Dard-e-Dil

By Naaz Jamal

22. Last Chance

Tameem was sitting on the bed, shehla was on his right side, his arm was holding her by shoulder and on the other side both the children were sitting he was giving a side hug to both the children too. The scene was totally awkward for the family, the man who never talk to them like normal humans, the same man was hugging them. Tameem's wasn't hugging them for long time that was just a moment but for three of them the time was stopped as they were in disbelieve.

"Maaf kar do shehla."

(Shehla forgive me) Tameem said and the strong woman broke down in tears

"Talib, Tasmia, papa ko maaf kar do, mujhse galti ho gai"

(Forgive your papa, I was on fault)

Tasmia and Talib looked at each other and Tasmia smiled as so Talib did.

"Mian Manhus hu na, mujh se dur rahiye, kahi mere paas aane se aapko pareshani na ho jaye."

(I'm a jinxpeople. Right? So stay away from me, it should be like that you face problems due to my bad luck)

Saying that Tasmia removed Tameem's hand from her shoulder and Tameem was shocked. Talib also removed Tameem's arm from his shoulder and both children creeped to the other edge of the bed.

"Shehla at least you try to understand me" Tameem said and shehla smirked while wiping her tears and removed Tameem's hand from her shoulder then shifted away from Tameem.

"What happened today? You haven't feel guilty since so many years but suddenly today! Have your brother said some kind words to you so that this realisation suddenly hit you harder?" Shehla asked with hurtful voice and Tameem nodded and informed everything what shahid, Aaqil said to him, and he also informed about Faizan.

"Now I'm realising that I made a big mistake by not trusting you" He said and shehla smiled bitterly.

"Don't you think you are realising everything very soon?" Shehla said with a sarcastic tone.

"Ho gai galti maan to raha hu, kyu baar baar mujhe meri galti ka ehsaas dila rahi ho?"

(I'm confessing that I was wrong! Why are you making me realise about that mistake?)

Tameem asked and Shehla chuckled roughly

"Don't ask for forgiveness, you don't deserve that, now tell me what you have planned to do?" She asked and Tameem shrugged.

"I don't have any plan" He admitted and shehla smiled sadly.

"that is what I already know" she mumbled and Shehla think for a moment sighed.

"Sell the plot and buy a new home" Shehla said and Tameem keep watching her for a while

"In which area that plot is located? And what about the rate of that place?" Tameem put many questions and Shehla smiled.

"You don't have to think anything, as same as you haven't think about anything yet" Shehla fired a satire and that time Tameem was silent.

"I already talked to Bhaijan and bhai sahab they both will sell the plot." She informed her husband and he silently nodded

Shehla never shared with her maternal family about the problems which was facing in her life but then she was helpless she had to inform everything to her brothers so that they could help her.

When shehla informed Nasir and Fuzel about her problems they both were shocked to know that, they both always suppose that Shehla's financial condition is very well. Because shehla neither took any money from then nor her clothes or accessories shows their condition. She use to spent money very carefully and she use to design and stitch hers and Tasmia's clothes by herself. No one even could recognise that the dresses they both mother daughter wears, were handstitch or they were bought from any showroom. Due to All those things, everyone in her material relatives always says that every girl should get husband like Tameem and in-laws like Mirza family.

Nasir had little idea that Shehla may have some problem, because she wasn't chirpy like before but no one had idea about her actual condition. Even Mrs. Khan was also unaware about that. And unfortunately Mr. Khan was no more, he passed away before three months, when shahid sold the house to builder. If he would be alive maybe shehla would share her problems with her father.

But.... Back to the topic...

Tameem was silently sitting beside shehla.

"It's enough to these relationships, file a case against that shahid and Aaqil bhai." Shehla broke the silence and Tasmia was shocked to listen those words.

Shehla always says that in-laws family should be the first priority for a daughter-in-law and dignity of in-laws is always respectable for Daughter-in-law but that time shehla was sounding different.

"Mummy you are saying this thing? You have those papers since two years, but you always said that it won't be a good thing to sue against the in-laws" Tasmia came out with that and shehla nodded.

"I'm still against the thing..... But this time they are pushing us to do so. He didn't gave us a single penny from any property, if we wouldn't have this plot then from where we would arrange the money for our own home?" Shehla said and Talib was agree with his mother.

They people called Tehseen of he was also willing to file a case against shahid but he said that he have enough money by his own job that he could easily make another home for his son and he didn't want to get involved in anything which would lead problems for him. But he also said that he was with Tameem, if he need any type of help he would help him but not in front of shahid. Shehla also talked to Razia and she also said the same that she did not wanted to go against Shahid and Aaqil but she also said that she was with shehla and Tameem but not from front.

