Asalam o Alaikum beautiful people!!!!!

I love you all that why the early updates...

I am very grateful to you all for your love and everything but I wanted to say something... Please don't take me wrong...

I am very happy that you are all excited for Mannat and Murad story... Muntazir... I am too... But please don't forget that this one is about Umer and Jannat... So please focus on them too...

I love my characters equally and these two need your love... I mentioned mannat because she is an important part of this story and to give you all an idea about their story....

I know you are hating me for these notes but I know you people don't read the end notes with interest...🤧😂 That's why I am starting update with this...

Just enjoy this one... I appreciate your enthusiasm for Mannat story but for time being enjoy this one because... Qurbat also had major plot twist... Don't forget that our umer will marry someone... Or did he😎😜

Now enjoy your update...

"روزِ محشر حساب ہونگے، سونے مخڑے بےحساب ہونگے

بیوفاؤں کی منڈی لگے گی اور پہلی صف میں جناب ہونگے"

(Roz-e-mehshar husaab honge, sone mukhary be-hissab honge

Bewafaon ki Mandi lage gi, aur pehli saaf main Janab honge)

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

It's almost midnight, everyone in the house sleeping and dreaming but here he lay on his bed looking at the ceiling and regretting his words.

He had thought that his harshness and rudeness will act as a soothing gel to his open wounds but no it's paining him more.

He sighed in defeat as he gets up from the bed that is more like a bed of thorns for him. He can't find peace here, he needs to go there to get that peace.

The only place in this house that had their memories and he still relive them on nights like these.

"Another sleepless night... Here I come,"

He walked down the stairs and directly to the kitchen to get his stress relief, caramel and cookies ice-cream, her favourite.

"Why?...,"

He groaned as he places two spoons in the tub and keeps moving toward his destination. In his haste, he didn't notice the other box is missing.

He was groaning and grumping about how it's her fault that he was not able to sleep as he opens the backdoor and moved toward the place that was his hideout.

He was going to the area when he saw another silhouette already sitting there.

From the long waist-length hair and identical ice-cream tub in hand, he knew the person within seconds.

"Janam...,"

He whispered looking at her as she sat on the swing set, their favourite place in this whole house.

This is the place they came after fighting with someone else or each other and this is the place where they found love and security.

She was busy self-talking but on his footsteps and whisper, she turned around and gasped as well with the spoon falling.

.........

Jannat can't sleep after she wakes up a few minutes ago. Mannat was sleeping beside her, she tired herself today so sleeping like a log is good for her.

Jannat didn't know what to do and say, she was hurt by his words but she knew he was still hurting.

She got up after tucking Mannat in bed and wearing a furry pink sweater she went out of the home. She knew where she wanted to be.

Her foot was killing her but she wanted to do this. After taking a caramel and cookies ice-cream tub from the fridge with two spoons she went towards the backyard.

She moved toward the area in the garden specially designed for the kids but only Jannat and Umer used the swings, sometimes Mannat.

"I missed this... I really do...,"

She sat down on the swing and whispered as she caressed the chain. The longing in her eyes is agonizing, the pain unexplainable.

She opened the tub placed in her lap and started eating while mumbling to herself.

"Stupid sleep... When you need it... It's will never come and when you wanted to do work and study it's will come on a bullet train...,"

Taking another spoon of the creamy goodness in her mouth, she remembered a certain someone, the reason for her sleeplessness.

"Idiot monkey... Loser... Being rude and harsh to hurt me but he was also hurting... Umer Hamdani is a big dumbass...,"

She huffed and puffed as she moved her spoon animatedly and imagine him standing in front of her.

"You know why I did that but no... You have to show me anger... Stupid man... I wanted to twist your ears and give sucker punch... That meanie...,"

She took another spoon of ice-cream but get startled when she heard footsteps and a timid whisper of that name. The name that kept her living for years.

She turned around with the spoon still in her mouth as she looked at him standing there with the ice-cream tub and two spoons.

She gasped at the moment, dropping the spoon in her mouth and then cursing herself.

"Dumb Jannat... Stupid...,"

He wanted to go back but then change his mind and moves toward her as she tense.

He sat beside her on the other swing with his ice-cream and started eating but not before shocking her.

"You shouldn't be out of bed with a sprained ankle... But it's good you bring extra spoon because you dropped the other...,"

She looked at him and then toward the ice-cream tub, she smiled as she started eating with the spare spoon she brought.

"Old habits die hard...,"

She spoke and he nodded at her words, they both keep eating and swinging slowly.

"Indeed...,"

It's been their tradition to sneak at nights like these when one of them can't sleep and have ice-cream and talk here.

They shared the ice-cream, so those who reached here get an ice-cream tub of their favorite flavor and two spoons but it's like they are still stuck to those traditions.

"So,"

"You are...,"

They spoke at the same time, and the second time they burst into laughter, Jannat was mesmerized with his wholehearted laughter.

She smiled beautifully as he admired this moment keeping all hurt and pain away.

"Ladies first...,"

He smiled his cheeky smile, she was relieved that at least in this moment of weakness they are like themselves. The old them.

