"ہمارا اُن سے تعلق مثالِ شمس و قمر ہے

ایک رابطہ مسلسل، ایک فا صلہ مسلسل"

(Humara unse taluq missal shamsh-o-qamar hai

Ek rabta musalsal, ek faseela musalsal)

.........................................................................................

Jannat was frustrated with Umer behavior. After dinner, she tried to talk with him but he again ran away.

Now she is in the kitchen slamming cabinets and utensils on the counter as she curses him.

Mannat sat on the counter eating her chocolate as she giggled at Jannat's frustrated red face and heard her rambling.

"He is an idiot... A hardcore stupid, idiotic idiot... I bet his rude ass that he got a kick by irritating and frustrating me like this,"

"Did you talk with him? Find out why he was doing this again?"

Mannat munch on her chocolate as Jannat was busy cutting the strawberry more like stabbing it.

"Yeah like he will give me a chance to talk... Every time I tried he ran away like a bat

Out of the hell and I am so frustrated,"

"Maybe he was stressed due to office work,"

Mannat didn't like Jannat badmouthing her brother so she gives another optimistic reason but Jannat's next words made her choke on her chocolate.

"Or maybe he was on his male periods... I mean that explains his grumpiness and all,"

"Jannat... Language,"

Jannat just rolled her eyes at Mannat red face and chuckled at her innocent sister.

"Come on manna... Don't be so much shy, what will Murad Bhai think that we didn't teach you anything about all this and he had to do all stuff himself... I am just helping you, baby sister...,"

"Don't help me...I don't need help in that case,"

Jannat chuckled at her as she pinched Mannat chubby cheeks making her scream in pain. Mannat rubbed her cheeks glaring at her sister.

"Not my cheeks Janna... It hurts,"

"then stop being so cute manna you are damn innocent and cute,"

"I am not cute...,"

Jannat smirked at her like she knew something and indeed she won this argument with her next words.

"Acha... Then say Murad Bhai name without stuttering,"

Mannat blushed red as she looked shocked, causing Jannat to burst to laugh.

"See your face... Oh my Allah miyan... You are looking so red,"

Jannat was again going to pinch her cheeks as but Mannat huffed and jumped down the counter.

"You are meanie... I am naraz with you,"

"Hey!! Where are you going? I am cutting these fruits for you,"

"Then eat it because I am mad at you... I have some important work so bye Janna,"

With that Mannat ran away and it's now Jannat's turn to look shocked.

"Bravo... Now I am alone with this... No one loves me... That stupid man is ignoring me and now my sister leave me here,"

She was again busy with her rambling she placed the fruit bowl in the fridge and went to her room.

As she was climbing the stairs, she saw Umer going toward her Tayi Ammi room and she got curious.

She was complaining to Shameen beghum about Umer behavior, she was curious now, maybe she called him to scold him for his rudeness.

Now her interest increased 10 folds and she wanted to listen to this conversation.

She approached the door, thanking her lord that it's slightly ajar, so she can hear everything.

........

Umer was pacing in his room, thinking about his mother's words, and then he went toward her room exactly after one hour.

He knocked at the door and entered when his mother called him in.

"Come in Umer... I am waiting for you... Come sit beside me,"

His mother was smiling at him, but he felt nervous.

He nodded and sat beside her, Shameen beghum hold his hand as she patted her lap for him.

Umer eagerly lay down and feel peace embracing him to the warmth of his mother.

Shameen beghum run her hand in his hair as she started talking.

"What happened Bacha? I am noticing, you are so much stressed and tense... Did something troubling you? Tell me Umer...,"

He wanted to tell his mother the pain he was feeling for years but he didn't.

What will she do to help him? She can't make Jannat love him so he shook his head, snuggling her.

"Nothing mama... Just office work... I am missing Bhai,"

Shameen beghum felt tears in her eyes at that moment, her one baby is away from her.

Even when it's his fault but Murad is still her son and she missed him a lot.

"Me too baby... Me too... I hope he comes to his senses soon and comes back home... I just wanted to hold him in my arms, the weekly phone call and video calls are not quenching my thirst to see my son...,"

Umer cursed himself for starting the sensitive topic.

