LAGAN IN ENGLISH ( PART 7 ) THE WORLD OF FALAK

She suddenly remembered Choochoo’s words:
"Any girl who sees him will fall in love!"

“Oh ho... where are you lost?” Pinky asked.

“Haven’t you recovered from the exhaustion yet?” she lowered her head shyly.

“Falaki, honestly, he’s changed you in just one night!”

“Really, you don’t seem like the same bold and fearless girl anymore. Now you sit quietly, blushing at the smallest things. You look lost, as if you’re still seeing him. He’s truly changed your entire world. But you know what? This way, you look even more graceful and attractive. Gosh, I feel jealous of you!”

Falaki felt like hugging Pinky tightly and crying her heart out, to tell her that what she was assuming was completely wrong.

What she was seeing wasn’t the truth.

What she wanted to say, she couldn’t express.

"One day and one night has completely changed my world!"

If she kept everything bottled inside, her heart would burst, and she would break from within.

She held Pinky’s hand.

Her own hands had suddenly turned cold.

And then, she remembered Afaq’s words:

"No matter how close a friend is, never share the secrets of your heart."

He was right. If she said anything, this news would spread like wildfire among all the friends.

And everyone would make fun of her.
Someone might even try to mock Afaq too, since many envious eyes were already watching him — she had noticed it. She took a deep breath and lay down on her back.

“You’ve gone completely cold. What’s wrong with Simmo?” Pinky asked worriedly.

“Nothing…” she was startled. “Just tired. Really very tired. I just want to rest.”

“How sweet…” Pinky tapped her cheek. “Go home and get lots of rest tonight. By the way, is Afaq going with you?”

“I don’t know,” she said softly.

“Ha! If he goes with you, then forget about resting.” Pinky winked. Both of them burst out laughing.

Meanwhile, the food for the guests arrived… they sat right there and ate, and as always, Pinky kept commenting on the entire event. Listening to her clever remarks, Falak barely got a chance to speak.

Then her mother came in, along with some guests, and as usual, Afaq arrived too. The gathering was about to end. They were bidding farewell to the important guests.

Then her mother took her inside and said,
“Pack your clothes and stuff. Tonight, you and Afaq…”

“You’ll stay there?”

It felt so strange. Her heart didn’t want Afaq to come along, even though usually, brides want their grooms to be with them on their first night. But she wanted to be in her home, to openly express her feelings, to release her mental and physical exhaustion. But the customs and rituals overruled her wish.

At eleven at night, they reached Falakbos. This house was specially built by her father for Falaki, hence he named it Falakbos — “Sky Dweller.” It wasn’t a grand palace, but no less than one.

Falaki felt very happy entering her room, as if a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders. “Wow! A home of your own is truly something!”

Her mother was running around in joy. Afaq also followed her into the room.

“So this is Madam’s room?” he said, inspecting the room.

There was a double bed, on which Falaki had laid a brand-new silk bedsheet and decorated it with garlands of flowers.

The room was adorned with colorful pictures of her in various poses. On one side were a TV, a cassette recorder, and some magazines.

“So these are the things that helped ruin your mood?” Afaq said with a faint smile.

Falaki didn’t reply. She opened the closet and started looking for nightwear. She found a night suit she liked, picked it up, and quietly walked toward the washroom.

He sat on the sofa, watching her, holding a cup of coffee.

“Want some?”

“Of course! If not from you, then from whom?”

Her mother burst out laughing.

“Oh my! If you keep talking like this, I’ll surely gain weight!”

“Your weight can never increase. You're a balanced woman — unnecessary weight runs away in fear of you!”

Though her mother didn’t understand his joke, she found it necessary to laugh.

Just then, Falaki came out after changing.

“Oh Falako, why did you wear the old night suit?”

“I like old things,” she replied instinctively.

“I’m the only new thing,” Afaq smiled, “but I hope you’ll start liking me eventually too.”