"Mummy you are saying to sue but from where will you bring money for these case and expense of lawyers?" Talib and Tasmia asked in unison and Tameem suddenly looked at both of them

"I didn't think about that!" he muttered and Shehla looked at Tasmia,then Tameem

"Withdraw the amount of fixed deposit which we had kept for Tasmia's Marriage" Shehla said to Tameem and he nodded but Tabil shook his head.

"Mummy that money is for aapi's marriage, don't use that money, how will we arrange money for her marriage?" Talib asked and shehla think for a while then nodded slowly

"He is right" she mumbled

"He isn't right mummy" Tasmia took part in the conversation and shehla looked at her.

"I won't do Marriage, you file this case." Tasmia said and Shehla shook her head

"Don't say like this"

"OK, I'm not saying like this.. But I won't do Marriage untill I started earning my own money and when I will start to earn money I'll save my own money" Tasmia said and Shehla think for a moment.

"It will be a big risk, maybe we lose the case and our money will be sink" Shehla said and this time Talib come forward.

"Mummy you teach us that we can't get anything without any risk, so how can you behave like a coward one. You are our strength so you have to be strong and don't think about Aapi's marriage, In'sha Allah I'll also be settled down till then." Talib who was only 14 then said and shehla kissed his forehead.

" My both kids are gem.". She said with proud.

" Allah has give me these precious gems, I don't have words to thank him for this." Shehla said with a smile and both the kids hugged her she also embraced them and kissed their heads. Tameem was sitting silently as If he wasn't in the room.

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AFTER THREE MONTHS....

Shehla bought her own home with the help of Nasir and Fuzel, that wasn't very big home like Mirza house, but that was a nice and peaceful place, three bedrooms with a big hall and balcony in each bedroom. Tasmia and Talib weren't very happy as the home was small as compare to the home about that they were dreaming but Shehla was satisfied at least they get a new home, which was peaceful for her.

On the other hand...

The legal notices were received by Shahid and Aaqil. They both were beyond shock. But that shock was just for few minutes after that they both called Tameem.

That was a conference call

"what do you think you will sue on us and we will be scared, not at all, you will regret for that one day, you will cry out for your foolishness." Shahid said and it seems as if he was smiling

"No we won't regret" Shehla said with a proud tone but she still didn't raised her voice neither her tone was disrespecting them.

"Muqadma ladna Lohe ke chane chabane ke barabar hai"

(it's not easy to afford litigation)

Aaqil said and shehla smiled

"Ek to pehle se hi kangaal ho muqadna ladte ladte or zyada kangaal ho jaoge."

(Your are already in Queer Street and after this case you will be as poor as a church mouse)

Shahid came out with that

"It's okay bhai, That will be our own business. By the way no one care about us when my children was fainting due to starving, so now we are use to of living as poor as a church mouse. Thanks to some people who give this experience to my children in this age" Shehla said with respectful and tone and cut the call

They both did what they had said, when ever any legal documents reach to their homes through post they never received that untill police went to their homes with legal summons from the court. Some times shahid didn't went to court on hearing, sometimes Aaqil and sometimes their lawyers, that was already planned as that were the tricks to gain next hearing dates.

These all weren't enough that cherry on the cake our Indian Judiciary system in which our andha qanun which can ask a proof even to prove an elephant an elephant. And one can submit a petition regarding anything, just to waste the time of court.

{Andha Qanun: The blindfolded lady with a weight balanced in hand which is the symbol of justice}

Shahid and Aaqil was also doing the same, but Shehla, Talib and Tasmia were determined, they were saying that otherwise also they were empty handed so what was the matter of taking another risk.

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AFTER A FEW YEARS....

Every breath was hitched, Tasmia was sitting taking her mobile in her hands, Talib was standing a few steps away from her, Shehla was praying and reciting some verses.

"Appi what happened? Why are you taking this much time?" Talib asked and she shrugged.

"Talib internet speed is very slow, the file is downloading" Tasmia said in mumbling voice and open the downloaded file.

"Jsn3704... Jsn3704... Jsn3704..." Tasmia was mumbled with madly beating heart while scrolling down the list and both other members in the room were gazing at her

"Mummmmmmmyyyyyyyyyyy.... Talib is selected." Tasmia literally jumped with joy, shehla was smiling happily but Talib was shocked.

"Are you sure? Have you checked carefully? Aren't you make any mistake in searching my admission number?" Talib asked and Tasmia showed the mobile while zooming in the file.

"See... Jsn3704, Talib Mirza.. Father's name Tameem Mirza. Date of birth 20th March 1999. Do you still have any doubt?" Tasmia showed and he placed his both hands on his mouth which was open in disbelief.

Talib was selected for some academic course, total ten thousand students gave the entrance examination but only 35 had to be selected, and Talib was on 34th position. No one knows how That was happened? Because that was just like a miracle.

