"Assalamualaikum." Amaan smiled as soon as the door was opened by Hiba.

"Waalaikum as salam... Aaj bohot din ke baad chakkar lagaya." Hiba smiled and grabbed the plastic bag passed by Amaan. It was filled with some fruits and soft drinks.

(Long time no see.)

"Ji bhabi, bas Aaj kal bohot busy hu..." he smiled and ran his gaze towards the door of Urooj's room, it was shut "Wo chidchidi billi Ghar par hai?" He asked and Hiba followed his gaze but before she could reply the door was open and Urooj walked towards Amaan who was still standing on the doorway.

(Yes Bhabhi, I'm very busy these days...)
(Is that grumpy cat at home?)

"Sorry I'm fifteen minutes late." He smiled and Urooj rolled her eyes while gesturing towards the outdated and old-fashioned sofa. A rude gesture for Amaan to take seat. He silently walked ahead while holding the corpse of his handsome smile.

"Kyu itni badtamizi karti ho uske sath?" Hiba grabbed Urooj by her elbow and asked in a whisper, she never liked Urooj's behaviour with Amaan.

(Why are you being so rude to him?)

"He deserves this only." She replied with another level of anger.

"Urooj..." Hiba glared at her but she pulled her arm away and walked towards Amaan while mumbling something that Hiba didn't understand.

Urooj sat down beside Amaan making some distance between them.

"Pani ko puchne ka riwaz khatam ho gya tumhare ghar me?" He wiped the sweat drops from his forehead and neck with a handkerchief. Urooj felt embarrassed and looked at the ceiling fan which was moving with the speed of a turtle.

(Has the custom of asking for water ended in your house?)

"Ye chalta kam hai marta zyada hai..." Mumbling that she walked towards the kitchen to bring water but not before twisting the regulator of the fan which increased the speed but at the same time it started making a buzzing sound which was equally horrible as its lower speed.

When she came back Amaan was fanning himself with the newspaper he was holding but as soon as he witnessed Urooj his hand fell down. He didn't want to insult her by showing that she couldn't afford an AC in her living room.

"First of all, congratulations. Wese to party banti hai lekin wo to tum dogi nhi to aaj main tum logo ke sath dinner kar ke jaunga."

(First of all, congratulations. A party is a must but I know, you won't throw one so I will have dinner with you all tonight.)

"Amaan zyada free hone ki zarurat nhi hai, jis kaam ke liye aaye ho wo kaam karo. Mere room mein aa jao." Urooj grimaced and gestured towards her room. Poor Amaan gulped down this rudeness nth time and looked at the glass of water in front of him. He wanted to gulp the water down his dry throat but he was afraid of this chidchidi billi (grumpy cat).

(Amaan, there is no need to be too free, do the work you have come for. Come to my room.)

Picking the glass he walked to her room. Urooj shut the door from inside and gestured Amaan to sit on the bed, she knew he couldn't stay without AC, moreover they needed some privacy for this work so her room was a better place.

"Your cheque." He gulped down the water, placed the empty glass of water on the study table and pulled out a cheque from his pocket. "75,000 for now." She grabbed the cheque from his hand and looked at him for a long moment.

"Give me only 25,000... Remaining belongs to you." She passed the cheque but he shook his head.

"It's your money Urooj."

"I know, it's mine. That's why I'm returning the amount I borrowed from you." She pushed the cheque in front of him. For the next few moments Amaan didn't blink. He just saw Urooj.

"Keep it, I never gave you money to take it back." He smiled gently. If Urooj was a gold digger she would have looted Amaan years ago but she was Urooj... Her self-respect was most important. She looked at Amaan with sharp eyes and her brows curled up into an angry expression.

"Tumhe kyu lagta hai ki tum Ameer log apni doolat se sab kuch khareed sakte ho? Majburi thi isliye kuch pese udhar le liye the tumse, tumhara ehsaan nhi chahiye mujhe." She returned a true friend's care with ingratitude, unkindness and rudeness. Amaan was clueless about the reason behind her anger. He didn't do anything wrong beside trying to help her, maybe that was his biggest mistake. For the first time he felt hurt. If this is what love returns, then why do people even love anyone?

(Why do you think that you rich people can buy everything with your wealth? I was helpless so I borrowed some money from you, I don't want your gratitude.)

Drawing out a fresh cheque he signed it with 25,000 and placed it in front of Urooj. Without saying anything he stood up to walk out from the room but he was surprised to see Hiba standing on the doorway. Her baggy clothes and loosely hung dupatta were trying their best to hide the 8th months of pregnancy but couldn't. Amaan passed a dead smile towards her and took another step ahead but stopped by a voice.

