HELLOOOO!!!!

I know I took forever 🙊👀

—

Just because it's Shehyaar or Hussain, they are not meant to always end up with the girls they like. Life doesn't always work like this.

It's okay for Hafsa to not feel the same anymore. It's okay for Hussain to not Like Pakeezah. We know what goes inside her head, he can't read minds or her POVs 😆.

There is always a reason behind every scene 😉

____

Hussain's POV

Pants pants and only pants. The only thing I could find in my cupboard were pants.

"Mama! Where are my clothes!" I asked, loudly, as I walked out of my room and approached the living room.

She looked up from behind her cup of tea and frowned at me, "Mujhe nahi pata. Ask Pakeezah, she is in the laundry room."

I wanted to roll my eyes but chose not to, very aware of my father, who was sitting beside my mother right now. The last thing I wanted was an argument.

"Fine. I'll go ask her," I shrugged and headed towards the laundry room.

"Thanks bhabhi!" I heard Maha's cheerful voice before she ran out of the room with her clothes in her hands.

The laundry room was down the corridor, near the back door of the house, with my room, a bathroom and a storage closet before it. Yet it felt like I reached within a blink of an eye.

When I reached, I found Pakeezah Ironing a shirt. She looked up at me and smiled. I prayed it was mine but I also knew that it was dad's.

"Good morning," she spoke as a frown appeared on her her forehead.

"Good morning," I responded before swallowing down my pride, "where are my shirts?"

"In the wash," she shrugged, focusing back on dad's shirt.

"Still? They should have been ironed by now!" I gasped.

"Thora dheere. Mujhe kuch samjh nahi aaya," she frowned again at me, making me roll my eyes. I wondered if I could steal one of Shehry's shirts but I didn't want one of his lectures like last time.

"You .. know.. what..," I paused between each word as I stepped towards her, "I will go without a shirt again."

"What? Kyun?" She widened her eyes at me, "aap aise office nahi jaa sakte! Buy a new shirt!"

"What? I bought one yesterday! Now I don't have the money to waste on another shirt!" I rolled my eyes again, "mujhe mere kapre vaapis kar do. Nahi toh Main sach mai—"

"Fine!" Pressing her hand against my chest, she pushed me away and walked towards the small storage cupboard in the room. She pulled out all of my shirts that were ironed and stacked up in a neat pile.

"You did this all yourself?" I smirked at her, "aah you don't want anyone to see me naked?"

"See you what?" She asked, and I frowned. Now how do I explain this to her?

"Google it," I suggested, "but maybe after you turn off the iron."

"Iron?" She frowned at me again and then she gasped, widening her eyes, when realization hit her.

"Looks like someone is in trouble!"

PAKEEZAH's POV

I gulped, lowering my eyes to the ground when uncle looked at me through massive burnt patch. This is probably my last day in this house. They will send me back to Pakistan now.

I bit my lower lip when uncle got up from his chair and slowly lowered the shirt as he approached me. My fists tightened around the edge of my kameez as a shiver ran down my spine.

"Yeh kya haal bana diya hai meri shirt ka?" He narrowed his eyes at me as showed me the hole.

"I am.. I am sorry," I stammered, carefully stepping back but suddenly, he chuckled.

"Ek shirt hi toh hai, itna kyun darr rahi ho?" He Asked, smiling, and this time I frowned.

What? I burnt his shirt. He is supposed to get... angry?

"Haan, Pakeezah, ek kharab hui hai, doosri aajayegi," uncle shrugged and turned around, "Chalo, sab naashta kar lo, warna phir kaam par late aaoge."

He walked away from me without caring about his burnt shirt and I sighed out of relief.

"It's a shirt, ismein rone wali kaunsi baat thi?" Hussain muttered. I looked up at him but he was not looking at me so I figured he was not waiting for my response.

"Anyway! Work reminds me! You guys will have to manage without me at work for a couple of days!" Hussain announced, entering the dining hall, and I followed him.

"We manage everyday without you anyway," Shehyaar slapped his head in response, "shayad tere naa aane hum zyada focus kar paye, kyun Pakeezah?"

Hussain scowled at everyone when they shared a laugh. I chuckled and he narrowed his eyes at me, forcing me to stop instantly.

