Kabhi main, kabhi tum, kabhi yeh, kabhi voh

Part 19: Home

Sharjeena's parents, especially her mother, were thrilled when they learned that Mustafa and Sharjeena would be staying with them for a few days. Mustafa and Sharjeena spent an evening packing their essentials, leaving most of their belongings at the apartment to be moved once they finalized their new home. Sharjeena's heart was full as she packed last of her stuff as she felt bittersweet leaving her abode. As they stood in their now-quiet apartment, she looked at Mustafa with slight worry in her eyes.

"Are you sure ki tum ammi baba ke ghar comfortable rahoge?" she asked, folding the last of her clothes into a bag.

Mustafa glanced at her, a reassuring smile on his face. "Main theek hoon, Sharjeena. Ab tum jitna samajhti ho utna bhi kharaab nahi hoon main. Vaise bhi tumhari ammi ke khaane se saara mood apne aap theek ho jaata hai."

Sharjeena laughed, but deep down, she still felt concerned. She knew how much it pained Mustafa that his own parents had turned their backs on him, and she worried he might feel out of place at her family's home. But to her surprise, her father welcomed Mustafa warmly when they arrived.

"Mustafa, welcome home," her father said with a firm handshake and an encouraging smile. "Sharjeena ne bataaya ki tum dono ghar kharidne ka plan kar rahe ho. Mujhe pata hai ki it's a big step, par yeh bhi jaanta hoon that you'll do well."

Mustafa was momentarily taken aback by the kindness, but he quickly nodded, feeling a warmth he hadn't felt in years. "Thank you, Uncle, aapke support ke liye."

Sharjeena's mother, ever the doting and affectionate woman, went out of her way to make Mustafa feel at home. Every dinner was a feast, and she would insist on Mustafa taking second and third helpings.

"Mustafa, tum kitne kamzor ho rahe ho. Mujhe pata hai ki tum bohot mehnat karte ho aur busy bhi rehte ho, par beta, uske saath saath apne khaane peene ka dhyaan rakhna bhi bohot zaruri hai. Yeh lo, acche se khaao!" she'd say, ladling more curry onto his plate before he could protest.

"Aunty, meri khuraaq itni nahi hai," Mustafa would laugh, but he'd oblige, knowing it made her happy.

She also began packing nourishing lunches for both him and Sharjeena, always reminding them to eat well and take care of themselves while seeing them off in the morning. Mustafa, who hadn't experienced such care from a parent in years, found himself softening to her motherly affection.

One evening, as Mustafa helped Sharjeena's father set up a new shelf in the living room, the older man patted his shoulder. "Mustafa, main jaanta hoon ki maine tumse kabhi is baare mein baat nahi kari hai, aur thode bohot misunderstandings bhi rahe hain shuruaati dinon mein, par just so you know, main dil se maanta hoon ki you've done well, Mustafa. Mujhe yeh bhi dikhta hai ki tum meri beti ka kitna khayal rakhte ho. Sach kahun toh koi baap isase zyaada kuch nahi chahta. Ab toh tum khud bhi baap banane ja rahe ho toh samajh jaaoge. Ab jo kuch Iftekar ne tumhare aur Sharjeena ke saath kia, uske baare mein baat karke bewajah takleef hi hogi. Toh behtar yahi ki sab aage badhein aur past ko past mein chhorr dein. Bas yeh yaad rakho hamesha ki tum akele nahi ho. Hum tumhare saath hain."

The words struck a chord in Mustafa's heart. He glanced at the older man, nodding earnestly. "Thank you, Uncle. Aur main aapki Sharjeena ko lekar jo insecurities hain voh puri tarah samajh sakta hoon. Bas aapko yaqeen dilana chahta hoon ki main uska hamesha bohot khayal rakhunga."

Meanwhile, Sharjeena watched all of this with a full heart. Ever since Mustafa's parents had thrown them out of their home, she'd silently grieved for him, knowing how much it hurt him to lose the warmth and support of his family. Seeing him now, laughing with her father, enjoying her mother's care, and slowly letting his guard down, filled her with immense joy. She felt like Mustafa was finally experiencing the love and warmth he deserved.