Assalam-o-Alaikum!

I kept my words and here is an early update <3

P.S Hussain is up to NO GOOD ;)

6| Nervousness and Dread 

Hussain | Lahore

Maha was stick to my tail repeating the same thing "Hussain please! Jane do na" She kept pleading since morning, after her friend called and gossiped about some stupid gathering at a friend's place. Girls and their gossips! Stupid! 

Keeping the newspaper back over the table I looked at her and she instantly made an innocent pleading face. "I promise it's the last time"

"Yeah! Last time was the last time too, and last to last as well" I nodded making her pout. "What kind of a party is it?" I asked and she jumped into the let-me-explain mode.

"It's actually not a party just a gathering you know. Dekho kia hea na k we are giving farewell to our seniors so we planned that from now onward, every weekend we all will gather at one friend's place to rehearse and practice for the skits and performances and you know Hussain! Already two of my ideas have been approved and am also finding the....

"Okay okay fine!" I stopped her rant. "Kitna bolti ho tum?" I shook my head getting up and she followed. "So can I go?" she asked hesitantly.

"Who is this friend of yours?"

"Fatima. Remember she once came home in my sand ups, we studied together. Yad aaya?" Maha tried to remind me.

"Yeah that loud one who spoke less and screamed more" I stated and she made a face.

"Hussain! girls do squeal and scream and shriek. Tumhari taraf boring or dull to ho nai saktey hum ub" Maha rolled her eyes stating and I raised my eyebrow, that instantly reminded her she was in need of my permission and for that she had to keep good terms with me. "I mean you are serious and sober and... you know" she sheepishly grinned and I smiled shaking my head at the timely u turn she took.

"Where does she live?"

"Defence block Y" Maha quickly replied and I nodded. "So can I ask her to come and pick me?" she added.

"No, I will drop you myself"

"Oho Hussain bus she is coming to pick Aansa anyways, she can pick me as wel...." Maha trailed off as I gave her a don't-argue look and she moved her head in a tentative nod. "Okay!"

"Go get ready" I said but before she could squeal erupting my eardrums I pointed my index up at her in warning. "Phone vibration per mat rakhna, I will call you half hour before coming back to pick you from her place. Got it?"

"Aye Aye Cap!" she saluted happily and then ran to her room, I was about to turn on the tele when the door bell rang. 

"Kiya museebat hea yar!"

Amna | Shehry's place

Just upon the first door bell I heard footsteps coming towards the door and I mentally thanked God for not making me wait... it was freezing cold outside.

The door flung open, Hussain stood there and before I could greet him he pressed a tight smile. "Sorry Shehry ghar per nai hea" and with that he shut door at my face but stopped right near the frame. "or wo ek haftey bad aaye ga so ap bhi tab he aaiye ga. Shukriya" he added informing me but I held the handle and leaned in towards him.

"I know Shehry isn't home, tabhi to aai hoon. Samjha karo yar!" I mischievously winked at the end, his eyebrows furrowed and then his eyes widened in mock horror as he backed off.

"Ther jao tum! Mera bhai aa jaye sab bataoon ga usey. Wadey us k sath or aankhen mujhy mari ja rahi hen?" Hussain stated threatening me and I chuckled, pushing him back I entered inside.

"Seriously you would have let me freeze outside in this cold Hussain! you cold hearted ruthless insensitive insaan!" I punched his arm and he smiled following me to the lounge where to my greatest pleasure a heater was placed and I quickly took the nearest couch.

"I wonder how such a person can be Shehry's brother!" I added in surprise once Hussain took the seat.

"Ziada batein na banao, kam batao" he rolled his eyes.

"You really think mein bus kam se a sakti hoon?" I tried to sound hurt and he sighed. "Nai jab Shehry hota hea tab to tum kabhi bhi kisi bhi waqt aa jati ho han mujh se milna ho to tumhen apne students se fursat nai milti" He made a face and I smiled, knowing the fact that even today I had an important job to do but that only for him.

"Well, you are right that I always come on purpose that only because I am a purposeful human being and even today I have come only for YOU with an extremely important task" I stated and he frowned.

