CHAPTER 13 

“But why can't I see myself yarrr?” Maryam was completely ready, but Mehru before getting her ready asked her to close her eyes and after doing her eye shades she blind folded her and it was almost 8 and Maryam was still in that strap

“No… you are not allowed to look at yourself before him” Mehru whispered in her ears “let him tell you how extraordinarily pretty you are looking”

“What the hell is this mehru…pata nai q mujhe lag raha hea tum logo ne pastry bana diya hea mujhe let me look at myself, please” Maryam pleaded and there they heard the car horn…her heart beat raced up she knew it was him

Nabi removed the strap from her eyes Maryam looked around to find any mirror, but failed, she was already in the hallway and the only mirror was covered with a cloth she stared at Nabi who just made a cute puppy face

“ub jaaaoo bhiiiiiiii tum he chali jao aj wo ander aa ker kia kare ga bechara” mehru winked at nabi and they did a high five Maryam rolled her eyes at them and slowly she held her silver clutch and headed out Shehry was coming out of the car. Maryam stopped in her tracks he was looking way too handsome in a V-neck gray sweatshirt with a white denim jacket and black jeanz, his hair was as always heeped straight, a huge grin was plastered on his face…..

“White?......same same ?Was it Mehru’s plan? Ye larki bhi na” Maryam thought to herself, She touched her braid and her face as if checking “everything is on its place or not “.  She remained there when Shehry started walking towards the door step but halted in the mid way seeing her standing there already, their eyes met his smile was no longer there, he was solemnly staring at her who was trembling inside and was trying hard to compose herself which was danm hard, after a couple of silent moments she walked towards him, he was still silent and looking at her with mouth half open as if he tried to say something but forgot in the mid….

“huhnn….Maryam came near him stood a couple of feet away from him and cleared her throat, which brought him back to his own planet

“oh… hi…hello! Shehry said he was looking completely lost, she was indeed looking very pretty in that white dress and a loose braid that was hung on the front right shoulder, she was wearing a light peach and pink make up a bit glossy but it suited her so very well.

‘Hi….”Maryam awkwardly replied she was constantly thinking about her appearance may be Shehry didn’t like her or something that’s why he was acting so odd

“Um….um..chalen?”Maryam asked, looking away from his face

“Yah yah sure” shehry said absent mindedly and started walking towards the house

“Shehryaar? Maryam called him, he was looking all confused, he looked at her and then towards the main door and laughed stupidly

“Oh, sorry….yeah lets go that way” Shehry said and they headed towards the car he opened the door for her and she sat there tying her seat belt Shehry came inside before starting the car he looked at her again their eyes met for a second and Maryam looked away. Shehry started the car and there they go

“Are you okay? Maryam asked him, he was damn silent, he wasn’t even giving his usual cheeky grin

“umm yeah am, okay…its just that..umm, you are looking far too mesmerizing I just don’t know should I talk or should I just keep on looking at you’ Shehry casually said and Maryam looked at his face he was again looking at her

“I think right now you should avoid both and rather look at the road” Maryam said, hiding her smile and blush at the same time and Shehry laughed

“Yeah, yeah you are right…but seriously, I have never seen anything or anyone as captivating as you are looking right now…so its technically not my fault madam” Shehry said he was good at flirting…this was new to Maryam

“Really?....ap keh rae hen to man leti hoon” Maryam said looking out of her window

“han as if you don’t know” Shehry smiled at her

“Ha-ha, you won't believe but I honestly don’t know what I am looking like right now because whatever Mehru and Nabi did to me, I couldn’t see that they tied a strap on my eyes” Maryam told him and he laughed loud

“Seriously???na karo yarr…ye dono bhi had hen qasme”Shehry laughed and so did Maryam, she was feeling better now that it wasn’t bad for sure it was going to be good she thought

“umm so  where are we going?” Maryam asked

“Hmm, somewhere I never took anyone before, a place that is too close to my heart.”shehry said with a nostalgic smile on his face

“Oh, okay…..”She simply said that. After a 45 minutes drive he halted the car and came out he opened her door and offered her his hand, Maryam thought for a second and then took his hand, she came out and was surprised to see the surrounding it was kind of a meadow a smaller one there was a cute small straw hut at one end and the other end was meeting with the water…. Never ending water, it was calm and serene there, nobody was in sight just two of them….. Shehyr was still holding her hand and was looking at her face while she was observing the beauty around her. Suddenly she felt the warmth between her fingers and looked at her hand, only then she realized they were standing a bit too close to each other she looked in his eyes and took a step back

