"Deni, Ammi kuch udaas lag rahi hai.. Don't you think so?" Shifa asked and Daniyal hummed without looking at her as he was busy in his laptop.

(Deni Ammi is looking upset)

"She must be missing her brother, kal Eid hai na.. har saal eid par Ammi udaas ho jaati hain" He said without looking up and Shifa furrows.

(Ammi gets upset on every eid)

"What? Ammi has a brother? I never knew.. You haven't even tell me about this." Drawing out her night suit from the cupboard Shifa asked and this time Daniyal looked up with furrowed brows.

"Long ago we broke every tie with him," This time Daniyal was looking angry but Shifa furrowed "Why Deni?" She asked

"There was a family dispute... And he announced to break all the ties with Ammi, so I and baba also said that we won't see his face ever..." He replied with full of anger and Shifa sighed

"Deni" he removed his spectacles and nodded "Hmm?"

"Har Ghar me ladai hoti hai... Lekin rishte khatam nahi kare jaa sakte... Wo aap ke Mamu hain.. Ammi ke bhai hain wo.. Ammi ko unki yaad aati hogi" Shifa said in hushed tone but Daniyal shook his head

(It's common to have family disputes, but breaking ties is not acceptable. He's your uncle... Ammi's brother... She must be missing him...)

"Shifa aap itna mat socho, Ab Ammi ko aadat ho gayi hai unke bina rehne ki"

(Shifa, don't overthink, now ammi is used to of living without him.)

"Mujhe bhi Hamdan bhai ke bina rehne ki aadat ho gayi hai, lekin kabhi kabhi unki itni yaad aati hai, bas dil chahta hai dobara Bachpan loot aaye aur hum kuch time aur sath spend kr sake.. Main apne step brother ko nhi bhula payi, Ammi apne sage bhai ko kese bhula sakti hain?"

(I'm also use to of living without Hamdan bhai but I miss him like anything, sometimes I just want to being back the past when we were kids and spent some more time with him. I'm unable to forget my step brother so how can ammi forget his real one?)

"Shifa aap kehna kya chahti ho?" He asked with disappointment

(What do you wanna say Shaifa?)

"Yahi ki aap Ammi aur Mamu ko milane ke bare me sochiye na.."

(I want you to resolve this issue and let Ammi meet her brother)

"Rishta unhone toda tha humne nahi.. " this time Daniyal was very angry.

(He had broken all the ties, not we)

"Mana Rishta unhone toda tha, lekin joodne ki koshish to aapne bhi nhi kri na.." Shifa shrugged, her tone was hushed but Dajiyal was furious. This is the second time when Shifa was witnessing an angry man in Daniyal, otherwise, he keeps calm, no matter what. But She wasn't feeling scared of him.

(I admit that they broke every tie with you but you also didn't try to save this relationship either.)

"Hamari bhi koi izzat hai... Hum unke aage kyu jhuke?" an arrogant statement of Daniyal and Shifa smiled while sitting in front of her husband.

(We also have self respect. We won't bow our head down in front of them.)

"Deni Rishte bachane ke liye to thoda jhukna hi padta hai... Usme izzat kam nhi hoti but Haan.. Ego se thoda compromise zarur karna padta hai.. Kya aap Ammi ki khushi ke liye apni ego se compromise nhi kar sakte?" Shifa asked and Daniyal looked at her with disappointment.

(Sometimes we need to bow down to save some relationships, it won't harm our self respect, but yes... have you sacrifice ego. Deni can't you do so for Ammi's happiness?)

"Shifa you sta—" This time Shifa didn't let him say anything and continued 

"Deni kya aap nhi kehte the ki har rishta important hota hai? Kya wo sari baate sirf kehne ke liye thi?" Shifa remind him the time when he was trying his best to resolve issues between her and Anwar.

(Deni, you told me numerous time that every relationship is important, it means all those were only hollow words?)

"Please Deni.." She demanded in a soft voice just like a little innocent child demands for a chocolate but this matter wasn't a piece of cake at all.

"Shifa don't be stubborn, Prepare your clothes for tomorrow." He literally scolded Shifa in little loud voice and anger in his eyes before again focusing on his laptop and Shifa was shocked, this is very first time when she kind of shouted at her but she didn't felt like crying. Daniyal glanced at her shocked face and regret to shout on her but then decided to give some time to Shifa to settle down in her emotional state before he apologise.

