Assalam-o-Alaikum!

Update <3

chapter spoilers:

Shehry and Amna's comeback

reception function

dhamaka ;)

25| His Happiness 

Shehry

My fingers snaked in between hers as they intertwined them, feeling like clasping my whole world in my hand by my side as we silently laid in bed; my other arm resting under my head and my eyes fixated upon the ceiling as my ears listened to her heartbeats, slowly I felt her thumb caressed my skin.

"What are you thinking Shehry?" I heard her asking, made me sighed deep. I shook my head still looking at the ceiling. "Nothing much, just you and me" I shrugged and Amna suddenly pulled her hand out from mine, I looked towards her who was now turned on her left, facing me keeping her head firm in the bed over her palm.

"Lair!" she pouted with a frown and I smiled a little. "I know something is bugging you up in there" she pointed at my head. "Come on vomit up" she urged me forcefully when I remained quiet staring her face with a smile on my lips.

Amna pulled up and sat crossed legged near me.

"Bhonko bhi ub kia madhoobala bane huye ho!" she got annoyed and I burst into a gwaf, making her roll her eyes. "no, seriously bus ek lambi dhari waley surmey ki kami hea, poorey k poorey madhoobala lag rae ho. Huhn!"

I finally quit laughing catching her serious expressions. "Amna didn't you notice that?" I asked and she frowned. "Hussain" I added, her frown faded a little.

"What about Hussain?"

"Yawr! Dekho..." heaving up a sigh I sat up in front of her in the bed. "tum ne nai dekha how he was treating Khizrah in the wedding, then his sudden twist in the behavior around Maya...." Amna was searching my expressions. "I mean am not assuming anything Amna but Hussain is upto something, I dunno what but I can tell. I can just tell" I shrugged, unable to explain myself.

"Aj bhi when we returned back home how calm he acted in front of Maya, as if he has forgotten everything as if... as if kuch hua he nai tha kabhi bhi, koi nafrat nai, koi malaal nai, koi ghussa nai tha us ki aankhon mein"

"Maybe at your back something has happened" Amna shrugged and I frowned.

"Something?"

"Something like... like realization" she explained and I blinked my eyes, unable to get that. "I mean maybe Hussain has finally realized that all the anger and hatred for Maya was not worth it, was all useless and for no reason at all and maybe....

"All of a sudden?" I cut her through and she went speechless. "Aesey ek dum se, ek do haftey mein Hussain has realized all these maybes? Wow! My little brother has finally got mature" I rolled my eyes and Amna smiled, shaking her head.

"well, there is a solution to this Shehry" Amna stated. "Tomorrow is our reception, why don't you announce Hussain and Khizrah's wedding there?" she suggested and I suddenly liked the idea.

"Don't think too much now" I opened my mouth to say something when she kept her index over my lips. "You are his elder brother; the guardian, you have all the right to take the right decisions for him if he fails to take them for himself, so go for it! itna mat socho Shehry. Khizrah buhat chahti hea Hussain ko and trust me the sooner she will come in Hussain's life the quicker this duffer will learn to live and to love" She added and I smiled.

"Like you have taught me how to love?" I smirked and she made a thoughtful face but then smiled. "Nops! My husband already knew the art of loving and to be loved" she confessed, bringing a smile to my lips as she leaned in, snaking her arms around my waist she kept her head over my heart pushing me back in the bed.

"Few people are just born lucky, and I am one of them" Amna whispered against my heart, placing a kiss right there sending a wave, a shiver through every single heartbeat.

"We are one one of them Amna" I whispered back, tightening my grip around her and felt her nose nuzzled into my chest as she smiled.

"Alhamdulilah!" this time my heart spoke into utter satisfaction and joy.

So it was true when they said; there is nothing better than a good life partner. And yes, I was truly blessed having Amna in my life.

Maya

"Maya api!"

"Maya apiiiiii!"

Suddenly I felt my arm being held and jerked a little, I looked to my left. "hm? Wha... what?" Maha was gawking at my face stupidly.

