❦ ════ A week later ════ ❦
"Remote mujhe dey." Hakan jumped on the couch where Nehad was already having popcorns.
"Kia msla hai tujhe. Dono ek hi cheez to daikh rahey hain!"
Nehad grabbed the remote back.
"Shush" Hakan snatched it again and increased the volume. Both of them were fixed in front of the the LED screen with full concentrartion.
"Mujhe lgta hai Quetta jeetay ga!" Nehad was stuffing popcorns.
"Lahore jeetey ga ghaddaaar!" Hakan glared.
"o Ghaddaaar kay chachay! Lahore ka record hai musalsal 5 match haar chuki hai. yeh bhi harey gi!" Nehad answered peacefully.
"Mushkil waqt mein apni mehbooba ko chorne waley Dhokaybaaz aadmi. Dafa hoja meri nazro se durr!" Hakan snatched his popcorn bucket in irritation.
"Hakan Zuraiz should I tell you why do you support Lahore?" Nehad smiled cunningly.
Hakan raised his brow in curiosity.
"Kyoun kay camera har 5 minute ek khoobsurat larki pe prta hai and you love it. Not Lahore but lahori Larrkiyaan!" Nehad snatched his popcorn bucket back. Hakan laughed out loud.
"Tou tu Quetta ko kyoun support krta hai kyou kay tu Quettay ka pathaan hai ?" Hakan continued his laughter mania. Nehad furrowed his brows at him.
"Very funnyyy Tharki insaan! Mein 4 saal se Quettay bhaiyo kay saath wafadaar hun!" Nehad exclaimed.
"Aur mein lahori kamlo kay saath. Daikh kbhi to maujza hoga na!"
"Bilkul Bhai Tujhe Larki milna maujza hi hoga!" He continued.
"Aur baat sun! Woh nayi wali ki jaan chor de. She seemed pretty decent and I think I liked her." For a moment Hakan choked on his popcorn. What even?
Hakan stared back at him.
"What?" Nehad shrugged casually.
"She is not your type. Trust me!"
Hakan couldn't figure out whether was he actually serious about Sarrinah just in first look or was he teasing him? He gave him an unbelievable stare when someone stood behind them quietly.
Nehad shifted his eyes towards the figure. Hakan turned to witness something more unbelieveable.
Alina!
All red and blushed clad in an inappropriate dress. Nehad gave a dreadful look to her, done with her stupid acts. Hakan was trying hard to control his again. This girl! What an influence he had on her?
Nehad fumed in anger and stood up.
"What the hell are you wearing?" Nehad squeezed her shoulder.
"Just a second Nehad! I want to have a minute with Hakan! Alone!"
Alina had her gaze fixed on Hakan. She didn't even bother Nehad's presence. The situation turned awkward.
"Nehad. It's Okay! I'll talk decent. Don't worry! " Nehad gave an abnoxious look to Hakan who assured him silently.
Alina had something deep and dangerous in her eyes. Well, to be honest, it seemed psychotic.
She turned to Hakan in a daze.
"Kesi lg rhi hun?"
"Alina. Look. Nehad tha toh manage hogya hai Deeda agyi to it will be very ugly situation. Tumhey iss trhan se mere samney nahi ana chahiye, especially jb humarey darmyan cousins kay ilawa koi rishta nai hai!"
Hakan took few steps behind slowly.
"Toh tum rishta bna lou Hakan! I came to confess something. Though, I know that you already know. Tum deliberately mujhe ignore krtey ho! Lekin koi nahi. Mujhe tumhari muhabbat mein ignorance aur nikkah dono qabool hain!"
She whispered in his ear.
Hakan was taken aback for a moment. What the? Nikkah?
He looked at Alina's face that depicted some sort of obsession.
It was becoming nonsensical. He chuckled, all calm and unbothered.
"Nikkah? Alina? Nikkah? This is a pious word, that doesn't suit me at'least. "
He cleared his voice. Alina couldn't figure out whether to fall for him more or to push him back for making fun of her feelings.
