Khazan | خزان

Shab

شب

-Night time-

.....

The haveli bustled with the lively atmosphere as the wedding was at hand, and preparations were in full swing. Hania's arrival had compounded the joy and added a sense of celebration in the house. Anyone could feel the essence of festivities in the air.

After all the chit-chatting everyone departed to their rooms. The haveli was alive after a long time, giggles could be heard from every corridor.

Hoorain was lying on her bed, with her dupatta being discarded on the floor, too exhausted to change into her nightwear. She was lost in the thoughts of his grey eyes, how deep they were like infinity, a cosmic marvel that communicated with her in an undecipherable language. She could feel a light blush covering her cheeks. She was engulfed in a daze and haze, it wasn't an unsettling feeling.

Her soul screaming but wasn't at unease. She met him after 17 years but instantly felt a connection maybe because they had spent time together maybe, but her subconscious suggested something else.

She was too engrossed in his thoughts when a knock on the door brought her back to reality.

Picking her dupatta up and wrapping it around herself she opened the door. Hamid was leaning on the doorframe and now staring at her.

"jee?.." she asked hesitantly. "All cousins are going on a drive and on the way we'll be having tea at the famous local tea stall. Get ready we'll be leaving in 5 minutes," he said without breaking eye contact. "koi bada nhi ja rha? " She asked.

" mein tumhe chota bacha dekhta hun." he said narrowing his eyes. "ha....wo.in mean nhi...sorry"

removing his arm from the doorframe Hamid said "You look good I don't think you need to get ready. Let's not waste time." Hamid was ready to go, Hoorain quickly put on her sneakers and followed him. She noticed his tall stature from behind, he wasn't less than 6'2 whereas she was only 5'3. Hands in the pocket of his black pants his white button-ups tucked in, he was looking like a model.

She tried to keep up with his pace, but her small legs couldn't keep up with his long strides. Noticing that she was running to keep up with him he smirked internally and slowed down.

Everyone was already sitting in Meezan's car. Nooman was in the passenger seat.  Aisha, Noor, Zoya, Zoya's 3-year-old son Azaan, and 7-month-old daughter Anum in the back seat, who arrived with her husband in the evening.

"aap log mere liye space banaye" Hoorain said. "meri jaan yaha space nhi h, come with Hamid bhai he is bringing his car," Zoya said. " mein aap logon ki godi mein beith kar chali jaungi, but akakeli Hamid Bhaijaan ke sath kya mazaa ayega" she said with puppy eyes.

"Jaani aapki kismat mein Hamid bhai ka boring lecture likha so please aapni kismat ko surrender kar do and go, we are getting late," said Aisha.

"aur wese bhi tumhari aur unki bohut banti thi na so you should catch up a little." Meezan said with in teasing tone.

"kya sach mein wo itne strict hai?" She asked innocently.

"Tum khud dekh lena aaj, aur hume bhi aapna experience batana." Nooman said nonchalantly.

"arey lecture ke baad zinda bhi toh bachni chahiye."

"Allah kasam lecture sun kar shahid ho jaungi magar aapke sath nhi jaungi." Hoorain greeted her teeth as she walked away. Meezanhad mastered the art of infuriating her, bringing forth a Hooraon belonging to the antipodes.