"I went outside for bringing my towel back from the cloth line leaving you with this...." She pointed down and my gaze followed hers, it left my cheeks red and hot with embarrassment as I found the flower in my grip. "And I came back like after about half an hour, after getting my towel and finishing the leftover biryani and still caught you staring down at this dried flower. I mean... is everything okay Api!? don't tell me some handsome hunk has given you this flower over his knees after proposing you for his life!" Maha blabbered all dramatically, I wanted to chuckle, or laugh but all I could do was ... gulping down the lump in my throat with the heat still there in my cheeks.

I tried to utter something when she added with a frown, looking down at the flower. "But even if my assumptions are true, trust me this Mr Handsome of yours is very miser and cruel at heart. Who proposes with this kind a flower?!" she looked weirdly at the flower once again and I smiled.

"this is sad about flowers isn't it Maha?" I showed her the flower. "Doesn't matter it's a rose or a lily or a tulip or an orchid or a mare pink flower grown in between ruins... All are suppose to die, all are suppose to get dry and dull and brown and black with no fragrance left in them. Flowers aren't durable but words are... promises and oaths are."

There was silence for a few moments and then she spoke. "Api?" I looked up and found concern in her eyes. "Are you okay? you are talking all deep" I chuckled at her question and then shook my head.

"Am fine, I just don't like plucking flowers you know coz they get dry and dull too quick"

"Who plucked it then?"

"Hussa..." I felt like an electric shock running through my veins as the word stuck inside my mouth and I looked up at Maha, she was staring back at my face with confusion and disbelief.

Blinking her eyes she pointed down at the dead flower. "Hussain gave you this flower?" with a deep frown she asked, I got panicked I dunno why but her question, her stare everything was freaking me out. What if Maha hates the idea? What if she loathes it all and never approves?! Oh God!

"Don't tell me my assumption was right regarding that Handsome hunk. I was right?" She asked in the same tone filled with disbelief and I tried to shake my head but I think I nodded or maybe I shook or .... oh eff my head!

But the way Maha's eyes popped out and the way she clasped her mouth with both her palms, covering her loud gasp assured my actions.

Hussain

I looked to my left and found the water jug disappeared from my side table. Aaarrggh!!! How many times I need to tell this girl not to touch my things?!

Pata nai kis ne bola tha k kam wali rakho. Wo bhi bagher kan wali. Getting up from the bed, I walked out and headed to the kitchen. Drinking water, I found my jug washed and dried placed in the rack. Rolling my eyes, I picked it up filled it from despencer and walked out. I was heading back to my room when I saw a shadow passing through the French windows of our lounge.

At this hour?

Keeping the jug over the mental piece I walked out from the lounge and crossing the lobby found Maya walking towards the lawn, she was wrapping a shawl firmly around her shoulders. I saw her crossing the lawn and she walked up to the main gate making me frown.

Lerki hea ya bhagori! doosra koi kam he nai isey? 

Maya

"I need to tell him it's not possible. I need to stop him before its too late, before his own people turn against him" I spoke after a long silence.

"No one would turn against him, not at least me Maya api. I love my brothers and I am ready to accept anything for their happiness, so if you are Hussain's happiness then why not?" Maha stated, trying to make me feel okay but the truth was that... nothing was okay!

"I dunno if I am his happiness or his revenge Maha" I uttered and she frowned.

"Revenge?"

"I dunno I mean, do you think a person like Hussain can.... Can love me?" my words were hesitant and the stutter made it worse. "Unintentionally or whatever, the fact remains that because of me your parents got killed, his parents got killed....mein uski khushi kesey ho sakti hoon Maha?"

Maha held my hands in her; a small smile was there over her lips. "Love does miracles; I haven't experienced but heard a lot about the wonders love can do Maya api! My brother is just an ordinary man with a simple heart and that heart feels. What if it has fallen for you, what if it has felt something for you other than hatred?" all of a sudden she seemed too big for her age, mature and so like Shehry.

"Or jahan tak bat hea hindu musalman ki to wo baron k kerne ki batein hen, I don't think I have enough knowledge about religion and its delicacies which are definitely very important but wo jo bhi hen barey decide Karen ge. Ap filhal us ki chinta na Karen" my heart dropped down to my belly once again at an unknown fear.

