Jaan-e-Azlan❤

29

Azlaan stepped out of his room, freshly dressed and composed, and quietly made his way to Mantasha’s room. He opened the door gently and slipped inside. There she was, still half-asleep, her hair falling softly across her face.

He knelt beside her bed, careful not to startle her, and with a tender touch, tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Time to wake up,” he murmured softly.

Mantasha stirred, blinking her eyes open, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “I… I’ll come after freshening up,” she whispered, her voice still heavy with sleep.

“I’m waiting,” Azlaan said simply, his calm eyes watching her.

She couldn’t help but smile shyly, feeling a warmth in her chest at the way he said it. Turning slightly, she got up and went to freshen up, while Azlaan quietly pulled out his phone and stood by the window of her room, watching the garden outside, yet keeping an ear tuned to her movements.

A few minutes later, Mantasha returned, dressed neatly and ready. Azlaan extended his hand gently. She hesitated for only a heartbeat before placing her hand in his, their fingers intertwining naturally.

Together, they walked toward the dining room, the soft click of her slippers mixing with the calm hum of the house. The family looked up as they entered, a small ripple of smiles spreading through the room. The grandparents, parents, and cousins exchanged glances, amused by the quiet, confident presence of the couple.

As they reached the table, Mantasha spotted Azlaan’s mother. “Tai Ammi,” she started, but Azlaan’s teasing glance stopped her mid-word.

“Not Tai Ammi anymore,” he said softly. “Call her… Mama.”

Mantasha looked shyly at her, who nodded with encouragement. “Mama,” she said, and Azlaan’s lips curved into a satisfied smile.

His father, noticing the exchange, laughed warmly. “And I assume I should be called Papa now?” he said, nudging her gently.

“Yes… Papa,” Mantasha replied, a little bashfully, earning a round of soft laughter from the grandparents and her father.

Dinner passed in a mixture of teasing, laughter, and gentle family chatter. Azlaan occasionally leaned slightly toward Mantasha, whispering a word here, a gentle reminder there, while she responded with shy smiles or playful glances. Even amidst the liveliness of family banter, there was a calm intimacy between them—small gestures, gentle touches, and shared glances that spoke volumes.

By the time the meal ended, Mantasha felt lighter, happier, and more at ease than she had all day. Azlaan remained by her side as they slowly rose from the table, the unspoken bond between them quietly reaffirmed in every subtle touch and look.

Dinner had ended, and the family slowly dispersed to their rooms. Laughter and chatter faded into the quiet hum of the house. Azlaan, after ensuring everything in the dining room was in order, quietly retreated to his room. Work awaited him—some files, emails, and a few pending calls. The soft click of his laptop opening filled the room as he settled on his bed, headset on, already lost in the rhythm of tasks and conversation.

Meanwhile, Mantasha returned to her room, carrying her books and notebooks, intending to finish her homework. But as she sat down, her mind refused to focus. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the day, to Azlan—the way he had quietly waited for her this morning, the gentle way he had taken her hand, the subtle warmth that always seemed to follow him.

She sighed softly, frustration mingling with longing. After a few minutes of staring at her books, she made a decision. Gathering all her notebooks, pencils, and notes, she dashed out of her room, her feet barely making a sound on the polished floor. Without knocking, she reached Azlaan’s door and pushed it open.