I didn't know what had happened to me. I stopped unnecessary talking to anyone. Anas and Amna used to be busy with their school, toys, and friends. I used to fight with my grandmother, but now it is no more. Now, my grandmother was also surprised at my seriousness.
"Maybe Rabia Baji had taken her tongue ...?" Grandma teases me by saying this. Now, who would tell them that the tongue wants to talk to Rabia Baji only? When Allah blessed Rabia Baji with a piece of the moon, a baby boy Mustafa. She came to stay at our house for a month and then my fast was broken. Aunty Aslam came to our house at the same time. In this way, she apologized for not coming to the wedding and congratulated me for becoming Aunt. A month later, Rabia Baji went back to her home. We had all become accustomed to the sound of the artifacts of that baby Mustafa. Not only the Mama but also the grandmother was sad.
"To avoid this grief, I am afraid of my daughters. Now look ... Rabia Baji comes and goes. It is as if she has never been here. One day Muntaha and then Amna will also go away." She was crying. On that day, Grandma made us cry. And after that day, I had given my voice to the snatches spread in the house. I had settled all the differences with Grandma. And I started teasing Grandma. Now in this repetition, there was no annoyance, anger, tears, or grievances. These were the paths of happiness. I used to go around the house without any reason.
One day Rafay Bhai Bhai's family came to our home. They had come to invite us to the end-term dinner of the pass-out batch of Naval Academy. The cadets who pass out in the Navy have the same dinner which is called farewell and the annual dinner in our school, and university. Mustafa was born during the Pass Out Parade. Because of this, we were not able to pass out the parade. And now a month later Beenish Baji Baji was sitting in our yard to invite us for dinner with an invitation card. At the first sight of Beenish Baji Baji, I thought of Nawab. Fearing the same thing, I said to Beenish Baji Baji
It might be difficult for me to go for dinner. My exams are coming up." Rafay Bhai Bhai had also heard what I just said.
"You don't have to stay for a month for dinner. You will prepare yourself one night before the test." They also tell me that the government could order them to move from Manora. So, this might be the last time I visit. After hearing this news, I decided to go. Now because of a Nawab, I could not leave my favorite place. I knew. Someone(Nawab)must have been there. That Nawab must be there. And I also knew this. Where there is a Nawab, the work will be bad.
..............
On the day we had dinner, we left for Manora at noon. We were getting ready for the night's event. I had learned to do a little bit of make-up. From then on, I wore a Maroon gown on a small silk frock and took a skin color scarf with me. I wore a matching maroon one-inch heel. We were all ready to go to the academy on the same coaster. It was supposed to be in the end-of-night dinner academy. It was like a wedding. VIP protocol started from the door for marvelous personalities. There were army vehicles parked everywhere. There were white uniforms everywhere. I don't know who is lucky to wear these white uniforms. I wish I was one of them. Successful young gentlemen and ladies roaming everywhere wearing white uniforms.
Our mobiles were still taken to the entrance as before. I was hypnotized by the cheerful environment. The sadness was overshadowed by the songs playing on the LED screens. I felt as if we had come to a concert. There is a big difference between our farewell dinner and the Naval farewell dinner. Because they pass out as Force Cadets. We have no competition. And here the President of Pakistan is invited. Even today, senior officials were present to encourage the youth. We were sitting at our desks according to the numbers written on the cards. The tables on the huge ground were filling up in Circles. In my imagination I thanked Rafay Bhai Bhai because of him we can see such a colorful side of life. Otherwise, people like us could not even peek at the place where we were sitting. After singing, the program would start. Cadets did melodramas that how Academy funnily tortured them. They showed how they have to wake up early in the mornings for training. They exposed seniors who trained them. One by one, they exposed those who had wronged him in the academy. Speeches and countless performances were given. Cadets from many other countries were also present. One by one, cadets from other countries also performed traditional dances with the flags of their respective countries. How did they specialize in all aspects of life apart from their academic activities? I was impressed!
While all this was going on, Uncle Riffat was seen coming towards us with Rafay Bhai Bhai. And I can see Nawab in Uncle Riffat, that is how scared I am. I was changing sides in anxiety that he could appear at any time. Whenever I forgot this person, he would remind me. And Aunty Aslam was sitting at our table. She was telling me. Her youngest son has gone there after clearing the American test. And the eldest son is here. Doubtless, more than a year had passed since then. The thieves sitting somewhere in my heart because of that incident that I can't forget, for the reason I don't want to come here. I could still feel his touch on my arms and face. And the same touch reminded me of his hazel eyes. It used to reprimand me again and again.
