"This is for you," I said as I placed the plates on the nightstand and handed her the bag which I bought for her.
"What's this?" Uns asked, taking the bag and looking at it.
"Nothing special," I replied while ruffling my hair, feeling a bit nervous—what if she didn't like it?
"Shawl?" She said as she took the shawl into her hands.
"What’s the occasion for getting me a shawl?" she asked, with her old fiery tone.
"Well, the shawl looked good on you that day when I came to meet you," I said softly.
"Oh, really? What else look good on me, Nader?" she asked me while unfolding the shawl and looking at me, while giving the most beautiful smile, which I was longing to see since morning.
"Ab mai kya kya batau ki aap peh kya kya aacha laghta hai Uns, yeh hijab aacha lagta hai, rang bhi rang chudiya joh aap pehen tih hoon aur jab woh halke seh khanak teh hai, woh acche laghte hai, safed rang ka libaas bahut accha hai aap peh, woh aapke nazar seh dekhe hue daisies acche lagte hai. Aur yeh nile rang ka shawl toh pucho mat,.... Ab kya kya bataou mai ki kya kya accha laghta hai aap peh?
(Now, what all should I tell, what what I looks good on you you, Uns? This hijab looks nice, the colorful bangles you wear, and the gentle tinkling sound they make, they look good on you. White clothes look great on you, and the way you gaze at daisies they look beautiful. And don't even get me started on this blue shawl... Where do I even begin?)
I don't know why, but I wanted to tell her all this, but it came out automatically.
"You're crazy, Nader," Uns said with a smile.
"Yes, I am," I replied with a smile too.
She didn't look at me, but I noticed a slight smile, and her cheeks inexplicably started to turn red.
I felt like teasing her by calling her a tomato, but I didn't want to risk it—you never know when her temper might flare up.
"Do you like it?" I asked as I saw her getting absorbed in the shawl.
"I love it, it's beautiful," she replied with a smile.
"Won't you wear it?" I suddenly asked as I saw her carefully folding the shawl.
"Do you want to see me wear it?" she asked softly.
"Yes," I replied.
She took out the shawl again and started putting it on. The combination of her hijab and now this shawl made her look even more beautiful than before.
"Khush?" she asked with a touch of strictness.
(Happy?)
"Yes," I replied, while laughing. She also started to laugh now.
It was 11 p.m., and I couldn’t stay any longer, but I didn’t want to leave either. What if she did something again after I left? And what if...
"Nader, where are you lost?" Uns asked, while shaking her hand toward me.
"Uhhh, nowhere," I said.
"Where are you going?" she asked as I stood up. I looked at her, and her expression was different from just a moment ago—there was a hint of fear in her eyes.
"I have to go," I said.
"Jaana zaruri hai?" she asked, lowering her gaze.
(Do you really have to?)
"If you ask me to stay, I won't go," I said with a smile.
She didn't answer; she just kept looking down, staring at the shawl.
"Take care," I said as I left her room.
I was coming down the stairs when I saw Auntie Amira approaching me.
"Aziz, are you leaving?" Auntie asked, standing in front of me.
"Yes, Auntie, it's getting late, and it's not appropriate to stay any longer," I said with a smile.
"Thank you so much for everything, beta," Auntie said, placing her hand on my head with a slight smile.
"You just called me 'son,' so please don't thank me and remember, I'm just a phone call away, Auntie," I said, with a smile to reassure her.
"Honestly, Ammi, if it weren't for my bhai, I don't know what would have happened," Sahara said from behind as she walked towards us.
"Sahara!" I called her, as if to stop her from this formality.
"Take care, beta" Auntie said and then walked back upstairs.
"Shall we go, bhai? I'll walk you to the door," Sahara said while walking ahead of me.
"Sahara, can I talk to you?" I asked her.
She stopped in her tracks when she heard me and turned around to look at me. She seemed surprised, but I wasn't.
We both sat near the lounge in complete silence.
"What do you want to talk about?" Sahara asked, noticing that I hadn't said a word.
"How are you?" I asked her softly.
"I'm fine," she said dryly.
"Would you lie to your brother, Sahara?" I asked.
"No, bhai, I'm absolutely fine," Sahara said, defending herself.
"Has Samir said anything?" I finally asked her.
"Woh kuch kehte hein toh nahi hai, bhai" she said but this time there was a hint of frustration in Sahara's voice, and tears began to well up.
(He doesn't really say anything, bhai)
"What do you mean?" I asked, being confused.
"What should I say, bhai? You're already worried about Appi, and I don't want to add more trouble for you," Sahara said, now standing up to leave.
"As much as I care about Uns, I care about you too, Sahara. You're my sister; how can I leave you like this?" I said, standing beside her.
My bond with Sahara is unique; I knew her before Uns. I tease her, argue with her, and laugh with her, but how can I bear to see tears in her eyes?