"What I mean is Alina, I am not even interested in going that far especially when I know it's a matter of one yes for me. Try to understad a bachelor's life. I have a speed and thrill in my life. Adventure, fun, treats, late night rides, meeting and forgetting. That's it. I mean I respect marriage and all but that is not of my type. I am not a typical marriage type material and even if some unfortunate day, I would decide to take this step, still I wouldnt be marrying you for sure. That's because you are a super cool cousin of mine but can't even imagine you as my wife. Like No! Wife is a scary word, though!" He stood with folded arms. Such a confident face and amused tone.
Alina was somehow prepared for his "not now! Whatever!"
But this answer took her aback.
She was dumbfounded. Statue.
"And next time please don't embarrass me like this in front of your brother because I don't want you to be the reason of breaking our childhood brother-ship! I hope you understand. " It was said in a little serious tone. He crossed her the next moment, leaving the her humilated, rejected and insulted, somehow. She was breathing hard.
"You will pay for this Hakan Zuraiz!"
She wasn't crying at all but wiped away her blood shot eyes in a harsh manner.
___________________
"Nehad?" Hakan entered his room. He passed a stern look to him.
"seriously? Kia hogya hai yar! you know me! Wo meri bhi behn hai. mein ne kbhi bhi usey ghalat signal nai dia. You know that damn it. Hum to bchpn kay crime partners hain. How can you doubt my intentions about her at'least?" Hakan punched him lightly.
"Hakan! Woh meri behn hai. What if teri behn mere liye aisey pagal hoti toh tu kia krta. Mein janta hun har cheez but you know very well that she is obsessed with you since childhood." Nehad usually didn't talk to him in this tone. Hakan was not shocked because he realized him, being an elder brother.
"That's the thing Nehad! She is obsessed with me just like a teenage infatuation aur kuch nai" Hakan tried to convince him.
Nehad raised his brow at him questionably.
"You sure? Kyoun kay mujhe aisa nahi lagta!" Nehad corrected him.
"Nehad?" He raised his brow, seriously this time.
"What are you trying to tell me? Mein uss se muhabbat nahi krta baat khatam. Wese bhi Alina kay lye mein theik choice nai hun."
Hakan was not the one to intrigue easily but something just hit him out of the way.
"What do think Hakan tu kis kay lye theik choice hai?"
Hakan understood what he tried to hint and before it turned into some argument, he left in a haste.
__________________
"Mujhe lgta hai I need a psychatrist!" Sarrinah was sitting at the edge of her bed, her head lowered in her hands.
"You need a listener. Take it out!" Adeel sat beside her, caressing her shoulder.
"Adeel, it's frustrating. I don't understand what I want? I am not finding peace. I am ambitious. I want to do FCPS but not before getting a decent job. Then I think forget about it, let's try for CSS. But then on other hand I think, let's forget about everything in Pakistan and apply for foreign university. What even ? What the hell do I want? Moreover, this home sitting is doing nothing good to me. You go to your bussiness and work. Affifa joined hospital too. Ammi's condition makes me more helplessess. I am unable to do anything for her! She is suffering too and I....."
Sarrinah felt teary.
"Hey baby sister. Just breathe for a second! How can you just blame yourself for mom's condition? First answer me this?"
"If I would be.........ammi bhi toh ajeeb baatein karti hain yar. mujhe unki samajh nai aati ya shayd mein unhey samjha nai paati."She had no words. Adeel knew that she was frustrated.
"Raina! You are blaming yourself for everything. You cannot play the role of every relation. The relation that hurt her is not yours. You know that very well. Secondly, Damn you are a doctor Man! How can you just underestimate yourself just because you do not find a good job. That's luck. You are doingan effort at'least. May be fate has something beautiful for you in store!"
"Adeel I Can't wait for stores all my life. I need to stand myself up. I hate this vulnerabiltity and dependency of mine." She exclaimed in an exasperated tone.
