....Mein Ne Socha Na Tha

" Uff Kenza, it's enough. I'm your best friend, but you treat me like I'm your worst enemy or something." A cute girl in her early twenties kept the waxing kit on the dressing table. She looked like a kind person, as much as people can 'look' kind

" Hehe, you forgot Shaheera, you are my room-mate too. " Kenza replied, brushing her above-shoulder length bob-cut hairs . "The only thing I'm objecting about is that you begin to make your eye brows , wrists and blah blah, almost every other day "

"It's none of your business…. I do what I feel for myself " Feeling frustrated and angry, Shaheera sat on her bed.

" That's funny" Kenza turned her face to glance at her friend.. " First you say I'm your best friend, then on the other side you say its none of my business, okay as you wish " Kenza was now smiling knowingly in a teasing mood.

" Oh Kenza you always make me mad and bad and sad, you know all my weaknesses " Shaheera was now almost about to cry.

" Heyyy, Shaheera… " Leaving her work, Kenza rose from her place and sat beside Shaheera. " What got into you, hmm?" Kenza just couldn't see tears in her best friend's eyes.

" You know what Shaheera … " Kenza reached out and gently smoothed her friend's hair back from her face. " You're really a crazy girl, infact stupid. You are entering twenty first century now and yet you are acting in a such ultra-senstitive and extra self-conscious manner. Friend don’t be so extra-careful about yourself. Besides your apparent features, you have alot of other things to attract and impress other people. "
Kenza knew that Shaheera had always been so touchy and moody and ultra conscious about herself.

" Infact you are married now, I mean your Nikaah has been done and with in couple of years your rukhsati is going to take place. Think about your husband, he will surely take advantage of your so touch-me-not nature."
She took a tissue fromthe tissue box and handed it to Shaheera.

" Oh my God. " Shaheera's eyes widened. " Kenza don’t you ever get tired of hating guys? even if he's a hubby of your best friend ??" Sometimes even Shaheera felt confused about Kenza for being so opposite to opposite sex.

" Well…. you just don’t know how clever all guys are," Kenza shrugged her shoulders carefreely. " Even after marriage their flirtatious nature gets even more worse and they don’t forgive even other married women. Believe it or not, if your hubby is somewhere with you and some pretty girl comes in his view, he will not care about any one except to take a detailed look of the girl, not caring about the feelings and emotions of you and such husbands always get so pissed off, when they see their women talking with some other guy…." Kenza said in a cold, harsh tone.

" How do you know all this ? " Shaheera raised her brows.

" Okay, its not personal experience but its observation and experienced thingie and above all it's truth " Kenza said evenly. " I'm mature and honest about my feelings and thinking, So I can understand the difference between sweet 'fantasies' and bitter ' facts ' of life, that’s all" Kenza was as talkative like always.

" Oh Allah, Kenza, why don't you pay attention to any one around you, " Shaheera said thickly. " Why do you always apply your own opinions to other people forcefully ?"

" You will see it yourself after your Rukhsati. One day your hubby will not find even twenty minutes to have some coffee with you" Kenza smiled .

" Oh Kenza stop it please, for God sake..and I don’t wanna hear any thing about my hubby. I love Raza very much and he loves me too"

" Love ?? eh?? Kenza laughed sarcastically." Ahhh, what a joke. That's the biggest fake disease of the world. My dear, love is nothing.....just physical attraction, that’s all. Its not an innocent or holy passion as its supposed to be, I have seen hundreds of love marriages endingup in failures, so even if it's really some thing then its not eternal…it's just a way to pass time, specially for guys to make innocent gals fool by flirting, loving, liking or whatever… "

Shaheera didn't say anything at first. Though, for her Kenza's attitude and opinion about love was not new for her, but she sensed that it was getting even more blunt day by day. "

" Tell you what, " Kiran added. " I ' hate' , ' love ' and I think of myself as the luckiest person of the world that I've never been in love and I'm sure I won't love anyone........ever " Kenza's belief was unshake l like always. As she spoke continously, Shaheera listened to her with patience, waiting for her turn.

" Okay… but let me tell you one thing Kenza… " Now, it was Shaheera's turn to express her view. " Always remember, there will be a day, when you will find yourself what this love is all about. Infact love is something which can change any person at any time. There're many people who would never have been in love if they had never heard love spoken of, aand of course remember that we are shaped and fashioned by what we love." Like always Shaheera tried her best to convince her best friend, though she knew there was no use.

" You mean I can fall in love?? " Kenza laughed .

" Of course…" Shaheera smiled soberly. " If you are human, you can fall in love. Real love which is felt only by those people who are sensitive, mature and believe on passions and human spiritual and eternal values. No wonder one day you will feel a very weird pleasurable pain right in your heart, a sweet burning sensation. Every morning, after you wake up and every night before sleep, you will talk with yourself, thinking of no body but ' Him'. Suddenly you will feel that world has become so beautiful for you. It will look like that every thing around you is smiling. You will miss your beloved and lover every where and yet you will see him every where. Well, to be loved by someone and to love some one really is the greatest gift of God given to humans as their natural instinct. If somebody doesn't care or feel about this, I really feel bad about that person ….and……" Shaheera could talk on her favourite topic for centuries, but Kenza interrupted.

"Just keep your childish teen-age philosophies limited to yourself, please…" Kenza 's temper was losing now. " All this stuff you said about love or whatever only means two things. "

" Ahaan, and what's that ? " Shaheera's brows tilted questioningly.

" Either you've been reading women's digests too much or watching lots of romntic movies these days. " Kenza said, combing her hands through her thick dark brown hair.

" Well its useless to argue with you, but I don’t have to worry about any thing when I know that ……." Shaheera stopped herself. Now it was her turn, to tease Kenza.

" Oh yes, let me complete your sentence" Kenza laughed, and then they both echoed simultaneously, laughing,

" Husbands hotey hi aisey hain "

" Hey, oh shit. It's getting late, let's packup. Be quick, dad told me that he's got our seats reserved for five p.m Karachi flight. And only two hours are left now. Wiith all that heavy traffic of Lahore, not whole of the Lahore is Model town or Gulburg you know ! " Kenza smiled, as they both began to wind up things, putting their stuff in suit-cases.

" So are you sure ? you are gonna win that final? " Shaheera gave her a concerned look. " don’t take it so easy dear. That guy is not an easy dish. You must not forget that just like you, he's the top most debator of his province."
Shaheera was worried, as she looked towards Kenza who was giving final touches to her make-up, applying blush-on over her already pink cheeks.

" Kenza never gives up, nor does she lose" Kenza replied in a proud tone, while giving eye shade to her eye lids which encased her light brown eyes beautifully.

" Would you mind giving my favourite maroon lipstick shaheera? " Without turning to her, Kiran asked.

Smiling, Shaheera gave her the lipstick.

" Why're you smiling. " Kiran was confused.

" I was thinking about what you said. You, hate love. Pretty interesting, isn't it ? "

" Yeah, whatever. " Turning back to the mirror, Kiran resumed her job.

" I'm afraid for you, my Kiran. " Shaheera's voice had now acquired a serious tone." As you hate love, there might be some day, when your love will hate you. "

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

The auditorium of hotel Pearl Continental Karachi was fully loaded with hundreds of people, including students of karachi University and Lahore university of management Sciences (LUMS). Press photographers, university officials, Chief Minister as a chief guest and other government officials were also there, waiting anxiously for this most awaited and interesting competition to begin. Every seat was occupied, and even the galleries and concrete borders were jammed with chattering youths, their spirits lifted by the thought of upcoming, thrilling event.

All of this arrangement was in connection with the final of Inter university ' Cross-Talk Speech' Competition of Pakistan.
Two months back this competition had started at provincial level, selecting and rejecting hundreds of competitors.
And so today, it was the final between the last two most selected and remaining cream competitors…
One was a female from Lums, Lahore, Miss Kenza Shaheryaar .
And the other one was a male, from Karachi university, department. of public administration. His name was Daniyal Ahmed !"

And the topic of the competition was not the least interesting either,

" Who would be the superior sex in twenty first century? Male or Female ?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

President of the competition appeared at the middle of the huge stage. After clearing his throat, he announced !

" Ladies and gentlemen, here we are finally, to decide about the final of inter-university cross-talk speech competition. But first of all I'd like to tell the rules to both of the participants.Though, I'm sure they know the rules already, but as this is the final so there are some additional rules too. Here are the rules …..  "

He took a short pause, glanced at the silent crowd then began again. " If any one of the both participants would found to be supporting his or her opposite point of view, he'd be unable to win this final. I mean if the male participant tells any thing which supports female's point of view he will be out of the competition instantly, similar are the rules for female participant. Now I'd like to call the the participants.
So ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our first participant, Miss Kenza Shaheryaar from Lahore University of Management Sciences. "

With that, began the sounds of loud clapping. Every eye moved towards the gorgeous figure sitting in front rows. With a classic rising model style, Kenza, dressed in jet black gown-like sleeveless outfit, began to walk toward stage. Her walking style was kind of like cat-walk, kind of rising wave motion of the cliff. The black lipstick on her full lips, made her complexion appear fairer. After taking some short steps on four stairs of the stage, she finally made herself stand at the right corner of the stage behind a dice-like counter having her nameplate. There, she first adjusted four mics in front of her then turned her face to say thanks to the president.

