From You To Love
From You To Love By Nageen Khan
(Originally named in Urdu as Tum Se Muhabbat Tak)
Translated by MISS GREY
Description:
FROM YOU TO LOVE is Nageen Khan’s first story which she wrote in her teenage years. She had no experience of writing a novel which is why sometimes you will find a little immaturity in some characters. But when you read this novel, you’ll feel the essence of love.
FROM YOU TO LOVE tells the story of cousins who live under the same roof. Between them is love, fighting, and bickering, but they love each other equally. But where love exists, there is also jealousy and ego getting in the way.
FROM YOU TO LOVE is also a story about university friends who find solace in each other and share everything with one another, from sorrows to happiness.
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Notice: From You To Love published on MustateeraPK with the permission of the respective rights holder.
Chapter Sixteen
“It’s the mischief of words… So be careful what you write…
Love is just a word… but somehow, it often happens.”
Three Years Earlier
“Do me one little favor…
Take a nikah nama and make yourself mine.”
Hamza was, as always, busy sleeping when suddenly the ringing of his phone disturbed his sleep.
“What is it, yaar? Who’s calling?” Hamza said without any courtesy.
“Your death warrant is calling.” The person on the other end replied just as bluntly, throwing the words right back at him.
“Since when did you become the Angel of Death?” Hamza asked irritably. Hamza had always been like this whenever someone woke him up. Even three years ago, he was like this… a hot-headed yet soft-hearted crazy man, gentle one moment and fiery the next.
“Hahahahaha… What a wonderful thing you’ve said, sir… The result is out.” Hadid replied sarcastically.
“What? When? How? Why? What time?”
“Forget the five W questions and ask me who got the position?” Hadid created a little suspense, but Hamza remained silent.
“Oh, come on, ask me, yaar.”
“Fine, forget it. Don’t ask. I’ll tell you myself… Inshal did.” Hadid dropped the news on Hamza like a bomb.
“Good for you. Now hang up.” With that, Hamza ended the call himself.
On the other hand, Hadid just stared at his phone. But he knew Hamza’s nature very well, so he simply shook his head and got back to his usual routine.
**********
“Mama… Tai Jan… Dada Jan… Amar Bhai… Zaid… Where is everyone?” She practically shouted as she came rushing out of her room.
Even in a simple black-and-red frock, she looked incredibly beautiful. The black tights and matching black dupatta looked striking against her milk-white complexion. Her high ponytail swayed through the air as she hurried down the stairs, making her look even more charming.
Inshal was just as beautiful and attractive as ever, but there was only one difference.. Three years ago, she wasn’t married to anyone.
“What happened? Why are you up so early today?” Everyone was sitting around the dining table, busy having breakfast, except Hamza and Inshal. Inshal had now come running over, while Hamza was still enjoying a deep sleep.
“Tai Jan, my… my…” Inshal left the sentence unfinished, trying to catch her breath.
“Come here, Nisha, sit down… and drink some water.” Dada Jan made Inshal sit beside him.
“Yes, now tell us, Nisha. What happened?” Amar added.
“Yaar, Nisha Api, hurry up and end the suspense. I’m getting late!” Zaid urged her as well.
“Wait, beta. Let my child catch her breath first.”Everyone knew the love hidden in Dada Jan’s voice for Inshal.
“Dada Jan… guess what… my FSc result is out… and I topped the whole of Sindh!” Inshal was still out of breath, but there was a special joy in sharing your happiness with your family.
“Really?” Amar asked, his face showing a mixture of happiness and disbelief.
Dada Jan immediately pulled out two thousand-rupee notes from his pocket and placed them in Inshal’s hand, along with giving her countless blessings. Ayesha Begum also showered her with affection, while Zaid was so happy that he actually started doing bhangra.
As for Saima Begum, the moment she heard about Inshal’s achievement, she immediately headed towards Hamza’s room.After all, Hamza and Inshal were of the same age, and now it was time to hear about Hamza’s achievement.
**********
“Hammmmmza… Hamza, open this door or you won’t like what happens next!” Saima Begum had been knocking on Hamza’s bedroom door for quite some time, but Hamza hadn’t said a single word in response.
As a result, Saima Begum was now banging on the door furiously while also making sure to insult Hamza thoroughly without him even being there.
“What happened, Saima, beta?” Dada Jan came over to her.
“All this freedom you’ve given them, you and Ayesha. Now my own children listen to you people more than they listen to me.” Saima Begum immediately turned her complaints towards Ayesha Begum.
“Look, beta, just like a plant needs constant care and attention before it can grow and flourish, children need the same. If we don’t water a plant on time, it will wither away.
“When a plant is still small, what do we do? We put a fence around it so that no one can touch it with dirty or harsh hands. If someone does, it begins to wither.
“And the most important thing is, if the seed is good, the plant will grow well and eventually bear good fruit. Otherwise, it won’t.
“How much effort we put into a plant. We spend years nurturing it so that, when the right time comes, we can enjoy its fruit.
“Children are the same. They are delicate and need love and attention. They need our time.
“And yes, children will only become good and obedient when they have been raised properly. And proper upbringing can only come from parents who themselves were raised properly.
“Small children are just like that little, delicate plant. If someone with dirty hands touches them, they begin to wither.
“If children fall into bad company, how can they become a support for their parents in old age?
“And if children don’t receive love and affection, they develop an inferiority complex. They become starved for love, and wherever they find even a little affection, they are naturally drawn towards it.” Dada Jan had handled the situation very wisely.
That is the benefit of having elders in a family. They use the experience of their own lives to guide and correct the younger ones. Saima Begum understood the meaning behind Dada Jan’s words perfectly.
He wasn’t wrong. She hadn’t thought much about the children when they were young, and now… Without saying anything more, Saima Begum simply went back to her room.
*********
Hadid had just finished showering and getting ready when Hamza called him again.
“What is it, yaar? Who’s calling?” Hadid threw Hamza’s own words right back at him, and the timing couldn’t have been better. But instead of getting angry, Hamza laughed. After all, Hadid was the one he needed now.
“Hahahahaha… You’ve gotten pretty smart, yaar. Come outside. I’ve been waiting for you for a full ten minutes.” Without even waiting for Hadid’s reply, Hamza ended the call.
“One thing I don’t understand is why this guy never tells me anything before hanging up.” Muttering to himself, Hadid came downstairs.
“What is it, Hamza? Can’t you stay at your home for once?” The moment he stepped outside, Hadid started teasing him.
“Tell me, yaar, how did Nisha get the top position?” Hamza ignored his teasing and asked thoughtfully.
“What do you mean, how did she get it? Think back. Whenever she was studying, what were you doing?” Hadid held up a mirror to Hamza.
“So what if I played a little cricket? Why does it bother you so much? And anyway, I can’t spend twenty-four hours buried in books.” Hamza made a face.Hadid didn’t answer.He simply stared at Hamza.And kept staring…Until Hamza finally had to ask.
“What? Why are you staring at me like that now?”
“Tell me the truth… How many times did Aunty hit you with a slipper, and how much of a beating did you get from Amar Bhai?” His tone was extremely suspicious and serious.
“I think you’re actually dying to get beaten yourself.” Hamza snapped irritably.
“Every time that hundred-foot mouth of yours opens, all it does is spit fire. Come on, let’s go have breakfast… You’ve started in the morning.” With that, Hamza and Hadid headed off towards their destination.
To Be Continued…
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