Hamdam | ہمدم (On Hold)

Unexpected encounter

It was noon, the sun was at its peak. The warm sunlight was casting a golden glow on Zaviyar's handsome face as he sat in the quiet corner of the garden, watching the enchanting greenery pleasing to the eyes with a steaming mug of coffee in hand. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air as he takes a sip, the rich flavor enveloping him wholly. Birds chirped overhead, and a light breeze played with his hair as he savored the peaceful moment, lost in the simple pleasure of warmth and caffeine when he heard his sister's voice, pulling him out from his trance.

"Bhai!!!"

Zaviyar looked at Irha questioningly who settled down on the chair opposite to him with a cute pout adorning her lips.

"Bhai! Mere snacks khatam ho gaye hain. Mama aur Mira toh ghar pay hai nahi, aap mere sath supermarket chalain ge??" Irhaa requested, more like demanded. Her mother was an working woman, handling their family business after her father demise and her little sister was studying at university. Only two of them were left at home.

"Apne hone wale husband ko bula lo, baagta howa ayega tumhare liye." Zaviyar teased her while sipping on the coffee nonchalantly, making Irhaa to blush. He chuckled looking at her flushed face.

"Bhai woh busy hain aur mujhe bazaar bhi jana hai shaadi ki kuch cheezian reh gayi hain. Mama toh shaam ko jaake ayein gi kahin."

"Acha! Coffee pee loon phir chalte hain." This time Zaviyar agreed, not having a heart to turn her down. It's been a long time since he had pampered his sisters physically. Usually he'd send things from London virtually or give them emotional support through calls and msgs. He is not a typical brother or son who would find silly excuses to refuse their small request. After their father, he tries his best to fulfill his sisters every big and little wish, be it bringing a chocolate from the store or making noodles for them at midnight when they used to be hungry in childhood.

"Okay! Mein apna bag leke aati hoon." Irhaa flashed him a wide smile before rushing inside. With a shake of head, Zaviyar also headed inside while finishing the rest of his coffee. 

***

After completing her daily house chores, Hoorain was sitting in the quiet corner of her bedroom, tucked away in the couch near the window, cradling a urdu novel 'Aab e Hayat ' in her hands as she flipped through the pages which had transported her into the beautiful world of words, fantasy and imagination.

"Agar yeh duniya meri hoti toh mein sari tumhe de deta."

"Kya haal kar liya hai tumne apni ankhon ka, Tumhe mujh par taras nahi aata?"

"Iss tarah baatien karogi to sari raat jaag sakta hoon."

"Tumhe to saat khoon maaf karsakta hoon."

"Ab itni si baat par blush karogi to mamla jaan leva ho jaye ga."

With each dialogue she read of Salar Sikandar, the famous hero of the book, Hoorain would either smile or blush as if she was the heroine Imama and his words were directed to her. The impact of his alluring words left a longing in her heart, wishing these kind of men were not only fictional but exist in the real world too. Reading novels and setting her expectations way too high for her man is her everyday go to in an attempt to escape from the cruelty of this world even if it's for a fleeting time because that's the only thing she wish for now, to have a man in her life who would cherish her with all his heart and consider her worthy of his love.

"Hoorain!!!" But like always, when the reality hit her hard telling her to come out from her delusional world and that this world is nothing but a beautiful lie, she heard her mumani's ear-piercing voice as Saba entered the room.