Mustateerapk.com

From You To Love By Nageen Khan

(Originally named as Tum Se Muhabbat Tak Translated from Urdu-to-English)

Translated by INKY WHISPER

Chapter Three

“Wait, Hamza. I haven’t had my breakfast yet. Today, I’ll be going with you as well.”

Hamza had finished his breakfast in a hurry because he didn’t want Farah to wait for him, nor did he want to be late picking her up. But the moment he heard Inshal’s words, he froze.

Yesterday, Amma (mother) had forbidden Inshal from going to university with him.

Yet here she was, announcing that she would be accompanying him today. In fact, she had said it rather forcefully.

At that moment, everyone was gathered around the dining table having breakfast.

“Why? Aren’t you going with Maria today?” Saima Begum asked in a casual tone.

The words sounded ordinary enough, but Inshal understood the hidden meaning behind them.

“Huh? No, Tai Jaan. Let’s go, Hamza, otherwise we’ll be late.”

And so Hamza, despite not wanting to, had no choice but to take her along.

As he drove, Hamza cursed Inshal in his mind, while Inshal secretly enjoyed his misery. In truth, she had done all this precisely because she wanted to see him frustrated.

Yesterday, after leaving Saima Begum’s room, she overheard Hamza talking to Farah on the phone. Right then and there, she had decided to teach this flirtatious man a lesson.

“Nisha, why don’t you do one thing? Get off here and walk the rest of the way. I have something important to do.”

“Yeah, yeah, why not?” Inshal replied sweetly. “We’re not that far from home anyway. I’ll just go back and tell Imar Bhai (Brother). He can take me to university after all. Since you have something important to do.”

She didn’t leave a single opening for him.

“Ha… ha… ha. I was joking.” Hamza forced out an awkward laugh in frustration.

“You witch,” he muttered under his breath. Hamza thought about it for a while before finally speaking.

“Fine. You can sit in the back today. Farah will be coming with us as well. Her car is out of order.”

Farah belonged to a different department, but because of Hamza’s charming personality, she was always finding excuses to be around him.

Then again, Hamza was a piece of work himself.

He only gave people attention when he needed something from them. Whether it was Farah or anyone else, most of his friendships were based on personal gain. He was especially friendly whenever he needed help with assignments or university work.

Perhaps it was because he was aware of that reality, and perhaps he had also accepted the long-forgotten relationship that had been established three years ago.

Without saying a word, Inshal moved to the back seat.

The rest of the journey passed in silence. However, Hamza had realized one thing. This ticking time bomb was eventually going to explode right in his face.

**********

At university, Hamza hardly crossed paths with Inshal. He was quite experienced when it came to bunking classes, while Inshal remained busy with Maria.

However, all of Hamza’s fears came true when Inshal finally exploded like the ticking time bomb he had compared her to.

Much to his horror, she told Imar Bhai everything…..adding a little spice to the story, of course. To make matters worse, she chose to do it while Hamza was away from home.

Hamza had gone with Hadid for a match, but the moment he returned, he was greeted by an angry Tai Jaan.

Fortunately for him, Imar Bhai had gone to the station to pick up Bano Dadi. Otherwise, Hamza was certain he would have been a dead man walking.

The scene before him was quite something.

Tai Jaan was busy scolding Hamza, Zaid and Inshal were thoroughly enjoying the show, and Hamza kept shooting warning glances at Inshal. Inshal, however, ignored him completely and was even recording the entire scene on her phone.

“Look, Hamza, I’m telling you, you are Biya’s future husband, and you need to keep that in mind. Be a good boy like Imar,” Saima Begum lamented dramatically.

“And what are you trying to say to Nisha with your eyes? Yesterday, because of your antics, I don’t even know what I ended up saying to this innocent girl.”

Hamza could only stare at that so-called innocent girl, who had put on the most angelic expression imaginable and was looking at Saima Begum as though she had never caused trouble in her life.

“And do you know, Tai Jaan?” Nisha added sweetly, unable to resist. “This chicken even bought ice cream for that Farah monkey.” She deliberately stirred the pot a little more.

Hamza closed his eyes for a moment. This witch was determined to ruin his life.

“Oh my God! Have some fear of God, you Nisho Tissue!” Hamza exclaimed in disbelief.

“Ohooo! Did you hear that, Tai Jaan?” Inshal said dramatically, pointing an accusing finger at him. “This chicken is ruining my good name in front of you!”

Inshal showed no signs of stopping. If anything, her provocation only intensified.

“Goodness, Nisha, be quiet! You’ve already caused enough trouble. Go to your room right now.”

When Ayesha Begum saw her beloved Hamza being scolded so severely, she could no longer stay silent and interrupted Inshal.

Soon, both Ayesha Begum and Saima Begum had finished scolding their respective children and disappeared into the kitchen.

The moment they were gone, Hamza and Zaid started laughing at Inshal because Ayesha Begum had scolded her as well.

However, before either of them could tease her further, Inshal quietly got up and went to her room.

**********

Bano Dadi’s real name was Noor Bano. She lived in Hyderabad with her son, but every month she would spend two or three days at her brother’s house.

When Bano Dadi arrived, the family gathered together and ate in a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

However, Inshal’s behavior toward Bano Dadi was noticeably restrained. No one else seemed to notice it, but Ayesha Begum did.

As she quietly observed Inshal throughout the gathering, Ayesha Begum made up her mind that it was time to teach her daughter some proper manners.

**********

It was Sunday, but she woke up at Fajr time out of habit.

Dada Jaan (grandfather), before his death, had instilled the habit of praying Fajr in everyone.

All the men would go to the mosque, while the women would offer their Salah at home.

According to Dada Jaan, if the elders of a house did not correct manners and discipline, then both the house and its people would fall apart….first gently, and then harshly.

Inshal had a passion for reading novels, but she knew how to balance her studies with her reading.

After offering her Salah and completing her tilawat-e-Quran, she entered her world of novels.

To be continued….