Makhfi

Chapter 14

Chapter 14
In the hall
It was about 4 in the afternoon
All cousins and mothers were sitting there except Mehrma, Mahnoor and Zunaira who had gone to Islamabad for 2 days.
Shahzain entered the room and came towards his mother and laid beside her keeping his head on her lap. Noreen started massaging his temples.
Shahvaiz:"Tughey kya hogya? lagta hai biwi ki yaad starahi hai." Everyone laughed at his words.
Shahzain:"Tu apna muhn band nahi kersakta kya."
Shahvaiz:"Kyu?kya hua sach kerwa laga."
Ruhaan:"Na tang ker yaar becharey ko, yaad mat kerwa, reh nahi paiga."
Armaan:"Kyun na kerwai ,ek wohi to hai jo issey aiyna dikhati hai."
Azaan:"Wasisey sahi baat hai, sabney tughey sar pe charha ke rakha tha, ek biwi hi to hai jis nay zameen pey bithaya hai."
Sadaf:"Jab dekho tab lar hi rahe hotey hai."
Kinza:"Yeh dono larney ke illawa kuch karo toh samajh aaye."
Zubaria:"Sach mey, kasam se pata nahi kis kis baat per behas ker rahey hotey hai."
Vania:"Waisey kab batana hai ap sabney Mehrma ko, kyun ke Mamu toh mood main nahi hai abhi bataney key."
Yawar:"Jab meri Mehr shaadi keliye tayar hogi."
Vania:"Aur ussey koi aur passand agya tabtak toh."
Saif:"Tumhe fiqar kerney ki zaroorat nahi hai."
Azeem :"Shahzain Kuch khabar."
Shahzain:"Ji bhai! Hai."
Azeem:"Chalo, hum attey hai thori der main."
Zareena:"Bachey!ko khana to khaney do."
Shahzain:"baad main chachi jaan."
In the backyard
Azeem:"kya khabar hai?"
Shahzain:"Wo khabees Shehreyar Malik, investors dhund raha hai."
Yawar:"kya matlab, wo elections pey focus nahi ker raha."
Shahzain:"Nah!pata nahi kya chal raha hai uskey dimaag main .Aur absey election ki wajah se koi bhi ghar se bahir guards liye bagair na nikley."
Yawar:"Hmm, un teeno ko bhi bataa dena."
Azeem:"Tum mughey yeh batao what the hell is wrong between both of you ?"
Shahzain:"Bhai, bohat kuch hai jo apko nahi pata."
Yawar:"We're all ears."
Shahzain then told them everything from the start ,how they met ,how Mehrma got to know about their Nikkah, what happened in those 8 years , what made them go separate ways.
Flashback
10 years ago
In America
Shahzain is 18 years old
Mehrma is 16 years old
Shahzain POV
I have just landed in America, from the airport I took a taxi and went to the apartment baba has set up for me. I am sharing this apartment with my childhood best friend Adil.

It's been a few days since I've came here. Almost everything of mine has been set in their perspective places. Adil had also reached here two days after my arrival. We were currently sitting in the tv lounge watching a movie . I was doing everything except focusing on the movie. I was in the thoughts of the question my father had asked me before my departure. 'Will I want to become leader of our village and join politics ?' I've never thought about this . Because I assumed that one of my elder brothers or my elder cousin will take it , but turns out non of them wanted to become the leader . So now it was either going to be me or like my elders I'll pass it on, but I do have interest in politics. I've always admired my baba and chachus hardwork . They've done a lot for our village, our city and the cities surrounding it. My phone suddenly buzzed bringing me back to reality. I read the callers ID, it was Qasim dada. I happily received the call.
Call
Shahzain:"Asalam u Alaikum, kaisey hai aap Qasim dada."
Qasim shah:"Walaikum asalam, kaisa hai mera sher."
Shahzain:"Main theek hu, ap kaisey hai dada."
Qasim shah:"Main bilkul theek hu. To dada ka sher kab a raha hai dada sey milney?"
Shahzain:"Jab ap huqam karein, apka ye spahi apki kadmo mein hoga."
