Kashmakash

Part 10

Lost in his thoughts, Hyder was startled when Shafa entered his cabin.

'Hyder, tum itna late kyu ghar jaa rahe ho?' She asked, concerned.

'Kyun office mein rehne ke liye aapki permission chahiye' he replied rudely.

Taken aback by his unexpected hostility, Shafa stuttered, 'M..m..ain to bas pooch rahi thi'

Realizing his outburst, Hyder closed his eyes, attempting to contain his anger. 'Shittt. I am sorry Shafa, I am just disturbed. Ghar se thoda pareshan hu'

Shafa gestured for him to sit beside her on the couch at the corner of the cabin, offering a comforting presence. 'Kya hua' she asked softly.

Hyder took a deep breath to gather his thoughts. 'Ghar pe sab wapas se nikah ke peeche pade hai'

'To isme burai kya hai? Sab bade aapne bacho ko settled dekhna chahte hai'

'But mujhe nahi karna Nikah...Aur ye log to ab naaziya ke liye bol rahe hai'

Shafa's heart stopped at the mention of Naaziya, but she hid her emotions.

'Naaziya aachi hai, aur tum usse pyar bhi karte ho. To problem kya hai?'

'Koi kyu nahi samjhta, main Naaziya se waisa pyar nahi karta' he sighed, trying to contain his emotions 'Wo mere saath khush nahi rahegi'

'Tumhara decision iss baat pe hona chahiye ki tum uske saath khush hoge ya nahi. Na ki iss baat par ki wo khush hogi ki nahi. Uske hisse ke faisle tum mat lo'

He looked at her defeated 'Wo khush nahi rahegi to main bhi kabhi khush nahi rahunga.' 'Wo bahut pyaari hai, Masoom hai, Chanchal hai, paak saaf hai aur main huhh...' he looked pained 'Maine sirf zindagi mein duniya ke dhokhe, uska selfishness, hatred yahi dekha hai. I can't bring her into my dark and lifeless existence.'

'Hyder, tumne kabhi apni zindagi nahi jee. Sadiq khalu ke maut ke baad apna har lamha tumne apne Parivar ke aaram aur Khushi ke liye nikal diya. Ab tumhe mauka mil raha hai to usse choro nahi' Shafa tried to reason with him.

Hyder managed a weak smile 'Jiski Khushi ke liye itna sab kiya, ab kya usko apni bejaan si zindagi mein tabah hone ke liye jor lu.'

'To ghar pe kya bologe?' she asked unable to reason further.

'Pata nahi.' Hyder admitted, feeling conflicted and uncertain.

**

After almost a week, the situation remained unchanged. Both Hyder and Naaziya avoided each other like a plague. Hyder rarely appeared at home, leaving early for the office, and returning late. Naaziya, on the other hand, seemed to confine herself to her room. Salma decided it was time to have a conversation with Hyder.

'Hyder Beta, kab tak aise chalega?'

'Ab kya hua Ammi?'

'Tum mujhse pooch rahe ho? Aaj kal ghar pe dikhte ho? Aisa kya bol diya Agha Jaan ne jo aise sabse chupe baithe ho?'

'Ammi, aap bhi?' he looked at her astonished 'Maine pehle hi mana kiya tha Nikah ki baat naa karein, aur kari bhi to Naaziya ke liye'

'Tu mujhse jhoot mat bol; mujhe pata hai tu usse behen nahi manta hai'

'Behen to main chachi ko bhi nahi manta to kya Nikah kar lu...Aap log kyu nahi samjh rahe Wo Naaziya hai Ammi' he said, visibly frustrated, struggling to find words to explain his feelings for Naaziya.

'Theek hai, Naaziya se nahi karni to mat karo. Par ab aise nahi chalega. Tumhe ab akele nahi rehna hai. Koi to hoga jisse tum apne sukh dukh baato, jo tumhara saath de' Salma persisted.

The only person that came to Hyder's mind was Shafa. Though he didn't love her romantically or otherwise, but he was comfortable with her, respected her, and trusted her. Perhaps that would be enough to have a successful marriage.

'Mujhe batao koi hai jisse tum Nikaah ke liye tayar ho?'

'Main Shafa se nikah karna chahta hu' Hyder declared, shocking Salma.