"Tumse Ranjish Bhi Hai , Ikhtilaf Bhi Hai

Aur Kuch Aain, Sheen ,Qaaf Bhi Hai

ہم سے رنجش بھی ہے, اختلاف بھی ہے

"اور کچھ عین, شین ,قاف بھی ہے

............................................................

Winter mornings are cold, but they provide such warmth which brings a lot of people together. winter morning in Lahore is refreshing and jubilant, the sun hiding behind the clouds, the breeze blowing the trees, and most of all the happiness that it spread in one's heart.

But this natural beauty was nothing In front of the exhilarated and enthusiastic girl who was running around the Hamdani House, since dusk.

Her black long hair flowing behind her as she assists the servants in their chores and directs them, a beautiful smile was adorned on her face after so many years of angst and suffering.

But today she was very happy and everyone in the house can see that. The youngest daughter of the house was hyperactive since she heard the news about her twin sister's arrival.

She entered the living room but stopped as she frowned at the pink roses in Shafi Bhai hand.

"Shafi Bhai... I told you to bring white roses bouquet not pink... She didn't like pink...,"

She huffed at the servant, who bit his tongue and apologies to her for his misunderstanding.

"Sorry, Choti Bibi... the driver bring this but don't worry I will myself go and buy the right one before her arrival,"

"Thank you so much Shafi Bhai...,"

She passed him a beaming smile and went towards the sofa where her whole family was sitting and talking.

"There is she... Finally, my baby came... Mannat, I know you are happy... Too much happy but it didn't give you an excuse to skip breakfast...,"

Now it's Mannat turn to bit her tongue as she closed her eyes and mentally curse herself at her Mother's voice.

Shameen Shafiq Hamdani sat with her sister-in-law Hadiya Khan, as both ladies glared at Mannat who just smiled sheepishly.

"Bhabhi is right manna... we understand that you are excited to meet her but baby you have to eat so you can keep your energy level high and jump around like a monkey,"

Hadiya teased her niece who just huffed making everyone laugh at the words.

"Bhabhi... Appa ... Don't tease my daughter...,"

Mirza Hamdani intervened as he smiled at his beautiful daughter, his heart was paining for its other part but soon the wait will be over.

He opened his arms to his beloved daughter who happily compiles and loses herself in the warmth that protects her since her childhood.

"See only my Baba loves me here,"

She sticks her tongue at everyone and they burst out laughing. But soon her father joined the others leaving her shocked and whining.

"Yeah, I love you most Bacha... Even when my baby girl is running around like a monkey... but It's still impolite to say it out loud...,"

"Baba... That not fair... I won't talk to you, I am naraz with you,"

Mirza Hamdani smiled at his innocent girl, she was indeed the most innocent and pure soul but this soul had bear the most pain.

"Aww... I am sorry Mera Bacha... I am just teasing you, we know you are very happy and excited and we are too but like Bhabhi said it's not good to skip breakfast... Now go and eat something because how will you do the bear hug if you don't have food to feed this beast huh?"

Mannat blushed red with embarrassment as her tummy growled at that time causing them to laugh.

"Come on... Now go and eat something ... Then you have to arrange the gifts you ordered for her, they will be here any moment,"

"Oh... I forgot about them... How can I? Ok I will go and eat something then you and I with mama, phupho, Ramsha api, Adam and Umer Bhai will do the gifts... Ok?"

"Ok, your highness... Now go,"

Mannat smiled at her father, that smiled reaching her eyes after so many years, she was going toward the kitchen when she turned around and hugged Mirza Sahab tightly, as he reciprocated with equal love.

"I can't believe this is actually happening, Baba... She is coming back... To us... I missed her,"

Mirza Sahab smiled a lone tear escapes his eyes but he kissed her hair and patted her back as he pulled away, looking at his innocent doll.

