A Courtyard, Two Hearts
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CH-5: Chosen, At Last
📍CH- 1 📍CH-2 📍CH-3 📍CH-4
A/N: I give author notes in the end, but anyway doing it right now because this post will be up in a while. Two chapters in a day??? I am tired and staying on coca cola lol. I can feel some pain rising in my neck atp and I have no clue wtf I have done in this chapter. Hope you all enjoyed it. This is the last chapter, i hope it gave very filmy vibes, because hu toh mein in the endbadi filmi. Maze karo aur dhyan rakho. Milte hai agle fic mein.
The sneaky look in Mahnoor’s and Rehman’s eyes did not go unnoticed by Nadira. Without a word, she sat next to Uzair at the table.
She observed the pretentious sweetness and awe in her older sister’s voice. “Kolachi aaye kitne arse ho gaye. Aur aisi jagah toh kisi ke sath aane mein hi acha lagta hai.” Nadira passed an unimpressed look to her sister when she stressed on ‘sath',’ eyes gazing straight at Nadira.
The latter decided to join in. Placing her hands on her chin, she stated, “University ke dino mein toh aap yahan apne saheliyon ke sath. Haan baki koyi boyfriend ke sath kabhi aayi thi agar toh-”
Mahnoor squinted with a playful glare. “Zyada muh nahi chal raha tumhara?” She folded her arms across her chest. “Tum batao vahan koyi boyfriend banayi hai jise humse milwana baki hai?”
Nadira caught the brief glance Mahnoor had passed towards Uzair’s direction. She smiled, pressing her tongue to a cheek. “Haan hai na. Do ladke hai.”
The speed at which Uzair had turned his neck at Nadira was comical, eyes flashing with surprise and possessiveness that really wasn’t his to claim. What shocked Nadira was how casual and laid-back Rehman had been. He listened to their sisterly banter with equal interest and enthusiasm instead of getting riled up or judgemental, especially towards Nadira.
Patting Uzair’s arm, she laughed, “Arey hum mazak kar rahe hai. Vaise bhi humko nahi rakhne kisi mard se vaasta. Aajkal bade dhoke milte hai ishq mein.”
Rehman and Mahnoor together rolled their eyes at Nadira’s antics while observing Uzair’s sad puppy face as if Nadira had rejected him coldly.
“Khayr, maazak ab khatm karte hai. Aaj ki dawat mere internship ke liye hai toh shuru ki jaye,” Nadira clapped her hands, and picked the menu from the table.
Internship. Uzair hated that word.
When he first encountered a joyful Nadira dancing around her sister, yelling how she bagged her dream ‘internship,’ he had asked his men around what that word meant and why was she so joyous for receiving it.
It was Hamza who finally made him understand what that word meant after he took the pains of going through a dictionary just to clear Uzair’s doubt.
Uzair too was overjoyed on knowing that Nadira had bagged some prestigious work then until she herself came with news that partly broke his heart.
‘British Council ke sath kaam karne milega. Vaise toh ek SZABIST ke through bhi karne mil raha tha par Karachi mein nahi rukna. Isi Sunday flight hai.’
While congratulating her for the said ‘internship,’ Uzair had felt his cheek muscles tremble as he plastered a fake smile to congratulate her.
Mahnoor had proposed to go out and celebrate Nadira’s achievement. She was bored of staying indoors most of the time due to her baby twins, and wanted an evening off to eat outside and take a small break from her motherhood duties.
She also wanted to spend some time like her past self, when she used to go out to those Do Darya restaurants with her friends during her undergraduate days. And, Nadira going abroad again made her a little wistful.
Nadira had stayed a full month, which passed so soon. She had earlier planned to stay for the first three months after Mehrab and Roshni came home, but the internship mail had arrived earlier than expected.
“Afghani boti, Peshawari chicken karahi aur butter naan hume pasand hai. Baki sab kya khayenge dekh lein,” said Nadira, while passing the menu to Uzair.
Their fingers touched for a brief second. Nadira felt current travel through her fingertips as they touched. Mahnoor had already begun discussing their food options and revealing some memorable insights of this restaurant during her college days. Seeing the couple busy with themselves, Nadira decided to train her attention on the guy beside her, scanning every second of his presence to memory.
After all, she herself did not know when she would come back, and it wasn’t like Uzair had asked her to stay — he probably will not, she mused to herself silently.
