Chapter 26

She picked the medicine from the box, every strip was almost empty, only the last tablet was left. She gulped down three different coloured pills with water and closed her eyes for a moment. The empty strips of medicine were screaming that one who always restocked her medicine before it ends was not there. Pushing this thought away she walked upstairs. There were many works waiting for her but she decided to go to see Maizah. 

“Maizah.” Knocking on the door she walked in without waiting for permission. “This soup…” Sara muttered looking at the bowl of soup which was looking untouched even after two hours. 

Sara huffed with anger. Then she looked at the sofa where an open book was resting with a pair of earphones and two empty packets of snacks. 

“Fayraaa…” Only a call well addressing her anger. 

“Ji mummy?” Fayra came running from her room. 

“Tumse bola tha na badi mummy ka dhyan rakhne ke liye, tumse itna bhi nhi hota?”

(I told you to look after Badi mummy, can't you do even this?)

“Use kyu daant rhi ho Sara? Mene hi bheja tha use. Kab tak mere paas bethi rahegi?” Maizah sat down on the bed, within only ten days she was becoming weak and ill, Danish's absence affected her too much. 

(Why are you scolding her Sara? I asked her to go. For how long will she stay with me?)

“At least she could give you soup. One should have some sense of responsibility but...” Said Sara while glaring at Fayra, those pretty eyes filled with tears. Only Sara knew that Danish's sudden leaving and Fayra had something to do with each other. But what? She didn't know.

“Don't scold her.” Maizah said in a tired voice, and gestured to Fayra to come near her. “Come here.” 

“You all have already spoiled her.” Sara glared at Fayra who was now in the embrace of Maizah. 

“Ye mere bete ki khushi hai, iska dhyan kese na rakhu?” Fayra looked up at the mother who was missing her son too much. 

(She is the happiness of my son, how can't I love her?)

Two pairs of eyes filled with tears. 

One due to longing. 

Other due to guilt. 

“You take rest,” Sara told Maizah politely and glared at Fayra, “and you, come with me.” it was an order, Fayra had no other choice but to follow it. 

“Fayra, tell me honestly what you have done?” As soon as Fayra entered the room Sara locked the door and asked. 

“What? What have I done?” 

“Don't be so innocent, I know there is something related to you, Danish is calling everyone but not you! How is it even possible? We all have seen him roaming around you, then what happened suddenly that he is not even talking to you?” It's always difficult to hide things from a mother, but this much accurate? How? 

“Fayra, I'm asking something.”

“But I don't have any answer to your questions. I have done nothing.” Fayra looked away while picking  up a book to avoid this conversation. Sara glared at her but she also knew her daughter was as stubborn as her parents, so there was no benefit of wasting time here. 

“Call Danish and talk to him. He is your husband.” Ordering the same she walked out of the room but Fayra ignored and tossed the book on the pillow. This book wasn't a good read, or maybe she wasn't feeling like reading anymore. She was frustrated. She wanted to draw out her anger and frustration on something but on what? She didn't know. Moreover, what was the reason behind her anger and frustration? She didn't know this either.

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Danish's pov

For the first time I was away from my home. Away from my family.

At an unfamiliar and unknown place surrounded by new faces and dull walls.

I came here with an intention to raise my family business here but only in a few days I even lost my identity. 

Here I wasn't the son of Anzala Rizwi, I was a mere Danish Rizwi. Only in a few days did I get to know how ordinary and worthless I was.

I had seen a beautiful world while sitting on my father's shoulders but now when I'm on the ground I realise how tiny I'm in this world. I was never worthy of getting whatever I achieved till date, it was my father and grandfather who built the path for me to walk in the crowd and get whatever I had. I had been considering myself successful, however I'm nothing!

Just an ordinary human being in the middle of a hundred thousands like me. 

“Sir, you will get your appointment letter through email, you can join from today only.” I looked up and passed a smile to the one who delivered this news.

“Thank you.” Replying that I took a deep breath. Something broke inside me one more time. I was here to uplift my family business, unfortunately I realised I wasn't able to do that so easily. I didn't even know on my own how to survive at a new place. Only in a few days did I realise that I couldn't live on my father's money, I needed to earn my own to live here, before settling my business I needed to settle down myself. 

And now, the employer became an employee!

Soon I got a work desk, I was welcomed by a few warm smiles and a bunch of fake ones. 

“Pakistani ho?” A voice grabbed my attention, I looked behind, a man in his late fifties was standing near my chair. Tall, good looking, handsome but with a potted belly. A pair of rectangular glasses resting on his sharp nose and genuine smile present on his lips. His salt pepper short beard but pure black hair giving him a mixed personality, he was looking somewhere between young and aged. I don't know why but with the very first glance I felt an urge to respect him! He felt like a family to me in an unknown world.

