Kabhi main, kabhi tum, kabhi yeh, kabhi voh

Part 8: Halwa Puri

As soon as Sharjeena stepped into her parents' home, she was greeted by the warmest embrace from her mother and father. Her mother's eyes, misted with tears, lingered on her tiny baby bump, a reminder of the life growing inside her daughter. Rameen, her younger sister, rushed towards her, enveloping her in a hug so tight that it almost took Sharjeena's breath away. "Aapko kitna miss kia, Appi!" Rameen exclaimed, her voice muffled against Sharjeena's shoulder.

Once the initial greetings passed, they all gathered in the living room. Sharjeena was served a cup of tea, and a plate of fresh, crispy fritters was placed in front of her. She smiled, her heart swelling with happiness as she looked at her family. The joy of being home, with her loved ones, mixed with the heightened emotions of pregnancy, and for the first time in years, Sharjeena, who never cried in front of her parents, felt her eyes fill with tears.

Her mother, always attuned to her children, noticed immediately. "Kya baat hai beta?" she asked, concern lacing her voice.

Sharjeena wiped the tears that threatened to spill over and smiled through them. "Kuch nahi, ammi. Bas aap sabki bohot yaad aa rahi thi, toh ab milkar bohot zyada khushi ho rahi hai. Aajkal emotions control hi nahi hote, jaane kya ho gaya hai!" Sharjeena said, slightly embarrassed.

Her mother's eyes softened, and without another word, she wrapped her arms around Sharjeena in a warm embrace, pressing her cheek to her daughter's hair. "Meri bacchi," she whispered. Her father, standing nearby, couldn't help but interject with a playful grin.

"Arey bhaai, humein bhi toh mauka milna chahiye apni bacchi se baat karne ka. Jabse voh aayi hai, tum use chhor hi nahi rahi ho?" he said, making everyone laugh.

"Aur mera kya?" Rameen chimed in with a mock pout. "Mujhe toh pehle se hi pata tha ki jaise hi appi aaengi, ammi baba mujhe bhul hi jaaenge!"

The room filled with laughter, and in that moment, Sharjeena felt her heart warm. This is what she had been missing—these small, intimate moments of love and joy that only family could provide.

"Acchha chalo, naashta karlo. Maine halwa puri banaai hai. Aur tumhare liye halwe me extra dry fruits daale hain. Tumhe voh saare khatam karne padenge. Is waqt tumhe zarurat hai," her mother said, leading them to the next room.

As Sharjeena sat at the table, the aroma of the food filled her senses. She took a bite, and immediately, a sense of bliss washed over her. It was exactly what she had been craving. Her parents watched her, their eyes filled with joy and love as they exchanged a knowing glance.

"Jo zaayka ammi ke haathon mein hai, voh aur kahi nahi hai," Sharjeena said, savoring the food.

After breakfast, Sharjeena followed her mother into the kitchen. She wrapped her arms around her from behind, resting her head on her mother's back. "Ammi, I am sorry us din ke liye jab maine aapko khaana bhejne ke liye manaa kia tha. Mujhe pata hai ki maine aapko hurt kia. Voh—"

Her mother turned around gently, placing a soft hand on Sharjeena's cheek. "Nahi, beta," she said, her voice full of understanding. "Mujhe tumhari baat ka bilkul bura nahi laga. Aur main Mustafa ke jazbaat bhi samajhti hoon. Bura bas yeh soch ke lagaa tha ka ki main is waqt mein tumhara theek se khayaal nahi rakh paa rahi." She stroked Sharjeena's face, her expression warm and motherly. "Tumne kabhi mujhe aur apne baba ko apne liye kuch khaas karne hi nahi diya. Koi khwaahish hi nai rahi tumhari. Toh mera dil bas yeh chahta hai ki kamaskam is waqt mein main tumhara jitna ho sake utna khayal rakhu. Tumhe tumhaari pasand ki cheezein banaa kar khilaau."

Tears welled in Sharjeena's eyes again, but her mother wasn't finished. "Par aaj subah tumhe itne suqoon se halwa puri khaate dekh ke maine bhi soch lia hai," she added with a smile, "Main ab naa tumhari sunungi aur naa hi tumhare shohar ki. Jaise uska haq hai tumhara khayal rakhne ka, vaise hi mera bhi haq hai tumhein laad pyaar karne ka. Toh bas, voh main karungi."