Kabhi main, kabhi tum, kabhi yeh, kabhi voh

Part 11: Cake

Mustafa woke up early, glancing at the empty space beside him. A quiet unease settled in his chest as he looked around the room, finally noticing the soft clinking sound coming from outside. He moved toward the living room, and the sight before him made him pause. There was Sharjeena at the balcony, bathed in the early morning light, sitting quietly on the floor with a mug of tea in her hands, gently touching a small flower on a potted plant. She looked peaceful yet distant, as if lost in a world he no longer had access to.

Unable to resist, Mustafa slipped into the balcony, moving quietly until he was close enough to reach out. Against his better judgment, he brushed a stray hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. She flinched slightly, turning to him with surprise.

"Good morning," he said softly, a hint of warmth in his voice, hoping for even the smallest smile in return.

Sharjeena barely nodded, her response flat. "Morning."

The slight disappointment stung, but he pushed it down, trying to maintain a calm expression. "Tum itni jaldi uth gayin?"

"Morning sickness," she replied shortly, her gaze drifting away.

He took a step closer, lowering his voice, "Toh mujhe utha deti naa."

"Usase kya hota, tumhari neend kharab hoti. It's not like you could have done anything." She looked down, her hand tightening around her cup.

"I could have been there for you." He reached out a hand as if to stop her, but she was already standing up, murmuring almost to herself, "That ship sailed a long time ago."

He watched her disappear into the kitchen, her words echoing in his mind. Sighing, he followed her, unsure of what to say or do but unwilling to let the morning end on such a bitter note.

"Sharjeena," he started, trying to keep his tone light. "I know... tum abhi mujhse baat nahi karna chahti. Par main at least tumhein aaj office drop kar doon, please? Maybe we could grab breakfast on the way?"

She was quiet, her back to him as she prepared breakfast. "Nahi, Mustafa," she finally said. "Hum dono hi late ho jaayenge."

Mustafa swallowed, determined not to give up. "Abhi toh bohot time hai. Aaram se pohonch jaayenge kaam pe dono." He saw the faintest flicker of indecision cross her face. "Aur....tum dhaabe par voh cake bhi toh kha sakti ho, jo tumhein bohot pasand hai. Just breakfast. I promise main aur kuch nahi bolunga, and... I won't try to make this anything more than what it is."

At the mention of her favorite cake, he noticed her expression soften ever so slightly. After a pause, she sighed. "Theek hai. But we need to leave within half an hour."

Mustafa tried to keep his excitement in check, his lips fighting back a grin. "Got it. Half an hour." As he turned to get ready, he swore he saw the smallest hint of a smile lift the corners of her mouth. It was faint, barely there, but it filled him with hope as he thought, maybe—just maybe—there was still a chance to make things right.

Mustafa and Sharjeena sat across from each other at the humble dhaba, a place filled with memories he hadn't revisited in what felt like ages. Nostalgia washed over him as he recalled the first time he brought her here. Back then, he'd teased her endlessly about her need for cleanliness and her slight obsession with order, calling her "burger bachchi". He could almost taste the warm fritters they'd shared before he'd whisked her off to Kidney Hills, caught in a sudden rainstorm. Those moments were fleeting yet vivid, snapshots of a time when they had no idea how deep their connection would grow. He hadn't realized he'd already fallen in love with her back then, dismissing their bond as a friendship within a marriage they hadn't chosen. But now, the depth of those feelings felt undeniable, something he could no longer ignore or take for granted.