"Life is short and difficult too, we can't make it perfect but at least we should try our best to stay strong in every way... Agree or not, let me know your opinion about this episode on our social media handle and for now... This is RJ Khushi and you were listening SHADES OF LIFE with me. Good bye for now" RJ KHUSHI end the program with her sweet words and a melodious song.

The radio was eventually turned off when the car was stopped. Holding a tired face he stepped out from his car and rang the doorbell.

"Papa I was waiting for you" Bilal the 23 years old little boy said with excitement after open the door.

"Why? Do you have a new demand? If yes then forget about it" Saying that Anwar made his way towards the bedroom and the stubborn Bilal moved after him.

"Papaaa.. Its not done" He sang in the same childish way.

"Ye ladka kabhi bada nahi hoga" Maryam lightly slap his head while giving water to her husband. Three of them were busy in their normal routine without knowing what was going on in other room.

(This boy will never grow up ever)

A mug of steaming Coffee was waiting to touch her delicate lips! Few pens, books, many papers and two notebooks were scattered on the study table but without bothering about those lifeless matters around her, she was busy in writing her heart out on the pages of her personal diary in the light of table lamp which was the only source of light in that completely dark room.

Next day was her exam. But instead of studying for exam she was pen portraying hers and Faraz's story on those blank pages.

"Shifa" That was Maryam's call which was enough to made her eyes wide and heart flutter with every footstep coming closer to her room.

"Ye.. Yeah mumma" Shifa stammers hiding the diary in between the books at the same time Maryam entered in the room.

"Why do you like dark room?" Mumbling that Maryam switch on the lights and Shifa lift the mug to sip coffee.

"Shifa beta come for dinner" Maryam said politely and Shifa nodded her head

"I'm not Coming mummy, I have to study" Saying that she started reading a topic for next day exam.

"Take a few days off from tution, until your exams are over." Maryam told after caressing Shifa's head and Shifa shook her head.

"I can't take off mumma.. Don't worry, I can manage my studies as well as tutions" Maryam kissed the middle of her daughter's head with a smile and Shifa also smiled.

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

"Kab tak apni na kaam Mohabbat ka matam karti rahogi Shifa? Faraz bhai has already moved on! Tum sirf kehti ho ki tum Faraz bhai ko bhul chuki ho magar asal me tum sirf apne aap ko khush dikhane ke liye ye jhuth bolti ho. Please move on yaar, You deserve happiness in your life and I'm sure you will find out a better one" Afifa; being a good friend and well wisher, advised Shifa, more like a scolding. As if Shifa will listen to her.

(For how long you'll cry for your unsuccessful love Shifa? Faraz has already moved on! You only say that you've forgotten about Faraz but in reality you're lying just to show yourself happy. Please move on yaar, You deserve happiness in your life and I'm sure you will find out a better one)

"Afifa It's easy to say but difficult to forget the one who is already inside the broken pieces of my heart" Shifa almost yelled in reply

"Shifa I'm surprised how Faraz bhai managed to attract you towards himself? Except him no one till now maganed to do this impossible task. Yaar I wanna eat delicious food of Your Marriage, I think I have to talk to uncle about this matter" Afifa released a cold defeated sigh and Shifa furrowed her brows, but for a moment she sigh after thinking about Faraz.

"Afifa, Faraz didn't try to attract me towards himself, he was showing him what he actually was, he wasn't doing anything to impress me and this quality of him impressed me. And please, shut up, I'm already tensed. Papa wants to marry me with that Bandar. Yaar I'll eat poison but won't accept him as my husband" Shifa replied holding many emotions iner voice.

"Yaar if you wanna get rid of that Bandar then try to find out someone else." Afifa suggested and Shifa again glare her.

"I don't want any boy to marry me just because I'm beautiful, No one wants to understand my qualities and feelings. Afifa I want a life partner who share his feelings with me and I could trust him. Do you think these cheap boys are near my standard? They roam around every next beautiful girl. I want someone who'll accept me as his wife not GIRLFRIEND.'' Shifa said everything in a single breath as she was feeling angry on a boy who represented a proposal to become his girlfriend which Shifa denied without wasting a single minute.

"Yaar Shifa, you're out of my mind! What's wrong in making girlfriend?" Afifa rolled her eyes because she was thinking like a modern girl for whom making girlfriend and boyfriend wasn't a matter of concern but Shifa's way of thinking was different from the rest if girls.

"Kisi ladki ko biwi Bana kar apnane ke liye himmat chahiye hoti hai, girlfriend to koi bhi Bana leta hai" Shifa replied wisely but Afifa rolled her eyes.

(Anyone can make a girlfriend, but It takes courage to accept a girl as his wife)

"At least tum to himmat ki baat mat kro, agar theek time pr himmat dikhayi hoti to aaj tum Mrs. Shifa Faraz hoti... If by any chance Aesa koi ladka mil bhi jaye to tum to refuse kr dogi, as same as you've done in Faraz bhai's case." Afifa jerk her head and Shifa smiled sadly but moved her head left and right.

