Farjaad stormed into his room, paying no heed to Niyaz's incredulous glances as he returned home at half-past one on a Friday. He ascended the stairs with discomfort coursing through him, the sticky sensation of his stained shirt clinging to his body. In a long while, Farjaad had never felt so thoroughly humiliated in a long time. He could not describe meeting her as anything less than absolutely disastrous. From Umeed's arrival almost an hour after what he'd planned, to getting him bathed in a piping hot cup of chai, to her flimsy excuse about her missing phone while in all reality she apparently never checked her messages, Farjaad found her to be the antipode of everything he was.
However, the spilled chai was not really her fault.
It was an accident. Farjaad grabbed a new pair of shirt and pants, vividly recalling Umeed stumbling over the table. Her reaction and composure made it seem like a routine occurrence at her cafe, yet he couldn't help but remember the genuine fear in her eyes that he noticed.
Her eyes.
Farjaad's phone buzzed, the screen flashing Majid Sahab's name. He tossed it on his bed, deciding to deal with it in a few minutes. He had a meeting scheduled at two and now he was certain he wouldn't make it on time. All thanks to Umeed. Walking into his bathroom, he unbuttoned his shirt and winced as he looked at his reddened chest along with his hands which were visibly but mildly burnt, his mind once again drifting back to the mishap. The image of the cafe, Umeed, the spilled chai, and her trembling hands lingered in his mind. Sure he was fuming when it happened but what did not go unnoticed by him was how her hand was trembling. She was holding the cup, of course the chai fell on her too.
Farjaad wondered if she even realized it, considering she was all about getting him a first aid kit and did not even look like she was in any kind of discomfort throughout their conversation. A conversation which was barely a conversation mostly an exhibit of how incompatible and contradictory everything about the both of them were. He closed his eyes as he let the shower soothe him. He heard his phone buzzing again and he let out a long sigh.
The situation with the latest season of "Socho Pakistan" had already become considerably more complicated when the beloved host, Asadullah Khan, abruptly left for Dubai right after signing the deal. Now, being late for a pivotal meeting only added to the chaos. Although Farjaad had already emailed Miss Mehak to relay the message to the board and clients, the incessant buzzing of his phone hinted how it's going to be difficult once he showed up, also considering his personal equations with the said absconder.
Well showing up late would be better than showing up drenched in tea, he guessed. But he couldn't also deny the fact that this was the first time in years that he was late for a commitment he'd made, all because of someone else's inability to manage time and self. The realization of this partnership not happening, it working being out of question came to him pretty easily. Farjaad, now dressed in fresh, clean clothes walked to the mirror reaching out for the comb as he made up his mind to tell Mimi either she tells him her preferences or she got it done herself as she planned originally. He was firmly resolved to steer clear of Umeed by his own volition.
Toofan-e-badtameezi.
Farjaad adjusted the lapels of his navy blue coat as he strolled towards the lounge, only for him to stop on his tracks once again listening to her talk on the phone. He genuinely wondered what was it with him inadvertently catching his sister's phone conversations these days. Quite contradictory to the grievances she exuded yesterday, she sounded chirpy and happy. It did not take him long to realize his sister was happy because of him, and he had arrived here right on time with one mission — to absolutely rain on her parade. He stood there, listening to Mimi's enthusiastic chatter on getting rid of the wedding planners, who were being a 'nuisance' all this while. She was telling who Farjaad deduced was Sunny, how confident she was in Umeed's ability to handle all the aesthetic aspects, while her brother would ensure the technical details were seamlessly managed. Strangely, her logic struck a chord with Farjaad and he swallowed hard, pondering the ironic twist of the situation.
"Bhai?"
Farjaad snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing her voice. Mimi was looking at him expectantly, covering her phone with one hand. Farjaad opened his mouth, but no words emerged. He struggled to speak, his voice failing him at that moment.
Mimi was puzzled and worried to see her brother at home at such an unusual hour, looking utterly lost. She inquired "Aap iss waqt ghar par? Aur yeh kapray kyun badlay aapnay? Aap theek hain?"
Farjaad cleared his throat, raising both his eyebrows. "Kuch nahin beta bas ek zaruri meeting hai kuch der mein, tou socha aakay freshen up ho jaun tou bas. You carry on?" answered Farjaad, passing her a small smile before turning to leave.
