JUNOON || جنون

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“Shahzaib Sahab ko dekha aapne?”
Urwa questioned the maid who was cleaning Shahzaib's study. The maid shook her head indicating she didn't know about his whereabouts. Urwa scanned his study for the last time and went out in search of him.

“Kaha gaya hai yeh banda? Subah se dhundh rahi hu isse. Kal raat ko woh stunt aur subah main chala gaya, manna padega Shahzaib Sikandar ko, main bhi kam thode hu Urwa Shah hu main. Dikhati hu usse. Pehle toh uski aadat laga di aur phir beghair bole chala gaya? Careless behaviour sach bole toh”
Urwa mumbled irritated.

Lost in her thoughts Urwa bumped into someone who was Hareem. As she realised she quickly apologised
“Hareem sorry lagi toh nahi? I am sorry main alag hi duniya main thi”

Hareem shook her head and spoke reassuringly
“Koi nahi bhabhi maine bhi dhyaan nahi diya. Waise kya hua aap kyu itni pareshaan lag rahi hai?”

Urwa released a deep breath and shook her head as she spoke
“Tumhare bhai sahab subah se nahi dikh rahe. Kaam hoga manti hu main par atleast bol ke jaa sakta hai insaan haina? Kuch na bolte hue gaye hai aab main kya karu?”

Hareem smiled at her response and spoke teasingly
“Bhai ki badi yaad aa rahi hai bhabhi?”

Urwa nodded her head unconsciously while Hareem broke into laughter, laughing her heart out as Urwa realised her mistake she quickly spoke
“Nahi nahi mujhe yaad nahi aa rahi bas woh mujhe mujhe– mujhe kuch kaam tha”

Hareem chuckling nodded her head and spoke in between
“Thik hai bhabhi bhai aane ke baad kaam karwa lena thik hai?”

Urwa nodded her head trying to maintain her calm facade and questioned again
“Tumhe pata hai kaha hai woh?”

Sobering up from her laughter Hareem responded
“Bhabhi woh aaj kuch mamle par panchayat baithi hai toh bhai udhar gaye hai baba kaam ke wajah se bahar hai aur waise bhi bhai hi saare mamle sambhalte hai panchayat ke”

Urwa nodded her head and thanked her. Making her way towards the living area she saw Ayesha waiting for her. She greeted her with a salam while Ayesha responded to her greetings.

Silence was prevailing between the saas-bahu duo.

“Urwa aaj se aap Shahzaib Sikandar ke biwi hone ke saare farz nibhayenge.”
Ayesha's voice boomed inside the living area. Urwa straightened her back knowing the upcoming responsibilities which were going to be laid on her.

“Aaj se aapne khane main kya banana ke liye bolne aur kya nahi woh aapki zimmedari hai, ghar ka saara kharacha aap sambhalegi, Mulazimo ka hisaab kitab, ghar ka rasan aur mahine ka sadqay jo diya jata hai woh bhi aap sambhaloge thik hai?”
Ayesha commanded.

Urwa nodded her head accepting all of the duties. Ayesha hummed and lifted her hand and gestured to the worker, who brought the books? Urwa looked at the scene unfolding in front of her with curiosity.

“Yeh saare records hai Sikandar haveli ki aaj se tum inhe maintain karogi. Thik hai?”
Ayesha spoke.

“Jii”
Urwa responded calmly. Ayesha gave her a nod and went away from there. Urwa released a deep breath and went towards the kitchen to instruct the worker abouts today's menu. As she reached she heard the gossip going on

“Aina suna hai ki woh ladki ki shaadi karne wale hai? Sach hai yeh baat?”
A lady questioned to the another lady who she assumed to be Aina.

“Haa bechari uss ladki ko bhi badi garami thi padhai ki. Usse pata hona chahiye tha ki iss ilake main ladkiyo ko kin sharto par padhaya jata hai”
Aina responded, shaking her head.

“Par Shahzaib Sahab toh ladkiyo ko padhne main bharosa karte hai haina? Phir woh aisa kaise hone de sakte hai? Woh ladki, woh sirf padhna chahti thi, woh toh nikkah ke liye bhi raazi thi agar usse padhne dete toh”
The lady spoke with sympathy for the girl going through such a situation.