کیسے کہہ دوں کہ ملاقات نہیں ہوتی ہے

روز ملتے ہیں مگر بات نہیں ہوتی ہے

kaise kah duuñ ki mulāqāt nahīñ hotī hai

roz milte haiñ magar baat nahīñ hotī hai

(How can I say that we don't meet
I see her everyday but don't talk)

***

***

Saman sighed seeing Ahad standing at her doorstep. She knew why his majesty was here, and she so wanted to kick him out, but alas! She couldn't. His soft talks will lull her and she being the stupid she was would once again fall for his bribes.

"Kya chahiye maharaj ko?" [What does his majesty want?]

"Aapka kimti waqt." Here goes the first step. Smiling brightly. All his pearly white teeth was on display just like some toothpaste add models. He ambled towards her and with a thud jumped on the bed, making her roll her eyes and close the cupboard harshly. She turned around and folded her hands. [ your precious time]

"Have you completed your economics' assignment?" Ahad asked.

"No."

"What? Now how will I do my mine?" Ahad said getting up from his lying position. His face holding a frown which made Saman smirk.

"Saath me complete, karenge. I won't let you copy all of my work. This time you have to help me ." Saman said with a triumphant look on her face, which made Ahad groan. All his good mood went drowning in the water Saman had just splashed on his plan. [ let's do this together]

"Let's start now. What say?" Saman asked in a calm tone. Ahad scrunched his face and nodding his head made his way outside.

"Are kaha chale?" Saman shouted.

"Books." He shouted back, making her shout a yes. Smiling to herself, she gathered her belongings in one hand and her phone in the other. She loved troubling Ahad and, the idiot he was, would always fall for her tricks. But he, too, was no less than her as he would come back by copying her assignment as they were in same class and had same subjects. All because of him.

Ahad had dropped a year as he had fractured his leg after his high school boards exam. In addition to it, he had fallen sick just after his plaster were removed and this way half of the year had passed and the rest half he passed by relaxing. In his words, he needed a 'long rest after facing so much'. The drama queen he was. He would have rested more if not Saman had to go for her bachelor's. The elders thought it would be great if Ahad too should. He had created a huge ruckus, and finding Saman his culprit, he told the elders that Saman too wanted to go for economics. That again had led to another showdown...by Saman, and it was still going on.

Every time Saman would face any difficulties in her studies or assignment, she would blame Ahad for dragging her in this.

Taking a deep breathe, she stretched her arms and watched Ahad from her peripheral vision only to find him smiling at something in his phone. How wrong she was for thinking that he will help.

"Yaar Ahad, kya kar rahe ho? Just because of you I am stuck in this! Could have just followed Nadia, at least she would have helped me."

"I am doing it okay!" Ahad kept his phone away and showed her his laptop. A concentrated look on his face. He was certainly trying but not as much required for completing the assignment which was due two days later.

"Yeah, I can see that." Saman rolled her eyes, seeing the few lines that he had typed in half an hour.

"And why do you keep saying that." Ahad asked, glaring her.

"What?"

"That you were to follow Nadia."

"Because I was going to follow her. At least I would be doing what I loved. Not this irking assignment."

" Oh please, it's not at all irking. This is the best subject in the entire world." Saman raised her eyebrows hearing him.

"At least better than that Nadia's studies." He said, making faces as if he had seen something disgusting.

"Oh please! Interior designing is awesome."

"No it's not."

"It is."

Irritated, Saman got up from the sofa and so did he. The two were now facing each other with blazing eyes. Ahad hated being compared to their other cousin Nadia, and it would always turn his mood sour. Saman felt she shouldn't have said that, but who said she would back off or apologize.

"Saman back off please I do not want to fight with you now." Ahad spoke in a dead serious tone which made her gulp the lump of her throat.

"Why should I?" She spoke.

"Fine, go make your assignment. I will make mine. And do not expect any help from me." He said coldly. Gathering his things from the coffee table, he threw a deadly glare to her and started walking out of the living room.

"I don't need your help. You yourself came to me. Khud to kuch aata nahi mujhe kehte ho." Saman shouted, making him stop in his tracks. She got startled seeing him turn towards her. Mentally cursing herself, she started picking her things hurriedly. [You yourself don't know anything.]

It would be better to run off right now than being his prey.

"What did you say?" Ahad yelled and without any warning started running towards her, making her shriek and drop her things back on the sofa.

"Kya kaha tumne?" He growled and threw his things beside her. [What did you say?]

"Kyu dimaag ke saath kaan bhi kharab ho gaye hain?" [Why are your ears too not working like your head?]

"Saman!"