"Yeah, whenever there is a difficult situation try the ladies first card,"

She teased as he laughed shaking his head as he eats his ice-cream.

"No... I just wanted to hear what you have... I mean you are trying for a few days and I am being an ass so please continue...,"

"That you are... but I am glad that you are being generous so thanks...,"

Jannat spoke politely as he nodded his head looking in her eyes with an emotion that shook her to the core, as a shiver went down her spine.

"I am done with the hatred and rudeness... This is causing me more pain... I am stressing Mannat and our family... Also hating someone you had cared all your life is hard,"

She knew he was saying the truth and she was relieved.

She was happy that he was finally opening up even when it's for just this night and he will again be his grumpy self, she can live with that.

"So... You and Mannat become close... I am happy that you both find someone to lean on...,"

"It's normal to lean on the person who shared the same pain with you. We lost two persons in our lives and we both lost ourselves... She told you about Murad Bhai?"

Jannat nodded her head as she turned toward him in the swing. But he was looking ahead like he was feeling her eyes.

"Yeah, she did... And to say I am disappointed with how he and everyone else handled this is an understatement...,"

"Me too, but I am not going to hurt Mannat by hurting Bhai... They had to find peace but that's not possible with him hiding and her waiting for his return...,"

"I am glad that you are here for her Umer... Thank you for taking care of my manna,"

He mere nodded as he looked into her eyes, she was haunted by this look, his eyes had the same look they had 13 years ago.

"Someone had to... Otherwise, we would have lost her and ourselves... She is my sister too...,"

Jannat felt her heart clenching at his words, she knew that he had suffered a lot and she wanted to put an end to it.

"I am sorry Ume...,"

"For what exactly?"

Now his voice had a hard tone to it as she gulped in nervousness, the hardness of his brown eyes was creating chaos in her heart.

"For everything... I shouldn't have said those words... I should have gone with good memories not with hurting you...,"

"What's done is done... Please don't,"

Jannat was not going to end this moment without clarifying anything.

"No, it's not... You are still hurting and I am responsible one so please forgive me...,"

"Don't Jannat please...,"

He was going to get up but her next words snapped him as he growled at her.

"It happened here right... That night I said those words that still haunt me but tonight here I will ask for your forgiveness... Please Umer... Please...,"

"I said don't... You can't take those words back Ms. Jannat Hamdani, that night you didn't break the trust of your best friend but also my heart... So don't...,"

Jannat remembers those words as she cursed herself, she was just focused on protecting her sister and didn't think about the people who wanted to save and protect her.

FLASHBACK

Jannat spoke to her Baba and Taya Abu, she was ready to go with her mother if it means Mannat is safe from the torturous future ahead.

She can't sleep after talking with them, she roamed the Hamdani House hallways to memorize each nook who knows when she will see it again.

Her fingertip trailed the backyard door where she was now going.

She loved that portion of the house, the swing set is where she and her crime partner, her best friend go to talk and sneak peace.

She was smiling with sadness in her eyes when she saw him.

He was sitting there looking at the full moon that was illuminating the garden.

She can see his side face that he had tears on his face, she was worried and concern for him.

"Ume... What happened? Why are you crying?"

She ran toward him and hold his hand but he pushed her hands away, she was now confused.

"Tell me? Why are you here? Did something happen? Why are you crying and where is the ice cream?"

He looked at her with bloodshot eyes, his eyes carrying so many emotions for a 13 years boy, he was just a year older than the twins and Jannat's best friend.

They are joined at the hip all the time but today he was crying and she didn't know the reason that was irritating her.

"Will you open your mouth and tell me what happened or are you going to cry yourself to dehydration,"

"Why do you care?"

His voice is scratchy from crying and husky that send a shiver down the 12 years old girl for a reason but she ignored it like always.

"Of course I care you Dumbo... you are my best friend... I love you and I care for you,"

"then why are you going Janam? Why?"

He was now looking at her with blazing eyes and she gasped, he knew, that's the only thought in her mind.

"How...how do...,"

He cut her off before she can overcome her shock.

"How did I know that you are going to sacrifice yourself and go away with your mother to safe Mannat? You are thinking about this right? I knew because I heard your talk with Baba and chacho... I was going to your room and then I heard that...,"

She closed her eyes, it's also difficult for her but she had to do this for Mannat and her Baba.

"Umer, please... Don't do this,"

He abruptly stood in front of her with rage in his eyes and breathing heavily.

"Why? Why should I not do this huh? Like your both going away is not bad you go and made it worse by being the hero you thought you are...,"

She narrowed her eyes at him, he was angry she can understand but he was talking rubbish now.

"Well, I was going either way... Why is it's worse if I am trying to save my sister from the possibility of a bad future,"

"This... This is the problem... I was hurt because you are both going but I was also relieved that you are going together and that you will protect each other but no... You have to be the hero and save the day...,"

"I don't want her to go... She is safe here with her family...,"

"What about you huh? What about your safety?"

