Mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the cell maybe it was the only simple statement of chemical biology after that everything was difficult. And here she was dealing with her chemistry... Not one present in the books but one present between her and that handsome guy. Books were placed open in front of her but her eyes couldn't see the words written on the pages or maybe her eyes could but the brain couldn't interpret the meanings because this little organ was controlling its subordinate Mr heart too, which was forgetting the ethics and code of conduct of its work, it was showing clumsy behaviour by sometimes missing a beat and sometimes running to fast.

"Shifa, beta come and have lunch." Maryam called her loudly she grimaced with disappointment but ignored. "Shifaaaa..." Again ignored.

"Shifa I'm calling you for last ten minutes." Maryam came to the doorway of her room and scolded her. Placing the arm on the top rail of the chair Shifa half turned towards her mother and gave her an oh really look . "No, you just called me twice, that too half a minute ago."

"Why aren't you coming if you have already heard my calls?"

"At least tell papa to give me my mobile, I wanna talk to Deni." She ignored the question of her mother and asked something important in reply. Maryam sighed and glanced at the wall clock with was reading sharp 1.

"Just five hours more, then you'll get your mobile, till then focus on books only." Shifa huffed and turned towards the study table again.

"Shifa come and have lunch." Maryam repeated her very first demand and "I don't want to eat, let me study so that these topics will be over and I will be able to go back to my home." She was frustrated. For the last four days Anwar was taking her mobile phone at the breakfast table and giving it back at 6 pm after coming back from the office. And Maryam was supporting her husband blindly without thinking about her daughter... But practically she was only thinking about her daughter and her upcoming exams.

"Shifa what's this childish behaviour?"

"You tell me mummy, what is this childish behaviour of you and your husband?" Coming back to the previous position she asked with frustration and Maryam furrowed.

"Why he become my husband whenever you are angry with him?"

"Because he's your husband." Shifa replied with frustration and Maryam sighed. "Have lunch then talk to Daniyal but not more than ten minutes. After that focus on books only. Okay?"

"Mummy, you and papa are behaving as if Deni is not my husband but boyfriend."

"That's the problem that he's your husband... If he were your boyfriend you must be careful around us white talking to him. But here, you're always like Deni, Deni, Deni... and we can't even tell you to stop reciting his name and focus on books. So he has purposely taken your mobile... In this way at least you will be focusing on studies." Maryam explained and Shifa huffed.

"I hate you both, you people are behaving like typical villains of a love story." Shifa muttered with disappointment and Maryam couldn't help but chuckled. She had been seeing Shifa craving to talk to her husband but here this couple was being separated by the cruel world just for a few days.

"Achha gussa na ho, khana kha lo... Main apna mobile de dungi, baat kar lena apne Deni se." Maryam chuckled while enjoying Shifa's cute anger and she huffed again.

(Okay, don't be angry. Have lunch then talk to your Deni. I'll give you my mobile phone)

"I don't need your mobile, let me study. There are only three topics left to cover then I'll go back to my home." Mumbling that with frustration Shifa turned towards the study table and turned the next page of the already open book. Maryam was smiling seeing Shifa in this way, whenever Shifa was mentioning my home for Qasr-e-Kazmi she was feeling so satisfied that the feeling couldn't be defined in words.

Maryam did not force her daughter for having lunch anymore and soon Shifa listened footsteps going back from her room, she shrugged every thought away and focuses on the books, soon half an hour passed and she heard a doorbell, though she thought to check who was there on the door but stopping herself to divert her mind she turn the pages while repeating a highlighted line.

"Ek hafta ho gya hai Abba ke ghar mein araam karte karte wapas chalne ka irada nhi hai kya?" A voice forced her to turn back and her eyes grew up happily. A handsome guy was standing in his room wearing black denim, white t-shirt and blackish gray denim blazer which was complimenting his gray orbs.

(You're taking rest at your father's home for the last seven days, don't you wanna come back?)

"Kazmi Sahab, aapki ittilaa ke liye arz hai ki aapke sasural walo ne aapki ek looti biwi ko kidnap kar liya hai aur firooti ke taur par unhe mere achhe marks chahiye." Shifa slightly glared at Maryam whose mouth hung open in disbelief.

(For your kind information Kazmi Sahab, your in-laws have kidnapped your one and only wife and they want my good marks in ransom.)

"Beta 6 mahine pehle tak tum ini kidnappers ke sath rehti thi."

(Dear, you had been living with these kidnappers only till 6 months back.)

"Wo meri majboori thi." Shifa made an innocent face but Maryam and Daniyal chuckled.

(It was my helplessness.)