Shifa gave him a disappointed look and half heartedly left the room. Daniyal felt like he lost the peace of his heart after witnessing this disappointment in those brown orbs, he didn't know why he was feeling so uncomfortable but there was something for sure.

On the other hand...

"What are you doing Ammi? Give this to me" Shifa said while sitting beside her mother-in-law who cutting dry fruits.

"No beta, I'll do this" She replied with a smile, but clearly a fake one. "Ammi thoda araam kar lijiye, ye main kal lungi..." Shifa held her hand to grab the knife but Mrs Kazmi shook her head.

(Ammi, you take some rest, I'll do this work)

"Nhi beta, kuch kaam krungi to waqt bhi guzar jayega, khali bethungi to—’’ the strong lady left the sentence incomplete and Shifa went back to her bedroom, she sat down beside Daniyal. 

(No dear, it's better to so do work to pass the time... Otherwise—)

"Shifa." He utter her name with another level of softness in it and shut the laptop. She stay silent for a while but took the bravest move of her life. "Deni" She muttered and placed her hand on his hand. Daniyal felt the softness of her hand which had a beautiful fresh henna stain and he hummed looking directly in her eyes.

"I know our marriage is different, but.." casting her gaze down she stopped after that but Daniyal keep starting at her seriously.

"But what?" He whispered back

"Shadi ke baad ye hamari Pehli Eid hai Deni... Aap mujhe eidi me kya denge?" Slowly looking up she asked in hushed tone and Daniyal smiled on her innocent demand.

(This is our first eid after getting married, what will you give me?)

"Aap batao, aapko kya chahiye, main aap ko wahi de dunga." Shifting closer to her he asked in the same hushed tone. Her hand was still covering his hand and eyes were demanding for a positive response which he already gave.

(You tell me what do you want? I'll give you same)

"Ammi ki khushi.. Please mana mat kariyega Deni... Shadi ke baad Pehli baar aapse kuch maang rahi hu, I know I don't have wife like rights.. But thoda to haq mera ho sakta hai na?" She demanded and this time he forgot to take away his eyes from her face. His stubbornness gave up and an unknown feeling conquer his heart.

(Ammi's happiness... Please don't refuse Deni. After getting married I'm asking you for something for the first time. I know I don't have rights like a wife... But... I may have a few rights... Isn't it?)

"Thode nhi, saare haq hain aap ke paas." Mumbled Daniyal with another level of emotions in his eyes but his smile lost somewhere before he continued.

(Not a few, but you've all rights.)

"Lekin Shifa, Baba nhi manege," Daniyal shared with anticipation but Mrs Daniyal Kazmi was determined to do what she wanted.

(But Shifa, baba won't be agree!)

"Deni, baba ko main mana lungi, lekin aap Ammi ko kuch nhi batayenge." An over excited Shifa exclaimed while her eyed grow up with different shi ne.

(I'll agree baba, but you won't tel l anything to ammi)

"Ye kaam itna bho asan nhi hai Shifa, maan lo baba maan bhi gaye lekin Mamu ne hamari insult kr di to?"

(It's not that easy, suppose baba get agreed, but what if uncle insult us?)

''Deni, don't give up without, how can you assume things like this? And one more thing — mana baba ko manana mushkil hoga lekin Aaj tak konsa asaan kaam kra hai, jo ab mushkil se darungi?" She laughed while saying the last part and stood up before leaving the room. Daniyal looked at his hand which was covered with a cold hand but giving wary to his heart. He smiled looking his hand as if Shifa l eff something there... But that's true. She left a trace of her fondness in his heart and a smile to his lips.

(And I understand that it will be difficult to bring around baba, but what easy work have I done till date? I'm not afraid.)

"Baba.." She knock on the door of his study. "Come in beta"

"Assalamualaikum Baba.. Eid mubarak" Shifa said with full of respect and Mr Kazmi Smiled while pushing his hand in his pocket.

(Happy eid)

"Waalaikumas Salam, Aapko bhi Eid mubarak, Allah aap ko duniya ki sari khushiyan de..." After showering his selfless fatherly blessings Mr Kazmi pass few notes to her.

(Happy Eid to you too. May Almighty bless you with every possible happiness)

"Aap ki eidi," Shifa smiled but didn't held that money

(your eidi)

"Baba Mujhe eidi me ye nhi chahiye, kuch aur chahiye... Aap kehte hain na main aapki bahu nhi beti hi, to aapki ye beti Pehli baar aapse kuch maang rahi hai promise kariye aap mana nahi karenge." Shifa demanded like a real daughter which brought smile to Mr Kazmi's face.

