Family | خاندان

HAPPY READ!❤

Your goal in life is to find out the people who need you the most, to find out the business that needs you the most, to find the project and the art that needs you the most. There is something out there just for you.

-Naval Ravikant.

DURRANI HOUSE:

Faryal was exiting her room when she heard some noise coming from the guest rooms. She looked in bewilderment at the brooms, mops, other cleaning and sweeping tools in the corridor. Usually, Saturday mornings are exactly opposite in the Durrani house, quiet and peaceful.

"What's happening in the house today?", She muttered with furrowed eyebrows and went downstairs. Mom was sitting in the lounge and giving instructions to Saleem Bhai.

"Saleem, did you understand everything I've told you? Please bring all the items carefully.", Mom said to Saleem Bhai while giving him a piece of paper.

"Ji bibi, mein samajh gya ap befikr rahen (Yes I understood, you don't need to worry)", Saleem bhai said assuringly and left the place.

Mom turned her head and saw Faryal standing at the corner.

"Faryal beta why are you standing far away, come here", Mom called out. Faryal nodded her head and walked forward.

"Assalam-u-Alikum mom!" She said, kissed mom on her cheek, and sat beside her.

"Walikum Assalam", Mom replied lovingly.

"Mom is something happening in the house today?", Faryal asked curiously.

"Yes beta, our family is coming", Mom replied.

"From the haveli?", Faryal questioned in a hopeful tone.

"Yes, from the haveli", Mom said with a smile.

"Yayyy" Faryal exclaimed. "I'm so happy mom, when did you know? ohh Please make them stay longer".

"Don't worry they will be staying here for about more than 2 months. It's a Durrani's tradition. Did I never tell you this before", Mom asked with furrowed eyebrows.

Faryal shook her head indicating a "No".

"Oh! My Bad".

"When we first moved to Islamabad it was very hard for us to live here alone and for all of them to let us go, as we all are very family-oriented. At that time Abba Jan (Zohaib's dada jan) decided that no matter what the whole family would spend some months of the year together in the haveli. A few years later, when Zohaib and Uzair started going to school then summer vacation was the time duration we decided to spend in the haveli." Mom explained.

"Wow, that's amazinggg", Faryal said in awe.

"Everything was going as planned but when Zohaib completed his studies and joined the hospital it got impossible for all of us to go to the haveli together, so that's why for the past few years the whole Durrani family spend their time here in Islamabad at our place. Bhai Sahab (Taya Abu) can manage the work from here virtually along with Uzair because they have quite a great workforce at the company by Almighty's grace. Or sometimes if anything needs their presence they go back for few days"

"That's great! but when are they coming mom?", Faryal questioned.

"In the evening, they informed me last night about their plan", Mom replied.

"Oh, I've to do so many things. Mom, please guide me as well if you want me to do anything. I want to help you.", Faryal said excitedly.

"Obviously, without a daughter's help how a mother would complete her work", Mom said with a smile looking at Faryal's enthusiasm.

"Faryal beta, I wanted to say something I hope you will understand", Mom said reluctantly.

"Ji mom", Faryal said.

"You will have to shift to your actual room, Zohaib's room.", Mom took a deep breath and continued " I know it's going to be difficult for you knowing Zoh..."

Before mom could complete her sentence Faryal placed her hand on Mom's hand and said with a tight-lipped smile " I understand Mom what you are trying to say, It's okay".

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Zohaib was sitting on his bed reading a medical journal in his hands. Mom came inside along with Nadia and went towards his closet.

"Nadia make some space here and adjust Faryal's stuff carefully", Mom said to Nadia.

"I understood", Nadia baji replied.

Zohaib looked above from the journal, shook his head, and heaved a sigh. Mom had told him a few minutes ago that Faryal would be shifting to his room today.

"Please keep her everything in place, I don't want her to get upset", Mom said to which Nadia nodded her head.

After sometime Saleem Bhai and Nadia baji brought Faryal's stuff and Faryal joined them as well.

"Thank you, I'll arrange the things you both can go now, Mom might need you", Faryal said to Saleem bhai and Nadia baji. They both nodded and left the room.

Faryal arranged her stuff. All that time Zohaib was engrossed in his journal pretending he does not know about what's happening around him.

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"Oh! they're here!" Zain whooped, hurrying to the door. The rest of the family followed him. They could hear the distant thud of car doors being shut.

"Aj tou ap Durrani khandaan ki bahu lug rahi hain (today you are looking like a daughter in law of Durrani family)", Huzaifa said mimicking Dadi phupho.

"Huzaifaa", Faryal giggled.

