[TIME SKIP]
FAHAD
I stepped inside the room, the exhausting day at the office had drained me. My body felt heavy with weariness. The pounding in my head from the migraine seemed unbearable, and I rubbed my temples in a futile attempt to ease the pain.
Thoughts of the pending projects still lingered in my mind, but I felt a sense of relief knowing I was back home.
Laiba sat on the bed with a book in her hands. The soft glow of the reading lamp illuminated her face, her eyes lifted from the page and she noticed me.
I let out a deep, tired sigh and flopped onto the couch, feeling the weight of the day finally catching up to me.
"Kya hua?" She asked concerned.
"bas thoda thak gaya hoon"
"Main khana room mein hi le aaun?
"Nahi, it's fine mein fresh hoke aata hoon" I said walking towards the closet.
As we sat down for the dinner, Ammi asked me, "Suleman group of companies ke saath jo meeting thi..woh kaisi gayi?"
"It went good." I replied. "Parso Karachi jaana hai ussi silsile mein."
"Uhh..Fahad..main bhi chalu tumhare saath?" I heard Sana say and everyone looked towards her.
"Bohot din hogaye..mama se nahi mili..woh bhi chahti thi ki mein Karachi aaun kuch din unke saath rahoon"
"Thik hai" I replied and noticed Laiba giving me this look, like she had something to say.
"Laiba..tum bhi jao na Fahad ke saath" I heard Ammi. Why didn't I think of this? Probably because I knew she'd refuse.
"Haan Laiba ko bhi jaana chahiye" Jiya added. I noticed Sana's face fall. Laiba remained silent.
After dinner, I walked into the room and sat down on the couch. I closed my eyes and held my head, hoping to find some relief from the migraine.
I felt a gentle hand on my head. I turned to see Laiba. She softly asked me to turn around and as I did, I noticed a steaming cup of coffee placed on the table. She began to massage my head with her delicate touch, and all the exhaustion seemed to fade away. She told me to take the medicine to alleviate the pain.
As Laiba continued to massage my head, she broke the silence, "tum Sana ko saath le jaane ke liye kyun maan gaye?"
"mana bhi toh nahi karsakta tha" I replied.
"Itne drivers toh hai ghar mein...usse tumhare saath hi kyun jaana hai"
"Ab ek hi jagah jaa rahe hai toh saath jaane mein kya problem hai.."
"tum aaogi waise?"
"Nahi.."
I sighed.
[NEXT DAY]
Fahad carefully folded his clothes and put it in the suitcase when Laiba tossed a few of her clothes on the bed. He looked at her surprised, his brows furrowed as he asked, "tum aa rahi ho?"
"Haan"
A playful smile played on Fahad's lips as she grabbed the suitcase.
"Tum iss liye aa rahi ho na kyunki Sana mere saath aa rahi hai?
She glared at him.
"Tumhe koi problem hai mere aane se? Kahin mein tum dono ka trip disturb toh nahi kar rahi?"
"Laiba..yaar...
main toh khush hoon ke tum aa rahi ho"
He walked towards the closet and picked a shirt.
Laiba blocked his way. "Ek minute"
"Kya hua?"
"Tum kya sirf formals hi pehnoge?"
"Ab kaam ke liye jaa raha hoon toh obviously.."
"Lekin hum bahar ghumne bhi toh jaayenge!"
She moved him aside and selected a few T-shirts from the closet and packed it in the suitcase.
[MORNING]
Laiba walked out near the car with her bag. Sana looked up from her phone and asked, "tum bhi aa rahi ho?"
Laiba smiled and nodded.
Sana smiled back. But her face clearly showed she wasn't happy with Laiba coming.
Fahad joined them wearing a sleek black shirt and glasses.
Insia asks Fahad if everything is done, referring to the preparations for the trip.
"Haan ammi..sab hogaya hai..hotel booking bhi kardi hai"
Sana looked towards him. "Fahad tum ghar nahi aa rahe?"
"Nahi..main aur Laiba hotel mein rahenge" He replied.
Laiba looked at him and Sana's face fell.
Jiya hugged Laiba and mouthed an "enjoy". Laiba smiled. Insia asked them to take care and wished them a safe journey as they left.
FAHAD
We reached Karachi by 1pm. We checked into our hotel, dropped off our bags and decided to head out for lunch. I had a meeting to attend right after that so I left Laiba in the room.
7:05 pm
The meeting had taken longer than expected and I got caught up meeting a friend afterwards. I couldn't help but wonder what Laiba must be doing. As the door opened, I looked at her zipping the suitcase. She looked at me, more like glared at me and then took her purse. A mix of confusion and surprise took over me.
"Kya hua?"
She tried to walk away.
"Kaha jaa rahi ho?"
"Bahar"
"Bag..kyu..?" I asked looking at the suitcase.
"Kyunki ab main akele Karachi ghumungi. tum karte rehna apne meetings.."
I realised she was upset over me being late. I felt a pang of guilt.
"Listen..I'm sorr-"
"Aisi konsi meeting hai jo dopehar se lekar raat tak chalti hai haan?" She asked angrily.
"Accha sorry naa.." I said as I gripped her hand.
"Kal pura din main tumhe Karachi ghumaunga, I promise.
Tum mujhe 5 minute do mein abhi fresh hoke aata hoon, phir hum kisi acchi jagah dinner karne jaayenge"
Her eyes softened and she nodded.
**************
[RESTAURANT]
"Ji..thik hai chachi" I said on the call as Laiba and I settled in. She raised her eyebrows and gave me a curious look asking what chachi told.
"Unhone kal hum dono ko ghar bulaya hai, lunch ke liye"
"Hmm..Ek baat puchu?"