"See this is why I don't like coming home. Sab mazak udaalo mera!" He huffed as he sat down to eat.

"Accha accha theek hai, Batao kya baat hai?" Aunty asked him.

I offered Hussain a plate full of toasts. He almost grabbed it but as soon as he looked at me, he stopped, frowned at my hand and then carefully picked one up from the plate.

"I am going for a friend's engagement in New York. It's a two day event," He finally informed everyone.

"That's great! So when are you two leaving?" Uncle asked and Hussain frowned at him.

"Two? Only I am going. It's a small party just for close friend and family."

"That's strange," uncle spoke as he wiped his hand with a paper napkin and got up from the table. He walked back to the lounge and pick up an envelope, kept with the stash of bills and other letters.

"Iss par toh plus one likkha hai," he frowned at Hussain and Hussain looked down at the table, clenching his jaw.

Mujhe nahi jaana kaheen bhi!

"Pakeezah Beta, tum bhi apni packing kar lo!" Uncle chuckled lightly as he came back and sat down, "in fact, stay for longer. Kam se kam 6-7 din. Haan yeh sahi hai! Main tum dono ki tickets book karwa—."

"No thanks!" Hussain blurted out as he pushed his chair back, rubbing it against the hardwood floor, "Main apni do din ki booking karwa chuka hoon Aur teesre din Main yahan se bohot door jaa raha hoon."

Hussain was about to leave when Aunty got up from her chair and stopped him. "Hussain? Beta kya ho gaya hai? Baith jao."

She reached out to rub his shoulder but Hussain walked out.

Aunty glanced at uncle and pushed her plate away before sitting down again. "Aap baar baar usse kyun sunaate rehte hein? Jab se aaya hai, uske peeche lage hue hein!"

"Ab maine kya kar diya? Dekho, plus one likkha hai," uncle showed her the silver and blue invitation card.

"Kabhi nahi sudharne wale aap dono," Aunty huffed in response and got up again to leave the room.

I glanced at Shehryaar, who shook his head and fixated his gaze on his empty plate. Deciding I couldn't eat anymore, I took my empty and unused plate to the kitchen.

Har baar mujhe le kar laraayi kyun? Meri wajah se sabko taqleef—

"Ahh!" I screamed, jumping out of my thoughts when someone pushed me to a corner and within a blink of an eye, I was pinned against the wall.

"Hussain!" I gasped, widening my eyes when he placed his arms on either side of me.

"Mana nahi kar sakti thi tum? Kya problem hai tumhaari?" He asked me.

"Yeh kya tameez hai? Peeche hatto," I told him firmly. I am petty sure we have been through this before.

I pressed my palms against his chest and tried to push him away but he held my arms and pushed me back against the wall.

"Listen to me very carefully! You are not coming with me!" He spoke through his clenched teeth as he stepped a little closer, "dad ke paas jao Aur unse kaho tum nahi jaana chahti!"

"Mere saath chalne se itni takleef hai toh khud jaa kar—"

Someone gasped, cutting me off and my head jerked in their direction. Ruqaiya, our cleaner, stood by the kitchen's door, with her hand covering her mouth. Hussain instantly left my arms and stepped back. Running his hands through his hair, he narrowed his eyes at me for a brief second before walking out of the kitchen.

"Sir!" Ruqaiya called out but Hussain didn't stop. Obviously he was trying to run away. I wish I could too!

"Aaj sab busy hein," Ruqaiya mumbled to herself and walked over to the sink to wash the dishes.

I frowned. What happened to her?

Hussain's POV:

Dimag kharab Ho Gaya hai sabka! Kya zaroorat thi post se invitation bhejne ki? Bola tha na aa jaunga!

I folded the sleeves of my shirt and picked up the perfume bottle. Ab toh kaam par jaane ka bhi mann nahi kar raha!

Socha tha iss sab se break mil jayegi but no!

"Hussain?" I rolled my eyes upon hearing Pakeezah's voice. She knocked on the door like she needed my permission to come inside.

Zabardasti meri life Main ghuss aayi ho, Ab room main aane ki permission chahiye?

"Aa jao," I spoke after she knocked again.

"Woh Mujhe help chahiye. Kuch paise chahiye," she spoke reluctantly.

