"Dadi Jaan (grandma), agar main na dekhu to aapko kisi cheez ki khabar nhi hoti." Fayra scolded Momina while kneeling behind her, picking up the bottle of hair oil she started rubbing it in the dry scalp of this old lady.

(Grandma, you never look after yourself if I don't do this task.)

"Mera pyara bachcha." Momina smiled and Fayra kissed her cheek.

(My lovely princess.)

"Dadi Jaan, Bisma aapi ki Ashar bhai se ladai ho gyi hai." Fayra passed the news. She was chief editor of The Rizwi Times, if a news comes to her then it will be passed to the other corner of the home for sure.

(Dadi Jaan, Bisma aapi had a fight with Ashar bhai.)

"Apne maa baap par gyi hai, wo dono bhi har waqt ladte rehte the, abhi chaar din se shareef ban ke bethe hain." Momina jerked her head and Fayra furrowed.

(Just like her parents, they too used to fight all the time.)

"Dadi Jaan, ek baat puchu." Without stopping her hands to massage the scalp, Fayra asked.

(Grandma, may I ask you something?)

"Hmm... Puchho."

(Yeah, sure.)

"Dad aur Badi mumma ki shadi arranged marriage thi?" Fayra asked a question about Anzala and Maizah. She still called Anzala 'Dad', but Maizah became Badi mumma.

(Was Dad and Badi Mamma's marriage an arranged marriage?)

Momina thought for a moment. It was difficult to explain the past in front of kids. "And what about mummy and Papa?" While watching the photos and videos of Maizah and Anzala's wedding Fayra got a hint that her parents were enemies of each other but she didn't know the reason behind their wedding.

"Allah maaf kre... Tumhare maa baap ka to puchho hi nhi... Abba marhoom ne duniya se jaate jaate Adnaan se wada le liya tha ki wo Sara se shadi karega, bas... Shadi ke naam par jang ka aelaan hua tha. Dono itna ladte the..."

(Please, don't even ask about your parents... Our late father had taken a promise from Adnaan before dying that he would marry Sara, that's it... a war was declared in the name of marriage. Both of them fought so much...)

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Lekin mummy papa to itne polite hain, wo to ek dusre se teez awaaz me bhi baat nhi karte." Fayra couldn't even imagine the past arguments of her parents.

(But mummy and papa are so polite, they don't even talk to each other in a taunting tone.)

"Haa, sare kaarname dikha ke sharafat aayi hai unme." Said Momina while closing her eyes as she was enjoying Fayra's fingers running on her scalp.

(Yes, after demonstration of all kinds of dramas now they have acquired decency.)

"Motiiii.. Oo Moti..." Danish's voice echoed in the hall and Fayra huffed.

(Moti= Chubby)

"Phir aa gye dimaag kharab karne, inse office me nhi raha jata kya? Muh utha ke har waqt aa jaate hain. Bekaar insaan." Placing the oil bottle on the table Fayra walked out of the room with loud footsteps.

(He has come again to irritate me, can't he stay in the office? Useless man.)

"Kya hai?" Fayra asked after witnessing Danish standing in the middle of the hall and he grimaced.

(What?)

"Tumhe kisne bulaya?" He asked.

(Who called you?)

"Abhi to awaaz di hai aapne?"

(You just called out.)

"Chalo, iska matlab tumhe bhi pta hai tum moti ho, khir, main to ghar ki dusri bheens (buffalo 🐃)... I 

mean dusri beti ko bula rha tha." Danish grinned and Fayra huffed.

(Nice, it means you already know that you're mooti (chubby), by the I was calling the other buffalo of the family, I mean the other daughter.)

"Huh... Chimpanzee jesi personality rakh ke dusro ko bheens bol rhe hain." Fayra rolled her eyes and turned to go back to Momina when a voice stopped her.

(Hmm... having a personality like a chimpanzee, you are calling others buffalo.)

"Samose aur jalebi laya hu, khani hai?" He showed what was present in his hand and Fayra snatched it before rushing to the kitchen while yelling, "Bisma aapiiiiiii, bekaar insaan ne aap kuch achha kaam kar diya, come soon."

(I've brought samosas and jalebi, do you wanna eat?)

(Bisma Aapi~ the useless creature has done something appreciable, come soon.)

"Sara Mamiiiii, wo log engagement ke liye aaye to bool dijiyega ise jaldi leke jaye yaha se, hum aur nhi jheel sakte ise." Yelling with the same fake anger Danish walked upstairs and all the family members smacked their forehead.

(Sara Mamiiii, when they come for the engagement, please tell them to take her away from here quickly, we cannot keep her any more.)

Soon everyone was happily having samose and Jalebi, Fayra didn't forget Zunera, Ziniya and her beloved Chachi so she picked some snacks and rushed there.

