© All copyrights belong to StarsAndMoon1447 on Wattpad

*

THIS CHAPTER IS A DEDICATION TO READERS!

Haya

It was a bright, sunny Sunday morning, and I was playing a practice match with my girls' cricket team.

"OUT!" I screamed as I caught the ball batted by Roshni Patel. 

"Yaar, Haya..." She groaned, shaking her head.

I grinned. "I know. I'm too good." 

"Rosh, you know Haya. She's brutal." Bela Jameel giggled.

"Brutally Behaya." Roshni smiled at me. "You're lucky that we're friends otherwise I'd hate you."

"It's impossible to hate Haya Rehan." Wearing my full-sleeved England cricket shirt with sports' trousers, I adjusted my cap on top of my head and smirked at my friends. They were not just my team, but they were my gang. 

"Haya, at least respect your name. Doesn't it also mean modesty?" Fathima Shezan asked, rolling her eyes.

*Reader appearance of @shezanyfathima**

"I didn't choose my name. The ones who did have enough modesty, so I'm okay without it." I tossed the ball from one hand to the other. "Ladies, let's go. It takes great effort to be the next Shahida Afridi, you know?" 

*Shahid Afridi is one of Pakistan's most famous male cricketer. 

Zona Khan took the bat from Roshni. "Only I can take on Haya, Rosh. Let me show you how it's done." She narrowed her eyes at me.

*Reader appearance of @ZonaKhan2**

"Don't mess with the great Haya." I muttered as I ran and tossed the ball.

The bat swung and the ball flew across the field...and it was a sixer.

Zona winked at me. "I think I'll teach you modesty, Haya." 

Her sister Zoha, a year older, sighed. "Maybe teach yourself some as well."

*Reader appearance of OHSHESLAZY and @lastsummertabela**

"Can we stop for a bit now?" Uzma sat down on the grass. "I want pizza."

*Reader appearance of @UzmaSolanki**

I also flopped down on the grass. "I'm tired. That's how you got a sixer, Zona. Otherwise it would have been out." 

We all sat down in a circle, and I lay down on my back. "Cricket is love." I stared up at the blue sky, smiling. 

"Tell me one thing, Haya." Ruhani Shah looked towards me. "Why didn't you ever attempt to play professionally?" 

*Reader appearance of @ruhanishah42**

"Let me put this to you one way. Art is like a spouse and cricket is like a forbidden love that could never be the main love of my life." I explained. "A spouse is your true life partner."

"You play really well though. You could make England proud by playing for them." Sanjana said. 

*Reader appearance of @sanjanapmendhe**

"Why didn't the rest of you try? You guys have the talent as well." I asked in return.

"For me, cricket is just a way to be myself, you know?" Gia Gupta replied. "As much as I love it, it's not something I would choose as a career. I wouldn't mind teaching it though."

*Reader appearance of @LOLwthiswrong**

"Haye! Imagine teaching at Muraad Azeem's school!" Ayna Sharma sighed dreamily, referring to the famous former all-rounder/captain of the Pakistan cricket team, who had opened a world-renowned cricket school for the less privileged. 

*Reader appearance of @JetaimeAmore61**

"Speaking of famous people." Husna Chauhan spoke conspiratorially. "When do we get to meet the famous Anabia Rehan?" 

*Reader appearance of @dolphindelights**

Prieity Aggarwal giggled. "I certainly wouldn't mind meeting Rehan Tariq." 

*Reader appearance of @Aggarwal_03**

"I love your parents' love story." Rimi Rahman added. "I dream of such a story of my own."

*Reader appearance of @Bunnie76**

"Seriously, though. Husna is right. I need to meet your mother." Hana Fareed added. "I love her books!" 

*Reader appearance of @HanaFareed**

"I was fangirling so much when I realised that I was going to be a part of the same cricket team as the daughter of Anabia Rehan and Rehan Tariq, two brilliant authors." Zainab could only be described as having metaphoric 'heart-eyes' right now.