(Baba I want something else in eidi... You always says na that I'm like your daughter so promise me you won't deny my demand.)

"Beta Sab kuch aapka aur Daniyal ka hi to hai, aap maangiye to," Shifa smiled and took a deep breath.

(Everything belongs to you and Daniyal, just ask)

"Ammi ko unke bhai se milwa dijiye.. Unki Eid kitne salo se udaas nikal rahi hai.. Please baba.. Please... Ladai khatam karne walo ko to Allah pasand karta hai na.. To hum us kaam me peeche kyu rahe jo Allah ko pasand hai?" Shifa said with lower voicee.

(Make ammi meet her brother. From many years she's upset on eid... Please baba. We all know Allah like those who resolve disputes then why aren't we doing this?)

"Main us chhokhat se keh kar nikla tha ki phir dobara waha qadam nahi rakhunga... Beta aap is masle main mat pado.. Kal ki tayyariyan karo"

(Years back, I announced that I won't go there ever. Beta you stay out of this matter and do preparations for tomorrow.)

"Baba, Ammi ke baare me to sochiye, aap ki ego hurt na ho isliye wo apni khushiyan sacrifice kar rahi hain.. Aap se shikayat bhi nhi karti.. Kya aap unki khushi ke liye past ko bhula nhi sakte?" Shifa asked in a respectful manner.

(Baba, think about Ammi... She has been sacrifice her happiness so that your ego won't be hurt. Can't you forget this dispute for her happiness?)

"Ye meri beizzati hogi..."

(It will be my insult)

"Ye aapki izzat hogi baba... You'll set an example in front of your youngers... Love is mightier than ego and hatred.. Please baba.. I'm demanding for first time" Shifa demanded and Mr. Kazmi keep thinking for long time, but then he think about his wife's sad face and smiled looking towards Shifa while placing his hand her head.

(It be a honor for you baba,)

"Mere nalayaq bete ko aap kese mil gayi?" Shifa giggled on that "Kismat se" she chirped and call Daniyal too to share her plan with Mr. Kazmi as well as Daniyal.

(How did my useless son get you?)

(Just a play of destiny!)

============

Daniyal was driving and Mr Kazmi was on front seat, where Shifa along with Mrs Kazmi was on back seat.

"Daniyal aap hame kaha le jaa rahe hain? Aapne to kaha tha Shifa ke ghar hamari dawat hai, lekin ye road to Shifa ke ghar ki taraf nhi jaata.." Mrs Kazmi asked her son when he turned the car to an unexpected place.

(Daniyal, where are you taking us? You told me that we're going to Shifa's home, but this road don't lead to that place.)

"Ammi, aapne mujhe bataya nahi main tayyar ho kar kesi lag rahi hu?" Shifa tried to divert the topic and successfully did so, Daniyal smiled while glancing at his wife through rare view mirror. He couldn't help but admire how beautifully she was handling everything, without a hope of return.

(Ammi how I'm looking? You didn't even tell me!)

"Shifa.."

"Ji Deni?" Excusing herself from the random discussion Shifa looked up, both ladies didn't realised when they covered half an hour distance.

“That black door," Daniyal pointed out with his finger, holding a big bowl of sweet in her hand Shifa nodded while stepping out from the car, no one else followed her and stay in the car but Mrs Kazmi got tears as memories gathered in her mind.

On the other hand, Shifa rang the door bell and a small girl open the door. "Hello sweetie, I wanna meet Mr Zubair, can you plz call him?" Shifa asked with a smile and the girl nodded before going inside. Her heart was beating faster than normal, there was a fear in her mind regarding Mr Zubair's reaction but after seeing an upset face of her mother-in-law she decided to overthrow all fears.

"Ji?" After 5 min an aged man came out and asked Shifa.

(Yeah?)

"Assalamualaikum uncle... Kese hain aap? Ye aapke liye.., kisi ne bohot pyaar se banaya hai!" Passing the bowl of sweet Shifa said in respectful manner, but Mr Zubair was confused.

(It's for you, someone has made this for you)

"Waalaikumas salam beta, main theek hu, lekin main aap ko pehchana nhi..." without taking the bowl he said with confusion in his eyes and Shifa smiled.

(I'm fine, but I don't recognise you.)

