Aaaah

Took ages to update!! I know /.\
I am really sick so my mum won't allow me to use my laptop or phone that often. So, updates of all the books are taking forever

:(

~~~*~~~

** During Shehry's wedding preps **

~~~WAQAS' POV~~~

"Waqas help!"

"Waqas answer the phone!"

"Waqas open the door."

Waqas Waqas Waqas! Kabhi koi khud ka naam sun kar itna nahi paka hoga jitna main pak gaya hoon! Kaam ke waqt sabko Waqas hi yaad kyun aata hai?

"Aya!" I yelled back at Nosh, who was standing on the ladder, pinning the decorations on the wall.

Two very important ceremonies were happening today; Preet's baby shower and Asmaara's mehendi. While Shehry had gone to the airport to pick up some guests, Hussain was busy being a majnu like always.

I walked past his room and stopped, looking at the sight in front of me. Preet and Hussain stood in front of the mirror, staring at their reflection and smiling. I leaned against the door frame and waited for them to say something romantic. It can be used as an amazing weapon when it comes to blackmailing, you see?

"Bad manners," someone whispered beside me and I startled, almost knocking the tall vase off.

"Careful," a hand held my arm as I gained my balance again. "Gee thanks!" I chuckled, whispering.

"Anytime," she giggled as I looked up and fought the urge of rolling my eyes.

Roop. It just had to be her.

She pulled me with her towards the main door and whispered, "Nosh asked you to open the door and you were busy eves dropping!"

"Says the girl who just snuck up on me. Miss stranger," this time I did roll my eyes and she huffed. I don't know why she dragged me here when she could have clearly opened the door all by herself.

While she went to open the door, I chose to go back inside. Honestly, there were better things I could be doing right now...... Like teasing the two hopeless romantics. They are either fighting or so engrossed in their cheesy romance! Seriously, no in-betweens.

And no, one person just wouldn't let me do whatever I wished to. Nosh called me again and I groaned, moving towards the living room instead. "You are so annoying I swear!" I mumbled as she stepped down the ladder.

"Sibling effect," she simply commented and I rolled my eyes. I got on the ladder with everything she handed me. Taping the flowers, I stepped down and turned to her, "ho gaya?"

She smirked at me, "I know you can't wait to get back to her but, this comes first. Three more to go baby brother."

I groaned at the phrase 'baby brother.' I am in my thirties for goodness sakes.

Wait- get back to who?

Before I had a chance to ask, Atif, Aisha, Rishab, Kashish and her son, Nihal came in. I went over to them and hugged Atif while giving the ladies a nod.

"Hey champ!" I high fived Rishab who was in Atif's arms. He sighed, putting him down. I looked at Aisha, who shook her head.

"Shehry still had to wait for his in laws so I brought the ladies home," Atif informed me and headed straight for the kitchen.

Nosh followed him to get some snacks for others while the two ladies, decided to go and meet Preet. They headed towards Hussain's room and I saw Roop standing there, silently. Maybe she felt a little left out.

"What are you waiting for? Come lets go," I offered with a smile as I picked up Rishab and she raised an eyebrow at me. "Too friendly for an ajnabi, don't you think?"

"Stop with that already!" I rolled my eyes at her again, blowing air through my nose. She definitely hates it when I am being nice to her.

Her head lowered as she intwined her fingers, "Sorry."

While she followed the others, I allowed a chuckle to escape from my lips. Pagal.

**----Few Hours Later----**

~~~ROOP's POV~~~

I took a deep breath and approached the stage. Shehry and Asmaara saw me first and smiled at me. I gave them a quick nod before calling Waqas' name. he didn't budge so I tried again, only to receive no reply. Deaf much!

"Waqas?" I called again, resting my hand on his shoulder and he instantly jumped around, almost bumping into me. "Watch it," I half yelled, holding his wrist, when he almost spilled his drink on me.

I breathed a sigh of relief when the drink didn't fall and grinned at him. He gave me a raised eyebrow in return. I frowned shortly before realising that I was holding his hand. Atif cleared his throat and I instantly pulled my hand away.

"I.... I need to talk .... to you," I awkwardly asked, playing with the ends of my sleeves. Atif and Shehry cooed while Waqas raised his eyebrow again. The way it twitches upwards every time is just.... Ugh, it makes me nervous.

I wonder if he does that on purpose?

"Shut up," he groaned at the boys and turned to me, "chalo." I grinned before turning around and walking away. Awkward enough, I didn't miss the round of cooing that followed after.

~~~WAQAS' POV~~~

"Shut up," I groaned at the boys while they passed some lame and cheesy comments. Roop kept walking like she was in a park until I held her arm and halted her.