*Reader appearance of @storiesbyzainab and also @3u113Rf1y***

"Seriously, she literally squealed." Her twin Nawal said.

"I will invite you all to my house one day... when Rohaan isn't there. I swear, I once accidentally asked my mother what sinful act lead to him. I immediately realised what I'd asked and God knows I prayed hard for the ground to swallow me up." I giggled, shaking my head.

The girls burst out laughing, even falling back onto the ground.

"Haya, mate, you're hilarious." Inshal rubbed a tear from the corner of her eyes, using the tip of her pinkie finger.

*Reader appearance by @0e15363**

"Yeah... I didn't exactly consider myself a comedian when my mother stared at me wide-eyed."

"Aren't you girls meant to be practicing?" A voice interrupted our chill-out time.

We looked up and saw Shiba and Roohi, our two trainers walking over to us with disapproving frowns on their faces.

*Readers appearance of Shiba_Sakeen and joyoussoul. Although, technically, I'm still waiting for Shiba to catch up 😉.

We all scrambled up to our feet and continued playing.

After begging endlessly to Mama, she had gotten a membership of this club where we had enough space to practice our matches every Sunday. It was better for us to play in a private place rather than a public park, as the latter didn't make me very comfortable. 

After the practice match, Novera Azwar and Rishita started unpacking the food we'd all brought along, and we had a nice, lovely picnic together. My team was seriously awesome. Ma Sha Allah.

*Readers appearance of @noveraazwar and @acatalepsy04**

For anyone I missed out, I'm sorry but I received your replies after this was all written down, but I will give plenty more opportunities! 

*

I got home exhausted. "Mama, what's to eat?" I called out. "Assalam Alaikum, by the way." 

Rohaan came down the stairs. "Starve today because Mama and Papa are away for the night." 

I scoffed. "I'm not you. I can cook."

"Why don't you, to help Mama out?" 

"Why don't you?" I shot back. "If Papa can cook, if Arsal can cook, what Royal Family were you kicked out of, only to be taken in by our generous parents?"

"You know, somewhere in the UK is a farm that's missing a cow. I think I just found her." He burst out laughing as I chased after him.

"You stole my line!" I shouted out. "I said that the zoo is missing a monkey, and I found him here!"

"Prove it! Did you copyright that line?" Rohaan burst into Papa's study, running behind a desk. "Don't make a mess in here, Behaya. Or Papa will be furious."

"Who will he be angrier at?" I smirked. 

"You discriminatory cow!" He shouted, now chasing me, grabbing a paper weight from the desk as if to throw at me.

I wish I could be proud that my athletic abilities made me a fast runner; he was also fast because of his own athletic abilities. We only saw when we saw Arsalan enter the house, closing the door behind him. 

"What are you two fighting about now?" He asked, wearily.

"Your brother needs to grow up." I told him.

"And he's not your brother?" Arsal asked me.

I shrugged. "Parents make mistakes too. What can I...? OW!" Rohaan had pinched me hard.

"Why couldn't I be an only child?" Arsalan muttered as he headed up the stairs. 

I then remembered something and turned to glare at Rohaan again. "Why are you always troubling Yamna? She called me using Chachi's phone and was crying. You left a toy lifelike mouse in her bag! It scared the life out of her." 

Rohaan burst out laughing.

I slapped his arm. "What is wrong with you? She's such an innocent child! Stop bullying her, Rohaan. You're lucky she didn't call Papa directly."

"It's hilarious to tease her. She's such a cute little hamster." 

"Hamster? Did you just call Chachu's daughter a hamster?" 

He laughed harder as he also headed up the stairs.

"Why do I feel like a mother towards my brothers? One is such an innocent guy, while the other is a complete pain in the neck!" I spoke to myself, placing a hand over my forehead.

*

Hooriya

I had driven out to the beach with my friends Anisa Malik and Farah Abdullah. It was a nice, beautiful Sunday and we left early to get enough time at the beach.

"That is dangerous!" I warned Anisa as she suggested that we stood on some rocks to take a selfie.

