Meerasim Ki Dunya

Chapter 15. Discussions

"Mir Saab aur un ki family ki azad khayali se tou hum waqif hi hain. Beshak unho ne Meerab ko aage parhne ki ijazat di thi shadi ke bad magar ab wo meri bahu hai aur humare khandan ki larkya larko ke sath yun universities me nahi parhti. Itni azad pasand soch bhi achi nahi hoti warna iss ke anjam me logo ki auladein Mir Hadi jesi ho jati hain. Iss liye mei ne faisla kiya hai ke Meerab apni parhayi chor kar apne shohar aur ghar ki zimmadarion pe tawaja degi," Maa Begum declared at the dinner table.
(The liberal minded Mir Saab and his family, are certainly well-known to us. Granted, they had allowed Meerab to pursue her education after the wedding, but now she is my daughter-in-law and our family's daughters don't engage in such university pursuits with young men. Such liberated thinking can lead to consequences like those we saw with Mir Hadi. Therefore, I've come to a decision that Meerab should set aside her studies and focus her attention on her husband and household responsibilities.)

Meerab exchanged a glance with Saba, her expression filled with distress. Saba looked at her empathetically, understanding the difficult position Meerab was in. Then, Meerab shifted her gaze to Murtasim, trying to decipher any hint of his feelings. Unfortunately, his expression remained an enigma. Meerab sighed inwardly, her fears slowly manifesting.

"Bhabhi Begum bas do sal ki parhayi hai, aur wo degree start kar chuki hai. Usse complete kar lene den atleast," Waqas interjected, his tone a mix of reason and plea.
(It's only a matter of couple of years. She has already started her degree, let her continue please.)

Meerab felt a rush of warmth towards her father as she observed his attempt to defend her. Despite the anger she had harbored towards him for hiding the truth, his stance now seemed genuine and caring.

"Waqas tum iss mamlay se dur raho. Meerab ab tumhari ladli beti nahi hai jis ki tum mazeed wakalat kar sako. Meerab ab meri bahu hai aur gaddi ke janasheen ki biwi hai, usse humari khandani riwayaat ke hisab se chalna hoga," Maa Begum asserted firmly.
(Waqas, your involvement in this matter is irrelevant. Meerab is no longer your cherished daughter; she's now my daughter-in-law and the future of this lineage's leader. She must conform to our established customs.)

"Bhabhi Begum usse thora waqt tou den," Anila implored.
(Please, give her time to adjust to your customs.)

"Jitna waqt dena tha dedya. Pachees sal ki ho gayi hai aur ab tou MaShaAllah se shadi shuda hai. Kab tak hum iss ke nakhre uthate rahengy," Maa Begum retorted sharply.
(We've already given her ample time. She's twenty-five now, and she's already married for heaven's sake. We can't have a young girl throwing tantrums.)

"Bas kijiye Maa. Ap Meerab ke baaray aese bat nahi karengi. Ye matt bhoolen ke wo meri yani Khan Murtasim Khan ki biwi hai," Murtasim interjected, his voice respectful yet firm and commanding.
(Enough, Mother. You will not address Meerab in this manner. Remember that she's Khan Murtasim Khan's wife.)

The room fell silent for a moment as Murtasim's words hung in the air, his assertion demanding respect and understanding from all present. Amid the tension, Meerab's heart softened at the realization that Murtasim was willing to stand up for her, even in the face of his own family.

Anwar cleared his throat and began, "Mujhe lagta hai humein walima function ki baat karni chahiye jis ke liye hum yahan aaye hain. Bhabhi Begum, aap ka kya khayal hai?" He asked to break the uncomfortable silence.
(I think we should discuss the matter of the walima function for which we came here. What do you say, Bhabhi Begum?)

"Han, acha kiya jo tumne mujhe yaad dila diya, Anwar. Mujhe lagta hai hum agle Jumma ko function rakh len. Waqas, tum kya sochte ho?" Maa Begum inquired.
(Yes, thank you for reminding me, Anwar. I think we should schedule it for next Friday. What do you think, Waqas?)