Faraz's POV :

"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...

How could my parents think to do that? But I won't do anything against their will...

"Abbu ji I'll accept your every decision, but..." I was saying but stopped in between when...

"Faraz let me complete..." Abbu ji said strictly and I nodded with down face, I was sitting in front of him with down head, my gaze was fixed on floor and my heart was yelling due disappointment but I couldn't say anything against my parents...

"As I have said we fixed your marriage with Aamna, it's our final decision" I nodded with down head

"But its your life... Decision should also be yours" I didn't get what abbu ji said... Or maybe I couldn't believe on what I had listened. I suddenly lifted my head towards him and keep looking him with disbelieve.

"What.... I mean..." I was shocked I wanted to listen the same from Abbu ji but when he was saying the same I was not believing on my ears.

"Faraz your Abbu said that you always respect our choice and we should also respect your decision for your life." Ammi said and I was still in disbelieve

Was that reality or my dream..

"But I never expected that... Tell me truth you and Shifa both are.." I didn't let Ammi complete

"I swear Ammi, you are taking us wrong... There isn't anything like that, we didn't even talk.. Ever... I just like her nothing else" I state the truth.

"Aren't you lying?" Abbu ji asked and I shook my head

"Abbu ji, I don't have to lie in front of you." I state and after some short discussion my parents understand.

"It means Shifa isn't interested in you?" Ammi asked and I shrugged.

"I don't know about her" I state with low voice and they both nodded.

"This is your life, you should be happy in your life." Abbu ji said And I smiled

"What about Aamna?" I asked and abbu ji sighed.

"We are going to do a wickedness with Aamna. She is an innocent girl, there isn't any of her fault but still I don't want her to be suffer for her whole life, so it's better to hurt her only once" Abbu ji said And I felt guilty for Aamna but... I couldn't afford to be a great man, by accepting her as my wife.

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

"Thank you so much Allah." I smiled and lay down on my bed, after a long time I was feeling so much better, like I was breathing again. But abbu ji and Ammi were not happy, they both were happy for Shifa and me but not for Aamna. They decided to talk to Aamna's father after few days to break that engagement. And this time Ammi said that she would go to Shifa's home by herself for our alliance. I was feeling myself as the happiest person on this earth.

After two days Rani Mami and Musa Mama again came to our home, Mami was sitting silently but I there weren't any guilt on her face.

"Nida Baji, there are some misunderstandings, my intentions were not wrong for Faraz..." Rani mami said and Ammi nodded with a fake smile.

"It's okay" Ammi mumbled.

"Nida Baji what ever have to be done have done... Maybe that was destiny" Musa Mama said and Ammi smiled.

"We don't know what was that but... We are going to break his engagement and will go to ask for Shifa's proposal" Ammi mentioned and Rani mami's face was sighable.. She was looking shocked, her face was dull but I detected a small smile on Musa Mama's face.

"Really?"

"Really?"

Both Musa Mama and Rani Mami asked in unison but their expressions were different.

"Yes! Really! But this time I will go to Meet Maryam by myself" Ammi state with a smile and Rani Mami nodded with a smile

Which was clearly looking fake one to hide her anger

I was happy... I went to my room opened the WhatsApp to saw her DP and I smiled on that...

I smiled and closed my eyes for a while I was going to dial her number but suddenly I thought when I didn't talk to her till then, so I should wait for few more time too. Everything was almost fine.

"Don't worry Shifa.. There isn't any 'goodbye' between us" I mumbled and changed my DP with a proud feeling.

After all the wait was going to be end, I never expected that my life would took that type of turn... I was so much happy...

"Farazzz" I listened a loud and worried call of Musa Mama.

"Coming" yelling the same I ran down stairs. Ammi was crying sitting on the sofa, and Musa Mama was caressing her back.

"Nida Baji... She will be fine.. Don't worry." 

"Nida you go to her with Faraz" I listened Abbu ji saying that to Ammi when I stepped in the room.

"What happened?" I asked worriedly

"Safiya Baji is very ill since last month and she is in hospital" Musa Mama informed me and I got a big shock.

