Happy Birthday best friend StrivingNiqabi! I love you! I hope you like your gift!

Enjoy:)

"They are not happy together. They are not even a couple. They are just two people sharing a house nothing more. That satisfies me. If I don't have him even she doesn't have him. If I'm lonely so are they and that's sufficient for me. I can live my life with that!"

"Urfi do you even realise what you are saying?"

"Yes I know what I'm saying. You think I'm so dumb to not understand what I'm doing?"

"Yes, you are dumb Urfi. You are the dumbest person I know. You don't know what you are doing. They are not happy today, but one day they will be happy together then what Will you do? What will you do when you see them happy together​? Urfi you have no idea how much that will hurt you. You are digging your own grave."

"Leslie I think we are done for today. I will meet you tomorrow. I promise. Now please leave."

Leslie took her book and left the house. She knew her friend was wrong and in the end she will destroy herself. She was trying her best to make Urfi understand this but she was too blind in Zeeshan's love to understand. She had gone though a lot in life and it was difficult for her to stay normal in this situation. When she was five her parents died,she had to leave her city and move with her grandparents. Five years later their grandma died who was Urfi's biggest support and lifeguard. When she was eighteen her grandfather died, who was again someone she loved a lot. She lost almost everything​ she ever had. Zeeshan was the only ray of hope in her life and now Almighty even took that away. She was trying hard to keep her faith in God but she was failing miserably.

***

Kehara laughed,"oh Noor it's ok. You know how many times Amal fell down. She is always hyper. Kids fall a lot."

"But I was still scared. I didn't know how Zeeshan would react."

Kehara smiled,"what did he say?"

"To be careful next time."

"He didn't scold?"

"No."

"Then why are you so sad? It happened two days ago."

"Because it was scary."

"No, it was not Noor. Calm down."

"Kehara the problem is she is not my daughter. You know if Amal falls down Aman Bhai won't blame you because he knows you are her mother and you will never hurt her but Iiman is not my daughter. In my case Iiman is not even my own niece. She is my husband's niece who we had to adopt. Everyone will think I don't like her or I don't want her because she is not my daughter."

"That's true Noor. This relationship is complicated."

"I know."

"But that does not mean you will be depress every time something happens to her. You are not her mother but you love her like your own daughter. You are doing a lot for her even more than what you did for your own niece and nephew."

"You know that, I know that not everyone."

"See what people think is not important. People will keep on talking to matter what. They will never think good about you so it's useless to worry about them and what they think."

"True. But what about Phuphu? She is a scary lady."

"I don't know much about her. And at times ladies change when they become mother-in- laws so I cannot say about that but I know she loves you a lot. She was here for a month just to convince you to give Zeeshan a chance."

"She loves me for sure but she is strict and Iiman is her only granddaughter whose mom is no more so she will be more strict and protective."

"Noor don't you think you are thinking too much. She is fine."

"I'm not talking about falling from the bed. Many things will happen in future. It was a small thing now it will be a big thing later. What will I do then?"

"Worrying about Future will only destroy your present Noor. I use to do that. I was scared of my future that's why I didn't accept your brother's proposal immediately. I realised it later that living with a fear is just a waste of time. I wasted so many years worrying for no reason. So don't repeat the mistake."

"Hmm."

"Now smile!

Noor smiled,"done."

"I cannot see it."

"Well then come here to see."

"Send me a pic or video call now!"

"When did you become so demanding?"

"Ever since I got married. You have to be demanding if you want things to be done."

Noor giggled,"chalo getting married brought something good to you."

"Noor I have to go now. I will call you later. Bye AllahHafiz."

"Bye AllahHafiz. Don't shout at them."

Noor was smiling when she disconnected the call. Keeping the phone down she picked up the remote and changed the channel on the TV. She was bored and TV decided to broadcast all the boring shows today.

"Noor can you help me?" Came Zeeshan's voice from their room.

Noor made a face before switching​ off the TV. Sowly like an old lady she walked to their room. She was bored which made her feel tired and sleepy.

"What?" She asked when she came in the room and within few seconds her eyes were wide open,"Zeeshan what is this mess?" She pointed at all the files which were spread all over the floor.

