"Assalamualaikum"

"Waalaikumas Salam, aa gaye aap. Main aur aap ke baba kab se aapka wait kar rahe the" He was welcomed in home with that usual statement

(Me and your Dad was waiting for you)

"Khairiyat? Aaj mene kya kar diya jiske liye aap dono meri class lene ka plan kar rhe hain?" He asked with a mocking smile and moved toward his room while unfolding the sleeves which were rolled into three forth.

(Well... What have I done today for which both of you are planning to take my class?)

"Daniyal serious ho jaiye..." His mother said with a hint of disappointment and Daniyal smile while stopping himself to took another step ahead.

(Daniyal start saving seriously)

"Ammi Pahle Jab main serious rehta tha to aapko Shikayat this Main hansta Nahin hun aur ab, jab main hansta hun to aapko Shikayat hai ki Main serious Nahin rahata, pahle aap khud decide Kar Lijiye aakhir aap chahti kya hain?" With a well pretend whole hearted smile on his face Daniyal asked his mother, and stepped ahead towards his room.

(Ammi, When I was serious in past, then you'd complaint that I don't laugh, and now everyone laughs, you've complaint that I'm not serious. What exactly do you want?)

"Main aap ko khush dekhna chahti hu Daniyal..." That was the statement of a helpless mother who wasn't able to help his son's situation but Daniyal turned towards her with the same smile.

(I wanna see you happy Daniyal)

"To apne hath ki achhi si chai pila dijiye..." With that demand Daniyal entered in his room and locked the door from inside.

(So make a cup of tea for me)

Resting his back with door he close his eyes and let a defeated sigh out.

"I can't show myself happy more than this" He muttered while opening his eyes to witness that completely dark room, but not darker than his present.

He remove the mask of his smile before removing his shirt and stepped in the bathroom.

Turning on the cold water of shower he made himself stand under that, letting the water wash away all the dirt and sweat of day but that water wasn't able to wash away the stains of past which were present on his heart since many years.

He still had every possible reason to miss her. Once She said they both will be together forever but yet she left him standing in the desert of loneliness. He still miss all those days when She wants to hold his hand and walk on a beach while enjoying the ice-cream but now when Daniyal see himself walking down the deserted lane of his life with empty hands, he miss that every second when she promised to stay by his side irrespective of the situations, but those promises were turned out as only words without any actual meaning. He was struggling for himself to stay alive, he still wants her holding other hand of the rope but she thrown it away to burn him in everlasting memories of hers.

"All I'm is now in bits and pieces, I still love you Adeena... And I'll always keep doing" He mumbled after closing his eyes and run his fingers through his hair.

"Daniyal... Aapke baba chai par aap ka intezaar kar rahe hain, jaldi aaiye" A knock on the door of the room with that loud call pulled him back to the world of reality from the past and he felt witness in his eyes not because of the water running over him but due to the overflow of emotions in his heart.

(Daniyal your Dad is Waiting for you, come quickly)

But he was Daniyal Kazmi!

The strong man to handle everything very well, in 29 years of his existence on this earth he never come forward as a trouble maker for anyone, and he never carry Intentions to make his parents worry about him so better him wore the Mask of his happiness and signature smile before stepping out from the room to join his parents on tea.

"Aaj kaha the? Koi kaam kaaj karne ka socha hai ya bas aese hi waqt barbaad karte rehna hai?" As soon as he entered in living area he was encountered with that is scolding which lead him to let a cold sigh out.

(Where were you today? Will you think about doing something or just waste your time like that?)

" Baba aap kyu nhi samajhte, free Lancer hone me aur job less hone me bohot diffence hai, aap ka beta nalayaq nhi hai." Daniyal give one more attempt in trying to understand his father but since many years that poor guy was only attempting but not getting success.

(Dad why don't you understand that there is a big difference in being a freelancer and a jobless one. Your sin is not a useless one)

"Ye kesa kaam hai aapka? Hum ne to na is ke baare me kabhi suna na dekha... Na hi koi Free employee benefits milte hain, aur na hi retirement ke retirement ke baad ki koi security... Ky..." This time Daniyal didn't let his father complete his sentence

(What kind of work is this? We have never seen or heard of it... Neither it provides Free employee benefits nor a secure old age after retirement.. Wh...)

''Baba job se zyada pese hain isme aur business se kab responsibility... Aap tention na liya kren, I'm well settled" Saying that

(Dad through free lancing my income is higher than what I can get through a job and my responsibilities are lesser than a business. I'm well settled, don't worry)

"Aur aaj kaha the aap?" His mother asked when he took the very first sip of tea.

