The Ayham's Ramadan

Chapter 07

CHAPTER 07: CHANGING CONVENTIONS

Nabeel pulled out some books from the book shelf. He lifted a cloth bag and shook it open, and then put then those books in the bag. He went back to the book shelf, and glanced through the books. As he pulled out some more books and put them into the bag, Eshal walked into the sitting with books in her hand.

"Take this," she groans, keeping the books on one of the sofas. She was stunned by the amount of books that were taken out.

The reason so many books were taken out and kept in bags was because they were going to be given to the masjids and madrasaas. There were enough Qur'ans for all he members of the family, and yet when someone's preference changed, or they wanted to change their design or color, they bought or exchanged colors, creating an entire stack of extra Qur'ans and extra books. Now that it was Ramadaan, Nabeel had decided to declutter the home library. He and Ayna checked through the books in their room (which they still wanted to keep), and also asked the others to do so.

"Are you going to go for I'tikaaf this year?" asked Eshal. Nabeel had been going for I'tikaaf for every year since his parent's death, but this time was different, since he was married now. Not that anything was bad about it, but Ayna needed company right now. She was, no offence, mentally unstable, and if a small thing affected her, her graph would go downhill.

For now, Nabeel heard Eshal's question and shrugged.

Eshal placed a hand on chin. "Nothing to be forced about, but I think you should stay back this year."

"Actually-" he stood up straighter- "I was thinking about the same."

"This year, if you could stay with us and look for Ayna, it would be more appropriate, considering at times, when she gets disconnected, even we struggle to bring her back," Eshal elaborated.

Nabeel agreed. "If there is any psychiatrist that you would recommend for her..." his voice died down as he got back to work.

"Hai naa! But the thing is, you will take her back to Karachi once Ramadaan is over, and there will be a lapse in treatment. That's why, I'll consult with Dr. Arwa and let you know about one in Karachi, hm?"

"That's a much better idea. Thank you aapi," Nabeel smiled. Eshal hit him in the bicep.

"Aapi bhi boultay hou aur thank you bhi? Tum aik kaam kar lou: yaa formality manaao yaa pyaar jataao!" They both chuckled and she left the room.

Nabeel peeked from the door where Eshal had just left and called out for her. "Aapi! Aap oopar jaa rahi hain tou Ayna ko neechay bhayj dein!"

"Sure!" she half-yelled back.

Some time later, he heard footsteps rushing down the stairs, and Ayna burst into the room, panting.

"I'm so sorry! Main Wardaa ko watermelon daynay gayi, aur bhool gayi ke aapnay bulaaya. Yaad aaya tou bhaagtay aayi. Koi kaam-"

"Slow down Ayna, saans lou! Aik tou rozaa usspar aisay bhaagam-bhaag karna," he steadied her, holding her by the elbows as she caught up with her breath. As she stopped panting, an embarrassing smile was plastered on her face.

"Abb samajh aaya ke mard husn ke liye gunaahgaar kyoun banntay hain. Fortunately, mujhay aisa kuchh nahin karnaa padega- meray paas tum jou hou," he said, his eyes glittering.

Ayna's cheeks turned even redder. She slapped a hand on Nabeel's shoulder, loosening his grip on her elbows. "Hum donoun ne rozaa rakhaa hai!" she exclaimed in comical horror.

"Tou?" he asked, grabbing her hand and pulling it towards his face. "Rozay mein-" he kissed her knuckles- "isski manaahi tou nahin hai," he whispered against her skin.