"Arey.. Shifa Suniye To zara.."

(Hey, Shifa listen) It brought a smile on her lips because of that cute way to call. Shifa wanted to say 'Sunaiye to zara' but stay unaffected and turned towards him with an normal facial expression

(Hey, say. I'm listening)

"Ji Deni"

"I am going towards your home, can you come along? I've to buy something from that market... Ammi ne order de diya ab kya karu samajh nahi aa rha" Daniyal said the last part with a hint of frustration.

(Ammi has ordered me and now I'm puzzled)

"Okay, but what you have to buy?" Shifa asked while signing the record register and scratching the back of his neck Daniyal smiled sheepishly. 

"My cousin sister is getting married soon, and you know na... Gifts for her and all the others." Daniyal let out a defeated sigh, resulting, Shifa nod her head. "Ammi has no interest in shopping, she feels tired." He added. Shifa giggles at his frustration but tried to suppress her laugher

"And to save herself she has put this burden on your fragile shoulders. Am I right Deni?" Daniyal glared at the scoffing Shifa who was unaffected by his fake anger. For the very first time, She was teasing Daniyal and he was tasting his own medicine.

"Ha. Ha. Ha... Very. Funny" Shifa laughed more on his reaction. He was behaving an annoyed brat. Daniyal was glaring at Shifa but he witnessed purity of her soul reflecting on her face. Resulting, He smiled at his own mockery.

"Stop laughing and tell me, will you come along? I honestly don't know how to buy these things... Could you please help me out?" Shifa took a deep breath and think for a moment after stopping to laugh.

"Umm... Deni.. I can help you in choosing but I don't know what things you should gift to your relatives. Usually mummy take these decisions so I'm all zone out." Shifa replied nervously and he nodded with a big grin, like it wasn't a matter of concern.

"Wo sab to main Ammi se puch Lunga.. Aap bas selection me help kr dena, mujhe kya pta ladkiyon ke liye kya lena theek rahega." She nodded and they both hopped in the car.

(I'll ask Ammi about it, you just help me in selecting. I don't have idea about girl's shopping)

Daniyal called his mother and put the phone on the speaker mode so that Shifa could listen the convo.

"Ammi, now you tell me what you exactly want?" The call was received soon and Daniyal questioned his mother.

"Two or three suits for Zunera, and some for her sisters and parents." Daniyal rolled his eyes due to his mother's order and Shifa nodded nervously, like Mrs. Kazmi was ordering her. "Oh yeah... And matching jewellery for girls." Mrs. Kazmi added making Daniyal huffed.

"Ammi, Aese kaam kon deta hai apne bete ko?" Deni complained but Shifa smiled.

(who Gives such work to a son?)

"Isi liye to keh rahi hu aap se, Shadi kar lijiye, phir ye kaam main apni Bahu se karwaya karungi." Shifa smiled at the sweet voice of Mrs. Kazmi, and Daniyal rolled his eyes but he know how to deal with this matter.

(That's why I am saying to you to get married, then I will get this work done by my daughter-in-law.)

"Ammi, aapki wajah se hi to main Shadi nahi kar raha, Aap koi bhi kaam khud nhi karengi sara kaam us bechari par daal dengi, aur main Aesa zulm hote hue nahi dekh sakta" Shifa would bust out laughing if it wasn't Daniyal who gesture her to zipped up the mouth. She was laughing but suppressing her voice which turned her cheeks red and eyes waterie

(Ammi, just because of you I am not getting married, you will not do any work yourself but will burden that poor girl, and I can't tolerate this unjust in front of my eyes.)

"Kabhi kabhi to lagta hai aapke baba bilkul theek kehte hain. Hamara ek hi beta hai wo bhi nalayaq!" Daniyal look at Shifa who was making his fun but he didn't feel angry.

(Sometimes I feel you're Baba is correct. We've only one son, that too useless.)

"Ammi aaj ke liye meri itni tareefe qabil-e-qobool hain, Allah Hafiz. Aur Haan, apni dawai khaa lijiye. Main jaanta hu aap bhul gayi hongi" With this statement Daniyal cut the call

(Ammi enough of my praising for today. Good bye. And take your medicine, I know you've forgotten)

"Aap ko bohot Hasi aa rahi hai." Daniyal tried to come up like an angry man but Shifa knew the behind reality.

(Why are you enjoying it?)

"It's so good to see you being scolded. I don't know why I'm feeling so happy" Shifa laughed loudly making Daniyal smile.

