21st October.
"Main kya keh rahi thi badminton rakh lete hain. Aj toh mousam bhi kitna achha hai, maza ayega." Uswa and Hyra were packing their essentials needs, and some snacks for the farm house, it was at least 3 hours drive away, that's why they had to leave early, they had to return early too. Though Uswa wanted to stay the night there, she liked it there, but they couldn't as tomorrow was reception of Dawar and Laraib.
(I think we should take badminton with us. Weather is really nice today. We will play.)
"Tum pack karo jo karna hai. Main ek baar Laraib bhabhi se puch loon agar unhe kuch chahiye. Unhone toh nashta bhi nahi kiya." Hyra zipped up her handbag and told her, she was about to get up from bed and leave.
(Take whatever you wanna pack. I am gonna check on Laraib bhabhi if she needs anything. she didn't even eat breakfast .)
"Uffo, kar lengi woh nashta, Dawar bhai haina unka khayal rakhne ke liye." But Uswa stopped her.
(She will eat. Dawar bhai is there to take care of her.)
Hyra once again sat down comfortably, when Sami entered their room, sulking.
"Issey kya hua?" Hyra asked.
(What happened to him?)
"Sami, tum ab tak taiyyar nahi hue? Tumhari school van aney wali hai." Uswa scolded Sami.
(Sami, why haven't you changed into your uniform yet? Your school van must be coming to pick you.)
"Uswa, jale pe namak na dalo. Mujhe nahi jana school. Tum log waha farm house mein maze karoge aur main nancy maam ki boring class attend karunga. Yeh kaha ka insaf hai?" Sitting on the chair, Sami crossed his arms over his chest.
(Uswa, don't mock me. I don't want to go to school. You guys would enjoy in the farm house and I will be attending nancy maam's boring class. This is unfair.)
"Munh latkana band karo. Tumhare test shuru hone wale hain agle hafte se. Isliye tumhe koi leke nahi ja raha. Beta, sharafat se taiyyar ho jao issey pehle tumhari van ajaye." Sweetly, Uswa said.
(Don't sulk. Your exams are going to start soon. That's why we aren't taking you with us. Kid, go and get ready before your van comes.)
"Aye, zyada gundi banne ki zaroorat nahi." Sami scoffed.
(There is no need to be a thug.)
"Batau main tumhe gundi banke?" Pulling up her sleeves, Uswa stood up from her bed.
(I will tell you how I become thug.)
"Uswa! Kya kar rahi ho, bachha hai." Hyra stopped her.
(Uswa, what are you doing, he is a kid.)
"Yeh bachha? Itna koi..."
(He is a kid? He is a...)
"Uswa!" Hyra stopped her before she could say further.
"Sami, jao taiyyar ho, yaha sulk karne se kuch hasil nahi hoga. Mummy tumhe bilkul chutti nahi karne dengi." Hyra told Sami.
(Sami, go get ready, there is no point in sulking here, mummy won't let you skip school.)
Huffing, Sami stormed off from their room, mumbling angrily.
"Bohot nakhre hain iske, sab mummy ke extra laad pyar ka natija hai." Uswa mumbles.
(He is very stubborn, all because of mummy's extra love.)
"Achha woh chorho. Hum ja kiske sath rahe hain?" Hyra suddenly asked.
(Let it be. Whom are we going with?)
"Ah!" Uswa's face light up. "Hyra," slowly, she called Hyra very sweetly.
"Kya hua?" Hyra didn't understand her behaviour.
(What happened?)
"Darasal Rafey chahte the main unke sath jau."
(Actually, Rafey wanted me to go with him.)
"Haan toh theek hai, Hum Rafey bhai ke sath jayenge." Shrugging her shoulder, Hyra went to her cupboard to take her clothes out.
(Okay! We are going with Rafey bhai then.)
"Hum nahi... main." Uswa's voice was low, but it was audible in the silent room.
(Not we... I.)
"Akele? Pagal ho?" Hyra's eyes widened as she looked at Uswa. Putting her top away, she went to sit in front of Uswa. "Ghar mein koi iss baat ki ijazat nahi dega."
(Alone? Have you lost your mind?)