"Aah!" Screeching loudly, Saman ran in the opposite direction with a fuming Ahad hot on his heels.

"Wait till I catch you." Ahad shouted from behind, making her close her eyes in frustration. Increasing her pace she started climbing the stairs but alas! Ahad was way faster than her. He grabbed her braid, making her stop abruptly.

"Ahad not the braid!" She shrieked, making him smirk and tug the braid.

"Ahad no…no please. Idiot leave it." She cried, making him tug harder.

"Don't dare call me that." He said, clenching his teeth.

"Fine! Leave my hair first." She yelled. Fahad who was going upstairs heard her and frowned. Taking fast steps he reached the staircase and found Ahad pulling Saman's hair.

"Ahad! Leave her." He shouted, making the other two halt and look at him abruptly. Ahad's eyes widened seeing his elder brother standing at the last step and that too with a frown on his face. He was too frozen to react, though his grip on Saman's braid had loosened.

"Choro bachi ko!" Fahad growled. Ahad swiftly left her braid and looked at her face. His eyes went wide seeing her crying face, as much he remembered she was not crying...but then she was Saman. He raised his eyebrows in confusion, making her smile evilly. [Leave her]

"Bhai...bhai I... I didn't pull hard, I swear." He said fumbling. He took a step-down only to stumble badly. Meanwhile, Saman found it better to run away and without any adieu she ran upstairs making Ahad gulp his saliva in dread.

"Bhai...bhai woh-"

"Get lost." Fahad spoke sternly, making Ahad nod like an innocent obedient child and follow his elder brother's command.

____________

The next day had come with the sun brightly shining since early morning, yet there was a soothing breeze to calm the scorching anger of the sun. Having morning classes, Saman was ready in a light orange A-cut frock and cigarette pants. The brown hijab matched the brown polka dots of her dress and her black wristwatch clasped around her thin wrist. She had already had her breakfast and was currently waiting for Ahad who was still gobbling down his prathas.

"Ahad! Jaldi aao-'' She yelled from the living room. A few minutes passed, and then his majesty entered running on his heels. He was in a disheveled state, with his white shirt's upper two button undone and hair unkempt. His bag bounced on his back as he ran in her direction. Thinking of giving him a piece of mind she narrowed her eyes but instead of stopping by her, he ran towards the main door.  [ come fast]

"Come on, Saman fast." He called, making her roll her eyes and follow him.

"I wasn't the one who woke up late." She snapped back, rolling her eyes.

"Close your mouth or I will drop you here and leave." Clenching his teeth, Ahad spoke. Saman was about to retort but stopped, not wanting to mess up again, not when she had her selfish reasons. The rest of the ride was calm and so was the day until their second class.

Saman closed her notebook and sighed, morning classes were nothing but total pain. In top of that, the classes were economics and business studies. Total pain. She got up and left the classroom with her friends as the next class was half an hour later. As usual, they went to their common hangout point in the corridor. Getting in an easy talk with everyone, Saman didn't take notice of the person who came and stood beside her.

"Saman?" Hearing an unknown voice Saman turned towards the person only to find a guy, maybe their senior standing at a foot distance from her. Confused, she first looked at her friends who themselves looked confused and then again at him who was looking down.

"Yes." She said, making the guy look up for a brief moment and then again look down,

"I am Shirin's brother. She had asked for notes for the last two days." He spoke calmly.

"What happened to her? Why isn't she coming and why didn't she call me?" Saman bombarded her questions, making the guy look up, taken aback by her questions.

"Uh...yes, actually she is not well. I don't know why she didn't call you. She just asked me to ask for the notes." He replied.

Saman narrowed her eyes on him and looking towards her friends raised her eyebrows asking what she should do. They shrugged their shoulders, making her scowl at them and turn towards him again.

"I don't have all the notes right now. I can give you all of them tomorrow." She said,

"Fine. Thanks." Saying so, the guy tuned on his heels and walked away.

"You knew Shirin had a brother?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Yup! She had once mentioned. But I didn't know he was our senior." One of them replied, making her nod.

The rest of the classes passed smoothly, and after a brief talk with her friends, Saman messaged Ahad. Few minutes later he replied that he will meet her at the main gate. Throwing her phone in her tote bag, she made her way towards the main gate. The crowd had somewhat thinned making it easy for her to find Ahad who was standing near his bike. He had his shades on and was leaning on the bike, making her roll her eyes.

"Show off." Mumbling under her breath, she strode towards him.

"Who were you talking to?" Ahad asked as soon as she reached, making her eyebrows arch. The calm tone of his words made her curiously look at him.

"Friends. Why did you ask?" She said,

"I am not asking about your friends, that guy, who was he?" Ahad asked.

