Roothi Ae Sabte Rabba
Rabba Dil Bhi Hai Rootha
Sab Kuchh Hai Bikhra Bikhra
Bikhra Sa Rootha Rootha
Chup Maahi Chup Hai Ranjha
Bole Kaise Ve Na Ja
Bole Kaise Ve Na Ja
Aaja Aaja

To say she was frustrated was an understatement, from yesterday all Rohan was doing was ignoring her, brutally.

She was talking to Zayaan yesterday when she received a message from him to come outside.

Rude, saaryal, kharoos, badtameez. Agar main isse Pyaar nahi karti Tu Iska sar phoor deti.

(Rude, arrogant, disrespectful if I would not be in love with him I would have killed him.)

She thought angrily while gritting her teeth.

Today was Fatima's and Asad's wedding and this man was ruining her mood, making her angrier. Then she already was.

Then suddenly the door opened and entered the king in all his glory. Note the sarcasm. While his widened as he saw her sitting on the bed, wasn't she supposed to leave for the salon with Fatima.

The whole night yesterday he never entered the room and she could not even find him anywhere, he just left her on the main gate and zoomed the car to god know where.

When she finally spotted him in the morning all he did was running away from her. Not coming in the same room as her and she knew he had even entered their room now because he thought she had left for the parlour with Fatima.

Gawking her a few seconds he quickly turned his head away from her as if it was forbidden to see her.

And her insides boiled seeing him behaving like this.

"Kab tak yeh sab karne ka irada hai?"
She asked sternly standing afar from him.
(Till when are you planning to continue this)

And he chooses to stay silent over this still searching his wardrobe as if it was the most important work.

And she marched towards him turning him around.

"Rohan, what has happened? Did I do something? Tell me we can talk about it."
She asked softly.

While he watched her for some time silently withdrawing her hand from his elbow.

"Rohan tumhara masla kya hai? Kya masla hai main thak gayi hoon har Roz koshish karke to finally make sense of our relationship but every time every damn time something happens and we are back at square one. Every single time when we are finally close you move 5 steps back leaving me stranded in the middle of the chaos and now I am tired."
(Rohan what is your problem? I am tired of making efforts every day)

She finally busted everything she was thinking, her nose flaring and her eyes watering.

"I never told you to try, mujhe mere haal par chordo"
He said looking away from her.
(Leave me on my own)

While she looked at him in disbelief, the nerves of this man.

"You never told me yet I tried because this relationship this thing between us is precious to me. Main soch rahi thi ke finally hum qareeb horahe hain par nahi..."
She said while gripping his arm, who angrily withdrew his arm from her hold.
(I thought we were finally coming close..)

“Mushk for god sake can you please leave me alone.”
He shouted, startling her. When he looked at her face which had become pale, her eyes watering when he realized his mistake. This was not supposed to happen, he thought regretting his action.

“Mushk.” he opened his mouth to apologize when she showed him her hand, gesturing him to stop. Turning away from him she picked the accessories she needed, leaving the room.

Their relationship was crumbling and like every time her love was not going to be enough.

And another tear escaped her eyes.

Zayaan knew something was wrong. They both were acting like their typical egoistic jerk self, which was nothing new.

Zayaan always admired the love Mushk had for Rohan it was surreal, beautiful and what you call exemplary. Even though there was Fariya in the picture, or was, Zayaan knew Rohan and Mushk were meant to be.

And even though how much stupid Rohan was to refuse what he felt for Mushk, he always knew it was nothing short of love. Oh, come on what was the possible explanation of all that protectiveness and care if not love. Geez, they even could understand what the other person feels just by looking at each other. Now that is some real love shit.

He wanted to talk to Mushk but that was what she won't do and he was giving her all that time, maybe, all they need was space between them to finally understand.

But like always he wished the space would not prolong the already present difference between them. He didn't want anyone to repeat his mistake.

Love was worth every fight and he wanted Mushk and Rohan to fight for theirs because sometimes second chances are not even an option.

And not everyone is entitled to that privilege. And he for sure knew that.

"Mushk finish this up only then you are allowed to go," Minal said seriously. The girl was seriously juggling between helping Fatima in wedding and managing her house jobs.