The meal time had started. There was a food buffet system. And that was my responsibility too to serve the elders food. After serving the elders, I had just passed the first spoon to my face when he was coming towards the table in a white uniform. I froze. He was sitting exactly in front of my chair. (another side of the table) We are in parallel again. He used to come whenever I was hungry. Maybe my hunger is his obedience.
I heard the voice of my name. Baba was calling me. I looked at Baba with questions in my eyes.
"Serve some food to your brother too ..." I looked at my brother. Baba was talking about Nawab.
"Oh no, Uncle ... I'll take something for myself ..." Nawab smiled.
"So why are you not taking food? How long have you been standing and doing your duty… You must be tired. Go Muntaha, bring some food for your brother ..." Dad was saying to me again. I got up.
"You ..." Nawab wanted to address me. I stopped and looked at him. "Please ... sit down." I didn't know what had happened to me at that moment. I gave him a sharp glance and stood up. I picked up the plate. And reluctantly began to put one spoon of all the dishes on a plate. Suddenly the plate was taken from my hand. Ah, his stare beat my heart fast.
"I'm not a dustbin ..." He smiled at me for the first time. He started pulling things out of the plate. He was right. I made a tower of dishes on a plate for him. I went back to my seat.
Even after a while, he was sitting on his seat in front of me. Like an officer, he was eating with a spoon and a fork. After eating my hunger, how smoothly he was eating with so much desire. Before that, I was overcome by hunger. He had eaten quickly. He was probably in a hurry. I was thankful for his departure. And instead of a bird, I ate like a human being. After the meal, a series of songs began. Rahim Shah and Hadiqa Kiana were invited to sing. What a wonderful treat it was to hear legends in a live event. After that, firecrackers were set off in the air for five to ten minutes. The cadets started throwing each other in the air. The ceremony ended with those smiling faces. We all stood up to leave the place. Uncle Riffat had ordered a group photo. Group photo of Rafay Bhai Bhai, Uncle Riffat, and our family. The ground was empty. There were only a few people to deal with. Nawab was present here, including Rafay Bhai Bhai, and he was with us at that time.
"Nawab's mobile results are good ..." Uncle Riffat said. I was alerted. I said immediately.
" You all, give a pose. I will take pictures."
"Yes, she takes very good pictures ..." said Beenish Baji Baji. I reached out to Nawab to get his mobile.
"Wait a minute ..." said Nawab stopping me. He called a young man on the way and asked to take a group picture of us. I was grinding my teeth. I don't want myself to be captured on his mobile, but I was helpless. We used to stay at the house of Beenish Baji Baji at night. We relaxed our bodies from heavy dresses. Mama and all the others had gone to a lounge. When I left my room and went down the stairs, Nawab was about to come up the stairs. My feet started shaking. It was impossible to go back because everyone in the lounge had seen me. He passed near me. He was gone and I still felt his scent. He was still in a white uniform. I ignored it and went into the lounge. The reason for their presence here was also known.
"Rafay Bhai bhai stopped us. We would have left ..." Aunty Aslam was saying.
"Aslam Baji ... we can't allow you to travel at night when you can stay at our home. Do not worry, we will not bother you." She was saying while smiling. Batman was making coffee in the kitchen. All the adults except the children were sitting in a lounge. Rafay Bhai bhai had not come home yet. I knew Nawab would come down, before him I wanted to disappear from there. I wanted to calm down and wanted to see the view of the night also. I came out of the house as soon as I got permission from Beenish Baji Baji. I can see the lights in between water and the black sky while standing on a front line of water. This scene had my heart that I liked to drown myself in it. There was a black ship in front of me. The bright lights were flowing with the water. It was half-past eleven at night and I was standing alone with my eyes closed. Because I knew its area of navy, even a bird could not fly here. I don't know how long it was until I opened my eyes. I looked to my right. I jumped. The idiot was the one standing. My heart wanted to cry.
"Coffee ..." At his voice, I swallowed hard and saw the cup on the wall in front of me. In the pitch darkness, there was the light of miles of tiny bulbs. I was looking at the scene. I turned my face towards the lights. He had given me coffee. Maybe he will go away. I was thinking about this. It would have been great if he went inside. But he didn't. I don't dare to even take one step from here. I picked up the mug in my hand and said.
