"Ammi."

"Hmm... " Athar sat down on the sofa just beside his mother and held her hands but said nothing. "Ab kuch bologe bhi ya nhi?" she asked in a softer tone but Athar did not find suitable words to tell his mother that he was going to leave this home so that he could live a happy life with his wife.

(Will you say something or not?)

"Apni biwi ko kab wapas laoge? Use uske bhai ke ghar mein hi rehne dena tha to shadi hi kyu ki thi?" this time her tone was a bit harsh as if she was scolding her son but she knew that Athar was not in his mindful state from the time Madiha left. He was always lost or always on the call with her.

(When will you bring your wife back? Why did you get married if you wanted to leave her at her brother's home?)

"Ammi, main Madiha ko is ghar mein nhi launga. Farha ki adat to aapko pta hai, hil ke pani bhi nhi piti hai wo, pehle usne Rosie ko nokar bana rakha tha ab agar Madiha aa gyi to use nokar bana legi aur Arif aate jate Madiha ko kuch na kuch kehta rahega."

(Ammi, I will not bring Madiha into this home. You know na, Farha doesn't do any work, If Madiha comes here she will have to do all the work just like Rosie was doing moreover Atif will taunt her every now and then.)

"To kya puri zindagi isi tarha alag alag rahoge dono?" Athar was silent on this very question but shook his head.

(Will you live separately for the whole life?)

"Nhi, usi ke sath rahunga." he whispered "To lao use wapas. Main Arif se baat karti hu."

(Of course not. I'll live with her only)

(So bring her back. I'll talk to Arif)

"Uske sath rahunga lekin is ghar me nhi, alag ghar me. Ghar le liya hai mene, bas 3-4 din me shift ho jaunga. Aap bhi chaliye mere sath, yaha kon dhyan rakhega aapka?" he declared openly but in a hushed tone and felt his mother's grip on his hands loosen.

(I'll live with her but not in this house, in another house. I have bought a house Ammi, we're moving in after 2-3 days. You also come with me, you will look after her here?)

"Ghar le liya? Puchna to dur ki baat hai tumne bataya tak nhi... Tumhe ab maa ki zarurat nhi hai beta, bade ho gye ho tum, jab chhote the tab hi zarurat thi meri..." the lady had tears in her eyes. "Zindagi ka har feysla lete ho aur mujhe bata dete ho... Biwi ko to dikhaya hoga na ghar? Balke biwi ne hi pasand kra hoga, maa ko dikhana to dur batana bhi zaruri nhi samjha?"

(You have already bought a home? Asking me was a far away thing you didn't even bother to inform me. Your behaviour is enough to tell me that now you're grown up, you don't need your mother anymore. You take your decisions and announce to me like... Like I'm nothing... Haven't you tell your wife about this home? I'm sure, only she has chosen it, but you couldn't only ask your mother.)

Athar was silently listening to the lady who was sitting here after serving her entire youth to her children and today her grown up children were leaving her alone one after another. She was already sad from the day Rosie went back to her inlaws home. This emptiness was eating her from inside. Daughters are the mother's biggest support, when Rosie was here she wasn't letting her mother do any work, looking after her medicines, massaging her knees with warm oil, giving her meal according to her health and what not? Rosie was doing everything but now, within a few days her daughter-in-law made her realised that no one can replace a daughter. And here Athar who was the strength of this lady, also leaving.

"Galti ho gyi Ammi, I'm sorry, lekin ab aap mere sath chaliye, yaha koi aapka dhyan nhi rakhega, mere ghar ki rani aap hi hongi, Madiha nhi..." he did not lied. His mother will be the queen of his home however he knew that Madiha was the empress of his heart but his words 'Mera ghar' (my home) hurt his mother.

(Yeah, you're right, Ammi. I should tell you. Im sorry. But Ammi, no one will take care of you here, now you will come with me, only you will be the queen of my home, not Madiha...)

"Wo tumhara ghar hoga. Tumhari biwi ka ghar. Ye mera ghar hai. Mana Arif tum jitna farmabardar beta nhi hai lekin do roti to de hi dega mujhe. Jao beta, packing karo. Tumhari meherbani hai ki 3-4 din pehle bata diya warna Shift hone k baad bhi bta sakte the, jese padosiyo ko bataya jata hai."