“It's so beautiful….. How did you find such a place?”Maryam looked away and sighed

“Yeah its pretty amazing place come lets go, I come here sometimes when I don’t feel like talking to anyone … I come at that place and empty my thoughts here” Shehry replied and he started walking into the meadow Maryam was walking beside him he came to the edge of water the grass was fading away and water was touching the grass blades there was a wooden bridge which was going straight till the mid of the water and then got disappeared, Shehry stepped on it

“C’mon, “ he asked her to join him she stepped on the bridge and they walked till the end of it, they sat there with their feet touching the water

“I love water….. I just simply love to sit here and watch the waves coming and going soaking me deep down’ shehry looked at the water and said thoughtfully

“Really?.... Well, I love water too, you know my father used to call me fish” Maryam said and Shehry looked at her cute face, she was looking so child like “I was always called as an aquatic being because I simply love the water” she added

“Hey! … See…..Shehry said and pointed towards the sky, clouds were now nowhere in sight and the full moon was all so clear on the dark sky shinning brightly. Maryam looked at that it was so beautiful, she looked at the moon and smiled

“What happened?” Shehry asked

“Weil…this brightness reminds me of something” Maryam said, looking away from him she was throwing stones in the water making waves

“Of what?” he asked curiously

“Of your face……” she said casually looking at his face for a couple of seconds

“Hahaha so you think I am like moon… chaudhveen ka chaand…wah wah MashaaAllah”Shehry laughed

‘No seriously, there is a certain kind of brightness on your face and you know its weird but I noticed it on that day in the airport for the first time, though that day I hated you”  Maryam said and laughed

“And now?..” Shehry asked, looking straight into her eyes

“Now… now I don’t hate you” She tried to keep it simple

“You don’t hate me….means… you like me now” Shehry smiled cheekily at her

“Maybe….” She said plainly

“Maybe?......seriously? Maybe? Mujhe rok lo werna mein chalang laga doon ga pani mein” Shehry said dramatically.

“hahahhaha….. You are such a drama queen Shehryaar” Maryam laughed at his expressions

“No, I meant yeah I like you…you are a very good friend” Maryam said after observing his sad face

“Hmm acha chadooo…ye batao how many boyfriends you had?” shehry asked and she literally jumped at his sudden question

“Are you mad?.... i didn’t have any boyfriend” Maryam made a face at him and he smiled warmly at her

“Oh My God! Allah meri tobaaaah….freeks out ker diya tum ne to mujhe” Shehry said and Maryam laughed holding her stomach

“q? is mein ajeeb kia hea mujhe nai pasand ye sab” maryam said simply

“Madam ap kahan se aai hen?...Pluto se ya mars se?”Shehry asked jokingly

“jahan se ap aaye hen”Maryam looked at him and said in the same tone

“So?....what about you? Am sure you have a whole list of names” Maryam smiled at him and he chuckled

“nai nai yarrr no girlfriend at all……. I don’t believe in this I just believe in one love….am a one woman man you know” Shehry said and Maryam smiled, how innocent, he looked though his eyes were all mischievous kind of but still he was the cutest loveliest guy she ever met

“Hey…..!Kahan kho gaeen?” Shehry snapped his fingers on her face and she realized she was gawking at him stupidly

There was complete silence for a couple of minutes just the sound of waves and air around them

“ummm am starving….tumhen bhook nai lag rai? Let's eat something”Shehry asked her and she nodded

“C’mon…..Shehry got up and extended his hand, she took it and got up, they walked out of the bridge in silence Maryam was rubbing her arms crossed on her chest…. It was cold there but she liked that air it was fresh and so pure

“Hey….tumhen thand lag rai hea?...here take this, ” he looked at her and took out his jacket

“um… nai nai am fine its okay Shehryaar….. “She tried to protest, but Shehry didn’t listen and put his jacket on her shoulders…. it was really odd Maryam could smell his scent and it was toooo close to her, she closed her eyes for a second and inhaled it, it was the best fragrance she had ever smelled or felt. Her cheeks were burning with the heat it was so unusual just minutes back, she was feeling cold and now her body, war emitting heat and Shehry could feel that too….. They walked in silence, Shehry came to that hut and he stopped, looked at her for a second smiled and asked her to follow him inside. Maryam hesitantly stepped inside it was a small hut at one end there was the stove area and on the other side there placed  two couches. Maryam looked at Shehry in confusion and he smiled back