"Safiya khala..." just a little mumbled left my mouth.

Safiya khala was eldest sister of my Ammi. When my maternal grandmother passed away, at that time Safiya khala was only 14 but she raised her both the younger siblings like a mother. she didn't get married for the sake of her younger siblings.

But when we shifted to Mumbai we took Safiya khala with us. She use to live with us. When we were coming back to Delhi she refused to come back and stay there with Kashif. Neither she informed us about her health nor she let kashif informed us. But that day kashif called us to inform that she wasn't responding, so he took her to hospital.

"Ammi don't cry and pack your stuff we are going to Mumbai" saying that I drew out my mobile to call Kashif and he received that in a single ring.

"Bhai..."

"kashif don't worry, we are coming but before that you send her all reports to me..."

"Faraz bhai please come soon with..." kashif was requesting it seems that he was going to cry very next moment.

"Be brave man, I'm booking flight tickets to Mumbai, see you soon there" Saying that I cut the call. And after a short discussion it was decided that I was going to Mumbai with Ammi, abbu ji and Musa Mama.

And after some six or seven hours (next morning) we four were in flight which was taking us to Mumbai...

You must be thinking that who is kashif...

Right?

So... Kashif's full name is KASHIF AAZAM SIDDIQIE, son of Mr. AAZAM SIDDIQIE and youger brother of FARAZ AAZAM SIDDIQIE....

Yes... Kashif is my 19 years old brother, who is doing BMC in Mumbai so he didn't come back to Delhi with us, and lived with Safiya khala....

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THIRD PERSON'S POV :

After spending a week with Safiya, Musa come back to Delhi, but Faraz and Nida decided to stay in Mumbai to take care of Safiya. Since Nida was not going back, so Aazam also decided to stay in Mumbai with his family....

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

In Delhi.....

(The day when Faraz left for Mumbai with his family)

Shifa open WhatsApp to performe her duty

Duty to check Faraz's DP.....

Please wait for me till the end, I'll come to hold your hand....

But that DP made her confused, that was difficult for her to understand the meaning or intention. Shifa smiled sadly and placed back the mobile. "I waited for you Faraz but I don't think my wait will be paid off ever" She muttered and closed her eyes.

"Shaffo..."

"Shifa aapi"

"Shaffoooo..." that was the happiness filled calls from her brothers and Shifa scoot to their room With the same confused expression on her face.

"What happened?" she asked entering in the room and found the room empty

"Shifaaa aa bhi ja yaar" Hamdan called again with irritated voice and Shifa made her way to the room of her parents from where the voice was coming.

(Shifa dude come fast)

"What happened?" she again asked.

"Get ready" that was a rude order.

"For what?" Shifa asked lazily

"We are going for shopping for your marriage" Bilal said in mocking way and Shifa looked at Maryam.

"At this time!" Shifa asked confused without thinking about what she said but Hamdan chuckled, then she realised the same and smiled sheepishly "But where are we going?" Shifa asked and glanced at the clock which was showing quarter to eight of morning, that day was a national holiday because of some festival

Before anyone could open their mouth to reply.... "As I told you, for are to shop for your wedding" Bilal who was sitting beside Hamdan on sofa; said mockingly and Shifa rolled her eyes while sitting beside him.

"shut up Idiot" Both Hamdan and Shifa said in unison, Maryam and Anwar were witnessing the scene with a smile as three siblings were so closed to each other.

"Yes...I'm an idiot!" Bilal said happily while placing his either arms around the shoulders of both siblings who sitting his either side and everyone looked at him confused on is confession.

"I resembles my elder siblings in idiotism" Maryam laughed on Bilal's statement which was full drama and Anwar also smiled. But Bilal got a slap from Both Shifa and Hamdan

"Papaaaaaaa" Bilal run towards Anwar who was sitting on bed and hugged him like he was a five year old boy

"Papa they both always slap me like this" He made a complaint and Anwar made Bilal's messy hair more messy my running his fingers on his head.

After some more playful family time, Maryam informed Shifa that Sabir invited his both daughters for lunch along with her husband and children.

