Pyar Ki Love Story | Short Stories | 1st Book |

Last) ⛅️

Haya sat on her bed, lost in thought. After returning home, she couldn't stop thinking about Haris. Earlier, without hesitation or display, he had offered to pay her fees. At the university, he had told Haya to sit while he fetched her form from the crowded counter. Haris had gone back and forth, submitting the form at different counters, not letting Haya lift a finger.

Haya wasn't used to this kind of treatment. She couldn't even remember the last time someone had done something for her. The memory of her father came unbidden; he had treated her the same way, never letting her do anything, always taking care of her. In Haris, she saw a reflection of her father.

The incessant ringing of the doorbell broke Haya's trance. Startled, she looked around the room, thinking someone else would answer it. Maybe Haris or Bilqees would get the door, she thought, remaining on the bed. But after a few more minutes of the doorbell's persistent ringing, Haya finally got up.

Just as she reached the gate, Bilqees and Haris arrived too.

"Kon hai jiski ungli bell pe chipak hi gayi hai?" Bilqees asked, her dupatta tied for prayer suggesting she had been praying and unable to answer the door. Haris's wet hair indicated he had just showered and hence didn't answer either.

(Who is it with their finger glued to the doorbell?)

By then, Haya had opened the door, and the incessant ringing stopped immediately.

"Surpri iii....se?" A young man, around Haya's age, stood at the door, holding sunglasses in one hand and a large suitcase in the other. Both stared at each other in confusion, not recognizing the other.

"Dani!" Bilqees exclaimed with joy upon seeing her younger son. Haya quickly stepped aside.

"Surprise!" Dani repeated enthusiastically and moved towards his mother, who stood with open arms ready to embrace him. But to her disappointment, Dani plopped onto the chair behind her.

"Bus ke safar bohot thakate hain," Dani said wearily, and Bilqees smacked him lightly on the head.

(Bus journeys are so tiring,)

"Itne din baad aye ho ye na hua maa ke gale lag jao," she scolded.

(After so many days you've returned, and you can't even hug your mother,)

"Maa, abhi hoon na kuch din, sukoon se lagunga apke gale," Dani replied, standing up and finally enveloping her in a hug. His eyes then fell on Haya standing next to Haris.

(Mom, I'll be here for a few days. I'll hug you properly later,)

"Yeh kon hai? Koi maid rakhi hai apne?" Dani guessed unsuccessfully, earning another smack from Bilqees.

(Who is she? Did you hire a maid?)

"Badtameez, tameez se baat karo woh tumhari bhabhi hai," Bilqees admonished him. Both Haris and Bilqees noticed Haya's face turn red at Dani's remark.

(Behave yourself. She's your sister-in-law,)

"Kon bhabhi?" Dani repeated, rubbing his arm where Bilqees had hit him harder this time. He still looked confused until he saw Haris and Haya standing together, and realization dawned.

(What sister-in-law?)

"Kya? Ek minute! Main hostel kya gaya ap log ne apni zindagi se bhi nikal diya mujhe? Yeh kaisa sautela behaviour hai? Mujhe mere bhai ki shadi mein bulana toh durr bataya bhi nahi gaya." Dani's voice rose as he complained about being left out.

(What? Wait a minute, I go to the hostel, and you all forget about me? You didn't even bother to tell me about my brother's wedding?)

"Ho gaya tumhara? Ab andar chalo, darwaze pe hi sab sunna hai tumhe." Haris lightly tapped Dani on the head.