"Oh, come on!" She dragged my hand and led me up. 

I stood between the two and we took a selfie, all of us giggling as our hair flew in our faces. The rocks were slippery and my heart skipped a beat as I almost slipped, but I couldn't stop giggling. Why do friends make us laugh at everything?

"Not the duck face!" I shook my head at Farah.

She just giggled.

"So, what are the wedding plans, Anisa?" I asked her.

In a couple of months, Anisa was getting married. Her family had found a great family in Multan, but after marriage Anisa would be living in Dubai.

"Well, the wedding is in Multan, as you both know from the invitation cards." Anisa replied. "We'll be heading for Pakistan at the end of the next month, In Sha Allah." She had naturally curly hair and almond eyes that always reflected her warm and friendly personality.

Farah, who was taller than us at five feet eight, had hair that shoulder-length brown hair and dark eyes. "I'm looking for flight tickets already. Coming with Mum, In Sha Allah." 

Anisa raised both eyebrows at me.

"My parents can't come." I said, sadly. "And I'll never be allowed to go to Multan alone." I had imagined it so many times; going to Pakistan alone. It felt exciting and thrilling, but I also understood the concerns of my parents. Rohaan had suggested that I sneakily fly off, but wisdom is to not listen to Rohaan. The right thing is probably the opposite of what he favoured or chose.

"Isn't your Nano in Lahore?" Farah pointed out. "Why don't you stay with her, and then attend the wedding in Multan with her as well?" 

I smiled as I considered that idea. "That sounds like a good idea." 

"Or you can just get Nikah done with Farhaan Bhai and come with him?" Anisa grinned.

My cheeks started burning. 

"Pyar humko bhi, pyar tumko bhi hai, par hum kyun na izhaar karte?" Farah sang out, butchering a song.

*"I'm also in love, you are also in love, then why don't we admit it?" 

"I'll talk to my parents." I muttered.

"About marrying Farhaan Bhai?" Anisa looked overexcited.

"No, you freak! About staying with Nano, and then attending the wedding with her." 

"You have to come, Hoor!" Anisa pleaded.

I wanted to, I really did. But would Mama and Papa agree?

*

As Maghrib approached, the three of us managed to find a mosque in the small town, and pray in the women's area. We had intended to drive back home much earlier, but time had flown by and we hadn't realised.

After praying, we decided to have fish and chips, after ensuring that the fish wasn't fried in the same place as the rest of the meat products.

"It was a nice day out today." I whispered as I drove.

Anisa was lightly snoring in the back, and even Farah had her head tilted back as she relaxed on the front passenger seat next to me.

"Hmm." She hummed. "Hoor, isn't it amazing how people meet? Anisa's husband-to-be is from Pakistan, and now they're somehow getting married. Subhan Allah! Allah is a wonderful Planner."

"Out of billions of people, Allah chooses a soulmate for us who's just perfect for us in every way." I added, my gaze focused on the road. "Sometimes people meet when they're from different corners of the world, while at other times the person is right in front of you but you just never realised it." 

"How does it feel? To be in love?" She asked, softly.

I laughed lightly, so as to not wake Anisa up. "I'm not in love. I just have a crush." 

A very strong crush. A crush that hit me with a force that made me physically breathless. A crush that made my heart feel elated on an out-of-this-world level. 

"Have you ever prayed for him after salaah?" She asked.

I prayed for his health and happiness after every prayer, along with my family's. I didn't even question myself for it, nor was it an intentional act. The prayer just automatically came from my heart. I swallowed hard but I nodded. "Yes, but he's been so helpful to me. It's not unexpected to pray for someone who constantly helps you." 

"Did you ever pray that you and him end up together?" 

"I only pray that he finds his happiness, Farah. I just want him to be happy." 

"Even if it's away from you?" 

Tears blurred my eyes. "Even if it's with someone else." I blinked the tears away to remained focused on my driving.

The sun had set, leaving behind just a ghost of its presence in the form of hues of colours on the horizon. Stars were slowly taking over the sky, ready to start another shift. It was a beautiful atmosphere.