(Our family would never allow it.)
"Ijazat mang kon raha hai. Itne sarey log ja rahe hain, itni cars hain, kisi ko kya pata chalega main kiski car mein gayi."
(Who is asking for their permission. Everyone is going, there are too many cars, who will know in which car I got in.)
"Fir bhi, kisi ko pata chala toh."
(Still, if someone got to know then?)
"Toh tum ho na, sambhal lena. Bana lena koi bahana." Putting her hands on Hyra's shoulders, Uswa said in full confidence.
(You will make an excuse for me.)
"Mujhe toh sath leke bhi nahi ja rahi tum, main kaisa bahana banau." But Hyra shrugged her hands away.
(Why me? You aren't even taking me with you.)
"Hyra! Please, woh insist kar rahe the unke sath jau."
(Hyra! Please, he is insisting on going with him.)
"Waise bohot zyada unke insist karne ka khayal nahi hai? Matlab kal tak toh tum unke saye se bhag rahi thi. Ab unke sath akele jana hai." Hyra raised her eyebrows.
(Why do you care if he is insisting? Yesterday, you were running away even from his shadow and now you want to go with him alone.)
"Haan toh.. toh pehle main unko janti bhi toh nahi thi. But uss din humari baat hui..." Shyly, Uswa played with the strained of her hair.
(Because... I didn't know him earlier. But when we talked on the other day...)
"Haan haan janti hoon aur unke barey mein tumhare jitne bhi khayal the sab galat the, Rafey bhai bohot achhe hain and you won't mind marrying him." Hyra repeated Uswa's words which she has said many times to Hyra.
(Yeah yeah I know, all of your views on him was wrong, Rafey bhai is a very nice guy, and you don't mind marrying him.)
"Achha sadho mat."
(Don't sulk now.)
"Main Shahzaib bhai ke sath chali jaungi." Hyra decided.
(I will go with Shahzaib bhai.)
"Haan sahi rahega. Unki car mein Zara api aur Kubra api bhi hongi. Achhi company mil jayegi tumhe."
(Kubra api and Zara api will be with him, you will get a good company.)
Hyra thought so too. But how wrong she was.
When she went to Shahzaib to ask if she can go with him. Shahzaib looked startled, before he could say anything, Kubra offered her to ride with her and Hayder.
Hyra and Kubra were standing in the porch. Hayder planned to leave first because he had to attend a meeting too.
He didn't want take anyone with him, but when Kubra asked if she could come with him, he couldn't say no either.
"Hum Shahzaib bhai ke sath kyu nahi ja rahe?" Hyra asked to Kubra.
(Why aren't we going with Shahzaib bhai?)
"Shahzaib late niklega. Aur woh waise bhi bohot rash driving karta hai. Hayder bhai ke sath chalte hain. Safely pohoch jayenge, tumhe toh maloom hai kaise raste hain farm house ke paas wale." Saying this, Kubra started walking toward the car, Hyra followed after her.
(Shahzaib will leave late, and he drives rashly. We will go with Hayder bhai, we will reach there safely. You how bumpy the roads near farm house is.)
"Lekin Hayder bhai gussa jo karte hain." Hyra mumbles. Between Hayder's wrath and Shahzaib's rash driving, she would choose the later one.
(But Hayder bhai is always angry.)
"Kya kaha?" Kubra asked,
(What did you say?)
"Kuch nahi." Hyra quickly shook her head.
(Nothing.)
"Ab baith bhi jao. Late ho raha hai." Hayder told Kubra
(Come inside. We are getting late.)
"Ji, bhai." Both Kubra and Hyra sat in the backseat.
(Yes, bhai.)
They have just reached outside of their neighbourhood when Kubra suddenly screeched and asked him to turn back, she forgot something.
"Kya hua, Kubra? Jo bhi bhooli ho market se le lena ya fir jane do, itna kya zaroori hai." Hayder was already irritated by the weather, it was a clear morning but suddenly grey clouds overcast the clear sky, Hayder wanted to make it to the farm house safely.
(What's wrong with you , Kubra? Whatever you've have forgot, you can buy it on the way.)
