Ifza's pov :

"Where the hell is he? How can he even ditch us."

"Calm down babe. Something really urgent might have come up."

"What's so important for him than his own engagement preparations Huh? God! Why's he so irresponsible."

"It's just shopping thing right, you girls can handle them. He isn't that necessary in here."

"Do not speak in his favor. Think about Ifza, what do you think, how's she feeling right now."

Zara and Rayyan kept bickering over Zain's  disappearance, while I silently stared at the piles of glittery, glamorous and traditional dresses to wear on my big day.

"They were supposed to select their engagement rings too."

"Relax. Stay with her, I'll check upon him."

Rayyan left making a phone call to my fiance, whose whereabouts are yet to be found. Both of them, Ruhaan and Zain are out of reach for hours now.

"Did you choose anyone of these mam?" salesman asked pointing towards the dresses laying infront of me.

"Let's see few more patterns before you select one, okay? I'll help you." Zara hopped onto the chair next to me with a cheering smile and I couldn't say no to her although I was really tired of shopping today.

"Princess Ifza, try these on. Let's see which will suits you the best. Go on." Zara pushed me towards the changing room handing me few dresses from the pile.

I really wanted to enjoy every moment of my engagement ceremony but nothing is going as I thought it would be. I wish Ramsh could be here next to me or Zain or...Ruhaan. Why my mind always finds a way to miss him.

Zain's pov :

"Let me treat you, a dinner date."

It's been years I've spent such a relaxing and joyful day with her. She haven't changed a bit, still the same innocent, shy and pure. Her beaming smile still makes my heart flutters just like old days. I know I can't afford this but I wish I could pause this mesmerizing time with her forever.

"Don't do this. Don't smile like that, looking at me...please" she requested in a soft shuttering voice only when I realized how wide I was smiling. My smile was tearing my cheeks and touching the ears. It widen even more when she blushingly lowered her gaze and was trying hard not to smile. I do have some impact on her.

"Why? Don't you like it when I smile?"  I said covering the distance between us.

"I...uh...you..." she was trembling in nervousness. I could hear the sound of her heart beating louder and faster. Because of me standing less than a hand distance made her restless and shy.

"um...your phone..." a beautiful moment was ruined when she pointed to the phone flashing Rayyan's name on it. These people never let me enjoy any moment peacefully.

On call-

R : You were supposed to be back in a few moments and it's been hours now, where the hell are you man?

Z : Oh God! You guys are still at the mall. Sorry buddy I can't make it there. I'm a lil busy.

R : Your sister is going to kill you if you don't come here right now. Here's a suggestion, leave everything what so ever you've been doing and come before she looses her mind.

"Zain? My phone is in the car, give me the key--" Ramsha interrupted us.

"Shhh!" I didn't wanted Rayyan to know the fact that I'm with Ramsha but I guess it was too late.

R : Are you with someone? Is that Ramsha with you? What's going on?

Z : Calm down. I'll explain everything, later. For now handle the situation over there. I really can't make it.

R : What am I going to say to both of them. You and Ifza were supposed to select the rings.

Z : Tell them Zamin (Zain's best friend) had some kind emergency or a lil accident anything and I've to stay with him but do not let them know that I'm with Ramsha.

R : Why my lil innocent cousin Zamin be your sacrificial lamb?

Z : You know I don't have so many lambs and it's easy to convince them using his name. I've to hung up, handle the situation.

R : you better have some serious explaination got it. Bye!

Ramsha's pov :

A dinner date? With me? What happened to him? Why's he being so nice to me, today? Did...he...break up with Ifza? Ehh...no no,he can't do that. He doesn't look ill, neither am I to have hallucinations. Ahhh...am I dreaming?

His eyes were fixed on the menu when he whispered, "No it's not a dream."

Uh...Can you hear my thoughts?

"I can't hear your thoughts." he answered my thoughts again.

"But you actually did?" I mused.

"One can easily read your expressions. It's all written on your face." he grinned.

"So tell me, what's written on my face?" I asked cupping my cheeks with a broad smile. Let's see can he really guess this one.

"You're scared." his words captured my heart and my eyes grew wider in shock. Yes, he's correct. I'm scared more than I should be. I'm scared of him leaving me. I wish I could stop this time and capture this moment forever.

"Scared because you think this is a dream and it may end the moment you blink your eyes. And you don't want me to leave your side." his expressions changed to intense ones making my heart jump out of my chest. He slowly shifted himself to the chair beside me. His intensely ravishing gaze was fixed on me, peeking deep into my soul. I'm afraid he could actually see my hidden feelings which I've been treasuring for a decade and half.

"Hmm...at this point your afraid, coz I  might know something big." he spoke with utmost confidence after analyzing each and every action of mine, caressing my hands which I didn't realized he was holding them until his grip tighten around my wrists.

