Parisa returned home an hour early. Her husband must have arrived home from the airport by then. She was nervous to meet Alamgeer after so long.
They were only seventeen when their families got them married. A year later, Alamgeer was sent to abroad.
Even if they were married for nine years, they knew very less about each other.
With nervousness clouding her mind she entered the Haveli. The scene in the living hall was filled with laughter and enthusiasm. Family members were sitting together with Alamgeer being the centre of attention.
“Lo bhai, Parisa bhi aa gayi.” said Mashal, Alamgeer's mother.
(See, Parisa is here.)
“Assalam Alaikum.” Parisa said softly. She was not behaving like her usual self. She seemed quiet and nervous.
“Walaikum Salam, shauhar ke saamne kaise bholi ban rahi hai yeh shaitaan.” Dadi Jaan commented and everyone began laughing, except for Alamgeer.
(Walaikum Salam, she is acting all innocent in front of her husband.)
Parisa kept her gaze down, “Ammi, mai fresh hokar aati hoon.” Saying so she rushed towards her bedroom.
(Ammi, I'll come after getting fresh.)
🕊️🕊️🕊️
Parisa opened the door to her bedroom and quickly locked it as she entered in her personal space. She threw her kit on the bed and opened the cupboard to see Alamgeer's clothes present in the cupboard as well.
“Hadh hai! Aanth saal baad mera namesake shauhar waapis aaya hai. Aur aate hi uska samaan mere kamre mein rakhwa diya. Yeh pakka iss dictator budhiya ka kaam hai. Yeh Dadi kab maregi, yaar?”
(My namesake husband has returned after eight years. And right after his return his luggage has been placed in my bedroom. This is the deed of that dictator old lady for sure. When will this Dadi die, man?)
Nonetheless, she picked a random dress and quickly changed into it before going back to the living hall.
By then everyone was sitting on the dining table to have lunch together.
“Alam beta, yeh gajar ka halwa toh lo. Parisa ne khaas tumhare liye banaya hai.” Dadi lied, to make the process of having a great grandchild faster.
(Alam Beta, have this Gajar Ka Halwa. Parisa has specially cooked it for you.)
“Lekin, Dadi Jaan, mujhe toh halwa banana aata hi nahi. Aapko zaroor galatfehmi hui hogi.” But Parisa had to ruin Dadi Jaan's plan.
(But, Dadi Jaan, I don't know how to cook Halwa. You must have mistaken.)
Alamgeer's father Akbar stifled his chuckle at this exchange of misunderstanding. While Dadi glared at Parisa who went to sit beside her father-in-law.
“Arrey, Parisa, apne shauhar ke sath baitho.”
(Arrey, Parisa, sit with your husband.)
Parisa really wanted to put some glue in Dadi's food so that she stop irritating her in the old-school manner.
Parisa nodded unwillingly and moved to sit beside Alamgeer who appeared to be as uncomfortable as she herself was.
Parisa was about to serve herself some biryani when Dadi again interrupted her,
“Parisa, pehle apne shauhar ko biryani dalo.”
(Parisa, first serve Biryani to your husband.)
“Pehle aapko zehar naa de doon.” Parisa really wanted to say this to her grandmother-in-law. However, she knew better than saying this.
YOU ARE READING
Harfan Maula ✓
RomanceA Cluster Of Short Stories Started on Feb 28, 2022 Ended on March 01, 2023
