The air in Lahore carried a gentle warmth, with the golden sun casting a soft glow on the vibrant streets. A light breeze whispered through the city, carrying the fragrant scent of blooming flowers. The sky above was a brilliant canvas of azure, devoid of any clouds, creating a perfect backdrop for the bustling life below.

The haveli of Azaan khan stood as a majestic relic of the past, its weathered sandstone walls adorned with intricate jharokhas (balconies) and ornate carvings telling tales of bygone eras. A grand courtyard unfolded within, surrounded by arched corridors that echoed with the whispers of history. A lush garden flourished, filled with fragrant blooms, while the haveli's towering facade bore witness to the passage of time, a silent guardian of tales untold.

Living in the haveli were the families of Azaan khan's offspring who were his potey and potiyan ( grandsons and grand daughters). The old couple sat beneath the shade of ancient trees, two elderly figures sat on weathered chairs, their faces etched with the lines of countless stories. Surrounded by the laughter of their thrilled family, the elderly couple shared warm smiles, their eyes reflecting a lifetime of shared experiences. As the chattered continued in the courtyard.

"I cant believe it ammi" the gruff voice echoed in the haveli, boomering with the wall, In a brightly lit room, the annoyed man tapped his foot impatiently, glancing at the clock as sunlight filtered through closed curtains. The distant sounds of the city buzzed outside, but inside, an uneasy stillness prevailed after he spoke the sentence to his ammi.

"Beta uthane wali hogi wo" his mother called out to him while placing the dishes on the dining table, lovingly looking at his annoyed self. "Mujhe late horaha hai" he spoke while glancing at his wrist watch, mindful of his tone with his mother. "Jao, mahad or mahid, utha lao bhen ko" she spoke with the two young adonis satting, waiting to gobble down the parathe placed infront of their them on their plate.

(She must be getting up son)
(I am getting late!)
(Go mahad and mahid, wake up your sister)

Hearing the command given by their tayi ammi, they stilled their groan but still stood up to go to their sister. Rayyan stood there, looking at the  room that remained closed, the door muffling any signs of movement. Frustration etched across his face, the man wrestled with impatience, his annoyance growing with each passing second, awaiting the overdue awakening of his slumbering cousin.

The girl peacefully slumbered, surrounded by the rhythmic breaths of her, the two brothers who sat on the floor, heads huddled together. Sunlight spilled through the curtains, casting a soft glow on their mischievous grins. In whispered tones, they concocted elaborate plans, stifling giggles as they debated the best way to rouse their sister from her peaceful dreams. With a shared sense of excitement, they tiptoed around the room, armed with feather-light touches and playful schemes, plotting to gently bring her into the realm of wakefulness.

Realizing the urgency of awakening their sister, they understood the paramount importance of preventing their formidable cousin, the stern "jallad," from discovering her tardiness. The imminent threat of her being late for college added urgency to their mission. Waking her, however, was akin to stirring a slumbering tiger. Her demeanor transformed into a wild force if her peaceful sleep was disrupted, and they treaded carefully, aware of the delicate task at hand.

Reaching a resolution, her brother, Mahad, stealthily ventured to the washroom and returned, bearing a bucket filled with ice water, which he promptly emptied onto her unsuspecting face. Startled and gasping, she awoke, poised to unleash her wrath, only to find herself alone, her twin brothers having vanished like fleeting shadows before facing her impending storm.

Seated in bewildered silence, she pondered the mysterious assailant who had doused her with water and vanished without a trace. With a resigned sigh, she shifted her gaze to the alarm clock and nearly exclaimed at the time—it was 8:30 am, and her college commenced at 9:00. Without a moment to spare, she darted towards the washroom, where she swiftly freshened up. Adorned in her pristine white uniform, she meticulously combed her waist-length hair into a neat ponytail, completing her transformation in a mere 20 minutes.

As she was just drapping the dupatta around her chest, a commanding voice reverberated within the haveli, instilling fear in her. She recognized it instantly—none other than her formidable cousin, the "jallad," who must have roused from slumber and readied himself, waiting to escort her to college.

In a flurry of panic, she sprinted outdoors, her voice echoing, "Arahi hoon, bhai! Main bilkul tayaar hoon, dekhein!" as she addressed her cousin with a mixture of respect and playful teasing. The haveli, steeped in history, stood witness to this morning commotion, its ancient walls absorbing the vibrant energy of the moment.

(Im coming brother, Im ready. Look)

In the center of the manicured lawn stood a striking gentleman, boasting an imposing height of 6'3" and a physique that epitomized perfection. His unwavering presence exuded a quiet confidence as he patiently awaited his younger cousin, destined to be chauffeured to college. Despite her habitual tardiness, he resisted the urge to unleash a commanding call, maintaining a serene composure out of deference for the elders seated at the adjacent dining table, relishing their breakfast amidst the elegant sofas of the lush lawn.

Casting a glance at his watch, a subtle sigh escaped his pinkish lips, reflecting both impatience and concern. The time, now 8:40, signaled a departure from his punctual inclinations, compelling him to await her arrival with a stoic grace befitting his character.

Tapping his polished black boots impatiently against the floor, his tolerance dwindled. He finally raised his voice, calling out her name, and her response echoed with the sound of her hastened steps on the stairs. A steely glare from him met her as she nervously smiled in return.

