HUMSAFAR

4~ Haldi

Aziz's house was filled with colorful decorations and a festive atmosphere. A group of women, dressed in traditional attire, are busy preparing for the Haldi ceremony. The room is buzzing with excitement as they arrange various items on a decorated table.

Zeenat and Zara lead the preparations. They instruct the workers on what needs to be done. A few woman sat on the ground singing traditional songs, while some girls danced to it.

The Aziz welcome the groom's family. Zeenat asked Zara to bring Mannara downstairs. Mannara was dressed in a yellow suit and Munawar wore a plain white kurta.

As she got downstairs, Munawar glanced at her, their eyes met for a moment. Munawar looked at her with admiration while she looked at him with anger.

They both were made to sit together. The guests gather around Mannara and Munawar to apply Haldi. Mannara whispers to Munawar's ear , "Haldi ke baad bahir garden main milo"

Munawar turned to her confused, a soft smile playing on his lips.

Mumtaz looked at them whispering to each other and turned to Needa, "Kitne acche lag rahe hai na..mera beta aur bahu. Mashallah kisi ki nazar na lage inki jodi ko"

In the Garden:

"Ji farmaayiye, Kya baat karni thi aapko" Munawar said to Mannara as they walked outside.

"Sharam nahi aati apko?"

"Sharam? Maine aisa kya kardiya?" Munawar asked confused.

"Ek ladki aapko bol rahi hai ke woh iss shadi se khush nahi hai..lekin aap phir bhi uss din muh uthake agaye mangni karne. Aur aaj—"

Munawar sighed before interrupting her, "Dekho Mannara..in the past week, maine ammi se baat karne ki koshish ki. Lekin Woh kuch sunna nahi chahti.

Aur agar main yeh shadi nahi karunga toh woh phir kisi aur ladki se milane ki zidd karengi." 

"Toh mil lijiye na.." She said taking steps closer to him.

"Apko mujhse bhi acchi ladki miljayegi. Jo apko chahti ho, hum dono to ek dusre ko pasand bhi nahi karte"

"Lekin main tumhe pasand karta hu.."

His words hung in the air, creating a sense of anticipation between them.

"Aur tumhe bhi mujhse mohabbat ho hi jayegi..Tum azma ke dekhlo."

She glared at him before answering, "Aisi khushfehmi mein bilkul mat rehna"

"Aur Haan yeh shadi kar rahe ho na tum..tum khush nahi rahoge mere saath mein bata rahi hu.."

"Agar roz aapka chehra dekhne ko milega, toh insaan kaise khush nahi rahega?" He replied with a grin.

Mannara continued to stare at him, her eyes welling up with tears.

"Mannara.." he took a pause.

"Aaj mayoun hai humari"

"Yeh tumhe hi mubarak.." she said smearing haldi on his face.

"Dekho, tum iss shadi ke baad bhi aise hi reh sakti ho jaise ab ho. Main tumpe koi restrictions nahi lagaunga. Iss shadi se Tumhare gharwale bhi khush honge aur mere gharwale bhi.

Tumhari jo marzi Woh kar sakti ho..bas meri biwi banke."

"Wahi toh nahi banna chahti." She said rolling her eyes with her arms folded.

"Kyun? I mean tum khud socho. Agar yeh shadi nahi bhi hoti, toh Tumhare gharwale tumhari shadi kisi aur se karwaenge na? Tumhe toh balki khush hona chahiye, ke tumhari shadi mujh jaise Charming, handsome and successful business man se ho rahi hai.