"Dar'asal Mummy, masla kuch aesa peysh aaya ki mere ek dost ne achanak dawat di hai aur akele jana kuch munasib nhi hai, sab apne ahlo ayaal ke sath aaye huye honge, agar aapki ijazat mil jaye to aapki beti ko sath le jaun." Maryam sighed and looked at Shifa whose face suddenly glowed up like she got a chance to run away from the prison, for a moment Maryam thought to call Anwar and ask him but then she glanced at Daniyal and Shifa, then nodded with a smile.

(Actually mummy, the matter is something like... One of my friends threw a party and it's not okay for me to go alone as it's a family gathering... So, may I get permission to take your daughter along?)

"Meri beti ko le jaane ki ijazat to humne tumhe usi din dedi thi jab tum barat lekar aye the." Maryam kind of chuckled so as Shifa and Daniyal.

(I granted you permission to take my daughter on the same day when you came with baraat.)

{Baraat is a groom's wedding procession}

"Chalo ji Ahmaq Aurat, jaldi se tayyar ho jao, yahi se jana hai. Ghar jaake tayyar home ka waqt nhi hai."

(Come on idiot woman, get ready here only. we don't have time to go home and all.)

"Deniii... I don't have any clothes to attend a party. Even, I don't have any makeup products here. And look at my hair, mene to shampoo bhi nhi kara..." Shifa widen her eyes and Maryam also felt worries for a moment.

"Take make up products from my room, use dry Shampoo and wear something from your old clothes, or let me check my clothes, I guess I have a saree which will suit you." And Maryam walked out of the room, Shifa noticed Daniyal who was smiling like an Idiot.

"What? Why are you smiling?"

"We're not going to any party but picnic. Just wear any comfortable clothes, no one is going to see your clothes there." Daniyal whispered and Shifa's eyes widened with excitement.

"Deniiiiiiii, really? Are we really going for outing?" She asked and Daniyal nodded with a big smile and away from his expectations she hugged him tightly. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her waist while taking her in a tight hug. Kissing her head and closing his eyes he felt better after many days. On the other hand Shifa was so happy that her happiness didn't had boundaries. She wanted to jump like a kangaroo! That was the first time when she was going somewhere with her husband, not only with her husband but it was the first time in her life when she was going for a picnic. It's like a dream come true for her.

"Deni, you're the best." Breaking the hug she pressed her lips on his cheek and Daniyal's heart skipped a beat for the first time. He saw Shifa going to the other side of the small room but she didn't know what she had done to this young man. His surprised expressions changed into a happy one and soon he smiled with satisfaction while sitting on the edge of the bed with dangling legs. Placing his both elbows on his knees he hid his face in his palms and closed his eyes.

Was he really running away from all these happiness for the last 6 months?

Was he really missing to savor these beautiful feelings for last 6 months?

Was he really denying to collect these blessings which Allah has already chosen for him only?

Was he really a wise man?

"Shifa see this saree... I haven't wear it yet..." Maryam entered into the room with the saree and boxes of jewellery but Shifa was already ironing a pair clothes which she had in her cupboard. "Mumma I'm wearing this, otherwise... I also don't know how to wear saree and handling it will be a hassle.

"Really? Don't you like sarees?" Asked Daniyal and Shifa shrugged, "they look good but... I don't know will I be able to handle one or not?"

"I was thinking to tell you to wear a saree in Afifa's wedding." Told Daniyal and Shifa smiled wholeheartedly. Her husband wanted to see her in a perticular dress, what else she wanted? "I'll." She nodded and Maryam came closer to her.

"Then take this one, I haven't wear this and you'll look beautiful in it. Right Daniyal?" Maryam passed a white banarsi saree which had a delicate golden border with minimal stone work in the pallu. Shifa nodded her head but didn't grabbed the saree as she was ironing her scarf. "Keep it with you, I'll take it when needed."

"When Afifa is getting married?" Maryam asked and Shifa shrugged without losing her focus on the clothes. "I don't know, it has been a long time when we talk last time... After getting engaged that girl doesn't remember that she has a best friend too." Shifa kind of chuckled and Maryam nodded.

"Deni, can you wait for me outside? I need to get ready." Shifa demanded and Daniyal along with Maryam walked out of the room.

"Daniyal, wanna have something? Tea, coffee or juice?"

"Yeah mummy, water." He told and Maryam realised that in all hustle bustle of Shifa's clothes she didn't even offer water to Daniyal.

After having water the son-in-law and mother-in-law were seeing the saree which should look beautiful on Shifa when this girl came out of the room with long steps. "Mumma, tie my hair in French braid and give me eye liner and mascara and yeah... a good shade of lipstick too." And she didn't stop at her place for more than a second, Maryam blinked in disbelief then walked after Shifa who entered into her parents bedroom.

