***

پھلی تھی سیاہ راتیں آیا تو سبھ لیکے۔
خامخا سی زندگی میں جینے کی وجہ لیکے۔

Phaili thi siyaah ratein aya tu subah leke
Khamakha si zindagi mein jeene ki wajah leke

***

"Saman meri pyari behan!" Ahad's shriek made Saman grimace and close her eyes with frustration. She increased her pace, trying to escape him who was certainly coming to ask for a favor.

"Saman, wait!" Ahad ran towards her making her do the same and before she could realise it turned into a chaser game, with her trying to avoid him while he chased her around the haveli.

"Pagal aurat ruko!"

"Kyu bhag rahe ho mere peeche jao yaha se!" Saman screeched, running even faster.

"Saman please, it's important." Ahad cried, stopping at a distance making her do the same. She turned towards him with a confused look.

"If this important thing is tea then I am leaving." She warned,pointing  her finger at him.He shook his head breathing heavily.

"It's not, can we talk somewhere alone?" He said, reaching her in a few strides. Saman scanned him for a brief moment, trying to assess whether this was any of his prank or not.

"Fine, let's go to the terrace." She said once assured.

"Yaar! I am tired now I have to climb up there?" Ahad threw his hands up.

"So what, I ran too." Saman retorted, putting her hands on her waist.

"You weren't the one  groveling the whole day in the office."

"Haw...are you calling me unemployed?"

"No!" Ahad's eyes widened. "Why would I, you're putting words in my mouth."

"No you did–"

"Saman please." Ahad pleaded. "Not now, let's just get done with my problem shall we?" Saman gave him a stink eye but nevertheless nodded and started walking ahead.

"Hmm tell me, what's bothering you?" Saman asked, slouching in one of the chairs, followed by Ahad.

"Nothing is bothering me, I just want help."

"What kind of help? And that too from me?"

"I want to propose to Nadia." Saman's jaw dropped hearing him. She straightened up and leaned closer.

"What? Are you serious and why...I mean–"

"Not the kind of proposal you are thinking about–" Saman frowned at being caught. "I want to send a proposal to her through ammi abbu, like a proper one."

She looked away and took a moment to grasp what he had said, while he watched her with contempt.

"Have you asked her first?" She asked,calmly making Ahad nod.

"Not directly but she knew what I was saying." A soft smile adored his lips as he spoke.

"Then how can I help you?"

"Help me to talk to ammi."

"Why do you need help with that, I am sure she will be pleased to know this." Saman spoke, holding his gaze.

"But for that she has to believe me, you know how it is, Saman." Ahad got up with a sigh. "She still thinks I am immature and irresponsible."

Saman didn't deny,Badi ammi might be the person who always adored and pampered her but for him,it was always her strict side. When they were young she thought of it as a win, and sure it was but what she couldn't realize, until later that for him, it was nothing but unfair.

"Don't worry, I will help you and also make sure that Nadia becomes my bhabi soon." She walked towards him and stood by his side.

"Thank you." Ahad mumbled patting her head, making her groan.

"Yaar bachi hun kya?" She whined pushing his hand away but he didn't budge instead ruffled her hair. 

"Ahad I will kill you." She spoke through gritted teeth.

"Hah sure–" he ruffled her hair again.

"When are you going to ask her?" She asked once their banter ended.

"I was thinking today, but won't it be too soon?" He asked, leaning against the railing.

"If you are sure about it then it's never too soon, I suggest you don't pull a Armaan and delay–" She chuckled. "Today is good, infact now is better. I am ready, you're here, let's go!" Saman exclaimed, pulling him from his arm.

"Are you sure?"

"Ofcourse I am." Her voice echoed as she bounced forward making  Ahad smile and follow her

"Should I ask Sara too?" Ahad questioned as they were descending  the stairs.

"As you wish." Saman shrugged.

"Maybe we should wait for Armaan bhai too,he is more sensible than us–" Saman's head snapped towards him at lightning speed. With narrowed eyes she glared at him , making him gulp with fear.

"I mean–"

"Mansha ko bhi puch lo, umair aur uzair bhi ajayenge, ek kaam karo pure khandan ko le chalte hain." Her hands flew in all the directions as she scolded him.

"Naraz na ho ab, chalo."

_______________

Armaan sighed and glanced outside the door, yet again, ignoring the curious looks his father was giving him. He had to leave for work in an hour and his mother, as always, was making him late. He had asked her to come into his room almost fifteen minutes ago, his father was already here but Nausheen was taking her sweet time.