He knew that his mother and Mannat took Murad being away to their heart most.

"He will soon come home, mama... He has to...,"

"yeah... I hope so... My LORD will not sadden me this time,"

The mother-son duo didn't know that Jannat was listening.

She felt pain for them but she looked at the scene with a little bit of envy in her eyes, all her life she craved the motherly warmth and care, but they never had it.

But she smiled at their love and care. At least she was a part of this family and she was happy to have these people in her life.

She was lost in her thoughts when Shameen beghum words got her attention.

"Ok enough of emotional talk... Now let's get to the point... Why I called you here?"

"Yeah, I am also curious about that... What do you want to talk about Mama?"

"Me too...,"

Jannat whispered as she got alert, ready for his scolding class but Shameen beghum had a shock for both of them.

"I wanted to talk with you about your marriage...,"

"What??? But mama...,"

Shameen beghum shook her head before Umer can say another word as Jannat was still in shock.

"There is no but and if Umer... You are 26 already, working as CFO of Hamdani enterprise... I want you to get settled... Your elder brother is keeping me away from that happiness but please not you too,"

Umer sighed in defeat, he knew what his mother was meaning.

He was not out of the one shock when another bomb was thrown on them, making Jannat stumbled back but she quickly recovered to not alert them.

"Also I selected the girl for you... I know you will immediately say yes...,"

Jannat didn't like the idea one bit, she was cursing the girl, calling her every vile name on the earth.

She won't let any vamp came and take her man away.

"Bitch... That man stealer... I will kill her... That vamp,"

"Who?"

His words are a mere whisper, but everyone heard it because of the pin-drop silence.

"Jannat... Our Jannat... Who else?"

Jannat stopped mid curse when she heard her name, Umer looked at his mother with a pounding heart and wide eyes.

Jannat felt like dancing and cheering, she was going to get her grumpy man without any murder.

Also, she cursed herself because of the stupid suspense. But Umer roar startled her.

"NO!!! Not her... Never her...,"

Shameen beghum was shocked but Jannat was heartbroken, she wanted to barge in and slap him till he said yes but her broken heart didn't let her move.

"What are you saying umer? She is beautiful and perfect for you, you also lov...,"

He didn't let her complete the words as he furiously stood up and paced in front of her.

"Don't... I don't... No... Anyone but her, you can marry me with any girl, any friend sister, or daughter but her,"

The fear of rejection in his eyes as he paced, he had heard her words clearly, she said she didn't love him then why his mother is causing more pain to him.

He won't let this happen, so he tried the only way to save himself, the rude way. To hurt himself out of this situation.

"But what is your problem with her? She is a sweetheart and I loved her just like I love Mannat... Why are you so against it Umer?"

He chuckled humourlessly as Shameen beghum looked shocked at his behavior, Jannat just stood there as tears filled her eyes.

"Just because I was not behaving rudely with her for a few days and she appeared happy in front of you... You think I will marry someone like her... No mom, I will never marry her, we didn't know which type of upbringing she had with that vile woman they had as a mother...,"

Suddenly a loud voice resonates in the room, his face red and bright with the handprint, by the slap his mother strike.

"Never... Never point finger at any girl character... Just because you don't have a sister... Didn't mean you have a free pass to insult others... What will you do if one day another man says the same thing for your daughter huh?"

Shame and regret gripped his heart but it was too late, the damage is done and this time it's beyond repair.

Shameen beghum was breathing heavily as she shook his shoulder.

"This shame in your eyes told me that you didn't mean a single word... I know you are hurt because of something Umer... I am your mother, I am used to understanding your unsaid words... Just don't use this pain and hurt to break your heart baby... Don't...,"

He shook his head, he was ashamed of his words but he didn't want to feel another heartache because this time he will die.

"I am sorry Mama... I am... But I can't marry her... Anyone but her... Please don't push it... Please,"

With those words he ran toward the door, Jannat quickly steps aside as she looked at his retreating figure with sorrow in her eyes and pain in her heart.

