Separation | جدائی

(The chapter is unproofread, it might have lots of mistakes kindly bear with me. I'll edit it once I get some time. Happy read.)

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Na jane kyu magar dekho mera dil chahta hai keh,

wafa ko aag lug jae muhabbat barh mein jae.

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Zahra was busy throwing out the stuff from the suitcase her Ammi has packed minutes ago.

"Aesa kese chale ga Zahra? (How will it work Zahra?)", Faryal pouted. "If you won't let me pack the things how will we go back home".

Zahra glanced at her Ammi and then back to the bag and started playing with the things. Faryal sat on the floor beside her.

"You don't want to go back, isn't it? We will tell Nana abu to ask your daddy to bring us here again", Faryal stated.

"You can directly tell her daddy to bring you here", Zohaib said and picked up Zahra in his hands.

"Eeeee", Zahra shrieked, pressing her teeth together.

Zohaib quickly placed her back where she was sitting earlier. "I'm not touching you, stop shrieking Zahra".

"Don't worry, I'll pack later", Faryal held his hand and looked up. She signaled him to sit beside them. He nodded and settled down. An idea popped up in her mind.

Sitting beside him, Faryal held his arm and placed her head on his shoulder. "Look Zahra your daddy is mine". She said nonchalantly. He snapped his head towards Faryal. Zahra paused.

"Zohaib is mine, haina? (Right?)", she looked up at him. He was in a daze.

"Play along, I just want to see what would she do", Faryal mumbled.

He nodded, wrapped his hand around her, and said, "Obviously". Zahra threw the things aside and crawled hastily. She quickly sat down on Zohaib's lap.

"Zahra you can not change the fact that he is mine", Faryal teased her.

"No", Zahra called out. She tried to remove Zohaib's arm from Faryal's hold.

"Noo", Zahra shrieked.

"Baap re, our baby is so possessive", Faryal said in a baby voice and lightly pressed Zahra's nose with her index finger. Faryal straightened up and left Zohaib's arm.

"Now it's your turn", She said to Zohaib. He looked at her questioningly.

"You will repeat what I've done, I mean we should see her reaction", She explained.

Zohaib nodded. He repeated Faryal's actions and the moment he said "Faryal is mine" Zahra stood up from his lap and sat down in Faryal's lap. Faryal smiled.

Zahra grumbled and shook her hand indicating him to stay away.

"Absolutely true, I'm only Zahra's", Faryal stated and hugged her tightly.

"What?", Zohaib's eyes shot open. "You were supposed to act Faryal, such a cheat".

"Come back Zahra", he forwarded his hands. Faryal laughed.

Zahra shook her head. Zahra was neither letting him touch her or Faryal. Whenever he would try, Zahra would start shrieking.

"It's okay, we were just playing", Faryal said softly to Zahra but she wasn't listening. Faryal looked at Zohaib his expression clearly showed his displeasure.

"Acha choona lagaya hai tum dono nay muje (You both have made a good fool out of me)", he groaned.

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"Saba I think Ayza's mother was right, we should start looking for a girl. Huzaifa has financially settled already why should we waste his time. It would be best for us to see our kids happy and prosperous in their married lives", Tayi Ammi said to mom.

"We both should visit the girl's family she has suggested us", Mom replied.

"It would the first thing I want to do after going back. Hopefully, until then Roshni family would give us a positive answer so we can celebrate.", Tayi Ammi stated.

"Mahum why are you standing at the door, come beta", Mom said when her eyes fell on Mahum. Mahum forced a smile on her face and then quickly ran away from there. She had heard the whole conversation.

"Mahum", Tayi Ammi called her.

"I don't know when this girl will listen to me", Tayi Ammi shook her head.

Mahum climbed up the stairs hastily, her vision was blurred. Usman and Huzaifa were standing in the corridor discussing something.

"Mahum", Usman grabbed her hand, stopping her. "What happened?", he asked worriedly. Huzaifa turned around.

"Leave my hand Usman, it's hurting", she started crying.

Huzaifa stepped forward and frowned "Kya hogya hai? (What has happened?)". He knew she doesn't cry unless it's very serious. Usman quickly left her hand.

"Tum tou muj say baat hi na karo Huzaifa (You don't have to talk to me)", she looked at him with tear-filled eyes and strode towards her room.

"Was she crying because I hurt her hand? it's unbelievable.", Usman shook his head.