“Burger kabhi nahi chakha. Hum yeh ‘chicken cheese’ burger khayenge aaj,” Nadira smiled, watching Uzair point at the dish. Some of his hair fell over his forehead, softening his face. She looked at the black leather jacket that sat just right over his chest and shoulders.
He just looked so dangerously dashing and handsome, it made her heart clench. She had never thought how a jacket would pair with a plain kurta, but Uzair rocked that combo well. Between the V-collar of his kurta was his sunglasses tucked neatly.
Her thoughts immediately gravitated towards the afternoon earlier today. He had entered the haveli wearing his sunglasses and a bright smile. Then, when his long fingers casually removed the dark shades so effortlessly, Nadira had to fan herself internally.
He had no idea how much swag he carried with himself.
And now, the soft red lights of the restaurant made him look even more handsome to her eyes. It sat so well with his dark outfit, making him look like the handsome male actors she saw in the movies.
Uzair’s gaze drifted towards her. The red lights made his eyes look domineering and intense. She could barely hold her breath at the sheer magnetism he exuded.
Nadira wondered how she would try to forget Uzair once she would leave for London. It won’t be easy to forget their shared moments especially the quiet nights they spent together while sharing a cigarette — the world pausing then for just the two of them.
She never missed Karachi much abroad before, but now, it felt different. There was someone she wanted to stay back for, and this realization was staggering for her young heart.
Gehra hua, gehra hua Dariya dua, gehra hua
The soft noise of the busy restaurant and the sea surrounding the venue had faded into the background. Consumed with nostalgia and shared memories of the man beside her, Nadira thought of the day, she had first seen Uzair. At the wedding.
She could still feel goosebumps on her skin as her mind recounted the memory of Uzair crowding her in that dark alleyway for taking back his brother’s shoes.
He had never come that close ever since then, always maintaining a respectful distance even when they were alone, but then what right had she given him to make him cross the invisible barrier?
The last few weeks, Uzair always made his way inside her thoughts. She dreamt of his hands touching her with tenderness, and at times her thoughts travelled to a dangerous territory, thinking how his palms would caress her bare skin. There were instances, where she would imagine Uzair and herself in the place of Rehman and Mahnoor when they shared a wholesome moment.
She desired the same connection with Uzair as she had seen in her sister and brother-in-law.
Nadira had seen how fiercely devoted the brothers were to their family. Uzair and Mahnoor also shared a deep bond with each other. A wistful smile formed on her lips as she pondered what kind of life would it be if she and Uzair got together.
“Food is here ma’am.”
Nadira looked up at the waiter and passed a small smile. She sat straight and watched the waiter serve the food on her plate.
“Iska burger toh bada lajawab lag raha hai,” Rehman commented, eyeing the burger in Uzair’s hands who gleefully smiled, replying, “Meri pasand hoti hi hai kaafi khaas.”
“Voh toh hai…” Nadira blurted out, making the three of them instantly turn towards her.
She looked at the trio. “Burger ka baat kar rahi thi. Lajawaab toh hai.”
The evening passed too quick. Banter was shared between the brothers with Mahnoor and Nadira joining in too. The sisters shared some of their schooltime memories with Rehman and Uzair.
With a full stomach and a happy heart, the four of them decided to take a stroll on the road. Uzair and Nadira walked together, a few steps behind Rehman and Mahnoor — the latter walking with her head on Rehman’s shoulder.
Meanwhile, the younger Baloch could only receive the caress of Nadira’s flowy kurti on his forearm. The pair in the front were quiet while Uzair was surrounded with the jingling sound of her bracelets and Nadira’s constant chatter about the food.
“Ek baat puchu, Uzair?”
Uzair stilled. The chatter had ceased. Beside him stood a woman with an expectant gaze and fingers wringing nervously. “Meri yaad aayegi jab mein London chali jaungi?”
Shaking his head, Uzair only clicked his tongue, a wry smile on his lips as he replied, “Nahi. Bilkul nahi.”
Nadira stared at him, the playfulness gone from her bright eyes. She swatted at his arm. “Abhi nahi rokoge mujhe ek baar bhi? Abhi bhi kuch nahi kahoge?”
“Mere kehne se ruk jaogi yahan?” He asked, voice, slow and measured, plea laced in that deep, gravelly voice.
The streetlamp over his head flickered just like the hopes that fluttered weakly in their hearts.
“Tum toh apne dil ki baat nahi batate.”
“Tum bhi toh keh sakti ho pehele.”
Nadira thought of the conversation she and her sister had a few days ago.
