"In aakho me kuch sapne palte hai,
Aasu bahar aane ko machalte hai,
In aakho ko padh lo sab likha hai,
Warna shabdo ke matlab hazar nikalte hai..."

(A few dreams are nurtured in these eyes,
Tears are eager to come out,
Read these eyes, everything is written here,
Otherwise, words have thousands of meanings...)

****

"I warned you oldy but you never took it seriously. Believe me, one day your own daughter is going to break you or... Maybe... She'll... Break... Her... Ownself... Like who knows what our future holds? Who knows we are here today and tomorrow we may not be..." Shahid says the last lines slowly but his tone holds a hidden meaning which gives a shiver to Minar. After all her children are her world and the person in front of her is all sweet in front of her children but the opposite when he's alone with her. Her children never listen to her whenever she warns them about him.

"I'm here for her. They are my everything and I can do anything to protect them." Minar tries to act brave and doesn't let her voice break in front of him.

"As if I don't know how low you can stoop to do what you want. So what will you do now? Will you also kill me?" Shahid goes closer to her and say's these words all the while looking in her eyes.

"Wha... What do... Do you mean? I... I nev..." Minar's sentence was cut short by Sidhra who came to the kitchen in a hurry shouting, "Come on Sha we are getting late. Bye, Mom." Just the way she came running inside the kitchen she left too, the same way, dragging Shahid with her. Before going out from the kitchen Shahid glared at Minar and left with a smirk being pleased to leave her shocked, confused and frozen.

***

"So guys what did you learn today?" Sidhra asks when they were having their lunch during their lunch break at the college canteen.

"We learned about the Advance drug delivery system. What about you Adi?" Shahid replies and asks.

"Well, we studied CNN. Thanks to you bro, at least this time I was able to answer Mr Watson's question instead of standing there with a lowered head in front of the whole class. You know professor Watson even made the whole class clap for me as this is my first answer in this year." Adi's reply earned him a smack from Sidhra.

"Idiot you should be ashamed of these things and you are confessing it as if you have done an honourable thing all through the year. But Sha you truly are a great teacher. We can't thank you enough. Before you came in our life Adi used to be late or absent for his first lecture every other day and now he leaves me at home if I'm not ready on time." Sidhra gives a sweet smile to Shahid and a glare to Adi as she had to call Shahid to drop her to the college as her mom sold her car and she has to go with Adi until she buys a new one.

"It's ok, I'm always at your service mam." Shahid keeps his right hand on his heart and bows down a little, while everybody laughs.

"Guys excuse me my next lecture starts in ten minutes." Adi hurriedly leaves.

"Why is your friend absent?" Shahid enquires.

"She isn't feeling well today." Sidhra replies and he nods his head in agreement.

"Hey Hadi one cappuccino for me too," Sidhra shouts when Hadi leaves to bring himself a coffee.

"Tahsin has found a suitable girl for him. They went on a date twice this month and both are eager to get engaged, so I guess we can end our girlfriend-boyfriend act now." Sidhra says but feels something breaking inside her. As she got used to being with him, going on dinner dates, parties, spending time with him at his place or her's, receiving gifts from him at least thrice a month, the way he held her by her waist in front of her family, the way he kissed her cheeks and forehead, the way he hugged her instead of saying goodbye, everything kept playing in her mind. She knew all these things were just an act to prove her Mom and aunt to prove that they are a thing but now she finds it hard to end the act.

"Let's continue it or else your Mom will again try to patch you up somewhere else. I don't have any problem with this, after all, you are one of my best friends." Shahid expresses his opinion.

"No, this should end here. I can't do this any more. I can't lie to Mom every day, I feel guilty every time. I'll just tell her everything and make her understand my feelings. I know she'll definitely understand me." Sidhra knew she has to end this soon or else she'll end up falling for him and breaking her heart with her own foolishness.

On the other hand, warning bells ring in Shahid's mind. He can't let this happen or else all his hard work will go in vain. He needs to stop her, "ok if you wish so but please let's go to dinner today or else after knowing the truth I guess your Mom won't even let me enter your house. I can't understand why she hates me so much." He makes a sad face and as expected Sidhra fall in his trap.

"Don't mind it, Sha. She dislikes strangers and even more when they are male as she doesn't want me to get into a relationship with any guy and get distracted from my studies. But I'm sure she'll understand you are a good person later on. And yeah I'm ready for dinner. So where will we go today?" Sidhra asks excitedly.

"Dinner at my place and then we'll head towards the Oyster club," Shahid replies.

"Sounds interesting." Sidhra gives him a huge smile. She loves his cooking and in the past few months being in a fake relationship with him, she ate his handmade food so many times.

"Hey, Shahid it's been long since you told us a sher, please say at least one." Abdul Hadi requested.

"Ok brother." Saying so Shahid continues after a short pause,
"wo dosti ke alawa bhi to kuch kare,
Hum unhe chahte hai dil-o-jan se,
Kash wo bhi humse utna pyar kare...

