Hey!!

BEFORE YOU KILL ME, READ THIS... I spent all of my January sorting out things, shopping and working because I had a surgery. There were so many things to do other than sitting down in front of my laptop and updating.
My excuse is Valid, ok? Now Please Don't throw rocks, ande, tamatar on me.

Oh by the way, everyone who is still wondering, I live in New Zealand and that is why I was able to wish you guys happy new year at least 7-8 hours before the clock struck 12 in India and Pakistan. Haha

HAPPY READING !!

ROOP's POV

The evening sky had turned pink by the time we reached home. A well maintained garden greeted me as soon as Waqas parked his car. While he stepped out of the car to help Duaa, I inhaled a Deep breath out of nervousness.

We had spent a month at my house while Duaa was recovering and now we finally decided to shift here. It was my decision but now I was nervous. There was this weird feeling in my stomach that once happened right before my Nikkah. As if it's happening all over again; Moving to my in-laws' house and meeting so many relatives.

"Roop?" Waqas tapped on the window, snapping me out of my thoughts. I clumsily fumbled with the belt for a few second before it finally unbuckled and I quickly got out.

"What happened?" Waqas frowned at me and I shook my head, curving my lips upwards in a smile. He shrugged it off and turned around to walk towards the main door.

Each step I took on this thin concrete path, it took me down the memory lane; deeper and deeper. I was going to decorate this house after returning from that—

"Surprise!" My thoughts were cut short when so many cheerful voices made me jump back. I didn't realize when the door opened and everyone came out.

Waqas laughed with them as he made his way through the crowd with Duaa and Aisha pulled me inside.

"Welcome home," she whispered in my ear and there; all the nervousness was gone. I was in my house, with my family.

"Roop!" Rishab blocked my way with a huge bouquet in his hands with Manik beside him.

"Oye, I told you not to call her by her name!" Aisha slapped his shoulder, making me laugh.

"Let him be, Aisha!" I said to her as I accepted the bouquet and hugged Rishab. Another boy brought forward a box of chocolates, making me frown. I hadn't met him before.

"Hi?" I smiled at him, as I slowly took the box from him.

"He is Manik!" Rishab spoke, "yeh thora shy hai issliye kam bolta hai. Aur ye chocolates Duaa le liye hein. Agar use diye toh Jannat isse maar daalegi."

I chuckled at that. "Jannat aisa kyun karegi?"

"Yeh bacche pagal hein," Asmaara interrupted us, "it's a long story, I'll tell you later."

"Ok," I chuckled and looked at Manik, "well, I would love it if you give those to her yourself and she would like that too."

"Duaa is calling you," Preet came toward me and I walked past Rishab and Manik to find Duaa. She was lying on a couch with pillows elevating her leg. She smiled upon seeing me and gestured me to come closer.

"Mumma yeh sab papa ki family members hai?" She whispered in my ear and I nodded in response, "meri bhi family hai?"

"Jee haan. Chachi, chachu, and lots of cousins!" I told her. She didn't get a chance to learn all the relationships until now because she spent more time bonding with Waqas over the past few weeks and didn't even care about others.

"Yeh aapki bhi family hai?" Duaa frowned at me and gasped as soon as I nodded at her. "Wow! Mujhe laga sirf papa hein! There are so many people here. Isn't that cool?"

"That is very cool!" Someone laughed behind me before stepping beside me. My eyes widened upon seeing Adnaan there.

"What on Earth! Tum yahan kaise?" I asked him, instantly looking around for Alishba.

"I was here and you didn't even notice me!" He sighed, sounding offended, "and stop looking for Alishba. She was sick so I couldn't bring her with me."

"What happened to her?" I frowned at him, but our conversation was cut short when Waqas joined us.

"Hey man! Thanks for coming yaar!" Waqas spoke as he shook hands with Adnaan, "and I am sorry about our last meeting that night. I don't know what I—"

"It's okay," Adnaan chuckled, "I could tell you interpreted the whole situation in a wrong way. But I am a happily married man with no intentions of stealing your lady!"

"Even if you did, I wouldn't let you," I felt Waqas' arm around my waist as he pulled me towards him.

"Ever," he added, causing butterflies in my stomach. I could smell possessiveness already.

