A Little Tangled Up

8 | Mistaken Identity

Yumna had brought her to the hospital, although Humayrah kept insisting she was fine. But Yumna was adamant about getting some tests done. (It was Shaheen who had suggested to Yumna to have Humayrah take a pregnancy test.) Yumna had casually tried to ask Humayrah about her symptoms, but Humayrah's innocent mind didn't understand anything, and she simply nodded at everything, leading Yumna to think it was better to get the tests done.

"What kind of test is this?" Humayrah couldn't hold back anymore and asked the nurse as she was about to take her blood sample. Yumna had stepped out for her rounds.

"Pregnancy test," the nurse replied as she prepared the injection. Hearing this, Humayrah was shocked.

"What nonsense?"

"Aram se," the nurse warned, worried that the needle might cause discomfort.

(Careful,)

"Mujhe koi test west nahi karwana," Humayrah didn't understand how she got into this mess. A pregnancy test? Her? Why? There must be some mistake.

(I don't want to get any tests done.)

"Don't worry, it won't hurt. Pata bhi nahi chalega...," the nurse thought Humayrah was scared of the injection and tried to reassure her.

(Don't worry, it won't hurt. You won't even feel it...)

"Pata main chala dungi agar yeh mere lagaya bhi. Kisne kaha yeh test karwane ke liye?" Humayrah's anger was evident. Her usually pale face had turned red as if all the blood had rushed to her cheeks.

(I'll make you feel it if you try to touch me. Who told you to get this test done?)

"Dr. Yumna ne," the nurse stepped back, not wanting to deal with a crazy patient.

"What? This whole family is bizarre. Where have I ended up?" Humayrah held her head in frustration. "Where is Dr. Yumna?"

"She's on rounds..." Humayrah heard this and stormed out, as if she knew exactly where to find Yumna in the hospital.

"How could she even think that? Me and... and... nonsense." She marched ahead in a fury, not understanding anything. This was a big deal; how could they just assume she was pregnant? It was against her modesty.

In her rage, she stormed out but soon realized she had no idea where to go. She looked around and found herself in the waiting area, where some patients were sitting with their families on benches, holding reports, and waiting for their turn to see the doctor.

"Kya hua?" She stopped to catch her breath when she heard someone whisper in her ear. Humayrah's neck hair stood on end. She could recognize this voice well, the voice of the person she had run away from on her wedding day.

(What happened?)

"Lagta hai pehchan gayi," there was a mocking smile in his voice, and he stepped in front of her. Zafar Chaudhary now stood tall before her.

(Looks like you recognized me.)

"Kitna ghoomaya tumne, lekin chalo, isme bhi maza tha." Zafar was speaking, and Humayrah was staring at him, wondering if it was a coincidence that she left Mikaal's house today and ran into Zafar.

Humayrah looked around as if searching for something, and Zafar understood she was looking for an escape route.

"Khabardar jo bhagne ka socha bhi," Zafar grabbed her arm and gave her a low-voiced warning, and Humayrah felt the pistol he had placed against her waist.

(Don't even think about running away.")

"Tum mujhe nahi maar sakte." Humayrah challenged him. She knew he wanted to marry her, and it wasn't out of love, at least not love for her; his love was for wealth, and he wanted to marry her only for that reason.