SHIFA'S POV

Four days passed to that day when Faraz called me. I was feeling happy because there weren't any problem, and sad because I wanted to talk to Faraz, but he didn't call me again.

But I was asking a single question to myself...

If Faraz call me again then will I received the call or not? Or will I talk to her or not?

Don't know?? But still my heart wanna talk to him... But my over wise brain was stopping me...

I was just praying to Allah that do something. I wanted Faraz... I was crazy for Faraz. I started hating Rani phuppo more and more. She was coming for dinner to our home but I didn't want to go in front of her, I wanted to told her to not come to my home ever.... But I couldn't... Papa would kill me for that. I was helpless.... I wanted to forget about Faraz but again and again he do something that attracted my heart towards him.

He changed his DP and I was captured by thousands of thousand "the wait is over"

Which wait was over? Our wait was over or his wait for me was over? or His fiancé's wait was over? Or something else? I was confused.

"Shifa where are you lost?" I come out of my trance and lolled down to my hands. I was still holding knife in my right hand and a vegetables were still placed in plate, in front of me.

Mummy again said me to cut the vegetables. I nodded and started making salad.

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

Rani phuppo and Musa uncle arrived with their children and after little talk Papa said us to arrange the dinner in dinning area. But I noticed one thing...

Rani phuppo was angry because of something, she wasn't talking to mummy properly, and Musa uncle was not talking to Rani phuppo.

Might be that was only my misinterpretation but I felt that. After arranging food in dining area I went to room where everyone were sitting.

"dinner is served" I said in slow voice without looking at Rani Phuppo and they all came for dinner.

"Musa uncle I specifically made this for you" passing the bowl of sheer (a sweet dish) to him I said and he smiled, but first time I found his smile as a fake one, that was seems like a heavy smile as if that was difficult for him to hold that smile on his lips.

"Rani.." papa utter and she lifted her head to saw him.

"Ji bhai"

(yeah bro)

"Why aren't you eating?" Papa asked and she shook her head then started feeding herself but not before looking at Musa Uncle who glared her angrily and Rani phuppo passed the same glare to me. I was shocked as well as confused that what I have done with her due to which she was glaring me but I didn't got any reason so I choose to focus on meal instead of her dramatic tantrums.

"Musa bhai what you would like to have? tea or coffee?" After dinner mumma asked to him and before Musa uncle replied

"Tea" Rani phuppo said suddenly and Musa uncle glared her.

"Coffee" He cutted off his wife's demand.

For the first time in my whole life I saw the shine of tears in Rani phuppo's eyes, she looked at Musa uncle and gave a sad look or maybe an apologetic look but uncle ignored after a glare. Before that Rani phuppo always show her offended side and Musa uncle tried to convince her by teasing her but that case was totally different.

We shouldn't poke our nose in that matters which aren't our business... So, I just shrugged and let that topic go away from my brain...

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THIRD PERSON'S POV

In half Sitting half laying position on the bed, Anwar was watching TV but Maryam was ironing his and her sons clothes for next day.

"Suniye" (listen)

"Hmm" A dry voice hitted the eardrums of Maryam and she rolled her eyes mentally

'This man and his cold behaviour both won't change ever!' she said in her own thoughts

"Suniye ke aage bhi kuch sunana hai ya bas suniye kehne ka dil chah raha tha?" Maryam sighed on that comment but smiled very next moment.

(Do you have anything to say further or just wanted to say 'listen')

"What, is funny in this?" He asked with furrowed brows.

"sach batau to main bhul gai ki mujhe suniye ke aage kya sunana tha" She said sheepishly and Anwar quickly shifted his gaze to TV after saying

(To be honest I don't remember what I had to say!)

"To kaam pat dhyaan do itna demag pr zooor dalne ki zarurat nhi hai"

(so focus on your work, no need to stress your brain)

"wese itne salo main aap thoda bhi to nhi badle, aaj bhi aapka wahi haal hai" She complained and a wife's right was clearly visible in her tone on which Anwar again looked at her and raised his left brow

(By the way in so many years you haven't changed a little bit, you are same as before)

"Wahi haal ka Kya matlab hai?" He asked with his signature tone..