"yeah but if you don't like him that's something else, then you have all the right to say NO" she added and i blinked my eyes. The way she searched my expressions I knew she would soon got the answer this time as well.

"I know my brother is bad but not that bad, after all he is young and handsome and quite eligible as well. I mean koi pagal, andhi, bewaqoof or aqal se pedal he ho gi jisey Hussain pasand nai aaye ga." She boasted before bursting into a gwaf and I rolled my eyes, couldn't help but smiling at my own silly feelings.

"And what if mein wo pagal, andhi bewaqoof or aqal ki andhi hui to?" I asked getting up from the couch, Maha made a thoughtful face scratching her chin then scrunching her nose she shook her head.

"No, I have complete faith in your intelligence Maya api" she said and I laughed as I picked up my shawl and headed to the door.

"Kahan chali ub ap?" I turned and saw her frowning with her palms stick to her waist; a sudden smirk appeared on her face as she raised her eyebrows. "Hussain se milne?" my cheeks turned heat up once again and eyes popped out. "kia iradey hen Maya bhabiiiii?" she asked cooing and I shook my head, wrapped the shawl around my shoulders.

"Bus kia karoon ye samaj ye musalman ye pandit, ye log hamarey ishq ko nai samajh saktey Maha, is liye tumharey bhai ko bhaga k le jaoon soch rahi hoon" I winked at the end of my dramatic blabbering.

..... and Maha replied being equally dramatic. "Ja Simran Ja! Ji le apni zindagi!"

Despite all the fears and pain and the agony in my heart I covered it all and smiled at Maha. "Aati hoon, tum so jao" I turned and left the room.

.....

"phir se bhag rahi ho kia?"

My feet stopped as I turned and bumped into Hussain. My heartbeats dropped as I looked at his face, the way he smiled down at me making me forget every agony, every fear. "Shohar kam or chokidaar ziada ban k rehna pare ga tumhara mujhey" His words made something stirred inside my tummy. 

Ignoring my heartbeats and those vibes Hussain emitting towards me I threw a sentence at him "Peecha kerna band karo or so jao ja ker" and turned again towards the gate.

"per ja kaha rahi ho rat k almost 12 baje" he inquired.

"Or tumhaen q bataoon?" I turned and looked at him; I dunno why I was reacting like a pervert. He was being nice and I acted as a spoil brat. "So that you follow me to the place, right?" I assumed and he narrowed his eyes.

"You don't want me to follow you?" he asked, I remained quiet as if he didn't know the answer. His eyes searching my face under the light coming out from the globe fixate on the either sides of the main gate, then suddenly they twinkled and he smiled.

"Okay then give me one minute. Don't leave. Am coming" Hussain backed off and I frowned. "Jana nai, khari raho yaheen"

"But where... Hussain wait! Huss.....

But all my protest was in vain as he had already ran inside like a kid. Every single move, every little thing about him was turning my heart upside down now days, just a little curve of his lips and my heart would back flip. He would utter my name and my heart beats increase to dangerous level. What was wrong with me?! Was it really love?

Rubbing my arms I stood there helpless as I waited for Mr weirdo. And in a few minutes I saw Hussain walking out into the lawn, he was holding something in his hand, I looked closely and to my surprise I found a lantern as he came near me and casually walked past me saying; "Come on lets go now" and opened the gate.

"Hussain? where are we going?" he turned and looked at me. "and why this lantern? Are we going to explore some hidden caves here? you are hungry? want to eat bats?" I tried to be sarcastic, sarcasm can hide the butterfly feelings, well, it was a new research.

"Not caves but ruins" he smiled and stepped out, my heart skipped a beat as memories of the ruined house engulfed me. heaving up a sigh, I followed him and shut the gate at my back.

"I just wanted to walk Hussain, I didn't intend to go to that... that place" I explained as we walked side by side, quietly. I felt he smiled, I couldn't help but look up at his face.

"I wanted to go there" he said.