"Oh...he was Shirin's brother. She hasn't come for the last two days, so asked for notes."

"Hmm, come, let's go." Ahad nodded.

"But why were you asking?" Saman asked.

"I haven't seen him in our class, thought he was troubling you." Ahad said. She was gobsmacked for a good few seconds, but then smiled widely. She knew her other cousins were very protective of the girls in the family, but seeing Ahad like this was new.

Reaching home she quickly got down and went inside not able to control her excitement. Ahad's protective side was certainly new for her. They had always fought and the irritations against each other had never given them chance to show any other emotions.

Entering the house, she met with a surprise in the form of Zeeshan. The ladies of the house were busy fussing over Zeeshan as the latter had returned after months. He was living in the capital city, where his company's main branch was. Five years back Zeeshan, after completing his engineering and Ehteshaam after his architecture course had decided to establish a business. First few years were rough but not that bad, and they had managed to take few good contracts, but a year go like a miracle, they got a huge contract from one big company which had taken their times and hard works. They barely stayed at home.

"Assalamu alaikum Zeeshan bhai." Smiling widely, Saman greeted him.

"Walekumassalam baccha. How are you?" For her, Zeeshan had always been like an elder brother. He always took her side against Ahad. He never said no to her, even if her demands would be stupid. Among her elder cousins, he was the coolest one for her.

"I am fine bhai. What's the reason for this sudden visit?"

"Saman let him breathe..." Badi ammi interrupted, making Saman smile and nod." Zeeshan beta, go get some rest first. We will call you for lunch." Munazza completed making Zeeshan nod and leave. Tender smiles were gracing the faces of the ladies from the time Zeeshan came. They were not expecting this surprise in the middle of the day. Zeeshan had been away for so long and his mother, Rameesha had expressed her desire to meet him frequently in the past few days. And now that he was here, her excitement knew no bounds.

"Bhabi should I get something prepared for dessert?" Rameesha begum's question made Munazza chuckle lightly.

"Of course. You need not ask." Munazza replied, making Rameesha smile brightly and leave with Nausheen. Both excitedly chatting.

"Badi ammi, tell me one thing. You had an idea of this...right?" Saman asked, wriggling her eyebrows mischievously.

"No, of course not." Munazza denied.

"I knew!" Ahad exclaimed, nearing them. Munazza stared at him with questioning gaze while Saman just rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, why won't you." She sneered.

"Armaan bhai told me last night. And I was the one who sent Kumar bhaiya to pick him from airport, Don't believe me!" Ahad exclaimed, and stormed off, leaving the two startled.

_________

"Why? You were to return together, right?" Nausheen begum frowned hearing her son's statement from other side of the call.

"Ammi, there's an emergency here, so I can't come back with Noor. Please send someone to pick her up. She will be free soon." Armaan spoke calmly.

"Oh... I will send the driver."

"No...not the driver. It's almost dark, send Ahad or Zeeshan." Nausheen Couldn't help but smile fondly at her son's protective nature for Noor. More than her and her husband, Armaan was cautious and careful with his sister, Noor.

"Fine. Allah hafiz."

Disconnecting the call, Nausheen begum went in the living room but found none of the youngsters there. She knew Ahad wasn't home but Zeeshan too wasn't seen anywhere but thankfully when she was about to call him he entered room making her smile.

"Zeeshan beta are you busy?" She asked, nearing him. Zeeshan, who was going to meet his friends, stopped.

"What happened Chachi?" He asked politely.

"Armaan got some emergency surgery at the hospital. Can you go pick Noor? Her work's complete and Armaan said not to send any driver. I hope I am not troubling you" She completed.

"It's not at all a problem, Chachi. I was free anyway." Zeeshan spoke, making Nausheen begum sigh in relief.

"You should leave now-" Zeeshan nodded and walked out with a small smile playing on his lips. He had to join his friends for a party, but that was a few moments ago. The only thing that on his mind was Noor.

Noor, she was as pure as her name. Her softness, her silence and her smile...even if he wished he could never erase them from his memories. It had been with him, from always...no matter where he went, no matter how far, she was with him. And the feelings he nurtured for her was just as innocent as she herself was.

"Do you think it will be the right thing, Zeeshan?" Armaan's concerned voice made him sigh. Keeping the last book in his bag, he straightened up and peered in his best friend's eyes. They were identical to her, same.

"You know everything Armaan, I do not want any kind of wrong to happen. I have no idea if what I feel is right or not, but what I know is that I can't risk things to get worse." Zeeshan spoke softly. Yet Armaan wasn't convinced.

