شرر Sharar

A Day in Their Lives

Issey zyada tumhe aur kitna kareeb lau main
Tumhe dil mein rakh kar bhi, mera dil nahi bharta

•••

"Aise kyu baithi ho?" Hanan settled himself on the bed beside Ayat, leaning on his elbow as he looked at her with concern. Ayat sat cross-legged, her fingers idly playing with the hem of her dupatta.

(Why are you sitting like this?)

Ayat sighed, a mix of frustration and impatience evident in her expression. "Api ka wait kar rahe hain, woh aye humare make up karein," she admitted.

(I'm waiting for Api to come and do my makeup.)

Hanan frowned, confusion knitting his brows. "But aj toh koi function nahi, aj kyu karna hai make up? Relax raho."

(But there's no function today. Why do you need to do makeup? Relax.)

Ayat rolled her eyes slightly, trying to mask her exasperation with a gentle smile. "Ghar mein abhi bhi kuch mehman hain, Hanan, hume nayi dulhan ki tarah taiyyar hona parhega kuch din. Shayad muklawa tak?"

(There are still some guests at home, Hanan. I have to stay dressed up like a new bride for a few days. Maybe until the Muklawa?)

"Toh phir tum khud kyu nahi kar leti make up?" Hanan shrugged, an easy smile playing on his lips.

(Then why don't you do the makeup yourself?)

Ayat's pout deepened, and she looked at him with wide, imploring eyes. "Kar lete, agar karna ata," she reminded him, her tone carrying a hint of a whine.

(I would if I knew how.)

"Tumhe make up karna nahi ata?" Hanan's smile faded into a thoughtful expression.

(You don't know how to do makeup?)

"Jaise apko nahi pata?"

(As if you don't know?)

"Pehle ka mujhe yaad hai mummy karti thi tumhe taiyyar, but itna time ho gaya, ab tak tumhe seekh lena chahiye tha."

(I remember earlier, Mom used to get you ready, but it's been so long; you should have learned by now.)

"Zaroori hai seekhna?" Ayat's irritation flared, and she narrowed her eyes at him.

(Is it necessary to learn?)

"Nahi, lekin yeh toh basic si cheezein hain ana chahiye. Ab tum aise roz api ya mummy ka wait karogi kya?"

(No, but these are basic things you should know. Are you going to wait for Api or Mom every day?)

"Basic si cheezein?" Ayat's eyes widened. What Hanan was calling a basic matter was anything but basic. At least, not for Ayat.

(Basic things?)

"Apko ata hai make up karna?" She challenged. "Sabki expertise alag hoti hai."

(Do you know how to do makeup?)

"Mujhe kya zaroorat hai iski?" Hanan replied casually.