" And now, it's time for our second participant to come here. Please welcome Mister.Daniyal Ahmed from Karachi University ".

Again, there were sounds of intense clapping and voices of admiration. Kenza`s eyes moved towards the audiences involuntarily. There was a huge rush of the people sitting and standing every where. And then from the dark, with in the last rows,  behind the audiences, appeared a tall figure. He was wearing ice blue jeans and navy blue shirt with a black coat over it, with out a tie. The large collar of his shirt was over his coat, with first two buttons undone.
His steps were large, not too large, slow, with a strength of firm and fixed determination. His fairly-wheatish face was more prominent due to light green fresh shave and due to typical masculine square jaw cut of his cheeks.

" Wow ! he is too male " One of Kenza's friends, Maira exclaimed, completely lost in his sight. .

Shaheera gave her a skeptical look. Shaheera and Kenza`s whole group consisting of five females was sitting in front rows.

Finally Daniyal took his position at the left corner of the big stage, behind his own counter, facing Kenza and audiences at the same time.

" So,  now you two can exchange the formalities " President said with a grin.

And this was the instant when their eyes met for the very  first time. A collision of light-brown female eyes with intensely black pure male eyes.

He smiled politely and said ! " Assalaam-o-Alaikum "

" Hi " Kenza said without paying slightest attention to him apparently, giving her brown bob-cut hairs a typical touch with her hand.

" Now I'd like to request miss Kenza to start her speech now. " President glanced at her with a look filled with sheer expectation. " And yes, as it’s a cross-talk speech so both of the participants can interrupt each other with in limits during speech. So Miss Kenza let the hundreds of people see, what you have for us from your women's point of view " President said and waited for her to began.

" Mister president, Sir chief guest and all the dear audiences…. " Kenza smiled lively as she started her speech. Her style was full of confidence, her tone was filled with boldness and determination. " I've been invited here to give my opinions about the most respected, most beautiful, softest and most creative creature of the universe or even of milky way ! Infact It’s an honour for me that I'm representing the most great living creature of the world here. Yes, this creature that is called as " Woman " .

" Wajood-e-Zun se hai Tasveer-e-Kaainaat mein Rung "

" All colours in the picture of universe are due to woman's presence. " This saying is a proof of a woman's influence on the universe. She is the mirror of nature, a mirror which always has been broken and made dirty by the physically stronger sex called Man. It's Man, who just due to his physical dominancy and strength, plays with woman like a toy, as an object of lust. In doing so, he forgets that a nation can't permanently remain on a level above the level of its women. Men kiss women when they are happy , but women kiss men when men are unhappy which means they prefer others happiness on their own.". Finishing her sentence, Kenza stopped herself, taking a breath.

" Mr. Daniyal, would you like to begin now?" President's voice changed the atmosphere created by sharply feminine, musical voice of Kenza.

And then his masculine, silk-like voice gripped everyone's heart. He started with !

" Poochtey hain "Woh" ke Ghalib kaun hai ??
     Koi batlao ke hum batlaaien Kiya??

" Miss Kenza told us that man pretends woman like a toy. But I think, It's woman who makes man bad. These so called   mod females think that if they'll wear a tight see-through dress clinging to their curvacious bodies, they will become  the  "candle of the party". They consider glances of males towards them as compliments but very few of them know what   men talk about them on their backs. Oh yes sir…it's woman who makes any one's mind bad by her actions and behavior." Daniyal's voice was consistent and firm.

" Well, if a woman is dressed in an outfit that represents her sex, then whats wrong with that ? it's her birth right to show herself like the way God has created her " Kenza said without being slightly impressed.

" Miss, if you speak of birth right then as far as I know, every living organism including humans of both sexes, is born without cloths " Now it was Daniyal`s turn to smile. There came a cherished laughter from the audience .

" A woman femininly dressed is just like a full bloomed flower" Kenza 's beliefs were unique and so was her personality.

" A woman modestly dressed is just like a pearl in its shell." His smile was firm and fixed, like his beliefs .

" The only thing is that man gets even jealous of woman's quality to attract him by portraying her beauty and he's always so stupid to obey his idiotic desires" Kenza replied sarcastically.

" Miss can I ask you a question ? " He raised his brows. " just tell me what's the translation and meaning of word 'woman' in URDU? His smile became more deep as he asked.

Killer and breath-taking smile. Sitting with in audiences, Maira thought.

" Well…. Aurat, it means something " hidden" Kenza bit her lower lip, and turned towards the president, with a protest in her eyes.

" Oh yes, that’s what I'm trying to say. " His smile became more intense. " Actually it’s a word derived from ancient Persian language, and it means " posheeda ", I mean hidden. Yes, woman is supposed to be a hidden creature. She's not supposed to expose herself like an item for sale. I just don’t know what many  mod gals try to say by not wearing Dupatta. Just what do they try to say by not covering their bosoms? I have a message for those women that a fashionable woman is always in love with herself. They just don’t know that every sensible and mature man think of them as gals who have been impressed by " Silicon-Pamella Concept " .

The crowd burst out laughing. Now, his voice was studded with a bit of emotional tone too.

" Mr Daniyal it would be better if you don’t turn away from your original topic " President warned him.

" Alright sir, but it's Miss kenza who is trying to prove her sex superior by apparent features. As a muslim, ,everyone knows that Man is superior to woman, not just physically but by many means. Why woman could never be a Prophet ever? In every sect of muslims, woman could never be a Imam, this is so because she can't. God knows better than us. Woman's ability to think is half than that of Man's. That’s why, in Islam two woman's witness equals a single man's witness. An adult woman can't pray, can't fast regularly for whole of the month. How that sex can be superior which is scared from lizards, spiders and cockroaches? How's she supposed to lead the nation in 21st century?"
Daniyal was saying all of this without slightest impurity in his tone. His expression was impressive, his tone was expressive.

" Yes…. " Kenza replied sarcastically. " That’s what all men do. Their last weapon to defend themselves is of religious kind. Yes that’s what they say, they even use it to threat their wives by telling of four marriages at a time. They don’t have other solid reasons so that’s why they always use religion as their last weapon. They should learn a lesson from the west. Thanks God this is just because of twentieth century's revolutionary movement that now woman stands equally with the man in the west " Kenza said proudly. Her accent, her tone, her style of expression and her way-to-talk sounded like western itself.

" And okay Mister, " She didn't stop yet. " I accept that Woman can't pray regularly due to her physical reasons but what about males, huh? Why majority of them doesn’t pray ? Do they also have some cyclic physical variations in their bodies monthly " ? Kenza said, trying to supress her laughter. At her funny remark, there was not a single person in the audiences who did't get smile on his face .

But Daniyal`s typical smile was not in a mood to leave his lips even at this remark too.

" Miss Kenza, the point isn't who prays and who doesn't " He said politely. " I was talking about the ability to worship. We are recognized and measured by our abilities, and those abilities include ability to worship too. And by the way you are very cleverly trying to throw me into that old typical west vs east topic, but now I won't get away from the original topic. As far as the matter of east and west is concerned. Always remember Sun rises in the east. So, time always takes us ahead of the West. "

" Tell you what " He added confidently. "  I have nothing against the west. Western people have their own culture,
beliefs and point of views. I have nothing to do with the west, but those Women who have eastern origin and eastern ancestry and yet they try to pretend like western people by their actions, acts and looks, that's totally ridiculous and miserable. They can't be like western women by watching " Bay-watch " or adopting " Beverly hills 90210 culture" He said matter-of-dactly, then stopped to take a short breath but only to continue once again.

" Miss, I just have to say that east is east and the west is west. Each has its own values and culture. Did you ever see any western woman trying to adopt our culture?? Nope you would never see, but ofcourse you'd see alot of eastern females and ofcourse males too, trying to adopt western culture. I really feel bad for such people. Perhaps this sher was for the same weird people,

" Na Khuda hi mila, Na Wisaal-e-Sanam
  Na " Idher " ke rahey Na " Udher " Ke rahey "

As soon he finished his sentence the whole auditorium was echoing with the sound of intense roof-breaking clapping from the crowd.

" Mister, it's you who is trying to get us away from the original topic. Any way, the most important thing is that Man can never reach the height of creativity of woman. It's " SHE " who gives birth to " HE "other wise there wouldn't be no existence of any "HE" .
Kenza said with pride but now her tone had a substance of confusion.

" Miss.....if it's your intention to put all of us in HE-SHE conversation, then alright, my  pleasure…"
Said Daniyal, keeping his hand on his chest and bending forward while looking in her direction.

" By the way for your kind information it was " He" who was created by the God before woman. Did you forget Hazrat Adam ? and then from his rib, Eve was created,and you know that’s why all "SHEs" have got non-straight variable nature just like the rib's curvature" Daniyal said, now really getting into the topic.

All audiences , guests and judges became alert , watching with sheer concentration. Hearts were beating so fastly and hard like they were near to burst out of the rib-cages.

Now it was the time to decide.

" It's HER by whom HE comes in this world. Mister, don't forget the birth process " Kenza said, never wanting to leave the topic.

