A/N:  From this chapter, I am changing Rameen's name, it's Raima from now on.

Raima's pov:

"Raima, can you please come help me in kitchen," I heard Aunt Anila calling me while I was busy making notes for my lecture,

"Just a minute Aunt," I reply and close my notebook and put it back in my bag while tucking my laptop back into the drawer and lock it safely,

Do not get me wrong, I started having my online classes when I move in here, Aunt Anila suggested it,

I was a bit reluctant but after sometime, I made my decision,

I don't want to live here forever and to get myself out of here I needed and degree and to get that I had to avail that opportunity but this was only between me and Aunt Anila, my dad and Zehrish didn't know about it.

I enter the kitchen and saw Aunt Anila cutting some vegetables while stirring spoon in a pot,

"What's going on?" I asked taking knife from her hand and started slicing cucumber,

"Zehrish dad called, he invited few guest today for dinner, he ask me prepare some dishes for them, I can't do it alone Raima, can you help me with this, you know I am not a good cook and if something goes wrong he is not going to spare me this time," she said, watching me with hope in her eyes,

I couldn't blame her, my dad was not a man to be crossed, he wanted all things the way he like or else we all have to face the consequences, but that was only for me and Aunt Anila, not for Zehrish, I don't know why maybe because she was helping him in his work or maybe because her last boyfriend helped him in his job.

I do not know why he behaves like this, I am just waiting to get my scholarship and leave this place.

"Who is coming over?" I asked, now slicing cherry tomatoes in half,

"His friends I think," she replied, adding spices to her dish, I remain silent for the rest of the time, she was talking to me about some random things, I wasn't listening to her properly, my mind was going back to the mail I received before Aunt called me in for her help, I quickly want to finish my work so I can have a proper look at it.

I was just praying to get that scholarship, or else I am going to be stuck here.

"That was surprising, I didn't expect to get all things done this quick," Aunt said washing her hands after placing salad bowl in the fridge, I smiled and wash the remaining dishes in the sink,

"Well, you should go now, get ready for the guests," she took a seat on the bar stool, I frowned, "why me?" I asked

"We all have to meet them," she replied, I look outside the window in disgust, I really don't want to meet anyone related to my father, I don't like this idea, there was something inside me shouting at me that something is going to happen.

"Okay," I reply and leave the kitchen.

*******

THIRD PERSON'S POV:

Mr. Arham Malik glanced at the wall clock, "Where are they?" he asked his wife sitting next to him busy reading comments on her instagram story,

"Don't tense yourself Arham, they must be coming," she replied not taking her eyes off her phone, Mr. Arham stood up from his place and walk to his desk,

"Sir, Mr. Shahwaiz is in his room," his PA informed, he sigh and walked out of his library holding his wife's arm, tugging her to come along with him.

He entered his room after a soft knock, "Shahwaiz?" he calls and switch the lights on, but there was no one in there,

"He is not here," his wife says, he looks around and find his son coming out of adjacent room, locking it up behind him, he turns and find his parents watching him,

"Assalam O Alikum, Dad," Shahwaiz says in a low voice,

"Walikum as Salam son," he greeted and walks up to him and gives him a hug,

"I am so proud of you, I just got the report from Thailand, you are a genius, I thought we are going to lose that deal but you got it and even send our first shipment, what did you do to convince them?" he asked cheerfully,

"It wasn't a big deal Dad," Shahwaiz shrugged it off with a small smile, that did not reach his eyes,

"Well my son, I think you should get some rest now, you have been travelling so much lately, it's been eight months since you last come home, I miss you," Mrs. Arham said, holding his hand,

"No, mom there is so much to do, I don't think....."

"Where is Shahzain?" Mr Arham asks, "He went out with his friends," he replied,

"He should be home by now," Mr Arham said a bit annoyed,

"Let him enjoy his life Dad, it's not a big deal," Shahwaiz replied, taking a sip of his coffee while leaning back to the couch,

"You are spoiling him," he commented,

"No, dad he is not spoiled," he replied

"Yes, he is,"Mrs. Arham butted in, "First of all, he is not your brother, so stop spoiling him and second of all I don't like you defending him, why can't you....