"Thanks ..." he gasped.
"Yes ...?" The air was so noisy that he could hardly hear my applause. And he was still standing at a distance.
"Thanks for the coffee ..." I said, pointing to the mug in a slightly louder voice. He shook his head. This was our first direct short talk. He wanted to stand here and drink a lot. And I would run inside if someone would write to me that I would never have to face this Nawab again. I reviewed the situation. He was there and everyone was at home. I could have put an end to the fear that was growing in my heart here. My inner embarrassment could have ended here. It could have ended here. Don't turn him over in a panic. I twisted the fingers of my hands and turned towards him. The advantage of turning my face that turned to me without saying anything. I was unable to see his impressions in the semi-darkness. Five feet six inches was my height, and he was taller than me. I have to say loudly whatever I want to say. Because he was holding the feet of distinction. He was looking at me.
"Whatever happened that day was done by mistake ..." People throw stones in the water the way I did talk like that. There was no preamble. At first, he was probably surprised. He turned to me and said,
"Which day ...?" And I wanted to throw the whole mug over him as he was showing that he does not know anything like always.
"That day ... your uniform because of me ... I didn't see you." My voice was cracking due to the loud noise and panic.
"It was just an accident. Forget it ..." he was saying in a normal way. I was a little surprised.
"I wanted to apologize to you for that day ..." I was apologizing a year later. I was a little embarrassed to think that.
"It's okay ..." He was sipping coffee while looking at the water. I apologized for the second time.
"I didn't even hit the shoes on purpose."
"No issue ..."
"Aren't you going to tell all this to someone ...?" I wanted to pull out one last nail of fear.
"What ...?" He asked, looking at me. His looks confused me. Anyway, I encouraged myself. This was probably the first and last chance.
"Uniforms and ... shoe incident..."
"It's been a year. Have I told someone about this ...?" He asked me. And I was silent. He was enjoying coffee again. The things that kept me embarrassed in front of everyone. Those things didn't mean anything to him. What difference does it make to forget an unusual thing ...? What difference does it make to an extraordinary girl? Keeping his life free from the hustle and bustle. He was enjoying life. I was embarrassed to take the initiative. It feels like I hit my self-esteem. I should not start the conversation. I got angry and in anger, I picked up the mug and before I was turned, the cup didn't even want to be mine. The whole mug was donated to the shirt and legs of that Nawab. He was looking at himself with an open mouth for the first time. Then he looked at me with an unbelievable reaction in his eyes. I felt his eyes taking away my life. I didn't know what to say. I was talking about Nawab's condition. This move made a good difference to him. My brain had told me two ways at that moment. I should jump in the sea or run away. And I ran inside. It was as if an animal had been left behind me. I did not make the mistake of looking back. Now there was a Nawab and a coffee. I kept a mug in the kitchen and climbed the stairs. By that time I was climbing the stairs. I was standing at the turning point of stairs waiting for the Nawab. But he did not come. I came into the room. It would be bad. Will he tell anyone about this or not? The decision had to be made in the morning. Because I was not going to leave the room now. I covered myself with a blanket, sleep is the only way to save myself from overthinking. I woke up early in the morning when everyone was sleeping. I want to know what they know about my coffee incident? As my parents were sleeping, I am sure they were unaware of my stupidity. At that time, everyone was sobbing. Even after this thought, I couldn't sleep.
Except for Amna, everyone gets out of their bed. And after seeing my parents' faces I got to know that. They know nothing, which means Nawab didn't tell anything to anyone.
