"Murtasim, utho!" (Murtasim, wake up!) Mahjabeen shook him gently, but he remained blissfully asleep, not even stirring.

"Yaar, humein school jana hai," (We have to go to school) she repeated, hoping to wake him up. When he still didn't respond, she sighed and said, "Theek hai, mai ja rahi hoon." (Alright, I'm leaving.)

She threatened to leave without him, and at that, his eyes flew open in an instant. "Akele jaogi?" (You'll go alone?) he asked, his voice still groggy from sleep. Mahjabeen shrugged nonchalantly as she draped her dupatta over her shoulders.

"Nahi," (No) he declared, standing up. But before he could rush to the washroom, Mahjabeen interrupted, "Mai nikal jaungi, aap jab tak naha kar aayenge." (I'll leave, you take your shower.)

A teasing grin spread across her face as she picked up her comb and started combing her hair. Murtasim smiled and walked toward her, enveloping her in a warm embrace from behind.

"Itna gussa?" (So angry?) he whispered, his chin resting on her shoulder. Mahjabeen rolled her eyes, pretending his proximity had no effect on her. Those black eyes that gazed at her through the mirror reminded her of their sweet moments from the night before, causing a slight blush to rise on her milky face.

"Meri biwi ko sharmana bhi aata hai,"  he whispered, his voice filled with affection. Mahjabeen playfully pushed him toward the washroom, saying, "Mai aapko chodkar chali jaungi, khwama kha itna time pass kar rahe ho." (I'll leave you behind if you keep wasting time.)

"Mera intezaar karna," (Wait for me) he shouted from the washroom, and Mahjabeen's heart fluttered with joy. She couldn't help but think about playing a prank on him. Giggling with excitement, she hurried out of the room but accidentally stumbled into Maa Begum, who was dressed in a shawl, ready to attend an ishtemah (religious gathering).

"Aaram se beta. Itni jaldi me kaha ja rahi ho?" (Take it easy, my child. Where are you rushing to?) Maa Begum asked, her eyes filled with concern.

"Woh Maa, aaj mera result aana tha, isliye school ja rahi hoon," (Well, mother, my exam results are coming today, so I'm going to school) Mahjabeen explained. Maa Begum blessed her and informed her that she was also going out for the ishtemah.

As Mahjabeen reached the gate, she noticed a car entering their house. The window rolled down, and Naurez greeted her with a warm smile.

"Assalamualaikum Bhabhi, aap kahi ja rahi hai?" (Greetings, sister-in-law, are you going somewhere?) he politely asked, dressed in a blue shirt with perfectly groomed hair. Mahjabeen thanked God that this poor man had been saved from Haya's evil clutches. Though she wondered where Haya was, the absence of her scheming and unnecessary drama brought peace to the house.

"Ji woh mera result aane wala hai. Dua karo ki mai pass ho jau. Waise aap yaha kya kar rahe ho? Apni begum se milne aaye ho?" (Yes, my exam results are coming. Pray that I pass. By the way, what are you doing here? Have you come to meet your wife?) she mischievously teased, raising her eyebrows. Naurez glanced at his shoes shyly.

"Bulau kya usse?" (Shall I call her?) Mahjabeen asked, but Naurez remained silent, unsure. Then he realized that he needed to talk to her, and anyway, she was his wife.

"Ji, bula dijiye," (Yes, please call her) he replied with a smile. Mahjabeen ran past his car and into the haveli, her bubbly energy and childlike nature leaving Naurez pleasantly surprised. His brother-in-law seemed like an angry young man, while his wife was the complete opposite.

Mahjabeen reached her room, slightly out of breath. "Maryam..."

"Bhabhi, aap haf kyun rahi ho?" (Sister-in-law, why are you out of breath?) Maryam asked, passing her a glass of water. Mahjabeen gulped it down and laid on her bed.

"Woh na, tumhara shehzada aaya hai bahar," (Well, your prince charming has arrived outside) she informed Maryam. Maryam repeated, "Shehzada kon?" (Who is the prince charming?)

"Ohh..." realization dawned on her, "Haan, aur tumhari Ammi bhi ishtemah par nikal gayi hai. Mai aur Murtasim school jaa rahe hain toh..." (Ohh... Yes, and your mother has also gone for the gathering. Murtasim and I are going to school, so...)

Mahjabeen smiled mischievously, continuing her teasing, as Maryam's cheeks turned red.

"Ya Allah! Maryam, tum kitni cute ho!" (Oh Allah! Maryam, you're so cute!) Mahjabeen exclaimed.

"Achhe se tayyar hona, woh bhi ikdam tip-top ban kar aaye hai," (Get ready nicely, he has come all dressed up) Mahjabeen advised, turning to leave. Maryam stopped her, and with a grateful smile, said, "Thank you."

Murtasim went outside and saw Naurez sitting in the hall, dressed in a white shirt and black pants, his hair neatly gelled back.

"Assalamualaikum, Maa ne tumhe bulaya tha?" (Greetings, did Mom call you?) he asked Naurez, who nodded as Murtasim sat down beside him. They started chatting but paused when Mahjabeen called out, "Yaar, mai akele chali jaungi, jaldi aa jao." (Dude, I'll go alone, come quickly.)

She was waiting at the end of the hall. "Naurez, hum adhe ghante me wapas aa jaayenge," (Naurez, we'll be back in half an hour) Murtasim assured him and quickly went to his wife.

"Aap late hai," (You're late) she reminded him.

"Aapko aaj kal zyada gussa nahi aa raha?" (You don't seem to be getting angry these days) he asked sweetly, caressing her cheek.

"Kyun, aap hi gussa kar sakte ho?" (Why, are you the only one allowed to get angry?) she whispered.

"Nahi tumhara gussa bhi tumhare tarah pyaara hai," he replied, kissing her cheek. He walked away, leaving her standing at the entrance of the haveli, she was now more conscious of his every touch because it reminded her of their intimate moments from the previous night. Blushing, she quickly followed him to the car.

***

Eid Mubarak everyone ✨