Let's talk about 2 most important thing. Slow update, and short update.
So, the slow updates? Well, blame it on my crazy busy life. Seriously, I barely have time for myself. Even when I manage a tiny break, my brain's so tired it refuses to get creative – it just wants to chill. My screen time has dropped so low that I got a notification saying I spent 2 hours and 14 minutes on it. My Insta time is even less. So, with such low screen time, you can imagine how rare the chance is for me to write something. That's why updates are turtle-speed. Apologies 🥺!
Now, onto the short updates. I'm not a fan of writing long chapters. Yeah, I know, there was a time when Sharar had those long chapters, but that was back when it hit over 50 chapters. I never wanted it to go over 100 chapters, so I started writing longer chapters. Trust me, posting even this tiny update took me almost a month. Imagine the time it'll take for a Sharar-sized chapter. Isko seh lo na thora? 👉🏻👈🏻
•••
Uswa's gaze remained piercing as she scolded Hyra, deftly slicing apples. "Tum itna kyu behosh hoti rehti ho?" Uswa asked about the previous night, passing a freshly cut apple to Hyra.
(Why do you faint so often?)
"Hyder bhai ne firse kuch kaha tumhe?" she probed.
(Has Hayder bhai said something to you again?)
Hyra, avoiding eye contact, shook her head quickly. "Na... Nahi, unhone kuch nahi..."
(No... he didn't say anything...)
Uswa persisted, "Unhe defend na karo, Hayder bhai ne kuch kiya hai toh batao. Mere paas ek do idea hai badla lene ka."
(Don't defend him; if Hayder has done something, tell me. I have a couple of revenge ideas.)
Hyra hesitated, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink. "Aisa kuch nahi hai, Uswa. Woh nahi datte..." She couldn't bring herself to explain the embarrassing incident that led to her fainting.
(No, Uswa. He didn't scold me...)
Uswa's eyes widened, "Hairat hai! Woh nahi datte?" Confused, she sought clarification.
(Surprising! He didn't scold you.)
Not liking how Uswa talked about Hayder, Hyra quickly defended him, "Woh itne bure bhi nahi."
(He's not that bad.)
Uswa's confused expression turned into surprise, "Hain? Yeh toh breaking news hai. Yeh kab hua?"
(Really? This is breaking news. When did this happen.)
This made Hyra glare at Uswa.
"Mazak kar rahi thi. Uss din mujhe bhi laga Hayder bhai itne bure nahi, lekin fir agle din unhone mujhe aur Sami ko data toh mera opinion firse pehle wala ho gaya." Uswa attempted to lighten the mood by raising her hand for a high-five, but Hyra looked away.
(I'm joking. That day, I also thought Hayder bhai isn't so bad, but the next day, he scolded me and Sami, so my opinion went back to what it was before.)
It is true that Hyra didn't share most of her personal matter with Uswa anymore. Hyra knew that Uswa couldn't keep a secret, even unintentionally revealing everything in front of others. Uswa wasn't malicious, just not good at keeping things to herself. Since Uswa told Dawar about Hayder's behavior and later about Hyra's fears to Hayder, Hyra understood that she couldn't share anything about her and Hayder with Uswa, or anyone else for that matter.
However, Hyra didn't like Uswa making jokes about Hayder's anger in this manner.
"Achha woh chorho," Uswa cleared her throat, noting Hyra's changing sense of humor. "Yeh tumhara dress. Thank you mujhe dene ke liye. Pata hai meri itni pyari pictures ayi hain kal ke function ki aur sab meri tareef kar rahe the." Uswa retrieved a bag and handed it to Hyra.
(Forget that. This is your dress. Thank you for giving it to me. You know, I clicked such lovely pictures from yesterday's event, and everyone was praising me.)
"Woh dress, main laya tha, Hyra, tumhare liye," Hayder's voice echoed in her memory as she took the dress out of the bag. Hyra examined it, realizing she hadn't properly seen it last night when she handed it to Uswa.