"She never cries", Huzaifa mumbled.

"I'll talk to her later, let's give her some space for now", Usman said and then continued his discussion whereas Huzaifa's eyes kept going back to the closed door of her room.

"Aese kya hova k yeh itna ro rahi thi (What has happened that she was crying so much)", he thought.

Mahum sat down on her bed. Her mind had gone haywire.

"He can get married to whomever and whenever he wants, why should I care. He is no one to me", she sniffed.

"Meri jan choot jae gi is Akhrho Huzaifa say, wese bi hur waqt danttha hi tou rehtha hai muje. (I'll get freed from this rude Huziafa, anyways he always keep scolding me)",

"And Ya Allah what's wrong with these stupid tears. You know I don't like crying", she wiped the tears with the back of her hand "Someone must have cut the onions in my room".

She closed her eyes and fetched a deep breath. She laid down on the bed, hugged a cushion tightly. She already had a headache due to the sleepless night, which has worsened now.

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"Did you understand?", Meesha asked Zain. Zain looked at her with wide eyes, his mouth agape due to the new information. Meesha frowned and looked at Faryal.

"Will he say something now?" Meesha shook him.

"You are talking but Huzaifa Bhai and Mahum baji?", he questioned.

"Hmmm",

Zain burst into a peel of laughter. "Huzaifa bhai and Mahum baji love each other?...Meesha baji you must be mistaken. It's impossible".

Meesha showed him her hand and raised an eyebrow. "Yeh kha kar mano gay? (Will you have this to get agreed)".

Zain stopped laughing.

"Are you crazy Meesha don't scare him like that", Faryal said and shifted her eyes towards Zain.

"Zain we have a doubt that they have feelings for each other but we need to confirm it. You like Mahum already, don't you think so it would best for us to have her as a Huzaifa's wife. Don't you think so?", Faryal said softly.

Zain processed her words and smiled, "It would be the best thing to happen".

Faryal smiled. "Please help us, will you?"

"I would, but if they came to know about all this they won't spare me", he laughed.

"They won't know", Meesha raised her hand for a high five, Zain backed off. "Come on Zain, I'm just asking for a high five".

Zain hesitantly high-fived.

"You both will start your mission once we go back, I'll keep instructing you", Meesha said.

"Which mission?", Zohaib asked as he sat beside them.

"Nothing", Zain said quickly looking at a distant wall. Zohaib looked at them, he had a doubt that they were up to something.

"Faryal wha-", Zahra's shriek made him stop.

"When will your shrieking session end Zahra?", he was getting annoyed.

"What happened to Zahra? why is she shrieking?", Mom asked in concern.

"It's Faryal--",

"Nooo", Zahra called out, cutting his sentence again.

"Zahra can't I even say her name now?",

"No", Zahra pouted and scrunched her nose.

"No?", he raised an eyebrow.

"No", she shook her head and tightly held Faryal. Zohaib got up from his place and sat down beside his mom. He placed his head on his mom's shoulder.

"If you think Zahra you can make me jealous like that, then congratulations you are successful I'm really jealous. You keep loving your Ammi I have my mom", he stated. Faryal felt guilty for doing this to him. If she had an idea Zahra would take it too seriously she wouldn't have done it.

"Zahra you are too smart", Huzaifa laughed.

"Zahra saved our secret", Zain mumbled.

Mom smiled. After so long Zohaib was expressing his feeling for his mother.

"Indeed, your daddy is my baby", mom said. Zahra was starring at him.

"Aww so cute", Meesha said in admiration.

Mahum came and sat down beside Faryal.

"Are you okay?", Faryal asked worriedly.

"Yup", Mahum gave her a tight-lipped smile.

"Dad, remember you told me to apply for Mahum's admission?", Uzair said to his dad. "Her application got accepted. What should I do now?". Everyone's attention shifted towards them.

"No matter how much we want her to continue her education if she is not ready we can't do anything", Taya Abu heaved a sigh.

"But she is really good at studies then why? Mahum beta if you are getting a chance to go abroad I'll suggest you to go for it", mom tried to convince her.

"She would understand this when the time will be gone", Tayi ammi added.

Mahum thought for a few minutes and then she said, " I'll go for it. Uzair bhai kindly send me the details I'll manage the things further". Huzaifa looked up from his phone hearing her answer.

"Seriously", Uzair raised an eyebrow. Mahum nodded.