"Bhai, please, zaroori na hota toh kabhi na kehti. Please, wapas morh lein car." Kubra pleaded. While Hyra noticed how she turned pale, she looked sick. And Hayder noticed it too, as he nods his head and did what Kubra asked him to.
(Bhai, please, if it wasn't important I wouldn't have asked you to turn back.)
Hayder stopped the car in front of the house, and Kubra quickly ran off, leaving Hyra alone in the car with Hayder.
Hyra sat in her place awkwardly, thinking if she should leave with Kubra or stay back. Before she could make her mind up, she saw Kubra was already out of her sight, huffing, she sat back. Hayder was on the call with someone. (As always, nothing new here.) Hyra also started using her phone.
"Kya hua, tum log yaha kyu khade ho?" Dawar, who was about to leave too, saw Hayder's car and decided to check if everything is alright.
(What happened? Why are you still here?)
"Kuch nahi, bas Kubra ko koi kaam tha toh wapas ana parha."
(Nothing, Kubra had some work to do so we had to return.)
"Aur tum? Tum akeli ho? Tumhari partner in crime kaha gayi?" Dawar saw Hyra sitting alone in backseat and asked about Uswa. It was rare to see them apart from each other.
(And you? You are alone? Where is your partner in crime?)
"Woh Mummy ne ussey rok liya tha kisi kaam ke liye." Hyra cooked up a lie instantly.
(Mummy stopped her for some work.)
"Oh! Achha, Hayder, suno, Randhawa jitna bhi chahe tumhe apne price se piche nahi hatna. Already papa ke dost hain uski wajah se humne apna price kam kiya hai lekin yeh Randhawas mujhe bohot tedhi shay lagte hain..."
(Oh! Hayder, listen, no matter what do not lower thr price of our product, Randhawa may persuade you. Already because of Papa we are compromising with actual price, but Randhawas seems very crooked, they will try to get more cheaper price for it...)
Dawar and Hayder both were good in business but both have their strong and weak points. Where Hayder is strategic person, coming up with new plans for their company's future and achieve their goals. While Dawar was really good in communication, he could convince any clients of into having a deal with them, buying their products with their own prices and rules.
Hayder was short tempered, either take the deal or leave, he doesn't like wasting his time in 'bargaining' as he like to call it.
"Dawar, ab chale bhi. Hayder ko yeh sab already maloom hai." Laraib finally spoke up, getting tired from standing outside.
(Dawar, can we go now. Hayder already knows all of it.)
"Tum enjoy karo, main handle kar lunga." Hayder assured him. Nodding his head, Dawar left with Laraib in his car, and Hyra looked at Dawar's car longingly. She wished she could go with Dawar, it's always fun going out with Dawar, they play antakshari, eat snacks, and tells jokes, where with Hayder one have to keep mum, he doesn't like unnecessary sounds or talk. But alas, she could not third wheel in between Dawar and Laraib.
(You enjoy. I will handle everything.)
Kubra was back after few minutes, though Hyra was relieved to see her, but Hayder become angry.
"Kubra, tumne car kapde change karwane ke liye mudwai thi?" Kubra, who was wearing white churidaar earlier, now was changed into black kurti and trousers.
(Kubra, you asked to turn the car to change clothes?)
"Bhai, bas, white zyada ganda ho jata iss liye change kar liya." Sitting in, Kubra excused.
(Bhai, white will get dirty that's why I changed.)
"Waise tumse iski umeed nahi thi, Kubra." Hayder was disappointed, as he once again started the car.
(I didn't expect this from you, Kubra.)
"Api, apki tabiyat theek hai?" Hyra, being a girl, understood why Kubra changed her dress, decided to check on her. Kubra nods her head assuringly.
(Api, are you okay?)
"Kya musibat hai, ab yeh car kyu nahi start ho rahi?" Angrily, Hayder said as he once again tried to turn on the engine.
(What's the problem, why this car is not getting start now.)
Baba adam ke zamane ki car leke chalenge toh kaise start hogi. Hyra thought in her heart. Hayder's car was quite old as it belonged to his father once, and Hayder liked to drive it, thinking of this car as his father's blessing.