(I had brought that dress, Hyra, for you.)
"Aise na dekho, Hyra, kasam se iss baar tumhari dress pe kuch nahi giraya maine," Uswa's voice interrupted her.
(Don't look at it like that, Hyra. I swear I didn't spill anything on your dress this time,)
"Haan? Nahi... nahi main bas..." Hyra quickly shook her head, reassuring her, though her mind lingered on the memories of the night before.
(Yeah? No... I was just...)
Before Uswa could say anything, her phone rang.
"Main abhi ati hoon." Uswa excused herself and left the room.
(I'll be right back.)
•••
Hayder walked into the room, his gaze fall on Hyra, as she held the dress. Without uttering a word, he took it from her hands and tossed it aside. The dress floated momentarily before landing on a nearby chair.
Hyra's eyes widened, fear creeping into her voice, asked, "Kya aap isme aag laga denge?"
(Are you going to set it on fire?)
In response, Hayder scolded her, "Pagal ho?"
(Are you crazy?)
Hurt reflecting in her eyes. "Woh apne kal kaha tha..." she started, but her words faded as he raised a hand, signaling her to stop.
(You said that yesterday...)
Seated in front of her, Hayder's expression was stern. "Hyra, mujhe bilkul nahi pasand tum kisi aur ka pehna hua pehno. Main yeh dress tumhare liye laya tha, tumse pehle kisi aur ne pehna toh kya fyada, hatao issey ab."
(Hyra, I absolutely dislike you wearing something someone else has worn before. I brought this dress for you; what's the use if someone else wore it before you? Get rid of it now.)
Hyra looked down, her fingers playing nervously with the edge of her dupatta. "Uswa aur main share karte hain, woh behen hai meri..."
(Uswa and I share things; she's my sister...)
Hayder interrupted her. "Behen hai, lekin kuch cheezein sirf humari hoti hain, jinpe sirf humara haq hota hai. Har cheez share karne wali nahi hoti."
(She might be your sister, but some things are exclusively ours, things on which only we have rights. Not everything is meant to be shared.)
Hyra, her voice almost a whisper, began to apologize, thinking he was still upset about her. "I'm sorry, agar mujhe pata hota aap laye hain toh..."
(I'm sorry, if I had known you brought it...)
Hayder's expression softened as he reached out, gently placing his hand on her, making her jolt up and look at him. "Problem kya hai tumhe?" He again got irritated and asked in a stern voice. "Itna kyu darrti ho?"
(What's your problem?)
(Why are you so scared?)
She mumbled softly, "Main... Main nahi darrti..."
(I... I'm not scared...)
"Rehne do." Hayder withdrew his hand and stood up.
(Leave it.)
He pinched his nose, attempting to control his temper. Despite always intending to treat her with patience and tenderness, her lack of communication consistently tested his patience.
"Tumse apne past behavior ko leke maafi mang toh chuka hoon, Hyra, ab kyu darti ho, ab kya problem hai tumhe?" He asked, a bit irritated
(I've apologized for my past behavior, Hyra. What's the problem now? Why are you afraid?)
"Apne kaha tha ab nahi datunga, lekin aap hamesha datte hain." With a little confidence, Hyra complained in an undertone, looking at her hands.
(You promised that you won't scold me anymore, but you always scold me.)
"Theek hai, Kal mera reaction thoda over..." Hayder started saying, but Hyra raised her head to look at him.
(I know yesterday my reaction was little...)
"Thoda zyada over ho gaya," Hayder corrected himself. "I am sorry for that. Mujhe pehle puri baat janni chahiye thi."
(It was an extreme reaction I know.)
"Koi baat nahi." She instantly forgave him.
(It's okay.)
"Aur koi shikayat?"
(Any other complaints?)
"Aap kabhi kabhi kya kehte hain, kya karte hain, mujhe kuch samajh nahi ata." Hyra hesitated, her gaze shifting as she struggled to put her feelings into words.
