Hey!!

So here is chapter one :) :)

Thank you so much for your comments on the prologue <3

Ps. I got the spellings for the greeting from Google so do correct me if I spelt them wrong (:

~

With the sun, hardly at 20 degree angle from the horizon, I jogged down the streets and around the corners. Sweat trickled down the side of my face but, it only just motivated me to increase my speed. The constant buzzing of my phone, in my pocket, wasn't going to stop me anytime soon. If only I didn't dread the possible face on the other end. Stopping by a park's bench, I pulled out my phone and smiled at the screen. Sliding my finger across it, I answered the call.

"Hey!" I panted, taking my seat, "dulhe raja ko time mil gaya?"

"Its been a month Hussain. Stop teasing me now," Shehry, my brother, chuckled from the other end and I groaned.

"Then why don't you come to Pakistan and let me go home?" I asked bluntly and he sighed. "I called you to remind you about your meeting that's in two hours so be prepared. And thanks mere bhai."

Thanks because I let him stay there.

"Yeah whatever. Enjoy with bhabhi jaan while I find a place to stay," I snorted.

"Place to stay? What happened to the house that dad rented?" He asked.

"It's still under renovation and I don't like the hotel," I sighed.

"But, it's one of the bests in Faisalabad, Hussain," he said and I could imagine him frowning.

"Yeah but, it doesn't feel like home," I told him truthfully. I am the kind of a person who loves to live with their family and now all of a sudden, all I get to see are construction workers, hotel staff and my employees.

"Ok, let me talk to the manager and find you some good place to stay," he said and I shook my head. "That manager is useless; I might change him. I'll find a place myself.. So Chill."

"Are you sure?" He asked in concern and I smiled. A super caring brother he is... Bas thora selfish bhi hai- mujhe yahaan akele phasa diya.

"I'll be fine Shehry. Now good night," I assure him and he sighed in relief. The call ended and I almost threw my phone in annoyance.

One month ago dad decided to expand his business, Asif and Co., and chose Pakistan for it. I was excited but, only until I realised that I will have to take care of the work here. And that too, Alone. No, he didn't choose me for it; Shehry did. He wanted to work on his marriage and convinced dad that I would be a better person for this job. As much as I'd like to prove myself to my dad, I don't think I want to be here all by myself. But then again, do I have a choice?

Looking down at my phone, I opened my e-ticket. Faisalabad international airport. My flight landed here yesterday and still the manager hasn't been able to find a place for me to stay. Aise main kaam kya khak kareinge yeh log? There is no way I am spending the next few months in a hotel; I need ghar ka khana!

Going back to the home screen, I selected the call icon and called my PA Faisal. "Morning sir," he said the moment he answered the call and I rolled my eyes.

"It's Hussain, Faisal, Hussain. Sir makes me feel so old and responsible so, save that for dad," I insisted and earned a chuckle from him. "Ji hussain."

I got up from the bench and began walking back to the hotel, "I need a place to stay.. Paying guest type or something and you need to help me find it."

I ended the call and went around a corner. A few kids ran past me in white and blue school uniforms, cheering and laughing. They entered a large iron gate and I followed them, with my beautiful childhood memories flashing in front of my eyes. Wow, schooling is something I miss about Pakistan. It used to be so much better here than it is in USA. Even though, this one was a lot smaller compared to my one, it still felt the same.

"Arif watch where you are going!" A strangely melodic voice reached my ears and my eyes instantly searched of the owner, expecting an angel like figure.

"Haidar stop running!" I heard the same voice again, a little stricter this time, and my head snapped to the far right corner.

A black hijab caught my attention. There she ran holding her purple gown tightly in one hand and her other hand was stretched out, trying to catch the little boy in front of her. He must be about 7 or 8 year old, judging by his height.

Soon he took a curve and ran towards me. "Woah woah woah!" I laughed as I caught him just before he crashed into me, "bari jaldi main ho dost?"

"Let me go!" He begged, trying to free himself but, too late I guess.

"Badmash, kab se bhag raha hai!" The same girl approached us and pulled Haidar's ear, "go clean up that mess right now!"

"Oww baji choro naaw!" Haidar winced but, the girl wasn't going to let him go anytime soon.

"Easy there!" I chuckled in surprise and she looked up at me, frowning. "Excuse me?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I was suddenly at a loss of words. Those eyes just didn't hold a frown but, something much deeper. Something I couldn't read. They were red and puffy like she hasn't slept for nights but, even with those bags under her eyes, she looked quite cute.

She is a stranger Hussain, kya kar raha hai?

I finally found my voice after looking away from her face. "He is a kid, ask him nicely and he will listen," I smiled at the hijabi in front of me and she narrowed her eyes at me. "Ab mujhe aap se apne students ko sambhalna seekhna parega?" She asked and I smirked, looking at Haidar.

"Thanks baji!" Haidar yelled before running away again. The girl gasped at him and turned to me. Without saying anything, she shot me an angry glare and pushed her glasses up her thin and long nose. Turning away from me, she ran after that boy again.

I shook my head and turned around to leave just as the first bell rang for the day.

~

"Er I know a place but I am not sure if it's good enough for your standards or not," Faisal said while I munched on my food. The meeting just ended and I chose to feed my hungry stomach on my way to finding a good place to stay.

Faisal drove down the road and took me to a residential area, "they are my friend's parents. He died a few years ago and they really need a paying guest because they are running low on money. I tried helping but, they won't take a single rupee from me. You can trust them; they are amazing people."

