JIYA
The music was blaring and the air was filled with laughter and conversation. I stood at the crowded party, taking in the vibrant atmosphere.
As I looked through the sea of people, my eyes met his. Zayd. What is he doing here? I tried to make sense of his presence and it hit me. He was a pass out of our college, Of course, he would know some of the people here.
I found some friends and joined them, trying to distract myself from his overwhelming presence.
One of our common friends called me to introduce him. I walked towards them, trying my best to appear composed. He looked at me, my mind screamed at me to run. We exchanged a smile. My friends disappeared, leaving me alone with him. I could feel my palms becoming clammy. His eyes beckoned me towards him.
"Kahin bahar jaake baat kare?"
His voice rang out, I hesitated but then nodded in agreement. We stepped outside into the cool night air.
"Listen..I'm sorry for everything that happened-" he said breaking the silence.
"kya hum iss baare mein baat nahi kar sakte please?"
"Okay.. I just..wanted to put it out there"
I smiled. "It's...fine"
"Can we at least be friends?"
His voice was filled with uncertainty, I looked at him confused. Could I really handle being just friends with him? I didn't want to push him away completely, so I decided to give it a chance. I smiled and agreed.
"So..you know quite a lot of people here?" I asked indicating the party.
"Haan..Har party mein bulate hai hume"
"You know Sara?" He nodded.
"Sara,Aaliyah, Feroze, Salman..we were all close"
"Oh" I replied.
"Do you play basketball?"
"Yess!! I replied excitedly.
"Kya aap bhi?"
"Haan! Team caption tha main"
"Agle hafte college mein match hai, aap aayenge?" I asked turning towards him.
"I'll try" he said and smiled. His smile, oh that smile! How am I going to manage being just friends with him when my heart certainly yearns for more? We walked for a while, he shared some of his college incidents and I got to know a little about him.
TIME SKIP (few weeks) [KHAN HOUSE]
LAIBA
I stepped onto the balcony, a cool evening breeze caressed my face. I looked at Jiya, sound asleep amidst a sea of scattered papers. I approached her and whispered her name, hoping to rouse her without any alarm. Jiya stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Time kya hua hai??" She asked tensed.
"Abhi 7 baje hai..kya hua? itni pareshan kyun ho?"
"Bhabhi Bohot saare assignments due hai, kal submit karna hai..time bohot kam hai aur mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha kya karu"
"Main tumhari help kar dungi, we'll pull an all nighter, tum chill karo ho jayega"
She sighed relieved and we got to work.
Engrossed in the task, she suddenly turned towards me,"aap kal bhai ko kya gift dengi?"
"Gift?" I asked surprised.
"Kal bhai ka birthday hai na"
"Oh.." I murmered. How could I have no idea?
"Bhai ne aapko nahi bataya?" I stayed silent.
"Woh aise hi hai..unhe apna birthday celebrate karna nahi pasand"
I never bothered to ask him about his birthday and he never told me either. I want to plan something for tomorrow, But I don't know his likes or dislikes..What can I gift him?
"Bhabhi kal aap meray saath chalengi? Bhai ke liye gift lene?" I agreed. She knows Fahad more than I do. So she can help me get something for him.
"Accha main coffee le kar aati hoon" I said standing up.
"Main banadungi..Aap already meri itni help kar rahi ho.." Jiya said leaving from there.
...........
Jiya carrying the tray of coffee walked past Sana sitting alone, "tum abhi tak soyi nahi?" She questioned. "Tumhe kya farq padta hai main kuch bhi karu" Sana taunted.
"Saara time sirf bhabhi bhabhi karti rehti ho.." Jiya gave her a look.
"Pehle humari kitni acchi bonding thi..lekin ab
ussne tumhe aur Fahad, dono ko mujhse cheen liya"
"Yeh sab tumhari harkato ki wajah se hua hai..abhi bhi waqt hai..sudhar jao"
Jiya walked away to which Sana rolled her eyes.
[ROOM]
Fahad found himself tossing and turning in his bed, he looked at his phone that read 1:35 am.
Sleep seemed to elude him, without the presence of Laiba. He quietly stepped out of the bed.
His search led him to the balcony, where a soft glow emanated from within. He peered through the glass, he caught sight of Laiba engrossed in a conversation with Jiya. He stood at a distance silently admiring them.
