Is this an update? Yes it is !!
Haha!!

I don't know what happened to the original author's note 🤔🤔
But, this chapter also contains Pakeezah's POV of the 2nd half of the previous chapter.

Happy Reading!!

PAKEEZAH's POV
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"Api! Chalo na sab Bula rahe hein aapko," Ruksaar came running inside the kitchen.

"Sab Kaun?" I raised an eyebrow at her as I tipped some sugar into the pan in which I was making the Halwa.

"Asif uncle pooch rahe hein aapke liye Aur ammi Ne kaha aapko Bula laau," she said.

"Aur taya?" I asked her and she shrugged, indicating that she would rather not answer than. I sighed and closed the sugar jar. "Taya Ko Mera mehmaano Ke saamne aana Pasand Nahi hai. Main Nahi aaungi."

"Par api—"

"Nahi Ruksaar," I told her, "tum jao."

"Acha theek hai, kam Se kam yeh Toh bata do Hussain Kaun hai?" She whined, making me chuckle.

"Kyun? Hussain toh tumhaara Dil tha na. Ab pehchaan bhi Nahi paa rahi ho?" I asked her, teasingly, and she rolled her eyes at me.

"Mat batao. Hum khud pooch lenge!" She huffed and turned away from me.

"Thori dayr main aa Kar sabke liye Halwa Le jana," I told her and she nodded before running outside again. I sighed, stirring the content. Once it was ready, I pulled out the glass bowls and left them there for Ruksaar to do the rest.

Washing my hands, I ran upstairs to prepare the other room for Shehyaar that happened to be right in front of mine. Once the bed sheet was nice and flat, I chose to leave before anyone could come up. I could hear all the voices becoming louder and louder, indicating that they were already heading upstairs.

I ran back to my room and carefully shut the door and stood beside it so I could hear them talking. My stomach rumble Louder than their voices and I cursed myself for not eating while I was in the kitchen.

Raheel bhai teased Ruksaar, almost spilling her secret. I chuckled, imagining her face right now, and then my grin dropped. She gave  Hussain's room to Shehryaar!

Hussain Ka kamra mere kamre ke saamne? The thought itself made my stomach flip. Yeh larki itni pagal Kyun hai? I whined to myself and closed my door.

I ran towards my bed and pulled out my sketch book, opening it to the latest page. A smile made its way to my lips as my heart skipped a beat. He looks far more handsome in real life than any of those pictures in that magazine could have made him look. That frustrated gaze at the market, the smile when he met the elders, his thick voice.

Ya Allah! Kitne saal ho Gaye yeh awaz sune hue. Mujhe pareshaan karte hue hi sahi, pichli baar jo hansi Suni Thi, woh aaj bhi waisi hai.

"Shehry!" Suddenly someone's voice caught my attention, pulling me out of my thoughts. I closed my sketch file and looked up at the door.

Sach main koi chillaya ya mere kaan baj rahe hein?

"Koi hai?" The same voice yelled again.

I got up from the bed and ran outside. The corridor was empty and silent until someone called out again.

"Shehry! Koi toh aa jao!" The voice was coming from Hussain's room. A part of me told me to pretend I never heard him but then he needed my help, right?

Inhaling a sharp breath, I went inside the room. Before I could figure out where he was, he spoke up again from behind the bathroom's door.

"Shehry Pass me my towel yaar!"

Towel? Towel bhool Gaye? Yeh Bhi koi bhoolne Ki cheez hai?

I walked upto the cupboard and pulled out a fresh towel from the pile I had stored there. I knocked on his door and stepped aside so I won't be able to see him in case he opened it without looking. He already thinks I am Shehry and I was not planning on seeing a naked man.

Soon the door opened and my eyes widened when he grabbed my hand along with the towel. Kaise besharam insaan Hein! He tried pulling my hand towards himself while I stood there with my jaw dropped.

"Abbey de na!" He groaned, pulling my hand harshly, like he was going to drag me inside with him. I tried pulling my hand out of his grip and his strength amused me. He was not ready to leave!