"So what's new in this? Each mother scolds in the same way. Aap ki mummy aap ko nhi daanti?" Daniyal asked in duh tone but Shifa smirked while shaking her head.

(Doesn't your mummy scolds you?)

"Nope. She doesn't. Main nalayaq nahi hu na" She again laughed after teasing Deni and he smack his forehead while cursing himself to put the call on speaker mode.

(Because I'm not useless)

Meanwhile Shifa's mobile started ringing and Daniyal raised his brow. "Receive the call"

Shifa blinked twice. 'How does he know who's calling me?' Her mind asked

"Come on Shifa, no one else calls you. That's how I know it's your mom. Now receive the call, say Yeah mumma instead of hello and put it on speaker. Let me listen if you'll be scolded by her or not." Shifa was amazed. Daniyal answered her unasked question without even looking at her, his eyes were fixed on the road.

'How does he understand what I'm thinking?' With this question Shifa received the call. "Yeah mumma?" Daniyal grinned. Shifa was surprised as Daniyal noticed that she says yeah mumma. She put the call on the speaker mode just to prove that Maryam talk to her very sweetly.

"Shifa beta you haven't call me yet. I was waiting." Daniyal smiled at the sweet scolding.

"Mummy I forgot to tell you, today I'll come back soon." Shifa was talking to Maryam and Daniyal was smiling at that sweet convo of mother daughter duo. Till then he understood that Shifa is an apple of Maryam's eyes, and he respect that love of this duo.

Shifa was sitting without feeling worried. She was in the nearest market to her home and if anyone watched her with Daniyal that could creat a problem for her.

Actually problem is a small word.

But Daniyal's company forced her to stay happy. She disconnected the call and looked at him.

"Deni that's the best shop of this market." pointing out towards a shop Shifa told him and he nodded before parking the car. They both stepped in together.

"Now, over to you." Daniyal freed himself from that burden, Shifa was crying to conclude what abs how to choose clothes for someone unknown.

"Deni, could you please tell me about her and Her Height? Is she chubby or thin? I'll try to select dresses according to her physique." Said the confused Shifa while looking here and there. Daniyal think for minute then see Shifa from head to toe. His gaze wasn't even near lustfull but enough to make her face dull and heart nervous.

'Why he is seeing me like this?" She gulped nervously.

"Just like you... I think she is some one inch shorter or taller than you" Shifa took a breath after that reply and nodded, soon she started picking dresses.

On the other hand Daniyal was feeling bored, he was only watching Shifa who was standing besides him and pointing towards different dresses. Meanwhile, taking few steps away from Shifa, he decided to call his mother to know if she had taken medicine or not?

"Ji Daniyal?" Mrs. Kazmi just received the call. And....

"Deni mujhe ye achha lag raha hai, ek baar aap dekh lijiye." Shifa informed Daniyal while pointing out towards a suit without noticing him on call. Daniyal turned his head then nodded carelessly.

(Deni I'm liking this one, what do you think?)

"Good.." He mouthed showing his thumbs up

"Daniyal aap ke sath kon hai?" That was the question which came from other side of call and Daniyal smack his forehead.

(Daniyal, who is with you?)

"No one, Ammi" He lied.

"Oh, I thought that girl is with you"

"No Ammi, I'm in market, and that girl is also doing shopping, she isn't with me" Daniyal again lied like a pro.

"Oh okay" Mrs. Kazmi hummed

"Ammi, I'll call you later, but don't forget to have medicine." Mrs Kazmi hummed, Daniyal looked towards Shifa who was busy in selecting dresses.

"Bhaiya wo blue wala dikhaiye" Shifa point out suit while saying that to salesman

(brother, show me that blue one)

"Daniyal I forgot to tell you, don't buy blue or black." His mother said and Daniyal hummed "Okay Ammi. Allah Hafiz"

"Shifa not the blue one." Daniyal said while hanging up the call and Shifa nodded. They both spent some more time in shopping.

"I'm sorry, due to me you have to do this..." Daniyal apologies but Shifa smiled. "This is the favorite work of every girl. Even I'm enjoying."

"I'll clearly deny if Ammi will ask me to do shopping for girls" Daniyal tried to wash away his hesitation with those words but Shifa shook her head.

"Please don't, Deni. If she would have a daughter she wouldn't give this work to you. I'll help you again but..." Her answer brought a smile to Daniyal's lips.

"Shukriya"

(Thanks)

"Welcome, translate it in your alien version urdu by yourself." Shifa chirped making Daniyal chuckled.

