𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹-𝗲-𝗠𝗮𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗮𝗯

حسرتِ عشق ۵۔

کوئی امید بر نہیں آتی
کوئی سورت نظر نہیں آتی
موت کا ایک دن معیّن ہے
نیند کیوں رات بھر نہیں آتی؟

( koi umeed bar nahi aati
Koi surat nazar nahi aati
Maut ka ek din mauyyan hai
Neend kyu raat bhar nahi aati?)

(I do not see any hope in living.
There is no solution in sight.
Death is definite one day.
But why can't I sleep in the night)

___________

August 17. This date had been etched into his memory - the day of her wedding.

Since it was the early days of August, the air in Lahore held a slight humidity.

Zaim stepped out of his car and made his way towards the passport office. He had arrived to collect his passport. Pushing open the glass door, he entered and strode confidently to the counter, where a woman was seated. Upon catching sight of him, the woman briefly adjusted her frizzy hair. Zaim's commanding presence often made it difficult for women to shift their focus from him. With a mere glance, Zaim asked for his passport.

Upon leaving the office, he proceeded to meet with Mr. Anwar, from whom he learned that his flight had been confirmed for August 17th. A sardonic chuckle escaped him.

A big coincidence no?

He didn't know why but he felt like destiny had mocked him.

"Chalo acha hai! I won't be able to attend her wedding."

(Well, it's a good thing!)

________________

آگے آتی تھی حالِ دل پر ہنسی
اب کسی با پر نہیں آتی

(Aage aati thi haale dil per hansi
Ab kisi baat per nahi aati)

(Earlier I was able to laugh at the dilemma of my heart.
But now I am unable to laugh at anything.)

While he parked his car in the porch, a light drizzle began.

By the time he entered the house, the drizzle had turned into a steady rain.

"Acha hai apne ander ka gubaar yeh badal bhi nikaal dete hain! "

(It's good that these clouds release their own burdens too)

Lost in his thoughts, he gazed outside through the expansive glass wall in the lounge. At that moment, Daneen entered, carrying two mugs of coffee. Zaim managed a forlorn smile as he tightly held the mug Daneen had handed to him.

"Bhai, why don't you share what's troubling you with me, with us? I understand you value your privacy and all, but we can't bear to see you in pain!"

Daneen's eyes welled up with tears as she spoke. Zaim was contemplated whether to tell her or not.
Ultimately, he narrated everything to her.

When he ended his story, Daneen was overcome with tears.

"Bhaiii!"

(Oh! Brother)

Saying this, she stepped closer and embraced him in a side-hug. Her head rested on his shoulder, and he responded by wrapping one arm around her.

"Bhaii you have great taste but not great luck! Lekin i am sure ismein bhi koi behtari hogi . Bhool jaayen unko. And i know it is not easy but it is not impossible too. Be strong bhaii. I'm sure Allah has written great for you, a better person, not that she wasn't good enough lekin unse zyada achi milegi aapko. Inshallah. Allah is testing you. Woh nahi tou koi aur sahi! "