MAIZAH'S POV:

After all, I started working on forgetting the feeling which was rising inside my heart. But I was only trying to forget that awkward feeling, in reality I wasn't getting success. It's been three days since we came to kanpur and I was feeling a bit better than before. At least no one was judging me because of the sin I never committed with Anzala.

"Maizah what are you doing here? Come fast" I listed my cousin sister's voice when she come inside the guest room and suddenly grabbed my hand

"Where are you taking me Saba aapi?" I almost yelled when Saba aapi dragged me by herself and soon we both ended up our small journey to a room which was my Mama's bedroom. Mama was resting, but he sat down on bed when witnessed me in his room.

{Mama: maternal uncle

Mami: Maternal Aunty}

"It's been three days I haven't even talk to you properly" Mama said and I smiled while sitting beside him because he patted on the mattress to gesture to me to sit. Ammi and Abbu were also present in the room along with my Nani (maternal grandmother)

"Mama I have also missing you for a long time. But First you become fine, then we will come again to meet you, then we talk..." I state the truth feeling and Mama smiled.

"Maizah, have you packed your clothes?" Ammi asked and I just nodded, we were living there since three days, but then we had to go back to Lucknow, which was most difficult for me

"Yeah Ammi I..." I was saying but my sentence was cut off in between by my Mama.

"Packing... But why?" He asked in his weak voice

His voice was weak because still he wasn't perfectly fine.

"Bhai sahab We had come here to meet you, now you are fine so we are going back" Abbu said with a smile and Ammi also nodded in agreement.

"Aasif, Gul you people are coming here after years and now you are saying to go back so soon." Nani said with a disappointed look, it is true we were visiting there after almost one and half years. We all were so busy in our life that we didn't get time to visit our maternal grandparents' home. Last time we visited Kanpur to attend Saba aapi's marriage

"Ammi I have to handle some deals, so I have to go back" Abbu represents his problem in front of Nani and Ammi also nodded in agreement.

"But Gul if you want to stay here then you can stay, I'll go back taking Maizah with me" Abbu suddenly suggested, to which Ammi shook her head without thinking a single second.

"No I'm not staying here, Adnaan and Afnaan are at home" Ammi said with concern. My parents were trying their best to take their leave from there but I was the one who wanted to stay in my maternal grandparents home, because I wanted to forget the awkward feeling towards Anzala, and for that purpose I needed some time.

"But I wanna stay with Nani for few more days" Everyone looked at the sudden voice which come out from my throat

"Maizah you have to attend college! How can you stay here?" Ammi asked in a disappointing tone because that was really an irresponsible demand from my side.

"Gul let her stay here for some more days, she will cover the loss of her studies." My Mami who just entered the room with a tray of tea and snacks said with a smile and I nodded while showing my puppy Eyes.

"Yeah Ammi I'll cover all my loss, I'll take all the notes from Arham and Muskan" I pleaded in single breath but my dear mother shook her head.

"No... You never study until Anzala or Rumi don't force you, how will you study here?" Abbu said with a strict expression on his face which was unexpected for me. But at the same time a voice stopped all of them to discuss that matter further.

''Gul phuppo, Aasif uncle Main kis din kaam aunga? Main hu na! Danda le kar Beth jaunga iske paas, Iski studies ki responsibility meri, aap befirk ho jaiye." Dayim bhai entered the room with his cheerful voice and said with a smile.

(You don't worry about Maizah's studies I will handle her very strictly)

Ohh.. I forgot to introduce Dayim bhai.

Dayim bhai was the most handsome, Eligible Bachelor of my maternal grandparents side family. His looks, manners, behaviour, responsible nature and almost everything was enough to set an example in front of other boys.

