Ulfat ; محبت
"Where do you think you are going?" I asked while looking at her whose eyes were wide open
"Woh....Mai.." she was saying as I pulled her more closer to me and she gasped I put my face near her neck and inhale her vanilla scent she pu...
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Location: Nawab’s Haveli – Balochistan
The haveli buzzed with preparations. Strings of jasmine hung from carved balconies. Servants rushed through sandstone corridors, voices echoing with urgency.
It was the wedding of Nawab Sahab’s second eldest grandson.
In the heart of the haveli, Saima, the eldest daughter-in-law, directed the help with military precision. Her dupatta was slipping, sweat clung to her forehead, but she didn’t slow down.
“Ya Allah… har kaam mere sar par kyun hai?” she muttered, clutching a clipboard.
(God… why is every task dumped on me?)
“Begum…” Afzal’s voice came from behind.
Calm.
Grounding.
He placed a glass of water in her hand. “Sab ho jayega. Baith jao zara.”
(Everything will get done. Sit for a moment.)
She exhaled sharply. “Baithjaoon? Sham ko baraat hai, aur tumhe chain ki padi hai?”
(Sit? The wedding is tonight and you’re this calm?)
But he didn’t argue. He simply held her hand and kissed her knuckles. Her breath caught.
“Tum gussemeinaur bhi khoobsuratlagti ho,” he said, smiling gently.
(You look even more beautiful when you’re angry.)
She rolled her eyes but her lips curved.
“Sharam karo. Teen jawan bachonke baap ho.”
(Have some shame. You’re the father of three grown children.)
From the corridor, a voice broke in,
“Main disturb toh nahi kar raha?”
(Am I interrupting?)
It was Wajih, their youngest son messy hair, mischief in his eyes. Saima turned to him sharply.
“Tum ab aaye ho? Subha se kaam chal raha hai, auraapShehzada Saleem ban keghoom rahe hain?”
(You just showed up? We’ve been running around since morning while you wander like Prince Saleem?)
Wajih scratched the back of his neck.
“Woh… main…”
Before he could cook up a lie, Warisha, his sister, walked in cool, calm, the family’s sharpest tongue.
