"Humeira"  Hania knocked on the door ...... and entered the room

"Aaj aap hospital nahin gayin?" Humeira kept the folded clothes inside the wardrobe and looked towards Hania who was fidgeting with her fingers.

(You didn't go to hospital today?)

"Aapi kuch kehna hai aapko..." the soft voice made Hania more anxious..

(Aapi..you want to say something?)

"I am sorry Humeira" Humeira scrunched her nose on Hania's statement....."Kyun...."

"Ek to aap mujhse......" Humeira stopped and started calculating "almost 1 mahine baad mil rahin hain.......aur wo bhi maafinama le kar.....trip par kuch hua kya" Humeira winked

(You are meeting me after almost a month...and that too with a sorry)

"Shaadi ho gayi...lekin bachpana nahi gaya" Hania twisted her ear..."Aapi ab Arham bhaijaan nahin hain to aap mere kaan kheench rahi hain"

(You are such a child..even after getting married)

(Aapi are you compensating for Arham bhai's presence by twisting my ear)

The words from Humeira's mouth shocked Hania "Arham bhaijaan....."

But Humeira was quick to change the topic and Anaya's arrival gave her the perfect chance.
"Humi aapi..........mai ready hun chalein"

(Humi aapi...I am ready)

"Kahan ja rahe ho tum dono" Hania asked

(Where are you both going?)

"Central Mall.....sale lagi hai.....Shehryar bhai ko bade jhumke bahut pasand hain na...mai aap ke liye wo le aayungi" Anaya squealed in excitement which left Hania offended "Maine kab bola ki Shehryar ko"

(There is a sale going on in the Central Mall...Shehryar bhai likes big earrings na....I will get them for you)

"Arre picturein nahin dekhti kya aap....ladkon ko pasand hota hai....." Anaya's words made Humeira chuckle
"Hamari Anaya ko sab pata hota hai"

(Don't you watch movies Aapi?)

(Our Anaya knows everything)

"Aur nahin toh kya....aap dono ke dimaag me toh medical data hi milega" Anaya twitched her lips "Acha ab jaldi chalein......Aqib bhaijaan tab se horn baja rahe hain"

(One would get nothing but medical data in your brain)

Before Hania could say anything, both the girls fled out .....

"Oye.....Anaya...thode paise udhar de de yaar" Asif took Anaya's purse from her hand and started digging in

(Anaya...lend me some money dear)

"Bhaijaan meri galti nahi hai...aaplogon ne apni pocket money uda di.....mujhe earrings lene hain" Anaya whined trying to take her purse back

(Bhai..it's not my fault that you spent all your pocket money...I have to buy earrings also)

"My princess...please" he batted his eyelashed making Humeira laugh "Mai pay kar dungi chalo"

(I will pay)

"Arre mai toh bhul hi gaya the....chalta phirta ATM hai aaj apne paas.......ye le kanjoos....." Asif smiled and thrusted Anaya's purse in her hands and encircling her arms around Humeira

(Oh...I had fotgotten that we have come here with our mobile ATM...take your purse back you miser)

"Princess ko itni jaldi bhul gaye" Anaya grimaced

(You forgot the princess?)

"He said Pennyless not Princess" Aqib came from behind and tapped her head

"Huh........"

"Waise Adil bhai ne kya shopping karayi thi pichli baar.....matlab dil khol kar" Aqib smiled remembering Adil's big heart which  had opened its doors for them only a handful of times........but whenever it opens..it is worth all the wait.

(Between last shopping with Adil bhai was great)

"Aapi Arham bhaijaan ke liye bahut sare t shirts le lein...wo jab ayenge tab unhe surprise karein"

(Aapi you buy a lot of t-shirts for Arham bhai.....surprise him with all these shirts when he comes)

"Anaya tumhare dimaag me kapdo ke alawa kuch aur aata hai kya...Allah...apne wardrobe ko chhodo...Hania aapi k wardrobe ka bhi aadha hissa tumhare kapdon se bhara hua hai" Humeira shook her head at her little sister's antics....

(Anaya....do you think of anything other than clothes....My God...leave your wardrobe..half of Hania aapi's wardrobe is filled with your clothes)

"Acha kuch aur le lein........ya phone par puch kar lengi" Anaya bit her inner cheeks

(Okay ..buy something else..or you first want to consult him?)