"I am just a teenager, maybe it's some stupid feelings. Maybe getting busy in studies will be a good thing for me-" Taking a brief pause, Zeeshan sighed. This was getting tough. Yes he was going away because of studies, but it would be a lie to say that he didn't want to avoid her.

"Armaan don't think my only reason is this, you know well there isn't any place for me to pursue my aim here. Anyways, I had to go somewhere else."

"I hope you succeed, Zeeshan."

It had been years to their conversation, it had been years to him failing even before starting. He could never erase the hidden
secrets of his heart. Every time he tried, he failed. It was deep, so deep that coming out was now an impossible option. Yet it wasn't trapping, everything he felt was liberating...for it was pure.

In all those years Zeeshan had realised one thing that avoiding was fruitless. He would frequently visit Alamnagar, after all being away from family was way tougher than suppressing his feeling. Somewhere he was thankful to Noor too, she had unknowingly made things easier for him. For she knew nothing. He was just a cousin for her.

________

Noor glanced at her wristwatch anxiously and then at the almost empty waiting room. The sky had turned dark minutes ago, and she would be lying if  said she wasn't troubled. It was unusually silent today, and she did not want to be alone.

Suddenly she heard haste footsteps approaching her. She visibly stiffened, scared to look up, she started fumbling with her bag.

"Noor?" A manly voiced called from behind her, making her clench her eyes shut in fear. How did he know her name?

"Noor, is that you?" She knew this voice, but how could he be here? Slowly she looked over her shoulder and found the person she least expected. It was him.

"Aap?" She whispered, standing up from her seat. [You]

"What are you doing here?"

"Huh?... Noor, Nausheen chachi sent me...umm…to take you back." Zeeshan spoke nervously. It took Noor few moments to grasp what Zeeshan was saying. Seeing her frozen Zeeshan coughed lightly and asked,

"Umm...if your work's done, shall we leave?" Noor nodded, making him smile at her.

How was he here? Noor still couldn't understand how, suddenly, Zeeshan came back. There was no news of him coming back till morning, or only she didn't know. It was no less than a shock to find him standing in front of her. Shrugging off her thoughts, Noor concentrated on the passing trees as the car rode swiftly.

The silence wasn't what Zeeshan wanted right now. It had been so long he last met her and now when she was here with him the least he wanted was, her to be silent. And judging by the small frown of her face, he knew she was annoyed or frustrated.

"How are you, Noor?" Zeeshan asked, his voice laced with hesitation. Noor's head snapped towards him, making him look ahead quickly.

"I am fine." Noor replied softly, looking straight.

"When is your internship starting, by the way?"

"It's been three months already."

"What?" Zeeshan whispered, unsure of her answer.

"My internship period started three months back." Every word Noor uttered was clear and certainly laced with irritation. It did not take much time for Zeeshan to comprehend that he messed up. Noor wasn't someone to get angry or irritated fast, but right now she was pretty much annoyed, and Zeeshan couldn't blame her.

"Oh... I didn't know." He spoke nervously.

"Of course, why would you know." Noor murmured under her breath, making Zeeshan look at her with raised eyebrows.

"You said something?"

"No."

Damn, he did not want this!

Silence once again fell between them. Zeeshan's mind was processing so fast as to get any idea  to correct his idiocy , but alas! Everything was blank. Sighing silently he decided to first pay attention to the roads ahead, right now that's what he should do. And thankfully his attention paid off well, as he spotted something that would perhaps help him.

Turning the car towards the small shop at the opposite side of the road, Zeeshan looked at Noor, who looked pretty confused.

"What happened?" Noor asked perplexed. Zeeshan smiled slightly and stepped down from the car, making her frown deeper.

"Wait here-" he said and jogged towards the shop and then her eyes fell on the ice cream shop that was at a distance from them. Soon she could see Zeeshan coming back with an ice cream tub in his hand. His lips tugged in a soft smile as he came near and entered the car. Turning towards her, he passed her the ice cream tub.

"Why did you get this?" She asked.

He shrugged his shoulders and started the car again. Unable to comprehend his action, Noor kept staring him for a good few seconds until he too turned towards her and raised his eyebrows. As if caught red-handed, she looked away. Fumbling with the spoon, Noor hesitantly glanced at Zeeshan who had his eyes set on the road.

Shaking her head slowly, she opened the lid only to gap at the sweet delicacy in her hands. It was butterscotch, her favorite. He knew this? or was it a mere coincidence. Not wanting to ponder more on it Noor concentrated on the ice cream unaware of the brief looks of Zeeshan and also the fondness in his eyes.

_________

Assalamualaikum everyone.

So, another introductory chapter.

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