LAGAN IN ENGLISH ( part 4 ) AFTER NIKAH

She was an exceptionally magnificent and impressive woman.
A heavyset figure, flawless fair complexion, and the refined features of the Mughal era.
Large, clear eyes.

Over her simple suit, she had draped a Kashmiri shawl.
Her face carried a deep aura and a unique sense of dignity.

"Wow! He had never seen such a splendid mother before."

Until now, the mothers he had seen were entirely different.
They were women who went to clubs every evening,
wore sleeveless blouses, held cigarettes with elegance,
attended coffee parties in the morning and played bridge in the evening.
Their bare shoulders and necks never betrayed their age.

They called their husbands "yaar" (buddy) and laughed loudly,
placing hands on the shoulders of their husbands’ friends.
They could speak on every topic in the world—except children.
Children, for them, were like a side business,
looked after by a governess or a nanny.
Fewer children and more servants—that was their status symbol.

At night, they danced at parties,
drank alcohol if they felt like it,
but had a deep disdain for the kitchen and cooking.

They loved their beautiful nails more than food.
They were always on a diet and protected their figure
even more than they protected their children.

Their husbands were like their slaves—
hovering around them like luxury cars or Persian carpets.

Yes, there was one trait of these women that Falak admired a lot…

They were open-hearted and open-minded mothers.
They gave complete freedom to their children.
They believed, “These poor souls also have the right to enjoy life to the fullest.”
They should be allowed to make friends, attend parties, and pursue what they like.

That’s why Falak liked her mother so much.
Her mother never interfered in her life,
nor did she like anyone interfering in hers.

But Afaq’s mother was completely different.
She was the kind of mother you only read about in stories.

For a moment, a strange emotion arose in Falak’s heart.
She suddenly felt a deep connection with Afaq’s mother.

But she told her heart,
“What’s the point? She’ll live in America while I’ll be in Pakistan,
and then she’ll claim her right over all of Afaq’s life.”

On one side, her mother held her hand,
on the other, Afaq’s mother.
She was nearing the turning point.

Who knows whose fate it really was,
but the path was adorned with flowers and golden threads.
Others had gathered around too.

Someone took Afaq’s hand and stood him next to her.
Her heart started pounding.

She watched Afaq carefully from behind her veil.

He looked very handsome,
and a charming smile danced continuously on his lips.
There was a playful sparkle in his eyes.
It seemed like Afaq was truly happy today.
Looking at his radiant face, Falak felt like wedding flutes were playing in her heart.
Suddenly, she felt like falling in love with Afaq.

She felt as if she could love him with all her heart—
in both worlds.

Then someone opened the car door.
She quickly sat back.
And Afaq was seated right next to her.

On her other side, his mother sat down.
She was now in the middle.

On one side was Afaq, so close—
and on the other side, his mother.

She didn’t notice who did what,
how many flowers fell from the car,
how many petals were thrown—
she only saw Afaq’s beautiful, full, glowing hand
resting on his knee right in front of her.

On his finger shone a ring of gold and white.
With his other hand, he was smoking a cigarette.

He was so close—
she wanted to touch his hand,
but then she began to feel angry at Afaq’s mother.

Why did they seat us together like this?
If she had been alone,
would she have dared to touch his hand?
Maybe, she thought in her heart.
But no—Afaq was a different kind of man.
Perhaps he didn’t expect such things from his bride.

It was a good thing that his mother came and sat beside her—
otherwise, she might have done something silly.
Excitement can blind a person.

"Just a little more patience!"
She told herself.
The distance had shrunk.
Soon, everything was about to change.

Then she arrived—and Afaq had come home.
People were helping her out of the car.

She lowered her gaze
and slowly walked like a bride,
matching steps with her mother-in-law.

Even here, the arrangements were grand.
In a large hall, a high bed had been prepared for her.
She was seated there.

Everyone was busy welcoming the bride
and guiding her along.

After a while, there was some commotion, so she glanced at the clock. It was already eleven at night.

She felt exhausted.
Who knew when she would be free.
Thankfully, the guests were gone soon. A woman escorted her to the bedroom.

Wow!
This bedroom looked like a dream world.
Flowers and lights danced together.
The flower-covered bed with a white, glossy bedsheet invited new stories.
Soft music was playing in the background.
A large mirror stood in front. The light-colored silk sheets made the atmosphere even more appealing.
The heater had warmed the room against the freezing cold.
As soon as she entered the room, her fatigue disappeared.

A lady had left her necessary belongings in the dressing room. While leaving, she cracked a joke, but Falak didn’t feel it was worth responding to.
She stood there, wondering what she should do next.

Before she could make a decision, her mother-in-law walked in.
She truly was a remarkable woman.
Her face carried both affection and a profound dignity.
For some reason, seeing her made Falak’s heart tremble with nervousness.
Startled, she sat down on the sofa.

She kissed Falak’s forehead and slipped a diamond ring onto her finger. Then she said:
“I won’t be able to stay until morning. My prayers are with you both. Tell Afaq to take you to America. Many people are waiting for you there. When you come, I’ll host a grand dinner in your honor.”
She said a few more things and then left.

