Khaani didn't stop running until she reached her room and tightly shut the door. Leaning against it, she closed her eyes trying to catch her breath. The 'K' on Hadi's wrist kept flashing in her mind. Yeh kya ho gaya? she thought, Mujhe apne Bhai ke rival se kaise pyaar ho gaya? Main aisa kaise kar sakti hu?
She slipped down on the floor, hugging her knees. Galti meri hi hai, she blamed herself, Maine jaante huye unn letters aur gifts ko accept kiya. Mujhe aur koshish karni chahiye thi yeh jaan ne ki unn letters ke peechhe kaun tha. Agar pata kar leti toh uss Hadi ke trap mein nahi padhti. How could I be so stupid?
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The next few days were a living hell for Mir Hadi. He tried to get Khaani alone to speak to her but was not successful. For, she was always found with either her sisters or (to his annoyance!) Arham and Raima. Even at the wedding and walima, she was seated far away from him. He knew this was intentional. He did not dare go to her room again. The risk of running into Salman was too high. As it is, not unlike his daughter, Salman eyed him suspiciously each time they crossed paths.
The Khan family, except Khaani, failed to notice Mir Hadi always lurking in the corner. But whenever Khaani turned, she could see Hadi, his eyes always on her.
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The last day in Karachi
"Bas, Ali main aur intezaar nahi kar sakta", Hadi said frustratedly, "Maine itne din usse waqt diya...ab aur nahi. Agar zarurat padi to main baba se baat karke uske ghar rishta lekar jaaunga."
"Hadi, tu pagal ho gaya hai!", Ali said, "Tujhe pata bhi nahi tu kya keh raha hai? Tum dono opposing parties se ho aur upar se tumhari families ki apas mein takrar...tujhe kya lagta hai tu kahega aur uncle teri baat maan jayenge?
Hadi said,"Kyu nahi manenge? Mere mamma-baba ne meri aaj tak koi baat nahi ttaali, phir yeh to meri zindagi ka maamla hai, zarur manenge woh-", his phone beeped. It was a call from Mir Shah.
"Ali, main rakhta hu baba ka call hai", Hadi said and cut the call.
"Hello Baba", Hadi greeted him.
"Elections ki jeet mubarak ho Mir Hadi!", Mir shah said
"Kya?", Hadi asked confused, "Magar Baba elections ko to abhi time."
"Tum abhi bhi bohot nadaan ho beta", Mir Shah said, "Iss mulk mein election jeetne ke aur bhi tarikey hai, aur har cheez hum democracy pe chhor dete to ban chuka mulk aur ban chuki party.". Hadi finally understood what his father was implying, he had arranged for the elections to be rigged. He didn't like this. Did his father not think that he was capable to win the elections? "Inn sab ki kya zaroorat thi Baba?", Hadi said, "Main apne aap elections jeet sakta tha na".
"Hadi...beta main jaanta hu ke tum mein puri kabiliyat hai elections jeetne ki", Mir Shah pacified, "Aur tum aage chalkar tum ek bohot bade politician banoge. Magar Sibi humare liye jeetna bohot zaruri hai, aur aise mein agar humey jeet ka ek raasta mil gaya hai toh harj hi kya hai?"
Just then, there was a knock on his door. "Theek hai, baba. Abhi main rakhta hu."
Hanging up, Hadi went towards the door and opened it. To his surprise, there was no one, save for a box of eclairs and a note signed as "K". Hadi quickly opened the note. "Mujhe tumse humare baare mein baat karni hai. Clifton beach mein milo. 7 baje.", it read.
Mujhe pata tha, Khaani, He thought elated, Tumhare dil mein Mir Hadi ne apni jagah bana hi li. Ab hum humesha ke liye ek ho jayenge.
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YOU ARE READING
Khaani: Mera Dushman Mera Ishq
RomanceIf there was one thing Mir Hadi enjoyed it was the terror his name inspired in people. If that didn't work (an exception) a gun would be enough to make them do his bidding. It was a tried and tested formula. So you can imagine his shock when the gir...
