Saad's pov:

The incessant ringing of the phone made me look at it in irritation. I knew I was supposed to head back home early today but I was deliberately avoiding it by trying to overwork or check some files. Sighing, I ran my hands through my hair while leaning back before finally picking up mama's most probably 5th call.

"Assalamualikum mama." I greeted her in a tired voice.

"Walikumussalam Saad. Tumne time dekha hai kya ho raha hai? Aadhe ghante me hame nikalna hai aur abhi tak tum ghar nahi aaye. Ye kya laga rakha hai tumne?" She exploded as soon as she heard my voice. I already knew this was coming the moment I first saw her call.

(Have you seen the time? We have to head out in half an hour and you still aren't back home. What is this Saad?)

"Sorry mama. Maine time nahi dekha tha, aaj office me bohot zyada kaam hai." Squeezing my eyes shut, I replied slowly, hoping my excuse would work. But who was I even hoping that from? She was determined to make this work, even if I wasn't interested in it!

(Sorry mom. I didn't see the time, there was some extra work in the office today.)

"Wo to har din hi rehta hai. I'm not listening to any of your excuses. Just be here within the next 20 minutes." She taunted before ordering me sternly.

(You always have extra work.)

"Mama I can't just come like this! I have work to do." I groaned, covering my face with my other hand.

"Does it look like I care? Bas jaldi se ghar aa jao. And why weren't you picking up your calls?" She replied before questioning suspiciously.

(Just come back quickly.)

"Sorry... I didn't check it before." I muttered guiltily. Only I knew how much I was deliberately avoiding checking my phone.

"Waise to sab apna mobile bohot check karte hai lekin jab kaam hota hai to koi nahi dekhta." She muttered angrily.

(People usually always check their phones but when there is some work, then no one actually checks their phone.)

"Sorry..." I apologised once again, sitting straight on my chair.

"Your apology will only be accepted if you come here soon." She replied happily before adding quickly. "Now sign out and come back."

"Hmm..." An involuntary sigh escaped my lips as I stared at the wall in front of me. What was I supposed to say or do now?

"Don't be late." She called out before hanging the call.

"Jee." I mumbled into the empty space as I thought of any other excuse which I could give to escape her plan.

(Okay.)

._._._.

"Arrreee aisi bhi kya formality! Humlog to ek dusre ko kai waqt se jaante hai. Bas ab In Sha Allah hamare bacche iss dosti ko aur mazbut bana dein." Uncle said, giving out a small laugh.

(What's the need of this formality! We have known each other for a long time. Now I just wish that our kids make our bond stronger.)

"Jee jee, In Sha Allah aisa hi hoga. Mujhe to aapki beti bohot pasand hai, bas ab bacche agar ek dusre ko pasand kar le to hum sukoon ki saans le." Mama replied, excitement clear in her voice and face. I was stuck here for now I guess.

(Yeah, hopefully that will only happen. I already like your daughter very much, now if our kids also choose each other then I can live in peace.)

"Jee, meri to dili tamanna puri ho jaiyegi." Aunty added with a grin.

(Yes, my heart's wish will be fulfilled.)

"Ab itni bhi jaldi kya hai. Abhi to dono bacche hai, le lene dein unko apna waqt. Aise faisle lene me waqt to lagta hi hai. Ab inki puri zindagi ka sawal hai, bas kuch dino ki baat to nahi haina." Baba interrupted, smiling slightly.

(What's the hurry? Both of them are still young, let them take their time. It takes time to make decisions like these. It's the matter of their whole life, not just a few days.)

"Jee bhaisahab. Bilkul sahi keh rahe hai aap. Hum to bas bohot khush hai to isliye kuch zyada hi aage ka soch rahe hai." Laughing nervously, Aunty replied before adding quickly. "Accha beta jao, Shanzay ko bula ke aao."

(Yes. You are absolutely right. We are just happy that's why we were thinking too much.)
(Okay my dear, go and call Shanzay.)

"Okay mom." Shanzay's brother replied before getting up and heading out of the room. I seriously didn't want to face her and ruin my already ruined mood.

"Jab tak aap log kuch to lein. Aaplogo ne to kuch bhi nahi liya." Aunty said, extending a plate towards mama and bhabi who were sitting beside her.

(Until then have something. You guys haven't eaten anything yet.)

"Nahi aunty, rehne dijiye. Hum theek hai." Bhabi replied while smiling slightly.

(No, it's okay. We are alright.)

"Aise kaise theek hai, kuch to lo na beta." She insisted. Taking a quick glance in my direction she picked up a cookie. And it reminded me of her once again, which made me smile slightly. I had started to realise that just the thought of her was starting to make me smile.

(How is it okay, have something my dear.)

"Aur kaam kaisa chal raha hai beta?" Turning to face me, uncle inquired with a smile.

(And how is your work going on son?)

"Alhamdulilah theek chal raha hai uncle." I replied, looking up at him and giving him a tight lipped smile.

(It's going fine.)

"Assalamualikum." A confident and bold voice greeted us, making me look down immediately. I knew it was Shanzay and knowing her, she might be looking at me, waiting to see my reaction. It was one of the things which I didn't like about her. She was too bold.

I didn't have any problem with girls being bold, but at the right places and when it's necessary. Not like this, being bold to catch someone's attention.

"Walikumussalam." I murmured under my breath, not looking up at all.

"Shanzay chai to pila do sabko." Aunty told her sweetly.

(Serve them tea Shanzay.)

"Jee mom." I heard her reply before hearing her voice once again."Ye lijiye aunty."