Falak wanted to talk to her. She wasn’t shy by nature, but her commanding presence made her go speechless.
She wanted to ask—why was she leaving? The walima (wedding reception) was in the morning; why couldn’t she stay for that?
What urgent matter could be more important?

But she couldn’t ask.
Still, somewhere deep down, she felt a flicker of happiness.
Had this woman stayed in the house, living peacefully would’ve been a struggle. It was better that she stayed away.
She was never fond of having a mother-in-law around. She used to say that she’d marry only a man whose mother had passed away.

Afaq's case was different—she had accepted everything in his case.
But now, she was happy this "thorn" was gone on its own.
In this massive mansion, she would live freely, rule the house before even going to America, and wrap Afaq around her little finger so tightly that he wouldn’t dare glance toward his mother in her presence.

As soon as she thought of Afaq, she stood up.
She walked over to the mirror, touched up her makeup, and fixed her hair.

She adjusted her jewelry, stretched luxuriously, and came to sit on the canopy bed.
She wondered how she should sit—something beautiful and seductive.

Eventually, she settled herself perfectly.
She spread the gharara (bridal skirt) neatly around her, placed the dupatta gracefully over her head, and let it flow around her.
She pulled a light veil over her face and leaned against the bedpost.

“Yes, this pose was really nice.”

Maybe she had seen it in a movie, or maybe it just came to her mind.

Her face was toward the door.
Whenever she heard footsteps outside, her heart began to race.
She looked at the clock—it was midnight.

“Sigh, is no one in this house sleepy yet?”
“Afaq will only come once all the guests leave.”

Half the night had passed already, and the rest would go just chatting.

She was silently cursing the guests in sweet tones when footsteps were heard right outside the door.

This time, her heart thudded in a strange way.
She lowered her head gracefully and let her long lashes drop.

Someone had entered the room.

But she made no attempt to look. She maintained her poised indifference… she wanted Afaq to feel that. And today, for the first time, taking the initiative, lifting the veil, and making him look at her—that was his responsibility. Why should she look at him?

She almost closed her eyes.

Someone was very close now.

Her face turned red with emotion, and her hands started to tremble.

“Now... now... now…”

“Bhabhi!” (Sister-in-law)

A thin voice startled her.

Her trance broke as if a full set of glass dishes had fallen and shattered.

Surprised, she looked up.
It wasn’t Afaq—it was one of his cousins standing there, with a faint sarcastic smile on her face.

Falak felt embarrassed.

Changing her mocking expression into a friendly one, the cousin said:

“Bhabhi, I just came to tell you that Afaq bhai has gone to drop his Ammi at the airport. He’ll be a little late. You should rest in the meantime... Alright, I’m leaving now.”

Without waiting for a response, she left.

And Falak was left standing, stunned and alone in the room.

“What just happened?”

“What did happen?”

Does anyone do something like this?
Is anything more important than tonight?

There were so many drivers in the house, so many relatives—anyone could’ve dropped her mother-in-law off.

Why did Afaq do this?

Was he trying to show her that she didn’t matter to him?

Then she would teach him a lesson!
Jerk! Worthless!

What did he think of himself? That she’d be scared just because of a couple of wedding vows?

She would go straight back to her daddy’s house!
And never look at Afaq again! She didn’t care about anyone!

She stood up furiously and began pacing around the room.

Her dupatta fell to the floor, but she didn’t even notice.

“Does he love his mother more than me?”
“To hell with his mother!”

“I’ll teach that old woman a lesson!”
“She may be someone in her house, but if she dares set foot in this one—just let her try!”

“Low-life!”

"But… was it really the old lady’s fault?"

"If Afaq had really wanted to, he could’ve made an excuse, apologized, or made some other arrangement."

"And if it was so important to go, he could’ve taken me along too!
At the very least, he could’ve come in and told me, asked for my permission!"

"Who leaves his newly-wedded bride alone like this just hours after the wedding?
He's such a maniac… crazy… idiot!"

"I’ll insult him so badly today that he’ll remember it forever—then he’ll know what Falak Naz really means!"

She kept muttering angrily, getting up, sitting down again, pacing around the room.

At one point, she stood in front of the mirror and started pulling off her jewelry in frustration.

She was so furious that she kept drinking cold water again and again.
Despite the biting cold, sweat was beading on her forehead.

The wall clock kept ticking— "It was 1 a.m."
—as if mocking her helplessness.

"Falaki… Falaki… Falaki…"

"You foolish girl!"

She wanted to smash the clock against the wall.
Destroy everything in the room!

No one had ever gone against her will in her house.
Whatever she wanted, she got.
And now…?
Everything was mocking her!

She felt like banging her head against the wall,
or setting this entire beautiful room on fire!

After scolding herself for a long time, she collapsed tiredly onto the couch.

The clock was still ticking—"One o'clock."

"Who knows when Afaq will come back?"

"Anyway, what’s done is done."

"What’s the point of getting angry now?
Getting mad won’t solve anything.
It might even make things worse!"

"Maybe he got caught in some obligation.
These people seem so traditional, unlike us, who are more modern.
They pretend to be so well-mannered on the outside, but inside, they’re still stuck in old ways."

