Author: writerbyheart01
Published: 09/11/24
"Collection of Memories" captures the diverse palette of life—sweet moments that bring joy, tangy encounters that add excitement, and salty experiences that bring depth. Yet, even the most delightful blend can be overshadowed by a hint of bitterness, lingering longer than any other taste. What unfolds when bitterness seeps into a relationship, erasing the sweetness and eclipsing every other emotion? In this tale, love and hate are not just opposites but entwined forces battling for control. When both are added to the fragile balance of a relationship, which will prevail, and what memories will be left standing? Explore a journey where passion and resentment collide, revealing the raw essence of human connection. Will love’s warmth triumph, or will hate’s shadow cast over everything, leaving only a lingering aftertaste?
Stepping in the kitchen Adnaan witnessed Sara making breakfast, he silently draw out the tetra pack of juice from fridge, pour in a glass for himself and gulp that in one go before Leaving for office.
Since five days they were not talking to each other, on day one Adnaan literally begged in front of Sara but she was not ready to believe in him due to which Adnaan became angry, resulting he also stopped talking to her.
Adnaan had another massive argument with Mansi but she act innocent as if she said nothing wrong. But actually she get success in her plan.
Adnaan performance in his office was decreased as his brain was not focusing on work but on his personal life. Her dispute with his wife was clearly making him mad, he was yelling on his subordinates without any specific reason, he was not having his meal on time moreover he was not energetic enough like before.
"Adnaan, what's wrong? Why are you upset?" Placing his hand on Adnaan's shoulder Avinash asked frankly
"Thak gya hu." Adnaan replied in frustration
(I'm tired)
"Then go home and take proper rest" He jerk his head on Avinash's instruction
"My real headache is present in my home.." He muttered but Avinash's sharp ears listen the same.
"Hmm?"
"Sara is doubting in me." Adnaan shared while massaging his temple, his head was already bursting with pain.
"What? But why?" Avinash acted as if he doesn't know anything and Adnaan shared whole matter with him. He was considering Avinash as an elder brother who will gave a good advice but poor him! He didn't know Avinash was involved in the plan to make complications in between husband wife.
"Ye biwiyo ko shak karne ke alawa kuch aur aata hi nhi hai, jab dekho inke demaag me shak ka keeda kaat'ta rehta hai! Kaha the? Kiske sath the? Late kyu wapas aa rahe ho? Bas yahi sawalo ke jawab dete dete zindagi haram ho gyi hai" Avinash shared his pain with Adnaan as if he was concerned about his wife, but in reality he never give a good status to wife in his life, and his wife also knew that Avinash was a jerk.
(Doubting on husbands is a leisure activity for wives. I'm also tired by answering about my schedule)
"Bro, I've tried my best to make Sara understand that I'm not cheating on her... What else can I do?" Adnaan shared and Avinash hummed
"It's complicated" Avinash muttered and Adnaan nodded "I love her and now it's difficult for me to tolerate her anger and doubt towards me" Adnaan added and Avinash furrowed.
"Do you really love her?"
"Indeed I do, Mana thodi Pagal hai, lekin biwi hai meri, uske bina ab kuch achha nhi lagta" Adnaan shared his honest feelings with the wrong person
(I know she is a bit crack, but she is my wife and I can't live without her)
"Does she also love you?"
"Yes she does... But she is just not..." Avinash didn't let him complete
"I doubt! It seems she doesn't love you and now trying to get rid of you and this marriage by blaming you for having an extra marital affair" Each and every inch of Adnaan's brain got a jolt, he was shocked to hear that. The first thing or better of to say the first person who come to his mind was Qaleel. His visits in Adnaan's absence, the gifts specially flowers which he use to bring for Sara and last but not the least Qaleel's strange behavior in front of Adnaan...
"But..." Adnaan muttered and think for two long minutes "No... It's impossible" Adnaan declared confidently
"Sara aesi nhi hai, she loves me and I trust her" Adnaan added after remembering Sara's love towards himself but Avinash jerk his head
(Sara is not way like this)
"That's good if she is not way put this... But keep your eyes and ears open. If she really loves you then why she's not believing on you? Love is blind... I can see your love for her, you're trusting her blindly but what about hers?" Avinash poisoned his ears very well unknowingly those words were making Adnaan insecure and doubtful toward Sara and Qaleel's friendship.
"She also love me bro, she really is crazy in my love..." Adnaan said meekly while remembering Sara's love, but this time his tone was holding self-doubt for his statement.
"That's good. If she really loves you then she'll try to sort out the dispute between you two." Avinash said and Adnaan nodded with a hum, but his brain was concluding, if it was possible that Sara was cheating on him, though his heart wasn't ready to believe but Avinash's words had a big impact on an unknown spot of his brain
"I'll clear these doubts... I'll do everything to make her believe that I'm not involved in any affair with anyone... I want make everything fine" Adnaan said in hushed tone and Avinash's head move left and right.
"Don't do this mistake ever! Ignore her, let her come on her knees. If she really loves you then she won't be able to handle your rudeness and your distance with her. But honestly speaking, I have doubt that she is trying to get rid of you and using your past relationship with Mansi as a weapon" Adnaan was dangling in between his heart and Avinash's advise. He wanted to talk to Sara by his own but Avinash's advice was exactly opposite to that.
"Bro I'm confused" Adnaan muttered and Avinash smiled.
