THIRD PERSON'S POV:

The sun comes in the sky with all new shine and brings all new hopes in two lives.

On one hand Anzala was unable to sleep for the whole night..

How could he sleep peacefully when his wife was living in a different city and was giving preference to Her Dayim bhai instead of him.

On the other hand someone was busy sleeping like a dog but suddenly an alarm made him jump.

"Wake up Arham... Prove your love for Muskan" He mumbled while turning off the alarm and again slept.

"For Muskan's sake" Arham mumbled and open his eyes while stretching his body and went to bathroom in hurry

"Bhabhi I'm going for a jog" Arham said to his bhabhi who was going to the kitchen, she just nodded in response.

"Arham brought some vegetables while returning" His bhabhi instructed and he nodded but he mentally made an unpleasant face.

......................................

"Assalamualaikum sir" Arham said with careful voice when saw Retired colonel Arsalan Haidar

"Waalaikumas salam, you are late today!" Without stopping his jogging Mr. Colonel said and Arham felt angry but couldn't show his anger

"Actually Sir, last night I was working for my Baba's business... So I slept very late." Arham said the truth but.

"You people have excuses for every mistake... Learn how to accept your faults." that was a clear scolding

"You are right.. I'm sorry sir" Arham said with small voice and both of them went to that part of park where everyone was busy in doing different type of exercise.

Arham started Squats and Colonal started Shoulder Stretching, both were busy in working out without uttering any word, but Arham decided to break the silence

"Sir you please come to our home someday for lunch or dinner.... Bhai and Bhabhi will be happy to get your company" Arham invited him with a smile and Arsalan Haidar thought for a moment then nodded.

"I'll come" He is utterly busy stretching his body, but replied shortly.

"My Ammi and Baba are also coming to Lucknow for some days, they will be glad to meet you... My Baba is also like you, strict towards his rules and regulations as well" Arham state the truth and Arsalan Haidar looked at him with disappointment

"If your father is punctual and strict towards his rules and regulations then why aren't you punctual?" The overbearing man asked and Arham was answerless.

''This man is half crazy... I don't know how my Muskan use to tolerate him?'' Arham mumbled while doing jumping Jacks.

"Have you said something?" Colonel asked while making his brows furrowed

"Meri itni majal kahan ke aap ko kuch keh saku?" Arham again mumbled but

(How can I dare to say anything against you?)

"I.. I was saying that you are sounding just like my father, he also advises us to be punctual" Arham states half truth, his father used to advise him to be punctual but not in a strict way.

"But according to your generation, ignoring these instructions is a good way to live. Isn't It? My own daughter never do what I instruct her" Arsalan Haidar shower Arham with his scoldings and that poor guy was just listening

"It's nothing like this Sir... You are our elders, it's true that your rules are difficult to follow but they are beneficial for us. You're right that we don't follow your instructions but Sir this generation is more practical than the older generation.... We try to experience different things, sometimes we get success, sometimes not, but every setback and fiasco gives us new ideas to gain benefit in the future." Arham said in respectful manner and Arsalan Haidar stopped to do more exercise, he rolled the corner of his moustache and looked at Arham with furrowed brows.

"You people and your philosophies are out of my mind... when your older generation is giving you a piece of device then why you have to do practical with your life? Gaining experience from others faults and mistake is better than repeating the same mistakes in your life" Colonel said and Arham smiled.

"Sir you are older than me. I shouldn't debate with you but sorry to say, I disagree with you. '' Arham said in a respectful manner and Colonel felt angry.

" May I know your philosophy?" he asked as a satire and Arham nodded

"Sir, how can we apply the same rules in our life according to someone else's experience or mistakes? Everyone faces different circumstances in their life so everyone's solution should also be different! How can we treat a lion with Goat medicine? We can take the precautions and try to avoid those mistakes which others have already made in their life but it doesn't mean that we stop doing practicals in our life because of others failure" Arham tried to register his point in front of Retired Carnal Arsalan Haider.

" This is the problem of your generation! you people think yourself smart and consider your older as fool" Arsalan Haidar almost burst on Arham which made him pale for a moment

"No sir, not at all. You people are not fools but you people are our strength, whenever we fall down we need our elders to support us. No matter how much experience we gain but still we will always be younger than you. We can't be at the same level of your wisdom. But we want to fly high, we need your help to open our wings properly. And it is only possible if we combine your experiences and our dreams. Elders are like strong trees and we, the younger generation, are like climbers... We need your support to become successful." Arham said with a genuine smile and watched his wristwatch.

"Sir, I'm getting late. I should take my leave now" Arham said to colonel who just nodded while thinking something very deeply

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

"Anzala I have to talk to you" Aasif eneted in his room when Anzala was combing his wet hair.

"Yeah Chhote abbu" Anzala said while placing back the comb and lift his bag in hurry "I'm getting late" Anzala mumbled while wearing his wristwatch

"Sit" Aasif said while patting his shoulder

"Chhote abbu I'm getting late"

"It's important Anzala '' After witnessing the seriousness of Aasif's voice Anzala nodded and sat down beside him.

"Anzala..."