"Bhai?"
"Haan beta?"
"Umeed kay saath aapki meeting kaisay rahi?"
Farjaad unconsciously slid his left hand into his pocket, his fingers fidgeting, while the other hand clung firmly to his bag. As if he was instinctively trying to hide something. He was.
"Theek. Tum fiqr mat karo, me sab sambhaal lunga. I'll take care of everything."
Farjaad walked out, still clutching onto his office bag. He could faintly hear his sister giggle at his answer, going back to the phone conversation. As he descended the stairs, he came to a realization. He couldn't step back now. Annoying as Umeed might be, his top priority was coming up with a wedding that inculcated everything that his sister dreamt of. And if Mimi believed that Umeed knew her the best and had confidence in her abilities, then he had to swallow his pride and go along with it. Heck he could die for her, tolerating her friend for a few months be too small a price to pay to keep Mimi happy and at peace, he decided.
Haya slapped Umeed's arms as she flinched for the fifth time in two minutes in her attempt to tend to her right hand. Umeed did not even seem to realize it as she was so fixated on the excel sheet opened on her laptop screen.
Haya chided; "Umeed mujhay yeh samajh mein nahin aa raha tumhein yeh chhala dikha kyun nahin abhi tak? Dekho kitna laal ho gaya hai!" Umeed said nothing but hummed in response, she was clearly not listening to Haya as she typed in some numbers into the system with her other hand. Haya grabbed a notebook from the side table and whacked Umeed's head lightly, causing her to look up in shock and confusion.
"Kya kar rahi ho tum mujhay kaam karnay do!" Umeed shouted, trying to get back at Haya for her attack only to sit back groaning in pain as her hands hurt. Umeed sighed in exasperation, lying on her back on the bed looking at the ceiling. "Allah jee yeh kya ho raha hai meray saath, har din ek naya masla, aur yeh kaam hai kay khatm hi nahin ho raha, ooper se ab yeh nayi musibat." Umeed complained, looking at her red hands.
Haya questioned; "Jee madam me wohi puch rahi thi kay tumhein yeh itni der tak dikha kaisay nahin aur dard nahin huwa tumhein? First aid bhi nahin lagaya aur notice bhi tab kiya jab menay tumsay pucha. Aisay kin khayaalon mein khoyi huwi thi?"
Umeed rolled her eyes at Haya's insinuation. "Behen kaunsay khayal? Halaat hi itna darawana tha. Urti huwi chai, usmein nahata huwa woh Changez Khan, aur uski aankhon se meri taraf nikal rahay aag kay sholay. Me bichari masoom si larki karein tou kya karein?" She looked back at the ceiling, heaving dramatically.
"Changez Kha-, kaun Maryam ka bhai?"
"Aur kaun ho sakta hai?"
"Naam kya tha uska?"
"Farjaad. Farjaad Khan Bahadur." Umeed answered, emphasizing each syllable while giving a scornful look. Haya shifted on the bed sitting closer as she asked; "Dikhnay mein kaisa hai woh? Aur Umeed tumnay uss par bhi chai gira di? Kya hai tumhara?"
Umeed frowned as if she was trying to recall his face before she admitted; "Dikhnay mein woh theek thaak hi hai." She remembered his crisp black suit hugging his body at all the perfect places, the five o' clock shadow on his face and his perfectly combed luscious hair.
"Zaahir si baat hai, Maryam bhi kitni pyaari hai nahin?"
Her best friend's brother.
"Haan lekin jab tak khamosh rahein tab tak" Umeed snapped. "Insaan se ek chhoti si galti kya ho gayi, muh se aag nikaal ne wala dragon hi ban gaya! Sorry kehnay par insaan maaf kar deta hai na? Hai na? Lekin yeh gharyal nahin karta. Baar baar personal attack karta raha aur mujhay daant ta raha. Halaku Khan ka janasheen!"
"Ab kis se daant pari hai tumhein Umeed?"
The cousin duo looked at the door to see Sameer passing through the doorway. He strolled up to them, throwing his college bag on the bean bag in the corner of the room and made himself comfortable on Haya's bed next to Umeed's.