"I'm not looking over, right?", Faryal adjusted her open hair again. She was wearing an embroidered lawn suit with minimal makeup.

"No, with or without makeup you look beautiful. As usual", Zain assured her.

She moved her head to her right side where Zohaib was standing beside her holding Zahra in his hands. A smile crept on her face because today she was supposed to welcome guests as a daughter-in-law of the family.

They were standing in the foyer waiting for the guests to come when they heard Mahum's loud scream "Chachi jannnnn". Mahum hastily came towards them and hugged mom.

"Chachi jan, I missed you so much", Mahum said.

"I missed you too chachi ki jan", Mom said lovingly and rubbed Mahum's back.

"Lo g aa gyi bandarya (the monkey is here)", Huzaifa rolled his eyes.

"Mood kharab nahi karna muje apna abhi tumhe jawab de kar (I don't want to spoil my mood by answering you now.)", Mahum retorted.

Dada jan, dadi jan and the rest of the family entered Durrani house. They all went down the line to greet each other with warmth and affection.

"My baby Zahra", Mahum plunged towards Zohaib who was holding Zahra in his hands. Zahra looked at her carefully and then back to her daddy.

"Zahra this kiddo is your aunt", Zohaib said side hugging Mahum.

"She has forgotten me", Mahum said with pursed lips.

"Oh mere bachay (my kids)", Dada Jan came forward and enveloped Faryal and Zohaib at the same time in his warm embrace.

"Zain how are you?", Tayi Ammi said taking his face in her both hands and kissed him on his forehead.

"Alhumdullih Tayi Ammi I'm very well", Zain replied with a smile.

"Oh yeh tou meri haseen girlfriend b ayi hai  (Oh my beautiful girlfriend has also come)", Huzaifa said and wrapped his one hand around Dadi Jan with a blooming smile.

"Barhay hi shareer ho tum (You are very rogue)", Dadi Jan said with a heartfelt laugh and hugged Huzaifa.

Uzair took Zohaib in a brotherly hug carefully sandwiching Zahra between them.

"Phupho Jan you must be tired, let me take you inside", Dad said holding Dadi phupho's hand to support her.

"Shukar hai kisi ko mera b khyal aya (Thank god somebody thought about me)", Dadi phupho said in a displeased tone.

"Let's go inside everyone", Mom said, they all went inside and settled down in the lounge. The chauffeurs appeared with suitcases in their hands along with Saleem Bhai who was giving them instruction.

"Zahra aajao (Come here)" Uzair said ruffling her hair. Uzair was sitting beside Zohaib. Zahra who was sitting on her daddy's lap starred at Uzair and then glued back to her daddy.

"She doesn't recognize you yet, she takes some time to get used to new people", Zohaib said.

"Very good Zahra! Ammi is so proud of youuu", Faryal squealed in delight and sat down at the other side of Zohaib.

"It's Uzair chacho's punishment, Shukar hai ap aye irada tou apka aj b nahi tha anay ka wese (Thank god you came, otherwise you had no intention to come today)", Faryal snorted.

"That's how you welcome your friend..tch tch, I expected better", Uzair teased her.

"Huh after a fight with you in the morning. How do you expect me to welcome you? Gulab ki pathyan barsaon ab mein ap pur? (Should I shower rose petals on you?)", Faryal replied with narrowed eyes.

"You were the one who started the fight", Uzair stated.

"Because you were the one who was not coming here", Faryal spat back.

"As I said before, there were urgent matters in the office which needed my presence", Uzair reasoned.

"when Taya Abu was ready to hand over the company to his trustable managing team then what was wrong you.", Faryal heaved a sigh.

"Usko company bol kar uski tazleel na kren bhabhi, wo tou Uzair bhai ki biwi hai (Don't degrade it by calling it a company, It's Uzair's wife)", Usman said playfully.

"You are right Usman", Faryal and Usman high-fived.

"Uzair bhai ap tou Zohaib bhai k naqsh-e-qadum pur chul parhay (Uzair you are following Zohaib's footprints). Best friends are following each other." Huzaifa teased him.

"Keep me out of this", Zohaib said nonchalantly.

"Uzair is overworking these days, sometimes even on weekends, he goes to the office. Can you imagine?", Maham shrugged.

"That's new", Faryal said with pursed lips.

"When did you become so boring? The Uzair who used to be my friend was not like that", Faryal shrugged.

"Priorities change with time", Uzair replied with a tight-lipped smile.

Faryal observed his facial expression and realized something was off with him.

Nadia baji came and said something to Mom.

