Shaiq's POV

"Really?  I smirk at her.

Something comes in my mind and my smirk grows wider as I lean towards her. Zainab soon gets to know my intention considering how her face turns pale.

"No, Shaiq. Don't do this! " She yells while trying to get up from the couch.

Before she can even move, I grab her arm and make her fall on the couch again. She looks at me with wide eyes full of a scare when I hover over her.

"Shaiq, don't. Please, " she mumbles in a low voice.

"How was my coffee, then?" I ask as I put my hand under her waist and push her up, towards me. I raise my other hand and reach her stomach.

She gasps when my hand brushes against her stomach area. This is one of the few times when this bomb Zainab becomes vulnerable. Seeing her frightened and anxious face, I move my fingers softly on her stomach. She shuts her eyes as she was expecting something hard from me.

"It was really good. I was just kidding. Don't do this, Shaiq. You know really well that I can't bear tickling. Please." She binds her both hands in the form of asking forgiveness.

I have to bite my lower lip in order to suppress a laugh at how cute she is looking right now with her puppy eyes.

"Good girl," I mumble and leave her waist but I groan when something doesn't let me move away from her.

I look back at Zainab's astonished face and then the thing which is binding us right now. The hook of the silver necklace in her white, bare neck is meshing with the button of my T-shirt. At this time, she is closer to mine that our faces are just a few inches apart. I can smell her sweet fragrance from this distance. In order to come to this level, she has both elbows placed on the soft pad taking support from the seat of the couch.

I stare at Zainab's face in a haze. From her thick eyebrows to her arched brown eyes to her slanted pointed nose, finally to her pink plump lips and that small black mole above them. My hand which is still under her waist is engulfed by her long, sleek, and soft brown hair. How beautiful she is!

I come out of my thoughts when this particular thought comes into my mind. How can even I think like this? She is just my cousin, my best friend, and nothing else. I should stop my mind from wandering around. The position we are in right now is so embarrassing; as I am totally hovering over her, her face is so closer to me.

I again stare at her necklace terribly tying with my button and raise my hand towards it. I try to yank my button but all in vain as it isn't coming out of it. I clench my lower jaw in frustration as this time, I pull the hook of Zainab's necklace. This causes my fingers to rub against the delicate and smooth skin of her neck. Electrifying sensations run in my fingers just on this meager contact of her fair, slim neck. A desire emerges in my heart to touch and feel this soft skin again. Obliviously, I look up at Zainab who is already gaping at me without blinking her eyes.

My stare perhaps has induced her to come out of the daze and she hastily grabs her necklace and tries to unlink it. But this causes her to raise her elbows from the couch and in a blink of an eye, she lost her balance and falls on the couch. Due to my button still attach to her necklace, I too go down with her. And the next thing which happens, makes my eyes become wide in shock; my lips directly lands on her full lips. My eyes go to Zainab who has the same expressions as me.

We stay in this flabbergasted state for a while before Zainab harshly pushes me away which causes her necklace to torn. I abruptly stand up while rubbing my forehead in embarrassment. What was that? We just have a kiss. I kiss Zainab, my best friend.

I peek at Zainab with my side-eyes. Her face has turned from pale to ruddy. She is looking everywhere except me. If I stay more here, this embarrassment will kill both of us. With this thought in mind, I walk out of the house.

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I push the main door and it gets open with a slamming sound. The moment I enter inside, the first sight which comes in front of me is Zainab still sleeping on the couch. This just makes me remember what has happened between us. First my urge to touch her and then that kiss. What is happening to me? My mind is constantly reminding me that she is my best friend but my heart is steadily domineering it by saying she is my wife, not a best friend anymore.

I slowly jog ahead, towards the same couch Zainab is laying right now. A smile creeps on my face seeing her sleeping soundly with her one hand still inside the snacks packet she was eating. I go near her and carefully take her hand out of the packet. My stare again goes to her naturally tinted pink lips. Although it was so sudden and short, still I remember how soft her lips are. My smile grows wider reminiscing the moment.

I bend down and carry her up in bridal style in my arms. I take her to the room and make her lay on the bed. I smirk seeing the pillows she uses to make a wall between us. I settle them aside as I myself lay beside her. Because of these pillows, I am not able to sleep properly due to limited space.

"Put the pillows back here, Shaiq."

My jaw drops when Zainab mumbles this. I gaze at her who is looking at me with half-opened eyes. Has she been awake the whole time? When I don't abide by what she has said, she sighs and gets up to take the pillows and plop them between us.

