Hirz-e-Jaan

Ulfat 1

Author's POV

The yard of Chaudhary haveli was filled with the laughter of the four children. The four little adorable kids were gathered around a baby in a crib. The little baby, who was only 1, was making adorable faces looking up at the children.

Taimur poked little Saif's cheek, making the baby scrunch his eyebrows. Even at a young age, he had the Chaudhary anger issues.

Mehrunnisa swatted Taimur's hand lightly. "Taimur aisa na karo. Saif ro pare ga." (Taimur, stop that. Saif will start crying.)

Mehrunnisa, her small dupatta slipping off her head, gently adjusted the baby's blanket, her small hands careful and precise. Baby Saif smiled at her showing his gums.

"Kitna pyara he Saif, hena Zorawar bhai?" Mehrunnisa said, her eyes soft as she caressed the baby's chubby hand. (Saif is so pretty, right brother Zorawar?)

"Han bohut pyara he. Chalo chalo, choro Saif ko. Cricket khelte hen." Zorawar replied, getting bored of the uninterested baby. (Yeah he's pretty. Okay let's go play cricket now.)

"Batting meri." Taimur replied right away. Cricket and him were like achaar and paratha. (I'll bat)

Mehrunnisa crossed her arms. "Nahi mene nahi khelna cricket. Ap log humesha cheating karte ho." Mehr said, pouting. (No, I don't want to play cricket. You guys always cheat.)

"Cheating? Tum bas haar ke bahane dhoondti ho, Mehr." Zorawar said to his sister. (Cheating? You just look for excuses when you lose, Mehr.)

Taimur nodded eagerly, "Haan, aur tum bahut ahista ball karti ho" (Yeah, and you ball too slowly.)

Mehrunnisa stuck out her tongue, "Haider bhai inko dekho na. Mujhe tang kar rahe hen." (Brother Haider, do you see this? They are teasing me.)

Haider, who had been quietly watching them from the side, winced at being called bhai – brother. "Mehr ne keh diya na uss ne cricket nahi khelna." His voice demanded submission from the two guys. (Mehr has said that she doesn't want to play cricket.)

Zorawar and Taimur didn't question him. He was only 12 years old but he was already being more and more like Chaudhary sahab, his father. His father, who took responsibility for raising him was molding him to be the next panch (leader).

"Aur Mehr, mene kitni dafa kaha he ke mujhe Haider bulaya karo. Mein tumhara bhai nahi hoon" He looked at Mehrunnisa, who looked at him innocently. (And Mehr, how many times have I told you that you should call me Haider. I am not your brother.)

"Magar mama to kehti hen ke apko men bhai kaha karoon." Mehrunnisa replied innocently. (But my mom says to call you brother.)

"Nahi. Mujhe Haider hi bulaya karo. Bhai tumhare sirf Zorawar, Taimur aur Saif hen." Haider said, making sure she knows. (No. Call me Haider. Only Zorawar, Taimur and Saif are your brothers.)

"To aap kia ho?" Mehr titled her head, nothing making sense to her. (Then what are you to me?)

Haider was taken aback. What was he to her? She was his whole world, the only person his heart sped up for. Her young self would not understand if he even told her.

He, himself, had no idea what this was. He just knew that he wanted Mehr's attention on him and only him. If she wanted to play, she should play with him. If she wanted a toy, she should ask him.

"Mein... apka Haider hoon." He whispered more to himself than to her. (I am..... your Haider.)

Mehrunnisa, who didn't hear what he said, was about to ask again but she was cut off by her mother's voice calling her.