"Dayim you don't know... It's not easy to handle Maizah, only Rumi and Anzala know the technique to deal with her." Ammi said with a hint of disappointment in her voice and I felt embarrassed in front of everyone but what could I do beside feeling red-faced

"Phuppo I think you don't know me well, I can handle anyone... Then What is special in Maizah's studies? You leave her here without any worries" Dayim bhai said everything with a genuine smile and kneel down in front of Ammi holding her hand in his like a little child. "And phuppo you also stay with us for at least one more day, please please..." Dayim bhai requested after holding Ammi's hand, he was demanding just like a small boy.

"Yes phuppo please.. Pleaseeee" Saba aapi also kneeled Down in front of Ammi while holding her other hand and both the siblings started requesting her.

Dayim bhai and Saba aapi both were the children of my Mama, and dearest of my mother so how could she refuse their request. After their requests, it was final that Ammi and Abbu will leave me for at least ten days, but Ammi didn't agree to stay there as she was concerned about Adnaan and Afnaan.

____________________

At night

(Guest's Room)

"Maizah don't tell anyone about... You and Anzala... I'm leaving you here just because you also need some change but..." Ammi was saying everything in an orderly way but I suddenly cut her sentence in between.

"Ammi... I want to forget about Anzala... He is nothing for me please believe me" I said with a small voice which maybe made Ammi realise that I was tensed

"Do you really want to forget about Anzala?" Ammi asked and I nodded with a down face. 

"This marriage is a distraction for both of us... Nothing else." I mumbled and made myself stand from the sofa to went to bed where Ammi was sitting

"Does it mean you don't want to continue this marriage?" Ammi asked and I think for a long moment.

"I do not want to be in this relationship!" Only I knew how difficult those words were for me, tears appeared in my eyes and I tried my best to gulp those tears, but those stubborn tears weren't going back. In a bid to hide my tears from Ammi I hugged her. And after a very long time I felt that much relief when Ammi embraced me, just like before

"Stop crying" Ammi said while caressing my head and I was shocked. I don't know how she noticed me crying?

"I'm not crying" I mumbled and Ammi again caressed my head.

"Ammi... Why you all did this with me and Anzala? Why didn't you stop everyone for this forced marriage?" I asked with disappointment but Ammi was answerless. If our elders wouldn't do so then I would also be happy just like before.

That Marriage made everything upside down. My happiness, my friendship with Anzala, my family's love, everything was gone, just because of that Marriage.

"It's not that late, if you don't want this marriage then don't worry, I will talk to Abbu ji. If you and Anzala both don't want to live together then there isn't any point in this marriage." Ammi said while still caressing my head and I nodded.

"But tell me one thing, without any hesitation" Ammi asked and I break the hug while nodding

"Maizah tell me truth, did you both..." ammi stopped in between and closed her eyes for few seconds then continued with her full courage

"In Goa.. Have you both really...." maybe my mother didn't get the words to ask the question but I understood the meaning

"Ammi we only played games, other than that we never did anything, we didn't cross our limits. Since the beginning , I've been telling you the same thing. We're nothing more than friends" I told one more time and Ammi sighed.

"Once I came to your room, but I found you and Anzala were hugging each other.... If you both are not interested in each other then what was that?" Ammi's question was straight and I felt embarrassed after listening to the same but I nodded.

"He didn't hug me but I did..." I muttered with down head. "I was feeling alone and you people weren't talking to me so I don't know how I did that but... We didn't cross our limits in Goa" I utter with a lowered gaze and Ammi kept sitting silently.

"Aren't you lying?" Ammi asked and I shook my head. Ammi held my right hand and placed it on her head.

"Take swear on me" Ammi demanded and I nodded

"I swear Ammi, we never did anything wrong. I just slept while placing my head on Anzala's Shoulder, because I was feeling dizzy in bus"

"I don't want to go back from here for some days" Hugging my mother I mumbled and she caressed the back of her head

"Fine. Stay here for some days, and don't tell anyone about your nikkah with Anzala" I hummed on Ammi's instructions without breaking the hug. At the same time I felt someone was coming inside the room, he was Abbu 

"Kya baat hai aaj bohot pyar aa raha hai maa ko beti par" Abbu said in a happy tone, and we both mother and daughter broke the hug.