"All fine?" he asked, concerned and I held my grin. "Yeh all fine, did Shehry tell you about Khizrah?" the frown faded from his forehead as he shrugged. "yeah! Why?"

"You know the one Mom suggested for you, that Khizrah" I explained in case he didn't get that, Hussain rolled his eyes and a little irritation oozing up on his face. 

"Am waiting for your reply Hussain!"

"Yeah he did, quite briefly though he went to Peshawar the same day so we couldn't talk much about....

He trailed off awkwardly and I smiled. "...about Khizrah" I completed his statement and he nodded, his features did show no interest.

"okay you two talked briefly don't mind that because I know all about the girl and Shehry called me yesterday putting this huge task over my fragile shoulders but as I am a very responsible person I said yes! I will arrange a meeting for you two" I explained calmly ignoring the wrinkles over his forehead which appeared during my little explanation.

"Arrange a meeting? For?" he asked obliviously and I rolled my eyes.

"Of course you and Khadija, who else Hussain?" I cleared and the next moment Hussain was on his feet.

"Maha! Maha! come on lets go" I stood up as well. Hussain looked down at his wrist watch as if he was getting late for his appointment with Queen Elizabeth

"Hussain! you can ignore me, but you can not ignore the topic which you have started YOURSELF" I stated seriously and right then Maha came running from her room, she looked at me and smiled wide.

"Hi Amna Api!"

"Hello pretty girl! where to?" we shook hands. "Friend's place" Maha told me and I smiled.

"Ap yahan kesey? Shehry to hea nai" she asked fluttering her eye lashes innocently and I slapped her head lightly on which she giggled. "like brother like sister han!"

"Come on Maha! chalen?" Hussain asked and I spoke before Maha could reply. "You are dropping her? Well, Its great I will come with you two; Hussain will drop you and then we will go to the café" I suggested but Hussain seemed totally apposed.

"Café?" Maha inquired looking between us two.

"Hussain tumhari hone wali bhabi se milne ja raha hea" I cheesed and Hussain's irritation shoot up, he seemed annoyed when Maha squealed excitedly. "Bhabi??? Hussain? Seriously?"

But he ignored his sister and looked at me. "Stop it Amna! Abhi nai, phir kabhi. Let Shehry come"

"Shehry isn't your father nor are you some ten years old who needs anyone's permission Hussain! come on lets face it then" I scolded him a little though I was a year younger to him. ki ferk penda ae? It was he who was the child between us at the moment and deserved a piece of mind.

"Man jao na Hussain!" Maha had totally forgotten about her own plan.

"Okay fine if you have found the girl reasonable I have no issue, say yes" Hussain casually said, Maha and I exchanged a look and she smacked her palm over her forehead. 

"Are you kidding me Hussain! its not me who has to spend the whole life with her, its you! ek bar to milna parey ga and that's final. We are going to meet her today. Mein usey time de chuki hoon yar" I insisted and Hussain heaved up a sigh as he raked a hand through his hair.

After a few moments silence he let out a breath and bent down picking up the car keys. "Fine, lets meet her then" he announced and turning around headed towards the door. Maha gave me a high five in the air.

"But Hussain didn't even change Amna Api!" Maha whispered in my ear as we both followed the grumpy boy.

"Oho! He is looking fine don't worry. Khizrah is a nice girl bus Allah karey bat ban jaye yahan" I wished and Maha excitedly let out a hushed shriek. "Eeeee Hussain ki shadi! haye Allah! jaldi ho bus" 

"Is she pretty?" she asked and I nodded. "much...."

And then the whole way to her friend's place Maha kept on inquiring about Khizrah while Hussain seemed totally indifferent about the whole first meeting thing; keeping his gaze firm on the road he silently drove but me and Maha ignoring his angry mood kept on discussing the girl over the loud music in the car.

Finally we reached to the destination and Hussain stopped the car, in front of the told avenue.

"What I was thinking is that even I should come with you two to meet bhabi...