Shehla embraced her both children, Tasmia and Talib wiped her tears and smiled.

"Don't cry na.. Now he is selected but you are crying, but I'm sure you wouldn't cry if he wouldn't select. Right Talib?" Tasmia said the first part to her mother but confirmed the last part from her brother

"Yes appi, our mummy is an extraordinary piece on earth? Mummy tell me honestly, did Nana abbu adopted you from any alien? Because you don't resembles any normal lady." Talib said to made Shehla laugh and he got success in the same.

"Let me inform your papa, he must be waiting" Shehla said and Bith the kids rolled their eyes.

"Mummy I'm sure he even don't remembering about the my result" Talib said and Tasmia made him call and put the call on speaker mode.

"Haan bolo (yeah)" that was the response from other side.

"Talib ka result aa gya!"

(results are declared)

Shehla said and Talib was going to announce the happy news but

"Padne likhne wala to wo hai nahi, mere pese barbad kar rahi ho tum us par. wo 10 logo Main se bhi select ho jaye to bohot badi baat hai. 10,000 logo main se uska select hona to namumkin hai."

(he won't study, shehla you are wasting my money on him. Is can't be selected in the competition of ten students, that was ten thousand students, it's impossible)

Tameem said And Talib fisted his hands.

"Papa why you always consider me as an unsuccessful person?" Talib complaint

"Muneeb also tried for this course that too for two years, he is a bright student if he isn't selected then how can you be" Tameem said and Talib huffed

"I'm sorry to disturb you, you must be busy in your office work. Do continue" Saying that Talib disconnected the call.

"Talib don't spoil your happy mode for him, come on let's check out about the books and other requirements." Tasmia said and Talib's attending was diverted.

Tasmia was doing B.A LLB and Talib was selected for his academic studies in one of the best universities of India.

The count case was still going on, but that was almost solved, Shahid's papers were fraud that was proved in the court but again the same problem... Shahid and Aaqil were dragging the time as long as they can without any problem.

Now you must be thinking about Shehla and Tameem's relationship...

So...

Life is not like a bollywood movie in which hero and heroine get everything in the end. Shehla didn't forgive Tameem but she never bring up the old matters as she want peace in her home. She gave food to Tameem on time, iron his cloths, take his care if he become ill, but maybe she don't had enough space for Tameem in her heart. Whenever Tameem try to talk to her she just replies in shaking and nodding her head and try to avoid to held any conversation between them.

"Shehla why they both don't talk to me like they talk to you?" One sunday Tameem asked to his wife when Tasmia and Talib were teasing her mother by saying that she was looking more elder than Mrs. Khan and shehla was just laughing at them.

"I don't know" Shehla said and again looked at her children.

"I'm your father why you don't talk to me ever?" Tameem asked to Talib and Tasmia both. First they both ignored but when Tameem asked the same question again Tasmia decided to answer.

"we don't talk to our father because our father never take interest in talking to us, and now we are use to of living without a father." Tasmia said and shehla glared her with her deadly gaze., Shehla's glare was enough to made Tasmia shivered from inside but not in that matter.

"Tasmia he is your father, you can't talk like this" Shehla scolded and Tasmia stopped herself to cry.

"Mummy why you always scolds us in this matter why you never says anything to him?" Talib asked with frustration.

"Talib... Have I teach you this way of talking?" Shehla asked with anger

"No mummy you teach us how to love and respect other, but we both learn to hate and hurt people from your husband." Talib said and shehla closed her eyes while holding her forehead

''They both and their befitting replies." Shehla mumbled with disappointment.

"Tasmia, Talib I made some mistakes, now I am confessing them, forget the past and be happy!" Tameem said both the children exchanged their looks.

"You confessed your mistakes after fifteen years. You did every injustice with us for whole fifteen years, then suddenly you remembered that you did wrong and now you want us to forget everything in a snap of fingers. Reallly?" Talib said with Tasmia nodded.

"Papa you always stay away from us and now we are used to of being living without you." Tasmia said and both the sibling made their way towards other room.

"Shehla... Why they are behaving like this?" Tameem asked and shehla smiled sadly.

"Ask yourself, you are the one who make these difference between yourself and three of us, now don't expect that we will forget everything so easily, these are memories and memories don't get fade easily. You've created these distances and now you have to stay with these distances."

Saying that Shehla made her way the the room where her children were sitting, but Tameem was feeling alone. He did injustice with his family and his children stopped talking to him, which was effecting him, but why he didn't think about the consequences of his behaviour when he was doing all those things with his wife and children??!!!

Is this called karma?!

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Har mood pr zindagi ke khadi thi main akili,

Kitne Raaste mene talashe magar the sabhi ek paheli....

Jo thokaren mene khain kya unka hisaab kar paoge?