"Sit down beta, she will be here."

"You know her abbu, she won't be here for another ten minutes." Amjad couldn't help but laugh at that.

"Why don't you go get her?"

"I should actually–" he got up to leave. "Wait here please."

With that he dashed out of the room leaving Amjad confused and worried. He had hardly seen Armaan anxious and so out of place, even when he was a young kid or an adolescent. He considered himself lucky when it came to his kids, both of them were calm and composed and probably more conscious and smarter than him and Nausheen. Sure they were reserved but when it came to speaking their minds, they never hesitated. Specially Armaan. But this time, things were little, perhaps a lot weird.

"Slow down!" He heard Nausheen's shriek and soon she entered, being dragged by Armaan.

Making her sit beside his father, Armaan dragged a chair and sat o. opposite side.He cleared his throat and glanced at them but immediately looked away. Scratching the back of his neck he gave them a nervous smile. It was way harder than he thought it would be.

"Muh dekhne ke liye bulaya tha?" Nausheen asked with narrowed eyes.

"Ammi–"

"Let him speak Naushi." Amjad spoke calmly, making Armaan give him a thankful smile.

"Whatever I am going to say, you have to listen to it without interrupting okay?" He raised his brows at his mother who looked clearly offended.

"What do–"

"Ammi, I am sorry but please be patient." He whispered.

"Bolo beta." Amjad encouraged him.

"I...I am ready for get married." He spoke in a breath.

"Alhamdulillah! I thought you wouldn't ever agree to it. This is why you were so nervous? Bewajah dara diya ki akhir hua kya hai–" Nausheen started rambling making Armaan sigh and look at his father for help.

"Naushi, bolne do use pehle." Amjaad interrupted. Nausheen gave him a glare and turned towards Armaan again.

"Bolo."

"Thank you." Armaan gave a tight lipped smile to her. "I also have someone in my mind." There, the bomb was dropped. He took a long breath in and waited for the much expected explosion.

"What? Who? Armaan what is this behavior? Are you joking with us? I was so worried for you and here you are pranking me! Nahi karni hai shadi to bol do, ye kya mazak hai ki kisi ko pasand kar liya hai tumne." Armaan couldn't decide whether he should cry because of Nausheen's habit of interrupting or get offended at her for thinking he was incapable of liking someone.

"Ammi, I am not lying." He spoke calmly, and this time Nausheen remained silent.

"Who's that someone?" She asked with genuine curiosity.

"Saman."

"Kon Saman–" Nausheen started only to stop at realising which Saman he was talking about. "Apni Saman?" She got up."Mazak kar rahe ho?"

"Ammi! Kyu karunga main mazak?" Armaan held his head in his hands and cried out in frustration.

"Sach bol rahe ho?" Nausheen spoke sitting back. She was still in a state of shock.

"Yes."

"Are you sure of your decision?" Amjad asked.

"Yes abbu, I was planning to tell you  but before that I had to ask her too. I didn't want to make things awkward by hurrying."

"What did Saman say?" Nausheen asked, trying to control her smile as her eyes widened with anticipation.

"She agreed." Armaan spoke with a hesitant smile.

"And Ihsan?" Amjad asked, his voice low. Armaan looked at his father only to find his face contorted in worry. He knew what Amjad was thinking, the memories of last time were still fresh, even though things had been sorted out.

"I had a talk with chachu yesterday."

Flashback.

"Everything good beta?" Ihsan asked, sensing Armaan's nervousness.

"Yes chachu." He replied as the two made their way out of the masjid behind the rest of the members.

"Chachu, can we talk for a moment." Armaan spoke, making Ihsan frown but halt.

"Yes of course, let's sit there." Ihsan gestured towards the bench in the mosque's garden.

"When's Isra aunty coming?" Armaan asked.

Ihsan looked at him with narrowed eyes, but Armaan was avoiding his gaze. He had an idea that this was not what Armaan wanted to ask.

"Her flight is on tenth and the rest of the things will reach here probably a day or two after that." He replied. After his decision of shifting back to Alamnagar, Isra too agreed to be with him. It wasn't an easy decision but it was for the better.

He had met Isra a decade ago when he had shifted to Bangalore from Mumbai, as the professor for the university where she herself was teaching. The two connected well and soon were married. He remembered how happy Saman was when she heard about it, being a fifteen something year old teenager she had shown immense  maturity and understanding.