"Shut up Maha! what is this? She isn't your bhabi yet. Calm your excitement okay. And step out I will pick you back after a couple of hours" He scolded her in a stern tone and poor she... made an innocent face and opened the door reluctantly.

"han han ja rahi hoon, tumhari shadi mein nai aaoon gi, jao!" slamming the door hard Maha stumped out and started to march fast towards the gate. Hussain shook his head and then pulled the seat belt out. "Tch! naraz ho gai, ub ghanta roothi rahe gi"

"Mein isey ghar tak chor k aata hoon" and with this he jumped out and jogged towards his sister.

Itna piyar kerty ho to bekar mein ghussa ker k mood kun bighartey ho yar! Koi hal nai tumhara bhi Hussain!"

Khizrah

Café |Lahore

"Would you like to have something ma'am?" the waiter asked me the fifth time and reluctantly I smiled and asked for plain water. He smiled back and returned. I sighed looking down at the wristwatch, its been only twenty minutes but it seemed like hours since I arrived here and was waiting for Amna and Hussain. 

I had just seen him in pics and my brother's wedding video shoot; he was indeed handsome though he seemed a little reserve and more to himself kind of. And I am the extreme opposite; I am loud and cranky well aesa Mom bolti hen I don't think so, but as mothers are always correct so maybe I am actually loud and cranky. What if he won't like me and reject me right here on the spot over my face?

He is 26 no, almost 27 and I am only 23 no almost 24, he isn't that old for me but still his age tells he must be a mature person and definitely would like to have a mature life partner not like me; crazy head and immature.

Shucks! No! khizrah! Run away girl! run away right now.

I was fidgeting with my fingers and I guess the waiter felt my nervousness as he placed the glass of water. "Are you okay Ma'am?"

"Uh-yeah am-am fine, thanks" I tried to press a smile wanting him to get lost.

I was sitting at one of the corner tables, was facing the main entrance and if he comes I will instantly recognize him, but that will nervous me then... oh God! Mein yahan q beth gai? Uth jaoon? Us chair per beith jati hoon. Han! Ye theek hea

I decided and was about to get up when I saw the glass door flung open and Amna entered along with a man; tall and handsome clad in a light blue jeans and a v- neck black sweater. For a moment my breath caught up in my throat as I saw them pacing towards me and suddenly I realized my hands were firm over the sides of my chair and my bums in the mid air as if I will get up and run away. I cleared my throat and quickly sat down.

"Hello Khizrah! kesi ho?" Amna smiled at me warmly as they stopped near the table, I got up and we shook hands. "Am fine, how are you?" I smiled.

"Perfectly fine. uh- Khizrah! Meet Hussain and Hussian this is khizrah" she formally introduced us and I, who was up till now stealing glances towards him, now officially looked at his face who was looking back at me with a pressed smile. I noticed he was really attractive.

"hello!" I greeted first and he nodded greeting me back. We all sat down.

Awkward!

Everything about him was captivating; his face, his half pressed smile, the way he was sitting and the way he looked at me.... God! Was I falling for him that quick? I just know his name and few basic things. Khizrah! Slow down!!!

"Uh- so I hope you didn't wait much" Amna stated killing the silence and I looked at her, I was extremely puzzle and nervous now. More than I thought.

"Nah! Just reached here a few minutes back myself" I lied, dunno why. Again stole a glance towards him who was now looking down at his hands where he was calmly playing with his fingers.

Why isn't he saying anything? Oh! He didn't like you Khizrah.... Definitely a NO.

"Hussain or tum betho, batein shatein karo mein chalti hoon wo actually....

"But your car is parked at my place Amna, jao gi kesey?" Hussain interrupted her as she was about to get up. "I thought you will comeback with me and take your car, no?" he casually asked but I found an uneasy expression on her face as she sheepishly smiled at me.

"Uh- yeah! Umm okay, I'll stay then" she reluctantly agreed and Hussain smiled at her. I knew she wanted to leave us alone but maybe Hussain didn't like me and didn't even want to talk to me...

"You want coffee?" he asked Amna who helplessly nodded, having no other choice and then he looked at me, looking straight at my face making me a little uneasy inside. "Tum kia lo gi?" he asked simply and it took me a moment to gulp down and at least wet my throat a little to bring my voice out of my perched mouth.

