Mainu ishq diyaan khairaan mangiya

The air at the wedding reception was thick with the scent of roses and rich perfumes. The hall was a vision of opulence: glittering chandeliers, lavish decorations, and a sea of guests dressed in their finest. Bilal and his family have booked one of the fanciest hall in Karachi to celebrate the union of Iqra and Wahaj.

Mustafa stood on the periphery, his eyes scanning the crowd but not really seeing it. The clinking of glasses and the murmur of conversation felt distant, a backdrop to his own swirling thoughts.

He found himself standing near a group of women from Sharjeena's family, including her sister Yumna. Yumna's voice was animated, punctuated by exclamations about her latest purchases and upcoming vacations.

Yumna: (laughing as she twirls in her new dress) Yeh dekhna, yeh kitna acha lag raha hai? Bilal ke cousin Paris mein rehte hain, wo karachi waapas aaye hain, toh Bilal ne kahan mere liye yeh khoobsurat outfit laaye. Wahan abhi yeh sab se zyada trend mein hai.

Sharjeena:(smiling politely) Masha Allah, Yeh bahut hi khoobsurat lag raha hai, Yumna. Tumpe toh sab hi pyara lagta hain

Rameen:(eagerly) Yumna baji, aapki jewelery bhi nayii lag rahi hain, shaadi mein aapne itne sare banaye the, ye toh alag haina?

Yumna:(flashing her new earrings) Oh, yeh? Haan, yeh naye collection se hain, woh designer jo abhi itna mashhoor ho gaya hai. Mere in-laws ne yeh mujhe anniversary ke gift ke tor par diye. Woh mujhe hamesha achi cheezen dete hain!

Random Lady: Wah, yeh to kamal ka lag raha hai! Maine us designer ke baare mein suna hai. Unki pieces bahut hi shandar hoti hain.

Yumna:(beaming with pride) Haan, aur mere shauhar ke family hamesha dekhte hain ke mujhe sab se behtareen tohfa mile.

Yumna's Friend:(sighing) Yeh to lagta hai tum khwabon ki duniya mein je rahi ho, Yumna. Tumhara shauhar sach mein generous hai

Yumna:(nodding with satisfaction) Haan, woh toh hai. Main itni lucky hoon ke mujhe itna supportive aur caring family mila. Inke saath rehna bahut hi accha lagta hai

Sharjeena:(looking a bit distant, still smiling) Haan, yeh bahut accha hota hai jab families ek dusre ko support karte hain.

Except for Sharjeena, who mostly listened quietly, Yumna, Rameen, and the other friends eagerly compared notes on the latest fashion trends, the best jewelry collections, and exotic travel destinations.

Mustafa's gaze lingered on Sharjeena, who was wearing the same red salwar she had worn to their reception dinner, paired with the elegant jewelry gifted by her parents during their wedding. There was nothing new or extravagant about her outfit, yet she looked radiant.

Mustafa felt a pang of inadequacy. He had always been the easygoing type, the one who didn't fuss over material things, but tonight, as he listened to the conversations around him, he felt the weight of his financial struggles more acutely. He couldn't provide Sharjeena with the extravagant lifestyle Yumna spoke of. He couldn't even afford a fraction of the luxury that seemed so casually discussed.

As the night wore on, Mustafa's mind churned with worries. The elegant laughter, the sparkling dresses, and the gleaming jewelry were constant reminders of what he felt he couldn't give. It was as if every conversation was a mirror reflecting his own perceived shortcomings.

When the festivities finally wound down and Mustafa returned home, he was far from relaxed. He sat at his desk, eyes bleary, working through a stack of code, trying to make up for lost time. His thoughts raced, his exhaustion mounting with each passing minute.

The clock ticked towards midnight when Sharjeena quietly entered the room. She stood for a moment in the doorway, watching her husband with concern. Finally, she approached and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Mustafa," she said softly, "der ho gayi hai. Chalo sone chalte hain"

He glanced up, his face etched with weariness. "Abhi nahi, tum so jao, Sharjeena. Bahut saari kaam pending hai..mein complete karke so jaunga"

Sharjeena sat beside him, her eyes searching his. "Mustafa, sona zaroori haina, mein samajhti hoon ke tum stress mein ho, lekin itna kaam karke apne aap ko thakaane se kuch nahi hoga. Tum bimaar ho jaoge, aur phir yeh sab kaam bekaar ho jayega.."

Mustafa made no move even after Sharjeena pleaded, he continuing to ignore her, working on his code.

Sharjeena pleaded with a soft voice "Mustafa, please mujhe dekho. Main tumhari fikar kar rahi hoon. Tumhari sehat itni hi zaroori hai jitni yeh kaam. Agar tum aise hi apne aap ko thakaate rahoge, to tum apne aap ko zyada nuksaan pohnchao ge, madad se nahi."

Mustafa sighed deeply, rubbing his eyes. "Mujhe lagta hai ke main kafi nahi hoon. Tumhe jo chahiye, woh main nahi de sakta. Aaj raat Bilal bhai ko dekh kar, mujhe samajh aaya ke main kitna peeche hoon

Sharjeena squeezed his hand, her voice firm but gentle. "Mustafa, mujhe in cheezon ki zaroorat nahi hai. Mujhe tumhari zaroorat hai. Mere liye ye kaafi hain ki hum apna mustaqbil saath milkar bana rahein hain. Tum apna best de rahe ho, aur yahi mere liye sab se zaroori baat hai."

Mustafa nodded, feeling the weight of his worries slightly lift.

Sharjeena bought his hands closer to her heart "Aur please aaiyinda apne aapko kabhi bhi kisi se kamtar mat samajhna, warna mujhe lage ga ki mere pyar mein kami reh gyi hain"

Mustafa's lips curled into a soft smile, and with a gentle yet heartfelt motion, he pulled Sharjeena into a tender embrace, letting the warmth of the moment bridge the gap between their worries and their love.

He stood, still holding Sharjeena's hand, and allowed himself to be guided to their bedroom. As he lay down, Sharjeena settled beside him, her presence a comforting anchor amidst the turbulence of his thoughts.

"Sab theek ho jayega" she whispered as he closed his eyes.

Mustafa drifted into sleep, the stress of the night beginning to dissolve in the warmth of Sharjeena's reassurance. As he rested, he felt a renewed sense of determination, not just for himself but for the future they would build together.