Tera Deedar Hua ??? ?

?III?

("Mom, we need to talk to all of you about something important.")

The lively chatter quieted as everyone turned toward her.

Saima glanced at Shama nervously, then grinned mischievously. "Vo baaji batayengi. Main toh bas moral support de rahi thi."

("Sister will tell you. I was just providing moral support.")

Shama shot her a look of disbelief.

Ziniya smiled fondly. "Shama, kya baat hai? Batao humein."

("Shama, what's the matter? Tell us.")

Taking a deep breath, Shama finally said, "Ammi, maine Azaan ke liye ek ladki pasand ki hai."

("Mom, I have chosen a girl for Azaan.")

The room went silent for a beat, and then chaos erupted.

Azaan, in mid-bite, choked on his food.

Izaan, sitting beside him, quickly handed him water, patting his back. "Bhaijaan, abhi toh sirf baat chali hai aur aap khaas rahe hain. Ya Allah, aage na jaane kya kya hoga!"

("Brother, it's just a discussion right now, and you're already so serious. Oh God, who knows what will happen next!")

He giggled, earning a glare from Azaan, who looked half-annoyed and half-embarrassed.

Izaan raised a finger to his lips, pretending to zip them.

Ziniya beamed with happiness. "Yeh toh bohot achhi baat hai, Shama! Azaan ki umar ho chali hai nikah ki. Hum bhi soch rahe the iss baare mein."

("This is really great, Shama! Azaan is of the right age for marriage. I was also thinking about this matter.")

Murtaza nodded in agreement. "Haan, bilkul. Kaun hai ladki? Kaha ki hai? Naam kya hai?"

("Yes, absolutely. Who is the girl? Where is she from? What is her name?")

Shama smiled at her father-in-law's enthusiasm. "Abbu, ladki Lucknow ki hi hai. Saima ki dost ki beti hai. Naam hai... Madira Khan."

("Dad, the girl is from Lucknow. She is Saima's friend's daughter. Her name is... Madira Khan.")

The moment the name escaped her lips, Azaan froze, his spoon suspended mid-air.

Madira

The name echoed in his mind, and an inexplicable warmth spread through him.

He repeated it silently, savoring the melody of it.

◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆◆

At Khan Haveli, Mehram sat across from Gulfam, who was looking intently at her.

The conversation had shifted towards the recent visit of Shama and Saima, which Mehram had just shared with him.

"Shama and Saima came today," Mehram began, watching Gulfam's face carefully.

Gulfam raised an eyebrow, his surprise clear. "Oh? And what did they say?"

Mehram's smile faded slightly, sensing the hesitation in her husband's eyes. "They want Madira to marry Azaan."

Gulfam's expression shifted, initially surprised, but soon it darkened with concern. "Madira is still young," he said, his voice full of worry.

Mehram rolled her eyes. "I knew you'd say that, Gulfam."