“Well, it’s a payback time” shehry smirked at her she didn’t get that

“tumhare kaarhe ka jawaab. itnaaa kharab taste wala kaarha pilaya tha ub mere hath ka kaarha piyo….revange time” shehry said and went towards the slab maryam looked at him intently

“Oh! You you can cook as well?” she smiled and asked

“aesa koi kam nai jo Shehry na ker sakta ho madam” Shehry said and tossed a knife in his hands like an expert chef Maryam clapped at his gesture and he bowed down dramatically

“So what would you like to eat madam” Shehry asked like a professional.

“ummm let me think….papari pizza with buffalo wings would be great for me” Maryam said as if giving her order to the waiter and Shehry made a puppy face at her

“ummm well ye sub to nai hea madam ji han noodles mil jaen ge ap ko” Shehry said innocently and Maryam laughed

“Noodles?....hahaha” well noodles bhi chalen ge koi bat nai” Maryam smiled at him warmly and he beamed back

“Just give me 2 minutes” Shehry said and started making noodles Maryam sat on the couch observing him and his expertise

“Here comes your 2 minute instant noodles and a handsome chef is complimentary for the lady” Shehry placed the tray on the table and acted like an Italian chef

“Wow, smells great……” Maryam took the bowl

“What?...noodles or the complimentary chef?” Shehry asked, raising his eyebrows and Maryam chuckled

They started eating Maryam had never enjoyed noodles that much before, it was definitely the company that matters

“Hmm, they are really yummy you can really cook well Mr chef….” Maryam said impressively

“han to or bande to acha pakana aana chaiye kia pata votii bilkul he farigh mil gai to kia karoon ga” shehry said innocently and she smiled

“hmm ye sai hea phir wo kam pe jaya kare gi ap ghar beth k khana pakaya kijiye ga” maryam made fun of him

Shehry: chalo manjoor hea….wese tumhen kam kerne ka shoq hea I mean shadi k bad?” shehry asked by the way

Maryam: hmm koi khas shoq nai but kerna to chaiye khali peeli ghar beth k kerna bhi kia hea, she replied casually

Shehry: matlab tum shadi k bad job karo gi?….per zaroorat he kia hea yar, shehry asked in surprise as if he was conducting an interview

Maryam: q? tum job ker sakte ho mein q nai? , She made a serious face

Shehry: nai matlab bv to ghar mein rehna chaiye na yarr…… phir tum job karo gi to khana to pakka mujhe he banana pare ga, Shehry made a puppy face and maryam raised her shoulders

Maryam: han to or.. itna acha to  bana lete hen ap

Shehry: acha to bache kon sambhale ga? , shehry put his fork in his bowl back and crossed his arms around his torso

Maryam: ap… wese bhi ap ko bache buht ache lagte hen, maryam said innocently

Shehry; han wo to hea I love kids…..bhala kia, mein ne soch liya hea we will have 12 kids, 6 girls and 6 boys, Shehry said excitedly and maryam dropped her fork in shock

Maryam: 12???? Q? khud ki soccer team banana hea hum ne? nai bus 2 ek beta ek beti, maryam said as a a matter of factly tone

Shehry: kiaaaa? Do? Bussss? Nai at least 8, shehry argued

Maryam: 2

Shehry: 8

Maryam: nai 2

Shehry: nai 8

Maryam: 2…….Maryam said firmly, came close  and pointed her fork on his face as if she was going to stab him and he surrendered his hands in the air

Okay, okay…Baba 2 he theek hen…… Shehry said in a mocking afraid way and both of them looked straight into each others eyes Maryam’s hand was still in his hand her expressions changed suddenly when she realized what the hell they were talking about…… Shehry’s face turned red he couldn’t believe he was talking like that with her, this joke went a bit too carried away

“Shehryaar …. my hand” Maryam tried to take her hand away, but shehry was holding it tightly

He left her hand suddenly and both started looking here and there awkwardly trying to ignore the weirdest expressions they had on their faces and tried to delete that so uncomfortable memory from their minds….Shehry looked sideways at her face and felt her discomfort

“umm… you want more?” Shehry asked and Maryam looked in hell confusion at his face

“More??????