She slid down the wall as she sat there crying at her fate, she was indeed a bad omen.

He didn't even notice her because he wanted to get far away from there.

Shameen beghum keep calling him but he was long gone. Mannat came out of her hiding spot in the bathroom, tears staining her face.

Shameen beghum looked at her with angry eyes, but the anger was directed towards her son.

"Mama... I am sorry I shouldn't have told you...,"

Mannat was sobbing and Shameen beghum quickly hugged her, she hated when Mannat cried, her one son had done enough, she will not let Umer do any more damage.

"I will beat his stupid ass and then we will see what he had to say... I know he loved her but something is holding him back... I am nothing leaving that boy... He had signed his death sentence,"

Shameen beghum kissed Mannat forehead as she ran out of the room with Mannat running behind her but what she saw next shocked them beyond belief.

Jannat was crying sitting on the ground, she looked at Shameen beghum and Mannat with helpless eyes and a broken look that clenched their heart.

"Jannat bacha... Come here...,"

They took her inside and let her cry for some time.

After she slows down, Shameen beghum who was hugging her, pulled away to ask something.

"How much did you heard Jannat?"

She looked down in embarrassment but whispered her answer.

"Everything...,"

Shameen beghum sighed in defeat as her own tears fell looking at her broken dolls. Jannat and Mannat then hugged each other and cry.

"Tayi Ammi... I swear... I am nothing like he thinks... I am not like my mother... I love you all... I am not like her,"

Shameen and Mannat console her but Jannat was having a panic attack.

"Jannat... JANNAT!!! Breath baby... In and out... Yeah just like that,"

Mannat helped her with the pain attack and then Shameen beghum took the lead.

"I know you Jannat... The girl who can sacrifice her own life and relations just for her baby sister and Baba... That girl can never betray and hurt... you know Umer... He is hurting because of something and he takes it out with hateful words but that didn't give him the right to say that...,"

"I just wanted to make everything right...,"

Jannat was now hiccupping and speaking, Mannat gives her some water, Shameen beghum took hold of her hands, relaxing her completely.

"Come here you both...,"

Shameen beghum at in the middle as she holds the hands of both broken girls one was broken by her younger son's words, the other by her elder son's actions and she vowed to start cleaning the mess her sons created years ago.

"I know you both and I know my boys too...you know I had always wanted beautiful girls like you but I am stuck with those stupid testosterone stores boys... They are both stupid as they are running away from what is best for them... know one thing I am not siding with them because I know they are wrong but also know that they are hurt because of something... They just need a little push in the right direction, nothing else...,"

Both sisters looked at each other as they nodded making the only mother figure in their life smile.

"Good... So I wanted to ask one thing from you both... Answer me truthfully,"

They again nodded.

"Do you love my stupid sons?"

This causes both sisters to blush like crazy but Mannat is the first one to nod as she hid her face in her mother's chest. Jannat whispered a meek 'yes'.

"So are you going to fear it and accept it or you are going to fight it and control it?"

Both sisters smiled at her as they nodded, their answer making Shameen beghum laugh in victory.

"Fight it and control it...,"

"Well done... We will start with my younger stupid son first, he needed the push to get his thoughts straight... So mission made him regret it... Here we come,"

Mannat and Jannat giggles as they hug her who reciprocated the hug.

"We love you, Mama...,"

"Mama loves you too my daughters...,"

.......

Time flies like it has wings and it's already been 3 weeks and Ramsha rukhsati day.

Everyone was emotional and crying, Ramsha mother-in-law keeps her distance from Jannat but other women didn't get the memo and they are praising the twins and all.

Umer was getting more frustrated with the passing time.

They are on the way home, the twins are with him, Mannat was still crying and Jannat just had silent tears in her eyes.

These two months are a blessing and curse for Jannat because she gets her family back but her love is going away.

"We are here...,"

He whispered as he parked the car in the driveway, they are the last to reach because Umer was discussing some things with the venue manager.

Mannat whispered thank you and ran inside while Jannat collects all bags they took when a hand with a handkerchief appeared in front of her.