It was a bright sunny afternoon. The babies were asleep in their arms. Nadira held a sleepy Roshni while Mehrab fussily slept through in Mahnoor’s arms.
Both the sisters sat on the swing. The afternoon sun filled the courtyard and the household with warm snugness. Beside them lay two empty cups of tea on a small round table.
“Tum pasand karti ho Uzair ko?” Mahnoor asked while leaning her head against the chains holding the swing.
Nadira had been taken aback by the sudden question thrown at her. She felt her pulse pause for a moment as her eyes gazed forward towards the iron gates of the haveli.
She could never lie to her sister, at least not to her face. Nodding, she hesitantly turned her head towards Mahnoor. “Pasand toh hai. Pyara hai aur jitna mein janti hu voh bhi mujhe pasand karta hai bas kehta nahi hai. Aapke niqaah vale din se hi shayad pasand karne laga tha aur jabse mein yahan aayi hu humesha mere aage piche hi ghumta rehta hai.”
Mahnoor took Nadira’s hand in her own. In a calm voice that bore wisdom and guidance, she said, “Tumhari behen hu Nadira, par Uzair ki bhabhi bhi hoon. Uzair aur mera rishta bohot qaribi ka hai. Niqah ke baad sabse pehle jise qarib se jana voh Uzair hi tha iss ghar mein. Woh tumse mohabbat karta hai par mohabbat mein andha nahi hai.”
Nadira’s eyes widened at the last statement. Mahnoor continued, “Uzair kabhi apne dil ka haal tum pe zahir nahi karega kyunki voh jaanta hai ke tum ne ab tak kaisi zindagi guzari hai. Tum ne kai shehr dekhe hain, bahar mulk rahi ho, duniya ko dekhna aur mehsoos karna tumhari fitrat ban chuka hai.
Woh tumhein woh zindagi nahi de paayega. Aur phir bhi, us ke paas aisi mohabbat hai jo tumhein azad chhor degi — chahe us ka apna dil hi kyun na toot jaye.”
Mahnoor squeezed her sister’s hand gently. “Tum jab tak chaho uske saath hansna bolna, chhed-chaad aur nok-jhonk kar sakti ho, lekin woh aadmi? Woh mukammal taur par wafadar hai. Is maamle mein dono bhai asal mein bohot milte-julte hain.
“Main chahti hoon ke tum apna faisla bohot soch samajh kar karo. Lyari ki zindagi utni rangeen nahi hogi jitni tum us ki aadat rakhti ho. Uzair ek bohot mukhlis aur wafadar saathi hoga, lekin shayad tumhare khwaabon ko thora peeche rehna pade.
“Rehman siyasat mein qadam rakhne vale hai, aur hamara khandaan literally public sphere mein hoga. Jis Karachi mein hum bari hui hain, woh modern aur open zaroor hai — Lyari se zyada, magar UK se kam.
Agar — aur sirf agar — tum Lyari ko chahti ho, agar tum hamare aur Uzair ke saath reh sakti ho, toh phir usey chuno… warna, usey azaad chhor do.”
Uzair’s concerned voice cut through the haze. Nadira stirred back to the present, eyes blinking at him as she was faced with the reality of making a choice.
“Nadira?”
Her mind raced through her decisions, her lifestyle and the overbearing weight of the paths that lay in front of her.
If she let go of Uzair, she would head home to London with a broken heart, but if she chose Uzair and Lyari, she too would have to bear the brunt of Lyari’s twisted affairs and violence, just like Mahnoor.
Was she brave enough to face that with equal parts of grace and power like her sister?
“Agar mein tumhe chunna chahoon Uzair?” She asked. It was an incomplete question, awaiting an answer from his words that would silence all the thoughts in her head.
Uzair’s eyebrows shot up. He huffed and shook his head. “Tumhe nahi karna chahiye aisa. Tumhara voh internship, tumhare sapne — Lyari tumhare liye nahi hai, Nadira. Tum tashaddud aur khoon-kharabi ke liye bani nahi ho, jis se meri zindagi bhari huyi hai.”
He gently lifted her hand to his, his long fingers entwining with her soft ones like a promise. “Tumhare saath meri zindagi mein chand lamhay sukoon aur narmdili ke aaye hain, magar main tumhein is shehar mein qaid nahi rakh sakta-” he planted a soft kiss on her knuckles, “Iss shehar mein jo tumhein kuch bhi roshan, rangin ya zinda sa dene ki taqat nahi rakhta. Lyari tumse tumhari rooh cheen lega, aur mein aisa hone du, utna khudgarz aashiq mein nahi.”