" It's HIM by whom SHE leaves this world after death. Madam, don't forget the funeral and the burial process" His smile became deep and deep.

" It's HIM who is responsible for destroying all the beauties of nature, and using HER as an object of lust and introducing the terms like rape and sexual harassment " Kenza's mood was beginning to change now, her voice now seemed to be acquiring a more emotional tone.

" It's HER who makes HIM to commit most of the crimes, for example corruption, just to afford expensive cloths and jewelry. And yes, it's HER who is responsible for introducing the terms like " indecent assault " in legal dictionary"   Daniyal said, now his eyes were also smiling like the rest of his face, looking directly into hers.

" As a wife, she....  " She managed to say " As a good wife is heaven's best gift to man " As she finished her sentence, her voice began to tremble now.

" And HE as a good husband makes a good wife " Daniyal said, his smile never leaving his face even for a second.

" She, as a daughter is a blessing of God........" Baiti, Allah ke rehmut hoti hai " Kenza , for the first time spoke in urdu, frustrated, feeling really uncomfortable.

" And HE as a son, is a gift of God..... " Baita" Allah ki Nemut hota hai "

" It's HER for which heaven was created " Kenza 's temper was about to lose now.

" Ahaan, and yes it's HER due to whom, HIM had to leave the heaven " Daniyal`s smile became mysterious.

" SHE is the reason to smile and symbol of love as " Mumtaz Mehal "

" HE is the reason to love and symbol of affection as " Shahjahaan "

" Ofcourse yes, but you forgot on the other hand Yazeed , Halaakoo, Hitler and everyone of all of these great dictators of the world was also HE" Kenza's style was a bit hysteric now.

" Ofcourse I remember, and I hope you remember that every one, of those one lac and twenty four thousands messengers of God for whole of the humanity, was also HE "

" And yessss, DEVIL is also HE " Kenza was very near to a psychic un-predictable mood. Her eyes twinkling with tear luster and tiny beads of perspiration on her forehead were showing her frustration.. But at this stage, she was sure, he had no answer for that. Who could be more than devil.

SILENCE. A roaring pin drop silence, echoing with the sounds of heavy breathing and heart beating. Everyone had his or her mouth open, some partially and some entirely, never paying slightest attention to themselves even to blink their eyes, as every eye forgot to see every thing except Kenza and Daniyal. Dispute and argument had become totally changed from the original man and woman topic, now it was the matter of HE and SHE, and now it was Daniyal`s turn to speak .

When atlast, he spoke after a breathless pause of few seconds, his face was without any smile.
"If…..if DEVIL is He,   then…. !!!
......God is also HE and who can be more superior than ALLAH , now let's see what do you have in your mind account for this?"
Before he could finish his sentence, whole auditorium was bursting with roof-wall breaking clapping sound ear-bursting resonance created due to heavy voices of admiration and applause .
The decision was clear and apparent now…

And Kenza ….

She forgot all the tactics for which she had been so popular , she forgot all the hints and tricks which she knew to take the opposite partner into trance ..With tears in her eyes, she turned away from her counter… Shame..Insult..defeat…loss…these were her feelings at that time. For the first time in her life she was facing a defeat..in front of hundreds of people.
Now it was impossible for her to keep standing on her feet. Slowly she walked few steps towards the stairs of stage towards the audience.Her eyesight was not clear now, due to tears in her eyes…. to her ,every body was looking like in diffuse form.

President appeared again….with result paper in his hand.

Kenza took one weak step more towards the stairs, tears never stopping from her eyes, sobbing uncontrollably but soundlessly now.

President took his position in the middle of the stage.

Intense clapping and whistling sounds seemed like they were never going to cease.

Kenza placed her foot on the first downstair of the stage , her way towards the audiences .

And president looked on the Result paper, then towards the audience.
Then he cleared his throat.

And then "His" voice echoed loudly thru heavy duty Four-way out mic system.
But it was not the President's voice .

" Mister president I have to say something… "
Daniyal….. yes he was daniyal, still standing on his place, his voice resounded , capturing the silence back to the atmosphere, clapping hands became stopped, whistles died, eyes became stony. Pin drop silence gripped every thing and Kenza ........ She ….frozen …on the 2nd stair of the stage like statue in wax museum .


"Yeh kiya kur raha hai Daniyal…kiya pagal ho gaya hai yeh???" with in audiences
Daniyal`s friend ,Jazib said helplessly …They all were unable to find what Daniyal had
in his mind now...

"Dork ….Idiot…. stupid… karachi ka naam dubo raha hai sala " another guy of Karachi
university said, biting his lip.

"Abey sirf karachi ka hi nahin…he is insulting whole the MAN sex".

But he was careless like always, never paying any attention to any one except what he
was saying!

"Aurat !! haan…… Aurat …woman…. Jo Pyar hai…. Phool hai…. Mohabbat hai…..
Chaand hai…
Jo bahadur hai Hazrat BiBi Zainab ki tarha …
Jo jub Paak hai tu Hazrat BiBi Mariam hai
Jub Masoom hai tu Hazrat BiBi Fatima (s.a.) hai
Jo Qabile-Tazeem hai Hazrat BiBi Khadija ki tarha

Haan .....Aurat … Jiss ki Wajah se Hum Murd… MURD hain, ….We r MAN due to WOMAN...We are identified as MAN as there is an existance of WOMAN also.

Jo majboor bhi hai…be-bus bhi… magar Qurbaani ke samunder hai…She is a Sea of
sacrifice.
However dull a woman may be , she will understand all there is in love, however intelligent a man may be he will never know but half of it" .

........As a daughter she is a reason for her parents to be a proud of. And nothing is dearer than a woman when she becomes daughter .

As a sister, she is a reason of respect and innocence for whole of the family

As a wife she Makes any "House" a real "Home"

And …..oh …what to say…. As a mother !..

As a Mother she becomes superior to every thing else…even if…if..if its Heaven… what to say now… Heaven , paradise is under the feet of the Woman when she becomes Mother.
And…. After all Man can never be equal even to paradise.
So….WOMAN is superior to MAN when she becomes mother , for every day, for every week, every month, year, … as a mother, SHE is superior to HIM in every century, not just for 21st Century…but forever… that’s all I had to say !"
Saying this… he turned away from his place , and began to walk towards his way out side.
But this time , his steps were slow, short, like a tired person, his temples were burning.
After few moments he heard voice of the president , he was announcing the result…final result…
His voice sounded to Daniyal like it was coming from thousands of miles away.

President was saying !

" As Mister Daniyal has broken the rules of the competition by supporting the opinion of opposite party, judges have taken his name back from the winning position . So, automatically, naturally and as a matter of fact , now the winner is Miss Kenza Shaheryaar !"

Now again was the sound of clapping, specially the vistors from Lahore and Lums stood up at their seats.
More than four hundred students of LUMS there, began to scream her name in chorus
.."Kenza…Kenza… !!! While remaining more than six hundred other people were sitting there in shock .

"Now I would request to the honorable Chief guest, Chief Minister, that please give the Inter university Ttophy to Miss Kenza Shaheryaar " President 's voice was nerve breaking.

At the sound of her name, Daniyal, who was almost out of the auditorium, s topped at the silhouette of the main door , his head involuntarily turned back towards the stage. There she was.

Kenza was receiving a big golden trophy .

That Moment !

Every person's eyes were on Kenza, receiving her trophy,
And Kenza's eyes moved towards him .
And not any of the hundreds of people there except Kenza, saw, Daniyal.
While giving smile to the minister, she saw Daniyal's right hand moved upwards just like in slow motion, one of his finger wiped something away from his left eye.
And suddenly in a flash , he was out of the the auditorium !

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Shaheera inserted the key in the front door of her black suzuki vitara and after getting in, invited remaining three of her friends in the jeep.

"WOW… what a victory ..." maira said looking directly into Kenza's kishmishi eyes.
But when shaheera and sanam looked towards Kenza , they got strongest shock of their
lives. Kenza was crying soundlessly .

"Whaaaaaaaaat??? What does it mean ? are you mad?? you crazy gal ." Maira asked,
her voice was unbelievably loud with emotion.

Kenza never replied. She was sitting on the seat adjacent to the the Shaheera's driving seat, she made her seat bent backwards, to take more relaxed position, then she placed back of her head on the seat and closed her eyes. There was someone hidden deep somewhere in her, who was continously saying only one sentence again and again ....

"However dull a woman may be , she will understand all there is in love,"

Shaheera started the Vitara, and they got out from the Pearl Continental's
compound .
There was a ride of few minutes , then Maira broke the silence..

"As they say world is full of stupids , so there one he was ... poor guy. He was trying to
impress female audience by saying love stuff …hahaha"

Kenza was silent. Her right hand was playing with deebeer's diamond encased golden locket in front of her creamy neck. Her eyes were still closed.

All three were silent as the powerful car swallowed the miles with its throaty purr.

"Shaheera where is your home here in karachi?"

" Bath-Islands"

"wow….. if I know correctly that’s the most expensive and luxurious locality of entire
Asia..." Maira gasped !

"Hey you status crazed gal …don’t you ever stop?" Sanam slapped maira lightly on her
head.

