Mayi Ri

Chapter 4

Sameena enters Aisha's room where Aisha is meticulously folding her clothes.

"Aisha, kuch bolna tha," Sameena gently begins.

Aisha looks up, curious. "Bolein, Bhabhi."

Sameena leans in slightly, her expression filled with concern. "Ainy ko zara bol dena raat ko Fakhir ke kamre mein na jaye."

Aisha furrows her brow, a hint of worry in her eyes. "What happened, Bhabhi?"

"Kal raat Fahmi ne Ainy ko Fakhir ke kamre mein dekha. Tum to janti ho vo choti si baat ko kaha se kaha tak pahunchti hai. Usne jake Zaheer ko bataya aur Zaheer ne mujhe baatein sunaya."

Understanding dawns on Aisha's face. "Bhabhi, aap janti hai na vo dono ek dusare ka kitna khayal rakhte hai. Naraz tha na kal Fakhir. Islie gayi hogi Ainy uske pass."

Sameena nods with a sigh. "Aisha, ye hum dono samjhte hai par baki log nahi. Aur Zaheer bhi sahi kah raha tha. They're growing up, and we need to be cautious."

Aisha reassures her, "Don't worry, Bhabhi. I'll talk to Ainy and make her understand. You don't need to be concerned."

Ainy and Faiza are excited to reunite with their beloved Saiqa Phupho and her children after what feels like an eternity. As they step into the house, they spot Saiqa sitting at the dining table, sipping tea and engaged in a conversation with their mother, Aisha, and Sameena.

"Phupho!" Ainy's voice rings out with joy, her excitement palpable. Saiqa gently places her tea cup down and rushes to embrace her nieces.

"Ainy, meri jaan," Saiqa exclaims, holding Ainy close. Ainy holds a special place in Saiqa's heart, being her favorite niece among all the nieces and nephews.

"I missed you so much, Phupho," Ainy murmurs, her voice filled with affection.

"I missed you too," Saiqa replies, planting a loving kiss on Ainy's cheek.

Feeling left out for a moment, Faiza playfully complains, "Hum bhi hain yahan, Phupho."

Saiqa chuckles and quickly shifts her attention to Faiza, wrapping her in a warm embrace. "Of course, Faiza. How could I forget you?"

As the warm family reunion continues, Saiqa suggests, "Let me call Areeba and Arsal to join us."

Aisha, their mother, intervenes with a thoughtful suggestion, "Let them rest for a little while, Saiqa Aapa. We'll have plenty of time to catch up. Everyone is right here."

"Ainy, come to the kitchen with me. I need to make tea for both of you," Aisha calls her daughter.

Ainy follows her mother, her curiosity piqued. "What's the matter, Amma?" she inquires.

"Did you go to Fakhir's room last night?" Aisha asks with concern.

Ainy hesitates for a moment but then nods. "Yes, I did."

"Beta, please don't go to his room at night. I don't want anyone to misunderstand your intentions," Aisha says gently.

"Kisi ne kuch kaha?" Ainy asks, feeling a bit worried.

"No, nobody has. I just want you to be cautious, that's all. Alright?"

Ainy nods in understanding.

When Fakhir enters his room, he finds Arsal sleeping on his bed. He places his bag on the study table and heads back to the kitchen.

"Amma, did you give Arsal my room?" Fakhir asks Sameena, who is now busy washing the tea cups.

Sameena looks up and sighs. "I just asked him to rest in your room because there's no space left for him. He's not a child anymore to sleep with his parents. When Fehmi goes back to her house, I'll give Arsal his room. Until then, please adjust."

Fakhir nods reluctantly. "Alright, I'll share my room with him."

As Fakhir returns to his room, Arsal wakes up and spots him. With excitement, Arsal jumps out of the bed and hugs his cousin.

Arsal greets Fakhir with enthusiasm, breaking the hug but not the excitement on his face. "Fakhir, it's been ages since we hung out together!"

Fakhir smiles, feeling a bit nostalgic. "I know, right? We used to have so much fun when we were kids."

Arsal flops back on the bed, and Fakhir takes a seat on his study chair. "Tell me, how's everything going with you?" Arsal asks.

