Veiled Emotions

CHAPTER-10

We all reached the ice cream parlour. I got down and opened the door for the girls; they got out, and Haniya said thanks to me. We went inside and sat at a table in a quiet corner. The girls started deciding which ice creams they wanted: Haniya wanted butterscotch, kesar pista, and chocolate, while Inaya suggested black currant. They were making a bit of a fuss, so I said, "Wait, both of you. We can order all your favorite ice creams, so why waste energy?"

Inaya said, "Ok, then order it soon, bhai (brother)."

"Yes, we are impatient to eat," Haniya added.

"Ok, ok, wait a moment. Let me go and give the order."

While I went to place the order, the girls sat at the table.

Inaya asked, "How was college?"

Haniya replied, "It went well today."

Inaya said, "No, you better take leaves till the wedding. I am feeling bored at home without you."

Haniya said, "Yes, I already told Ayeza that I am not gonna come till the wedding."

Inaya said, "Oh wow, that's very good to hear. I am so glad you are taking leave."

"Yeah, I wanted to spend time with you all," Haniya said.

"By the way, who is your best friend in college?" Inaya asked.

Haniya said, "Oh, my best friend is Ayeza Malik. You met her when you were small; maybe you don't remember her."

"Oh, is that so? I don't remember," Inaya said.

"It's ok, anyway. She is going to come to the wedding, so I'll make sure you meet her," Haniya said.

"Ok," said Inaya.

They both kept talking while watching me still standing at the counter. Haniya, sulking, said, "Abba (Oh God), how much time is it going to take for them to bring my favorite ice cream?"

Inaya said, "Don't worry, they are going to bring it. See, Fahad bhai (brother) is still talking to them."

"Yeah," said Haniya.

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I ordered the ice creams and decided to bring them to the table myself. I didn't want the male waiters serving us when I could do it. While waiting, I kept an eye on the girls, ensuring they were safe. After some time, the order was ready, so I took it to the table. Haniya's eyes lit up with excitement as she saw the ice cream.

Inaya said, "Dekho (Look), bhai (brother) ice cream lekar aa rahe hain (is bringing the ice cream)."

Haniya said, "Abhi se mooh mein paani aara hai (My mouth is watering just by looking at the ice cream)."

"Haan na (Yes), mujhe bhi (me too)," said Inaya.

Haniya said, "In my language, ice cream is love. No matter how many times I eat it or how many flavors I try, I can never get bored of it."

Before Inaya could reply, I interrupted, "Ab bohot hua (That's enough). Chalo, ice cream khao (Come on, eat the ice cream)."

As I served the ice cream, I thought, *This girl and her love for ice cream. What should I do, become an ice cream myself to win her love?* My brain retorted, *Fahad, what kind of person are you, getting jealous of ice cream?* Then I calmed myself, thinking, *It's ok, Fahad. Calm down. Soon you'll marry Haniya, and everything will be fine.*

I sat at the table, checking my emails while the girls enjoyed their ice cream. After they finished, Haniya suggested, "Why don't we take some ice cream for everyone at home?"

Inaya said, "Haan bhai (Yes, brother), kya bolte aap (what do you say)?"

I replied, "Ok, as you all say. You both go and sit in the car while I get the ice cream to take home."

The girls agreed and went to the car while I went back to order the ice cream tubs. After collecting them, I got into the car, where the girls were already seated in the back, and drove towards the house. Haniya seemed tired and didn't speak much, and Inaya looked sleepy.

When we reached home, I got out and opened the door for them. They were sleeping, so I gently woke them up, "Haniya, Inaya, wake up. We've reached. Come on, let's go inside."

They woke up and we went inside. Haniya took the ice cream tubs with her. We greeted everyone with "Asalamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you)," and everyone replied, "Walaikum Asalam (And peace be upon you too)."

Nanu (grandfather) said, "Aa gaya mera baccha college se? (My child, you've returned from college?)"

Haniya replied, "Yes, dadu (grandfather)," and hugged him. Then Nanu said, "Chalo phir, jao jaldi se change karlo aur aaram karo (Go on then, quickly change your clothes and rest)."

"Ok, dadu," Haniya said. "But I brought ice cream for everyone. Let's eat it now."

I thought, *Oh God, this girl just ate so much ice cream half an hour ago and now she wants more.*

I said, "Tumne abhi toh ice cream khayi (You just had ice cream). Abhi nai khaoge tum (You won't eat it now). Abhi jaa kar rest karo (Go and rest now). Shaam mein dinner ke baad kha lo sab ke saath (You can have it after dinner with everyone). Abhi mein ise fridge mein rakh deta hoon (I'll put it in the fridge for now)."

She pouted and looked at me, "What? Why are you looking at me like that? Go and rest."

"Ok," she said, stomping her legs.

*Oh, so cute,* I thought.

"Dinner Time"

Everyone came to eat dinner, but Haniya was the first one to rush to the table. Ayaan said, "Aisa kyun bhag rahi ho jaise koi tumhara khaana lekar bhag jaa raha hai" (Why are you running as if someone is taking your food?).

Hafsa said, "Ohhhh, don't you know she bought ice cream today?"

Ayaan said, "So what is the connection between her buying ice cream and running for dinner?"

Arshiya said, "Ayaan, don't you know her love towards ice cream?"

"What?" replied Ayaan.

"Yes, she loves ice cream so much that she can do anything to get it," said Qavi.

"Ohhhhh, I didn't know," said Ayaan.

"By the way, she loves ice cream, BMW cars, drifting, late-night drives, long drives, going for picnics every now and then, and there are many more things which will take my whole day if I tell," said Hammad, looking towards Fahad.

While Ayaan said, "Yaa Allah, iske shohar ki toh badi musibat hai isse jhelne ke liye" (Oh God, her husband will have a hard time handling her).

Hammad said, "Tum tension mat lo, iska shohar toh abhi train ho raha hai" (Don't worry, her husband is in training).

Fahad just said, "Chalo bohut baatein ho gayi hai, jaake khaane khaeinge" (Enough talking, let's go and eat).

Everyone silently went and ate dinner, and then ate ice cream. After enjoying ice cream with a lot of fun with all the siblings and family, they all escorted themselves towards their rooms. As the day was so tiring, they didn't have any energy to do anything more and just wanted to sleep and rest.

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