“No, that’s not what I meant,” Falaki quickly said.

“Maybe you’re tired,” her mother said. “Want some coffee?”

“No mom, I feel sleepy.”

“Alright then, go to sleep.”

Her mother stood up.

“Good night, children!”

“Good night!” Afaq replied cheerfully.

Then he took out his clothes and went to the bathroom to change. When he came out, he saw Falaki sitting cross-legged on the sofa, absorbed in a magazine. Afaq looked around and said,

“This double bed is such a nuisance! If someone wants to sleep peacefully, what are they supposed to do?”

Falaki suddenly felt that old anger rising inside her. Without saying anything, she got up and walked out. Afaq calmly lay down on the bed and covered his eyes with his hand.

About half an hour passed.

Then some voices were heard from outside.

A while later, her mother came in supporting Falaki. Afaq got up.

“What happened, mom?”

“Nothing,” her mother laughed, “She’s still a child. She’ll understand slowly.”

“Understand me or you?” Afaq asked with a soft smile.

“No — the situation! Now just quietly go to sleep,” her mother said.

Falaki’s face was flushed with anger and irritation. A faint moisture shimmered in her eyes. She softly said,

“I won’t sleep here... I’ll sleep in your room.”

Afaq stood up.

“For God’s sake, don’t cry like that, Falaki! Your mom will think I’m Dracula and I suck your blood at night from your neck!”

Her mother couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“See how naughty he is! How can anyone ever be bored with a man like that?”

Here is the English translation of the entire emotional and dramatic passage you provided:

---

"Mommy, please don’t worry. Go ahead. When another man becomes a partner in a mother’s love, girls cry like this. After all, they have to leave their homes eventually!"

“Home?” Falakhi began sobbing loudly.

“I won’t sleep here!”

“Look, Falakhi! I beg you with folded hands,” Afaq literally joined his hands. “Don’t trouble Mommy to the extent that she starts misunderstanding things. I promise, I won’t bother you at all.”

Mommy's face turned completely red.

“Be a good girl. Here, take your pillow and lie down facing this side.”

Despite all her modernity and Englishness, Falakhi broke into a sweat at his bluntness.

Now Mommy understood everything. She knew Falakhi was very pampered, so such tantrums were to be expected.

“Alright then, I’m leaving now.”

“Please, Mommy!” Afaq spoke in a completely apologetic tone.

“I didn’t know she would trouble you this much. I’m sorry, Mommy.”

And then he said,
“It’s okay.” She didn’t want to talk further about the topic.
He walked her outside.

“Don’t let her come again now.”

“Yes,” he replied respectfully.

Mommy laughed and walked to her room.

Afaq returned and locked the door.

He saw that Falakhi was sitting on the bed, her face fuming with anger. He sat on the bed too and moved his pillow to the other side.

“Wouldn’t it be better if I face this side and you face that side?”

Falakhi's anger reached its peak.

“You are a despicable man!” she said.

She thought Afaq would get up and respond angrily, but instead, he calmly took out a cigarette, lit it, placed it in his mouth, and said while lying down:

“Sitting under your father’s roof, you can behave like this?”

“I consider it an insult to even speak to you,” Falakhi said.
“Anyway, it’s better if you don’t talk to me, because what you did with me for the first time in life is so beautiful that I don’t feel the need for any more words.”

“When you don’t know anything, how would you have learned how to talk either?”

“Liar! Fraud!”
“You trouble my mother all day and flatter her too!”

In her rage, she threw off her quilt, grabbed her pillow, and went to sleep on the sofa.

Afaq turned off the light and snuggled into his quilt.

In the middle of the night, he felt as if Falakhi had come back to the bed.
Of course, a pampered girl couldn’t spend the night on a sofa! he thought to himself.

“I’m coming.”

It was morning. Mommy came into the room with a cup of tea.

“How long will you keep sleeping, son?”

He quickly sat up.

“Greetings, Mommy!”

“Bless you!”

