Shera ✔ A Short Story

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"𝑯𝒂𝒔𝒓𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒆 𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒖𝒎 𝒎𝒊𝒍 𝒋𝒂𝒐

𝑻𝒂𝒎𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒉 𝒚𝒆 𝒌𝒆 𝑶𝒎𝒂𝒓 𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒓 𝒌𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒚𝒆𝒂"

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The next morning and the days after, Raj behaved a guest in his own house, giving Sadaf and her child as much privacy as he could. Given the fact that her stay at his place remained a secret to the world.

Some days, his neighbors complained to the sound of a baby crying or Abdul Chacha, the uncle living in the house next to his, would ask why he was sleeping in his jeep last night. Every time, Shera would get away with a silly excuse, keeping the matter as low as possible. He couldn't compromise her safety at any cost, knowing all too well what the consequences will be when the officials finds out a Pakistani is hiding in his quarters. 

Initially, Shera tried spending most of his time at the base and the nights at Dev's place. But to avoid unwarranted suspicion, he had to return home at some point. And even then, he'd always be in a hurry of leaving.

Day in and day out as Sadaf obseverd  and watched him run around in a haste she believed she owed him too much. And the guilt of kicking a man out of his own place got to her. It was an usual Sunday when Shera had entered the house early in the morning to freshen up when he paused seeing her sitting on the couch. A white duppata draped around her like a cloak. Her eyes that where shut, now took in Shera's messed up state.

'Assalamalaikum.' Shera greeted with a smile, bowing his head slightly.

'Walaikum.'

'Aap jaldi uthgaye aaj?'

(You up so early?)

'Ji, wo namaz padhni hoti hai humein subha Fajr ki. Aur uske baad hum wapas so nahi paate.' He nodded at the information, starting to move towards his room quietly.

(Yeah, actually I can't sleep after offering the morning prayer.)

'Aapse kuch kehna tha humein.' Sadaf calls, making him halt and twirl around on his heel.

(I wanted to say something,)

'Kahiyea? Kiya kuch chahiyea aapko?'

(What is it? Do you need anything?)

'Nahi. Wo, uh. . .' She looked at the ground nervously, still not mustered the courage to look him in the eye after all this time. 'Hum kehna chah rahe the ki. . .' She trailed off again.

(No. I, uh. . .I meant to say. . .)

'Sadaf,' He utters in his velvet smooth voice, melting her nerves instantly.

'Aap iss tarha roz raat ko baher jeep me so rahe hain, humein bilkul acha nahi lag raha.' She paused, taking in a deep breath before raising her eyes against his. 'Ye ghar aapka hai. Ispe sab se pehla haq bhi aapka hai. Humari wajah se aapko saari raat baher guzarni pardti hai. Uss jeep mein, thand mein sona pardhta hai, aur pata nahi kiya kiya.' Shera smiled to himself, watching her throw a tantrum and being all bossy for the very first time.

(I don't like the fact that you sleep out in the jeep like this. This is your house and I don't have any right to kick out the owner himself. You shouldn't have to sleep out in the cold all night, and so uncomfortably.)

'Main toh aapki privacy ka khayal--'

(I thought it would give you privacy--)

'Aap khayal nahi kar rahe. Aap sharminda kar rahe hain humein. Please, aap aaj se baher nahi soenge aur na hi baher fuzool time waste karinge. Ghar aapka hai, aap yahin rahenge. Hum dono yahan couch par ya kitchen mein sojainge. Humein koi problem nahi hogi.'