"Fahad Sahab aap to bade bewafa nikle uss din garden mai baithe Badi shekiyan maar rahe the aur ab aap nikah karne ki soch rahe hai" Sara looks at me angrily.
"What are you talking about?" I look at her, I was sitting in my office when she barged in.
"Aye haaye aap to ese Anjaan ban rahe hai Jaise Kuch kia hi nahi ho," she says keeping her hands on her waist.
"Sara, tell clearly because I swear I don't know what you are talking about," I said keeping aside the file I was going through.

She looks at me intently as if trying to make out if I'm lying or not "uff Allah aapko to sach mai Kuch bhi nahi pata" she says.

"Oh, Iska Matlab Amma aur Tayi Amma ne apna kaam kardia hai" she mutters under breath which was audible to me.
"Konsa kaam, kya bole jaa rahi ho?" I question her.
She lets out a laugh looking at me like I'm some idiot "Tauba aap or aapki Mohabbat ka Kuch nahi ho sakta" she says pinching my cheeks.
"What is going on Sara, tell me at once?" I asked glaring at her.

She gestures towards the chair "okay listen carefully, Ayat is seething in jealousy and anger of course because she thinks you want to marry someone and there is no way in hell she will let her guard down or let her ego go off and confess her feelings so we have to pretend you are getting married to some girl which will lead her to confess her feelings" she says bobbing her head at me with a big grin on her face.

"Sara, what makes you think she loves me?" I raise my brow at her.
She smacks my forehead "Allah both of you have your mind in the knees, can't even understand such a simple thing" she says, making that tsk tsk sound which she always does.

"All you have to do make her think you are getting married to someone and as for the pretend girl I'll arrange someone if it comes to that, so what do you think about my plan," she asks wiggling her brows.
"Why should I do that?" I point out. I mean what we will achieve by doing this.

"Do you want her to tell you that she loves you or not?" She continues glaring at me, so I nodded my head as yes.

"Good then do as I say, go home find a way to talk to her slip in this information, and let's wait for her reaction" she exclaims almost jumping in the chair.
"Okay now leave my office" I warned she protrudes her lips giving her big doe eyes.
"Let me hang out here, please Amma has decided to find a groom for me they are coming home and I don't want to be seen today, those women think they can talk me into something like this by letting Ayat talk to me, but what they don't know I know everything that goes in that big mansion". She says flipping her hair in pride.

"They don't work on me and it's time you get married, though I'm not going to lie I pity him that he has to put up with your drama," I tell her, shrugging my shoulders, she glares at me picking up her bag.
"This is not over, once I help you with your love life you'll pay for this" she points her finger at me and imitating like cutting my throat with her thumb.

This girl.

After Sara left I drowned myself in work trying to push out Ayat's thoughts, how she can think even for a second that I would go and marry someone else when I told her what I feel towards her not exactly but she is aware and I'm aware of her feelings she just doesn't want to accept the fact, I understand she is scared of getting hurt again, and what the society would think followed by many thoughts like these, but if she doesn't let me talk to her or give me a chance how would she decide if this is going to hurt her or not, she cannot decide for everyone.

My biggest regret will be leaving here like this but at least she should try giving me a chance so I can prove myself.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts it was Ammi "Everything okay Ammi?" I ask getting up from the chair.
"Oh everything is alright my son, I wanted to talk to you about something," she says settling on the chair across me.
"What is it?" She was scaring me now with the look on her face.
"Do you love Ayat?" She questions.
"I thought I don't have to say words my eyes were expressing everything and didn't Abbu tell you anything," I said giving out a humourous laugh.
"I want to hear it from you my son," she says looking at me intently.

"Yes I love her Ammi, but it doesn't matter because she doesn't feel the same," I said sighing, Sara says I should play along but what if it backfires at me.
"Who told you she doesn't feel the same for you?" She asks.
"Herself, I don't want to force my love on someone, because if I have learned anything from my life is love is something which cannot be forced on someone it should just happen to you naturally because if it's forced isn't love" I concluded rubbing my temple.