"Shifa... Will you go to a gathering in these clothes?" Maryam asked when she found her daughter dressed in a green coloured flared palazzo with a white top which has minimal red and green floral embroidery on the border of sleeves. A green scarf was wrapped around her neck as usual Shifa had bought those clothes almost one year ago just because she liked them in a single glance but never wore them.

"Umm... Mummy..." She stammered where applying kajal in her eyes and looked at her mother after turning properly towards her mother. "We're not going to any gathering... Deni is taking me out for a picnic." She smiled lightly.

"Mumma... Please don't tell papa... Please." Shifa requested "This is the first time when we're getting a chance to go somewhere together other than Radio Station otherwise... we haven't been on a long drive yet. Please mummy, please don't tell papa. I'll study after coming back, pakka. Promise." Shifa demanded like a kid and Maryam sighed but nodded with a big smile.

"Get ready soon." And Maryam started doing her hair, meanwhile Daniyal was just waiting for his wife who was taking more than enough to get ready. "Bohot deyr lagati ho Shifa." Daniyal rolled his eyes when Shifa came out from the room with Maryam.

(You take too much time to get ready.)

"Jaldi wapas aa Jana warna tumhare papa mujhe dantenge ki mene Shifa ko jaane kyu diya." Maryam demanded and Daniyal sighed but nodded. Shifa gave a quick hug to her mother while walking towards the door, she was holding a clutch in the left hand and the right hand was holding a carry bag which was carrying a shawl.

(Come back soon otherwise your papa will scold me to let Shifa go.)

"Log sach hi kehte hain aurtein tayyar hone mein bohot deyr lagayi hain." Daniyal teased Shifa who smirked and raised her brow when she was stepping out of the home.

(People say it correctly, ladies take a lot of time to get ready.)

"Log to ye bhi kehte hain ki mard bewafa hote hain. Sach hai kya?"

(People also say that men are disloyal.)

"Apni wafa ki haddo se hum khud bhi waqif nhi hain Naaz...

Jisne wafa ka haq na diya hum to usse bhi bewafa na huye." And Daniyal didn't know from where those words popped out from his mouth but it stopped Shifa for a moment, her smile lost and Daniyal also realised what blunder he had created without any intention. He just wanted to get some praise from his wife by replying in the form of a couplet but he realised later that his reply hurt his wife.

(We ourselves are unaware of the bones of our loyalty, Naaz.

We did not become disloyal to the one who did not give us the right to be loyal.)

"Tood deta hai dil ko naam jo kisi aur ka uske labo se nikle...

Har jatan ke baad bhi hum ek makan uske dil mein bana na sake." Shifa didn't know what she said. Was that accurate on the meter of shayari or not? Had she used correct poetic devices or not? But... She was absolutely correct on the scale of her emotions, and her husband understand what she was saying. She silently hopped in the car, secured herself with the seat belt leaving Daniyal in the state of guilt and sorrow. He also took the driving seat and tried to say something but couldn't. For the first time he was regretting to say something which indirectly mentioned Adeena.

(It hurts my heart when someone's name slip out of his tongue

After every effort I'm unable to make space in his heart.)

He started driving and noticed the silent Shifa, he did not mention that couplet intentionally nor he wanted to mention his ex love, but when it came to bewafai (disloyalty) he couldn't help but woven those words: a typical poetic action... No matter if you want to mention something or not but if you can imagine a situation you can pen it down in the form of a poem or couplet.

"Shifa."

"Hmm?" She didn't even glance at him and hummed without leaving to play with the keychain present in her purse.

"Chup kyu ho?"

(Why are you silent?)

"Kabhi kabhi kehne ke liye kuch baaqi hi nhi rehta..." She muttered with a hurtful smile and Daniyal sighed.

(Sometimes there is nothing left to say.)

"Lekin mujhe aapki baatein sunni hain." Daniyal grabbed her hand with his left hand while right one was still present on the steering wheel.

(But I wanna listen to you.)

"Kyu? Meri baato mein kabse interest aane laga aap ko?" Asked Shifa in ignoring way but Daniyal placed her hand on the gear and his hand covered hers. He wanted to say something but couldn't because he didn't know how to bring back the time to make up everything.

(Why? From when did you started taking interest in my talks?)

"Shifa." After a few minutes he utter her name and she looked at him but then looked away.

"I'm listening."

"Naraz ho gayi?" He asked and Shifa slightly shook her head but Daniyal pulled her hand and kissed the back of her palm.

(Are you offended?)

"Aapke liye shayari kya hai?" He asked and Shifa just glanced at him then looked away but decided to answer the question.

