The Longest Autumn

“Hi" putting the book away, he picked the mobile phone from the other side of the bed, just to get a surprise in the form of this tiny text.

“Still awake?" Without wasting time he replied 

“Yeah. Just like you." 

“Eaither sleep or focus on work, don't text me." He replied before putting the mobile aside but it again vibrated.

“Don't you miss me?" This time the question forced him to smile. 

"Do you miss me?” He texted while forgetting what he was already doing. 

"No, I don't miss you. I'm texting you to know the recipe of your great grandmother’s home remedy for cold.” He could hear an irritated girl through the text which made him smile. He wanted to tease her a little more. 

"Oh, so you should ask it directly na, why all these useless questions? For that home remedy you need some crushed peppercorns, honey and ginger juice. Mix all of them in a cup of lukewarm water and drink in one sip because it truly tastes horrible." Trying not to smile too much he texted a long lost remedy and got nothing in reply other than a huffing emoji. 

"Tell me if you try this remedy. And one more thing, don't forget to add a pinch of salt.” Another text just to irritate her, he knew she must be turning red in anger. 

"Tell me if any other ingredient is left.” 

“Yes, how do you know?" He texted with a teasing laughter but the girl on the other side of the screen grit her teeth. She texted him because she was missing him, but this guy was busy sharing remedies. 

“The most important ingredient of the remedy is still left…” he texted with an ear to ear grin. He knew what remedy she wanted. He knew what ingredient was missing. Completely irritated by now, she was about to throw the mobile away when it pinged again. "Yes, I'm missing you.” Her heart skipped a beat and the red of her face suddenly shifted its reason from anger to shyness. 

“How much of this ingredient is needed?" She texted without wasting a single moment. 

“Much more than the amount of water…” his text again appeared on the screen to make her smile. 

"Just half a cup? So less…" she sent the text with an eye rolling emoji.

“Water occupies 70% of earth. You idiot." Her mobile again rang to make her blush but this time something else also happened. The flame which was sleeping under the blanket suddenly sat down on the bed with a jolt while throwing the blanket away and glared at the girl with a mobile phone in her hands. 

“I understand you don't have to sleep but at least silent your mobile so that I can sleep peacefully. Itni dair se tu tu tu tu ki awaaze aa rhi hain, yaar apiya soone do na, raat ke 2 baj rhe hain." With an irritated face and expressions, Zunera bounced back in the bed and this time she hid her face in the pillow.

(Put your mobile on silent so that I can sleep peacefully. It's been making 'tu tu tu tu' sounds for so long, man. Please let me sleep, it's 2 AM.)

“What happened? Have you started measuring 70% of Earth's water with cups?" Her mobile beeped again and she looked at the screen. Zunera lifted her head from the pillow and glared at her again. 

“Okay okay, My bad. I'm going to sleep." Zinia nervously excused but her mobile beeped again and her younger sister still was glaring at her. "I'm sorry na. Soo jaa… jab tujhe koi milega tab samajh ayega neend kese udti hai." A little scolding just to justify her own mistake. 

(Go to sleep… When you find someone, you will understand how sleep goes away.)

“At least I won't harm anyone else's slumber." Grimacing, Zunera rolled her eyes and turned her side. 

‘Shut up, I was dealing with my sister.’ she texted and waited for a reply from the other side but this time her mobile didn't beep, only vibrated. 

‘Yaar Zinu, don't text me. Focus on books. Only a few days are left.’ another text and the already sleepy girl felt a knot in the pit of her stomach. 

‘Yeah, you're right. But I texted you because I was missing you, shaaz.’

‘I know. I'm also missing you but these few days will decide our future Zinia. Better to focus on books. All the best.’ and she got no other text after that. She knew how much Shaaz was scared for his future. If he didn't get selected in a good medical College this year his career will be over even before starting because his father couldn't afford to admit him in a private medical college, and if he didn't settle down in a good career, he won't be able to stand in front of Afnaan to ask for Zinia's hand. 

At the age of eighteen they both were planning to make their future bright and praying to get success in their lives and plans. 

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A tired Danish walked into the home after a tiring workout session. 