"Chachiiiiiii... I'm back. Welcome me with a big round of applause." Entering into the kitchen she placed the plate on the kitchen platform and opened the pot.

"Dinner me kya hai?" Asked Fayra and her chachi picked one samosa.

(What's in dinner?)

"Pulao." Fiza replied.

"Fine, then I'll be your guest tonight. Don't forget to make vegetable raita with it." And she was gone out of the kitchen. Fiza rolled her eyes on that drama, before she could restart her work the Tufaan Express of home came back with another demand. "And fry some kabab too... Pulao and kababs are matches made in heaven."

"Ek thakkad khilaungi abhi sara peyr bhar jayega." Fiza yelled with fake irritation "Ek se peyt nhi bharta chachi, I need at least two." and Fayra ran back to her side of the home.

( I will give you a slap and you will be full?)

(No, one won't be enough, at least two.)

It was a normal conversation between Fayra and Fiza. No matter how well Sara cooked but Fayra loved to have her meal with Afnaan's family, it was her habit since childhood. By the time Adnaan and Sara had already accepted that their girl was biologically their daughter but she loved others more. She used to spend minimum time with Sara, all the time she was with Momina or Fiza. Anzala was her favourite person in the home as he was there to fulfill all her demands either acceptable for her parents or not. Whenever it comes to a picnic or college tour, Sara and Adnaan were scared to send Fayra but it was always Anzala who was standing beside Fayra in her every demand, other than making friends... In that case Sara and Adnaan never listened to anyone.

"Areyyyyy... Sare samose khaa liye? Mere liye kuch nhi bachaya?" Asked Fayra when she came back and everyone looked at the plate which was showing only one samosa.

("Heyyyy....have you eaten all the samosas? Did you save any for me?)

"Hume laga tum apni Chachi ke sath khaa logi." Said Maizah and Fayra bounced to pick the remaining samosa.

(We thought you would eat it with your chachi.)

"Badtameez hain aap sab." Saying that she took the samosa to her mouth but stopped just before having a bite of it. "Danish Bhai ke liye bhi nhi bachaya?" She asked. Everyone's silence answered it all.

(you all are so bad)

(Didn't you save it for Danish bhai also?)

Mumbling something she ran upstairs and banged on the door of Danish's room, without waiting for permission she walked in and broke the samosa into half, extending her hand towards him she smiled and Danish blinked blankly. This girl could come anywhere at anytime with a speed of light. He grabbed the samosa and sat down on the bed only.

"Say thanks..." Stuffing her mouth with it she demanded while glaring at Danish.

"For this half samosa?" He asked before having a bite... "That too without chatni."

"Ungrateful man..." She rolled her eyes and shoved the remaining samosa in her mouth.

"Oh really? Am I Ungrateful?"

"Of course."

"Have you thanked me for bringing Samosa and Jalebi? You're the real ungrateful. After having everything you're giving me this only?"

"You know what Danish Bhai... Is ghar me sabse zyada aapka dhyan main hi rakhti hu. Main na hu to aapka kya hoga?"

(You know what Danish bhai... I am the one who takes the most care of you in this house. What will happen to you if I am not here?)

"Arey bhai tum meri jaan chhodo aur jaao apne Arsh ke paas, main apna dhyan khud rakh lunga." Danish rolled his eyes while laying down and turning on the TV, Fayra huffed and turned to go but stopped by his voice. "Achha zara pani to pila do, bohot deyr se pyaas lag rhi hai." He demanded and Fayra grit her teeth.

(Kindly, leave me alone and go to your Arsh, I will take care of myself.)

(Okay, give me some water, I am feeling thirsty for a long time.)

"Main apne Arsh ko pani pilaungi, bula lijiye apni Maha ko." Making a loud voice with her slippers she was gone and Danish looked at the empty bottle of water. He was thirsty but didn't want to go downstairs to bring water. Sighing heavily he closed his eyes and thought about something... Something difficult for him. Something that his parents would never let him do.

(I will give water to my Arsh, call your Maha.)

Before he could sink into the pool a voice dragged him out. A voice of flat slippers slapping against the marble floor.

"Paani manga tha isliye de diya warna..." She huffed, placed the water bottle on the nightstand with a thud and left after picking up the empty bottle. Danish closed his eyes again and sighed while pressing his forehead with the first finger and thumb.

(It was about water otherwise...)

<><><><>

"Fayraaaa.... Come here." Anzala's voice echoed in the home and Miss Fayra Adnaan Rizwi ran downstairs while having a chocolate.

"Yeah Dad?" Ignoring everyone present in the hall she only looked at Anzala.

