پھولوں سے لوگ ہیں ہم

The last exam.

She came out of the examination hall along with Minahil, her best friend. They had been together since college years and their friendship was very firm and informal. Minahil's family background wasn't very rich or related to a certain profession.

Her father, Azeem, was a carpenter. Mother, due to her education which was higher than Azeem, ran an at-home Tuition centre! They originally belonged to Quetta but she was attending Karakoram international on scholarship because of her academic excellence and her parent's hard work. Her and Zaina had seen every high and low together. Zaina also wore a niqab to university.

They headed towards the cafeteria.

"Behn sun, mujhe lagta hai mene khach marai hai uss last question pe," Minahil held her head.

"Pata Nahi yaar, don't worry.. Allah pe bharosa rakh.. sab theek hoga inshAllah!"

"Hmmm.. aur tu suna, itne din ho gaye baat nahi hui. Kya haalat hai apki hayat k?"

"Mat puch, iss ek mahine ne mujhe kahan se kahan laa ker khara diya, andaza bhi nai laga sakti," Zaina made a face.

"Esa Kya hua..? HAYEEE Hassan ne Kahin tere ping pong balls ki collection dekh ker tujhe reject to nahi ker diya!!? Uski to mei-"

"NAHIIII.. nahi dekhi meri maa, yahan mei tujhe apne dukh ki salwat suna rahi hoon aur tujhe mazak kerna hai..!!" Zaina was laughing-crying.

"Oh.. wese mazak nai tha.." Minahil smiled.

"Mere ping pong balls ki Dushman.."

She whispered and folded her arms.

"Acha sorry Yaar.. Tu bata."

"Nahi ab nahi bataoungi... ab tujhe kahin mere future bachon ki karate class ka teacher na yaad aajaye.." Zaina rolled her eyes.

"Hmm.. wese depends agar vo teacher handsome ho aur mujhe tab tak koi larka moo na lagaye." Minahil said dramatically.

Zaina looked away and then back at her...

They both burst out laughing.

"Acha chalo choro ye batein..khushi ka moqa hai.. jaa Kuch khane k liye ley aa, exam ko dekh dekh ker bhook lag rahi thi.." Minahil put a hand on her stomach.

"Madàm, apni madad aap.."

"Achhhh.. ameeron ki baji Gul! Mei hi ley aati hoon."

Zaina giggled.

It was about time to leave when they both got up to head towards the parking lot. They were talking, lost in their own concentration. Before crossing the road, Zaina received a call from Shahvez that he had come to pick her up today instead of Fahad.

She had stepped to cross when a car zoomed in front of her, stopping on a sudden break. Zaina's phone fell from her hand. The car was just a second away from hitting her but luckily she only tripped. Minahil, who was walking behind Zaina, had run to pick her up.

"Andhe ho Kya?" Zaina yelled at the car, unable to see the driver properly.

He had his right hand on the steering wheel and was sitting back, almost relaxed.

"Zainaa.." Minahil whispered, signaling that people were watching.

"Nahi.. Kya Zaina! Inki ankhein hain ya tich button.. balke buttono wale bhi inse behtar dekh sakte honge!" She didn't seem to forgive him.

The man inside the car wearing a navy blue dress shirt and shaded spects had leaned forward to take a look at her from his high black fortuner. His face still wasn't clear.

"Apko kis Anari ne gaari chalane ka licence dia hai Haan?.. tameez naam ki cheez hi nahi."

Minahil looked like she was about to faint trying to control Zaina.

He was now looking at his watch, eyeing this girl whose eyes were the only thing he could see.

"Zaina bas karo vo-" Minahil tried again.

"Oh mister, ghari ko to ese dekh rahe hain jese abe zamzam k quey mei se balti nikalne jaa rahe hon.." She moved closer to the car.

That's when minhail dragged her across the road and behind. The car sped towards the intersection and had vanished.

"Zaina! Do you realize k tumne middle of the road sab k samne apni hi university k professor ko sunaya hai.."

"Konsa professor, issey professor kehte hain?! Kisi Jaali vaderey jesa lag raha tha!"

"OH GOD... ye to tumhe tab pata chale ga jab vo tumhari hi class lene.."

"WHATT?! Don't tell me Minahil, tumne mujhe bataya Kyu nai? She complained.

"Allah touba! Koshish ki thi par tumhare andar to benazir bhutto ki rooh agayi thi.."

"Shukar ker abhi bilawal ki nahi aayi," Zaina started walking. They both chuckled.

•••

•MIRZA MANZIL•

The sun had set and Sara invited Zaina, Noor, Fahad and Iqra for dinner at a restaurant. Zaina was feeling much better compared to the last few weeks. The workload was lightened and the negative thoughts and events had stopped happening. She met Minahil after almost a month and her mood became way better.