"I missed her too baby... belief it manna... She is coming back to us and she will now stay with us here... In this house where she belongs... Our wait is over Bacha... Our Jannat is coming back...,"

"Now go and eat... She will be here in four hours max and I don't think you wanted to meet your partner in crime while you look like a kid on sugar rush...,"

"You are right Bhai Sahab... That's why you young lady are coming with us to the kitchen...,"

"But phupho Jaan...,"

"Now manna... One more whine and you are not getting the chocolates, Adam bring for you,"

She pouted as she eyed her mama and phupho but then sighed in defeat. She knew arguing with these ladies is useless but she still tried her luck.

"Now stop pouting and come... you favorite Bhai made your favorite French toast and Spanish omelette with caramel mocha latte...,"

Ramsha spoke as she sat beside her mother Hadiya, Mannat eyes sparkled with joy as she kissed her Baba's cheeks and run after her mother to the kitchen.

"My precious doll...,"

Mirza Sahab laughed at his daughter's antics as she ran towards the kitchen as the ladies followed her. Everyone in their family loved Mannat and they are very protective of her.

He looked at the living room as he sat alone, his elder brother was at the office attending an important meeting that too with his client.

He argued that he can go but one glared from his brother Shafiq Hamdani and one stern look from his sister Hadiya Khan stopped him.

They wanted him to stay today at home and relax because everyone knew this day is very emotional for both Mirza Sahab and Mannat.

Mirza Hamdani had one older brother Shafiq Hamdani who was happily married to Shameen beghum. They had two sons, Murad Shafiq Hamdani and Umer Shafiq Hamdani.

While their elder sister, Hadiya Khan, who raised them like a mother, lived in Canada with her two kids, Adam khan, and Ramsha khan, her husband divorced her for another woman but she helped her kids to build strong and kind.

Mirza Hamdani was the youngest among the siblings and he has married 25 years ago to his college sweetheart and had two beautiful twin daughters Jannat and Mannat.

But sometimes love is not enough and he learned the lesson the hard way. He laid his head back on the couch as he thought about his life, his mistakes, and most of all his loss.

He still remembers that fateful day that turned many lives upside down and ruined everything for his family and his daughters.

FLASHBACK

Mirza Hamdani's daughters are like Ying Yang, both are fraternal twins and both are so much different.

Mannat is a softie, she is polite, kind, generous, and humble. While Jannat is the strong, brave, badass, and protector.

Jannat always supported her twin sister, taking her 5 minutes elder sister role more seriously. Mannat was considered the innocent one while Jannat was the beckoning force for them.

When Jannat and Mannat turned 12, Mirza Sahab thought life was good and blissful but that's was not it.

That year they face a financial problem in business and that causes a rift in his marriage as his power-hungry wife didn't want to spend her life in a middle-class lifestyle.

Husn-ara beghum didn't want to live like that even for her kid's sake, she asked for the divorce, ready to give the girls custody to Mirza Sahab.

He was broken at that time, he tried pleading and begging her to change her mind but she was not bugging, he tried everything but all in vain.

"I want the divorce and it's final... You can keep your daughters with you... I don't even want them, they have already ruined me enough,"

Husn-ara beghum spoke with venom in her voice and disgust in her eyes, she has always wanted to pursue her career in the film industry but fate had other plans for her.

"Mama... Please don't leave us... please...,"

A 12 years old Mannat, tried to hug her mother still crying as she heard those crude words her mother was saying, but the next moment she was thrown on the floor with a blazing cheek as Husn-ara beghum backslap her.

Jannat rushed toward her baby sister, who was just a few minutes younger than her, but Mannat always needs her Janna with her for protection.

Mirza Sahab lost his cool and then the next moment he slapped his so-called wife and the mother of his daughters who had lost all humanity.

"Don't you dare... don't raise your hand on my daughters Husn-ara otherwise you will regret it and I will not spare you... Now get out of my house... You will get that divorce soon,"

"Dare... You dare to raise your hand on me Mirza Hamdani... I swear you will regret this... I will get my divorce for sure but I will also take much more from you now... I will take my mahr and your precious daughters... We will meet in court... So get ready to lose your daughters...,"

Mirza Sahab was shocked as his wife walked out of his house, leaving his life ruined. His daughters came to him and hugged him tightly as he dreaded for their future.

True to her words, Husn-ara won the case when she gives proof to the court that Mirza Hamdani was indeed unfit for the girls' custody.

