Hey guys!!! How's it going?
Here's the next chapter xD
The song for this chapter is Mere Khwabon Mein
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Thank you all for the support, Love you all :* :*
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"Usko abhi bhi tez bukhar hai. Lagta hai isne subah se kuch khaaya nahi tha, isliye behosh ho gayi."
"Usko kuch hua toh nahi na, Ahmed uncle?" I heard Ayaan answer. Ahmed uncle? Why is he here?
Slowly, I pried my eyes open to find Ayaan standing near Ahmed uncle. Ahmed uncle lives next door and he is a doctor. Sabrina was sleeping in a chair next to me, tears staining her pale face. Rizwan was making dua, sitting on the jaa-namaz in the corner. A bowl of compresses and water was set on my bedside table.
"Nahi she's perfectly fine. Like I said, I don't think she'd eaten properly today, so when she wakes up, make sure she eats something and drinks plenty of water and hot drinks. Beta, yeh bohot pareshaan lag rahi hai, uska acche se khayal rakhna."
"Ji doctor, aayein main aap ko bahir tak chod deta hoon."
"Nahi, main chala jaaonga. She'll wake up anytime now, you stay with her." Ahmed uncle gently shut the door as he left.
"Kya hua?" I croaked out. They turned to look at me. Ayaan rushed to my bedside, jarring Sabrina awake.
"Kya masla hai tuj-AAPI!" Sabrina latched onto me, instantly starting to cry.
"Main theek hoon meri jaan, kyun ro rahi ho?" I patted her back.
"Be careful Sabri, she's still weak." Ayaan scolded her. I told him off with my eyes and pulled back, wiping tears off Sabrina's face. She passed me a glass of water that I gulped down.
"I'm perfectly alright jaani, see?" I said gently. I looked back at Rizwan who was standing quietly in the corner. "Riz? Come here." I patted the bed and all three climbed up to sit next to me. "Now someone tell me what happened?"
"Well, main toh naha raha tha, aur achanak se mujhe Rizwan ki chillane ki awaaz aayi toh maine kapda pehen liya aur bhaag ke yahaan pohancha aur..." I stopped Ayaan with my laugh.
"Itna lamba story bana diya, dramebaaz. Main behosh ho gayi thi na?" Ayaan scratched the back of his neck while Sabrina and I laughed.
"Aur mera yeh shehzaada kyun chup hain?" I said, putting an arm around Rizwan. "Kyun bhai, bolti kab se band hai tumhaari?"
"Tum apna khayal nahi rakh sakti? Kyun har baar humaare liye apne aap ko qurbaan kar deti ho tum?" He got angry and stormed out of the room. I looked after him, dumbfounded. Ayaan got up to bring him back but Sabrina stopped him.
"Nahi, main jaa kar dekhti hoon." She left. Ayaan looked at me, observing me closely.
"Kya hua Aapi? Tumhaare dil mein koi pareshaani hai? Sab dukh apne aap mein chupane se kuch nahi hota. Mujhe pata hai ke tumhein lagta hai ke chup rehne se hum teeno ko tumhaari takleef ka andaaza nahi hoga. Halanke, humein poora andaaza hai, aur iss liye Rizwan ko ghussa aaya. Tum sach mein apne aap ko qurbaan kar deti ho hamare khatir. Apna bhi khayal rakha karo." Ayaan said gently. A tear dropped from my eye onto my comforter. "Agar tumhein aaj kuch ho jaata toh hum seh nahi paate."
"I'm sorry Ayaan, main tum logon ko mazeed takleef nahi pohchana chahti." I cried, resting my head on his shoulder. He hugged me, whispering words of comfort in my ear.
"Don't worry right now. Rizwan apne aap theek ho jaayega. He's just scared. Tum aaram kar lo, abhi bhi bukhar hai. Dawai rakhi hui hai table par, khaane ke baad le lena." I held his wrist as he began to get up.
"Tum logon ne khana kha liya?" He stayed quiet. I saw the clock and my eyes widened. "Ayaan it's 8:30! Tum logon ko bhook lagi hogi. Main abhi khana lagati hoon." I started to get up but Ayaan refused.
"Hum log bahir se order kar lenge. Tum aaram karo. Jab khaana aayega, tab tumhein jaga doonga."
"Lekin-" Ayaan shot me a warning look and I gave up, knowing that it's useless to argue with him now. I relaxed against my pillow and shut my eyes. Ayaan left, closing the door softly behind him
Rizwan's POV
I stormed out of her room, wanting to just scream. My throat felt tight and my eyes were burning with unshed tears.