(You sometimes say and do things that I don't understand.)
Hayder sighed, realizing the impact of his actions. "Mere words, mere actions, meri feelings ko justify nahi karte, janta hoon. Lekin main fir bhi koshish kar raha hoon, Hyra. Lekin tum koi koshish nahi kar rahi. Tumhara bhi behavior bhi frustrating hai."
(My words, my actions, don't justify my feelings, I know. But I'm still trying, Hyra. But you're not making an effort. Your behavior is frustrating too.)
"Theek hai agar tumhe laga Kubra leke ayi gift kyuki main kabhi nahi laya kuch, par baki sab? Tumhe apne sath chalne ke liye kaha toh Uswa ke sath commitment zyada important thi, tumhari shadi Uswa se nahi mujhse hui hai."
(If you thought Kubra brought the gift because I never bring anything, fine. But the rest? When I invited you to come with me, your commitment to Uswa was more important to you. You are not married to Uswa.)
Hyra's eyes widened at Hayder's words, she hadn't expected him to express his feelings so openly.
Hayder, seeing her reaction, softened his tone and sat down. "Hyra, main tumhe blame nahi kar raha. Tumhe waqt chahiye, I understand, lekin kam se kam hum dono ek dusre ko samajhne ki koshish toh karein. Aur woh tabhi hoga jab tum apni feelings ko express karogi."
(Hyra, I'm not blaming you. You need time; I understand. But at least, let's try to understand each other. And that will happen only when you'll express your feelings.)
"I don't want to push you away, Hyra. I want to bring you closer. Par tumhe bhi thori koshish toh karni hogi na."
(But you also have to make some effort, right.)
Hyra looked down, contemplating his words. "Mujhe nahi samajh ata yeh sab." She replied innocently.
(I don't understand all this.)
"Mujhpe toh bharosa haina?" Hayder smiled at her childish complain.
(You trust me, don't you?)
Looking up, Hyra quickly nodded her head.
Hayder smiled, appreciating her willingness to reflect. "Bas tum bhorosa rakho, aur jo bhi baat ho sabse pehle mujhse share karo. Aur kuch nahi karna hai tumhe."
(Just keep trusting, and whatever it is, share it with me first. You don't have to do anything else.)
Hyra managed a small smile, "Main koshish karungi."
(I'll try.)
The tension in the room began to ease. Hayder reached out, and hesitantly, Hyra put her hand in his.
"Toh kya ab main woh dress le loon?" Hyra started asking, pointing at the dress which Hayder threw away.
(So, can I take that dress now?)
"Tum ab tak uss dress ka soch rahi ho." Hayder groaned. "Nahi, tum woh dress nahi le sakti. Haan lekin..." Leaving his sentence in the middle, Hayder stood up and went to the cupboard.
(You're still thinking about that dress.)
(No, you can't take that dress. But...)
Hayder returned with a small, intricately decorated box. He settled in front of Hyra on the bed, the box cradled in his hands. "Kal tumne shikayat ki thi na ki maine wedding night pe kuch nahi diya tha. Main tumhe yeh dena chahta tha."
(Yesterday, you complained that I didn't give you anything on our wedding night. I wanted to give you this.)
Hayder opened the box, revealing a pair of delicately crafted anklets with tiny bells. As he gently took one anklet out, he looked at Hyra. "Kya main?"
(May I?)
Shyly, Hyra put her feet forward, as he delicately fastened the anklet around her ankle.
"Yeh bohot khoobsurat hain." She whispered.
(These are beautiful.)
Hayder's gaze softened, "Yeh ammi ki hain."
(These belongs to my mother.)
Hyra was stunned, realizing the significance of the gift. "Badi ammi ki?"
(Your mother's?)
"Woh hamesha inhe pehne rehti thi." He was looking down, Hyra couldn't see the glistening in his dark eyes, but she felt how emotional his voice is.
(She always used to wear them.)