"Haan" I replied looking at my phone.
"Tum aur tumhare chachu pehle se hi alag rehte the?" I looked at her.
I mean..agar woh dono Karachi mein rehte hai..toh Sana kyun Hyderbad mein tum logo ke saath rehti hai?"
I let out a sigh and leaned in.
"Pehle hum sab ek saath Hyderbad mein rehte the. Baba ki death ke baad..chachu ne business par takeover karne ki koshish ki, jiski wajah se Ammi aur unke beech bohot problems hue..aur unhone Karachi mein apna khud ka branch start kiya.."
"Aaj bhi hum baat karte hai..lekin itne qareeb nahi hai ek dusre ke.."
"Hmmm" she said listening carefully.
"Aur isliye Ammi nahi chahti thi..ke meri shadi Sana se ho..kyunki woh chachu ke iraaday jaanti thi"
"Lekin Sana kyun unke saath nahi rehti???" She asked curiously.
"Dadi bohot chahti thi Sana ko, isliye bachpan se woh humare saath hi rehti thi..unhone hi Sana ki tarbiyat ki. Unke jaane ke baad bhi woh Karachi nahi gayi..I..don't know why"
"I guess I do" she replied looking at me.
The waiter approached us with our order.
After a brief pause, she continued, "Waise tumne kabhi Karachi aane ka nahi socha?"
I shook my head. "Woh ghar..woh sheher..bohot khaas hai Ammi ke, aur mere bhi. Saara bachpan wahi guzaara hai"
A smile extended on her lips.
"Ab yeh sab chodo..kuch aur baat karte hai.."
I said trying to change the topic.
"Aur kya baat kare"
"Humare baare mein" I replied.
"Humare baare mein?"
"Hmm" I said swallowing the bite I took.
"Let's talk about reasons my wife does not love me"
She furrowed her eyebrows confused.
"Yeh joke tha?"
"Nahi" I said trying to control my laugh.
"Main actually jaan na chahta hoon"
"Hmm.." She said while I waited for her response.
"Tum bas..mere type ke nahi ho"
"Seriously? Aur kya hai 'tumhara type' ?"
"Matlab..tumhe ek ladke mein kya baat acchi lagti hai?"
Laiba kept her hand on her chin in thought. "Hmm" "pehli cheez toh hai beard" I furrowed my eyes surprised.
"I mean I don't know why I have this thing for men with beard, it's attractive.
Clean shave is a big no"
My hand immediately went to my beard as I tried to show it off to her. She chuckled.
She leaned in while eating her food.
"I also like guys who sing."
"Pata hai, Main hamesha se chahti thi ke koi mere liye gaana gaya, Par khair...." She sighed as I carefully listened to her.
As we savoured the food, we continued talking, really talking. Stories from the past, our hopes and thoughts.
If only we had gotten a chance to get to know each other before marriage, our relationship would've been so much better. But the thought of this marriage being imposed on her was not letting her heart accept me.
***************
[NEXT DAY]
Fahad and Laiba made their way to the reception, ready to start their day. As they approached the front desk, the manager greeted them warmly and asked if they were comfortable during their stay. They engaged in a conversation, Laiba decided to take a stroll and explore the surroundings while Fahad talked to him.
She walked towards the glass door of the hotel, her footsteps echoing in the lobby.
As she walked outside, Laiba's eyes caught sight of a child playing with a ball near the hotel swimming pool.
Intrigued by the child, Laiba couldn't help but admire. She stood there, watching the child's movements, feeling a sense of warmth wash over her. Laiba found herself smiling and feeling a sense of joy.
As Laiba approached the child, she noticed that he was getting dangerously close to the water's edge. The child stumbled, almost losing balance. Laiba swiftly moved forward and reached out, catching the child just in time to prevent him from falling into the pool.
Concerned, Laiba gently held onto the child and asked, "baccha aap thik ho?"
The child looked up at Laiba with wide eyes, a mix of surprise and gratitude on his face. The kid nodded.
Relieved, Laiba smiled and gently guided the child away from the pool's edge.
She then looked around for the child's parents.
A worried-looking woman rushed over, thanking Laiba for her quick thinking and concern.
With a sense of relief, the parent and child walked off together, to the play area. With a warm smile on her face, Laiba made her way over to the play area and slowly started playing with the kids.
Soon enough, she had a little group of kids gathered around her. She joined in their games, running around.
Fahad stepped out of the hotel, searching for Laiba. His eyes scanned the surroundings until he spotted her in the play area, surrounded by kids, her face lit up with joy.
He walked over to the play area, his smile widening as he approached Laiba. He watched her interact with the kids and stood there admiring her.
"Laiba.." he called out and her attention shifted towards him.
"Main kabse dhundh raha tha tumhe..
chale?"
"Bas ek minute" she said and gently lifted the child who was sitting on her lap and placed a kiss on their cheek before making her way out, still smiling.
Curiosity piqued Fahad as he noticed her affection.
"So..you like kids?" He asked.
Laiba's eyes sparkled as she replied, "I love them!! They're so cutee"
Caught up in the moment he playfully smiled.
"Phir toh humare bohot saare hone chahiye"
"Kya" she said with a look of surprise as she turned towards him like she did not just hear what he said.
"Nothing" he said shaking his head while her cheeks turned crimson.
"Uh..chale?"
"Lekin hum jaa kaha rahe hai?"
"Ek bohot khaas jagah.." he said smiling.
Laiba looked at him confused as they walked towards the car.
***************
Next update will be posted next week. Before you start bashing me, let me tell you, I have college fest going on so I'm busy and next week exams bhi hai. (Plus I'm not well 😭👍). So only one update this week.
Please be a little understanding. Let me know how this chapter was.