"Coffee" I moved my head the same way as Amna did. Hussain called the waiter and ordered two coffees and one tea.

Amna

Hussain ordered the coffee and tea, the waiter nodded and left. I sat there cursing him under my breath and could sense the uneasiness on Khizrah's face; he wasn't even talking to her God! That's so embarrassing. Kuch ker Amna!

The moment Khizrah looked at the other table I elbowed Hussain. talk to her! I gritted my teeth and hushed, he rolled his eyes then reluctantly looked at her.

Hussain cleared his throat a little and Khizrah looked back at him, thank God! Finally kuch bat karey ga.

"I hope you know why we are sitting here and having this super awkward meeting" Hussain asked her. well, I wasn't expecting that so quick....

Waiter reached to our table and served our order.

"Yeah! I do, Mom told me about you" Khizrah looked at me briefly before she looked back at him and nodded, a small smile was there at her face but she looked clearly uneasy or maybe she was already intimidated by the presence of Hussain.

Aj kal ki lerkiyan na! handsome lerka dekha nai k impress ho gaeen....

"Ahan! So what do you know about me?" He asked calmly, Khizrah seemed a little off guard but she smiled and shrugged as she spoke "That you are an architect and you are 27 years old and .... And you are good" very impressive Khizrah! Taaliyan! Standing ovation!

Hussain leaned in the chair and crossed his arms at his front. "So? Shadi karo gi mujh se?"

I swear the sip of coffee in my mouth was about to sprout out. Khizrah looked at his face like an owl; wide eyed while Hussain sat there completely oblivious to the bomb he just threw upon the poor girl.

"What?" her expressions clearly stated she took Hussain as a mental, a psychopath. Who decides about getting married like this?

Sophia | Relief Camp, Peshawar

We had received a truck with eatable in the evening, distributed them in the victim families and were waiting for the other to arrive containing blankets and warm clothes specially for kids because the temperature fell drastically.

I realized in giving others you receive the pleasure of gaining; gaining blessings and prayers which is worth everything.

The next whole day Maya and the other Indian doctors avoided Zaman and his friends. Maya kept concern with her work, it seemed she loved helping people the passion she showed for the victims was worth a praise and that too being a hindu, double praise. She was busy examining the patients, prescribing meds and a many times feeding them the medicines with her own hands and refused to take a single minute break in between her work. Too much dedication I would say.

"How is your tummy now?" Maya bent down asking the girl in purple frock who seemed terrified of the shaky earth.

"It growls" the girl stated in a low hesitant voice and Maya smiled kneeling down. I walked past her finding Shehry standing near the loaded truck, he was instructing the workers to unload the stuff and keep that in the store tent from where we were going to distribute among the people.

Reaching near him I found him as fresh as always, I liked this thing in him whatever happens Shehry would forget it in a minute; doesn't matter how bad Maya behaved he wasn't that kind of a person who would tag along grudges.

"All set?"

"yeah! Alhamdulilah" he looked at me briefly before he held the brim of the vehicle and jumped in himself helping the workers taking out stuff from the truck.

"You need help?" I shouted out from down and Shehry rolled his eyes.

"Not with unloading the truck at least" he replied and somebody near me chuckled, I looked to my right finding Dr. Ranjheet smiling at Shehry.

And before I could ask the reason behind his amused chuckle he jumped inside the truck. "I hope you won't mind me helping you" he offered. Shehry smiled and handed him the folded blanket he was about to throw down.

"and this really doesn't mean that I find you weak or fragile or some helpless bechari woman. So don't take it the wrong way" Shehry emphasized every word addressing me, while Ranjheet just smiled, shaking his head. He knew Shehry was pointing Maya in his words.

"Sorry about last night, you had to face Maya's wrath"

"And that even for no reason" Shehry stopped in the middle of picking up a bundle of clothes and complaint. Ranjheet nodded his head.

"Actually she belongs to a place where this typical male chauvinism resides and rules since the beginning of the world so anything which discriminates men and women or anyone who does this aggravates Maya. Dil ki achi hea bus she is a little hot headed you know" he explained.