(What is poetry for you?)

"Kam lafzo mein dil ki baat kehne ka ek tareeqa." Her reply was short and crisp

(It's a way to pour one's heart out using minimum words.)

"Shayari kabhi kabhi sirf laffazi (lafzo ka kheel) bhi hoti hai." Daniyal gave an explanation to his wife but Shifa wasn't satisfied yet. He pushed the break on a long red signal and looked at his wife while pulling the handbreak. She was looking sad but he didn't want her to be sad.

(Poetry, sometimes is just a game of words.)

"Kisi ki aadat ho gyi hai is qadar ke uske bina raha nhi jaata,

Wo jo rooth jaye kabhi humse to pal bhar bhi saha nhi jata

Na jaane kya kya toofaan uthte hain dil mein uski aankhon mein dekh kar magar,

Kabhi wo aakho ki baat nhi samajhta, kabhi humse kaha nhi jata."

Daniyal instantly represented his feelings in the form of a poetry and Shifa was stunned for a moment but she immediately glared at him with disappointment.

"Ye bhi laffazi hai?" She asked in a cold tone while pulling her hand away from his grip.

(Is this also a game of words?)

"Nhi, kabhi kabhi shayari se dil ki baat bhi kahi jaati hai." Daniyal whispered with all his heart and soul which left Shifa shocked for a moment. Was he lying? But no! His eyes were full of truthfulness! Shifa kept watching him with a blank face but she was dealing with a flood of emotions coming to the river of her heart. There was something in his eyes which was enough to melt her heart. Maybe Love! She glared at him but her anger was no longer present. It was her nature, she forgets everything just in a blink of an eye. She wanted to smile but how could she show that precious thing so easily? On the other hand Daniyal knew the art of reading her mind.

(Nope, sometimes poetry is an expression of the heart too.)

"Ab zara muskura to do." He demanded in a whisper while resuming the drive. Shifa glared at her husband with fake anger but looked away while smiling which gave satisfaction to Daniyal's restless heart. 

(Now please smile.)

"Us tabassum ki nazakat pe hum kyu na qurban jaaien

Jis ko dekh ke sehra-e-qalb mein baharein aaien...

Zindagi se gumo ki dhoop chhate, abr-e-bahara chaaien

Jese tufaan mein phasi kashti ko sahil mayassar ho jaaien

Aesi tabassum ki nazakat pe hum kyu na qurban jaaien?"

(Tabassum- muskurahat/smile

Nazakat- Delicacy/Neatness

sehra-e-qalb: desert of the heart

abr-e-bahara: clouds that bring rain and lead to vegetation.

sahil: seashore

mayassar: available)

This time Shifa smiled while bowing her head a bit down, she couldn't imagine her husband confessing his feelings in an indirect way or was that way too direct? She glared at him with fake anger.

"Ye to laffazi hi hai!"

(It's just game of words)

"Heere ki qadar to johri hi jaanta hai, Qadar kro meri... Nashukri aurat." Daniyal rolled his eyes.

(Only a discerning eye can value finer things. Value me, you ungrateful woman!)

"Nashukre to aap bhi hain, aapko meri qadar hai?" She didn't let go of another chance to show her anger and disappointment but Daniyal smiled while parking the car in the parking area of the garden of five senses and jumped out of it. He opened the door of her side while offering his hand to his wife. She glared at him but held his hand.

(You too are an ungrateful man, do you value me?)

"Aapse kisne kaha main nashukra hu? Main to har namaz mein shukar ada karta hu ki mujhe aesi Ahmaq biwi mili." He muttered while walking with her and she looked away to show as if she was still offended but her heart was blooming more than the flowers of this very garden.

(Who told you that I'm ungrateful? I thank my lord in every namaz for giving me such a stupid wife.)

"Aapko Aaj achanak outing ka khayal kese aa gya?" Asked Shifa when they both were walking towards the beautiful green area of the park and Daniyal smiled happily while looking in the direction of his nose and waved his hand towards someone. She was confused for a moment, who was this lady whom Daniyal was waving hand?

(How did you suddenly get the idea of an outing today?)

"Hi Daniyal, how are you?" A sweet voice of asked and Shifa tried to recognise that face... She knew her or she has already talked to this lady... But when? And who's she?

"Hello Nataliya, I'm good where is that useless creature?" Daniyal laughed while asking the second part and for a moment Shifa felt like she was an unknown person in this conversation.

"Your wife na?" Pointing towards Shifa Nataliya asked and Daniyal shook his head.

"No my girlfriend... Ofcourse she is my wife, aur kiske saath aunga?"

(With whom else would I come either?)