Nadira could feel her tears burn in her eyes. She blinked them away and cleared her throat pointedly to avoid any waterworks. She noticed how Uzair still hadn’t let go of her hand — his thumb caressing her knuckles very softly as if his touch carried all his love he had stored in his heart that he was soon going to let go.
However, Nadira wasn’t someone to go without a fight, especially with the things that mattered to her, and here she had a man she had lost her heart to.
“Mahnoor aapi bhi toh dhal gayi na Lyari ke sath, Rehman bhai ke sath toh mein kyu nahi. Mein tumhe chunna chahti hu, Uzair. Tumse-” Nadira’s eyes closed inadvertently as she prepared to confess her feelings. “Tumse mohabbat ho gayi hai, Uzair. Tumhe yeh nahi dikhta kya?”
Uzair stilled at the confession. His fingers trembled on her cheek. The next moment he opened his mouth, in a broken voice, he called out her name with utmost devotion and love he could muster before being swept by her presence, “Nadira…”
“Uzair…” She returned with the same intensity and reverence.
He watched her hazel eyes search his face, the flickering amber lights casting shadows over her face. He realized, it was finally time to uncover his heart, and let her choose him.
“Maine tumse usi din mohabbat kar li thi jab maine tumhein shaadi mein us neelay suit mein dekha tha. Tum tab bhi ek heera thi… aur aaj bhi ho. Bas ek baar phir mujhe keh do ke tum mujhse mohabbat karti ho, aur mujhe chunti ho — phir main tumhein kabhi apne se durr jaane nahi dunga.
“Haan, yeh bhi sach hai ke main chahta hoon tum apni internship poori karo, duniya dekho, jitna dekh sakti ho. Apni woh diaryyaan bhar do jin mein tum itna likhti ho — aur jab bhi palat kar dekho gi, mujhe hamesha yahin intezar karta paogi.
“Mere dil mein tumhare siwa kisi aur ke liye jagah nahi hai. Tum meri zindagi ke andheron mein sab se tez chamakne wala sitara ho.
“Tumhare baghair main hamesha adhoora rahunga, Nadira. Main tumse mohabbat karta hoon — aur tumhara mere saath hona, mere saath chalna… mere liye izzat bhi hai aur meri qismat ki badi rehmat bhi.”
And as if fate itself wanted to seal their story together, it sent a subtle sign. The flickering streetlight no longer flickered, its amber light stayed steady and if one looked closely, it produced a more brighter glow.
Nadira smiled, a big and bright one. Blinking her happy tears away, she threw herself into Uzair’s arms without a single thought, her arms wrapping tightly around his back.
Uzair steadied her, his arms holding her to his embrace as he buried his face in her shoulders. The familiar scent of her perfume: fresh spring blossoms and sea salt grounded him to his beautiful reality.
Nadira was his, not in his thoughts and dreams, but in reality.
She had chosen him, and he was never going to make her regret that decision ever.
The new couple basked in a comforting embrace under the amber streetlamp that seemed to glow more radiant as if happily witnessing their union.
In the distance, Rehman and Mahnoor stood by, watching Uzair and Nadira with a fond gaze.
All was well.
All will be well.
“Ab tum log ki ishqbaazi agar ho gayi ho toh ghar chale?” Rehman called out from the distance. Mahnoor rolled her eyes and turned around to head towards the car, eager to call it a night while also wanting to give the new couple some privacy.
A new love story had just begun, after all.
@desi-brownie @roses-and-iron @hum-suffer @feministmenlover @maraudersbitchesassemble @nazmnotes @dearrosary @wwwjustkidding @desigurlie @myboysfavouritetoy @geometric-circle @shadyloveobject @houseofbreadpakoda @jkdaddy01 @wannabefucko @patrakilekha @bollywoodfandoms8 @harrystylesismybabydaddyy @seongjeholic @trippitoas27 @dc-reign @suvarnarekha @terijhukinazar @nooriyat @imthebadguyyy @shotsyfeather @nervouscashrascalflowers @multifandom-boss-bitch @kenkozkmg @warnermeadowsgirl
Going to sleep you all. Goodnight. This was fun to write, and honestly a nice writing exercise though i feel this was dry or maybe it's my sleep deprivation. Love you all for the support. Will take a break to catch up on the other fics that I have been tagged in.
