The evening sun cast a warm, golden hue over the campus where Mehrab and Hoorain sat down on the grass, a comfortable silence settling between them, broken only by the distant chirping of birds.

Just as a question arises in Mehrab's mind and he turned to Hoorain. "Ek baat puchu?"

(Can I ask you something?)

"Ji?" Hoorain turned back to him.

(Yes?)

"Toh kya tum future mein kisi aur se shadi kar logi?"

(Will you marry someone else in the future?)

Hoorain's expression changed on his question, she looked away.

"Haan!" In low voice, she answered.

(Yes!)

Merhab wasn't expecting an answer on this, specially not her consent, and this shocked him.

"Kar logi shadi? Lekin tum toh Zaryab se pyar karti ho."

(You will? But you love Zaryab.)

Hoorain gazed into the distance, her expression thoughtful. "Haan, karti hoon," she replied, her voice steady and a soft smile on her face. "Lekin Ussey kai zyada pyar main apne parents se karti hoon. Main kabhi nahi chahungi meri wajah se woh pareshaan ho."

(Yes, I do.)

(But I love my parents more. I would never want them to worrying about me.)

Mehrab's heart sank, but he continued, "Toh tum ussey pyar bhi kar logi?"

(Can you love that person?)

He couldn't meet her eyes as he asked, fearing the answer.

Hoorain's breath hitched, her smile fading. There was a palpable tension in the air, Hoorain nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on Mehrab.

Mehrab saw the sadness in her eyes, he saw the truth. It would kill her to move on and love someone else other than Zaryab.

An unspoken understanding between them that they both carried one-sided love for others. Despite the uncertainty, they found solace in each other's company.

•••

Mehrab remembered the strength and selfless love that Hoorain had, Her willingness to sacrifice her own desires for the happiness of her parents inspired him.

•••

"So, you don't love me? Toh rishta kyu bheja?" Anabia managed to ask, still processing Mehrab's words.

(Then why did you send the proposal?)

Mehrab took a deep breath, his voice softer now. "Anabia, jis bhi misunderstanding ki wajah se maine tumse dosti ki, lekin woh dosti genuine thi, woh sab jhoot nahi tha. Jab mujhe haqeeqat maloom hui toh I was hurt and angry because I thought you had deceived me. I regret my harsh actions. I am sorry for the way I behaved that day."

(Anabia, we did become friends because of some misunderstanding, but our friendship was genuine, all of that wasn't a lie.)

"This, still doesn't explain why you want to marry me." Anabia's voice was hard and monotonous.

There was a pause on the line, as if Mehrab was carefully choosing his words. Finally, he replied, "Main tumse iss liye shadi karna chahta hoon kyuki humare beech jo bond tha woh fake nahi tha, meri taraf se genuine tha aur tumhari taraf se bhi main janta hoon, I won't lie, I don't love you, but, I care about you, woh meri galti thi tumhe kuch bhi clear nahi kiya aur ussey maine tumhe hurt kiya, I want to make things right between us."

(I want to marry you because the bond which we had wasn't fake, it was genuine from my side, and from yours too.)

(It was my fault that I didn't clear the things.) 

Anabia was torn between conflicting emotions, but a part of her longed to believe him. Before she could reply, Zabail came to her room.

"Annu, mummy bula rahi hain." Zabail called her, making Anabia quickly disconnected the call.

(Annu, mummy is calling you.)

"Kya hua?" Zabail, concerned by Anabia's silence and the visible turmoil in her eyes, stopped in her tracks and entered Anabia's room. She took a seat in front of Anabia and gently asked,

(What happened?)

Anabia looked up at Zabail, she remained silent for a moment, her mind racing. This unexpected call had brought a flood of emotions and questions.

"Annu? Kya hua?" Worriedly, Zabail put her hand on Anabia's shoulder and asked.

(Annu? What happened?)

Anabia gazed at her sister, Zabail, her tearful eyes hidden beneath the weight of her emotions. She couldn't help but think about the misunderstanding which had initially led Mehrab drawn toward her and befriended her because he thought she is Zabail.

•••

"Hoori, Zaryab aya hai." Ayeza's voice called from downstairs.

(Hoori, Zaryab is here.)

Hoorain looked up from her book to the wall clock, what was he doing here at this time?

Hoorain walked downstairs to meet Zaryab.

"Hi!" He greeted her happily.

"Aap iss waqt yaha?" She asked, as she sat down.

(Why are you here at this time?)

"Hoori!" Ayeza, who was sitting there with Hoorain, called her in warning tone, she didn't like Hoorain's straight forward question. This made Hoorain realised how rude her question was.

