Give me fresh flowers and an old love

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"Assalamualaikum," Iman was in her clinic where Zamin decided to pay her a visit

"Walekum-Assalam, Zamin. Khairiyat?" Seeing him there, Iman got worried in asked

(Is everything okay?)

"Ji, sab theek Hai," Zamin smiled at her and took a seat in front of her

(Yes, is everything okay.)

Iman looked hesitate to ask him the reason behind his visit

"Actually, main apke aur Chachu ke..." Zamin himself told her the reason before being asked

(I wanted to talk about you and Chachu...)

"Zamin, beta, please." Before Zamin could finish his sentence, Iman interrupted

(Son,)

"I know, aap thakk gayi hongi wahi ek jaisi baatei'n sun sun ke," Zamin smiled a little and bowed his head in embarrassment

(You must be tired from listening the same thing over and over.)

"Main bas itna kehna chahta hoon ki Hume apko bohot fiqr rehti Hain, khaaskar Madiha, ek din bhi aisa nahi jata jab woh apki baat na kare." Madiha was the main reason behind his visit, since last week, she isn't eating properly nor sleeping or behaving like her usual self and Zamin didn't liked it a bit

(I just wanted to tell you that we all worried about you alot. Specially Madiha, not a single day passed as she doesn't talk about you.)

Dabir was also a reason, but Zamin's first priority was his wife

"Aap kehti hain ki aap khush Hain lekin Kya aap waqai mein khush Hain?"

(You tell everyone that you are happy, but are you really happy?)

"Ek baar aap khudse puchiye,"

(Ask yourself honestly.)

"Hum Jo bhi Kar rahe Hain apni Khushi ya satisfaction ke liye nahi Kar rahe. Issey Hume kya milega, kisiko kuch nahi milega bas apko aur Chachu ko ek dusre ka sath jiskey liye aap pichle 15 saal se tanha Hain."

(We are not doing anything for our happiness or satisfaction, no one will get anything from your and Chachu's marriage only you two will get the companion.)

"Khala, apko nahi lagta it's all destiny doing, chachu ne Kabhi Shaadi nahi ki, aap bhi akeli Hain, itni bade sheher mein Madiha aur mujhe hi milna aur humare zariya apka aur Chachu ka phirse milna."

(Don't you think it's all destiny doing, chachu never married, you are single, you two meeting each other after fifteen years.)

"Mujhe Kya maloom Tha ki Madiha ki Khala woh ladki hongi jinke bare mein main bachpan se sunta aya hoon, Madiha ko kaha maloom Tha apke aur chachu ke bare mein."

(Otherwise I didn't know that the girl whom I marrying is the niece of the woman who my uncle loves, Madiha didn't know anything about you and Chachu.)

"Is umr mein dusri ya pehli Shaadi karna galat nahi Hai, humare nabi ne bhi iski izazat di hai, duniya ki ya samajh ki reet ke chakkar mein hum apni Zindagi kyu barbad Kare."

(Its not a sin doing marriage in this age, when our prophet has made it halal, why are we following the traditional of world?)

"I'm sorry agar apko Meri kisi baat ka bura laga ho," in last, he apologise for his words, for making her speechless

(If my words upset you then I'm sorry.)

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Tick, she turned off the night lamp which was giving the only source of light in her dark room,

You have forced this loneliness in your life, Eshal's voice ranged from somewhere very far in her mind

Tock, she again turned on the night lamp, her back was leaned on the headset of the bed, long black hair opened and dead eyes looking into space, no emotions were visible in them while her mind was in havoc

Stop being stubborn, Iman

Was it really her stubbornness?

Maybe it was, but she was too adamant to accept it,

She was angry at her parents for marrying her without her will, now when the destiny is giving her second chance she doesn't want it

I'll never stop loving you

Dabir's face came in front of her eyes as she again turned off the light, so she can't see his face

This time I won't give up on my love

What's wrong in second marriage?

You are the reason behind Dabir's misery

Just think about it

What's there left to think about?

