EHRAAM-E-JUNOON

You know I spent the entire day today in making the accounts.

I didn’t tell you, on my way back, I went to your home.

There was a lock on the door. Ask them is everything fine?

Yes, mama and Jugnu have gone to Shani’s home.

Really?

Alright.

Earlier aunt used to say that Shani didn’t do good by staying at Shanzay’s house.

Now she has gone there herself too.

Shanzay took her.

So why didn’t she take you along?

You are not his step sister, she should have taken you too.

You surprise me.

I have my own home, why would I have gone?

Even if mama had asked me to come along, I still wouldn’t have gone.

If I go, I would have gone with you, that’s it.

Tell me something Nadia. But tell honestly.

Did Shani accept Shanzay with his heart?

What sort of a question is this Khawar?

I am asking this because I too am a man,

and I know well that when a man says no to a girl,

then you can do anything, but he doesn’t accept her with his heart.

Shani is not from amongst such men.

Yes,

you will say this.

He is your brother, when will you accept it?

Okay, anyway, leave it.

I was thinking should we invite Shani and Shanzay for food some day?

Here? At our home?

Hey, what compulsion do they have that they will come to our home for food.

Let them live happily and in peace, that’s it.

I am his sister, it is my responsibility.

Okay fine, up to you.

I don’t have time.

You know, I don’t get an off from the store.

If you can do it without me, then do it.

Leave it.

Now it is better to stay away from them.

Hey, child, you got into so much formality over lunch

and now once again, so much food.

I have no room to eat more.

Aunty, no problem, have a little.

Jugnu, I won’t have to ask you, right?

No, no, sister in law, don’t worry, I will do justice to all the food.

And why are you sitting like a guest?

Try this fish, it is my favourite.

Child, you have changed my son’s habits.

You did good.

But brother you didn’t like fish, right?

You never told me.

It is okay.

Child, once we are done with food,

send us home with the driver.

What is this, aunty?

Stay for a little while.

Child, this was decided that we would go back.

Shani, you ask aunty, she will listen to you.

Shani, you know I cannot sleep at a new place.

I have even adjusted at that home with difficulty.

Now if I stay up all night, then I will get unwell.

Fine, mama, you finish your food,

I will go and drop you.

By the way, sister in law, I sleep well at new places.

Does he take care of you?

How will he care for me?

He is looking at his phone all the time.

Mama, what is wrong with you?

I don’t use the phone that much now.

There is another problem. Nowadays they even study on the phone.

You keep an eye on him.

Brother, why don’t you one thing? Me… in fact, bring us with you over here.

You can keep an eye on me yourself. What do you think sister in law, am I right?

Yes, absolutely it is your own home,

I just shouldn’t get any complaints.

Promise you will never get any complaints.

Mama, did brother leave?

He did.

You know mama, it is really disappointing.

What would have happened had we stayed their tonight?

It is brother’s home, after all.

Brother’s home.

Did you see your brother somewhere over there?

What do you mean?

Did you not feel there

that he is living his life there, like a prisoner in jail.

I didn’t see any happiness on his face.

Hey mama, thank God,

your son is living a life of luxuries there, and you are saying he is imprisoned.

You surprise me, mama.

Okay, come on, go. Rest.

These luxuries, these blessings,

this comfort, this peace, this respect,

I have everything on the face of it,

but I have become completely empty on the inside.

I have started to hate myself.

I feel I am living an artificial life.

I know Shanzay is really good, she really cares for me,

she understands all happiness and sorrow of mine, but…

but, mama,

it has been ages that I have laughed with my heart.

The time I spent with you people seems like a dream.

My ears long to hear you scold me.

I really want to fight with Jugnu and Nadia again, but…

all that…

it feels like all that has just passed.

That was my life.

I never wished for such a life.

I want to see you laughing Shani.

I admit, for me my love was important,

but now only your happiness is important for me.

Shani.

Tell me what shirt will suit with this pant.

One minute.

Wear this, it will look really good.

Okay.

Why are you looking at me like that?

If you liked that shirt,

then you could have said no to wearing this shirt as well.

Now what sort of an objection is this?

It is not necessary

that you do everything that I say.

For me your happiness is important.

You liked this shirt, I wore it.

What is there to think so much about in this?

Will you eat what I tell you to?

What I tell you to wear, you will wear it.

Why Shani?

You should have your own likes and dislikes.

You have no idea how embarrassed I feel.

There is nothing like that.

There is something.

I have not bought you.

I have accepted this relation with a lot of love.

If for the sake of my happiness,

you sacrifice, you happiness, your will, then...

I will always feel embarrassed with regards to this relation.

Shanzay, my happiness is not important in this relation.

What is important is your happiness. Okay?

Why?

Why do you think this?

The time to give priority to each other’s liking and happiness has passed, Shanzay.

Don’t think so much.

Relax. Okay?

I am going to the office we will meet in the evening, okay?

For me your happiness is important.

You liked this shirt, I wore it.

What is there to think so much about in this?

Will you eat what I tell you to?

What I tell you to wear, you will wear it.

Why Shani?

You should have your own likes and dislikes.

I have not bought you.

I have accepted this relation with a lot of love.

If for the sake of my happiness,

you sacrifice, you happiness, your will, then...

I will always feel embarrassed with regards to this relation.

Fine, get it done. It is confirmed from me.

Keep this file in the accounts, okay? Yes, sir.

I think you dialed my number by mistake.

If I had to dial it by mistake, would I have dialed your number?

How is aunt?

If you are so worried then come and see.

You are saying this?

I think you are forgetting you strictly closed the doors of your home for me.

Shani,

knocking constantly,

even the doors closed strictly open.

Now whether they are the doors of the home or the heart.