We reached the Bashir Mansion it was looking so beautiful Khaloo loves to go out of the way and throw a party, it's like he is telling people whosoever he invites that you cannot match my status, anyway I'm here to have the amazing food which is made by Nargis Baji and rest of the staff but Nargis Baji is a cook especially her grilled chicken thinking about my stomach makes a grumbling sound till now I didn't realize I was hungry.

"For how long you haven't eaten anything?" Danish Bhai asks putting his hand around me.
"Since morning I guess," I tell him as we entered the living room where all the guests were having the time of their lives kidding no matter how lavish the party is it's always boring makes you wanna snore.

I remember the last time when he has this kind of party it was Khala's birthday I went to Alaya's room and slept off till the end of the party people were only talking business, Danish, Zain, Shayan, and Mahir they all were busy with that talk, Miraal, Alaya, Sara, Iqra, and Zoya they were busy with the other ladies gossiping so it was me who was left alone I'm neither interested in gossiping nor business.

Slow music playing in the background people were talking, women fussing giggling over the latest fashion, and the other women who are looking more beautiful and not, basically gossiping "I'll go find Alaya" I tell Danish Bhai sauntering in the hall.

"Are Laila beta yaha aao" I heard Phupo she was with talking to Mahira Auntie and a man was standing with them along with my Ammi.
"Assalamaalikum Phupo," I said my salam.
"Walikumassalam, mashallah Bhut khubsurat lag rahi ho," she says smiling.

(Laila come here)

(God, you are looking so beautiful)

"You know Mahira Auntie, this is Asad her son," she says introducing me, we exchanged salam.

"You know Asad has finished his studies and now he is going to join his father's business, he did Masters from England " she explains, and I wonder why is she telling me all this, that guy was just standing there smirking as Phupo go on about him, he looks at me I roll my eyes at him what is there to be so much happy about it, so what even my brother did his masters in business.

"Nice to meet you," I tell him, giving a fake smile.
"Both of you talk we'll be right back," Phupo says patting my shoulder, and leaves.

"So you are studying psychology, isn't it used for the people who have a mental illness?" He asks with a smug look on his face.
"Not necessarily people who want to consult a doctor doesn't mean he is ill maybe he is going through something which people like you might not understand" I retort back and with that I turned back on my heels keeping my head high in confidence and start to walk.

If a man who has thinking like this isn't worth anybody's time.

Until someone grabbed my hand from behind" who do you...he was cut off by someone "Oh my God, where have you been?" I heard a deep voice turn around to see a pair of brown eyes which my eyes have been secretly searching for since I walked into Bashir Mansion.

Amaan.

I look at him confused "Ammi is looking for you" he says giving me an affirmative smile.

"I'm sorry but we gotta go, Asad," he says to that guy giving a tight-lipped smile.
"What the heck?" I whisper yell at him.
"You should be thankful I saved you," he says, his eyes turning dark and dangerous.
"I didn't need a savior, knight, in shining armor as for a matter of fact" I retort back crossing my arms against my chest.
He looks at me in disbelief " fine then go and talk to him, for all I care, and if he does something or says something don't go running and crying to your brother or anyone else" he says angrily and walked off from there.

Idiot.

I went to the kitchen I'm starving and I certainly don't take arguments nicely it makes me hungry, yeah I know I am weird.
"Khala" I yell as I entered the kitchen.
"Allah, keep it down Laila, what is it?" She asks.
"Sorry, I'm starving when food will be served," I ask her as I took the apple which was on the counter.
"Soon go and call Alaya she has to be present when Mr. Ghazi's family will be here, Afan is coming too," she says setting the salad on the counter after she turned it into a swan.
"Uh-huh," I said and left with a mischievous grin on my face.

I went to her room she was sitting by the window, the sky looks so beautiful looking like cotton candy pink with orange hues, clouds scattered all over the sky moon can be seen coming up that too full moon which was shining so brightly in all its glory looking perfection in that beautiful sky.

Alaya was wearing a steel blue kurta and palazzo which has work of mirrors, sequins, pearls it has a silver embellishment on the neckline, borders a little work on the sleeves, her dupatta also has embellishments in a criss-cross design she was looking gorgeous her hair straightened and they were pinned behind her ears, she was wearing silver studs and as for makeup it was minimal mainly focused on her eyes.

"Haaye mashallah Nazar naa lag jaaye kisiki," I said putting a dot of kajal behind her ear.
She blushes, bowing her head down "thank you, my outfit is chosen by me Ammi wanted me to wear something green and heavy which I didn't like" she says getting up.
"You always look beautiful doesn't matter what you wear now let's go your soon-to-be in-laws are going to be here anytime and Khala, wants you downstairs," I tell her tugging on her arm.
She blushes again turning crimson red" which means Afan is going to be here, Allah Miya I'm so nervous," she says covering her face with hands.