"Yeah Chhote abbu"

"Maizah is my daughter and I love her more than anyone else." Anzala understood what Aasif wanted to ask.

"I know chhote abbu!" he mumbled at the same time Raashid also came inside the room.

"You are already here?" Rashid asked Aasif, both brothers decided to talk to Anzala and they both came there.

"Anzala If you agree to accept Maizah as your wife then tell me, otherwise I don't want to play with my daughter's life. I don't care what anyone will say... I'm enough for my daughter" Aasif said while looking at Rashid, because Rashid was in favour of this marriage like all the other family members, but Aasif and Gul didn't agree.

"Aasif no need to think this much" Rashid said and Aasif shook his head.

"Bhai sahab, please try to understand... Anzala is my nephew just like a son for me but I want to know his answer.... After all they both have to live their lives not me or you" Aasif said and Looked at Anzala

"Anzala, no one wants you to divorce Maizah... But what do you want?" That was a clear question from Rashid.

'Maizah... As for my wife... For the rest of my life!' Anzala said to himself

'But if I'll accept Maizah then everyone will think that we both were involved with each other and only acting to show ourselves innocent' He debate with himself

'But... If I don't accept this marriage right now... Then I'll lose My chudail for my whole life... I can't live without her for eight or nine days. How will I be able to live without her for the rest of my life.' Anzala's heart was screaming loudly

"Anzala I'm asking something" Rashid asked

' Anzala do something.... ' he said to himself with frustration and determination

''What do you want, because you never asked us, but ordered us?" Anzala Asked to Aasif.

"Anzala I want you to accept Maizah as your wife, but not like a formality, I want you to accept her with your heart, if you agree to this then no one will be more happy than me! You are my nephew... I want to trust you for my most precious thing and I want to give you the biggest responsibility of my life... But only if you treat her like your responsibility, not as a burden." Aasif said while looking at Anzala with hopeful eyes.

"If you want to give me this responsibility then I don't have any problem. Otherwise also you people have already tied us in the bond of marriage, I don't think now we have another option" Saying that Anzala made himself stand and Aasif also stood up.

"Anzala, Maizah is not a burden for me.. She shouldn't be a burden for you too..." Aasif said and Anzala nodded.

"You don't worry." Anzala just mumbled and Aasif smiled before going out of the room.

"Jo kiya hai uski zimmedari uthana tumhara farz hai" Rashid said while making his way out from the room

(You should take responsibility for what you have done!)

"Abbu I didn't do anything with Maizah... Believe me" Anzala said and Rashid looked at him with a glare

"You both haven't left a single room to trust on you, but you both are our own children that's why we aren't doing anything wrong with you" Saying that Rashid left the room

"It's not easy to gain back their trust, but for now I have to take back my chudail before Dayim bhai come one step ahead from me" Anzala mumbled and smiled while dialling Maizah's number.

On the other hand...

"Maizah you are not a small girl beta.. Start behaving like a wise girl" Her Nani (grandmother) said in scolding way and she made a pout

"Dadi Jaan she will become serious with passing time." Saba defended her and Maizah smiled.

"Today I'm making pickle, so Maizah and Saba you both help me"

"Dadi Jaaaaaannn... I won't"

"Naniiiii I am not doing that"

Both Maizah and Saba said in unison

"Nikammiyon... Kabhi to koi kaam kar liya karo.. Bethe bethe khane ke alawa kuch aata hi nahi hai." Dayim said to both saba and Maizah and they both huffed.

( lazy girls at least help them in some household work otherwise you're just do a single work of eating whole day)

"Dayim bhai you are such a..." Saba said with her fake anger

"Hasan bhai par taras aata hai, bechare kaise bardasht karte honge tumhe... Nakammi, Na-kara'' Dayim again tease his sister

( Sometimes I feel pity for Hasan bhai. I don't know how that poor man used to tolerate you! Lazy, Kaamchor)

"Or tum... Tumhari jis bad kismat se shadi hogi na wo bechara to bhukha hi mar jayega" Dayim said and Maizah and saba both glared him

(And You... The unlucky one with whom you'll marry, that poor guy will die with hunger.)

"Nani... Dayim bhai ki shadi jaldi kariye, phir hum sab inki pyari Ehliya (wife) se Sara kaam karayenge." Maizah said while crossing her arms on her chest and Saba giggled.

(Grandma... Do Dayim bhai's marriage soon then we will make his wife work)

Maizah was saying something when her mobile started ringing, that was Anzala's call.

'Why is he calling me?' she asked herself and cut the call.

"Whose call is this?" Maizah's Nani asked

"Anzu... I mean Anzala" Maizah said in a hushed tone but her smile vanished.

"So why aren't you receiving his call?" Dayim asked and Maizah shook her head

"He will irritate me with his useless talks" Maizah mumbled and Dayim laughed.

"It means Anzala is two steps ahead than you in irritating people" Dayim again teased her and everyone laughed except Maizah. But her mobile again rang

"Maizah beta receive the call" Maizah nodded on the instruction of her Nani.

"Hello." She utter in almost no voice.