(That will be your home, your wife's home but this is my home. I know Arif is not a good son like you but he will provide me with a meal twice a day. You go and start packing. Im grateful that you have informed me 3-4 days prior, otherwise you could announced after moving in to your new home. Just like one breaks the news to neighbours.)

"Ammi main aapko naraz kar ke is ghar se nhi jana chahta."

(Ammi I don't wanna go away after upsetting you.)

"Main naraz nhi hu, khush hu ki mere bete ne ghar le liya. Main to raato ko jaag ke duaye mangti hu tum teeno ke sukun ke liye. Main bohot khush hu... Jao apne ghar me khush rho."

(I am not angry, I am happy that my son bought his own house. I have been praying for all of my children for their happiness and piece. I am very happy... Go and be happy in your home.)

Caressing Athar's head she looked away and started reciting something on the tasbih she was already holding in her hand. A fresh pair of tears rolled down from her eyes that she wiped away and closed her eyes focusing on the words she was chanting in her heart. It was obvious for a mother to be hurt that her children were now overgrown to make their own decisions without her involvement. She would be happy for Athar if he told her about buying the home and if he would take her to the under-construction site and ask her 'Ammi I like this place what do you think?', she might not be that hurt if her son did not break the news just two days ago from shifting.

It was Athar's fault, he should not forget his mother while making a big decision in life. His mother wasn't from those venomous ladies who feel happy after creating differences between husband and wife, she always tried to strengthen the bond of love between her son and daughter-in-law regardless of their indifferent behaviour because she had survived in a loveless marriage where all her love was reserved for those children who were now treating her like their last priority. She wasn't jealous, she was happy but at the same time, she was alone too... There was no loving husband with her who could share her loneliness. There were no good memories of youth with those she could pass her time... There was only loneliness and a feeling of being isolated.

Athar did not walk to his room, he placed his head on his mother's lap and laid down on the sofa only. "Agar aap naraz hain to main kahi nhi jaa rha. Yahi le aunga Madiha ko. Jo hoga dekha jayega." he muttered and closed his eyes after that no one of the mother and son said anything.

(I'm not going anywhere if you're not happy. I'll bring Madiha back here only. We'll see whatever happens.)

A pair of eyes turned red out of anger and she walked back to her bedroom with loud footsteps. "Ab ise kya hua?" Asked Athar but his mother shrugged

(what's wrong with her?)

"Tum shift ho jao, ab ek ghar me tum dono bhaiyo ka rehna mushkil hai..."

(you better shift from here. Now it's difficult for you both brothers to live under the same roof.)

"Achha khasa jaa rhe the wo dono, lekin tumhari maa ne sara kaam kharab kar diya." said Farha with anger and Arif looked up. "What? What are you talking about?"

(Both of them were going well, but your mother spoiled the whole work.)

"Ab wo aurat dobara aa jayegi." she muttered.

(now that woman will come back again.)

"Tu preshan na hua kar, abhi bas Ammi ka dhyan rakh baqi sab main sambhal lunga."

(Don't worry, just take care of Ammi, I will take care of the rest.)

"Mujhse ummeed na rakhna ki tumhari Ammi ka dhyan rakhungi. Is halat mein mujhse khud ka dhyan nhi rakha jaa rha." supporting her large belly she sat down on the bed and Arif rolled his eyes. "Tujhe har cheez detail me batani padti hai. Ammi ka dhyan rakhne ka matlab sirf itna hai ki unse pyaar se baat kr, wo akeli bethi ho to unke sath baith ja... Unke dil mein jagah bana le."

(Don't expect me to take care of your mother. I can't take care of myself in this situation.)

(Every thing has been explained to you in detail. Taking care of your ammi only means that you talk to her lovingly, sit with her if she is alone... make a place in her heart.)

"Tum hi kar lo ye sare kaam, mere paas time nhi hai" picking up her mobile she resumed the movie she was watching before going to the kitchen and Arif walked out of the room where his mother was sitting alone. Athar was entering into his bedroom.

(You do all this work, I don't have time.)

"Mene sab sun liya... Jane dijiye inhe, inki biwi ko yaha rehna hi nhi hai aur ye thehre joru ke gulam."