"Why?"

"You said you find peace there, maybe I could find some as well"

"At this hour of night Hussain? You are weird! you can only find ghosts." I frowned, he smiled again saying nothing. I noticed the slight dimple in his left cheek hidden under the stubble.

Hussain stepped ahead, coming in front of me he started to walk backwards and spread his arms wide at his sides as he spoke. "am walking with you at this time of night, towards a ruined said-to-be haunted house where just a few days back I have proposed you.... yup! I am weird I agree" he confessed making me smile. 

He seemed so different; much younger than his age, a carefree Hussain who smiles more, frowns less, who doesn't hate me who loves....No, no he doesn't love me, not yet.

"you are crazy Hussain" I giggled pushing him back with both my palms over his chest and he laughed, coming back to my side as we walked ahead.

"People would call us mad or worse ghosts if they find us awake walking in the streets, chuckling, laughing like maniacs" I looked around at the houses, calm and quiet most of them while a few still had the lights turned on and faint noises coming out.

"Log kia boltey hen kia sochtey hen mujhy perwa nai hoti is bat ki Maya" Hussain stated carelessly as we stopped in front of the house, the place was much darker than the rest of the area. I looked at his face who was busy looking down at the lantern in his hand.

"hold it" he gave it to me, I held it while Hussain took out a match box from his jeans pocket and taking the lantern back from me he headed inside while I went a little uncertain all of a sudden.

"Hussain!"

"Hm?" he turned and looked at me.

I looked around gulping the stupid uneasiness down my throat before speaking. "I think we should be going back home" I suggested and he frowned.

"This is home" he announced like a mad man and I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, home for ghosts and spirits probably and I am still alive" I retorted and he smirked, after a few silent awkward moments Hussain neared me.

"Maya are you afraid of me?" He inquired with that small grin. Yes, am afraid of this craziness, this madness of yours. I am afraid of you Hussain!

He snapped his fingers at my face as I stared his, not saying anything.

"Ub chalo, ya utha ker le jaoon?" he offered more like a threat and my feet moved unknowingly, he chuckled down at the ground as we walked ahead.

"trust me if the watchman will find us here, I will clearly say that I was being forcefully dragged here and you are the real culprit" I announced and Hussain laughed.

"Manzoor hai"

I rolled my eyes, despite the smile on my lips. We reached the terrace and sat down. Hussain kept the lantern and burnt the match stick as he lit the lantern a sudden yellowish golden light spread around us going to a little distance. It looked beautiful.

"Shehry uth gaya to?" suddenly it popped in my head and heard Hussain laughed.

"Then Amna will keep him in place, don't worry" he replied with a smug smile and I punched his arm.

"You are sick"

"What? What did I do to be called as sick?" he rubbed his arm as he pretended to be hurt and I shook my head.

"you are born sick, and born weird and born Saroo Mr. Hussain Asif" I looked at him blurting out and he made a boastful face.

"I am born handsome and born hot and born charming Miss Maya Avinash Thukral" he counted on his fingers and I rolled my eyes.

"Everybody is born naked" and the next moment I felt the awkwardness of my statement. Eff your tongue Maya! Go die!

"Yeah I know, Einstein" Hussain mocked and thankfully the embarrassment faded away.

For a few moments there was complete silence, I could here my breathing my heartbeats. And suddenly I felt Hussain's stare towards me. Careful enough I looked to my left and caught his gaze firm over my face with a small beautiful smile spread across his lips.

"Hussain you are looking at me as if  you are a lost puppy, and your map is sticking on my face now you are trying to find your home back" I said seriously and he chuckled shaking his head.

Under the golden light that dimple seemed even beautiful "you have a dimple" thoughts slipped through my tongue and he looked at me.

"I have, hidden now" he said.

"Yeah hidden but its still there. It looks beautiful when you smile" my gaze was still there on his stubble.

I felt Hussain leaned in a little and I blinked my eyes. "Itney ghor se dekhti ho mujhy?" he asked. Stupid question. "kaha tha na muhabbat kerti ho mujh se" he added smugly.

