••••••••
Noor woke up at 7 in the morning to the continuous ringing of her alarm. Groggily, she reached out, fumbling to turn it off, her fingers clumsily hitting the buttons. As the annoying beeping finally ceased, she let out a soft groan, rubbing her eyes. Sitting up, she ran her fingers through her tangled hair, ruffling it absentmindedly, her lips forming a slight pout.
She glanced around her room, still half-asleep. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the walls. Despite the cozy atmosphere, she couldn't shake the heaviness of sleep still clinging to her.
Noor stretched, letting out a tired sigh, and pulled herself out of bed. Her bare feet hit the cool floor, and she shivered slightly, making her way to the window. Pulling the curtains aside, she was greeted by the sight of a calm, early morning sky. The world outside was still, the city not yet fully awake but there were vendors setting up their stalls for the day.
"Ek aur boring din" she muttered to herself, her voice groggy.
(Once more a boring day)
•••••••••
Noor was fumbling through her cupboard while talking to herself.
"Na jaane humare saath he aisa kyu hota hai ,jab jo chahiye wo milta he nahi"
(I don't know why this happens to me-whenever I want something, I never Find it.)
Finally after struggling alot Noor found her pink short kurti which she wished to wear today with blue baggy jeans for her university. After placing her clothes on the bed she hurried to the washroom to freshen up for the day.
••••••••••
Zayd woke up early, feeling restless in the new city of Lucknow. It was 7 AM, sun was up, casting a warm glow over everything. He decided to go for a jog, hoping to clear his mind. He got dressed in his normal black tee's and black joggers , he walked out of the room and walked out quitely to avoid any interaction with anyone. As he stepped outside, the fresh morning air filled his lungs.
He ran along the narrow lanes near the haveli where he was staying. The streets were lined with vibrant flowers-marigolds, roses, and jasmine stalls. The flower market was coming to life, with vendors setting up their stalls, their voices mingling with the chirping of birds. The sweet fragrance of flowers surrounded him, making the run more enjoyable.
As he jogged, Zayd noticed the beauty of the old buildings with their intricate carvings. The charm of Lucknow captivated him.After around 45 minutes, Zayd reached back at the haveli after a stroll. As he opened the main door, he saw Naziya Begum watering the plants in the lawn.
"Assalamualikum" Said Zayd Startling the poor lady. She looked at him and smiled "Waalikumassalam beta, aap itni jaldi uth Gaye abhi kuch ghante pehle he to soye the" asked Naziya begum slightly concerned.
(Son!! You woke up so early, you just slept a few hours ago.)
"Ji wo nayi jagah hai na toh-" He stopped unable to explain his discomfort to the new place.
(Yes, it's a new place, so-)
"Chaliye koi baat nahi aap fresh ho jayiye tab tak hum naashta Bana dete hai , waise aap nashte mai khaate kya hai" Asked Naziya begum keeping the watering can down.
(That's alright, you freshen up while I prepare breakfast. By the way, what do you usually eat for breakfast?)
"Aap pareshaan na ho, I have to visit someone In about 2 hours I'll have something on the way" Zayd said.
(Please don't worry, I have to visit someone In about 2 hours I'll have something on the way)
"Kaisi baat Kar rahe hai aap zayd, jab apna ghar hai toh aap bahar kyu karenge naashta, waise bhi agar humne aapko aisa karne diya toh Ammi bohat khafa hongi humse" She said and sighing Zayd agreed on having breakfast and went to his room to freshen up.
(What are you saying, Zayd? When it's your own home, why would you have breakfast outside? Besides, if I let you do that, Ammi will be very upset with me.)
•••••••
After finishing her tasbeeh, Hamna Begum came and sat down at her place at the dining table.
"Naziya Der raat badi awazein aa rahi thi ,kuch Hua tha kya" She asked to her daughter in law who just walked into the dining area to serve her fresh toast omlette.
(Naziya, loud noises were coming late at night. Had something happened?)
"Aree! Mai aapko batane he bhool gayi, Zayd aaye the Kal raat" Hearing the news of her grandnephew's arrival for the first time, Hamna Begum couldn't contain her excitement.
(Oh! I forgot to tell you, Zayd came last night.)