Qasim shah:"'Chuckled' theek hai phir kal tum khana hamarey saath khaoge. Allah hafiz."
Shahzain:"Ok Allah hafiz."
Call the end
Today I have come to meet Qasim dada. Right now I'm in front of his house. I am a little hesitant because I know Samaab will be there ,but leaving my fear behind I entered.

It's been a few hours since I've come . Samaab wasn't at home ,she wasn't even there at lunch. Qasim Dada and I ,both of us, were sitting in his room . I was telling him about the question baba had asked me.
Qasim dada:"Tumhara kya chah hai."
Shahzain:"Main yeh zimedari uthana chahta hu, magar Kya main is derjey ke laiq hu?"
Qasim dada:"Tum is cheez ke laiq ho aur mughey pura yaqeen hai tum ek qabil hukmaran banogey."
Shahzain:"Dada! Is zimedari ke sath bohat sey khatrey hai, mughey apni fikar nahi hai magar aj nahi toh kal duniya ko merey aur Samaab ke Nikkah ke barey main maloom hoga aur wo mughey kamzor kerney ke liye ussey torengey. Main apni lalajh ki wajah se ussey istemal hone nahi de sakhta. Ya toh main yeh zemidari uthaonga ya Samaab se rishta Barkarar rakhunga ."
Qasim dada:"beta, main janta hu tum siraf Samaab ka bhala soch rahe ho magar tum apne khawab aur mohobbat ke beechme se ek nahi chun sakhtey kyun ke tum apni kamyaabi ke liye apni mohobbat ki qurbani dogey to puri zindagi regret kertey hue guzaar dogey ."
Shahzain:"Lekin dada main apni wajah se ussey is agh main nahi dekh sakhta. Yeh Samaab ka kasur to nahi hai na ke uska aur mera Nikkah bachpan main kerdiya gaya tha."
Samaab:"WHAT!!!!!!"
Both of us looked towards the door and saw Samaab standing there.
Qasim dada:"kitna suna."
Both me and Samaab said in unison "REALLY!"
Samaab:"well Sara , jab se ap dono yaha baithey hai tabsey main yaha khari hun. Weird you didn't even noticed."
Flashback over
Yawar:"So you're telling me, she knew about her Nikkah all along."
Shahzain:''Well yes."
Azeem:"Phir why both of you are acting sus."
Shahzain:" kyun ke yeh baat merey ,Samaab ,Qasim dada aur ab aap dono ke illawa kisi ko nahi pata hai."
Yawar:"To kab bataney ka irada hai?"
Shahzain:"Dekhtey hai."
At dinner
Mahnoor,Mehrma and Zunaira had returned.
Today's dinner was made by Muneza ,as she requested everyone.
Mehrma was more than shocked to find that Muneza was cooking.
Everyone was sitting in there prospective places. Muneza was still in the kitchen.
Roshane:"Mehr api apko turkish ati hai na."
Mehrma:"Haan ati hai."
Roshane:"Shahzain bhai ko bhi ati hai."
Mehrma acted to look surprised , Both Azeem and Yawar started laughing. Shahzain had already informed Samaab that both Yawar and Azeem bhai got to know about their Nikkah. Mehrma and Shahzain also joined in with their laugh.
Everyone was looking at them confused .
Mehrma:"Well achi baat hai kisi ko samajh nahi ayegi main kya keh rahi hu , well obviously Mir ke illawa."
Shahzain made a face on that name.
Everyone laughed because Shahzain could keep a blank face to everything except that nickname.
Shahzain:"Mera naam Shahzain hai."
Mehrma:"Exactly Mera naam bhi Mehrma hai."
Everyone was now used to their bickering so continued doing whatever they were doing.
Muneza came and presented with seafood pasta. Everyone praised her and started eating.
Mehrma felt like her throat was being sliced. She was not able to breathe properly. Mehrma took hold of Shahzain's arm. Shahzain looked at her red face and got worried.
Shahzain:"You okay!"
Everyone looked towards Mehrma.
