Aitemad or Moti By Mehak Roshan

About this novelette

Aitemad Aur Moti (Urdu: اعتماد اور موتی) by Mehak Roshan is a short Urdu love story with an army backdrop about Sarim, who is about to join up. His adoring sister Hoorain is close by, and Rehaam is the girl two different men hope to win.

The story opens on a happy day. Sarim’s appointment letter has arrived, and tomorrow he will join the Army, so today he wants to celebrate with his whole family. “Bhaiya!” calls Hoorain – Sarim’s devoted little sister, who can see no one but her brother; he is her ideal. “Ji, Bhaiya ki gudiya,” Sarim answers lovingly. “Bhaiya, I was thinking… let’s invite Rehaam too,” she says, and Sarim, drinking water, can’t help smiling at the suggestion.

Hoorain is worried – is he all right? He insists he is, though calling Rehaam is necessary for some reason. “After all, she’s going to be our bhabhi,” Hoorain teases. “Why won’t she come?” Sarim tries to stop her: she doesn’t know about any of this yet. “Oh please, Bhai, she blushes at the very mention of your marriage – and you think she doesn’t know? I’m going to reveal it in front of her cute bhai,” Hoorain laughs. Sarim straightens his collar confidently and says, “Let’s see – there’s no need to worry. If she’s the moon, I’m no less than the sun.”

فوج میں جانے کی خوشی، ایک لاڈلی بہن، اور یورپ سے لوٹتا ایک دل۔

The scene then moves to Ibrahim, returning from Europe, full of hope that this time he’ll finally win the love he has always wanted. He remembers the promise he made: this time he won’t leave her alone. He remembers Rehaam at a family gathering – so innocent in a pink frock – and the first time he saw her. Now he must tell Rehaam what’s in his heart. The writer then introduces Rifat and Imran, a happy couple blessed with two sons, though Imran had always wished for a daughter.

Mehak Roshan sets up a gentle love triangle with family warmth and patriotic pride, and the title – “trust and pearls” – hints at what will prove precious in the end.

You can read Aitemad Aur Moti online here or download the complete PDF for free. More by Mehak Roshan: Tanha Kisi Jazeeray Par, Chand Muskurane Laga and Meri Dastan E Muhabbat, or see all Mehak Roshan novels.