(I have heard everything... let him go, his wife does not want to live here and he is already his wife's slave.)

"Mene kab rooka? Tumhe bhi jaana hai to chale jao main akele reh lungi." his mother replied in an undertone and closer her eyes again before starting reciting what she always recite since ever. Hasbunallahu Wa Ni'mal Wakeel that means Allah is enough for me and he is the best disposer of my affairs.

(When did I stop him? If you also want to go, then go, I will stay alone.)

"kesi bate kar rhi hain Ammi, aapko akela chhodke main kahi jaa sakta hu? Yaad nhi hai main in dono se lad ke aapki good me soya karta tha, main to hamesha aapke sath hi rahunga." placing his head on his mother's shoulder he muttered and her hand lightly stroked his face.

(What are you saying Ammi? I can't go anywhere leaving you alone. Don't you remember I used to argue with these two to lay my head on your lap? I'll always stay with you.)

"chai banwau aapke liye?" Arif asked, his mother continued to pat his cheek gently.

(Should I make tea for you?)

"Nah..." she replied then looked at her son whose head was still resting on her shoulder. "Fiza kaha hai?" she asked about her granddaughter.

(where is fiza?)

"Soo rhi hai."

(She is sleeping)

"Tum bhi so jao. Aur haa... bhai ghar se jaa rha hai... Behtar hai narazgi khatam kar ke jaye taaki khushi gum ke mooqe par tum dono ke darwaze ek dusre ke liye khule rahe. Lad ke alag hone se behtar hai khushi khushi raste juda kar lo." The wise lady announced her last decision and Arif thought for a long minute then nodded.

(You too go take rest. And yea... Your brother is leaving this house... it is better to end the resentment so that on the occasion of happiness and sorrow the doors of both of you remain open for each other. It is better to part ways happily without any disputes.)

"Jesi aap ki marzi ammi." Arif replied and walked back to his room. Though his mother knew it wasn't usual for Arif to speak such sweet words but she wasn't so clever to understand the meaning behind all that.

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After A Few Days.

Madiha and Athar were waiting for his ammi and Rosie but they both didn't come. Today finally they set up their new home so they arranged a small lunch but now Madiha was silently setting everything in the fridge. Rosie said that she wanted to come but she had some guests at home and her inlaws didn't let her leave the home, on the other hand, Arif didn't let his mother go and Athar didn't bother to ask why she wasn't coming. He just felt hurt because his family members weren't happy with his happiness.

"Ammi agar naraz hain to aap jaa kar unhe mana lijiye aur le aaiye unhe." seeing his silence Madiha understood the reason behind his sadness.

(If Ammi is angry then go and calm her anger and bring her along.)

"Madiha, I have been working hard to give happiness to my family... I never thought about saving a single penny for my future, I spent on them to bring happiness to their present... How can everyone leave me alone?" for the first time Athar felt that he shouldn't serve his life for his siblings but think about himself. Madiha sat down beside him. Placing her hand on his arm she gave a loving look to her man.

"Don't regret being selfless, Allah rewards those who give comfort to their loved ones," she muttered but Athar was sad.

"Madiha, I've been giving my everything without expecting anything in return other than love..." he spoke his heart out and Madiha nodded.

"I know Athar, I know. I also regretted giving my fullest to those who are now doing my character assassination but I don't regret it anymore because I got you as my reward." cupping his face she assured him that he would also be rewarded but this man was hurt. He was sure that Rosie was presenting an excuse and his mother was not happy.

"Maine bachpan se aaj tak apni khushiyon ko maar kar apne ghar walo ke bare mein socha hai, phir meri khushiyon ke waqt par aesa kyu?" he was deeply hurt. Resting his head on Madiha's shoulder he cried.

(From childhood till today, I have thought about my family members by killing my happiness, then why this is happening at the time of my happiness?)

Who says men don't cry? They cry! They let their emotions out they just need the right person's shoulder to cry on. Madiha's hand was holding his head, her fingers caressing his hair lightly. She didn't know what to say, the man who listened to her every pain today shared his pains with her and she realised how deep he was. He was an ocean that was hiding everything inside himself but no one could ever measure his depth.

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