Fakhir leans back in his chair, considering the question. "Well, things have changed a lot recently. Life has its twists and turns."

Arsal looks concerned. "I can imagine. So, what about Ainy? You two are still close, right?"

Fakhir's expression softens at the mention of Ainy. "Yeah, we're still close. She's a great friend."

Arsal raises an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Just a friend?"

Fakhir blushes slightly, realizing the implications of his words. "I mean, yeah, but there's something else I wanted to tell you. I've been seeing someone."

Arsal's eyes widen with interest. "Really? Who's the lucky girl?"

Fakhir grins. "Her name's Amna, and she's amazing. We've been dating for a while now."

Arsal smirks. "Well, it sounds like you've got a lot going on in your life, cousin."

"What about you?" Fakhir asks, elbowing Arsal.

"Nothing much on my plate right now. Do you still play games?"

Fakhir nods. "Yeah, I do. I have my console right here." He gestures to his gaming console on the TV stand.

Arsal's eyes light up. "No way! Let's play something."

Fakhir grabs a couple of controllers, and they settle in for some gaming. "How about a round of our old favorite, 'Starship Warriors'?"

Arsal laughs. "You still remember that game? Alright, you're on!"

Ainy and Faiza retreat to their room to focus on their studies. With their textbooks and notebooks spread out on the desk, they dive into their assignments, determined to finish their homework before the evening.

"Fakhir nahi aaya homework karne," Ainy says to Faiza.

"Game khel raha hoga," Faiza replies.

Ainy's frustration grows as she mutters, "This boy is so irresponsible when it comes to his studies. How is he ever going to achieve something in the future?" She sets her books aside and marches towards Fakhir's room, forcefully swinging open the door and shouting his name.

Ainy finds both Fakhir and Arsal engrossed in the video game. She hesitates for a moment. She hasn't seen Arsal in a while, and they haven't had a chance to talk today. Although she wants to be polite, there's a certain awkwardness in the air as she says, "Hello, Arsal."her smile slightly strained.

"Hai, Ainy. Kaisi ho?" Arsal acknowledges Ainy in the room, while Fakhir's focus still is on the screen.

"Main thik hun. Tum batao."

"Good. It's nice to see you again. You've grown into a beautiful woman," Arsal's compliment brings a subtle blush to Ainy's cheeks.

Ainy hesitates as she speaks to Fakhir in front of Arsal, attempting to be polite. "Fakhir, tumhe toh homework karna chahiye tha!"

Fakhir, sensing something different in her tone, pauses his video game and, with a raised eyebrow and a hint of suspicion in his gaze, looks at Ainy. Ainy scratches her neck and plasters a smile on her face, but her nervousness is evident.

"Mann nahi hai padhne ka," Fakhir teases her, enjoying the situation. He knows Ainy can't maintain her composure for long.

"Fakhir, main bata rahi hun. Studies pe dhyan do," her calmness slowly fades away, and her frustration creeps in. Fakhir chuckles at her reaction. Arsal chckles as Ainy struggling to be polite and angry at the same time.

"Ainy, jo insan tumse shadi karega na, vo duniya ke sabse bada unlucky hoga," Fakhir says without averting his gaze off the screen.

"Main tumse thodi karungi shadi."

"Fakhir, we can play later," Arsal says, putting the video game down.

"Alright, I'll be back soon," Fakhir replies as he grabs his books and follows Ainy.

Fakhir, curious, pulls Ainy's hair lightly and questions, "Kya tha vaha pe?"

Ainy, caught off guard, asks in return, "Kya?"

"Why were you being shy around Arsal?" Fakhir presses, his suspicion evident.

Ainy hastily responds, "I'm not being shy around him. I was just about to scold you, and then I noticed him. I didn't want to make a bad impression in front of our guests."

Fakhir raises an eyebrow. "But he's our cousin."

Fakhir, teasing, blocks Ainy from entering her room and asks, "Are you interested in him?"

Ainy blushes and retorts, "Khuda ka vasta, Fakhir. I am only interested in studies." She pushes him aside and enters her room.

