Zain + Aaliya - Beintehaan
Part I
Ghulam Haider's residence~
{Thursday morning- January 9th, 2014}
8:00 am-
Long awaited celebrations and preparations were going on with full force at Gulam Haider's household in Bhopal from months that turned into just weeks and now, just couple days away. It was a foggy, chilled morning as the sun arose giving away the warmth from its raise upon Bhopal bringing the city alive complimenting the chilled breeze that hung in the air, awakening its citizens as shops started to open as per every-morning routine, and birds tweeted in the air. As of tomorrow, Gulam Haider's eldest daughter's nikaah was to be held at their house, and calling a place a chaos would be an understatement. It was as if a storm ran over their house and the emergency service was currently nowhere to be seen; currently snoozing.
Flashback:
Due to the nikaah just about two days away, the Haider's decided that they will spend the night on the rooftop under the stars- full of blast, lots of masti, cherishing childhood to teen moments of their ladli Aaliya with their extended family and cousins, laid back, laughing and joking away, singing Antakshari at one point. And there was a rule: no emotional talk whatsoever. A night of family togetherness cherishing memories of their ladli wouldn't be complete by her handmade doodh wali chai, pakoras and jalebi- special Haider's dessert specialty.
Meanwhile, the little kiddos were off to sleep, leaving away the adults and teens to themselves.
"Ammi, main chai and pakoras bana ki lati hoon, aap sab log uper ja kay betheye." Aaliya started as the family decided upon a late -night family get together at 1o:3o, since no one felt like going to bed due to excessive excitement and emotions which were kept subdued within themselves and the atmosphere had almost become quiet, stiff and a bit emotional. That's when Aaliya decided what needed to be done; sleeping a wink wouldn't do when she wanted to be nowhere except within her family. The thought of leaving her family killed her cells and she wouldn't think about this now... when she herself needed to distract her family.
Though it wasn't as chilly, just a still night and a bit breezy, the Haider's decided upon the rooftop comforted by quilts and shawls.
Ammi relented upon Aaliya making snacks and chai all by herself and before she could say much, she was cut off by Aaliya- "Ammi please. Main sab kay liye yeh karna chahti hoon. Baad mein bhi, ap nay hi toh karna hai; waise bhi, sab ko mere haath kay bane pakoras and chai bahut pasand hai." Aaliya smirked, making Ammi a bit teary eyed, as she fondly looked at her grazing her cheek. "Rona dhona bacha kay rakhye ga, rukhsati kay liye. Abhi sirf hasna hai. No Ansoos." Giving her a quick hug and peck on the cheek, she turned Ammi towards the stairs that led to the rooftop. "Jaye."
While everyone was occupied setting up the charpoy's with sheets, pillows, blankets along with chairs and a pinic table at the rooftop, the mother and daughter moment wasn't missed by one spectator. He intentioned to calling out phoops to hurry it up and yet, the words he wanted to voice got abruptly stuck in this throat and he couldn't dare to break away the moment, no matter how much his ego persisted him to do so. There stood both the women hugging as he looked ahead, arms crossed up his chest, an odd feeling arising within him. His favourite enemy was going away. What more did he need? But nothing within him rejoiced with that thought and he couldn't pinpoint it either left him a bit glum.
...
With Ayaat's help, Aaliya brought up hot-piping Chai, Pakoras and warmed, fresh Jalibi's which Abbu brought while coming back from praying Isha. Preoccupied with glancing over her tray making sure everything was all set, she landed the last step and was about to call out her usual- Chai and pakora with Jalebi tayaar hai!' when landing upon the rooftop made her froze.
Numerous candles were lit along the four walls, placed on the finished tiled ground, their fragranced rose aroma wafting in the air, light and yet not too strong. On instinct, eyes closed, Aaliya inhaled her favourite scent capturing the beauty which the lit candles presented all together, their little flames swaying with a bit of breeze. Along the side of the porch by the railing were a few charpoy's placed for everyone and in the middle of the porch was a rectangular table holding up the snacks and chai, a bouquet of her favourite white roses and hints of few lilies, along with a few picnic chairs. The scene in front of her was truly serene and she couldn't blink away.
"Surprise!" Everyone screamed and cheered, not too loudly to wake up the kids and neighbours, but loud enough stood her family few feet from her, while the elderly were seated on the charpoy.