After many days Shifa was smiling whole heartedly. She got ready to go to her maternal grandparents home. After a long time Maryam was going to her father's home, where a small family gathering was held. Anwar as usually didn't like to go to his in-laws home but after Maryam's pleadings he got agree that he would join them before the time of lunch.

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

"Waalaikumas Salam my dear phuppo Jaan" Razi's 9 year old mischievous son Azaan said with a big smile when Maryam entered in the living room with her three kids..

Who weren't kids anymore....

"Waalaikumas salam??!! But Azaan I haven't did salam so why are you giving answer of my salam..?!!" Maryam asked confused, while bending little towards his nephew, her both hands were placed on her knees, and she was watching the sweet boy with a small smile and narrowed eyes.

"Yes phuppo jaan you didn't do salam and I said waalaikumas salam, so that you remember that you should greet when you enter in the home." little boy gave a lesson to his Paternal aunt and everyone bust into loud guffaw.

"Isn't your father enough to teaches me like a teacher that his little brat also started to teaches me" Maryam said with fake anger and glared Razi and his son too.

"Nana abbuuuu" Bilal yelled and run to sabir and got a warm hug from him. Hamdan and Shifa also greeted every at the time Maham also entered in with her husband and two sons.

"Maham Lala" Shifa said happily and Maham made a pout while looking at her husband who smirked before whispering "Maham Baniya (grocerer)"

{Lala and baniya means grocerer in Hindi language}

Maham's husband teased her as usually, whenever Shifa and Bilal call her Lala her husband teased her by calling Baniya...

"Lalu... Now start calling me khala.." Maham scolded her and she shook her head with a mischievous grin.

"No.. Never.. You are my Lala... and khalu Jaan's Baniya" Shifa smiled whole heartedly and the environment was full of guffaws.

"And you badtameez insaan... Tum to bhul hi gaye ki Tumne Bachpan me teri kitne dolls todi hain... Kabhi milne bhi nahi aate.." Maham glared Hamdan and he glared her back.

(you shameless creature... You totally forget that you broke my numerous dolls in childhood... Now you even don't come to meet)

"Achha... Aur Mene bhi to aap ko apni kitni chocolates khilaye hain, or uska kya jo aap meri chips mujhse bina puchhe kha jati thi... Or wese bhi aap bhi to hamare ghar nhi aati humse milne" Hamdan come out with his point and Maham smiled.

(Ohh really?! And what about my chocolates and chips which you have ate even without asking me. And you also don't come to our home to meet us)

"I felt scared of your papa's glare..." Maham said and Shifa giggles as all the others the environment was full of happiness. Razi and Maham's kids were continously running everywhere, home was full of commotion. Guffaws, chuckles and teasing was full in living room. But the air suddenly become heavy for everyone, every smile dropped down, every face become pale. Because someone entered in the living room wearing pathani suit, and carrying a as usually overbearing expression on his face.

"Come Anwar" Sabir said while giving him space to sit beside him.

'This man and his expressionless face won't change.' Maryam rolled her eyes in her mind.

"Maham, ghar main Anwar bhai sahab ka ek bada sa photo frame kar ke lagwa deta hu, tumhari bolti band rahegi" Maham made a pout while narrowing her eyes on her husband but Shifa bust into Guffaw, she listened that whispering voice as she was sitting beside Maham. She was the only one who was laughing like mads and everyone was gawking at her with shocked expressions...

(Maham, I think I should keep hanging a big portrait of Anwar bhai in our home to make your mouth shut)

Anwar glared Shifa but she was laughing hardly, even she didn't noticed Anwar's gaze, he hate that type of laughings and so called ill-mannered behaviour in front of others. His blood was boiling in anger and that poor girl was laughing whole heartedly.

"Stop it Shifaaaa... Now its enough" that was a so much loud roar that for a moment or two Shifa literally forgot to take breath, her mouth stay opened, which was open a while ago for laughing. She felt embarrassed in front of everyone.