Mirza Sahab gets addicted to gambling after their business went into crisis but his elder siblings stopped him before it gets out of hand but the damage was already done.

The girls' custody was given to Husn-ara who had an evil smile on her face as she stood beside her best friend aka the man that helped her ruin her married life.

Mirza Sahab felt defeated and helpless, he didn't know how to face his innocent girls and tell them that their lives are not going to be the same now.

But then another storm came his way when he was given a choice, Husn-ara beghum new boyfriend didn't want to have responsibilities of two teenage girls that why he proposed the idea.

"You can have one girl... While we take the other... We are outside the courtroom... So just give the girl child support, and keep her twin with you or you won't meet any of them in your life...,"

Mirza Sahab was shocked and perplexed, he wanted to strangle his ex-wife and her new toy but that means going to jail. He didn't know what to do anymore.

"I give you a day to decide Mir... Take your time... It's a win-win for us... You have one and I have one... I will come tomorrow to take whatever girl you choose...,"

"Don't call me Mir... You lost that right... And my daughters are not any object in the exhibition that you take one and leave other... Let me have them both... We will not interfere in your life... Please...,"

"I am helping you here Mr. Mirza Hamdani... I am being kind and generous, you take the deal or leave it... It's your choice... You still have time till tomorrow... Choose wisely...,"

With that she left him broken and defeated, he can't choose one because both are his blood, both are his heart.

He came home with his brother, his daughters hugged him in fear, they already knew about the news, they don't want to go away, leaving their family but life is never fair.

At the dinner table, everyone noticed Mirza Sahab lost expression, he tucked his daughters in bed as they snuggle close to each other, and his heart clenched.

Shafiq Hamdani saw his brother crying as he looked at the fireplace in the library, he patted his shoulder, Mirza Sahab looked at his brother and hugged him crying his sorrow away.

"I am nothing Bhai... I am nothing... She will take my daughters away and I can't do anything... I feel so helpless...,"

"Tell me what did she say, Mirza... I know she was talking with you about something...,"

Mirza Sahab took a deep breath and tell him everything, his pain, and agony clear in his eyes.

"I can't choose Bhai Jaan... They are both my life... How can I choose one and let the other one go... this is all my fault... I ruined my babies' lives... I can't...,"

"Don't say something like that Mirza... This was written in our fate... Don't worry my lawyers are working but Husn-ara is very clever, she kept her trail clear... But we will find another way out of this don't worry...,"

"How can I Bhai? I will lose either way... I can't choose and I can't let them both go... I don't... I can't,"

"you can Baba...,"

A whisper resonated in the room, both brothers turned toward the door where a crying Jannat stood. She walked towards her Baba and wiped his tears away, making the two men smile.

"I can't baby... I am not that strong...,"

"Yes, you are strong... You are my Baba... Jannat Mirza Hamdani's Baba and you can do this... Choose Mannat... I will go with mother... Mannat is too innocent for this world Baba... I can handle myself... She will regret taking me away... I promise... Whenever I get the chance I will come back home... To you and manna... My family...,"

Mirza Sahab can't believe the words his 12 years old spoke but he understands her intentions. Jannat was always the protective sister for Mannat and he will always respect that.

That's why it was decided that only Jannat will go with Husn-ara beghum, it was selfish of Mirza Sahab to let one of his daughters go but he does it for his daughters.

Jannat's departure was the most painful day, it broke not only his daughter's heart but someone else too.

He tried his best to keep his family together but Mannat was lost without her twin. She was drifting away day-by-day and the fear that Husn-ara will come again to take her away made him do something that ruined everything.

He pleaded with his brother for something for his daughter's safety, but what he didn't know that he will only buy pain and more suffering for everyone.

Flashback ends

He tried everything in his power to get Jannat back, they do everything but all in vain. Eventually, Husn-ara sends her to a boarding school in Europe where he can't meet his daughter without her permission.

But after 13 years of wait and pain, she was coming back. Husn-ara beghum died in a car accident with her third husband last month.

