CAN'T PUT INTO WORDS, can't put into words? Aur kuch nahi mila mujhe ki maa ke kahe gaye alfaz ko Umeed ke used exclamation marks se connect kar diya; mai kyon is ladki ka har waqt sochta rehta hu, thik hi kehte hai waqt barbaad karti hai ladkiya. Acha bhala sone laga tha mai, ab neend bhi nahi aa rahi kya musibat hai; message se ye haal hai, Thursday ko uski maujudgi mein presentation kaise prepare karva paunga? Khud hi apni mushkilay badhane ka shaukh hai mujhe bhi, but khair kal ka din to bechaini mein nahi guzrega, aaram se kaam to kar paunga milna jo nahi hai jungli billi ko. With that, Farjaad confirmed the set alarm, kept the mobile on the side table, and dozed off.
At the other end Umeed was happy to call it a day on a great note, mujhe laga hi nahi tha Haya ki ghariyal help karne ke liye ready ho jayega. Maana ki presentation topic uskay business se milti jhulti hai isiliye raazi hua hai but khair jo bhi hai ab presentation ban jayegi aur samajh bhi aayegi warna maine to ratta hi marna tha aur counter questions ke dauran khade hi rehna tha. Umeed tum bhi na kuch zyada hi soch ti rehti ho, sab thik rahega. To kab mil rahe ho tum log, Thursday ko milna hai. Mimi bata rahi thi ki Changez Khan 4 p.m. pick kar lega university se taki mai waqt se 7 p.m. tak ghar pauhch jaun, aise hi mai usay ghariyal nahi kehti. Sui ki naukh pe chalta rehta hai. Umeed tum chahein jo naam de do par parwah ho to aisi!! Haya tumna zyada udho mat ghariyal he wo rakh li hogi 7:15 p.m. ko koi meeting. Farjaad ki parwah apni jagah, tumhe bhi uski kuch kam khabar nahi bada assume kar rahi ho kab meeting rakh li hogi. Tauba karo Haya, sone lagi hu mai tum bhi so jao kyonki tumhara dimag to kab ka so chuka hai!
Mimi and Umeed were in their best moods the next day as they had their research notes and the presentation title ready so all they did was attend the regular classes and sip many cups of chai with pakoras throughout the day. Farjaad too didn't have any time to get distracted as he had to preschedule his Thursday evening meetings to fulfill his promise to Mimi of picking her and Umeed from the university and help with their presentation. Niggo was yet to decide on how to break the news to Reena and her mom that Farjaad doesn't want to get married to Reena, Reena had been calling her since yesterday because Farjaad didn't pick her calls but she didn't answer knowing what questions might bombard from the later end. Since neither Niggo nor Farjaad responded to her calls Reena dialed Mehak a call requesting to transfer the line to Farjaad's office, still, her request was declined as Farjaad didn't have time to attend to any external calls owing to his busy schedule.
The day to meet for presentation prep arrived, and Umeed woke up with the brightest smile on her face but was late for the university as always, Haya had to choose a dress and shoes to go with it while she took a quick shower and reach on time for her class. "Umeed kitni der se naha rahi ho, jaldi karo. Tumhare liye dress aur shoes nikal diye hai jaldi se ready ho kar nichay aa jao. Mai breakfast bana ne jaa rahi hu tumhare liye".
"Haan, haan, aa rahi hu Haya; please Samir se keh dena car ready rakhe mujhe university chod dega to waqt se pauhch jaungi". Umeed knew she would miss the class if she didn't leave sooner so she tucked her hair up in a high ponytail, not a usual hairstyle for her to opt for but she was running on the clock and couldn't afford to be late for the lecture since she had to submit her assignment in person.
Umeed, kaha reh gayi ho? Bohot der ho gayi hai, Sameer bhi car mein wait kar raha hai. Haya ki bachi aa gayi.
Chilla kyon rahi ho, nashta car mein hi kar lungi. Thank you meri jaan, bye.