"Rizzy!" Sabrina came after me, calling me by that nickname which only she calls me by. I stopped, making her run into me.
"Not now, I need some air. I'll be back soon." She hugged me, knowing that once I got into this type of mood, nothing but fresh air would console me.
"Okay, but come quickly." I put on my trainers and left the house. Starting from the driveway, I began running down the streets, every memory ripping me apart. Every time I see Sakinah Aapi struggle to provide us with something, it scratches me on the inside. Every day I have to see a certain pain in her eyes. Every time I watch her deal with the pain of taking us from our parents, when it's not her fault anyway. Every day, I watch her wither a little more as she tries to fill in for Ammi and Abbu. It hurts me so much, I feel so helpless. My steps sounded loudly against the pavement with my blood roaring through my ears. Cars whizzed past me, adding to the clutter in my mind.
I kept running until I reached my favorite spot. Here, the entire city could be seen, a sea of twinkling lights.
Panting heavily, I bent over, trying to get in air. Suddenly, a huge burst of anger filled up in me and I punched the tree.
"Rizwan?" A soft tentative voice spoke behind me. I would recognize that voice anywhere. I turned around to find Mahreen standing behind me with shocked eyes at my condition. My heartbeat sped up, looking at her.
"Hi. Tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?" I spoke weakly, trying to make my voice sound normal. She took a hesitant step towards me and touched my hand, which was now bleeding. Using her dupatta, she started wiping off the wound.
"Are you okay?" My mouth parted, wanting to tell her everything. Sakinah Aapi, Ayaan, Sabrina, my feelings for her, Nikhat, Nadeem. I shut my eyes as tears welled up in them. A sudden force pushed me back into the tree. I wrapped my arms around her waist and let the tears finally fall. I felt my shirt getting wet. Pulling back, I saw tears in her eyes.
"Why are you crying?" I cupped her face gently and wiped her tears with my thumbs.
"Main tumhein iss halaat mein nahi dekh sakti." She raised a shaky hand and swiped it across my cheek. "Kya hua?" I felt her heartbeat getting faster as I looked into her eyes.
Looking around, I spotted a somewhat flat rock and led her over. We sat down, still hand in hand. Sitting in silence, we looked out at the city, drinking in the serenity.
"I'm tired of seeing my sister work herself into the ground for us." I finally blurted out. "Sakinah Aapi ne bohot mushkilein dekhi hain uski choti si umar mein. She's only 22! Tumhein pata hai, humaare maa-baap humaare saath nahi hain. Aapi hi humaare liye sab kuch karti hain." Mahreen rested her head on my shoulder. "Main thak gaya hoon Mahi. Main nahi dekh sakti Aapi ko qurbaan hote hue. Uski bhi zindagi hain na? Woh ek singer banna chahti thi. Jab se hamari zimmedaari uthayi hai, tab se usne mausiqui hi chod di."
"Tumhaari Aapi bohot strong hai. Agar usne tum logon ki zimmedaari uthayi hai, toh woh nibhaayegi zaroor. Jisko tum qurbaani keh rahe ho, wohi pyaar hota hai. Na woh kuch hai tum logon ke bina, aur na hi tum log kuch ho uske baghair." I rested my head in her lap. She ran her fingers through my hair. I shut my eyes and relaxed, her words easing my heart a little.
"Woh behosh ho gayi aaj Mahreen. Aaj, humein school ke liye tayaar karte karte usne khana bhi nahi khaya. Aur ghar aayi, tab bhi royi hui thi. Aapi jitna bhi inkaar kyun na kar le, mujhe pata hai ke usko bohot dukh hai. Woh humein batati nahi taake hum uske liye pareshaan na ho, par uska kya? Woh hamara khayal rakhti hai lekin uska khayal kon rakhta hai?"
"Tum log hi khayal rakhte ho. Maybe you don't realize it but you do take care of her. Jab tum log uske saath waqt bitaate ho, toh main zamaanat deti hoon ke woh intehai khush ho jaati hongi. Aam tor par, jab woh khaana theek se nahi khaati, mujhe yakeen hai ke tab tum log usko zabardasti bitha ke khilaate honge. Khayal, pyaar, dekh-bhaal inn chote chote baton se murad hota hai. Aaj tumhaara yahaan bethna saabit karta hai ke tum apne Aapi se kitna pyaar karte ho. Yeh yaad rakho Rizwan, ke woh tumhaare liye jo kuch bhi karti hai, dil se karti hai. Usko accha lagta hai. Tum par ehsaan nahi kar rahi woh. Jao, aur Aapi se baat karo. Sakinah Aapi se maafi maango ke tum iss haalat mein ghar se bahir gaye. Aur ainda, aisa mat karna." I laid there quietly, thinking over what Mahreen said.