"So you are taking us to your home ?" sanam asked .

"Well as matter of fact yes…but right now we are on our way towards Lal-Qila"

"Hurrey …that’s cool shaheera..I love Lal Qila's traditional atmosphere and those spicy dishes..yummmyy…that’s the nicest way to celebrate kenza's victory "
Maira said in an excited tone.

"yes… that’s nice place to celebrate but we are not celebrating Kenza's victory"
Shaheera said, turning the Jeep towards the main road.

"Then ??? " Both Maira and sanam were curious to asked the question simultaneously.

" Ladies …we are going there to celebrate Kenza's first love " Shaheera replied smiling .
Unable to speech , immobilized , both of them watched Kenza , in sheer surprise and
shock.

Kenza turned her head away from them , still silent , they didn't miss the chance to see a brief glance of first love -blush of exclusive femininity on her face.

"Oh my Gods can't believe it…that’s not Kenza…she is blushing like a school gal"..well I always knew it as they say "Pyar tu Hona Hi Tha " maira's astonished voice interpreted others feelings too.

"her blush is the most natural salient feature of woman's expressions , it’s a color of virtue… when a girl ceases to blush it mean she has lost the most powerful charm of her beauty ". Shaheera said , stopping the jeep in front of Lal Qila.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

" Oh Abboo please try to understand I'm not ready to marry yet. It's a big responsibility, I'm still just twenty-four" Daniyal replied, frustrated, confused.

" This is an ideal age for marriage, and I won't listen a word now. You remember the last wish of your late mother? She always wanted to see you as a bridegroom. " His father replied in a thick voice, looking directly at his son's face."  you don’t have any responsibility, as soon as you complete your masters, I would like you to join my firm as a managing director. So, you don’t have to worry about searching jobs and stuff. "

" But Abboo, I want to enjoy life, I am........" Daniyal said helplessly .

" I said ….not a word now, " His father cut in sharply. " go to your grand-mother's room now, she was asking about the results of today's competition . "

" Abboo… can't even I ask who's my future wife ? " Daniyal tried his last attempt.

" Same girl, about whom your grand mother had told you before, " His father turned away and sat at the nearby sofa.
" I mean daughter of my business partner. "

" What ?? but Abboo I don’t even know her name yet. I never met her, I don’t know her, how's she supposed to be my life partner? " His temper was losing now.

" Well son don’t you worry about that. Ofcourse you have seen her, infact just today you had an argument with her, and your future wife defeated you " His father said, smiling, taking a Cuba cigar from the packet and lighting it with a big flame which suddenly emerged from his golden lighter.

An atom bomb, just near his ears, made him motion less. He felt himself unable to move, powerless, speechless, nerveless. His mouth fell open, eyes stillon something invisible.

" WHAT ??" He screamed after regaining all of his power

" You just can't make me marry that bitch, that..... that rude, crazy, proud, worst woman !!! "

" Hold your tongue Daniyal. Are you in your senses?? You never talked to me like this. I'm your father, and what's wrong with her ? She will be okay after the marriage". The elder man said in a thick, firm voice, very sure of himself.

" Abboo, please, you don’t know, I never hated any one in my life but she is the first person I hate, she is one artificial sort of  woman , who doesn't even know the values of the east and its traditions. You didn't see how she dresses and even walks. She is a west-crazed girl and you know how much I care about our eastern traditions and country." Daniyal was trying his every effort to convince his father .

" If she is that bad, then why did you let her win? " His father asked , curious, looking directly into his eyes.

" Well, she…  she was crying, " Unable to look back into his father's sharp eyes, he lowered his own. " and infact her behavior was insulting for her female gender, she was   insulting whole good woman kind unconsciously, just because she is bad herself, and… " His glance went back to him again, his look angrier than ever now."  I'm not gonna marry her ever because I hate her. Yes, I have my own life to spend " He told him with firm determination.

"Okay …. Spend your own life, whatever the way you like.  leave me alone… you talk about your eastern values, and you just sound like those people who are born and raised in the west ....…you talk about superiority of mother and you just didn't seem to pay attention about your mother's last wish..go…get lost… leave your heart patient father alone forever… being an eldest son, I always thought that you would try to put some burden of financial crises off from me …. But who cares about me? Who cares about the the Tongue and word which I have given to Mister Shaheryaar …that…his daughter is mine now ."
Father'svoice was shaking with emotion now…

"What" ?? what did you two talk ?"

"Me and Mr. shaheryaar , my business partner have already talked about this…I agreed to marry her daughter with You…cuz he was afraid that his step brother is trying to capture his firm by giving proposal of his son for Kenza" His father , made himself in sitting position on the sofa, he was looking like a gambler who has lost the last of the
penny .

Daniyal ….frozen… on his place….made no sound, no move… then slowly he moved away from his , walked towards his room, then shutting the door behind him , he almost fell on his bed on his belly with his shoes on, He put a pillow on his head .

After few minutes there was a knock on the door …." Who;s this ?" He shouted.

" Its me Bhai jaan… I'm wajahat " That was his   twenty-year-old younger brother's voice.

"Oh get lost from here…why didn't you people leave me alone…leave me alone
please…let me die" please "

He never smoked before…but for the first time he smoked..and not an ordinary cigarette, but he chain smoked very hard tobacco. For the first time in his life… polluting the air of his room with the smoke which didn't contain just nicotine , but his feelings , thoughts and dreams also.… For whole of the night ,he didn't sleep….

In the morning, he called his Younger brother in his room .

"Wajahat …tell abboo that I have been agreed to his business deed now, ofcourse he has always been a successful business man , he made it again this time too…. Tell him…. I'm going to fulfill his business dreams ..I am going to marry that …b-i-t-c…….I am going to marry that woman …Kenza shaheryaar…. Tum log Shadi ki tayyariyan karo.. "

"See you........you future Mrs. kenza Daniyal " after his brother left, Daniyal talked to himself, clenching his teeths and closing his fists with force .

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Chaahey tum Kuch na kaho…
Mein ne Sun liya ..
Ke saathi Pyaar ka
Mujhey chun liya..
Pehla nasha , pehla khumaar ,
Naya Pyar hai naya Intezaar …”
Both , Maira and Shaheera were singing, with a teasing smile on their lips. Today was the “Maanjha " of Kenza and they were applying Mehndi and Ubtan on Kenza's hands, forearms, legs and feet.

“ Hey you two, specially you Maira, if you won't stop, I'm going to tease you too, about that guy, Jazib"
Kenza teased her, winking at her at the same time.

"An "Out of control " and over-kind-of-guy, that’s what I think of Jazib due to his actions and behaviour. " he just doesn’t look like Daniyal's friend "
. Maira said , with a laughter, applying “Ubtan” on the wrists and forearms of Kenza.

" Maira behave yourself… if he tried to introduce himself to you at the competition, that doesn’t mean that his actions are those bad."
Shaheera said, trying to make a helpless and useless attempt to stop Maira.

" Hahaha…you just didn’t notice, how cheaply he was staring towards me all the time,
infact as after the ceremony that guy Jazib came and said… "Aap ki shadi ho gai? "
hahaha…poor guy…those notorious, third class typical flirtatious acts to impress gals
..well I'm worried that how am I going to face that guy on Kenza's marriage next week....
well he just doesn’t deserve to have a nice friend like Daniyal "
Maira said, smiling meaningfully ,teasingly , while looking at the Kenza , who was sitting next to them , in typical classical, dim-Yellow “Mayoon” outfit.

"Kenza I just cant believe , that you are going to be married even before me ..I mean it's so soon for a woman like you ..though your twenty three year old but you always wanted to be career woman..... right?? you never thought about marriage “ …" Shaheera said ,observing Kenza with a detail, astonished.

“ Yes…tell me Shaheera its not a dream….

She closed her eyes and allowed her mind to
drift to the recent past, remembering everything that happened as
though she was actually going through everything again.I never thought that one’s wish can be true
so fastly and willingly without any obstruction ..its just like dream…. Just One week
before we were competing against each other , and then the next day , Dad told me that we are going to be married… well well..its just like dream.But a true dream… I don’t remember that I have been so happy in my life like I am today….. well… you were right Shaheera..Love can change any person at any time…in no time at all …am I the same kenza? "
Kenza was saying , with a sweet smile, her eyes were moving like that she is still watching some fantastic dream.

“ Yes…you are the same Kenza…. But now you know what is Love…and that makes a big difference you know “
Shaheera assured her , watching her with gladness … She was happy herself too…it was
her Best friend’s marriage after all.

"Well now I know that why people say that "True love is like ghosts, which every body
talks about and few have seen"
Kenza told them…with a proud.

“But kenza..you know it’s the first Love which I have ever heard, or saw in which the
lovers were supposed to be entirely opposite and against each other.”
Maira said, curious.


“Yes…. I wonder myself too… You know when we were arguing, we were just like North
pole and south pole, or like water and fire, or you can say like sky and earth…and I still
wonder how come these things can meet or what makes these entirely opposite things to
meet with each other"
Kenza said, thinking,.....it was just like she was speaking to herself.