"If this is a crush, I don't even know what love would be like..." She spoke almost to herself.

*

Haya

I had started searching for jobs in galleries. It was frankly a very boring task, yet it was mandatory. It really was important for me to get an experience of working in galleries before even considering opening my own.

"Haya?" There was a knock on the door.

Judging by his tone and the fact that Rohaan hadn't called me 'Behaya', I felt that something was wrong.

"Come in. What's up?" 

He entered, his face pale. "Where's Hoor?" 

"She should be back soo..." I stopped as I whirled around to glance at the time on my laptop screen. "She should have been back ages ago!" 

"She messaged us in the siblings' WhatsApp group when they started the drive back home. She should be back now."

"Call Mamu!" I suggested. "Maybe she went there?" 

"That makes no sense. She would have told us." He dialled a number, leaving the phone on loudspeaker.

"Hello?" Shayaan's sleepy voice came through.

"Shy, is Hoor there?" Rohaan asked.

"Hoor Appi? No. Why?" 

"She went to the beach with her friends, but isn't back yet." Rohaan paced the room worriedly. "I was trying her number, but she didn't answer." 

"I can ask Papa..." Shayaan suggested.

I grabbed my own phone and tried to call Hoor as well, my heart pounding hard with anxiety. Various scary thoughts were entering my mind regarding my sister. I raced out of the room as I kept trying her number. "Arsal!" 

He came out into the hallway a few seconds later, frowning. "What? Where's the fire?"

"Have you heard from Hoor?" 

"Hoor Appi? No." Arsal suddenly looked worried. "Why? What happened?" 

"She should be home by now. Hoor, for Allah's sake, be safe." I muttered, feeling panic grow inside me, threatening to blow up and consume my body.

*

Hooriya

I was in the middle of a crime thriller. Maybe I had jumped into one of Papa's books.

After dropping my friends off, I had been on my way home driving carefully. I was driving correctly as I had turned around a sharp corner. A motorcycle had sped up too quickly and had slammed into the front of the car. He was okay, but he was fuming and was currently abusing me verbally as I sat in the safety of my locked car. I had initially rolled down the window slightly to tell him to drive carefully, but one 'eff word' from him and I'd rolled my window back up. My hands now tightly gripped the steering wheel, and I was practically trembling, especially when he started to kick my car and slamming his fists against the window in a case of extreme road rage.

"Go away!" I shouted, holding up my phone and entering 999 on the keyboard just to get my point across. "I will call the police if you don't get lost!" I didn't want to call my siblings. Arsalan was too young and Rohaan would come here and start beating this man up, and get hurt himself. I also didn't want Haya anywhere near this man. I needed someone from the generation above us. I dialled Mamu's number since his home was the closest from the location where I was. The phone kept ringing but went straight to voicemail. Not knowing what else to do, I decided to simply drive off.

The man's fist slammed against the window right beside me and I jumped.

"YOU WILL PAY FOR THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR!" He was screaming.

"Oh shut up." I turned my ignition on. Any police trouble, I'd deal with later.

The man started taking my photos, and photos of my number plate. 

"Mama..." I whimpered, feeling unreasonably scared. I was locked inside the car, free to drive away, but I was terrified.

I drove away as fast as I could, but I felt something heavy hit the back of my car, like a rock. I didn't stop. I kept going until I was outside my home. I'd barely got out of my car, when the front door of the house flew open and my siblings ran out.

"HOOR!" Haya shouted.

"What the hell, Hoor?!" Rohaan seemed furious and anxious at the same time.

My siblings engulfed me in a group hug and I cried against them. I wrapped my arms around Rohaan and buried my face against his chest, letting my tears soak his shirt.

"What happened, Appi?" Arsal whispered softly.

"I met a maniac." I whispered, feeling relief overpowering me.

*

I spent the next few hours in the living room with my siblings. I told them everything, they comforted me and reassured me and then we watched Shrek. We only went to bed after Fajr, even though Rohaan and Arsal both had university later.