"No...this is not right." I realized as soon as my mind portrayed Ifza's face. This person is chosen by my best friend. I can't betray her. No matter how deeply and madly I like him, I can't be unfair to my only friend.

"We shouldn't do this." I wept. I tried loosening his grip around my wrists but he immediately grabbed them with a lot of force this time. Unstoppable tears found their way to escape. His eyes were still fixed upon me, analyzing every single action.

"Zain...please..." I insisted.

"Ramsha...I...uhh...I...l--" before Zain could finish his sentence a very loud and unfamiliar voice screamed, "ZAIN?"

A guy wearing a plain black T-shirt with a black jacket on it came marching towards us with an amazement in his expressions.

"Congratulations buddy!" he immediately hugged zain who was still holding one of my hand in his.

"Congratulations!" he cheered turning towards me. I was still confused with the whole situation.

"Ohh...I'm sorry. Let me introduce myself, I'm Zamin! Zain's best friend. Ifza right?" he extended his arm for a shakehand. He mistook me as Ifza. I realized I never had any special place in his heart its Ifza as always.

"Congratulations? For what?" Zain frowned.

"What do you mean, you guys are getting Enggaged by this week. By the way I must tell you, you are so beautiful. No wonder why my best friend is head over heels for you.Congratulations Ifza bhabhi (sister-in-law)."   I felt flustered for having unrealistic expectations for a moment because of Zain's sweet behavior. But this guy dragged me out of my delusional world.

"I'm sorry, you've the wrong person. I'm not Ifza." I finally was able to utter something biting my tongue.

"What? You are not Ifza bhabhi (sister-in-law)? Then the way you both were holding hands." he mumbled cornering me through his eyes.

"It's not what you think. She's Ramsha and...we are just...friends..." Zain answered the bitter truth of my life. Yeah right, We are just friends after all. Nothing more to it.

"That doesn't defy why you both were holding hands like a couple. Miss. Just friends, are you sure you're not here to steal this guy." every word out of his mouth came like an arrow to my heart. This is how I'll be judged for loving the same person like my best friend.

"Excuse me" I rushed out of the constricted environment which is created inside dining.

Zain's pov :

"Excuse me" she ran fighting to hold her tears back.

"I was just...kidding." Zamin uttered.

"If you don't know the whole situation, you shouldn't speak."  he ruined everything but I can't blame him after all I'm the one who's wrong from the start.

"Ramsha...RAMSHA" I ran behind her, I don't know what I can do to make up to her but I can't leave her hurt.

"Ramsha...RAMSHA, listen to me." I dragged her and pinned her to a wall so that at least I can get a chance to explain myself without her being escape from me.

"Listen to what, Zain? The crap about you being sorry,huh? " she cried. The pain in her eyes left me speechless.

"Why are you doing this to me Zain, why? For a moment you make me feel special and in another you behave like I don't exist anymore.Why?" her painful tears filled my eyes as well.

"Whenever I convince myself that there's nothing between us and you belong to Ifza, why do keep coming back to me. Why giving me a hope that I can still linger on those feelings which are buried in my heart." she hit her baby fists on my rock hard chest. Even though they doesn't hurt but I felt the pain deep inside my heart. Every tear from her eyes were the proof that how I've become a villain of her story murdering her feelings and our beautiful memories.

"Tell me what's my fault. Where I was wrong. What did I do to deserve all this pain? Why I'm being severely punished for being selfish and choosing you over Ifza." she was out of breath, crying her heart out. It's the first time ever I saw her open up and cry. I wasn't aware what I've been doing to her.

"It's all my fault. I didn't realized that I was hurting you and you're in much pain. Please forgive me Ramsha, I'm so sorry." I broke my silence holding her in my arms my heart wept along with her.

"Why can't I hate you even after all this. Why's it so painful Zain,...to love someone like you...I love you, you jerk!" she cried in vain hugging me back. She said the thing that I don't deserve to hear. I don't deserve her love. I wanted to say that I love her as much as she loves me or even more but I can't. I can't have her in my life. I need to protect her from a beast.

"You don't deserve me, Ramsha. You and I, we together is not gonna work." I whispered the bitter truth of my life, parting her away from my arms.

"I can just apologize for hurting you beyond repair, but I'm not the one who's made for you. I'm an evil person who doesn't deserve your love. I've done worse and lost in the darkness from where there's no return. And your the bright dazzling light made to glow." she was hurt more than I was. But I'll not regret this decision of mine until she'll be out here breathing, safe and away from the curse I've been bearing.

"Then let me glow for you. Let me find you out of the darkness you're trapped in." she held my cheeks in her soft palms. My heart wanted to give up and embrace her by accepting her love, but my mind reminded me about my deal with the devil and the threats he and dad gave if my feelings meddle with their plan.

