Mushk had tiptoed towards her room and sat at the corner of her bed still in shock. She could not ask them directly or her mother would have her head and she can't afford that.

It was too much to process as well, this is was all she had wished for. His proposal, marriage was her long-forgotten dreams. But she was not lying when she told her mother she was going to marry very carefully. She had too many fairytales, expectations, and dreams about marriage and for that one special person. She was never in billion years going to trample that to be with someone she loved, who she knew would never love her at least not in the same way as he did for Fariya.

She had always believed that love should never be the basis of marriage. Respect, understanding, and loyalty are things that the foundation of marriage should be based on. She also learned we should never marry a person we love rather a person who loves us. She had spent decades being in love and having her heart broken in it but now she wanted someone to love her crazily as she did.

Someone who could fight the world for her, someone who could support her. Someone with whom she can travel to Turkey, Paris, Maldives, and many other places. Someone with whom she can do paragliding, underwater sea diving, and sit on a parachute. Someone who could cook her biryani. Someone who could drop her at her hospital in the middle of the night. Someone who could know all her secrets and flaws. She wanted that particular someone and it doesn't have to be Rohan she had accepted that.

Dunya main Sirf 2 percent logon ko muhabbat milti hai baqi ki 98 percent survives on other aspects.

(only 2 percent of people get their love other 98 percent to survive on other aspects)

Sometimes we have to pay a lot for our desires, dreams, and wishes and she had paid so much, so much for that one forbidden wish. She had kept her heart under his feet and he unintentionally had crushed it, maybe she had been foolish enough to let it get crushed, to let it break into millions of bits.

She sat there wondering what if we are aware of what is going to happen next. What if she had possessed a time machine and had traveled in the future and saw all that her love led her to. She would have never even dared to fall in love, not with him at least.

Alas! Wishful thinking.

However this time she was not going to bow in front of her heart desires. She did once and it ended in a total disaster. This time she can't afford any disaster or she is sure it would shackle her existence and she would break down badly and there would be no chance of revival.

Rohan was probably getting forced by aunty and he had no idea what was happening here but she was not going to be a part of a forced marriage knowingly she was better off that.

Just then her phone pinged, message?
She took her phone wondering.

"At 5 at our place"

She needs to meet him as well, he was probably going to tell her to say no because he can't marry her. She shook her head dejectedly.

She quickly went changed into a black kameez shalwar and quickly rushed out of her room. She didn't want to face her mother because she would be excited and she didn't want her to have false expectations. She knew the pain of your hope getting shattered and she didn't want anyone to experience that.

She sneaked from her room when she saw her mother and father gushing over how good the proposal was, clearly excited about this.

"You don't know naa ammi abba". She murmured.

She reached their spot after 30 minutes.
There he was sitting facing the sea in his grey shirt and dress pants, sleeves folded to the elbow causing his muscles to bulge out. He looked good, hot to be specific. His hairs were disleaved but he had a constant smile on his face. He looked relaxed something which Mushk had not seen him lately.

She stepped on the pavement coming closer to him, whereas he sat on the mount in front of the waves. She quietly tried sitting on the mount which was a little high when a hand came anchoring her. She quietly sat beside him still eyeing their hands.

The November breeze in Karachi was pleasant, a little cold as the night began to dawn. The waves in front of her and the smell of the petrichor spread in the air. She sat there wanting him to start. While he looked ahead still anxious, feeling at the edge. Something was about to change today and he didn't want it to turn worst.

Clearing his throat, he whispered
"Ammi abba aye the naa tumhare ghar?"
(My parents came to your house, right?)

Wait what he is aware of? And why so direct? Ajeeb. Why does he have to be so bipolar?
She thought. She looked on apprehensive about the whole ordeal.

"Haan and what is this? Aunty is forcing you, right? You are not aware right? And you want me to say no. Main mana kardoongi don't worry."
(I will say no don't worry)

She was blubbering when he cut her off

"Maine ammi ko kaha hai ke tumhare Ghar Rishta bhejein."
( I told them to go to your house with the proposal)

Hain??? She shrieked. This was so startling and she was so lost that she was about to fall on her back when he steadied her. Bringing her close to him. They stared at each other. Brown against black orbs stared at each other deeply like wanting to know the secrets hidden in them.

