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  دل نا  امید تو نہیں، ناکام ہی تو ہے۔
        لمبی ہے غم کی شام مگر شام ہی تو ہے
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Everyone sat around in the living room for the evening tea talking as always. Shortly after Ibraheem and Jannat arrived at the family residence, their Khaala's family and some cousins including Omar also came. Ibraheem's mother was feeling a little lonely after Jannat's marriage and her blood pressure had shot up but she thought to ask her sister to come over rather than disturbing the newly married couple. Jannat and Ibraheem were very upset about her not telling them but everyone assured them that it had been only a couple of days and they deserved their privacy.

A very naraaz Jannat in a emerald green kurti sat next to Dua, complaining about forgetting her. To Ibraheem's annoyance, as soon as they had stepped in the house, Dua and Ammi had attended to Jannat with never ending hugs and embraces. But they were still not satisfied, he concluded as he eyed them sitting next to each other and talking.

Khaala kissed Jannat on her forehead, saying loudly
"Kitna roop agaya hai shaadi k baad MaShaAllah."

(She looks even beautiful after marriage.)

He eyed Jannat's blush and lowered lashes, admiring her form.

A brotherly punch on his shoulder made him divert his attention towards Omar and Azlaan who were sitting next to him.

"Aur bhayi, shaadi k baad tau logg badal hi gaye hain "
(How sad that some people have changed after marriage.)

Omar said and Ali and Azlaan voiced their agreement.

"Jab tumhari baari aye gi tab poochun ga yey tumsey."
(I'll ask you when it's your turn.)

Shaking his head, Omar put his hand on his chest to whisper,
"Hum tau kabsey tyaar hain. Chahay kal hi nikkah karwa dau."
( Me? I have been ready for ages. You can get me hitched up tomorrow.)

All of them laughed. They were well aware of Omar's undying desire to marry.

After dinner, the boys were at the terrace. With cups of chai or coffee, and Omar with his shisha, they sat on the chairs and talked. After a long time they had sat together like this, otherwise at every function they used to stay up the whole night for fun.

Azlaan was there and Ibraheem tried to be as normal as he could, however he knew that neither of them were as carefree as before.

When Ibraheem looked at his wrist-watch for the tenth time, Azlaan spoke up,
"Kis baat ki jaldi hai?"
(Why are you in a hurry?)

Ibraheem opened his mouth to answer but was quickly cut off by Omar's witty reply,

"Yaar choro jaanay dau issay."
( Man! Let him go.)

Azlaan scruched his eyebrows, not on par with his friend's joke.
"Why? It's just one-thirty."

Omar came between them, slapping both Ibraheem and Azlaan on their backs as they walked towards the lobby,

"Bichara kal ja raha hai. Ab saaray haftay ki kasar aaj raat poori karni hai."
(Don't you know the dude's leaving tomorrow? He has to make it up for the whole week tonight.)

Everyone laughed. Ali yelled a loud Astaghfirullah and even Ibraheem couldn't keep his smile, but he shook his head while glaring at Omar.

"Boht bakwaas kartay ho tum."
( Shut up ,you bastard.)

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Ibraheem entered his room and was suddenly filled with pride. Looking at his wife, in a white embroidered shalwar kameez, standing in front of the mirror, lost in her own world like she owned it. He felt arrogant for a second, and then grateful. This woman was his. Mind, soul and body. Her smiles, the shine in her eyes, her laughs and even her tears, everything was his.

Gulping, he walked near her to stand behind her, plucking the both the shirts she was holding in front of herself, trying to choose between them.

" Where are you lost?"

She turned towards him, doe eyes shining bright.

"Can you help me choose? Which one should I wear tomorrow? I feel like I look fat in this one. And I don't like it's colour.I could have asked Dua but she is sleeping."

He smiled internally at her babbling. He placed m his forefinger on her berry lips, bending towards her cheek to lightly brush his lips there.

"No, you aren't fat at all. In fact, I'd like you to be more round. "

She narrowed her eyes in question when he leaned towards her ear to whisper,
"With my baby."

Her eyes widened and she hit in his chest thrice, muttering something under her breath.

He held both if her hands to stop her, laughing lightly,
"Okay,okay. What's the special occasion?"

She turned around to leave at once, trying to snatch her clothes from his hands.
"Nothing."

He wrapped his arms around her waist to prevent her to leave, eyebrows raising.

"Where do you think you're going?"

She struggled to free herself,
"I have some important work to do."

His hold on her loosened a little.
"What about me? I'll leave tomorrow. Agar mjhe kuch hogya tau? (What if something happened to me?)"

His words were said in a light manner but he didn't know why his heart felt heavy. Strange feelings clouded his mind. He had been going on business trips for years, he even lived abroad for five years. But he had never felt this heaviness.

"Allah na karay!"
(God, why would you say something like that?)

"So...does it mean you'd care?"
It was a whisper, not meant for her to hear but she did.

"Of course!"

A satisfies smile graced his lips. With focused eyes, he took in her face, every detail, every freckle. Her hair and her eyes always fascinated her. The honey-coloured hair formed a halo around her, her eyes reflecting the sunlight.

"I love your eyes and your hair. Tumhey meray baaray mey kya acha lagta hai? (What do you like about me?)"

She bit her lip, understanding his sudden attempt to change the topic. After a second of thinking, like she was trying to remember something with her eyes looking up, she playfully said,

"Sochna paray ga."
(I'll have to think about it.)
e
Ibraheem shook his head, a defeated laugh leaving his lips as he leaned his forehead against hers.

"What will I ever do with you?"

He had just leaned closer when a loud knock disturbed them.

"Ibraheem! Your mother's not well. We need to go to the hospital."

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In a black embroidered anarkali dress with silver tilla, her golden brown hair caressing her exposed collar bones which contrasted against the black dupatta, she was ready to see him off.

Last night had been a blur. Ammi's blood pressure was very high. Jannat was told to stay at home with everyone else while Ibraheem and Omar went to the hospital with Ammi.

After two hours,they had come back. Ammi's health was stable but still, everyone was a little disturbed.

Jannat looked at him while he was meeting his mother and Khaala. He looked majestic. A grey three piece suit, black hair mixed with dark chocolate and those mysterious eyes. His large frame, his arms and then his hands. Her heart skipped a beat and she felt like she was looking at him for the first time.

When he walked out of the living room after nodding at her, she followed him out.

He would leave after only nodding at her? Could he?

She followed him to the patio but when he didn't turn around even after hearing her foot steps, she called out,
"Ibraheem!"

He turned around slowly, his face expressionless. But she could see the glint in his eyes as his black eyes were turned a chocolate brown in the sun, she could even see her reflection in those eyes.

She didn't know she felt the way she did but she could feel herself melting when she closed her eyes and kissed his cheek.

After she pulled away, a shy smile graced her lips and his wide smile was envied even by the sun.

He grasped her hand in his, heaven knows what he wanted to say to her but could only say,

"Apna khyaal rakhna."
(Take care.)

And then he left.

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I just had a near-death experience. (I wrote about it on my rants book.)

Anyway, Did you like it?

What are your thoughts about Ibraheem now?

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