Birthday-III | سالگراہ

"Ordinary People Promise To Do More. Extraordinary People Just Do More."

― Wesam Fawzi

"Uzair come sit here with us", Ayza's father said. Uzair looked at him hesitantly.

"Come on, Uzair it's been years. Forget it now", Uncle added playfully.

Uzair scratched the back of his head nervously and mumbled "It's still embarrassing".

"Uzair sit down with uncle. Come on.", Zohaib said trying to stifle his chuckle. Uzair glared at him, took a cushion from the sofa, and threw it at Zohaib. Zohaib caught it and let out a chuckle, most of them who were aware of the situation joined him as well.

Faryal was confused. She looked at Zohaib with a baffled expression.

"Later", Zohaib mouthed the word.

"Faryal come here", Usman called her and she went towards him.

"Zohaib how are you beta? ", Ayza's mother asked.

"I'm very well",

"We meet Zahra and Faryal frequently, I acquire from her about your well-being",

"Faryal and Zahra?", He said wriggled eyebrows.

"Yeah", Aunty studied his expression. "You don't know about it?".

Zohaib shook his head.

"Oh!...Faryal pays frequent visits to our home with Zahra", Zohaib's eyes shot open.

"Just because of Faryal's insistence we decided to stay back in Pakistan. She made us realize that Zahra needs our presence. My heart is at peace now that both you and Zahra are in good hands. And I'm so proud of you that you take care of her. I keep asking her about you and she says that you are a perfect husband.", Aunty smiled. He paused a moment for her words to sink in.

"She didn't tell me this", He stated and moved his gaze towards her. She was standing at the other end of the living area with Huzaifa, Usman and Uzair.

"Next time you have to come with them",

"Sure Aunty".

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Zain and Mahum were standing at a table that was richly filled with various snacks." Mahum baji I think you should check out this one as well", Zain said stuffing chicken patties into his mouth.

Mahum looked down at her plate which was already overfilled with different items. "Let me finish these first, there are many things to eat Ya Allah I don't know from where to start".

"We will ask amma Jan to get some packed for us, she is a sweetheart you know", Zain replied. They continued stuffing their mouths oblivious to their surroundings.

"Astagfirullah (I seek forgiveness in God)", Uzair shook his head in disbelief." It seems like we have starved them".

"Patah nahi jatha kaha hai yeh itna khana (Don't know where does all that food go)", Usman said looking at their lean figures.

"Let them eat peacefully if it makes them happy", Faryal said in their defense.

"Huzaifa bring a chair for me", Dad called out.

Huzaifa nodded his head and looked around. He picked up the chair which was placed behind Zain as he was standing.

"You are staying here", Huzaifa asked Faryal as he joined them back.

"Yeah I a...",

"AHHHHH", Zain screamed. Everyone quickly shifted their eyes towards him. Zain was lying on the floor, with the snacks scattered on the floor around him.

Mahum gasped, she quickly sat down on the floor beside Zain." How did you fall down?".

"Who took the damn chair", Zain yelled. Oh! so apparently he was sitting down on the chair which was no more present there and fell on the floor.

"Huzaifa did", Usman said with a smug look.

"Tumhri tou aesi ki tesi Huzaifa (The hell with you Huzaifa)", Mahum seethed in anger. She stood up, picked up a pastry in her hands, and threw it in Huzaifa's direction. Huzaifa quickly dodged it and stuck out his tongue, which annoyed her even more.

"Ahhh", they heard a weak scream. Huzaifa turned around and his eyes shot open. The pastry was stuck to Faryal's face, her face was completely covered by the cream.

"Are you crazy Mahum", Uzair stated. He picked up a box of tissue paper but before he could wipe her face Zohaib was there. Uzair stepped back.

In one swift motion, Zohaib wiped the heavy layer of cream from Faryal's face with the side of his hand. Baba Jan got worried as well. He was coming towards her but when he saw Zohaib, he stopped. Faryal tried to flutter her eyes open.

"Don't open your eyes, the cream will go inside", Zohaib said. He took tissue paper from Uzair and started cleaning her face.

"It's already in my eyes", Fayal said.

"Don't worry, I'll clean it up", He assured her.

"Meri tou kisi ko fikr hi nahi (Nobody cares about me)", Zain said. Mahum gave him a hand, he grabbed her hand and stood up.

"Mahum what was that? Zain is a kid but you should behave like an adult", Tayi Ammi said angrily.

"Look what you have done to that poor child", She continued looking at Faryal.

"Mama I swear I didn't mean to do that, Huzaifa always provokes me", Mahum justified.

"I didn't know Zainu will sit on the chair Tayi Ammi", Huzaifa said.

"Stop calling me Zainu", Zain spat back.

"He is the clingy one mama", Mahum added.

"Clingy? to you", Huzaifa rolled his eyes. "Muje Allah dozukh mein bi tum say dhoor rakhay (May Allah keep me away from you even in the hell)".

"CHACHII JAN", Mahum yelled. "Huzaifa is disrespecting me", she said to mom.

"Huzaifa behave yourself", Mom glared at him.