Is dil ki bechaini ka kya kare?
Jhuta izhar to ho chuka hai,
Rab kare wo jald sacche pyar ka izhar kare...

Mehez alfaz nai ehsas hai mere, kya kare,
Banda-e-nachiz ko ab to samajh lo ay zalim!
Apne pyar ka hum aur kaise izhar kare???

Unki masumiyat ka kya are,
Inteha-e-izhar ki had par kardi hai humne,
Ab bhi agar tumhe samajh na aae to kya kare???"

(She should do something other than friendship, I love her with my heart and life,
Only if she too loves me like that...

What to do of this uneasiness of this heart?
The lie is being expressed,
By God's will, she should express her real love soon...

Not mere words but these are my feelings what to do? At least now understand this trifle person, oh tyrant! How else can I express my love???

What to do of her innocence? I've crossed the limit of ultimate expression (confession),
If you can't understand now also, then what to do???)

"Amazing Sha, if I wouldn't have known about your feelings then I would have definitely fallen head over heels for you as it matches our situation. I love Hindi and your Hindi words are so cute. But I can't understand some of them." Sidhra says with a cute pout. Shahid and Abdul Hadi share a knowing look and laughs.

"No my dear it's Urdu that's why you find it hard to understand. It's not always the pure form of Urdu but a mixture of Hindi and Urdu." Shahid says.

"But the words are so similar," Sidhra says getting confused and Shahid nods.

All three of them then goes towards their respective classes for their lectures.

After their lectures, Abdul Hadi goes along with Maximilian as both these friends and Joe are having a study night at Joe's place. Initially, Shahid was also accompanying them but suddenly he changed his plan. Abdul Hadi left with his other friends unaware of the reason why Shahid backed out suddenly, unaware of the havoc that his friend will soon create in someone's life. Unaware how he'll regret it tomorrow.

Shahid heaves a sigh of relief once Abdul Hadi leaves. "Now time to turn the table, I've already wasted so much time". Mumbling to himself he too leaves.

***

" Wow!" Sidhra exclaims in excitement seeing the candlelight dinner arrangement. Different dishes were placed on the table along with rose petals. It was a very simple arrangement but still very beautiful for her. The rose petal path that he made from his bedroom till the balcony was lovely. She was feeling hurt as this can be the last dinner like this with him.

"I'm glad you like it. I didn't get much time to make fancy arrangements." Shahid rubs the side of his neck.

"There wasn't any need to do all this. Today I won't be clicking any photos to prove it in front of my Mom about us being real. I'm going to tell her everything tomorrow." Sidhra tells in a sad tone.

"It's ok. Now let's start with our dinner." Shahid pulls out a chair for her and she sits with a smile.

She opens the dishes one after the another. Her mouth waters seeing Biryani, chicken nuggets and veg Raita. He serves for both of them and they start eating.

"The food was amazing but I really missed Hadi, this is the first time he isn't here with us for dinner." Sidhra expresses her disappointment upon Abdul Hadi's absence.

"He was eager to have his study night, can't help." Shahid shrugged.

"Let's go to the club some other time, I'm so full." Sidhra places her hand on her stomach.

"I have an idea, we can walk. The club is near my house you know it." Shahid raises his eyebrows.

"I don't feel like walking but I can't deny when you insist so much." Half-heartedly Sidhra gets up and helps Shahid in cleaning the table and the dishes. After cleaning everything they go towards the Oyster Club.

***

"Good because if this doesn't work I'll make sure you won't ever be able to work." Shahid threatens waiter boy.

"It'll definitely work sir." The boy assures him for the fifth time.

Taking his lemonade and the spiked drink in his hand Shahid goes near Sidhra and offers her the spiked drink. She takes it with a smile. After drinking their drinks they heed towards the dance floor. After a few minutes, Sidhra feels like her head is spinning. She feels suffocated. Unable to stand straight she is about to fall but Shahid holds her and makes her sit on a nearby chair after dragging her away from the dance floor.

"Hey, are you ok? What happened?" Shahid asks in a worried tone. "My head is spinning, I can't breath. Something is happening. Please take me home, Mom, Mom." Saying so she looks at Shahid's worried expressions before falling unconscious in his arms.

"Sidhra, Sidhra, wake up Sidhra." Shahid shakes her but she doesn't respond. He then lifts her up in his arms and leaves the club. After hiring a cab he reaches his home.

With great difficulty, he opens the door all the while carrying Sidhra in his arms. He then places her on his bed and after making a call from his mobile takes her mobile and sends an SMS to her Mom that she'll be staying at Eli's place tonight and also sends an SMS to Eli requesting her to assure her Mom that she is there with her if her Mom calls her. He then makes another call from his mobile to Abdul Hadi and makes sure that Adi is staying with them tonight because this was his last moment plan to include Adi in their study night.