"It's Zahe Naseeb."

"Whatever," She rolled her eyes with a giggle. And they approximately finished with shopping. "It's not mine.." Looking towards yellow georgette chikankari kurti, Daniyal said on billing counter.

"It's for me, I've said to make its separate bill" Shifa replied and Daniyal nodded.

"Sir ₹17,057 only" passing many bags to Daniyal a girl said and he nodded while drawing out his card from his wallet.

"Ma'am ₹699 for this" Shifa open her purse to draw out money.

"Take its payment too." Daniyal said while passing his card but Shifa shook her head immediately

"Deni it's mine, so I'm paying for this"

"It's a small thank you gift from my side."

"Deni.. You're making me feel guilty, I can't take it from you." it was against Shifa's rules, she doesn't like to take anything from anyone, even from her father.

"Sir, your card" Daniyal took his card back and gestured Shifa to lead towards exit of shop.

"Deni I'm not taking this"

"Fine.. I'll give this to my cousin." Saying that he pick Shifa's bag and gestured to come.

"Deni please... I don't like to take favour." Shifa said politely.

"It's not a favour, but a gift." He smiled.

"But Deni..."

"Shifa aapko pta hai, tohfa lena aur dena sunnat-e nabi-hai, Maine bhi to aap aapse tohfa le liya tha na..." Passing the bag to Shifa, Daniyal show his wrist. He was wearing same watch which Shifa had gift him. This time she smiled and took the bag.

(Do you know Shifa, Giving and taking gifts is a Sunnat-e-nabi. And I also took gift from you)

{Sunnat-e-nabi= Habitual practices of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)}

Daniyal had the charm to make his own ways. Being only offspring he was practicing it since childhood.

"Come fast, I'll drop you"

"No, Deni. I'll go alone. It's walking distance to my home." Shifa informed and both of them stepped toward exit of the shop, Daniyal was a few steps ahead and Shifa was following him with a smile but...

"Shifa, What are you here at this time?" Shifa's blood dried up for a while, she was afraid of same thing.

"Assalamualaikum uncle." He was Musa along with Rani who entered in the same shop at the same time. Daniyal stopped for a moment to see what happened but preferred to walk away, as if he didn't know Shifa.

"Ye kon tha?" Rani looked at Daniyal's back, he wasn't in the zone of her sight but her eagle like vision could see something fishy.

(Who was he?)

"Mu.. Mujhe kya pta kon tha?"

(How do I know who's he?)

"Rani, it's a shop, anyone could come here. He must be a customer just like us." Musa showed a bit frustration And Shifa nodded.

"Does your dear mother know you're roaming here instead of attending college?" Rani glared at Shifa and she sigh.

"I told her that I'll come back soon, and I didn't tell her about my shopping plan, please you also don't pass this news to her because I've bought this for mumma only. This is for her birthday." Shifa didn't lied. She had bought that chikankari kurti only for Maryam.

"Rani you're making mountains out of molehills." Musa scolded Rani which made Shifa satisfied. "Shifa Beta you go." She nodded on Musa's order and Rani glared her back.

"I'm telling you there is something fishy. That guy turned to saw him as if he know her."

"Rani stop criticising her. Still, I haven't forget what you've done with her in Faraz's case. I want to give her happiness in my home." With this angry statement Musa gestured Rani to focus on Shopping instead of Shifa.

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

"Assalamualaikum Ammi... Lijiye aap ka kaam kar diya mene. But Ammi this is last time when I have done shopping for girls" Daniyal said in a single breath while giving those bags to his mother.

(see, I've done your work)

"Walekum as salam, go and freshen up, Itne me dekhti hu ki kya laye hain Aap."

(In the meantime I'll check what you've bring.)

Daniyal picked his mother's mobile from coffee table and went to his room. The first work he did was calling Shifa.

"Hello" After some ten seconds she received the call and Daniyal's heart beat with a normal pake after listening her normal voice.

"Shifa, is everything fine?" This time Shifa's heart skipped a beat after listening Daniyal's voice.

"Shifa beta, who's call is this?" After seeing Shifa's dull face, Maryam asked while serving her lunch.

"Chill mumma... Everything is absolutely fine. It's a wrong number." Saying that Shifa remove the mobile from her ear and cut the call, but Daniyal smiled at her indirect reply. After freshen up he went to her mother's bedroom where she was seeing the clothes.

"Kese lage?" Daniyal asked after sitting beside Mrs. Kazmi

(Do you like them?)