"Itna gussa na kiya kare, bhai, waise bhi Hyra apse itna darrti hai humare sath aney ko razi nahi thi, aisa na ho bhaag hi jaye ab woh." Putting her arms on the passenger seat of front seat, Kubra jokenly said.
(Don't get angry now, bhai. Hyra was already scared of coming with you, you will make her run away now.)
The mention of her name make Hyra startled as she looked between Hayder and Kubra and quickly said. "Nahi, main nahi darrti inse." And she instantly regretted saying this as she caught Hayder's dark eyes staring at her from rare mirror.
(No, I am not scared of him.)
Chalo, ab yeh sochenge mujhe inki izzat bhi nahi. Kaha fas gayi main. Hyra blamed Uswa for landing her in this situation. If only she had told Rafey that Hyra will go with her too. It wasn't like Hyra would have interrupt their conversation, she would have seated in the backseat with her phone, loud music playing in her headphones, she wouldn't even try to hear their conversations, but if only Uswa has taken her with them. Hyra's trail of thoughts broke by Kubra's voice.
"Arey, lagta hai Tabu aunty agayi." Hyra looked up from the window and saw Asim's car pulling in the porch, Rafey has burrowed Asim's car to pick Tabu from airport. Same time, Hayder's car started.
(Oh, Look, Tabu aunty came.)
"Bhai, kya kar rahe hain salam toh kar lein aunty se." As Hayder accelerated the car, Kubra scolded him.
(Bhai, what are you doing, let's go and greet her.)
"Akey kar lenge Salam." Hayder said, stiffly.
(We can greet her later.)
"Bhai, kaisi baat kar rahe hain? Car rokiye." On her demand, Hayder stopped the car. If he hadn't, she would have keep nagging him.
(Bhai, what are you saying? Stop the car.)
Kubra got down from the car, Hyra looked at Kubra's courage with admiration. Only Kubra knows how to order Hayder, otherwise no one even talk back to him.
"Tum kis baat pe hasi arahi hai?" Hayder's deep voice came, making her startled, she didn't know she was smiling.
(What are you Laughing at?)
Quickly shaking her head, Hyra was also about to get down to go and meet Tabu, but Hayder started the car.
"Hayder bhai!" Scared, Hyra looked at him. "Kubra api."
"Woh Shahzaib ke sath ajayegi. Mujhe late ho raha hai meeting ke liye. Kubra baat karne baithi toh ghanto le legi. Itna waqt nahi mere paas." Telling her this, he focuses on his driving.
(She will come with Shahzaib. I am getting late for the meeting.)
"Par Kubra api..."
(But Kubra Api.)
"Chup karke baith jao warna tumhe bhi car se fek dunga."
All her words died in her throat. Kubra was the only good thing about this trip, and she was gone. And Hyra is alone with Hayder. The car drive was at least 3 hours long, and they had to stop for his meeting too. Hyra felt like crying, as she looked out from window. One drop of water dropped on the window, and later, it started splattered on the car. It started raining.
"Great, mousam ko bhi abhi kharab hona hota." Hayder mumbles.
•••
Rabia was alone in the kitchen, making tea, when Uswa came there, leaning toward her, she asked in a whisper.
"Mummy, Hyra kaha hai?" Uswa went to her mother in the kitchen and asked.
(Mummy, where is Hyra?)
"Hyra! Tumhare sath thi na." Rabia was confused by her question and asked.
(Hyra! She was with you.)
"Maine toh ussey kabse nahi dekha. Main toh lounge mein Tabu aunty ke sath thi."
(I haven't saw you since morning, I was with Tabu aunty in the lounge.)
"Kya? Toh Hyra kaha hai?"
(What? Then where is Hyra?)
Soon, the search for Hyra began downstairs. But silently. As there were guests, no one wanted to catch extra attention of Hyra's missing.
"Dawar ke sath chali gayi hogi." Asim tried to console Rabia.
(She must have gone with Dawar.)
"Dawar toh akela nikla tha Laraib ke sath. Hyra uske sath nahi, Allah jane kaha chali gayi bachhi. Waise Dawar se yaad, Uswa, ek baar bhai ko phone karo, pucho kaha hai woh, kitni tezz barish ho rahi hai khariyat se hain dono."