" Aslam's family has to get out quickly. You should also get ready. Come down. We will meet them." My mother and father had gone downstairs. After a while, Amna, who was sleeping, started waking up. I crawled into bed. I knew that she would go downstairs crying and would tell everyone that I am still sleeping. Somehow I had to keep myself calm. And I didn't want to face him. I woke up after a long time. I opened the door. The door of the front room was open and empty. The voices of children were coming from below. From the terrace, after the lawn, there was a view of the sea. The door of the house was open. I saw Nawab roaming on a lawn while talking with someone on a phone. Aslam Aunty and Riffat Uncle were all out of the house to leave. Nawab was also gone. The children were playing in the lounge. Breakfast was still served in the dining hall. Those who left were gone. And I had to satisfy my hunger. I had sandwiches and kebabs. I wanted to eat today in the joy of Nawab's departure. I was just holding the sandwich towards my mouth when Nawabzada was standing in front of me with the sound of fast steps. I held the sandwich in my hand. I opened my mouth in surprise. I was looking at him with surprise. It was as if the angel of death was looking at me. He looked at me in surprise for a moment. Then he extended her hand towards me. I threw my sandwich on a plate and stood up with a lot of fear. He stopped her hand for a moment, looked at me then took a side plate. There was a precious watch lying there. He picked it up from there and went from there. I was just standing there. What kind of person was he? He always used to ignore awkward situations. I don't know why I felt so good about Nawab's behavior this time. Whatever it was. Because it was all very good for me.
"Tea ..." Batman's voice gives me a sense. I didn't want to give up food today. I sat down for breakfast again. My heart sank. I was reminded of Nawab's face again and again. Where the Nawab will be. There will be bad work. We were back at three o'clock in the afternoon. We were leaving the house. When Rafay Bhai Bhai asked me,
"When is your study ending ...?"
"Exams are in a month later. There are presentations of the final year project. After that it is over ..." Rafay Bhai Bhai nodded and said.
"Ok... tell me when you're done. I'll see you then." I looked at them unknowingly. There was nothing to ask. We came back together. I was not conscious of anything. Even my own. Every moment I was holding my breath. On the day the project was finalized, I did not feel at ease. I was waiting for the result and fifteen days later the result came. Three days after the result, Rafay Bhai Bhai was at our house. And then Rafay Bhai Bhai asked me.
"Will you join the Navy ...?" I looked at Rafay Bhai Bhai in uncertainty.
"I ...?" It was an unexpected thought that I had never thought of.
"Yeah ... everyone does. You can too. Don't you want to ...?"
"I ... how ...? I don't know ..." I was confused. What he was saying. I didn't understand.
"You say yes or no. I will guide you for the rest. Don't worry about ignorance." I put my hand on my heart and shook my head. Who wouldn't want a good and bright future? A week later I had an entrance test. I passed it. After that, I passed the intelligence, academic and medical tests. I also passed an interview. And now I had an important IT interview. After that, my selection would be done in the IT department. For this last interview, I have to go to the academy. My father first took me to Rafay Bhai Bhai's house and then Rafay Bhai Bhai took me to the academy. I followed Rafay Bhai Bhai. He left me in an office. I am confident. I would ace this stage like other stages. Rafay Bhai Bhai consoled me. If I made a mistake or I failed, he would take care of me. I was sitting alone in the office calming myself down. A young man dressed in a white uniform was sitting in front of me.
"I looked at the nameplate which was in front of my sight on a table. Captain Nawab Khanzada" (Head of IT Department & Security Agency)
My lips were trembling. If I had seen this name before. What would I do ...? Even though my eyes were wet. I looked down. He opened my file and read the documents. There were two of us in a room. His voice echoed in the silence.
"Miss ... Muntaha Mustaqeem." He was reading my name. He didn't recognize me? Rafay Bhai Bhai didn't tell him anything, maybe.
"Why do you want to join the Navy ...?" He kept asking me in English.
"How do you scale yourself in IT ...?" He was asking and I was silent again.
"Why are you interested in IT, Miss Muntaha ...?" He was asking me a simple question. Because the most important and difficult question had already been asked in the presence of four people in the previous interview.
"Do you want to join the IT department ...?" He was talking professionally. I nodded my head in No.
"Why don't you want to join IT after studying IT ...?" I nodded again.
"Do you want to join another department ...?"
"Do you want to join the Navy ...?" Tears welled up in my eyes at this question. I cried and shook my head in denial. He closed the file.
"You can go ..." I didn't find any courage to say anything. I came out of the office looking in the opposite direction. I was shedding tears with lightning speed. I wiped my eyes by rubbing them. Everyone asked about the interview and I gave the same answer that was given at every stage. It was good."
If the selection was done, I would have to face him every day. I had to listen to him. He was the head of the IT sector. And he was my head. After thinking about all of these I skipped my aim to join the Navy.
Now only the call of my failure will come. And the hopes of everyone connected with me will be shattered. My night was cut in my eyes. When did I fall asleep? I don't even know myself.