"Ask Samir, bhai. He never tells me anything, but I want you to ask him if he even loves me or not," Sahara said, now crying, and her voice breaking, with each word she was saying.
"What do you mean, Sahara? Didn't he tell you that he likes you?" I asked, utterly shocked by her statement.
"There's a big difference between liking someone and loving them, bhai," Sahara said, wiping her tears with a smile.
"Let's leave this. You should go home; you must be tired," Sahara said, with a light smile.
"You're very strong, Sahara. If anyone even dares to make you cry, just break one of their arms and hand it to the other," I encouraged her.
Sahara laughed, and I felt a sense of relief. Her smile is so important to me. Even if I tease or argue with her, I still want her to smile. She's my crazy sister, after all.
We reached my car, but I couldn't find my keys.
"What happened?" Sahara asked, seeing my actions.
"I think I left my keys in Uns' room," I said, realizing it.
"Let me get it," Sahara said and was about to walk away when I stopped her, saying, "Let me come with you."
We both entered Uns room. The door was broken, so we couldn't knock, so we called out Uns name, but there was no response. We both suddenly went in, only to see our Uns sleeping peacefully. Sahara was looking for the keys, while I was once again lost in her beauty.
I had seen Uns being angry, hating, laughing, smiling, blushing, and even crying. But today, I saw her sleeping.
Mai kya kahu, mujhe toh woh har adaah mein khubsurat laghti hai.
(What can I say? I find her beautiful in every way)
Her face was turned toward me, and she still had the shawl in her hands.
Can a woman look so beautiful even while sleeping? There was a unique sense of peace on her face. It felt like nothing had ever happened to her. My heart couldn't help but be drawn to her. I don't know what it is about this woman, but I find myself drawn to her every time I see her.
"Bhai, your keys," Sahara brought me back to reality by handing me the keys.
"Thank you," I said as I stepped out of her room.
I stepped out of her mansion but couldn't leave. I stood, leaning against my car in front of her balcony; her room lights were off. It was nearly midnight now.
Regret was all that remained in me. If only I hadn't thrown away my earphones in my eagerness to see her, I could've heard her voice and reached her earlier. If only I hadn't thrown away those earphones, if only.
My heart still stops when I think about seeing her collapsed in her sajda. What kind of pain had made her so silent? I was lost in my thoughts as the sky began to change, the moon had now hidden behind the clouds, and the sky grew even darker. And then it happened, just as I expected, it started to rain.
At first, it was light, but then the downpour grew intense. If it was any other day, I wouldn't have stood in the rain, but tonight I couldn't move. The rain reminded me of her—of the time we spent together in an unexpected shower, where she was lost in the rain, and I was lost in her. Her smile, the calmness on her face, everything.
I was getting completely soaked in the rain when I saw her balcony door open, and then I saw her step out. Our eyes met. Because of the rain, I couldn't see her clearly, but I could sense her shock. Then, I saw her go back inside.
A minute later, she came back out. She was making a call, and my phone started ringing. I got into my car and checked the caller ID—it was her.
I smiled as I saw her ID on my phone and answered the call.
"Jee, kahiye," I said with soft smile appearing on my lips.
"Phir seh bimaar hone ka iraada hai, Nader?" Her fiery voice came from the other end.
(Are you planning to get sick again, Nader?)
I looked out the car window to see her standing there, phone in one hand, the other hand placed on her waist. Her expression was the same fiery look.
"Toh app phirse aa jana mujhe dekhne?" I replied while laughing lightly.
"Nader!" She called my name in that cold yet fiery tone.
"Uns!" I too called her name in my soft tone.
"Are you going to get wet all alone?" she asked in that same sharp voice.
"Will you join me?" I asked softly.
"Yes," she replied in a lower voice this time.
"Wait for me near the back door; I'll be coming from there," she said, then hunged up.
The back door opened, and she came out wearing the blue shawl I bought for her. She hadn't worn a hijab but instead had her head covered with a white scarf and wore the shawl around her shoulders.
As she stepped out, she tucked her scarf behind her ears, and my footsteps halted. After so many days, I noticed the diamond earrings in her ears. Then she adjusted her scarf again, and I stood there, observing her every move.
After she finished, she looked up at me, and my heart stopped; her gaze was enough to take my breath away at this moment.
"Take this," she said, handing me another shawl.
"What for?" I asked, a bit confused.
"You'll need it to keep warm after getting wet in the rain," she said as she walked ahead.
"Puri taiyaari ke saath aayi hoon Uns," I teased her.
(You're well-prepared)
She turned around and gave me a sharp look. I just laughed and followed her.
We both sat in the car, and she was just staring out the window at the rain.
"Where to, Uns?" I asked as I started the car.
"Just anywhere far from here," she replied, still looking out the window.
