Mayi Ri

Chapter 3

Aisha is washing dishes when Sameena enters the kitchen. "Fakhir ne kuch khaya?" she asks.

"Nahi, bhabhi. Ainy ne bulaya tha use, par usne darwaza hi nahi khola," Aisha says, her voice tinged with concern. "Aapko kya hua?"

"Amma is angry at me. She is saying that I don't like Fehmi coming here," Sameena confides.

Aisha responds, "Why did you talk to Amma? You know she will just exaggerate it."

Sameena sighs, disappointed. "Aisha, no matter how much work we put in, in the end, all we get to hear is that we have no worth. Puri zindagi de di inhe fir bhi humari koi aukat nahi. We work from day to night, but no one cares."Sameena says, expressing her disappointment and frustration at the lack of recognition despite their lifelong efforts. "And Zaheer, he becomes blind and dead. I am tired, Aisha. I can't do this anymore."

"Choro na, Bhabhi. Aap Fakhir ko khana de aaye. Aapki to vo sunega hi," Aisha says to Sameena.

Sameena knocks gently on Fakhir's door, balancing a food tray in her hands.

"Fakhir, open the door," she requests softly.

Fakhir reluctantly opens the door to find his mother standing there with a tray of food. "Nahi chahiye mujhe khana," he mutters.

"Thoda sa kha lo, mere liye. Please," Sameena pleads, her voice tinged with concern.

Fakhir accepts the tray and places it on his study table. He speaks with frustration, "Amma, agar Baba aise karte rahega to mujhse nahi hoga yahaan rehna. Main bata raha hoon aapko."

"Fakhir, baap hai tumhara vo," Sameena says, patting the bed next to her. Fakhir sits beside her.

"To baap ki tarah rahe. Kyun humesha dushman ki tarah behave karte hain?" he questions.

"Aisa nahi hai beta. Tumhare umr mein iss ghar ka aur karobar ka zimmedari uthaya tha Zaheer ne. Saiqa aur Fehmi ki shadi karwaye aur Habeeb ko paraya. Ye sab tumhare baba ne hi kiya tha. Tumse bhi wohi chahta hai. Tum bhi unki tarah zimmedar ho," Sameena reassures him. She pats Fakhir's hand affectionately. "Agar vo tumse kuch expect kar raha hai to kuch galat nahi kar rahe hain."

"Amma, zamana badal gaya hai. Main Baba ke zamane ka nahi hoon, jo Baba ki tarah zimmedari uthaye. Aap samjhe iss baat ko," Fakhir expresses his perspective, hoping his mother will understand him, even if his father doesn't.

"Thoda waqt tum Zaheer ko do, tumhe samjhne mein, aur thoda waqt tum bhi lo apne baap ko samjhne mein," Sameena advises as she leaves the room, leaving Fakhir to contemplate their conversation.

Fakhir grapples with the idea that he may never truly understand his father's perspective. He firmly believes that he can't simply replicate his father's actions and must find his own path, even if it means doing things in his unique way.

Fakhir is lost in his thoughts when suddenly someone tugs at his hair from behind.

"Ainy!" He retaliates by grabbing Ainy's hand and wrestling her down onto the bed.

"Fakhir, mera haath!" Ainy protests with a grin.

"Kya kar rahi ho mere kamre mein? Vo bhi iss waqt," Fakhir asks, still pinning Ainy to the bed, his gaze lingers a moment longer than necessary.

Ainy, trying to maintain her composure, counters, "Main to bas yahaan tumhe cheer up karne aayi thi. Tum to itne serious ho gaye the."

Fakhir's grip loosens slightly, and they both sit up on the bed.

"Khana nahi khaya ab tak?" Ainy points to the table.

"Bhukh nahi hai."

Ainy takes the tray from the table and puts it beside him on the bed.

"Kha lo. Fir baat karenge hum," she insists.

"Kya baat karenge, Ainy. Tum to mere baba ko hi support karegi." Fakhir pushes the food tray aside, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface.

"Aisa nahi hai, Fakhir. Humesha tumhare lie hi bare abbu se baat ki hai na maine? It is just that he just came from the hospital and his health is not okay. So, I am just worried about him." Ainy's voice carries a tone of sincerity as she tries to bridge the gap between them.

"Baba ki fikr hai, meri nahi?" Fakhir teases, flicking Ainy's nose mischievously. She retaliates by pulling his hair, and he tries to push her hand away, but Ainy remains relentless, her grip firm on his hair.

"Ainy, choro," Fakhir pleads, wincing as he finally manages to break free from her hold. Ainy chuckles and, puts a piece of roti in his mouth.