"You just need to relax Raina. That's all you need. Things happen on their time. You don't need a foreign university to escape the sadness that engulfs you because it won't leave you there even. You don't need to prove your worth just by holding a badge of CSS. You are a gifted doctor. Do things that you love to do, that you are best at. Take one step at time. Eventually, the road will lead you to where you were supposed to be. Alright?" Adeel tried his best to make her understand and it did soothe her , a bit.
"Do you know that whenever I click something motivational to enlighten my sadness, Surah Rahman & Surah Nahal are recommended. I never got to know why but now I do."
"Why?"
"Because Allah SWT wants us to remember our good times during our difficult hour. He wants us to take motivation from his blessings to fuel our day. He knew our capacity. Being broken, to such an extent that can ruin our health as well. Woh chahta hai kay hum apney mushkil waqt ka sahara uski naimato kay shukar se lein. I never really understood 5he depth of this ayah's meaning ;
"TUM SHUKAR KARO GAI TOH MEIN TUMHEY AUR DUN GA!"
"Ammi se pucha krti thi kay kiya aur miley ga? Ab samjh aata hai kay Gham kay waqt shukar karna sb se mushkil kaam hai. aur jo iss waqt mein Allah ki naimato ka shukar kar kay sabr krta hai Allah ussey raasta dikha deta haa. Uskay lye raah bna deta hai. Waqqi ussey itna sukoon deta hai kay woh khush hojata hai!"
"Jab sab pata hai to rona kis baat ka hai?" Adeel patted her head affectionately.
"Emotional blackmail kar rahi hun. Bike ride ki permission lo aj raat Ammi se!" Sarrinah chuckled.
"Rainaa??" Adeel was shocked and amused. Sarrinah winked and wiped her tears smilingly. He knew she was hurt but she was trying her best to overcome. As a brother, he would help her to his best too. Isn't that what brothers should do?
________________
"Hanjee ghussa thanda hogya hai?" Nehad entered, banging the door in his usual enthusiastic style.
"Ghussa mujhe aya tha ya tujhe?" Hakan scrolled his social feed lazily on sofa.
"Acha theik hai raat gyi baat gyi. dafa kar. Sb settle hai ab. Yeh bta aj ka adventure kiya hai?"
Nehad had that mischievious glint in his eyes. Hakan confirmed it to be genuine and then jumped on his seat.
"Yar yeh ghr se bahar vahar nai nikalti? Opr se sarrey social accounts bhi private hain. Aisey kon karta hai?" Hakan showed him his screen.
"Ab yeh mujhe kese pata hoga!" Nehad shrugged.
"Mechanic tou bn gya hun ab kia maali bn kay jaoun uskay ghar?"
Hakan huffed.
"Not bad. Iss bar uska bhai tujh pe waqqi FIR katwa de ga!" Nehad goy amused.
"Chup kar. Let's think of some job for her. Ali ne btaya that she is a doctor but not practicing anywhere yet toh apne hospital mein lgwa dete hain!" Hakan said excitingly at his innovative idea.
"Bhai humarey abba ka hospital hai kiya jo usko job dilwa dein gai?" Nehad rolled off his eyes.
"Haan na! Dad shareholders mein se ek hain toh sahi. Life Care hospital bro! Chal uth!" Hakan jumped over his leg to change for his outfit.
"Kamina hai tu!" Nehad stood up and shook his head.
"Intelligent you mean! Thankyou!" He winked and went to changing room, leaving a tensed Nehad behind. What if they got caught? What if Sarrinah would be in the same state as Alina? Did he doubt his brother? Hakan? His "jigarri yaar"! He could't doubt Hakan. But then.. Whom to choose?
____________________
He was dressed in black shirt and white bottoms. Rayben shades, covering the mischiveous glint of olive brown eyes. Black strapped watch in left hand. He was always on point in his looks.