Exactly one week later in the morning, Rafi Bhai called Baba. Baba had picked up the phone. I knew he would scold me for my actions. And then my face would turn pale. I saw a proud smile on my father's face. My father kissed me and hugged me. I had been selected. I knew I just passed that interview just because of Rafay Bhai Bhai. I wish I could be happy, but I didn't forget Nawab. I started crying loudly. Don't know why?
On the third day after this news, Riffat Uncle and Aunty Aslam came to our house with Rafay Bhai Bhai's family. Aunty Aslam had also come to our house before. So I was not much surprised. Where there will be Nawab. There will be bad work. They came to get my proposal for Nawab. And not just proposals. They wanted us to get married next Friday. My family had done it without asking my will. This news shocked my heart. Aunty Aslam had put a ring on my finger. She had placed several five thousand notes on my palm. They had already brought the ring. I was sitting on my bed in shock. Today was probably the heaviest day of my life. How everything happened in moments. I didn't understand. I didn't even want to understand. Suddenly the situation calmed down. Rabia Baji looked at me sadly and started calling me ungrateful. She used to give lectures on the goodness and education of Nawab. I had lost my temper. I was not able to say a single word to anyone. How to put an aspect in front of you ...?
And then the nikah ceremony came. The brief ceremony of the marriage was at home. I was the one who took the mustard and decorated it with a scarf. Rabia Baji had taken pictures of me and said that she would send them to Nawab. Now I was not wondering about something and I was not even reacting. I got nikah-fied. They sat me beside Nawab for the Nikah pictures but I didn't even look at what he was wearing. Because I was still in shock. After the meal, people had left. My heart was empty. Empty. Even after nikah, I did not have any emotion in my heart. I was feeling irritable. I had not shown this condition to anyone. And two days later, two days after the nikah, the Nawab came to our house alone.
"Come on, he's here to pick you up ..." I stared at the ceiling with open eyes. Rabia Baji grabbed me by the arm and lifted me.
"Why is he here ...?" I asked with an expressionless face.
"We have to get the fans cleaned. He can come here whenever he wants ..."
"And can he take me anywhere ...?" I said angrily.
"Yes ... but he came here after getting permission from Baba. I have been sent by Baba to prepare you ..." I jumped out of bed like a spring.
Baba … Did he know ...?"
"Baba...? We all knew that Nawabzada would come to pick you up today ..."
"And ... no one else told me. You didn't either ...?" She stared at me angrily.
"Your illness will be over, you will know the world around you. Your brain is not at rest. Do you hear me ...?" She was angry. She threw my clothes on the bed and didn't even look at me. For the first time in my life, she was angry with me without looking at me. There was a round of tears around my neck. I quietly picked up the red dress. I was silent all this time. I looked at myself. The red scarf was very tight. Surprisingly, I was also in love with myself. After the nikah, I saw myself today in a mirror.
"Are you angry with me ...?" How could I let go of my anger?
"If you cry, I will be angrier with you. I will not talk."
"Shut up ... I'm not leaving you." She relaxed me. "I'm not angry with you. You go now. We'll talk about it later. Nawabzada is waiting for you ..." She said mischievously and I smiled too. We came out.
"Say hello to Nawab..." she whispered in my ear. I was silent. He was wearing black jeans, a white shirt, and a black jacket that was tied. I didn't have any desire at that time to say hello to him. My Mama and Baba said goodbye in prayers. Baba came to see off us. Where his black car was parked. And the children of the neighborhood nearby. He opened the car door for me. I sat quietly. Baba had left us. And the car was gone. Where has he come to take me? I could only regret my poor intellect, I should ask this question first. Time was passing. And neither of us said a word. I saw the way. I knew the way. And then our car was parked at the door of Manohra. Parked in the parking area and now we were sitting in the boat. I did not forget his touch. He was asking for my hand in front of a crowd. I put my trembling hand in his strong hand. Today I was sitting in that boat with the help of a new mahram (Husband) instead of my father and brother. But today he was sitting next to me. We had landed on the leader. Coaster had come. The Coaster had dropped us off in front of Rafay Bhai Bhai's house. At that time I was very surprised. Did we come here to meet Rafay Bhai Bhai? And if that was the case, we could have gotten here by car. I pursed my lips. Did he just want to feed me up? Three days after the nikah, he brought me to meet Rafay Bhai Bhai. It was only then that his voice clashed with my hearing.