(At least you don't talk about courage, if you had shown your courage at right time then you must be Mrs Shifa Faraz now. And if by any chance anyone will propose you, then you'll deny, as same as you have done with Faraz bhai)

"Nah.. Is baar nhi.. Ek baar ghar walo ki izzat ke liye apni khushi qurban kar di thi, is baar nahi.. Is baar agar koi mere liye stand lega to main uske sath khadi rahungi... Chahe kuch bhi ho jaye... Magar esa koi nahi Afifa.. Koi bhi nhi" After witnessing Shifa's sadness Afifa decided to drop that topic

(No, not this time! Once I'd killed my happiness for the respect of my family, not again! But there is no one who who'll support me)

"Okay... Leave it and tell me how was your exam?" She asked and Shifa just hummed in careless manner her exam was neither very good nor bad.. Just so so..

"And your job is going?" Afifa asked and Shifa watched her mobile to check time.

"I should go now otherwise I'll get late" Waving her hand she left college and Afifa again started reading the book.

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

Lost in her own world, she was debating with herself whether she was doing correct by lying in front of her family or not? But the topic was not easy to conclude! She never wanted to break her family's trust but at the same time she didn't want to become a burden on her step father and elder brother.

Due to Lying in front of her family she was feeling guilty in her own eyes but being financially capable to fulfil her needs and wishes was giving her satisfaction. Sitting on the stairs of her office since half an hour, She was trying to understand which feeling was dominant; Guilt or Satisfaction, without knowing that a pair of gray eyes, covered with square shapes spectacles, was watching her since ten minutes and smiling at her abstraction.

"Wo bade madhosh se, apne hi khayalao me gum, Is dunya ko bhulaye baithe hain...

Unhe dekh kar koi tehreer-e-kitab-e-ishq kar raha hai, unhe kuch khabar hi nahi"

(She is sitting lost in her thoughts,

Unaware of this world

And someone is writing the book of love while watching her..)

Shifa was startled by those words, she turned towards the owner of that manly but friendly voice. Holding a teasing smile on his handsome face, a tall figure was standing there. His smile had a different charm which could make any heart skipped a beat but Shifa's case was different! She slightly glare him just to address that she hadn't like that couple. "Ji aap kaun aur ye kya badtameezi hai?"

(Who are you? And what the hell is this?)

"Ohh aap ko bura laga? I'm sorry! me aise hi hans mukh mizaaj ka banda hoon.. By the way am Daniyal your colleague, just abhi join kiya hai." Daniyal conducted An informal introduction while holding his hand in front of Shifa, to shook. Instead of shaking hands Shifa stare at him with expressionless face, trying to show herself rude in front Of him. Daniyal found that behaviour weird but adjusting his specs he shrugged before stepping ahead. Looking towards his back Shifa huffed but at the same time smack her forehead with a fake cry face.

(Does that make you feel bad? Umm sorry! I'm such a laughing stock, but I'm Daniyal you colleague, I've joined just now)

"Main kahi bhi chali jau, ek na ek namuna waha zarur aa jata hai.. What did he said? Tehreer-e.. Ishq.. Kitaab.. Kya tha woh? Whatever... Badtameez insaan" Mumbling the same she stepped towards her room as only fifteen minutes were left.

(No matter where I go, one or the other weirdo will definitely come there. What did he said? Writing-A .. Love .. Book ..? Whatever... Such a unmannerly man!)

"Shifa" That was the call from her boss; David

"Yes sir?"

"So Daniyal meet her, she is Shifa" Shifa felt need to huff but stopped herself as that would be very unprofessional. Daniyal smiled looking at her with his charming smile.

"Hmm.. Miss Shifa.. Nice name" He said with a smile

"And Shifa he is Daniyal.." Shifa fake a smile when David; the boss, held a formal introduction "Your co-host" The addiction in the sentence gave her a big shock.

"What?" She exclaimed looking towards Her boss then Daniyal, who was smiling like a winner.

"Yeah .. You two will host this show together and Shifa he is your senior so you've to report him"

What else the poor girl could do except nodding her head, but she looked towards Daniyal then looked away with an annoying feeling.

"Meri kismat hi kharab hai, mujhe nhi karni ye job" She mumbled like a cry baby and stepped in the room followed by Daniyal.

(Ugh... My bad luck, I don't want to do this job)

"Sir aap ki script ready hai?" Shifa asked Daniyal while talking her usual seat and picking out her diary from her bag.

(Sir, is your script ready?)

"I don't use script, I just talk in flow. And please You don't have to call me sir, call me Daniyal" Daniyal said while picking a headset from table and sat down beside Shifa, she shift her chair to left side just to maintain a distance between them, which he felt very unprofessional but ignored.