Ask yourself, are you really happy

These words were enchoes her empty room

Fate doesn't give second chance to everyone

Even with everyone around you, you are alone from inside

No relation can replace the need of companion

You have lot of things to give like your time, attention and love

This is the stage where you need your spouse most

Life can't be live alone

I'm still the same as before

I love you

It's normal to get married in this age

You aren't that old

You have forced this loneliness in your life

Every words, every voice, the taunting of others if she got married second time, teasing laughs of people's, Dabir's confession, her parents disappointment when they found out about Dabir

Everything was playing in her mind

"Bas!" When she couldn't bear it anymore, her shriek enchos the empty room as she put her hand over her ear to stop those voice

(Enough!)

Her voice was loud that it reached Eshal, she quickly ran to her room, going to Iman's side, Eshal called her which made her jumped

Her dark room was now light up, maybe Eshal turned on the main light of the room when entered the room

"Aapi," Iman quickly hugged her and let those tears fall which were on the edge of her eyes

"Iman, Kya hua?" After Rehaan's death, Eshal has never saw Iman crying, maybe some few sheded tears but that's it,

(What happened?)

But this time, unbroken streams of tears were running from her eyes to cheeks, her sobbing increases as she put her shaking form in Eshal's arms

Eshal didn't said anything further and just trying to comfort her by crassing her hair

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A firm hand softly crassing her hand, that's the first things Iman felt before opening her eyes

And the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes was a white ceiling and brown coloured fan

"Iman!" Someone called her, voice filled with worry, this made her confused as she turned her head a little and saw Dabir

"Da.. Dabir.." she tried to get up but Dabir hold her,

"Lay down," he told her, roaming her eyes across the room, she saw, she was in hospital room, her left hand was attached with iv solution while her right hand was in Dabir's hand

She tried to remove her hand away from his but his hold was firm on her, this act of her made Dabir annoyed, as he looked at her

She also nurrowed her eyes at him. "Hath chorho Mera." And she told him

(Leave my hand.)

"Zidd khatam Karo, Iman." Dabir replied her in her way of speaking, rude and straight forward

(Stop being stubborn.)

"Dabir, hum hospital mein Hain."

(We are in hospital, Dabir.)

"Waise thaam sakta Hoon tumhara hath?" This time humour was in his voice

(So I can hold your hand outside of hospital?)

"Dabir, tumhari inhi baato'n ki wajah se aaj hospital mein Hoon main." Angrily snatching her hand away from his, she said. Which made Dabir shut, as he avert his eyes away from her. She also turned her head other side

(I'm in hospital because of you.)

"Gusse mein aaj bhi Tum chipmunk lagti ho." After sometime of silence, Dabir mumbled.

(You still look like Chipmunk in anger.)

Once they were talking about deepest fear, where Dabir's fear was brining disappointment in his father's life or not serving his country, imans fear was chipmunks

Reason was because in childhood she wanted to pet the Chipmunk in the society garden and wanted to befriend with him, one day a five years old Iman got ready in her pink frock with two pig tails and went to the garden with piece of bread to feed the Chipmunk,

The Chipmunk got excited seeing food and leaped on her, five years old couldn't understand what happened as she fall down due to fear and the Chipmunk snatched the bread from her and in doing so bit her finger too, since then she never went to same park again nor she tried to be befriend with another Chipmunk, in fact she got really scared of them

Iman never told this to any of her friends but she thought she could share it with Dabir. Her fault that she thought so, because after it, Dabir never left a chance to tease her. Specially when she is angry, he would call her Chipmunk which would earned him a smack but also a laugh from her

This time, she wanted to hold herself from laughing but couldn't "Dabir,"

"Tumhe yeh abhi bhi yaad Hai?" She again looked at him and found him lost in her laugh, the laugh which he is witnessing after years

(You still remember it?)

"Tumhari koi bhi baat nahi bhoola main."

(I can't forget anything about you.)

"Sab yaad Hai mujhe." He solemnly said, as if her memories are the most treasure thing to him

(I still remember everything.)

"Itna waqt beet gaya, Dabir. Kya tumhe Kabhi kisi aur se mohabbat nahi hui?" Looking down at her laps, Iman asked

(Lot of time has passed, Dabir. Didn't you fall for anyone else?)

"Tumhari mohabbat ne Kabhi kahi aur bhatakne nahi diya."

(I never get time from your love to look anywhere else.)

"Agar hum dubara Kabhi na milte toh?" She again looked at him, now challenging him to answer her this question

(What if we have never met again?)

