HUMSAFAR

22~ Birthday

MUNAWAR

I stepped into the hall wearing the shirt Mannara gifted me and could feel the warmth of my family's eyes on me. Mannara, standing at a distance, caught my eye and signed that I was looking good. Her eyes, were enough to make my heart skip a beat. A smile spread across my face.

As I walked forward approaching her, I saw two familiar faces walking through the door, Aman and Ayesha.

I looked towards Mannara, whose smile widened and I understood she invited them. Aman pulled me into a tight warm hug, wishing me a happy birthday.

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

Everyone gathered around the table, Munawar held the knife and gently cut a slice of cake. He turned towards Mannara and fed her the first slice. He then proceeded to feed the rest of them.

Amreen eagerly presented her gift and Munawar smiled and hugged her. "Yeh maine nahi bhabhi..I mean Mannara ne select kiya hai" Munawar's face lit up as he looked at her.

Mannara pulled Mumtaz towards her. "Maa, dinner ka intezam bahar lawn mein kiya hai..aap sab ko waha lejayiye" she agreed.

"Rukhsaar, tum aao meray saath yeh sab bahir le jao" she said pointing towards the dishes.

The table was adorned with flickering candles and flowers and the aroma of freshly prepared dishes filled the air, enticing everyone's taste buds.

As they settled down for dinner, Mannara carried the trays laden with dishes. Mumtaz with a twinkle in her eye, revealed to Munawar, "yeh saari taiyaari Mannara ne ki hai, aur aaj ka khaana bhi usne hi banaya hai"

Munawar's eyes widened as he realized the effort Mannara had put into this. He grabbed Mannara's hand as she was in the midst of serving and urged her to sit beside him. Nazila looked at them feeling envy. Her gaze shifted, she caught the eye of Aman, who responded with a warm, friendly smile.

Amreen, sat across the table, her eyes glued to her phone screen, as she texted Zaid, a contented smile playing on her lips. Intrigued by this, Mumtaz asked her. "Kisse baat kar rahi ho?"

"Kisi se nahi ammi bas-" she tried to dismiss the question.

"Have your dinner first!" Mumtaz scolded.

[HALLWAY]

Nazila gazed at the sight of Mannara and Munawar engaged in a conversation with Ayesha in the lawn.

Mannara, attentively fixed his shirt. Nazila couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, a bittersweet reminder of what could have been.

Lost in her thoughts, her grip on the glass she was holding tightened unconsciously. The glass shattered into pieces, causing her to snap back to reality. The sound of the breaking glass echoed through the room, as Aman rushed to her side, concerned etched on his face.

"Are you okay?" He asked holding her hand.

"I'm fine" she said pulling her hand and walking away.

"Nazila hua kya hai? Tum mujhse baat kyun nahi kar rahi?

She took a pause.

"Uss din jab mama rishte ki baat karne aayi thi, tab bhi tumne kuch nahi kaha. Kya tum iss rishte se khush nahi ho?"

"Main tumse shadi nahi karna chahti..mujhe shadi hi nahi karni, pata nahi kyu kisi ko yeh baat samajh nahi aa rahi"

Her voice laced with frustration echoed through the hallway breaking Aman's heart.