"Zehen ki yaade bhale hi dhundli ho jae,
Magar ye dil apno ko kabhi nahi bhulata...
Ban kar apne ek bar is dil se Jo jud jae,
Rab unhe kahi na kahi zarur hai milata..."
-By Mushaid Shaikh...
(Even when the memories in the mind fade away, this heart never forgets those who are ours...
Those who become ours connecting with our heart, God surely makes them meet somewhere...)
****
"Mom, what's the meaning of 'ijzat?" Sidhra asks her mom who's sleeping next to her.
"There isn't any word like this." Her mom replies being confused.
"No mom there is. It's a Hindi word." She again clears her mom's confusion.
"Oh, then it must be 'ijazat' not 'ijzat', right?" Her mom conforms.
"Yes, yes ijazat, so what does it mean?" She asks eagerly.
"It means permission." Her mom replies.
"And what does 'Jahan' mean?" She again asks.
"It means world, same as the word Duniya. But dear why this sudden interest in Hindi?" Her mom asks. Sidhra was interested in Hindi at a very young age. She tried to learn Hindi from her mom but her mom doesn't like to talk in Hindi. She tried to befriend some of her classmates who were from Hindi speaking area but they used to laugh at her British accent so she left learning Hindi a few years back.
"Mom actually there is a guy who helped me with my car that day in the college and later on we meet in the pub, in the canteen and he's the one who invited us for dinner today. He is such a nice guy. You know he has such a melodious voice! He knows Hindi too." When Sidhra is busy praising Shahid her mom cuts her in the middle and says, "I told you to stay away from boys at least till you complete your studies."
"No mom, actually I want him to befriend bro so that bro can learn from him. He is a topper in his class and he can help bro in his studies." Sidhra hugs the pillow.
"Ok, but remember my advice." Her mom's reply makes her happy and she hugs her mom.
After closing her eyes Sidhra sees a pair of brown eyes similar to hers but when those eyes accompany a handsome face her eyes opens with a jolt. This is the first time she is imagining someone but a smile appears on her face when her mind plays the scene of that someone singing a song whose words aren't perfectly understood by her but the lyrics still managed to play with the strings of her heart.
***
"Hadi, does it happen with you too?" Shahid asks.
"What acidity?" Abdul Hadi gets confused.
"Hey, foodie there are things in this world other than food also. The world doesn't start and end on eating and digestion." Shahid replies irritatingly.
"So what I love food and I don't care if the world starts with food and ends up with digestion because when I'll be a pharmacist I'll have a cure for the end of the world." Hadi happily replies and Shahid held his head in his palms saying, "I pity your fiancee".
" You don't need to saale sahab." Haba Abdul Hadi replies.
(Saala means wife's brother and it is also a term used to tease someone).
"Don't ever dare to call me that or else I'll call Ammi and tell her that her soon to be son-in-law has fallen in love with a beautiful firangi (foreigner) and then your engagement will be broken." Shahid threatens him.
"Really, do it, as if I care." Hadi confidently replies.
" Really? So let me make a call." Saying so Shahid takes his mobile which Hadi snatches from his hands.
"Ok, then there's a change in plan. I'll just inform your dad that you love your fiance from years." Saying so Shahid runs towards Abdul Hadi's bed and takes his mobile only to be snatched back by him. Shahid then began to laugh.
Hadi is engaged to Shahid's younger sister. His parents brought the proposal and Shahid's parents accepted it but nobody knew that Abdul Hadi loves Afia since years, except Shahid. Abdul Hadi's family opposes love marriages and that's the reason why he never talks with Afia on mobile or in-person even after their engagement as he doesn't want to disclose his love for her or else his dad will break the engagement. He thanks Allah for making his parents bring his proposal for Afia all by themselves.
"See my timid behnoi (sisters husband)." Shahid chuckles. But really man I am ready to become your brother but not that (saala) I hate that word." Shahid replies.
They lay on their bed and Shahid's mobile starts ringing. He receives the call, "Assalamalaikum Abbu." His Abbu greats him back and asks about his health.
While talking Shahid glances at Abdul Hadi who has covered himself with the comforter and is about to sleep.
Shahid suddenly asks In a dramatic way, "what Afia?"
Hadi removes the comforter from his body and sitting on the bed asks in a whisper, "what happened?"
Controlling his laughter Shahid continues, "yeah but she is talented, it's not surprising that she stood first in her class." Shahid replies and then understanding dawns upon Abdul Hadi that Shahid is only teasing him. He throws a cushion in Shahid's direction when Shahid disconnects the call. In return, Shahid showers him with pillows.
"The first thing I'm going to do tomorrow is to hide your pillows. Like who sleeps with eight pillows?" Hadi rubs his head.
"I am The Great Mr Shahid, not anyone and I always like extra things and it's not like I place all of them under my head. And just like every other thing my love will also have an extra dose of craziness." Shahid proudly replies.