"Main bhi inhe kabhi nahi utarungi fir." Hyra promised.
(I will never take them off now.)
He smiled, "Zaroori nahi hai. Tum apne convenience ke hisab se pehenna."
(It's not necessary. You wear them according to your convenience.)
"Nahi nahi, main toh hamesha pehnugi. Aur aap bhi inhe ab mere marne ke baad hi utariyega." But Hyra said in an adamant voice.
(No, no, I will always wear them. And you can only take them off after I die.)
Hayder's expression changed, his tone turning stern. "Har waqt ulti seedhi baat karna zaroori hai kya?"
(Do you really need to talk rubbish?)
Hyra, feeling a bit scolded, puffed her cheeks and looked away. "Abhi kaha tha datunga nahi."
(You said you wouldn't scold me anymore.)
This made Hayder smack his forehead.
•••
As Hayder promised, his efforts to rein in his temper became evident, garnering attention from everyone in the house.
"Suraj lagta hai aaj kal ulti disha se nikal raha hai." Shahzaib couldn't resist commenting, but Hayder's dark gaze quickly silenced him.
(Sun seems to be veering in a different direction these days).
"Ab sahi disha mein agaya suraj?" Rafey whispered to Shahzaib.
(Has the sun finally found its way in the right direction?)
Hayder had heard Rafey's comment too, but before he could say anything, Hyra arrived. She picked up a cup from the tray and placed it in front of Hayder, taking the chair next to him to have breakfast.
"Arey yaad aya, Aroooba ki call ayi thi," Hanif Mirza suddenly remembered Arooba's call during the Fajr prayer.
(Oh, by the way, Arooba called,)
Hayder, Shahzaib, and Kubra all looked at Hanif Mirza in surprise. Arooba was their maternal aunt, and she lived abroad. She would only call during festive occasions.
"Woh India ayi hui hain, maine aaj unhe dinner pe bulaya hai," Hanif Mirza completed the information.
(She's in India; I've invited her for dinner today,)
"Woh akeli ayi hain?" Kubra asked.
(She is alone?)
"Nahi, zahir hai Reema aur shohar ke sath ayi hai," Hanif Mirza replied.
(No, obviously, she is here with Reema and her husband.)
Hyra vividly remember when Hayder conpleted his studies, everyone in the family wanted him to marry Reema. Although Uswa and Hyra never got to know why this never happened. With a glance, Hyra observed Hayder to see if his face could reveal the condition of his heart, but as always, he maintained a stoic expression while having breakfast.
When Hayder left after breakfast, Shahzaib called Hyra.
"Bhabhi, zara ehtiyat se, humare nanihal ki larkiyan toh deewani thi Hayder bhai ki, Reema bhi unme se ek hai." His tone was playfull.
(Bhabhi, be careful. Our maternal family's girls were crazy about Hayder bhai, and Reema is one of them.)
"Shahzaib!" Kubra, who have heard him, called him in a warning tone. "Uski baaton pe dhyan na do, Hyra, nanihal ki kisi larki ne kabhi issey ghas nahi dali isliye jal kukkad bana hai." Now that they were seeing changes in Hayder and Hyra's life, Kubra didn't want any more trouble in her brother's life.
(Don't pay attention to his talks, Hyra. No girl from our maternal family never gave him any attention; that's why he's a bit upset.)
"Main ghoda nahi jo ghas khau. Waise bhi mere liye toh dadihal ki larki hi kafi hai." Shahzaib's point was undoubtedly towards Zara.
(I don't want their attention. For me, a girl from our paternal's side is enough.)
"Aur waise bhi maine jhoot kya bola? Khala ne toh Reema aur Hayder bhai ki shadi ki baat bhi ki thi." Shahzaib wanted to prove his point.
(And anyway, did I lie? Aunt did talk about Reema and Hayder bhai's marriage.)