I nudged Waqas with my elbow and stepped away from him. "Excuse me."

Waqas groaned lowly as I walked past both of them, towards the kitchen for some water. The smell was already indicating how delicious tonight's dinner was going to be.

"What are you guys up to?" I asked as I entered the kitchen. Asmaara stirred the content in the large pot before turning towards me. "I am not up to anything. I am just heating up food that I have no idea how to cook."

"Still working on cooking skills, are we?" I chuckled as I went near the pot, "hmm, this smells amazing."

"I know right! Malvi–" she paused as soon as she looked up at me and cleared her throat, "Malvika made... it."

"Nice," I smiled awkwardly at Malvika and tucked my hair behind my ears, "hi."

"Hi," she stepped forward and side hugged me, taking me by surprise. She visited the hospital a few times while Duaa was there but she and I never really had friendly conversations... or hugs.

"Wow! You guys are normal?" Asmara gasped at us, "and here I was thinking it's going to be awkward!"

"Awkward? You guys don't know what awkward is!" Someone shrieked, disapprovingly, taking me by surprise.

"Soha!" Asmaara grinned and I instantly turned around, only to find a girl with her hair tied up in a messy bun, wearing a Long, beach dress along with a big baby bump.

"Oh my God!" She gasped at me, "so you really are back!"

"Um, hi," I chuckled at her.

"Oh come on! Where did she go now?" Someone shouted outside the kitchen and I glanced at the door, catching a glimpse of a man in a grey blazer. He was holding a little girl in his arms. "have you seen my wi—"

He paused as soon as his eyes fell on Soha. "I told you not to run, it's not safe for both of you!" He spoke as he came inside.

Soha rolled her eyes in response. "I swear There is nothing more awkward and embarrassing than this man following me everywhere and freaking out twenty four seven."

"I told you not to marry him!" Malvika pointed out while Soha's husband made a face at her. I am sure I have seen him somewhere.

"Excuse me?" Soha shot a look at Malvika and Asmara chuckled.

"Have I met you before?" I finally asked.

"We met at Shehry and Asmaara's wedding," he frowned at me while still smiling, bringing his hand forward, "hi, Bilal."

"Doctor Bilal!" I widened my eyes in surprise. The only thing I remembered about him was that he was the guy Asmaara's parents had chosen for her.

"Yup!" Soha grinned, "a few years ago I was visiting Christchurch for Shehry's shoot and this guy very annoyingly asked me out for dinner."

"The rest is history," Bilal added, chuckling, and then adjusted the little girl in his arms, "and this is present. Sana!"

That joke was bad but I shrugged it off because babies are more important than pointing out Bad jokes!

"Your daughter?" I asked.

"No, our son," Soha rolled her eyes at me, "of course yaar!"

That was a bad one too, no?

"Ok now Stop crowding the kitchen, guys!" Aisha came inside the kitchen, "Everyone. out!"

"Like the rest of the house isn't crowded already?" Asmaara rolled her eyes, "I told you we should plan a barbecue."

"Jannat tujh par gayi hai! Har waqt complaints. Ab Niklo sab!" Aisha shook her head at Asmaara, making everyone else chuckle. But I was yet to find out what was so funny about this as Jannat and I didn't get a chance to have a one on one conversation yet.

Everyone squeezed out of the kitchen, one by one, and made their way towards the lounge where there were extra chairs and bean bags set up now. The door to one of the rooms was left open and I could see all the kids were busy playing in there.

This place was really packed!

ADEEL's POV

aaj toh har kisi se maar padegi! I looked down at my watch as I collected my things and stepped out of the cab.

Jab aana hi tha toh attitude dene ki kya zaroorat thi? Ab sab mil ke taang kheechenge!

I sighed as I walked past all the parked cars.

The voices got louder with each step and a sense of satisfaction took over me. It's been years since the last time I met everyone. After Roop left, Waqas stayed back in Houston and I was always travelling with Hussain to different shooting locations until I finally started my own modelling agency.

Since then, I haven't been physically in touch with anyone.