"That's good. Everyone is really pleased with this decision of yours, I know it must be hard to leave a well settled life behind."

"It wasn't easy but I am grateful Isra agreed. Well her own family lives in Patna so that's a plus point, but nevertheless she has been really supportive." Ihasn had a soft smile on his face as she spoke. He looked content and much more relaxed than ever.

"What do you want to say Armaan?" Ihsan faced him.

"It's about Saman–" Armaan watched him for any reaction but Ihsan just looked curious. "I..I wanted to get your permission."

"For?"

"For marrying her." Ihsan went silent, and Armaan did not know what his silence meant. Was it the calm before his rage or was it the silence of being stunned. He watched him from his periphery, trying to decipher what was behind his passive face.

"So, you are saying that you want to marry Saman?" Ihsan asked after a minute or two.

"Yes chachu."

"Why? I mean–" Ihsan didn't complete his sentence, too surprised to say anything.

"I like her chachu, it is as simple as that but that's not just it. It was only after the last proposal–" Armaan gulped. "That I realised I liked her and wanted to make her my spouse. I should have approached sooner but things weren't ideal then." Armaan spoke looking at his clasped hands. He might be nervous earlier but at the moment he felt more confident. He didn't want to risk anything, she had laid her trust in him and he would rather die than break her trust. He couldn't ruin things, just because he was nervous.

“Main apko ye bhi yakeen dilata hun ke maine kabhi use galat nazar se nahi dekha. Bahot izzat karta hun main uski, aur hamesha karta rahunga."He looked up to find Ihsan staring into nothingness.

"Also I did ask her before coming to you because I think it should be her decision." Ihsan nodded, but didn't say anything.

"I do not want to promise something I can't do but I do promise to protect her and treasure her to whatever extent I can."

"Armaan–" Ihsan said, facing him. "I can't answer you now, as you said this is her decision and I also don't want to repeat my mistake. So you have to wait."

"I will." Armaan smiled through his words.

***

"Chachu will probably talk to her today and after he answers me, I want you two to talk to dada jaan." He watched his parents as they seemed to think.

"You did right by talking to Ihsan first, and for me I do not have any problem with your decision, in fact I am happy." Amjad spoke, clasping his hand on Armaan's back.

"Me too, I am more than happy!" Nausheen's excited voice made them chuckle.

"Itni pyari bachi hai hamari Saman, koi bewakoof hoga jo khush nahi hoga. But it sure is a wonder how she agreed to marry you." Nausheen gave him a good stare, looking him up and down.

"Ammi?" Armaan sounded more hurt than offended and it was now her time to laugh at his expense.

_________________

"What is going on? Have you two done something? Trust me I am not gonna help you at all." Munazza spoke entering the room followed by Ahad and Saman. The two just exchanged looks hearing her.

"We have not done anything badi ammi, but we do need your help." Saman said and made her sit on the bed.

"Relax ammi–" Ahad smiled at her and made her lean against the head rest and took a seat beside Saman who was already seated by the edge.

"Kuch hua to hai, bolo kya hua hai." Munazza asked, narrowing her eyes at them, making them look at each other and nod.

"Ahad has something to say, and it's important." Saman started inching closer to her and held her hand in hers.

"Well then say it." Munazza observed the two one by one.

"Ammi, I–" Ahad glanced at Saman who gave him an encouraging smile. "I want to marry someone."

"Wait a minute–" Munazza sat up straight. "You said you want to marry someone, did I hear it right Saman?" She turned towards Saman.

"Yes."

"Do you know about that person, Saman?" She asked, raising her brows at her, making Saman nod slowly.

"You know her too badi ammi."

"Who?" Munazza faced Ahad and asked with a passive face.

"Nadia."

"Nadia?"

"Yes badi ammi and they, him and Nadia have agreed on it, and want to go forth properly." Saman said, tightening her hold on Munazza's hand. Assuring her that whatever the two of them were saying was nowhere near a lie or a prank.

"Nadia has agreed to marry him?" Munazza asked with confused eyes. "As far as I remember he was her biggest enemy." She glared at Ahad who was looking everywhere but at her.

"Things changed after I joined the office, I got to know her better and realised how idiot I am." Ahad 's voice held sincerity and a hint of adoration that wasn't missed by Munazza.

"What do you want me to do?" Munazza asked calmly, making Ahad's head snap towards her.