"Well..I tell you what connects north pole and south pole and sky and earth to each
other….. A bridge…. Yes.. a big bridge of love…..which should be strong enough to
compensate the traffic of situations and conditions …and like other bridges , surely it has
twists and turns of life too, but if its strong enough, it will always keep these lovers
connected to each other ." Shaheera said, with determination and confidence.

" Wow …you should be a philosopher shaheera " Maira said, impressed.

"Infact, I see all the typical identifications and marks of "True Love" on kenza's whole
being, , her body , her nature ,behaviors and every thing… her accent has changed, she
talks so soberly and slowly now, but I would like to ask that how came she accepted the
Trophy of a victory when it was obvious to every one there that Daniyal willingly did let her win..I mean isn’t weird for a gal , with so inflexible non-bending nature ?? Shaheera asked.

"Well… The way he was telling the things..well..i don’t have words, but ….. he was so
sure about himself… and yes…though he is a “Man”, but first time he did let me
recognize myself as true “Woman” and yes…above all ..oh yess… he made me fall in love …Love…about which I always
thought as some kindaa disease… but ..it..it just happened… He told me… the power of
Love..and its relation with the woman… and now I know that ‘Woman's power is hidden in her Love” If she has real love…or if she loves someone truly…then this power of real love can do wonders and miracles… for her ..She can win any war , and can defeat any one… after all … "However dull a woman may be , she will understand all there is in love,"
Kenza was talking like she was in trance ..

“Wow” both Shaheera and Maira said…. Amazed, surprised and impressed too.

“Any way…be quick…now ....as...." Shaheera said to maira ….
Making fabulous designs on the palms of Kenza with the Mehndi.

"...things are just about to begin"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Arey baba Kissi ne mera Paandaan dekha hai ? "
Daniyal`s grand mother said, looking towards them…

They were all present in the T.V lounge …. Daniyal, his younger brother Wajahat and
their only one, youngest 17 yr old sister… Rida !

“ hahaha…Dadi jaan aap ki nazar Kumzor hai " Wajahat was very naughty.

“hey Larkey…khabardaar jo jo kuch kaha "

turned towards them , and gave him a warning.

“ Oh sorry I forgot… abhi tu aap “Jawan” hain …Dadi “Jaan” ..haha… "
Wajahat said, laughing.

“ oh merey Khudaya… budtameez…abhi batati hoon tujhey "
Their grand mother , rushed towards him, but he was very fast to find his place behind
Daniyal who was sitting on the sofa, reading a magazine.

“ Oh Dadi jaan… you know how he teases you always....yeh jaan boojh kur pareshaan
karta hai aap ko …” Daniyal said smiling!

“ Sirf tumhari wajah se maaf karti hoon mein issey "
She said , turning away from them .

“Oh aaj buhut se kaam hain… “ bari” Ke jorey bhi bhejney hain ..Larki walon ke yahaan"
She was worried that they had to do so much in a very short time .

“Oh Daniyal bhai you know , Dadi jaan has already selected 50 suits for Kenza bhabhi , and she is still looking to find some more " Rida said…Excited .

“ Oh … I'm so excited … and I have made all the arrangements for the “Rutjaga” on the
night before the marriage …a very cool” Qawwali party”
Wajahat was excited too.

“ I see and what are you planning to do Rida?” Daniyal asked, looking towards her sister.

“Well bhai jaan, me and my friends have already planned a “Stick Dance” on the Day of
the Mehndi, on the song” Iqraar karna Mushkil hai "
Rida was just as excited and happy ..after all this was marriage of their dear elder brother.

“Oh u cheater “ It was me who planned to dance first..any way , now I will dance on
“Rutjaga”Night.But I would dance on cool bhangra score of Daler Mehndi… that “ Sade
Dil te Churiyaan Chulaaiyaan "
Wajahat was never going to remain behind his sister.

As soon as their grandmother left the Lounge.. Daniyal called his brother and sister.
“ Wajahat !! Rida… come here …yes…and sit.”

They both came near him… a little scared.

“Sit here …he tapped on either of the arms of the Sofa on which he was sitting.
And when they both sat there.." listen carefully what am I saying…”

He slid his arms around both of them.

“Wajahat.. you are three year older than Rida, you must be a reponsible person now”
Daniyal said…caressing his head softly …..

"well I do know that you tease Dadi with in limits and even she herself enjoys it ..but as you know… when our mother died Forteen years ago , I was ten , and you was six , while
Rida was just three.....
Since then…our grand mother has been our mother too… the purpose of telling you all this is just cuz now I want to see you as a brave responsible guy … I don’t know about my
future plans yet, but very soon I am deciding about the Business. So promise me….If any
Responsibility comes on your shoulders, you will never give up..Promise me Wajahat …. "
They both were staring in their elder brother’s eyes… which were filled with tears.

“I promise you bhai jaan "
Wajahat said… Holding his brother’s warm hand in his hands .

“ Shahbaash …. Behen aur Daadi jaan ka humesha khayal rakha karo ..okay “ ? Daniyal said..now smiling.

“And you..naughty gal… Chhuttki … tum bhi bhai ko tung mut kiya karo ziyada ..acha ?"
Daniyal said, combing thru hairs of Rida, by his artistic fingers.

“Hehehehehe….” She giggled.

“Oh bhai jaan..I bet you ..she is going to bother and torture Kenza bhabhi, more than any
one else in the world” Wajahat said..clenching his teeth..

“ Really ?....". Daniyal said.... looking lovingly towards both of them .

"Lets see "

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

And then it all happened so fast …so rapidly…. So soon… Maanjha, then Mehndi, and
then today was their marriage… and even marriage too… it happened to be looked so fast for both Daniyal and kenza …
First arrival of Baraat , then Nikaah …. Then all the traditions…In “Joota Churaai” , as
Kenza was the only offspring of her parents , so Shaheera had to steel the Daniyals,
shoes… and she did it perfectly…
And now Sanam , Shaheera and Maira were demanding a huge money ..

“ No janab … you are our only Doolha bhai yet and you are one miser doolha bhai
..hehehe !we wont accept any thing less than Ten thousands bucks ..haha”
They said laughing .........
and finally he had to give them the required money.
Then during the “Aarsi-Mus-haf” , it was the third time in their life when both of their eyes met..again collision of same eyes… though not directly this time…...but instead through a mirror.
After wards…. He was writing “Qul-ho-Wallah” on Kenza,s forehead , with a trembling
index finger of his right hand.

“ Bhai jaan ….please ..would you just Slid your arm around Kenza bhabhi …so this snap would be more cool and memorable… I Mean you two make a good couple..prove it in snap too .....Please…..”
Wajahat requested… in front of them , with Camera in his hands.

And Daniyal gave him an angry look.

“Oh come on …Daniyal …just do it.. she will not slap you yaar..she is your wife now”
Jazib's sentence made them all burst into laughter .

And then during “Rukhsati ” while sitting on the backseat of the car, next to Kenza, who
was his wife now, he, for the first time, smelt the heavy ultra feminine perfumed fragrance which was emitting from his bride… it made him uneasy.
And then while Kenza was stepping outside the Wedding-car, she heard her sister-in-law
singing with her friends ..

“Ghur Mein humarey Aai Dulhan
“Sakhi Phool bursaao “

At that moment she really felt that there was raining of flowers and fragrance around her
…around him… around both of them…She felt so contented and glad..

Perhaps I am the luckiest woman of the world, while entering the House,with the huge rush colorful rush of figures around, she thought.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kenza took a brief look of the room , which was her room now.

Rida and her friends helped Kenza to sit on the bed in classical bridal style, with her
golden bangles and braclets filled forearms around her knees and making the front part of her “Ghoonghut “ slighlty bent , which hided her upper face upto her nose .

“Arey larkiyon, raat ke do buj rahey hain…. Chalo niklo kamrey se shabaash” Dadi jaan
said !
And whispering small words in Kenza,s ears and teasing her, finally they all left the room.
The room was empty now, with Huge double bed in the center, on the middle which , there
sat Kenza …The ghoonghut of red typical eastern bridal outfit was covering her whole
head, upto the forehead.
Her head slightly bent forward… and she was waiting , for the prince of her dreams to
come…waiting….. it was the most unique waiting of her whole life..yet she was anxious to
see the First man of her life as a husband , and at the same time, feeling little shy and
uncomfortable too.
At last the sounds of footsteps began, he was approaching. …….Daniyal….. man of her
dreams, Who let her introduced for the first time, what love is all about.
Then …. She heard the door of the room opened…which automatically made her head
bend more downwards, due to the weight of natural shyness. She was not believing
herself… was that the same kenza, who used to laugh on the shy people, giving them
names and calling those gals as old fashioned.

Yes shaheera was right, Love has the power to change every thing in no time…at any time.

Then she heard slight sound of the door closure .
As soon as Daniyal entered the room, she smelt, heavy fragrance of masculine perfume ,

”Obsession…. mixed with fragrance of Brut aftershave and Denim body spray, she
thought .
She had always been a fetishist for perfumes , even for male perfumes too and used to identify the name of a perfume just by its fragrance.

Her heart beat was so fast, that she could clearly heard the beats. Moments
passed.Then after entering the room , he shut the door behind him , lightly.
She waited for him, to hear his voice, the same soft, a bit heavy yet manly voice, which she
had heard in Competition.
Yet silence…..
Perhaps he is thinking something. She tried to guess, never raising her head even
slightly.