Upon reaching the main door, I realized it was open so I quietly snuck inside to surprise everyone.
(An: I forgot what I was going to write under his POV. So I had to leave it here 😭😩😂)

WAQAS' POV

"Ah! She is so cute!" Roop laughed as Sana played with her bangles and babbled who knows what, "she reminds me of Duaa when she was her age!"

I felt a tight knot forming in my throat, realising I had missed the most precious phase of Duaa's life. Yes, Roop showed me her photos but it's not as same as being there physically.

"Your daughter is so cute, she looks exactly like you," Soha smiled at Roop, who shook her head.

"Oh please don't say that to her. She doesn't like being told that she looks like anyone else other than Waqas," Roop laughed and then glanced at me, making me smile again.

"Bas ghoorta hi rahega yah baat karne ka koi iraada hai?" Someone whispered beside me and my eyes widened as soon as I realised that comment was for me.

"Adeel?" I exclaimed, upon recognising the voice, and stood up instantly to hug him.

"Kab se dekh raha hoon, you have been staring at Roop bhabhi. You look like a newly-wed sharmeela sa husband!" He laughed, earning a punch from me.

"At least I am looking at my own wife, unlike someone!" I commented, rolling my eyes.

"What unlike someone?" He frowned, "ab kisi bechaare se koi shaadi na kare toh who kya kare? Andha ho jaaye?"

"Nahi, shaadi Kar le!" Hussain responded to that and Adeel shook his head in disapproval. "No way! Pehle wala option safe hai!"

"Actually, That's right!" Hussain laughed, agreeing with him, but it didn't last very long.

"Excuse me?" Preet narrowed her eyes at Hussain and he stepped back, holding his ears.

"Darrpok," I smirked at Hussain. Someone held my elbow and pulled me back.

"Don't worry, aapka haal bhi aisa hi hone wala hai," Roop gave me a wide, sarcastic smile, making me chuckle.

"I'll be waiting," winking at her, I shifted my attention back to Adeel as he came forwards and side hugged Roop.

They exchanged a few words while the rest of us did a little bit of shifting around to make space for another person. This enormous living room felt super small to me for the first time.

"I missed you yaar," Shehry hugged Adeel before both of them settled down, "work was so much fun when you were there."

"I miss working with you jokers too. But I am doing great for myself. I didn't expect this agency to work, to be honest," Adeel spoke, "Work is surprisingly keeping me busy."

"Woh toh dikh raha hai," Aisha agreed as she came out with a glass of water for Adeel, "You have lost so much weight."

"Haye! Kasam se, agar main ladki hota toh iss comment pe bohot khush hota!" Adeel faked excitement in his tone and Aisha slapped his head.

"Tum abhi tak waise ke waise hi ho. Ek number ke idiot!"

"Correct!" Atif chuckled.

Adeel groaned rubbing his head, "aa gaya biwi ka chamcha!"

"Just because truth hurts!" Atif shook his head disapprovingly and Adeel smiled at that. "No wonder you sounded offended!"

"Oh my God! Don't start you two!" Aisha placed the tray between Adeel and Atif's face, stopping them from bickering back and forth.

"I need to use the washroom, I will be back in a few," Roop announced out of nowhere as she passed Sana to Bilal and got up to leave.

Finally! I got up to follow her but someone pulled me back on the couch.

"Kidhar chale?" Asmaara raised an eyebrow at me from behind Shehry. Both of them smirked at me when I scratched the back of my head.

"Oh ho, Roop ko washroom ka rasta nahi pata hoga, Waqas bas wahi batane jaa raha hai," Shehry answered on my behalf, making Asmaara frown. I could see how fake that was.

"Oh? Is that so? Bechari!" Asmaara shook her head, "main usse washroom dikha deti hoon."

I groaned inwardly and looked up to glance at Roop but she was already gone.

"Oh, mujhe lagta hai usse washroom already mil gaya," Shehry faked a sigh and smiled at me, "better luck next time Waqas!"

Both of them snickered as Shehry left my arm and I huffed, irritated. This stupid get together was a bad idea!

HUSSAIN's POV

While everyone was busy in their own conversations, I quickly excused myself and followed Preet to the kitchen. While she took the lid off the pan and stirred the curry, I leaned against the door, watching her.

"Ab yun hi khare rahoge ya kuch bologe bhi?" She muttered. For a second I thought she was talking to herself but then she turned around and raised an eyebrow at me.