"My name is Shifa"

"Masha Allah bohot pyara naam hai, lekin main abhi bhi nhi pehchana,"

(Nice name, but I still don't recognise you)

"Shifa Daniyal Kazmi" Shifa introduced herself in a small smile and Mr Zubair was surprised after listening DANIYAL KAZMI.

"Ye Apni behen ne banaya hai..." She muttered lifting the bowl of sweet toward him.

(It's made by your sister.)

"Where is she?" Mr Zubair asked and Shifa smiled as she noticed a good amouamou brotherly love in those old eyes having wrinkles around them.

"In the car" She gestured towards the car parked few steps away from the door and at the same time Mrs Kazmi stepped out from the car.

Both brother sister got tears in their eyes and Mrs Kazmi looked towards her elder brother who open his arms to hug his sister and both of them cried with happy tears.

Mr Kazmi also came forward and Mr Zubair greet him with respect. Daniyal was silently watching everything from car. Shifa went towards car and "Deni.. Aap kyu nahi aa rahe?" She asked and Daniyal smiled while jumping out from the car.

(Deni why aren't you coming?)

"Shifa aapko pta hai.. Aap bohot ziddi ho" He said while opening dicky to draw out fruit basket and Shifa held the boxes of sweets Before Marching towards the door from which Mrs And Mr Kazmi were entering in home.

"Aap se kam.." She replied but Daniyal narrowed his eyes on her and shook his head

(less than you.)

"Aap mujhse zyada ziddi ho" He asserted

(Even more than me.)

"Iska matlab main jeet gyi!" she smile like a winner and Daniyal stepped in his uncle's home after many years. The scene was emotional for Shifa because she was missing her Hamdan bhai.

(It means I won)

"Thank you so much" Mrs Kazmi said to her husband with tearfilled eyes

"Begum ye thanks aap apni bahu se kahe.. Unhone kra hai ye sab kuch." Mr Kazmi replied and every gaze travellered to Shifa who was standing beside Daniyal holding few boxes of sweets in her hands. Mrs kazmi opened her arms and Shifa smiled, instead of placing the sweets on table she placed that on the top of fruit basket Daniyal was already holding, just to make him disbalance for a moment, but he smiled at Shifa's childish and innocent style, Mrs kazmi kissed her temple and held an intro but Daniyal was still holding on his same spot and looking towards his wite without blinking.

(Thank your daughter-in-law, it's all her plan)

'This girl is something different.. Sometimes she is as stubborn as a bull, sometimes a sweet as sugar and sometimes as stupid as an ass... But she has a crystal heart and beautiful mind. She is just amazing..'

"Kab tak yaha khade rahoge Daniyal?" an old hand grabbed his shoulder with that question and Daniyal smiled while putting the fruits and sweets on the table.

(For how long you'll stay here Daniyal?)

"Eid mubarak Mamu"

That Eid was really like a festival for everyone, after years the family was reunited with all the happiness around them. Everyone was feeding sweets to each other and narrating the old incidents on which the home was echoing with loud guffaws.

"Khatija itni pyaari bahu kese dhundh li aapne?" Mrs Zubair asked Mrs Kazmi about Shifa which brighten Daniyal's face unknowingly.  

(Khatija, how did you find such a sweet daughter-in-law?)

"Humne nahi dhundhi.. Ye kaam to Daniyal ne khud hi kar liya..." After listening Mrs Kazmi's reply, Shifa felt little bit nervous and shy but after seeing a big grin on Daniyal's face she felt satisfied too.

(Not I but Daniyal find her.)

"Aur Pehli baar inke kisi intekhaab se hum mutmaeen hain, warna aaj tak sare galat feesle liye hain inhone." Mrs Kazmi added and Daniyal blinked twice, while Shifa fake cried as she didn't get the meaning of some of the urdu words, she looked at Daniyal and he blinked like assuring her to tell the meanings later.

(And for the first time we're satisfied with his selection, otherwise, he has taken a l wrong decisions till now )

"Ammi ye aap meri tareef kar rahi hain ya beizzati?" Daniyal asked in disbelief. His mother was kind of making his fun

(Ammi are you praising me or insulting me?)

"Main to sach bool rahi hi aur Shifa ki tareef kar rahe hain ab aap is ko apni beizzati samajh rahe hain to Samajh lijiye" Mrs Kazmi dragged herself away from this debate very sweetly. Everyone burst into loud guffaw and Shifa giggled looking towards Daniyal who was laughing at his own insult. But it wasn't insult, just a reason to spread happiness.