Ammi chuckles "oh my sweet child I didn't know you could be so stupid, she loves you ever tried looking in her eyes, watch her face when she denies it you'll get your answer" and with that she leaves the office, leaving me more confused than I was already.

Does this mean Ayat loves me? Or not?

I shrugged all the thoughts at the back of my mind and got back to work.

•••

Ayat

"Chalo Iram tumhari Ammi aagyi aur mene jo homework dia hai vo Pura hona chahiye," I told the last student, everyone else left a minute ago, Iram's mother is a single working woman so she has to stay with me a little longer which she doesn't like at all, I bid them my goodbye.

"Ayat idhar aana Zara" Ammi calls out from her room.
"Ji aayi Ammi" I replied, clearing things from the floor in the verandah where I usually sit and teach kids.

I went into her room she was laying on the bed rubbing her forehead"sar dukh Raha hai Ammi?" I ask
"Thoda sa, aao mere pass baitho," she says patting the space beside her on the bed.
"What is it Ammi you are scaring me now?" I ask concerned.
"I know you love Fahad, you have since you two were kids but he left and your Amma advised otherwise, but the purity and innocence of love I have seen in your eyes towards Fahad it was never there with Hamza, I know you would deny this but remember this Ayat, you would be lying to yourself because your eyes have always told the different story" she states.

"And I know you think if you give in to these thoughts and desires of yours, you believe it will be some kind of sin betraying Hamza, but Ayat he is no more with you to share life and give you love and you have your whole life ahead and I'm sure Fahad can give you everything you have craved" she adds with a small smile on her face, I didn't know what to say my words died down as if the cat got my tongue.

"Look Ayat, Hamza died a year ago, and I'm sure he wouldn't want this for you plus if you have someone who loves you and you love him it'd be foolish to let him go" she continues holding my hand giving it a little squeeze.
"Uhh...Ammi I don't know if I can do this and please let this topic go and if Fahad has put you up to this please ignore" I said a lone tear slides down my cheek, I quickly rushed out of the room, going in my room.

My tears start to roll down I don't know what to do, or what to think my thoughts have been corrupted by Fahad's memories he being back here isn't such a good idea I pray that Hamza was here right now things would've been different. Everyone in my family wants us to be together right now but what if he leaves again, and goes on his stupid adventures and meets someone there I'll be here waiting for him hoping he will come back this time there will be no Hamza to collect my broken pieces.

No, I cannot let this happen to me. Ammi is right I shouldn't let Fahad ruin me, wiping my tears I went to the bathroom looking at my reflection in the mirror I sighed sadly, I have dark circles, my face looks so gloomy and tired like I haven't slept in days. I hate feeling weak like this giving into my emotions I know it is good to have emotions and feelings but not when they make you weak and make you question everything about you.

A soft knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts washing my face I opened the door it was just the person I don't want to see.

Fahad.

"What is it?" I question sternly.
"Can we talk like normal people?" He asks softly, I just nodded my head at him.

"I'm sure Ammi must've told you about my nikah," he says, I can feel the hesitation in his voice, why does he even bother.

A pang of anger and jealousy takes over me, heat pulsating through my body I wanted to punch him right now, which is so not me but talking to him like this was getting on my nerves. How can he say this few days back he told me that he loves me, he was talking about feelings, and here everyone in our family thinks he loves me, love my foot.

If he loves me he wouldn't think of getting married again, arghhh.

Exhaling sharply "who is it?" I question.
"You remember the woman I was talking to at the party, her name is Jiya," he says, and I swear the level of my patience crossed its limit he would marry someone like who doesn't even know what to wear.

Tehzeeb Naam ki cheez nahi hai, aur inhe unse nikah Karna hai Vah, Khair mujhe kya hai kare apni Zindagi esi aurat pe tabah.