"Jaise ki pichle 15 saal se tumhari mohabbat Dil mein liye jee raha Tha, waise hi agey ki Zindagi bhi jee leta." He had answer for her every questions, he always had answer to shut her mouth

(I would have lived my life the way I'm living since last fifteen years.)

"Mere pass kuch Hai," Dabir suddenly said

(I have something for you.)

Taking his hand to his jeans pocket, he took something out from it which made Iman gasp

"Yeh tumhare paas abhi bhi Hai?" She took it from him and asked, it was simple vintage diamond ring

(You still have this with you?)

It was the ring which he gave her on promise day, as a promise of loving her till his last breath, which she returned after her engagement with Rehaan

"Iss umeed mein ki ek na ek din issey iske asli mustahiq ko dunga."

(In this hope that one day I would give it to its real owner.)

"Umeed thi?"

(You still had hope?)

"Jaha mohabbat hoti waha umeed bhi hoti Hai."

(Hope is always there where Love is.)

"Sochlo, log bolenge ki Captain Dabir ko bhi achha shokh charha Hai iss age mein shaadi karne ka." She teasingly asked

(Think again, everyone will will mock you.)

"Logo ki baatei'n Maine bohot pehle sun-ni band kardi." His words silenced her, at this point, he was sure he has convince her with his love. But then, she returned the ring back to him

(I have stopped listening to others.)

"Mujhe yeh nahi chahiye." And told him which downcast his heart,

(I don't need it.)

Even after everything, she isn't ready to give him a chance. Did she lost faith in his love?

Taking the ring from her, he looked at it and was about to get up

"Kyuki mujhe nahi lagta yeh ab mujhe fit hogi." She looked at his down head and loudly said. Which made him raised his head as he shockingly looked at her

(Because it won't fit me anymore.)

"Tum.. tum konsa bohot moti hogayi ho." His words jumbling, which made her laugh with wet eyes

(It's.. it's not like you have gained much weight.)

"Yeh sab bohot... Stupid nahi lag raha Hai?" Iman asked

(Aren't you.. you feeling stupid?)

"Pyar mein sane raha Kon Hai?" In return Dabir asked

(When one felt sane in love?)

Both felt as if they are experience love first time, both hearts leaping in joy, breathing heavy due to trying to hold the tears, mind intoxicated in love

Suddenly both were feeling shy to look at each other and tried not to make eye contact. But still trying to steal a side way glance and when cought the eyes of other they again burst into laughter

Dabir finally got confidence to ask for her hand as he took his hand out

Iman raised her left hand a little to show him, her iv attached hand

Dabir got up from his side to go on her left side, carefully picking her hand, he put the ring in her finger, which fitted her

"Tumhare jane ke baad main adhura ho gaya Tha, ab Jake mukkammal hua Hoon."

(I was incomplete without you.)

"Tum Meri pehli aur akhiri mohabbat ho, Iman." He didn't left her hand, he wanted confess everything that he kept in his heart since last fifteen years

(You are my first and last love, Iman.)

"Tumse pyaar karne ke alawa Maine Kabhi kuch kiya hi nahi, agar tumhara pyaar na hota to main khudko bhi Kabhi na dhoondh pata, these fifteen years without you were the most difficult period of my life," Looking into her eyes, he said

(I don't know anything else beside loving you, in your love I find myself.)

"You are all that I need to truly feel complete and I'll always treasure you, abhi mere paas lafz nahi Hain apni Khushi baya'n karne ke liye." Dabir took a huge sigh to stop himself from crying

(I don't have words to express my happiness.)

"Itna sab kuch keh diya aur phir kehto ho ki lafz nahi Hai." Her eyes glimmered with tears but the smile didn't left her face

(You have said everything then saying you don't have words.)

The whole environment unfolded like a flower of joy, as their eyes beamed in tears of happiness

They both couldn't remember the last time when they were this happy

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Glass bangles tinkling as she put them in her wrist, after she was done with them she applied kajal in her eyes

Looking at her reflection in the mirror her eyes fall on Dabir, who was standing on doorway

Arms crossed over chest, shoulder leaning on doorway frame and a small smile on his face as he was gazing at her

Iman raised her eyebrow at him, on which he shook his head negatively and took steps toward hwr

"Achhi lag rahi ho." When he reached her, he held her hand and said, while leaning himself to the table of the dresser

(You are looking beautiful.)