I frowned. "Paise Aur tumhein? Kyun kahan gayi tumhaari salary? The one you work so hard for?" I asked, mocking her.

"Usse aane main toh bohot time hai," she shook her head, "Aur woh bohot kam bhi hai."

"Kitni kam hai?" I raised an eyebrow as I opened my wallet, "hundred? Two hundred?"

"Twenty thousand!"

I was pulling out a bunch of notes from wallet when my hand stopped moving.

"maine uncle se bola tha, unhone bola aapse lene ke liye," She added when I looked up at her. She was fiddling with her dupatta.

I have never held back from helping people when it came to lending money but suddenly this didn't feel right.

"Whatever," I sighed as I kept my wallet back and opened my cupboard. Opening the small locker, I pulled out a small bundle of crisp notes and gave them to her.

"Main apni salary se lauta dungi, pakka!" She accepted the money and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

Why would someone want twenty thousand dollars out of nowhere? It is twenty thousand today, it will be two hundred thousand tomorrow and then shares in everything dad owns.

Just like that Amjad Jaleel Shah had said !!

•••Next Day•••

I have no idea why things never work in my favour.

"Hussain! Inka lounge humare lounge se kitna bada hai!" Pakeezah shrieked across the room. Her voice echoed, earning awkward glances from the staff members.

"Itne saare naukaro ki kisi ko kya zaroorat?" She frowned at me as I hurriedly walked towards her.

"Pagal ho gayi ho kya? Dheere bolo," I whispered before grabbing her wrist, "Chalo mere saath."

"Your key is ready, sir," the receptionist informed me as soon as I reached the desk. I could tell she was judging me.

"Thanks," I smiled at her as I took the key card from her. Room number 56.

"Isse waiting lounge bolte hein. Ghar wale lounge se bohot alag," I told Pakeezah while a bell boy grabbed our two bags and gestured us to follow.

On our way, Pakeezah observed everything so carefully. Whether is was a painting on the wall or flowers kept in tall vase along the corridor or small carvings on the wall. Like all this was new to her.

"Your room, sir," the bell boy informed us once we reached and opened the door before stepping aside to let us walk inside, "ma'am."

"Thank you," Pakeezah grinned as she walked past the bell boy. She was clearly way too excited for this.

I let the bell boy bring our luggage inside before handing him a couple of notes. He informed us about the complimentary drinks that were kept in the fridge, few special features in the room and the room service. Once he left, I opened my bag and pulled out a box.

"Main bahar jaa raha hoon, Tumhaare liye dress bhej dunga, saat baje taiyaar ho kar lounge main milna," I informed Pakeezah and left the room before she could ask me any questions.

Looking down at the box, I sighed. I could have just given this to her myself!

"Oh my God!" Someone gasped behind me and I prepared myself to turn around and smile when I heard footsteps approaching me.

"I can't believe this!" A young boy gasped again when I turned around, "someone told me you are staying here but I didn't believe them! I am your biggest fan sir! I have watched all of your movies."

He was holding a garment bag in his hands that he shoved between his arm and chest before extending his hand towards me, "it's a pleasure meeting you sir! Can I please take a selfie with you?"

I rolled my eyes, "Please! Pleasure is all mine. And yea sure!"

He pulled out his phone and clicked a couple of photos with me.

"Thank you so much!" He grinned, excitedly, staring at his phone's screen, "and autograph also!"

He slipped his hands in his pocket and pulled out a pen. He tried looking for a paper but when he couldn't find one, he pulled the small slip that was attached to the garment bag.

"Here," he handed me the pen and the slip. There was a number written on it.

"Fifty-four?" I frowned as I placed the paper on my box and signed it.

"Clothes delivery. I work at Hotel's laundry," He informed me as he took the slip from me, "thank you so much sir! I'll frame this, I promise!"

"Oh please! My pleasure! Uhm I need a favour. Can you please deliver this to room number fifty-six?" I asked, "Please?"

"No problem, sir!" He took the box from me and gave me a quick hug before running down the corridor again.

It's funny how people want to meet their favourite celebrities and not everybody gets the chance to. But very few who do, have no memories to hold on to! All they do is take pictures and then stare at them like they would stare at the celebrities' Instagram pages. Nobody really wants to know the real us or ask any questions or just chat for a few minutes. It's always about getting photos they can show off and not the memories they can hold on it.