"Maybe he couldn’t say no to his mother…
Maybe he had no choice but to go."

"Maybe he’ll come back and apologize himself.
After all, what have I done to him that he’d want to hurt me?
Every groom is eager to meet his bride on the wedding night!"

"Maybe his mother is a very dominant and controlling woman.
She must be—otherwise why would she leave right before the wedding reception, and ruin her son's first night?"

"Good riddance she left!"
"A mother like that shouldn't stay in this house!"
"Who knows how many more things she would've ruined!"

"God willing, she gets on the plane and doesn’t return!"
"Hope he doesn’t bring her back along with him!"

"God forbid, if I ever have to submit to her will… what then?"

"Anyway, I’m sure I’ll never get along with her—that I know for sure!"

Now she was feeling very sleepy…
In fact, she had exhausted herself from all the anger.

She got up, went to the bathroom, and washed her face.

If she didn’t get ready again, her “mission” would fail.

Refreshed now, she looked even more beautiful than before!

She looked in the mirror and her heart filled with joy.

She returned to the four-poster bed and sat down again.
She checked the time—"It was 2 a.m."

"Who knows when the flight took off…
He should’ve been back in two hours!
Anyway, he should be here any moment now."

"Good thing I composed myself in time!"

"At first, I won’t speak a word!
He’ll beg a hundred times…
Hold my feet…
Swear upon things…
And I’ll just sit there coldly."

"Only then will I say something!"

Whether or not there was any sound, her heart still raced constantly.
The house was silent.

"Who knows who all are still awake in the house…
But who cares! Let that ‘enemy-of-the-world’ Afaq just come—I'll forget everything else!"

"Tick… tock… tick… tock…"
The sound of the clock joined her heartbeat in creating a strange melody.
There was no magazine nearby to read either.

She half-lay on the bed just like that.

While thinking and waiting… sleep gently claimed her.
She hadn’t slept properly in days, she was tired,
and then… the sweet slumber of youth!

Anger, frustration—all forgotten!

When Afaq finally entered the room, he saw—
she was sleeping in a way that made it seem like thousands of storms had rested beside her.

"When beauty is asleep… and the magic of the wedding night is in the air…
how can a man control his heart?"

Truly, no amount of pride she felt in her beauty was enough!

Afaq placed one foot on the bed…
and leaned over her…

Just then she turned and woke up—

“Oh…”
“Oh…”

All her plans fell apart!
"Damn! I dozed off at the wrong time!"

But thankfully, she woke up quickly…
Otherwise, who knows what could’ve happened!

Startled, she sat up and quickly composed herself, shifting to one side.
But she turned her face away, as if she were angry.

Afaq stood upright.
He took off his achkan and tossed it onto the sofa…
Drank a glass of water…
Then walked over and stood right in front of her.

Falaki’s heart started pounding loudly…
Finally, the moment had come…
Every nerve in her body was now on high alert!

Then Afaq spoke, his voice deep but controlled—

"Madam!
Do you think men are fools, or that they can be fooled?"

Falaki looked up in surprise!

"Do you believe that beauty is such a powerful weapon that it brings a man to his knees?"

Her eyes widened in astonishment!

"Do you think sex is a man’s greatest weakness?"

"That a woman can manipulate a man like a puppet with just her charm—is that what you believe?"

"Then, Madam…"
"Tonight, I will show you just how wrong your every philosophy and assumption about men is!"

"Your views are born from a misguided environment!"
"You are a lost, confused girl!"

"You have no idea what a man truly is!"
"But now, after coming into my Nikah, for the first time, you'll begin to realize what a real man is!"

"And I hope that instead of wasting your time in foolishness, you'll try to learn something…"
"It will be better for you—and for your so-called beauty!"

She was still trying to understand all that he had said and was already thinking of her next move…

When suddenly Afaq's tone shifted!

"Get up! Change your clothes!"

"I don’t like overly dressed-up, artificial women!"

"Jewelry and makeup are a woman’s weapons…"
"But she should only be armed when she steps onto a battlefield!"

"If she wants to be a great companion in life…"
"Then her simplicity and dignity are her best strengths!"

"Wash your face, change, and go to sleep!"

He turned to leave…
Then suddenly stopped—

Facing her again, he said:

"I know… this night may not mean anything to you—this wedding night…"

"It only means something to those girls who’ve protected their womanhood like precious glass jewels!"

"But the girls who toy with the concept of 'honor' thinking it’s an outdated notion…"
"They are not worthy of a wedding night!"

She felt so ashamed that her head instinctively dropped to her knees!

"I know everything about you!"

Afaq’s voice was now even deeper and firmer.

"And I know the people you’ve been involved with."

"You married me just to 'enjoy your life'…"
"You never wanted a husband!"

"Besides, your city isn’t lacking in lovers…"
"So why this drama just with me?"

"Go ahead… Bismillah…"
"I'm here!"

"But I'm not who you thought I was…"
"And I’ll never become what you want me to be!"

"And yes…"

"Tonight’s only lesson from me: start rehearsing how to be a 'good woman' from now on!"

"Shab-e-khair (Good night)!"
And he walked out the door…