I nodded as Faisal filled me in and soon he pulled over in front of a house. I stepped out of the car and slammed the door shut before looking up at the house. It had a large garden in the front but, the grass had turned yellow. The flower pots were lined up along the fence but, there were no flowers left in them. The house in the middle looked small and I felt like it really needed to be renovated.

Faisal's words, about this place not matching my standards, ranged in my head and I realised that this house was quite small and old. But then he had also mentioned about how they really needed a paying guest and I guess I would love to help.

"Jabir chacha," Faisal called out, approaching the house and I followed him. There was a bench in the far corner with mats placed in front of it and a chalk board next to it. Someone must be a teacher in this house.

"Hussain," Faisal nudged my shoulder and I turned to face the front. An old man made his way down the staircase and smiled at us.

"Chacha yeh Hussain hain. Mere khaas dost," Faisal said to Jabir uncle and then nodded at me, "he needed a place to stay and I thought I could trust you."

"As-Salaam-Alaikum, sir," I quickly extended my hand and Jabir uncle shook it. "Wa-Alaikum-Salaam."

He turned to Faisal and gestured us to come inside. "Ateefa.. Ateefa mehmaan aaye hein. Kuch chai wagaira ka intezaam karo," he called out once we were seated on the wooden chairs.

"Ji aayi," came a voice from the kitchen and uncle smiled at us.

I looked around and found the lounge pretty empty. The walls were plain, cream coloured with paint peeling off them. There were no photos hanging and there was no TV either.

"Dekho beta," uncle's voice grabbed my attention again and I turned to him, "as long as you can pay one year's rent as bond money, you can have the room."

"Wow! That's great uncle! I can pay you the bond now and move in tonight!" I grinned at him just when an old lady walked in with tea. Faisal stood up to help her. I guess she was Jabir uncle's wife.

"Ok, give us a few hours to clean up and then you can come in," uncle assured me and then smiled at Aunty. He looked relieved and that made me happy.

After staying there for a few more minutes and talking about the rent and the room, Faisal and I went back to the hotel to collect my belongings. By 4pm, I was settled in my new room. It was small but, something about it felt amazing.

After emptying one suitcase, I chose to take a shower and relax. So, I pulled out a fresh towel, sweatpants and a black t-shirt from my suitcase and went inside the attached bathroom. The cold shower woke me up completely and I decided that it was about time to take a walk around the house to avoid falling asleep at such an odd hour.

Leaving Aunty in the kitchen and uncle reading the newspaper, I went outside where the fresh evening air greeted me. I closed my eyes to feel the peaceful moment. I felt a lot better than what I did in the morning.

"Seven ones are seven, Seven two's are fourteen!" My eyes Sprung open when the same voice filled the air around me. For a second I thought I was dreaming, but then, why would I dream about her?

I looked around and found the same girl from the school, standing by the chalk board. She wore the same purple gown and a black hijab.

"Seven three's are twenty one!" She sang, smiling at the twelve kids, sitting in front of her. "Seven fours will be?" She pointed at the board and looked at the kids with curious eyes.

I leaned against the brick wall and shoved my hands in my pockets, observing her. Her expressions constantly changed from a smile to a frown, depending if the kids were answering her questions correctly or not. At times she jumped and went forward to hug them too.

Suddenly her head snapped my way and her jaw half dropped. Like she was surprised to see me here. I instantly straightened my back and stood up properly. Knitting her eyebrows together, she held my gaze for a few seconds until one of the girl tugged on to her elbow. She blinked before looking away and focusing back on the kids. Every now and then, she glanced my way and I found myself smirking at her.

The class was dismissed soon after and all the kids received a candy each as they ran out of the main gate. She looked up at me and frowned for a brief second before turning back to the chalk board. While she rubbed the White chalk off, acting oblivious to her surroundings, I chose to approach her.

"Haidar ka kaan apke haath aaya ya nahi?" I asked, teasingly and she turned at instant. She narrowed her eyes at me like an eagle aiming for it's next target. Teacher hai, koi bharosa nahi. Kaheen abhi mere hi kaan na kheench dey.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?" She asked instead but, before I had a chance to reply, Jabir uncle came out.

"Madiha, Hussain. Come have lunch," he said to us and I raised my eyebrows at her. Toh Madiha naam hai madam Ka. Sweet name.

"Oh oh," uncle chuckled as he approached me, "I forgot to introduce you to her! Madiha this is our new paying guest, Hussain. Faisal's friend."

I extended my hand and Madiha blinked, looking down at it. I reluctantly pulled it away after realising that she won't be accepting the handshake. Baisti ho gayi pehle din hi!

"Hussain, this is Madiha," uncle turned to me with a smile, "meri phool jaisi bachi aur-"

"Oh ho abba, baatien baad main," Madiha suddenly interjected, "let's eat before my next class. I am starving."

She just gave tuitions to twelve kids and now more classes?

"Of course of course," uncle chuckled and turned to head inside.

I gestured Madiha to walk first and then followed her. She briefly looked at me with that frown glued on her face and I couldn't help but wink at her. Her eyes widened as a gasp escaped from her lips.

"Pata nahi Faisal bhai ki pasand ko kya ho gaya hai?" She muttered under her breath, loud enough for me to hear, and ran inside.

Ab koi itni bari aankhon se ghoore ga toh ek wink toh Banta hai na?

>><<

Eeeeeh! So excited:D

How was it?

What do you think of Madiha?

See you in the next update.

LOVE ALWAYS