(I'm just stating the fact and praising Shifa but if you're taking it as an insult... It's up to you)

<><><><><><><>

"Deni see. .." Shifa giggled like a small girl while counting her eidi, no matter how much one has been earning but there is a different charm in the money of eidi. "Mujhe kitni sari eidi mili!" She chirped happily when Daniyal came out from bathroom while wiping his hair with towel.

(I've get a lot of money in eidi)

"Lekin abhi to aur eidi bhi milni hai" He said while sitting in front of her and she nodded.

(Hmm, still you'll get more more)

"Yes, mummy, papa aur Razi mama and Lala too... And musa uncle too... They all will give eidi, Deni main to ameer ho jaungi..." Shifa was sounding like an over excited little girl who wait for eid to get this small amount of money to get big happiness. 

"Aur kon kon dega?" He asked with a smile.

(Who else will give you eidi?)

"Umm.. Oh yeah.. Hamdan bhai.. Main unhe kese bhul gyi?" Shifa added happily.

(How can I forget him?)  

"Aur?" This time Shifa smiled on Daniyal's question,

(And?)

" Umm... Aur... Aur kon reh gya?" She think for two moments but then rolled her eyes. "Deni agar aap Billu ke baare mein sooch rahe hain to main pehle hi bata du, aesi baate sochiyega bhi nhi, Bilal to mujhse eidi mangta hai... Lekin is baar main Billu se bhu eidi lungi." she said with determination to make her husband smile.

(Umm... Who else is left?)

(Deni, if you're thinking about Bilal, let me tell you on advance , he doesn't give but take eidi from me... But this one I won't leave him, I'll ask him for eidi.)

"Aur mujh se?" Daniyal asked with small voice.

(And from me?)

"Ji?" Shifa's smile dropped on his question, Deepdown she wanted Deni to give him a small amount of money, either only a sum of hundred rupees, as eidi, but she also knew the boundaries of their relationship so just throw away that thought from her mind.

(What?)

"Aap mujhse eidi nhi mangogi?" Shifa wasn't expecting Daniyal to give her Eidi, nor she like in herself to make a demand in front of him. Daniyal drew out a box from the drawer of side table while asking that question and open the box.

(Won't you ask me for eidi?)

"Aap ki eidi" Passing the box towards her Daniyal whispered in almost no voice and Shifa looked towards the teardrop shaped gold earrings. She was overjoyed, or maybe there isn't any word that could define her happiness. She glanced at Debi who was sitting just few inches away from her then relished the beauty of that small jewellery piece.

"Acchhe lage?" He asked, she shook her head with a small smile but big emotions in her eyes. 

(Liked it?)

"Sirf Achhe nhi bohot bohot bohot achhe, thank you so much Deni," she whispered, Daniyal smiled back and lift his hand in air which land on Shifa's left cheek with a different softness in his touch, Shifa got goosebumps on her face and back. After marriage Daniyal was first time touching her intentionally, and that small touch was enough to make her heart skip a beat.

(Not only like but I just love it. Thank you so much Deni)

"Thank you for what you have done for Ammi" whispering that he keep watch my in her eyes. The grey orbs were doing something with the heart of this brown eyed girl but before that moment turn to little emotional and romantic one, Daniyal remove his hand from her cheek. Shifa took a very long moment to come out from that trance, she was still feeling the warmth of his hand against her pale skin.

"Good night" Whispering that Daniyal moved towards couch and Shifa looked towards the box of earrings in her hand.

"Deni.. Aaj aap ki bed par sone ki turn hai" Shifa said in small voice but Daniyal smiled with a nod.

(Deni, tonight it's your turn to sleep on the bed.)

"Aaj Eid hai na.. Eid bonus Samjh kar aaj aap bed par so jao," Saying that he pick his mobile to kill his time as usually and Shifa keep gazing at him with a smile. Looking toward the earrings she smiled shyly.

(Tonight you sleep on the bed as it's eid, take it like an eid bonus)

That was the first gift from her husband on the first Eid after their marriage with first love filled words and gentle touch.

All those small things were enough to combine together to write a perfect opening line of a new chapter of her after marriage life.

She lift her eyes towards Daniyal and he was already watching her. Holding a shy smile on her pink-coated lips, she close the box of earrings and lay down on the edge of the bed. Daniyal looked away with a smile and unknowingly break the deal or better to say took one more step towards breaking the deal.

The deal which they both made before marriage.

The deal, in which they both decided that they won't love each other.

===============