Mushk could practically hear her heart hammering in her chest while Rohan was experiencing new sensations from her proximity. Something which he didn't experience with Fariya.

"Lag jayegi. Janta hoon main buhat handsome hoon par Itna excited hone ki zaroorat nahi hai."
(you would get hurt. I know I am handsome but you don't need to get this excited)

There his cheekiness was back. His eyes shining with mischievousness. Mushk raised her eyebrow mocking him and giving him an expression that clearly said what is this shit going on?

"Maine ammi ko bola hai ke tumhare ghar proposal bhejne ka."
(I told my parents to send you the proposal for our marriage)

"Kyun?"
(why?)

She snapped. This all was blowing her mind and making her frustrated.

"Kyun bhejte hain Kisi ke ghar proposal? Unse Shaadi Karni Hoti hai isliye naa."
(Why do we send a proposal because we want to get married to them.)

He remarked naughtily. Mushk wanted to hit his head somewhere.

I wish. She whispered. Ignoring her heartbeat which had accelerated, she managed to put on a serious demeanor.

"Rohan Ahmed why?" She said in her dead-serious tone.

Rohan knew she would kill him if he continues feigning innocence. He had to tell her his reason or she would have his head.

"Mushk look jokes aside. I want to marry you. I had rather marry someone who I know and trust my life with rather than someone unknown. We are best friends. We have known each other for decades and I realize that you have certain qualities that I want in my life partner."

He paused to look at her but saw uncertainty in her eyes. So he brought his hands forward, grabbing her hands, and held them. Urging her to trust him. Mushk eyes instantly went towards their hands. They fit together so perfectly she admired.

"Mushk what happened with Fariya tumhein sab pata hai. I fell in love and got betrayed in love, she hurt me so bad and I am trying to move on. But at the same time, I want someone in my life who can support me, anchor me. That one special someone and I want that with you. You only say naa that marriage should never be based on only love. Wafadari aur qadardani zyada important hoti hai. I want my happy ever after and I am pretty sure I would be happy with you because you understand me, you know me and you are someone I am most transparent to."
(Mushk what happened with Fariya you know it all. I fell in love and got betrayed in love, she hurt me so bad and I am trying to move on. But at the same time, I want someone in my life who can support me, anchor me. That one special someone and I want that with you. You only say that marriage should never be based on only love. Care and loyalty are more important. I want my happy ever after and I am pretty sure I would be happy with you because you understand me, you know me and you are someone I am most transparent too.")

"You love her and no matter how much love screws us we nonetheless find a way to love them with our broken pieces."
She said withdrawing her hand.

"Yeh Rishta tumahri majboori hoskati hai meri nahi hai. Rohan to be very honest I am not going to be someone who you are marrying to move on. No. You don't form another relationship to move on from the past one."
(This relationship can be your compulsion, not mine. Rohan to be very honest I am not going to be someone who you are marrying to move on. No. You don't form another relationship to move on from the past one.)

She exclaimed turning her face to the other side.

He turned her around by her shoulder, making her face him.

"Yeh Rishta meri majboori nahi chahat hai. I am not marrying you to move on nor for anyone else. You are no one's replacement you are too precious to be a mere substitute. Main Mohabbat ka Dawa nahi kar Raha hoon par Haan yeh promise kar Raha hoon ke tumhara khyaal rakhoon ga
(This relation is not my compulsion it is my wish. I am not marrying you to move on nor for anyone else. You are no one's replacement you are too precious to be a mere substitute. I am not promising you love but yes I promise I will care for you.)

He said looking into her eyes. His eyes held promise and truthfulness. Her heart urged her to believe him, give this a chance. But she wanted some time to think.

"I need some time to think". She said looking into his eyes.

"Take your time. I will wait"

"Main chalti hoon phir."
(I would leave then)

She said walking towards her car. While he stood there looking at her. He wished she would say yes. He wanted his happy ever after too, a forever with her.