Fakhir grins and nods, saying, "Okay, I believe you."

Ainy , Faiza and Fakhir do their homework in her room, which she shares with Faiza, until Aisha comes to call them for dinner.

Daadi, the men in the family, and the kids sit down to have dinner while the women of the house serve them. Ainy and Faiza assist their mother in setting the table.

Ainy sits between Faiza and Fakhir. After she finishes filling her plate, Fakhir takes it and places his empty plate in front of her. She looks at him with frustration and mutters, "Fakhir," through gritted teeth, to which he simply chuckles.

When everyone finishes dinner, Zaheer announces that he has something to share.

Zaheer addresses his family solemnly, saying, "You all know that my health is not okay. The doctors are also uncertain about how much time I have left. So, I want to see everything settled down."

Zaheer continues, "I want to see Fakhir happy."

"I am happy, Baba," Fakhir says, shifting his attention from teasing Ainy to his father.

"I want Fakhir and Ainy to get married," Zaheer clarifies.

Everyone looks at him, surprised by this sudden announcement.

"I mean, Habeeb, I am asking for your daughter's hand in marriage for my son," Zaheer explains, making his intentions clear.

"Kya?" Ainy and Fakhir exchange bewildered looks, unable to comprehend what they've just heard from Zaheer. The idea of their marriage, especially at their young ages of fifteen and sixteen, leaves them both in disbelief.

"Baba, yeh aap kya keh rahe hain? Hum toh abhi bhi bacche hain," Fakhir expresses his concern, trying to make his father understand that they are still very young.

Sameena, coming out of her initial shock, adds, "Zaheer, kya ho gaya? Yeh dono toh abhi bachche hain." She echoes Fakhir's sentiment about their age.

Zaheer continues, "Maine bhi toh bas atharah saal ki umar mein tumse shaadi ki thi, Sameena. Habeeb ne bhi Aisha se shaadi tab ki thi jab woh Fakhir ki umar ke the."

"Bare abbu, zamana badal gaya hai. Nobody marries in childhood nowadays," Ainy asserts, trying to make her point clear.

A somber atmosphere hangs in the room as Zaheer looks at his family with hopeful eyes. "Can't you guys fulfill a dying man's wish?" he asks, his voice filled with desperation.

Everyone stays silent for a moment until Daadi speaks up, "What's wrong in marrying early? It's good to stop these kids from committing any sins. They will learn their responsibilities soon. I think Fakhir should marry Ainy, just as Zaheer said."

Ainy and Fakhir exchange worried glances, knowing that Daadi's words often carry the most weight in the household. They turn their gazes to their respective mothers. Aisha wants to oppose the idea, but the weight of the family's expectations makes it difficult for her to speak out. Sameena seems to dislike the idea as much Aisha.

Habeeb finally speaks up, his concern evident. "Bhai, shaadi? Kharcha bohot hoga," he points out.

Zaheer, determined, responds, "Don't worry about anything. I will take care of all the expenses." Sameena, however, sighs in disbelief at the turn of events.

"Bhai, aap chote bachon ki shadi karwana chahte ho?" Saiqa asks.

"But, Zaheer bhai, they are studying. How can they get married?" Aisha asks fearfully.

"Aisha, they can continue studying after their nikkah. Nobody is going to stop them from pursuing their education," Zaheer replies.

"You guys are taking decisions on our life without consulting us?" Fakhir, clearly upset and feeling unheard, points angrily between himself and Ainy. "Baba, I don't want to get married. That's it," he declares before storming off to his room.

Ainy, wiping away her tears, stands up and adds firmly, "Mujhe bhi nahi karni ye shadi."

The atmosphere in the room becomes heavy. Everyone looks at Zaheer.

"I just want to see my only son's nikkah before I leave this world," Zaheer says, his eyes filled with tears.

Sameena, Aisha, and Saiqa exchange worried and confused glances at Zaheer's emotional request. Meanwhile, other members of the family take it as a good decision, especially Zaheer's mother, Daadi, who nods approvingly.

The atmosphere in the room becomes heavy, and an aura of uncertainty lingers as everyone contemplates the significance of Zaheer's heartfelt plea.