"Choice to bohot achhi hai.." He smiled and thanked his mother

(Good choice)

"Aapki nahi un ki jinse ne ye select kre hain, kon hai wo? Naam kya hai? Kaha rehti hai? Kaha mile?" Mrs Khatija asked many questions in a single breath and he blinked blankly.

(Not yours but hers who have selected them, who is she? what is her name? Where does she live? where did you meet?)

"Ammi kya ho gya hai.. Seriously Ammi kabhi kabhi to aap had karti hain... " The shocked Daniyal said to his mother, just to gain a suspected gaze in reply.

(what? What's this Ammi? Seriously, sometimes you're so explicit to misunderstood)

"Hmm.. Ab main had kar rahi hu? Aur aap jhut bol rahe hain uska kya? Koi ladki to thi na aapke sath." Daniyal sighed and nodded.

(What? You're blaming me, and what about your lie? Aren't you with a girl?)

"Yes. I was with a girl, but you're misunderstanding us. You have send me to do shopping for girls so I took help from a colleague of mine. Just it! She have elected all these dresses on my behalf. Aap ko pasand aa gayi?" Daniyal took a deep breath after explaining himself.

(Do you like or not?)

"Pasand karne ke liye pehle milna padega, lekin aap ko pasand hai to mujhe bhi pasand hai." That was a mischievous reply of Mrs. Kazmi and Daniyal smack his forehead.

(I have to meet her to like or dislike. But if you like her then I will also like her)

"Ammi.. Aesa kuch bhi nahi hai."

(Ammi nothing like this)

"Naam kya hai unka?"

(what's her name?)

"Ammi.." Daniyal couldn't even glare at her, after all she is his mother.

"I'm just asking name"

"Khushi" He replied

"Liar..." Daniyal was shocked when his mother glare at him. "Shifa, Right?" He was shocked to see the hidden CID side in his mother, but just nodded. Mrs. Kazmi listened her name when Daniyal was disconnecting the call.

"Kab se chal raha hai ye sab?"

(For how long all this going on?)

"Ammi you're taking us wrong... Wo bohot achhi ladki hai" Daniyal tries to make his mother understand that Shifa is not from those who get involve in love affair, but mothers are mothers. They listen what they already want to listen.

(she is a nice girl)

"Ye to bohot achhi baat hai, wese naam aur awaz dono bohot pyari hai. Aur choice to bohot hi achhi hai, jab hi to mere bete ko choose kra hai."

(That's great, by the way, her name and the voice both are very cute. And the choice is also very good, that's why she has choosen my son)

"Ammi please Mere sath uska naam mat Jodiye... wo ek izzatdaar ladki hai." Daniyal said with defeated voice this time he was very serious.

(Ammi please don't associate her name with me... she is an exemplary girl)

"Beta izzatdaar ladki ko izzat se apnaakar apne ghar ki izzat banane me deer nahi lagani chahiye... Agar wo izzatdaar hai to uski izzat ka paas rakhiye."

(Beta do not waste time to make that honourable girl the honour of this home. If she's a reputed girl, you should think about her reputation)

"Ammi nothing like this... Even she's very younger than me maybe 6-7 years. Due to her truthfulness, I'm a bit friendly with her.. Otherwise you also know, I run away from girls." Daniyal clarify himself seriously.

"Bohot chhoti to nahi hai... Aur agar itna friendly relationship hai to use permanent kar do beta... We want you to settle down in your life."

(She's not too young. And if you're friendly with her then make this relationship permanent. We want you to settle down in your life.)

"Ammi.." He was shocked, words were no more to express his condition

"I don't want to listen anything.. Give me her address, I'll go to her home with your proposal"

"Ammi.. Please.. What will she think about me.." He almost yelled trying to handle everything..

"Achha hi sochegi, at least address to dijiye"

(Indeed something good. At least give me her address)

"okay.. De dunga" just to end the matter he said and stood up

(I'll

"Aur Daniyal agar unhe blue pasand hai to unhe Bata dijiye ki apni choiice badal de.. hamare ghar me bahu blue colour nahi pehenti, achha nhi mana jata."

(And Daniyal, if she likes blue, then tell her to change her choice. In our house, the daughter-in-law does not wear blue colour, it is considered unfortunate.)

"Ye kya ho gya Ammi ko?" He mumbled before going to the room. But Mrs Khatija was over the moon that her son finally going to take a step towards marriage.

(What's wrong with ammi?)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^