"I've made this only for you Amaan." Hiba gestured towards the tray she was holding. He loved Bhelpuri made by Hiba.

"I'm getting late Bhabi."

"Come." He couldn't deny and walked back to the bed where Urooj was putting something in her diary. An act of hiring the cheque from Hiba.

"Urooj, make mango shake for three of us." Hiba ordered and Urooj walked out of the room with loud footsteps.

"Amaan..." She passed the bowl towards him but he felt hesitant to eat anything after this amount of insult. "She is ill, maybe." The last word showed a doubt and Amaan grabbed the bowl.

"I don't think so." He muttered and Hiba sighed.

"She is not talking to me too, I don't know what happened? She was fine in the morning but after coming back from the school she is angry. Neither she is eating anything nor talking to me. When I tried to ask the reason she just locked herself in the room after saying that she is tired." Hiba's explanation lightened his facial expressions.

Hiba gestured towards the bowl, he silently picked the first spoonful of Bhelpuri. They both could hear the mechanical voice from the kitchen. The mixer grinder was working. The mango shake was in making. A pause and the sound resumed, this time something harder was grinding, maybe ice. Amaan imagined Urooj working in the kitchen, but not here in his home. How badly he wanted this girl to make something for him the way a wife makes for her husband but Urooj was feeling annoyed. Now she would have to clean the kitchen platform, wash the glasses and bowls and spoons too, all this just because of Amaan! His presence was troublesome. Today everything was troublesome, even her existence too.

Pouring mango shake in three glasses she walked towards the room and found Amaan having bhelpuri. "Begairat, dheet, besharam, koi aur hota to itni beizzati ke baad ek second bhi nhi rukta lekin ye to araam se thuus rha hai." She placed the mango shake in front of him without letting him know what she mumbled just a few moments ago.

(Shameless, impudent. If it was someone else, he wouldn't have stopped for even a second after such humiliation, but he is gulping shamelessly.)

Hiba discovered some kind of tension between both of them, she knew communication is the only way to solve this matter and they won't talk to each other in her presence so he picked a glass of shake and walked out of the room with an excuse that she needed some rest.

"What's the matter, Urooj?" After a few minutes of silence Amaan asked and got a glare from her.

"Non of your business. Have this and go." She looked away.

"Tell me what's wrong." Placing the bowl on the nightstand he shifted towards her to get a deadly glare.

"Samajh nhi aata tumhe? Koi masla nhi hai." She almost yelled. If it was someone else he would left her alone but Amaan couldn't see her in this condition. He knew, her anger was a veil of unexpressive emotions.

(Don't you understand? There is no issue.)

"Batao kya hua hai." It was an order and Urooj kept glaring at him, her eyes turned red and she took a breath in between the process of hiding her emotions and grinding her teeth.

(Tell me what's the matter?)

"Nothing... Just go away." She grit her teeth. A harsh breath left her nostrils which were stretching a bit, an involuntary act before her lips pursed.

Amaan shifted closer and grabbed her hand in between his both. "Tell me." He whispered softly. Urooj's nose tip turned red and a cry left her lips while eyes dropped two tears. She couldn't control her feelings anymore.

Once she promised herself to forget him, to stop thinking about him, to never cry for him, but one by one she broke every promise and now she was, crying, longing and dying for him.

"Shhh... Tell me, maybe I can do something." He squeezed her hands in between his strong hands and she shook her head while shifting away.

"No one can do anything." She looked away while wiping her tears and a wave of anger rushed in her.

What the hell am I doing? Why am I crying in front of him? She criticised herself and looked at Amaan. His eyes held a soft look filled with sympathy. Urooj hated to get sympathy from anyone. Why do people think that they are other's support.

"At least share with me."

"Why can't you understand I don't want to share anything with anyone! I don't need your support Amaan, I'm capable of handling my matters." She yelled and Amaan exhaled louder than expected.

"He is getting married. I know." Amaan whispered. He already gave up on his attempt for Urooj to put her heart out in front of him however now she didn't want anyone in her life.

"How do you know?" She looked up suddenly. Surprised.

"That girl is mummy's friend's daughter." He muttered and Urooj took a deep breath. A failed attempt to compose herself.

"Listen to me... Forget about him, please yaar." He muttered. Urooj blinked away her tears and sniffling.

"Amaan, please. Leave me alone."

"I love you Urooj, I can't leave you alone in this situation. Why can't you just forget him?"

"Why can't you forget me, Amaan? Just forget me na... Back off!" She asserted and Amaan grabbed her hand which she pulled with a jolt.

