Mayi Ri

Chapter 2

"Faiza, I think Dadi believed your lie. She didn't ask anything about Bare Abbu during dinner," Ainy confides in Faiza.

Faiza has told their grandmother a little white lie about Zaheer's health to prevent unnecessary drama. She knows that Dadi would panic and insist on taking her to the hospital, so she has chosen to keep things calm by not revealing the full extent of the situation.

Faiza nods in agreement, relieved that their grandmother didn't press them with questions about their father's health during dinner.

"Yeah, it worked," Faiza whispers back to Ainy.

Just then, they hear Dadi calling Ainy. Both sisters exchange worried glances, and Ainy rushes to Dadi's room.

"Kya hua, Daadi?" Ainy asks, her worry evident.

"Tum log mujhse jhuth kyu bola? Fehmi ka call aya tha. Usne bataya Zaheer ICU main hai," Daadi says.

"Daadi, meri Amma se baat hui thi. Vo keh rahi thi sab thik hai," Ainy replies, trying to calm her grandmother.

"Jhuth mat bolo, Ainy. Fakhir ya Habeeb se kaho mujhe hospital le jaaye," Daadi insists, her concern for Zaheer evident in her voice.

Ainy hurries to her room and quickly dials her mother's number.

Faiza, concerned, asks, "Kya hua?"

"Fehmi phupho ne Daadi ko call kiya aur sab kuch bata diya. Ab Daadi ko hospital jana hai," Ainy replies, her voice tinged with worry.

As soon as Aisha takes the call, Ainy explains the situation to her.

Aisha nods on the other end and says, "I will send Habeeb home."

Ainy sighs in relief and reassures Faiza, saying, "You can go to sleep, Faiza. When Abba comes home, I'll open the door for him."

Ainy paces back and forth on the terrace, anxiously awaiting her father's return. As she glances around, she spots Fakhir engrossed in a phone call, assuming that he's talking to his girlfriend.

Ainy's eyes dart back and forth, scanning the road for any sign of her father's arrival. In the process, she notices Hamza, a fellow student from her school, sitting on a motorbike and engaged in conversation with a friend. When Hamza spots her, he waves in her direction, catching her attention.

Worried about her father's potential reaction, Ainy quickly leaves the terrace. She wants to prevent any misconceptions that could result in her being reprimanded just because Hamza waved at her while she was on the terrace.

At midnight, Zaheer is moved to his room, and Habeeb, Aisha, Sameena, and Amma are all present, their concern evident in the room.

The nurse's voice cuts through the silence, "Only one person can stay with the patient."

"Yeh kaise ho sakta hai? Mere bete ko akele kaise chhod sakte hain hum?" Daadi argues vehemently with the nurse, her eyes filled with worry and frustration.

The nurse maintains a stern stance, responding firmly, ""I am telling you the hospital protocols. You have to obey it,"

"Amma, she is right," Sameena says.

"Tum yahi kahogi. You don't like me being here," Amma says to Sameena angrily.

"Amma, thik hi to kah rahi hai bhabhi. Aap aiye mere sath." Habeeb takes his mother from the room. Aisha also joins them.

******

Ainy stands in the kitchen, busy preparing breakfast for herself, Fakhir, and Faiza. Their maid rushes into the kitchen, apologizing for her delay, and begins preparing their lunchboxes as Ainy finishes cooking breakfast.

Fakhir enters the kitchen with hunger in his eyes. "Breakfast ban gaya?" he asks eagerly.

Ainy playfully teases Fakhir, "Fakhir saab aa gaya?" She then places a food tray in his hands and instructs him, "Take this to the dining room."

Faiza, dressed in her school uniform, enters the kitchen in a hurry. She spots Ainy and says, "Ainy, get ready quickly. We'll be late for school."

Ainy nods and rushes off to her room to prepare. However, just as she's about to leave, Fakhir intercepts her and advises, "Wait, Ainy, nashta to karo pahle."

"Tum log karo. Main aati hu." Ainy runs to her room.

******

Zaheer regains consciousness, his eyes slowly fluttering open in the hospital room. The soft hum of machines and the subdued lighting greet his senses. He blinks, adjusting to the surroundings, and then looks around the room, taking in the familiar face of his wife, Sameena.

Sameena's eyes fill with relief as she sees Zaheer waking up. She leans closer, her voice trembling with emotion. "Zaheer, Alhamdulillah, you're awake. How are you feeling?"

Zaheer manages a weak smile. "I'm a bit groggy, but I think I'll survive. How long have I been here?"

