Riwayat- Pt 1

(The translation for urdu dialogues can be found in the comments beside the text! All translation credits for chapters 1-4 of Riwaayat are solely the hard work of Emalax)

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Zaahira looked into her suitcase and sighed when she realized that something still felt missing. The feeling in her guts told her to undo the whole thing and pack it all again for the 3rd time since the past 1 hour.

"Hira, what have you been doing for so long?"

The familiar voice of her mother, Mahira, came from outside her room before she heard the doorknob being turned.

Zaahira groaned when she failed to find the missing thing and fell on her back on the bed with an irritated look. The frustration that had built up in her could clearly be seen by the crease between her eyebrows and the scowl on her lips.

"Mama, yaar, yeh samajh hi nahi aa raha what's not there in the bag. Kab se point out karne ki koshish kar rahi hu."

Mahira raised an eyebrow at her daughter's misery and sat beside her on the bed. A thoughtful expression took over her face and Zaahira sat up straight knowing very well that like always, her mom would be able to point out what she couldn't see.

"Did you keep your bullet journal?"

As though struck by lightning, Zaahira sprang out of the bed but not before placing a kiss of gratitude on her mother's cheek. Quickly walking up to her desk, she rummaged through the many diaries, journals, notebooks before finally getting hold of the one she needed.

"Yaar, mama, aap nahi hote toh mera kya hota."

"Wahi hota jo aapki kamzor memory chahti."

The words were followed by a snicker and Zaahira glared at her younger brother who strolled into the room, whistling lightly in response to which he was met with a stern look from his mother that made him halt his ministrations and gulp in apology.

"Kya kar raha hai yaha? Don't you have Zameer to irritate?"

"Haan but he's busy sulking over his imaginary girlfriend who broke his imaginary heart in his dreams."

Zaahira rolled her eyes but was left astounded with how she was still not used to their idiotism even after spending all her life around the two- Zameer and Murad.

"Murad, tang nahi karo use. Go and complete your pending assignments."

Mahira's stern voice was easily thrown from one ear to another and then out of his conscious mind as Murad eyed the suitcase that was almost done with being packed. A frown made its way on his face as he looked at the bag then at his sister who stood giving him a bored look.

"Kahi ja rahi ho?"

He tried to conceal the worry in his tone and acted all neutral but the teasing glint that appeared in his appi's eyes told more than enough to him but he decided to ignore her looks and jump on the comfortable bed that called out to him.

"Awe, kyu? Fikr ho rahi hai?"

"Haan ho toh rahi hai lekin unki jinse aap milogi."

"Murad ke bache, nikal yaha se!"

"Baat baat mein mere masum non-existence bacho kyu ko bula leti ho? Give them rest."

"Kyu ghar mein panipat ki d-grade film banane mein lage ho tum dono?"

The amusement filled voice of their father did nothing to calm the glares that they were giving each other. Zayn walked in with a frown on his face but mischief dancing in his eyes. His eyes looked at his wife who sat with a frustrated look on the bed and as soon as their eyes met, Zayn gave her a quick wink and a virtual kiss making an annoyed Mahira flustered in no seconds.

24 years of their marriage and yet she wasn't used to his flirtatious ways.

"Baba, this this this-"

"Handsome, dashing, marvellous?"

"Moron, bewakoof, idiot!"

"Tauba hai appi, is this the type of language you've been taught?"

Murad shook his head in mock reprimand at her sister's choice of words and Zaahira finally had had enough. She gave a look to her father who tried his best to cover his laughter with a fake cough but he was always a bad actor.

"Ja rahi hu main aaj. Kar lena jitne maze karne hai uske baad."

Huffing at her family who found the situation more than amusing, she zipped her suitcase and brought it down from the bed, sliding it into the corner beside the dressing table.

Giving a glare to everyone in the room, she picked out the first casual outfit her eyes fell on and walked into the bathroom. To make her annoyance clear as day, she slammed the door hard and sighed in satisfaction when she heard a few winces from the other side.

Taking a quick shower, she threw on the oversized top, paired with a woolen plazo type pant and a beige coat that racked all the way to her ankle. Getting out of the washroom, she found her family still in her room, all three sitting on her bed with an expression she didn't bother reading.

Walking up to the dressing table, she quickly combed her brunette hair that reached an inch or two down her shoulders and threw them in a tight ponytail, her hair secure and not a baby hair out of place.

Grabbing her beige watch, she strapped it around her wrist and looking at the time, she found herself sighing as there was just 3 hours left for her flight that would take her to another destination to capture its beauty and bring in about the appreciation it deserves.

Being a travel blogger was hectic as well as an opportunity to unravel the hidden secrets of places that not many would go to, either because they were still undiscovered or had a smaller number of tourist facilities.

"Appi, I'm sorry. Naraaz na ho."

Murad's apologetic voice snapped her out of her thoughts and as she turned to look at her brother, her heart melted on seeing the conflicted look on his face.

"It's okay. Though I'm still surprised how I'm not used to your bewakoofi."

Zaahira teased him as she ruffled his well made hair and a scowl was quick to appear on Murad's features as he swatted her hand away and combed them again using his fingers.

"Wahi toh. Pata nahi kaise bardasht kiya hai maine ise ab tak."

