"Tch....18th ho gaya..paise kyun nahin aayein" Maham pouted checking her account balance. She had promised her brothers a treat this month as she secured 85% in her exams.

"Phone karun..." She was in a dilemma now...

"Kya hua Aapi..." Asim came and wound his arm around her

"Yaar abhi tak paise nahin aayein...aaj tak toh kabhi late nahin huye"

"Toh Chachi se maang lein"

"Unke alawa kisi aur ke saamne haath phailaane se strictly mana kiya  hai...aur Ammi-Abbu ko toh wo khaas kar mana kar ke jaate hain" Maham scrunched her nose

"Toh sochna kya hai .. phone ghumayein" Asim encouraged his sister who was a little skeptical.."Do you think so"

"Arre haan..shohar hi hain" Asim gave a thumbs up not wanting the treat to get cancelled..he didn't have a proper meal the entire day.

"Hmm" Maham dialled his number and was waiting for him to pick the call..

"Assalam Walekum"

"Walekum Assalam...."

"Jee...kaise hain aap" Maham was thinking of how to touch the topic

"Theek hun.....tumhari tabiyat theek hai na"

"Haan..mai toh theek hun..mujhe kya hona hai...wo..wo"

"Kuch kaam tha"

"Kuch khaas nahin...bas aap kab aa rahe hain" Asim glared at Maham who was now going on a different track....his sister was such a fattu sometimes!

"Bahut yaad aati hai aapki...."

"Acha....Lekin mera abhi kaam Dubai me lamba chalega"

"I know.. we miss you....."

"Don't worry you won't miss me for long......ghar me sab kaise hain"

"Sab ache hain..wo hum Riza ka bank account khulwaane jaa rahe the...toh aapko pata hai ki minimum balance kitna rakhna padta hai"

"Depends..Private bank hai ya govt"

"Mera bank account me toh aap paise daalte rehte hain toh mujhe pata hi nahin chalta" Maham tried to fake a giggle but was failing big time

"Kitne paise chahiye Maham"

"10000" Maham in a flow quoted the desired figure

"Daal de raha hun....wo tumhara account dusre branch me transfer me karwa raha hun..isliye balance update nahin ho paya tha"

"Koi jaldi nahin hai..aap aaraam se dalwa dein" Maham spoke hoping her husband doesn't take her seriously

"Nai mai karwa raha hun...Allah Hafiz"

"Jee .. Allah Hafiz" Maham cut the call and grinned at Asim "Maal aa raha hai"

"Muski ko bhi bula lete hain" Maham smiled dialling Muskaan's number.

-----

Rohail entered his home in the evening and found Rahim kaka cleaning something in the hall...."Kaka..ghar par koi nahin hai kya"

"Nahi wo Bade sahab Zeenat aapa ke paas gaye hain aur Muskaan beti bahar gayin hain"

"Kiske sath"

"Apne bhai behen ke sath..." Rahim kaka smiled

"Hmmm...lekin raat ho rahi hai..ab tak toh aa jana chahiye" Rohail soliloquised and walked towards his room.

An hour went by and there was still no news of Muskaan which didn't go down well with Rohail...he dialled her number and the call was immediately picked up.."Hello Jeeju..."

"Mahi.."

"Ji..."

"Wo.. Muskaan kahaan hai"

"Chhi Jiju..Muskaan really.....matlab shaadi ke pehle toh aap kya rangeele naam dete the use..aur ab ... I am truly disappointed"

"Nautanki...kahaan ho tumlog"

"Bas Aapki Tintin ko ladkon se bachaane me waqt zaya ho raha hai..."

"Kiski itni himmat hui"

"Arre shaant bhai shaant ab aapki Hooron si biwi ke mureed toh bahut saare hain..ye toh aapko bhi pata hai......toh bas thodi harmless flirting kar rahe the" Maham giggled but the person on the other side was boiling

"Jaldi aao tumlog...raat ho rahi hai"

"Haan bas kuch pack kara rahe the...aur Muski aaj humaare sath rahegi" Maham announced

"Nahi Mahi..use yahaan chhod dena..phir kabhi sleepover kar lena" Rohail tried to keep his tone light

"Ye kya Jinno waali bhasha bol rahe hain......ek din biwi ke sath nahin rahenge toh bhuchaal nahin aa jayega" Maham frowned not liking his roka taaki.