He leaves his bedroom with a smirk as soon as he hears the doorbell.

***

In the morning...

"Ding-dong, ding-dong, ding-dong..." Being irritated from the constant ringing of the doorbell Shahid finally gets up. Even though this can make changes in his plan as he wanted to sleep till Sidhra herself wakes him up and also because he fell asleep just an hour ago after offering his Fajr Salaah which was hardly an hour ago.

With an irritated look, he opens the door wandering who can visit him so early in the morning. His irritating expressions change to horrid once when he sees Abdul Hadi standing at his doorstep.

"What happen, bro, did you forget I'm your friend Hadi." Abdul Hadi waves his hand in front of Shahid when Shahid doesn't move aside to let him enter.

Shahid reluctantly moves aside but Abdul Hadi looks at him with a confused look at his friend who's wearing only his night pants and nothing else unlike everyday. He then heeds towards their bedroom but Shahid blocks his way, "you were supposed to meet me at the college right?"

"Yes, but Joe's parents called him early in the morning to inform him that they'll be returning till eight-thirty, so he woke us up and told to leave or else his Mom will get disappointed and so here I am." Hadi replies and continues, "now if you'll excuse me I would like to sleep for some time before it's time to get ready for the college and please wake me up only when it's half an hour left for going to college."

Shahid still continues to block the way towards the bedroom. "You can sleep in the guest room."

"Are you hiding something, Shahid?" Abdul Hadi suspiciously asks but before Shahid can answer Abdul Hadi's eyes land on two rose petals at the corner of their bedroom door. He picks them up and furrows his eyebrows, then tilts his head in a questioning way. Shahid curses himself mentally. Abdul Hadi forcefully pushes Shahid away from the door. Being unprepared Shahid stumbles and by the time he can maintain his balance, Abdul Hadi opens the door wide. His feet get frozen at what he sees inside.

As soon as he comes out of his shocked state he instantly closes the door but the images of what he saw rotate in his brain, Sidhra laying on Shahid's bed with her hair scattered on the pillow as well as her half-naked back, both Shahid and Sidhra's clothes scattered all around the bed. These things were enough for him to know that the unimaginable happened.

With menacing steps, he went towards his friend and punched him right in his face, "we shared everything right from childhood same liking for food and clothes, same attitude, same personality but I'm thankful to Allah we don't share the same mentality. Today I feel disgusted to have you as my friend. How can you stoop so low? How can you ruin her?" He continues to punch Shahid who tries to control himself as well as block his friends punches.

"Let me ex... expl... explain." Shahid tries to say but Abdul Hadi interrupts him, "just shut up, enough of listening to your revenge game. I'm going to call Uncle." Hadi is about to dial but Shahid snatches his mobile and runs towards the kitchen.

When Abdul Hadi runs behind him and enters the kitchen Shahid holds his neck in a tight grip with his arms from behind. "Calm down my dear. You know what has happened whom all I lost. You weren't there in my place to loose so many people at the same time. My world shattered into pieces. What would you have done if you would have been in my place?"

Trying to free himself from Shahid's grasp Abdul Hadi replies, "even if I would have been in your place I wouldn't have played with an innocent life. This isn't my friend Shahid whom I know since childhood, this is a blind person, blind in his revenge."

Unable to calm his friend Shahid finally decides to disclose a secret. When Abdul Hadi listens his eyes go wide and he stops struggling. Seeing his friend calm Shahid removes his grip from his friend's neck.

"Care to explain why you did this with her?" Abdul Hadi glares at Shahid.

"You'll come to know soon dear. Don't worry she a girl with her dignity." Shahid says.

"Yeah, the dignity which you crushed under your feet yesterday." Abdul Hadi shouts in anger and leaves from the kitchen to clear his head.

When he is about to close the door of the guestroom he hears a loud scream. He nods his head in a disapproving way with tears in his eyes but closes the door as he doesn't have any strength to see her breaking down in front of him. He considers her as his sister and now he promises himself to make things easy for her in future, to save her and his friend before Shahid does some more damage but not today, not now as whatever he witnessed this morning was more than what he can bear. His head pains so much as if it will explode at any time.

***

Sidhra is sitting on the bed tightly clutching her duvet to cover herself. She holds her head which is paining painfully while tears continue to come out of her eyes.

"Sha wha... what... happ... happened... Yesterday?" She asks in a broken tone even when the condition of her and the room explains everything. She still believes he will deny her doubts, she still has a little hope he'll say she's still pure or maybe she's only dreaming...

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Assalamalaikum/Hello my lovely readers...🤗🤗🤗

I hope you all are fine...

As I said there's more to this story other than love...

I guess events just ran one after the other in this chapter as I informed in the previous chapter as I want to end this story soon. I don't want to make it a long story...

I know there are many unanswered questions in this chapter. But you'll soon get the answers in the next few chapters...