Bye.
Umeed just reached on time and caught Mimi in her tracks right before she was about to enter the classroom. Mimi, Mimi, ruko to.
Umeed, aaj bhi late ho. Class miss ho jati tumhari zyada late hoti to. By the way, ponytail badi pyari lag rahi hai.
Kya Mimi, late ho gayi thi to baal set karne ka time nahi tha. Thik hi hai waise bhi tumhare kharoos bhai se presentation banvani hai, studious lagna hi behtar hai, kya pata baalo pe bhi do baatein suna de.
Umeed, bhai hai mere aur wo kyon tumhari hairstyle judge karenge. Kuch bhi soch leti ho.
Jo bhi hai, chalo ab (for no reason ended up cursing him before entering the class).
They submitted their respective assignments and for the rest of the day, Mimi and Umeed were excited since they knew their presentation would stand out because of Farjaad's in-depth knowledge of the market and supply demand.
Farjaad was busy wrapping up his meetings and work for the day so he could leave the office sooner and attend his committee to Mimi. However, Niggo was anxious since Reena would visit her and Farjaad in the evening since neither had answered her calls. Niggo could have tried to dodge the visit but Reena only if she hadn't dropped a message to Anthony while she was away. Farjaad missed his lunch and overworked himself to prep for the meeting he scheduled later tonight, yes, of course, he did as Umeed contemplated because he was ghariyal and had to make sure he didn't miss out anything at the business front just because he wanted to balance his personal life with work. Anyway, he left his office by 3:30 pm so that he could pick up Mimi and Umeed from the university at the scheduled time, at the other end Mimi and Umeed were waiting for Farjaad's call while waiting in the cafe and sipping a cup of tea as you would expect anyone to do when with Umeed.
Hello, Mimi beta bahar khada hua hu. Gate ke samnay hi car hai, tum aur Umeed jaldi se aa jao.
Jee bhai, hum cafe mein ha;i bas nikal rahe hain
Okay.
Umeed, baki ki chai ghar pe pii lena, bhai wait kar rahe hai. Chalo!!
~~~
4:20 pm tak ghar pauhnch jayenge, 4:30 pm tak presentation bana'na shuru kar denge to max 6:30 ya 6:45 tak presentation ready ho jayegi so I'll have some time to sip a coffee, freshen up and get on the scheduled zoom meeting at 7:30 pm. Perfect!! and Mimi breaks his chain of thought.
Bhaiiiii aap thik hai
Haan Mimi beta sorry kuch soch raha tha, turns back and continues aap dono aa gaye and once again he went into a trance seeing Umeed in a high ponytail. He couldn't pinpoint but something was whimsical about her neck today with that hairstyle probably because it was neatly tied with no loose ends, or maybe it was her jet-black long waves of the ponytail swaying as she moved, probably her bright colored t-shirt or was it just his imagination. The striped t-shirt looked pretty on her; he thought just to be brought back to reality by Umeed's finger snap. Chalein, ya yahi presentation bana'na shuru karein? and grumpy Farjaad was back.
Jee nahi chalte hain waise bhi 7:30 pm baje meeting hai meri, aur mai late nahi hota. Umeed bursts into laughter reminiscing how she was off by just 15 minutes when she mentioned to Haya yesterday that he would have likely scheduled his meeting for 7:15 pm today. Mimi couldn't help but blabber; Umeed, kya kar rahi ho? And Umeed had to bite her lip so that her laughter didn't end up in the bickering; spoiling the presentation. Even Farjaad wasn't in the mood to bicker so he simply side-eyed her from the front and started the car. The ride was filled with Mimi and Umeed's giggles over quirky events of the university, Farjaad continued contemplating what was so special about Umeed's neck today, how a hairstyle change can make such a huge impact, lost in thoughts and filled with giggles the car stopped; Mimi and Umeed got down and Farjaad parked the car.
