HUMSAFAR

11~ Bezaar

10 Days Later. MUNAWAR

The clock struck 3 am. I quietly entered the room carrying an important file in my hand, exhausted from another grueling day at work. The weight of the responsibilities seemed to bear down on my shoulders. I kept the file on the table and loosened my tie letting out a deep sigh.I took of my jacket, tossing it on to a chair nearby.

The room was dimly lit, and the only sound that filled the air was the gentle rhythm of Mannara, in her sleep.

I remember her calling me in the evening to ask why I was late and I told her I couldn't make it for dinner.

It's crazy how few weeks back I didn't care about any of this. But now I have a person to call mine and to whom I'm answerable. My person.

I walked towards her trying to keep my steps noiseless. I stood there looking at her for a while because it gave me solace.

I couldn't resist the urge to gently caress her hair while she's asleep.

She stirred a little from it and I quickly backed off.

'tum aa gaye?' She murmered sleepily.

Haa.., I replied unbuttoning my shirt.

'I'm sorry maine tumhe neend se utha diya..'

She looked at the clock.

'3 Baje??!!!!!'

'Itni jaldi kyun aa gaye? Nahi subah hi aa jate!'

'Bohot kaam tha yaar main itna thak gaya hun or..bhook bhi lagi hai' 'Sehri ka time hogya hai' she said waking up from the bed.

'Main kuch banake laati hun tumhare liye..tum fresh hojao..'

I nodded. I know she often showed her frustration towards me and this marriage but I couldn't deny that deep down she does have concern for me.

************************************

MANNARA

I kept the plates after sehri and thought of making Munawar a cup of green tea. He was so stressed out so this might relieve him.

[ROOM]

'Munawar, I called him out holding two cups in my hand only to see him sound asleep on the bed.

He was too tired. So I didn't feel like waking him up. I decided to retreat and take it back to the kitchen.

As I turned back my foot hit the edge of the table, causing a sharp pain in my toe making me lose balance. I realised the cups of tea had spill all over Munawar's office files. I quickly picked it up and tried to clear the mess.

I tried to dab the wet pages hoping to salvage them. But the damage was done. So I just decided to apologise to him in the morning.

......................................... 

[MORNING]

Mannara!!! Mannara utho!! I heard Munawar.

'Yeh tumne kiya hai!!??' He asked pointing towards the papers.

'Munawar..woh kal raat mein tumhare liye green tea layi thi aur woh galti se gir gaya..' I stammered.

Tumhe andaza bhi hai yeh papers kitne important the?! He shouted. How could you be so irresponsible!

I'm sorry! I said offended. 'Maine jaan boojh kar nahi giraya!'

'Kise pata..jaan boojh kar hi giraya hoga! Mujhse badla lene ke liye. Aakhir shadi ke pehle din se yahi toh keh rahi ho tum??!'