"I doubt that" Shehry argued and Ranjheet frowned.

"No,trust me she is....

"No, I mean I doubt the little wala part. She is toooo hot headed" Shehry stated and he laughed wholeheartedly at his humor and satire.

Together they unloaded the whole truck and the workers piled the blankets and the clothes in two separate piles at the corner.

Shehry dusted off his hands and stretched his back once everything was done.

Ranjheet excused us and headed towards his tent while Shehry, Atif and our other group members started segregating the stuff according to the list of victim families we had

Maya

In last two days I had no sleep; my eyes were itching and body tired but I couldn't sleep or rest. I guess returning home I will sleep for a whole week to compensate the tiredness.

The truck drove out of the place as I walked towards Sophia, I felt I needed to apologize the magician I mean he was trying to end the fight and I for no reason shouted at him, actually took out all the anger at him. It was that idiot low IQ Zaman who should have come under the blow.

Few men were standing there separating stuff seemed like they were dividing into parts for every family we had there in those tents and in the other corner over the huge pile of blankets the magician was busy throwing the kids and catching them back as they slide down.

"Shehry come on stop being such a kid man! We piled them a minute back and you are ruining the effort" a man complaint looking up from the list he was holding.

Shehry..... the name rung and echoed in my ears once again. So the man I insulted last night and the magician who took the pain out of Umer's forehead was Shehry?

"Don't be such a bore Atif! Am just playing with the kids, look how happy they are" Shehry countered back casually throwing a small kid over the piled up blankets making him laugh hard and then timely held him in his arms as he slide down.

"I am dying to have a cup of coffee man!" I heard Sophia groaned at my left which made me detach my gaze from... Shehry

Come on Maya! Stop bringing your past in everything.

"Its getting colder and colder" she further added, as she looked at me and then sheepishly smiled rubbing her arms.

"I thought you would be upset with me" I hesitantly stated and she frowned. "I misbehaved with your friend last night" I explained but she waved a hand in air carelessly.

"Never mind Shehry is cool" she said and then pointed towards him. "Look! He behaves as if cold or hot nothing affects him, wo to bhool bhi gaya ho ga kal kia hua"

Sophia was about to add more when I heard Shehry loud over the phone and both of us looked towards his direction; he was holding the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Hello! Hello!" and then kept the phone up towards the sky, trying to catch signals.

"That booster at the back end, signal condition is better there. Try ker wahan" Daniyal told him and Shehry walked towards the mentioned place still talking.

"Hello! Maha? yar signal issues hen. Hello!"

Maha....

He disappeared behind the tents but my gaze still intact there with my brain working faster than ever. Shehry? Maha?

First Shehry and now Maha.... both names together?

"Who is Maha?" I almost asked myself, my gaze still in the space when Sophia replied to my question. 

"Shehry's younger sister. More like a daughter you know, he brought her up after his parents' death like a father himself. Loves her a lot" she was speaking and her words, every single one of them did blasts in my brain and it eventually stopped functioning with my heart beating so fast I could heart the beats in my ears.

"Who else is there in the family?" I was sure about the answer but still I asked with the meek hope of being wrong. My words, my tongue were not mine anymore.

"Just a younger brother, Hussain" I felt my heart stopped beating and thumped down in my tummy.

"Oh no rain? Not again!" words crashed to my ears, A man said.

"Come on take this stuff inside. Quick!" somebody was instructing in an urgent tone. I felt something cold and wet dropped over my face.

"maya! Come on get inside" Sophia was saying.

"Maya? You alright?" She held my arm and asked, I looked to my left and my gaze followed hers to my stomach which I was holding. "Tum theek ho na?" she asked again as I couldn't utter a word, my tongue was locked and words lost.

I felt like puking everything I had in my stomach.

"What's happening with you Maya? You want something?" She asked panicked, my eyes watered and I saw those blur images getting closer, before anyone could come and inquire I wanted to run away and hide somewhere.

"Excuse me" and with that I almost ran, ignoring Sophia at my back.