"When are you coming back?" Anzala directly asked without saying anything else

"Why are you asking, you ask this to Mansha and Musk..." Maizah was saying in anger but stopped when saw everyone's gaze on herself

"Maizah what happened to you suddenly? Why are you angry?" Dayim asked and Maizah realised that everyone was noticing her behaviour

"Nothing Dayim bhai" Saying that Maizah made herself stand and moved towards her room while tucking her hair behind ear.

"Maizah are you sitting with Dayim bhai?" Anzala asked and his voice was holding anger, jealousy and insecurity

"Why are you asking all these things Anzala? And why are you calling me again and again? Have you forgotten, you have decided to make distance with me, so now when I am already far away from you then why are you calling me?" Maizah burst on him and for a moment Anzala was silent

" Mazi.. "

"What Anzu?"

"Mazi.. Yaar I can't live away from you, come back please.. Come back yaar" Anzala said everything in requesting way and Maizah got tears in her eyes

"Anzala, I don't want to come back... Please don't call me again" saying that Maizah cut the call.

"Why is Anzala missing me? When I am trying to find out some way to forget him then why is he making me remember about the feeling which I've been feeling for him for some time." Maizah sat down on the floor and cried while hugging Her knees.

"Why did my family force us to do this marriage... If they wouldn't do that then maybe I never feel this feeling towards Anzala..." Maizah cried with a broken heart, she was cursing herself to love Anzala while crying, but she was unknown what was going on in her home.

Everyone was gathered on the dining table to have their breakfast. Happiness and satisfaction was spread in the family. There were two reasons for that, first was Rumi's marriage and its preparations and the other was Anzala's decision to accept Maizah as his wife. But Gul was still tense.

"Chhote abbu when Maizah is coming back?" Anzala ask on dining table and every family member watched him with surprised expression on their faces

"Why?" Momina asked while placing bread on his plate.

" Actually there is a very important project given by our professor so she should come back now otherwise her studies will suffer" Anzala lied just to bring back Maizah but.

"Let her stay in Kanpur for some more days. And don't worry about her studies, Dayim will handle her" Gul said and Anzala's face became pale.

"But chhoti Ammi studies.." Anzala's sentence was cut in between by Abdul Gafoor

"Gul makes sure that Her studies are not suffering due to her stay in her grandmother's home" Abdul Gafoor said and Gul nodded.

"Abbu ji don't worry, after all I'm her mother, I won't do anything which can create problems for my daughter" Gul said and Anzala understood that Gul wasn't happy with Anzala and Maizah's marriage. But for Anzala, the return of Maizah was most important so he ignored Gul's behaviour.

"I'm going college" Saying that Anzala made his way out of the Rizwi Mansion.

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

After 3 hours....

(kanpur)

The door of Big and old haweli was knocked by someone.

"Who can come at this time?" Saba asked while munching on chips, and Maizah shrugged while picking a piece of chips from the same bowl. Both the cousins were busy watching their favourite movie on TV.

The door was again knocked by someone and again they both ignored that while giving their eyes to the television screen.

"Maizah, Saba... Dayim sahi kehta hai Tum dono sach main nikammi ladkiyan ho... Saba tum apni sasural main bhi ese hi karti ho kya?" Maizah's Mami scolded both the girls but they just laughed at that.

(Saba.. Maizah really Dayim is correct, you both are lazy... Saba, do you behave the same in your in-laws' home?)

"Ammi... Wo sasural hai waha to kaam karna hi padta hai, kam se kam yaha tu aaram karne dijiye mujhe.. Wo bhi aesi condition main '' Saba said like an innocent one.

(Ammi that is my in-law's home, I ought to do work there, bit at least let me take some rest here, that too in this condition)

"Aesi condition ka kya matlab hai? Tum pehle kon sa kaam karti thi.. Ab to pregnancy ka bahana mil gaya tumhe.." Saba was getting scolded from her mother when the door was again knocked.

(What do you mean by this condition? Otherwise also you don't do anything, now you get an excuse on the name of your pregnancy)

"Aa raha hu... Kya darwaza tod doge?" she stated with anger.

(wait a minute, or will you break the door?)

"Mami ko gussa kyun aa raha hai?" Maizah asked to saba

(Why is mami angry?)

"Abbu se ladai ho rahi thi.. Dono jab tak din main ek baar ladte nahi hain phir ek dusre ko manate nahi hai, jab tak inka din pura nahi hota" Saba said with a giggle.

(She was arguing with dad, their day don't get complete until they both argue with each other then Appease one another )

"Mere aur Anzala ki tarah" Maizah unthought-out

(Just like me and Anzala)

"Duffer You both are just cousins, but Ammi abbu are husband and wife... Their matter is different" Saba said and Maizah passed a smile with great difficulty, at the same time.

"Saba, Maizah see who is here!" Both the girls looked at the one who was knocking the door.

"Hasan aap kab wapas aaye?" Saba exclaimed with happiness in her voice and made herself stand.

(Hasan when you have come back?)

But a little whisper left from Maizah's lips "Anzala '' and Unknowingly wetness came to her eyes which she hid very well.

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

_Naaz Jamal