When the parents are away, the grown up kids will play.

I was just about to fall asleep when my phone lit up, and I picked it up from my bedside table.

<Mamu: All okay, Hoor? My phone was on silent as I had an early start.>

<Hooriya: Yes, Mamu. Don't worry.😊>

The drama was over. No need to make him feel bad about it. I just knew he'd feel guilty for not answering the phone.

I fell asleep then, and only woke up at ten in the morning. Hoping that my brothers had dragged their backsides to uni, I performed my morning routine and headed downstairs. I was starting to make breakfast when Haya walked in. 

"Rohaan said that there was some damage to your car." Haya grabbed an apple and washed it before biting into it. 

"How bad is it?" In the panic of last night, I didn't even have a look.

"You'd definitely need to give explanations to the parents." She winced as she looked at me. 

I groaned. Turning the stove off, I headed out wearing my cream drawstring trousers and a light blue loose Winnie The Pooh nightshirt. Opening the door, I headed out into the cool morning and towards my car. I could see a deep dent at the front which made me want to kick it in frustration. "Why do idiots get licenses?!" 

A car pulled up into our driveway and I looked up. My heart skipped a beat as I saw Farhaan get out of the driving seat, dressed in a suit. Taking his sunglasses off, he looked at me in amusement. "Why are you always in troublesome situations?" 

"Why are you always around to laugh at me for being in such situations?" 

He chuckled as he came over to where I stood. "Rohaan called me." 

I looked at the damage to the car. "Would it be completely written off?" 

He leaned down to take a look at the dent. "No, it can be saved. I can take it into Asghar sahab's garage."

"The man you help out?" 

"Yeah, he's really good at his job, Ma Sha Allah." He glanced at me. "I'll send Rohaan the address. You can ask him to drop it off there. It'll be done in a day or two."

"What am I going to tell my parents?" I put both hands over my face, groaning.

"The truth. You're not at fault here, Hoor." 

"I ran away from a crime scene, kind of...ish..." 

"This wasn't your fault, Hoor." He repeated. "That motorcyclist was at fault. You feared for your safety, so you drove away."

"He took my photos! I felt terrified." I felt cold as I thought about those moments. I walked over to the back of my car. "And then he threw something at my car." I noticed the light scratch just over the number plate.

"Hoor, are you okay?" 

I looked up at him and met his concerned gaze. It sounds cliché but the blowing breeze caused the scent of his cologne to float towards me and I almost swooned as a reflex. "I'm just glad that I made it out alive." I wasn't even being dramatic. Last night I'd felt briefly that I would be murdered or something on that dark road.

"Can I say something, if you don't mind, Hoor?" 

"Of course."

"If you ever end up in a situation like that, you can call me, okay?" He whispered out, but his words were powerful.

I placed a hand on the back of my car to steady myself. "Kis haq se?"

*"With what right?"

I don't even know why I blurted that out. I should have just thanked him for his kind offer.

He stepped towards me and placed his hand on the car as well, a few inches from mine. "With the right a person has towards another, for the sake of humanity, if nothing else." 

"Thank you." I gave him a genuine smile. 

"And Hoor?" 

I looked at him, questioningly.

"I'm glad you're okay. Alhumdulillah." 

His blue-green eyes held me captive and I knew. I just knew in that moment I'd crossed 'childhood crush' a long time ago. My feelings for him were on a level where I couldn't return back from.

I was too far gone to make a return journey...

*

MORE READER APPEARANCES HERE! FOR THOSE WHO COULDN'T BE CRICKETERS, CAN BE ARTISTS, AS PER THE REQUEST OF @itzd_Zaira

Haya

I made my way to the art department, carrying my portfolio.

Yasin Chachu was still teaching and I stood in the doorway smiling. I carried a pass for the university to have access to the art department till three years after graduation, being an alumni of the university.

"There you are, loitering in the art department as usual." Zaira Shafique's voice made me turn.

*Reader appearance of: @itzd_Zaira**

"What can I do? Art is my true love." I shrugged.