Mehrma:"Isme...............pineapple............hai kya?"
Mahnoor:"Isme Kya pineapple hai Muneza?"
Muneza:"Nahi. I know that she is allergic."Muneza was completely honest because no matter what she can't hurt anyone physically .
Mahnoor:"Zuni, antidote merey side table ki draw main hai, jaldi leker auo."
Zunaira ran upstairs to bring the antidote.
Mehrma stood and walked slowly towards the door. Shahzain and Mahnoor stood up from their places. Mehrma collapsed before she could reach the door, but Shahzain was fast enough to take hold of her. Mehrma leaned in Shahzain's arms ,she couldn't breathe. As As Saif was a doctor so he rushed towards Mehrma and took hold of her wrists to check her pulse.
Saif:"Uski pulse week hai."
Mehrma fainted in Shahzain's arms.
Everyone panicked ,Zunaira came and injected the antidote in her arm. A few minutes passed but Mehrma didn't open her eyes.
Saif again checked her pulse.
Saif:"Humein issey hospital leker jana chehye."
Shahzain scooped Mehrma in his arms and ran outside towards the car.
In the hospital
Shahzain,Shahvaiz ,Azaan ,Ruhaan ,Armaan, Mahnoor and Zunaira and Yawar were waiting for Saif as he was inside checking Mehrma. The 7 youngsters along with Saif and Yawar came to the hospital. Shahzain simply told the rest sternly ,not to come.
After 15-20 minutes Saif came outside from the Emergency ward.
Shahzain:''How is she?"
Saif:"She's stable right now ,but jab tak wo uthti nahi hai I can't say anything."
After a few hours
The youngsters along with Saif and Yawar were sitting in the room waiting for Mehrma to open her eyes.
Shahzain was staring at Mehrma, her whole face was red ,because of the allergic reaction. A drip was attached to her right hand.
Mehrma slowly opened her eyes. She saw worried faces. Azaan was the first one to notice Mehrma .
Mahnoor came towards Mehrma and sat beside her holding her hand. Mahnoor's eyes were red. It was clear that she had been crying. Mehrma smiled at her.
Mahnoor:"Kesi ho ,kuch chehye."
Mehrma:"Nahi"
Zunaira:"Tumney hamari jaan nikaldi thi."
Mehrma:"Aur meri jaan nikalgai thi."
Everyone except Shahzain talked for a while ,Shahzain was continuously doing something on his phone.
Shahzain's phone rang, making everyone's attention towards him. Shahzain picked up the phone, his expression changed from blank to Anger and fear.
Shahzain:" Bhai merey saath ayega ."
Yawar and Shahzain both shared a look and went outside.
They returned a few minutes later.
Yawar:"Ab usko rest kerney do wo thak gai ho gi."
Mahnoor:"Main yaha rukungi."
Saif:"Nahi tum ghar jarahi ho. Main aur Shahzain yaha rukengey. Shahzain ,dada ke kehney pe ruk raha hai, aur dado ney kaha hai ke tum dono ko ghar le key ana hai."He said pointing towards Mahnoor and Zunaira.
Everyone except Shahzain and Saif left.
Saif went to do his work while Shahzain sat on the sofa in his own thoughts. Mehrma was continuously observing him. She was trying to read his face but when couldn't read it , she decided to sleep.
Shahzain POV
I was looking towards the sleeping figure of Samaab. I honestly was frightened seeing her in that condition. I can't lose her no matter what she's my most prized possession. I was continuously looking towards her and thinking about the phone call.
Flashback
I was busy on my phone not glancing towards Samaab because I couldn't see her eyes. My phone suddenly rang. Everyone's attention was towards me. I received the call from an unknown number.
Call
Shahzain:"Hello! Asalam u Alaikum."
Caller:"Kessa lag raha hai Biwi ko hospital main dekh ker......... Kya hua? Tumhe kya laga apna ye raaz mughse chupa sakhtey ho. Shehreyar Malik naam hai mera .Wesey kya anth biwi hai tumhari. Intiha ki khoobsurat hai. Sach kahu toh hasad horahi hai tumse agar kabhi chorna ho to mughey bata dena. I'll gladly take her. "
Shahzain:"Jawab ke liye tayar rehna."