“Mumma, My legs are no more." He threw himself on the couch while resting his head on the cushion but his sharp nose recognised the fragrance of his favourite choco vanilla pastry. Turning his head to the left side he found three pastries present on a plate. 

"Aapke pati dev nhi sudhrenge na? Soo baar kaha hai mere saamne meethi cheze na laya kariye, mujhse control nhi hota.” and he picked one spoonful of pastry from the plate without bothering to know the reason behind this little sweet celebration. Maizah said nothing. Meanwhile Anzala entered the room while folding his shirt sleeve to half and smiled looking at his gym freak son attacking the sweets guilt-free, but he smiled seeing him coming back to normal life. 

(Your husband is never going to change, is he? I have told him a hundred times not to bring sweets in front of me; I just cannot control myself.)

“Post gym sugar consumption at peak? Not bad.” He sat down beside Danish and lifted a spoonful of pastry. 

"That's your fault, you should keep it in your mind that your only son is avoiding sugar. Why did you even bring it?” 

"When did I?” Anzala asked while having another decent portion of the pastry in which both the son and father duo looked at Maizah with questioning eyes. 

“Fayra got her first salary so she brought sweets and some small gifts for everyone. I didn't take the gifts but… couldn't refuse to take the pastries.” The next spoonful of pastry suddenly became heavy which eventually stopped Danish's hand in between the plate and the mouth. 

“I will take a rest now." Placing the spoonful of pastry back he stood up and left the room. Anzala gave a disappointed look to Maizah. She sighed. She didn't want to tell the truth but she was unable to hide the fact that Fayra was already moving on in her life and enjoying it guilt-free. On the other hand Danish was stuck with the idea of Fayra in his life. 

"You could make any story, you could say you ordered it online or Afnaan gave you the pastry or anything else… making a story is never a task for you, Maizah.” 

“Hmm, I could but… I want him to face the harsh reality. He is spending his life for a girl who doesn't have feelings for him, for how long will he run away from this bitter reality? 

"Iske liye koi ladki dekh ke iski shadi kar, jab tak zindagi me koi aur ladki nhi ayegi tab tak Fayra ko nhi bhul payega ye.”

(Get him married as soon as possible. He won't move on until he has someone in life.)

"Wo Fayra ko bhulne ke liye kisi se shadi nhi karna chahta, aur ye baat theek bhi hai.” 

(He doesn't want to get married just to move on. And he isn't wrong either.)

“And how will he move on without giving himself a chance?" Anzala walked out of the room taking long steps. 

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A mug of steaming hot coffee was present in her hand. The grass present under her bare feet felt soft and wet. The mild fragrance in the air was making everything fresh. Tonight, the moon was shining brighter than yesterday, yet everything together was unable to give her the message of happiness. There was an uneasy commotion inside her heart but a pinching silence outside. Today she was feeling happy after getting her first salary but after seeing her mother's condition she again went on a guilt trip. Closing her eyes she filled herself with a deep breath and looked up, the moon was shining but the very next moment her gaze met with the one standing on the terrace. For a moment she was unable to look away. Not because of love but because of the sadness present on that face. 

Another guilt trip and she preferred to walk inside leaving Danish on the terrace. He closed his eyes and smiled sadly. 

“Wow, you didn't even share your achievement with me." He told Fayra in his imagination. He was deeply hurt, once the closest person was a stranger. He didn't know if he was hating her or just wanted to avoid her to save himself from getting hurt. But whatever it was… he didn't want to make himself drain in this. Today he again wanted to smoke but controlled himself when a hand landed on his shoulder. 

"What are you thinking?” A simple question but how could a person with thousands of tangled thoughts answer it?

"Nothing.” he shrugged 

"Aage ka kuch socha hai?”

(Do you have a plan for the future?)

“Hmm… I'm thinking of expanding the business in other states, onl…" 

“Danish I'm not talking about business but about your future." 

"Dad, a good business will make my future secure. Isn't it?”

"Hmm, it will but on whom will you spend all the money you earn?” Danish understood where the conversation was going. 

"On you and mumma. Whom else?”

"Your mother has a husband who is ready to build an entire empire for her and spend every penny on her. You think about yourself.”