“Want some tea?”

“Not necessary!”

“Oh, it’s already nine o’clock!” he exclaimed after checking the clock.

“That’s why I came to wake you up. People are coming to meet you, and you’re still sleeping!”

Afaq looked around. On the sofa, Mummy Mishti was reading a magazine.

“What could I do! Your daughter kept me awake all night.”

Mommy suddenly got angry.

“She cries for you and then doesn’t let me sleep all night! This is all nonsense!” Falakhi threw the magazine away and stood up.

Afaq didn’t like her behavior.

“See how she talks to me! Please explain to her how to speak to her husband!”

“You come with me,” Falakhi said, grabbing his arm.

“Let it go!” Afaq stood up abruptly, freed himself from her grip, and hugged her.
“I was just joking!”

Falakhi began to cry.

“She’s very sweet, just gets a little too angry sometimes. I actually find her even cuter in anger, so I tease her. If you want, I’ll help her improve.”

Mommy angrily said, “Enough! Be careful now!”

Falakhi, trembling with rage, said,
“Let me go, you liar, cheater, deceiver!”

Afaq let her go.

“I have no interest in holding you. Let me tell you one thing—no one can match a mother’s love.”

“A father’s heart is very tender. When girls start sharing details of their married life so soon, it makes their old age restless, and sometimes they can’t even handle such shocks. One must have the strength to resolve their issues themselves.”

Saying this, Afaq went into the bathroom, leaving Falakhi in a burning dilemma.

Should she tell Mommy or not?
She remained lost in thought. She wouldn’t even be able to say anything in front of her.

Just then Mommy came in and said,
“Falakhi, get ready. Your Khala has come. You know, I’ve invited some guests over for lunch today in honor of you and Afaq?”

“Okay, Mommy,” Falakhi stood up and began ironing her sari.

“Tell Afaq too,” Mommy said.

But when Afaq came out of the bathroom, Falakhi didn’t say anything and just kept ironing her sari. Afaq crawled back into bed.

A little while later, Mommy returned.

“Afaq, you’re still not ready?”

“Yes,” he removed the quilt from his face.

“Let me enjoy some rest at my in-laws! I came here planning to sleep all day.”

“Son, some people have come to see you. Please get ready.”

“Mommy, now that I’ve already been approved, what’s the need to get ready?”

“I just...”

“I’m in the mood to wear my dressing gown all day. Anyway, only those who lack confidence need to get dressed up.”

“Alright, then just come as you are to the drawing room. I’ll serve breakfast there.”

Afaq wore his slippers, wrapped himself in his dressing gown, and started to leave.

Falakhi turned and saw.

Her heart didn’t want Afaq to go out like that. Her cousins would be there. She felt so embarrassed!

But why should she stop him?
Who was he to her, after all?

Still, her heart stirred without reason.

The whole day passed in busyness.

Mommy’s friends also came. Everyone teased him about not changing his clothes.

“Oh, come on! I had to be all dressed up for two days. I got tired of myself. Now I just want to stay like this. Whoever wants to like me can, whoever doesn’t, doesn’t have to!”

He said this looking particularly at Falakhi.

Falakhi immediately turned her face away.

“Brother-in-law! If you don’t take off your socks, how will we steal your shoes? At least let us hide them!” joked one of Falakhi’s cousins.

“Hey! Falakhi told me not to let anyone touch the shoes!” Afaq replied with a smile.

“Just shoo away the sisters like that!”

Falakhi made a face in anger and walked out.

“See! She signaled me while leaving!”

“We won’t accept! We won’t accept!”

All the girls ganged up on Afaq. Five were her cousins and five her friends.

“Oh my! Ten girls and I don’t even have a penny?”

“We’ll search you!”

They all pounced on him. But his pockets were empty.

“Found nothing?”

They ran into the room and checked his hanging suit. That too was empty.

“Unbelievable! A rich man with empty pockets?”