Call ended
Shahzain:"Bhai merey sath ayega."
Yawar bhai looked at me ,questioning me through his eyes. I nodded in confirmation.
We both went outside
Yawar:" kya hua."
Shahzain:"Shehreyar Malik ki chal hai ye."
Yawar:"What the hell! Ussey kesey pata chala tumhare Aur Mehr ke Nikkah ka."
Shahzain:"pata nahi, there is definitely a rat in the house."
Yawar:"Tum Mehr ke sath yaha rukho, main dada ko itla kerdu har cheez ka."
Shahzain:"Ap ghar main baki sabko kehde ke har koi hoshyar rahe. Main Zara ata hu."
Flashback over
After Samaab slept I called my very trusted men and told them to guard Samaab. Hopefully I will be done before she wakes up. I left after informing Saif bhai.
At Malik residence
I ignored the guards and went inside. A few of them came after me trying to stop me. I went into the main hall where the head 'Shehreyar's dada' Babar Malik was sitting. I went towards him and told him to call his grandson. He was obviously shocked by my arrival because I never came to them until I had already made a big loss to them . I like to trigger them by congratulating them on their failure.
Babar Malik:"Kesey ana hua ,ab kya kerdiya hai humney jiskey badley tum hummey koi
nuqsaan pohchane aye ho?"
Shahzain:"Apne pottey ko bulwai."
Without any argument he told the servant to call him.
He came in the room with a smile adoring his lips, but when he saw me fear took over
him . He composed him and spoke.
Shehreyar:"Ji dada apneu mughey yaad kiya?"
Before Babar Malik could speak , I went towards Shehreyar and punched him. He was going to speak again when another punch landed on his face.
Shahzain:"Aynda uskey kareeb bhi bhatkey na to ye yaad rakhna aj siraf naak tori hai , tab tum chalney ke kaabil nahi rahogey."
With that I stormed out, leaving behind a speechless Babar Malik and Shehreyar Malik with a bloody face and a broken nose.
In the hospital
When I returned I saw that Samaab was still Asleep. I went towards the sofa and sat down resting my head on the head rest. I looked at the beauty in front of me who was suffering because of a person who hates me. This was the reason I never wanted to get involved in politics because I knew that mine and Samaab's lives are and always will be in danger until I am connected to politics. It's a world where power comes with millions of problems, in which one of them is the safety of a loved one. Political parties will continuously try to hurt Samaab if they get to know about our marriage. That is why I haven't announced our marriage to the world. I promised dada and Qasim dada that I will be a patriotic leader but I can't let Samaab suffer because of my dream. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't noticed that Samaab was up and I was staring at her.
Samaab:"Take a picture, it lasts longer."
I came out of my daze.
Shahzain:"kisi ne Mughey kaha tha ke itni Khushfehmiyan nahi palni chehye ."
Samaab:"Aur kisi ne mughey kaha tha ke aqsar Khushfehmiyan jeeney main madad kerti hai  to unhe palna achi baat hai."
We both kept looking at each other for a while. Looking into each other's eyes like we were reading each other's souls. Samaab broke eye contact.
She spoke a little while later.
Samaab:" I don't think so, ye Muneza me kiya hai, wo kuch bhi ker sakhti hai magar kisi ki zindagi ke sath nahi khail sakhti."
Shahzain:"Tum sahi keh rahi ho usney nahi kiya. Kisi aur ne kiya hai."
Samaab:"kisney "
Shahzain:"Pata nahi."I lied because I can't let her get involved in my matters.
' But she was involved the day she became your wife.' My subconscious remarked .
Samaab's POV
Shahzain was lying, I could tell. I wanted to ask him why but decided against it. I want to give this relationship a chance. I know he is on purpose pushing me away. I know this because his eyes always tell me the opposite when he tells me to' leave him alone ' or 'don't disturb me'.
