کس نے پایا سکون دُنیا میں
زندگانی کا سامنا کر کے
•••••••••
The light knock on the door caught the undivided attention of the son and father duo as they both were confined in the study going through some documents. The maid came in once she heard the approval. Placing steaming hot cups of tea on the table, she left the room just as quietly as she came. Owais leaned back and took a sip from the cup. The warm liquid working like magic as his tiredness toned down a notch.
"Well done. You've been making progress."
Subhan chuckled and nodded at his father. It felt nice to be appreciated by his father. Not that he appreciates him. But this was something he wasn't expert in and earning a compliment feels so much like an accomplishment. It was rewarding for the hard work he was putting into his work. The efforts he is making to not let the company loose it's charm.
"I've been thinking of asking you something." Subhan said to his father. He continued when he got that little shake of his father's head.
"I was wondering to pay a visit to the shelter home we have in Islamabad. I got news its in bad condition."
Owais nodded his head in acknowledgement.
"You should. I haven't been able to look into that matter too. Hammad was the one to take care of everything."
He couldn't help but mention his son. Subhan felt that tightness in his chest which he always feels when he hears anything about his brother. But he chose not to dwell on it. He had a task in hand.
His emotions can come sometime later. Or maybe never.
"I'll try to go as soon as possible. Maybe I'll stay there for a day or two."
Owais nodded completely agreeing with him.
"Just tell me if you need any help. Don't think your father is old. I'm still as young as you are."
A laugh bubbled out of his chest at the jolly mood of his father. It's been ages since he last saw him acting like the way he is. It was refreshing seeing the smile that caged his features as he drank from his cup of tea. He felt like he really achieved something if his father is happy.
It feels good. To make someone smile.
He went back to his work after a while of staying in his mind. He knows it's not the best place to stay in. Taking occasional sips of his tea, he buried himself in office files.
Typical.
~~~~~~~~~~
Safa wrapped the shawl around her shoulders as she got ready for university. Her mood was extra cheerful today. Given it's her last exam before she gets her freedom back. Months of studying and she'll be free today. Nothing compares to that feeling.
"You look happy."
Safa gasped as she turned around to find the cheeky girl standing at room's door.
"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Mehreeen said sheepishly as she invited herself in.
"What made you so happy?" Safa's cheeks coated with red as she finds her excuse lame. But she had no choice to tell her as Mehreen looked at her with curious eyes.
"It's my last exam." Mehreen shrieked and said
"Ahhh that's so good. I wish you all the best." Safa relaxed as she find her company enjoyable.
"What are you studying?"
"Pharmacology." She answered her question.
"That's great choice of a career." Mehreen smiled at her. For some moments silence fell between them. It wasn't awkward. It was comfortable. Mehreen broke it by asking
"Can I call you Bhabhi if you don't mind?"
Safa stilled at her request. For sure she never expected her to ask that. But again Mehreen has been the only closest to a friend to her. Always making small talks and passing her a smile or two. Safa shook her head lightly which earned her a hearty dimpled smile from the girl sitting on the couch. Mehreen stood up and said
"I'll get going now. Best of luck with your exam."
Safa chuckled at her enthusiastic thumbs up and Mehreen opened the door to only come face to face with Subhan himself. She ducked under his arm before he could mess her hair and ran down the stairs. He chuckled and looked at the quiet girl standing before him.
"It's appreciating that you two are becoming something."
"She's a very good company."
Safa said with all heart. He invited himself in closing the door with his foot. The act was nothing out of ordinary but Safa find it..... interesting? If that's the right word. Nowadays, she's questioning every word that comes in her mind upon the thought of Subhan.
"She's bubbly isn't she?" He smiled and took a seat on his favourite spot in the room...the couch. Safa hummed, too lost to answer him verbally. She closed her bag and turned towards him. He sighed and stood up. Once settled inside the car, he started the engine. Safa was usually quiet. He didn't want it. So he inititated a conversation
"So last exam, what are your plans?" She shrugged at his question. She really didn't have anything specifically planned for today. So she answered nonchalantly
"I don't know. Maybe I'll read a book or something."
His ears perked up at the ending of her sentence. He tipped his chin in her direction and asked
"You like reading?"
He instantly felt pride blooming in his chest at the wide smile that appeared on her face. He paid extra attention as she started speaking
"I love it. The idea of having a good book and endless amount of time fascinates me."
He couldn't help but let out a chuckle at her excitement. She blushed and turned her face away. When they arrived at their destination, he said
"Best of luck Phoenix. I know you will ace this exam." She gave him a full blown smile and left after waving in his direction. He sat there in his car for a while before reversing back and finally leaving.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I'll be away for a day or two. Take care of the company for me."
Subhan told Altamash. He only heard his grunt of an answer.
"Where are you going?" He heard him ask.
"Islamabad. I want to pay a visit to the shelter home. I've heard it's in bad condition."
Altamash nodded and said
"You've booked your flight ticket?" Subhan shook his head in negative.
"So are you going by a train or something?"
Subhan glared at him and said
"I have you to take care of that." He smirked at the irritation that marked his best friend's features.
"What am I? Your P.A?" Altamash grunted. Subhan pushed his buttons and said
"Why would I need a P.A when I have you. You are good at your job".
Altamash plopped down on the chair and muttered
"Not funny...jerk."
Both of them shared a little laugh at that. Today was turning out to be better than expected. Everybody is happy. May it always stays like this.
Ameen.
Subhan couldn't help but say in his heart.
"So how's marriage?" Altamash asked. Subhan stopped writing. He shrugged nonchalantly.
"Come on man give me more than that."
He sighed and leaned back in his chair. Rolling the pen between his fingers, he said
"Its good. What can I say? My family didn't take the news well. Mama was really angry to be honest."