(Are you from Pakistan?)

“No, I'm an indian.” 

“Good, I'm also one.” I smiled at his reply. No matter how many times we chanted in school that we are Indian, all Indians are our brothers and sisters, we get the real meaning of this sentence when we are alone outside our country and someone belonging to this land comes across us. 

“Danish, Danish Rizwi.” I offered my hand to shake and he held it in his big soft yet strong hand which was warm even in that chilled environment. 

“Usman,” he introduced himself. We shook hands, he patted my shoulder and glanced at his wrist watch, “So, young man, see you in the cafeteria at lunch time.”

“Sure sir,” I nodded. He walked in a cabin with a big glass door and I remembered my cabin. It was my favourite place, my chair was my favourite spot not because it was my chair but because it was the chair of my grandfather, Mr Late Rashid Rizwi, almost twenty five years ago he lifted me in his arms and set me on his chair to make a little boy happy, but back then it became my dream to sit on that chair everyday and when I occasionally started going office in my mid teens I used to sit on that chair only. I remember asking Dadu to vacate his seat for me, and I remembered Dad giving a surprised look to his father when he fulfilled my demand every single time without wasting a moment. 

Damn, I miss all of them too much! 

I love all of them. 

<><><>

I was supposed to meet Usman sir during lunch time but when I went to the cafeteria he was not there. Someone informed me that he hardly spends ten or fifteen minutes for lunch, then leaves the office and always comes back just at the end of the lunch break. Where did he go? No one knows. 

Even after being in the same office we didn't meet again for a few days because I was shifted to a different department, which was on the 23rd floor, but Usman sir was on the 2nd floor or the building, moreover, he was too quick to leave the office during break. Alas, I didn't get that home-like feeling for only a few minutes. 

<><><>

After all, I realised how difficult it must be for the ladies of our family to manage everything including their home, kitchen and family. I was tired of setting up the new home, though it was already well furnished and well equipped yet it was difficult for me to cook and clean. Only in fifteen days here and I feel like going back to my home. I was missing everyone and everything, but video call never satisfy my craving to be with them. Unfortunately, I couldn't go back, I didn't have courage to face Fayra. I wish she could understand my love, she misunderstood me. I hated Arsh not because of his engagement with Fayra but for his behaviour. I wanted her happiness, either with me or without me. Going back home would create more misunderstandings so I decided to kill my desire and survive here only. 

<><><>

“It has been one month already.” Said Zunera in a hushed voice while picking up the TV remote from the coffee table. It was midnight, Zinia and Zunera were unable to sleep so they decided to visit Fayra and watch a movie. 

“No, one month and ten days.” Zinia corrected her sister then again shifted her eyes to her mobile screen. 

“What are you both talking about?” Asked Fayra when she was unable to understand the topic of discussion. Both the girls exchanged a look then looked at Fayra with questioning eyes. 

“We are talking about your husband, it has been more than one month since he left and we are missing him like hell.” Said Zunera, the first part was mischievous but the last part was genuine. Fayra looked at the coffee table. Empty. No pizza. No burger. No soft drinks. Because there was no Danish who could make this movie night special. 

“I'm also missing him.” Zinia muttered while looking away from her mobile phone then again started giving eyes to it. 

Before Fayra could dive deep into the pit of guilt she noticed Zunera dialling a number and soon the video call was received by the other person. 

“You heartless man, don't you miss your sister?” Zunera bursted out on the only boy of this generation of Rizwi family. 

“Hey, not sister, but sisters. He doesn't miss me too.” Zinia also came into the frame to glare at Danish and he just smiled but how could he tell how badly he was missing them?

“Huh, tum jesi behno ko kon yaad karega jinhone kabhi ek cup chai bana ke bhi nhi di mujhe.” He jerked his head.

(Huh, who would miss sisters like you who never even made me a cup of tea?)

“Jo chai bana ke deti thi unki yaad aati hai?” Zinia smiled mischievously, everyone knew who mde tea and coffee for Danish. It was no one else but Fayra. 

(Do you miss the one who made tea for you?)

“Kesi hai wo nakchadi billi?” Danish asked with a well pretended smile and sound normal but couldn't, however the teenagers didn't understand the longing present in his voice. Zunera gave a teasing look to Fayra who was sitting on the other corner of bed, Danish didn't know that someone was also present in the room other than the girls present in the frame. 

(How is that snobbish cat?) 

“As if you don't know how she is doing? As if you don't talk to her?” Zunera rolled her eyes. 

