𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹-𝗲-𝗠𝗮𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗮𝗯

حسرتِ عشق ۲۔

دل جلوں سے دلگی اچھی نہیں
رونے والو سے ہنسی اچھی نہیں

(Dil jalo se dil lagi achi nahi
Rone waalo se hassi achi nahi)

Mahrosh stepped out of her university, drenched in sweat, with strands of her hair sticking to her face. She looked visibly exhausted, her skin glowing from the sweat and her cheeks had hues of red on them.

Her master's degree was nearing completion, and these last few months were taking a toll on her, causing fatigue due to constant pressure and burden.

She wiped her forehead with the end of her scarf before glancing at her car parked a short distance away.
Her driver was patiently waiting for her.

Her mother was eagerly anticipating Saturday, which was just three days away. Although it wasn't the first time a suitor was coming to see her, this one was special as he was the son of Alamgir's friend and an experienced pilot with a good salary.

She was about to shut the door of her car, when a hand stopped her action. She looked up to see Zaim standing there all ready.

"Asalamalikum Mahrosh! Kesi hain aap?"
( How are you?)

Zaim asked, looking straight into her eyes.

"Walaikumasalaam! Alhamdulillah i am great. What about you?"

She asked, overcoming her surprise at seeing him there.

"I ain't good. Anyways i wanted to talk to you! I could have come to your house to talk to you but it didn't-"

He was interrupted by Mahrosh, who said.

"Cut the crap, i am all ears."

Zaim chuckled a little and suggested.

"I dont think this is the right place to talk about that. Lets go to the nearest restaurant!"

She followed him, feeling a little skeptical.

__________

ہم ہیں مشتاق اور وہ بیزار
یا الہیٰ یہ ماجرا کیا ہے؟

(Ham hain mushtaaq aur woh bezaar
Ya ilaahi yeh majraa kya hai?)

(My fondness for you knows no bounds and yet you are indifferent.
Oh god, what is this problem?)

After sitting at the restaurant for the last 15 minutes, Mahrosh felt perplexed seeing him gaze at her intently without saying anything. They had even placed their order, but Zaim remained silent. Finally, Mahrosh spoke up,

"I'd appreciate it if you could tell me the reason we are sitting here for the last 15 minutes."

Zaim took a deep breath, mustering up his courage, and started finding the right words to express his feelings.

"I-"

Before he could speak, the waiter interrupted them by placing their order on the table and leaving. Zaim chuckled nervously.

"Mahrosh do you believe in love at first sight?"

Zaim asked, focusing on her expression, awaiting her response.

"Well, in my opinion, there is no such thing as love at first sight. I guess it can only be attraction or crush at first sight.
Love is a BIG word to use for first sight. By the way, why are you asking it? Don't tell me you have fallen in love at first sight!"

Mahrosh chuckled, playfully teasing him. She looked at him with a mischievous smile.

"Mahi, you know I never believed in love at first sight until I saw a girl dressed in a green kurta shalwar. Her straight, dark brown hair made me swoon over her. Her charcoal eyes held such a glint that I couldn't look away for long. Her smile had a mesmerizing effect on me, making everything else fade away. All I could remember was her."