~~~
Niggo was in the lounge when Mimi and Umeed entered the space and it struck Niggo about their plan to meet and prepare the presentation under Farjaad's guidance, the anxiety hit her when she realized that she had missed informing Farjaad about Reena's so-called plan unplanned visit around 7 in the evening which might add to the chaos owing to she was yet to break the news about Farjaad's decision on marrying Reena.
Hello Maa!
Hello Niggo!!
Aa gaye aap log.
Jee Maa, bhai car hi park kar rahe hain, aa jaye to discussion shuru karenge.
Yahi kar le?
Sure, I'll be in my room. Niaz se kehkar chai, coffee aur kuch khane ko bhijwati hu.
Thanks, Maa.
Mimi beta, mai fresh ho kar aa raha hu. Aap log apni notes nikal ready rahe, we will discuss it once I'm back
Mimiii, ye Niaz ab tak chai le kar nahi aaya. Mujhe chai chahiye, sar dard karne laga hai ab.
Aati hu, bhai aaye to ye notes dikha dena.
~~~
Ahem, ahem. Kaafi seriously notes dekhi jaa rahi hai. Mimi kaha hai?
Haan, woh topic hi kuch aisa hai. Woh chai, coffee ka dekhne gayi hai.
Acha, pareshani wali koi baat hi nahi hai we can get it done, notes dikhayengi.
Thank you, aapko apni meetings reschedule karni padi hogi na, anyways yeh le.
Their eyes met, hands brushed a little and time froze. The feathery touch of his supple fingers left Umeed astounded, and her eyes couldn't help but adorn his biceps hugging the tight olive green T-shirt he decided to adorn, so unnecessary; who wears such tight clothes to sleep; she thought. Pura ka pura ghariyal hai, aik din bhi gym miss nahi karta hoga, paagal.
Farjaad quickly scanned her from head to toe and his mind started wandering, what was it, what it was? The notes were still being held from both ends, Umeed realized she had been adoring him from afar for quite a few seconds now, can he just take the notes, do I leave the notes free at my end? She couldn't decide on the next move, Farjaad's mind had been all over the place since he saw Umeed at the university in that neatly tied high ponytail and that continued, she looked ravishing and he couldn't point out what was that special, she was in casuals with a crew neck t-shirt and ankle length jeans, but why did her neck look exquisite today?
His gaze stuck at her neck, trying to figure out what it was and Umeed could feel his intense gaze, if the feathery touch wasn't enough to electrify her veins she could feel the warmth creeping her neck with the fierce gaze of his. Her lips parted in astonishment but she couldn't utter a word; there, the mole, this MOLE on her neck was enough to entice anyone Farjaad finally found it.
His mind was at peace now, but his thoughts weren't, he knew it had been a while since he had stared at her neck, Umeed couldn't take his intense gaze anymore, she began fumbling with the notes, and a shy smile started curving on her lip, she tried biting her lower lip but the unwavering gaze of Farjaad now from mole to her eyes made her break into an ear to ear smile leaving him to smile out wide with his intact gaze this time on her parted lips, the built tension was finally cut off by Mimi's reminder to Niaz on her way back to the lounge to make sure he fries mirchi pakodas with other regular ones and serve it hot. Hearing Mimi; Umeed returned to her senses, leaving the notes loose, but Farjaad still didn't budge and continued adoring Umeed with a smile, now it was her crimson cheeks which he knew was the effect of his gaze.
Bhai, bhaiiii ye aaj aap waqt bewaqt kahan kho rahe hain?
Suddenly he lost his hold on the notes hearing Mimi this close and Umeed helped to save it from falling on the floor.
Aap ki tabiyat to thik hai?
Haan, thik hu mai. Wow, that mole, her neck, she looked ethereal. Why did Mimi had to come back, I just got her flustered. Farjaad, Farjaad, concentrate. Presentation banva ne aayi he woh, concentrate!!
Clearing his throat, Farjaad cleared the air. Let's start.
