A/N: So I know I said all of the one shots will be unrelated to each other but this one continues from the 2nd oneI wanted to carry on the dinner scene in their home since Faryal is still her lol. Hope you enjoy it!
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Dinner in the Usman house was a full-house this evening. The house was filled with colleagues from the Peshawar hospital; Faryal was there Dr. Shahroz and Dr. Asifa had not arrived yet. Lubna loved the noise and the chaos that came with house parties. She was busy instructing the house staff and making sure all the dinner arrangements are going smooth. Usman and Gaiti were busy entertaining the guests; not to forget keeping an eye on the forever-moving Saim.
That is until Dr. Haroon arrived. Dr H: Heyyy champ!
S: Hi Haroon uncle, want to see the new game I downloaded on Mama's phone?
Dr H: "How about you bring me a ball and I score 10 goals on you" Dr. Haroon said patting his head. Dr. Haroon started going around greeting everyone when Saim found him again, this time with a ball.
Dr. H: "BRING IT ON" as Saim started tugging his hand and pulled him to the garden. Dr. H caught Gaiti's eyes just as he was stepping outside. She mouthed a "Thank you"...
It was moments like these that always assured him that he wanted to be a part of their joys and sorrows; he wanted to take the load off Gaiti. He wanted to be the one to hold Saim's hand as he navigates through the world.
Faryal watched Asfi and Zubiya coming down; her in the front, him a step behind her with his right hand on her lower back. Zubiya was wearing a lilac kameez with intricate embroidery and white tulip shalwar. Her dupatta was soft net in lilac. She had diamond studs in her ears and antique kangans on her wrists. She had subtle make-up on and her hair was down. She was not too made up yet looked every inch the bahu of an influential family that she was. "That suit is definitely designer, probably something Chachi jan bought her, it's too classy for Zubiya", Faryal told herself as she watched them.
Asfi said something to Zubiya as they got to the last step, she looked up at him and flashed him a big smile before walking towards the kitchen. Asfi smiled and started walking towards his guests.
The hustle bustle of the house was at its' peak. The men were busy talking latest advancements in renal replacement therapy while the ladies of the house were busy prepping the food to be served. Faryal walked in the kitchen where Zubiya was helping Lubna and Gaiti.
F: Zubiya tumhara outfit bahut khoobsurat hai, konsey designer ka hai?
Z: Pata nahi, mujhe Rehan Bhai ney Karachi sey bheja hai. (Yes HER family)
F: Or yeh kangans
Z: yeh meri ammi ke thay.
Faryal could not hide her shock "Karachi ka hai, tabhi main kahon itney khoobsurat cheezain is village main kahan
Gaiti watched Zubiya open her mouth to say something before closing it again. Gaiti knew how much Zubiya respected and admired the culture, crafts and the people here, but she also knew Zubiya picked her battles and now was not the time.
"Zubiya dekho tumhare guests agaye" they heard Usman say from outside. Zubiya walked out to see Dr. Asifa and Dr. Shahroz talking to her husband and father in law. "Isney bulaya to sirf Asifa ko tha, main to aisey he tag along karta howa aya hon" Dr. Shahroz joked as Zubiya gave Dr. Asifa a hug. She laughed and said "yes, ap men ney hamari girls night IN kharab kardi. We had other grand plans until you guys decided to bring the whole Nephrology team here" Asfi raised an eye brow at her, she looked at him smiled and started walking back inside with Dr. Asifa.
Asfand: Faryal ajao dinner is served. Asfand came to call her for dinner which was served buffet style outside in the lawn. She realized he was just being a polite host and did not want to get her hopes too high however our Faryal being Faryal couldn't help but comment.
F: "You guys really seem to have adapted to the lifestyle here? I don't know how you did it since I know ke tum ko kaisey fast paced life ki adat thi" If Asfi was taken aback by her comment; he did well to hide it.
A: "This place, the people and everything around here is special. It engulfs you with its beauty and charm and forces its' way into your heart. It is not superficial, fake and cold-blooded like the city. You have to open your heart to it for your eyes and mind to view this place with the understanding that it deserves. This right here is home! Aajao khana thanda ho raha hay"
Asfi started walking towards the garden. It took Faryal a few seconds to realize he was not just talking about this valley vs. the city. She slowly picked up her feet and followed him outside.
A: ap ney abhi tak kuch nahi liya come on main apka plate banata hon. Asfand held his mother by her shoulders and steered her towards the buffet. Everyone was enjoying the meal and the ambience. Faryal was eating and talking to Dr. Shahroz and Asifa and a couple of other members from the nephrology team.
Lubna: beta tum ney bhi nahi liya, Gaiti or Zubiya bhi nahi ayi.
A: main leta hon ap ayein. He said as he held her food and walked her towards the table with his dad and Dr. Haroon
A: ap bethain main drinks lata hon
Usman: Gaiti beta ajao sit with us and eat.