Altamash hummed and asked the question that was running in his mind
"You think Safa would be uncomfortable without you in the house?"
At his question, Subhan was quiet. He didn't think that. Plus, he hasn't even told Safa about him going out of city.
"I'll ask her if she's comfortable otherwise I'll drop her to Bua Ji's."
Altamash nodded and said
"That'll be good. You up for some food?" Subhan nodded and Altamash stood up to go order when he heard him say
"Next time don't call her with her name."
Altamash smirked and turned around.
"Possessive much."
He was only rewarded with a spine chilling glare which earned Subhan a loud laugh from him.
Seriously why are we friends again?"
~~~~~~~~~
Subhan could immediately hear the banter between Mehreen and Natalia as he entered the house.
"Don't be a grandma. Come on we haven't been out in a long time."
Mehreen frustratedly threw her hands in the air.
"Calm down, fireball." Subhan said as he sat down beside his grandmother who sat on her wooden chair drinking her tea and enjoying the fight.
"Bhai...please let's go out for dinner. We haven't been out for one in ages."
He shrugged his shoulders and said
"Ok. Let's go."
Natalia hissed and said
"Bhai why did you agree with her?" He shrugged again while Mehreen smirked in Natalia's direction
"Because he finds you annoying." Natalia huffed while everyone else laughed out loud at her misery.
"Why are you teasing my poor daughter?"
Narmeen asked as she entered the hall with some snacks. Natalia immediately hugged her mother making faces at Mehreen and Subhan who sat teaming against her. Subhan said to the other two ladies in the room
"We all should go. It'll be a good change of air for us." Rehmat Bibi shook her head and refused.
"You kids go. I'll enjoy my dinner at home." Narmeen agreed too. Finding the idea of eating outdoor food not interesting.
"Girls I think its just us then. Go get ready."
Both the girls ran upstairs upon hearing thier brother. Safa opened the door of her room and saw Natalia and Mehreen.
"Bhabhi you get ready. We're eating out." Natalia glared at Mehreen and said
"It's just us, Mehr. No need to call strangers in." She spatted. Safa stood still. She knew her sister in law has that typical hate for her and that's okay. She'll come around.
"That's rude of you to say that. She's our Bhabhi."
Before Natalia could say anything, they heard footsteps of Subhan. She zipped her lips not wanting to create a scene. Mehreen dragged Natalia with her toward their room while Subhan gazed at Safa. She was clad in a dark red suit. Her brown eyes resembles pools of honey as the red made her features pop out.
"I should go change." She muttered softly but stopped feeling a tug on her hand. Rough hands held her arm in place.
"You look fine. Just grab your shawl."
She nodded too overwhelmed by his touch to say anything else. All the four said goodbye to the family. Narmeen's disgust over Safa joining them was so obvious that it made Safa want to refuse to go, but the strong hold of her husband's hand stopped her. He didn't even make eye contact with her and she knew that he wanted her to go. So she stayed quiet. When they reached the car, Natalia grabbed the passenger seat.
"Oh no Natalia. Let's sit at the back." Mehreen glared at her immature cousin. Safa felt the penetrating gaze of Subhan over her, but she dared not to look at him.
"It's okay. Let's go." Safa pulled Mehreen with her and sat at the back. She saw him heave a sigh. She knew he wanted her to stood up to Natalia's tactics. But she didn't.
She wants peace for a while. This fighting over a mere seat seem ridiculous to her. She was his wife no matter if someone accepts or not. So she didn't find it wise enough to tell people about her status.
The entire ride went in a painful silence. A silence between Subhan and Safa as he constantly looked at her from the rearview mirror time to time. But she did what she always has done
She chose to ignore it.
~~~~~~~~~
The cool salty breeze messed with Safa's hair as she took support of the railing. They were at a famous restaurant of Karachi Do Dariya. She heard a lot about it and now that she was here, she was feeling happy. A feeling she hasn't really felt in so long. She liked the food. But the thing that really fascinated her was the sea. How the waves were splashing and touching the sky while the people relaxed. She found it funnily stupid to compare her life to the sea.
Her life was same as the sea. With waves coming back and forth. Harder each time. Chaos following her everywhere she goes, but at some point the sea is at rest and so is her life. Those moments are one in a million, but if she has to count them, she'll top this moment as the best of all.
"Its calm isn't it?"
She turned at the rough yet soft voice. With hands in his pockets and the air messing his perfectly styled hair, he looked like a perfection created to destroy everything in it's reach. He walked to her and occupied the space next to her. Like always she didn't feel nervous right now. Maybe the wind has some kind of drug that pieced her senses for a while.
"I've always wanted to see the sea."
"You've never seen it." He asked in disbelieve. If he remembers correctly, he has lost count of how many times he has seen the blue waters.
"It's fascinating."
She's been using that word a lot.
"How?" Subhan asked. He was curious.
"You know when we have everything we ever desire, we really ignore the value of it. We only realize it after we have lost it."
Her words really pulled him in. That was deep. So he leaned in and listened to her. Not wanting her to close off.
"I've always wanted to see it." She said almost dreamily.
"Do you want to go see it more clearly?"
He asked after a while. They can take a small stroll down the seaside.
"Of course." Her eyes brightened up at his sentence. But before they could leave, he heard Natalia say
"Bhai Ammi has called. She wants us home. It's very late already."
He nodded and turned around to see Safa. She shrugged her shoulders and looked at the sea again. He apologized to her
"I'm sorry." She turned in his direction and assured him
"Maybe next time."
He gave her a small smile and said
"Promise."
••••••••••••
Salam everyone
Here's an update after a very long time.
Funny thing I have never been to Do Dariya. But I hope you enjoy it.
Vote, comment and share.
Till then, Allah Hafiz.