Mirza Sahab was informed by her lawyer because he still provides for Jannat education and supports her that how they reached Jannat who was in the last month of her internship in Christian Dior which is a great opportunity for her career.

So, she decided to come back to Pakistan after her internship and join her family with a degree in fashion designing that will help Hamdani textile mills very much.

.....

True to her words, Mannat came running into the living room with everyone trailing behind her as she waited for the gifts to come.

She had ordered lots of Jannat's favorite things, even when she knew that there is a possibility that her choice is not the same.

But she was too much excited to stop herself, she was interning in her Baba office under her Umer Bhai supervision and she spends every dime she saved for this specific purpose.

"where are they? They should have come by now. She will be here soon... I wanted to do the gifts before she came,"

"Manna relax bacha... They are coming, Adam text me saying that they are few blocks away...,"

Hadiya beghum smiled at her niece, she knew this is a big deal for Mannat that's why she came specially to support her family for this moment.

She owns a clothing brand in Canada that she worked hard to build. She used the stuff exported by Hamdani textile.

"But phupho... They are gone for hours... It's almost evening...,"

"Mannat baby relax... your list of shops and stuff was so long, they are on the way... Have patience,"

Shameen beghum smiled at her daughter, as she pinched her nose, making Mannat giggles.

"I am so happy Mama... I don't want to be patient... I have done enough of that... Aur kitna Muntazir raho main khushiyon ke liye...,"

(How long should I awaited the happiness?)

Shameen beghum had tears in her eyes as she looked at the broken girl. She has considered the girls as her because she always wanted a daughter but she was stuck with two stubborn boys, but Mannat filled that void for her.

That's why Mannat called her Mama, she owned the status and title.

"Soon my Bacha... Soon just a little bit more...,"

Shameen hugged Mannat as she was sitting beside her. Everyone smiled sadly at the duo, everyone in this family has lost something, everyone shares the pain and agony.

Mannat and Shameen were lost in their embrace that they didn't notice two figures coming in the room with a bunch of bags and a huge white teddy bear in the arms of a frowning young man.

"Missed me, Princess...,"

Everyone turned around to look at the door, there stood one of the heartthrob of Lahore city, the youngest son of the Hamdani family, Umer Shafiq Hamdani with a huge white teddy bear in his arms while Adam Khan stood behind him with a dashing smile on his face.

Umer Shafiq Hamdani had a frown on his face a few moments ago but after looking at his baby sister, he smiled his cheeky smile.

"Bhai you are back...,"

Umer laughed at her obvious words as he nodded his head, he placed the bags in front of his angel.

"No... I am still on my way... My ghost is impatient like you so it came first...that a really big list Mannat next time a little warning will be helpful... I would have gone bankrupt...,"

"Bhai you can't go bankrupt for little things... Do you get everything?"

"Yes, your highness... Everything is here... Why do you think we came back after 3 hours?"

"Haye... I love you Umer Bhai you are the best... Also, the food is amazing like always... Thank you, Bhai...,"

She beamed at him, while he just patted her head, they were interrupted with someone fake coughing and they looked at Adam who was glaring at Mannat, trying his best to look angry.

"So you love him? Means I just wasted my 3 hours and 10 kg of luggage to bring your chocolates... That's mean and I am hurt Mannat... I will take all chocolates back,"

"Haw... I didn't say that... I love you all please don't take my precious treasure...,"

"I will...,"

"phupho Jaan...,"

"Adam... Don't tease my daughter... Now get to work everyone... We only had few hours...,"

Adam shook his head as Mannat smiled victoriously as she sat back and tell everyone to do their work. Ramsha came from the kitchen with water for the two men.

Umer and Adam smiled at her and mumbled thank you to her who smiled back and sat with them to pack the gifts.

"Why the long face Umer?"

Ramsha bit her lip to control her laughter, her cousin is making frustrated faces while wrapping a gift.

"Not now yar... I am already tired and this is not necessary when she had to tear it...,"

"Then stop doing it...,"

"Like you don't know why am I doing this?"

Adam teased him but got a furious glare from Umer that shut him up.

"I can't do this to Mannat... She is this happy after so many years and I can't take it away so I guess I have to suck it up...,"