"And thanks for bringing me to the room. I was too lazy to come by myself," she winks and turns her body towards the other side.

I chuckle as I shake my head at her stupidity. Silly girl!

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Zara's POV

I spot a shaded nook under the big tree and strolls towards it. I crouch down under it and take out a book and pen from inside my bag. I flip some pages of the book and after finding the particular page, I uncap the pen in my hand as per my usual habit. I have come back to university after so long. And thank God, I haven't find Zainab and Shaiq since I have come here. After what has happened the last night, I am in no mood to meet them again especially Zainab being the same girl Armaan used to date.

Though I think Shaiq isn't lying and manipulating me about talking bad regarding Armaan, still I won't be able to face them. The last night, after coming home, I have given it a lot of thought.

Shaiq being a best friend and so much caring for Zainab, it's not odd for a friend like him to say this stuff about a guy who has according to him, dumped her.

At first, I was angry with Armaan for whatever accusations Shaiq has given him but thinking about all these aspects, Armaan hasn't hidden any single thing from me. He doesn't lie to me. He has told me everything. Then I thought to test him by asking where he was. And when he told me the right answer, I can't help but trust him.

I flinch when someone sits next to me. I look at my other side to find the person I least expected to come across. I immediately close my book and hang my bag along my shoulder to get away from this person as soon as possible.

I quickly stand up and am about to go, when Shaiq's voice puts a halt to my feet.

"Zara, I want to talk to you. Where are you going?" He comes in front of me.

"Shaiq, I don't want to talk to you. I am busy right now," I huff in anger.

He smirks and crosses his arms on his chest, " even if it concerns your dearest husband, you still don't want to talk to me?"

"Shaiq, I know you are pissed off with Armaan because he has broken up with Zainab and you have every right to do so because you are her best friend but Armaan hasn't purposely hurt her. He never played with her or dumped her. And he isn't doing like this to me as well. He is not like what you are thinking," I try to explain to him.

I look at him with confusion when there is no expression on his face. He has a straight face.

"Are you done?" He asks.

I don't say anything as I keep on staring at him blankly.

"Now listen to me," he adds.

"I am not interested, Shaiq. Don't test my patience. The guy you have been humiliating is my husband, for God's sake," I spew in anger and walk away as I glare at him.

"What about the father of that same guy who has humiliated your father?"

This makes me stop in my track. What has he just said? How my Dad comes into all of this? I turn around and look at him with wide eyes.

"What did you just say?" I mumble.

"Your husband's father has got you both married because he was after your Dad's wealth. Your Dad's will was altered by none other than Armaan's father. He has forcibly seized your father's property and give it to his son. In fact, he is the reason, your Dad has died. Because when he got to know about his friend's betrayal, he couldn't take it."

It feels like the ground being pulled away from my feet and I am here standing alone. My eyes fill with tears. No, this can't happen.

"You are lying again, Shaiq. How can you be so assured of all of this?"

"Don't you remember my father was dealing with your Dad's will's case. Go and ask him yourself, he will tell you everything with proofs," he says.

This is when it hits me. Mr. Wajahat is Shaiq's father. In fact, this is the very reason I have met Shaiq.

"Your husband has hidden this thing from you. He may be equally involved in this with his father, who knows," Shaiq shrugs his shoulder.

"Don't accuse Armaan again. He can't do something like this," I yell.

"Fine. Go home and ask your husband about this matter," Shaiq tells me and walks away.

I look at his back with a hazy vision due to tears. My Dad has died because of Armaan's father. No, this can't happen. They both were best friends. Dad always becomes so happy when he is around him. They both were like brothers. Moreover, Armaan himself has told me that it is some business partner of Dad who has done this cheap act.

I hug myself with my both arms tightly. No, it won't be true. Armaan can't hide things from me.

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I harshly open the main gate and barge inside, my eyes roaming here and there in search for Armaan. I stop when he comes out of the bedroom. He looks at me with confusion.

"Zara, why have you come by yourself? You should have told me, I would have come to pick you up," he asserts.

I stare at him blankly. You can't do this, Armaan. Don't break my trust. You are only one after Dad whom I have trusted the most. Don't do this.

"Wait, Zara. Why are you crying?" He comes near me and tries to cup my face but before he can do this, I take a few steps away from him.

"Who is the person who had altered my Dad's will?" I ask him.

I see as many expressions cross on his face; from shock to surprise to startled. He rubs his forehead as he sighs.

"Was it your father?" I again ask.