With one final pull, I yanked my hand out of his grip and stepped away, baffled. My hand had hit the wall in the process, breaking my bangle. What if he opens the door right now? I thought to myself before my feet finally began to work and I ran out of his room and down the Corridor.

SHEHRYAAR's POV

"Thanks Arfa and please keep dad posted, yeah?"

"Sure sir."

"Bye," I ended the call and kept dad's second phone away. Arfa was finally at work according to Houston time and I had to let her know about my stolen phone so she could get the number blocked for me.

"Aww and look at you! So cute!" Someone spoke in a baby tone behind me. I raised my eyebrows at the female voice. Who could it be?

"Shoooo White! Cutie." I looked down at my white blazer, to confirm that it was for me. Who the heck is this person?

"My baby, so cute!" Excuse me?

"Listen—" I turned around to face that shameless person who was not even there. I frowned, not seeing anyone in front of me. I am sure the voice was loud and close!

"Tumhaara naam Toh Snow White hona chahiye!" The same voice giggle and suddenly a figure caught my attention. The girl was a kneeling down near the gate, with her back towards me. So She was definitely not talking to me!

And then she barked.

Wait, she what?

"Kaun hai?" I called out as I approached her. She startled upon hearing my voice and stood up instantly.

"Ruksaar?" I blurted out as soon as she turned to face me. I should have known.

"Aap kab aaye?" She gasped, "bye."

She turned away to run and I quickly grabbed her arm to stop her. "Oye, bhaag Kyun rahi ho?"

She turned around instantly and gulped, looking down at her arm. What did I do? Realising, I slowly left her arm and stepped away.

"Sor—"

"Abbu Ko drama aur movies Nahi Pasand isiliye humaare ghar main TV Nahi hai Aur Humne kabhi chup chup Kar bhi koi movie Nahi Dekhi Isiliye humein Nahi Pata tha Hussain Kaun hai. Ab hansna mat Nahi Toh aapke daant tod denge!" She spoke in one long breath, taking me by surprise.

"Why would I laugh?" I frowned and she sighed.

"Because Raheel bhai did too and It's so embarrassing!" She made a face and plopped down on the short brick wall.

"Do you know who Eric is?" I asked her. She looked up at me and shook her head.

"Mujhe bhi nai Pata," I shrugged, "one day I'll meet him and finally understand your situation."

She gave me a look as I sat beside her and opened my blazer's button, "what I am trying to say is that it's okay. I am sure Hussain didn't mind."

"Do you have any idea how much Raheel bhai laughed at me. Why are all brothers so mean?" She whined, making me chuckle.

"Trust me, we are not that bad. Really," I smiled, "I have a sister too and as much as I annoy her, I love her."

"Cute! But I don't remember her," she frowned at me, making me chuckle. "How much do you remember about us? You were almost like a baby when we left."

"Oh hello, shayad andhe the aap!" She stood up and huffed, making me widen my eyes in surprise, "I was eight back then. Hum itne bhi chote Nahi hein jitna aap sab samajhte Hein."

"Jee madam," I chuckled, shaking my head. Even Maha hates it when someone calls her a kid.

"Ab yeh Toh bata do, sirf safed rang Ke dogs Se hi friendship karti ho ya safed coat wale admi bhi chalenge?" I asked her.

Small creases formed on her forehead as she pretended to think. "Par dono main farak kya hai? All men are dogs, no?"

I gasped at her comment. How dare she?

"Excu—"

"Sorry sorry bad joke!" She laughed, holding her ears. I scowled at her as she brought her hand forward.

"Friends?" She asked with a smile and I chose to irritate her.

"Pehle batao tumhe hum dono main Se Hussain Kaun laga tha?" I asked her and her facial colour flushed out of embarrassment again.

She pulled her hand back and flipped her hair, as she turned around, "jao Nahi karni dosti!"

"Arey suno Toh!" I called out, seeing her walking away, but she didn't stop. Instead, she ran away.

