"ایک مدت ہوئی تم کو دیکھا نہیں

ایک زمانہ ہوا مسکرائے ہوئے"

"Ek Muddat hui Tumko dekha Nahi

Ek Zamana Hua Muskuraye Hue"

۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔۔

Everyone is waiting in the lounge, it's close to dinner time now. Jannat called Mirza Sahab saying that she will come and meet them at home.

She wanted to meet everyone together, that's why Mannat was pacing the main gate while looking at the driveway now and then.

She is bouncing on her feet, in nervousness to meet her other part after years while the excitement to hold her sister again is unexplainable.

"Manna baby... Come and relax, you will be exhausted when she came then how will you welcome her?"

Hadiya beghum smiled at her niece, they can't understand what she is feeling but they are trying their best to calm her down.

"Phupho Jaan... I am relaxed, but look it's already 8 pm. She should have reached by now... Baba call driver uncle please...,"

"Mannat... I talked with him... They will soon come, you come here...,"

"Ok, Baba...,"

She pouted as she moved toward her Baba and hugged him as the family smiled at the duo.

"Tell me why are you so nervous?"

"Nervous... Me? No Baba... I am just excited,"

"Don't lie Mannat...,"

This time her favorite Bhai spoke with a stern voice.

Mannat bit her lip, she can mask her emotions from everyone but her Baba, and Umer Bhai read her like an open book.

She gulped as she turned toward her Baba, putting her head on his shoulder, seeking protection like always from his arms.

"What if she didn't love us anymore Baba? What if she hates us for not trying harder to get her? I don't like the idea of her hating us... Me...I don't...,"

The whole family got tense at that moment, it's rare for Mannat to cry in front of everyone.

This is her vulnerable moment and they will do everything to reassure her.

"Mera Bacha... My doll... Why will she hate us? You know she is the bravest girl I have ever meet and she knew we tried but see our patient is fruitful... She decided to came back home... I think this assures one thing, that Jannat is still the overprotective elder sister who loves her manna most so relax and wait for her...,"

She nodded her head with a beautiful smile on her face. Before she can again get lost in the insecurities, her Umer Bhai got her attention.

"Hey, Mannat... Any special dedication for this moment...,"

"There is one...,"

"Let's hear it then,"

She smiled with sparkling eyes as she looked at her Baba and then at her Bhai, the two people who lost as much as her.

مجھے ملنا ہے تم سے اس جہاں میں"

جس جہاں میں بچھڑنے کا رواج نہ ہو"

(Mujhe milna hai tumse us jahan Mai

His Jahan main becharne Ka riwaj na ho)

Another special talent of Mannat Mirza Hamdani, she loved poetry and literature.

She was doing her major in business administration and minor in Urdu literature.

Everyone smiled at her words, they know the depth those words had for Mannat.

Umer gives a forced smile to his baby sister just to make her feel good.

He knew what those meaning meant to Mannat but he was suffocating with their intensity.

"That's very beautiful Mannat... I think you are getting better and better with time...,"

"Thank you, Bhai... But you are great at this so stop boosting my ego...,"

Before Umer can say another word Adam cut him off and Umer was glad because with the passing time his emotions are getting out of control.

'For Mannat, for your family, don't lose control', he was mumbling the mantra in his mind.

"Yes, Umer... She still needs improvement...,"

"You think so...,"

"Yeah... You still have to learn and I am a good teacher...,"

She was going to challenge him but the next moment a servant came there running with a wide smile on his face and the next words caused everyone to gasp.

"Sahab ji... Mannat Bibi... Bibi ji aa gayi hain... Jannat Bibi is here...,"

As those words cause a wave of happiness to run wild in the Hamdani family, one person clenched his teeth and fisted his hand as he keeps seated there.

He didn't want to go and greet her, he doesn't have the courage and strength.

But he knew he had to do this for Mannat otherwise she will be upset with him and he can't afford that girl's silent treatment.

He gulped the ball of emotions stuck in his throat and take a deep breath then followed everyone out to greet the princess who came back after years to turn his life upside down and cause havoc in his heart.

"Calm down dear heart... Calm down... we don't need her now... We will never need her... Just do this for Mannat... This is for my family, not for her,"

With those words, he came out on the porch where a crying Mannat was suffocating her sister in a bear hug.

He smiled at the reunion but soon he wipes that smile when he remembered the reason for his heartbreak.

But soon everything around him was meaningless and hazy as he saw the woman In front of him.

This is not the dainty, chubby, and pimply teen who had braces.

In front of him stood a model, a beautiful woman who had class, grace, and most of all the warmth she had all those years ago.

"Just my luck... As if hating her before is easy... Now it's impossible...,"

He looked at her and at the same time, she looked at him giving a beaming smile.

"There goes my damn willpower...Well done fate... Main tu gaya,"

(I am gone)

He mumbled those words as she approached him.

