"Uffo, Shahnan!" Eifa let out an exasperated sigh, "Mujhe bas ek gulab chahiye tha baalo mein lagane ke liye, tum toh pura gulsitan hi le aaoge jaise."

(I just wanted a single rose to put in my hair, but you're bringing an entire garden with you.)

Since morning, Shahnan had been bringing her rose after rose, each one more vibrant than the last. The first one she put in her hair had already begun to wither, but Eifa had placed it so perfectly that it hadn't moved an inch, although some petals had fallen. Her sleek, jet-black hair, often admired by her friends who suggested she could be a hair model, looked stunning with the slightly wilted crimson rose resting in it.

"Ab tum aur gulab mat lana." she said, shaking her head as she took yet another one from his outstretched hand.

(Stop bringing more roses,) 

"Well…" Shahnan hesitated, then shyly pulled a smaller, half-bloomed rose from his pocket. Its vibrant red petals contrasted sharply with his boyish innocence.

Eifa, who had been growing more annoyed by his persistence, couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. Her laughter was light and carefree, a sound that filled the aangan with its warmth.

"Lekin yeh akhiri hai," she said, reaching out to take the rose, but Shahnan quickly pulled it back, keeping it just out of her reach. Eifa raised an eyebrow, confused by his sudden act.

(But this is the last one,)

He knelt down again, just as he had earlier when presenting the first rose. At that moment, they were alone in the aangan. The evening was turning into night, darkness creeping in, yet the courtyard was still well-lit. The open sky above them, however, was draped in twilight, with a delicate sliver of the inclined moon hanging above.

“Where do you learn these things?” Eifa chuckled, finding his gesture both endearing and amusing. At sixteen, she often found herself taking on a more mature role in the family. Shahnan, to her, was still just a child.

But Shahnan’s face turned serious as he looked up at her, his young features set with confidence and a sense of entitlement as he asked her. "Eifa, mujhse shadi karengi aap?"

(Eifa, will you marry me?)

The words hung in the air, so unexpected and earnest that Eifa froze for a moment, blinking at him in stunned silence.

Then, just as quickly, she burst into laughter, the sound uncontainable as she tried to cover her mouth with both hands. The rose in her hand only half-covered the smile spreading across her face, and her cheeks flushed with the effort of holding back her laughter.

She looked effortlessly beautiful in that moment, her hair slightly tousled, the wilted rose still tucked in, and her laughter full of joy. But Shahnan didn’t like her laughing at this moment.

He sat down on the ground, fully this time, like a child who felt wronged. "Main serious hoon."

(I'm serious.)

"Tum pagal ho," she said, still smiling as she playfully tossed the rose at his head. A few petals broke off, fluttering down gently over his face. But even her amusement couldn’t hide the shift in her tone as she spoke again. "Yeh tumhari age hai yeh sab baatein karne ki? Parhai pe dhyan do, abhi se dillagi karne ki zaroorat nahi. Bade toh ho jao..."

(You're crazy,)

(Is this even the right age for you to be saying such things? Focus on your studies. There's no need to get involved in all this romantic nonsense just yet. Grow up...)

Her voice had taken on a more serious note, like an older sister scolding a younger sibling. To Eifa, Shahnan was still just a boy, just beginning to step into his teenage years. It wasn’t unusual for someone his age to have crushes or idealize the people around them, she herself idealized Arsalan. But she didn’t want Shahnan going down that path too early, not when there was still so much ahead of him.

"Main bada ho jaunga, tab aap karengi mujhse shadi?" Shahnan said quickly, his eyes filled with a determination far beyond his years.

(I will grow up, and then will you marry me?)

Eifa bent down slightly, looking at Shahnan more closely. At twelve, he was already strikingly handsome, with a charm that was sure to turn heads as he grew older. But right now, his face still held the soft innocence of childhood, and his large, captivating eyes made him look even younger than he was.

"Tum kitne bhi bade ho jao, rahoge toh mujhse 4 saal chote hi," she said with a smile, reaching out to ruffle his neatly brushed hair, messing it up in the process. She also plucked the rosebud from his hand.