Umeed gritted her teeth and passed a sarcastic smile, knowing how her brother would shower her with taunts if she was to tell him. However, Haya replied; "Wohi Maryam ka bhai jis se aaj iski meeting thi."
"Ismein kaunsi nayi baat hai? Waisay bhi, mujhay yeh samajh nahin aa raha yeh kaisay kisi aur ki shaadi sambhalegi, khud ka cafe tou barely sambhal raha hai iss se." Sameer said in his quintessential Canadian accent, mocking Umeed as he giggled.
Umeed sprung up from her bed, leaning forward to hit him as she shrieked. "Kaathay angrez, tumsay ray maangi kisi ne? Sasta painter tum bas painting karo mujhay mashwaray na do!" Umeed held his collar by her left hand and tried to pull his hair with her right, only to realize she was remotely injured. Sameer tried to push her away and she cried in pain, almost falling off of her bed but Haya pulled her back by her hand.
Haya scolded her; "Umeed dhyaan se yeh kya baar baar hathiyaar utha leti ho tum? Aur haan point tou hai waisay, kaisay manage karogi tum yeh sab kuch?"
"Ab tum bhi iski tarah meri salahiyaton par shaq kar rahi ho? Umeed sounded frustrated.
Haya held her hand, back to tending to it as she shook her head. "Shaq nahin kar rahi hun Umeed lekin tum abhi already bohot busy ho. Tum hi socho tum kitni kaamchor thi pehlay? Har kaam dusron say karwana tha tumhein agar ho sakay tou. Lekin aaj kal yeh cafe ka kaam se tumhein fursat hi nahin milti kay do ghari chain ki saans lo aur yeh baat tumhein bhi acchi tarah se maloom hai. Mana kyun nahin kar deti Maryam ko?"
"Nahin kar sakti na mana. Usnay meri itni madad ki hai, zaroorat kay waqt mein saath diya hai usnay, paisay bhi de di cafe kay liye. Woh meri best friend hai Haya ab jab usko meri zarurat hai tou me kaisay mana karun?" Umeed lowered her eyes, she hated having no control over the situation, over her life. She hated being helpless and somehow that's exactly what she has been since the past few months.
"Tou yeh daant ka kya scene hai?" inquired Sameer, moving backwards fearing Umeed's attack again. Umeed pursed her lips, not having the energy to retort to her brother but at the same time realizing he wasn't trying to fight anymore. But also him mentioning that took her again to her fight with Farjaad earlier in the day, causing her to consider his plight on the other side after meeting her.
Umeed gasped in realization. "Hmm scene kuch aisa hai kay mera Mimi ko mana karnay kay beghair hi me iss situation se nikal jaungi."
"Woh kaisay?" Haya and Sameer inquired in unison.
"Woh aisay kay uska bhai hi uss se jaakay mana kar dega. Aaj jo tragedy huwi hai humaray beech, woh tou mujhsay nafrat karnay lag gaya hoga aur uskay jaisay gharyal meray jaisay ek insaan kay saath kaam karnay ke liye kabhi raazi nahin hoga. Tou mujhay pura yaqeen hai kay woh Mimi ko keh dengay-" Umeed's words came to an abrupt halt, her voice drowned out by the cheerful jingle of her ringtone.
Haya passed her the phone from the side table, mouthing it's an unknown number to both Umeed and Sameer. Umeed looked at the screen and raised her eyebrows in confusion, at the end deciding to pick it up anyway. Sameer and Haya scooted close to her, curious.
"Hello?"
She heard somebody clear their throat on the other side before she heard any voice.
"Hello Miss Umeed?" a rich and deep yet warm masculine voice greeted her from the other side.
Umeed assured; "Jee, aap kaun?"
"Me Farjaad baat kar raha hun, mujhay aapsay-"
"Jee pehlay ki koi kasar reh gayi thi jo phone par daant ne aa gaye aap? Pata hai kya bolnay walay hai aap, me hi bol deti hun, nahin hun me punctual, har waqt tor phor karti rehti hun aur haan meray cafe ki coffee buri hai. Agreed. Aap hi sahi hai. Bas? Khush?" Umeed fumed, her brows knitted.