(And where were you today?)

"I told you na... That job of RJ, after a long time I am feeling so satisfied by doing this work" Daniyal informed with enthusiastic voice but his father was still disappointed.

Daniyal was degree holder in business management, but he wasn't interested in bound himself in four walls of a office, either by doing a permanent job or by settling down a business. He was a bit different from others, his interests were never fixed just like the direction of negligent wind which can't flow in one direction. His incautious nature was a matter of concern for his parents but had his own rules to live his life.

His parent's concern also wasn't incorrect because they wanted to see their only heir to settle down in his life, but Daniyal's only motive of life was left far away from him years ago, he was only completing the days of his life without any reason.

"Daniyal"

"Ji Ammi"

(Yeah Ammi)

"Ab mujhse ghar ki zimmedari nahi uthai jaa rahi" His mother said in tired voice and Daniyal furrowed, because there were already two maids in home and his mother usually doesn't do many work.

(I am no longer able to take charge of this home)

"Ammi hire another maid if you're feeling tired of all these works" Daniyal replied and His mother sighed.

"Daniyal main ghar ke kaam ki nahi ghar ki zimmedari ki baat kar rahi hu... Mulazim ghar ki zimmedari nhi uthate, ab aap shadi kriye aur Mujhe is zimmedari se riha kariye. Is ghar ki saari zimmedariya aap ki biwi ko de kar ab main sukun se rehna chahti hu" Daniyal chuckled after listening his mother. He knew very well how to deal with his parents in this matter.

(Daniyal I'm not talking about domestic chores, but responsibilities of home. Servants don't take charge of home... Now you should get married so that I give all the responsibilities to your wife and live a carefree life)

"Waah Ammi.. kaamchori ka bohot achha bahana banaya hai aapne... Lekin yeh aapka ghar hai aap hi Sambhalen..." Saying that Daniyal took a big sip of tea before marching to his room and his parents exchanged their looks.

(Wow mom.. This is an excellent excuse to be a work-shy... but this is your house, you should take care of it...)

" Kazmi sahab, aap ke bete ne mujhe to pareshan kar diya... Ye aap se bhi zyada ziddi hai" Mrs. Kazmi looked at her husband with disaffection.

(Mr. Kazmi your son has perturbed me, he is two steps ahead from you in stubbornness)

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

Shifa reach her home late because she was stuck in traffic which was enough to give her severe headache moreover she was tensed after meeting her new colleague as well as senior who was no one else but Daniyal.

Being an introvert she prefer to stay away from people especially with boys, but many times destiny play games with her, which hate it since childhood.

That day was nothing but a headache in itself for Shifa, firstly it was her exam which was very difficult, after that she was being encounter with Bani Kabir Khan, who was offering her to become his girlfriend since two years after a small argument with Kabir, poor Shifa debated with Her stubborn Friend Afifa and then entry of Daniyal iner office...

But the list didn't stop here because that night Rani was coming for dinner along with Musa and their only son Shariq.

"Shifa aapi Rani phuppo and Musa uncle are here." Bilal entered in the room with that unpleasant news and Shifa made felt the need to hit her head on the wall just to drew out her frustration.

"Wo Bandar bhi aaya hoga" She asked with frustration and Bilal nodded with a smile.

(That monkey must be here)

"Aapi kya problem hai aap ko? Shariq bhai itne achhe to hain.."

(Aapi what's wrong with you? Shariq bhai is so good)

"To tumhari shadi kra deti hu tumhare shariq bhai se... Accha idea hai Na?" With a fake stretched smile Shifa said to her younger brother who hasped dramatically.

(Then I should get you married with your Shariq bhai... Isn't it a good idea?)

"Ab itne bhi achhe nhi hai" He mumbled before going out from the room and Shifa huffed looking herself in mirror.

(He's not that good though)

"Allah kre mujhse shadi karne se pehle Ye Pagal Shariq kisi aur ladki se chakkar chala le, aur Rani Phuppo ko khatarnaak si bahu gift kar de jo unke sare nakhre theek kar de" Cursing them in her heart Shifa stepped out from her room and entered in kitchen.

(May Allah make this crazy Shariq fall for another girl before he marries me, may Rani Phuppo get a cunning daughter-in-law who mend her mind)

No one could even imagine about the Shifa's match with Rani's son Shariqwho was always a leg puller for Shifa since childhood, but Musa's fatherly love towards Shifa made that happen!