(No matter how much you grow up, you’ll still always be four years younger than me,)

As she turned to leave, Shahnan scrambled to his feet, rushing in front of her, blocking her path. "That doesn’t matter."

"It does matter, Shahnan," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "It matters a lot. Lekin woh tum abhi nahi samjhoge. Isliye keh rahi hoon bade ho jao."

(But you won’t understand that right now, that's why I’m telling you, grow up.)

With that, Eifa gently brushed past him, walking away and leaving Shahnan standing alone in the aangan, staring after her long after she had disappeared inside. The air around him felt heavier, the weight of her words sinking in slowly.

"Bade ho jao. Parhai pe dhyan do." Those were the only two things Shahnan could focus on from their entire conversation. It wasn’t the rejection that stung, it was the realization that Eifa saw him as nothing more than a child. But in his mind, he was already forming a plan. If she wanted him to grow up, to become someone worthy of her, then he would.

(Grow up. Focus on your studies.)

The next time Shahnan asked her to marry him, he would make sure she saw him as a man, not a boy.

•••

Eifa entered her room and noticed the vase on her bedside table, brimming with the roses Shahnan had already given her. She glanced at the two remaining roses in her hand. One had lost a petal when she hit Shahnan with it, while the other, still intact, retained its delicate beauty. She couldn’t bring herself to let it go to waste.

Walking over to the bookshelf, Eifa pulled out a random book, gently placed the rosebud between its pages, and closed it.

•••

Azrin was lying with her head on Kaif's lap when Ayla entered the room, holding a tray with soup for Azrin.

"Azrin," Kaif gently ran his fingers through her hair as soon as he saw Ayla and softly woke her up.

Earlier that evening, her blood pressure had suddenly dropped, and she had a fever. Since then, she had been resting in her parents' room. Everyone had come to see her, but she was barely conscious. Kaif hadn’t left her side even for a moment.

"Azrin, uthiye, thora sa soup pi lijiye," Ayla sat beside her on the bed, placing a hand on Azrin’s arm to help her sit up. Azrin opened her eyes slightly and made a face.

(Azrin, wake up, have a little soup,)

"Mera dil nahi," she whispered in a weak voice.

(I don’t feel like it,)

"Dil ho ya nahi, thora sa toh peena parhega. Chaliye, Shabash, uthiye," Ayla affectionately patted her cheek, and though she didn’t want to, Azrin finally sat up. Kaif’s arm remained around her as Ayla began to feed her the soup.

(Whether you feel like it or not, you have to drink at least a little. Come on, be a good girl, sit up,)

Azrin had always been a frail child, falling ill at the slightest change in weather. Ayla believed it was probably the excitement of Eid that had made her sick.

Last night, on Chand Raat, all kids had gone to the market, and even after returning home, Azrin and Eifa hadn’t slept right away. They applied mehndi on each other and prepared everything for the morning to avoid any rush. That, Ayla suspected, was the reason Azrin had fallen ill. However, Rukhsar believed it was due to the evil eye. No one knew the real turmoil in Azrin’s heart.

It wasn’t just physical illness. She was struggling with the thought that Arsalan could think so lowly of her. Their relationship had always been normal, there were fights, sulks, but they always made up. Azrin could never have imagined that Arsalan would see her in such a bad light, and that was what hurt her the most.

He said she doesn't know how to speak. When had she ever disrespected anyone? Yes, she was raised with a lot of love and care, but she never took advantage of it.

And her degree, another painful blow. Azrin wasn’t a genius, but she always managed to pass. Except in 10th grade, when she failed due to constant illness, and had to take the exam privately the next year. She worked hard for that exam, not wanting to disappoint her parents again. And she did well. But somehow, people started believing that her grades were the result of favoritism because Huzaifa owned the school. Azrin had always brushed them off, knowing the effort she had put in. But discovering that Arsalan believed those lies, that he doubted her integrity, cut her to the core.

She knew it would take time for her heart to heal from these wounds.