"Mahi aapi kiska phone hai" Maham heard Muskaan "Arre aapke shohar hain... tanashahi dikha rahe hain...don't worry I am dealing with it"

"Carry on" This time Rohail heard Muskaan's voice .."Mahi use phone dena"

"Nahin..wo busy hai"

"Kahaan busy hai...."

"Khaane me aur kahaan.....mai toh multitasker hun isliye aap se baat kar le rahin hun..but now let me go to my first love...bye" Maham cut the call and took a bite of her favourite gulaabjamun.

---------------------

"Blindfold laga kar pakadna kaun sa mushkil kaam hai...ye dekho" Maham tied the cloth over her eyes and she was made to take several turns and then left in the hall.

"Oye kahaan gaye sab ke sab" Maham stumbled and searched for something to hold on

"Hum yahin hain Aapi..bas aap pakad nahin paa rahin"
Asim's voice boomed in the hall and Maham took a step ahead in the direction of the voice.."Aaj nahin chhodungi..ruk tu"
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"Yey pakda.....bada shaana ban raha tha" she tried to catch the person's hair when the captive defended himself by holding her hands

"Beta...nikal lo" Asim, Ashar, Muskaan and Riza fled away making no noise

"Haath pakad raha hai badi Aapi ka..hmmm...aane do tumhare bhai ko..."

"Waise on second thoughts, tumhare bhai Dubai me hi rahe to acha hai...nai..kya kehte ho" Maham now wound her arm around her captive's shoulders

"Maana Jinn khaana soona soona lagta hai..lekin it's ok....waise bhi din bhar wahaan muh sikud kar baithe rehte hain......ye nahin ki itni sundar biwi hai to thoda ghumaayein.....baithe baithe khubsurat biwi mil gayi toh koi kadra nahin hai" Maham huffed "Jabki roz unhe Allah ka shukar karna chahiye ki kuch khaas na hote hue bhi aisi biwi mili hai"

"Kuch bol kyun nahi rahe ho....Zubair nahin aa gaye hain ki sabki bolti band ho gayi hai" Maham clapped her hands and started giggling giving a friendly pat to the other person who looked quite amused

"Pata hai mera sapna kya hai...ek din tumhare bhai mere kadmo me hon aur mai unhe khari khoti suna rahin hun.......sapne aate hain mujhe aise"

"Mai soch rahi hun jab tak wo Dubai me hain tab tak hum ek trip kar ke aate hain....Nawab ji toh humein jaane nahin denge...."

Maham was so busy blabbering that she didn't know that she was being escorted to a room.

"Tum mujhe room me kyun le aaye....mujhe bahar jaana tha..jab tak Jinn nahin hai thode aish kar lun"

"Arre kuch bolo bhi..."

"Assalam Walekum"

And the voice just gave way to a pin drop silence in the room...

"Shohar ko salaam nahi karogi" Zubair asked opening the knot of the cloth which was tied around her eyes.

"Walekum Assalam..aa aap yahaan kaise..aa aapko toh bahut kaam tha na" Maham stuttered

"Maine dekha tum mujhe kaafi miss karti ho toh thought of giving you a surprise" Zubair said leaning on the wall.

"Ba..bahut khushi hui.....mai to raat me ro bhi rahi thi...agli baar mujhe bhi saath le kar jaiyega" Maham's mind was reprimanding her going over the mark but she couldn't help it being the drama queen she was.

"Hmmm ... that has been taken care of..par filhaal tum jaa kar taiyyar ho jao"

"Kyun"

"Hum shaam me bahar jaa rahe hain"

"Party hai??" Maham's mouth salivated..."Ashar, Asim aur Riza ko bhi bol deti hun..." she jumped off the bed with a squeal.

"Bas tum aur mai jayenge"

"Maza nahin aayega...the more the merrier...aur phir aap toh kuch khaate nahin hai to aap party me le jaane layak nahin hain"

"Excuse me"

"Nai nai..mera matlab aap party-friendly nahin hain" Maham bit her tongue

"We are going on a date"

"What"

"Yes....Be ready by 6...or..."

"You will leave me and go" Maham uttered devicing a plan in her head

"No......I will ........" Zubair walked closer making his nose touch hers...."I will..............."

Zubair's face was very close to her right ear now.....

"I will sp

"What....you will spank me..." Maham as always came to a conclusion beforehand ..