"Good for you, congratulations" I let out crossing my arms against my chest.
He looks at me intently for a moment scrutinizing the look on my face"thank you I would be happy if you help her out with everything because I told her you are my best friend since we were kids" he says, the nerve of him.

I brought my fist which made contact with his jaw, he winced in pain "you want to marry that woman who doesn't even know how to dress and throws herself at every man, cause I have seen her, I mean how could you, days back you said you are sorry for leaving me and now what you are doing huh...doing it again, wow Fahad Janaab" I said looking at him fuming in anger, clapping my hands loudly.

"Esi kaisi Mohabbat hai aapki?" I asked he was looking at me bewildered at my sudden reaction.

"Ghurne ki zarurat nahi hai, esi kaisi Mohabbat hai aapki ki dusri ladki dekhi nahi ki nikah karne chale hai, jaante nahi hai ky hum aapse kitni Mohabbat Karte hai, humesha se Karte hai uske badd bhi esa karenge aap hamare sath, Hamari narazgi ki itni badi saza denge aap humhe...are thoda sa seh lete to Kuch ho Jaata nahi aapne bas nikah karne ki padi hai, phle Kubra se karlia chale uske liye Humne Maaf kia aapko par hum bta rahe iss Baar jo aapne esi gustakhi ki naa to bhul jaayega hum aapki Zindagi ka Kabhi hissa the" I lash out at him, huffing out all anger.

"Or ha Mir Sahab....before I continued I realized what I have said in my anger gasp leaves my mouth, Fahad looks at me with a content smile on his face then the door opened my Amma, Tayi Ammi, Ammi and Sara were standing there at the door, Sara was the first to burst into fits of laughter my face turned the darkest shade of red realizing they did this on purpose they pushed me on the edge of anger so I will let my feelings out.

I hid my face between my palms as embarrassment takes over me " are Ayat Baji bas bhi, Chalo acha hai dil ki baat zabaan pai aa hi gayi" Sara says pulling me in a hug.

"Uff Baji maza hi aagya aapko to in action dekh ke" Sara chuckles.

"Acha chalein inn dono ko baatein karne dein, or hum sab Abba aur Taya Abba ko batate hain Saari Khabar" Sara continues, and everyone leaves the room leaving Fahad and me alone.

My heart was thumping so loudly against my chest I didn't know what to say now, all of this caught me off guard I guess, Fahad walks takes a step towards me with one hand on his jaw I instantly realized the punch "oh I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have " I said removing his hand and looking at where I punched pressing too hard unintentionally where he was punched a loud wince come out of his mouth.
"Don't worry it was worth it, but I didn't know you can punch so hard?" he says laughing, I pull him in for a hug he puts his arms around me, and finally I felt relieved it felt like a huge weight is been lifted.

But soon my eyes were filled with tears Fahad pulls away, he cups my cheeks "what happened?" His voice came out softly.
"We aren't doing anything wrong?" I blurt out.
"Depends on what do you mean by wrong?" He says.
"You know what I mean, I know it's been a year since Hamza died and ten months since Kubra died...but still...I trail off he was looking at me intently.

"Ayat, we both had our moments in our marriage and we did the best to love our partners but in our heart, we both knew who resides, and as for wrong I don't think so there is anything wrong with being in love with someone," he says, pressing his lips on my forehead his lips felt soft my thoughts kept their mouth shut and all I can hear was my heartbeat which was beating erratically.

"I love you," he says.

"I love you too" I reply without wasting any seconds because I know that I love him and as I said I had been in love with him for a long long time.

"Now get some sleep, Abbu and Chachu are coming tomorrow I think," he said in a soft voice with affection.
I smiled at him, and he leaves the room.

I changed into some comfy clothes it didn't take much time and sleep engulfed me.

•••

The next morning when I woke up Sara was in my room staring at me like some crazy psychopath wiggling her eyebrows at me "what the heck Sara?" I fall on the floor startled by her, keeping my hand on my chest to calm my heartbeat.