"Jissey Hayder bhai ne mana kar diya tha kyuki Reema ne ussi waqt 12th pass kiya tha aur woh unse choti th..." Kubra reminded him, but instantly regretted when she mentioned age. Sheepishly, she looked at Hyra, who was already looking at her.
(Which Hayder bhai refused because Reema had just passed 12th grade at that time and she is younger than him...)
"Mujhe lagta hai Hayder bhai ne toh rishte reject karne mein world record banaya hoga." Shahzaib decided to change the serious atmosphere that fell upon the table due to Kubra's slip of the tongue.
(I think Hayder bhai must have set a world record in rejecting proposals.)
"Aur achha hi haina, warna yeh khargosh jaisi bhabhi na milti hume." Then teasingly, he points at Hyra.
(And it's good; otherwise, we wouldn't have gotten a sister-in-law as wonderful as this rabbit-like one.)
"Shahzaib bhai!" Hyra whined on the nickname.
•••
In the evening, everyone sat together, but what surprised Hyra the most was Hayder's open demeanor. Usually, he spoke less and maintained a serious expression. But today, he was conversing quite well with Reema, even smiling. His dimple, which Hyra found quite charming that day, now seemed bitterly painful.
As the guests left, Hyra's mood had significantly deteriorated.
"Kya hua?" In the night, when she went to Hanif Mirza's room to give him his night medicine and milk, he pulled her to sit next to him.
(What happened?)
"Kuch nahi, Baba."
(Nothing, baba.)
"Hyra, mera beta Hayder bohot achha hai, thora tabiyat ka sakht hai lekin yakeen mano bohot pyar karta hai woh tumse. Tum uski mazi ki baaton ko nadani samajh ke maaf kardo." Hanif Mirza concluded that she was disturbed because of Hayder.
(Hyra, my son Hayder is very good; he may be a bit strict, but believe me, he loves you a lot. Forgive him for considering his past talks as foolishness.)
"Baba, main gussa nahi."
(Baba, I'm not angry with him.)
"Toh kya hua?" Hanif Mirza asked.
(Then what's the matter?)
"Main unke kabil nahi." Hyra said softly, avoiding looking at Hanif Mirza. In her mind, the image of Reema and Hayder was still swirling. During dinner, when everyone sat together, Reema also sat on the other side of Hayder, and they had a lot of conversations about business, politics, and other topics that Hyra didn't understand. But one thing became clear - with Hayder, a confident girl like Reema suited well. She spoke fearlessly and confidently with him. Hyra could never gather the courage to talk to Hayder in such a manner.
(I'm not worthy of him.)
"Tumhe aisa kyu lagta hai?" Hanif Mirza looked at her in surprise.
(Why do you think that?)
"Woh, Main... main..." Hyra couldn't find the right words to express herself. She already regretted mentioning it to Hanif Mirza.
(Well, I... I...)
"Daro nahi, mujhe batao kya hua?" Hanif Mirza gently placed his hand on her head, giving her courage.
(Don't be afraid, tell me, what happened?)
Hyra took a deep breath and began to share her thoughts with Hanif Mirza.
"Unke sath toh koi confidant larki hi suit karti haina. Reema api jaisi. Main toh kahi se bhi unke kabil nahi." Hyra replied softly.
(A confident girl like Reema api suit him. I'm not worthy of him from anywhere,)
"Hyra, aisa nahi sochte, beta..." Hanif Mirza tried to explain, but Hyra cut him off.
(Hyra, don't think like that, my child...)
"Baba, agar woh dusri shadi karna chahte hain toh kar lein. Mujhe koi problem nahi hogi, bas aap unse keh dijiyega mujhe talaq na dein." This thought suddenly came into Hyra's mind, and she felt she was saying the right thing.
(Baba, if he wants to remarry, let him. I won't have any problem. Just tell him not to divorce me.)
"Kya bakwas kar rahi ho?" Hayder, who was coming to meet Hanif Mirza before sleep, was shocked by Hyra's words.
(What nonsense are you talking?)
