Short Story Collections 📚

N-4

The evening was quiet, a soft breeze rustling through the garden as Noor sat on the wooden swing, sulking. The stars above twinkled as if mocking her misery.

She sighed dramatically, hugging her knees. Sab ne milke meri life ka mazaak bana diya hai. Ruksati ki jaldi kis baat ki thi? Aur upar se mehendi bhi boring si karni hai!

Lost in her own thoughts, she didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching until a calm voice broke the silence.

"Kya soch rahi ho?"

She glanced up to see Shahnawaz standing near the swing, hands in his pockets, his usual composed expression on his face. The warm glow from the garden lights highlighted his sharp features, but Noor was in no mood to admire them.

She huffed, looking away. "Apni udasi ka matam mana rahi hoon."

Shahnawaz raised an eyebrow. "Tum mehendi ke liye itni serious ho?"

She turned to him, eyes wide. "Aapko samajh nahi aata, Doctor Sahib? Mehendi ek dulhan ki jaan hoti hai! Aur meri mehendi toh bas thak thak si ho rahi hai."

A hint of amusement flickered in his eyes. "Thak thak?"

"Matlab boring! No dhol, no proper dance, no fun!" She sighed, kicking the ground lightly to make the swing move. "Aur ruksati itni jaldi kyun? Mujhe toh waqt chahiye tha mentally prepare hone ke liye!"

Shahnawaz leaned slightly against the railing, watching her with a soft gaze. "Tum abhi tak convince nahi ho?"

Noor pouted. "Nahi!"

He let out a small breath, then after a moment of silence, said, "Agar tum itni upset ho, toh main Ammi se baat kar sakta hoon. Mehendi thodi elaborate karne ki ijazat mil sakti hai."

Noor's eyes widened. "Sach?"

He nodded. "Haan. Tumhari khushi bhi important hai."

She stared at him for a second before narrowing her eyes. "Lekin aapko toh functions pasand nahi na?"

A small smile played on his lips. "Tumhe pasand hain. Itna toh adjust kar sakta hoon."

Noor blinked, slightly taken aback. Yeh banda itna serious serious hota hai, lekin kabhi kabhi bilkul unpredictable cheezein keh deta hai.

For a second, she didn't know what to say. Then she quickly masked her emotions and smirked. "Agar aap sach mein convince kar lein toh... phir socha ja sakta hai ke aap utne bhi boring nahi hain."

Shahnawaz shook his head, looking away with a small smile. "Bachpana kam karo, Noor."

She grinned, her mood is significantly better now.

Shahnawaz glanced at her one last time before saying in his usual calm voice, "Chalo, andhar chalo. Raat ho rahi hai."

Noor stretched dramatically before standing up. "Doctor Sahab, aaj aap ne prove kar diya ke kabhi kabhi aap achi baatein bhi kar lete hain."

He gave her a blank stare. "Noor."

She giggled. "Theek hai, theek hai. Chal rahi hoon."

As they walked back inside, Noor felt slightly lighter. Maybe, just maybe, this ruksati wouldn't be so bad after all.

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