The Sun's Light

•تخیلِ حسن•

ان کی محفل میں جب کوئ جاۓ
پہلے نظریں وہ اپنی جھکاۓ
وہ سنم جو خدا بن گۓ ہیں
ان کا دیدار کرنا مناۓ

" Meow."

A few says later, Minal stood in the vast backyard, the evening sun ready for setting as she looked at the large apple tree and imitated a loud meow sound. A fluffy white cat meowed back at her, this exchange continued for a few seconds until Minal spoke up,

"Neechay aa jao na please!"
(Please come down.)

The cat started looking at the branch above before Minal spoke up again in hurry,
"Please!"

The cat jumped on the ground and Minal sighed, picking it up and petting its thick fur.
" Kahan ja rai thi meri beti? huh?"
(where was my child going?)

Ahmed, who was hiding behind the pillar since he first heard her saying meow, started laughing.

He walked closer to her as Minal scrunched her tiny nose at his arrival,
" Kya hai?"
( What?)

Ahmed stepped closer to her as she stepped back, the cat meowing before jumped off her hands, into the bushes. He placed his hand on the large apple tree behind her as his amused smile lighted his face,
" itna shok hai bachon ka?"
( You want children that much?)

"Aapko kya masla hai?"
(What is your problem)

Ahmed looked up in thought.
" Mjhey tau koi masla nai hai lekin agar tumharay bachay hongay tau meray bhi tau hongay na."
( I don't have nay problem but if you have kids then i'll have kids too right?)

Minal's eyebrows scrunched in thought at his weird explanation before Ahmed laughed.

" Chhorain, Miss. Masooma. Yey batayein k meray saath kahin chalain gi?."
(Leave it, miss.innocence. Tell me, would you go out with somewhere?)

Minal scrunched her eyebrows again in thought, pinkish lips pouting before she looked away at the lone bird singing at the other side of the tree.
" Nahi. Mein kyun jaun aap k saath? Shehryaar bhai ney manaa kiya hai."
( Nope. Why should i go with you? Shehryaar bhai has stopped me from it.)

Ahmed rolled his eyes, murmuring under his lips,
" haan haan Shehryaar sahab ney apni tau shaadi manaani nahi hai, dusron ko kesay mananay dein gey."
( hmm shehryaar bhai won't even celebrate his own marriage, how would he let others celebrate.)

" What did you say?"
She asked.

"Nothing. I said I'll ask Shehryaar bhai myself. You just go and get ready. We are already late."

Minal hesitated but agreed, excited to see the world outside and the colours of the carnival she had heard so much about.

" We will take Mirha, too. Right?"

Ahmed looked down at her with distaste.
"Wo kabab mey haddi bann kar kya karay gi?"
( Why do want to make her a third wheel.)

Minal glared at him with eyebrows scrunched, she looked like a child, he thought.

" I won't go without her."

He grunted,
" She can come."

Then he watched and Minal smiled, his heart drowning his chest and then floating as he witnessed that smile. That smile became his treasure, in that moment. She looked at with wide beautiful eyes, and then ran away, her dupatta floating around her.