"I am not backing off because there are still changes for me, but now there is no chance for him..." He smiled and Urooj glared at him.

"Who told you?" She asked. "For your kind information, I recently got a suiter and I said yes for him." Amaan's face lost his color. His lips parted to say something but no word support his emotions at this moment.

"Urooj? Really?" After a long moment of silence he asked and Urooj looked away but nodded.

"What is his name? His occupation? Where does he live? What about his family? Have you met him?" He threw a good amount of questions on Urooj. She didn't have answers however she couldn't let him win.

"You're no one to ask all these questions, and I'm not going to tell you anything. But yeah... I already met him." She lied and Amaan kept watching her for a long moment.

"Congratulations." He stood up while grabbing the glass of mango shake. "Bye." He walked out of the room while having a big sip of it.

"Urooj grabbed his head with both hands." She usually try to stay away from lying but today it was a need. She walked out from the room to lock the main door but Amaan was still standing in the living room talking to Hiba.

"Allah Hafiz bhabi, take care. If you need anything just call me." He passed a smile towards Hiba and walked out of the home.

"Bala tali, chipku, bhukkad..." As soon as Amaan left the home Urooj mumbled and walked towards the door to lock it but Hiba glared at her.

"What?" Stopping in her way she asked but Hiba kept her sharp eyes on her. "Come on bhabi, I hate him." She muttered and closed the door with a bang.

"Urooj, aakhir Kami kya hai Amaan me? Koi ek kami hi bata do" Hiba asked with a mix of anger and defeat.

(Urooj, can you point out just one thing that Amaan doesn't have?)

"Dimaag... Dimaag ki Kami hai usme." She showed a fake strached smile on which Hiba smacked her forehead.

(Brain. He doesn't have one.)

"Bewaquf ho tum... Amaan jese ladke milte kaha hain?"

(You are stupid... where can one find a guy like Amaan?)

"In mental asylum." Urooj announced and turned to go back to her room when a voice stopped her.

"Jo nhi mila uske liye use na gawao jo mil rha hai..." Urooj closed her eyes after hearing the exact words she usually hear from Amaan. Before she could ignore Hiba and walk back to her room another knock on the door stopped her.

(Don't lose what you have for the sake of what you haven't got...)

"Now who's there?" Huffing and grimacing she opened the door to find a handsome face. "Ab kya musibat hai?" She asked and Amaan showed an ice-cream cone.

(What's wrong this time?)

"Ice cream khao thandi ho jao."

(Have ice cream and cool down.)

"Tum apna sadi hui shakal uthao aur dafa ho jao. I don't need your ice cream."

(You pick up your rotten face and get lost.i don't need your ice cream.)

"Bhabi... You take both of them." Passing both the cones to Hiba Amaan showed his grin and she thanked him with a smile.

"Achha ye to le lo..." Passing a big chocolate to her he requested and Urooj glared at him. "Tumhara rishta fix hone ki khushi mein... Wese go tumhe muh mitha karana chahiye tha is khushi mein lekin koi na... jab meri shadi hogi tab tum mera muh mitha kara dena." He grinned. Urooj huffed and pointed towards the door.

(Okay, at least take this.)
(A little celebration as your match is getting fixed... well you should have offered me sweet but fine... Feed me sweet when I get married.)

"Sure, but with sweet poison." She grit her teeth.

"Accepted! Even bitter poison will taste sweet from your hands." He did not hesitate a single bit with the presence of Hiba but Urooj was shocked. She turned to see her sister-in-law who cupped her cheeks with hands grabbing the ice cream cones.

"Awwww.... How sweet!!" Hiba was wonderstruck, she was seeing Urooj and Amaan with a dreamy smile. A perfect couple but Urooj huffed.

"Tum mar jaao Amaan." She literally banged the door on his face, another knock and she grit her teeth while opening the door. "I'll burst your head if you knock again." She yelled after opening the door and Amaan passed the chocolate towards her.

(Go and die somewhere, Amaan.)

"Okay." He was still grinning. She knew he wouldn't go back without giving the chocolate so she grabbed it and banged the door again.

"Urooj... Pagal ladki..." Hiba sighed and walked towards her room but came back and grabbed one icecream from her hand.

(Idiot girl.)

"I hate him it doesn't mean I won't have it." Urooj started opening the ice cream for herself but Hiba gave her a disappointed look.

"Umm... Which flavour is this.... It's delicious." She muttered without looking at Hiba who was giving her eyes. Urooj herself didn't know that her mood was better now, and she was smiling while having ice cream.