It was a small store they built out of a container at the far end of all the tents; I ran inside, shut the metal door at my back and ran hiding myself at the back of a big blue plastic container. I almost fell on the hard ground detaching my palm from my mouth I let the whimper out.

Tears flowing and my heartbeats still heard in my own ears. My eyes were already paining and now tears felt like fire coming out, I didn't know the reason why I was crying, why I was so terrified with the fact that he was around. He, whose whole life was ruined because of me

I never wanted to face him or Hussain but somewhere deep in my heart I knew one day my fate will make me stand accountable to them. I never ran away from anything but this.... This is the worse thought, the darkest blackest thought. God! No! Please am not that strong to bare this, please!

What if he knows me? what if he plans to revenge? My eyes flutter open, and my heart galloping inside my chest as the pool of thoughts disturbed my soul. Fear engulfed me and I bit hard on to my lower lip until I felt something warm oozed out.

Shehry

"Matlab k love at first sight ho gaya?" I couldn't believe my ears what Maha was telling me all dramatically and every now and then I felt Hussain was trying to snatch phone from her.

"Arey Sight bhi poori nai hoi itni der mein to jitni jaldi Hussain proposed her" Maha said and I chuckled shaking my head.

"Shut up Maha! and give me the phone" I heard Hussain's loud grumpy voice.

"Sala chupa Rustam! Phone do zara" I said and Maha though she didn't want to, handed him the phone.

"Mubarkan! Mubarkan!" I cheesed and heard his colorful language. "I never knew you were in such hurry man! tu ek bar bolta to k itna sailaab aya hua terey armanon mein, mein usi din perhwa deta tera nikah"

"Bus mein ne socha tu bara hea khud hi samajh jaye ga, per tu to nikla ek number ka harami. Khud hi sochna para mujhy" Hussain complained and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Acha I will get the details once I will be back home because I know there is a lot Maha doesn't know" i teased him, which I knew didn't work up on him.

"Acha whats the name? bhabi ka nam to bata Saley!" I asked though I already knew the name, Khala told me of course.

"Nam.... Uh- Fatima" Hussain thoughtfully stated and I frowned. Ghalat kuri nu mil aya ae khotey!!!

"oho Hussain! Fatima is my friend. You are mixing up" I heard Maha who must be standing over his head at the moment.

"Oh han! Fatima nai khadija" Hussain was wrong again and this time I rolled my eyes.

"Hussain! khizrah... khizrah was the name" Maha literally screamed in the phone, correcting him.

"Hussain you just proposed the girl and here you are forgotten the name already? Are you even...

I halted in my sentences as I saw the laraka tayyara F16 running towards the back end and entering in the store she shut the door with a loud bang.

"Phir kisi ne shan mein gustakhi ker di muhterma ki" I shook my head.

"Keri muhterma?" I heard Hussain asking.

"Nothing man! just a full on herself kind of girl, an extreme feminist and hates every man around her,loves to judge them any time, any place. Huhn! Mental she is honestly" I said and Hussain laughed.

"This is normal with girls yar! Khair tu bata kab wapas aa raha hea?" he asked.

"Inn Shaa Allah by the end of this week" I told him, and after a couple of minutes we hung up. my gaze was still fixed over the door which was slammed shut just a few minutes back, she didn't come out.

"Ajeeb makhlooq hea... itne bhi kia nakhrey yar! Pata nai khud ko samajhti kia hea" I shook my head and walked ahead, keeping the phone in my pocket, it was drizzling I covered my head with the hood but my feet halted near the store door.

And I don't know what came in my mind, why I did that but I just felt like taking revenge of the insult she did last night. I held the knob of the door and locked it. 

"stay inside now. And let us stay in peace" and with that I walked ahead towards my tent.

....

Well Shehry did something he shouldn't have done man!!!! o-O

So guys how was khizrah?

What about Hussain's sudden bomb? ;)

And poor Maya :(

What do you think coming next?

please suggest someone for Amna and Khizrah....Am bad at casting :(

See you on Tuesday Inn Shaa Allah 

Till then SMILE :)