"Well ... I was thinking of something else..but if that's what you want..who am I to deny"

"I am not a child" she cribbed

"Yes you are.......I will transform this child into a woman" Zohaib declared and showed his watch "5:45 ho gaye hain"

Maham's eyes widened and she atonce left the room and a new record was made...Maham Khan was ready in a record five minutes and now the couple was sitting in a posh restaurant.

"Toh tum mujhe Jinn bulaati ho" Zubair asked taking a sip of his juice

"Jee" Maham was busy in calming herself down as Zubair's intense gaze was making her shiver but a replay of words and she immediately opened her mouth for the the damage control..."P..pyar se....jaise sab pyaar se mujhe chudail bulaate hain"

"Kaun bulata hai"

"Mai khud...bahut pyaar karti hun mai apne aap se"

"Hmmm........toh kya logi tum"

"Koi ocassion hai kya"

"Khaane me kya logi" Zubair said softly..his eyes were not moving away from Maham's face which was making her nervous

"Kuch nahi...mera pet bhara hua hai..ghar chalte hain"

"Am I dreaming....Maham Zubair is saying no to her favourite restaurant's food.

"Aap na hote toh abhi 2-3 platein chat kar chuki hoti mai" Maham muttered and unfortunately right then her stomach gave a growl hinting how hungry she was.

"Your stomach says otherwise...so let's order....ya share kar lein"

"Nayi alag alag" Maham was quick

"As you say......."

The order was placed on the table and Maham licked her lips seeing the delicacies.

"You are looking very beautiful..."

"Huh..." Maham was surprised at the compliment...that was her husband's first compliment to her..."Thankyou....you too"

"Am I" Zubair smirked

"Ji..."

"But not more beautiful than you ofcourse" Zubair smirked but Maham was too hungry to notice the jibe

"Haan..."

"Rukhsati se tumhe koi dikkat toh nahin hai ab"

"Nai bilkul nai...you have taken the best decision....meri padhai bhi ho jayegi aur mai thoda mature bhi ho jaungi"

"The latter part is debateble but let's see"

"Aap phikra na karein..mai distinction laungi masters me......" Maham was

"Aur na laa payin toh..."

"Mai phir se doongi"

"And the cycle will continue" Zubair shook his head with lips curving up a little.

----------

"Zubair ko toh maine bol diya ki maine Mahi se baat kar li hai rukhsati ki lekin is ladki se kehne me hi dar lagta hai" Zeenat was having his evening tea with her husband.

"Arre aap fikra kyun kar rahin hain..wo apni Abba ki baat kabhi nahin taalegi" Rashid smiled

Seeing Maham and Zubair enter, they moved to their room for some planning

"Mahi..."

"Jee Ammi"

"Wo tumse kuch baat karni thi...." Zeenat entered Maham's room with Rashid

"Haan .. haan karein na..kuch kya bahut sari karein" Maham smiled

"Rashid aap baat karein" Zeenat asked her husband to hold the mantle

"Arre mai kyun..tum karo"

"Toh phir aap kyun aaye hain" she frowned at her husband

"Aise hi"Rashid shrugged

"Beta...tumhari rukhsati ka soch rahe the hum....agle hafte kar lo..phir Zubair ko wapas Dubai jaana hai toh tumhe bhi apne sath le jayega"

"Ammi mujhe abhi nahin karni...mujhe padhna hai..Zubair bhi maan gaye hain 5 saalon ke liye"

"Dimaag kharab hai tumhara.....usne khud kaha hai rukhsati ke liye"

"Ammi...meri padhai"

"Beta jis tarah tum padhai me dilchaspi dikha rahi ho us tarah tumhare marks toh nahi aate" Zeenat narrowed her eyes at her daughter who was ready with her excuses "Wahi toh..ab mai mehnat karna chahti hun aur kuch banna chahti hun"

"Shaadi ke baad tumhe banne se kaun rok raha hai...Zubair ne tumhara admission wahaan ke bade university me karaya hai"

"Mai ek saal wahaan akele kaise rahungi...." Maham cried

"Zubair toh hai na wahaan aur kuch time ke liye Muskaan bhi chali jayegi tumhare sath..uske last year shuru hone me ek mahina hai...maine Akram se baat kar li hai"

"Ashar aur Asim ko bhi sath me le jaungi...Riza ka toh school hai but un donon ka session khatma ho gaya hai"

"Aisa karte hain na beta..hum sab rukhsat ho jaate hain"

"Haan yeh theek rahega"

"Allah..kya karun mai is ladki ka..." Zeenat hit her forehead and pushed her husband forward

"Kar lo beta......bas kuch tume ke liye Dubai me rehna hai..phir toh humaare paas hi wapas aana hai...." Rashid caressed his daughter's face with love

And that loving tone melted Maham's heart !!!