"Bas...teenon ka dimaag inhi sab baatein ke ird gird ghumta rehta hai........is baar exams mein 90 percent se neeche aaye to Adil bhai kahin bhi ghumne ke layak nahin chhodenge" Humeira warned her siblings....but did they care....NO

(You all just think about these things only....this time if you all fail to score 90%...Adil bhai will not leave you guys)

"Jab tak hamare finals honge .. unki shaadi ho chuki hogi aur wo Fariya bhabhi me khoye hue honge" Anaya smiled raising his eyebrows

(By the time our final exams will start, he would be married to Fariya bhabhi...and spending time with her)

"Dream on...tumhe le kar wo kabhi careless hue hain....."

(Had he ever been careless in your matters...what makes you think he will be this time)

"Haan .. yahi baat mujhe samajh me nahi aati..mere hi kaamon me unhe itni dilchaspi kyun hoti hai"

(And that is the thing I fail to understand...why he shows so much interest in my matters)

"You are the youngest one....ofcourse wo tumhari zyada fikra karte hain" Humeira hit Anaya's arm...but got an even worse answer

"Wo shaadi bhi to pehli baar kar rahe hain..to shayad dhyaan bhi pehli baar mere upar se hat jaye" she winked

(He is getting married for the the first time..u see...so he might get careless for the first time too)

After shopping for hours, the cousins got back home with ache in the legs.

------

London

"Masha allah.......ab toh tum ise freely move kar paa rahe ho" Adil was helping Arham in moving his right leg to and fro.....Dr Haqib was a kind of magician in Jameela's words...he was able to give them what he had promised.

(Now you are able to move your leg freely..)

Arham had showed tremendous improvement and now he was able to walk on his own...though there was a little limp...but Dr Haqib had assured that it would go with time. It had been close to three months in London now...and the stay had really paid in the best way it could.

"Aur tumhari Humeira se baat hoti hai" Adil asked making himself comfortable next to Arham on the bed.

(Do you and Humaira talk?)

"Haa....haan  kabhi kabhi" Arham didn't know how to answer his brother

"Acha.....lagta hai tum par bhi asar ho gaya hai pagal paltan ka...."

(I get it..you have also been affected by those crazy musketeers)

"Matlab"

(What do you mean)

"Matlab yeh ki tum jhooth bol rahe ho....."

(I mean..you are lying)

"Bhai..."

"It's ok ... agar baat nahi karna chahte ho toh" Adil said turning the pages of a magazine

( It's okay..if you don't want to talk)

"Aisa nahi hai bhai....it's just ..it's just at times I feel worthless"

"Repeat that .. and you get a slap from me" Adil threw the magazine and looked into Arham's eyes

"Baat toh sahi hai na lekin bhai"

(But I am being honest bhai)

"Acha...us din mera accident hua hota...toh shayad mai aaj tumhari jagah hota.....aur tum toh mujhe business se phenk chuke hote ... ye keh ke ki mai worthless hun...aur baat bhi" Adil was cut off midway by Arham

(Had I met with an accident that day.. then I would have been in your place..and you must have thrown me out of this business by calling me worthless...)

"Bhai...please aisa na kahein... aap mere liye bahut upar hain...you are up there for me..." Arham lifted his palm a little up "ek accident se mere liye aapki feelings nahi badal jaati...it hurts ki aap"

(One accident cannot change my feelings for you.....it hurts that you think)

"Exactly ...it hurts...." Adil gritted his teeth "jab tum aisi baatein karte ho..toh Ammi..ko kitna dukh pahuchta hai"

(Just think ...how much you are hurting your loved ones by talking ike this)

"Aur pata hai...tumne apni insecurity mein sabse zyada kise chot pahuchai hai.....Humeira....." Adil's gruff voice made Arham lift his head

(And you know..who have you hurt the most in all this....Humeira)

"Wo ladki jisne bina kuch soche ... tumhari ho gayi......wajah shayad jo kuch bhi rahi ho...lekin mai hargiz nahi maan sakta hun ki usne tum par koi daya dikhai hai.....itna to mai use janta hun"

(That girl who became yours without thinking of anything....there could be a reason but I cannot believe that it was her way of showing pity on you...I know her this much atleast)

"Tum to bahut kareeb the uske....tum khud socho..Humaira aisa kar sakti hai........" seeing Arham's eyes glistening Adil stroked his arm

(You were so close to her....you think yourself...can she do such a thing)

"Arham..Humeira jaisi ladki dhundne jaoge tab bhi nahin milegi..........rishta badal gaya hai lekin pyaar toh abhi bhi hai na."