"Hold an intro man..." Nataliya demanded and Daniyal furrowed. "Don't you both already know each other?" He asked and both the ladies shook their heads.

"So, meet my wife, Shifa aka RJ Khushi." Daniyal introduced his wife proudly and Nataliya smiled wholeheartedly and then he looked at Shifa... "Begum Sahiba, inse miliye, ye hain Nataliya... Meri college time ki bohot buri dost." Daniyal introduced Nataliya with a chuckle but Shifa shrugged as she didn't get the meaning.

(Dear wife, meet her... She is Nataliya. A worst college friend of mine.)

"Don't be surprised dear, according to him I snatched his best friend that's why I'm worst friend and I'm sorry for not attending your wedding but..." Nataliya left her sentence in between while meeting with Shifa in a friendly manner, but this introvert girl felt hesitant to meet new people moreover she was unable to understand the reason behind meeting Nataliya here.

"Have we met before?" Finally Shifa asked but before Nataliya could reply a voice stopped her heartbeat for a moment.

"Office aane ke liye teri biwi bimaar hai, picnic par aane ke liye theek... Ye to achhi bimari hai jo waqt dekh kar aati jaati hai" Shifa's heart skipped a beat while she gulped with fear.

(Your wife is sick to come to office, but she's fine to come to picnic... It's a good disease that comes and goes according to occasion.)

"Good afternoon sir." Shifa muttered looking towards David who was coming beside Nataliya holding the hand of his son.

"Bakwaas band kar," Daniyal scolded his best friend who glared at him in reply and muttered "Biwi ka chamcha."

(Romeo)

And Shifa remembered where did she met this lady... Once Nataliya came to the Office to celebrate Daniyal's birthday and they four went to a restaurant for lunch but Nataliya left very soon So Shifa didn't even remember her face properly... well... This girl usually doesn't remember faces.

"From when you're going to rejoin the work?" David asked in a scolding way which scared Shifa, the shine of her face was lost somewhere and Nataliya huffed so as Daniyal.

"She's not in the office right now." They both said in unison but Shifa gave a professional expression. "Sir, I'll rejoin from tomorrow only."

"Better for you, otherwise..." David scolded Shifa one more time and she just bowed her head while feeling awkward.

"Ooo... Bhabi hai teri, tameez se baat kar." Daniyal said in a friendly way but do friends take us seriously? Never!

(Oh hello, she's your sister-in-law, talk to her respectfully.)

"Shut up..." David ignored and they all walked further and kept walking until the little bot with them started feeling tired. Finding a place on the fresh grass they all sat down in a circle and Nataliya opened her jute bag to draw out some sandwiches.

"But outside food is prohibited here?" Daniyal asked when She passed them a sandwich and David raised his collar. "That's my charm... I've settings everywhere."

"You're like this since ever." Daniyal rolled his eyes and passed the sandwich to Shifa but she denied by shaking her head. She was looking down on the grass as if it was a treasure and she was willing to take it out. "Shifa." David's call scared Shifa and she suddenly looked up. "Ji sir?" She asked but found David giving her a sandwich.

"No, thanks." She muttered with a fake smile but David gave a cold expression. "Take it." Though Shifa wanted to refuse because she did not want to have sandwiches right now but she helplessly grabbed that and thanked David formally before again shifting her eyes to the grass. She didn't even take a single bite from the sandwich for the next half an hour.

"Shifa." David's call made Shifa jump at her place and she suddenly looked up. "Yeah sir?"

"It's for eating not for holding." David was not leaving a single chance to scold Shifa and she faked a smile while taking a small bite. 

"Deni." Shifa muttered and he shifted his attention from David's son to his wife. "Hmm?"

"Aap khaa lijiye, mera dil nhi chah rha ye khaane ka." Passing the sandwich she whispered in his ear and he grabbed it while touching Shifa's forehead with the back of his fingers.

(Can you please have it, I'm not feeling to have it.)

"Tabiyat theek hai? Itni dull kyu lag rhi ho?" He asked in the same whisper and Shifa glanced at David who was now talking to his wife.

(Are you okay? Why are you looking so dull?)

"Ye aap mujhe picnic par laye hain ya punishment par? Is se achha to papa ke saamne beth ke parhti rehti, aapne picnic ke naam par mujhe David sir ke saamne bitha diya." Daniyal laughed out loud after hearing his wife and the other couple looked at him with curiosity to know the joke on which he was laughing. After Anwar, Shifa was afraid of David most.

(Have you planned a picnic or a punishment? Studying in front of papa is equivalent to this picnic in which I'm sitting in front of David sir.)

"Aesa konsa joke hai, hume bhi suna de!" David asked but Shifa widen her eyes towards Daniyal, "nothing special." He dismissed the matter giving relief to shifa and stood up.