Musa always had desire to get a well mannered, sweet, obedient and pious daughter-in-law who could change his  son's life in better way with her positive attitude, and he found Shifa as the best example in front of his eyes. So without wasting much time he shared his wish with Anwar who also like that idea. Maryam wasn't agree with that proposal but she couldn't deny For that proposal without any strong reason.

And she wasn't getting any reason because Shariq was well settled in his business along with a good personality and clean, spotless character.

"Mummy do you need any help?" Shifa asked and Maryam nodded, she needed help in arranging dinner wear on dining table.

"Shifa beta" That was a loud call from the room where Musa, Anwar and Rani were sitting together.

"Go Shifa." Maryam instructed and Shifa nodded before going to that room.

"Ji uncle?"

"Kaha ho beta?" Musa asked in friendly way.

(Where are you dear?)

"Right in front of you uncle" Shifa replied with a smile and Musa also smiled, he always like Shifa's wholehearted nature.

"Give me a glass of water and tell me how your studies are going?" That was a rightful question and Shifa pour the cold water in a glass.

"My studies are going on well, but difficult too... Even tomorrow is also my exam." Shifa replied while passing the glass of water to him and he smiled at her innocent yet wise way of talking.

"This is your last semester of Masters... Right?" Musa asked and Shifa shook her head.

"No uncle, this is second semester. Two semesters are still left after this" Shifa informed and Musa hummed.

"Bhai sahab, it means you've only one year... After her masters degree I'll not wait for long time" Musa told Anwar in friendly manner but Shifa's heart forget to beat for a moment. Her face became pale and mind started thinking every negative thing.

"Mumma.." Shifa mumbled looking towards her mother who was entering in the room

"Don't worry" Whispering in Shifa's ear Maryam passed by her giving a little amount of satisfaction to that already broken heart.

Rani and Shariq also weren't happy regarding Shifa's proposal but they both were helpless in front of Musa and his unchanging demand.

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

The curiosity of the drama queen was at boiling point, it was getting difficult for her to wait for her best friend, all the other students were busy in preparation of exam which was going to start in one hour or some more, but she was focusing on the entrance of college instead of the book laying in her lap begging for few seconds of attention.

"Shifaaaaaaaaaa...." She Yelled loudly when saw her best friend entering in college. Shrugging the bag on shoulder and picking up the book carelessly she ran toward Shifa and

"Shifa who was that guy with you in your show? I mean who is this RJ Deni?" Afifa asked with curiosity like her whole life was dependent on that question.

"Affo..." Shifa was shocked on that sudden question regarding Daniyal.

"Tell me na... Who is RJ Deni? Is he handsome? Awaaz se to lag raha tha handsome hai..." Shifa gave a weird look to Afifa after listening that question

(From the voice it seemed handsome...)

"Afifa, How can you judge with voice that he is handsome?" Shifa asked with a hint of disappointment but Afifa rolled her eyes.

"Bata na... Handsome hai?" Afifa asked and Shifa felt irritation with that question.

(Tell me na.. Is he handsome?)

"Unfortunately he's my senior, lekin woh ek nihayat hi badtameez aadmi hai, this piece of information should be enough for you." Shifa rolled her eyes while stepping ahead with Afifa

(But he is a very cheap man)

"OH no..." Afifa stopped and Shifa turned to saw her; confused.

"Shifa..." Afifa was sounding horrified die to something.

"What happened?" Shifa asked with confusion

"Did you said he was cheap?" Afifa asked just to confirm and Shifa nodded making Afifa smack her forehead

"Don't tell me dude you have had an argument with him... Tu jis bhi ladke ko cheap kehti hai na is se ladai zarur karti ho..." Afifa bite her nails with nervousness while asking that question and Shifa sighed.

(You always argue with those boys whom you feel cheap)

" Though I wanted to, but I had to stop myself as he is my senior." Saying that with anger on her nose Shifa stepped ahead.

"Is he single?"

"Are you mad? How do I know? Even I don't wanna know" Shifa glare Afifa and she sighed.

"Shifaaaaaa... at least tell me what is his real name? And does he look handsome?" Shifa ignored Afifa as well as her questions very effectively.

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

Hamari qismat main bas kar, wo kisi aur ko apne khwabon main basaye bethe hain...

Ye phool bhi Na jaane kitne kaaton ko apne aagoosh main samaye bethe hain...

_Naaz Jamal

(4.7.21)

Q

ismat =destiny

Bas kar =Residing

Basaye = Giving possession

Aagoosh = embrace

Samaye = holding

(Being a part of my destiny, he is giving possession to someone else in his dreams...

Only God knows, how many thorns these flowers are hiding in their embrace...)

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

_Naaz Jamal