"You've been here for two days, Zaheer," Sameena clarifies.

"Amma aayi hai?" Zaheer asks again. Sameena nods and goes to call her mother-in-law.

Amma, Habeeb, and Aisha enter the room with Sameena, their faces filled with joy at the sight of Zaheer. Amma lovingly approaches her son and places a tender kiss on his forehead.

"Alhamdulillah. Allah ne meri dua suni," she exclaims, her heart overflowing with gratitude.

Habeeb, with a smile of relief, says, "Bhai, we were so worried about you. Alhamdulillah, you're getting better."

"Zaheer bhai,take good care of yourself now. Your health is the most important thing," Aisha says.

"I will, Aisha," Zaheer smiles.

Fakhir arrives at the hospital carrying bags of food for everyone. He has taken a day off from school. As he enters the room, he greets his mother, Sameena, Amma, Aisha, Habeeb and Zaheer with a warm smile.

"I have bought food." Fakhir says, setting the food containers on a nearby table. "Ainy has cooked your favorite dishes, with the help of maasi, of course."

Zaheer's face lights up with gratitude. "That's thoughtful of Ainy."

"You've gathered here again?" The nurse asks angrily. "Only one person at a time."

"We are leaving," Habeeb gestures for everyone to exit, leaving Zaheer with Amma.

A few moments later, Habeeb is called by his mother to Zaheer's room, leaving Aisha and Sameena puzzled. Fakhir remains engrossed in his phone, indifferent to the ongoing discussion.

"I wonder what they're discussing," Aisha says, curiosity piqued. "Sometimes the mother and sons have their own secrets."

"Indeed," Sameena agrees. "Should we go and check on them?"

"Chalo" Aisha suggests, and they both decide to investigate the matter.

As soon as they enter the room, the conversation comes to a sudden halt.

"What were you all discussing?" Sameena inquires.

"Kuch decision ke baare mein," Amma responds.

"Kya decision? Humein bhi bataye," Sameena presses.

"Bhabhi, we will discuss it further once bhai is back home," Habeeb states.

Sameena and Aisha exchange disappointed glances, a familiar feeling washing over them. It's a recurring pattern in their household – the decisions are made, conversations happen, and they are often left out of the loop. They can't help but wonder when their voices and opinions will be given the consideration they deserve.

*****

Fakhir, Ainy, and Faiza are caught up in a heated argument over the chips.

"Tum log mujhe kyu nahi de rahe?" Fakhir asks, reaching out to grab the chips.

"Tumne bohot kha liya, Fakhir. Abhi nahi dena," Ainy asserts with a playful grin, defending the precious chips.

"Kya ho raha hai bacho?" Zaheer inquires as he steps into the house with Sameena and Habeeb, freshly discharged from the hospital. As soon as Fakhir, Ainy, and Faiza spot him, they stand up, their faces lighting up with smiles.

"Assalamualaikum, bare abbu," Ainy warmly greets her uncle as Sameena invites Zaheer to take a seat. She instructs Ainy to fetch some water for him. Fakhir stands there awkwardly.

"Fakhir," zaheer calls his only son.

"Ji, baba."

"Did you take a leave from school?" Zaheer inquires.

"Just one day, that too with Amma's permission," He stutters.

"Don't take any days off now. Studies are important," Zaheer says. Fakhir nods at his father.

*****

"What happened, Habeeb? You seem tensed," Aisha asks while folding her clothes.

"Aisha, I was scared for Zaheer bhai. I thought he was gone. You know, Aisha, he has taken care of us siblings like a father after our father's death. I can't imagine a life without him," Habeeb says, his worry evident in his voice.

"Thank God, he is okay now," Aisha says.

Habeeb's phone starts ringing. He looks at the screen and then panics. Aisha notices his reaction and she knows who is calling her husband. Habeeb leaves the room. Aisha throws all the clothes into the wardrobe.

A few months ago Habeeb got married to his second wife Rahila causing turmoil in his own house. He has brought Rahila home but Zaheer refused her to enter the house. Since then he stays with his second wife occasionally comes home to see either Amma or Zaheer.

*****

Aisha stands in the kitchen, her head throbbing as she prepares a meal for the entire household, assisted by their maid, Aamina. Sameena enters the kitchen with news.

"Aisha, we need to prepare a meal for more people now," Sameena says.

"Why, bhabhi" Aisha inquires with curiosity.