"So what happened last night?" She asks with burgeoning excitement in her tone.
"Nothing that whatever is going on in that dirty mind of yours" I wryly getting down from the bed.
"Uff Ayat Baji so did you guys confessed?" She shoots another question.
"Stop bothering me, go and annoy your brother," I said taking my clothes from the closet.
"He's still asleep, and I tried he yelled at me" she scoffed laying down more comfortably on the bed.

"So you thought I would entertain this?" I asked.
She looked at me smiling faintly "fine, I'll go you two are boring adults, Amma and Tayi Amma is much better than you two" she says huffing out in frustration and leaves the room.

I took a long shower, then going downstairs I started preparing the breakfast Amma walks into the kitchen"I'm sorry Ayat for not giving yours and Fahad's love a chance " she says after a moment of silence.
"It's okay Amma, what you did was for the betterment of me, and don't be sorry over it please," I said, politely.
"Oh my sweet child I just want you to be happy," she says running her hand over my head kissing me on my forehead.

"Now let's get this breakfast ready," I said wiping tears which started to form at the corner of my eyes.

The loud squealing sound came from the living room Amma and I went out it was Sara hugging Abbu I let out a sigh of relief, this girl sometimes can be so loud she pulls away everyone exchanged salam "chalein aap dono fresh go jaaye breakfast ready hai" I told
Abbu and Taya Abbu.
They smiled at me and went into their room, while Fahad walks out of his room all dressed "Assalamaalikum everyone!" He greets.
"So, what's up Fahad Bhai?" Sara goes in his way, with that same crazy smile on her face she had earlier.
"We confessed don't worry and everything is fine between us now," he finally gives in, rolling his eyes at her.

They joked around a little bit before we all sat down for breakfast Ammi told everything to Abbu and Taya Abbu they seemed so happy for us which I am glad about but still, there are our relatives with whom we yet have to share this news which I'm aware wouldn't be much happy about it.

Believe it or not, society always finds it hard to accept the love of people like me and Fahad. I know by doing this we are giving everyone a reason to point finger at us and I can only pray to Allah everything goes smoothly.

"So now the big question is when are the engagement and nikah?" Sara pops the question.
"Yes, which is not going to be easy," it was Taya Abbu.
"I know but should we care about the society, I mean it's their life Taya Abba, plus we can only invite our close ones no need to give out an invitation to the whole of Pakistan" Sara scoffs, gaining a glare from Ammi.

"I think let's leave this decision to elders Sara, they will decide the best for us," I said politely.
"Okay, then it's decided we will inform only our closed ones, and the engagement will be done tomorrow because we need a day for preparations and as for the reason we will say it was the sudden decision of ours then that way no fingers will be pointed at the kids" Abba adds Sara's face lit up as soon as he agrees on with her suggestion about calling the close ones.

"I, Bhabhi, and Mahi will take care of telling everyone and men will take care of the decoration and other stuff, and Sara your duty is to work on the dresses," Ammi says looking at Amma and Tayi Ammi for their approval.
"Matlab free mai fashion designer mili hui hai to usi banwa lein kapde," Sara says in a dramatic voice.
"Allah ladki tumne Banane nahi hai bus shopping Karni hai or Ayat ko sath leke Jaana," Ammi says smacking her forehead playfully.

"Ohh esa" she giggles at her idiotic thinking.

The rest of the breakfast went in chit-chatting, discussing all the preparations, decorations, food, and everything else. I glance at Fahad who had a content look on his face which brought a smile to my face.

I finally felt happy and in a way free for some reason.

I just hope what we are doing is not wrong.

*****

So here's the chapter.

What do you think?

Did I go too fast with everything? Or was it okay?

I mean it's a short story so I guess it's fine but still, I would like to know your opinion on it.

What are your thoughts on Sara? I love her she's such an amazing girl.

And what do you think about Ayat in this chapter? How was the punch?😂😂

Anyway, most probably two more chapters after this then we will dive into our new story Aarzu.

Till then

Keep Reading, Keep Smiling ❤❤