"I'm happy you understood our point Mahum. It's for your own betterment", Taya abu said happily.

"Yes Dad",

"Since everything got settled and it's our last day here why don't we watch a movie tonight", Usman suggested.

"Good idea", Fahad bhai agreed.

"I'll take Zahra with me so you can watch the movie peacefully", Mom said. She took Zahra from Faryal.

"Yes dado (grandmother) please take Zahra away", Zohaib said playfully. "She has been bothering me".

Zahra groaned.

"Please dado take her away", Zohaib said in a baby voice and gave her a tight kiss. Everyone laughed at the father-daughter cute banter. After some time the elders left the place.

"We should bring something to eat, the boys will arrange the things here", Meesha said to Mahum and Faryal.

Mahum and Faryal agreed and they went to the kitchen together.

Meesha picked up a can of soft drink and shook it vigorously.

"What are you doing?", Mahum wriggled her eyebrows.

"This is for Fahad", Meesha winked. She picked another can in her hand and forwarded it towards Mahum. "You might want to do it for someone".

"I don't want to", Mahum replied.

"For Huzaifa?", Meesha raised an eyebrow questioningly. Mahum shook her head indicating a no and said "Dil nahi kar raha (I'm not feeling like it)".

"Aesa kya hogya achanak tumhre dil ko? (What has happened to your heart suddenly?", Meesha smirked. Mahum looked at her in confusion. "I mean he must have done some wrong as usual, take revenge my dear", Meesha offered.

Mahum thought for a moment and then said "Please give me two. Zain deserves it too for leaving me with the stupid Huzaifa when we were coming here".

"That's my girl", Meesha patted her and handed her two soft drink cans. Mahum shook the cans with full force.

"Huzaifa deserves the worst", she thought.

"Hmm don't you think so it would be a little over", Faryal cleared her throat. "I mean keeping the weather in mind".

"They deserve it", Meesha replied. "You should do it to your husband too".

"No, neither Zohaib drinks these nor I want him to get soaked in this cold", Faryal shrugged. I have already did a blunder today she reminded herself.

"Perks of having an innocent wife", Meesha laughed. They picked up the snacks and the soft drinks and joined everyone.

"Sartaj this for you (crown)", Meesha rapidly fluttered her eyes and gave a smile to Fahad.

Fahad looked at her doubly. He knew she was up to something but still took the can from her hand and said "Masoom mohabbat ka bas itna fasaana hey, Kaghaz ki haveli hey, baarish ka zamaana hai".

"Thank you", she mouthed and handed the other cans to their right full owner.

"Zain take care of your's and Huzaifa's cans. Don't mix them with others.", Meesha instructed him and he nodded innocently. Huzaifa and Usman were tasked to find a movie.

"I think we should watch this one", Usman suggested a horror movie.

"No way, Faryal don't watch horror movies", Meesha said.

"She is kidding", Faryal let out an embarrassed chuckle and sat down beside Zohaib. "I'm not a kid, please go for it if you want to".

"Sure?", Huzaifa asked.

"Yup",

They played the movie on the tv, switched off the lights, and settled down on the sofas.

"Guys please have your snacks, if anyone wants more let me know", Meesha said, she turned her head towards Faryal and winked.

"What is she up to?", Zohaib questioned. Faryal opened her mouth to speak but heard "Psssssch" sounds, followed by gasps and hisses. Usman quickly switched on the lights.

"What was that", Zain gasped and looked at himself. His top was almost soaked and his face was dripping. He turned his gaze around, Huzaifa and Fahad were also in the same condition.

"Meesha yaar", Fahad shook his head.

"Meesha baji mein nay apka kya bighara tha? (What wrong have I done to you)", Zain whined.

"Nope, your's and Huzaifa's was by Mahum", Meesha replied.

"Mahum bajiii", Zain grumbled.

"I told you already, you have to pay for betraying me. Next time don't even think of it", Mahum replied.

Zohaib shifted his eyes towards Faryal. "I told them you don't drink these soft drinks", she said.

"In dono paglo say dhoor raha karo (keep your distance from these two lunatics)", he whispered.

"Don't say that", Faryal replied.

Huzaifa glanced at Mahum and without saying anything he left the place. Mahum was expecting his outburst but he was too calm. Fahad and Zain went to change their tops as well.

After a few minutes, they came back.

