As night descended, Arsalan returned to the warmth of his home. There, he discovered his mother, Haseena, patiently stationed at the dining table, a culinary haven awaiting him. A smile graced his lips as he approached, offering a Salam, sealing the greeting with a gentle kiss upon her cheek. In that moment, the gratitude for having her as his mother enveloped him.

"Mere bete, betho khana Khao... Abhi abhi garam Karke rakha tha, acha hua tum agae," she urged, her voice a soothing melody. They shared a quiet meal, a son and his mother, a tranquil prelude to the revelation that loomed.

(My son, sit down and eat... I just heated the food; it's a good thing you arrived.)

Haseena, a mother of profound understanding, chose a path of revelation rather than inquiry. Arsalan, attuned to her unspoken dialogue, sensed the impending disclosure. Prepared for the sacred journey of matrimony, he placed unwavering trust in the wisdom of his parents.

"Beta, bat Karni hai tumse?" Haseena broke the stillness with a tender query. The air thickened with anticipation as she unveiled her concealed worry, "Tumne kaha tha na k Tum shadi ka socho ge kuch salon bad, or dekho na kitna time hogaya hai."

(I wanna talk with you)
(You said you'll think about marriage, its too long now)

"G Ammi, kis ko choose kia hai apne," Arsalan sought clarity, his gaze fixed on her. Haseena's response bore a surprising revelation, "Rubaab ko!" A momentary pause hung in the air as Arsalan grappled with the reality. "Rubaab? Seriously?" he questioned, eyebrows knit in incredulity.

(Yes, Mom, whom have you chosen?)

"Ammi... I respect your decision in my marriage, but Rubaab bhot choti hai... bhot bara age difference hai. I don't think she'll be comfortable with me like this," Arsalan expressed his apprehensions, his words dancing on the edge of reluctance.

(Mom... I respect your decision in my marriage, but Rubaab is very young... there's a significant age difference. I don't think she'll be comfortable with me like this.)

With a reassuring touch, Haseena conveyed, "Janti hun mere bete... Lekin hame Rubaab ko apne pass rakhna hai... use protect karna hai.. or ye mat samajhna k mai sirf is wajah se tumhari shadi kara rahi hun... Wo achi larki hai mai hamesha se use apne pass rkhna chahti thi!" Her eyes pleaded with a maternal intensity, a plea rooted in love.

(I know, my son... But we want to keep Rubaab close to us... to protect her. And don't think that I am arranging your marriage just for this reason... She is a good girl, and I have always wanted to keep her close to me!)

Arsalan, exhaling a deep breath, acquiesced, "G Ammi. Wo to theek hai.. lekin kahin aise na ho k hum usse zabar dasti karrahe ho... wo abhi choti hai.. usne apni life explore nhi kari or use abhi in baton ka maloom bhi nhi hai... kya agar wo age jake pachtae?"

(Yes, Mom. That's fine... but let's not force her into anything. She is still young, hasn't explored life, and doesn't even know about these matters yet... What if she regrets it when she's older?)

Despite Haseena's unwavering confidence, Arsalan's hesitation lingered. "Usne already haan kardi hai.. or kya tum apni shaadi mai aisa moqa ane doge jo tumari biwi pachtae?" Haseena challenged, her eyes holding a conviction that surpassed societal norms.

(She has already said yes... and will you allow a situation in your marriage where your wife regrets)

Arsalan, wrestling with societal expectations, voiced his concern, "Nhi ammi.. aisa mai hone nhi dunga... Lekin society? Apko pata hai na... Log kitni baten banae ge uski age ko lekar!" Haseena dismissed the societal shackles with a graceful defiance, responding with,
"We shouldn't care about society, we will never move on if we do"

"Ammi... kya agar wo mere sath chal na saki? Wo to samajhti hai mujhe smile karni nhi ati ya mai koi monster hun!" He saif after moment of frustration.

(No, Mom, I won't let that happen... But what about society? You know how people talk about her age!)
(Mom... what if she can't keep up with me? She thinks I don't know how to smile or that I'm some kind of monster.)