My friend came to stand beside me and we watched as Chachu passionately taught the class.

A student raised her hand.

"Yes, Niharika?" Chachu asked her.

*Reader appearance of @menace_lassie**

The young girl asked a question, and Chachu explained it so well that it made me feel proud of him. He was born to teach.

"Come, let's grab a coffee." Zaira told me. She had chosen to study her Masters a year after me, and was still studying.

"I'd love to, but I really need career advice from Chachu, which is why I'm here." I held up my large portfolio. "Maybe later?" 

"Sure." Giving me a small smile, she headed down the hall.

As the class ended, Yasin Chachu walked up to me.

"Assalam Alaikum." I greeted him.

"Walaikum Assalam. Anything urgent? I have a meeting to end, so I'm afraid I have to rush." He ran a hand over my head.

"I wanted to show you my portfolio and get some advice from you." I replied.

"I will see it as soon as I can, Haya. Why don't you leave it with me?" 

"It's okay. I'll return some other time. I'm planning to haunt this place as long as I can." I shrugged. "Can I at least have the honour of walking out with you, oh busy Chachu?" 

He laughed as he gathered his things. "You know what, I think you should ask your Chachi for advice. She'd had experience of working in galleries." 

"Just say it directly: go away, Haya, and stop bothering me." 

He laughed harder, his laugh echoing in the corridor of the building. "Oh, Haya..." He glanced at me. "How's cricket?" 

"We have a match coming up in a couple of weeks."

"I wish you all the best."

Chachu headed off towards some other building, while I made my way to the closest car parking. As I approached my car, I rummaged through my purse for my car key and placed the portfolio on the car hood. My purse was a bottomless pit, filled with chargers and receipts and God-knows-what. As I finally found my car key, I realised that I was standing by the wrong car. Well done, Haya. My parents had allowed us siblings to buy second-hands cars, only on the condition that we drove carefully and that we equally shared the car-time amongst ourselves. Thanks to my lovely sister, we were going to be one car short for a while, and I could already just hear Rohaan creating a fuss over it. My phone rang and I huffed in irritation. "What?!" 

"Nice way to greet your mother, Haya Rehan." Mama's disapproving voice came from the other end.

"Sorry, Mama. I just assumed it was one of the irritating siblings of mine." I began to walk towards my actual car. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam." She replied. "Will you be home soon?" 

"Yes, Mama. Just came to uni to see Chachu." I unlocked the car and got in. "Just about to drive home. You honeymooners home?" 

"Yes, but I told Rehan that we need to go somewhere in Asia next...for a much longer time." She laughed off my teasing. "Where's Hoor? I know Rohaan and Arsal must be at university." 

"Hoor went to her new campus. She was invited to look around, and meet a lecturer or something." I replied. "She said she was going to leave you a message." 

"Nothing. Like you four care about communicating with us anymore." She said, sarcastically. "Get home soon. We need to talk."

"Uh-oh. Why? I don't usually get in trouble. Usually it's Rohaan. I didn't even have a massive fight with him recently... I think." 

"Just get home, Haya." She sighed.

"Coming, Mama. Now I need to drive, so excuse me. See you in a bit. Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz. Drive safe."

As the call ended, I turned the ignition and pulled the car out of the parking space. It was only when I was down the street that I gasped as realisation hit me hard. "My portfolio! Oh no. Oh no. Oh no." I immediately made a- kind of dangerous- U-turn and sped back towards the university parking lot. I glanced around, trying to remember where the car was. I had been too distracted by the phone call to pay attention. I parked and got out, running around the parking lot like an escaped chicken. 

And then I stopped as I saw a man holding my portfolio, staring curiously at it, before glancing around as if looking for its owner.

I ran towards him. "It's mine. Thanks." I muttered, practically snatching it from him and clutching it to my chest. 

He turned to me with an amused smile on his face, his hazel eyes glinting. "Funny you should say that, considering that it was placed on my car." He was of good height, and he had dark brown hair that grazed the back of his neck. He handed me the portfolio. "That is some epic work of art in there." 