-------------

"Kaisa lag raha hai shaheed hote hue.." Ashar chuckled pushing a sweet in Maham's mouth on the stage forgetting that Shaheed karne wala is sitting just next to her.

Ashar's eyes met Zubair's and he realised his folly..."Mazaak wala shaheed bhai"

"Haan kyunki sach me toh tum hoge" Zubair deadpanned and Ashar knew it's better to vacate the place for safety issues.

"Kuch khaana hai" Zubair asked removing something from Maham's face

"Na..nai I am okay" Maham lied while looking longingly at the food section

"Kya manga doon"

"Chicken tikka, Mushroom chilli, Chhole-Kulche, Biryaani.....

"mujhe bhi khaane ka iraada hai kya"

"Hmm...pudine ki chutney ke sath" Maham was in her own world

"Mm mera matlab tha kabaab hari chutney ke saath."

"Aapko kaun khaa sakta hai...aap to dusron ko extinct karne ka jazbaa rakhte hain..." was the exact thought in her head

She was in for a surprise when two plates carrying her favourite dishes were kept infront of her...

Next second, she attacked and stopped only when she felt Zubair's face near her..."I am hungry too.."

"Kya khayenge"

"Jo bach gaya hai..." Zubair eyed the plate where only two pieces of kabab were left..but looked like his wife was not willingly ready to part with them.

"Oily hain yeh"

"Koi nahi...once in a while it's ok"
Zubair smiled and took the fork from Maham's hand.

The function came to an end and now Maham was dreading the next ritual that is wedding night.
She was being escorted to Zubair's room and her mind was in a daze..."Allah bacha lena"

Hearing the door shut, Maham kept the Frootie on the side table and put her veil down.

Maham sensed her veil being lifted and she squirmed in her place

"Maham"

"Jee"

"Why are you so beautiful...."

"Hain...." Maham was in a shock "Mahi ek baar sar utha kar dekhle wahi hain na" and next second her eyes lifted only to meet an intense pair of blue eyes...

"I think I am very lucky ki mujhe baithe baithe itni khubsurat biwi mil gayi"

"Huh..." Maham was now counting her hours...he was going to take the revenge...

"Huh humm ke aage badho Mahi...wo mera department hai"

"Maine ye sab nahin kaha" Maham atonce spoke up

Zubair started laughing and Maham kept her palm on her chest...."Ambulance ka kya number hota hai...101 102...."

The frequency of laughter was increasing with time and she had no clue what to do...."Zubair..aap theek hain na"

Seeing Zubair's face nearing hers, she whispered "I don't want to become pregnant"

"Huh...." Zubair was amused but nevertheless kissed her forehead.."A kiss won't serve the purpose here"

"A kiss is not enough for impregnating .... u know that right and besides have you heard of contraception"

"Mujhe kuch samajh nahin aa raha aap kya keh rahe hain" Maham looked away

"Don't worry, we will visit a gynaec tomorrow....all your apprehensions will die down"

"Mai nahin jaungi...."

"Jaana toh padega......"

"Mujhe bahut sharm aayegi"

"Tumhare doctor ko pata hoga tumhare liye kya best rahega....aage jaa kar koi pareshaani nahin hogi" Dropping a kiss on Maham's temple, Zubair got up and opened the first button of his kurta

"Kapde washroom me change kar lein" Maham was fidgeting her fingers......

"Hmmmm" Zubair nodded

"Shuru ho gaya Humm humm ka silsila......mai bhi jaldi se change kar lun isse pehle ki wo aa jayein"

Zubair came out of the washroom only to find his bride packed inside the blanket from head to toe.

"Maham"

"So gayi mai"

"Acha....kuch baat karni thi"

"Gehri neend me hun...hmmm" Maham immediately closed her eyes when blanket was pulled off her face.