"It is Mahum's fault", Tayi ammi said to mom. Mahum went towards mom and kept her head on mom's shoulder "Chachi jan, see the injustice happening to me".

"Drama", Huzaifa muttered and rolled his eyes.

"Woah, I was the one who fell down but except me, everyone is getting pampered. GREAT!", Zain said in disbelief. He huffed and went towards Faryal.

"Sorry bahbhi", Zain said to Faryal.

"That's alright, it wasn't anybody's fault", she replied.

Huzaifa stepped forward and scanned Zain's body to see any physical injury. He took Zain in a side hug. "I promise I didn't do it purposely. Muje kya patah tha tum betho gay (I had no idea you were going to sit down)," Huzaifa completed his sentence with a light chuckle.

"Bhaiii",

"I'm sorry my drama queen Zainu",

"It's okay. Maaf kiya mein nay apko (You are forgiven)", Zain smiled.

"Open your eyes", Zohaib instructed Faryal and she opened her eyes." Look overhead, I'll slightly touch the tissue paper into your eyes. Just don't blink.", Faryal did as he said. He carefully cleaned her eyes.

"Do you feel anything in your eyes now?", He asked looking into her eyes.

"No",

"Sure", She nodded her head.

" You don't let me forget how accident-prone you are, go wash your face you are smelling like a pastry", He said in a low voice only audible to her.

She felt a warm blush rise to her cheeks, "God! why I always have to get embarrassed in front of him", she mentally facepalmed herself.

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"I think we should leave now as well, it's getting late", Dad said looking at the mom after seeing off Ayza's parents. Faryal's smile disappeared.

"They are leaving", she thought.

"Yup you are right", Mom agreed.

"Thank you so much bhai sahb and Amma Jan for the hospitality, everything was beyond perfect". Mom said.

"Thanks to all of you for making our day extra special with your presence", Amma Jan smiled.

"Fary beta enjoy your time here", Mom hugged her. "I'm really gonna miss my daughter".

"I'll come back soon mom",

"Uhu, stay as many days you want to spend here. I just said you will be missed", Mom said lovingly.

"I'll miss you too",

"Huzaifa, this is Zahra's bag", Faryal handed a bag to Huzaifa. He starred at her and reality dawned upon him. He moved forward and hugged her. He placed a kiss on her head and said "Take care Fary". He knew she was sad.

"You too", She said. Faryal met everyone, except Zahra and Zohaib. She didn't even look at them for a second. She knew, a single glance at Zahra, and she won't be able to stay back.

Baba Jan, Meesha, and Amma Jan went outside to see off the guests. Zohaib looked around but she was nowhere. Everyone got settled into their cars.

" Allah hafiz", Zohaib said to baba Jan. His eyes subconsciously went to the door but still, there was no one.

"Zohaib bhai come", Zain said. He settled down in the back passenger seat of the car with Zahra in his hands. Usman and Uzair were sitting with him whereas Huzaifa was sitting on the front passenger seat. Zohaib opened the door of the car and scooted down in the driving seat. He was deep in thoughts Meesha, Amma Jan and Baba Jan went inside the house.

"What are you waiting for Zohaib bhai? please start the car. All the cars are gone except ours", Usman said.

"Ro rahi hogi wo (She would be crying)", Zohaib thought.

"Bhai", Huzaifa called him.

"What's wrong?".Zohaib looked at Huzaifa, threw the car keys in Huzaifa's direction which he caught timely. Zohaib got out of the car and opened the back door, took Zahra and her bag from Zain.

"What are you doing?", Uzair asked in confusion.

"We are staying you can take my car", Zohaib gave a short reply and went away from them.

"Let's go", Huzaifa's lips twitched up into a smile.

Zohaib entered the house again. Baba Jan and Amma Jan were sitting on the sofa while Meesha was talking to them. They stopped when they saw Zohaib.

"Zohaib is everything alright", Baba Jan asked worriedly.

"Yeah...it's just we both are staying here too", Zohaib replied awkwardly. "If it's okay with you".

"Yeah sure", baba Jan smiled.

"Thanks", Zohaib gave a tight-lipped smile and went upstairs. -

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Faryal was sitting on the edge of the bed facing her back to the door. Her senses went haywire. A feeling of hollowness crept inside her.

"I won't cry, Zahra will come soon. It's just a night....It's just a night Faryal she will come back in the morning", She kept saying to herself. The lump in her throat was getting bigger with each passing second. The tears were forming in her eyes but she kept convincing herself otherwise.

She was lost in her jumbled thoughts when suddenly she heard the door of her room clicked open and closed, and the sound of footsteps getting closer to her. She hurriedly wiped the tears at the edge of her eyes and took a deep breath to relax her throbbing heart.

"Meesha you can sleep with me", She said in a composed tone. She didn't want Meesha to see her like this.

After few minutes she moved her head to her left side when she didn't get any response from Meesha. But the moment her gaze met with the figure standing beside her, reality dawned upon her that it wasn't Meesha but Zohaib with Zahra in his hands. She gave a longing look to Zahra, it felt like she was losing control over herself this time. The tears again formed in her eyes. She turned her head while the tears started falling from her eyes.