(Arham...you will never ever get a girl like Humeira even if you try......relations mighy have changed but love is still there...isn't it?)

"Arham Adil....khana lag gaya hai" Jameela's voice brought them out of their emotional talk..........
Adil gave a look to Arham and then got up.

The whole night Adil's words kept ringing in Arham's head. The restlessness was not allowing him to sleep or even close his eyes.
He took his phone and opened his mailbox.......several mails from Humaira were adorning his mailbox which he never opened.......

He opened the first one

"How are you....I hope you are keeping fine"

The second one

"Why don't you talk to me....have I done something wrong"

The third one

"It's okay if you don't find me fit enough to be your wife.....we can still talk na.......you will always be my favourite cousin"

Like wise there were a string of mails containing one or two sentences...

A tear dropped off his eyes ... seeing her concern which he had been labelling as pity...

Just then his phone rang......he picked the call

"Assalawalaikum Bhaijaan.......kaise hain aap"

"Mai theek hun ... tum batao" Arham smiled a little at Asif's 24×7 excited tone.

"Arre maine aapko ek gift dene ke liye phone kiya hai"

(I have called you to give a gift)

"Gift??"

"Ji .. par pehle aap whats app phir se install karein....saari cheezon ko block kar rakha hai aapne"

(But first install whats app again...)

"Hmm just a second"

After a while, he got a video with the caption "Aapi's epic reaction on your proposal "

"Ye tumhe kaha se mil gaya"

(Where did you get this from?)

"Chhup kar record kiya tha...aadha adhura hai ..lekin mazedaar hai....video me aapko kya bhaizone kiya hai Aapi ne"

( I recorded it stealthily....it's not a full video..but it's fun..Aapi has brother zoned you in an epic way)

Arham immediately cut the call and started the video...

《《

"Kabhi nahi...Ammi....pls mujhe un logon se compare na kare...mai kabhi aisa soch bhi nahi sakti.....unse acha shaksh maine apni puri zindagi me nahin dekha"

(Never Ammi...don't compare me to those people...I can never think like that....I have never met such a nice person in life)

"Ammi ..Arham bhaijaan jise milenge wo duniya ki sabse khushnaseeb ladki hogi...."

(The girl who will get Arham bhai as her husband will be the luckiest)

"Toh phir problem kya hai bache........aur aisa nahi hai ki wo kabhi theek nahi ho sakta ...Adil ne kaha hai"

(Then..what's the problem dear....and also it's not like he will never recover...Adil has said)

"Ammi .. aap phir usi baat par aa rahi hain...mere inkaar karne ki ye wajah kabhi nahi ho sakti..........it's just that maine unhe hamesha ek bade bhai ki tarah dekha hai......mai kaise "

(Ammi you are again going bringing that lame thing....I am not saying because of that...it's just that..I have always taken him as my elder brother)

》》

The guilt just doubled up and came out in the form of tears.

He was now realizing what an idiot he had been to her all this while.

"I am sorry Humi.....I am sorry...." words were laced with tears and pain........and he knew that he would do anything to earn her forgiveness.

----------

Arham had most recovered....according to the doctor,the little stiffness which he felt while walking would go away with regular physiotherapy.

The return tickets had been booked and it was their last weekend.

Arham and Adil were having a chat when Arham's phone started vibrating in his pocket......

"Haan Anaya bolo" Arham smiled

"Kaun si wali......"

(Which one)

"Acha theek hai....I will get it for you"

(Ok I will get it for you)

After a  little more talk, Arham cut the call and looked at Adil's inquisitive eyes...

"Jacket lane bola hai......"
(Had called to bring jacket)

Adil shook his head "Ye ek din kapdon ka sailaab layegi ghar me"

(She will bring a flood of clothes in the house one day)

Arham laughed "Aapne hi bigada hai"

(You have only spoiled her)

"Maine?"