(what do you mean by same as before?)

"Ye matlab hai ki aapka baat karne ke andaaz bilkul nhi badla, har baat par lagta hai, ki daat rahe hain." Maryam said rightfully, she tone was soft but she was saying as if she was sounding like a wife who have all the right over her husband to say anything about anything.

(I mean to say that your way of talking isn't changed a single bit, it seems like you are scolding me on everything)

"Magar tum to badal gai na... Pehle to tumme itni himmat nhi thi ki mere Saamne muh bhi khool sako or ab itne sawaal jawaab karti ho" Anwar said with a smile and Maryam also smiled.

(but you are changed, earlier you haven't guts to even open your mouth to say something but now... Look at yourself you are doing a lot of questions and giving me answers)

"Ab zyada faltu mat bolo, tum apna kaam raro or mujhe TV dekhne do" Maryam sighed on the order and focused on her work.

(now stop your useless talking, let me watch TV and you do your work)

'This man won't be change, he rarely talk in polite way... Even he don't know how to talk politely."Maryam said to herself while switching off the iron. She moved towards Hamdan and Bilal's room to hang their clothes there. Entering the room she smiled.

"Ye ladka kab bada hoga?" Maryam mumbled while stepping towards the bad after hanging the hangers from the handle of cupboard

(when will this boy become mature?)

Bilal was sleeping on his stomach placing one hand under his head one other arm on Hamdan's face who was sleeping beside him. Bilal was covered in Hamdan's blanket and his blanket was lying down on the floor.

Maryam removed Bilal's arm from Hamdan's face and covered both the brothers with blanket properly. Then switch off the light before going back but stopped when feel some movement from Bilal side. She turned to look at him and smacked her forehead. His arm was again on Hamdan's face and he was pulling Hamdan's blanket in deep slumber. Maryam sighed and closed the door behind her after coming out from the room. Then she moved towards Shifa's room and when open the door Shifa was spreading the prayer mat on floor, her dupatta was wrapped around her head and water droplets were still present on forehead and face.

"Shifa" poor girl become scared on sudden call and turned to saw her mother.

"Mumma dra diya" she said while closing her eyes for a moment

(mumma you make me scared)

"You offered Isha namaz now which namaz are you offering?" Maryam asked confusingly

"Tahajjud" Maryam's eyes become wide to knew that her 19 years daughter was offering tahajjud. But she smiled and cupped shifa's face with both hands.

"My children are the best gift which Allah has granted me" Saying that Maryam kissed shifa's forehead and left her in the room after caressing her head.

{For muslims There are five compulsory Namaz in a day. Isha is the last compulsory Namaz of the day. And Tahajjud is an optional Namaz which can be offered after Isha but Before drawn time}

Shifa started her namaz in front of her almighty and after Namaz when time come for dua she had a single wish to ask.

Ofcourse Faraz....

On the other hand Maryam entered in the room, Anwar was laying down, facing opposite to Maryam's side. Switching off the light Maryam also lay down on her side and her gaze went to the clock which was showing 12:15 of midnight.

"Suniye" She uttered slowly and this time he turned his side.

(listen)

"Is baar suniye ke aage kuch sunaogi ya nhi?" Anwar asked and Maryam smiled.

(will you say anything further after 'listen' or not?)

"Hamari shadi ko 19 saal ho gaye" Maryam informed And Anwar who was in half slumber suddenly open his eyes.

(Today is our 19th marriage anniversary)

"19 saal ho gaye!! Pta bhi nhi chala!" Anwar said with some surprise expression and Maryam smiled, but that smile contained a lot of emotions... Sadness, happiness, pain and some kind of sarcasm too.

(19 years!! Time runs very fast, I didn't even feel that it's so long)

"Mujhe to har ek minute pta chala" She muttered but her husband listened the same.

(But I feel every single minute)

Anwar and Maryam never celebrated their wedding anniversary but Anwar use to take Maryam to the nearest market and let her do shopping according to her choice but he never wished her, Neither on her birthday nor on any occasion. His unexpressive nature was still unchanged but then Maryam understood about that.