"Kha lo."

"Acha. Khata hun," Fakhir finally relents, sitting down to eat his dinner. Ainy watches him with a satisfied smile.

"Main chalti hu. Agar koi dekh lega to tamasha ho jayega," she says, getting up from the bed.

"Tumne kha liya?" Fakhir inquires.

"Haan. Chalo, good night," Ainy replies and hurries out of his room, only to collide with their aunt, Fehmi, right outside of Fakhir's room.

Ainy looks at Fehmi and gulps. She knows that she is in trouble. Aunt Fehmi is someone who would make a fuss about simple things, and Ainy coming out of Fakhir's room late at night isn't a simple matter in their household.

"Kya kar rahi ho iss waqt Fakhir ke kamre mein?" Fehmi asks, suspicion in her eyes.

Hearing Fehmi's voice, Fakhir stops eating and comes to Ainy's defense.

"Khana dene aayi thi phupho. Kya hua?" Fakhir asks, trying to deflect the situation.

"Khana to tumhe Sameena bhabhi ne diya tha. Fir Ainy kyu aayi?" Fehmi isn't ready to let this go easily.

Fakhir and Ainy exchange glances, silently communicating their concern about the escalating situation.

"Haan, khana to Amma ne diya tha, par mujhe omelette chahiye tha, isliye Ainy leke aayi," Fakhir explains, attempting to defuse the tension.

"Fakhir, mujhe bewakoof mat samjho," Fehmi points at Ainy, her tone accusatory. She continues, "Main achi tarah se janti hun, jitni seedhi ye dikhti hai, utni seedhi nahi hai."

Ainy's eyes well up with tears as she tries to explain herself, "Phupho, main bas..."

Fehmi cuts Ainy off mid-sentence, her stern demeanor unwavering, "Tum chup hi rahi, Ainy."

"Phupho, ye aap kya keh rahi hai? Ainy ki koi galati nahi hai," Fakhir interjects, coming to Ainy's defense.

"I have noticed this, aaj kal dono ek dusare ko bohot defend karte ho. Pahle jaise bache nahi rahe tum dono. Bare ho rahe hain, to ek dusre se thoda sa dur raho to behtar hoga tum dono ke liye," Fehmi taunts with a sly smile, enjoying the discomfort she's causing Fakhir and Ainy.

Fakhir, frustrated with Fehmi's taunts, decides he's had enough. "Fehmi phupho, aapko bata diya Ainy kyu aayi thi mere kamre mein. Fir bhi aapko shak hai to mujhe kuch nahi kahna," Fakhir says angrily.

"Ainy, tum apne kamre mein jao." Fakhir says to Ainy. Ainy nods and leaves Fakhir and Fehmi alone.

"Subah hone do. Tumhare abba ko bata dungi raat ko ghar ke lardla beta aur seedhi beti kya karte hai," Fehmi taunts before leaving Fakhir, who's left in disbelief. He clenches his jaw in frustration.

"Amma, mujhe sirf 200 rupaye chahiye," Ainy pleads with a pout on her face. Aisha, her mother, feels a pang of helplessness, as she knows she doesn't have any money at hand.

"Beta, maine tumhare abba se pucha tha, par unhone kaha ki faltu ki cheez ke liye unke paas paise nahi hain," Aisha says with a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"Amma, yeh faltu ki baat nahi hai. Mere exams ki fees ke liye chahiye tha," Ainy explains earnestly.

"Mujhe pata hai, guriya. Lekin tumhare abba kahaan maanenge. Lagta hai unhein tum dono ki parayi mein koi interest hi nahi hai," Aisha sighs in resignation.

"Ab main kya karoon?" Ainy mumbles, her eyes reflecting her worries.

"Ainy, chalo. Der ho rahi hai," Faiza urges Ainy, pulling her along. Ainy follows her sister, her face marked with sadness. On the hallway, she bumps into Fakhir.

Fakhir notices her downcast expression and steadies her. "Kya hua? Chahra kyu utra hua hai?" he inquires.

"Fees ke liye abba ne paisa nahi diya," Ainy replies, her gaze fixed on her shoes.

"Kitna-"

"Fakhir!" Sameena rushes in, interrupting their conversation. "Here is your pocket money. I forgot to give it to you last night." Sameena puts some money into Fakhir's pocket and hurries back to the kitchen.

"Ainy!" Faiza calls from the gate.

"Bye, Fakhir," Ainy says as she starts to rush away. However, Fakhir pulls her back towards him, and she collides with him again. He takes her hand and discreetly places a few notes into her hand.