(Dawar left with Laraib. Hyra wasn't with him. God knows where the poor child is. I just remember, Uswa, call your brother and ask if he has reached. The weather is not good.)
"Apse kaha bhi tha maine mat bheje bachho ko farm house." She later turned to Asim and said.
(I told you not to sent kids to farm house.)
"Rabi, pareshaan na ho, mil jayegi bachhi. Uswa, ek baar zara uppar chakkar laga ke aao, dekho kahi chatt pe na chali gayi ho."
(Rabi, don't worry, we will find Hyra. Uswa, go and check upstairs. Maybe she went to terrace.)
"Lekin ussey toh barish mein bheegna nahi pasand, woh chatt pe nahi jaye... jati hoon main." Uswa tried to reasoned with her father, but when saw her mother glaring at her, she bowed her head down and quickly left.
(But she don't like getting wet in rain, she won't go to terrace... I will check.)
"Azroo ko to abhi maine bataya hi nahi Hyra ka. Pareshaan ho jayegi." Rabia looked at Asim and said.
(I haven't told Arzoo yet about Hyra missing. She will get worry.)
"Aap bhi pareshaan na ho, ghar mein hi kahi hogi mil jayegi." Asim hold her hand to comfort her.
(You also don't worry. She must be somewhere in the house.)
•••
Uswa was climbing the stairs hurriedly, she has almost reached first floor, she twisted her ankle, she was about to fall when someone hold her hand.
"Ah!" Opening her eyes, she saw her saviour. "Rafey! Uppar kheenche." Breathlessly, she told him.
(Rafey, pull me up.)
"Oh haan, sorry." Saying this, Rafey pulled her to himself, as she landed on his chest, he wrapped his arms around her, securing her.
(Oh yes.)
"Thanks. Abhi toh main gir jati aur ek do haddi toh tootti hi." Trying to catch her breath, Uswa said.
(Thanks. I would have fall and break one or few bones.)
"Aise kaise main tumhe girne...." Rafey's sentence was interrupted by Kubra's voice.
(How come, I won't...)
"Rafey! Yeh lo tumhari... oh I am sorry..." Kubra came there searching for Rafey as she made coffee for him on his request, she got shock seeing Rafey and Uswa almost hugging each other, she quickly turned her back toward them.
(Rafey, here is your...)
Uswa was also embarrassed being caught in this position, as she tried to free herself from Rafey's arms, but stumbled as she was still standing very near to stairs.
"Aram se, idhar khadi ho." Rafey once again hold her and shift her to the safe side.
(Be careful. Stand here.)
"Kubra, you can turn." Rafey told her.
"Sorry... woh main bas tumhari coffee dene ayi thi." She apologised for interrupting his moment, as she sheepishly passed him the mug.
(Sorry... I just came to give you coffee.)
"Uswa girne wali thi main bas ussey sambhal raha tha." Rafey cleared. Not wanting her to think wrong of him or Uswa. "Waise tum itni jaldi mein ja kaha rahi thi?" Rafey turned to Uswa and asked.
(Uswa was about to fall, I was just saving her.)
(Where were you going in such hurry?)
"Chatt pe, Hyra ko dekhne. Mil hi nahi rahi woh niche kahi..." Pointing at the stairs, Uswa told him.
(On terrace to see if Hyra is there. She is not downstairs.)
"Hyra toh bhai ke sath gayi hai." Kubra informed her.
(Hyra went with bhai.)
"Kon bhai ke sath?"
(Which brother?)
"Hayder bhai."
"Kaha?" Uswa looked shocked.
(Where?)
"Farm house. Darasal main aur Hyra Hayder bhai ke sath ja rahe the, lekin fir Tabu aunty agayi toh main unse milne agayi jab tak bahar gayi Hayder bhai ja chuke the." Kubra explained.
(Farm house. Actually me and Hyra were going with Hayder bhai, but then Tabu aunty came and I came inside to meet her and when I went out they were already gone.)
"Achha?" Uswa's heart skipped a beat. "Main niche bata doon sabko." Saying this, she turned to leave, but a yelp left her mouth due to pain in her ankle. Unknowingly, she put her hand on Rafey's shoulder for support.
