Taabindagi (Sequel Of Sharar)

Twenty-Three

(He is the only son of Ayat and Hanan, if something happens to him, they wouldn’t survive.)

“Momo kaha hai?” Ayla tried to shift the conversation away.

(Where's Momo?)

“Usko toh Ishmal apne sath le gayi hai, usne toh ro ro ke apna bura haal kar liya tha.”

(Ishmal took her with her. She had cried herself into exhaustion.)

Just then, Ishmal entered, carrying a tray of water. She had heard the horn outside and knew they had arrived. Since the previous night, no one in the haveli was in their senses. If there was anyone trying to take care of things, it was her.

“Momo kaisi hai?” Ayla asked, accepting a glass from her.

(How's Momo?)

“So rahi hai,” Ishmal replied, handing the next glass to Kian. Without looking at her, he reached for the one from tray, ignoring the one that she has extended for him. Quietly, Ishmal turned to Eifa and gave it to her. Eifa held it but didn’t drink, too lost in her torment to even acknowledge it.

(She's sleeping.)

She sat among them, yet she felt a million miles away. The voices around her blurred into a distant hum as guilt consumed her. If something happened to Shahnan, she would never forgive herself. He was just a boy. If only she had spoken to him with kindness. If only she hadn’t let her anger take over. This was her fault.

Ishmal’s phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was Dua. She glanced at the clock—Zarrar and Amina’s flight was due soon. This was probably about that. Excusing herself, she moved towards the hallway, but before she could step away, Rehnuma’s voice made her pause.

“Waise, kehna toh nahi chahiye lekin nayi bahu ke atey hi itna bada hadsa ho gaya.”

(I shouldn’t say this, but such a big tragedy has happened after the arrival of new bride.)

Ishmal’s steps halted, her fingers tightening around her phone, but before she could turn, Kian’s voice rang through the room.

“Hadsa tha, phuppo. Kisi bhi waqt, kisi ke bhi sath ho sakta tha. Isme nayi bahu ka kya zikar?” His tone was firm, not disrespectful, but resolute.

(It was an accident, phuppo. It could have happened to anyone, at any time. What does the new bride have to do with it?)

A small warmth bloomed in Ishmal’s chest. He had spoken up for her. He had defended her. And without turning back, she walked away, her heart carrying the weight of too many emotions to name.

•••

Ayla had barely spent any time at home before preparing to leave for the hospital again. She was arranging food in the car for those staying at the hospital. Ayla had insisted Kian stay home, there needed to be at least one man in the house. And now that Arsalan has come, he offered to take her to the hospital when Azrin came to them. "Mummy, main bhi chalu?"

(Mummy, can I go to the hospital too?)

Both Ayla and Arsalan were stunned. Azrin never willingly stepped into a crowd. She had barely managed to attend Kian’s wedding, and now she wanted to go to a hospital full of people?

“Nahi, Azrin, tum thakk jaogi, ghar pe hi raho.” Ayla tried to dissuade her, but Azrin shook her head firmly.

(No, Azrin. You’ll get exhausted. Stay at home.)

“Mujhe khala ke paas jana hai,” she said, her voice unwavering.

(I want to be with Khala.)