"Hmm." Was all I said before turning to head away. I didn't turn to look twice at him; just continued walking away, protectively clutching my portfolio.

*

Hooriya

My heart sank as I got out of the Uber and saw a police car outside our home... and my father's car, which meant my parents were back and that I was in trouble.

My legs trembling, I headed up to the house and before I even unlocked it, it was opened by Mama, who looked pale. "Assalam Alaikum, Mama." 

She hugged me almost protectively. "Walaikum Assalam. Oh my lovely Hoor."

"What happened?" I whispered, even though I had a feeling that I knew the answer very well.

She led me inside were two police officers were sitting, chatting to my father. They all stood up as I entered.

"Miss Hooriya Rehan?" The policewoman asked.

I glanced fearfully at Papa. Help, Papa. "Y-Yes." 

"We are here regarding an investigation for hit and run charges made against you." The policewoman explained. "You are not being arrested, but we would like you to come down to the police station just to answer some questions. This is a voluntary police interview and you do have the right to refuse, however this can work against you in the event of further investigation." She further stated my rights and entitlements, including my right of legal representation during the interview. "Would you consent to come with us, Miss Rehan?" 

"I d-didn't do anything." I was trembling, and suddenly I felt Papa beside me, wrapping his arm around my shoulders, while Mama stood protectively on my other side.

"You can answer all questions when you come with us."

"It's okay, jaan." Papa told me, before turning to the police officers. "My wife and I will bring her. And a lawyer will accompany her in the interview, there's no doubt about that."

I was sobbing softly, burying my face in Mama's shoulder. 

"You have nothing to fear, Hoor. I promise." Papa kissed the side of my head. 

*

As we drove to the station, I felt like I was going to my execution. Papa was driving while Mama sat in the back seat beside me, holding onto me.

"Rehan, please get her out of this mess. I know my daughter is innocent." 

"Trust me. I'll do everything in my power, Anya." He replied softly.

And during the car ride, I received an email. I clicked it open when I saw that it was from the university where I'd been newly hired.

Dear Ms Rehan,

Due to the circumstances, and your current ongoing legal situation that has been spread to the media, we regret to inform you that we have to revoke the offer made to you for employment as an Assistant Lecturer...

I felt sick.

In moments, my whole life had been destroyed. I'd never done anything to hurt anyone intentionally, and yet I could see my future crumbling before my eyes.

Apparently, the man who had snapped my photos had spread it to the media as his 'proof' against me.

"Hoor?" Mama noticed my expression, probably seeing my further downfall after having read the email. "You okay?" 

"My life is ruined." I whispered.

"No, meri jaan. Don't worry, okay? Your Papa and I will do everything to get you out of this, okay?" 

*

When we got to the police station, we were greeted by a beautiful young lawyer with straight black hair and hazel eyes. She smiled politely at Papa. "Rest assured, I will handle this. This is a simple case." She turned to me and held out a hand. "I'm Inara Rohail, and I will be representing you." She wore a charm bracelet with a cat charm on it. There were other charms as well, but the cat was the most prominent one. I often wondered if charm bracelets defined someone's personality in a way.

"Hooriya Rehan." I shook her hand.

She led us inside and told me more about herself, as a chance to make me feel comfortable. She was American born, but had moved to Pakistan with her divorced father at a very young age. Her father had then married a widowed lawyer with a son, and since then they'd been a very happy family. After marriage, Inara had moved to London, and now worked here as a lawyer, just like her stepmother and stepbrother.

My parents waited outside while Inara and I headed into the interrogation room. It wasn't like in films or TV shows, where there was a one-sided window through which the interview was being watched. It was a normal room with a table and four chairs. I was informed that the interview was being recorded, and I started to panic. But Inara nodded reassuringly at me.

"I seriously don't understand why this interview is being conducted in the first place, based on the testimony of that man. The man who spread out photos of my client all over social media to make her seem like a culprit." Inara spoke to the police officers. "But okay, as you wish. Go ahead."