HAFSA's POV
(Houston, Afternoon)

A fine drop of water traced down the smooth glass of my window until it reached the very bottom of the frame and disappeared. I looked at my phone once again and sighed. Ek call Nahi hota iss insaan Se!

Pressing my thumb against the home button, I unlocked my phone and opened camera roll. The first picture that popped up was Shehry's; most of the pictures in my camera roll are his'.

"Tumhein Zara bhi yaad Nahi aati na Meri?" I asked him, scowling at his photo, "stop taking me for granted for once, Shehry!"

"How is he taking you for granted if he is taking to you at this hour? He should be slee—" Haniya walked straight into my room, sparing no privacy for me.

"I thought you guys were talking." She sighed, staring at my phone.

I chuckled, shaking my head, and sat down beside the window sill. "He must be sleeping. He said he will call me in the morning," I lied. We haven't talked since the day he left.

"He must be having jet lag right now, come on Hafsa, you don't have to lie to me," she rolled her eyes.

"No Haniya, seriously. He must be tired," I told her and got up again to plug my phone for charging.

"Whatever," she shrugged, "try tricking Khala with your lies. Aa raheen Hein upar, tumse Milne Ke liye."

I jumped at her comment, cursing my life . "What? Mujhe Nahi milna Kisi Se. Unhe kaho jaayein yahan Se."

"I can't because you have been hibernating for past week and mama baba are worried for you," she spoke and I sighed.

"I am not hibernating; that's what animals do. I am just sick."

"Sick because of mr —"

"No one!" I scowled at her, finishing her sentence, "just go tell her I am sleeping."

"Aise bhi kya mooh phula Kar bethi hai Ki apni Khala Se baat Nahi karegi?" A voice came and made my heart almost sink to my stomach.

Yeh hamesha galat waqt par kyun aati Hein?

"K-Khala, aap?" I gulped as she came inside my room and frowned at me.

"Lo bhaee, tumhari Beti Toh aise darr rahi hai jaise university Ka result nikla ho," She said to mama and sat down on my bed. I shook my head at her and sat down beside her.

"Darr Nahi rahi," I told her, "aap bataien, aaj humari yaad Kaise aa gayi?"

"Yaad? Tum sab dimag Se jaate hi kahan ho jo yaad aayegi?" She chuckled, running hand through my tangled hair, "Paas main kuch kaam tha Toh Milne chali aayi Aur kuch yeh rung Pasand karwane the tujhse."

"Rung?" I frowned at her and she nodded, pulling out two sheets of paper with paint samples on it.

"Agle maheene Samir aur Nadia aa rahe hein, Toh socha unka kamra renovate karwa doon. Teri Pasand waise bhi sabse acchi hai, Toh Tu hi koi help Kar de," she smiled at me.

I raised my eyebrows at her. "Meri Pasand sabse acchi hai?" I asked her, mockingly, and she huffed, dropping her smile. She knew what I meant.

"Haan, bas uss nikamme Shehryaar Ko chor kar," she rolled her eyes, making me gasp.

"Aisa Toh mat kahein! Aapke Samir aur Naeem Se Toh Bohot accha hai Woh!"

She scrunched her nose, making a face at me. "Chal, Teri khushi Ke liye maan leti hoon," she shrugged, "waise pichle hafte bada accha kaam kiya usne! Tujhe Toh pata hi hoga."

I gulped before releasing a puff of air out of my mouth. Bohot achha kaam kiya tha uss raat Mujhe akela chor Kar.

"Aisa kya kiya usne?" Mama asked Khala with interest as she pulled my dressing stool out and sat on it, right in front of Khala.

"Naeem bata raha tha pichle tuesday kisi Bari company Ke saath deal sign Ki hai, kuch Aur ho na ho, kaam Ko Le Kar bada serious hai Woh."

A smile forced its way to my lips while Khala praised Shehry. It's a rare moment though but, every time she does it, I feel proud. It feels good to hear people saying amazing things about him.

"Hafsa! Why didn't you tell us Oye?" Haniya slapped my arm, pulling me out of my trance, and I almost slapped her back but Khala got her before me.

