Meerasim Ki Dunya

Chapter 6. Apology

Salma Begum was indeed shocked when Waqas informed her that her son, Murtasim, had feelings for Haya and considered her as a potential wife. According to Salma Begum's knowledge, Murtasim had a strong dislike for girls who lacked self-respect and were shameless. This contradiction left her puzzled. Perhaps Murtasim had changed his opinion about Haya, or there was more to the situation than met the eye. Was this the reason why Haya was encouraged to follow him around and serve him?

After contemplating the situation, Salma Begum called all the elders to the drawing room: Waqas, Anila and Anwar.

"Mei ne Murtasim aur Meerab ki engagement ke baare me kafi socha aur ab mei iss nateejay pe pohnchi hu ke ye faisla ghalat hai iss liye mei ne irada kar liya hai ke mei apna faisla wapas le lu," Salma Begum declared.
( I have given considerable thought to Murtasim's engagement with Meerab, and I have come to the conclusion that this decision is wrong. Therefore, I have decided to retract my decision.)

Anwar and Anila were a little surprised at this sudden change of decision but Waqas nodded approvingly.

"Lekin Meerab ki shadi ki umar ho chuki hai ab. Aur zahir hai iss ke liye rishte bhi aa rahe hain. Ab tak tou mei uss ke rishte taal rahi thi lekin ab mei aesa nahi karungi. Bal ke Mir Shah jo Shahnawaz ke dost thy unho ne apne bete Mir Hadi ke liye Meerab ka hath manga hai. Mei soch rahi hu waha han kardu. Kya khayal hai tumhara Waqas?" Salma Begum turned to Waqas for his opinion.
(However, Meerab is of marriageable age now. And it's evident that proposals are coming for her. Until now, I had been delaying those proposals, but I won't do so anymore. In fact, Mir Shah, who was Shahnawaz's friend, has asked for Meerab's hand in marriage for his son, Mir Hadi. I am considering accepting the proposal. What do you think, Waqas?)

"Jese ap ko theek lage Bhabhi Begum. Hadi bhi Meerab ke liye ek ideal match hai." Waqas agreed with her.
(Whatever you think is best, Bhabhi Begum. Hadi is also an ideal match for Meerab.)

Anwar was not in favor of this match. He expressed his concerns, saying, "Bhabhi Mir Shah ke bete me aesa kya hai jo Murtasim me nahi hai. Mei Meerab ko humesha apni nazro ke samne rakhna chahta hu. Iss rishte ki waja se tou wo mujh se aur dur chali jayegi, bal ke hum sab se dur chali jayegi. Mujhy ye jorr munasib nahi lag raha. Mei kisi bhi qeemat par apni beti ko Shikarpur tak nahi bhejunga. "
(Bhabhi, what does Mir Shah's son have that Murtasim lacks? I always wanted to keep Meerab close to my heart. This alliance might distance her not only from me but from all of us. I don't find this appropriate. I wouldn't send my daughter to Shikarpur at any cost.)

"Tou tum hi batado kis se karen Meerab ki shadi?" Salma Begum asked him with a hint of sarcasm.
(Well then, you tell me whom we should consider for Meerab's marriage?)

Anwar tried to argue, "Bhabhi Murtasim se shadi me kya masla hai? Ghar ka bacha hai, meri ankho ke samne bara huwa hai wo."
(What's the problem with Murtasim? He is a part of our family, and he has grown up before my very eyes.)

Salma Begum replied, "Uss ne Meerab ke munh par uss se kaha hai ke wo Haya ko pasand karta hai. Meerab ne iss bat par inkar kardya rishte se. Koi bhi larki hoti uss ki jaga tou wo yehi karti. Mere liye tou jese sharam se doobne ka makam hai. Mere bete ne meri izzat ka zarra barabar bhi lihaz nahi kia."
(He told Meerab that he fancies Haya. That's why Meerab declined this proposal. Any girl in her place would've done the same. It was a matter of great shame for me. My son didn't even respect my honor.)

Anila and Anwar gasped in shock. Anwar said, "Mei tou Murtasim ko beta manta hu. Wo aesi harkat karne ka soch bhi kese sakta hai. "
(I have always considered Murtasim as my own son. I can't believe he would even think of doing such a thing.)

"Mujhy bhi uss se ye tawaqo nahi thi. Kher ab Meerab bhi tou meri beti hi hai na. Uss ka acha bura mei ne hi sochna hai. Mir Shah aur un ki family humare bohat azeez dost hain. Mujhy yaqeen hain ke wo log Meerab ko khush rakhengy, " Salma Begum declared finally.
(I didn't expect it from him either. Anyway, Meerab is just like my daughter, and I will be the one to decide what's best for her. Mir Shah and his family are very dear friends of ours. I believe they will keep Meerab happy.)