"Chal!' Hakan was getting out of passenger's seat.
"Mein nai arha!" He exclaimed, hiding his eyes behind sun shades.
"kyoun?" Hakan faced him
"Ussey shak hojaey ga. Let it be you and natural!"
Nehad smirked half heartedly. He himself was confused.
"Yeh bhi theik hai!" Hakan grinned and closed the door to enter in the lavish, newly built 'Life Care' hospital.
"Assalam u Alaikum. How may I Help you sir?" Receptionist asked in a professional tone.
"Touqeer sahab hon gai?"
"Sir straight anf first right. The second glass door office!" He smiled and walked in his proud gait. He knocked and entered the cabin without even waiting for formal permissions. He doesn't need a consent ofcourse. We are talking about Hakan Zuraiz here!
Touqeer sahab looked up in anger but his face turned embarrassingly surprised.
"Aap toh Zuraiz Sahab kay betey hain shayd?" He stood up for a hand shake and he nodded in reciprocation.
"Mujhe apse ek favour chaiye!" Hakan was seated in front of him.
"Hukam karein!" Money had an influence not rules here.
"Sarrinah Shams. I refer her to you at the vacancy of general physician in your hospital or whatever you find suitable for her after scrutinizing her portfolio but make sure the offer should be that much convincing so she can't refuse." He exclaimed as simple as it could be.
"Lekin sir..."
"Aap rules regulations ki fikar na karey. She is capable enough. Mein basic information forward kar raha hun unki baki details aap interview mein confirm kar lijye ga.."
"Aur haan.. Apkay paas adha ghnta hai. I want her here in next hour!''
With that last orde, he stood up in and walked out in proud.
"Ameer baap ki aulad saala!"
Touqeer sahab grunted while opening the message in his phone.
_______________
"Adeel hurry up yar. Buht achi job hai. They want a general physician urgently to set up a team of fresh graduates, I don't want to get late!"
Sarrinah was restless, arranging her dupatta and documents in the car seat.
"Yar yeh bhi koi tareeqa hai. Adhey ghntay mein kon bulata hai?" Adeel wasn't much happy.
"Na shukray na bno!" They reached hospital and she left in a boom, waving him a quick good bye.
She walked swiftly with files in her hand when bumped into someone, breaking her self-silent preparation of her interview
"Ya Allah aaj hi saray adventure honay hain!" Sarrinah wouldn't have bothered to look at the person that she bumped into but her eyes caught his brown ones accidentally and she froze.
Ruffled hair on forhead, folded cuffs and an unbroken trance. Him?
"Aap yhaan kese?" Hakan initiated, analyzing her shock.
"Excuse me?" Sarrinah snatched the paper that Hakan held to help her.
"Whoa! Relax! Aap itni offended kyoun rehti hain har waqt?" Hakan picked rest of the papers on floor.
"Aap mera peecha kar rahey hain?" Sarrinah asked pretty straightforward. Hakan coughed abruptly to cover his laugh. She was smart.
"Why would I? Mein ne to bas yeh pucha hai aap yhaan kese?" He cleared his throat cluelessly.
"Kaam se!" she talked to the point.
"Mein bhi. What a coincidence!" Hakan handed her the papers after arranging them decently.
"Concidence? Kaafi ziada "coincidences" nahi ho rahey apkay ajkal humari family k aas paas!" Sarrinah rasied her brow accusingly.
"Miss! I barely know you aur aap mujh pe shak aisey kar rahi hain jese mein koi serial killer hun!"
What a reply!
"Excuse me!" She glanced her wrist watch and felt useless to reply him so excused herself in the next moment when he spoke.
"Achi lag rahi hain aap!" The relaxed, confident and considerate smile.
Sarrinah got ceased for a moment. Did she hear him right?
"What?" She turned to look back at him.
"Aap compliments se bhi offend hoti hain?"
'What's wrong with her? Always an angry bird!' He thought.
