Hamdam | ہمدم (On Hold)

Her miserable life

The rhythmic jingle of payal and tickling of bangles, a soft melody echoing through the silent hallway as Hoorain ascends the staircase. With each step, the wooden stairs creaked beneath her weight. Struggling to carry the heavy laundry basket in her hands, she halted her steps in front of the rooftop gate. She placed the basket down and wiped the sweat off her forehead with the hem of her dupatta, her chest heaved up and down as she tried to catch her breath.

Once stabilizing her breathing, she unlocked the gate of the rooftop and carrying the basket again, she stepped inside only to be greeted with the soft breeze kissing her vulnerable skin, causing her long brown hair to flee in the air. The soft glow of sunrays illuminating the whole neighbourhood so does Hoorain's angelic face. It was a bright sunny day with a very light and pleasant atmosphere. The sky was clear blue with some fluffy clouds drifting freely around.

A smile crept on her rosy lips as she closed her kajol filled eyes, inhaling the fresh air. Opening her hazel eyes again after a brief moment, Hoorain walked further to the cord, tied to the two ends of the railing for drying the wet clothes under the heated sunlight.

After setting the sack of wet clothes on the cord, Hoorain exhaled a deep breath and walked to the other corner of the rooftop where some fresh plants and cages of Hens and Pigeons were decorated there along with a small swing at some distance.

"Mere pyare dosto! Ajao sab bahir. Tum log bhi suhane mausam ka maza lo!!!" Hoorain opened the lock of the cage and let those little lives out for playing. They came out running as if they were only in the dire wait for getting released from the prison. Scooping the white and black pigeon in her hand, she brings it close to her face and kisses its fluffy skin before putting it back down.

Taking a troll of the playing Hens and Pigeons here and there, Hoorain sat on the charpai to enjoy the pleasant weather. It has been her daily routine to come on the rooftop, set the wet clothes for drying, water the plants and let those Hens and Pigeons play around for a while. As she was lost in the beauty of the natural, her moment of peace didn't last for too long when she heard her mumani ear-piercing screaming from downstairs.

"Hoorain!!! Neeche wapas bhi ana hota ha. Pata nahi kahan maar jati ho!!!"

"Ji mami aa rahi hoon." Sighing exasperatedly, Hoorain rose from the charpai and grabbing the empty basket, she almost ran down in fear of getting scolded again. Upon entering the living room like expected she was met with her aunt's furious face.

"Kya kar rahi thi itni der se upar huh???" Saba stares at her with her soul piercing glare.

"Woh..mausam acha tha isliye kabotoron or murgiyon ko bahir nikal howa tha." Hoorain explained, fidgeting with her fingers.

"Kitni dafa kaha ha ke kapre dal kar foran neeche aaya karo. Mohalle ke awara larkay har waqat gunda gardi karne nikale hote hain or tum bhi bare maaze se jaa kar beth jaya karo unko mouka dene ke liye."

"Mami mein upar sirf kaam se hi jaati hoon woh bhi aap ke kehne par." Hoorain didn't want to sound rude and offensive but she couldn't take it when Saba always tried to tarnish her character like that.

"Mujhse zyada bakwas mat kiya karo. Jao ja kar daal charhao. Anam aane wali hogi University se bhook bhook karti ha phir. Aur raat ke liye chawal ubaal lena. Dobara cheez to meri aulad ke halaq se utarti hi nahi ha. Nawabzade kahin ke!!!!"

Wiping the tears from the corner of her eyes, Hoorain stormed to the kitchen without uttering anything. This has been her daily life routine, bearing insults and scoldings over every small thing even if she ain't at fault. This evil naagin has made her life which was once used to be a heaven, living hell ever since she has moved in with them after her parent's death whom she lost them in an tragic accident. A huge conflict had broke out between her family as to who would bear her responsibility being the single child but none of her relatives were ready for that, showing their true colors to Hoorain who once thought they were her real family. Only her mamu Abbas was the one to stand with her and took the decision to take her in as a part of his family because Farah was his only dear sister to him and after her, Hoorain was her only symbol left however Saba was never in the favor of Hoorain staying over because their financial condition hadn't been much stable.