"Khuli aankhon se sona kahaan se seekha"

"Aaj hi"

"Idhar utho baitho...." Zubair pulled her making her sit close to him

"Mujhse itna darti kyun ho"

"Aisi baat nahin hai"

"Yeah right....batao mujhe kis baat se itna dar lagta hai" Zubair asked softly this time

"Kyunki aapne mujh par ek baar haath uthaya tha" Maham said in a shivery voice

"Maham..us baat ko 8 saal ho gaye hain aur tumne harkat hi aisi ki thi...aur bach gayi thi us din..haath utha tha par laga nahin tha" Zubair glared at her
"Blade se crush ka naam kaun likhta hai haat par"

"Dost kar rahe the toh......"

"Ye peer pressure le doobega bachchon ko.....Chachi ko pata chalta ghar baitha detin school chhudwa kar"

"Khair...mujhse darne ki zarurat nahin hai ... meri biwi ho tum koi bachchi nahin....apna opinion mere saamne bebaaki se rakha karo...."

"Hmmm"

"Koi bol raha tha Hmm Hmmm se meri gaadi aage nahin badhti" Zubair bit his inner cheek

"Aapne meri baat sun li thi" Maham's eyes widened

"Jee.....unchi aawaaz hai na aapki"

"Maaf kardein..bhool chook me keh di hogi" Maham in a second was on her knees which made Zubair laugh out loud and pull her in his arms.

--------------------

Rohail was running late for a meeting and rushed to the dining table. Rahim kaka served him cornflakes with an omelette.
A frown sat on his face when he didn't see the plate which was always kept with his usual breakfast. He never touched it but seemed like he loved the presence of it and now all of a sudden not seeing it created ripples in his stomach.....
"Muskaan ghar me nahin hai kya" He asked Rahim kaka who smiled "Wo bade malik ke sath lounge me hain"

"Nashta kar liya donon ne"

"Haan...Muskaan beti ne aaj Idli banayi thi" Rahim kaka smiled and left.

Anxiety started gripping Rohail's brain and next he was seen sauntering towards the kitchen in search of that one plate which his wife never failed to keep for him .. it didn't matter whether he ate or not but it was always there. It was a small thing but he was panicking.

Coming in the lounge, he greeted his father and Muskaan who reciprocated with a smile.

"Mai nikal raha hun.."

"Hmmmm"

"Bas hmmm...where is my lunchbox" Rohail's inner self felt scandalized but then a part of it reprimanded "Have you ever eaten it"

"So what..she gives me daily why not today"

Rohail waited there for sometime waiting for the lunchbox..may be she has forgotten but how could she forget..he was her husband for God sake.

With a heavy heart, he left the lounge and in half an hour reached the office. His mood was turning more sour with every minute and seeing this, his assistant advised him to take a break and visit a nearby cafe.

Ordering his favourite white sauce pasta, he was rubbing his neck when his eyes spotted someone and his expressions changed.

Lines on his forehead deepened while his eyes narrowed at the sight of the girl sitting three tables away in a dull light setting. One more girl was with her and if he was not hallucinating they just shared a peck..........what the hell....was he conned years ago!!!

Getting up from his seat in lightning speed, he took long strides towards the table which was occupied by both the girls.
One of the girls lifted her head seeing Rohail's figure hovering over the table and her face had shock written all over it...."Rohail"

"Yeah..Rohail" Rohail gritted his teeth

"Is this your truth" Rohail whisper yelled not wanting to create a scene

"Rohail...I can explain..listen"

"Explain..do you have any idea what I went through"

"It was just a prank and before we could break it to you, you left the training centre and even the college"
The girl looked guilty.."It was like you disappeared"

"Prank...us ghatiya harkat ko prank nahin begairati kehte hain" Rohail was fuming

"Mujhe laga mujhse itna bada gunaah ho gaya...I was in depression just because of your prank" Rohail didn't believe someone could be so cool about that cheap stunt.

"I am .. I am sorry Rohail..we didn't have any idea ki tum itna serious le loge is baat ko..mujhe laga tumhe pata hoga mere bare me ki I am not into boys........aur hum batate bhi kaise tum achanak se gayab ho gaye"

"Mai apne aap ko bina gunaah ke saza deta raha"

"Hume laga tum broad minded hoge"

"Broad minded hone ka matlab agar ghatiya hona hota hai toh I am sorry I am the most narrow minded person you will find here..and you know what..I am proud of that" with that Rohail was out of the cafe with a guilt free conscience.

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Rohail vistaar se batayega uske sath kya hua tha .. lekin sirf apni biwi ko...par usme time hai..kyunki biwi ka ab bhaav khaane ka time aaya hai 😁😊😊😃😃