"Shopping par jana hai ya nhi? 5 din baad tumhari engagement hai beta, excitement naam ki bhi koi cheez hoti hai." Anzala asked after patting her head, Fayra took another piece of chocolate and pushed her hair away which were falling out from her messy bun.

(Do you want to go shopping or not? Your engagement is after 5 days beta, aren't you excited)

"Nhi Dad, mujhe shopping par nhi jana." She took another bite and everyone looked at her with another level of shock

(No dad, I don't want to go shopping.)

"Why?" Adnaan opened his mouth to asked but Afnaan was fast to threw the question towards Fayra.

"Because..." She hugged Momina from behind and kissed her wrinkled cheek. "I'll wear Dadi Jaan's sharara." Said Fayra to give another shock to Momina.

"Nhi Bhai main nhi de rhi apne kapde tumhe, bazar jaao apne liye nayi kapde banwao." Momina cleared her stand but Fayra furrowed.

(No way. I'm not going to give you my clothes. Ho to the market and bring new clothes for yourself.)

"Kyu bhai? Kyu nhi dengi aap mujhe apna Sharara?" It was a rightful question

(Why so? Why won't you give me your sharara?)

"Bas keh diya to keh diya..." Momina announced without any delay but Fayra huffed.

(That's my final decision.)

"Dadi Jaan... Main kitni ziddi hu aapko pta hai na? Mujhe wo sharara chahiye to chahiye." Fayra insisted while sitting beside Momina. Maizah and Sara looked at each other, they were unable to understand the reason behind this refusal of Momina.

(Dadi Jaan...you know how stubborn I am? I want that sharara it means I will take it.)

"Badi Ammi, kyu bachchi ko itna tarsa rhi hain?" Maizah was disappointed

(Badi Ammi, why are you making the child suffer so much?)

"Mami Saheba, de dijiye na wo sharara Fayra ko."

(Mami Saheba, please give that Sharara to Fayra.)

"Yeah Badi Ammi, give that to Fayra, she will look pretty in that dress."

Fiza and Sara also joined the requesting crowd and the ladies got a sharp glare from the old lady. Though Momina was not as strict as before but sometimes the younger version of her came out without any previous warning.

"Wo to bachchi hai, tum itni badi badi auraten bhi apni aqal beech aayi ho kya? Mangni ya shadi jesi rasam mein bachhi ko ek bewa ke kapde pehenaogi?" After all Momina reasoned her action and everyone was silent.

(She is just a child. But... Have you, the grown up women, lost your senses? Will you make the girl wear the clothes of a widow in a ceremony like engagement or marriage?)

"Dadi Jaan... Us se kya hota hai?" Fayra asked and Momina sighed.

(Grandma... How does that matter?)

"Badshaguni hoti hai beta. Agar purana sharara pehenna hi hai to Maizah ka le lo, wo suhagan hai." Fayra kept watching the old lady and disappointment took over her expressions.

(It is a bad omen, beta. If you have to wear the old sharara, then wear Maizah's, she is a married woman.)

"Iska matlab Aapki duaye matter nhi karti wo bejaan kapde matter karte hain mere future ko banane ke liye?" Fayra put a valid question and Momina had no answer.

(Does it mean that your prayers don't matter but those lifeless clothes matter in making my future?)

"Ye kesi bekaar baat hai Dadi Jaan? Agar aap widow hain bhi to kya hua, aapne ek bohot achha waqt guzara hai Dada Jaan ke sath." Said Danish and this time Afnaan jumped in the serious conversation.

(What is nonsense, Dadi Jaan? Even if you are a widow, so what, you have spent a very good time with Dada Jaan.)

"Haa haa... Jab ghar me bhindi banti thi tab ye dono forcefully hume wo hi khila dete the, aur sab ke soo jane ke baad khud bahar khana khane jaate the... Itna achha waqt guzara hai inhone." The secret was revealed by Afnaan to widen everyone's eyes.

(Yes of course, whenever it was okra in dinner, these two would forcefully feed it to us, and after everyone went to sleep, they would themselves go out to have dinner... they have spent such a good time.)

"Hain? Badi Ammi? Itna zulm hum masoom bacho par? Wo Bhindi hume khila kar aap dono date par jaate the? Iska hisaab duniya me hoga ya akhirat me?" Asked Maizah in her over dramatic style and everyone laughed out loud.

(Is it? Badi Ammi? So much cruelty on us? The innocent children? You both used to go on a date after feeding us that okra? We won't forgive this.)

"Astagfirullah... Kesi baate kar rhe ho tum log bachho ke samne." Maybe for the first time Everyone saw a shy Momina.

(Shameless creatures. What are you saying in front of the kids?)

"Okay then it's final, Dadi Jaan is giving that Sharara. I'll wear that only." Fayra announced happily.