Somehow her arms were free of the tray and upon instinct, her hands flew up to her mouth as she gasped, her dark brown eyes widened and she stood stilled for a good minute or two, while her brunette gave away her dark hazel highlights... giving away the glow to her face reflected the candles. She came out of her reverie as everyone stood gazing at her lovingly and she hurriedly ran into both of her parents. Their arms spread out of parental love and emotions threatened to break through until they could no long hold it together themselves while bundling her up in their embrace as close as possible.
Coming out of the hug, she fondly looked up at them, voice muffled and overwhelmed, her vision blurred due to the mist of tears she tried blinking away.
"This is beautiful ammi, abbu." Looking over her shoulder gazing over the illumination, she turned back to them, "I truly love it- bahut khoobsurat lag raha hai. Kis ne kiya?" One eyebrow held up in inquisition, while her dark brown orbs, now hazel under the illumination sparkled with excitement.She loved surprises. It was merely Zain's plan to a set up an ambience for Aaliya for the family get together, just so she remembered this night vividly with her loved ones before everyone got too absorbed into her wedding rushing things; all in all trying to make it a memorable night, just like his cruise ship idea, except she didn't know about that either.
Ammi and Abbu locked their vision with Zain for a quick two seconds as understanding passed between them as Zain blinked and they smiled in return. Everyone had collaborated, Zain just suggested the idea while everyone gaped at him for coming up with something as surreal which Aaliya will love, not knowing what had gotten into Zain. Their relationship was like that, unexpected at all times.
"Yeh sab hamari taraf say, tumhare liye. Hamesha Khush raho, betiya." They both spoke patting her head as she leaned into the warmth of their hands, a tear rolled down her cheek, she silently made a dua to Allah thanking him for granting her such loving parents and leaned into them for a fierce hug, joined by Ayaat.
And Zain just instantly could tell, she absolutely loved it; afterall, their likes and dislikes were really similar and after inquiring about her favourite's just to be sure, there's was no way Aaliya wouldn't be thrilled.
After few long seconds, someone cleared their throat- "aheem! Party shuru karne ka irada hai, kya? Bhook say jaan nikle rahi hai. Motermah-e-Aaliya kya hamein bhuka marnay ka irada hai? And I thought kisi ne rule banaya tha kay no rona dhona aur who khud hi..." Zain smirked, playing lightly to get rid of the emotional current hung in the air knowing he hit the jackpot and earned full on glare from not only Aaliya, but Ammi, Abbu and Ayaat, earning chuckles from rest of the family joined by ammi, abbu and Ayaat right after. To which, Aaliya did her signature eyebrow hunch while arms crossed, not before she stick out her tongue to Zain for losing it and ran towards the table to serve food. In response, Zain stood slightly stood open mouthed by the family's reaction and instantly his jaw set into a playful smirk while heading to the table, all along keeping his focus on Aaliya's cheerful face amongst the family laughing away.
"Tumhe tang karne ka maza hi kuch aur hai, Aaliya begum."
& Just like that the night passed with non-stop laughter, constant chatter, singing classy songs, fond memories, zain-Aali banter and ... ladli Aaliya gave away to sleep in her Ammi's lap, while the legs were situated on her abbu's lap, safely cocooned.
half an hour later, everyone had passed out on their beds much to phupphi's insistence.
-
The crisp, winter morning was to be full of hopes, prayers and celebrations... and a touch of unexplained joy hung in the air. Aliya Gulam Haider awoke earlier than the usual routine with a sweet smile upon her lips, eyes strained open from the morning sun teasing her eyes, hinting at her dark brunette locks making them shine ever so slightly penetrating her with early morning glow. She could just feel it, in fact smell it. It was going to be different today and tomorrow, the big day was yet to come. Yet her heart skipped a few beats, softest smile still intact upon her face, fully awake now cuddling into her favourite blanket looking ahead to the family frame upon her bedside table- ammi, abbu and Ayaat- her family, her zindagi. Capturing the image within her whom without she could not imagine her life without, she left to get freshened up exciting day for the day ahead. There was a spring in her walk as she headed towards the washroom around the corner, smile still intact.
...