It was one week after their marriage and the family decide to hold a small reception function for close relatives and friends

"Koi bhi tumhe dekhke tumhari age ka galat andaza laga le, 20 saal se ek saal zyada nahi lagti."

(No one can say that you are older than 20 years.)

"Achha! Wish I could say the same about you but.. your grey hair and stubble are giving it away." This wiped away his smile

(Really?)

"Achha," he straighten himself, as he took her in his arms

(Wait!)

"Dabir." Hesitatedly she called him

"Chorho, niche sab Hain." Putting her hand on his chest, she struggled to get herself free from his grip

(Leave me, everyone is downstairs.)

"Sab to waise bhi Roz niche rehte Hain." The more she struggled, the more he tighten his arms around her

(Everyone is always downstairs.)

"Dabir!"

"Mrs Dabir!"

"Khala," third voice came and with it Madiha opened the door of their bedroom, both Dabir and Iman quickly parted away from each other and Madiha quickly turned her back to them

"I'm sorry, woh mummy Papa agaye hain to apko bulane ke liye kaha Tha..." Quickly saying, Madiha left their room, didn't even turned to glance at them and Iman was turning red in embarrassment

(Mummy and papa has come and they told me to call you..)

When Madiha left, Iman glare at Dabir and in return Dabir scratched his head

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House was decorated with fresh white flowers with the hint of green leaves and the silver candle holders on which candles wasn't lit, just giving look of sleek and goodness, the warmness

Dabir and Iman were sitting together on white sofa, and whomever saw them, couldn't help but praise that they are made for each other

Iman was wearing white straight kurti with pearled design and matching plazo pants, her balck hair opened but hide behind chiffon dupatta. She was wearing any jewelry. Just pearl studds and Bangles which Aima told her to

Dabir was dashing the look of white shalwar kameez with it's sleeves rolled up his elbow and a black wrist watch

Everyone was happy for them. But, none was more happy than Madiha

Madiha who was chirping from here to there, doing everything off her own despite having helpers

She was wearing emerald plazo suits with silver embroidery on the border, hair open and dupatta only her one shoulder,

And Zamin couldn't take his eyes away from her, right now, Madiha was instructing maid about something when she felt someone eyes on her, her head insteadly moved to his direction, dismissing the maid, she went to him

Zamin was standing in the way from living room to lounge, his shoulder leaning on the wall

"Ghoor kyu rahe ho?" Going to him, she whisperedly said

(Stop ogling.)

"Main apni biwi ko dekh raha Hoon, tumhe Kya problem Hai?" He seriously told her

(I'm gazing at my wife, why it's bothering you?)

"Tum bhi na." A blush crept on her cheeks, trying to pretend that she is careless about him. She was about to leave when Zamin hold her hand and pulled her to himself

(You are too much.)

"Zamin!" She gasped on the sudden public affection

"Khush ho?" Her back was attached to his front, his hand wrapped around her and his cheek leaned on her head

(Are you happy?)

"Bohot!" Raising her head to look at him, she told him

(Very much.)

"Dono sath mein achhe lag rahe haina?" She again put her eyes on Dabir and Iman and asked. In return Zamin could only hummed

(They look cute together.)

Whole environment bloomed in happiness for them who had a long journey of patience and wait, were finally together. They were destined to meet , even these long periods of fifteen years couldn't fade heir love

≤≥

"Bas agaya, darwaza toh kholo," getting down from his car, he said on phone, taking his steps toward the house he was still on the phone when didn't saw the other person coming toward him, the other person herself was busy in her phone and bumped into him

(Opne the door, I have come.)

Nothing happened to him but the girl fall on floor

"I..." He wanted to apologise but a laugh left his mouth, the girl who was looking at her phone raised her head to glare at him

"Aap dekhke nahi chal sakte?" She didn't wanted to argue with him but his laughing made her irritate

(Can't you see where you are walking?)

"I'm really sorry, actually I was.." he also bent down a little to help her

She looked at him then at his hand which was out for her to hold

"No thanks!" Angrily saying, she got up her own

Brushing the dirt away from her dress, she again glare at him and again left inside of the house