"Kahan hai Zayd, raat he main Bata diya hota mai apne pote se mil leti"
Naziya begum chuckled at her excitement and playfully said "Ammi Aa he rahe honge wo mil lijiyega , aapse mile bagair baagh thodi he jayenge"
(Where is Zayd? If I had known last night, I would have met my grandnephew.)
(Ammi he must be coming; you can meet him now. He won't run away without meeting you.)
"Dubai se aaye hai unke liye ye kuch Bahar ka naashta Bana lijiye ,ye anda bread kya he khayenge wo"
Hamna begum couldn't contain her excitement and love for her brother's grandson. Her concern and love made Naziya begum smile. "Ammi Maine unse poocha tha ki wo naashte mai Kya khaate hai Bata de mai Bana doongi, lekin aapke pote ne naashta karne se he inkaar Kar diya tha , lekin mere bade kehne par , wo khaane ke liye maan Gaye ,aate he honge"
(The child has come from Dubai, so prepare breakfast like what he eats there. He won't eat just eggs and bread.)
(Ammi, I had asked him what he eats for breakfast so I could make it, but your Zayd refused to have breakfast. However, after I insisted , he agreed to eat what everyone will eat. He will be here soon.)
"Chaliye phir hamara naashta bhi sabhi ke saath laga dijiyega"
(Then please serve my breakfast together with everyone else's.)
"Ammi aap Kar lien naashta ,aapko medicine leni hai warna phir aap ki sugar low ho jayegi" Naziya begum asked her mother in law, concerned due to her diabetic condition.
(Ammi, please go ahead and have you're breakfast. You need to take your medicine; otherwise, your sugar will drop.)
"Are ek baar thoda late khayenge toh Mar nahi jayenge" Hamna begum dismissed her words.
(Oh, if I eat a little late, I won't die!)
"Allah na kare ammi kaisi baatein karti hain aap" Naziya begum took her plate and was about to leave but before she could hamna begum again said
"Meri jaan, Meri Noor uth gayi kya"
(God forbid! Ammi, why are you saying such things?)
(My dear,my Noor has she woken up?)
"Aapki jaan kisi ko batatye bagair he university chali gayi , woh toh doodh wale ne dekh Liya jaate hue ,toh wo Bata gaya mujhe"
Naziya begum expressed her anger at her daughter's irresponsible act
(Your'e dear Noor,went to university without telling anyone, but milkman saw her leaving and informed me."
"Aane dijiye baat karte hai hum unse" Noor's Grandmother's was to her rescue from her mother's wrath.
(Let her come; I'll talk to her.)
Zayd entered the dining room in his office attire and saw Mrs. Firoz talking to an old lady who resembled Zayd's grandfather quite a bit. This made him realize that she was his paternal grandmother. He cleared his throat walking ahead
"Assalamualikum"
He greeted the older lady who seemed Overly enthusiastic on seeing him
"Waalikumassalam, Mera pota , Kitne bade ho gaye hain, Itne se the jab Maine dekha tha" Hamna begum got emotional looking at her brother's grandson , She was always very fond of her brother and Zayd resembled Mr.Hasad.
"Aayie Beta yaha baithiye mere paas"
(My grandson, how big you have grown! You were so little when I last saw you.)
(Come here, sit beside me)
Gestured Hamna begum, Zayd abided by her request and sat next to her, as she patted his head lovingly. Zaid wasn't use to this kind of treatment, He knows that people only flatter him because of his power and money, but here, these people who are his so called family whom he never met ,were treating him so affectionately without any ulterior motive, which felt a bit strange to him.
Naziya begum entered with a maid following her with their breakfast and served them while the three people sat Naziya asked maid to call Sufiyan from his room.
"Zayd beta aur kuch chahiye ho toh bina fikar Hume Bata dijiyega"
Naziya told Zayd who was busy eating the omlette
(Zayd, if you need anything else, feel free to let us know without any hesitation.)
"Ji shukriya" he said
(Sure, thanks alot)
"Aur batayie hasad kaise hai? Aur apki ammi Saira wo kaisi hai?" Hamna begum asked Zayd.
(How is hasad? And you're mother Saira how is she?)
"Allhamdullilah, sab khairiyat se hai ,daddu ne aap sabko salam bheja hai aur ammi ne bhi"
(Alhamdulillah, everyone is fine. Grandpa has sent his regards to all of you, and so has my mother.)