"Whatever helps you to sleep," Hadi replies.
"So Abdul I was asking do you also see Afia's face after closing your eyes?" Shahid asks.
"Man you are wiped. It happens when someone is deeply imprinted in your heart. Another thing is don't ever compare me with you as my love is a silent one, I'm not at all crazy and impatient like you." Saying so he turned his back towards Shahid who only chuckles in return.
Closing his eyes again Shahid imagine someone's beautiful face unaware of the fact that she too is doing the same...
****
Next day...
"Hey, Shahid." He turns his back when he hears someone calling him only to find Sidhra's brother.
"Hi! Back to home, I guess." Shahid says.
"Um... No, actually I came just now." He replies while scratching his neck.
"But the classes are over now." Shahid gets confused.
"Yeah, but for me, it's very boring to attend classes every day on time. Do you attend the classes regularly?" He asks.
"Yes, after all, he's always amongst the top five." Abdul Hadi replies.
"Wow, man! So you are in the final and that makes you my senior." He chuckles.
"Yeah and if you need any help regarding your studies you can always ask me. Here take my number." Saying so Shahid gives him his number and he goes away after chatting for some time.
"Bro I think your arrow is heading in the wrong direction." Abdul Hadi says.
"What do you mean?" Shahid gets confused.
"Instead of attracting the sister your relation with the brother has progressed." Abdul Hadi makes his point clear. Shahid only mutters idiot before going towards his car.
"Hey, man did you really forget us after meeting your girl?" It's Max voice that makes Shahid stop in his track.
"Nothing like that Maxi." Shahid turns around to see his other two friends coming towards him.
"Then why weren't we invited for dinner?" Max raises his eyebrows.
"If you remember it clearly I called you to ask if you were free but you told me that both of you are studying at your place, that's why I left both of you." Shahid shrugs.
"If you would have told us about the dinner directly we would have cancelled our plan. Ok, this was the first time so you are forgiven but remember next time we won't." Max lightly punches Shahid's arms. After talking for a while all four of them leaves their college campus.
****
After some days...
Shahid is sitting on his bed with his notes studying Medical Chemistry while Hadi too is doing the same.
"Yaar this subject is giving me a headache." Abdul Hadi says rubbing his forehead.
"It wouldn't have, only if you would have concentrated in your lectures. Now stop complaining and don't disturb me." Shahid scolds him.
Just then Shahid's mobile starts ringing. He receives the call and tells his address to the person on the other side.
"Is my bhabi (SIL) coming here today?" Abdul Hadi asks with a smirk.
"No actually her brother." Shahid's answer makes him laugh hard, "see I told you, instead of impressing the girl you have impressed her brother. Kuch din pehle number, phir ghar aage pata nahi dil tak bhi pohoch jae..." Abdul Hadi says with a dreamy look but receives a bundle of paper roll on his head.
(Some days before the number, then at your house, don't know later on will reach till your heart too).
"Idiot apni behuda bakwas apne pass hi rakh." Shahid gets irritated.
(Idiot keep your shameless rubbish with you).
After nearly half an hour Sidhra's brother reaches Shahid's house.
"Coffee or juice?" Shahid asks him when they sit on the couch.
"Nothing bro just helps me with this Cology and that will be enough. Shahid nods his head.
After opening the book he first takes the topic CNS (central nervous system) and then ANS (autonomic nervous system). Shahid makes him understand in a simple way as far as he can and is amazed to see how quickly he understands.
"If you will attend your lectures regularly you can perform well. Why don't you attend your lectures?" Shahid asks out of curiosity.
"Actually, I wanted to do an MBA but because of my mom I took Pharmacy and this is the result. If I would have taken an MBA I wouldn't have wasted one precious year because of lack of interest." He rubs his face with his palms.
"Its ok man. You made your mom happy that's great. By the way, didn't your dad supported you?" Shahid asks to know more about his family.
"No, I mean my dad is no more." He replies.
"Oh, sorry." Shahid replies then after a pause continues, "by the way you can ask for help anytime. I'll gladly help you as I like helping others in their studies." Shahid says with a small smile on his face.
"Thanks a lot, bro. If you don't mind may I know if we have ever met before, I mean some years back?" He asks.
"I don't think so," Shahid replies with a blank look.
"Oh, I just find your eyes so similar to someone but I don't exactly remember who." He replies. Shahid wanted to say 'your sister's' but remains quiet knowing very well what he (Sidhra's brother) is talking about.
Hadi then brings coffee for three of them. After studying for more than an hour they chat for some time and then he goes towards his house as it's already evening.
****
Assalamalaikum dear readers...
This chapter was supposed to be updated yesterday but when I just finished typing the whole chapter wattpad suddenly stopped working and the whole chapter disappeared except for a few lines and I had to type it all over again...😔😔😔
Anyways, meet you soon in the next chapter...
Till then bye, take care, Allahhafiz...