I will tell him tonite..that You are my first love and last too… and You are the one , who
made me to realize about myself, my feelings, maturity…. You are great…Daniyal…I
would always Love You..... that’s a promise… Kenza thought.

And then…. She heard the sounds of making an entrance with in Rose strands , which
were surrounding their flower bed all around.
At last he made himself comfortable on the bed… in front of Kenza ….
Kenza's neck was aching now…….As it has been in a continous bending like position.
….
At last he broke the silence…his voice… like a whisper, which brought warm intensity in
the cold A.C cooled atmosphere of the room.

“Kenza " he said lightly.

Oh she never thought , her name would sound so good, when he would say her name…now she realized that she always wanted unconsciously to hear her name from his mouth… his voice was so sweet for her.

“Kenza…. listen …..I have to tell you something… "

She wondered what he was going to say now….
Sher? Or some great love words… she thought and smiled…

What ever you will say Daniyal…. I would take those words as the best
gift of our wedding night from you. You are mine now and this feeling is so
strong. Her heart was speaking to her like its own accord.

“well..I have to be honest with myself…and with You too…..Our marriage….. our
marriage….. is…. Is.. just like a business deal or pact …. Nothing more than that….it was a wish of our
fathers …I mean yours and mine… otherwise I could never think of you as my bride.
We are entirely different from each other in every aspect, spiritually , internally, in
natures, behaviors, thinking, extent of thinking, even by social and some religious values. I never like artificial mod woman like You….a fashionable woman, who is always in love with herself….
.........and I know you are not gonna change ever…you just cant change..your brought up was
in this way that you are so rude and proud of yourself …I tell you , I never hated anyone
in my whole life, but you are the first and perhaps the last whom I hate..I Hate you
kenza… what do you think?
Huh? Though you won that competition, but you wont be capable to win my heart
ever……”
He was saying, like he was speaking to himself, never caring about the slightly
trembling living creature beside him on the bed. His wife, Kenza, a one-night bride.

“ well….even I don’t like the way you dress, the way you talk , your accent, your styles,
so how are we supposed to spend our whole lives with each other ?” he laughed , without potential, a vacuum laughter.

“Any way…as it’s a tradition , so I am giving a “Moonh dikhaai “ to You….” Saying
this, he took hold the corners of her Ghoonghut, and then , with a fast motion, he turned it back from her head, baring her head, facing her face , for the first time as his bride.

But !!!

Instead of looking into the face of a new bride, what he saw there,
a face of a fresh widow, expressionless face, her eyes were staring in space, lips tightly
closed, even inspite of heavy bridal make up, her face seemed to be whitish, like someone
has extracted blood from her face.

“Even your these bob-cut above-shoulder hairs, unfeminine. I hate these hairs
of yours”he laughed with a tone of satire.


Silence

.her heart
had stopped pounding and she no longer felt any particular fear.


"It'll never happen again. Really, it won't. I promise."

No answer.
“Any way ….. this is your “MoonhDikhaai” present… it’s a diamond ring…father told me to give you this.. Otherwise there was no need for this too "


“ well…if you want divorce.. you are welcome… if you want to save your father,s reputation ,
then you can live here pretending to be my real wife…but sorry. I wont be able to give you physical rights of a bride cuz I hate to be with you ….I am not hungry for woman's body.........and I married you just because of my father`s wish…but from now on I will live according to myown accord, my own wishes. Next week , I’m leaving for London, I have told father that I have to settle our business there, and due to some reasons , its better that if Kenza live here in Pakistan.Well if you think of yourself as a daughter in law of this family , then this house is yours ,whenever you will need any money or stuff, you can take without hesitation.”

"And now , I have to sleep, its almost three a.m now, well…. you can sleep on the bed.....I
will be comfortable on the Sofa…goodnight…sweet dreams”
Saying this , he moved away , and walked a short distance towards heavy Sofa, and after
taking off his shoes and socks, he made himself in straight lying down position on the sofa, turning his back on Kenza, and putting a blanket to cover his body

And Kenza....
Not a single tear in her eyes, as tears need emotions , feelings and consciousness, but she was unconscious, senseless, emotionless.
Not a word from her mouth. As words need power of speech and to speak and she
was speechless.
The first thing which came to her mind after a long time, was a sher
of Parveen shakir.
Mein woh larki hoon
Jisey Pehli raat …..
Koi Ghoonghut utha kur yeh keh de !!!
Ke mera sub kuch tera hai …….
DIL ke Siwa

Kenza tried to answer, but all that emerged from her trembling lips
was a painful sob.

Slowly , she stood up with trembling feet, shivering body.
raised herself weakly off the bed.
She tried her best ,
and applied her full force to reach in front of dressing table. She was almost like a forceless
human, who had to lift her own body to move. With shaking hands , she began to take off
her ear rings, then her brace lets, then her necklace , finally she took off all of her Jewelry leaving one thing only.

" Do you find me repulsive ? "Her sudden question stunned him, startled her. It meant she knew he was not asleep yet.

Almost without realizing it he made a physical inventory of him, accepting again that alot of men would admire the tall, smart, and gorgeous figure, the pretty face, precise features and the brown hair.

After giving her a steely gaze, he spun around and walked out the door,
slamming it behind him

In her own bed room, she felt like a caged animal, tears of frustration running down her cheeks.

Then she entered the wash room , and bending her face into wash basin , she began to
wash her face, as soon as outside-water met with her eyes, her inside-water found its way
to flow, water was every where sharing its part with her tears too. She cried, sobbed uncontrollably, this was her “Wedding Night”
Thats how Dreams come true??? She asked to herself...

After crying for about half an hour , she changed into a casual dress , then enetered into
her Wedding room , again.
There he was, sleeping on the Sofa, under the blanket….Careless about everyone except
himself…..

she sank down
on the edge of the big bed, her shoulders shaking as the tears finally
spilled out.

She almost fell on the Double bed. Tears were still running from her eyes, but
soundlessly now.
“Oh kenza.....you have cried so much in last few days” She asked to
herself. Is it Love??

No…..hmmm but....but yes.... it’s a part of Love…. Part of life. Somebody whispered silently deep with
in her.

You just don’t know the power of love wait and see. Have patience…you can do every thing if you have the power of real love” Some strange voice was continously whispering to her.

tears cascaded down her
cheeks, and she rolled over on her stomach, sobbing loudly and almost
out of control.

And then talking and whispering to herself , she finally drifted off to sleep. But before
sleep, she didn’t forget to kiss the last jewelry which she was still swearing. The same
diamond ring, which Daniyal had just given her and now that ring was present on the ring finger of
her right hand.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*

Two hours later, Daniyal woke up from the sleep, though it was a cool atmosphere
inside the room due to A.C, but he was thirsty. His throat was feeling like it had thorns
inside.
He put the blanket away , and moved towards the fridge. While drinking the ice-cold water, his glance unwillingly moved towards the sleeping figure on the bed and the site freezed him. The sight which was in front of his eyes in the dim zero-power green light of his room .
There she was. Kenza, sound asleep with marks of tears on her cheeks, her hairs were
scattered, her breathing wa slow. It was so cold inside the room and yet she was without any
blanket or even a sheet over her ..
For some time, Daniyal hated himself for that….

You animal , damn you , you say you are a man?? And there she is one woman , lying in the
cold without any blanket on , and you are sleeping deliciously with your blanket some body whispered inside him.

He looked towards the sofa, there was only one blanket in the room. And then deciding
something, he took the his blanket , then , making no voice, he spread the blanket
over Kenza.
He returned back to sofa, and while lying, he placed his right forearm over his eyes.
“I wish , you could become close to my ideal…. Kenza …but I know you cant " . It was the last thought that came his mind before sleep !

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next few days sped by, so did the months and then years. Daniyal was now living in London. He
had opened branch of his father’s firm there and now he was a complete successful
business man . Even his entire personality had become changed now. The smile which
had been always typical mark of identification of him , had now been replaced by a mature , sober face expression. He was twenty eight now, but he looked slightly more older.
Today was a sunday. He made coffee and began to read the newspaper.

“Oh ....same boring typical news “ He thought , keeping the newspaper away.
“Life… " he sighed. “Life has become so same and usual… no change at all…” He talked with himself.

His thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of telephone bell.

“ Yes… Daniyal here "

“Guess friend ...who am I?

“Well you sure do sound familiar to me…..hmmmmmm ...Oh yessssssssssssssss….
Raza….. how are you friend.....its been four years since we met... right? …how are you
doing ?” Daniyal's voice was loud with emotion and excitement

“ Take a breath friend…. I will answer all of your questions , once we meet , but right now I am inviting you at my marriage , and you have to come here in Pakistan, otherwise this would be our last talk as friends "
There was a teasing warning in his friend's tone.

“ Cooooooool…congratulations friend…hahahaha......no more threats ..of course I will
come.....but when "? Daniyal smiled.

“ Well just after two days , there is a mehndi and shadi would be on the next day of
mehndi.”

“Well …. Inshallah I will come friend… infact I was really looking forward for a change “
Daniyal said

“ But Daniyal …yaar... what about bhabhi? I mean your wife ?? I remember things were not going right for you two ??