"Haye ni! Haath Toh dekho Kaise chalte Hein isske!" She huffed, rubbing my arm, and I chuckled.

"Now that's not fair mama! Aapki behen Ko sirf yeh moti hi dikhti hai!" Haniya whined, hugging mama, and I stuck my tongue out at her, teasingly.

"Moti hai, isiliye toh sabse pehle dikhti hai." I gasped when mama took her side instead.

"Urda lo mazak, Bohot jald chali jaungi iss ghar se toh yaad karna," I scowled at both of them.

"Jayegi toh tab na jab le jaane wale ka kuch ata pata ho," Khala slapped my head and I held back my groan, knowing exactly where this conversation might be heading.

"He is in Pakistan and he said we will be getting engaged when he comes back, In Shah Allah," I smiled at her, feeling a sense of satisfaction within me. I have already waited for so long; its finally going to happen.

"Ek toh yeh dono bhai mere samjh main nahi aate, Kya zaroorat hai ek saath shadi karne ki. Ek ke peeche doosra bhi latka hua hai," Khala shook her head, disapprovingly, "Meri bacchi ko kab se wait karwa rahe hein."

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes when she sighed and held my face between her palms, kissing my forehead. "Kabhi kabhi bohot fikar hoti hai teri. Woh shadi karna bhi chahta hai ya bas-"

"Khala please! What are you saying?" I widened my eyes in disbelief. She sighed when I pushed her hands away and stood up, feeling irritated all of a sudden.

"B-bukhar ki wajah se chirchiri ho rahi hai kafi dino se Apa," Mama told khala and I rolled my eyes.

"Rehne do, Bukhar na bhi hota tab bhi kitni zubaan chalti hai iski, kya pata nahi hai mujhe?" Khala huffed and pulled her dupatta to properly cover her head, "arrey bachpan se iski rag rag se waqif hoon main!"

"Aap mujhe chor kar Naeem par dhyaan dein toh zyada accha hoga." She narrowed her eyes at my comment and I looked away from her. Haniya raised both of her eyebrows at me in amusement as I released sharp breathe.

"Kya matlab hai tumhaara? Mere bacche bohot sambhle hue hein, samjheen?"

I rolled my eyes. "Woh toh poora Houston—"

"Stop it, Hafsa!" Mama cut me off in a stern tone and I sighed, frustrated, "Aise baat karte hein bado se?"

Khala muttered something under her breath while I eyed mama. Her glare silently ordered me to apologise but, I wanted otherwise. Pushing past Haniya, I went out of my room and headed upstairs to the terrace.

HANIYA's POV

"Aap please uski baat ko dil se na lagayein, main bol rahi hoon na, bas tabyat kharab hai uski thori!" Khala trudged downstairs and mama ran after her, trying to stop her.

Kuch bhi ho, Hafsa deserves a round of applause for this!

"Arrey choro, pata nahi kyun aa jaati hoon yaan baar baar usse beizzati karane. Pata nahi kya jadoo kiya hai uss larke ne meri phool si bacchii par; abhi yeh haal hai toh shadi ke baad kya hoga? Ungliyon par naachegi uske, aur uske gharwalon Ki, dekhlena!" Khala's high pitched voice made me roll my eyes.

She repeats the same dialogue every time she visits since the day she found out about Shehry and Hafsa.

Shaking my head at both the sisters, I ran towards the terrace to find mine and saw her leaning against the railing, staring down at out garden.

"I hate it when she talks like that about him," Hafsa muttered, as if sensing my presence behind her.

"Me too," I sighed, walking towards her, "Shehry is a good guy."

"Go tell her that," She groaned and I nodded to myself as I leaned against the railing. "I will, but first you tell me, didn't you go on a date with him on Tuesday? He didn't tell you about the deal?"

"We didn't go on a date," she whispered, lowly, and threaded her fingers through her hair, tugging them softly.

"What? But didn't he drop you off?" I asked, just to confirm, and she let out a soft chuckle. "He didn't even show up for the date. He found me walking down the street in pouring rain just by chance."