"Oww!" she yelped as she turned around. Her frown made me realise that I had just held her arm too harshly. "Sorry," I mumbled and she shook her head.

"I am fine!" she smiled and I nodded, waiting for her to say whatever she wanted to say. When she didn't, I snorted, "it's almost Happy New Year!"

"I know," She grinned before frowning, "wait what?"

I sighed before keeping my glass down on a table nearby, "you called me so you could just stare at my face?"

It took her a while to register what I had said and her eyes widened, "ugh no! Pssht get over yourself. You are ugly!"

I blinked at her response, not sure if I was supposed to chuckle at her nervousness or feel bad about what she had just blurted. Either way; Ouch!

"Fair enough," I nodded awkwardly. Bohot time ho gaya kisi se baisti karwaye huve.

"S..Sorry," she mumbled with her head hanging low like always and playing with the ends of her white sleeves.

"Naah I am cool," I shrugged and she looked up at me with a smile. "Oh Thank God! I thought- Never mind.... Ok listen I-"

However, her voice blurred and so did everything around me as my eyes fell on someone behind her. Someone I was waiting for.

I walked past Roop and she nervously smiled.

Malvika.

"Hi Waqas," Malvika stood at a distance from me. I stood on my spot, frozen, trying to figure out if she was actually here or not.

From the corner of my eye, I saw someone running towards me. Instantly going down on my knees, I wrapped my arms around Manik. His tiny body pressed against me while he giggled over my shoulder, expressing his happiness. That laugh that I was longing for.

We pulled away and I stood up with him in my arms. Manik shuffled and I blinked at him. I lowered him to the ground and he ran towards Aisha. He must have missed her the most.

"Hey," I finally chocked out.

Malvika gave me a slight nod before looking away. She headed towards Preet while I stood there, silently. Theek se baat bhi nahi ki.

Those two exchanged a few words and then Malvika moved towards Aisha. She finally went up the stage to meet Shehry and Asmaara. I watched her going around the hall, laughing, hugging and greeting people but, not once she came up to me again.

Roop came and stood beside me, "Waqas can we-"

"Not right now," I shrugged her away but, she wasn't going to let go. "But-"

"Stay away!" I snapped at her, irritated, and walked out.

She is finally here but can't even spare a glance in my direction.

---

I stared into space, looking at nothing in particular. Just darkness. My head felt heavy. I was tired of thinking, of waiting.

She is here and all she gave me was a slight nod. Is that all I deserve? I know I screwed up in my office that day and everything turned upside down but, what did I do for her to ignore me like this?

'I am not running Waqas.'

Yeah sure you are not. You were just casually gone for weeks and now you are back to treat me like a stranger. Bull shit!

We need to talk Malvika and we will talk!

The sooner the better.

I rubbed my eyes before turning around, only to spot Aisha. She was walking towards the other end of the garden. I blinked my eyes a few times and focused towards where she was heading. I thought I saw Atif siting there so I approached the two but, stopped in my Tracks when I heard a lullaby being sung by Atif.

That's definitely not him! My mind told me. He is singing and that too a lullaby. It must be for a kid and I don't think he would sing for Rishab.

Or is he actually singing for him?

Soon he took Aisha's hand in his and made her walk around the bench. Once they were seated, Atif started scrolling through his phone. I chuckled to myself, seeing him going in a daddy zone.

This calls for a surprise family photo.

I pulled out my phone to catch them off guard and almost jogged around the bench when someone pulled me back.

"W-" I was going to yell but, a hand stopped me from behind. It was pressed against my mouth.

"Aye mr Ajnabi! Aap kyu baar baar doosron ki private moments kharab karne aa jatey hein?"

Roop?!

What on Earth is her problem?

I wrapped my fingers around her wrist, irritated, and pulled her forward. She stumbled, bumping into my shoulder as I dragged her in front of me. I pulled her towards me and her back collided against with my chest. My one hand held her wrist tightly and the other one was firmly wrapped around her abdomen. I could hear her breathing. It was loud and uneven.

"What's your problem?" I spoke through my gritted teeth. From the side I could see her trembling lips. She was shivering.

What am I doing? I release her wrist with a slight push, causing her to stumble forward as I took a step back. Running a hand through my hair, I turned around to leave, "I am... I am sorry."

"One minute Waqas," Roop came around and stood in front of me, "my problem right? Look at that!"

She held my wrist and made me turn around to face Atif and Aisha. Aisha had her head on his shoulder and I knew Rishab was in his arms. Atif lowered a little before pulling Rishab on to his shoulder. He turned his head and kissed Rishab on his cheek.

"You were going to ruin their moment," I heard Roop whisper and I looked at her. She smiled at me.

"How did-"

"Thora sa pyaar and lots of magic," she giggled, keeping a hand on her mouth, "Roop ki special recipe."