Jannat was stunned for a moment, both are breathing heavily as they glared at each other.

Jannat didn't think about herself or her future as she was mainly focused on saving her sister.

"You didn't think about yourself, right? You are just thinking about Mannat and it's perfectly fine and I am happy to have someone like you in my life but what about you Jannat... Who will be there to protect you if Baba and chacho can't do anything to bring you back...,"

She just shrugged and his patience was running low.

He wanted to drill some sense into her but she had already made her mind.

"I don't know... Maybe live my whole life away but at least I will know that Mannat has everyone with her and my Baba was not alone in this whole world...,"

"Again... What about you Jannat? You will be there alone with your mother who was a pathetic mother then what will you do?"

Jannat just wanted her best friend to respect her decision and support her nor argue with her on her last day here.

But he was adamant about showing her the importance of her life.

"I don't know Umer... And I don't care if it means that Mannat is safe and away from that woman we called mother... So please just don't make it more difficult for me...,"

"But...,"

"Why are you making its bigger deal? I am going either way but this way I am saving someone who I loved and care for...,"

"then what about those who cared and love for you? Who wanted to protect you and keep you safe? I am your best friend Jannat... I love you and I care for you... I cant see you go away and be happy knowing you will be alone and suffering for who knows how long,"

He was full-on yelling now and it's a miracle that no one heard them.

She was now equally angry and her next words broke not one but two hearts.

"THEN DONT CARE AND LOVE ME!!! Don't be my best friend... I don't want a best friend who doesn't respect my decision... It's my business, not yours and you should respect my decision...,"

He stumbled back as he heard her words, how can he not love and care for her when all his life he did just that.

Now here she stood in front of him saying hurtful words to push him away.

"But I love you... I can't let you go...,"

His words were mere whisper when she strikes for the last time, this one being the most lethal as he was shattered and torn.

"Then unloved me... And let me go... You don't deserve someone like me Umer... Please let me go...,"

He leaned against the swing pole as he looked at her one last time, his eyes had emotions that he can't explain.

The girl he loved all his life when he didn't know the meaning of love was telling him to let her go and unloved her.

He nodded at her as he turned his back and went inside the house leaving her with departing words as she regrets each word.

"Ok... If this is what you want then go away Jannat Mirza Hamdani... I am letting you go... You are free from my friendship and my love...,"

She wanted to hug him and cry but he was long gone, she knew she had hurt him with her words but this is necessary otherwise her resolve will break.

She fell on the ground crying her heart out as she cursed her fate and herself for hurting the boy who she will always love and care for.

The next day, Mannat knew about Jannat's decision she cried and trash in her father's arms as Jannat went away.

Umer didn't come to say goodbye but he was watching from his room window.

She left a sorry note under his bedroom door before leaving and he still keeps that note but never reads it.

That day changes many things for them and they are still hurting.

Flashback ends

Jannat was lost in her thoughts as she remembered their last encounter years ago. When Umer's words got her attention.

"I found Mannat here that day... She was balled up in the corner crying and hiccupping... That day we clicked and from then on she is never alone... I won't let her alone...,"

Jannat just nodded at him, it's close to dawn as they are here for hours but Jannat didn't know what to say anymore.

"I understand why you did that... Mannat wouldn't have survived that but now she is suffering more pain... I forgive you for those words Jannat... I know you said those to hurt me so I pushed you away and let you go but I can't forget them easily... I am enduring the pain for years and I can't let it go this easily...,"

"I know I had hurt you... It's immature of me to just think about myself and my decision and not about others' emotions especially those who cared for me enough to fight the world and me, myself. I am really sorry for that day... And I will definitely do anything to earn your trust again... baby steps I guess...,"

He smiled weakly as he nodded, she returned the smile, finally, she was getting some peace.

"Baby steps...,"

"So friends again...,"

He rolled his eyes at her as he took a spoonful from her ice-cream tub that gives her the answer she wants and with that they shared the ice-cream, enjoying the sunrise and talking about their lives.

(Imagine the ice-cream tub with them😜😂)

.......

In the morning their playful teasing and taunts shocked everyone at the breakfast table.

The most shocking and funny reaction was Mannat who dropped her chocolate Nutella bottle she was shoving down her throat, she looks like a panda with the smudged chocolate and wide eyes.

She rubbed her eyes not thinking that the chocolate is now on her entire face. Everyone laughed at her cute reaction as she looked shocked.

"What year is this? Are you both ok? Is there anything in this Nutella? Am I on drugs Baba? Because I just saw these two teasings each other and laughing...,"

She was shocked but excited, her father shook his head as Jannat take her away to clean herself after giving her another shock.

"No, you are not on drugs or dreaming... We talk like adults and solve the matter, he promised to be civil and I promised to gain his trust again... So we are good...,"

Mannat squealed as she hugged Jannat with chocolate-covered face and hands. But pulled away when she remembered that.

"Opsie...,"

Umer and Adam came behind them with their phone and they took some embarrassing pictures.

"aww, now we have two pandas in the family...,"

Adam teased them while Umer continues recording and laughing.