"Par usko bhi dukh baantna chahiye na? Kyun apne aap mein rakhti hai?" I asked, feeling silly and childish. Mahreen smiled, still running her fingers through my hair. I felt my headache ease a little.
"Tumne bhi apne dukh ke baare mein nahi bataya Aapi ko. Seedhe yahin chale aaye."
"Tum toh mili bhi nahi ho Aapi se, phir bhi tumhein sab ki khabar hai." Something else came into my mind at that point. "Tum yahaan kya kar rahi ho?" The smile melted off Mahreen's face. "If you want to share, I'm here." I gave her a reassuring smile and she looked up at the sky.
"I come here when I'm remembering Faisal." My eyebrows furrowed. "Faisal was my older brother. He was enlisted in Pakistan Army and martyred two years ago." A tear dropped from her eye and fell on my cheek. I wiped it away and sat up. Hesitantly, I opened my arms. She looked at me before falling against me, muffling her cries. My chest felt tight as I felt her shake.
"Mahi, I'm sure he's so proud to have a strong sister like you. Allah unhein jannat naseeb farmaye." I heard her soft "Aameen" amongst sniffles. "It is a great honor to have someone from your family in the army." She nodded against my chest. I chuckled at her cuteness and pulled away.
"Bohot pyaar aa raha hai hum par aaj?" I said, lightly teasing her. Her cheeks turned a light shade of pink.
"Tum par toh har roz pyaar aata hai," she murmured to herself, thinking that I didn't hear her.
"Kuch kaha tumne?"
"Kuch suna tumne?" I laughed and got up.
"Chalo main tumhein ghar chod deta hoon, phir main ghar jaata hoon." She smiled and stood up. I mustered up some courage and grabbed her hand, intertwining our fingers.
We walked in silence. I fought internally with myself before coming to a decision.
"Mahi?" She hummed in response. "Ek baat bolun?" She turned to look at me. I stopped and looked at her.
"I know I look ghissa pitta right now, and this is not the romantic confession all girls aspire for, but I love you. I can't keep this inside me anymore." I tugged her gently towards me. "Jab se tumhein dekha, tumko hi dekhta jaa raha hoon. Mujhe tumse pyaar ho gaya hai Mahreen. Beintehaa pyaar." I looked down, holding my breath.
"Mujhe pata hai." I looked back up, surprised. That was definitely not the answer I was expecting. "Log kehte hain ke sache dil hamesha aankhein se nazar aati hai. Tumhaari aankhon mein wohi pyaar jhalakta hai, jo meri aankhon mein hain. I love you too Rizwan."
"Sachi?" I couldn't believe what I hearing for a minute. I prayed this wasn't a joke.
"Muchi." She laughed, wiping a tear. I hugged her tightly, never wanting to let her go. "We're home. Now go back, and run to Aapi. Apologize to her, talk to her." I kissed her forehead and watched as she went in. I waved at her and turned to run back home.
"Rizwan!" I heard her calling me again. I turned back. "Kuch kha lena! Aur haath par patti kar lena!" I gave her a thumbs up and a flying kiss, watching her instantly turn red. Chuckling, I ran back home.
Opening the door, I saw Ayaan pacing in the living room. "Kya hua Ayaan bhai? Aapi theek hain na? Tum itne pareshaan kyun lag rahe ho?"
"Kaha tha tu? Kab se tera phone try kar raha hoon, lag hi nahi raha. Tujhe pata hai, tune kitna dil dukhaya hai Aapi ka?" I looked down.
"Sorry bhai. But it hurts to see her like this. I just needed some air," Ayaan pulled me into a hug.
"Khotey, kuch nahi hua hai usko. Abhi so gayi hai, khana aayega toh jaga denge." As if on cue, the doorbell rang. "Ek number ki timing hai iss delivery wale ki. I'll get the delivery, you go upstairs." He patted me on the shoulder and left.
I opened the door to Aapi's room. She looked so fragile laying against the sheets. I closed my eyes.
"Ayaan? Rizwan aa gaya?" She said sleepily. I stepped into her room.
"Main yahin hoon Aapi." She opened her eyes and sat up. My eyes instantly welled up, I went and hugged her, crying.
"I'm sorry Aapi, mujhse nahi dekha jaata tumhaara dard, jo tum hamesha chupati ho."