I shook my head as a chuckle escaped from my lips. Quite impressive.

"I have one for you as well," she whispered, tapping her finger on my shoulder, "you need a little bit of friendship and lots of love!"

I frowned at her words and she nodded, "yeah seriously. Look at how irritated you look all the time! You need lots of love but, for now..... Friends?"

I stared at her face as she brought her hand forward. I wanted to ask her something when I chose to drag her to a corner so we don't end up disturbing Aisha and Atif.

"What are you doing?" I asked her, voicing my thoughts. Her eyes searched my face and she frowned. "What did I do?"

I released a loud sigh before taking a step away and looking right back at her, "if you think you can convince me like this, then you are wrong."

"Convince you for what?" Roop frowned at me like she knew nothing. Such a good actor.

She leaned backwards as I leaned forward to look into her eyes. She was about to say something when I regained my posture, laughing mockingly.

"I don't know what you are talking about," she said again, looking down and playing with the end of her sleeves.

I kept my finger under her chin and made her look up at me. Her eyes searched my face nervously like a lost puppy. What if she really doesn't know about what our families are up to? But how is that possible?

"Right," I stated and left her there.

**---- Next Morning----**

I gulped down the last bite of my cheese omelet just before the door bell rang.

"I'll get it," I told Aisha, who was about to walk up to the door, and quickly washed my hands. Going through the kitchen, I opened the main door that was just down the corridor.

"Mor...rrning," Subha subha aa gayi madam.

Roop stood in front of me and I saw her enthusiasm draining out of her body. Maybe she didn't like me anymore? Maybe she felt uncomfortable around me after last night?

After I asked Nosh, I found out that Roop has no clue about what is going on in Nosh's head. But, now she is so eager to announce her stupid idea in front of our parents. Damn, Roop and I- we are never happening.

"Side ho!" I heard Nosh's voice before I was pushed to the corner, "let her in."

"Yeah," I said lowly and turned around to leave.

"You are looking so pretty, no wonder he was staring at you like an idiot," I heard Nosh's whisper and my jaw dropped. Do bacho ki ma ho gayi hai aur kaam chittar khane wale!

"Excuse me?" I chocked, as I turned to face her. Nosh smirked at me while Roop stared at me with an innocent expression on her face. I chose to drop the conversation and went back to the kitchen.

Not so much to my surprise, the two ladies followed behind me. Aisha jumped to her feet and hugged Roop while I rolled my eyes and sat beside Rishab and Atif. I missed Manik.

"Just let me know if it fits perfectly or not and I think this necklace will look perfect with this dress," I heard Roop's voice again and my eyes involuntarily raise in her direction.

"Yeah! Thanks! Even I picked a set for you. The dress you bought, it would look amazing with it," Nosh and Roop literally talked like high school girls. Ugh.

Why am I even listening?

"Naah I think I'll skip it," Roop said. Good, do that and save me from Nosh's evil and irritating smirks.

"Oh what? Why? No, you promised me! You are coming and I am not taking no as an answer," Nosh insisted and I sighed. I watched the two while Nosh constantly tried convincing Roop.

Roop stole a glance in my direction before finally giving up. Nosh smiled and engulfed her in a visibly bone crushing hug while I rolled my eyes.

Why do I even care if she comes or not? I'll maintain my distance and make sure that Nosh doesn't get anything that she can use against me while talking to our parents about Roop. I hope they will see that I am not interested in spending my life with this girl and save me the embarrassment that I'll have to face while rejecting her.

Goddamnit!