"Mein to apne patients ko bhi buhat ghor se dekhti hoon, sab se muhabbat kerti hoon?" I stupidly countered but he kept on staring my face with his eyes twinkling, making his face look even mesmerizing. 

I gulped the nervousness down and turned my face away, looking at my front ignoring his question as if I didn't here that.

"why didn't you tell Shehry and Amna?" I looked down at my hands as I asked.

"About what?" he acted oblivious and I mentally pushed him down the terrace.

"About..." I looked towards him awkwardly found him looking back at me intently. "About us"

"Tomorrow in the reception inn sahaa Allah" he replied and my eyes popped out.

"Are you mad Hussain? your relatives will murder you for this"

"They aren't Dev and Shiva, they are my people, and they love me and want my happiness. They are not murderers" Hussain blurted out, something broke inside me and I quickly looked away as I found a sudden guilt in his eyes. I didn't want that.

Silence screamed in my ears. "It's not only them Hussain, even I am a murderer. Maybe it's in our blood or...

I felt his hand over mine as he grabbed it. "Am sorry" and my words muffled in my mouth, I fought back with those tears which suddenly out of no where wanted to show off. "I didn't mean that Maya, I didn't mean to hurt you"

I dunno the tears were because I was hurt or because of the fact that the person who loathed me the whole life is now sitting next to me, holding my hand trying to comfort me.

I remained quiet still fighting back the tears. "I dunno sometimes I feel that I don't deserve a person like you, am such a rude prudent man and you were right I don't know how to talk to a girl how to deal with her"

"Not just rude but a total bipolar psycho who breaks my heart a minute and the next trying to fix the pieces. You are the worst man I have ever seen in my life Hussain Asif! you are rude and weird and Saroo and pervert and a total monster" I snapped and instead of getting offended he softly smiled and leaned in towards me.

"And after all that am yours" he whispered, my heart dropped down to my belly and my eyes unknowingly traveled down to his lips where a beautiful smile seemed even magnificent under the golden light.

"tumhara hoon Maya, badal do mujhy. Wesa he bana lo jesa tum mujhy dekhna chahti ho, dhal jaoon ga tumharey rang mein"

"Agar Shehry na mana to?" I spoke my fear out to him; he was still too close to me gazing into my eyes. I felt his hand moved and it came to the side of my face, touching a loose strand of my hair he tucked it at the back of my ear. They way his fingers brushed against my ear, it burnt as if the fire wasn't there in the lantern but in the touch of Hussain.

"Mana loon ga" He assured, I slowly opened my eyes.

"Phir bhi na mana to?" I asked again, he looked at me for a few moment as if he was trying to decide something and then he got up over his feet. I looked up at him in confusion.

"What?" I demanded as he looked down at me giving his hand into my direction. "Get up" he ordered, I frowned but then gave my hand in his which he held firmly and got up over my feet.

Hussain bent down, still holding my hand, with his other he picked up the lantern and placed it between our feet. I took a step back. "Come on, lets get married" he announced looking back at me and I gasped in a chuckle.

"Pagal ho gaye ho Hussain?"

"Nai" he frowned. "am totally fine, you want it your way? Like that agni and those pherey and that stuff, han?" he inquired, I just gawked his face dumbfounded. "wait!" he added, as something even weird jumped into his head. he looked around like finding something and then getting his desired thing he moved ahead, my gaze following his silly moves as he started to rummage through the dumped stuff; bricks and jute and empty sacks of cement.

Hussain turned around and jogged back towards me, he was holding something and when he showed it up to me my eyes narrowed down to the thick jute braid, deep brown ragged and worn out. "what do you people call it, the thing you wear around your neck... wo....

"Mangal sooter?" I looked at Hussain in disbelief and his eyes sparkled. "Exactly, woi. Come on lets get married" he looked like a total crack person, making me a little mad as well. I smiled back at him and held his hand in agreement. "theek hai, lets get married"

"But, Mr. future pati dev you know all seven vows which we are suppose to take around this pure holy fire burning in the lantern cum havan between us?" I inquired all seriously and he scratched his head making a face.