"Rafay Bhai bhai's family is not at home ..." He used to sit on the wall and support himself. He tied his arms to his chest. He was calling me close. I came closer to the wall. My eyes were on the ocean looking behind him instead of him. I was waiting for him to speak. He was very quiet. The time of silence was increasing. Was he bringing me here to stand up? Or to throw me in the sea. There was some fear in my eyes at the thought. He was a stranger. Imperceptibly, he used to peek at that side of the wall. First, there were big stones and then water. It was not so easy to throw someone.
"Don't worry. I didn't bring you to throw you in the sea ..." I looked at him with a jerk. He laughed when he saw my condition. He removed two pins from my veil and started laughing after seeing my face.
"Why you are so stupid?"
He was smiling. He pointed out behind me.
"It's not easy to throw a beautiful girl into the sea in so many forces ..." I followed his eyes. Forces were roaming at miles of distance. I looked back at him. The eyes he was looking at me now. My heart wanted to jump into the water. My lips were trembling. My eyes were full of water.
"Just as I can't throw you here. In the same way, I can't keep you quiet in front of so many people." He was speaking too politely.
"You ... have you brought me here to laugh at me ...?" I asked in a mixture of anger and grief.
"No ... to talk to you ..." he said innocently. I cried.
"Okay, if you don't stop crying, I'll do another arrangement." I looked at him with questioning eyes.
"I booked a room there…" He was pointing at the building that was a school next to the play area.
"That's school ..." I swallowed while saying.
"Aren't there any rooms in the school ...?" I looked at him with grumbling eyes. He laughed uncontrollably.
"I chose this place so that there will be no doubt left. Now stop crying. See how the soldier standing on the check post is looking at me. "He was pointing behind me. I wiped away the tears.
"Why are you always angry with me...?" He asked as if I had a lot of friendship with him. I just thought. "Friendship is not. We are close to our souls."
"Close ...? Souls ...?" I said wearily.
"Why ... don't you blame yourself for remembering me ...?" He was talking and I was looking at him.
"Who said I remember ...? There's nothing like that."
"You miss me. That's why you used to hide from me always ..." He was making new accusations against me with the old accusation.
"You're blaming me ..." I defended myself.
"I hide that mark from everyone you left and you are saying ... I am blaming ...?" He was looking at me very gently. My eyes were downcast. He was unzipping his jacket. There was a red mark on the right shoulder of the white navy uniform in front of my eyes. I looked at the red mark and then at Nawab with certainty. He had zipped his jacket. There was a surprise, uncertainty, and question in my eyes.
"Am I blaming ...?" He asked.
"I only remembered you in a state of embarrassment. That too for a short time. I never thought more than that ..." I nodded.
"Have you ever remembered someone like me for a short time ...?" He whispered.
"No ... I don't hit anyone ..."
"Well ... did you purposely bump into me...?" I didn't answer.
"If I bump purposely, I didn't leave a mark as a sign of Nishan-e-Haider ..." I said, "I remembered that time later. I could feel the heat coming out of my face. I saw him. He was smiling with his lips pressed." If you wash your uniform. It will disappear... "I tried to change the topic.
"It was the first time a girl had hit me in such a dramatic way. How could I wipe out the evidence so easily? Yes, because of you I had to struggle all night for the uniform." He said.
I shrugged.
"Rafay Bhai Bhai has already arranged for you. Then what kind of struggle ..."
"I'm talking about this uniform. I had to work hard to hide it from my family." I said "oh" at his valid point.
"I didn't ask you to hide. Show them ..." How could I let anything come to me?
"Yes ... I understood your wisdom at that time. When you started screaming."
I thought, "Obviously a person can only scream after seeing your face."
"Well, I don't have that bad feature... "I looked at him in amazement.
"Your impressions tell everything. They are enough for me to read your mind."
Who told you to look at my face? Don't look.." I was really scared.
"I have come here to fulfill my desire to see ..." he said with great affection. He was a strange man. In the first meeting, he was talking to me as if we have been friends for years. I asked him to break his gaze.
"Why didn't you tell anyone about that ...?" I was pointing to the uniform.