"Help me. My school certificates are missing."

"Where did they go?"

"You think I will do this if I know where they are?"

Noor picked up few files and made place for herself. Sitting next to Zeeshan she started going through the files.

"Keep all my school related documents separately "

"Ok."

"There will be certificates from different schools."

"Yeah I know. Which ones are missing?"

"My Indian school certificates​."

"Are you sure you brought them here?"

"Of course Noor. How will I get admission here​ without them?"

"Point."

"I need them."

"Why all of a sudden you need your certificates?"

"I have some work."

"Ok."

Zeeshan did not show any interest in telling Noor why he wanted those certificates so she did not ask him again. They quietly kept working for almost fifteen minutes. Zeeshan was looking very serious and stressed. Noor knew any sarcastic​ comment or taunts won't be a good idea. She was quietly looking for all his certificates.

"All the school certificates you have." Noor said before handing him all the certificates. He took them and arranged them in order.

"Do you have all the certificates?" She asked.

"Wait."

Noor nodded. For some Reason Noor suddenly started feeling depressed. She was feeling like that in the morning and she was again feeling depressed. She was missing everyone and she wanted to see them. She never thought she will leave her city. Actually She was sure she will never leave it. Even when she was getting married to Ibaad she was going to come back in few months but now she shifted permanently​ to another state. Such a big change in plan didn't work well with her emotions.

"Alhumdulillah I have all of them."

"Alhumdulillah!" She said looking at the files

"What happened?"

"I'm not feeling well."

"Why what happened?"

"I don't know. I'm feeling depressed."

"Postpartum depression?"

Noor narrowed her eyes before throwing the ball of paper she had in her hand which hit Zeeshan's forehead.

"That Nikha paper gave you legal right to hit me,right? Before that this at least had some limit. It was just verbal and now?"

"Don't exaggerate.''

"That's ​true."

"You deserve it."

"I really want to continue this silly fight but I have to go."

"Where are you going?"

"There is a meeting in the hospital."

"Hospitals have meetings?"

"Yes." Zeeshan said in the duh tone. "Look at this mess."

"You don't like it?"

"No."

"Then stop creating them!"

Zeeshan rolled his eyes,"I'm getting late and look at this." Zeeshan started keeping the files back it their place.

"Ok then go and get ready I will keep them."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes but remember I won't do this daily."

"I don't create mess daily."

"Really?" Noor asked crossing her arms.

"Yes." Zeeshan said crossing his arms as well, walking closer to her.

And then the unannounced stare game started between them. They were trying their best not to blink, waiting for the other one to give up. They both are very competitive that's why even after three minutes they were staring in each others eyes

"You are getting late." Noor reminded.

"I know."

"Then go."

"I don't want to."

Noor's heart started beating faster." Why?"

"Because I want to win."

Noor raised her​ eyebrows. She closed her eyes for few seconds before opening them again. She slowly tapped at Zeeshan shoulder,"go go you are getting late."

"Why did you give up?"

"I lost a bigger battle losing this meant nothing."

Zeeshan frowned,"What?"

"Go get ready. I will go and pray."

"Pray? I think you did that an hour ago."

"I did but I'm not feeling well so I want to pray again. It makes me feel better."

"It really does?"

"Yeah! It makes you feel so much better. Your situation doesn't change but your heart is at peace then."

"Hmm."

Zeeshan shook his head. Then Noor left the room so that Zeeshan Could change. She went to her aunt's room to pray. She had maintained her Wudu so she directly went to pray. Like she said Salah doesn't change the situation but it definitely makes you feel better. Earlier Noor wanted to cry but now she was at peace. She was still sad but she was feeling better. She sat on the prayer mat for a long time. She wanted to sit for some more time but then she remembered Zeeshan was leaving and no one was with Iiman so she folded her prayer mat and went back to her room.

"When are you leaving?" She asked coming in the room.

"Now. I'm actually late"

"Ok." She smiled at Iiman who was playing with her toys. "When will you come back?"

As soon as Noor sat on the bed Iiman came to her crawling. Noor smiled before kissing her.

"What are you doing Limi?" Noor asked before kissing her cheek again.