“ummm oh! No, no I meant more noodles” Shehry understood her question and smiled cheekily

“umm nai m full…bahir chalen?” Maryam mentally slapped herself on her stupidity he was asking about noodles Maryam… you idiot”

They both walked out, Maryam handed his jacket back to him there was complete silence

“Maryam…..Shehry broke the silence

“g?......

“umm…. Yarr do bache buhat he kam nai?” Shehry looked at her face quite seriously, she looked confused at him, but then next moment Shehry burst into laughter and so did Maryam

“You are such a thing Shehryaar” Maryam said, laughing with him

“Hey….why don’t you call me Shehry ? Why Shehryaar?” he asked suddenly

“dunno…. Aewaeeen!  But if you don’t like it, then m…..

“oh nai nai Shehry to sab he dost kehte hen…. but its just you who call me like this…may be you are more than just a dost…right?” Shehry casually said and she stopped walking Shehry looked at her, her expressions were unreadable

“kia hua?....bura laga?” he asked checking her face expressions

“Shehryaar mujhe kuch bat kerni hea ap se….” Maryam said, looking down at her hands

“kaho na……

“I don't know kese kahoon but it's important to make things clear, I think….” Maryam said

“Make things clear?....kia matlab?” He asked

Shehryaar jo ap chahte hen nai ho sakta….mein nai ker sakti ap ko samajhna ho ga” Maryam looked at his face and said he was very seriously looking at her

“Hmm, you are right, but Maryam I didn’t force anything on you and never will I…. seriously tum nai chahteen to 2 he theek hen 12 nai kerte” Shehry said so seriously that maryam looked at his face in utter shock he was controlling his smile

“Ch….Shehryaar please…be serious” maryam said and looked away

“acha baba bolo nai kerta ub mazak” Shehry said and moved to face her

“Maryam I don’t know what your reason of this reluctance…. I don’t see any hurdle, I don't know why you are holding things back” Shehry said seriously this time

“wha…what? You don’t see the reason …well yeah because you are blind! Can't you see Shehryaar I am a married girl..no, in fact am a divorce now. Isn’t this a reason enough to be reluctant?” Maryam raised her voice and looked straight into his eyes

“I don’t care” Shehryaar said simply still looking at her and she disgustingly looked away anger was avident on her face

“but I DO….. you are too good shehryaar you can find far better girl than me…. Far more deserving your love…am not that girl” Maryam tried to convince him

“and why do you think that you can decide whether you are good for me or not?.... Maryam why are you underestimating yourself? I don’t care you married once, I don’t care what that jerk did to you, I simply don’t have any business with tha… what I care about is that I want you in my life..simple” Shehry said simply, looking into her eyes holding her by her shoulders, she couldn’t look away from his gaze tears came spooling in her eyes and she looked down, closed her eyes and tears fell down. Shehry looked at her face and stepped back

“shehryaar hum ek bar jeete hen…ek baar merte hen…shadi bhi ek he bar hoti hea” Maryam said softly

“or piyar……piyaar bhi ek he bar hota hea Maryam” maryam looked at him she wasn’t expecting that was coming she remained silent when he came closer to her and took her hands in his he looked deep in her eyes they kept on staring each other

“maryam if you think that you have lived your life, than okay…but atleast let me live my life. Agar tumhen lagta hea k bus shadi ek bar hoti hea, khushiyan ek milti hen to please let me be happy tum akle he hum dono ki zindagiyon ka faisla nai ker sakteen Maryam” Shehry said, giving emphasis to each and every word, Maryam felt her palms were sweating so did Shehry’s

“Maryam you know that you want this happiness too…kon nai chahta khushiyan yarrr… don’t hold back please, I know you have been hurt badly, but her koi Rohaan to nai hota na at least you can give life another chance” Shehry said pressing her hands in his

“m afraid ….mujhe darr lagta hea Shehryaar…. Khushy se bhi darr lagta hea ub q k khusiyon k bad kab konsa ghum aa jae ga who knows” Maryam said worriedly and shehry smiled at her

“mein hoon na tumhen fiker ki kia zaroorat…..”