"Apne baap ke jaane ke baad , Hosh sambhalne se aaj tak aapne poori zimmedari uthayi hui hai aur bakhoobi Nisbha bhi rahe hai ,Allah aapko hamesha sehatmand rakhe"
Hamna begum cried reminiscing her nephew who passed away due to heartattack when Zayd was only 18 months old.
(After your father's passing when you were so young, you've grown to have taken on the entire responsibility and have managed everything well. May Allah always keep you healthy.)
Zaid dosen't remember his dad , so he didn't get emotional when his death was mentioned but he knew that his dad was a good man and he wished the best for him.
••••••••••
Sufiyan dressed in his casual clothes, looking fresh and handsome entered the dining room twirling the bike key on his finger stopped at the site of the stranger.
"Assalamualikum"
He greeted everyone that was present.
"Aayiye Sufiyan ,dikhiye aapke hasad daadu ke pote aaye hai ,aapke bade bhai, Aur zayd beta ye hain humare pote Sufiyan"
(Come, Sufiyan, look! Your paternal grandfather's grandson has arrived-your elder brother. And Zayd, this is my grandson Sufiyan.)
Sufiyan and Zayd both awkwardly nodded to each other . As sufiyan
Sat for his breakfast Zayd after finishing his breakfast excused himself as he left the house for the preparations of his event. Not before informing them of the Details and time, so they could attend it ,which was again his daddu's request.
••••••••
At around 3:00 pm, A completely exhausted Noor entered the haveli and threw her bag on the sofa and herself slumped on another.
"Ammi!! Hum aa gaye" Noor announced of her arrival after a long day. She had no energy to even move a finger. Her brown eyes held sleep while she laid on the sofa.
(Mom!! I'm back)
"Are meri bachhi, kitni thakk gayi Meri jaan" Said hamna begum entering hall to see her dear granddaughter slumped on the sofa, her tiredness evident to hamna begum
(Oh, my dear child, how tired you look, my love.)
"Salam Daadi" Noor said as her granny sat next to her and brushed her fingers in her hair gently and lovingly. She kept her head on her lap. "Aapse kitni dafa kaha hai beta bina bataye ghar se nahi Nikla kariye, allah na kare kabhi kuch ulta seedha ho jaye toh hum kya karenge"
(How many times have I told you, dear, not to leave the house without telling anyone? God forbid if something were to happen, what would we do?)
Noor initially frowned but then chuckled at her grandmother's unusual concern
"Hume koi kya he karega dadi"
Noor said.
(What could anyone possibly do to me, Grandma?)
At the same time Naziya entered the hall with a glass of water.
"Ye lijiye paani pijiye , kya halat Bana li hai aapne apni ,na khaane ka hosh na sone ka, kya karu mai aapka"
(Here, drink some water. Look at the state you've put yourself in-no care for eating or sleeping. What am I to do with you?)
Noor understood her mother was not angry but concerned.So she slowly grabbed the glass of water and gulped the water down quickly before standing up and hugging her mother, making her grandmother smile.
"Ammi , meri pyari Ammi, naraaz na ho ,aur waise bhi meri fikar karne ke liye aap hai na"
(Ammi, my dear Ammi, don't be upset. Besides, you're here to worry about me, aren't you?)
"Aap bina naashta kare chali gayi aur kuch lekar bhi nahi gayi , Pata hai Hume aapki chinta khayi ja rahi thi"
Naziya begum expressed her concern for her daughter
(You left without having breakfast and didn't take anything with you. Do you know I was so worried about you?)
"Aapki ammi ne bhi naashta nahi Kiya hai, aapka sunke"
Added Hamna begum
(Your mother hasn't had breakfast either, after hearing about you.)
"Ammi!! " Noor cried as she hugged her mother once again seeking forgiveness for her irresponsible act.
"Chaliye lunch ready hai ,handwash karke pehle kuch kha lijiye phir shaam mai event pe bhi Jana hai"
Said naziya as she left to serve lunch for her daughter
(Come on, lunch is ready. Wash your hands and eat something first, then we also have to go to the event in the evening.)
Noor turned to her granny and asked
"Konsa event?"
(What event?)
Hamna begum facepalmed her face as she said "kitni kamzor yaadasht hai aapki, Zayd aa Gaye hai, unhi ke liye kuch event hai"
(Your memory is so weak! Zayd has arrived, and the event is for him.)
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