"Tumhe kuch time ka andaza bhi hai, kitni der ho rahi hai, Maha? Aur tum aram se apna time lekar tayyar ho rahi ho," the man remarked with a hint of frustration, addressing the girl named Maha. She responded with a subtle pout, casting her gaze downward, while murmuring, "Ab har kisi ki in ki tarah ek alarm par ankh thori khulti hai." He simply shook his head, recognizing it as her childhood habit to murmur. The atmosphere held a tension, accentuated by the juxtaposition of impatience and the familiarity of shared history.

(do you have any idea how late we are maha, and you are decking up slowly)

(not everyone can wake up like him, on one alarm)

"Chalo, ab der ho rahi hai. Main gaadi mein ja raha hoon. Apne liye ek apple utao aur bahar ao," declared the man in his resonant voice, initiating purposeful strides towards the front door. As he prepared to leave, he heard her assure that she would join him. She swiftly grabbed an apple, bid Khuda Hafiz to the occupants at the dining table, who observed the unfolding drama with an air of nonchalance, and exited in a similar manner.

(let's go, we are getting late,Im going in the car, grab an apple and come)

Within the confines of the car, an undeniable discomfort lingered, a familiar ambiance that accompanied their journeys together. She stole a glance at him, noting his characteristic clenched jaw and unwavering focus on the road. Gathering courage, she began, "Rayyan bhai... sorry, ab main der nahi karungi," her gaze fixated on her intertwined fingers resting on her lap. The air within the vehicle carried an unspoken tension, colored by the complexities of their relationship.

(Rayyan brother-- sorry, I won't be late again)

He cast a gaze filled with both anger and hurt towards her, but remained silent, opening the car door with a solemn gesture. "Go," he uttered, leaving her momentarily bewildered. Confusion clouded her expression, wondering if he intended to abandon her mid-journey. Her perplexity lifted when he clarified, "Go, your college is here. And Mahid will come to pick you up."

She looked at him for a fleeting moment, then hastily disembarked from the car, running towards her destination, while he retained his watchful gaze on her retreating figure. A sigh escaped him as he restarted the car, resuming his journey to work, the air heavy with unspoken emotions. The landscape witnessed this departure, a poignant scene painted with complexities and silent sentiments.
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Rehana Begum, affectionately known as Tayiammi or Rayyan's mother, was in the kitchen with her dewranis Shumaila and Beena, busily preparing lunch when they heard a greeting. They looked up to find a figure standing there, and they reciprocated the salutation. Beena Chachi then inquired, "Kya hua Arshad beta, kuch chahiye apko?" Arshad shook his head in denial.

(What happened, Arshad son, do you need something?)

"Rayyan bhai kahan hain. Office chale gaye mujhe bina le," he complained to his mother in his usual resonant voice. Tayiammi chuckled, casting a fond glance at her beloved bhateeja, and remarked, "Beta, woh to jaldi mein nikla hai. Usko jaldi jana tha, lekin tumhare taya abbu ne use Maha ko bhi sath le jaane ko kaha, or woh bechari apna nashta bhi nahi kar saki."

(Where is Rayyan brother? He went to the office without taking me?)

(Son, he left in a hurry. He had to go early, but your uncle insisted that he take Maha along, and that poor girl couldn't even have her breakfast)

Tayiammai gently shook her head, a soft smile gracing her face. Arshad, in response, emitted a light chuckle, well aware of how meticulous Rayyan could be if circumstances didn't align with his preferences. "Theek hai, main khud chala jata hoon. Ammi, ap Abbu ko keh dena ke main unki car lekar gaya hoon, meri Zoya lekar gayi hai."

(It's okay, I can go alone, ammi. Tell abbu that I'm taking his car, mine's with Zoya.)

Saying this, he commenced his journey to work, strolling through the verdant lawn where he encountered his cousins, who perpetually seemed to have their noses in the air, engaged in a conversation that bordered on vehement arguments.

"Tum log graduate kya hue, phir to kabhi kitaab ko hath bhi nahi lagaya," he remarked, casting a discerning gaze their way. All of them pivoted to face him upon hearing his resonant voice. "Arey bhai, ab bhi kya parhna, pichle 16 saalon se parh hi to rahe hain."

(You guys graduated, and it seems you haven't touched a book since.)
(Oh brother, what more do we need to study? We have been studying for the past 16 years.)

Said Mahid, chuckling. Hadia, who had been sitting in quiet contemplation, interjected, "Aap jaen na Arshad bhaijaan, apko bohot kaam honge." Arshad responded with a laugh, nodding in agreement, and bid his salam before exiting the house.

(Go Arshad bhai, you must have a lot of work.)

While someone's heart skipped a beat observing him, reveling in the freedom of his smile, it was never meant for her. She sighed, offering a silent prayer in her heart, longing for the day when he could share such unguarded laughter with her as well. "Dua Bhabhi, kahan gum ho gain, bataen na kya pehan rahin hain Eid par."

(Dua sister-in-law, where have you wandered off to? Tell me, what are you planning to wear on Eid?)

Said Hadia. Dua giggled at her choti nand's innocence and said, "Arey bhen, abhi Rajab ka mahina chal raha hai, abhi to Ramadan bhi baki hai."

(Oh silly, it's the month of Rajab, and we still have Ramadan left.)

While Mahad and Mahid chuckled at their sister's endearing innocence.
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Your lovely, Dua❤