"Main bethe bethe bore ho gaya hu, zara ghoom kar aata hu." Daniyal took a step towards the direction of his nose while he lifted his hand towards Shifa who smiled wholeheartedly while standing up with a jolt, she grabbed his hand and they both walked away from David and his family.

(I'm bored sitting here, I'll be back after a while.)

"Wanna have something?" He asked and Shifa nodded her head, "I'm already starving." She muttered with a pout. "Me too." Daniyal muttered and they walked in the restaurant. He ordered whatever she wanted to try and for the first time Shifa felt what a date could be look like.

<><><><><>

A knock on the door and she open it with the thought that Shifa and Daniyal were back but her smile diminished. "Aap aaj jaldi aa gaye?"

(You come back soon today?)

"Hmm... I wasn't feeling well."

"What's wrong? Are you alright?" Maryam asked while slamming the door and followed his husband to the bedroom.

"Hmm... I'm fine. Where is Bilal? Summon him, tell him to check my BP." Anwar told while laying on the bed and spread his one arm on the left side while his other arm covered his eyes.

"Bilal isn't at home." Maryam told him and walked towards the cupboard. "Then call Shifa." Anwar muttered but Maryam ignored his instructions, she sat beside him and unfastened his cuff to roll the sleeve up.

She tied the arm cuff of the monitor just above his elbow and pressed the start button, in the next few moments Maryam's eyes widen up.

"Aap kis baat ki wajah se preshan hain? Mujhe kuch to bataiye... Aapka BP kabhi high nhi hota tha phir ab kyu?" Packing the BP machine she asked worriedly.

(Will you tell me what is bothering you? You never had hypertension so why now?)

"Chup ho jao Maryam mere sar mein bohot dard hai."

(Keep quiet Maryam, I've a headache.)

Maryam felt worried about her husband but she went to the kitchen to bring water and passed him the pill suggested by the Doctor.

"Aap mujhe kuch to bataiye, kya itne saalo mein aapko mujhpe itna bharosa bhi nhi hua?" Maryam asked one more time but Anwar turned his side.

(Tell me the reason behind your stress, don't you trust me?)

"Koi wajah nhi hai. Sone do mujhe."

(There isn't any reason, let me sleep.)

He closed his eyes but suddenly turned to see if Shifa was present there or not, because everyday she immediately come to Anwar with a glass of water as if he doesn't know that her main intention was her mobile not giving water to her father.

"Where is Shifa?" He asked and Maryam felt scared to share but didn't want to lie.

"Daniyal has taken her along to a gathering, he said it's a family function so his wife should be with him." Maryam told in a hushed tone but Anwar jerked his head.

"Wo dono tumhe pagal bana kar gaye hain ya tum mujhe pagal bana rahi ho?" Anwar's question was straight and Maryam didn't find guts in herself to hide anything anymore.

(Either they both have fooled you or you're making me fool.)

"Daniyal ne mujhe yahi kaha tha, lekin Shifa ne jaate huye bata diya tha ki wo dono kahi ghumne jaa rhe hain."

(Daniyal told me this only but Shifa told me before going that they were going for an outing.)

"Aur tumne Shifa ko jaane diya?"

(And you let Shifa go?)

"Kya galat ho gya isme? Apne shohor ke sath gyi hai wo..."

(What's wrong in this? She's gone with her husband.)

"Uske exams aane wale hain, wo parhegi kab?"

(Her exams are just around the corner, when will she study?)

"Aaj wo pehli baar Daniyal ke sath kahi ghumne gyi hai, uski khushi dekh kar mujhse mana nhi kra gya... Aap bhi use kuch nhi kahiyega please,"   Maryam demanded and Anwar kind of glared at her but closed his eyes to sleep, sitting beside him Maryam started massaging his head and soon he was consumed by slumber.

(Today she has gone for an outing with Daniyal for the first time, Seeing her happy, I could not help but agreed. Please, you also don't say anything to her either.)

<><><><><>

Away from the crowd and commotion they find a peaceful corner where no one was present. He set down under the shade of a big tree. Right now the floor of natural green and fresh grass was feeling much better than any other mattress, the refreshing fragrance was floating everywhere in the air giving peace of his heart and soul.

"Shifa, what are you doing there?" He asked when found his wife kneeling near a tree for last few minutes, she was doing something, but what? He didn't know.

"Come." She waved her hand and he nodded while placing his hands on the grass and stood up.

"Hmm?"

"See Deni, poor birds..." She muttered looking at floor and Daniyal noticed a nest lying on the floor. Three little birds were present in it, till few minutes ago they were lying down on the floor but this soft hearted lady placed them in the nest which was laying at a distance.

