Hirz-e-Jaan

Ulfat 9

Author's POV

Haider's room was in complete chaos.

His clothes hung neatly pressed against the cupboard. His polished shoes were aligned perfectly near the bed. The faint scent of oud lingered in the air.

And yet, it was absolute chaos.

Taimur stood in front of the mirror, shamelessly spraying Haider's expensive perfume onto himself.

"Oye! Woh mera hai!" (Hey! That's mine!)

Taimur smirked at his reflection.
"Aaj ke din bhai ka maal sab ka hota hai. Sharing is caring." (On a day like this, a brother's things belong to all brothers. Sharing is caring.)

Haider shot him a look while adjusting his cufflinks.
"Shaadi meri hai. Tumhari nahi." (It's my wedding. Not yours.)

"Yehi to afsos ki baat he", Taimur said as he casually reached for the watch resting on the dresser. (That's the saddest part)

Haider immediately noticed.
"Haath hatao." (Move your hand.)

Taimur slipped it on anyway, admiring it dramatically.
"Bas dekh raha hoon ke mujh par kaisa lagta hai. Shayad mujhe pehle shaadi kar leni chahiye thi." (Just checking how it looks on me. Maybe I should've gotten married first.)

From the bed, Saif groaned without moving.

"Agar tum dono drama khatam kar chuke ho, toh main so loon? Kal se ghar mein sirf shaadi shaadi ho rahi hai." (If you two are done with the drama, can I sleep? Since yesterday it's been nothing but wedding talk.)

Haider grabbed his watch back and fastened it onto his wrist.

"Saif, uth jao abhi issi waqt. Tum dono mere se joote kaho ge." (Saif, get up right this moment. You two are going to get a beating from me)

Saif lazily turned his head.

"Ab hum nahi, balkey aap joote khayen ge aur wo bhi heels" (Now we won't be getting a beating but rather you will be. And that too with heels)

Taimur burst into laughter.

Haider shook his head, but he couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips. He glanced at himself in the mirror, cream sherwani fitted perfectly, hair styled, beard trimmed. There was a glow about him he couldn't suppress.

Taimur noticed immediately.

"Muskurahat kam karo warna log samjhenge zabardasti kar rahe ho." (Tone down that smile or people will think you forced this wedding.)

Haider gave him a warning look.

"Zyada bolne lage ho." (You're talking too much.)

Before Taimur could reply, there was a knock. Raza Chaudhary and Safeena entered.

The boys straightened instantly.

Raza walked toward Haider first, pride clear in his eyes. He placed a firm hand on his son's shoulder.

"MashaAllah. Aaj mera beta mard ban gaya." (MashaAllah. Today my son has become a man.)

Haider lowered his gaze respectfully.

"Dua dein, Baba." (Give me your prayers, Father.)

Raza pulled him into a brief embrace.

"Allah tumhein hamesha izzat aur kamyabi de. Aur apni biwi ka saaya tum par rehmat banaye." (May God always grant you honor and success. And may your wife be a blessing over you.)