"Shit! Is it necessary? Don't you know? you can tell me, no? or do I have to memorize them by heart or something" he looked panicked a little. Ram qasam itna piyar kabhi nai aya Saroo per! I smiled, shaking my head and stopped him from further blabbering as he tried to.

"I don't want this Hussain" I tried to make myself clear and he searched my eyes. I looked down at his hand and took the jute thread from his grip, looking down at it a bitter smile spreac across my lips.

"I don't want that Hussain, pherey, agni, vachan, sindoor.... Nai chaiye mujhy wo sab. I have observed much love and peace and simplicity in just a few words rather than all those rituals" I told him, he blinked his eyes at me, as if he didn't believe.

"but you are a hindu"

"I am not a hindu at heart, am not a muslim at heart, am not a Christian or a jew. I am a human being Hussain and I just know one religion and that is humanity" he looked at me, not saying anything. "I follow my heart and that's all"

I walked past him and stood at the edge of the terrace as I looked in front of me, at far distance I could see lights twinkling out from some houses. "I was there, right there when Amna uttered thoes three words accepting Shehry as her life partner and then Shehry repeating the same taking her as his, forever. Simple three words, no promises, no fire, no thread tied around your neck which feels like a shackle sometimes"

"Just three words; Qubool hai! Qubool hai! Qubool hai! Simple and beautiful" a smile appeared on my lips as I kept on blabbering and then suddenly realized what I just said, thankfully Hussain was at my back and he didn't have to see my blush.

"Mujhey bhi" but my blush went deeper when he came by my side and accepted with a wink. I felt the heat creaping in my face as I smiled biting my inner cheek.

Hussain| Shehry's reception

Guests slowly started to take their leave once the reception function came to end; Shehry was there busy with the guests catering them even today, he was definitely a people's person apni khud ki shadi mein host bhi guest bhi, wo bhi VVIP.

I needed to talk to Khizrah, I needed to make myself clear before its too late. I tried to look for her and found her busy with Maha and Waqas' gang. This is the right time Hussain, go and tell her before things slip out of your hand.

As soon as the guests left a huge table was set for only the family members in the middle of the hall and food was served though it was buffet and I think everybody had eaten well, then why again. I looked at Shehry now talking with Amna and Maya on the stage pointing at the table.

My gaze got fixed at Maya; clad in an off white desi dress, her long hair let loose at her back the curls touching the small of her back and the way she laughed over Shehry's jokes her danglings jiggled. I was lost in the view when suddenly she averted her gaze from Shehry and Amna and looked ahead, caught me staring her. Our eyes met and I noticed the wide grin on her face turned into a soft smile as she blinked her eyes once and then my stupor broke down when she out of nowhere winked like a pervert, making me look around if somebody had noticed... thankfully not.

I noticed Maya giggled at my reaction, I walked ahead towards the stage and she quickly started talking to Amna aimlessly.

"Shehry" I stepped up the stage and he looked at me. "dinner again?" I pointed at my back and Shehry smiled in a meaningful way looking at Amna, I frowned at them two.

"What happened?"

"Nothing, wo I felt you people had been busy in catering guests so, lets dine together and....

"And?" I urged him to speak when he went quiet, I looked at Maya and she shrugged.

"And there is an announcement, an important one so I thought to make it over the dinning table, nothing is better than over dinner you know" Shehry winked patting my shoulder, I could smell something terrible.

"Announcement? Kia bat hea, mein Chacha ban'ne wala hoon kiya?" I asked playfully looking at both of them, Shehry laughed while Amna slapped my arm rolling her eyes. "Saley waleemey ka to wait ker leta" I teased Shehry who turned red in face but laughed anyways welcoming the fun like always, wholeheartedly.

"Sir, dinner is served" I heard the waiter coming forward, Shehry smiled at him with a nod of his head and soon everyone settled down; khala, khaloo, chachoo, waqas, Adil and KHizrah's family along with all of us.