"Usman please resume the movie", Huzaifa said calmly.

Usman played the movie and switched off the lights again. The room was vibrating with hair-raising voices. Faryal bent towards Zohaib and placed her head on his chest. She closed her eyes but the sounds were scary too. Zohaib looked down, she was mumbling Ayatul kursi (Quranic verse). She has pressed her palms against her ears.

"Guys I don't like this movie, please change it", Zohaib said and rubbed Faryal's back in a comforting way. Usman paused the movie. The room was dark so no one knew the actual reason.

"It's such a great movie Zohaib bhai", Zain complained. He removed the cushion from in front of his eyes.

"I'll change it", Uzair stated. A few minutes later he played a light rom-com.

Faryal heaved a sigh in relief. By the time the movie finished Faryal was asleep. Huzaifa switched on the lights. Everyone looked at Zohaib and then saying bye they started leaving for their rooms. Once everyone left, Zohaib picked up Faryal in his hands and climbed up the stairs. He placed her on the bed, he tried to back off but a strand of her hair was stuck around the button of his shirt. She hissed and fluttered open her eyes. He bent down slightly and carefully detach her hair from the button.

Before he could straighten up, she wrapped her hands around his neck, he looked up at her in surprise.

"You were awake?", he asked.

"No", she replied sleepily.

"Zohaib I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I've understood my lesson that I should never put Zahra at the point where she has to choose between us", she said.

"Look I'll hold my ears too", she held her ears in her hands. "I'll never ever repeat this mistake again, NEVER EVER", she added. He was starring at her.

"Did you forgive me?", she asked hopefully.

He shook his head and sat down. He wasn't upset before but seeing her antics he played along.

"Even Zahra knows how to apologize", he said.

She sat down and blinked a few times processing his words. She held his face between her hands. Gathering her wits she kissed his right cheek first and then left cheek. He smiled. She starred at his lips a little longer and then looked him into his eyes.

"Hogya (It's done)", she whispered.

"Is it?", he glanced at her lips and then back into his eyes.

She gulped and nodded innocently. She wrapped her hands around his neck again keeping their eyes locked. Her eyes spoke a language his eyes could understand. For the lack of words, their eyes whispered.

"You have no idea how jealous I felt", he laughed. "But it's okay, I understand she is just a child. She took the prank way too seriously".

"You don't hate me for doing that?", she asked.

"I can never hate you even if I want to", he replied.

"Zohaib bring Zahra back, I can't sleep without her", she said.

"Hmm, I'll bring back Zahra from mom's room",

He walked out of the room. Faryal went to the washroom and dressed up into her nightdress. By the time she came back, Zohaib was lying on the bed with Zahra above him. Faryal laid down beside him, hugged him and Zahra tightly, and they fell asleep in a few minutes.

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Huzaifa was lying on the bed, his eyes were fixed on the ceiling and his thoughts miles away. He was feeling restless. He sat down and checked the time on his cell phone, It was a quarter past 2 o'clock in the night. He glanced at Zain who was peacefully sleeping beside him.

Huzaifa took heaved a sigh and dragged his feet off the bed. He left the room and marched downstairs towards the kitchen. He entered the dimly lit kitchen and stopped in his tracks when his eyes fell on Mahum. She was sitting on the floor, carelessly munching on the sandwiches. He cleared his throat to get her attention. She stopped and looked up, the moment their eyes met she quickly averted her eyes.

He starred at her for a moment and then moved forward. He prepared the coffee, poured it into two cups, and sat down beside her. She looked at him in surprise.

He forwarded one cup towards her. She glanced at his hand and then back to his face.

"Lo (have it)", he said.

"If you are thinking you can bribe me by this coffee, then you are mistaken", she took a bite from the sandwich.

"Huh?",

"I'm not sharing my sandwiches", she stated.

A smile crept across his face. He took a sip from his cup and observed her each action and expression. She tucked her hair behind her ear with the back of her hand and unknowingly applied chocolate to her face. She looked like a mess, a beautiful mess.

"Why were you crying in the morning", he asked.

She ignored his question because she didn't know the answer to it by herself.

"You didn't want to go abroad, then why now?", he questioned. She shifted her eyes towards him. "I mean you can continue your education in Pakistan, we have the best universities here".

"Dad always wanted me to go abroad," she said.