“Oh, Falakhi took all the money! She said not to give anything to these birds!”

The girls dragged Falakhi in.

“Why did you say that?”

“Look Falakhi, don’t do this. Just lend me a hundred rupees. I’ll give each of them ten.”

“I don’t even have a single penny,” Falakhi said haughtily.

“See how your friend is?”

“No! We won’t take ten rupees! People don’t even give that to a sweeper these days!”

“Who doesn’t give? Wow!”

“Not acceptable!”

“Still, Falakhi said not to give more than ten!”

“Why, Falakhi?” The girls crowded her. She ran to Mommy for rescue.

Now it was time for a decision.

“Mommy, please give them their gifts!”

“What should I give, Mommy? Tell me, what have I received from them?”

“Dear, give them a hundred each,” Mommy finally decided.

“A hundred each? Aunty, please! One hundred doesn't even buy a pair of clothes these days!”

“Poor people get married with a hundred!”

“But we’re not poor, right?” Pinky quickly added.

Then Afaq said,
“Wow! That’s true. Let me give something for that happiness!”

He went inside and came back with a bundle of notes.

“Oh wow! Where was this?”

“We searched thoroughly! Where was it hidden?”

“Ladies, I kept it under my pillow because I knew you wouldn’t lift that!”

“Wow!” The girls were amazed they hadn’t thought of that.

Then Afaq gave each girl a thousand rupees.

In joy...

All the girls screamed happily.

Mommy tried to reason,
“That’s too much! There are ten girls and you just wasted ten thousand rupees!”

Afaq smiled and said,
“For Falakhi’s sake, I can give even more. My Falakhi is more precious than all of them. These are just her friends!”

Mommy ignored his words.

Then it was lunchtime.

All the guests had left, only Falakhi’s friends remained.

After the meal, instead of resting, Afaq sat down with playing cards.

Falakhi quietly went to the bedroom.

“Go Afaq, take some rest too,” Mommy said.

“No, Mommy. Let Falakhi rest. We have a dinner tonight, and she said to let me nap a little,” Afaq replied.

Mommy fell silent.

Pinky and the rest joined the card game.

“I’ll partner with Mommy!” Afaq said.

“Nope! Elders can’t play,” Chochu joked.

“Shame on you! Calling Mommy an elder? She’s sitting next to me and looks my age! Who knows what people might think?” Afaq said laughing.

“Nonsense!” Mommy said smiling.

“Matty! I don’t think of you as my mother-in-law,” Afaq said loudly so that Falakhi could hear from the bedroom.
“I think of you as half-lover, half-mother!”

“Shameless, scoundrel!” Mommy burst out laughing.
“God! He’s making me laugh so much I can’t take it anymore!”

“Oh Allah, Afaq bhai! What is half-lover, half-mother?” Pinky asked.

“Wow! My English ladies don’t know the meaning?”

“Please tell us!”

“I’ll tell,” Chanda offered.

“I know too!” Chochu interrupted.

“What is it?”

“Just some kind of mix…”

Chanda said,
“It means MOTHER-CUM-BELOVED!”

“Ohhh!” All the girls laughed loudly.

Thus the evening passed in laughter and games.

Afaq asked Mommy for permission to leave and said they’d come back to stay for a few days again, as now their dining invites had started. Mommy allowed it.

When Afaq entered the room, he saw Falakhi sitting in strange contemplation.

She neither spoke nor asked anything...

She hadn’t packed her bags, nor was she ready to leave.
In fact, she didn’t want to go.
She wanted to stay home.
She wanted to share her heartbreak with her mother.
She wanted peace. She wanted to make a decision.
And this wretched man was constantly on her nerves.

“Come on, Madam! Let’s go home?”
She stayed silent.
“Get up, Ma’am,” he said louder.
“I’ve decided... I will never go with you. You know well that if you come with me, I never change my decisions.”
Falakhi looked at him fearfully. His voice was cold as steel, and hard as sharpened iron.