Silence filled the car again. Uns just kept staring outside and I was driving in silence while taking some small glances of her in between.
"Shall we step out?" I asked, stopping the car.
She looked at me, then glanced outside at a restaurant through the front window.
I got out and opened the door. She stepped out, then took off her shawl and left it in the car. We both stood there, leaning against the car, getting drenched in the rain.
The rain was the same, but the atmosphere was different.
She was looking up at the sky, and I was looking at her. There was nothing on her face today—just silence. But my mind was filled with questions.
She was silent, and for the first time, her silence was killing me. I wanted her to tell me what had happened to her that made her so withdrawn and quiet.
"Uns," I called her after a few minutes of silence.
"Yes?" she replied, still looking at the sky.
"App behad khubsurat hoon, Uns," I said, watching her.
(You're incredibly beautiful, Uns)
"I'm not," she said, now looking at me.
"You are," I said again.
"Aur aap, bahut bure hoon, Nader," she replied in her usual cold tone.
(And you're really awful, Nader)
"I am," I said with a smile.
"You're even crazy, Nader," she added, her voice cold as ice, but her eyes were watery.
"I am," I said again, softly smiling at her response.
She didn't say anything else, just looked into my eyes as if searching for a lie. We stared into each other's eyes; her almond-brown eyes were empty today, with only small tears forming and mingling with the rain on her red cheeks. My blue eyes, on the other hand, were filled with questions and a longing to see nothing but her.
"Don't you ever get mad at me, Nader?" she asked, avoiding eye contact. She was back to looking at the sky, but my eyes were still on her.
"No, I don't," I said gently.
"Liar," she retorted.
"Just once," I replied with a laugh.
"When?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
"When I accidentally knocked over your model, and you said "ganje hojaou tum, begairat Insaan" I explained her in detail.
(I hope you became bald-headed shameless man)
She burst out laughing after hearing me.
"Oh, I said something else to?" she asked, as if trying to jog my memory.
"Yeah, I remember. But I have no problem in raising 20 kids, Uns" I started teasing her.
She stopped laughing, but her cheeks were turning red. It was her first blush of the day, and it was incredibly beautiful blush.
"Aap kabhi baaz nahi aaoge, Nader?" she said, looking back at the sky.
"Never," I replied with a smile as I watched her.
I was wearing a white shirt with black trousers, while she was dressed in black kurti with a white scarf. Both our clothes were completely soaked, and even the rain had stopped now.
"Shall we get some coffee?" she asked, looking toward the restaurant.
"Ahh, Uns... they only serve tea there," I said, ruffling my hair and giving an awkward smile to her.
"Okay, let's have tea then," she replied.
"What? Tea?" I was surprised, wondering if I had misheard her.
"You heard me right, Nader, let's have tea," she said, as if she could read my mind.
Uns opened the car door, took out two shawls, and handed me the white one to cover my white shirt, which was now completely transparent. Now I understood why she brought a shawl for me as well. I couldn't help but smile.
We both entered the restaurant, and I ordered two cups of tea.
"How was your race?" Uns asked, breaking the silence.
"You remember?" I asked, being surprised because I didn't expect her to remember it.
"Mai, bhuli hein nahi tih, Nader" she replied, looking down now.
"Jeet ke aaya hoon," I said.
"Really?!" she asked, being surprised, then smiled.
"Aapne kaha tah, toh jeetna toh tah hein mujhe," I completed.
"And if I hadn't told you?" she crossed her arms as if testing me.
"Na jeet ta. I replied, adjusting my shawl.
(I wouldn't have won)
"Your car is nice," she changed the topic, and I just went along with it.
"Yeah, it's a race car," I replied.
"So where's your Porsche?" Uns asked suddenly.
"It's at the racing stadium," I said, picking up the tea as the waiter placed it on the table. She hadn't noticed the tea yet.
"You drove in your race car to my house?" she was still curious about the car.
"Yes," I said softly, lifting my cup of tea.
"Will you have some?" I asked her, as she was just looking at her cup.
"Yeah, I've had bitterness all morning; a little sweetness would be nice too," she said, picking up her cup of tea. Her voice was soft, but her words had a deeper meaning.
"Kaisi hai?" she took a sip, and I asked her.
(How is it)
"Garm hai," she replied, and I couldn't do anything but laugh at her response.
(It's hot)
"Were you missing me?" I asked as I watched her drink the tea.
"Why would I miss you, Nader?" she replied calmly, in her usual cold tone.
But we both knew it was a lie. No matter what she says, her eyes could never lie to me.
After dropping her off, I went home and went straight for a hot shower.
I really dislike rain because I always get sick after getting drenched. I took some medicine and sat at my study table, getting lost in thoughts about her and her faith in Allah.
.................................. ❤ ...............................
Shukriya
How was the chapter?
Chapter Aesthetics :
🤍