"Did you...forget something here?", She asked. He quietly stared at her, thinking he was right about the situation.

He cleared his throat. "Zahra ab hum kahan soyen gay (Zahra where will we sleep now), She already has a room-mate. Let's go find a place for ourselves.", He said to Zahra while his eyes were fixed on Faryal.

"They are staying", She mumbled and turned her face towards him. The moment he realized that he was able to get her reaction he shifted back his gaze from her to Zahra and turned around. Seeing him turning away, she literally sprinted from the bed and grabbed Zohaib's elbow, trying to stop him.

"What?", He asked innocently.

"Don't go naww...please", She said in a broken voice.  "You can stay here, I don't have a roommate".

"We don't talk with cry babies, right Zahra?",

"Who's crying", she said while wiping her tears with the back of her hand.

"you", He said with a raised eyebrow.

"No, I'm not. Look, I'm smiling.", she gave him a tight-lipped smile.

"Zahra do you think it's a smile?", Zohaib looked at Zahra and then moved his eyes back to Faryal and stated, "Ku kay muje tou nahi lagtha, dobara koshish karo (because I don't think so, try again.)".

"Look", Faryal flashed a toothy smile this time. Her tears-filled hazel eyes sparkled like diamonds.

"Hmm...pretty convincing", He replied. She left his elbow and took Zahra from him.

"You both are really staying", she looked at him hopefully to which he nodded his head.

"Thank you....Thank you so much", She kissed Zahra and held her in a tight warm embrace.

"Meesha is staying too?", Zohaib asked.

"Yeah", She nodded her head. Zohaib groaned.

"She is a bad news", He mumbled.

"Zahra please never let your Ammi alone ever again. You know Ammi can't live without her baby", she said to Zahra.

Zohaib heaved a sigh in relief. They both are happy he reminded himself. He took off his waistcoat and placed it on the back of a chair. Faryal moved her eyes towards him.

"Hmm..I'll bring something comfortable for you from baba Jan",

"It's okay I'll manage",

"I wasn't askinggg", she turned around and left the room. Zohaib sat down on the bed and moved his gaze across her room. Everything about her room screamed innocence.

"It was a long tiring day", he thought. He was lost in his thoughts when Faryal came back. She handed him baba Jan's clothes. He took the clothes and went inside the washroom.

"Come on get ready for the bed, you have played enough today", Faryal said to Zahra while picking up her bag. Zahra placed her head on Faryal's shoulder, she was really sleepy.

She placed Zahra on the bed, unzipped her bag, and picked out her things. Zahra yawned.

"It won't take much time", She said to Zahra lovingly and changed her clothes. Even in a sleepy state, Zahra kept smiling at her Ammi's words.

"Tadaa Zahra is readyyy", she chirped. The bathroom door creaked open Zohaib came inside the room freshly showered.

"I'll make her sleep, you might have other work", Zohaib said and took Zahra from her. She nodded.

"I'll finish my work in Meesha's room", she thought because her washroom door was making a creaking sound and she didn't want to disturb Zahra. She mentally noted to put some oil in it tomorrow.

She picked up her night suit. She was about to leave the room when her eyes fell on the bouquet. A smile crept across her face. She picked it up and left the room.

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"2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of water. Right Amma Jan", Faryal asked as she poured the exact quantity into a vase.

"Absolutely right", Amma Jan replied.

"Should I arrange the flowers in the vase now?", Faryal questioned again to which Amma jan nodded.

"Zahra is asleep?" Agha Jan asked.

"Yeah, Zohaib made her sleep. She was very tired and sleepy", Faryal spoke.

"Ma'Sha'Allah she recognized all of us", Meesha stated.

"I keep showing her pics of everyone to get her to familiarize with the whole family as she has a huge family. I don't want her to act foreign to anyone", Faryal replied.

"Amazing Fary beta", Agha Jan appreciated her.

"These flowers are very beautiful, especially their color co-ordination", Baba Jan stated.

"Exactly", Meesha smiled looking at Faryal's happiness.

Faryal twinkled and kept arranging the flowers in the vase.

"Fary make sure the cut stems are covered by 3-4 inches of the prepared water".Faryal peeked inside the vase with narrowed eyes.

"It is Amma Jan", she confirmed.

"Good, now your flowers will remain fresh for up to 8-12 days. keep it in a shaded, cool area that receives indirect sunlight".

"Baba, will you go to work tomorrow? because it's getting late?", Faryal asked in a worry-laced voice.

"No, I've taken off as you are staying here",

"That's great baba", she beamed.

"I think we should call it a night, we all have to get up for the suhoor as well", Amma Jan said. Everyone agreed and they went towards their rooms.

Faryal carefully turned the doorknob. She tiptoed inside the room with a big vase in her hands. Zohaib and Zahra were deep asleep.

"Don't fall...Don't fall, please", She mentally pleaded the vase and took steps towards the table. She heaved a sigh in relief once she placed the vase on the table.

She looked at Zohaib and then back to the flowers. She touched her butterfly pendant and Her lips twitched up into a smile "You are so sweet Mr. Zohaib Ahmed Durrani".

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