Khazan | خزان

Mulaqaat

ملاقات

-encounter, meeting-

......

"Hala where are you?" asked Maham from the Badi baithak( drawing room), she had been swiftly working since morning, nothing could interrupt her when she was determined to complete something.

"I am in kitchen bhabhi." replied Hala

Maham made her way to the kitchen, in search of Hala. The day was going packed with preparations and joy was in full swing, as they waited for their beloved guests like moons and stars.

When she turned to enter the kitchen, Fluffy, Hoorain's black Persian cat pounced down the slab in front of Maham making her flinch back in surprise.

"badmaash bila, humesha tang karta rehta hai. Chalo jao yaha se" She tried to hush him away, but he stayed there undeterred by her, licking his paw as he savagely wagged his tail. His crystal blue eyes, which contrasted with his furry dark body fell on her and a smirk played on his lips.

" Meezan ke sath reh reh kar tum mein bhi attitude a gya hai bacho, kitne ache the tum Hoorain ke sath. Ab wo busy ho gyi hai aur tum bigaad gye ho." Displeased she walked passed the ball of fluff, diverting her attention to Hala, who was laughing and listening to the monologue.

"Uff, Abhi tak taiyaar nhi hue tum."

"Bhabhi ab, ise toh na kahe pura ek ghanta lagaya tha meine taiyaar hune mein."

"Oh sorry, the sweat of hard work has washed away all your freshness." She said while swiping away her evidence of hard work with her cotton dupatta.
"Chalo ab jao, get freshed up, baki ka mein dekh lungi."

"nahi bhabhi almost everything is done. Ab hum taiyaar ho jate h Hania appa arrived at the airport bhaijaan has picked her up," she said.

"Apne baki sare intezamaat dekh liye haina?"

"Meine toh dekh liye h, but tum yeh batao ki, Hoor kidhar h?"

"Guess Kare" Hala spoke in a nonchalant voice mixed with irritation.

"Ab yeh mat bolna ki wo college gyi h aaj bhi."

Sighing she her head in positive. Before their conversation could end the echos of greetings reverberated through the haveli, indicating the arrival of the long-awaited guest.

"PHUPHO JAAN!!!" Meezan and Aisha squealed in union.

"As-salamu alaykum" they said in a chorus. Once Hania stepped off the car she hugged Meezan and Aisha saying "Wa ʿalaykumus-salam phupho ke ladoos". Following her Nooman and Noor got out of the car. At that moment Meezan squeezed Nooman in a tight hug,they were best buddies.

Hania had come for the first after Zoya's wedding.

"Kamal hai Hania ab tumhe bola ne ke liye hume kisi na kisi ki shaadi karwani padegi ab?" Aghajaan said with a mischeavious ton emingled with disappointment.

Meezan who was leaning against the straigthened at the comment. "Arey bhai waqt hai teri mein, zadda khush mat ho." Nooman whispered from behind.

"Mujhe khhush mat hone dena tu kabhi." He said kicking him lightly.

"Arey nhi abbu ab isa toh nhi hai, bas kuch maslon ke chalte nhi a pate."

"Where is Hoorain?" Hania asked.

" She has gone to college Appa, she'll come by noon. Aap batein humara Hamid kaha h?"

Before Hania could answer a loud, confident salam caught everyone's attention. It was Hamid, he looked more mature than any of them could remember.