Dasht-e-Ulfat Novel By Shazain Zainab

Dasht-E-Ulfat Ep # 13

There was only half an hour left until midnight when Shehzad's voice echoed in the silence of the car.

"Come on, get up, let's go," Shehzad said, looking at Nawaz, who was about to open a bottle of alcohol. Nawaz turned to look at him.

"Where to?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and looking at Shehzad with a questioning expression.

"Your surprise," Shehzad replied with a wink, while Nawaz had already brought the bottle to his mouth.

"Okay." With that, Nawaz opened the door on his side and got out. Shehzad followed him out.

"By the way, what's this surprise for?" Nawaz asked as they walked together.

"I just felt like giving you a surprise. It's a birthday celebration and a gift," Shehzad said, a mischievous smile on his face as he moved ahead.

In five minutes, they stood in front of a house. Shehzad stepped forward, and Nawaz followed him closely behind.

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

"Jaza, dear, put the balloons here too," Khadija Begum called out to Jaza. She was at their place at this time because of Sawera's birthday, while Sawera was in her room getting ready, unaware that her dear aunt was in her house.

"Aunt, why are you doing this? I can do it all," Jaza said, taking the balloon from Khadija Begum's hand, while Annam Begum was setting the table in front of her.

"Where are your father and uncle?" Annam Begum asked as she adjusted the tablecloth.

"I spoke to them; they'll be here soon," Jaza said as she stepped away when she heard footsteps approaching.

"I think Dad might have arrived," she said, turning around, but her words got stuck in her throat. When Annam Begum and Khadija Begum lifted their heads at her silence, Khadija Begum was shocked to see the two standing in front of her, while Annam Begum looked at them with confusion.

"What happened, ladies? Didn't you like our arrival?" Shehzad said with his mischievous smile, while Nawaz stood behind him with his shirt collar open.

"What are you doing here, Shehzad? And what is he doing with you?" Khadija Begum stepped forward and asked, throwing a piercing glance at Nawaz standing behind.

"What happened was, Aunt, Shehzad wanted to give me a surprise, so he brought me here," Nawaz said, stepping slightly ahead, while Khadija Begum's gaze turned to Shehzad. Jaza was trying to understand the implication of Nawaz's words, while Annam Begum silently watched the whole scene unfold.

"What nonsense is Shehzad talking?" Khadija Begum said, grabbing Shehzad by the arm and turning him toward her, speaking angrily.

"He's right," Shehzad said, locking eyes with his mother defiantly.

"Now I understand why Sawera is so beautiful... because her mother and sister are very beautiful. And you never mentioned this," Nawaz said, looking at Annam Begum and Jaza with mischief, causing anger to flush their faces as they fully understood the meaning behind his words. However, there was both anger and hatred in Jaza's eyes.

Before Jaza could say anything, Khadija Begum raised her hand and left a mark on Nawaz's face.

"When your own mother and sister are not around, you should respect the mothers, sisters, and daughters of others. But who would teach shame and decency to someone like you?" Khadija Begum said, enunciating each word carefully.

"Mum, control your words. I don't want to be rude to you, so it's better if you don't interfere," Shehzad said in a subdued voice to his mother.

"Take your worthless friend and get out of here," Khadija Begum said, looking at him sternly.