PAKEEZAH'S POV

"Ruksaar main tumhein bata nahi sakti hoon yeh karma kitna bada hai!" I giggled, opening the door of the washroom. It was bigger than our bedroom, white marble and amazing lighting.

"Itna bada bath tub aur kitni saari candles hein yaha!" My smile widened.

"Wow api! Aap toh bohot maze kar rahi hein." Ruksaar laughed. I flipped the face-time camera and showed her the lavish washroom. Every little detail of this room was just out of this world.

"Dekho yaha ka toh sheesha bhi kitna bada hai! Ek cheez dikkau?" I grinned, focusing the camera on my reflection in the mirror. Stepping back, I flipped a small black switch on the wall and the LED lights on the mirror turned on.

"Yahan make up karne main kitna maza aayega api!" Ruksaar spoke, She was as excited as I was.

"Accha? Tumhein bada pata hai make up kya hota hai?"

"Pata hai api! Humein sab pata hai! Raheel bhai humein last week Sheher le kar gaye the. Woh kuch forms submit karne the. Humne itni badi badi building dekhi wahan aur bohot saari shopping ki!" She told me, "hum dikhayein aapko? Ruko do minute."

Without waiting for my response, she disappeared from the screen and came back after a few seconds, but our conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Keeping my phone aside, I opened the door, only to find a young boy grinning at me.

"Your outfit ma'am," He handed me a garment bag and walked away. I quickly laid the bag on the bed and unzipped it, revealing a long, maroon, off shoulder gown. There were tiny sleeves and a slit that was way too long.

Picking up the bag, I ran outside my room.

"Par yeh mera— this is not mine!" I yelled but that boy had already disappeared down the corridor. Frowning down at the bag, I closed the door and laid it on the bed.

"Kya hua api?" Ruksaar asked and I sighed.

"Hussain ne dress bheji hai," I showed her the dress and she gasped. "Yeh toh phati hui hai! Hussain bhai aapko aise kapro main kyun dekhna chahte hein? Chee!"

"Pagal! Yeh style hai! woh movies main bhi larkiya aisi hi dresses pehenti hein!" I giggled, running my fingers over the soft fabric.

"Accha? Aapko bada Pata hai movies ka. Kitni dekheen hein aapne?" Ruksaar rolled her eyes, "yahan toh abbu TV bhi on nahi karne dete."

"Tum soch bhi nahi sakti ho utni dekhi hein! Kisi din fursat main saari kahaniya sunaungi!" I told her and sighed, pinching the fabric between my fingers, "Par filhaal, main yeh nahi pehen sakti."

HUSSAIN'S POV

I pulled my blazer once gain, making sure it wasn't creased or anything. Adeel had sprayed my hair with hair spray so I was not worried about them but this blazer seemed a bit tight. Parathe Khila khila ke paratha bana diya hai mujhe!

"Bhai relax! It's your wife you are waiting for. Koi first date nahi hai. Itna nervous kyun ho raha hai?" Adeel whispered beside me, making me roll my eyes.

"Abbay saale! Nervous nahi ho raha hoon. Blazer—"

"Yasmeen! I'll go say hi!" Adeel turned around, cutting me off, and ran after her. I was about to follow him when my eyes fell on Pakeezah, who was very cautiously walking towards me.

What the hell is she wearing? It was a long maroon gown with a black mismatched cardigan and something was definitely wrong with the skirt.

"What are you wearing?" I raised an eyebrow at her as soon as she was close enough to hear my voice.

She patted the fabric and smiled, "maine bohot koshish ki par yeh bohot ooncha tha. Mujhe safety pins lagane pare."

I looked down at her left leg where the slit of the dress was. There were small openings here and there and the rest was secured with pins that were clearly visible.

"Tumne yeh kya pehne hai?" I asked her as I rubbed my forehead with my index finger and thumb, trying to stay calm.

"Aapne hi toh bheja tha," she frowned at me, making me want to scream. She was looking like a clown in a dress she picked for herself and was definitely not comfortable in.