9:3o am:
Clad in a full-sleeve white churidaar accompanied by the lightest shade of peach lace running along the borders of the dress and a thin lining along the dupatta topped with the tinniest sequins positioned around her neck, Aaliya looked beautiful to say the least. The hints of peachy combination of the churidaar complimented her tanned skin tonne, giving away to her naturally glowing face without any makeup. Her brunette hair, slightly wavy and damp from the shower, hung loosely on shoulders as she descended down the stairs towards her family in the veranda, a soft smile playing on her lips. Serene and happy from within, seeing her family occupied within her wedding preps. Gave her immense pleasure and joy. As long as they were happy, she was too.
Her ammi was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for the rest working feverishly into a smooth, paced routine, while her abbu jaan was directing and monitoring the workers at their house who were busily repairing the lights, cracks in the walls and starting to arrange and set up the dcor that was to go around their house.
"Assamualykum Ammi !" Deciding to head towards the kitchen first, she went behind her Ammi and put her arms around her.
Ammi slightly jumped too engulfed in her routine to notice Aaliya and instantly so, relaxed.
"Aali! Beta, tu ne toh dara hi diya." Ammi smiled while rolling a paratha, while waiting for one on the tawa which was almost done to be taken off. "Walykumsalaam, meri jaan. Itni jaldi uth gaye ?" Ammi inquired busily putting up the last paratha on the tawa, while Aaliya was sitting down one of the dining chairs placed a feet away from the kitchen counter.
Ammi washed her hands under the taps, clad in a light turquoise salwaar-kameez with the dupatta secured on her head as Aaliya came by to check out the paratha simmering with fresh butter and left her glass on the kitchen table. As Ammi came back around to check the paratha which Aaliya placed upon the others, turning off the gas in process.
"Jee Ammi. Khushi say needh hi nahi aa paye." Twirling around in their little kitchen while Ammi stood gaping her at, she couldn't believe this was her Aaliya. Something was different today.
"Kya hua Ammi? Achi nahi lag rahi hoon?"
"Huh? Nahi Nahi... aisi baat nahi hai." Coming closer to Aaliya, she touched upon the kajal around her own eyes and applied a dot behind Aaliya's ear, while eyes turned misty. "Meri ladli toh bahut khoobsurat lag rahi hai, ma sha Allah. Kya baat hai?" Ammi turned from being mischevious to emotional, while Aaliya continued blushing while her eyes were downcast. "kisi ki nazar na lag jaye."
"Ammi, aisi koi baat nahi hai. Acha, mujhe orphanage jana hai, bachoon kay dekhnain. Raaste say unke liye kuch kareed bhi loongi."
The tea left to simmer on the stove was almost ready to be served.
"Accha,theek hai. Lekin pehle nashta."
"Jee acha." Aaliya agreed, while pouring Chai into the mugs for Ammi, Abbu and herself.
"Aree Begum. Kushboo toh bahut achi arahi hai, ab nashta lay be aao." Abbu heartily spoke as he walked into the kitchen.
"Aree Aaliya? Uth gaya mera bacha?"
"Assamualykum abbu. Jee"
" Wa'alikumusalam. Aaj toh hamare Aaliya bahut hi pyaari lag rahi hai. Kahin Jaa rahi ho beta?"
"Jee abbu. Orphanage jana hai bachoon kay dekhnay kay leye. Unke saath thoda time spend karna chahti hoon, phir shayad shaadi kay baad na ho paye."
"Dehaan say jaana. Aur aaj auto lay janaa. Jaldi pahunch jao gi."
"Jee abbu."
The trio had breakfast together, while Aaliya had just half a paratha, chugged down Chai and flew to the door in haste to get to see her kids, which had become a part of her life.
"Ammi! Abbu! Mein jarahi hoon. Allahafiz."
"Yeh larki bhi na." Ammi spoke as the blurred image of Aaliya half-ran out the door.
-
Note:-
Hi there ! I hope you guys liked part one of the two shot I have currently planned. In love with Beintehaan at the moment, with Zain and Aali, totally addicted to these two... that I just had to write a little something on them. I barely write on the forum, but with Z & A hovering in my mind consistently, I took out sometime to pen them down with an idea that had been in my mind.
Most importantly, PLEASE DO NOT PLAGARISE my work at all or any portion of it. It is the worse things one can do and I would not tolerate it at all.
Edited : Please kindly Like and comment. A writer loves appreciation from their readers, and so I would need all the likes and words of appreciation to continue this further. Thanks Guys ! : )
Enjoy ! :)
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