“No, I don't know. I usually don't get time to talk to her. Tell me how she is doing? Don't tell me she already gained weight by stuffing herself with pizza and burgers daily.” Danish rolled her eyes 

“Daily? Do you ever know, we haven't had a single pizza and burger since you left. Wapas aa jaiye na Danish bhai, aapko double cheese pizza ki qasam.” the last part was a joke but neither Danish nor Fayra laughed. 

(Danish bhai, come back please. For the sake of double cheese pizza.)

“Aur wapas aa ke kya karunga?” He asked. 

(And what will I do after coming back?)

“Waha kya kar rhe hain?” Zinia asked this time and very soon Danish switched the camera. Now both the girls could see a pan on the gas stove, something was in the making but the question was… could Danish really cook himself a meal?

(What are you doing there?)

“Tumhari tarha khali nhi betha hua, dinner bana rha hu.” 

(I'm not free like you, I'm busy. Preparing dinner.)

“Yaha aapko dinner nhi milta tha kya jo waha chale gye? Aur agar itna dil chahta tha cooking karne ka to yaha aa jaiye wapas, phir hum sab ke liye banaiyega dinner.” 

(Didn't you get dinner here that you left? And if you really love to cook then come back and cook for all of us.)

“thank you, I'm fine here preparing for only one person, can't cook for a clan.” He was over dramatic this time. 

“On a serious note, Danish bhai, please come back. Fayra aapi is so sad and silent after you left.’’ Zinia shared what she had been noticing but she didn't know what she did. Fayra looked at her with wide eyes and Danish turned the camera towards himself, till a moment ago he was only showing his freshly developed clumsy cooking skills. 

“Who told you she is missing me?” Danish asked. But who told him that Fayra was missing him? Zinia just informed him that she had been sad and silent all the time. 

Deep down he was wishing that Fayra also miss him the way he was missing her. And here Zinia’s words gave him false hope. 

“She herself told me that she misses you everyday.” Zinia smiled and Zunera nodded. They both wanted their only brother to come back at any cost. 

“Zinu? What rubbish?” Fayra huffed and thought about taking the mobile phone from her hand to disconnect the call but the girl was fast to shift the mobile phone towards Fayra. 

“Talk to her only. She has been missing you, going to your room every now and then.” Fayra's heart skipped a beat. That was true, she visited Danish's room a few times but with a different intention. She wanted to know if there was something else present in his room other than the diary and photos or not.

After a gap of 41 days they both saw each other. 

Danish tried to smile after seeing his beloved but couldn't because of her indifferent gaze. Fayra didn't feel the warmth of love but felt guilty because she was the sole reason behind Danish's leaving his family. 

“Kesi ho Fayra?” He asked in a hushed tone. 

(How are you Fayra?)

“Hmm… fine.” She muttered. She couldn't believe she was the same girl who used to babble in front of this guy for hours, now only a few words were feeling heavy to utter. 

“How are your college and studies going?” 

“Good.” She tried to pass a formal smile but couldn't. And there was silence from the other side too. 

A lover was waiting for the beloved to ask his whereabouts but got ignorance in return which broke a pure heart. 

“Sab theek chal rha hai? Koi preshani to nhi hai na?” Danish asked. 

“Yeah, all good.” She replied with the minimum words possible. Danish kept watching her face and he was unable to say what his heart was yelling. 

Kuch to bolo Fayra? Ye hi puch lo ki main yaha kese reh rha hu? Ek baar to puch lo main kesa hu? Bas ek baar keh do ki tum bhi mujhe yaad karti ho, mere jitna nhi bas thoda sa sahi, din raat nhi lekin kabhi kabhi sahi. 

(Say something Fayra. At least ask me how I'm managing here. Ask for once how I am doing? At least tell me once that you also miss me, not as much as I miss you but a little less, not whole day and night but occasionally.)

But the fragile mirror of his hopes was shattered by the stone of silence thrown by Fayra. 

He waited for a few more moments but Fayra said nothing, “Bye,” he muttered. 

“Bye” she also muttered 

“Take care,” he gave another chance to start a conversation but…

“Sure” she nodded. 

“Bye.” He wanted her to say something and she said…

“Okay. Bye.” And the call was disconnected leaving Danish in longing and tears.

He looked at the screen of the mobile that was showing the face of his beloved till a moment ago but now it was blank. 

“What is my fault? Loving her?” He closed his eyes, tears felt afraid of coming out of his eyes but heart cried out loud. On the other hand Fayra was feeling like a heartless creature, Danish's love did nothing to her but his tearfilled eyes managed to beat her heart differently. Maybe she didn't love him the way he loved her but she couldn't see him in pain. From childhood to now Danish played an important role in her life, she couldn't deny the fact, she cared for him too much. Everyone knew it.

“Fayra aapi? You're crying?” Zinia and Zunera said the respective parts one by one and Fayra shook her head while wiping her tears with the back of her palm. 