"Miss Hooriya Rehan..." The police interviewer started, but was interrupted by a knock on the door. He looked up irritated. "What is it?" 

A policewoman walked in and leaned down to whisper something to her colleagues. I looked at Inara, confused. Maybe she was trained as per necessity of the profession, but she kept her expressions neutral.

"Miss Hooriya Rehan, there's no longer a requirement for this interview." The policeman spoke up. "You are cleared."

I knew I was innocent, but I was still confused. How had my innocence been proven?

I only found out the reason when I came out of the room and headed towards my waiting parents. I slowed down and eventually stopped walking as I saw Farhaan standing beside them, talking to Papa.

"What's going on?" I asked. "How am I cleared?" 

"The dash cam footage." Papa explained. "It recorded the accident, his abusive behaviour, and even the rear camera recorded how he threw a rock at your car." He patted Farhaan's back. "Farhaan found out about your case, and as he was having your car fixed, he immediately brought over the camera."

I met Farhaan's gaze, my eyes widening.

Dash cam footage.

*

"This is for your new car." Farhaan handed me a gift bag. "Consider it a car-warming present."

"Car-warming?" Haya giggled, her overexcitement about our new car clear on her face.

"You know, like people have housewarming." His gaze returned back to me and he smiled. "These days, dash cams are very popular, and they come very handy in various situations. I felt it was a good idea for you to get it."

"Thank you." I returned his smile. "Would you please also install it and just tell me once how to work it, and then I'll manage myself."

"It's my car too!" Haya protested. "Stop acting like it's only yours."

Haya needs to desperately shush sometimes. I glared at her.

She grinned, her cheeky mind thinking of God-knows-what. "Oooohhhhh. I seeeeee." She waved and headed into the house.

Ya Allah! What assumptions has she formed? I groaned internally.

"Let me show you." Farhaan told me.

I nodded, eager to learn. 

"Just make sure that you don't place it where it can cause obstruction to the driver's side. That could get you in trouble with the law." He was installing it behind the rear-view mirror, his biceps directly in line of my sight as I sat beside him in the front passenger seat.

"Cool." I simply shrugged. I didn't understand the importance of a dash-cam then. I was just flattered that he had thought so much about the safety of me and my siblings.

*

"Thank you so much, Farhaan." Mama spoke tearfully as she looked at him. "We cannot even tell you how grateful we are." 

"It's okay, Ana Phupho." Farhaan smiled at her. "Hoor is innocent, and I knew of a way to help her, so why wouldn't I?" 

Mama looked at me as she spoke softly. "I'm not at all surprised, or in any doubt, now." 

"What, you doubted her?" Papa looked at her, puzzled.

Mama laughed. "No, of course not. I'll explain later. Let's go. I want to take my daughter out of this place!" 

As I began to follow my parents, I looked at Farhaan, who was now staring down at the ground with his jaw clenched. Somehow, I knew exactly what he was thinking.

"It's okay." I reassured him. "When someone wrong someone, karma gets them back. He won't get away with this." 

"You're damn right he won't." And suddenly, Farhaan was looking up at me with fire in his eyes. "I'll definitely make sure of that."

*

'Meinu teri deewani ve, Ranjhana, duniya kehndi ay.'

-Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

''Ranjhana, the world calls me crazy [in love] about you.'

Heer Ranjha is a Punjabi folklore tragic romance. Ranjhana/Ranjha is used as term of a lover, equivalent to the western Romeo.

*

Poor Hoor went through so much!

What will Farhaan do to make sure that the man was punished for what he put Hooriya through?

The university even revoked her offer of employment! If they offer it again, should Hoor take it or try elsewhere?

Who is this mysterious man that Haya had come across?

I hope you guys enjoyed the readers' appearances, and I will continue giving such opportunities because I really appreciate you all! You've been amazing! 💖

Who remembers little Inara with her kitten Bubbles? Well, that Inara is all grown up now and has made a brief cameo in this story! For those who are not aware, she's from 'Predestined'.

Thoughts and comments?

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