Zayn shook his head as the words of dismay left his lips. Murad frowned at his father's words and looked at his mother for support but instead found her expressions similar to his baba's as she ran a comforting hand across his back.

"Ho gaye na shuru sab. Ganging up on me-"

His words were cut off when a knock on the door sounded in the room. Seconds later, Zameer peeked into the room with just his head visible to the people inside and quickly ushered everyone out.

"Chachu, it's time. We need to drop her at the airport."

He tapped his wrist watch and Zayn sighed knowing well that Zameer and Murad would be the ones taking his princess to the airport.

"Zyada tang mat karna ise car mein."

"Us? Chachi, how could you think something like that?"

Zameer's exasperated words were joined in by a mock hurt looking Murad shaking his head at his mother's words. Zayn rolled his eyes at the two who had inherited his dramatics and smiled at his daughter who was already looking at him.

"Take care of yourself and call us everyday, hmm? Koi pareshani ho toh usi waqt call karna. Don't wander around too late and make sure-"

"Baba, I'm not doing it for the first time, relax."

Zaahira smiled reassuringly at her baba and hugged him tight. Zayn could only reciprocate the hug but found it tough to suppress his worries that always found a way to pass through his casual personality when it were his children on the other side.

"Come on, come on. Times up family!"

Zameer announced as he took hold of Zaahira's bag and walked out of the room with Murad on trail. Mahira kissed her daughter's forehead and blew duas before the three too walked out of the room and towards the main entrance of the huge mansion.

Zaviyar and Dua Malik, her taya abbu and tayi ammi stood waiting for her with smiles on their faces.

"Masha'Allah, my Hira is looking gorgeous. If you get a proposal-"

"Not happening."

"Tayi ammi, I definitely don't like the word."

"Ammi yaar, Hira appi is still young."

Zayn, Murad and Zameer three of them were quick to retort while Zaviyar Malik just snickered at their states. He had wedded his daughter 2 years back and the memory was still fresh in his mind.

The thought of sending Zaahira to a new home didn't settle well with him either but he chose to stay quiet and enjoy the scene in front of him.

"Kyu? Saari zindagi yahi rahegi yeh?"

Mahira's words of sarcasm were met with affirmative nods from all the males in the room and the Malik bahus rolled their eyes at the over protectiveness.

Zaahira could only hide her smile at their typical behaviour and in no time, she found herself hugging her taya abbu and tayi ammi a goodbye, taking their well wishes and getting in the car with her brother and cousin who were quick to start their conversations that held no base or sense.

"Appi, if you find something good there toh mere liye le aana please."

"Hmm, transfer the money in my account and I'll buy it."

Zaahira smiled sweetly at her siblings and took out her phone to check if everything that she had scheduled for the trip was correct and on point.

The flight was in 2 and half hours now.

The hotel room was booked and ready for her to check-in.

The tourist guide and the group she'd be going with were booked too.

Her journal was with her, her phone charger, a camera, a separate bag to carry all her intimate hygiene stuff and a smaller one that held a few of her cosmetics.

Within 20 minutes, Zaahira found herself standing in front of the airport and as Zameer removed her suitcase from the trunk, she took hold of it and stepped forward to hug her siblings a goodbye for a few weeks.

"Dhyan rakhna dono. Don't cause too much trouble."

"You're asking for the inevitable appi but we'll try our best!"

Zameer gave a small salute after his words and Zaahira chuckled before flicking his forehead lightly.

"And you, focus on your studies aur zyada aafat machane ki zarurat nahi hai. Take care of yourself and mama baba, hmm?"

She kissed Murad's forehead and tried to separate herself from him but the boy didn't let go.

"Murad, I need to go."

"Roz call karna mujhe. Just because you're far doesn't mean I wouldn't annoy you."

She heard a small sniff from her brother and couldn't help but smile at how tender his heart was. She placed another kiss on the crown of his head and nodded her head.

"Haan baba, roz call karungi. Now come on, let me go."

Murad reluctantly removed his hands from around his sister and watched as she smiled at the two before disappearing into the bustling airport.

Zaahira checked her phone again to see if there were any notifications from her eldest cousin, Darya, but on seeing none, she kept it back in her pocket and quickly went through the formalities in the airport.

She waited an hour before the announcement to board the flight was made, a cup of iced tea now rested in her hands as she took occasional sips of it and boarded the plane.

Getting comfortable on the seat right next to the window, she leaned back and closed her eyes for a few seconds. Travelling often made her nauseous for the first few minutes but in the end it was all worth it.

She was about to put her phone on flight mode when a message popped on her screen, one that made her smile and forget about the uncomfortable jitters in her stomach and throat.

Mere liye kuch laana mat bhulna! P.S. Keep your phone charged because I might call at any hour to make you hear my pleasing voice ;)

- Moron

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Ahuh, here we are at the first chapter and I'm already gushing over Murad's cuteness!

Ab koi toh bataye humari Zaahira ko that the plane would not only take her to a new world but also into the life of someone highly unexpected!!...

P.S. we are sooo close to 1k followers and I can't control the excitement!! Ahh, it feels so surreal, Masha'Allah and Alhumdulillah!! I love you guys sooo muchhh!!...🤧😭❤❤

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