•••

Arsalan sat with his head bowed in front of his father. Saif hadn’t gone to Khan Haveli for Eid, but Arsalan’s words to Rehnuma had reached him.

"Tumhe ehsas hai tumne kya kaha hai?" Saif's voice was not angry, but its coldness made Arsalan lower his head further.

(Do you realise what you have said?)

"Main sharminda hoon, mujhe mummy se iss tarah se baat nahi karni chahiye thi. Lekin mummy ne bhi toh achanak hi meri shadi ka zikar kar diya, mujhse puchna toh durr bataya tak nahi." Arsalan responded, still with his head bowed.

(I am ashamed. I shouldn’t have spoken to Mummy like that. But she suddenly brought up my marriage without even asking or telling me.)

The room was quiet, save for the soft ticking of a clock. Only the three of them were there, Saif, Rehnuma, and Arsalan. Armaan had long since gone to bed, and Huda had stayed back at Khan Haveli.

Saif glanced at Rehnuma. He didn't know she had proposed the marriage without informing Arsalan first.

"Toh kya mera itna haq nahi tum pe?" Rehnuma asked, hurt.

(Don’t I have any right over you?)

"Mummy, shadi bohot bada decision hai. Pehli baat main shadi ke liye taiyyar nahi hoon aur jab karni hogi toh Azrin se nahi."

(Mummy, marriage is a huge decision. First of all, I’m not ready for marriage, and even when I am, it won’t be with Azrin.)

"Azrin se kyu nahi?" Saif asked, genuinely surprised. Everyone in the family knew about the close bond between Arsalan and Azrin. Sure, they argued often, but there was always a deep care between them.

(Why not with Azrin?)

"Aur yeh mat kehna usme baat karne ki tameez nahi. Theek hai woh zyada serious nahi rehti hamesha hasi mazak karti hai lekin usne kabhi kisi se badtameezi ki hai? Aur phir insan pe jab responsibilities ati hain toh woh khud hi sanjeeda ho jata hai." Saif continued.

(And don’t tell me it’s because she doesn’t know how to speak properly. Yes, she’s not always serious, always joking around, but has she ever disrespected anyone? People change when they take on responsibilities,)

"Rahi baat parhai ki toh uski parhai se hume kya? Hume konsa ussey job karwani hai, humara achha khasa apna business hai jo kal ko tum sambhaloge..."

(As for her education, what does it matter to us? It’s not like we need her to get a job. We have our own business, which you’ll manage someday...)

"Aur uss circle mein main Azrin ko kaise introduce karwau? Jo hamesha ajeeb se hooliye mein rehti hai, uske hath paov se mitti ke nishan shayad hi kabhi saaf hote ho." Arsalan interrupted, picturing Azrin. She was always outside, playing in the lawn without a care, her hands and feet constantly dirty from the mud.

(And how should I introduce Azrin in that circle? She's always in a messy state, and it's rare that the dirt marks on her hands and feet are ever clean.)

Rehnuma’s brows furrowed, ready to scold him for such an insensitive remark, but Saif raised a hand to stop her.

"Abhi maine kya kaha, insan pe jab responsibilities parhti hain toh woh sanjeeda ho jata hai." Saif said firmly. "Azrin apne ghar mein sabki ladli hai toh uska beparwah hona lazim hai, lekin shadi ke baad larkiyan khudko badal leti hain."

(As I said, people change when responsibilities come into their lives. Azrin is the dear of her family, so of course, she’s carefree now. But after marriage, girls change,)

He paused for a moment, softening his tone. "Khair, zabardasti ki shadi ke haq mein main bhi nahi. Tumhe Azrin se shadi nahi karni toh theek hai, lekin kam se kam ek baar thande dimagh se soch toh lo."

(Anyway, I’m not in favor of forcing a marriage. If you don’t want to marry Azrin, that’s fine, but at least think it over calmly.)

Saif wanted to end the conversation there.

But Rehnuma wasn’t ready to let it go. "Ek baat tum sunn lo, Arsalan, tumhari biwi main apne mayke se laungi, ab chahe woh Azrin ho ya Eifa tum khud faisla karo."

