(4)

It was Nikkah day of Mustafa and Afaf.

Five months passed away and both of their struggles were showing colors generously.

Since last month, Munizeh's wheelchair was discarded; her legs were now strong enough to walk with a cane. Her happiness had no bounds. When she finally stood on her feet after so much time, she could swear she saw tears gathered in the eyes of her husband.

She was jovially walking with a cane in her hand and was seeing all the decorations of Nikkah when she spotted her husband talking to someone on the phone. His mood looked soiled as he was gritting his teeth while talking. She knew it must be work-related, and she didn't want to involve in it. It was not her place to talk.

She shook her head and decided to go to see Afaf as she was being ready in Munizeh's room.

While heading towards the stairs, a middle-aged woman with dark hair stooped her on her track. She couldn't pinpoint who the woman was.

The dark-haired lady scanned her from up to down and it immensely made Munizeh uncomfortable.

"Sorry, but do I know you?" In a soft voice she asked the narrow-eyed lady.

After looking at her for a solid minute she spoke in a thick voice.

"Shakal say theek hi ho magar phir bhi Jasim ke sath meri Alina nat jachna tha."

Manizeh's eyes become wide, and with a little harsher tone she again spoke.

(Your looks are not that bad but my Alina would have been suited well with Jasim.)

"Excuse me!" She was checking the audacity of the women, standing in her house the woman was taunting her.

The lady completely ignored Manizeh and started her rant.

"Han, nahi to aur kia, mana ke meri Alina nay sirf dass ki ha magar tumhari tarha kisi ka sahara to le nai chalti na."

Before she could defend herself her husband's loud harsh voice could be heard in the living hall.

(Of course, so what if she just passed ten classes at least she doesn't need support to walk like you)

"Naila aunty, aik lafz meri biwi ka baray ma aur maat boliya ga." With hurried steps he stood beside her and looked straight into Naila aunty's eyes.

(Nail aunty, don't speak another word against my wife)

His aunt trembled under his watch and slightly opened her mouth to speak, "Muja kuch nai sunana. Ap bari ha isliya apki boht izat karta hun magr apni biwi ka baray aik lafz nai suno ga ma. Jab muja apni biwi ma koi hami nazar nahi ati aur muja koi masla nahi ha ka wo mera sahara lay ya na lay to ap ko bhi koi haq nahi banta meri biwi kay baray ma kuch bolnay ka." He spoke in one breath and without listening to his aunt's reply he took his wife's free wrist and went towards the guest room.

(I don't want to hear anything, you are older than me and I respect you for that but I won't hear another word for my wife, when I don't see any weakness in her that whether she needs my support or not, so you have no right to speak against my wife)

"Jasim, calm down please." Speaking in a scared voice, she touched his arm.

After some time when he was calm, they both sat on the bed and held each other's hand.

"You don't have to defend me, main hud hi kafi thi unko jwab dainy kay liya waisa bhi itni lectures ka kia faida jab apnay hi muja defend karna hota ha."

(I was enough to give her an answer by myself, and anyway what's the point of so many lectures when at the end you have to defend me)

To make the environment light she spoke in a teasing tone.

In truth, she didn't care about anyone ridiculing her when Jasim entered her life again in the form of her husband.

He was her sole strength who made her feel her worth and whenever she was down due to her disability, he always told her, "Duniya to bolti rahay gai unki fazool baton sa hum apna dimag kiu kharab karain. Aur muja tum har halat ma qabool ho Manizeh, koi kuch bhi keh deh muja tum sab sa Aziz ho."

(The world will take, we shouldn't eradicate our minds with their useless conversations, and I accept you in every situation Manizeh, no matter what anyone says, you are dearest to me)

"You are right to stop me next time." Saying this, he turned around and captured her in a tight hug.

"Can't breath." Her voice was muffled as she spoke against his chest.

And with a deep chuckle, he released her and place a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Aj to qyamat lagi rai ho begum kasam say." He whispered in her ear.

(You are looking breathtaking, wifey.)

"Allah, phley mujha shak tha magar aj yakeen hogya ha doctors bhi aik number kay flirt hotay hain." she hid her smile and pretended to be disappointed.

(God, at first I had doubts but now its confirmed the doctors also big flirts)

Jasim rolled his eyes at Manizeh, as he was used to his wife joking.

Ajakay tum mera profession pe hi ajati ho." With a shake of the head he spoke.

(In the end, you always point out my profession.)

Chuckling, she winked at him.

"So, you never told me you were engaged to Alina." She asked in a lazy tone.

Jasim looked at her and shook his head, "I was not engaged to her, Naila Aunty is the stepsister of Baba she talked to Baba about me and Alina, but Baba refused without asking me as he knew the nature of his stepsister and moreover, she didn't want me to work as they had plenty of money and wanted me to only focus on her daughter."

Hearing this Manizeh burst into laughter.

"Has lo akhar shauhar ki bebasi pe hi to tumko bas ziada hasi ati ha." Faking a hurt expression he left the guest after hearing the buzzer of his phone.

(Laugh it off, after all, your husband's miseries makes you very happy)

*******

"Allah, Manizeh, myjha boht dar lag raha ha muja nai shaddi karni."

With moist eyes and a cracked voice, Afaf held the hand of Manizeh who smiled at her politely.

(God, Manizeh I'm so scared, I don't want to get married)

"Afaf, calm down you are just nervous."

Afaf shook her head at her, "Manizeh, you don't know, from the past couple of  days I'm ignoring Mustafa, he constantly came to talk to me but I always made up some excuse, I don't know why after our engagement I become extra shy in front of him."

A single tear slide down from Afaf's eyes and she continued, "I don't think I deserve him Manizeh, I mean who would want a crazy wife?"

Heaving a tired sigh, Manizeh uttered,

"Afaf, you are talking rubbish, Mustafa  loves you madly, he won't like what you are saying right now, you are just a little nervous and scared, just trust Mustafa he will make everything right, I promise. "

Manizeh continued, "I promise Afaf he will be there in every aspect of your life just trust him and hold his hand."

After listening to Manizeh's lecture, Afaf felt a little better and an strong urged to start her new life developed in her heart.

The Nikkah was done adequately.

Jasim never let go of Manizeh's hand for once. She was pleased after seeing Afaf talking to Mustafa shyly.

"Mera dil kar raha kay phir Nikkah kar lun tum sa itnay gifts phir sa mil jaye gay."

(I wish to marry you again, we will receive so many gifts again)

"Allah tobah, muja laga kay ap kahain gay kay ma tum sa beinteha Mohabbat kart hun isliya phir sa Nikkah karna chahta hun lakin ap to boht lalchi nikaly."

(Oh God, I thought you would say that I love you so much that's why I want to marry you again but you turned out to be very greedy)

He cracked up, knowing he became successful in infuriating his wife.

"Haye Begum tum say to bepanah Mohabbat ha ismay to koi shak nahi aur agar mujha aisa hi dekhti rahi to ma-" Manizeh placed a hand on his mouth to shut his perverted talk.

(Oh wifey, I love you very much and there's no doubt in it, and if you keep looking at me like that-)

Jasim laughed behind her hand.

It was pretty clear that how madly they were in love with each other.

Their love showed everyone that pure love can never be destroyed by some challenges of life.

The End.

Hey guys! So the first short story of this book is finished. I know I've been MIA but inshallah I will be back soon with another short story till then please vote and comment, tell me your thoughts I love reading your comments it makes my day.

Allah hafiz

MK.