"Ammi are you fine with this?" his voice wavered with uncertainty.

"Yes I am, Nadia is family and also a sensible child–" Munazza smiled, for the first time. "You will be lucky to marry her."

"So you are onboard?" Ahad asked,moving closer to her.

"I am, but don't get too excited. You have to confront your abbu and dada jaan too."

"I will handle them too, but I am so so happy that you agreed!" Ahad threw his hands around her, engulfing her in a bear hug. Munazza chuckled lightly and hugged him back, patting his back lovingly while Saman watched the scene unfold with teary eyes.

"Take me in too." she whispered with a shaky voice and that was it, she too was tackled in a warm hug.

"Acha Saman, Ihsan was looking for you a while ago."

"Papa? Oh I should leave now." Saman broke the hug and jumped out of the bed in a hurry.

"Do you know where he is?"

"Probably with abba jaan." Munazza answered with difficulty as Ahad was still clinging to her like a koala.

"Okay." Saman giggled through her words and walked out.

___________________

Saman was greeted by silence as she stepped inside the front room, where her father and grandfather were waiting for her. Her light steps alarmed the two and they turned towards her as she walked forth. She watched with perplexion as they kept observing her until she sat infront of them. She eyed them for a moment, trying to decipher what was awaiting her.

"Is everything okay?" She asked, fidgeting with the end of her dupatta. Her father gave her a small smile as he nodded, making her release an  inaudible sigh of relief.

"Abbu, I think we should call bhai jaan and Ahad too." Ihsan said, making her eyebrows rise.

"I will call them, pehle bachi se baat kar lete hain."

"Saman bacha, I don't want to beat around the bush—" Dada jaan started speaking, earning her whole concentration. " Armaan has asked your hand in marriage from your father." It would be an understatement to say that she was shocked, she was gobsmacked.  Sure she was aware of this happening but not this soon. Blinking rapidly she tried to control herself and clasped her hands tightly.

"Are you aware of it?" He asked, again knocking her breath out. She gulped, nodding slowly and with lowered eyes tried to gauge their reactions. Surprisingly they weren't looking angry.

"Your father has just now informed me, and I wanted to hear your decision myself so I asked you to come here. If you are comfortable then you can answer us." Saman could feel her cheeks burning as she tried to avoid their eyes at all cost.

"Do you wish to accept Armaan's proposal?" There it was,the question she knew she would reply in affirmative but wasn't aware that it would be asked this early. "He is our kid, we have seen him all his life, and so have you–" Saman nodded vaguely.

"Beta, this is solely your decision, and whatever you say will be the last line. Nobody will question you." Zalqernain Shah's authoritative voice sent chills down her spine. She glanced at her father who nodded with an encouraging smile.

"I...I agree." It was a wonder that her voice was audible. Her hands were sweating profoundly while she felt goosebumps rise all over her body, and the way her heart was thudding she was sure anyone could hear it from a mile away.

"Are you sure?" Ihsan asked in a cautious voice. "There's no pressure beta–"

"I know Papa–” avoiding her inner cry of mortification she looked up,with a small but confident smile. Armaan had done his part and now it was her turn to do hers, and she would gladly do it even if it meant being blunt  infront of her grandfather and father.

"Very well, you can go."

__________

Spring evenings had certainly been pleasant and intriguing but not as much as it was this particular day, at least for Nausheen and Munazza. The two had just settled down in the backyard's chairs with a tray of warm tea and biscuits decorating the table. A relaxed, contented and somewhat an eveil smile adored their faces as they took slow sips of their tea.

"Kaafi haseen ittefaq hai na bhabhi–" Nausheen spoke, putting her cup down. "Ek hi din dono ke muh khul gaye."

Munazza smirked and nodded, "Ittefaq to sachme acha hai."

"You should have seen Armaan's face, it was such a sight to behold." Nausheen closed her eyes momentarily, re-imagining the nervousness of her ever confident son.

"It must be, but Ahad was worse, I swear if Saman wasn't there I would have been more stern and I am sure he would have ended up crying." Munazza glanced at Nausheen with mischief laced eyes and both of them ended up  breaking in fits of laughter.

"You should have done that, even I think I went too soft–" Nausheen shook her head. "I got too excited."

"They might think of us as fools but often forget that we are mothers."

"And we know everything." The two chorused together and chuckled. Spring sure was beautiful and their children were undoubtedly idiots.

_______________________

Assalamualaikum everyone.

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