"Ammi no actually I am getting late I will eat later. Promise" she tried making the cute face but one glare from Minal and she had compiled. Mothers have some special power in their glares.

"Very good Rohan especially asked me to make you eat because you won't care yourself."
Minal mumbled.

There came this care, this attitude and all she wanted to do was question him why was he so confusing. Why was he? Why was their relationship always on edge? Why? And whys were all that was left.

And that is what made her cry the most.

They had dressed up and the driver was soon going to pick them up. It was Fatima and Asad's valima today and even though she was troubled she was truly happy for them, they both were glowing with happiness. She just prayed to Allah to save them from any evil eye, they both deserved happiness and she was happy at least someone was getting that.

The wedding had occurred yesterday and even though it was all happy and glittery, Mushk couldn't bring herself to be happy completely. She had ignored Rohan yesterday even he didn't make any attempt to talk to her. It was supposed to become better rather it was worsening.

She was with Fatima in the parlour and was wearing a black colour saree while her hair was curled coupled with nude makeup to complete her look while Fatima was wearing a peach coloured gown that was beautiful with all the intrinsic designs on it, she was radiating happiness which made her stand out more. 

Asad ke Bache ajj tu ap Gaye, she messaged asad teasing him.
(You are gone case today)

The reply came instantly, 

Chalein meri tu khair hai, Rohan bhi Gaya kya? With a wink emoji inserted.
(It is okay for me is Rohan a gone case too)

And all of the things she desperately wanted to forget came rushing back.

But before she could reply to him, he messaged that they had arrived.

They? She thought.

As they came outside she was shocked to see Rohan along with Asad standing near the car. The black tuxedo with perfectly gelled back hair he was dressed to kill. He was like the scorching sun, the one which provided her warmth but also the one who was capable of burning her.

The thought itself caused her immense pain. While he looked at her in awe, she could pull every outfit with such grace that it would change the significance.

She was painting the canvas of his heart with her colours and he wanted to stop that and he was failing.

She helped Fatima near Asad who immediately held her hand, whispering something in her ears that caused her to blush red and she hit him on his chest playfully while both of them had a constant smile on their faces.

Mushk could only look at them in aww, they both hadn't known each other for decades, they were not each other's best friends yet they were much at an ease with each other than they were. Why were they like this? Why were the two people who claimed to know each other like the back of their hand, not capable to understand what the other person wanted?

"Mushk" Fatima called her out this time more loudly. Causing her to come out of her thoughts immediately.

Asad wanted to tease her but she didn't resemble the Mushk he knew, she seemed troubled almost sad something Rohan was too.

Mushk helped Fatima sit properly in the car and was about to sit when Asad stopped her.

"Main apni biwi ke pass bhetun ga tu ja aage beht"

And she immediately left the space while Rohan could only gauge her expressions.

She sat on the front seat beside Rohan who started driving immediately. Rohan knew what was troubling her, she was always the biggest supporter of love, she always desired love, believed in that. All these small gestures meant the world to her. He knew she wanted their marriage to be normal just like everyone out there, she had always been dreamy about this and with him, it was anything but normal.

She was watching outside the window when a hand came and rested above her causing her to jerk her head towards him, he was watching straight but his hand was entwined with hers and even though her brain alerted her to shove his hand away, but her heart would never allow her to do that no matter how much he hurt her.

Love was the most beautiful yet the most destructive feeling in the universe. It could calm your heart, it could make you smile in the dark but at the same time, it could break you in ways you would not even imagine.

"2 for 50 Rupees only" a shrill voice brought her out of her troubling thoughts.

"Okay give me 4, Fatima do you want it?" He questioned Fatima at the back who just shook her head. Gajra and the bridal gown? No, she was fine without it. Great actually.

"Don't give from here give me a fresh one, look that one there" and woman grumbling that all were fresh gave him the desired ones.

She taught him that how to carefully pick the best ones. And the fact that he knew she would always want gajras with saree and that too 4, two on each wrist.

He handed her the gajrays and she just looked at him, words were not important or maybe they weren't enough.

All weren't lost maybe, maybe there was hope and maybe they would fight it against odds. Maybe and sometimes maybes are all that is important.