"Saba you make the tea for us, Nadia doesn't know how to make the tea. She can't do anything properly. I don't understand why are you keeping her.", Dadi phupho scoffed. Everyone looked towards them.

"Not again", Dadi Jan muttered and shook her head in dismay.

"Poor Nadia baji", Faryal muttered.

"Ji phupho don't worry, I'll do it", Mom said and stood up from her place.

"Mom I'll help you", Faryal said looking at Mom who nodded her head positively. She was afraid that after Nadia baji it would be her turn to get scolded by Dadi phupho and joined Mom. Both of them went to the kitchen together.

"I'll help them", Mahum said and walked towards them.

"Dadi phupho still doesn't like me", Nadia baji said sadly and heaved a sigh.

"Nadia don't take her words to your heart, you know her for years now. She is not a bad person by heart but that's her nature. We can't change her that's why we have to accept her the way she is.", Mom and gave a consoling pat on Nadia baji's back.

"Nadia baji we know how amazing you are, chalay ab muskara den aese khafa hogi ap tou hume bht bura lagay ga ( come on smile now, if you will be unhappy we will feel bad as well)." Faryal said while enveloping Nadia baji in a side hug.

"You are still scared of Dadi phupho?", Mahum asked looking at Faryal with narrowed eyes.

"Scared? Huh, her mere thought terrifies me", Faryal replied with a nervous chuckle.

"You don't have to", Mahum stated.

"Maybe one day", Faryal shrugged.

"You can say that because she loves her grandchildren, I'm still an outsider for her just like Nadia baji", Faryal stated the facts.

"May Allah have mercy on all of us then", Nadia baji shook her head with a smile.

Mom prepared the tea, Nadia baji reheated the snacks, Faryal and Mahum arranged them on the plates while talking to each other. After some time they served the tea and snacks to the family together.

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Usman and Mahum were talking with Zahra which she was indeed enjoying sitting in Zain's lap. Faryal came towards them with a bowl of cereal in her hand.

"I need my daughter back, she needs to eat something", Faryal said.

"Okay boss", Zain replied and handed Zahra to Faryal.

Faryal held Zahra in her free hand. She sat crossed leg on a floor cushion with Zahra in her lap.

"Faryal beta, come sit here. Why are you sitting on the floor?", Dada Jan said in a concern filled voice while pointing at the empty space beside him on the sofa.

"Dada Jan I'm fine, I feel more comfortable sitting like that", Faryal said with a smile. She loosely tied a unicorn printed bib around Zahra's neck and started feeding her with a small spoon.

"Zahra meri Jan (my love) take the food to your tummy, come on", Faryal said lovingly to Zahra who was storing the food in her mouth instead of swallowing it because she was very busy starring the new faces in the house.

"Ma'Sha'Allah, She is sitting restfully.", Taya Abu stated.

"Zahra and rest? It's a lethal combination Taya abu", Zohaid shook his head.

"She just wants to play all the time, tires herself to the point after which she does not know what does she want any more", Zohaib continued.

Zohaib stood up from his place, strode towards Zahra and Faryal, and sat down on the floor in front of them.

"Zahra swallow the food beta", Zohaib said. He took the spoon from Faryal's hand while Faryal was rubbing her back. After a lot of tries, Zahra started swallowing the food.

"Oh and here comes another airplane, come on Zahra catch it in your mouth before daddy takes it away", Faryal said dramatically when Zohaib brought the spoon near Zahra's mouth. In that way, Zahra ate the food thinking her parents are playing a game with her.

The whole family has their eyes fixed on them with a constant smile on their faces.

"Good girl", Zohaib said with a smile and placed the empty bowl on the floor beside him.

"Yayyy", Faryal clapped holding Zahra's hands in her hands.

Zahra moved her gaze across the lounge and smiled shyly.

"Saba, Ma'Sha'Allah Zohaib seems a bit normal now. I can see the tiny reflection of our lively Zohaib in him again", Tayi Ammi said happily to mom in low voice.

"Haina bhabhi?, for the past few days I'm thinking the same. Thanks to Faryal, it's just because of her", Mom voiced her thoughts.

"Now Zahra we will show everyone how we play hide and seek with Zain chachu every day, Okay?", Faryal said to Zahra looking into her eyes and rubbed her nose with Zahra's small nose.

"There we go", Faryal exclaimed.

Faryal placed the end of her net dupatta on Zahra and said "Daddy have you seen Zahra?"Zahra sat glued to her place, she was not moving at all. She was smiling shyly, her face was visible through the dupatta. Faryal signaled Zohaib to say "No".