Please say no. Please say no.

He doesn't say anything, just keep on looking at me with an astounded expression. My heart sinks when he doesn't reply.

"Was it him?" I yell at the top of my lungs this time.

"Yeah, it's him," he mumbles.

That's it. My trust is shattered. I feel everything spinning around me. I don't know when tears fall from my eyes and cascade down my cheeks. My Dad has left me because of this.

"Zara..." I come out of my thoughts when Armaan grabs my both arms.

"Don't touch me," I yell while jerking away his hands.

"I wasn't involved in this. I was as uninformed, as shocked as you are right now. I never knew my father will do such a low thing. Zara, believe me, please," he explains.

"You are lying. I am sure you know everything from the really start. You did hide it from me, Armaan. I will never forgive you for this. Because of you guys I have lost my Dad," I stop when I can't speak anymore due to the bulk of tears which gets stuck in my throat.

"I loved you Armaan. I trusted you but what you did to me. What do you get by doing this? What exactly you get by breaking my heart? What did you guys get by hurting my Dad and making him suffer till his death? I thought you love me but I was wrong. You love my Dad's wealth. You played with my heart, my feelings. Do you even have a heart?"

"Zara, believe me, I haven't done anything and-"

"Just stop, Armaan." I interrupt him as I wipe my tears.

"I will never forget this humiliation of me and my Dad, "I mumble as I push him aside and walks inside the room.

Before I can even move, Armaan grabs my arm. He places his one hand on the side of my face.

" I never played with you. I truly love you. How should I make you assured about this? I was and I am sincere with you. Let me explain at least. "

"There is nothing left to explain. Everything is clear cut here." I remove his hand from my face and walk into the room.

I rush towards the wardrobe and take out a suitcase from inside it. I hastily take out my clothes and shove them inside the suitcase.

"Zara, what are you doing? You can't leave me like this. I won't be able to live without you."

I ignore him as I pull up the zip of the suitcase and plop it on the floor.

Armaan takes the handle of the suitcase from my hand, "don't go, Zara. I love you."

I don't think twice before raising my hand and slapping his face. And I regret it the moment I have done this. Armaan looks at me in a baffled state as he isn't expecting me to slap him.

"That love word doesn't sound genuine from your mouth," I speak in a stern voice and snatch the handle from his hand.

I glance at him for the last time with teary eyes. He is the guy I love the most. And he is the same guy who has hurt me. I lick my dried lips as I roam my eyes throughout the house. How many memories I have made with him here. But all of that is a lie, a deception. He was never sincere with me. He used me. He played with me and here I was thinking he actually loves me.

I wipe my face with the back of my palm before turning back towards the suitcase. I hold it with trembling hands and drags it behind me. I gasp when Armaan grabs my arm and turns me towards him.

"Please don't go, Zara. I am begging you. I wasn't involved in this. It was my father. You are the light of my life. Don't take my light away from me. Please, don't leave me," he pleads while cupping my face.

"Huh," I let out a laugh in sarcasm, "I am a light which leads you to success in your awful plans."

He is taken aback at what I said. Taking this opportunity, I come out of his grip. I quickly make my way from the bedroom to the lounge and then the hallway. In this all while, I can hear his footsteps and him calling my name continuously I am about to open the main door when Armaan puts his hand on mine, stopping me from doing so.

"I love you, Zara and I am not lying. Please let me explain first. Don't leave me like this," he says.

I again look at him. His eyes are red and swollen right now. But the brightness in them is screaming sincerity to me. A corner of my heart is still saying he isn't lying. He is my Armaan but the other one is clearly denying it.

How heartbroken I am right now, I just want to forget everything and get into his safe and warm embrace. To just cry my heart out on his shoulder and him just consoling me by caressing my back without saying a word. I want him to kiss my forehead which always takes away every pain from me.

But that's not what I want to feel for a guy because of whom I have lost my Dad. Because of whom, once again my trust is broken. I slap away his hand from mine, open the door, and rush out.

          
            
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Salam guys!

I am not going to ask how is the chapter because I will get flying chappals, right?

So I don't know what to say. Seriously, I was so heartbroken while writing this. Zara and Armaan are literally my babies. But still, I can't help, the story needs this.😭

Zainab and Shaiq just had their first kiss, but I guess no one will be celebrating it. I think once this book will end, the people who ship them should come back to read their romantic scenes because they have got covered up by the revenge thing. And they are not feeling soulful right now.

Still, to show your support, don't forget to vote and comment.