Meri Meerab *Discontinued*

46 - Dhoka

Haya had decided that it was futile to try to describe the dress she intended to wear to the tailor- he simply did not the creativity nor vision for such greatness for the Meerasim wedding. That's what Haya told Maa Begum to persuade her to grant permission for the girls to visit the bazaar's countless haberdasheries.

So that day, the three of girls boarded the car with their driver and Baktu, headed to Hyderabaad's bustling bazaar.

Just as they stepped out onto the open street, the heat suffocated them. But that didnt deter Haya, she grabbed a girl in each hand and pulled.

'Dehaan say Hay. Aisay nahi keenchou. Sarak kharaab hai.' Meerab had warned. It was bustling. There were endless stalls to visit and little time as Baktu soon began to tell them to hurry as Maa Begum had given strict orders to return as soon as possible.

'Jaldi karou fir.' Haya pleaded. She need a specific warm toned gold lace for the boarder of the dress and the pink beads had to be a exact size to compliment her pre-selected jewellery set.

'Haya, iss dukaan mein motiyaan hai.' Mariyum pointed out- it was close to the enterance- sparkling like dream under all the artificial lights.

Without confirming this, Haya pushed her way through the crowd. She ascended the two steps and began ordering. 'Bhai, yeh wala dikau.' As she pointed to the pink beads.

The laces were indeed endless- it was overwhelming for them as they were unaccustomed to such rush. Usually everything was bought to them in the haveli.

The man took out a compartmentalised box of pink beads and she began rummaging, ordering for more and comparing then to her necklace in a disorganised manner. It seemed that she was stressed- or stalling.

The shopkeeper attended to another customer.

But this stopped when her phone rang- buzzing in her handbag. She dropped everything, including the beads, some rolling off the counter and into the packed street- gone forever.

Haya rested her small leather handbag on the counter top. She began undoing her zip and taking her phone out.

Thats when Meerab saw the name flash across the screen. 'Anas.'

Her heart clenched at the sight of the traitors name. She had almost forgotten about him.

Mariyum had saw it too. 'Yeh kyun phone kar raha hai.'

Haya didnt care for their looks of concern. The phone continued buzzing until she slided it to pick up the call.

Meerab stepped closer to her. 'Haya phone band karo.' She ordered. She had assumed that Haya was over him when she had explained the reality of the situaiton and she learned of his true intentions. Meerab had even forgiven the accusatory words that Haya had used against her at Anila's house.

Haya chose to speak to him and she put her index up to Meerab- indicating 1 minute . 'Hello, Anas.' She said into the phone as though they were friends- there was no heartbreak or anguish on her face.

As she listened to the caller, Haya spin to see if Baktu was within hearing distance- he was a meter off but she doubted he could hear any of their conversation of the busstle of the bazaar.

'Haya nahi baat karo ussay.'

There was some mumbling on the other side of the phone. Hayas eyes worked left to right and left again as she was taking in the information from Anas.

Mariyum tried to pull it off her but what ever needed to be said, had been said.

Haya pulled back, loosening Mariyums grip on her arm.