"You should be happy that finally, you are going to be freed from this wild cat.", she smiled. "I won't be here to bother you anymore, Good for you right? I might not be able to attend your wedding but I'll send my wishes for sure. Itni b buri nahi hun mein (I'm not that bad)", she let out a chuckled.

Her words knocked the air out of him.

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Durrani house

1 day later:

Faryal held Zahra's chin lightly and combed her slightly wet hair. Zahra was playing with the buttons on her light blue colored summer dress. Faryal picked up small silver hair clips and put them on Zahra's hair.

"Ammiii", Zahra called her.

"Ji Ammi ki jan", Farayl smiled. It's been a while since Zahra has started calling her Ammi, but still whenever she calls her that, Faryal's heart flutters. Probably she would never get used to this feeling ever. Zahra showed her the buttons on her frock.

"Aww you love this dress I'll buy more of these types of clothes for you. Come let me show you the mirror", Faryal held Zahra in a hip hold position, wrapping Zahra's legs around her.

"Now look at yourself", Faryal kissed Zahra's cheek. Zahra glanced at her reflection and smiled.

"Zahra you are self-obsessed, like your daddy", Faryal laughed.

"Seriously?", Zohaib's voice came from behind. She frowned and turned around.

"Zohaib ap, when did you come?", Faryal beamed. She glanced at the wall clock it was 11 o'clock. She looked back at him "You came early today".

"Daddy", Zahra squealed.

"Yeah", Zohaib walked up to them and took Zahra from Faryal.

"I came home to pack my things", he stated.

"For what?", she asked in bewilderment.

"We have a medical camp in interior Sindh, they just informed me. And I can't refuse it at the last moment", Zohaib heaved a sigh.

"Zahra?", she asked.

"I can't take Zahra and you with me because it's a remote area".

Faryal nodded. "When will you come back?"

"It would take a week", he replied.

"Oh", Faryal's smile vanished. She didn't expect it that long.

"If I knew earlier I could have done something, but nobody informed me", his eyes were fixed on Zahra.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of Zahra. You should fulfill your professional duties", She stated. It was the first time he would have to spend time without Zahra.

He smiled. "Please hold Zahra, I don't have much time".

Faryal took Zahra from him. Zohaib went towards the closet. Faryal placed Zahra on the bed, played her rhymes on the tv, and gathered the toys around her.

She went towards Zohaib. He was putting his things in the bag. She grabbed the shirts from his hand, folded them, and placed them inside the bag. She arranged the stuff which he has shoved inside the bag carelessly. Her eyes were fixed on the things, and his eyes on her.

"Aur kuch? (Anything else?)", she asked.

"It's pretty much done", he replied.

"Zohaib I think you should meet Zahra now, she would cry if she understood you are going outside again", She zipped the bag.

"Hmm you are right", Zohaib went towards Zahra. Faryal straightened the bag on the floor and dragged it up to the threshold of the room. She stood rooted to her place and looked at him.

Zohaib pampered Zahra with countless kisses. Faryal knew it was hard for him to leave Zahra. Suddenly his cell phone rang.

"Allah hafiz, daddy loves you" He mumbled to Zahra and got up. He picked the mobile from the nightstand and attended the call.

"I'm ready sir", he said. He was engrossed on the phone and with that, he stepped out of the room.

"He is gone", Faryal muttered. She heaved a sigh and walked deeper into the room. Before she could take another step he hugged her from behind and placed his chin on her shoulder.

She turned her head in surprise. "I thought you left", she said and turned around. She hugged him tightly.

"Can I without saying a proper bye to you?", he questioned. She smiled. They both remained in that position for a few minutes but didn't say a word.

"Take care of yourself too". he slightly backed off, holding her face between his hands.

She nodded. "Ab b apna khyal rakhna (You too take care of yourself)",

"I will", he kissed her forehead.

"Allah hafiz", he said and left the room in a haste.

She walked up to the window. After some time she saw Zohaib outside standing on the car porch. He opened the back passenger door for himself but before taking a seat his eyes automatically shifted at the window.

She smiled and waved him a bye, he did the same and settled inside the car.

"Fi'amanillah (May Allah protect you)", she whispered.

She turned around and said "ufff seven days".

Whenever I'm alone with you,

You make me feel like I am home again.

Whenever I'm alone with you,

You make me feel like I am whole again.🎶

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Assalam u Alikum/Namaste, ❤

I hope everything is great at your side.

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