(I will tell everyone downstairs this.)
"Kya hua?" Taking her hand in his, he asked.
(What happened?)
"Lagta hai moch agayi. Uswa idhar aao, baith jao." Kubra commented.
(Maybe she sprained her ankle. Uswa, come here, sit down.)
With Rafey's support, Uswa went to sit on the sofa, while Kubra immediately went to the kitchen to take ice pack for her.
When she returned to lounge, she saw Rafey sitting on the floor in front of Uswa, her foot on his lap as he was checking on her. She heard him scolding her. "Dhyan se chalna chahiye na."
(You should walk carefully.)
"Dhyan se hi toh chalti hoon main konsa dhyanless hoon." Uswa retorted.
(I walk carefully, I am not careless.)
Kubra didn't know when Rafey and Uswa become this close. Just few days ago Rafey was asking tips from her, but from last two days, Kubra saw the differences in Rafey and Uswa's relationship, not bad one, good different. Uswa does not shy away from him anymore, instead she spoke as her usual self now, both seem to enjoy each other's company. Even in wedding they were seen together almost everywhere.
Kubra was happy for them, but something stung her heart.
"Rafey! Yeh lo ice pack, issey aram milega." Slowly, she went to them and passed him the pack.
(Rafey! Here's the ice pack. This will soothe the pain.)
"Thank you." Taking it from her, he put it on Uswa's ankle.
Uswa hissed, snatching her foot from his grip, only to hurt herself more.
"Kya hua, Uswa? Aise toh khud ko aur takleef dogi tum." Rafey scolded her.
(What happened, Uswa? You will hurt yourself more.)
"Woh, bohot thanda hai..." she referred to ice pack.
(It's... very cold...)
"Ice pack thanda hi hoga... achha idhar lao aram se karunga. Thora sa toh bardasht karna parhega na. Barish mein toh tumhe doctor ke paas bhi nahi le ja sakta...." Rafey tried to convinced her.
(Ice packs are supposed to be cold... okay, I will put it gently it. You have to tolerate a bit. I can't take you to the doctor in this weather.)
"Aram se lekin..." Pouting, Uswa put her foot on his knee.
(Be gentle...)
Kubra back away from them. Not wanting to disturb them with her presence. Not that they cared or noticed her.
•••
Kubra looked out the window. The sky was tar-black and the large clouds were moving towards. The sound of Pitter-patter of rain hitting her window, Kubra looked down and saw how lawn was ruined, the decorations was destroyed, fake flowers laying in the mud who once enhanced the look of lawn.
She felt warm around arm wrapping around her. It was Zara. "Kyu jalati ho apne dil ko?" Zara spoke in undertone.
(Why do you hurt yourself?)
"Dil pe insan ka bas toh nahi hota." Kubra replied in same tone as her.
(I can not help it.)
"Haan par ussey ignore karna toh hai. Jitna uske sath waqt bitaogi utni takleef hogi tumhe."
(But you can ignore him. The more time you spend with him, the more you will hurt yourself.)
"Mehman hai woh humara. Ussey aise toh ignore nahi kar sakti."
(He is our guest. I can not ignore him.)
Zara wanted to oppose, telling her she could ignore him, but then keep quiet. These things were said easily then doing. They live in same house, Kubra can not just avoid Rafey.
"Allah jane tum kaise bardasht karti ho. Main tumhari jagah hoti toh..."
(God knows how you tolerate this. If I was in your position....)
"Allah na kare tum meri jagah ho." Kubra interrupt her, turning to her, she unwrapped Zara's arm from her and held her hand. "Dubara mat kehna. Maine toh tumhe apni bhabhi banane ka soch liya hai."
(May you never be in my position.)
(Don't say this ever again. I have made my mind to get you marry to my brother.)
"Tumne socha hai, ghar mein kisi aur ko issue hua toh?"
(You have made your mind. But what if someone in the family will object?)
"Kisko hoga issue? Jisko hoga woh mujhse akey baat kare."
(I will handle those who will object.)