A few days later
Author's POV
Mehrma returned home  a few days later from the hospital .Qasim Shah also came from America yesterday. Everyone except  Mehrma and Shahzain who were in the office preparing for a combined presentation for both the companies , were present in the living room.
Farzana was sitting with her mother talking about her recent plan when Noreen spoke.
Noreen:"Azhar Aj ek behen ki haesiyat se tumsey kuch mangna chahti hu. "
Azhar:" ji bhabhi bole. "
Noreen:"Main apne Shahvaiz ke liye Mahnoor ka haath mangti hu tumsey. "
The whole house went silent.
Shahvaiz who was sipping tea, when heard the announcement spat it out. Shahvaiz began coughing. Ruhaan who was sitting beside him patted his back. Mahnoor looked towards Zunaira. Zunaira was also looking towards her and raised her brows asking her consent.
Azhar:"Dekhey bhabhi main samajhta hu key Mahnoor is ka faisla key to behter ho ga.''Everyone looked towards Mahnoor waiting for her answer.
Farzana:"Agar tumhe nahi kerni,toh tum inkaar ker sakhti ho."Zunaira scoffed at their so called mothers words. Mahnoor and Zunaira both knew she was doing this just to get appreciation.
Mahnoor:" Main............"
Mahnoor couldn't complete her sentence because the door of the living room was open and Mehrma and Shahzain entered.
Mehrma whispered so only Shahzain could hear"Ye hamara ghar hi hai."
Shahzain:"Lag to nahi raha." Shahzain whispered back.
Shahzain's lips adored a smile when she referred to the haveli as their house.
Shahzain:"Yaha kya ho raha hai?"Shahzain asked with authority and power. As Shahzain was the political leader of their village, Everyone was answerable to him.
Shahzain always spoke in a loud pitched voice when he talked overall. His voice only became a little low when he addressed any female. Mehrma scoffed,"You just proved my point."
Shahzain "Your point was not valid."
Mehrma:"I was just stating facts."
Mehrma told Shahzain in the car that he always spoke with authority, he can't live without being intimidating , he refused saying she was just hallucinating.
Shahzain:"tuhaf"(weirdo)
Mehrma:"sen tuhafsın, sen bir aptalsın."
(you're the weirdo ,your an idiot)
Shahzain:"bu aptalla evlisin."
(your married to this idiot)
Shahzain responded with a smirk.
Mehrma huffed
Roshane:"Yaar! Ye galat baat hai. Mughey bhi Turkish seekhni hai."
Mehrma and Shahzain looked ahead and saw everyone was looking towards them.
Mehrma:" what's happening."
Mehrma asked everyone.
Vania:"Shahvaiz bhai aur Mahnoor ki shaadi ki baat."
Shahzain who was sipping water chocked.
Mehrma:" senin de olgunlaşmamış."
(your immature too)
Shahzain glared at her. Mehrma just shrugged.
Mehrma: Mano tum kya chahti ho?"
Mahnoor:"Main kuch deir baad main bata sakhti hu."
Zareena:"Jitna waqt Lena hai lelo."
Zunaira:"Ab ye hogya hai to ,Mehrma tum kya bol rahi thi."
Mahrma:"kuch nahi." Mehrma said and went towards her dada.
Mehrma:"dada main Shahzain ke saath kaam nahi ker sakhti."
Dada:"kyun beta? Kya hua."
Mehrma:"Dada ye har kaam main nus nikalta hai."
Shahzain:"tumhare munh se to phul barastey hai. Dada ap ye project kisi aur ko dede, main nahi ker raha."
Qasim shah:"Bacho hua kya hai?"
Mehrma:" Nana ye mere har kaam main nuqs nikalta hai. "
Shahzain:"Galat karogi to nuqs hi nikalonga na."
Dada:"Tum dono mughsey baad main aakey milo zara." He dismissed them and went towards his room.
Mehrma:"senden nefret ediyorum."
(I hate you)
Shahzain:"Duygular karşılıklı hanımefendi."
(feelings are mutual, madam)

___________________________________
Long chapter
Which couple do you like the most?
Any ideas for upcoming chapters?
Plz vote and comment