"You're my senior so Sir sounds better" Shifa's reply was crisp without paying attention towards him and he felt her rude but shrugged.

"Shifa ready?" Shifa listen that voice and wear the headphones then nodded while showing a thump up to the lady sitting on the other side of glass wall.

"Daniyal.. Are you ready?"

"Always" With a big smile and handsome smile he replied with extra energy.

"With the countdown of three, 3.. 2...1.."

Shifa took a deep breath and "Hello everyone, This is RJ Khushi and I'm again welcoming you in my show SHADES OF LIFE, and today I have a good news for you.. Actually not one but two.. Firstly we're going to answer the questions of some of our regular listeners and secondly.. Today I have another friend for you who is RJ..." Before Shifa could complete her introductory session on radio programme, her smooth flow was interrupted

"Hey beautiful ladies and handsome men, this is RJ Deni your new friend and Co-host of RJ khushi for next one hour." Shifa was amazed how Daniyal interrupted her, she huffed in her thoughts but stay focused on her Diary in which a well planned script was written.

" So the first question is from our lovely listener Charu Priya from Rajasthan, and the question is.. What one should choose love or self respect? And we'll answer this question just after this song.." Saying that with full of joy Shifa played an epic old song of bollywood.

"Ready for the second round?" Shifa nodded her head looking towards the lady sitting on he other side of glass wall and within the countdown of five the song came to its end and...

"Hey guys... Its answer time.. And the answer is Self respect.. I can't understand the need of love when you left with no self respect!" Shifa gave a wise answer and Daniyal narrow his eyes.

"But I believe that when someone is loving you then your self respect is more important for him or her... If someone is not respecting you then it's not love but attraction.. Be aware of this relationship" Daniyal replied in professional way and Shifa looked at her well planned script, which was far away from Daniyal's reply.

"Coming forward to our next question, which is from Deekap Jhaa from Patna, Bihar..." Pulling Shifa's Diary towards himself Daniyal continues the process of his friendly conversation and Shifa's blood got a boil. But there wasn't any other way for her then tolerance.

After a leap of an hour Daniyal took a deep breath and "So for now... I RJ Deni and.." Shifting the Diary towards Shifa Daniyal gestured her to read few ending lines by placing his finger on that. For a second Shifa was confused how to come in that flow but she close the diary and decided to continue with the experience of seven months as a Radio Jockey she took a quick breath and... "Your host RJ khushi are leaving you with our great wishes and a melodious song in he voice of Kumar Sanu and alka Yagnik, and indeed it's a blessing for your ears..."

Shifa announced with full of energy and played a song before looking towards Daniyal.

"Great RJ Khushi.. I mean Shifa.. You're very talented, Kaafi taweel arse ke baad kisi ke sath kaam karne me maza aaya." Daniyal appreciate her but she sighed in order to ignore him and put her Diary back in her bag.

(After a long time I have enjoyed working with someone.)

"Shukriya" Shifa muttered before making herself stand and shrug her bag on left shoulder while watching the time in mobile.

(Thanks)

Daniyal also stepped out from the room where Shifa was standing near a counter to signing the attendance register.

"Yeah mumma, don't Worry..."

"Hmm.."

"No.. No.. I'll be home before that..." Shifa was talking to her mother when Daniyal also came there and passed a smile while opening his mouth to ask something to the attendant present on that perticular counter, but shifa's eyes became wide.

"Please Shhh..." Placing her first finger on her lips she hushed Daniyal because she couldn't afford to show her mother that she was not giving tutions to her friend's cousins but working with boys, but Daniyal was confused on her act.

"Okay mumma.. I'm just leaving from here... And Will be there in half an hour." Saying that she hurriedly cut the call and looked towards the register.

"Shifa there is a meeting tomorrow, and you have to attend that in every condition" The attendant on the counter informed and she made a tenced face.

"What will be the timing?"

"Same as your duty hours" Shifa felt relaxed and nodded on the reply while looking towards her bag to draw out the pen, just to sign the register but a hand already passed a blue pen to her. And she wrote her name 'SHIFA' with someone's lucky and personalised fountain pen with an impression of Daniyal Kazmi with silver colour on that black metallic body.

"Thanks " Without looking towards Daniyal she muttered and returned the pen and he nodded while "Your welc..." His tounge was still touching the upper teethline to complete the word 'welcome' but before the poor guy could complete the statement Shifa was already out from the glass door of office and Daniyal felt odd due to her behaviour but he glanced at the register and sign that then looked towards a name 'SHIFA' which was written just about his name.

That day, the ink of Daniyal's pen not only wrote Shifa's name on that blank paper but also on the barren land of someone's destiny.

And they both were unknown about that fact!!

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

Meri be-Kaif zindagi me aap ka aana kuch aisa ho gaya,

Maano, dil Shab-e-wasl hi gum-e-hijrat se saraboor ho gaya.

_Naaz Jamal