"Well, let's say Shahzaib ko hi issue ho gaya toh?" Zara shrugged her shoulder and asked.
(Well, let's say if Shahzaib will object?)
"Ilzam na lagao, sabse zyada utawle toh wahi hain aur yeh baat tum bhi janti ho achhe se." Pointing her finger at Zara, Kubra said. Zara bit her lips between her teeth, trying to hide her smile, she was just trying to mess with Kubra.
(Don't accuse him. He is excited more than anyone, and you know this very well.)
"Bechare, unhone socha tha tumhe apni car mein farm house le jayenge kam se kam tum dono ko car mein kuch lamhe akelepan ke mil jayenge but kismat unke sath nahi thi." Kubra didn't notice her smile.
(Poor guy, he thought of taking you to farm house in his car. At least this way you both will have some time to spend with each other. But his luck wasn't on his side.)
"Toh fir..." dragging her words, Zara dramatically went to sit on the bed. "Maine mana kar diya toh?" She wanted to take Kubra's mind off from Rafey. And she did is successfully.
(And if...)
(I refuse?)
"Zara ki bachhi." Picking up the cushion, Kubra threw it on her. "Sochna bhi mat."
(Don't even think of it.)
•••
The farm house was dark, Laraib lit some candles in the living room as Dawar was trying to call his family, but due to poor network, call wasn't connecting. It was still daytime, but dark gloomy clouds make it dull as evening, rain hadn't stopped since morning.
"Dawar, chale na khana khate hain bhook lag rahi hai." Laraib sat beside him and complained.
(Dawar, come, let's eat, I am hungry.)
"Ek minute, Laraib, ghar pe kisi ki call nahi lag rahi, pata nahi bachhe kidhar reh gaye theek hain."
(One minute, Laraib, I can't reach anyone at home. Don't know where the kids are.)
"Unme se bachha toh koi bhi nahi hai." Laraib mumbles.
(There is no kid with them.)
Dawar, who's attention was on his phone, didn't catch what she said. "Huh?" He asked.
"Hayder haina unke sath. Theek honge sab." Putting her hand on his shoulder, she assured him.
(Hayder is with them, they will be fine.)
"Haan, par ek baar baat toh ho jaye kisi se, kaha pohche hain, kab tak ayenge."
(Yes, but I will be assured when I will get in contact with someone. Where they are, when they will reach.)
"Achha haina koi nahi aa payega." Leaning on the sofa, Laraib said.
(It's good no one will come.)
"Laraib!"
"Mera matlab, hum yaha aye hain kuch quality time spend karne ke liye, sabko iss liye sath lana parha kyuki akele hume koi nahi jane deta shadi ke dusre din, lekin shayad Allah pak bhi chahte hain ki hum akele rahe isliye mousam bhi humare sath hai. Aur ap unki fikar kyu kar rahe hain, Hayder ko maloom hai, aise weather mein drive nahi karega, sab ghar lout gaye honge."
(I mean, we have come here to spend some quality time with each other. We had to bring everyone with us because your parents wouldn't have allowed us to leave house on the second day of our marriage. But even God wants us to be alone that's why the weather changed. And why do you worry, Hayder won't drive in this weather, they may have returned home.)
"Please, Dawar, aaj humari shadi ka dusra din hai, can't we spend it with each other? Aaj kisi teesre ka zikar nahi karte."
(Please, Dawar, today is second day of our marriage. Let's not discuss others.)
"Achha theek hai, Bahadur se kaho khana laga de, hum sath mein lunch karte hain." Dawar smiles at her.
(Okay, fine. Tell Bahadur to make table, we will have lunch together.)
"Bahadur, yeh generator ab tak on kyu nahi hua?" When Bahadur was serving them food, Dawar asked him.
(Bahadur, Why isn't generator on yet?)
"Woh, bhai, oil khatam hai." Hesitantly, Bahadur answered.
(There is no oil.)
"Toh kharida kyu nahi?" Dawar raised his eyebrow. "Tumhe monthly expense dete hain farm house ki dekh rek ke liye, koi issue ho toh usko theek karne ke liye. Aisi emergencies ke liye hi rakha hai generator par kya fyada jab waqt pe kaam na aye."