"Maine? Tumhe lagta hai ki main aisi—"

"Hussain!" Yasmeen's voice interrupted me and I exhaled a loud sigh. Why would I ever pick a dress like this? That too, for a desi engagement party?

"Hi!" Yasmeen hugged me first and then turned to Pakeezah, "and you must be the mystery girl! Hussain tried so hard to convince us that you are not coming but I always knew you would. Akhir newly weds ek doosre se door reh hi nahi sakte!"

"Tujhe bada pata hai!" Adeel smacked her shoulder from behind and Yasmeen scowled at him.

"I am Adeel," he introduced himself ti Pakeezah, who reluctantly smiled at him.

"Uhm guys! This is Pakeezah," I jumped in to introduce her, "my...uh—"

"Wife.. I am his wife," Pakeezah smiled, finishing my sentence. I guess I'll probably never feel comfortable saying it out loud.

"Chal everyone is waiting!" Yasmeen told me as she grabbed my hand to drag me to the party hall, "actually no one is! Sidra bechari ka break up ho gaya. She is all senti right now. Nikhil idhar udhar meri cousins ko line maar raha hai and Chirag Aur Prajakta toh love birds hein. Apni dhun Main, kisi corner Main baithe honge!"

As soon as we entered the hall, my eyes roamed around, trying to spot my gang and Yasmeen was right. No one was waiting for me. This room was dimly lit, yet bright enough for us to not fall asleep. There were too many flowers and candles everywhere. It felt like a Valentine's Day party instead.

"Corner Main nahi, bar main!" I told her once I spotted Chirag and Prajakta. Leaving Yasmeen, I approached the two love birds who were too busy remembering their own engagement party.

"Look who is here! Hussain!" Prajakta spotted me first and grinned. Chirag got up from his stool and turned around to greet me but instead, he walked past me.

"Yeh kaun hai?" He asked me. I groaned, because I knew he was looking at Pakeezah. She was walking towards us with Yasmeen and Adeel.

"Yeh auntiyo wala sweater kaun pehenta hai? Itni pyaari dress ka kya bana diya hai!" Prajakta gasped and then chuckled, taking a sip of her drink, "party's theme was traditional for a reason. Na idhar ke raho, na udhar ke!"

I bit my lips together. This is why didn't want her to come with me!

"Hey guys! Meet Pakeezah!" Yasmeen proudly introduced her to Chirag and Prajakta, "she is—"

"Kya maine kisi larki ka naam suna? Kya woh single hai? Ready to mingle hai? Jaldi batao!" Nikhil poked his nose in our conversation; literally. He sniffed everyone's outfit and then stopped at Pakeezah.

"Iss nacheez ki Nikhil kehte hein," He bowed down in front of Pakeezah and she giggled.

"Aur larkiyaan isse ya toh bhai, nahi toh kameena bulaati hein," Chirag muttered beside me, making me chuckle.

Nikhil scowled at Chirag, "Chalo chalo, sab taken wale udhar moohn karo!"

Then he smiled at Pakeezah, "Aur Aap. Would you like to dance with me?"

"Uhhh, main?" Pakeezah frowned at Nikhil and glanced at me but Nikhil shifted enough to stand between us.

"Ji aap! Mujhe Pata hai mera dost mujhse thora zyada handsome hai but he is married. Aapki daal wahan nahi galne wali!"

"Of course! Please take her!" Yasmeen grinned, pushing Pakeezah towards him and Pakeezah let Nikhil guide her to the dance floor. She placed her hands on his shoulders and slowly moved with the beat. How could she?

"Pagal! Phir toh Pakeezah ko bhi mooh ghumana parega," Yasmeen giggled once they left, "because she is also married.... to Hussain."

Chirag and Prajakta instantly looked at me and their jaws dropped.

"Agar woh meri biwi hoti toh Main uske liye jealous feel karti. I wouldn't have let her dance with another man!" Yasmeen added and giggled again.

"I am sorry Hussain, I didn't know she was the one," Prajakta whispered to me and I just shook my head and smiled at her.

"Chalo. I need my thumbs up!" I announced and instructed the bartender to pour me some soft drink.

"Where is your sister?" I asked Yasmeen.

"Must be somewhere," she shrugged, "so many people want to meet her today. It's crazy. I didn't even know we had so many relatives!"

