Thanks for the cover pharydeerh. It's beautiful.
This chapter is for Saznah ,Herneefer and walidarh

Ikram's POV

"Haba Zahra stop crying. I thought you said you don't even have feelings for him." I said trying to console Zahra from her endless crying. Just an hour after ya Ahmad left, Zahra came with her eyes red and I immediately engulfed her in a hug. At that point, I knew ya Ahmad had already broken the news to her.

"I know I said that but did you really believe me?" She said while dabbing her eyes with the edge of her hijaab. I don't think she had time to dress up because she came with her pyjamas and a large hijaab.

"I mean Ikram why me? I finally fell in love for real this time and it had to go wrong. So wrong.." She said as she burst into a new fitful of tears.

I just held her hand because honestly I don't know what to do or even say. I kinda understand how she's feeling because I was once there and I know that pain she's feeling.

"He told me not to call again. That we can't be friends anymore. He said his goodbye to me. I had so much to say but I couldn't even find any word and then he hanged up on me. I feel like he doesn't even care because he sounded so distant." She said with a faraway look as if she was reminiscing their conversation all over again.

"Don't say he doesn't care. You don't know how hard this is for him too. I mean he came here practically crying. At least be glad you aren't the one forced into an arranged marriage, with someone like Husna in fact."

She looked at me and nodded. "Yeah I guess, what I'm feeling can never be compared with what he's going through. Why does it have to be this way? It hurts so much Ikky,it hurts..." She broke down again on my chest as I held her close patting her back.

"Everything alright here?" I heard his voice ask. That voice...

Shh Ikky,Now is really not the time for this.

I motioned for him to leave the room and we'll talk later. He just nodded and left. I sighed internally thanking God that he didn't argue.

"Zahra?" I called her poking her arm but she didn't respond. Apparently,she's fallen asleep. I disentagled myself from her and adjusted her on my bed. I grabbed my pink duvet and covered her with it. I left the room and went over to Adnan's room and knocked. I guess since we're making progress,all his rules are nullified. I just hope so.

"Come in." I heard him call out.

I opened the door and went inside the room. The room was dark as always. He was seated on his bed with his MacBook in front of him and papers scattered around.

"I can come back later if you're busy." I said lightly.

"No not all,come sit." He said as he cleared some papers and told me to sit.

"Why is your room so dark?" I asked merely out of curiosity.

"I just like it that way. Makes sleeping a whole lot easier."

"You don't get enough sleep?"

"You have no idea bambi. These nightmares are consistent. They never stop. Each night gets more worse than the other and somehow the dark makes me feel safe." He said.

"Wow. Can I know what the nightmares are about?" I asked timidly. Maybe he'd open up to me.

"Not today Bambi. Not today. Story for another day."

I just nodded already expecting his answer. "Why do you keep calling me Bambi?" I asked.

"Also story for another day. What's up with my sister?" He swiftly changed the topic with a worried expression on his beautiful features.

"Ah..well..she's kinda heartbroken." I said not wanting to say too much.

"And can I know why?" He asked looking at me.

"Well let's just say,a friend she really likes is forced into an arranged marriage." I said trying to ignore the pain in my chest that I feel for my brother.

"Oh,and I'm guessing that friend is your brother,am I right?" He asked and I gaped at him. How'd he know?

"How'd you know?"

"It's not hard to put two and two together. I saw the expression on his face when I drove past him."

I nodded and just put my hand on my forehead. "I can't believe this is happening. And out of all people,it's Husna he's getting married to."

Adnan looked at me confused as if trying to figure out who Husna is.

"Husna is my cousin and the arch enemy I told you about."

"Oh,the one who made you cry the other day." He said.

"Yeah her." I replied curtly.

"What's the motive behind the marriage?" He asked.

"You ask too many questions." I said rolling my eyes. "But well,story for another day." I said smirking at him.

He put his hand over his heart dramatically. "Ouch,touchè."

I giggled like a school girl. "Yeah right. I really like this side of you. Not that grumpy one."

He gave me his killer smile and said." You bring out the best in me bambi."

I blushed and looked away playing with my fingers.

"Bambi?" He called.

"Mm-hm?" I answered without looking at him.

"Look at me." He said.

I turned and was looking at him. He used his index finger and raised my jaw. I could feel him leaning and I was leaning. I saw him closing his eyes and I closed my eyes. The tips of our nose touched and then...

"Oh my God. What did I just walk into?" Zahra's voice interrupted our little moment  and I jumped from his side almost falling off the bed. He turned his face and spoke to Zahra.

"How many times do I have to tell you to knock before entering my room?"

"The door was opened,duh!" She said rolling her eyes.

He didn't say anything else and I quickly stood up and left the room closing the door behind me. My heart was racing at an irregular pace as if I just ran a marathon.

"What the hell was happening in there?" Zahra squealed forgetting about her own pain.

"Uhm well I don't know." I said distractedly trying to figure out what almost happened.

"You guys are so cute." She said happily and then her face fell. It wouldn't take a guess to know what she was thinking about.

