HUMSAFAR

12~ Ice Cream Date

MANNARA

I stormed into the kitchen where I saw maa instructing the cook about today's iftari.. I took a deep breath trying to regain composure.

'Main help kardu?' I asked to which she smiled.

'Uski koi zarurat nahi hai beta..tum jaake baitho khaana bas taiyaar ho raha hai'

'Please?' I insisted. She agreed.

'Main Amreen aur Nazila ko bulake aati hun..pata nahi kamre mein kya kar rahi hai dono' she said and made her way out of the kitchen.

'Munawar!! Aaj jaldi aa gaye?' I heard Maa and looked at him. we exchanged a tense eye contact. As she left from there, Munawar came inside and I ignorantly stirred the pot of boiling curry.

He asked the cook to leave.

'Mannara..please talk to me'

I slammed the pot on the counter and tried to leave but he grabbed my wrist.

'Mera haath chodo Munawar!' I said sternly.

But he wrapped both of his hands around mine.

'Mannara, I'm so sorry.Aaj subah mujhe tumse aise baat nahi karna chahiye tha. Main kabhi tumhe hurt karna nahi chahta. Office ke kaam se..I was really tensed.I'm sorry yaar..mujhse aise naraz mat rehna please'

I kept looking into his eyes and my anger slowly faded away.

'Ahem' I heard Amreen cough deliberately entering the kitchen.

Hayee, kya kar rahe ho tum dono. Maa said closing her eyes. I freed my hand from his.

'Ammi kuch aisa nahi kiya humne!' Munawar said clearly sounding annoyed.

He stormed out of the kitchen but Amreen continued to tease me. I was so embarrassed.

MUNAWAR

The savoury aroma of the iftari wafted through the air as I entered the dining. All I wanted to do now was make things right with Mannara. I didn't want her to be upset with me. Everything was going to be alright but that Amreen interrupted us in the kitchen.

I called Mannara pushing the chair next to me for her to sit. But she went and sat next to Amreen. Seeing this Nazila came and sat next to me.

What is happening? Why is she still upset?

[TERRACE]

MANNARA

'Kya ab bhi baat nahi karogi?' I turned to look at Munawar standing. I stayed silent. 

'Mannara..Main aisa kya karu ke tum mujhe maaf kardo?'

'Ice cream' I replied.

'Huh?' He asked looking confused.

'Mujhe ice cream khaani hai..bahir le Chalo'

'Iss waqt?' He replied and I tried to leave annoyed.

'Okay..Fine..Main gaadi main hoon tum..aa jao' he said leaving from there and I smiled slightly.

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

MUNAWAR

I brought the ice cream cups to the car as she eagerly settled into the passenger seat her eyes gleaming with excitement.

I sat in my seat and took a spoon of my ice cream. She leaned to look at my cup. 'Vanilla? Seriously?' She said with a judgey look.

'Kyun? Isme kya bura hai?'