(Listen to me, Arsalan. Your wife will come from my family, whether it’s Azrin or Eifa. Think about it.)

"Rehnuma,"

"Mummy, Eifa mujhse itni choti hai." Arsalan’s eyes widened in disbelief.

(Mummy, Eifa is so much younger than me!)

"Toh phir Azrin," Rehnuma declared as if she had made the final decision.

(Then it will be Azrin,)

"Ussey sochne do iss barey mein," Saif said firmly, sending Arsalan a silent signal to leave. Without another word, Arsalan quietly stood and exited the room.

(Let him think about it,)

•••

By the third day of Eid, Hanan and his family had left, and a quiet stillness had settled over the haveli. Azrin had barely spoken a word since Eid, withdrawing further into her silence. The once lively haveli now seemed gloomy and hushed.

Azrin and Ayla were in Ayla's room. Azrin was resting her head on her mother's lap, slowly drifting off to sleep, while Ayla gently ran her fingers through Azrin’s hair. But Ayla's mind was elsewhere. She was lost in thoughts, reminiscing about when Azrin was born, so tiny back then, and now, she had grown up so much that it was time to think about her marriage. The eldest child is always special to a mother. The feeling of becoming a mother for the first time is unique, and when that first child is a daughter, it truly adds more beauty to the mother’s life.

"Azrin," Ayla softly called her name. Azrin moved her head slightly, acknowledging she was listening.

"Yeh baat apse chupi toh nahi hai apke liyr Arsalan ka proposal aya hai," Ayla began. Azrin’s eyes opened immediately, but she said nothing.

(This isn’t hidden from you that a proposal has come for you from Arsalan,)

"Ghar mein sabko hi woh proposal pasand hai, apke dada dadi toh bohot khush hain," Ayla continued.

(Everyone in the family likes the proposal. Your grandparents are very happy,)

"Aur aap?" Azrin interrupted, turning her head slightly to look at her mother. She was well aware of the cold distance between her aunt and mother. Although Rehnuma was a typical sister-in-law and didn’t have the best relationship with Shyra either, it seemed she had a special grudge against Ayla. Azrin had always figured it was because Rehnuma and Ayla same age, and she counted her blessings that she didn’t have any female cousins of her age.

(And you?)

"Arsalan bohot achhe hain, wakai kabil e tareef hain, aur unse achha match kam se kam humare khandan mein apke liye nahi," Ayla said as her fingers continued to stroke Azrin’s hair.

(Arsalan is a very good man, truly admirable, and I don’t think we’ll find a better match for you in our family,)

"Par main toh unke liye perfect match nahi," Azrin quickly responded.

(But I’m not a perfect match for him,)

"Kya matlab?" Ayla asked, confused.

(What do you mean?)

"Mummy, itne kabil shaks ke liye koi unn jaisi hi honi chahiye," Azrin sat up, turning to face her mother directly. "Unhone toh parhai bhi harvard se ki hai, aur maine uss college se jaha ameero ke bachhe bas paisa deke degree lete hain."

(Mummy, someone as accomplished as him deserves someone equally remarkable,)

(He studied at Harvard, and I went to a college where rich kids just paid for their degrees.)

"Azrin, apke andar kabse yeh ehsas e kamtri agayi? Aur kami kya hai ap mein jo aap aisi baatein kar rahi hain?" Ayla asked, a bit shocked. Azrin had never expressed such feelings before, and it was the first time Ayla was hearing her daughter speak like this about herself.

(Azrin, when did you start feeling this sense of inferiority? And what’s lacking in you that you’re talking like this?)

Arsalan's words resurfaced in Azrin’s mind, but she quickly pushed them away and rested her head back in her mother’s lap.

"Bas main janti hoon bejod shadi nibh toh jati ho, lekin khushhaal nahi hoti, meri taraf se inkar hai," she said firmly, closing her eyes. Ayla was left staring at her in disbelief, her hand frozen, no longer moving through Azrin's hair.