"Cheer up man, and keep Remember one rule of married life, never let your wife dance on your head... Whenever she try to show herself superior immediately show her real place" Saying that Avinash patted at Adnaan's shoulder wirh a smile.
"Advising you was my work, implementation is up to you, best of luck" Saying that Avinash left Adnaan alone in between the state of confusion and doubt. He just close the laptop and rest his head on desk, even after thinking for two hours he was unable to conclude whether to ignore Sara or hold a conversation with her. But then he remembered what Anzala said once after having an argument with Maizah.
Biwi ko kabhi sar pr nhi bithana chahiye, football sneakers pehan kar sar par kathak karne lagti hain
(one shouldn't roam around wife, they start to show their tantrums)
In the end of debate with himself he decides to ignore Sara for some time!
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Adnaan stopped his car on red-light and a small hand knock the glass of window.
"Where were you since three days little boy? And how many are left?" Adnaan asked to the small flower seller
"Meri behen ki tabiyat theek nhi thi to main kaam nhi kar rha tha... Aur aaj to ek bhi nhi bika, sare phool sukh gaye" The boy replied with a sad face and Adnaan felt sad for him.
(My sister wasn't well so I wasn't coming for work, and today I wasn't able to sell a single one, all the flowers are drying now)
"Khana khaya?" In hushed tone Adnaan asked and the boy got tears in his eyes.
(Have food?)
"Kal se nhi khaya" He replied and Adnaan felt pain, but before he could pull out money from his wallet he listened loud horns from behind, the red light was already turned to green and only because of his car one lane of road was clocked. The little boy preferred to run away from middle of road in order to save himself from any car or bus, and Adnaan also drove off from there but he was feeling guilty after knowing about the hunger of that boy. He was driving ahead but his attention was fixed on that boy, soon his gaze went to a food corner. Parking the near that shop he brought a good amount of food and drove back to the same place where he usually found that boy but unfortunately even after wait for ten minutes the little boy wasn't visible anywhere. Looking everywhere Adnaan's gaze went to the tarpaulin tent made under a fly over, he found the little boy sitting there placing his both hands under his chin.
(Not since yesterday)
"Chhotu" Driving towards the fly over Adnaan called the boy loudly and he looked up before making himself stand to come toward his car.
"Ji Sahab?"
(Yes sir)
"Khana khaa lena, aur behen ki dawai le aana" Passing the big poly bag along with some money to that little boy Adnaan said with a smile and the boy was surprised as well as happy.
(Have meal, and bring your sister's medicines)
"Ye khana hai?" He asked with curiosity and Adnaan nodded
(Is this food?)
"Sahab abhi mat jaiyega... Yahi rukiye" Showing his hand to Adnaan the little boy said and moved towards his tent holding the food with difficulty.
(Sir wait here)
In some one minute the boy come back holding two floral bracelets and a red rose in his hands and a poor lady also come there.
"Sahab aaj aapne phool nhi liye!" Passing those flower bracelets and red rose the boy said and Adnaan felt a pang in his heart because for whom he use to bought those flowers was already angry with him. But passing some money towards him Adnaan fake a smile.
(Sir you forget flowers today)
" Today I don't need flowers" Adnaan muttered but the boy refused to take money and pass the flowers to him forcefully as a thank you gift.
Adnaan drove off from there with a satisfaction in his heart to help needy, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth so didn't know the pain of being starving but he got a lesson from his family to help poors and needy. On the other hand the poor family was having their meal after two days and blessed Adnaan for his tenderheartedness.
Beshak, Achhe kaam Duao ka zariya bante hain...
(Indeed good deeds become a reason of blessings)
Aur Duao se taqdeere badal jaati hain...
(And blessings holds the power to change destiny)
.................
With intention to ignore Sara, Adnaan used his keys to unlock the door instead of ring the bell but he was surprised to see Neha sitting with Sara in living area.
"Aaj hamari yaad kese aa gyi?" Adnaan asked Neha completely ignoring Sara who slightly glare him but then looked away.
"Tum betho main tumhare liye chai lati hu" Sara told Neha but she shook her head.
(I'm making you tea)
"Bhabhi it's okay, don't treat me like a guest. You take rest" Neha replied but Sara shook her head slowly while standing up.
"I'm fine now" Saying that Sara stepped toward kitchen, she felt dizzy but maintained her balance pretty well before stepping ahead.
"Adnaan bhai what happened to her?" Neha asked in hushed tone when Sara was already disappeared in kitchen.
"Theek to hai..." He replied carelessly without know what Sara was feeling right then
(She is absolutely fine)
"Ise kya hona hai? Isne to meri zindagi haram kar rakhi hai"
(Nothing is wrong with her, but she's making my life hell)
Mumbling that Adnaan stepped toward the bedroom but a loud thud from the kitchen made him alarmed. Taking long steps he went to the kitchen and he was shocked so as was Neha after witnessing Sara laying on the floor in fainted condition.
"Sara bhabhi" a whisper left from Neha's mouth but Adnaan was numb for a while. "Sara... Saraaa.." kneeling down on floor he patted her cheeks, "Neha call the ambulance" Adnaan ordered but Neha was stunned to understand anything she came out of her trance when the tea boiled off from the pan making a sizzling sounds but before Neha could went back to living room to pick her mobile Adnaan slipped his one arm under Sara's shoulder and under her both knees, lifting her in his arms he stood up.
"Neha open the door" Adnaan's voice was louder than usual.
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Hope you liked this chapter...
_Naaz Jamal