"Then I'll spend that money on Bisma and her children.” This time Danish smiled imagining playing with his niece or nephew who was about to come into the world after a few months.

"Bisma also has a husband and her children will have a father to get pampered.” Anzala was serious. 

"Hmm… fact. Then I'll spend all my money on protein powder and gym supplies." And he laughed at his own silly joke. 

“Stop running away from reality. For how long will you stay alone? Soon Adnaan and Sara will marry her to someone else, and what will you do? Keep crying for a girl who doesn't carry any emotion for you?” Anzala's words worked like a hammer on Danish's heart. 

"So what do you want dad? Should I get married to any other girl without loving her?”

"Love can be developed after getting married, just be sure that you will be able to stand with her in all ups and downs, you will be loyal to her.” 

"And what if I won't be able to love her like I…” he left the sentence and Anzala smiled while placing his hand on Danish's shoulder. 

"It wasn't Fayra's last decision but yours. She was ready to accept this forceful marriage, but you didn't want to continue. Now what's the point of staying at one point for the whole life?”

"Yeah Dad, neither I wanted to trap Fayra without her, nor will I want to trap any other girl in the name of marriage without love.” 

"Danish, a fairy won't appear in your room with a love potion to sprinkle it on you and next day you'll develop feelings for someone. To love someone you have to meet her, then know her, then understand her… what do you think? You'll start loving someone sitting inside the home and office?" 

“Dad please, I don't feel like meeting any girl and discussing all these things with her." 

“Fine, don't meet new people. What about someone you already know?” 

“Now what does it mean? Do you really think I'm making a list for such girls?" 

“Maha? Maha Ali. Your dear best friend? Why don't you consider her? She is such a nice girl.” Anzala’s suggestion brought a huge grin on Danish's face. Only Maha's name was enough to make him smile, but he shook his head. 

"Dad, for your kind information, she already got married two years ago! She has a baby girl who is so cute.” 

"What?” Anzala was shocked. “But as far as I know she used to be crazy after you. She got married to someone else?" 

“Come on dad, I never saw her as more than a friend. Yeah, you both liked her too much but I wasn't interested so…” Danish shrugged his shoulders and Anzala rolled his eyes. 

"Lubna? Mr Shaikh’s daughter?” Anzala asked and Danish took a step back with a jolt. 

"Please. Not in my most horrible dream. That girl is so irritating." 

“Umm… Falak?” 

"Falak? Who is Falak?” Danish was confused. 

"That girl who used to come to our home to take your notes and books?” 

"Oh that girl… Her name was Falak? I don't even remember now." Danish shrugged and Anzala glared at him as if he was lying but Danish gave a sheepish look. 

“I honestly don't remember her name. It has been a long time. Dad, We already lost contact years ago. So forget about her.”

"What about Mantasha?”

"Dad, you do remember all my friends?” Asked Danish with wide eyes. 

“Did you have a girlfriend in school or college?" Anzala couldn't help but asked and Danish was surprised. 

“What? No dad. You already know everything about me." 

“You're such a disappointment for me." Anzala muttered and held his forehead with the first finger 

and thumb but Danish was unable to understand.

"Pardan?" 

"I said, you're such an adorable son of mine” Anzala fake smiled but rolled his eyes with the thought that his handsome son had not made a single girlfriend in his whole life unlike his father who has carried his heart in his sleeve. In youth, Girls used to roam around him. But his son? Exactly opposite?

“Umm… Farah… but no, she isn't for you…" Anzala shook his head for a while, shutting his eyes, and a beautiful face came in front of him. 

“Aisha?" Anzala muttered while opening his eyes. He wasn't suggesting that girl but only remembering h

Aisha's name. 

"Dad? What are you even saying?” Danish suddenly looked up. Shocked. 

"Have I said something unacceptable?” Anzala shrugged. 

"Dad, she… she… umm… No." 

“What's your excuse for her?”

“No doubt she is great but neither I thought about her in that way nor she…”

"Danish you'll make us mad.” And Anzala was gone leaving him in chaos. 

‘Aisha? Ufff… such a nice girl but…" he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, but sighed, "Dad, you destroyed our beautiful friendship for your baseless doubts.” Danish sighed and unknowingly missed her.

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