For the next 15 minutes, he goes through the notes, making weird faces from time to time making Mimi and Umeed wonder and discussing it in gestures if the notes aren't good enough, or if they made a fool of themselves requesting Farjaad to help them with the presentation.
Hmmm; notes to thik hai, but it's important to understand the intricacies of the market trends. The header tile will be simple with the Title and the names of presenters, choose solid color slides with Fonts not greater than size 40, style bold, and the font type can be either Arial or Times New Roman. Since the presentation is in line with market equilibrium you would want your audience to concentrate on the content and not the designing part; it should be engaging, but not distracting.
Mimi pointed out that the presentation is timebound for 8 minutes, so you won't need more than 7 slides. Practice to wind up the first and last slide in 30 seconds and the content slides will be a min/slide. Yaha bhi ghariyal, ghariyal ban'na nahi chodega. Agar 1 min mein 1 slide present na kar paye to Umeed interrupted ab har koi to ghariyal ko dekhte hue kaam nahi karta na. Farjaad couldn't believe his ears at the jibe Umeed threw at him, Miss Umeed aap... those dark eyes piercing his heart, they shine so bright he couldn't frame a reply.. Haan mai, aap chinta na karein content utna hi hoga ki bina ghadi ke bhi aap 1 minute pe slide present kar lengi. He knew she had expressive eyes, but that winged liner she has today adds so much to her face. Gosh, what am I doing; the eyes, the mole; thinking what is wrong with him he shook his head and continued.
Mai points highlight kar raha hu usay aap log presentation mein add kar ke kal sham tak email kar de, I'll review it by tomorrow night and let you know the changes if any. You can make the necessary changes, and practice to deliver the presentation on the weekend and I can ask the counter questions to make sure you answer it right in front of the class. You didn't include any graphs in your notes, but you will add them to the presentation. There is only one price at which equilibrium is achieved. In equilibrium, the quantity of a good supplied by producers equals the quantity demanded by consumers. This is where the supply and demand curves cross, which you will present on the 3rd slide. Have that graph with labeled axis, and continue to elaborate on the key points, don't miss mentioning "If the price is below an equilibrium level, the quantity demanded will exceed the quantity supplied". Note this so you don't miss out on adding it to the presentation.
SHOW LESS, SPEAK MORE. Hain?? yeh aap keh rahe hai? Baatein bhi itni naap tol ke karte hai jaise koi tax lagta ho. Too bold of you to mention show less, speak more Umeed interrupted yet again. Mimi was quick to intervene, Umeed sun to lo. Farjaad's patience was thinning, he so wished to shut her mouth for once and all but neither the right place nor the right moment so he murmured under his breath khud ko dekh lo kehnay ko simple ponytail bana kar aayi ho but not your eyes and mole speaking more than they should. Mujhse keh rahi ho, khair hi hai.
Niazzzz, coffee le aao. Sar mein dard hi hone laga hai ab, mere liye croissant le aana please pakode nahi kha raha mai. Itne nakhre to ladkiyon ke bhi nahi hote, Mimi had to squeeze her hand to stop her from blabbering. Bhai, mai le kar aati hu aap pareshan na hoye. Waise bhi discussion to ho hi gayi hai. Umeed tum sab points note kar do, mai abhi aayi. Umeed started jotting down the suggested points, and Farjaad crossed his arms across his chest with his legs one over the other and opened his laptop to check his unread emails. Umeed was done with jotting down the points, the moment she looked up she loved the view in front of her with biceps flex while Farjaad was setting his hair, looking at him her eyes widened and lips parted in awe. Gosh, he has voluminous hair, how would they feel? I wish I could run my hands through his hair, grab those biceps, and feel them only if isme yeh machini software install na ho rakha hua hota to pakka mai is'say seedhe munh baat kar leti.