She suggested a restaurant and Fahad asked Shahvez if they could go. Yes, no one in the Mirza Manzil could step out or in without informing or asking Shahvez Mirza no matter the age. He gave them permission and they all left for Iftikhar's place first.

The dinner was amazing after a long time for her. Zaina felt as if she connected with her cousins again. However it was, the change was good.

***

After isha, Madiha had called her to her room to show her the options for the bridal jora for the nikkah. She asked her how she wanted the function as Shahvez had told her.

"Sab Kuch meri beti ki pasand se hoga."

Zaina had always wanted a simple nikkah with the least expenses as possible. A setting in the masjid. A low toned anarkali with golden borders. Minimal jewellery, dubatta covering her whole head showing a small matha tiki and a matching niqab or net covering to cover half her face. She wanted to mix her mother's nikkah look into her style. What she had in her mind was majestic just like her..

Madiha had also shown her the jewellery she had which she now kept out for her daughter. Zaina wasn't allowed to refuse. Madiha was again getting teary showing her the ornaments when Zaina had hugged her. Shahvez had entered then and hugged them both.

"Baba please, ab aap log khud hi meri shaadi ker k khud hi udaas ho rahe hain.. ese mei nahi karungi phir shaadi." Zaina turned around.

"Ye to hota rehta hai. Tumhe kisi aur ko dena itna asaan kabhi bhi nahi hota. Lekin ye kerna to tha. Allah tumhare naseeb buland rakhe.",

he put his hand over her head and walked to leave the room. They knew he didn't want to show them his sorrow.

•••

Zaina's phone rang when she was reading a novel on her bed. It was Hassan. She paused and kept the book down staring at the phone, which was vibrating continuously. She extended her hand to pick up and then pulled it back deciding that she shouldn't. After a few minutes, he called again. This time Zaina thought maybe it's something important, she picked up.

"Hello.." She said.

"Wa'AlykumAsalam.." He replied.

"Jee?"

"Exams Kese huey?"

"Ache.."

"Aap busy hain?"

"Pata nahi.. haan." She confused her own words.

"Acha to.. busy-not-busy khatoon, apko batana tha k aaj mei marte marte bacha hoon."

Zaina had stopped breathing for a second.

"Kya? KESE? Kis ne goli maar-" She paused listening to what she was saying.

"Hold on a second.. goli?" He laughed, surprised.

"Mana k aap colonel ki beti hain. Lekin itne khoonkhar khayalat?" He added.

"Nahi mei.. but aapko hua Kya hai?" She was severely concerned.

"Kuch nahi mei mazak ker raha tha bas thora sa cut lag gaya haath pe.." He explained.

"Ye koi mazak hai??" She felt angry.

"I'm sorry Zaina. Agar goli lagi hoti to baat kese ker raha hota?"

Zaina realized her foolishness and slammed her forehead silently.

"Apne phone kis liye kiya?"

"Haal puchne k liye kiya tha..lagta hai apko pasand nahi aaya?" He asked.

"Mangni nikkah nahi hoti janab!" She hinted.

"Beshak.."

"Bas awaz sunni thi, ab khuda hafiz!" He said.

"Khuda hafiz.." Zaina hung up.

After around 2 minutes, her phone rang again. Without looking at the name, she picked up.

"Hassan baaz nahi aayeinge aap?"

There was silence.

"Hassan? Ab mei phone nahi uthaungi.."

No one replied.

She was about to hang up when a radio player started playing. It seemed like a recording from the 1920s. She didn't hang up for some reason and listened.

It was a woman's voice.

"Nahi.. please.. *crying*...

Mai nahi bataoungi kisi ko.. mujhe jane dein please.. I.. I'm sorry.."

"Apki matluba arzi ko inkar kiya jaata hai.."

5...4...

"PLEASEEE REHAM KARO MUJPE.."3..2...."

Zaina had cut the call immediately. Her eyes were damp. She didn't know why but they were. She couldn't have listened to that whole thing.

Maybe it was a cassette advertisement or a prank call. She tried to comprehend and believe.

•••

She left for university along with Minahil at around 8 a.m. It was the last day before the long break. Both of them entered the classroom and took their places. The supervisor was late. They chatted for a while and then waited for class to begin.

After 20 minutes had passed, Zaina was busy on her phone, which she took out secretly.

The class went silent as someone walked in.

"Kon hai..?" She asked Minahil.

"Wohi.. tich buttono wala jaali vadera!" She smiled cheekily.

Zaina looked up at the man who had walked in and was now opening up his laptop on the table.

"Mar gaye!" She immediately moved to the desk behind Minahil while she tried to control her urge to laugh.

•••••••

کانٹوں سے پڑا ہے واسطہ ہمارا

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