“No, I'm not.” She sniffled 

“Are you missing Danish bhai this much?” Zinia asked, she knew this pain because till a few days ago she had been missing Shaaz and crying for him. 

“We were supposed to watch a movie na?” Fayra asked after picking up the remote, both the girls didn't put the hand on the sour spot and played a movie. 

A dimly lit room with pleasant fragrance of room freshner, perfectly set temperature with warm blankets and soft comfortable bed allowed Zunera to sleep instead of watching the movie playing on the big TV screen. Laying beside Fayra, Zinia was glancing at the TV occasionally but she was actively busy on her mobile. Only Fayra was giving her eyes to the ongoing movie but she didn't know why she was thinking about Danish's tearfilled eyes. 

Was he really crying?

Or, was it because of spices or something else while cooking? 

But why would he cry? 

What have I done? 

I didn't ask him to leave! I just ask him to tell me the truth. 

Was Arsh lying about Danish's intentions? 

But I read his diary, and he confessed that he loved me for a long time but… 

Fayra huffed and closed her eyes, she didn't want to accept Danish's feelings for herself, reason was unknown to her too. She just didn't feel comfortable with the thought of Danish's nearness as a husband. 

Shrugging all the thoughts she focused on the TV again but this time she was feeling sleepy, turning her head towards Zinia she found her also sleeping but her mobile phone was covering her face. 

“Idiot.” Mumbled Fayra while picking up the mobile phone and her gaze went to the ongoing chat. 

Slept off? 

Zinu? 

Good night. Sweet dreams. 

Bye ❤️❤️ 

Fayra looked at the last two hearts keenly then towards the name of the person it was no one else but Shaaz. 

“What? She is again in his contact! How?” Knowing nothing about Danish's hard work to unite two best friends and secret lovers, Fayra muttered and scrolled through the chat.

Though she knew it was immoral to read someone's personal chat, here it was the question of her teenager sister, so it was better to keep an eye on her to know her secret and save her if she was taking any wrong steps as a teenager. 

You know what Shaaz, today Fayra Aapi was crying after seeing Danish Bhai on Video call. It was Zinia's message 

But why Zinu?

She must be missing him na… her reply was simple and Fayra kept reading further.

Yaar Zinu, will you also cry if I go far away from you? The teenagers were making scenarios.

Promise me you won't go away ever. You have already made me cry too much, please never do that again. I'm already crying with this thought, Shaaz. 

Oh my idiot girl, don't cry na. Please. I'm sorry. I won't go, you just don't cry. I promise. Even if I go anywhere I'll take you along. Promise. Pakka wala promise. Fayra stopped reading and glanced at Zinia's eyes, her kajal was smudge telling clearly that she actually cried while chatting with Shaaz. Fayra was amazed to know that these teenagers came too far in their love and relationship, however she read further. 

Huh? Take me along? As if my family will send me? The text was incorporated with an eye rolling emoji.

Aapko Mrs Zinia Shaaz bana kar leke jaunga Madam, phir kon rookega? Fayra again looked at the sleeping girl who was making dreamland with open eyes then continued to read. 

(I'll make you Mrs Zinia Shaaz before taking you along. Then who can stop?)

Shaaz, Dar lagta hai. Agar hamare ghar wale nhi maane to? 

(Shaaz I'm afraid. What if our families won't agree?)

That's the reason I wanted to go away from you, but you managed to find me out.

Going away is not a solution. It was Zinia's message.

And we don't have a future together, that's my biggest fear. 

Aap hamesha negative kyu sochte hain Shaaz? Mujhe bohot buri lagti hai aapki ye aadat. 

(Why are you pessimistic about the future, Shaaz? I dislike this thing about you.)

Achha baba, I'm sorry, ab naraz to na ho. 

(I'm sorry sugar, don't be angry na. Please)

Baat na kriye aap mujhse, hamesha buri cheze sochte hain, kabhi kuch positive nhi sochte.

(Don't talk to me. You always think negatively, can't you hope for a better tomorrow?)

Okay Madam, I'll do as per your command just don't be angry. Please, your highness. Fayra looked at Zinia's innocent face again. She found another Fayra and Arsh in Zinia and Shaaz. 

Fayra was also seventeen when Arsh came to her life. Her first love. His sweet words played with her heart and feelings but unfortunately at the end everything was changed. Fayra was afraid of the same end for Zinia. She couldn't see her sister crying in the same way. 

<><><>

Hello people 

How are you doing? 

After a long long and looong time I felt like writing something, and the chapter is here. I hope I'll be able to complete the next chapter soon. 

Till then…

Bye bye…

And… I miss your comments 🥺 

Bye.

_Naaz Jamal.