Zainab's POV

Seeing the all-set dinner table in front of me, a smile drilled onto my lips. After the exertion of the whole two hours, I finally succeeded in doing what was in my mind. And it was; making a way to spend my time with him; that too alone. Doing something so that he would be compelled to sit with me; even if it would be for just a few minutes. The dining table was adorned with every dish which Shaiq used to love. From his favorite chicken karahi to his favorite sweet dish, fruit trifle.

Through the big window behind the dining hall, I could see the faint darkness which was gradually replacing the sunlight. It was six in the evening and at this time, I was alone at home. Nofil and her mother had already left for Islamabad in the early morning and according to a call from Nofil, half an hour ago, they already reached there. Not only once, but tons of times, they called me to check up on me and how I was doing.

And Shaiq? He was still not back from his office. On normal days as well, he usually used to come home at around seven. That was the reason, I prepared everything before he would reach. Laying a glance at the table again, I smiled cheerfully that how much he would be delighted to see his every favorite food. Though I was sure, Aunt had asked him to get back a little earlier for me but I was certain of this thing as well that he wouldn't do it.

I quickly went to the room and took a lukewarm water shower which soothed my body as well as mind. After long reasoning with myself, I was at last able to wear a light pink outfit; a knee-length straight shirt with the same colored pencil pants. As I was combing my wet hair, a memory came into my mind which caused me to put a halt to what I was doing and stare at my reflection through the mirror.

'Should I tell you a thing, Zainab?' He asked after gazing at me for a good amount of time.

'What is it?' I questioned him back in an impulsive way while my whole focus was on attempting to wear my earring.

I still remembered it was the day of some college friend's engagement and I was getting ready for it in my room. And like always, I had asked Shaiq to take care of my pick and drop there. Right now, he was standing beside me; more like irritating the hell out of by his constant useless chatterings. But all of a sudden, his tone changed into something serious from the usual amusing one, he always had.

'You are looking gorgeous in this dress. This color suits you the most,' he said with a soft smile playing on his lips.

I abruptly stared down at myself at this weird compliment. I was wearing a light pink embroidered short shirt with the same colored lehenga. I again glanced back at Shaiq while chuckling loudly.

"Quit joking around, you moron. I know your next comment will be 'but this just a coincidence that you are looking good',' I shook my head at him before aiming to walk away.

Before I could move, Shaiq grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him. The smile was still on his lips, 'no, I won't say something like this because I genuinely like this color on you."

"And whenever you appear in front of me wearing a light pink colored dress, I always wonder; what beauty Allah has bestowed me in the form of my friend that sometimes, "he trailed off and leaned near to my face, "I just can't help but think about marrying you," with a wink, he got away from me and also left my arm.

"Don't you come with these marriage jokes, you flirt," I fake yelled at him as I punch his chest with my fists at which he laughed out loud.

And at this moment in the present, his heartily laugh still vibrated in my ears.

And his marriage joke also turned out to be correct.

Something flickered me out of the thoughts and I snapped back to reality. I looked at myself through the mirror and traveled down my whole figure.

Unintentionally, I chose to wear what he claimed to like the most on me.

I was still in a turmoil of reasoning when my phone rang, drifting my attention altogether. It was Aunt's call which brought a prompt smile to my face. As usual, she asked me how I was doing, making me completely forgot what I was thinking a while ago.

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Impatiently, I peeked at my wristwatch as I strode near the dining table. It was already 8:00 pm but Shaiq was still not home. I bit my lower lip in recklessness as my eyes went towards the corridor. Sighing, I sat on the chair while my gaze was still roaming outside, lingering for him. He usually managed to come back earlier than this every day but now as I was alone at home at this time, he wasn't there.

Was it a coincidence or was he doing it on purpose? Had he been avoiding me since now he would be having no other alternative than to see me. I grabbed my phone and dialed Shaiq's number. It was the first time after his arrival to Pakistan, I was calling him and now I wasn't sure, he would pick it up or not. A tear fell from my eye when as usual, he didn't take my call.

And at that time, I wonder, would he have ever done such a thing if he was the Shaiq I knew before these five years or not, considering how he never used to leave my side ever.

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With a jerk, I flinched and my whole body jumped at this unexpected thud. I opened my shut eyes to find myself in a startling position; my head was resting in between both arms on the dining table and my back was also inclined. Did I fall asleep? I must have dozed off while waiting for him.

I straightened out my body and roamed my eyes around to find an exhausted Shaiq entering the dining hall. As he was walking, with a jerk, he loosened up his tie. Seeing me sitting there, he stopped in his track and narrowed his eyes in confusion. Probably because of what I was still doing here and on top of everything, sleeping here.

Abruptly, I stood up while bringing a smile on my face, "Shaiq, when did you come? I was waiting for you for so long?"

Shaiq first looked at the table with the same dubious expressions as me before raising a brow, "why?"

"Because I made lunch-" I trailed off as my stare went towards the sky to find the brightness of sun long gone and now it was dark all along.

I chuckled as I continued, "now it became a dinner but whatever! I made your favorite dishes so come on, taste them," I gestured my arm towards the table, filled with varied types of food items.

Shaiq gazed at me with an unusual expression like I had said something really complex. I overlooked his expression as he always used to do the same when I was around him or say something to him.

"But these all must have got cold by now. Wait for five minutes, I'll warm them up once again," I beamed while stretching out my arm to grab one of the dishes.

"Wait-" I paused when Shaiq called me out and looked at him.

"Why you did all this?" He asked while pointing towards the table.

"What why? I did it for you," I replied without pondering anything. Shaiq furrowed his forehead as he scratched the back of his neck.

He sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair wearily, "I am not hungry, I won't be able to eat."

"What do you mean? You always have dinner after coming from the office. And I have spent my whole day cooking these things and you are saying you are not hungry," I complained in a loud voice.

"I already had dinner with a delegation in my office that's why today, I am late as well. I have to do some work so I have to go," he explained in a monotonous voice as though he was getting irritated by all this.

"But Shaiq--" my words died down in my throat when he left for upstairs without even letting me say anything.

I glanced at his fading back blankly as my mind was unable to process anything and then on the table which I arranged with so enthusiasm. And the now turned hazy stare propelled me to see it as everything on it was making faces on me. All of a sudden, I felt a pang deep down the pit of my stomach with which the appetite of a whole day, I was having a while ago vanished away instantly.

He didn't even bother to notice the untouched pans and clean plates to have an idea that if I was waiting for him, that meant I also didn't eat anything at all.

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Assalam o Alaikum guys!

How are y'all?

Happy Eid Ul Adha to everyone celebrating it. May Allah SWT accept our sacrifices and bless all of us.

It's been so long since I updated and I am sorry for this. But I assure you, the next chapter will be updated soon- hopefully, the next week so don't stop reading this book since many exciting things are yet to come out.

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I love y'all and ALLAH Hafiz till the next update.❤