"Phir Fayra Aapi bhi sab se chhup kar Arsh k sath date par jayngi." Zinia's comment echoed in the air and Fayra gasped. Her face turned pale, eyes widened and she looked at elders to scold Zinia for this teasing but everyone laughed and the shy girl ran towards her room holding a suppressed smile and blushing cheeks.

(Then Fayra Aapi will also go on secret dates with Arsh bhai.)

The matter was dismissed soon, everyone went to their respective room but Sara was still sitting in the hall when Bisma entered into the kitchen, and came out next moment with bottle of water.

"Bisma... Come here."

"Yeah Mami?"

"Have you talked to Ashar?" Sara asked and Bisma stayed silent.

"Bisma, I'm asking something."

"What's the benefit of talking to a person who doesn't want to talk to me." Said Bisma with a combination of pain and anger in her voice and Sara sighed.

"He is your husband, try to sort out this matter beta."

"Mumma and Dad are also saying the same but..." This time Bisma had tears in her eyes. "Mami he does not like me, loving is a far away thing he doesn't even like me... And you people want me to talk to him? I won't! It's my final decision." Said the stubborn girl and Sara pulled her in a hug just like she used to do when Bisma was a child.

"It's just one month of this marriage beta, give some time to Ashar, give some time to this relationship, give some time to yourself. It's not easy for a girl to settle down in a different world. I believe after marriage you don't go to a different home but a different world with different rules and lifestyle." Bisma broke the hug and wiped her tears.

"I'm missing him..." She muttered

"It means he is good too... That's why you're missing him."

"Yeah, he is... But he is more hurtful and annoying." Bisma said with irritation and Sara sighed.

"Okay. Fine. He will be attending Fayra's engagement, then you can talk to him."

"I won't talk to him ever." And she walked away leaving Sara with the memories of his and Adnaan's relationship. How they hated each other from the deepest core of their hearts and how their hate turned into love.

<><><>

Arsh was Fayra's secret prayer from teenage. She saw him first when she was only sixteen and he became her crush. But Arsh did not even looked at her back then. After coming back from that party Fayra's teenage eyes saw many dreams without even sleeping but at the end she only told herself that she had to forget him because not all dreams come true however she was miserably failed. And after two years her dream converted into the reality of life when one day Arsh's parents talked to her family.

Taking a deep breath Fayra picked her mobile and a smile crawled to her lips when found a new post from Arsh.

There were some five pics but she forgot to swipe the next as only the first pic was enough to catch her eyes and leave an impression on her heart.

Arsh was in the gym, displaying his well built arm muscles. His handsome face was hidden behind the iphone.

Swiping to the next pic she beamed with pleasure because the handsome figure was standing, gracefully carrying his charming smile and a black business suit.

She didn't want to swipe the next pic but did this work and her smile vanished. The handsome figure was standing in front of his expensive SUV, resting his back with it but his hand was holding a half burnt cigarette.

She gulped and texted him with another level of nervousness.

'Arsh, do you smoke?' and the waiting period of reply was not long. She immediately got a reply.

'Rarely.'

'It means you do?'

'Once in a blue moon, love.' Fayra was confused, should she focus on the reply or the endearment used at the end of the reply however she didn't forget the reason behind this conversation.

'But Arsh... Smoking is injurious to health.'

'I smoke rarely, love. Not everyday.'

'Can't you quit?'

'Your wish my command, pretty lady but... On one condition.' Fayra gulped down fearfully because she didn't want to fulfill any condition however she asked 'and what's that?'

'Can we meet tomorrow?' Her heart rate increased and breath hitched.

'Tomorrow?'

'Yeah, I wanna see you.' The reply shivered her.

'But Arsh... What will I say at home? I don't go anywhere alone. Moreover we will be meeting on engagement day na..' She replied.

'Can't you do just this for me? Don't you love me?'

'Arsh, please try to understand, it's not about love... it's all about my family and rules of home. Please try to understand' Fayra was biting her teeth. She didn't know how to handle this matter

'Aaj pehli baar tumse kuch manga hai Fayra, dekhta hu tum kya karti ho. Agar mujhse mohabbat karti ho to sabit kro. Kal 1 bje, The Food Garden Restaurant.' the very moment He was offline leaving this girl in a dilemma. Wiping the sweat drops from her forever she gulped fearfully. She was on the fence, now it was a question mark on her love but if she goes to meet Arsh secretly it will put a question mark on her upbringing more on the esteem of Rizwi's.

(Today, for the first time, I have asked something from you, Fayra. Let's see what you do. If you love me, prove it. Tomorrow at 1 PM, The Food Garden Restaurant.)

<><><><>

Bye bye for now

_Naaz Jamal