"This little stain could have written a long story. And you know I'm a man. And the man whom girls want. I would have survived. But ... there would have been suspicions and questions raised against you. I couldn't make it a disgrace. That too ... when you were walking with a mark on your lips... "It was the first moment of my life. When I heard a man talking so close and gently. The effect of this nikah was something else. At that moment I had no interest in it. But now, I was feeling something precious in my heart.
"You have a fear that I will tell this to the world? didn't you?" I sighed, crushing my lips. "Are you still scared of me..?" He asked.
"Look ... I don't know you. You are like an unknown man to me. It's okay. I'm in your nikah. But ... but the decision of nikah ... to marry me after a few incidents... Do you think that your decision is correct ...? "I asked the question that was arising in my mind.
"If you were married to someone, would you stay in a relationship and then get married? Answer yes or no ..." He said while looking at me. I nodded after thinking for a while. "Do you still not believe me?"
"Maybe you did all this to get revenge on me ...?" I said, rolling my eyes and he started laughing.
"Revenge ...? seriously? Did you kill someone close to me? for that, I will waste my life and yours for revenge." He kept smiling.
"If I did no murder then there is no love for that based you married me," I said bluntly.
"Who said there was no love ...?" I rolled my eyes.
"Now you will say that as soon as you hit me, you fell in love with me at first sight." The one I thought was arrogant is to keep smiling.
"No ... I will not say such a dramatic sentence. Without my love and affection, no one will be able to associate my name with you. Even my parents ..."
"What ... Did you talk to your parents about me ...?"
"Yeah ..." He shrugged so simply.
"Tell me the truth ... what did you think of marrying me?" I gasped.
"I have told you. When I fell in love with you, I thought of marriage ..."
"And when did this love happen ...?"
"When you hit the shoe ..." I looked at him like a hooker. I felt like I didn't hit him with a shoe but a flower shoe.
"you are kidding..?"
"Not. It's not like you hit me and I fell in love with you. Getting close to someone for the first time was a revolution for me. I was scared of this lobe topic. After that incident, I was not able to see with my own eyes. It was shocking for me that a girl was scared of me. She was hiding her eyes from me. She was making me restless. I wanted to talk to you. But you were a stranger to me. Then we went our separate ways. Because of you, I hid this shirt. But it repeatedly reminded me of you. Not only you. I thought. I didn't want to go to your sister's wedding. I had to go at the insistence of my lover. I didn't know it and I was trying to see it again and again. I wanted to see your face without any fear of me. When your father told me to sit at the table, your condition made me embarrassed in my own eyes. You had given up eating because of me. I wanted to apologize. After that day, I often started thinking about you in solitude. The time to think about you increased in solitude. I started wanting to talk to you. I am an officer who hardly had time to think about anything other than work and now I used to work in a hurry to think of you. I thought of marrying the girl. I started to get acquainted with the girls told by Mama and Dad to run away from their thoughts. I did not want to ruin you and my life based on my so-called thoughts. I thought it would only abuse you. How can I think of you being with another girl? I forcibly provoked myself to take interest in other girls. Remembering someone for a year is a very long time. I forgot your face. Still, I remembered you. Because I could feel the shadow of your hair and your hair on my face. I don't have any sisters. There is no one whom I told about my condition. My Mama was a little surprised after listening to me. Because she did not get a chance to listen to any girl from my tongue. My Mama called my condition a love. I was shocked. I will never fall in love with anyone. Hitting a girl. I fell in love with her. Then your sister's wedding happened and I took advantage of the opportunity to see you. Mama told me to clarify my feelings first, then we will go further. She had no problem with you. She was happy with my decision. But now I don't have a chance. When I can see you again, I can check my condition. I didn't have to think again when I saw your angry face at the end-of-night dinner. The presence of someone gives me peace of mind, it was you. You were angry at me. You were in front of me. My family talked to Rafay Bhai Bhai. Rafi Bhai was happy with this decision. I told him that first, let her give her exams. So we forbid your family members not to disturb you by talking about relationships. Your family members asked for time to think formally. But I knew they would never say no to me. And it would have been like that. Two days later, your father's answer was yes. Seeing myself happy like a child, I was convinced that it would be a love marriage. The nikah ceremony was just for you. And look, today you are standing in front of me as my spouse ... "I was speechless. The first thing that came to my mind was this.
"My family was all together in it ..." He smiled and nodded. "Oh my God ... such a big deception ..." I put my hand on my heart.
