Belongs To An Insouciant

And he arrived.

Nov 5

It was my last few months finales were on my head,study schedule was even more hectic.So I only wanted to concentrate on my studies,which was getting really difficult for me today,it was my dream I couldn't jeopardize that right now over anything at all,I really didn't had alot of close friends you can say I was a loner,but since I was an intelligent student alot of my classmates use to come to me for notes or anything like that so i had acquaintances I can say I'll talk to them about projects but that was it.They tried involving me in all the fun activities with them but eventually stopped because of my constant denying.I was just never interested ever in such activities other boys and girls of my age would like.

It was almost 5 in the evening when i reached home.It took me some time to do my work of Gynaecology.
Getting off my car I realised Moosa must have reached home by now too.I don't want to come in front of him by any chance.

I came to my room I removed my stethoscope from my neck,loosed my hijab and went to get freshen up to my washroom.i heard Maryyum.
She must have seen me coming up.
I took my towel to dry my face and came out
Maryyum was sitting on my bed.

"Asalamalikum api"

"Walikumsalam Maryyum."
"You got so late today api I was waiting for you for some time now."
"Its not just today most of time I do get as late as I'm today it hasn't just happened today Maryyum".I arranged my book on my reading desk.
"Maybe it's today i was actually waiting for you so excitedly,because bhai was coming today."
"Hmmm ok".
"Come on api please leave your books for once and come talk to me".she pulled me to bed.
"Maryyum i was talking to you,I need to make some notes,I have to do preparation of my exams to,what do you want now."

"Now come on api do you not have any interest in Bhai."
"Absolutely Maryyum i don't."
"You don't even want to know how's he even.Even though he couldn't come back for such long,now he is back he'll make everything right."
She was saying that with so much confidence on her brother,he was so precious for her.

"Maryyum you're also about to turn 16 in few days as old as I was when I got married,do you think it's easy."
"But api you believe me or not I don't think he isn't interested in you."she said like she knew something about it.
"Puhpo is here she is asking about you,please come down."

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As much as I didn't wanted to get out of room,I didn't wanted to be a rude so I changed and came down too see everyone.

Mostly all the ladies of the family were gathered for the evening tea in vestibule,my phupo(father's sisters)had come too.Baba must be at our fields or at factory he's never home on tea.Da also had guest over most of the times that were people from near by villages or sometimes ministers.He had many friends who were at high positions so did Baba.

"Asalamalikum phupo"
I greeted my phupo hugging her.
"Walikumsalam how are you my child" .
"Asalamalikum Api"
Nimrah also greeted me.Nimrah was my phupo's daughter.Phupo was only sister of my Baba,she had two children Nimarah and her elder brother Usama who was almost as old as Moosa.
"Walikumsalam Nimrah how are you"i asked hugging her too.
When did you come.i asked them taking an empty chair between Nimrah and phupo.
"We have just arrived when everyone was having tea.Me an Maa couldn't wait to see Moosa bhai but he's sleeping,you've also not met him right,look at him,he didn't even wait for you,come let's wake him up Api"
Nimrah requested holding my hand.
Everyone including Tayi started laughing.

"Why is everyone laughing"she said cluelessly,she's almost like a kid how could she know everything it wasn't always as simple as it seemed.she was just a very innocent child with a preseption.

"You know Maa she called me for like 100 times since morning asking if Bahi was here or not". Maryyum mentioned teasing Nimrah.
"Ok stop talking both of you,not one of you had the courtesy of asking sister your if she had lunch,go get her something"Choti maa (step mom) said taunting Maryyum and Nimrah teasingly.
"Ok Mami(wife of Mom's brother)".I'll get something thing for Api.
"No its ok choti maa I'm ok Nimrah please just get me a sandwich I don't have any appetite for anything more"ok Api.

"Tayi I forgot to ask how's your health I'll check your B.P before you sleep".
"I'm completely fine Ilham I'm taking good care of myself don't worry ".
"Ilham her son is here now it's like eid for her today.She's overjoyed."
"You are absolutely right Zainab(ilham's step mom),I won't let anything get my health effected,Its time to celebrate my son's happiness inshallah". she said looking towards sky said raising her hands like you pray.
both choti maa and phupo said Ameen .My every effort of taking him off my mind was going in vain.

"Zareen(phupo) how's Usama,how long has it been since he came from Australia now"?
"Allamdulliah He's fine Fatima bhabi(Tayi),its been almost 6 months since he last came to Pakistan".
"Choti Maa what about dinner,what are are you gonna cook for dinner?"I asked finishing my sandwich Nimrah got for me,remembering it was almost time for dinner and taya and baba will be back soon from work too.
"OH God you're right bachay(child)its late we should go check what we should make for dinner"
"Its ok choti Maa I'll help you".I told My Stepmom getting up.
"But you are tired Ilham".I did be anywhere than where only the topic of discussion was him .
"No I'm fine"i said coming with her to kitchen while Tayi moved to her room.
"Ilham my child are you Ok"Maa held my hand looking in my eyes with so much concern,we were standing in kitchen now.
"I'm ok Choti Maa" I tried assuring her.
"You have me Ilham, my child don't forget that ok", she said holding my face in her hands.
I nodded,
"Ok than let's cook than I'm so happy my daughter is cooking with me today". she said smiling.
"I forgot i wanted to ask about Ali when will he be back from hostel"?Ali went to college to Karachi for his engineering after high school
"He'll be back soon,he misses you". Maa replied smiling,

He managed to be a brother I didn't knew I could ever have.I miss him like no end sometimes. He's so protective of me sometimes.
I was thankful for having him he was such a cute child,no matter how strained I was even in my teen years he always found a way to be with me,play with me,talk endlessly with me.

"Ok than let's make some lasagne."
"Ok you do that I'll make some curry with vegetables and biryani".

By the time we served dinner baba and taya were back Moosa yet had to wake up so met baba and taya and I wanted to go eat in my room but choti Maa won't have it,she said whispered in my ear that it'll be rude.
So I set down too after setting my hijab.

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