I widened my eyes in disbelief. "How can he do that to you?"

"Bhool gaya ho ga," Hafsa shrugged.

"Yeah right? He forgets about you all the time!" I rolled my eyes, not being able to believe what I had just found out. The fact that while she is so blindly in love with him,  he has time for everyone and everything but my sister, hurts me. A lot!

"Remember when you waited for his call on you birthday and he didn't even remember until someone tagged you on facebook?"I reminded her.

"He was working on a project back then Haniya, whats wrong with you?" Hafsa reasoned his actions and I sighed, knowing how hard it is to argue with her about him.

"Hafsa, I really like Shehry so don't get me wrong, but he can't just leave you hanging all the time." I kept my hand on top of her's and she frowned at me, "there is a big difference between fitting someone important in your busy schedule and planning your schedule around that someone."

PAKEEZAH's POV
(Late Night)

Adding three more people to the family added extra work all of a sudden; including dirty dishes. Once I managed to wash all of them without passing out, I cleaned the kitchen before turning off the lights and heading upstairs. On my way, I picked up Ruksaar's books from the dining table and took them back to her room. She was fast asleep already.

I smiled seeing her tension free face as I closed her bedroom's door. She has been trying to hard to get a scholarship and I hope she gets it. Her future can be so much better than mine.

Walking back to my room, I picked up a familiar yellow coloured tube, that Tayi had given me, and sat down on the bed to apply it on my wounds. As I lifted my Salwar slightly, I realised my anklet was missing and quickly checked my other leg.

I don't remember taking it off! I frowned to myself and ran to the washroom to look for it. Not being able to find it there, I went back to Ruksaar's room and then down to the kitchen.

Kaheen bazaar main Toh Nahi gum gayi? The thought scared me as it was the only memory I had of my mother and my mind wandered off to all the places I had been to since morning. Other than market, kitchen, Ruksaar's and my room, I had only been to the guest rooms that were now occupied by Asif uncle, Shehryaar and Hussain.

Oh no, Not in there! I sighed to myself and headed for my room again since I couldn't disturb them at this hour. A thin horizontal beam of light glowed against the titled floor as I walked past Shehryaar's room, indicating that he wasn't sleeping. At first I thought of asking him but then decided otherwise. I'll ask Raheel bhai to ask him for me.

Faint light in a door's shape fell in my way, just meters away from Shehryaar's room. The door to Hussain's room was open.

I could sneak in and quickly check, right?

Desperate, I peeked inside the room to see if there was light coming out of the washroom. When I couldn't see any other light source other than the moon shinning through the window, I concentrated on my hearing skills, in case Hussain had slept with his door open. But what if he doesn't snore? I wondered.

Jaaun andar ya Raheel bhai se kahun? I asked myself.

Pakri gayi toh koi baat nahi. Hussain insaan hai kha thori jayenge! The voice inside my head replied, and I sighed.

"Allah Ji, beech main chor kar bhag mat jaana," I mumbled, looking up at the ceiling, and went inside. This being the guest room, is always locked so no one ever came in here unless we had guests. So Finding the light switch was an adventure in itself.

"Ammi!" I yelped as soon as I took a few steps forward, slapping my toe against something hard and heavy. The low, rubbing sound suggested it was probably something made out of fabric.

Aise raaste main kaun rakhta hai saman? I huffed, kicking whatever it was, one more time, only to realise it was a bad idea. With my toe feeling numb and very little light coming from the window, I stretched my arms out, trying to find the wall. I smiled, as soon as my fingertips touched something cold and firm, and I traced my fingers along it, looking for the switch.

Something creaked behind me and a loud thud followed, making my heart jump to my mouth, ready to fall out. Someone breathed softly behind me, taking my breath away. My heart beat stopped for a moment when I heard their footsteps. Inki awaz pehle kyun nahi sunai di?

"Kaun hai waha?" A thick, deep voice touched my ears, making my heart skip a beat.