After the bride land groom entrance, everyone was supposed to give speeches and it was her turn as Fatima's best friend.

"Well hello because I always suck at introduction just let me start directly."

And the whole hall laughed and she could see Rohan there with a constant smile on his face. She would become nervous with so much attention on her and as always just looking at him calmed her racing heart.

"It was so unexpected knowing they were together especially after I have seen them behind each other's blood. And I am not joking. Is shaadi ko qamayab banne keliye Asad you need to apologize for every second because Fatima would never do that and if you think her mood is off just say sorry phoochna nahi kya hwua because that will make her angrier? Because uske according to if you can't figure out what you did wrong then why do I even tell you. Now, what is this logic."
She paused watching Fatima glare at her while the whole hall had been laughing.

"Both of you since it is your big day I just want you to know that be there for each other. When you want someone in your life you fight for them not with them because a part of you know they are always going to be worth every damn fight. Just talk sometimes we don't even recognise the importance of mere words, they are important and they would be significant. Nothing is more than the relationship you both have."

And Rohan knew even when she mentioned others she meant them. He and her. So close yet so far. Tragic or happy their ending was theirs to write. No one else.

And he would do that. Enough of all these games. Mere words were going to be exchanged.

He thought determined.

"I just wish that you two always remain happy and don't end up dead. Thank you, I better start going before Fatima kills me."
She quickly left the stage laughing at her sentence.

After the valima was over, her parents had insisted she come and stay over. It was her semester break and since her wedding, she didn't stay over.

Even though Rohan wanted her to stop but he knew how much she missed her parents so he didn't stop her.

Talk about timings.

Mushk didn't want to go, she wanted to talk to him but it seemed as if he was least interested in her he didn't even try to stop her.

Why was this relationship always about her only? Where was Rohan in the picture? There was love there was, but for the first time, she needed assurances, strong ones.

Because sometimes even though you love someone you can't help when they aren't meant to be. And that is where her fear returned.

What if?

And What ifs are traumatizing.

So she went with them.

Eyeing the gajrays she lightly touched it, their smell was still strong. Just like them, far yet strong. And even though she was certainly enraged at him she could never remove his gifts to her in anger. They were her prized possession.

They and the box kept in a cupboard behind in which were clusters of all his gift to her, her treasures. From the flower, he picked for her to the dairy he gifted her.

And her eyes filled up, not just because of the guy in question but she missed her home.

It's funny how in mere months that house became her home.

When the opening tunes of pehla nasha broke her thoughts.

Rohan calling.

And even though a part of her wanted to reject his call but whenever it was about him she would kneel and she understood what haya meant when she said,
(Jannat ke pattay)
“Yeh woh Wahid shakh tha jis ke samne woh jhuk jaati thi, karwa ghoont pee leti thi phir bhi moom hojati thi”

Because when we love someone we don’t mind how much they hurt us because we know a part of us will always belong to them.

Stupid, you can say but when has love ever guaranteed sanity.

And she picked the call.

“Hello,” a slight whisper and she could feel her heart finally breathing.

“Assalamualaikum” she greeted.

“Kesi ho?” he asked.

“Theek hoon” and before she could ask how he was, he interrupted 

“Wapis kab aaogi” it felt as if he was complaining.

“Kyun yaad aa rahi hai” she joked knowing he would not answer this.

“Haan buhat this house feels so silent without you, mere room ko tumhari aadat ho gayi hai,” he whispered, shocking her, his voice sounded vulnerable. 

“Sirf room ko?” she questioned.

“Nahi room main rehne wale ko bhi please ajao.” he almost pleaded. 

“Kal university ke baad ajaun gi,” she said, pacifying him.

“Abhi aa jao main lene ata hoon,” he said as if almost getting up.

“Rohan 12 baj rahe hain Abhi nahi kal ajaungi promise” 

“Okay” a rational part of him agreed.

“Suno I know I always screw up but I promise I will make it up to you.” he pleaded.

“I know you always do” she reassured a constant smile on her face.

But sometimes life doesn't give us time to fulfil our promises.

Sometimes time is the biggest villain in all our stories.

Hey, I am back!!!