"Now sleep and let me sleep too, I have to go to office in morning" That was a ruthless order and Maryam nodded. Anwar closed his eyes but Maryam was still watching the ceiling.

"Now what happened? Why aren't you sleeping?" He asked without opening his eyes, he knew that Maryam don't sleep easily, but the reason was unknown to him.

Most of the time when Maryam sleeps; only a face come across in her senses. That was Aatish...

And Maryam felt scared of those memories.

"I'm not feeling sleepy"

"Atleast try to sleep" He ordered and Maryam open the drawer of side table, to took sleeping pills.

"Maryam I have told you many times not to take these pills, take these pills only when it's impossible for you to sleep" Anwar scolded and Maryam nodded while closing the drawer.

"Why you always scolds me?" She complained and disappointment was peeping out from her tone.

"Because you never listen to me without these scoldings.."

He slowly placed his hand on her head and started running his fingers on her scalp, Maryam felt protected with his touch and soon consumed by slumber.

But in other room....

"Ya Allah please do something... I can't do anything.... But you can please do something... I only want Faraz... Please..., I don't want to do anything wrong, and I also don't want a life like my mummy, I want to live happily... Please do something"

Shifa was busy in making dua to her almighty but she didn't had any idea what was Faraz doing in his home...

She was thinking that Faraz still didn't know about the game play of Rani but Shifa's half prayers were answered by Allah and everyone got to know about Rani's falsifications.....

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

Faraz's POV

Sitting in my room I was busy in thinking that what should I do! I was confused that should I talk to Shifa or should I talk to my parents! If I would talk to Shifa that means I was going to give her a new hope but I was concerned about my parents.

What would happen if Ammi or Abbu ji won't support my decision. But I couldn't afford to marry Aamna.. Or any other girl besides Shifa... With all my thoughts I rested my head on headboard and a small smile creeped to my lips.

I didn't realised when I was consumed by sleep.

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

I was determined that I had to talk to my parents about breaking the engagement. I was feeling anxious about everything, I was going to challenge my parents choice, I know I was going to do wrong with Aamna but If I do this marriage then I'm sure that would be more wrong with three of us.

Sometimes we have to be selfish in our life, we have to take some decisions of our life just for ourselves not for others.

"Ammi, abbu ji" I utter when I lifted the cup of tea on breakfast table and they both focused on me.

"Yeah?" Abbu respond

"Abbu ji what was that?" I asked in low voice

"What beta?"

"Abbu ji why Rani Mami and Musa Mama lied to us?" I asked they both were silently looking at me.

"Beta I don't have any justification for them... But Musa was also unknown about the answer, Rani lied to all of us" Ammi said and I nodded

"And now what?" I asked and they both looked at me with furrowed brows

"What do you mean Faraz?" Abbu ji asked

"I mean that, you both didn't went to Shifa's home for the proposal due to Rani mami's falsification but now when everything is clear, what will you do?" I asked clearly

"Faraz what are you saying? You are engaged to Aamna" Ammi said with a shocked expression on her face as same as Abbu ji

"Yes Ammi I'm engaged to Aamna... Engaged not married!!" stressing on Engaged, I told both of them clearly, but without raising my voice.

"Faraz are you out of your mind?" Abbu ji almost yelled on me and I was already prepared for all those kind of behaviour from both of them.

"Not at all abbu ji... I'm totally in my senses, and I'll don't do anything against your will but I just wanna ask you a single question" As always I didn't raised my voice and Abbu ji gave me permission by a nod to ask the question

"I didn't wants to do engagement with Aamna you both know very wel..."

"Faraz we fixed your alliance with Aamna with your consent!"

"then what happened now?" Ammi and abbu ji asked one by one.

"No.. You both haven't asked me for my consent but you both forced me to say yes" I put my point and Abbu ji looked at Ammi.

"Faraz beta I'm not getting your point! Tell me clearly" Abbu ji said and I didn't lift my gaze, but decided to say further

"Abbu ji, Ammi you both asked me for Shifa's proposal... I didn't choose her but both of you did" I said and Ammi nodded.