"Why do you call her limi?"

"Because at first I thought her name was Liman. So I decided to call her limi but then it turned out that you don't know how to spell her name so."

"You don't know how to read."

"Whatever. Limu darling." She kissed her again.

"Why can't you stick to one nickname?"

"Because I don't think so much before opening my mouth!"

"Then your brain is a mess."

"Now you are not getting late?"

Zeeshan walked to the bed and stopped when he was standing next to Noor.

"Noor."

"Ha."

"I need your help."

"Ok. Iiman say ok."

"Look up."

Noor looked up,"what?"

Zeeshan hesitated for few seconds before showing her a royal blue colour tie. Noor frowned before saying,"what? I don't have a tie."

Zeeshan rolled his eyes and looked at her again. She frowned deeper.

"I don't know how to." He did not complete his sentence and just extended his tie towards Noor.

Noors eyes widened. She slowly looked up at his face. She softly said,"What?"

"Don't overreact now."

Noor stared him for a while before she started laughing,"Zeeshan?"

"Shut up Noor."

"Zeeshan no no Dr. Zeeshan Malik who is a pediatrician  finds it difficult to...."

"No need to say it. Everyone in the room knows that."

Noor slowly turned her face to Iiman,"Iiman your father! Shhh it's a secret."

Zeeshan rolled his eyes again,"looks like you don't know either. Bye."

Noor grabbed his hand quickly,"wait!"

She extended her hand and Zeeshan gave her the tie. She took it and placed it around her neck,"how come you don't know how to do this?"

"I never got a chance to learn. Whenever there was some formal function it was never complusory to wear a tie. I hate dressing up so I avoid it and when I have to wear formals I avoid tie."

"Then why are you wearing it today?"

"Our HOD told us to wear."

"Looks like it's a very important meeting."

"It is."

Noor removed the tie from her heck and gave it to Zeeshan. Zeeshan took it and Noor sat down on the bed again. She again took Iiman in her arms and made her sit on her lap.

"How is it looking?" Zeeshan asked once he was done.

"You really think I will say something good about you?"

"Right. Anyway, I'm getting late." He bend down and kissed Iiman on her left cheek.

Noor smiled, all ready to say Zeeshan goodbye when suddenly Zeeshan kissed her cheek. Noor's eyes become little wide and she could not breathe for few seconds. Zeeshan stood upright. Noor looked up at him with a confused plus scared look. Zeeshan smiled at her reaction before turning around and walking towards the door. He opened the door but before leaving he turned around again,

"I don't think you are losing that battle."

***

"No no no!" - Haajar.

"Yes yes yes!" - Noor.

"Noor Baji. Please don't do this." - Haajar.

"Haajar no!" - Noor.

"What are you two talking about?" -zyva.

"Read the chats."- Noor.

"I cannot read hundreds of messages where Haajar is pleading and you are being rude." - Zyva.

"Yeah yeah you will take your cousin's side. Who am I?" - Noor.

"Nautanki!" - Kehara.

"Kehara! I love you!" - Noor.

"What just happened?" - Haajar.

"Noor what's wrong?" - Kehara.

" Nothing. I just love you." - Noor.

"Someone is in a good mood." - Zyva.

"Noor Baji what happened?" - Haajar.

"Nothing." - Noor.

"Noor what happened!?" - Zyva.

"Nothing." - Noor.

"Hiding! Hide hide." - Kehara.

"Something happened between her and Zeeshan!" - Zyva.

Noor was smiling. She was clueless how to reply to that but she was smiling. She was trying to stop smiling but it was difficult. Then she thought no one was at home so it was ok to smile. She was typing a reply to Zyva when she heard the main door open. She understood Zeeshan was home. She started panicking. She was worried how things will be between them today. For the first time Noor Ali Khan was feeling shy and she hated it. She wanted to be the confident Noor that she is but like she always says Zeeshan can never bring good to her.

After few seconds Zeeshan entered the room. Noor was looking down at first, not intending to look in his eyes. But when after a minute he did not say anything she looked up. She immediately frowned,"Zeeshan what happened?"

He looked into her eyes,"I lost my job."