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

A beautiful woman stood at the Arrival Terminal of Allama Iqbal international airport Lahore, she inhaled the fresh air of her motherland as a lone tear escapes her eye.

It's been years, 13 years specifically, she wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.

She stood in her white denim jeans, light blue knee-length frock with white floral prints, white denim jacket and scarf looking like a model came out of Vogue magazine.

She was looking around for the name broad of her name as she instructed her father to send a driver, that she wanted to meet them at home.

She saw her name in the hand of their trusted driver Rafi uncle and beamed at him.

She pulled her luggage trolley and greet that old man with a bright smile and shining eyes.

"Muhammad Rafi Sahab... Should we go home? I am getting late now...,"

The old man looked at her startled and shocked, she was just the same Jannat who liked to intimate her taya Abu and Baba, and now she is all grown up.

"Jannat Bibi? Is it you?"

She smiled nodding at the old man who laughed as tears filled his eyes, he served this family and knew the pain they had to go through upon years.

"I am... In blood and flesh... I am disappointed Rafi uncle... You should have recognized me...,"

"I do... But I was shocked... You were so young and small, now you are all grown up...,"

"I aimed to please... So can we please go home now... I am dying to meet them all...,"

He nodded and soon they are on the way. Jannat denied to sit back and sit in the front with him talking and looking around.

"Nothings changed yet it feels like everything is...,"

She mumbled those words as she thought about everything, she lived all those years away from her family just for the sake of her sister Mannat and she is so excited to meet her, and her Baba and her whole family, especially her best friend, her monkey.

She knew he was angry at the time when she had to go but she did that for her father and Mannat.

She didn't regret that decision one bit but she knew that he was hurt by her departing words and actions.

She hoped he had already forgiven her because with time Jannat Mirza Hamdani knew one thing that she was nothing without her family and her best friend.

She spends those years in various boarding schools, looking at her mother for money because she used the money her father send as child support in her luxurious life, leaving Jannat lonely and sad.

Those years away from everyone were torture but she survived, that's why after her mother's death, who was never a mother to her.

Jannat decided to come back home to her real family.

"It's good to be back... It's good to be back home to my family...,"

She smiled at the approaching community gates of society, she knew that within few moments she will be with her loved ones.

She was upset that her mother died even if hen she was never their mother but still she had that title and Jannat respect her for that.

But she was glad that now she can come back without any threats to her family and be happy.

She saw the big black and golden gate of Hamdani House and a silent sob of relief left her mouth.

"Alhamdulillah... Home sweet home...,"

Jannat saw a girl running toward the driveway and at first sight, she knew that her twin was just as eager as her.

They are fraternal twins but their hearts are bounded so without caring about her safety, she takes off her seat belt and ran out of the car as Rafi's uncle yelled at her for waiting.

Both sisters ran toward each other and hugged with each ounce of strength in their bodies.

Mannat was inhaling her sweet fragrance and suffocating her but Jannat didn't care. She returned the hug with pleasure.

They cried and laughed at the same time, the pain of losing a part of your soul is another thing but knowing that they are alive somewhere in the world but still afar is another level of agony.

Jannat pulled her away and looked at her innocent sister who was so beautiful inside out but now she was remarkably beautiful.

"Wah manna... You are so changed... Where is my pouting, shy cry baby huh?"

"Baba... See she just came back and she is teasing me already...,"

Mirza Sahab choked back on his sob as he looked at his two daughters, the two pieces of his soul, his Jannat and Mannat.

After 13 years he was witnessing something like this and everyone else smiles at the reunion, as Mirza Sahab pulled his daughters in his arms.

"Mere Bache... My princesses... My baby girls... I love you both... I love you with all of my heart...,"

"We love you too...,"

They spoke at the same time and giggles afterward, making everyone laugh as they confirmed that nothing is changed.

They are still the inseparable pair of the twin who suffered years of pain but still, they are the same.

Tears of relief and happiness are present in everyone's eyes.

"Hey... Let Janna meet us... We are waiting in the line, you know...,"

Hadiya beghum teased the trio as the girls laughed at the words. Mirza Sahab rolled his eye at his family and let her go.

"Phupho Jaan I missed you...,"

"Phupho missed you too Meri Jaan... Welcome back home...,"

"I am happy to be home...,"

Hadiya kissed her forehead and smiled with tears now streaming down her cheeks.

Jannat meets everyone and hugged everyone, Shameen beghum and Shafiq Sahab kissed her forehead, as she was going to pull away, her eyes find someone she missed desperately in all these years.

He was standing away from the family smiling but the moment their eyes meet, he masked his expression.

She smiled at him and moved to hug him and relive the moment of their childhood when he steps back, he put his phone to his ear and walk away after mumbling an excuse.