SHIFA'S POV

I was frooz on my spot. My breath was still feeling scared to come out of lungs. Running my gaze I found every eye fixed on me as if I was a showpiece. I felt embarrassed. I closed my mouth and lowered my eyes suddenly to hide my tears, I was biting my inner lip and soon I taste my own blood. Many tears rolled down from my cheeks. I wanted to hide my tears and my embarrassment from everyone but Maham Lala was the first who noticed my tears.

"Shifaaaa.... My Lalu" She whispered and I felt her hand on the back of my head. I feels ashame if I cry in front of anyone so without lifting my gaze from floor I scoot to the washroom.

After spending good ten minutes while crying louder, I stepped out from washroom wiping my tears from my sleeves. Razi Mama and Mami were standing there.

"Shifa come here" Mama said lovingly and I passed a bigggg smile as I was the happiest person

Thanks to Faraz who gave me this talent.. Talent of faking smile in the most difficult situation...

"I'm fine Mama" I state happily..

Indeed a fake one

"You can't lie to me, you're my little doll since childhood" I smiled on that and a stubborn tear come out from my eye evenafter all my efforts to stop that.

"Come on Shifa... Even Azaan and Noman also don't cry this much" Mami said to Cheer me.

"Because Razi mama don't scolds them like this" I replied and Mama crossed his arm on his chest.

"Who said I don't scolds them? Do you want any example? Wait I'm calling them and I'll scold them in front of you..." Mama said and I stay quiet, Mama called his both sons and they stood in front of me.

"You heartless girl won't you feel bad that you are making me scold my little davils" That was a fully dramatic statement which made me smile a little

"Azaan, Noman beta daddy is doing nothing if I scold you ever than blame your Shifa Aapi... She is saying me to scold you... Now go and take your revenge with her" Mama said with a smile and his sons approach me with their mischievous yet evil smiled, they were coming to make me laugh by tickled me and I ran away from them while laughing again this time a real one...

The lunch was surved everyone was having that but I was feeling really embarrassed to go in front of Khalu Jaan (maham's husband) so I decided to stay in My cousin's room which was my mumma's room some years back. Maham Lala also join me there and kissed my cheek.

"Idiot no need to cry" she pinched my cheeks. "I feels ashamed in front of others" I state the truth

"You know, no one remember anyone for long time so leave this... You are my grave girl. And you won't stay with bhai sahab for whole life. One day you will go to your own home and my Lalu will live happily"

"insha Allah" She added in whispered.

"I don't want to do Marriage" I said because Marriage wasn't my dream ever. Faraz was the only one who made me watch that dream, but except him I never thought about anyone else.

"Why" She asked and I told her about my fear...

"Marriage is nothing just a cage to distroy the life, its nothing but a burden, marriage is the other name of distrution. And husbands are the most rubbish creature of this earth" I state and Lala was gazing me with open mouth

"Who told you?" she asked softly and I wanted to say my Mom's Personal Diary but didn't.

"I know" I muttered.

"Nothing like that... Look at me! Am I caged? Is my life distructed?" she asked and I just gaze at her.

"Its a beautiful relationship dear, my husband is my best friend, we fights a lot but the best part is; after that argument we show anger to each other and sometimes he wins but many times I win. Don't think negative" She told me and kissed my cheek again. But I was scared of my mummy's life.

'If my destiny resembles her then?' This thought always made me frightened, that's why marrige is my biggest fear of life.

"But I feels scared" I state and she awed at me.

"You are little doll, my princess, don't be scared... Just complete your studies then I will make a Prince Charming stand in front of your parents and tell them to marry you off with him. And believe me he is a dream guy for any girl. Even he is a bit better than your khalu jaan (uncle)" Maham Lala said but last few sentences hit my ears differently and that hit my heart hardly. The way of her talking was like she knows someone about whom she was talking so much confidently.

"I don't want your Prince Charming" I said seriously

"Huh..!! He is not my Prince Charming... I have my king Charming" She said with a small chuckle and I smiled with difficulty.

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

Few days passed and Faraz DP was unchanged, it was still showing the same "wait for me till the end...."