There was a moment of silence from the other side before the words started again. "Dekhein aap meri baat tou sunein me-"
Umeed scowled. "Kyun sunun me aapki baat? Aur aapko kyun karni hai baat? Aapko shauk nahin hai na meri jaisi jhooti larki kay saath kam karnay ka, aur agar aapko hai bhi tou me aapko bata dun mujhay koi shauk nahin hai aap jaisay khadoos insaan say baat karnay ka."
"Jee mohtarma shaukh tou ab bhi nahin hai mujhay lekin menay Mimi kay liye call kiya hai aapko aur aap badtameezi kar rahi hai." said Farjaad, in a much gentler yet irritated tone. He wondered why couldn't this girl have the patience of a snapping rubber band.
Umeed had no chill. "Me? Me badtameezi kar rahi hun, aap tou jaisay-" she stalled, comprehending his words. "Mimi kay liye? Kya huwa usay?"
"Kuch nahin, lekin uskay liye humein apni disagreements ko side mein rakhna parega, kal mil kar baat kartay hain, 5 bajay. I'll send you the location. Khuda Haafiz" Farjaad cut the call, done with what he called 'Umeed's nonsense' while she just sat there confused, holding the phone to her ears even after five minutes that he cut the call.
"Kaun tha?" asked Haya even though from the tone of Umeed's words she could tell who it was. Umeed pouted, her eyes still showing visible confusion as she confirmed Haya's suspicions; "Wohi gharyal, aur kaun ho sakta hai."
"And what did the ghar-y-al say?" Sameer was clearly struggling figuring out the meaning of the little nickname Umeed had found for who seemed to be her nemesis. Umeed answered; "Keh raha tha usay kal mujhsay milna hai, Mimi kay liy- ow!" Umeed screamed in pain as she snatched her burnt hand away from Haya who seemed to be extremely dedicated in medicating it since the past half an hour.
Was her hand that humongous?
Umeed scolded her while puffing air on her hand to soothe the pain; "Kya aadhay ghantay se dawai lagayi jaa rahi ho lagayi jaa rahi ho? Marham laganay aayi ho pichlay tees minute mein saadh dard ki cheekhein nikaalwayi hai tumnay mujhsay! Bas kar do Haya tumnay parhna nahin hai waisay tou bara future doctor banti phirti ho?" Haya was a first year medicine student while Sameer was doing his bachelors in fine arts and there was a clear bias from every member of the family towards Haya, who chose a career path which was conventionally seen as a much more desirable pursuit than the other set of Pasha siblings, one who runs a struggling business and another one who was an artist who thinks he could make a living out of it.
"Haan bhai meri galti hai behen samajh kar madad karnay chali aayi. Chalo Sameer chaltay hai." Haya complained, getting up from the bed not before checking Umeed's hand once again. Sameer got up and followed Haya after he patted Umeed's head with a force way higher than Umeed appreciated. But she didn't retaliate and switched on her laptop from sleep.
She had too much to think about, too much to do.
Farjaad sat in his spacious office, the mahogany furniture and pristine decor now doing little to soothe his restless impatience. The clock on the wall seemed to have slowed its ticking just to taunt him further. He had told Umeed they would meet at 5:00 p.m., and knowing her notorious penchant for tardiness, he'd actually scheduled it at 5:30 for himself. Yet, the digital display on his sleek desk confirmed his growing frustration — it was now 5:45, and Umeed was nowhere in sight. His irritation was palpable, and he couldn't help but wonder why he had agreed to this meeting in the first place before realizing it was his idea. Farjaad drummed his fingers impatiently on the smooth surface of his desk, a frown etched across his face as his temper flared with each passing second.
Farjaad's impatience reached its peak as he heard the faint but growing sounds of chaos outside his office. The familiar clamor of raised voices and shuffling feet pulled him out of his chair, and he strode out to the corridor.
As he emerged from his office, a scene of unexpected chaos unfolded before him. Miss Mehak, his personal assistant, was indulging in a tense confrontation with an infuriated Umeed, who stood there in a crisp white kurti adorned with small polka dots. One side of her hair was neatly pinned back, accentuating her poise, but her clenched fists and furrowed brows spoke volumes of her current state of agitation. Farjaad couldn't help but notice her visible annoyance.
He approached them, his voice laced with bewilderment. "Miss Mehak, What's going on here?"