"Deception ...? I didn't even tell you. You picked up something and threw it at me."
"And if I refused ...?"
"Your lover kidnapped you ..." He winked mischievously.
"Hmm ... I'll see how long your love lasts ..." The smile on his face was fading.
"what does it mean..?"
"Leaving the whole world ... you found the one you would love is me? You can call me educated but not beautiful...Then how can you marry an ugly girl" I nodded.
"Aren't you beautiful ...?" I didn't make the mistake of looking at him. The Nawab held my hand and held me in front of himself. "Tell me, aren't you beautiful ...?" He was looking at me with full attention. I was badly trapped.
"Yeah ... so ... Grandma says. My eyes are small." I put all the rubble on Grandma.
"Ok let me see how small the eyes are ..." I was terrified. "Can you see love in my eyes ...?" He was asking like a teacher. My eyes were wet. He regained his position. "Inferior people give birth to inferior offspring and, thus, propagate their inferiority. Your eyes are not small. They are smaller than your siblings. And so on….I don't believe in beauty standards. The only thing I know is I love you and that is enough for me!" His words made me shy.
"Anyway, to choose you ... to love you ... to decide to marry you everything I decided before joining your force. And anyway, you were fully prepared to be expelled from the force." I looked at him blankly.
"When I was interviewing. Why were you crying ...?" My eyes widened.
"Did you recognize me ...?"
"In the end, I am not blind, I am not stupid. I can recognize you by your eyes and voice. Anyway, the bio data of those who come are conveyed to us before they come. And what do you think? Rafay BhaiBhai would not have told me."
"So you deliberately passed me ...?" He nodded.
"You had passed such a difficult stage. This last stage was just a formality. I saw you and understood. The memory of getting rid of me is ready to jump into the sea. So instead of bothering you more, I sent you." I started smiling.
"By the way, you know. I brought a cup of coffee for you with a lot of love. I wanted to stand by you in silence for a while and feel the love. I thought. I will end your fear now after tying you into a good relationship. "But ..." he sighed coldly. "You bathed me in coffee. It was also a mistake. But ... I thought you would apologize to me and you ... you ran away." I was embarrassed. I should not run away.
"So … what if... you would throw me into the sea." How could I admit my mistake?
"Like I can throw you now ...?"
"Will you throw away your wife ...? There will be a sin." He smiled at my wife's word. "By the way, I can say that you fell in love with me at first sight ..." I said cheerfully.
"At first glance ...? When did I see you for the first time ...?" A faint smile was playing on his lips.
"When you meet with the mark..." he laughed. He laughed very openly. He nodded.
"I saw you before. When my friend said. The family will be nice ..." My smile disappeared. I looked at him foolishly. He was showing me his mobile phone. There was a photo where Zuhab and this Nawab used to sit with his legs crossed in white uniforms in a boat. I put my hand on my lips.
"It was you ... you were sitting next to me ..." Irrelevant sentences came to my tongue.
"Zuhab will go as well as our son ..." he said.
"Astaghfirullah ..." He was laughing.
"By the way, I salute your patience at that time. How easily you were suffering from Zuhabs violence." I remember that time. My face was red. He was still laughing at me.
"Then thank you, Allah has given you a patient wife ..." He smiled again when I said the wife.
"Will you love me ...?" I said after thinking for a while.
"I need a year ..."
"Putting you in my captivity will give you time for the rest of your life ..."
"And will you stand me like this for the rest of your life ...?" My legs were aching.
"Do stand up. You're still fond of standing up for no reason. Were you sleeping or weren't you listening at the time?"
"which time..?"
"During the parade ..."
"How did you know?"
"I was sitting behind you ..." My mouth opened in surprise. And now I said that.
"Where there is a Nawab, something bad will happen." He laughed and then started laughing. And I could feel his laughter intensely. We were standing where the foundation of love was laid. I saw that smiling face and thanked God. We saw the sun setting in the water together. Nawab was holding my hand and watching the setting sun. And the sun asked me.
"Whose Nawab of the Navy is ...?" I said with a smile.
"The Nawab of the Navy is mine. The Nawab of the Navy is of Muntaha.
Nawab of Muntaha…
Muntaha of Nawab.."
When did I fall in love with Nawab? I also told this to the setting sun. I will tell Nawab in the future too. Because…
Now where there is a Nawab, there will be a Muntaha.
..........
THE END