It's been 3 days since Yusuf left for home. An aching longing had already hooked Faajal, wrenching her insides then and now. The nikaah issue was also a tension in addition. She knew his undaunted nature of yielding his aims to anyone's proclaim, but she couldn't help fearing. A needle of trepidation poked her whenever she tried to convince herself of the best.

Today, she was to accompany Chanchal to the nearby market, Fakhirchand bazar to purchase accessories. "Chanchal, are you done?!" Faajal called.

"Just a minute, di!"

"Make it quick, nah!" The elder whined. Ravinder had determined an hour precisely for shopping by the grace of Waheguru. If this girl didn't hurry—

Faajal hissed in mind.

"Let's go!" Chanchal jumped from behind, pinning her dupatta on her kameez.

"This late, seriously? Baba will start bickering anytime now." An edge in Faajal's tone reminded.

"Why are you always so worried? Let's head out, nah!" wheezed Chanchal and departed.

"Di, see, these bangles look good on me, don't they?" Chanchal exclaimed, clinking blue-tinted glass bangles on her wrist. Faajal took a ponderous glance at those glimmering pieces. They looked modest but glazed with elegance, trapping rays of light within. "I shall also take these."

The shopkeeper wrapped two sets and handed to her after completing the payment. The two girls wandered across shops, quickly grabbing their favourites after considering their budget and needs. Ravinder would scrap the nerve out of them if they outstripped the limit.

About 10 minutes were left. Both girls were rushing towards the exit when a kurta halted Faajal's run. She eyed the kurta shaded with a sheer purple. A series of dainty embroideries adorned the collar. Yusuf would look ravishing in this! She wrung the cotton fabric.

"Di, kahan kho gayi ho?" Chanchal whimpered, eyeing her sides.

"Yusuf pe yeh accha lagega na?"

The younger raked through the kurta. "Not bad. What's his favourite colour?"

"Blue."

"Well, purple is within the range of blue. You can see it."

A sudden rattle and screams overshadowed their chattering, approaching nearer. Just as Faajal was to peep outside, gunfire silenced their surroundings. Then, rang another.

Faajal rushed inside, dragging Chanchal along. They raced through the narrowest aisles beyond eyes to slither out by the back of the market and head home. Both girls clashed with people hurrying across to flee, getting trampled or bumped, but nothing counted to the menace looming over. Muslim dacoits had attacked the Hindu domains again. It wasn't a surprise now, as the followers of both faiths seized any chance to inflict damage upon each other. But, Faajal's area was far from this until now.

Faajal kept her pace through the path when Chanchal paused, inhaling a gasp. "My leg," Her foot was stuck in a hole. She twirled desperately to free it, but in vain. Faajal stretched her hand. They had to make out fast. These dacoits had a wretched reputation for treating women, especially young ones.

Faajal gave one more pull, making Chanchal wince in ache when her foot made out. They were to resume their speed, but one single second twisted their course. A loud explosion billowed. Screeches pitched huger. Concretes crashed down. The sight of the market was now displaced by bricks, rods and concretes mounded over.

Faajal couldn't remember how she landed on the ground. Her sense now referred to the open wound oozing out blood. The warm liquid soaked into her hair. The world was a blurry haze of grey now. The cries of others, the sudden shift in the once-vibrant atmosphere had faded. Her mouth worked, but words failed to spring off. Black clouds diffused in her eyes. Limbs froze numb. She didn't know if life was leaving her or a dreamless sleep conceived her.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

"Di," Chanchal's voice echoed. "DI!" Her scream punctured Faajal's stupor. Faajal fought for light in the murk she was cocooned in. Tiny flecks of rays illuminated her vision, gathering together as she creaked her eyelids open.

She was home. She made it back. Distant mumbles and winces beckoned as Faajal blinked to clear her vision. The rear of her head still throbbed, needling and raw. She crept up her fingers to feel the bandage tied around. Chanchal helped her sit straight. Gurbani, Chanchal, Meher and Harleen cordoned her bed. Chanchal had a bandage wrapped around her wrist. A maroon slit glowed in her temple. Her lower lip was swollen red.

"Chanchal, are you okay?" Faajal used her left-out vigour.