"Wait, how did you know I am here?" I frowned at her and she chuckled.

"Ab itne saalo ki iss not-so-safe-option wali shadi main tumhein itna toh jaan hi chuki hoon ki tumhaare footsteps ki awaz pehchaan sakoon," the corners of her lips curved upwards as she came towards me and suddenly pulled my nose.

"Oye!" I pushed her hand away and she chuckled again, shaking her head.

"So I heard getting married is a dangerous option for you?" Preet narrowed her eyes at me. She stepped closer and I awkwardly scratched the back of my neck.

"Stop manipulating my words. I said being blind is a safer option. I didn't even mention marriage," I shrugged, casually. She shook her head again, disapprovingly, and punched my torso.

"Ow!" I groaned instantly stepping back, "See this is what I meant! Yun tadapne se accha toh andha hona hai! Koi aise torture karta hai apne husband ko?"

"Torture kahan?" She gasped, widening her eyes, and then smiled, "yeh toh mera pyaar hai!"

"Yeah right," I rolled my eyes, "Husbands karein toh domestic violence, tum karo toh pyaar."

"Haan na," She insisted, chuckling, "They say if you remain friends with someone for seven years, your friendship lasts forever. Here I have survived eleven years of pyaar with you. Thora toh credit do!"

Suddenly an idea popped up inside my mind.

"Credit han?" I smirked at her and then held her hand. Pulling her out of the kitchen, I dragged her towards a silent corner, "you know since Armaan came into our lives, we hardly get time to show our pyaar to each other."

Once we were near the main door and no one was around, I dragged Preet in front of me and trapped her against the wall.

"Have you gone mad? What are you even thinking?" She hissed at me in a mere whisper as she pressed her palms against my chest, trying to push me away.

"I am thinking..." grabbing her hands, I pinned them to her sides and inched towards her, "I am thinking I need a kiss."

"Haw!" She gasped, "aise nahi milta kuch bhi. Chalo bhago yaha se!"

"Nahi!" I shook my head at her, "now show me your pyaar in a way I know!"

"Hussain Asif," she called my name in a very serious tone but before she could continue, I pecked her jaw, making her shiver.

"Let me go yaar!" She cried out. A snicker escaped from my lips at her changed tone.

Squeezing her chubby cheeks with my one hand, I pulled her face closer to mine and pecked her forehead.

"I love you!" I told her, proudly. Its amazing how I never get bored of telling her that.

I hope she doesn't get bored of listening to the same phrase over and over again.

Soft mumbling sounds pulled me out of my trance and I quickly left Preet's cheeks so she could speak.

"I lo--"

"Ehem!" I saw Preet's eyes widening as Someone cleared their throat beside us. Instantly pushing me away, She ran towards the lounge while I was left being with this person who was clearly sneaking up on us.

Punching the wall lightly, feeling embarrassed and annoyed at the same time, I turned to look at the person; Only to reciprocate Preet's expressions.

ADEEL'S POV

"No, in fact last year I was able to get twelve girls on the ramp. And with so much competition, its not so easy to get them contracts from designers," I proudly mentioned as I discussed my work with Atif, "Its maybe because I was already known in the industry for working with famous actors or maybe it was just sheer luck, I don't know."

"Or maybe those actors turned famous because they were working with you?" Hussain somewhat laughed as he joined our conversation.

"Oh for sure! You owe me your career, Hussain!" I mentioned, jokingly, but my smile dropped instantly as soon as I looked up at him and caught a glimpse of someone behind him.

Slowly rising to my feet, I rubbed my sweaty palms against my jeans, unable to take my eyes off from the two brown pearls that were staring back at me in a shock. I was too scared that if I looked away, even for a second, she will disappear like last time.

"Jessica!" Asmaara squealed, running past me, "I am so glad you came!"

Jessica, who stood still like a statue while Asmaara hugged her, deepened her frown at me. The back of my throat felt dry as her gaze roamed around my face before finally settling on my eyes again.

"What is he doing here?" She asked all of a sudden, "I told you I don't wish to see him, didn't I?"

