our gift that dairymilk"?
Hamza asked almost in frustration.
He felt like banging his head on the wall.
Daneen gave him a weird look,
"Why the heck would I gift you dairymilk"?
Hamza and Huzaifa exchanged glances before turning towards her in shock.
"You wouldn't"?
Hamza asked in utter dumbfoundedness.
Daneen's brows furrowed at his words,
"Ofcourse I wouldn't".
"But you said it yourself that our gift was dairymilk".
Huzaifa spoke reminding her.
Daneen remembered as the other second she let out a soft sigh,
"Oh that, I was actually asking you to bring my dairymilk that I kept in the freezer this morning. I was feeling a little hungry".
She answered nonchalantly leaving both the teenagers spellbound.
She gave both of them a weird glance before shaking her head as she marched out of there murmuring under her breath,
"The kids these days are turning more and more weird and unreasonable"!
Once she left, Huzaifa and Hamza gazed at each other in disbelief.
"So we misunderstood her"?
Huzaifa asked softly.
Hamza gazed back at his twin as he gripped his hand shaking it vigorously,
"Yes bro!! The VCR is ours!!! Our precious VCR"!!!!
Huzaifa immediately pulled his hand out from his grip standing up,
"The heck are you behaving like a hooligan for?! I wasted my precious time and energy in vain"!
"The heck do you mean by that? I wasted my precious time and energy too and not only them I also wasted my precious tears and my precious emotions"!
Hamza spoke wiping his nonexistent tears.
And hence their bickering continued with no end in sight.
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Word Count : 7,130 words
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The new chapter of Noor e Mehtab is finally here!!
The conversation between Shanzay and her mother literally teared me up 🤧💔
But sometimes, you really have to let your walls down infront of people that understand you, that support you and love you and accept you with all your flaws.
It's okay to cry and it's okay to not be strong at times when your shoulders are unable to hold the burden any longer❤️🥀
Also, Shahana is being determined 👀
What do you think is she going to do now?
And might I add, Daneen and her minions share the same braincell, the only braincell their precious brains are hanging on for their dear lives 😂
They are such mood uplifters I tell you ❤️
Also, what do you think is going to happen next?
How do you think is Shahmeer going to react?
Don't forget to share your precious reviews,
I'll be waiting to read them💝
Till next sunday,
Take care 🫶