(Is everything fine, today the mother is pouring her love in daughter)

"But Abbu you don't love your daughter" I complained with a down face because I was missing those days when everyone, especially my father, used to treat me like an apple of his eye. Abbu sat beside me before grabbing my right hand between his both hands

"No one can love you like I do. You are not only my daughter but the first precious thing of my life." Abbu said and Ammi smiled as I did.

"Really? Am I most precious to you?" I asked with happiness and he smiled while nodding but suddenly shook his head.

"You're the second most important person in my life because the first one is your mother" Abbu said with a genuine smile and I also smiled.

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AFTER 5 DAYS

Ammi and abbu left me in Nani's home and five days passed without any problem. I was enjoying the company of Saba aapi and Dayim bhai, mostly Dayim bhai... He was making me laugh every now and then. On the other hand, Nani, mama and mami were also treating me like an apple of their eyes but somewhere in my heart I was missing Anzala very badly. We'd never stay apart since childhood, in fact when we both were only eight he was suffering from chickenpox, so Ammi and Badi Ammi ordered the kids very strictly to stay away from him but I couldn't stay away from him in any condition. He was following a strict diet in which he used to eat only salted boiled vegetables and I was feeling pity on him so one day when I found a chance to go to him I forgot about all warning of my elders and went to him with the packet of spicy chips. I still remember how happy he became after watching that, and we were both shared that snack from the same packet. And next morning when I woke up I found some red spots on my face. We both not only shared the snacks but we both shared our disease too, and we spent all our time in the same room.

"Maizah, why are you smiling like fools?" I came out of my trance when my ear drums were being hit by a voice and I lifted my gaze. Dayim bhai was standing on the doorstep of the guest room holding something in his one hand.

"See what I have!" He said and I smiled.

"What do you have?" I asked with happiness while making myself stand.

"Balushahi" He said while uncovering the lid of the plate he was holding in his hand.

"Dayim bhai... I really was craving for something sweet... Actually I can't stay without eating sweets after dinner" I Said and moved towards him but he gestured me to follow him and soon we went to Saba aapi's room.

"Saba.. See I have bring what you wanted to eat" Dayim bhai said and I glare him

"So it means that I become happy without any reason, these aren't for me but for Saba aapi" I said while acting like I was angry, but actually I was enjoying my time.

"Yeah.. It's for Saba, if she left a few pieces then you can eat them.. Otherwise she is a big Gourmand so I'm sure she won't leave a single bite for you" Dayim bhai said and I was shocked instead of being affected with my fake anger he was pulling my leg 

"You are a Gourmand, not me... I saw that you eat whole three rotis in dinner" Saba aapi said while throwing a pillow on his face and I couldn't control my laughter

"Saba aapi... Were you counting everyone's roti?" I asked and she shook her head.

"Not of everyone but only of Dayim bhai" I giggled.

"How unlucky I'm to have a sister like you... Only I know how I have tolerated you for 21 years till your marriage" Dayim bhai said while making an unpleasant face but I was enjoying their argument.

"I have also tolerated you for 21 years... Which type of elder brother are you?" Saba aapi argue and I just laughed

"Dude I was thinking that I'll be in peace after your marriage but you come here every now and then, and this time you have crossed every limit... You are staying here since whole seven days... Now go back to your home and leave me in peace" Dayim bhai said everything as if he was a very innocent brother whose sister was making troubles for him and Saba aapi just huffed before snatching the plate of sweets from his hand and she hit Dayim bhai's foot with her tight kick.

"Aaaaaahhhh... Are you mad" He whined while jumping on his one leg and I was just laughing like mad but at the same time my mobile started ringing. It was Anzala's video call. I was dying to talk to him but I didn't receive the call.