"Faraz you and your DPs always makes my heart skipped a beat but this time you are scaring me" I mumbled while placing back the mobile and started focusing on my studies. In the meantime this Faraz's matter so much divert my mind that I totally lost my attention on studies. I had to give NEET entrance exam which was a week later. So excusing from Mr. Faraz's thought I gave honour to my books which were untouched by me since long ago...

I didn't realised when did that week passed and entrance day come, I was hell nervous and moreover the conditions for giving that exam was making me more nervous.

"Shifa don't worry babu my daughter will do very good" mumma kissed her forehead

"Enough of this mother daughter drama.... She is getting late" papa scolded us and ordered me to come. He mounted on bike and I sat next to him. I was hell nervous.

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

After three hours which were seems like only one hour because it passed very soon I came out from the examination centre and found papa standing near his bike he was talking to someone, maybe his colleague.

"Shifa.. What happened? How was your exam?" Papa asked me and I looked at him with trembling gaze. And slowly shook my head.

"It was very difficult" I state and my eyes pooled up, papa keep watching me with his sharp gaze then I detected a softness in his gaze.

"Its okay" he slowly patted my shoulder. "Do study harder next time" he said and I nodded slowly.

We reached near home but papa stopped his bike near a shop and bought an ice cream tub of my favourite flavour kesar badam kulfi

{A/n: Kesar kulfi and kaju katli are two sweets for which we siblings forget about our love and bond; we fight with each other if, one take even 1 gram extra than other. 😂🙈😋}

"Maryam serve this" Papa handed over the ice-cream tub to her

"How was your exam beta?" mumma asked and felt wetness in my eyes

"It was very difficult mumma" I said meekly and her face become pale.

"Go and freshen up then come back" papa ordered me in ruthless way and I nodded before stepping towards my room.

"Don't say anything to her, I was talking to Neeraj his son also gave this test, he was taking couching but still he found the exam very tough, but Shifa studied by herself." I listened before entering the room, what papa said to mummy and felt little relaxed that he won't bust on me but I was feeling very sad that I didn't focused on my studies due to Faraz. But I couldn't focus on my books when ever his image come to my head.

When I come back after changing my clothes papa passed me a bowl of ice-cream as he passed to my both brothers. And after sometime Musa uncle appeared in front of my sight. I was surprised to saw him suddenly without Rani phuppo.

"Shifa beta make a cup of strong tea for me" He said while sitting beside papa

"I'll make tea you sit beta" mumma said and Musa uncle showed his palm to mummy, he was drinking water.

"Bhabhi I have to talk to you" removing the glass from his lips he said and mumma nodded. He gestured me to go kitchen and obeyed as a good girl

"Bhai sahab, Maryam bhabhi Aazam bhai and Nida Baji is going to break Faraz's engagement... And they were saying that they would come to ask for shifa's hand for Faraz" I listened and I blinked my eyes in disbelieve and slapped my left hand as hard as I could just to check if that was dream or not... But fortunately that wasn't a dream...

Musa uncle informed that his elder sister had stone in kidney and some more problems so she had a kidney transplant surgery due to which Faraz and his parents were in Mumbai but when they would come back from Mumbai they come to our home for my proposal but I listened Papa's order too..

"Musa, and Maryam you both don't have to talk to Shifa about this... I don't want her to think about all these things" I hadn't tears of joy in my eyes... I don't know how people come up with those tears I feels tears only in pain not in joy. But the state of my heart was like... Like....

I don't know how to describe? I was thinking that my all the prayers were answered...

"Faraz... Allah... Thank you so much..." I was mad with happiness but my same problem...

I couldn't express my feelings to anyone... Soon I understand the meaning of Faraz's DP.

I wanted a good life and I always found Faraz as a Ray of sun in my dark life.

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

Dil aaj Shaad hai,

aapki yado se abaad hai,

Bohot shabo ke baad aai hai,

ye khushiyon bhari seher,

Kahin aankh khule to ye na ho

ki yeh to wahi siyah raat hai..

_Naaz Jamal

06.06.2020

Shaad = Happy

Abaad= Filled with

Shabo =Nights

Seher = Morning

Siyah = Dark/black

Again I don't know from where these words popped in my head and I write it.... 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

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