"For whole five months you both keep saying that you will go to her home to talk to her parents but after five months you both suddenly fixed my engagement with Aamna..." again Ammi and abbu ji nodded but this time their facial expressions told me that they understood what I wanted to say.

"And the most important reason I accepted your choice because, I knew that Shifa's proposal was rejected by her family... In all these matters, what is my fault Aabu ji? These things happen Due to all these misunderstandings created by Rani Mami." I said all these things with determination.

"Faraz now we can't do anything, I can understand what you wanna say! That was our fault that we told you about Our choice regarding Shifa, You made your mind that your alliance will be fixed with her but Rani did wrong... but beta we can't say anything to her"Ammi said And I nodded.

"Ammi I don't want you to say anything to Rani mami, but to some extent she get success in her intenti..." Ammi didn't let me complete

"But now nothing can be happen in this matter. Your marriage is fixed with Aamna and that will be done in any way" Ammi said and I stay silent

"Okay... Allah Hafiz... I'm going" saying that I stood up but stopped by Ammi's call.

"Faraz made your mind to marry with Aamna..." I Looked at her and open my mouth to say something but then moved towards the door

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

I was sitting in my cabin, busy in checking up a sufferer when my mobile started ringing. That was Ifra's call and I knew what was the reason of her calling.

Ammi and abbu ji didn't talk to me directly but they knows we both siblings are close to each other since before the birth, as we are twins..

After completing my work I called back Ifra and she received the call in first ring.

"Faraz what I'm listening from Ammi and abbu?!" She almost yelled on me

"How could I know what you listened?"

"Faraz tell me everything clearly.. What so you want? What's the matter?"

"Ifra I respected Ammi and abbu ji's choice because, rani mami said that Shifa's parents are not agree for this proposal but now it is clear that Mami was lying... Now you tell me what was my fault in this?" I asked with full of frustration

"Faraz calm down and tell me since how long you and Shifa both are..." I didn't let her complete.

"Please Ifra don't give this matter the color of love affair... There isn't anything between us" I state... And to a good extent that was true... Even I wasn't sure that if she like me or not?! Love is a far away matter.

"What do you mean? You mean you both are not involved with each other..." She asked with confusion and I held my head.

"who said to you Ifra?"

"Don't tell Ammi that I tell you everything but, Ammi and abbu both are angry with you because they are thinking that even after your engagement you are involved in affair with Shifa" I held my head on that statement. In sought of putting my point I made Shifa suffer... My parents were thinking wrong about me and her.

"Nothing like that Ifra... Even Shifa and I never talk to each other. We nothing but strangers for each other" I state the truth.. And listened a hummed.

"You are not lying. Righ?" she asked

"ofcourse Ifra, at least you try to understand me, I like Shifa but I don't know about her feelings because we never talk to each other" I state and she again hummed.

After spending some more time in talking to her I made her believe that we both weren't involved in any type of affair and she said that she would talk to our parents, but she wasn't want to break my engagement with Aamna as same as my parents.

When I wen to home after completing my duty hours I greeted Abbi ji, who was sitting in his room but he didn't replied which hurt me. His cold behavior stay long for few more days... Almost a week then.... One afternoon

"Faraz... I have to talk come to my room." I listened a call and moved to his room.

"Ji abbu ji"

(yeah dad)

"Faraz we fixed your marriage with Aamna, it's our final decision" Abbu ji said And I closed my eyes for a moment and my heart skipped a beat... Not only one beat but many beats...

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

Himmat na thi ke aapse

izhar-e-dil karte...

Kehna to tha bohot kuch, par

haalaat se the hum darte....

Humne to Sirf aap ko hi manga, gawah hai har namaz,

Mohabbat sabit karne ke liye kabhi aap bhi to dua karte...

_Naaz Jamal

05.06.2020

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

Assalamualaikum

My dear readers...

I have a important question...

And I want honest reply...

-Is this book becoming boring in any form?

While adding Anwar and Maryam's scene I was thinking that maybe this is not required!!

That's why I am asking this..

Now....

How is this part??

🙄

_Naaz Jamal