Sarrinah calmed her agonizing nerves and didn't even waste next second over there. She marched towards the administration office straight.
He huffed in annoyance.
"Ajeeb pagal hai yar!" He murmured when hit by Nehad immediately.
"Chor dey. Tere bass se bahir ki hai. Yeh thori different hai, mature hai aur practical mindset ki lgti hai. Dusra tu iss trha ki jumley bol kay usko aur tappa deta hai. Agli baar lehaaz nai karey gi seedha file kheench kay maarey gi!" He shook his head with a grin.
"Why are so protective about her Nehad? Yeh bhi teri behn hai?" Hakan had enough already.
"Shut up!" He got serious, all of a sudden.
"You shut up and decide first, tujhe dosti rakhni hai ya behn. And in case you are forgetting something toh yaad dila dun kay hum cousins bhi hai. Sarrinah ko mein smbhaal lun ga. If you are not in then, tell me?"
"I am sorry. Alina ki wja se disturb hun. Uski harkato ko le kar Deeda bhi pareshaan hai"
Nehad lowered his fences first.
"Nehad, she is going to be fine by the passage of time!" It's nearly impossible for Hakan Zuraiz to give advices and that too, useful. It was definitely his love for his dear brother or else he would've been chilled out.
"Hm I understand. Toh ab? Mnana kese hai ussay?" Nehad asked.
"Kissay?"
"SAA RI NAH !" Nehad hummed like a song and Hakan chuckled.
"I have an idea. Tere beghair possible nai hai!" Hakan winked .
"Kia karna hai?" Nehad smiled.
________________
"Congratulations! Aap abhi se joining de sakti hain. You are welcome!" Touqeer Sahab finished the legal contract and gave her the news finally.
"Thankyou so much sir" Sarrinah was more than happy.
"Abhi aap general ward mein duty dein gi for first hour baaqi kal se apka ek proper timetable ap tak puhncha diya jaye ga. Aap ka cabin baki teen aur doctor kay saath hoga. The assistants will guide the next. Aye mein apko wards aur general visit krwa dun!"
Touqeer Sahab assissted her in all the localities and finally showed her small office room as well.
"Sorry to bother you Ms. Shams lekin iss waqt ek private patient kay regular follow up ka time hai. Dr. Neha just retired from her shift of morning. Can you please check on them? The rest of the procedure of file, forms and check ups will be guided by Ms. Maria."
Touqeer sahab gestured towards a young girl who smiled at her. She seemed part of the staff.
"No problem sir!" Sarrinah entered her office room where no doctor was to be seen right now. She put her purse and files in her alloted locker and wore her white coat.
"Dr. Sarrinah. Your first patient is in room number 7! Let me take you." Maria knocked to inform her. She noded politely and followed her while she briefed her the rules and regulations of the hospital. As soon as both of them opened the door, she couldn't believe her eyes.
"Tum?" That was a reflex.
"Great! Ab tum phir kaho gi mein tumhara peecha kar raha hun bla bla bla..." He rolled off his eyes, half lying on head.
"Yeh yaha kia kar raha hai yar?" She asked Maria, slightly in panic.
"Dr. Sarrinah! He is the patient" she answered hesitantly.
"Yeh? Yeh patient nai hoskta . Drama hai yeh?" Sarrinah blurted out but couldn't help it now.
"Aur yeh aapne meri medical history mein parha haj? Kay mein drama hun?" Hakan moved up, half sitting, enjoying her annoyance.
"Tum mechanic bhi ho? patient bhi ho? I swear Adeel won't..."
She took her phone out to dial her brother's number when Touqeer Sahab entered. She hid her phone immediately. Before she could defend herself, he cut her out.
"Buht hi rude staff hai apka. Mujhe Inse treatment nahi krwana kindly koi aur doctor arrange karein mere lye!"
Hakan complained in such a serious tone that Sarrinah turned pale for a moment. It was her first day and he ruined it all !
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Nawaal.