"I guess this nest fell down from the branch." Shifa muttered without looking away from the next and Daniyal looked up, the mother bird was still present on the branch and watching her next while chirping loudly.

"Hmm..." Daniyal hummed. "Why don't you put it back on the branch?" She looked at her husband with disappointment.

"I won't reach to the branch, I'm not that tall." She explained but Daniyal shook his head.

"Not that short either. Stand up, lift this nest and try." He demanded and Shifa's face displayed a confused expression but the very next moment she decided to prove her husband wrong by giving an attempt and her hand didn't reach to the lowest branch. 

"See, I told you na." She shrugged.

"Hold it carefully and maintain your balance." Daniyal said while removing his denim blazer and left it on the grass floor carelessly while folding the sleeves of his shirt. "what are you up to?" Shifa asked but instead of replying he bend down and the very next moment Shifa felt her feet detaching from the ground.

"Deniiiiiiiiii...." She yelled; shocked.

"Place it fast, you're not so light." Clenching his jaws he yelled and Shifa somehow managed to place the nest on its right place. "Done." She yelled and Daniyal kind of threw her off his arms.

"Yaar Shifa... how much you weigh? You don't look that fat but... Ya Allah..." Resting his back with the big truck of the trees she huffed tiredly and sat down with closed eyes but Shifa laughed out loud.

"Kisne kaha tha hero ban'ne ke liye." She was laughing wholeheartedly while seeing her husband's expressions. The poor man wasn't expecting his wife, who looks just fine, neither fat nor thin, would be of 65kg.  

(Who told you to be so heroic?)

"Sach mein...Biwi ya girlfriend ko uthana sirf filmo mein asaan hota hai, haqeeqat mein to ye utna hi mushkil hai jitna ek Aate ki boori ko uthana." Daniyal also laughed, he indirectly called Shifa aate ki bori (big flour bag) i.e. heavyweight! But Shifa was laughing at his condition. She laughed so much that soon her belly started hurting and she sat down beside him.

(honestly... it only looks easy to lift a wife or a girlfriend in movies, Actually it's as difficult as lifting a big flour bag.)

It wasn't so funny for Daniyal but seeing Shifa laughing he was also smiling. She teased her husband while resting her back with the trunk of the tree but Daniyal pulled her closer, now her back was resting on his chest. Wrapping her arms around her shoulder he closed his eyes and Shifa aslo did same.

"Deni..."

"Hmm?"

"It's so peaceful, I wanna live here forever." She muttered while taking a deep breath and Daniyal sighed while opening his eyes, looking everywhere he found no one. They were resting in a far away corner of this 20-acre garden and it was like a dream.

"Hmm... It's so peaceful and beautiful too." He hummed while again closing his eyes and Shifa slightly glide down in his arms, Daniyal was reclining lazily resting his back with the tree while his wife was laying in his lap seeing the beautiful sky and greenery all everywhere.

"Deni."

"Hmm?" He opened his eyes and Shifa gave him an unexpected but naturally innocent look.

"Agar duniya itni khubsurat hai to jannat kitni khubsurat hogi?" She muttered with curiosity, according to Shifa her Deni knows everything and Daniyal never proves her incorrect.

(If this world is so beautiful, what will be the state of paradise?)

"You always recite Surah Ar Rahman but do you know its meaning, Shifa shook her head slowly and Daniyal sighed. "Wa liman khaafa maqaama rabbihee jannataan."

"Zawaataaa afnaan."

"Feehimaa 'aynaani tajriyaan."

"Feehimaa min kulli faakihatin zawjaan"

"Wa min doonihimaa jannataan"

"Mudhaaammataan"

"It means... But for him who fears the standing before his Lord, there will be two Gardens (i.e. in Paradise)."

"With spreading branches.

In them (both) there will be two springs flowing.

In them (both) there will be every kind of fruit in pairs.

And besides these two, there are two other Gardens (i.e. in Paradise).

Dark green (in color)."

Daniyal stopped for a moment and sighed. "This is a little description of paradise...." Shifa smiled and couldn't resist her tongue to utter.

"Fabi ayyi aalaaa'i Rabbikumaa tukazzibaan."

(Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you deny?)

"Beshak." He smiled while caressing Shifa's head as he realised that a good righteous wife is also a blessing from the lord.

(Indeed.)

"Deni..."

"Ji?" she held his hand with a smile while sitting up again. "I couldn't be more lucky. I never thought that I can get a husband like you." And Daniyal pulled her in a hug while wrapping his arms around her shoulders.

"Aap jannat mein bhi aese hi mere sath honge na?"