"Will you both stop fighting? I'm your guest you should give me attention but here I'm feeling like I'm not anything" I made my complaint registered in front of both of them just to gain some attention

"Aww... Maizah need some attention" Dayim bhai said so sweetly,but his sweetness was seems to be dramatic and I nodded while giggling

"How can I forget you Maizah... I'm here to give you the full attention which you need" Dayim bhai said while raising his left brow which was his common Tic, he used to repeat that every now and then but I like that.

"So What are you going to do Dayim bhai?" I asked with excitement and he smiled but that was a stretched smile.

"Don't call me Dayim bhai" He stressed on the word 'bhai' and I was confused.

"What do you mean?" I and Saba aapi both asked in unison

"It's time to study, so call me Dayim sir and open your notes." He said strictly and I shook my head

"No... Dayim bhai..." I requested

"Shut up... I have leave you for whole five days but not from today. Open your notes and start learning!" saba aapi giggled in my condition but I made a pout.

"Let me eat these sweets first then I'll do study" I tried to avoid studying but he was not going to leave me, I wanted to cry and run away from him but he was very strict just like badi Ammi.

"No sweet, first of all study for at least two hours then you will get whatever you want." Dayim bhai said and and think for a moment

"Anything!! Whatever I want?" I asked because I knew what I had to demand so that he leave the plan to make me study

"Yes anything" he accepted

"I'll study for three hours, but for that you have to take me shopping, tomorrow!" I demanded as I knew he wouldn't agree, he hates to go shopping, but....

"Done... But if you leave your study before three hours then I'll not take you shopping as well as you will have to study for one more hour!"

"Dayim bhai... It's not fair.." I protest

"Dayim sir" He corrected me and gestured me to sit on the floor to study, but I took a seat on the sofa.

"Sit down... Being close to earth is better" He said while lightly slapping my head and I remember Anzala he always liked to study while sitting on the floor, no matter how comfortable the mattress is!

I started studying from the notes which Muskan send me and Dayim bhai was busy in watching me as well as watching a movie on his mobile, Saba aapi was chatting with her husband who was living out of City due to some work, that's why Saba aapi was living in her material home.

Meanwhile my mobile rang again, that was Anzala's video call, he was calling some seventh time and I was controlling myself to talk to him but that time my heart gave up and I finally received the call.

"I was calling you for hours! Where were you? Do you have any idea how tense I was... I was wondering if you are fine or not... Mazi, you can't be responsible in any way, y..." He bursted on me as soon as I received the call, but due to his scolding Dayim bhai and Saba aapi looked at me in disbelief.

" Will you stop overreacting? Tell me why you have call me?" I asked with rudeness because he was giving me cold shoulder since many days so that was my chance

"Umm... I... I call.. Hmm... Ohh yeah... Miss.. Hitler... I mean Jasmine Sharma... What I'm saying..." He was stammering like some mad and I was watching the screen with irritated feeling

" Miss Jasmine and Hitler Sharma both were asking about you, I have to tell you just this... So I called you nothing else... Why would I call you other than this reason? Do I have this much useless time that I would call you without any reason... Even I'm feeling so happy and good since the day you have gone from here!'' Anzala said everything in single breath.

"Anzala... If you are liking Maizah's absence then leave her here permanently, I am enjoying her presence very much" Dayim bhai said very loudly to made his talk register in front of Anzala and I looked at Anzala's face, he was in same position, he wasn't affected by what Dayim bhai said

"Who is he?" Anzala asked me because Dayim bhai was sitting opposite to me, so he could only he listened him

"Dayim bha..." I was saying when Dayim bhai corrected me..

"Not Dayim Bhai.. But Dayim sir... Now cut the call, and focus you study" He ordered me but I shook my head, he suddenly snatch the mobile from my hand and

"Hey Anzala, Maizah is busy studying, will you talk to her later? Bye take care, and say my salam to Dada abbu" Dayim bhai didn't wait for Anzala's reply and cut the call making me shocked as well as laughed too.

"Study... Then I'll take you for shopping" He said while passing my mobile and I nodded with a half smile.

Half smile because my remaining half was left with Anzala... Unwillingly and Unknowingly.

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_Naaz Jamal