[MORNING]
FAHAD
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie and straightening my suit. It's my birthday, and I have planned to spend the evening with Laiba, a romantic dinner, just the two of us, what better way to make my day special?
As she walked inside after a shower, she looked at me through the mirror. I approached her.
"Aaj shaam ko kahi bahar jaaye?"
"Kyun? Aaj kuch special hai?" Her words echoed in my mind. She doesn't know it's my birthday.
"Kuch nahi.." I turned to leave the room disappointed, a sudden voice voice broke the silence. "Happy birthday" her tone laced with mischief. Astonished, I turned back to face her, and there she stood with a playful smile on her face.
A smile tugged at the corner of my lips and I walked towards her ,"Were you messing with me?"
She shrugged her shoulders avoiding the question. "Tum yeh batao ke birthday pe kya gift chahiye"
Caught off guard, the words escaped my lips before I could stop them. "A kiss," I blurted out, my face turning crimson with embarrassment. Did I really just say that?
To my relief she didn't hear it clearly. She responded with a simple "huh?"
"Nothing..rehne do" I tried to leave.
"Aree yeh kya baat hui..bataoo"
"Jo mein chahta hoon, woh tum nahi dogi"
"Tum batao toh sahi..phir mein sochungi" she replied innocently. If I told her, my birthday would become my last day.
"Mujhe kuch nahi chahiye..because I've already got the best gift, you" she looked at me confused.
"Have a good day" I said leaving the room with a smile.
LAIBA
I clutched my phone as I listened to all my family members instructing me to wish Fahad a happy birthday from their side. As the call ended, I approached Maa who was sitting in her room.
"Maa..mujhe aapse kuch puchna tha.."
"Haan beta, pucho" her smile appealing as always.
"Fahad ko khaane mein kya accha lagta hai? Matlab unke favourite dishes.."
"Biriyani aur gosht bohot pasand hai ussey"
"Tum uske liye khana bana rahi ho?"
"Haan..lekin agar aapka koi aur plan hai toh-"
"Nahi..har saal uske liye party arrange karti thi, aur woh meri khushi ke liye aa jata tha..lekin iss baar usne kaha hai ke woh sirf family ke saath hi celebrate karna chahta hai"
I had the perfect thing planned in my head, "thik hai maa..main sab dekh lungi"
"Main kuch help karu?" She asked and I agreed.
************
I sat in the car gazing out of the window, lost in thoughts, all the preparations were done, the only thing left is to get him a present. I watched Jiya get into the car from her college.
She hugged me, "thank you so much bhabhi agar aap kal meri madad nahi karti toh pata nahi mein aaj kya karti"
"Yaar tum mujhe yeh bhabhi bulana band karo..sirf do saal hi badi hoon main tumse..aur hum toh dost hai na? Just call me Laiba."
"Mujhe accha lagta hai na bha-bhi" I gave her a look.
Koshish karungi bha- I mean Laiba" We both chuckled.
Jiya and I entered the mall and we were surrounded by a sea of options. We walked into one of the clothing stores. Jiya said this brand was Fahad's favourite. My eyes were immediately drawn towards a shirt of a vibrant shade of blue. I felt that color would complement him and decided to purchase it.
My attention shifted to a nearby watch store. Watches always seemed like a safe bet for a gift, and it would be something practical that he could use every day. But since Jiya was still unsure of what to take, I suggested her to buy the watch I chose as a gift from her side. She agreed and thanked me.
I grabbed my phone and messaged Fahad to come home early.
FAHAD
I walked into the house, my heart swelled with anticipation. I couldn't help but smile as Jiya and Ammi hugged and wished me. The hall was decorated in a simple manner, just the way I like.
My eyes fell on Laiba, who approached me with a determined stride. My hopeful smile did not falter, thinking that maybe she would hug me too? Instead, she took hold of my hand and guided me towards our room.
She handed me a shirt. "Main chahti hoon ke aaj aap yeh pehne" Would I ever deny her? It was a simple yet thoughtful gesture. It was as if she wanted to break the ice, to bridge the gap between us. Her eyes sparkled with hope and anticipation, and I couldn't help but smile and agree.