"Bhai aap use dant te hai...lekin us ki har demand direct ya indirect way aap se hi ho kar jaati hai"

(Bhai you scold her but..her every demand is met by you directly or indirectly)

Arham continued "she is too immature to realize that....use lagta hai aap use pasand nahi karte "

(She thinks you don't like her)

"What.....kyun lagta hai use aisa" Adil gave an incredulous look.

(Why does she feel like that?)

"Kyunki pure ghar ki laadli hai...aur sirf aap se daant padti hai isliye " Arham smiled taking out his medicine.

(She is everyone's puppy..but you are the only one who scolds her)

"That's because .... I care for her....she is very naive Arham"

"I know bhai......a 21 year old sweet little munchkin.....pata nahi kaun shaadi karega is paagal se"

(Don't know who will marry her)

"I would not settle for anything..but the best for her"

Adil's words surprised Arham a little...he was just making fun of Anaya but he let it go.

"By the way...mohtarma ke aur kya khayal hain mere bare me?" Adil asked taking a sip of coffee

"Trust me ..you wouldn't want to know" Arham chuckled

"Fair enough)

"Waise tum apni shaadi ki baat karo.....kuch samajh me aaya" Adil chuckled

" Bhai..mmI have been an idiot of the highest order " Arham ran his hand through his hair....his expression turned grim.

"Hmmm...that I know" Adil sighed making Arham frown "Aap mere bhai hain"

"Ji...koi shak.."

"Bhai........" Arham whined taking his phone back

"Acha bolo.."

"Humi kabhi mujhe maaf karegi"
(Will Humeira forgive me?)

Arham's voice came out very soft like a whisper but it was audible to Adil

"You will  have to work very hard " Adil pressed his lips with a smile "I guess very hard"

"But ... I will just say....go and claim your wife" Adil patted his back and gave him a comforting hug.

----------

"Mera bacha" Sarwat kissed Arham's forehead seeing him all hale and heart on the door of the Khan mansion.

The ladies mumbled duas and blessed him with life long happiness.

The happiness had returned after so long and that could be seen on everybody's faces.

"Bhaijaan" the three musketeers were about to pounce on him when Adil showed a finger "aaram se"

"Bilkul bhaijaan" Aqib said and hugged Arham in the most civilised manner looking at Adil as if asking "theek tha bhaijaan"

Adil shook his head and walked into the hall.

"Sadu" Anaya made a face.

Arham's eye balls were continuously moving to and fro .... as if searching for something or probably someone who had been giving him sleepless nights.

"Bhaijaan aankhein upar na chali jayen aapki......kuch zyada hi ghum rahi hain" Aqib scoffed

(Bhai.myour eyes will reach the skies)

"Khair jinhe aapki aankhein dhoond rahin hain...wo ghar me nahin hain"

(The one you are looking for is not there at home)

"Humeira ne ghar chhod diya"

(Humeira left the house?)

"Aapi ne ghar chhod diya" Asif was shocked

(Aapi left?)
"Arre mai tumse puch raha hun bewakoof"

(I am asking you...idiot)

"Acha........" Asif sighed

"Aapi ek medical camp par gayin hui hain" Anaya informed and whispered something in his ear

(Aapi has gone on a medical camp)

"Haan bhai... sab le aaya hun" Arham rotated her head in a playful way.

(Yes I have got that for you)

"Dhokebaaz akele akele haath faila le liye" Aqib glowered at Anaya who stuck her tongue out at him

(You traitor.... you all alone spread your hands infront of him)

"Lado mat...sabke liye kuch hai.....waise Humeira kab aa rahi hai"
All started walking towards the hall

(Don't fight.....there is something for everyone...between when is Humeira coming)

"Aapi ke do hafte kal khatm ho jayenge aur humne unhe nahin bataya hai ki aap aane wale hain.....so you better plan a surprise" Anaya advised keeping both her hands on her waist as if intimidating him.

(Aapi is on a medical camp which will be ending tomorrow and we have not informed her about your arrival..so you better plan a surprise for her.)

"Jee saali sahiba" Arham smiled

(Ok sister in law)

Note

Adil and Anaya scenes will come now as Adil has returned from London

Arham- Humeira meet

A romantic Arham will be waiting for you guys..err...I mean Humeira

Some translations

Aapi : Elder sister

Ammi : Mother

Abbu : Father

Bhaijaan/ Bhai : Elder brother