"Baba, main issi liye apne se kam age ki larki se shadi nahi karna chahta tha. Hadd hoti hai bewaqoofi ki bhi, matlab ki khudse hi apne uppar sautan lane ki baat kar rahi hai." Before Hanif Mirza could make Hyra understand, Hayder entered the room and angrily spoke.
(Baba, that's why I didn't want to marry a younger girl. It's foolishness to talk about bringing a rival upon oneself.)
"Hayder, ab tum sakhti mat karo." Hanif Mirza scolded Hayder.
(Hayder, now don't be harsh.)
"Main issey bhi zyada sakhti se pesh aunga, issey kahe aqal se kaam lena shuru karde." Hayder was talking to Hanif Mirza, but his gaze was fixed on Hyra. She, who was sitting with her head bowed (she didn't know how she managed to be the first to come forward in such a situation), didn't know that Hayder would hear her words.
(I'll deal with her even more sternly. Tell her to use some sense.)
"Ab sar na jhukao, aur bhi koi nek khayal hain toh batao? Ab kya meri barat pe dance bhi karna hai tumhe?" Hayder hadn't been angry for quite some time; he spoke to Hyra in a soft tone, but today, he became the same stern Hayder as on the first day. Hyra's words had something to do with it. Who knows how he convinced this girl of his love in such situations.
(Now don't bow your head. If you have any more good thoughts, tell me. Do you want to dance at my wedding now?)
"Hayder! Main abhi yahi hoon, khabardar jo mere samne tumne Hyra se aise baat ki." Hanif Mirza warned Hayder.
"Toh main issey akele mein baat karunga." Hayder moved forward, took Hyra's hand, and lifted her up.
(So, I'll talk to her privately.)
"Hayder..." Hanif Mirza tried to stop him.
"Baba," but Hayder looked at him gently.
Hayder led Hyra to their room.
"Aap... aap gussa na karein." Hyra requested with fear.
(You... you shouldn't be angry.)
"Gussa na karu toh kya mithai batwau meri biwi meri dusri shadi ki baat kar rahi hai."
(If I shouldn't be angry, should I distribute sweets because my wife is talking about my second marriage?)
"Maine toh... maine toh aise hi keh diya. Aap dono... aap dono kafi achhe... achhe dost maloom hote hain, aap kafi khush the unke presence mein." Hyra spoke in trembling words.
(I just... I just said it like that. You two... you seem to be very good... good friends. You were quite happy in their presence.)
"Dost toh mera Dawar bhi hai aur uske sath bhi kafi khush hota hoon, toh kya ussey shadi karlu." Hayder's words were not as harsh now. Hyra raised her head to look at him.
(Dawar is also my friend, and I'm happy with him too. Should I marry him then?)
"Ab aise na dekho." Taking a deep sigh, Hayder hold her and make her sit on the bed. "Jab hum khud hi apni jagah chorhte hain, toh koi dusra kyu humara lihaz karega."
(Don't look at me like that now. When we leave our place ourselves, why would someone else care about us?)
Hayder's expression softened, "Chalo kam se kam aaj yeh toh maloom hua meri biwi bhi normal biwiyo ki tarah shakki hi hai."
(At least today I found out that my wife is also like normal wives, quick to get upset.)
Hyra felt a surge of guilt and regret for uttering those words. "Nahi aisa nahi hai. Mujhe toh aap pe pura yakeen hai."
(No, it's not like that. I have complete faith in you.)
"Toh fir dusri shadi ki baat kis khushi mein ki thi?"
(Then why did you bring up the topic of my second marriage?)
"Maine toh apke liye kaha tha," Her eyes welled up with tears.
(I said it for your sake,)
Hayder sighed and gently wiped away a tear from Hyra's cheek. "Rona nahi tum. Rone ka agar record banta toh yakeenan tum nobel prize lati usme." His tone was softer now. First, she uses her foolish words to infuriate him, then with flushed cheeks and moist eyes, she would also melt his heart.