"Shh...kuch nahi hua, chup ho jao. Tum rote hue aur bhi gande lagte ho." I laughed lightly, wiping off my tears and hers. "Ab nahi chupati dard, hm?" I rested my hand against her forehead and to my relief, the fever was gone. She grabbed my wrist and brought it down to her level.
"Yeh kya hai Rizwan? Yeh khoon kaisa?"
"Kuch nahi hai Aapi, bas..." At her look, I sighed and confessed sullenly. "Ghusse mein pedh ko mukka mar diya tha."
"Kabhi nahi sudhroge." She said, pulling the first aid kit out of her bedside table and wiped the wound. I hissed as she put antiseptic. She blew on my hand, soothing it instantly.
"Aapi mujhe kuch batana hai tumhein." She looked expectedly at me briefly while continuing to bandage the wound. "I ran out to my spot, and Mahreen was already there. While walking her back, I confessed my love to her and she said that she loves me too." I held my breath, anticipating her reaction. Her hands froze and a wide smile spread across her face.
"SACH! Allah kare tumhaari jodi hamesha banne rahe. Oh my god I'm so happy! I have to meet her!" She began blabbering in her excitement. I laughed at her child-like enthusiasm.
"Calm down Aapi. I'll have you meet her. She would love to meet you guys. Right now, let's go down. Food is here."
"Abbey Aapi ko jagane gaya tha ya khud so gaya?" Ayaan shouted from downstairs.
"Coming!" I yelled back, helping Aapi out of bed. "Ayaan bhai ko konsi train pakadni hai jo itne jaldi mein hai?" I mumbled. Aapi pinched my cheeks.
"Usse bohot bhook lagi hai. Main zara haath moo dho ke aati hoon, tum jaaon neeche." I complied and started to go down when her voice echoed in my head.
"I love you too Rizwan"
I couldn't stop a huge smile spreading across my face. I internally screamed before composing myself.
"Kyun twin bro, yeh bateesi andar kyun nahi jaa rahi." Sabrina slung an arm around my shoulder, scaring the living wits out of me. I pushed her off and went down. In full drama form, Sabrina wailed, "Ab hamari thodi na yaad aayegi iss Majnu ko, apni Laila ke khayal mein ghoom ho gaya hai." I rolled my eyes, despite my heart flipping in my chest.
"Oye nautanki, chal, Ayaan ko madad kar." Aapi appeared, saving my butt from Sabrina. She pouted but went to help Ayaan.
"Sach mein, itna khush maine kabhi nahi dekha tumko. Aise hi khush raho." She patted my shoulder and followed Sabrina into the kitchen.
Main toh khush rahoonga, lekin tumhaara kya?
I sighed and went into the kitchen to find Ayaan and Sabrina seated with a huge pizza box in between them. Grabbing a sprite bottle from the refrigerator, I poured everyone a glass.
"Tere liye kuch nahi hai, jaa." Ayaan said. I smacked the back of his head and sat down to eat.
"Kuch sharam kar beghairat, main tujhse bada hoon."
"Umar mein." I stuck my tongue out at him. Aapi stood up to serve the table but I stopped her.
"Sit down, I'll do it." I passed everyone a slice of the extra cheesy pizza Ayaan ordered especially for Aapi as it was her favourite.
"Yum!" Aapi said, her eyes lighting up instantly.
"Aapi aaj pata hai kya hua school mein? School ke kuch ladke ne teacher ke chair par ink giradi. Aur phir woh teacher jaa ke bethe toh woh saari ink uske trouser par lag gaya." Sabrina started her usual chipper. Aapi laughed.
"I remember how many pranks we pulled when we were in school. Some, even Ayaan was with me. I remember, one teacher was such a khadoos, we all hated him because he cut our marks for absolutely nothing. So during our last year, we snuck into the staff room and went through his personal tea kit. We replaced the tea leaves with regular dried leaves, and the sugar with salt." Sakinah Aapi started laughing, nearly choking on her pizza. I passed her a glass of water as I chuckled.
"Aapi sing for us today na, please?" Ayaan requested. Aapi's smile faded slightly.
"Please?" Sabrina and I piped in. She smiled and nodded. Ayaan jumped up, pumping a fist into the air and ran out. We followed him to where he was tinkering with the stereo.
Sakinah's POV
"What song Aapi?" Sneaking a glance at Rizwan, I said, "Something fun and romantic."
"Mere Khwabon Mein!" Sabrina squealed. Ayaan complied with her request and put on the track.
I started singing, my voice weak but getting stronger.
Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye
Aake Mujhe Chhed Jaaye
Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye
Aake Mujhe Chhed Jaaye
Usse Kaho Kabhi Saamne Toh Aaye
Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye
Aake Mujhe Chhed Jaaye
Use Kaho Kabhi Saamne To Aaye
Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye
Kaisa Hai Kaun Hai Wo Jaane Kahan Hai
Ho Kaisa Hai Kaun Hai Woh Jaane Kahan Hai
Jiske Liye Mere Hoton Pe Aah Hai
Apna Hai Ya Begana Hai Woh
Sach Hai Ya Koi Afsana Hai Woh
Dekhe Ghoor Ghoor Ke, Yunhi Door Door Se
Usse Kaho Meri Neend Na Churaye
For some reason, the guy from the store came into my mind. My heart rate sped up. Those deep eyes didn't seem to be leaving my mind anytime soon. I closed my eyes, trying to picture his face in my mind more clearly. Rizwan grabbed my arm and pulled me in to dance, jerking me out of my thoughts. I laughed as he twirled me around. They all joined me in the chorus.
Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye
Aake Mujhe Chhed Jaaye
Usse Kaho, Kabhi Saamne Toh Aaye
Mere Khwaabon Mein Jo Aaye
Jadoo Se Jaise Koi Chalne Laga Hai
Ho Jadoo Se Jaise Koi Chalne Laga Hai
Main Kya Karoon, Dil Machalne Laga Hai
Tera Deewana Kehta Hai Wo
Chup Chup Se Phir Kyun Rehta Hai Wo
Kar Baitha Bhool Wo, Le Aaya Phool Wo
Usse Kaho, Jaaye Chaand Leke Aaye
I nudged Rizwan as I sang those lines. Ab iski phatne wali hai. He blushed and looked back down. Ayaan and Sabrina started crazily waltzing around the living room. I sat down to sing the remaining lines. I kept remembering Mr. Rude, for some stupid reason.
Mere Khwaabon Mein Jo Aaye
Aake Mujhe Chhed Jaaye
Mere Khwaabon Mein Jo Aaye
Aake Mujhe Chhed Jaaye
Usse Kaho, Kabhi Saamne Toh Aaye
Tired, Sabrina and Ayaan flopped against the couch.
"Chalo, upar jao, namaz padh lo aur so jao, kal school aur college bhi jaana hai aur mujhe kaam par." Rizwan got up and glared at me.
"Tum kal kaam par nahi jaaogi. Parso chali jaana. Tum kal ghar par beth ke araam karogi."
"Riz, agle hafte se school shuru ho jaayegi, mujhe jaana hoga. I have to prepare everything for the children."
"Ek din nahi jaaoge toh kuch nahi hoga." I tried protesting but Ayaan and Sabrina also started to glare.
"Okay okay baba, nahi jaati kal kaam par. Khush?" All three hugged me and went up to their rooms. I went back into the kitchen to clean up the mess, only to find it completely cleared. Smiling, I shook my head and walked upstairs.
Praying my namaz, I sat and lifted my hands to make dua.
Ya Allah, har roz ki tarah, main aapse himmat maang rahi hoon. Lagta hai woh din aa raha hai, jis din mujhe Rizwan aur Sabrina ko sab kuch sach batana padega. Kab tak Ayaan aur main yeh sab chupayenge unse? Aur ek aisa sach bhi hai, jo mujhe pata hai, lekin Ayaan ko nahi pata. Aap Rahman ho, Rahim ho. Aap mujhe himmat dein ke main toot na jao.
Rizwan aaj bohot khush tha. Allah, aap uski jodi hamesha banaye rakhna. Mahreen ke saath woh bohot hi khush hai. Woh acchi ladki nikle, aur mera bhai ka khayal rakhe. Allah aap apni reham-o-karam nazil farma mere bhai par.
Ayaan mujhe kehta nahi hai par mujhe pata hai ke woh aaj bohot dukhi hai. Hum dono bohot dukhi hai. Ammi ko jannat se farma de mere khuda. Mujhe aur Ayaan ko sabr dein, ke hum iss dukh mein doob na jaaye.
Sabrina bhi kaafi pareshaan lag rahi thi aaj. Pata nahi, shayad school ka pehla din tha iss liye, ya koi aur wajah hai. Lekin jo bhi, uski madad karna mere Rabb.
Ya khuda, aap humein aisi hi khush rakhein, aur hamari kismat acchi bana lein. Aap hamari kismat mein jo bhi likhein, hamari behtri ke liye likhein.
Ameen
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How was it? I thought we needed some happiness after the last chapter xD
Comment your favourite part(s)
Ship names for Rizwan and Mahreen?
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