“Forget that …I have almost closed that chapter… I’m still married legally and religiously, but we never talk , never meet , I didn’t see Kenza for the past four years , actually , I left just after marriage…I asked that if she wants divorce ..but she refused ..she still lives in my father' s house with my family …..well you can say we both have found our ways to spend our lives finally. My younger brother told me that she keeps herself busy now, teaching in school of special kids and I am busy here too….so.....that’s how we are spending our lives….and we will spend the remaining life in the same way…that’s all for now”. Daniyal said all this in one breath.

“Oh daniyal..I really feel bad for you… but any way…see you inshallah after two days at
mehndi....bye friend..Allah hafiz..I would wait for you "

“Ok friend..ofcourse I would comeand dont tell to my family about me being in karachi ...
..ALLAH HAFIZ”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The big Plane landed at Quaid-e-Azam international Air port , Karachi.,
Directly from the plane, all passengers entered into the Passenger lounge of Jinnah
terminal through a tunnel.
Among passengers, Daniyal was also present…. Wearing Navy blue two piece Suit with
black printed tie.
His pure black hairs were firmly fixed over his broad forehead, with a small hand-carry in
his right hand, and there were also very thin -golden framed glasses over his nose,
making his personality more sober and mature …a bit older too.
He picked up a cab….. and then he was on his way towards Defense karachi…, towards
his friend`s house
As soon he arrived on the address….. he saw a big beautiful house , on about thousand yards …with lightening every where…house , itself was looking like a beautiful bride.

“Cool “ he gasped...and then , there were all of them ,at the main gate, wishing him a warm welcome his friend Raza,his friend’s younger sister and his parents.

He hugged his friend , and greeted them , then they all went inside in the house…

“Daniyal …not a word now..just take this Shilwar Qameez suit and go for a shower …Larki waley aatey hi hongey …chalo jaldi ..shabaash !”
Raza said , giving him a light brownish Golden Raw silk shilwar Qameez suit , with a pair
of Peshawari sandles.

“What? Yaar I didn’t wear Shilwar Qameez for so long… please no”
Daniyal said , protestingly.

“I said ….not a word now… My future Bride’s relatives are just about to come in few
minutes…Kiyon budnaam karaao gey yaar ….. I have to prepare myself too…I am
bridegroom yaar…please for the sake of me ..Now get lost "
Raza said..laughingly, pushing Daniyal towards the Bathroom.


After half an hour , when Daniyal opened the bathroom door., Raza was there again , but
only got dressed, too, in his bride groom,s out fit too .

“Wow..yaar…its You who is looking bridegroom..not me “ Raza told him, smiling..

“Well...you are really a Pakistani prince charming “ Raza said impressed.

“You forgot to say proud Pakistani “ Daniyal said , smiling ..

“Of course friend ..well you look really great " Raza said...

"any way….. lets go to the Lawn, seats have been arranged there” Raza said , taking his
hand and guiding him towards the large lawn of the house.

“Great !! " Daniyal said…. As he saw the Mehndi arrangements in the Lawn…"its great
yaar..really fantastic…”

There were many round tables every where in the lawn , with the seats around them , and
big umbrellas over each table encasing heavy light bulbs… and in the center of the Lawn
there was a stage , having musical instruments , about which raza told him that on this
stage, musical competition between bride’s party and bridegroom’s party was going to
happen…

“Iss stage pur Larkey walon aur Larki walon ke durmiyaan zabardast songs ka muqabla ho gaa ..hahaha..I mean Intakshari”. Raza told him… excited .

“…well that’s is the business of young generation but this is a perfect arrangement for
any wedding party”. Daniyal said, carefully observing every detail of the environment.

“Well please make yourself comfortable… they are calling me friend… as you know the
whole load and weight of the party would be on me …humehsa bechara doolha hi phunsta
hai "
Raza said , smiling.

“Oh no problem ..have fun yaar… I have learnt to to live lonely being always alone…”
He said with a sad smile.
And then as soon as Raza left him, he heard the whistles, typical noises and happy
screams indicating the Arrival of The Bride’s relatives.

“Oh these wedding bells make me scared now” He thought, making his way towards a
comparatively quite portion of the lawn, but soon he realized, that this part of the lawn
was more close to the entrance from which the guests were just about to come…just as he was turning from there,he saw playing kids, smiling gals with the dishes of “Mehndi” in their hands and happy ladies and talking men entering in his friend’s house..

There were burning candles in the hands of the smiling and laughing gals…. Their faces
were shining in the lights of those candles
they were all from his friend’s bride-to-be`s side.

He watched them with happiness , happy at his friend marriage but grieved at the same
time too , remembering his Mehndi also.
That was just like this . He thought, and then after a long sigh, he finally turned away from the cheerful crowd, in search of some silent and lonely place just like his heart .
But….
Just then he heard scream of his friend’s Younger sister.

“DANIYAL Bhai ...please …help us, somebody has caught fire in the cloths.” Samira
screamed …she was so nervous at that time…. Daniyal thought she was just going to have an heart attack right then.

“whaaat?? How did it happen" At first he, himself, got confused .

“ … Accidently…Candles,,, fell ….yess… Daani bhai….. please….. you are the most near person…hurry up” She screamed, crying now.

And suddenly, coming out of the sudden shock, he threw The Green tea cup away, which he was drinking .

He ran towards them…using full force of his body…his muscles tensing…contracting, as soon as he came closer.
He saw that all the men were still a far distance behind the gals… His breath became fast just like his running steps.
Blood was rushing in his veins like a stream.

And then he saw …. A figure , wearing red Gharara and Jumper …just in the middle ….
between the screaming gals and ladies. She was sitting like she hasn’t any care about the
Fire …which was in her dooptta only right then , but the fire was spreading fastly towards
the rest of her cloths….
Her Long hairs had been scattered all over on her upper body, covering her face
completely.
Her face was down between her knees.
Raza's sister and other woman there , were making weak, useless efforts to extinguish the fire in her Dupatta .

At first he didn’t knew what to do, and then , with in thousands of seconds , He saw a big
water tank there , filled completely with cold water for drinking purposes..
And then , perhaps for the first time , using all of his power , strength of every muscle of
his strong body....
He lifted the heavy, big water tank,on his hands and then…. Emptied it all ,over the
trembling girl .

Water was more than enough , to extinguish the fire, completely.

All woman and gals sobbing and crying now. All the men were also near them now, after
hearing the noises. They all had been gathered together, and between them , that girl was sitting in the same position and condition like she was before..her head was still hidden between her knees .

“Oh daniyal bhai, you just saved her "Raza's sister said, with tears of thankfulness in her eyes.

“Hey … are you mad ? you just did suicide you know? Instead of making an attempt, you were actually welcoming the fire” you crazy gal”
Daniyal said loudly , staring at the shaking figure , his voice bursting with anger .

Still no answer.

And then , he realized, She was crying.
He sat down beside her,

"Oh..I'm sorry… its gone now..calm down. please…its no fire any where now..don’t cry
please… We shouldn’t cry and ruin one’s marriage or wedding party...marriage means happiness..."

As soon as he finished this sentence, Girl raised her head , and looked directly into his
eyes which were only inches away from hers now.

An electric Shock of millions of volts ran through daniyal,s whole body, disturbing his balance.
“Oh God…those eyes… Same brown-green eyes…. now bordered by black Kajal …With tears inside …"
How could he ever forget these eyes.

These eyes …which always used to make him disturb. Even in his dreams…
Her whole body, now wet with the cold water , water drops clung to her long hairs like true pearls… and tiny drops of water and sweat over all of her face , and her slightly parted lips trembling.

Ofcourse, she was none other than Kenza.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At first Daniyal thought that this girl couldn`t be Kenza… This girl had almost entirely
different looks.
Unlike Kenza’s short bob-cut hairs ,
this girl had long hairs almost touching her waist…all wet , packed into wet strands due to the water Daniyal had sprayed upon her to extinguish the fire.
As far as he knew Kenza always wore tight fitting , sleeveless or quarter sleeves , modern outfits … and boyish things.
But this girl was wearing a red Jumper with Gharara...a pure eastern, feminine outfit.
He always saw Kenza’s eyelashes fully open , upward, proud never caring to bend down.
But this girl’s eyelashes were partially covering her eyes, never daring to look
upward,eyelashes…falling …moving upwards only to bend down again.
He always thought of Kenza who didn’t know any thing about blushing or shyness.
But this girl was looking like a whole pure mass of shyness, Blushing. Her complexion wasjust like ..like when somebody drops few drops of red color in full glass of milk....sort of pink. Blushing pink. A pure and original color of femininity.

“ Lets move on ..every thing is okay now… please people take your seats…..it was just a little accident”
Raza’s voice took Daniyal back into the present time.

Gradually all the people began to spread towards the Lawn, where their tables and seats were placed.
And the previously lost wedding atmosphere was slowly returning now . Musicians had
began to play the instrumentals.
Now there were only four people on that spot away from the main sittings …She, Daniyal ,Raza’s mother and his sister Samira .

