Umeed

Chapter 58

The next moment, Noor woke up to find herself in bed. She looked around the room, her eyes scanning for anyone. Just then, Mishal emerged from the bathroom, her expression cheerful as always.

Noor blinked, still disoriented, and asked softly, "Mai room mein kaise aayi?" (How did I get to the room?)

Mishal gave her a playful smile. "Shahzain bhai laaye hain tumhe room mein, bilkul hero ki tarah utha kar." (Shahzain bhai brought you here, like a true hero.)

Noor's cheeks flushed at the thought. She hesitated, then asked shyly, "Tumne mujhe uthaya kyun nahi?"(Why didn’t you wake me up?)

Mishal sat beside her, shaking her head. "Bhai ne mana kiya tha tumhe uthane se. Bola tha ke tum tired ho. Maine kaha tha ke main tumhari help kar doongi, par unhone kaha tumhare uthne ka wait karungi. Phir woh Zaviyaar ke saath bahar chale gaye."

(Bhai strictly told me not to wake you up. He said you were tired. I even told him I could help you settle down, but he asked me to wait until you woke up. Then he left with Zaviyaar.)

Noor’s heart swelled with happiness at Shahzain’s thoughtfulness. Despite being tired himself, he had thought of her comfort first. She wasn’t uncomfortable with him—Shahzain was her husband —but tonight was different. The intimacy of their first night together made her feel unbearably shy.

Mishal, noticing Noor’s nervousness, chuckled and helped her freshen up.Mishal leaned back on the chair and began chatting.

"Tumhe pata hai na log first night Parr kya karte hai?" Mishal teased with a mischievous grin. (You know what people do at wedding night, right?)

Noor’s cheeks turned crimson, and she looked away. But Mishal, being herself, wasn’t about to let her off the hook. From her bag, she dramatically pulled out a lacy, scandalously sexy piece of lingerie and handed it to Noor. Noor’s eyes widened in horror.

"Mishal! Yeh main nahi pehnungi!" Noor declared firmly.(Mishal! I’m not wearing this!) "Arey, kyun nahi? Ek baar try toh karo!" Mishal insisted, trying her best to convince her.(Why not? Just try it once!)

Noor shook her head stubbornly, refusing even after Mishal tried every trick in her book. In the end, Mishal sighed in defeat but couldn’t resist nudging Noor teasingly as she helped her sit in the middle of the bed. Giggling, she pulled the ghunghat (bridal veil) over Noor’s face.

"Zyada sharmana mat! Itni sharam lekar jaaogi kahaan? Jaldi se mujhe ek pyaara baby de do, aur teesri baar ke liye mujhe maasi bana do!" Mishal joked, laughing.(Don’t be so shy! Where will you take all this shyness? Just give me a cute baby soon and make me an aunt for the third time!)

Noor, unable to stop herself, gave Mishal a playful slap on the arm. Despite her shyness, she shot back, "Maine tumhe do baar maasi banaya hai. Ab tumhari baari hai mujhe maasi banane ki." (I’ve already made you an aunt twice. Now it’s your turn to make me one.)

Mishal shrugged nonchalantly. "Haan, pehle koi mile toh sahi. Phir maasi banaungi tumhe." (Yeah, let me find someone first. Then I’ll make you an aunt.)

Noor raised an eyebrow knowingly, her smug smile betraying her thoughts. "Natak band karo. Mujhe sab pata hai tumhare aur Zaviyaar bhai ke baare mein. Jaldi shaadi karlo aur maasi bana do mujhe." (Stop pretending. I know all about you and Zaviyaar bhai. Get married soon and make me an aunt.)

Mishal feigned innocence, but Noor wasn’t letting her off easily. With a teasing smirk, she added, "Aur tum ab maasi nahi, chachi banogi mere bachon ki." (And now you’ll be called ‘chachi’ instead of aunt to my kids.)

Mishal rolled her eyes dramatically. "Haan, woh saryal tumhara bhai maane toh sahi! Doctor sahab ke paas mere liye time toh hota nahi. Shaadi toh dur ki baat." (Yeah, your grumpy brother needs to agree first! Doctor sahab doesn’t even have time for me, let alone think about marriage.)