Before I could speak again she spoke. "I want to start going home. I don't want Umma getting worried."

I nodded telling her I understood. She knocked at Adnan's room and bade him goodbye and he told her to greet Umma and Abba and that we'll come visit soon.

I saw her off and hugged her one last time whispering in her ear that everything's gonna be alright. She should just pray over it. She nodded and left.

***

Adnan's POV

I can't believe that almost happened. What's wrong with my head? I couldn't even think quite well. All I knew was that her eyes mesmerized me and her lips looked so tempting I just wished to savour it. I'm kinda glad Zahra interrupted us because I want to take it slow but what almost happened today isn't the definition of slow.

I closed my MacBook and decided I needed to visit Waleed. It's been long I saw my best friend and damn I miss having him around.

I pulled on a royal blue jallabiya,grabbed my keys and went out. I saw Bambi in the parlour watching t.v. and I just called out to her telling her I was going to visit Waleed and will be back soon.

I got inside my new black Mercedes-Benz and started off to Waleed's house. I arrived in twenty minutes and knocked on their door and Aunty Zainab answered. Waleed's aunt. She was dressed in a wrapper and blouse with her headtie hanging loosely. She was one tall woman if I do say so myself.

"Good evening Aunty." I greeted.

"Who am I seeing here? Adnan how are you? Kwana dayawa. (Long time)" She answered.

"I'm fine Aunty,how's work and everything? I came to see Waleed,is he around?" I asked

"Everything's fine Alhamdullilah. Yes come on in, Waleed in his room. You can find your way there can't you? I can't remember the last time you've been here." She teased.

I smiled. "How could I ever forget. This was once my second home you know." I said while entering the vast living room. Yeah they were totally loaded. I can't even start describing their home,I'd just leave you to your imaginations.

She laughed as she ushered me in. I saw his five year old cousin Fatima watching a Barbie animation in the living room. Immediately she saw me she ran and gave me a hug.

"Auncle Adyaan." She squealed happily.

I laughed as she still couldn't pronounce my name. And the way she says uncle is really hilarious. God I miss being this happy, I miss being carefree. Why did things have to change.

I pinched her chubby cheeks." Still can't pronounce my name huh teddy bear? Look how grown you are now." I said releasing her from my grip and looking her over while she twirled in her pink flay gown for me.

"Yes Auncle Adyaan. Mummy said I'm now a big girl,but Auncle Wayeed says I'm still a baby." She said pouting.

I laughed." Stop pouting teddy bear. Uncle Waleed is just jealous you'd grow bigger than him." I told her gesturing with my hands how big she'll grow.

She giggled cutely and I ruffled her hair.

"What is this that I'm hearing about someone growing bigger than me?" Waleed said coming into the living room.

"Yes Auncle Wayeed. I'm going to grow very big and bigger than you." She said while sticking out her tongue.

Both me and Waleed laughed while Fatima went back to watch her Barbie cartoon.

I stood up from my crouched position and did salaam with Waleed. We went over to his room and it was just as I remembered it. The room was the complete opposite of mine. While mine was all dark,his was a light shade of brown. The curtains were coffee brown and all other furnitures were brown as well. There were picture frames of his family on his dressing mirror. One particular one caught my attention and it was the one with both his parents. They looked so happy in the picture. I remember he didn't have the courage to go through old albums but now I can see he's starting to heal.

I went over and sat at the chair facing his bed while he sat on the bed.

"And to what do I owe this unexpected visit?" He asked teasingly.

"What? Can't I come visit my best friend again." I replied innocently.

He just shook his head. "Don't even give me that. When was the last time you came here? Wasnt that like four years ago before you went off to England."

I raised my hand in mock surrender. "Yeah,you got me. A little visit doesn't hurt does it? Besides,so many bad memories here." I said while my heart clenched.

"Whoa whoa,let's forget about that. How are things with the bride?" He asked changing the topic.

I sighed mentally thanking him for changing the topic. "Good,I guess."

He raised his brow expecting more explanations.

"I don't know how to put it but we're getting somewhere. I'm willing to try. But sometimes memories come back to haunt me and I feel like she's going leave. I'm scared to trust,to love again Waleed. You of all people should know that."

He raked his hand in his hair and sighed. "I know man, I know and I'm really proud of you that you're at least trying.But if you don't try harder,one day  she's gonna get over you. And on that day you'll realize that she loved you more than anyone ever could. And it might be too late. So just have an open mind and give it your all."

I looked at my best friend and wondered when he'd gotten so wise. "You're one therapist huh? But I guess you're right. This is my only chance,I have to try harder and I will."

"I'm no therapist,just being here for my best buddy." He said while standing up to sit right next to me.

I patted his shoulder. "Thanks man,I really don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd be totally lost." He laughed and I laughed with him. From there we kept reminiscing old memories from when we were young. The good old days. Sitting here with him and reliving the old days made me crave for that happiness I once had before. I wish I can get it back.

It was getting really late and I decided to start going home before Bambi starts getting worried. I bade him and his family goodbye as I drove off with a lot on my mind to think about.

***