(God I hope you don't catch any evil eyes)

We ushered to the living room Khala and Khaloo were talking to some people our sound of heels echoing the floor as we walked downstairs suddenly it all felt silent only a few gasps heard followed by the soft music Miraal walks towards us" you are looking beautiful Alaya" she says smiling with warmth in her eyes which always can be seen in beaming in her eyes.

"Why everyone is looking at you like this?" I whisper as we walked over where Khaloo was standing he plants a kiss on her forehead.

Before she can answer or say something "come on let's go, everyone is waiting for you" he says looking at Alaya, and my mind was filled with waves of questions.
"She is getting engaged, now come on Afan and his family are waiting, " Shahzain says standing beside me.

What why no one told me she is getting engaged because it seems as everyone knows about it even Alaya looked like she saw this coming "why no one told me about it?" I ask him.
"Well it was so sudden we couldn't inform everyone" he states.
"At least you could've told me, " I tell rolling my eyes at him.

We all went to the parlor where Afan was sitting on a divan Alaya sits beside him she was looking down her head bowed down they exchanged the rings which was a simple diamond ring and Afan's ring was a simple band.

"Come on dinner is ready," Khala says after the sweets were distributed.

"I didn't know you were getting engaged," I said as we walked to the dining room.
"It was sudden Laila, Abba told me after I came back from the salon that is when Afan's Dad called," she says sitting beside me, I glanced Afan was looking at her the whole time.

"He keeps looking at you, surely he is smitten for you" I tease her, and her cheeks turn rosy.
"Shut up Laila!" She says shyly.

Everyone soon started leaving after dinner and I was so weary all I want is a long shower and a good sleep thankfully, it's Sunday tomorrow Ammi won't wake me up and I can get up as late as I want.

I was sipping on my coffee when Danish Bhai walked over to me " Laila, Amaan will drop you Ammi and I will stay back because we have something to discuss with Khaloo" he says with his one hand in his pocket.
"What why not Shahzain or why I cannot stay here?" I ask him whining making a puppy dog face hoping he would let me stay.
"Okay, fine stay for the night, and yes don't forget to take your medicines you have it with you," he says referring to my medicines which I take for my nightmares and panic attacks whilst sitting opposite me on the couch.

A few years back these nightmares and panic attacks started I cannot be in closed spaces it makes me claustrophobic and for my nightmares, I don't know what they are usually I get one nightmare in which I'm running and there is a man who is running after me and he wants to kill me though his face is never clear, whenever I ask Ammi or Bhai Jaan that did something happened to me because of which it happens they always dodge the question.

But they are not frequent I get them once or twice a month but medicines are continuing this is the reason my family is always worried and scared for me and they hardly let me go alone and now on top of that is Danish Bhai joining politics.

"Yes, I will don't worry now I'm going to my room because I'm so exhausted wearing these heels," I said, he pats my head giving a kiss on my forehead.

*****

"Come on let's go or else he will find us," a woman says to me, who is she?
"But I don't want to go" I whine as I was sleeping.
"No, we have to do if you want to die," she says angrily and I get up from the bed we start to run but soon we saw someone running behind us.

Who is this woman and why is that man following me?

Where am I this is not my home?

I heard him laughing at us "run birdie run" he yells whilst laughing.

Then I heard gunshots and that woman who was with me was on the floor covered in blood.

"Nooooo" I yell at the top of my lungs, my breathing was heavy I was sweating the same nightmare again this is the third time in this month.

Someone comes barging in the room and I saw Danish, Ammi, and everyone else"same nightmare?" Ammi asks, Danish Bhai was standing there worried but the confusion was written on everyone else's faces because no one knows besides my family Ammi doesn't want to cause she doesn't want people to think I'm crazy.

"Is everything alright?" Khaloo asks walking over to me.
"Yes, just a nightmare" I chuckle nervously, it feels weird to feel everyone's confusing gaze on me.
"Alaya spend the rest of the night with Laila if she needs anything," Khaloo says rubbing his hand on my head in a soothing way, whatever tough and strict facade he holds for the world he is just a big softie when it comes to us kids, and if anyone tries to hurt anyone in the family that person will meet the unfortunate.

They all went to their rooms me and Alaya slept off praying and hoping the nightmare won't disturb my sleep again.

*******

Hey, Lovelies!

How is everyone doing?

I'm glad you all are liking the book I love to read all your comments and replying to them it makes me so happy. So thank you guys ❤

Anyway, so what do you think about Laila in this chapter?

Do you agree that girls should be married right after they finish their education?

I don't because we are not only for getting married and give birth to children there is always more to do even for us.

And what are your thoughts on Amaan?

I know there is not much happened but still, I would love an opinion.

Until next time.

Khuda Hafiz.

Keep Reading, Keep Smiling❤❤