Short Stories

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یہاں سب، سب کو جانتے ہیں ،
یہاں کوئی خود کو نہیں جانتا..

✨ M I R A A L ✨

I was sitting in the lounge with aunty. We were watching a TV show while we munched on some snacks, spending some "saasu bahu quality time" as she liked to call it. She was pretty much into the show while I looked around. Hamza and uncle had gone to the office to take care of some business related work.

My thoughts drifted towards my family. I did not know how the situation was there right now. I had not talked to anyone since I got here. I am sure baba had broken all hell lose by now.

On cue, I heard some yelling.

"Miraal! Bahar ao,"

Aunty and I shared a worried look. We walked to the porch where baba was standing. He stomped over to where I was standing and before I knew what was happening his hand had come in contact with my cheek, bringing a stinging sensation.

I looked at him with eyes wide open. He had never before raised his hand on me. Never. Tears welled up in my eyes when my gaze met his hateful one. He looked at me with rage evident on his face.

Aunty pulled me away from him and took me in her embrace.

"Ye kya kar rahay hain aap, bhai sahab!"

"Apnay kaam se kaam rakhain, ye mera aur meri beti ka maamla ha."

"Aap shayad bhool rahay hain ye ab meri bahu ha."

She rubbed my back soothingly as I cried in her chest. I could not push out the way he looked at me. His gaze was nothing but hateful. Long was gone the father who raised me up. Who looked at me like I was his most precious belonging. Who told me one look at my face brightened up his day.

"Lagta ha tum bhool gayi ho ma ne tum say kya kaha tha. Ma bhi apnay waaday ka pakka hun. Aaj raat tak tum mujhay ghar ma chahiye ho, warna anjaam tum jaanti ho."

With that, I heard his footsteps fade away.

"Chalo beta, andar chalo, ma abhi Hamza ko bulaati hun."

We walked inside the lounge, she was still holding me in her embrace. I was sobbing badly. She had called Hamza and narrated the entire incident to him. Baba's words rang in my head repeatedly.

No later than a few minutes, uncle and Hamza walked into the house.
I pulled away from aunty when uncle occupied the space beside me.

"Miraal, betay, aap kyun itna rou rahi ho? Apko yaqeen nahin ha mujh par? Ma kisi ke sath kuch ghalat nai honay dun ga. Aap befikar raho meri bachi,"

I nodded as I wiped my tears and held back a sob.

"Hamza, Miraal ko kamray ma lejao,"

I looked up at him when his name was mentioned. He had not uttered a word ever since they had come. He walked towards me and grabbed my hand into his own. He clasped our hands together and walked towards our room.

"Idhar baitho," he led me to our bed and sat me down there. He sat beside me, his knee touching mine. He grabbed my chin and forced me to look at him.

"Waada kia ha na tumsay ke sub theek kardun ga? Phir kyun ro rahi ho? Tum tau meri strong Miraal ho. Phir kyun iss tarhan kamzor parr rahi ho? Hmm?"

I had stopped crying by now. I suddenly felt a whole lot lighter when he reminded me he was going to fix everything.

I moved closer and wrapped my arms around his torso, resting my head on his chest.