(I just know that mismatched marriages may last, but they’re not always happy. I’m saying no,)

"Azrin..." Before Ayla could say anything more, there was a knock on the door, and the maid peeked in to inform them of a guest's arrival.

•••

Emmad had been Azrin's friend since their school days. While they had been close back then, their interactions had dwindled to the occasional phone call or a quick message on WhatsApp. But today, after years, he had come to visit in person.

"Yeh kis liye hai?" Ayla asked as Emmad placed a box of cake on the table.

(What's this for?)

"Mrs Khan, actually um..." Emmad adjusted his glasses with a shy smile. He always seemed a little nervous around Ayla. "Mujhe job mil gayi hai," he added, this time glancing confidently at Azrin.

(I got a job,)

"Masha'Allah, bohot mubarak ho." Ayla said warmly. Azrin managed a faint smile.

(Congratulations!)

"Tumhara IIT mein admission hua tha na?" Ayla asked, clearly impressed. The maid had just entered the living room and was preparing to serve tea when Azrin stopped her, opting to serve it herself. She knelt on the floor, carefully pouring tea for everyone.

(You were accepted into IIT, right?)

"Ji, wahi se placement mila hai." Emmad replied, a quiet pride in his voice. "Waise maine job ke sath sath post graduation ke liye bhi apply kiya hai." His tone carried a subtle sense of accomplishment, not everyone achieved what he had.

(Yes, I got the placement through there,)

(And I've also applied for my post-graduation alongside the job.)

As Azrin handed him his tea, her gaze lingered on his face for a brief moment before she turned away to pass Ayla her cup, then took her seat again.

"Sahi hai, parhai toh jitni karo kam hai," Ayla said with a smile, engaging Emmad in a conversation about education. Meanwhile, Azrin's mind began to drift back to thoughts of Arsalan.

(That's great! You can never study enough,)

She couldn't help but compare the two.

Emmad was well-educated too. Perhaps not as handsome as Arsalan, but he had a quiet appeal, he had the kind of presence that made people pause and look again. And despite his young age, he had secured a job based solely on his merits. Arsalan, on the other hand, had everything handed to him: the family business, the legacy, the privilege. Yet, Arsalan carried himself with such arrogance. Emmad, in contrast, was so humble. But who knew what Emmad was truly like? There was a time Azrin had believed Arsalan was a good person too.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Kaif walked into the living room. Emmad immediately stood up, his posture rigid, his confidence wavering.

"Assalam-Alaikum, Sir," Emmad greeted respectfully, lowering his gaze. But despite his polite words, his body language betrayed his discomfort.

"Walekum-Assalam, baitho," Kaif gestured, his tone neutral. Emmad sat down again, nervously adjusting his glasses, a sign of his unease.

(Have a seat,)

"Ayla," Kaif gave his wife a brief look, motioning her to come outside with him before leaving the room.

"Aap log baatein kariye, hum atey hain," Ayla said, excusing herself and following Kaif. Emmad exhaled in relief once they had left.

(You two carry on with your conversation, I'll be right back,)

"Tum papa se itna darrte kyu ho?" Azrin teased, amusement dancing in her eyes.

(Why are you so scared of my papa?)

"Main darrta nahi hoon, bas izzat karta hoon," Emmad defended himself, then softened his tone. "Waise tumhari tabiyat ko kya hua tha?" He inquired about her health, though his words were cut short by Kian's entrance.

(I'm not scared of him! I just respect him,)

"Hello, bhai," Kian muttered. Rukhsar must have sent him here, no doubt, and Kian never bothered to hide his emotions, that's why his face showed clear signs of irritation.

Rukhsar didn't approve of boys and girls being friends, even if it involved her favorite granddaughter. However, Emmad's father worked under Kaif at his office, so Emmad's visits were never questioned. To the family, he was just a boy who had looked out for Azrin during their school days.

•••

Emmad didn't stay long. After finishing his tea, he asked for permission to leave.

Azrin walked him to the gate.

"What's going on with you?" Emmad asked again now that they were alone.

"What?" Azrin was startled.

"Tum itni chup chup kyu ho?"

