Kabhi main, kabhi tum, kabhi yeh, kabhi voh

Part 14: Nightmares

As Sharjeena sat cross-legged on the floor beside Rameen, her heart felt light, almost childlike, basking in the pure, joyful energy of her little sister. The apartment was filled with Rameen's lively chatter and bursts of laughter as she excitedly shared names for the baby, each one inspired by Disney characters. Sharjeena laughed, imagining a future where her own child might embody the same innocent, boundless joy Rameen did now.

After a while, they had moved to a movie and popcorn, but Rameen's enthusiasm didn't allow for much of a quiet movie night. When Sharjeena finally suggested they play Ludo, she found herself deliberately losing just to see her little sister's triumphant smile. It felt like a precious echo of their childhood — something she hadn't realized she had missed until that moment.

Lost in the moment, Sharjeena suddenly looked up and noticed Mustafa standing by the door, watching them with a mix of curiosity and confusion. Her heart leapt with a sudden, unexpected joy; she felt like she was truly seeing him after so many busy days. She rose to greet him, her eyes bright with happiness.

"Mustafa!" she said warmly, her voice full of affection.

Mustafa nodded, his gaze flickering between her and Rameen, taking in the scene before him. Just as she was about to speak, Rameen, still brimming with excitement, jumped up from her spot to talk to him, her words rushing out as if she couldn't hold them back a moment longer.

"Mustafa bhai! Yeh sab Sharjeena appi ka idea tha. Inhone hi restaurant mein dinner ke waqt ammi ko badi aasaani se convince kar lia ki main aaj raat yahi ruk jaaun. Ammi kal ke school ki chutti ke liye bhi maan gayin. Kya aap yaqeen karenge?" Rameen's eyes sparkled as she spoke, completely unaware of the shift in Mustafa's expression.

Sharjeena's watched Mustafa's brow furrow in confusion. He looked at her, searching for answers, and she could see the hint of bewilderment in his eyes.

"Kaunsa dinner?" he asked, his tone calm but clearly laced with questions.

Rameen, oblivious to the tension building, answered before Sharjeena had a chance to explain. "Humein jab Sharjeena appi ke promotion ki news mili, tab hi humnein decide kar lia ki hum appi ko surprise denge dinner pe le ja kar. Aur bas shaam ko inke office chal diye ye bouquet aur cake lekar inko pick karne!" she said proudly, her voice full of admiration for her sister.

Sharjeena felt a throb of regret. She had wanted to share this moment with Mustafa herself, to see his reaction as she told him about the promotion. But now, he was finding out like this, and she could see the slight confusion in his eyes, tinged with disappointment.

But before she could redirect the conversation, Rameen, still in her enthusiastic flow, continued, "And the best part, Rehan bhaai ne bhi humein dinner pe join kia, kitna mazaa aaya unke saath!"

The name Rehan fell between them like a thunderclap, and in that instant, Sharjeena saw Mustafa's face change. The joy and warmth that had flickered in his expression when he first entered vanished, replaced by a shadow she recognized too well — hurt, mixed with a flash of something deeper, something she hadn't seen in his eyes for a long time.

Sharjeena's heart descended. She knew that look; she could read it like a language only they shared. It was the look he wore when he felt excluded, left out of something important, and worse, betrayed. In a single glance, she could see him piecing together everything in the worst possible way. The reality of her promotion, the surprise dinner he hadn't known about, and the presence of Rehan — it was all coming together in a narrative she hadn't intended but suddenly feared he might believe.

She wanted to reach out to him, to explain, to soften the misunderstanding that was rapidly solidifying in his mind. But before she could find the words, Rameen, sensing the tension between them but not understanding it, gave them both a confused look.