“I… I had a nightmare today…” Maryam said and looked down at their hands

“What was that about?” Shehry asked and Maryam told him everything

“Hmmm, but are you sure Maryam it was me?” Shehry asked rubbing his face with his hand

“Yeah……why?” she got confused

“nai…mein ne socha agar sach mein aesa kabhi hota to I would have taken both buckets from your hands….why only one? I was such a jerk in your nightmare” Shehry said seriously and Maryam laughed at his answer

“No you are not a jerk…..but don’t you see? That accident? Shehryaar I am a bad luck jahan hoti hoti hoon kuch ghalat hota hea ap bhi door rahiye muj se its better for you” Maryam said sadly and Shehry took her face in his hands this made Maryam almost freeze in her place she was shocked at what he did

“you are not a bad luck Maryam….did you get that? And never ever say this again, you just don’t know how special you are Maryam… for everyone for ME. And jahan tak door rahne ka taluq hea…m sorry I can't..I just can't stay away form you, the day I saw you on airport I fell for you though I didn’t realized that, but I just couldn’t get you out of my mind…these eyes, they kept on following me wherever I used to go…or tum keh rai ho k door rahoon…ub nai ho ga muj se Maryam.” Shehry said intently looking at her this time tears didn’t come out of her eyes she couldn’t believe someone can love her like that…she never thought of anything even close to that.

“Maryam sometimes we decide what is going to come next in our lives, but sometimes it Him (Allah), he is the one who is writing out the story, deciding what to come next….. tum samjho k ye kahani bhi woi likh raha hea us per chor do sab He knows best…tumhara yahan ana, Rohan ka wo sab kerna, hamara is tarah milna cant you see Maryam? He wants us together so do I…. so do YOU” Shehry said intensely looking into her eyes, he slowly stepped back and extended his hand towards her and waited, maryam looked at his hand…it wasn’t only a hand it was her life, her future , her happiness…She looked up at his face and softly gave her hand in his, he took it and intertwined his fingers with hers… a smile spread across their faces, Shehry tightly closed his hand and they started walking towards the car

“You know how it feels?...your hand in mine…..” Shehry asked looking at her

“How?”

“As if I was finding the last puzzle piece of my jigsaw and I found you… you are the perfect last jigsaw puzzle in my life. Your hand just fits into mine as if they are made for each other” Shehry can be that romantic who could have thought that. Maryam smiled shyly and looked down, she exactly felt the same.

Shehry let her hand go off and put something out from his pocket… it was a black velvet small box Maryam knew what it was her heart skipped a beat, when she saw him going down on his knee, he looked up at her and gave the most beautiful smile, he opened the box and headed it towards her she saw a pretty elegant chain in the box….not a ring? She thought

“Maryam Afzaal….I promise to stay with you through every thick and thin…in rain and in storm… in the home and in market…in room and in the kitchen, I promise to cook for you..and to take care of our soccer team as well…..will you be mine for ever and ever?” Shehry said so solemnly Maryam smiled at his childlike expressions and she softly nodded her head, shehry took out the chain from the box and Maryam gasped to see the hanging S and M in it, both letters were hanging together in the silver chain, there were small delicate stones carved in it, S and M…they looked so perfect together.

Shehry got up, untied the chain took the M out, and went on her back, he softly removed her braid from her back and made her wear the chain Maryam held the letter in her hand felt how beautiful it was

“It's beautiful Shehryaar…thanks, but why did you take out the M?” she asked holding the Sin her hand

“Because it's mine…… you keep the S” He said cheekily and put the M in his wallet pocket and Maryam smiled warmly at him

Shehry opened the door for her and she moved into the seat, shehry started the car and they headed towards home

“Mom and dad would be happy tonight…and ofcorse Hussain and Maha ufff hussain ne literally mera damagh kha liya tha ub tak…bhabi bhabi ker k nai thakta wo”Shehry said dramatically and maryam shyly smiled

“They all love you a lot….. Even Maha’ Shehry smiled

“She is really cute …” Maryam also liked her a lot

“han sab kehte hen mujh pe gai hea” Shehry winked at her

“Yeah, yeah you are cute too” Maryam smiled, but Shehry made a face

“oye don’t call me cute”

“why????????”

“c’mon I can’t be cute….call me handsome, hot….not cute” Shehry boosted

“Hahaha, again hot?????????” Maryam said and they laughed

“ummm okay if not hot then….umm sexy” Shehry smirked at her and she blushed

“Yeah, whatever…..” Maryam hid her blush Shehry looked closely at her face

“ap road per nazren nai rakh sakte?” Maryam said without looking at him

“kia karoon road itna khoobsoorat hota to rakhta na us per nazrennnnn” Shehry said in the full flirting way and Maryam chuckled