Aapki sach main koi dushmani hai mujhse jo meri baari aate hi kaano main ruhi daal kar so jaate hein aap? I scowled mentally and chose to turn around. I didn't have any other option because Hussain was blocking the door and he would turn on the lights any moment.

Pehle hi saamne jaane ki himmat nahi thi mujh main, ab toh bas kisi tarhan kaheen chullu bhar paani mil jaye toh bohot hai, par aap yeh bhi nahi sunne wale! I huffed, staring above me, and dropped my shoulders.

Wind softly gushed between the two of us, making me shiver, as he moved closer to me. Sucking in a deep breath, I lowered my gaze from the ceiling, and came face to face with Hussain. The dim moonlight, shadowed his features, making it impossible for me to see his face. He seemed almost like a silhouette but I could still feel his eyes frowning at me.

If I can't see his face then he can't see mine either. Iska matlab main bhag sakti hoon? I could just run downstairs and disappear behind one of the doors. He will never find out it was me. I almost giggled, mentally planning my way out of here, but then quickly suppressed my emotions and tried running past Hussain.

I pushed past him and reached the door in three long strides. Just as my hand touched the door knob, he held my arm under his strong grip and pulled me back. I gasped, shocked, as soon as my back touched the wall. Warm breath, near my face, told me how dangerously close he was to, not sparing me a chance to escape.

I gulped when he leaned closer and his eyes slowly met mine; his brows were frowning at me while his dark eyes stared at me in confusion. My breath hitched in my throat when he took another step towards me. The closer he came, the clearer his features became.

"Kaun ho tum?" He whispered.

He could see me too? The fear engulfed me and I gulped again. Of course he can!

I saw him leaning in and raised my hands to keep them on his chest in order to maintain a distance between him and I. He held my wrists in mid air, stopping me from pushing him away and I gasped.

"Pakeezah?" he asked with a hint of doubt in his voice. His warm breath brushed against my forehead, making my heart skip a beat. Something churned inside me, hearing my name in his voice. How did he recognise me? I wondered as a strange smile appeared on my lips but that lasted for only a second. Hussain inched closer, eliminating the tiny gap between us, and I desperately stepped back, as much as I could.

"D-dekhiye, a-aap..." I gulped as soon as my eyes met his'. He was hovering right above me and that made it even harder for me to speak.

"Kaun ho tum?" He asked again. The warmth of his breath tickled my face again, making a shiver run down my spine. He was standing dangerously close!

"Dikhiyein, aa-aapke y-yahaan yeh s-ab h-hota hoga, Par hum-maare y-ahaan iss tarhaan kisi larki k-ke inte Qareeb n--"

I was struggling to choke out a simple request that he should step away from me but he left my wrists before I had even finished. I heaved a sigh of relief when he took large steps away from me, sort of disappearing in the dark. I couldn't see his eyes anymore; just a black, tall figures, standing a couple of feet away from me.

"I- I am sorry," He spoke awkwardly and I frowned. Sorry matlab maafi? I sighed disappointed with myself.

"Jee, main jaaun?" I asked him in a small whisper, unsure, and saw him nodding at me. Without wasting a single second, I rushed out of his room and ran straight to mine, closing the door loudly behind me.

But louder than that, was my heart, that was pounding against my ribs while some sort of excitement stirred up inside me. Pakeezah! Mera naam itna khoobsoorat hai, mujhe aaj pata chala. Kuch toh ajeeb sa tha unki awaz main!

Aur unki aankhon main bhi! I closed my eyes, only to have his' appear in front of me. Itne Qareeb se dekha hai inhein, ab toh aakhein band kar bhi sketch kar sakti hoon.

My eyes sprung open when I remembered my sketch and ran towards my bed. Pulling out the art file, I turned to the unfinished picture and rubbed out the eyes only to sketch them again.

~~~~
I finished my assignment 1 day before due date. So proud 😅😅

I don't feel like updating this book. It's like I wana keep all the chapters to myself LOL.. it feels like an exam every time

AND you guys don't even comment which is just sad 🙄😭

LoveAlways