"I know! Weddings are loud and packed! Glad mine wasn't," I rolled my eyes and instantly regretted it.

"Oh yeah! How was it?" Chirag asked without waiting, "ab itni bhi dosti nahi hai humaari. Tune toh invite bhi nahi kiya yaar."

Pata hota kya hone wala hai toh kabhi jaata hi nahi. "Mujhe khud zabardasti ghaseeta gaya tha."

"What rubbish!" Yasmeen rolled her eyes, "Just look at her. She is so pretty! Who wouldn't want to marry her?"

"Tujhe bada pyaar aa raha hai!" Prajakta smirked at Yasmeen's comment and they continued their conversation while I zoned out.

My eyes roamed around the room again and stopped at the dance floor where Pakeezah was still dancing with Nikhil. I felt irritated for some reason. Mujhse toh kaha karti thi humaare yahan itne qareeb nahi aaya karte.

Toh ab kya hua?

PAKEEZAH'S POV

"Toh aapko pata tha main kaun hoon?" I asked Nikhil and slowly shifted my leg. The slit was starting to annoy me. I could feel one of the safety pins was about to fall out.

"Ji haan, Adeel and I had a bet. You see, we met Hussain around time and I thought I know him better than Adeel. I thought Hussain would feel jealous but look at him!" Nikhil looked Hussain and shook his head, "there is a lot of trust in your relationship, I guess."

Trust? Yahan toh relationship bhi nahi hai.

"Ek baat kahoon if you don't mind?" He asked and continued after I nodded at him, "You should never wear something you are not comfortable in... I mean you keep fixing your dress. Isse better toh kuch comfortable hi.... you know what I mean? "

"Yeah," I sighed, "Hussain sent this for me. Warna main aise kapre nahi pehenti aur waise bhi mujhe laga nahi tha koi notice bhi karega."

"Oh shit I am sorry!" He stopped dancing instantly and widened his eyes at me, "I didn't mean to make you feel awkward! I was just saying that like a... You know. Like a friend."

He talks really fast. "What?"

"Ji?" He frowned, "I was just-- never mind," He shook his head and smiled, "Hussain is a lucky guy. Bohot kam log hote hein jo kisi aur ki pasand na pasand ka khayal rakhte ho."

"Aapko dekh kar aisa kyu lagta hai jaise aapko abtak uss ek shakhs ka intezar hai?" I asked him. Nikhil shook his head again and then got off the dance floor before gesturing me to follow. Stopping a waiter, he picked up two glasses and gave one to me.

I frowned at the drink as I took the glass from Nikhil and he shook his head. "Don't worry! It's not Alcohol."

"And You are right," He nodded, "I liked this girl when I was working as an assistant director but na toh usne mere struggle ko accept kiya aur na hi mere success ka wait. She married someone else and moved on. I used to do everything I could to please her but she just left."

Please?

"Aur mujhe Yasmeen ne kaha you are just a flirt," I chuckled, remembering out brief conversation.

"Haan, woh bhi hoon, thora thora," Nikhil shrugged and then finished his drink in a large sip.

"Don't worry, Usse nahi pata usne kya khoya hai. You are a nice guy," I smiled and he raised an eyebrow at me. "Accha? aapko kaise pata?"

"I have a cousin, Raheel. You remind me of him," I told him.

"Kya?" He widened his eyes again and laughed, "aapne toh seedha cousin-zone kar diya. Matlab friend bhi nahi? And just because I remind you of your cousin, I am supposed to be a nice guy?"

Ab cousin-zone kya hota hai?

"I am just kidding. Hussain is my friend but if you ever need me to beat his ass, let me know! Akhir cousins kis din kaam aayenge," He pulled his collar up and and his fingers through his gelled hair, making me chuckle.

"Ji zaroor. Aapka number speed dial par rakhna parega mujhe!"

"Acche kaam main dayri kaise? Yeh li jiyein number," He pulled out his phone instantly and then frowned at me, "waise aapke wahan toh cousins bhi... Do you think I stand a chance?"

Chance at What?

———
There was a post on this wattpad page on Facebook where Writers were saying they write 7-800 words per chapter.

I have written 4300+ words excluding author's notes. Ek Star and comment hi kar do 😭😂

Love always!!💕