"Nahi, mera Matlab..." Hoorain started explaining, but Zaryab interrupted her.

(No, I mean...)

"Koi baat nahi." Zaryab reassured them that he doesn't mind Hoorain's question. In fact, he was pleased at least she is speaking up.

(It's okay.)

"Main yaha paas mein aya tha toh socha tumse mil loon. Tabiyat kaisi hai tumhari?" He smiled at her and answered.

(I was passing by so I thought of coming here to meet you. How's your health?)

"Tum aur Anabia ho jo ajate ho, warna isne toh aur khudko sabse durr kar liya hai. Workshop bhi nahi jati yeh." Ayeza complained to Zaryab.

(It's you and Anabia who comes here to meet her, otherwise she has completely withdrawn herself from everyone. She doesn't go workshop either.)

"Tum workshop bhi nahi ja rahi?" Zaryab turned to Hoorain and asked.

(You are not going to workshop?)

Hoorain looked at Ayeza, as if she has betrayed Hoorain for telling Zaryab this.

"Bas aise hi," Looking at her fingers, Hoorain answered.

Zaryab and Ayeza shared a look, then Ayeza shook her head.

"Hoori, main soch raha tha ki..." Zaryab turned to Hoorain and started saying. "Tum mujhe apna work shop dikha sakti ho? Main hamesha se dekhna chahta tha ki candles bante kaise hain."

(Hoori, I was thinking...)

(Can you show me your workshop? I always wondered how they make candles.)

"Haan kyu nahi, yeh sahi rahega. Hoori, tum Zaryab ko workshop le jao na." Before Hoorain could refuse, Ayeza said yes, and looked at Hoorain, leaving no option for her.

(Yes, why not. Hoori, take Zaryab to your workshop.)

Reluctantly, Hoorain nods her head.

Today happened to be her helpers' day off, and workshop was empty. Together, they made their way to the shed behind her house. As they stepped inside where her candle-making business thrived. The room was filled with the comforting aroma of wax, and rows of vibrant, intricately designed candles lined the shelves.. Hoorain showed Zaryab around.

"Toh yeh banta kaise hai?" Zaryab touches a red candle carefully and when he felt it was safe to touch, he picked it up from the shelf and turned to Hoorain.

(How do you make this?)

"Sabse pehle wax ko sahi temperature mein melt karna hota hai," Hoorain points toward the counter where wax was, walking there, she picked a block of wax. Zaryab quickly followed after her and stood beside her.

(First, we need to melt the wax on accurate temperature.)

"Yeh aise se aisa ban jata hai?" Zaryab watched with fascination, as Hoorain passed him the block of wax, he smells it, which made him cringe. "Isme colors aur fragrance kaha se atey hain?"

(This turn from this to this?)

(How do you add colors and fragrance?)

"Uske liye hum natural dyes use karte hain, aur scent ke liye essential oils. Idhar, aap bataye konsa color use karein?" They walked toward other side,

(We use natural dyes for that, and for scent we use essential oils. Here, why don't you select the color.)

Zaryab looked at the array of options and carefully selected a rich blue color and a soothing lavender scent. "Yeh wala, please."

(This one, please.)

Hoorain nodded and guided Zaryab through the process, but before that, she passed him an apron to wear, as she wore one too. She explained him each step as she melts the wax.

"Wow! Tumhare yaha koi vacancy hai mere layak?"

(Do you have any job vacancy for me?)

Hoorain's hand stopped as she started at Zaryab on his comment, then she burst into laughing. "Apko apna itna achha business chorhke candles banane hain?" Laughing, she asked, as she resumed her work.

(You want to leave your well settled business for this?)

Zaryab started at Hoorain's face, she haven't noticed, but she was smiling after so many days.

"Aap waha se koi mold le aye, candle banane ke liye." Hoorain suggested without noticing Zaryab's eyes on her, as she put the whispy of her hair behind by the back of her hand.

(Can you being molds from there?)

Nodding his head, Zaryab walked to where molds where.

As he returned, Zaryab saw the wax had melted completely, and Hoorain was carefully pouring it into a glass jar. She seemed focused and intent on her task. When he approached, Hoorain added a few drops of essential oil and a couple of vibrant dyes to the wax, causing it to transform into a beautiful, vivid color. With a satisfied smile, she poured the now fragrant and colorful wax into a candle mold.

"Main bhi karu?" Zaryab asked, his excitement evident in his voice.

(Can I try?)