"No", Zohaib said with an amused expression.

"Okay", Faryal said keeping her index finger on her chin pretending to think.

"Zain chachu, Have you seen Zahra? I can't see her", Faryal asked still pretending she does not know anything.

"Zahra has gone out bhabhi, she will come late", Zain replied with a wink.

That was it, Zahra tried to peak through the dupatta but she couldn't find the end. Zohaib hastily picked up the hem of the dupatta from her.

"Peek-a-boo, Aray yeh rahi hamari Zahra (Here is our Zahra)", Faryal said in a baby voice and Zahra burst into a fit of laughter.

Zahra looked at her daddy who seemed surprised by the cute antics of his daughter, then back to her Ammi and hid her face in her Ammi's lap.

"Aww she is getting shy", Usman said in adoration.

"Mera bacha, I thought you have gone somewhere leaving your Ammi alone.", Faryal took her into her embrace and placed a kiss on her head.

Then after that, the mother-daughter duo repeated their actions several times to entertain everyone.

"Ma'Sha'Allah In dono say tou ghar ki ronuq barhi hovi hai (These two have increased the resplendency of the house)", Dadi Jan said lovingly.

"Indeed", Dada Jan agreed.

"Enough of bullying my daughter, Come Zahra", Zohaib said playfully and took Zahra from Faryal.

"Hun, It's called playing", Faryal snorted.

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After having dinner everyone retired to their own room. Faryal entered her new room with Zahra in her hands. Zohaib was sitting on the bean bag watching the football match.

"Zahra Ammi will sleep with you from now on", Faryal said placing Zahra on the bed and settled down beside her.

"Let's get you ready for the bed", Faryal said to Zahra.

She cleaned up Zahra first and then changed her dress to her night suit.

After a while, Zohaib switched off the T.V and went towards his bed. When he was about to sit down on the bed Faryal shrieked, "What are you doing?"

"What am I doing?" Zohaib counter questioned her with wiggled eyebrows.

"Zahra I won't let you sleep on the floor with your daddy, you can stay here. Okay?", Faryal said in an amused tone looking at Zahra, ignoring Zohaib. She looked at him from the corner of her eye and realized that he was looking at her.

"This is my bed why would I sleep on the floor", Zohaib reacted in a befuddled tone.

"Because you don't have a couch in your room, so there is only one option sleeping on the floor. I know being a gentleman you will not allow me to sleep on the floor so I am giving you the honour", Faryal replied nonchalantly and buttoned Zahra's shirt.

"In your dreams", Zohaib said stubbornly and settled down on the bed. He laid down, picked up Zahra, and placed her on his abdomen.

"You are so beastly.", Faryal stated in annoyance.

"Nothing is impossible for Faryal Ismail Khan. I'll sleep on the floor if you are not going to", Faryal said determinedly and flipped her hair over her shoulder.

Faryal rose up from the bed and went to the washroom. After some time she walked back into the room clad in her mickey mouse night pajamas. She picked up two extra bedsheets and a pillow from the cupboard. She spread down one bedsheet on the floor, laid down on it while with the other one she covered herself.

"If he is stubborn then he should know I'm stubborn too.", she muttered.

"Why are you behaving as you have never slept here before", Zohaib remarked after some time.

That's it. The topic she wanted to ignore. A blush of embarrassment appeared on her face. She quickly closed her eyes tightly and covered her face with the bedsheet in which she has draped herself earlier. The only reason why she didn't want to sleep on his bed was that she wanted to prove that she is not an opportunist, the label she has given to herself in her mind.

Zohaib wanted to stop her but he had understood she is not going to listen to him. He had no problem with her sleeping on the bed as Zahra was supposed to sleep between them.

Followed by a long period of tossing and turning, and rearranging the pillow again and again Faryal finally fell into a deep slumber. Zahra was asleep too by now. Zohaib was trying to sleep but his mind was restless over Faryal's childish stunt. He opened his eyes and looked at Faryal sleeping on the floor uncomfortably. He fetched a breath and strode towards her. He stooped down to her level and called out her name but she did not budge at all.

"Faryal", He said again to which she groaned and stirred in her sleep.

"Heavy sleeper", He thought and stared at her.

"Great, now I have two kids to take care of.", He muttered and shook his head.

He pondered for a few minutes then picked her up in his hands, marched towards his bed, and placed her on the bed cautiously.

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Assalam-u-Alikum/Namaste.

I hope everyone is doing safe and well.❤

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P.S: Thank you everyone for your kind wishes, Is bar kahin top na kar lun mein apki duayon say. hahaha 😜