"What?"

She looked at him with an emotionless face and he returned the look.

"Your face... It's had tear stains and your makeup is a little smudge... Clean it,"

Jannat keeps looking at his and then the piece of clothes, then she picked up the bags, and with finals words thrown at him she walked inside the house.

"Thank you but no thank you... I don't want help or pity from a man who thinks my upbringing is just like my mother so please keep your concern to yourself,"

Umer was stunned for a moment but then the light bulb turned on as he looked at the lioness, who had clawed his heart with her hateful tone.

"She knew... She heard me...,"

He whispered as he leaned against the car, looking at the night sky with tears in his eyes.

He didn't mean anything, he just wanted to say something to hurt her and it's like he was successful.

"Maybe this is better for us... We are not meant to be together... This hate will help her and me to move on...,"

He wiped his tears and went inside so he can lay down on his bed staring at the ceiling as another sleepless night awaited him.

...........

It's been one week since that night and Jannat was avoiding Umer like a plague, he felt awkward because it's always him who does it.

He was now getting frustrated but he knew that they need this space and time.

He will apologize to her, but he didn't know how to.

He was sitting in the house study when his mother came inside and sit In front of him.

"mama... What are you doing here? You should have called me...,"

"No problem... I just wanted to tell you something,"

"Ji... I am listening,"

His mother was mad at him for that day and he was walking on thin ice around her.

He apologized many times that's why she softens a little.

"I m your mother Umer... I will always choose the best for you... I hope you know this,"

He nodded, confusion and nervousness clear on his face.

"I do mama... But what are you implying? I am sorry but I am not understanding it,"

"I like someone for you Umer... She is my best friend's sister and she is a very beautiful and self-motivated woman. I want you to say yes to this alliance,"

To say he was shocked is an understatement, his mother didn't bring the topic again and now she directly came back with a proposal.

"But... What? How? Why?"

Shameen beghum rolled her eyes at her son as she looked at him with stern eyes.

"You told me yourself that you will marry anyone but her... Anyone. So I select the girl, she is beautiful, educated and most of all we know her family... Your Baba is happy with the alliance and I am not taking no... You can talk with her or meet her... Your choice but I want an answer in positive... Also, we are planning to get you married within a month so get ready to say goodbye to bachelorhood and this grumpiness,"

"But mama!!!,"

Shameen beghum glared at him as she moved toward him making him cower back.

"I said I didn't want to hear no from you... Just for once do something for me Umer... Just make me happy... I craved this happiness that your elder brother is adamant about not giving me... please don't do this to me... I don't want you to do this... Please Bacha,"

Umer looked at his mother's crying face, sighing he nodded.

His mother smiled with a tear in her eyes as she pecked his forehead and caressed his cheeks.

"I promise you will not regret this... She will love you for you... She is the one for you... I know it in my bones... So, please... Pretty please baby...,"

He closed his eyes, Jannat's face flashing through his mind, but he had to let her go.

She didn't love him then why will he bound her with him and cause more pain.

With that thought in mind, he opened his eyes and whispered his answer.

"I will marry the girl you choose for me Mama... I trust you,"

Shameen beghum squealed in happiness and kissed his cheek as he made an irritated face but still smile for his mother's happiness.

"I am so happy Umer... You made me so happy bacha... I love you... Now do your work and sleep soon... I have to tell everyone the news,"

With a victorious smile on her face as her plan blackmail succeeded, Shameen beghum went out to tell everyone the good news, leaving her son as a mess.

He took deep breaths as he thought about everything. Maybe this is his LORD's will to let him move on in life.

He just wished this decision will not bring more storms in his life, he leaned back on the chair and thought about his coming life.

The thought that he will marry someone else in a month, but still loving Jannat hut him hard as he cursed himself for his stupid heart.

"Perfect... Not like my life is less complicated... Add a wife to the equation and yeah my life is the typical soap opera... Shit just hit the fan... Damn fate... Damn you...,"

"You are a big damn stupid Mr. Umer Hamdani... A big stupid...,"