"Goodbye, Ainy," he waves at her and leaves her in a bewildered state. Ainy puts the money in her bag with a contented smile.

Zaheer sits in his room, flipping through a newspaper when Fehmi enters. Her face holds a mischievous grin as she approaches her brother.

"Zaheer bhai, you won't believe what I saw last night," she begins , her tone filled with intrigue.

Zaheer looks up from the newspaper, curious. "What is it, Fehmi?"

Fehmi leans closer, as if to share a secret. "I was talking to Saiqa Aapa on the phone last night, and guess what I found? Ainy was in Fakhir's room at that hour!"

Zaheer's brows furrows in confusion. "Ainy? Are you sure?"

Fehmi nods emphatically. "Absolutely, Zaheer bhai. I couldn't believe my eyes. She came out of Fakhir's room late at night. When I asked about it, bahana bana rahe the dono."

"Fehmi, koi kam hoga isliye gayi hogi Ainy Fakhir ke kamre mein," Zaheer responds nonchalantly, his eyes on the newspaper.

Fehmi, her concern evident, doesn't back down. "Aadhi raat ko ek jawan ladki ek jawan ladke ke kamre mein kya kar rahi hogi, bhai? Aap hi bataye mujhe."

When Zaheer remains silent, Fehmi presses on, her tone unwavering, "Main aapko bata rahi hoon, bhai. Ye bache hain, aur agar kuch ho jata hai, to pata nahi muhalle wale kya-kya bolenge."

Zaheer's expression turns serious as he processes this information. "I'll talk to them about it."

Fehmi grins again, reveling in the drama she hascreated. "You should, Zaheer bhai. It's important to keep an eye on these young ones."

Zaheer nods, and Fehmi leaves the room, leaving him with a lot to think about.

Amma has ordered Sameena and Aisha to clean Saiqa's room as she is arriving at noon from Muscat. Amma is overjoyed to see her daughter and grandkids after a whole year.

"I want everything to be perfect, Sameena," she instructs with high expectations. Sameena and Aisha nod at their mother-in-law.

Amma stands near the entrance, eagerly awaiting her daughter's arrival. Her eyes glisten with joy as she imagines the reunion. Zaheer, Saiqa's brother, stands beside Amma, equally excited to see his sister after such a long time.

The clock ticks away, and then, the moment arrives. The sound of a car pulling up in the driveway sends a wave of excitement through the household. Saiqa steps out of the car, followed by her husband, Faraz, and their children, Arsal and Areeba.

Saiqa rushes into Amma's open arms, tears of happiness streaming down her face as she embraces her mother. Amma holds her tightly, whispering words of love and longing. Zaheer warmly greets his sister, hugging her and welcoming Faraz and the children.

"Saiqa Aapa, look how much Arsal and Areeba have grown. Arsal is practically an adults now." Fehmi says with excitement.

"He is seventeen, Fehmi. But he is eager to be an adult now. I don't know why he wants to grow up fast?" Saiqa chuckles.

"Because I want freedom, Ammi. Nobody questions a grown-up man," Arsal shrugs with a smile while Zaheer pats on his back.

"Chalo, Saiqa aapa, your room is all ready for you. Freshen up, and we'll have a wonderful meal together," Aisha says, warmly.

"Haan bhai, bohot bhukh lagi hai mujhe," Faraz adds eagerly.

Sameena has allocated Fakhir's room to Arsal for some rest after lunch. She's aware that Fakhir usually doesn't appreciate anyone entering his room except for Ainy or Sameena. However, she believes that the friendship between Fakhir and Arsal is strong enough that Fakhir wouldn't mind letting Arsal use his room without making a fuss about it.

"Sameena, can we talk?" Zaheer asks as she enters their room.

"Sure," Sameena replies.

"Fehmi said that she saw Ainy in Fakhir's room last night."

"Fehmi kuch bhi bolti rahti hai, Zaheer."

"Sameena, this is not a small matter. Fakhir and Ainy are not little kids anymore. They are growing up. They are teenagers."

"Aap aur Fehmi jo soch rahe hai, aisa kuch bhi nahi karenge Fakhir aur Ainy. Mujhe aitbaar hai dono pey," Sameena says.

Zaheer responds, "Mujhe Ainy pey aitbaar hai par apne bete pey nahi. Samjha do use,"

Sameena nods at her husband, realizing that Zaheer is right. Even though she trusts both kids, she can't ignore the fact that they are teenagers, and sometimes teenagers don't think before acting on their impulses.