"Mom, with all due respect don't say that again to me, he is my little brother and always will be, blood or not but he is a part of our family, just accept it, okay and get over it now," everyone remain silent for a minute,

Mr Arham clears his throat, "I want you to meet someone Shahwaiz," he said,

"Why?" he questioned,

"I want you to get married," he reply, Shahwaiz stands up from his place and throw his mug on the nearby coffee table and stormed out of his room,

"Son, wait," he heard his father, but did not stop walking away,

"Please son, just listen to me, "he came behind him,

"Don't ask me to do that dad, you know I can't..." he says harshly,

"I know son, I know, but you have to listen me carefully," he said and they both walk to the living room,

Mr. Arham took out a folder and walk back to Shahwaiz and sits on the leather sofa, facing his son, "Don't interrupt me while I am talking," he said,

"While you were gone, I had a heart attack, doctors have asked me to get a bypass surgery as soon as possible, my heart is getting weak day by day, I have been on medicine treatment since then, but now I need this surgery, even though there are many risk for this, but I agreed to have it next month, I don't know if I will survive or not, but I want you to get married, I want you to have a heir for this family,"

"Dad! Why didn't you tell me this before, why you...

"I told you not to interrupt me Shahwaiz," he scolded,

"No, Dad, NO, this can't happen, I am going to get the best cardio surgeon for you, I don't want to risk your life for anything, You.."

"NO, it's not that simple Shahwaiz, I need a valve transplant as well, bypass and valve transplantation is not going to be easy for me, doctors have told me my heart is working only 30%, I need this surgery as soon as possible,"

"I don't fear death, it has to come one day, but I don't want to die leaving you behind like this, I want you to get a family, I promise it will ease your pain, I know this is not easy for you, but please do this for me son,"

"Dad," Shahwaiz kneel in front of him and hold his hands,

"Nothing is going to happen, you will get the best treatment, I will call for the meeting with board members, and your surgery will be successful,"

"No, my son, I don't want any false hope, I know all the risk and consequences, I am ready for this, it wasn't easy for me to make this decision, but there is only one thing that's bothering me,"

"What?" he asked,

"I want you to be happy, I can't see you in pain anymore, try forget your past Shahwaiz, I am really concern for you," Mr. Arham said,

They both remain silent for few minutes, Shahwaiz let go of his hands and sigh,

"Dad, you know I can't,"

"Just give it a try Shahwaiz, it's been four years now, you should get over it, I know it's not simple but at least you can give it a try,"

No, dad, don't ask me for this, You know I won't do it under any circumstances," he replied and stood up from his place taking couple of steps ahead and rum fingers through his hairs,

"Just consider this my last wish, Shahwaiz, or my dying wish," he turns abruptly and walks back to his father,

"Dad, don't say like that,"

"Just accept it son, my survival chances are very low, I don't want to hide anything from you, I have prepared myself for this, but the only thing concerns me is you, son, just do this for my sake,"

He did not reply, just stared back to his dad,

"I know I am pushing you for this Shahwaiz, but I want you to live your life to fullest, I can't see you in this agony my son, just let go of your past,"

"Dad, You know that's impossible, I can't do that!" he replied harshly,

"So, you will not listen to me?" he asked his son, Shahwaiz did not reply, he keeps looking outside the window, it's been a year, since Mr. Arham last asked him to get married and because of that he left his home, he disappear himself from everyone and didn't come back for six months,

Mr. Arham stands up from the sofa and places his hand on Shahwaiz's shoulder,

"Don't think so much, I know you very well, just trust me,"

"Please Dad, don't do this to me," he replied but Mr. Arham shook his head, "it's my last request son, please don't refuse it, " they both remain silent for some time.

"I need more time dad," he says still watching outside the window,

"Okay, but I want your answer in couple of days," Mr. Arham says and pick his folder from the table,

"I have to tell their father," he continues, Shahwaiz turns facing him with a frown,

"Wait, What?" he asked confused,

"You have already choose a girl?" he asked,

"Of course not," Mr. Arham said, he sighed in relief,

"I have chosen girls for both of you," he laughs, "I want both my son married before I go for this surgery,"

Shahwaiz let out a harsh breath and shook his head,

"Just trust Allah SWT, son, Allah will help you," Mr. Arham says kissing his son's forehead and leaves the room, leaving Shahwaiz in a deep thought.

******

Okay, so what do you think about this chapter???

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Until next time

Iraj

Date: 8-3-2020