"Excuse me... I have to take this one...,"

Everyone was too happy to see this exchange, but Mannat saw her sister's gloomy face when her favorite but stupid Bhai went away clearly lying about the phone call.

Mannat moved toward her sister and back hugged her, kissing her cheek.

"Jannat... Come on... We have our favorite dinner waiting also you have a ton of gift pile to open and we have so much to talk about... Come on,"

Jannat nodded at her excited sister but still, her eyes followed the man who was still hurting and she felt guilty.

She moved inside the house and looked around, peace and happiness seeping into her soul.

"I missed you so much, Janna... I was nothing without you... Please never leave me again...,"

"Never manna... Never again...,"

Jannat kissed her sister's forehead as she looked at the broken look in her eyes, he down heart clenching.

Soon Shameen beghum called them for dinner.

"Come on girls... Dinner is served...,"

Jannat happily went with her sister and join her family sitting at her usual seat between her sister and her monkey.

Everyone was presented at the table but one person who came but sit beside his father, she frowned at him and her mouth open without she can control it.

"Why are you sitting there? That's Murad Bhai chair...,"

Jannat didn't notice the silence at the table at that name and the sorrow in her sister's eyes because she was glaring at the man who was looking at her with an equal glare.

"I can sit wherever I want... I don't need your permission to sit and eat dinner so please proceed don't waste everyone time...,"

"Bhai... Umer...,"

Mannat and Shameen beghum gasped at his blunt words as Jannat cursed him and glare at him.

"Fine sit wherever you want to... Don't need to be so rude...,"

"Then don't be my mother and do your work...,"

"That's enough Umer... Now shut up and don't spoil the mood...,"

Shafiq Sahab intervened and stopped his son from further saying anything harsh.

They knew that Umer had turned more rude and harsh toward others except for Mannat after everything that happened to them.

Jannat felt hurt at his words, she just wanted to be with her family, sister, and best friend after years of separation but it looks like he was still hurting and blaming her.

"Manna... Slow down... You will drag us both down...,"

Jannat shook her head at her sister who was like a ball of excitement or a kid on the sugar rush.

"Come on... You have to see this... You will love it,"

After dinner Mannat drag Jannat to the living room and pointed toward the pile of gifts shocking her sister.

But Jannat squealed happily when she saw a huge white color teddy bear.

She ran towards it and hugged it sitting in its lap, laughing and smiling, Mannat clicked her picture as their family enjoys this moment.

"It's so beautiful manna... I loved this... Thank you so much...,"

"Told you so... But you don't have to thank me... Umer Bhai and Adam went to get all this stuff as I was busy with preparation... I didn't even remember writing this on the list but when Bhai brought it I was so happy knowing you will be happy...,"

Mannat was rambling but Jannat was busy looking at a person who was acting as he was busy on the phone and not listening to them.

Her family was around them but Jannat just needed his attention, but that stupid man was ignoring her like a plague.

The moment Mannat said that he brought it without her mentioning Jannat knew that he was still her monkey, just a little bit angry and hurt.

Umer suddenly stood up as he felt her intense gaze at him. He avoided her eye and give another excuse to run away.

"Mama... I have to go to my room... I have an important urgent mail to respond and Mannat excitement had worn me down so I am just going to bed earlier...,"

Before Shameen beghum can say anything, he was gone. The elders didn't notice his behavior but the youngsters are.

Jannat keeps looking at his back while her heartbreak.

She came home to be happy with her family, her twin, and her best friend but it looks like she was far away from peace and happiness.

She had to thaw a frozen heart, a heart that was bound to her, a heart that cared for her, still do but didn't want to accept it.

"How long you are going to avoid me and run away monkey? Because Jannat Mirza Hamdani will not back down without a fight especially when my loved ones are at stake... Wait and watch... You have to crave and meet me halfway... Game on monkey... Game on...,"

She mumbled those words with a proud smile as she hugged the teddy bear, talking with her family and sister. Leaving the planning for the next day.

.........

Hazerin Nazerin... Dekhti ankhoo aur parhne walo ko Mera Salaam...

Thoughts????

Any special dialogues or scene?

It's valentine Day today... It is a day for those who celebrate love but did we need only one day in year to confess and show love to our loved one?

No... Show and confess love because we didn't know when we will leave them or when they are gone... Celebrate lives not days, celebrate passion, love and loved ones not traditions😍❤️

Another thing please don't hate character before knowing them completely. I love my characters and I hope you too...

Also I published the character introduction and Prologue chapter of ahl-e-dil... In its book... So add it in your library if you like it... We will start that book in mid march Insha Allah ❤️

Don't forget to vote and comment...

Zindagi rhi tu phir milege... Naye kissy ya us kissy ke khubsurat hissy ke Saath. Tab tak ke liye fi'amaan Allah.

Allah hafiz 😍

And

Stay safe