"Can't you get it. We're are not made for each other. YOU CAN'T BE WITH ME.I DON'T LOVE YOU." I pushed her away, swallowing my true feelings for her. She just stood there devastated as I walked away.

Ifza's pov :

"Finally we're done with the shopping."  Zara sighed heading back towards the car. Zain didn't return as his best friend Zamin was in some sort of problem, Rayyan informed us.

I let the couple walk hand in hand ahead of me while I took slow steps behind them.

(Whoosh) I felt the cool breeze passing me. Goosebumps erected all over my body. It was similar to the way when Ruhaan usually appears like a ghost. I turned around to look at him cheerfully, but he wasn't there.

"Ruhaan?" I whispered which was almost inaudible to make sure Rayyan and Zara couldn't hear.

At a few steps distant I saw a man covered in a thick black woollen cloth. Hmm...is he playing the ghost prank again? I wondered.

With every step he became more scary and weird. I realized it wasn't Ruhaan when he suddenly turned towards me as his face was all black with red fierce eyes.

"He is coming for you. No one can stop him." his alarming voice sent chills down my spine as he whispered grabbing my wrist.

"RUHAAN!!" I screamed in fear jerking his hand.

"You will fall for your own grave." he started laughing in a very weird tone as I fell down.

Rayyan and Zara came rushing towards me after hearing my voice.

"What happened Ifza?" as soon as Zara approached I threw myself in her arms.

"Za...Zara...he..." I pointed my finger in his direction while hugging her.

"Who? There's no one here?" she said patting me. There was nothing except a black cat.I realized they can't see what I can see or sense.

"I want go home." I cried.

"What happened back there?" Zara broke the silence in the car.

"A cat jumped on me and I was scared."  I lied without even giving a second thought.

"Ugh...you literally scared us Lil girl." Rayyan sighed.

"I'm sorry." I apologized.

"By the way, whose name you screamed when you fell down." oh no. Did Zara heard me calling Ruhaan? Maybe not.

"I called Rayyan." I lied again but both of them were still confused.

After a long pause Zara suddenly yelled "ZAIN?" Her loud voice made me jump out of my skin. She mistook someone else to be Zain. "Why'd Zain be here he's with Zamin." Rayyan clarified.

"We'll see you soon, Ifza bhabhi (sister-in-law)." Zara said teasingly, dropping me off at my house.

As I entered my room, my soul almost left my body as Ruhaan whispered "pick a boo" in my ear from the behind.

"I didn't meant to scare you." he said apologizingly when he noticed my tears.

"You're such a bad person." I said wiping my tears.

"I'm sorry." he murmured in a soft and low voice. RUHAAN THE GHOST just apologized, I can't believe this.

"Something very strange incident happened when I was returning home." I said taking seat on my bed while he stood at the doorway observing me.

"Well, like I promised that I'll find a way to fix your dreams problem, a very dear friend of mine helped me to cast a spell on your room, so that no one can enter your room except humans. Now you can sleep peacefully." he explained standing at door. Honestly I get what he just said but I didn't understand what he is saying. It was confusing.

"Except humans? What do you mean?"

"Umm...remember I said Jinns are warning you through your dreams. It'll not be possible unless a jinn or an evil spirit is near you. This spell bound room restrict them to come near you. You'll be safe here." he explained.

"You're not a jinn right neither an evil spirit, so why can't you enter?"

"What if I'm one of them, you never know." he grinned.

"Huh...it's a good thing that you can't enter then MR. GHOST." I giggled.

"I'm not a ghost." he scoffed.

"Wait...was he a jinn too?" I uttered in confusion.

"What do you mean."

"While home today, a strange man his face was all black and his eyes were red,covered in a black cloak. I thought it was you but when I saw him, he grabbed my wrist and said someone is coming for me and no one can stop him. I'll fall for my own grave. Woo that was scary." as I recalled the incident, I shivered as I felt the chills down my spine.

"Well it's actually scary. Show me your wrist." he demanded.

I didn't realized that I've an scar on my hand. It was a deep red mark as if that area of my skin is burnt.

"He was a jinn. When an evil jinn touches a human they leaves such marks behind. It's a very serious problem."

"You are scaring me." I cried.

"My friend Adnan who helped me to secure your room, he'll help us. We've to meet him after morning prayer. No matter what, get ready till 5am I'll take you there." he said patting my shoulder gently. I was no longer worried, as long as he's beside me I don't have to worry. I don't know why but every time he tries to help me my feelings gets all stirred up.

Get yourself together Ifza. I scolded my self.

"Ifzzz..." Ramsh came in unaware of the fact someone is standing in the way. She looked devastated and upset. Her eyes were filled with tears. As soon as she entered the room she held me in a tight hug.