(You'll be with me in the paradise too. Right?)

Shifa muttered and Daniyal rested his head backward while closing his eyes. "In sha Allah." His eyes were closed but lips were smiling. After a few minutes he open his eyes and smiled more when found his wife sleeping peacefully, her head was still resting on his chest and hands present in his lap. He covered her with his blazer and planted a kiss on the middle of her head.

"Abhi to hamare rishte ki bas shuruwat hi hui hai aur isne mere sath jannat tak ka safar tay kar liya?" He muttered while removing his lips from her head, Shifa opened her one eye and looked up at her husband.

(It's just starting of our relationship and you already covered the journey to paradise.)

"Aapko is baat se koi takleef hai?" She asked and Daniyal shook his head, but he was surprised that she wasn't sleeping.

(Do you have any problem?)

"Hamari itni majaal ki hume aapki kisi baat se takleef ho?"

(Can I dare to have any problem with your anything?)

"This is called playing with words, and in your language, Laffazi." Shifa rolled her eyes before closing them again but Daniyal smiled.

"Pta hai Shifa aaj mene kya dua Kari?" He asked and Shifa hummed in response, (what did you ask for?"

(Do you know Shifa what I asked today in duplication?)

"Maine manga ki Allah hamare ghar ko hamare liye jannat bana de, jisme kabhi koi dukh, takleef pareshani na aye..." Shifa smiled wholeheartedly while mumbling Aameen and held Daniyal's hand and hugged his arm.

(I asked Allah to make my home paradise for us, where no sorrow, no distress, no issues could ever enter.)

"Aur main hamesha dua karti hu ki Allah hamari duniyawi zindagi ko hi hamare liye jannat ka raasta bana de, wo bhi khushiyo aur asaani ke sath." And this time Daniyal smiled happily while saying, "Aameen, Ya Rabbul Aalameen."

(And I always ask Allah to turn our worldly life into the path to the paradise, without any difficulty, without any hardship.)

"Wapas chalein? Papa aane wale honge," Daniyal asked and Shifa slightly shook her head.

(Let's go back, papa must be coming be home.)

"I don't wanna go there Deni, I wanna go to my home. "

"But I have given my words to mummy..."

"I'll talk to her, but I wanna go back to my home... Us ghar mein ab mera dil nhi lagta"

(Now I don't feel good in that home)

"Okay." He nodded and Shifa again closed her eyes while resting her back with his chest properly and hugging his arm which was taking her in his embrace.

The both felt tranquil.

Their hearts beat in such a rhythm which was no less than the most melodious music of this world.

They felt complete in each other's arm as if there was no problem waiting for them.

<><><><>

A knock on the door grabbed everyone's attention. "Nauman, go and check who's on the door." His mother ordered but he grimaced with irritation.

"Mummy send Azaan Bhai... I'm not going." He muttered while focusing on the TV.

"Azaan Beta you go and check this boy is...." His mother said politely meanwhile they listened another knock on the door.

"Sadiya... What's wrong? Why no one is going to open the door?" Razi yelled from his bedroom and his wife see her hands which were busy with water and flour.

"Papa I'm going." Before Razi could scolded his sons Azaan rushed downstairs.

"Yes?" He opened the main door and found the postman.

"It's a letter for Shifa..." The middle aged man passed a white envelope to Azaan. "Thank you." He received the letter but smacked his forehead while shutting the door again. "Who's sending these letters here?" Azaan muttered while going upstairs.

<><><><>

"Adeena, are you sure?" Her sister asked

"Yeah Aapi, I'm sure. I don't want to do second marriage." She replied in a hushed tone, "I can't love anyone like I've loved Shahid." She added in the same dead voice while her hand was continuously caressing her son's head.

"You told me same when you were getting married to Shahid... But see you started loving him too... Try to move on. Try to give life a chance." Her sister tried to convince her but Adeena smiled sadly.

"I'm tired of giving chances to my life and destiny... When I loved him everything turned out wrong and destiny separated us on a bitter note, and when I loved Shahid he also went away from me leaving me devastated. I don't want to take risk one more time. Please Aapi, leave me as I'm. My son is enough for me..." Adeena hung up even before waiting for her sister's reply. She covering Zaryab with a sheet and kissed his cheek. Today he was again asking Adeena about his father but she was answerless one more time.

Removing the dupatta from her shoulders she placed it on the pillow before lying down and uncountable memories captured her mind but today she didn't want to remember them...

She didn't want to remember Shahid and his love...

She didn't want to remember Daniyal and his promises...

She didn't want to remember the past and pains given by it.

What she wanted was peace, happiness and feeling of love, unfortunately... All of them were missing.

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To be continued...

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