G: Mamo jan yeh plate to main ney Saim ke liye banaya tha lekin woh to haath nahi araha.
A: don't worry bhabi hum log us ko khila dein gey ap beth jayein and eat.
A: Chalo let's eat yaar I am starving. Asfi said to Zubiya as he saw her helping the servants refill the food.
Z: bus ho gaya one minute.
Asfand followed her around as she made sure all the dishes were warm and gave some last minute instructions to the servants.
Faryal resumed her current favourite pass time--watching the couple.
She saw Asfi hold two plates as him and Zubiya walked towards one of the low stools and cushions set up by the old tree. Zubiya sat down gracefully holding her dupatta. He handed her plate to her. Saim ran by and Asfi grabbed him and sat him down in front of Zubiya.
Zubiya started eating and feeding Saim. Asfi sat down beside them to eat as he chatted with some of the hospital staff sitting close by.
Faryal noticed that although he was talking, he was constantly aware of Zubiya and Saim beside him. He refilled their drinks and rotis without them asking, ate stuff off her plate that she didn't want and offered her things to try from his plate. They were perfectly in-sync like a well-rehearsed dance.
Dr H: "Aunty khana bahut acha tha, Dr. Sahab jo hospital emergency ki tarha guests invite kartey hain. Ap kaisi kar leti hain sab arrange". Asfi smiled hearing Dr. Haroon chatting with his mother. He was sitting on a low stool by the tree and someone had brought out his guitar that was now resting against the tree.
L: Yeh sab to meri Gaiti or Zubiya ki wajah sey easy howa hai. Despite having such busy careers they always help me out at home. Meri Gaiti ko kuch kehna nahi parta she just knows exactly what I want. Dinner was all her.
G: Thanks mama, bus dessert Zubiya ki responsibility thi to ab if anyone overdoses on sugar, we have plenty of doctors present here. Gaiti laughed
L: Haan bhai night duty karkey sara din kuch na kuch pora din andar bahar. Main ney bhi kar ney diya kal weekend hai or uski aj night duty bhi nahi.
Usman: agar night duty key baad itni energy ati hai to Dr. Asifa make sure Zubiya ki or night shifts hon
A: Dad! Go easy on your son please. Asfi pitched in with a hand on his heart in mock gesture
Faryal couldn't let anyone forget she was STILL here
F: Asfi khana bhi kha liya or guitar bhi agaya ab gana suna do, she whined to him
Dr Asifa: You would have to be patient yeh abhi nahi gaye ga. She smiled at Asfi who just shook his head and rolled his eyes.
Just then Zubiya walked in with the servants with trays of cheesecake, coffee, ice cream, mithai etc. Saim dashed across the garden with the chocolate syrup bottle in his hand.
S: Chaacho, chachi said I can have ice cream with syrup today because it's the weekend.
Asfi eyed Zubiya who was going around serving everyone
A: Well then chachi better make sure you brush your teeth before bed. Not that you or your chachi need any more sugar.
Zubiya served him last (always!) she came up to him with his bowl and coffee cup. He grabbed both things from her hands, put them on the ground, grabbed her left hand and pulled her down beside him.
She picked up the cheese cake bowl, took a bite and closed her eyes to savour the taste. He just watched her. He picked up the coffee and took a sip, offered her his cup she shook her head. He chuckled realizing she's enjoying her sugar right now.
Dr. Asifa: Asfand itna bhi kya health conscious try little bit of the cheesecake it's really good.
A: Oh I am sure I will taste it, later
Zubiya turned to him mortified; hoping no one else understood his implication.
He held her gaze, picked up his guitar while still looking at her and started singing...
Jidhar Bhi Dekhoon
Tuhi Nazar Aati Hai
Aankhain Band Karloon To
Tu Aur Kareeb Aati Hai
Meray yaar Esay Na Looto Meray
Mann Ka Qarar
Meray yaar Esay Na Looto Meray
Mann Ka Qarar
Ho..
Ho Gaya Hai Tumsay Pyar
Ho..
Ho Gaya Hai Tumsay Pyar
Sar Kiye Yeh Pahaar
Daryaon Ki Gehraiyon Mein
Tujhay Dhoonda Hai
Aa Bhi Ja Aik Baar
Meray Yaar Esay Na Looto Meray
Mann Ka Qarar
Lubna watched her little family from one end of the garden. It had been a long and tiring journey to get here. Her heart still pained for Daniyal and she knew Gaiti still spent many nights walking around restlessly in her room however Saim was a welcome diversion for all of them. They had all learnt to appreciate the Now' and lived and relished each moment they had with each other.
L: Yah Allah meray ghar ko or meray bachon ko har buri nazar or museebat sey bachana.
Usman: Ameen-He held his wife's hand as he watched his younger son sing for his wife...