Nodding her head, Hoorain put the jar down. She was about to walk away when Zaryab picked up the jar and started pouring the wax into the mold, trying to mimic her movements.

In his eagerness, Zaryab accidentally dripped hot wax onto his hand, causing him to wince in pain. "Ouch!"

"Kya hua?" Hoorain swiftly rushed to his side, cradling his hand in her hands. "Itni bhi kya jaldi thi? Main mittens lene ja rahi thi na apke liye," she chided, a mixture of concern and gentle annoyance in her tone as she examine his hand.

(What happened?)

(Why were you in so hurry? I was going to take mittens for you.)

For a fleeting moment, the pain in Zaryab's hand faded into the background as he gazed at Hoorain. She was so close, holding his hand, and his heart skipped a beat.

Leading Zaryab to the sink, Hoorain placed his injured hand under the soothing stream of cool water. She understood the searing pain he must be feeling; the wax had been scalding hot. "Apko nahi aata na yeh sab, mera wait karna chahiye tha," she said, her voice trembling on the verge of tears.

(You don't know how to do these things, you should've waited for me.)

Zaryab sheepishly admitted, "I got excited... Bas Hoorain, theek hoon main." Startled by a tear escaping from her eye, he quickly consoled her.

(Enough, Hoorain, I am fine.)

"Kaha theek hain? Mujhe nahi pata hot wax kitni takleef deta hai." Hoorain scolded him, then moved to retrieve the first aid kit.

(I know how much hot wax hurts.)

As they stood at the sink, she tended to Zaryab's injured hand. The room filled with the soothing scent of their freshly made candle, and the warmth of their presence. Zaryab couldn't help but gaze at Hoorain, her lashes lowered, her cheeks flushed from the heat, and her hair falling onto her face. Without thinking, his other hand reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear, catching her off guard as she looked up at him.

As Zaryab's fingers brushed her hair behind her ear, Hoorain's breath caught, and she met his gaze with a surprised look. Their hands still touched, creating an intimate connection in the simplest of gestures.

Zaryab, unable to break their gaze, whispered softly, "Tumhar ankhein bohot khoobsurat hain, inme ansu achhe nahi lagte." The words slipped out before he could stop them.

(Your eyes are very beautiful, tears don't look good in them.)

Hoorain's cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of pink, and she lowered her gaze momentarily. She gently withdrew her hand from his, taking a step back.

"Issey thori derr mein aram mil jayega..." She spoke in a low voice and walked over to the counter where they had been making candles. Zaryab stood there, looking at her retreating figure, a sense of regret washing over him for his impulsive comment. He realized he had crossed a boundary and took a moment to reflect on his actions. He glanced at his hand, which Hoorain had held just a few moments ago, feeling longing.

•••

Hoorain entered to her room, her mind still lingering on Zaryab's unexpected compliment about her eyes.

"Tumhari ankhein bohot khoobsurar hain, inne ansu achhe nahi lagte." A small smile played on her lips as she sat on her bed, lost in her thoughts.

(Your eyes are very beautiful, tears don't look good in them.)

Wanting to divert her mind from Zaryab, Hoorain picked up her phone and unlocked it. To her surprise, she saw several missed calls and messages from Anabia. Curious and worried, she opened the chat box and played Anabia's voice note.

"Hoori, kaha ho, phone uthao, bohot zaroori baat karni hai... Actually, Mehrab ke parents aye hain humare ghar rishta leke. Hume kuch samajh nahi araha, call back karo immediately." Hoorain's smile disappeared instantly, as she looked at the screen, not believing what she just heard.

(Hoori, where are you? Pick up my call, I have something important to talk to you... actually, Mehrab's parents came here for my marriage proposal. I can not understand anything, call me back immediately.)

"Mujhe kisi ko jealous feel nahi karwana." Zaryab's voice echoed from a distance.

(I don't want to make anyone jealous.)

"Mehrab ke parents aye hain humare ghar rishta leke."

(Mehrab's parents came here for my marriage proposal.)

"Toh tum Kya chahti ho, Hoori. Main apni Zindagi ek aisi ladki ke piche barbaad Kar Doon jissey Meri Kadar hi nahi."

(Do you want me to waste my life behind a girl who doesn't value my love.)

The flood of emotions and memories overwhelmed Hoorain as she realized why Zaryab was so loving today.

"Apke liye shayad main hamesha backup hi rahungi, Zaryab."

(Maybe I'll always be the backup for you, Zaryab.)

•••

Bohot mushkil se likha hai yeh chapter😭😭 ik short one... but, kya karu🤧 been real busy from few days

-Ufaq