Miss Mehak briefly turned to him, her expression a mix of frustration and annoyance. "Sir yeh pichlay ek ghante se aap se milnay ka keh rahi hai, na inkay paas appointment hai aur menay insay kaha kay aap meeting mein hai lekin yeh sun hi nahin rahi, bas lar rahi hai mujhsay."
Umeed's gaze, a furious storm, shifted to Farjaad. "Aap ne mujhay paanch bajay ka kaha tha aur me pohonchi theek paanch bajay lekin aap ki PA hai kay mujhay aapsay milnay nahin de rahi! Ab yeh na kehna kay mujhay ur kar aapkay office pohonch jaana chahiye tha aur galti meri hai. Woh software abhi install nahin huwa hai mujh mein."
The realization hit Farjaad like a bucket of cold water. He had indeed conveyed his schedule to Miss Mehak but failed to specify that Umeed was the one he was meeting at 5.
He turned to Umeed, his voice a blend of apology and irritation. "Umeed aap andar aayein. Miss Mehak, you can go. "
As they entered his office, Farjaad couldn't help but notice that Umeed's anger had slightly abated, yet she remained visibly perturbed. He took his seat, gesturing for Umeed to do the same. She settled into the chair, placing her bag on the table with a forceful thud that caught Farjaad off guard.
"Jee tou mera late honay par mujhay itna sunanay kay baad aap khud aaj late ho gaye Farjaad Khan Bahadur?" Umeed questioned, arching her eyebrows, visibly irked by the turn of events.
Farjaad leaned forward, his tone apologetic, "Umeed woh thori confusion ho gayi thi, menay Miss Mehak ko bata tou diya tha kay humari meeting hai 5 bajay lekin unko yeh batana bhul gaya kay meeting aapkay saath hai, tou unko laga me busy hun. I'm sorry."
Umeed looked at him for a moment, contemplating whether to hold onto her annoyance. She noticed Farjaad was dressed immaculately in a sky blue shirt paired with dark blue pants cinched by a sleek brown belt. A gleaming Rolex watch graced his wrist, but in that moment, time was anything but on his side. But she could see he was being honest, and she did not wish to prolong this meeting a second longer. After a brief pause, she sighed, her expression softening, and finally said, "Theek hai theek hai, kaam ki baat karo."
"Me chahta hun tum mujhay fatafat batao kay Mimi ko kya kya pasand hai aur kya kya chahiye apni shaadi mein, taakay me note kar sakun phir me kar lunga sab kuch." said Farjaad at a stretch, in a demanding tone.
Umeed could only articulate one word. "Kya?"
Farjaad gave her a reassuring nod, emphasizing his request. Umeed, after a few moments of staring, unexpectedly burst into giggles. Farjaad remained utterly perplexed at this response, but then when was he ever able to predict Umeed Pasha's reactions in their two day acquaintance-ship.
"Aapko sach mein lagta hai yeh kaam karega? Aap ne Mimi se bhi yahin nahin kaha tha? Kay bata do, list do, thesis likho" mocked Umeed. Farjaad frowned like a five year old folding his arms across his chest as he gave her his classic disapproving glare.
Umeed shifted on her chair, leaning forward to rest both her hands on his table as she continued, in a much gentler tone. "Dekhein, aisa nahin hota hai. Me aapko Mimi kay baaray mein hazaar chiz bata sakti hun lekin jab aap actually kaam mein lag jayengay tou aur ek hazaar sawaal aayengay agar aap usay nahin jaantay tou. Mimi ne mujhay bhi yeh chizein ek din achanak se nahin batayi thi. Na hi menay notes banayein. Yeh saari chizein.. waqti taur par aap seekh letay hai kisi aur kay baaray mein jab aap unkay saath time spend kartay ho. Bas."
Farjaad gulped at Umeed's innocent explanation. The sole reason he wanted to do this was to make his sister happy, yet he was treating it like something he wanted to do just for the sake of doing something for her. As if he wanted to get rid of the guilt of not spending time with her, not knowing her and not the fact that through planning her wedding firsthand he actually wanted to spend time with his sister or get to know her better, get to know how she has changed over the years from when they were inseparable to now, close yet distant. Umeed really had opened his eyes to his own hypocrisy.
As Farjaad was lost in thought, two steaming cups of coffee were placed on his desk, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air. He snapped out of his contemplation and thanked Mehak as she left, looked at Umeed, and gestured toward one of the cups.