(Why are you so quiet?)

"Nahi toh," she denied, but Emmad gave her a deep, penetrating look, as if he could see straight through her.

(I'm not,)

"Mujhe lagta hai ab zindagi mein thora serious ho jana chahiye, har waqt ka khel kood, idhar udhar ki baatein achhi cheez toh nahi na," She averted her eyes, speaking softly.

(I just feel like I need to take life a bit more seriously. All this constant joking around, casual talk, it's not really a good thing, is it?)

"Well, sanjeeda hone mein koi burai toh nahi, lekin insan ko khud ki shaksiyat nahi badalni chahiye." Emmad said calmly, sliding his hands into his jeans pockets. He didn't know where Azrin had gotten this idea, but he knew it wasn't truly hers. She was sensitive, the kind of person who let little things get to her heart.

(There's nothing wrong with being serious, but a person shouldn't change who they are,)

With that, Emmad turned to leave but paused, glancing back at her. In her pink cotton suit, she looked radiant, the setting sun's soft glow only adding to her charm.

"Tum khudko kisi ke liye mat badalna, Azrin, tum aise hi achhi lagti ho," he said, and before she could process his words or respond, Emmad had already hopped onto his bike and ridden away.

(Don't change yourself for anyone, Azrin. You're perfectly fine the way you are,)

She stood there for a moment, staring at the empty road. The watchman approached and asked if everything was alright. Shaking her head in response, she headed back inside, new thoughts beginning to take root in her mind.

Why had she become so serious in the last three days, to the point where she was trying to change her personality? Arsalan's words didn't hold that much weight for her, so why was she trying to change for him? What would she even gain by proving Arsalan wrong?

•••

"Achha larka hai Emmad," Ayla remarked thoughtfully, scrutinizing her daughter with a discerning gaze, quietly observing her expressions, trying to figure if Emmad was the reason behind her refusal.

(Emmad is a good guy,)

They were alone at the moment, which is why Ayla brought up the subject. She had noticed how Azrin seemed to light up since Emmad's visit, and before jumping to any conclusions, she wanted to understand her daughter's feelings.

She wasn't a suspicious mother by nature, but it was essential for her to ensure that Azrin wasn't hiding something in her heart.

"Hmm," Azrin nodded in agreement, taking a large slice of the cheesecake Emmad had brought. It was her favorite cheesecake from her favorite bakery. She was sitting cross-legged on the floor, while Ayla sat on the sofa.

"Pata hai, uska ap pe crush hai," Azrin casually said between bites, causing Ayla to choke on her tea.

(You know, he has a crush on you,)

"Kaisi baatein karti hain aap, Azrin," Ayla managed to say, recovering quickly as she glanced around the room before fixing her gaze on Azrin.

(What are you talking about, Azrin?)

"Mummy, main sach keh rahi hoon, woh hamesha kehta hai Mrs. Khan kitni sweet aur decent lady hain, tum kahi se bhi unki beti nahi lagti," Azrin repeated Emmad's words, making Ayla chuckle.

(Mummy, I'm serious. He always says how sweet and decent Mrs. Khan is, and how I don't resemble you at all,)

"Woh sirf humari izzat karte hain, aur apse bhi kitni baar kaha hai, Azrin, aise baat na kiye karein 'uska, kehta hai', yeh zeb nahi deta. Izzat se baat kiya karein sabse, chahe woh apse bade ho ya chote."

(He just respects me, and how many times have I told you, Azrin, not to talk like that? Speak respectfully to everyone, whether they're older or younger than you.)

Azrin made a face but continued, "Lekin woh khud kehte hain aisa, maine alag se koi word add nahi kiya..." She emphasized 'kehte', now reaching for another slice of the cheesecake as she finished the first one.

(But he's the one who says it, I didn't add any extra words...)

Ayla just shook her head in disapproval, though a smile lingered on her lips.

Azrin's carefree demeanor reassured Ayla that there was nothing hidden in her heart regarding Emmad. Her casual attitude and lack of hesitation convinced Ayla that Emmad wasn't the reason behind her refusal.