Laughter filled the room, and in that shared moment, a mother imparted wisdom. "To usko aisa bolne ka moqa nhi dena... or tum use chalna sikhao ge apne sath! Batao sikhao ge na? Sath raho ge na uske Tum?" Arsalan, after a thoughtful pause, found himself surrendering to the unspoken bond, "G ammi... Mai tiyar hun! Mai... hamesha piyar karunga us se... Koshish karunga k meri taraf se usko koi masla na ho... Hamesha sath rahunga!"

(So, don't give them a chance to say such things... and you'll teach her to walk alongside you! Will you show her, teach her? Will you be there for her?)
(Yes, Mom... I am ready! I will always love her... I will try my best so that she doesn't face any issues because of me... I will always be with her!)

Contentment etched on Haseena's face, she retreated to her sanctuary. That night, beneath the cover of darkness, both souls lay in contemplation, each grappling with the gravity of the decision. Rubaab pondered the enormity of the impending change, while Arsalan, having silently promised himself, embraced the profound commitment to love and cherish her.
_________

The next day at the dining table, Rubaab arrived later than usual. In Mirpurkhas, where she lived with her parents, she was accustomed to waking up whenever she pleased; her parents were not overly strict. However, in the Shah family, a long-standing tradition was followed, a decision in which Haseena played a significant role.

Around noon, Rubaab woke up and descended the stairs, preparing to meet her new family members for the first time. Despite this being her aunt's home, she wasn't accustomed to joining her parents when they visited.

Entering the kitchen, she noticed two women seated on high stools while maids prepared something. One of them gestured for her to come closer. "Uth gai tum...bache hamare ghar k kuch rules hai... Jo Yahan reh kar tumhe manne honge-" Anabia started, but Saima intervened.

(You've awakened... there are some rules in our house that you'll need to follow while living here)

"Koi bat nhi anabia... Bachi hai... Ise kya pata kya karna hai is ghar mai," Rubaab looked between both of them, confused about what they were discussing. "Maine kuch galat kia hai?" She asked innocently.

(It's okay Anabia... She's a young girl... She doesn't know what to do in this house)
(Did I do something wrong? )

Both women glanced at her, but before they could say anything, Haseena entered the kitchen. "Arey Rubaab...uth gai ap... Mai nashta bana dun apke lie," Haseena smiled upon seeing her niece, standing there so calmly and patiently.

(You are awake? Should I make you breakfast?)

"Nashta???? Ye koi waqt hai nashte ka bhabhii?" Anabia couldn't contain her frustration. "Anabia... Zaban sambhal kar bat karo," Haseena told her calmly, not willing to lose her temper in front of Rubaab.

(Breakfast? What time it is for breakfast?)
(Anabia, be mindfulof what you are saying)

"Q bhabhi... Jab ap is ghar mai ain thi... Ye rule apne banaya tha na... Or jab hum late ate to ap hame sunati thi... Ab q nhi bolti ap?" Hearing Anabia, Saima remained silent, knowing she couldn't say anything in front of Haseena, who has always been the head of their home. Anabia was just wasting her breath.

(Why bhabhi? All those rules are made by you, why are you not saying anything like you used to?)

"Anabia... acha hoga tum chup hojao... Or ye meri marzi hai! Mai apni bachi ko janti hun.... Us ko kuch dino ka rest do.. wo bhot bade hadse se guzri hai.."

(Anabia it will be better if you keep quite, It is my will on what I do or say)

Anabia let out a chuckle and left the kitchen, with Saima following her like a baby chicken. Turning towards Rubaab, Haseena laughed as she looked at her niece covered in white flour. "Ye kya kia Tumne... kese hua ye," Rubaab pouted hearing her laugh at her predicament.

(Arey what did you do?)

Rubaab went into the kitchen to cook for herself, but instead, the flour found its way onto her face, creating a comical sight.

"Phuppo ap baten karrahi thi... Maine socha mai apne lie paratha banaungi qk mujhe bhook Lagi hai... Lkin ata mere mou par agaya," Karim Shah, who was coming from his room, laughed upon hearing her, surprising the workers and Haseena Begum. Is he really laughing? He never laughed!

(You were talking and I was hungry, I thought I will make something but the flour got on my face!!)

Karim Shah had always been a serious man with minimal conversation, so hearing him laugh was indeed a shock. It seemed Rubaab would be the cause of more melodious laughter in the Banjar Shah family.