"Fehmi is coming, and Saiqa will also arrive from Muscat tomorrow . We have to cook for everyone," Sameena rolls up her salwar sleeves, ready to assist Aisha.

"Bhabhi, I already have a headache. I don't know how I'll manage," Aisha expresses her concern.

Sameena suggests, "Take some medicine. When Ainy returns from school, we'll ask her to join us."

Aisha expresses her concern, saying, "bechari thaki hui hogi, bhabhi."

"There won't be any harm in doing a little housework, Aisha," Sameena responds.

Aisha remains quiet, not wanting to challenge Sameena's words, especially since she is the youngest daughter-in-law in the household. Additionally, considering that Sameena's husband is the one who takes care of Aisha's children's expenses, especially since Habeeb doesn't seem interested in his own daughters' schooling, she refrains from any disagreement.

*****

The whole family gathers in the dining room. Noticing Fakhir's absence, Zaheer asks Sameena, "Where is Fakhir?"

Ainy quickly interjects, "Bare Abbu, vo Ahmad ke saath group study ke liye gaya hai," weaving a protective web of lies to shield Fakhir from potential trouble, even though she's well aware that he's actually out with his girlfriend, Amna.

Ainy notices the subtle disappointment on Zaheer's face, although he doesn't voice his feelings.

"Bhabhi, larke pey thoda dhyan rakh liya karein. Humesha bahar doston ke sath hi rahta hai Fakhir," Fehmi, Zaheer's youngest sister, says with a mocking tone.

"Fehmi, vo parai karne ke lie gaya hai. Khelne thodi gaya hai," Sameena says, angrily.

"Ye kya baat hui? Aap mujh pe gussa kyu ho rahi ho?" Fehmi asks.

"Fehmi, choro na," Sajjad, Fehmi's husband interjects.

"Fehmi sahi kah rahi hai. Aaj kal Fakhir doston ke sath kuch zyada hi ghumte hai," Amma says, agreeing with Fehmi.

"Sameena, Fakhir se puch liya karo kaha jaata hai. Bacha hai vo ab bhi. Apne manmani nahi kar sakte," Zaheer scolds Sameena for not taking care of their son properly.

Sameena stays quiet, knowing that Zaheer will not listen to her but might heed his mother and sisters' advice.

Fakhir enters the dining room, finding everyone already done with their dinner.

"Kahaan the tum? Itna der kyu kiya aane mein?" Zaheer asks angrily.

Fakhir begins to respond, but Ainy cuts him off, "Bare abbu, maine bataya to tha, ye group studies ke liye gaya tha. Hai na, Fakhir?" Fakhir looks at Ainy, initially puzzled, then understanding her intentions, he nods in agreement.

"Apni maa ko bataya tha?," Zaheer questions his son.

Sameena quickly intervenes, attempting to shield her son. "Arrey, vo Ainy ko bataya tha na."

Zaheer firmly responds, "Sameena, uski maa tum ho, Ainy nahi."

"Ainy ko batau ya Amma ko batau kya fark parta hai? Kisi ko to batata hun main," Fakhir replies, clenching his teeth.

"Fakhir!" Zaheer raises his hand, but Sameena holds onto it. Everyone looks at Zaheer with shock. Ainy, fearing Fakhir's reaction moves beside him and holds the tip of his shirt.

"Kya kar rahe hai aap?" Sameena asks her husband. "Tum apne kamre mein jao, Fakhir." Sameena orders her son.

Fakhir abruptly jerks his arm free from Ainy's grasp and exits the dining room. Ainy who always has seen the conflict between Fakhir and his father, quickly follows him.

"Fakhir, meri baat suno," she implores.

"Kya sunu main, Ainy? Humesha sabke samne mujhe zaleel karte hain," Fakhir retorts.

"Fakhir, he was upset that because you came late. You are his son. Understand him," Ainy pleads.

"Understand him? Why can't he understand me?" Fakhir's frustration boils over. "Dekho Ainy, I don't want to talk about anything right now." Fakhir closes his room door.

As Ainy stands in front of his door, with a heavy heart,Fakhir stands on the other side of the door, with whirlwind of emotions. His anger, frustration, and a sense of injustice swirl within him like a tempest.

He paces back and forth, his mind racing with conflicting thoughts. Deep down, Fakhir longs for his father's understanding and acceptance. He yearns for the freedom to make his own choices and live life on his terms.

His phone rings. He takes the phone out of his pocket and looks at the screen. As soon as he sees Amna's name on his phone screen, a smile appears on his face.