“ Samira please lets help her to change this all wet dress…don’t worry daughter …. Its all okay now… don’t take it hard… inshallah you are safe now… that’s fire was all an
accident "
Raza’s mother voice soothed and comforted her .

“ Now please standup…. Don’t be scared.. shabaash..chalo baiti… Aao ! Samira would help you to change your dress , She has lots of new dresses you can wear any one , just
have fun, you still have whole party of Mehndi to enjoy..Utho shabaash ” Raza’s mother was like a shelter for her.

She looked upwards towards them …and then hesitatingly at first and then… gradually she began to stand ….
But still she couldn’t …instead she looked towards Daniyal helplessly with some thing in her eyes.
And then…Daniyal understanding her message turned away from her . He understood her
message …She was all wet and her dress stuck and clung to her figure , that’s why she
was not wanting to stand in front of Daniyal.
Atlast , Daniyal walked a few distance towards Raza, who was giving orders to waiters
there.

Oh God…this is not Kenza… or was she ?? Thoughts were spreading in his mind like smoke.

“Raza !! Who was she ? “His heart was beating fast.

In answer Raza laughed."Friend…don’t betray yourself…ofcourse you know her … She was your wife …Kenza Daniyal "

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“ How come she is here ?” After long moments of silence Daniyal asked ,regaining power to speak finally.

“ Oh come on yaar… don’t be so innocent” Raza smiled .

“ Raza…don’t let me get mad on you..seriously I don’t know how came she here “ Daniyal said.

“ Ooohhhh ..well… you forgot… her best friend Shaheera is my Bride”

a long sigh escaped from Daniyal`s lungs . “I see…...what a co-incidence “

“Any way…lets meet with my friends “ Raza said taking his hand .

He met with Raza's friends.. shaking hands with them … Though he was physically present there , but his mind was somewhere else …. Continuously thinking and wondering about that Girl. Who was his own Wife.

Constant thoughts entering continuously in his static mind . His brain felt like a mixture of emotions, feelings ….thinkings… He felt like his brain is going to blow away from the
depression and anxiety at any second.

“ Raza…. I have to … I have to take some rest… My head is really aching..may be because as I didn’t take any rest after long journey “
He said, suddenly holding his forehead with one hand .

“Oh…friend..i understand… well you can go there at first floor …there is a guest room ,
you can take some rest there ..and take dispirin also… I would wait for you as soon as you feel better …Party is just going to be start..okay there you go ” Raza pointed towards first floor of his house..meters away from the big lawn of his house.

With unsteady feet , Daniyal rushed towards the House. His was feeling really dizzy and
heavy headed.
He almost ran away towards the house ,to find some place to calm himself down.

He began to climb the stairs fast, never caring that he could fall down in running so
fast..Just exactly when he had to climb the last few upstairs , he saw a figure slowly
stepping down towards the downstairs in the same direction, in which he was stepping up,
she was stepping down.
Oh… She was wearing royal blue silky Kurta and Choori daar
Pajaama , with a black Dupatta making a perfect V over her upper body , making her very respectful , decent and graceful.
there were matching shiny silver bangles in each of her wrists, Six bangles in each
wrist…..there were Khussa shoes in her feet,.
Her long, silky, straight, waist-length hairs untied, swaying lightly as she was moving
downwards slowly.
Daniyal felt like stairs grasped his feet , like someone has stopped him , he stood there, unable to move, his gaze transfixed, never leaving the sight before him.

Kenza…. Oh my God..is that my wife.. someone muttered inside him.
Without making an eye contact with him ,with her eyes continuously bent, finally Kenza crossed Daniyal, to make her way towards the lawn downstairs.
After few moments , He left his place too ..finally entering into the guest room , to take some rest.but even there too, his constant thoughts never leaving his mind for a second.
It was just like somebody pulling him , against his will towards that Woman… That woman ,whom he always hated…. Now was before him , in his perfect ideal.Only difference was he was feeling that she was avoiding him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

After taking rest for half an hour , he felt that this was not good to be away from his
friend’s Mehndi party , while staying in his house. He decided something and again went towards Lawn , downstairs.
There they all were, happy faces, smiling lips,laughing girls, smiling women, talking men, playing kids…. a flood of lights and colors, fragrance every where.
He walked towards Raza with weak feet.

“Welcome back Daniyal… are you feeling better now ?” Raza was worried .

“Well yes I guess …its okay now” He replied., with a tiredness in his voice.

“Take a seat beside us..and enjoy the great music competition between my and bride’s
party ”Raza smiled .

And Daniyal took a seat beside Raza and his other friends, they were all sitting around a big round table now.

And then both the parties comprising mostly of young girls and boys began to take their positions on the stage . On one corner , there were girls and boys from Bride’s side .While exactly opposite to them, there sat , girls and guys from Raza’s side .While musical instruments between both of the parties.

They were all excited, looking into each other’s eyes….
And then they all began to shout and yell happily, jokingly on each other like it normally
happens in Mehndi parties.

“Larki waley chor hain " one guy from Raza's side screamed loudly , laughing , his voice
followed by the same words in chorus by his guy and girl fellows.

“Larkey waley chor hain " there came an instant balanced chorus reply from bride’s party.They began to yell on each other like mad, screams, laughers every where. Every person in the party was enjoying this typical competition now.
And then after a long session of fighting, finally a guy rose from Raza,s party and instantly Daniyal recognized him…he was Jazib….one of his and Raza’s combined friends.

“ Okay ..okay…now time for some real business gals and guys ..lets begin the
competition..well we will sing a song first , then you people will reply by a song from yourside, but only to begin that song from that letter at which our song will end ..got it …hey specially you pinky..shadi ho gai tumhari ?” He laughed pointing towards a girl in his opposite party wearing a pink dress.

Oh… Daniyal gasped..She was Maira., another friend of Kenza.

“ Hey mister. Shut your mouth , mind your own business…by the way yeh aap ko kiya hota hai mujhey dekh kur “ Maira said … proudly ….smiling.

“ Bata doon kiya hota hai? ..hahaha “ Jazib teased her .

“Why not..you stupid ..hehehe “ She replied .

“Well…. Kuch Kuch hota hai " and they all burst into a laughter.

“Any way..here I go…first song from our side…” He stood up again .

“Aahemmm..ahemm mm “ he cleared his throat … smiling meaninfully.

“ Mehndi laga ke rakhna …
doli saja ke rakhna
leney tujhey O gori ….
Aaiengey terey sajna”

And then his party began to follow him in chorus.
With this song, began a competition of songs between both the parties .
They sang ..and sang and sang.. sound of music, laughing , clapping every where…. Colors every where.
And Daniyal……
While sitting at the table exactly at the front of the stage on which competition was going
on , He felt himself uneasy, he didn’t pay any attention to what was going on the stage
between girls and guys…his eyes continuously searching for Kenza.

Where was she ? he asked to himself.His heart was feeling a weird sensation for the first
time in his life....a kinda pleasureable pain, which could only get relief by watching
Kenza….

And finally in the competition.something happened.

It was a turn of Bride,s party to sing a song..starting from the letter “A”..they all tried
again and again ..but no song came in their minds ..as they had already sang dozens of
songs starting fom the letter “A”.
Defeat was obvious now….
Raza’s party began to laugh now…
Jazib began to count….
“Ten more seconds you sweet ladies and boys….and we would win hahaha..”

“One….

Two….

Three…”

Now His fellows also began to count in chorus .

Four …

Five ..

Six…

Seven…..”
Every eye in the party focused on the two parties on the stage….enjoying … heart beats became fast …

“Eight “
Jazib laughed …teasing… smiling .

Just then…. Like a flash … Slowly rising from the back of the stage…She appeared
…wearing the same royal blue in which Daniyal saw her few moments ago..with
Black dopatta , making a perfect V, with choori daar pajama, her long hairs swaying with every step she was taking… Her long earrings shaking , and holding a wireless mic by
both of her hands , her wrists filled completely with silver bangles and dark black kajal
showcasing her brown green kishmishi eyes.

Gazes transfixed ….ears ready to capture the sound resonance .
Mouths open…. Hearts throbbing in the rib-cages .
She was pure and complete eastern beauty…to say the least .
Daniyal unaware of her yet … as he had turned his back towards the stage .Raza pushed his forearm lightly into his arm , causing him return to reality .

“What ?” he didn’t understand what he was saying .

“Look at the stage " Raza said, whispering .

“I’m not interested in that competition yaar “ Daniyal said ..with a boring tone in
his voice. Just then …her Voice echoed in the expensive sound system..capturing every breath
there…
And what a voice it was… pure melody..a symphony…. With a pure music in words itself.
She was singing…..

“ Ankhiyon ke jharokon se ….
Mein ne dekha jo saamney
TUM door nazar aaiey …..

Not only with the beat of the music , but also with the cool night air,
This was the sweetest voice Daniyal ever heard in his life, it automatically made him to turn himself again to face the stage now.And as soon as he watched the singing beauty on
the stage , her voice and ideal beauty did a magic on him , making him a stone statue likethose of ancient Arabic tales of Alif Laila .

And she was singing… never seemed to care about any one.
Her eyes were closed …and she was singing. Every living organism in the party was silent now.
And she was singing…her favourite song ..

“Bund kur ke jharokon ko, zara baithi jo s