"I know you did," Asmaara nodded at Jessica and glanced at me, "but--"

"But what?" Jessica snapped as she pushed Asmaara's hands away and stepped back, "This is really not done guys!"

She looked around the room before running out of the hall with her large hand bag. As soon as she was out of my sight, I snapped out of my thoughts and turned to look at everyone behind me.

"Kis ka bakwas idea tha yeh?" I narrowed my eyes at all of them, accusingly.

"Bakwas?" Soha raised an eyebrow at me, "itna bakwas that it made you sweat?"

Sweat? I was aware of the heat my body was emitting right now but I didn't realise others could notice it too.

"We called her here, Adeel," Preet informed me, "Because we care for you two. You think we can't see how fake your smiles and jokes are about your relationship status? You are not single because no one wants to be with you, you are single because you don't want to be with anyone other than Jessica."

"Yeah Adeel!" Atif rested his hand on my shoulder, "you are not that flirt anymore and any girl would love to marry this successful young man who doesn't even spare a second glance at them anymore. And this didn't happen today or yesterday; it happened the day Jessica refused to stay in touch with you. She changed you so much."

"Come on yaar! eight years baad finally aayi hai woh. ab bhi sochta reh jaayega ya rokega bhi usse?" Hussain asked me.

"Haan oye! iss bar chali gayi toh humaare bulaane par bhi nahi aayegi!" Shehry added, chuckling.

I gulped hard, as I silently listened to everyone. The last vivid memory I have with Jess was the night when Asmaara was in the hospital and Jess was drunk. I had driven her back to her house and she had confessed her feelings for me. That was the night a flirt like me actually fell in love. But that love was not going to take us anywhere because you was—and is— a rich, Christian brat and I was simple, middle-class Muslim man who couldn't even afford a house as expensive as the designer dresses in her cupboard. And on top of that, Ami would have never agreed and I didn't have the guts to confront her. (AN: this scene is reffering to chapter 30 of AH but it wasn't shown in that book)

I was basically a coward who gave up before giving it a shot.

But am I still a coward?

"What if she has a boyfriend or a fiance or a .. hu-husband?" I chocked out my question and glanced at Preet and Asmaara for a reply. Both of them shook their heads at me and smiled.

"You guys are on the same boat, trust me! I know she is single and loves you but she is too stubborn to admit," Asmaara spoke, bringing a smile to my lips which only lasted until someone harshly pushed me forward.

"Saale ab jayega bhi ya saari zindagi Devdas ban kar ghoomne ka iraada hai?" Shehry huffed behind me, making others laugh.

"Jaa raha hoon!" I groaned, scowling at all of them.

I ran out of the house but stopped by the footpath to look around for Jessica. While the silence on the road led me to the only pair of stilettos that were tapping their way away from me, the moon light guided me towards them. My heart pounded against my chest with every large step I took in her direction and I couldn't help but wonder what am I even going to say to her.

Its been years since we exchanged even a single text. No, we weren't so immature to delete each other from facebook and all but I guess she gave up on me and I couldn't gather enough courage to even type a simple hi.

"Taxi!" Jessica yelled a few meters in front of me. I chuckled, hearing the slight groan in her voice and her helpless attempt. There was no taxi on the street.

"Goddammit," She mumbled as she pulled out her phone and dialed a number before pressing her phone against her ear, "Uh hi, I need to book a—"

Before she could finish, she turned around slightly and paused as soon as her eyes fell on me.

"Ur, hi," I mumbled, shakily waving my hand at her.

Her eyes roamed from my eyes to toes and then back to my eyes before she looked away. "A cab... I was saying," She spoke to the person on the phone and ended the call after giving them the pick up address.

"What the hell are you doing here?" She finally asked without looking at me.

Bhool gaya tha kitni khadoos hai......

_____not the last chapter____
Just one more to go because I couldn't proofread 10k words at once 😅😅 anyway....

FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO WANTED JESSICA BACK!! :D

What do you think? Are they going to end up together?

And what about Bilal and Soha? I know some of you thought Malvika and Bilal will be together because of their arguments during Shehry and Asmaara's wedding and some of you thought Soha and Adeel will end up together.

BUT WHAT JUST HAPPENED 😲😝

Keep those votes and comments coming and the last chapter will be us sooooooon.

Love Always.