"Aap coffee lein" he said, extending his hand toward the cup.
Umeed shook her head and proclaimed proudly, "Me coffee nahin peeti. Me sirf aur sirf chai peeti hun."
Farjaad nodded. "Tou phir chai mangwaun aap kay liye?"
"Me sirf chai peeti hun lekin abhi itnay bure din nahin aaye kay me yahan se chai peeyun phir ek baar. Jab aapka wait kar rahi thi tab ek chai pi thi menay, Khuda ki kasam it was so bad." Umeed chuckled with a twinkle in her eye, the utmost joy of getting back at him shining.
Farjaad couldn't help but narrow his eyes, realizing that Umeed's comment was a sly jab at him. He nodded in acknowledgment and quipped, "Tanz accha kar leti hain aap."
Umeed shrugged, her mischievous smile growing wider.
"Aap ne baat tou theek ki hai" he admitted, "Humein yeh kaam ek saath hi kar lena chahiye. Aur jo maazi mein disagreements huwe, usko filhaal side mein rakhtay hai?"
Umeed nodded. Even she prioritized Mimi's happiness over her intolerance for Farjaad and the first time in their tumultuous interaction, there was a sense of unity. Farjaad offered a truce as he asked; "Deal?"
"Deal." Umeed said, sealing their agreement.
Farjaad nodded in satisfaction. "Great. Tou phir kal aap aa jayein ghar, Mimi ne aapko bulaya hai. Woh keh rahi thi woh hum dono ko kuch samjhana chahti hai."
"Mujhay pata hai usnay mujhay text ki thi woh meri best friend hai." Umeed rolled her eyes, and Farjaad rolled his lips inwards, realizing how difficult this was going to be as they both had the tendency to refute the other.
Umeed carried on, visibly irritated at the way he acted as if Mimi was closer to him and only communicated with him. "Waisay, aap puch rahay the na Mimi kya kya chahti hai apni shaadi mein? Tou sunein."
Farjaad leaned forward, extremely interested in whatever she was going to say.
"Woh ek din mujhsay keh rahi thi kay woh chahti hai uski shaadi mein uska bhai dance karein." said Umeed, and pursed her lips trying her best to not break into laughter as she waited for the impending panic she was sure she was going to witness from the other side.
"Tum mazak kar rahi ho." stated Farjaad, his eyes widened in alarm. Umeed looked up at him and shook her head, appearing as serious as possible. "Mazak kar rahi ho na?" he asked, in a lower tone as if his life depended on her answer. Unable to maintain her serious demeanor, Umeed's face broke into laughter as she couldn't contain her amusement any longer.
Farjaad looked at her in disbelief and couldn't help but utter, "Kuch nahin ho sakta tumhara."
Umeed looked offended as she spoke between her laughs; "Dekhein me waqai mazak nahin kar rahi hun, woh chahti hai yeh. Lekin mujhay pata tha aapka reaction kuch aisa hoga tou bas." She trailed off, giggling again. "Aur menay do ghari aapkay saath baith kar baat kya kar li aap aap se tum par aa gaye?"
"Shut up!" Farjaad retorted firmly. "Me aisa kuch nahin karnay wala"
Umeed's phone suddenly began to ring, breaking the silence in the room. She discreetly gestured for Farjaad to stay silent as she answered. Her side of the conversation was carefully guarded, and she spoke with a calm demeanor.
"Nahin nahin me abhi cafe mein nahin hun. Me zara baahir aayi huwi hun kuch samaan lenay cafe kay liye hi" Umeed lied, causing Farjaad to raise his eyebrows at her while her eyes were lowered, her fingers drawing patterns on his table.
"Nahin aap na aayein, me iskay baad foran chali jaungi khud hi, paas mein hi hain" said Umeed, attempting to conceal the panic in her voice as she heard whatever she heard on the other side, causing Farjaad to be even more curious. "Hum kisi aur din miltay hai?" said Umeed, her face taking on a sarcastic, angry smile, and her tone reflected a touch of irritation. However, when she looked up and met Farjaad's gaze, her expression quickly returned to being composed.
Farjaad couldn't help but wonder, who was she talking to and did he just catch her lying again?
_________________________
Not proof read, not edited.
Hope you like it :)