Umeed, Miss Umeed, Farjaad had to raise his voice a tad higher to break her from the trance. Miss Umeed mai aapse baat kar raha hu; haan sorry kya keh rahe the aap? Kya aap logo ko report bana ni hai ya sirf presentation hi tak assignment mehdood hai? Nahi sirf presentation hi bana'ni hai.
Chalein, good aap dono decide kar lijyega who will prepare what and I will review it once the presentation is ready.
She was still in awe, this time for him being considerate, Aik baat kahun?
Hmmm, kahon.
Thank you!!
Sirf, Thank you!!
Umeed's cheeks turned crimson with the phrase and his smug face refused to lose sight of her yet again when Mimi entered the room
Aao Niaz, chai coffee yahan aur snacks wahan rakh do. Chalein bhai, Umeed chai coffee pii lete hai aur kal tak hum aap ko presentation prepare karke email kar denge.
~~~
All 3 of them were sipping their refreshments and lost in their thoughts.
Acha hua bhai ne help kar di, ab koi tension nahi presentation ki. I'm sure it will turn out great!!
Aaj iss ghariyal ko kya ho gaya hai, iski ye nazrein kya dhundh rahi hai? Waise to koi mauka nahi chorta larne ka mujhse lekin aaj pata nahi kya ho gaya tha usay. Aur aik baar nazrein milti to mai keh hi deti "aise na dekhe na, mai confuse ho rahi hu". Umeed kya kar rahi ho, Umeed Pasha confuse nahi hoti, tum future Farjaad ki future wife thori ho? Jo bhi koi bhi ho, Reena to nahi hai. Shukr!!
Meri nazron ka asar to hota hai jungli billi pe, sharma hi di thi, lari nahi. Wah bhai, ye kounsi Umeed hai, kya iraday hai iskay? Iskay iraday to pata nahi par aaj mere iraday kuch aur hi the, I still wish I could graze my finger over that mole. Only if I could look right through those eyes once more to leave her flustered, bada hi koi pyara sharmati hai Umeed. Hmmm, I wish, I so very wish!! Kaash aur kuch waqt mil jaye aaj, puchu to whom did she consider my fiance the other day? Kitna hi tangz kar rahi thi tab aur aglay din.
Enters Reena
~~~
Mimi noticed her lingering in front of the lounge, aray Reena aao na betho. Neither Farjaad nor Umeed were happy seeing her there and both wondered why did she show up. Farjaad has been avoiding her calls since he knew that Reena assumed to be his fiance, Maa ne isay abhi tak bataya nahi ki mujhe nahi karni is'say shadi, pata nahi ab kyon aayi hai. Umeed's hands clutched into fists looking at Reena and this didn't go unnoticed by Farjaad, dil chah raha hai iska sar for du mujhse keh rahi thi haan Farjaad hi mera fiance hai. Tab hi sar phor dena chahiye tha.
Hello everyone, woh mai milne aa gayi thi. Aap mein se kisi se baat nahi ho paa rahi thi, to I called home leking Niggad aunty bhi nahi thi to Niaz ko message drop kar diya tha about my visit, aunty dikhayi nahi de rahi.
Niaz maa ko bula dena zara kehna Reena aayi hui hai, Mimi requested to pass on the message.
Farjaad, tum kaafi busy chal rahein ho. You haven't received any of my calls lately.
Haan, woh I refrain from talking to people assuming their fiance without consent. His undertone was laced with displeasure and rage over assumption.
Umeed's eyes just popped out hearing his jab, anyone who remotely knew him could tell how subtle his jibe was. Her actions were loud and clear towards a dislike for Reena but Farjaad firsthand proved the theory. He hardly showed any rage but used words that could pierce a soul; "refrain from talking to people assuming their fiance without consent". Wow for real, SHOW LESS, SPEAK MORE!!
*****
I wanted to incorporate Mole into the story for quite some time and here it is, I hope you enjoyed the read. As always, if you have any insights or suggestions, I would love to hear them; critical or otherwise. Take care 🤍