Intekhaab✔️

Chapter 3 - Munasib (مناسب)

With a bitter heart Qirat informed some of her best friends that their friendship couldn't the taken further to build a relationship. She really wanted it to happen, but not by the cost of her sons happiness. But it had kept irking her why her son was not showing interest towards marriage. A year had passed since the whole Maliha consideration. And now it had been 4months to Malihas wedding, she married of to a well man and Qirat was happy for her. But she could f help be a little envious of the man that had got such a gem.

Arif has now begun working. His 6month internship in one of his fathers companies was coming to an end. Seeing his great effort and even greater outcome, Zaakir was proudly moving him to a much more responsible position in the buissiness.

Arif has used the 'let me settle' excuse to avoid marriage for a year now. But now to Qirat he was well settled, it's not that she would force him into a marriage, but she really wanted to know what's stopping him to do so.

She had mentally prepared herself though. If Arif said no she was determined to get Bilal engaged now. He was too of age now and she craved a female presence in her house who isn't her or house help. She wanted to pamper a girl like she should be. She wanted to fill the void of separation from her daughter Pareesa, which could never be filled but you know there would be something there.

"Asalamulaykum Muma" Arif greeted as he entered the haveli knackered from a long day at work.

Zaakir has inherited quite an amount of the family business, which was wide spread over several industries. He allocated Arif part in the media industry, since it was of his interest. Arif was currently about to become managing director of Mazhar advertisements. It was named after Zaakirs great grandfather like several other of the Khan businesses, to pay him homage, after all he was the man who had bought their family to such a well respectable reputation by his hard work. And his ancestors followed enhancing that respect.

"Walaykumasalam beta" she responded, tapping the place on the sofa besides her.

He sat down in the sofa and leaned back letting his eyes rest for a little.

"Khana lagawadu?" Qirat asked.

"Abhi thori der me kahlunga" he said now putting his head on his mother's shoulder.

"Abh tho mashallah apki job bhi achi hai. You're settled. All that's left is.."

"Muma I'm not interested in marriage yet" he interpreted knowing exactly where this conversation was going.

"Ok. But I guess it's my right to keep asking..right?"

He chuckled a little and rest his eyes again.

"What do you think of Bilal and Laiba getting married first then?" She asked. Causing his eyes to open in shock.

"WHAt?..I mean aren't they too young?" He corrected his question.

"They aren't that young anymore also I need a bahu, it's about high time now. Ap tho bus kabh layenge bahu meri, kumaskum Bilal ke naam me Laiba ko tho le aon apney pass" she explained.

"Jesi apki marzi Muma" he said acting uninterested.

"Acha choro, fresh hokey ajao me khana lagwati hu"

"Rehndein mujhe bhook nahi" he sounded defeated and walked away.

——-
This past year a lot had changed between the cousins. Pareesa being the new mum was always occupied by her daughter, who was named Farah and kept her mother on her toes.
Arif has began working, busying himself to a successful life. He also stared distancing from Laiba, at first she disliked his distancing but soon over the year she got used to it.
Bilal and Laiba were attending university, they were in their second last year now. And as it had been from day one of them enrolling into academia, Bilal had been acing and Laiba has been taking great advantage of that too. Their friendship grew as the days went on. And now their friendship may be changed into something more.