**---Few Hours Later---**
At Shehry's Engagement

~~~ROOP's POV~~~

I wrapped my arms around myself and stood in a corner. Everyone knew each other here while I was just tagging along because Nosh asked me to. I felt like an outsider.

"Ya coming," I heard Waqas' voice before someone bumped into me.

"Aah," I yelped as I tried to gain my balance. I looked to my right where the guy, who had bumped in to me, was stumbling backwards. Keeping my hand on his back, I made sure he didn't fall on me.

"Shit," he mumbled, turning around. His eyes were glued to his own blazer as he pulled the ends together.

Mr Ajnabi.

"Sorry about- tum!" His eyes raised to look at me with a rather annoyed expression on his face, "of course it had to be you."

I frowned at his words while he mockingly chuckled at me.

"Andhi ho?" He asked suddenly and I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me, you bumped into me. Aap aaye the ulte chalte hue."

"Exactly, I had my back towards you but you could see me. Hatt jaati raaste se. Har jagah ghusna hota hai tumhe," he jeered at me before walking out through the main door. I stared at his back, unable to comprehend what he had just said.

I snorted before following him outside. What does he think of himself? Why is he always acting so rude? Even last night.

"Aapki problem kya hai?" I asked the moment I reached his car. Waqas was pulling out the gifts from the boot. He stood up straight and raised his eyebrow at me.

"Excuse me?" He asked like he didn't know what I was talking about while I was standing here, feeling hurt.

"Why do you have to be so rude all the time. What have I done to you?" I asked him and he shook his head, turning his attention towards the gifts again. He pulled out the boxes and closed the boot.

"We don't even know each other properly but, you are always acting like this around me... All the time."

"Exactly! We don't know each other but you are all over my family. You-" he turned around to face me and paused for a moment, "just stop crying, will you?"

I batted my eyelids. I didn't realise when a drop of tear escaped from my eyes. I was hurt right now and I hated myself for that. I have always been the weak one even amongst my siblings too. It's so easy for me to cry out of nowhere.

"Just- why do you even care? You should be happy that your words actually hurt me," I told him, "that's what you wanted, right?"

Waqas sighed running a hand through his hair. He took a step towards me and I took two back, but he held my wrist and jerked me towards him. I gasped as my eyes raised to look at him. A shiver ran down my spine when I felt his thumb brushing along my cheek.

"I don't care," he whispered, looking into my eyes, "your presence bugs me all the time. Especially in my family function because you aren't one of us aur kabhi ban bhi nahi sakti."

He had a weird frown on his face while I stared at him in a shock. He walked past me, leaving me to feel even worse about myself. He just made sure that I knew I wasn't supposed to be here tonight.

Fine then.

~~~MALVIKA's POV~~~

I stared out of my window, watching Waqas and Roop standing in the drive way. They were so uncomfortably close. He touched her face and I felt weird. Annoyed; you could say.

"See, they look perfect together," Nosh whispered in my ear and I turned to look at her, "and Waqas just won't agree."

"What do you want from me?" I asked, looking at her, confused.

"I know it's only you who can change his 'no' to a 'yes'," she sighed. I gulped, not wanting to hear the rest.

Nosh brought me here to talk about Roop and Waqas and we ended up seeing them just below my window. It wasn't until now when I realised what this talk was going to be about.

"Roop is an amazing girl. I am sure she will keep my brother happy," Nosh's voice caught my attention again, "can I ask you for a favour, please?"

I swallowed hard before nodding at her. "I know he will listen to you... Please Waqas ko mana lo iss rishte ke liye."

"What? How can I? Why would he-"

"He will listen to you- you are his friend, Malvika," She said and I felt the urge of shaking my head, "I would have asked the boys but they are already so busy in their lives.... Please yaar?"

"I know my parents would love her and I know she is just perfect for him. Just the right girl," Nosh continued praising Roop and I forced a smile. I haven't exactly had an introduction with this girl but she seemed very sweet last night.

"Will you help me?" Nosh asked again and I nodded. "Ahh! I owe you one for this!" She squealed, giving me a hug. I hugged her back.

If only she knew.

~~~

"Careful," I called out as Rishab and Manik ran around the hall. Nihaal followed the two, failing to keep up with the speed.

"Cute," I heard Waqas' voice and instantly straightened my posture.

"Hey," I said. He chuckled. "Finally you remembered me."

Uh what?

"So... How's life?" He asked me and I shrugged. "It's good... I guess."

A chuckle escaped from my lips, seeing Rishab and Manik finding their way through the crowd.

"So they are friends now!" Waqas grinned and I repeated the word 'friends' after him.

"Friends are so important in life, right?" He asked and I nodded. "Yup!"

"You know stats say that friends make the best life partners too. They have the highest rate of successful marriages."

I shook my head, not agreeing to his point.

"Arrey sachi!" He gasped, "Khud aazma kar dekh le!"

He chuckled like it was all cool and funny. I didn't find it funny. This topic was getting too much for me; especially after my chat with Nosh.

"Waqas please don't-"

"Shhh," my voice died on my lips when he wrapped his fingers around my wrist.

"Kuch khone ke liye nahi hai tere paas.. Haan bas budhape ka sahara zaroor mil jayega," he chuckled and I rolled my eyes at him.

"Oh please! You are the one I see walking with a stick thirty years from now!" I made a face at him, "I am going to stay young and sexy."

"Yeah right," he chuckled, making me frown. "I mean it, Waqas."

"Yes of course!" He shook his head teasingly.

Ugh! That laugh.

"Malvika-" he spoke again but I interrupted.

"Waqas please, if it's about that again, then we have talked enough about it already. So, please stop it."

"Fine," he mumbled before slowly walking away.

I closed my eyes tightly to calm myself down. I hate doing this to you Waqas, but I know we can never work this out even if you love me enough to make things better.