"Mujhe Amaan bohot pasand hai." She suddenly looked up and glared at Hiba with fake anger.

( I like Amaan too much.)

"Sharam kariye bhabi, mere bhai me kya Kami hai jo aap aese weso ko pasand kar rhi hain? Ewww..." Urooj suppressed her smile and got a light slap on her cheek.

(Shame on you Bhabhi, what flaw does in my brother has that you are liking such people? Eww...)

"Badtamez ladki... I like him for you."

(Shameless girl)

"Pathetic choice." Urooj licked the edge of the ice cream and walked towards her room but stopped for a moment and looked at Hiba. "And, bhabi... I don't want any kind of drama! I know you very well... No drama." She warned Hiba who rolled her eyes and started peeling off the wrapper from her ice cream.

<><><><>

Urooj sat down on the bed, a diary was resting before her. A page filled with some kind of math and a letter, with blood spots that turned black with passing time, peeped out somewhere from in between the pages. She calculated some amount and checked her bank balance which was flashing on the laptop screen present in front of her eyes.

Cancelling out one amount from the diary she closed the laptop and grabbed the letter.

Even after many years her hands shivered again. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and balled her fingers tightly. A failed attempt to stop the shivering. Turning the page she saw the last word of the letter. I'm Sorry. I can't be a good father. Her eyes filled with tears and she didn't dare to read the letter one more time.

"You were the best father, only leaving us this way was your worst decision." She muttered and put the letter in the diary.

"I'll make you proud papa." She mumbled and closed her eyes to sleep. She also deserve some sweet dreams however only nightmares come to her share.

An empty room. A negligible amount of day light fell on the wall through the filter of dark curtains. A body lying on the ground, after some more efforts her eyes settled down in the darkness to recognise the face. Her father. Her beloved father. A blade was lying near the shaving kit. A fluid could be seen on the cemented floor but what was that? Darkness didn't help. Lights didn't work. Letting go the school bag from the shoulders she put it on the floor and drew the curtains. Blood everywhere on the floor screams everywhere in the air.

She gasped and woke up with a jolt.
Ten years but she couldn't forget it.

<><><><>

Wearing his favourite Rado watch on the wrist he walked down the stairs. Black formal pants, white crisp shirt and grey half coat enhanced his personality a little more.

"Where are you going khizr?"

"Office" a reply like his shirt. Crisp.

"I know, but you promised to take me shopping." Alina closed the book she was reading and khizr glanced at his watch.

"Either I can earn for your shopping or carry your bags... The decision is all yours and I know being a smart girl you'll go with the first one."

"Wada toodne wala marne ke baad jahannam mein jata hai." Alina huffed.

(He who breaks his promise goes to hell after dying.)

"Marne ke baad ka to pta nhi lekin jeete jii uski zindagi Jahannam ban jaati hai." Mumbled khizr and walked towards the door while wearing the sunglasses but stopped by a voice.

(Don't know about after death but his life becomes hell while he is still alive.)

"Khizr... You can't back off."

"I can!" He didn't stop

"I'm your only sister, can't you do anything for me?" He turned to see the emotional blackmailer.

"What's your demand?" He asked knowing very well that Alina was a trader at heart. She could make deals for anything. Everything.

"Allow me to attend the Paris Fashion week." She put a demand and khizr removed the sunglasses to clearly see the audacity of his sister.

A trade for Paris Fashion Week for mere shopping!

"Fine." He sighed and put the glasses on again, Alina's face beamed with happiness. Without wasting a single moment she ran and hugged her brother. Khizr smiled and patted her head. "I'll take you out for shopping, get ready in half an hour."

Aline moved back with a jolt, "what? Shopping? No paris fashion week."

"But I'm talking about shopping, so no substitute." He smirked.

"You're the worst brother." She huffed and hit his chest with the book she was holding.

"Maybe, but I'm a good businessman so I watch the deal before signing it." He praised himself and picked the book. "Untitled. By Tabia Zia."

"Give my book back."

"Her latest book?"

"Yeah."

"What nonsense are you reading instead of writing a thesis." He grabbed the book tightly and walked away.

"We are already late, so drive fast." Instructing the driver he hopped in the car. As soon as the car hit the road he opened the book.

"Talia Zia..." His tongue savour the sweetness of her name and a faint smile captured his lips which soon were busy pushing out the rings of smoke in the air of the car.

<><><><>

Hello readers....

I'm not busy ... I mean I'm little busy but nowadays I'm unable to write anything good, so I'm taking a lot of time🥹 I hope you understand.

Bye bye... Because right now I'm busy 😅😅😅