(Why didn't you buy it?)
"Jane dijiye. Bahadur, tum jao." Before Dawar could scold him more, Laraib dismisses him. "Aap bhi kyu khamakha daatne lage bechare ko."
(Let it be. Bahadur, you leave.)
(Why did you scold him.)
"Maine toh sirf data hai, Hayder hota toh fouran kaam se farigh kar deta." Picking up glass on water, Dawar told her.
(I have only scolded him. If Hayder was here, he would have fired him.)
Laraib frown when Dawar once again started talking about Hayder. Does he really have to bring his family in every conversation.
"Woh toh bohot strict hain. Ap dono same age ke hain lekin bohot farq hai. You are easy going, but woh toh aisa aura dete hain ki koi unke kareeb bhi na jaye." She carelessly said, playing with the rice.
(He is very strict. You both are same age, but very different. You are very easy going, but he gives the kind of aura where you don't even want to approach him.)
"Woh dil ka bohot achha hai. Bas, jab taya abbu ki death hui toh sari zimmedari uspe agayi, choti si age mein Shahzaib aur Kubra ka baap bhi ban gaya. Bas shayad issi wajah se thora aise hai."
(He is kind hearted. It's just, after his father's death, he has taken all the responsibility. In such a young age he has become the father figure for Shahzaib and Kubra. That's why he give this kind of aura.)
Laraib took an exasperated breath out. She wasn't really expecting him to talk about Hayder's tough childhood, neither she wanted it.
"Waise apko pata hai, mujhe toh hamesha se candle light dinner karna tha." She tried to change the topic.
(You know, I always wanted to have candle light dinner.)
"Majboori ka candle light dinner?"
(Candle light dinner of compulsion?)
"Majboori hai toh kya hua, hum sath hain. Yeh kafi nahi."
(We are together that's what matters.)
"Achha..." Dawar was about to say something when his phone started ringing.
"Papa ki call." He told her and received the call.
(Papa is calling.)
"Hello!... ji, papa, hum pohoch gaye. Main call kar raha tha par kisi ki call nahi lagi... Hayder Hyra? Nahi woh toh nahi aye.... baki sab kaha hain?" Lines formed on his forehead in worry, Laraib ask him what's wrong but he shook his head and stood up and went to the living room. Maybe to check if Hayder and Hyra did come there.
(Hello!... yes, papa, we have reached, I tried to call you but there was no network. Hayder Hyra? No they aren't here... where is everyone else?)
"Nahi woh yaha nahi pohche." Dawar told his father.
(They have not reached here yet.)
"Uski meeting thi, par ab tak toh khatam ho gayi hogi.... pata nahi main try karta hoon, barish ki wajah se network nahi hai. Jaise kuch maloom hoga main apko batata hoon." He told his father.
(He had a meeting, but it should be end by now... I don't know. I will try to reach him. I will tell you if I get in contact with him.)
"Kya hua, Dawar?" Laraib, who has followed him in the living and heard most of his conversations, could not make it out what make Dawar leave his lunch.
(What happened Dawar?)
"Hayder aur Hyra ghar pe nahi hain. Humare sath hi nikle the. Main ek baar bahar check karke ata hoon." Wearing his shoes, he informed her and took an umbrella out from stand.
(Hayder and Hyra are not at home. They left with us. I will check outside.)
"Agar woh yaha nahi aye toh bahar aap kya dekhenge?" Laraib asked. But Dawar was too worried to hear her.
(If they are not here what would you do outside?)
"Laraib, darwaza band karlo pani andar araha hai." On the door, he told her and left.
(Laraib, close the door.)
"But lunch..." Laraib could only ask this in empty room. She glance at the dining room, on the table where their food was, untouched.
•••
Phew! You know my exams was going on and instead of studying, my mind was suggesting me to write Khizan and Sharar (those who don't know Sharar is my other story.) and I did wrote bit of both😬, today, when I got free from exam, sabse pehle maine isko edit kiya and now I am posting it. Ab iske baad Sharar likhne ja rahi hoon. Wish me luck🥺
How was the chapter? Feel free to point at the mistakes.
-Ufaq