(Don't cry. If there was a Nobel Prize for crying, you would surely bring it home.)
"Yeh khudse ajate hain." Hyra said with helplessness and began wiping her tears with her hands. She wiped her tears so harshly that Hayder scolded her again.
(They come on their own.)
"Pagal larki, kya kar rahi ho? Yeh koi tareeqa hai?" Hayder removed Hyra's hand and began tapping the corner of her eyes with his own hand to soothe the pain. Tears were ready to overflow from her eyes, and due to the harshness with which Hyra wiped them, her eyes became even redder.
(Crazy girl, what are you doing?)
Hayder was so close that his masculine fragrance reached Hyra's soul.
"Woh..." Hyra looked away, suddenlyfeeling a lot warmer. "Late ho raha hai, so jana chahiye." Hyra's heart was beating forcefully; she couldn't understand all this, so she wanted to distance herself from Hayder, hoping that her heart would find some peace.
(It's getting late; I should go to sleep.)
"Aaj mat jao!" Hayder held Hyra's hand and stopped her from leaving the bed.
(Don't go tonight!)
"Aap abhi aur datenge?" Hyra asked in a low voice. Hayder continued to stare at her for a long time, questioning whether she is genuinely unaware of his feelings right now.
(Will you scold me more?)
"Pata nahi tum wakai itni na-samajh ho ya mere sabr ko azmati ho." In a tired manner, Hayder mumbles.
(I don't know if you're really naive or testing my patience.)
"Maine kya kiya?" Hyra asked, naively.
(What did I do?)
"Maine kya kiya. Batau tumhe tumne kya kya kiya."
(What did I do? Let me tell you what you've done.)
"Maine apne dil ke paas jitni deewarein kharhi ki thi tumne woh sab torh diye. Main jo hamesha apne jazbato pe kabu rakhta tha ab tumhe dekhta hoon toh mujhse bilkul bhi khudpe zabt nahi hota. Main jo baat mukammal karne ke baad sochta bhi nahi tha samne wale pe uska kya asar hoga, ab har baat pe tumse sorry kehne laga loon. Tumne bohot kuch kiya hai, Hyra."
(I had built walls around my heart, and you broke them all. I always kept myself under control, now I see you, and I have no restraint over myself. I never thought about the impact on the other person after a conversation, now I find myself apologizing to you for every little thing. You have done a lot, Hyra.)
"Mere samajh nahi araha."
(I don't understand anything.)
"Tum seedhi baat kab hi samajhti ho." Hayder smiled at her
(You never understand straightforward talk.)
"Haan tum ijazat do toh aaj sab baat tafseel se samjha dunga main tumhe." Leaning towards her, Hayder whispers.
(Yes, if you permit, I'll explain everything to you in detail tonight.)
Hyra's breath seemed caught in her throat.
"Khabardar jo tum behosh hui warna mujhse bura koi nahi hoga." Hayder warned Hyra, feeling her slowing breaths.
(Beware if you faint; otherwise, no one will be worse than me.)
At first, Hyra looked at him in surprise, then suddenly a laugh escaped from her lips, echoing in the room, she couldn't help but be amused by his remark.
Hyra covered her face with her hand, still chuckling, and Hayder found himself captivated by the melody of her laughter. It was the first time she had laughed so joyfully in his presence, and it felt like a beautiful symphony to him.
Unable to resist any longer, Hayder tenderly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. As they embraced, the moon continued to cast its gentle glow, symbolizing the quiet beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
•••
Well, someone recently asked me did when I publish "Khizaan," and with full confidence, I said May. Later, I checked, and I was wrong- surprise, surprise🙂. My memory's a bit weak, you know, dates just slip away. But real shock hit when I found out I actually posted "Khizaan" on October 21, 2022. 😳 I mean... how did a whole year fly by so quickly? Where did the time go? I'm still processing this shock. 😶
Khair, how's the chapter? Do vote and comment.
-Ufaq