••••••••

It has been 5 days of that day, 5 days of confusion, 5 days of uncertainty, and 5 days characterized by what-ifs.

It was a lifetime decision and she wanted to be particularly sure about that. Her brain supporting her in this side of the debate while her heart, was another story. It seemed the hope she had suppressed feet down in her heart had resurfaced. Hopes of having a forever with him.

Her heart urged her to take this leap of faith, to trust him, to herself, and to trust God and just say yes. Yes to an eternity, yes to her happiness, yes to her once forbidden wish, and most importantly yes to her love.

His words had caused her heart to break all the barriers she had to build around it. His words, the truthfulness in his eyes had made her heart go all crazy.

Yet she was afraid. She was tormented by the idea of being in a loveless relationship. She didn't want to let her guards down. Just yet.

She decided to pray istikhara, indeed he knows everything and he would guide her for the best.

She was standing near the bridge gazing at the water torments flowing beneath her. The blue-purple waves making a splash sound as they hit together, so serene yet so mysterious. She had a confused and anxious smile marring her features.

"Can you help me?"

A voice behind brought her out of her thoughts and she looked back.

There stood an old lady with a stack of woods on her head. She seemed so weak yet had a constant smile on her face.

"Can you help me carry some of the woods to my home it is nearby only"

She said explaining. She nodded her head and took some of her load.

The old woman began to move forward slowly directing her towards her home.

"Wahan kya kar rahi thi beta"
(What were you doing there?)

"Sukoon dhoond rahi thi"
(I was searching for peace)

"Apne dil ko saans lene de, azaad karde, jeene de, usko khush hone de. Sukoon khud ba khud mil Jaye gaa"
(Let your heart breathe, let it free, let it live, and let it be happy. You will find peace automatically.)

"Uski Khushi Meri Zindagi barbaad karne ki taqaat rakhti hai. Kese sun loon dil ke when I know I would be broken at the end."
(Its happiness has the power to ruin my life. How can I listen to my heart when I know I would be broken at the end.)

"Jo dil ki sunte hain woh Kabhi barbaad nahi hote."
(Those who listen to their heart are never ruined.)

And then she woke up abruptly. She looked sideways she was in the room. Dream! She murmured.

The dream playing in her head again and again.

"Jo Dil ki sunte hain who kabhi barbaad nahi hote."
(Those who listen to their heart are never ruined.)

Was it an indication to follow her heart, to follow the path her heart desires? To let her guards down to accept what life was offering her.

A certain face flashed in front of her eyes.

Muhabbat ka dawa nahi kar raha par Haan tumhara khyaal rakhoon ga.
(I am not promising you love but yes I promise I will care for you.)

And then she remembered she had prayed istikhara. So this was any indication.

She picked her phone and messaged him knowing that he would be awake. A peaceful smile on her face. She was finally satisfied. All the confusion, fears had mysteriously flown away. This was her happiness and she just needed to have the courage to accept it with open arms, and she was going to do that.

A forever with him awaited her. Her happy ever after.

But are happy ever after so easy access?
Well, that was a question whose answer only time will tell.
••••••••

His message pinged.

"Yes," A name flashed above.

Mushk

The name itself was able to bring a smile to his face.

And he knew this was no ordinary yes. This was a yes to them, yes to an eternity, yes to happiness, and yes to a forever

A forever he had imagined with someone else. A forever he now wished existed with her.

And just the thought of her brought him peace and the idea soothing his wreaked heart. Bringing serenity to his soul.

He vowed to cherish her that night, to protect her from all the hurt, to keep her happy, and to keep her his.

But not all promises are fulfilled are they?
•••••

Hey guyzzz. It was a long time after I updated. My cies are going on and just had biology and chemistry back to back.

Phew, they happened and alhamdulillah went good.

Kinda made up for the lost time. 2K+ words.
Vote, comment, and share it gives me confidence and motivation to give you all better updates.

Also, guys do remember me in your prayers. These last 10 days of Ramazan are so important and please pray for my result.

Also, who is excited for their happy ever after??🥺🥺🥺🥺