"Amna beta buhat he piyari lag rahi ho MashaAllah! Itna koi noor aya hea dulhan ban ker chehrey per. MashaAllah!" Chachi kissed Amna's forehead before she took her seat and she smiled, before looking at Shehry who was passing her I dunno what kind of signals.

"Chachi, noor nai hea bus merey sath ka asar nazer aa raha hea" Shehry remarked and everybody laughed while a few agreed, including me. "ye sab is charming personality ka he kamal hea, kesey dino mein toofaani se noorani bana diya" he further added and Amna rolled her eyes despite the smile on her face and I laughed.

"Allah tum dono ko yunhi khush bash hansta muskurata, abaad rakhey" Khala blessed them and they smiled. I mouthed an Ameen.

Everyone was busy in eating when I looked at Khizrah, caught her smiling at me I tried to smile back but couldn't. I wanted to tell her straight away but these effing circumstances....

Suddenly Shehry cleared his throat and my mind roamed back to the announcement thing he mentioned. "Uh- everyone I have an important announcement to make" he stated and all eyes got fixed upon his face. He looked towards me.

"I am very happy that I have got the most beautiful life partner, beautiful, both inside out and trust me I think I can not pay the gratitude, I can not thank Allah for making Amna mine" he held Amna's hand in his, she softly smiled. I heard Sadia and the other cousins awed at the cuteness.

"But I will be more happy the day Hussain will be settled in his life, and you all know that Hussain has already got a very pretty lady by his side" he smiled at Khizrah and my heart stopped beating inside, my gaze suddenly roamed towards Maya who was looking at me already. She instantly pressed a smile to assure me all was okay.

"Khizrah I know you are the only one who can make my stubborn man happy" Shehry patted the nape of my neck and everyone chuckled at his response.

No! NO! this can't happen. No! Shehry Stop!

"So, I think this is the high time for you two to get settled in your lives and...

"I don't think so" I blurted out, Shehry stopped in the middle I know he was looking at me while I looked down at my plate, my food cold and my appetite lost.

"Hussain?" he called me, as if he didn't hear correctly.

I looked up before looking at him my gaze met Maya's and I found her shaking her head faintly, trying to stop me. but I refused and looked at Shehry. "You are right, Khizrah can make me happy but I can never return the same happiness in her life" I confessed and a sudden gasps and disapproval spread across the table. I looked at Khizrah who's smile had vanished.

"I wanted to talk to you Khizrah, but I couldn't am sorry for that but trust me I can not marry you, am not the right person, am not...

"HUSSAIN!!!" I felt my arm being grabbed as Shehry tried to bring me back to my senses, as if I wasn't. "Pagal ho gaya hea tu?" he got up from the seat, I followed, so did Amna trying to hold Shehry's arm, trying to calm him. "Khizrah terey nam se mansoob hea, wo mangeter hea teri. Shadi hone wali hea tum dono ki, kia bakwas ker ra hea tu?!" he yelled. I could feel all the eyes at us. At me.

"I will not marry Khizrah" I repeated and Shehry grabbed my collars.

"Shehry leave him. No!" Amna gasped in panic.

"Mazak samjha hea tu ne Saley!" Shehry screamed on my face. I let him. "Mar daloon ga is bar tujhey agar tu ne apni apni kerne ki koshish bhi ki" he added and I shut my eyes. "Sari zindagi yunhi bethey ga kia?"

"Nai" I jerked his hands off my collars. It sounds lame but I could hear Maya's heartbeats in my ears or were they mine? "Mein kisi or se shadi kerna chahta hoon" I announced. Shehry narrowed his eyes, Amna frowned.

I looked at the table, everybody was dumbfounded, Khizrah was broken her parents disgusted... and Maya, scared.

"Kon hea wo?" I heard Shehry asked, my gaze fixed at Maya's face. "Who is she?" he repeated louder this time making me blurt out even louder.

"Maya"

 ....

BAM!!!!

Ah guys finally I could get my hands on my laptop, got time and typed the whole shit. Well, I did sound like shit at a few places :/ while I proofread :(

Hope you liked :)

Dhamaka ;) 

One prediction for the next chapter ;)

till then be happy and SMILE the prettiest :*