"Di, I am fine. You rest, now." She croaked. "The dacoits launched a bomb on the market. Several died. Many were gravely injured. I found you after minutes! You had passed out by then."

Faajal reached for water by the side table but yelped for the ache clawed to her shoulder. Gurbani handed her the glass, her face splashed with sheer lines of tears. She downed sips and kept it aside.

Abruptly, the door banged open, revealing Ravinder fuming. His eyeballs popped out, bloodshot and expanded. His jaw juddered, nostrils stiffened out. "I TOLD YOU TWO NOT TO SPEND AN ETERNITY THERE! SEE THE CONSEQUENCES!" His remark rumbled across the room, startling the women. A shiver bolted down Faajal's spine.

A heartbeat of hush swept over when Ravinder was to growl again, but Chanchal snapped, "Baba! Di has merely gained consciousness and you have started your bickering! For once in life, stop!"

The air thickened with her retort. Faajal glimpsed at Meher who gulped down. Her face flushed. Gurbani stared wide-eyed at Chanchal who steamed with rarefound conviction. Anxious peeks were traded among them, assuming the incitation of his wrath.  

"HOW DARE YOU—" Ravinder paused, constraining his mouth. Faajal shuffled on her bed, inhaling sharply to pacify her drumming heart.

"Thank Waheguru we rescued you on time," His lips curled at Faajal in distaste. "Some boy is willing to meet you."

Pran peeked from behind, waving at her. Ravinder stormed afar, letting him rush in. "Faajal!"

"Pran? When did you come?" Faajal asked.

"I had come when you were outside. I was waiting for you when I heard your state. How do you feel now?"

"Alive," She grinned. "I don't remember anything. I just recall myself lying on the ground."

"These dacoits are getting reckless!"

Gurbani stood up, along with Harleen and Meher. Chanchal didn't move. Her glare was fixed on Pran. "I shall bring you some snacks, Pran." Gurbani's voice finally protruded.

"No, no, aunty ji. You have been through a lot. I have eaten from home."

"That's why, you decided to eat my brain!?" Chanchal snarled, gritting her teeth.

"Hey! I didn't know that you were Chanchal! And don't blame me for a thing I haven't done!"

"You stupid moron! Couldn't you see already the state she was in?"

"Mind your mouth, you junglee murgi!"

"You shut up! Pichkoo matar." Chanchal shot up.

"You–"

"Stop it, now!" Faajal silenced them bickering like 5-year-old kids. "Can someone tell me what happened?"

Chanchal and Pran exchanged glances, edged with warning as though concealing something. "Tell me!" Faajal repeated.

"Umm, Yusuf–" Pran stammered. "Yusuf bhaiya has a suprise for you!" Chanchal laughed nervously.

"Ohh, it's been days since he sent me a letter." Though it had been only 3 days, this number was forever for her.

"I shall leave now, Faajal. Take care." Pran flashed a smile and strode away. Chanchal followed.

Their behaviour sparked suspicion in Faajal. Pran's hesitation, Chanchal's interruption, furtive glances—the absurdity of the situation implied a secret. Faajal gained a strong impulse to trace them and uncover what they were hiding. She took a painful step out of her bed and tiptoed behind. Chanchal and Pran had stopped by the gateway, murmuring among themselves. Faajal brought her ear as close as possible to their conversation while cornering behind a pillar.

"It's impossible to reveal now!" Chanchal hissed urgently.

"It should be exposed as soon as possible! Receiving the blow earlier is better than to get later and dive into depression!" Pran spat.

"Not now, Pran! This nikaah topic must be extinguished for now." Chanchal's fist steeled by her side.

The nikaah topic? Couldn't he convince his abbu? So, wasn't Yusuf able to resist, despite his promise? No! She shouldn't assume a vague conception. No before clarifying the issue herself! 

A/N: Well, perils have risen in YuJaal's lives and so is my situation. My exams have approached which will last till the 5th of November. hence, I won't be able to update. But, if I get the chance to scribble even a little for you guys, I will surely! It hurts to leave you like this! 🥺😭 

Please, don't leave this helpless author of yours. You readers are my WHOLE world! You are my motivation to proceed with this journey. I will be updating 'Unspoken Alfaz' though sometimes. Will miss you....See you on 5th November with a banger twist!

XoXo,

Luna