"Ramsh....you okay?" even Ruhaan was puzzled as she cried hugging me for a long time, and I let her cry her heart out.

"I'm sorry Ifzzz, I'm so sorry." she mumbled in my ears as non stop tears fell on my shoulders.

"What happened duffer? Why are you crying?"

"I was so stupid Ifzz. I'm sorry for not answering your calls. I missed you." she cried as if she's been going through an heart break.

"There's no need of apologizing idiot." I said wiping off her tears.

"I love you" she whispered.

"And I love you more" I yelled.

Ruhaan disappeared after signaling me to be ready at 5 in the morning.

It took a while for her to calm down and in no time she fell asleep in my lap like a little baby. I wondered what have hurt her so deeply that she was in a lot of pain. I recalled Zara calling Zain's name while returning home. Was he actually here? Did he do this to her? No, Zain cannot hurt her and Rayyan said he was with Zamin so no way he  could come here but he left the shopping mall after hearing about Ramsh. Did something happened between them or they're just my imagination?

Zain's pov :

"Zara have seen you with Ramsha on our way back to Ifza's home." Rayyan informed.

"Care to explain what's going on in between you two?" he demanded.

"Nothing." is the word I managed to let it out. It all ended before it even started. There's nothing...nothing in between us, neither it'll be.

"ZAIN, WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?" Zara came in all flustered. I can sense her rage through her red eyes and flaring nose.

"Later Zara." I stood up to march towards my room.

"No Zain. You've to answer me right now. Do you've any idea what you did today?" she wailed.

"I'm tired Zara, let's not do this. I need rest." without any eye contact with her I moved towards the stairs.

She grabbed my hand stopping me and continuing her lecture. "What were you doing with Ramsha, Zain? Holding her...wiping her tears..."

"ENOUGH ZARA, STOP IT!" I jerked her hands off. Because of the force I applied, she lost her balance and fell but thankfully Rayyan was behind her to hold her. She rushed to her room with the teary eyes. Today's my unlucky day I made two important persons of my life cry because of me and unfortunately Dad witnessed the whole incident with Zara.

"Dad...I...didn't mean to hurt her it just happened." I tried explaining myself when he came into my room furiously.

"How dare you do that to my daughter." he yelled grabbing me by my collar. " Don't you know, what she have been through to be along with us alive. Hurt her again, I'll kill you." he pushed me to the ground to show me how it had hurt when she fell.

"Yeah, right. All you care is for your precious daughter. Then what about me Dad? I'm your son too. What about my wounds? What about my feelings?" I couldn't take anymore suffering for today.

"Men doesn't brag about emotions, it'll only make them weak." he mocked me.

"You have something more important things to do than to kid yourself with useless emotions. So focus on your aims, unless you want yourself and all others along with Zara and that girl Ramsha to be dead along with you." he left pinning me to ground.

"Aww, poor lad! I feel so sorry for you." he whispered in my ears. He was here all the time noticing my each move.

"You made it this way." I glared.

"Ohh come-on boy, your father was the one who sold you to me. I've never asked for you."

"This was purely his own decision. He risked your whole life by his own will. If you want to blame someone blame your father.

"Tch. Tch. Tch. Honestly, you don't deserve this. Don't you think? You deserve happiness. You deserve your freedom and the girl your in love with. But your father can't see you have all these happiness." he busted out his ugly, annoying laugh.

"Blame your father for saving that incompetent girl by turning you in."

"Do not talk about my sister." I ranted.

"Look at you still favoring the girl who made your life a living hell. Never have you ever thought of killing her."

"Stop with your nonsense. I'll never hurt my sister." I covered my ears with my hands to avoid his mind tricks.

"You're just like me. An Evil person. No matter how much you hide you'll still be the my slave , you'll do just like what I want you do."

"No I'll never become a monster like you." I screamed.

"You will." he grabbed my collar and looked into my eyes with his fierce eyes compelling me.

"You'll do as your master say."

"Yes. I'll do as you say, master." my mind was now under his compulsion. I no longer was in my control as his echoing voice took over my sanity.

"You hate your sister because of whom you're turned his back upon you."

"I hate my...sister, because...my father...turns his back upon...me." I tried fighting back his hypnotizing trick but I couldn't resist but to listen his words.

"You hate her so much that you want her gone forever."

"I ha...hate her so much and I want her gone."

"What are you waiting for? Go and kill her. It's my order."

"As you say, master. I'll kill her."

Zain held a sharp edged scissor and marched towards Zara's room.

*********************************************
Assalamualikum guys.

How are you all?

How's the chapter? I hope you all enjoyed it

What are your thoughts about Zain?

Is he going to kill Zara?

Let's see in another update.

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Thanks,

Inaayat 💝