(Yes mom.)
(Here aunty.)

"Shukriya beta. Badi pyaari lag rahi ho waise, Ma Sha Allah." Mama replied happily, making me squeeze my eyes shut in frustration. Ya Allah, please save me from this place and these people.

(Thank you dear. By the way you are looking beautiful.)

"Thank you aunty." She replied, sugar coating her voice. They continued to murmur among themselves until she came to stand in front of me with the tray. "Here."

"Jazak Allahu Khairan." I said, taking a quick glance up at her and forcing a tight lipped smile before looking back down. Surprisingly, she was wearing a long dress and even had a hijab kept on her head. And although her hijab wasn't covering her hair properly it was still covered slightly. 

Frowning, I wondered what she was planning. She usually wore western dresses but today she was wearing an Indian dress. Was she, by any chance, trying to impress mama? Because mama doesn't really know how she actually is, so Shanzay could be taking advantage of that fact.

"Welcome." She replied before adding smugly in a slow whisper while heading towards baba. "Told you we would get married soon."

I gritted my teeth. This woman here was testing my patience. Fisting my hands, I exhaled slowly, trying to calm myself down. My gaze flickered towards mama, only to see her adoring Shanzay. I looked away quickly. Only if she knew what type of a girl actually she was, we wouldn't have been here or doing this.

Before I could think much, my phone rang, making me look down. Taking out my mobile, I checked the caller Id before keeping the cup on the table and excusing myself. Heading out of the house, I picked up the call, kind of thankful that it interrupted us.

"Assalamualikum Saad. I'm sorry but we need your help. Urgently." Ali, my best friend, said, as soon as I picked up the call.

"Walikumussalam Ali. Kyu, kya hua? Everything alright?" I inquired, getting worried. Why did he sound so panicked?

(Why, what happened? Everything alright?)

"I don't know. Tabhi to we need you here. Can you please come here soon?" He replied in a rushed voice.

(That's why we need you here.)

"I would have loved to. But right now I'm stuck in the middle of some matchmaking trick of mama..." Rubbing the back of my neck, I muttered awkwardly.

"But didn't you tell me that you are married?" Pausing whatever he was doing, he asked me, stunned.

"I'm. But mama ko to ye baat nahi pata na." I replied with a sigh, running my hand through my hair.

(But mom doesn't know about it so...)

"Oh. Okay, where are you right now?" He questioned, getting a bit calm now.

"Uh... Shanzay's house..." I replied, knowing fully well what was coming up next. She worked with us, in our office, afterall.

"Damn bro, that's..." He trailed off, probably too shocked to say anything.

"I know, I know. You don't have to say anything." I mumbled while pocketing my other hand and looking around.

"Well, this reminds me, we need to catch up on a lot of things. And stay there for a while, I'm coming there to pick you up." He said, and I could hear the jingling of the keys.

"Oh my God! Jazak Allahu Khairan bhai! You are getting me out of this place. I owe you one." I replied gratefully, forgetting for a moment that I was standing right in front of her house.

"Waiyyakum. Yeah yeah, just be ready and let them know that you are out. I'm on my way." He replied, starting the car.

"Okay. Drive safely and come soon." I said with a small smile, turning around to go in, a relieved look on my face.

"I will, now don't worry about me but about yourself." He teased with a laugh, making me shake my head.

"Okay okay, Allah hafiz." Glancing at the door, I muttered. I just wanted someone to save me from mama's warth and I was good to go. Although I doubted she would say anything to me here, in front of everyone, but I was sure she would kill me whenever we would be at home together.

"Allah hafiz." He replied before hanging the call, leaving me with my own thoughts. Sighing, I headed inside. Time to execute my plan. I mean work on it and execute it.

._._._.

"Oh shoot!" I muttered under my breath, remembering that I still had to apologise to her and I wasn't even able to meet her today.

"Kya hua?" Ali inquired, glancing in my direction while driving the car.

(What happened?)

"Can you please stop your car near this shop, I have some urgent work to do." I replied, ignoring his question and taking off my seat belt, ready to get out.

"Yaar, ab konsa urgent work?" He groaned, slowing down his car.

(Man, what urgent work now?)

"Baad me bataunga, abhi park to karo." I replied hurriedly while eyeing the shop and wondering what to buy for her.

(I will tell you that later, now park the car.)

"Accha theek hai. Ye lo, kar dia." He replied, parking the car in one smooth motion.

(Alright. There you go, I did it.)

"Thanks bro! Mai abhi aaya." I replied while getting out of the car quickly and rushing towards the shop.

(I will be back.)

"Jaldi aana." I heard him faintly calling out from behind.

(Come quickly.)

Once inside the shop, my gaze quickly surveyed my surroundings, looking for something to gift her. But I couldn't understand what to get for her apart from chocolates. They were the only thing which I knew she loved. And maybe flowers?

Shaking my head at my uncertainty, I quickly picked up a box of some branded chocolate, hoping she would like it, before grabbing a few other chocolate bars, just in case she didn't like the other one. A bouquet of flowers in the corner of the shop caught my eye and asking the shopkeeper to pack it for me, I grabbed two cans of cold drinks on my way out.

"Uhm... I have to go somewhere, I will be back in a while." Reaching the car, I told him while looking ahead. I had to hurry if I wanted to reach there before ammi.

"Now where do u want to go?" He inquired, looking baffled.

"I will tell you later. For now, have this cold drink, take out my laptop from that bag and give it to me. Also, check out the presentation." I replied, handing him the cold drinks while taking my bag from him.

"Yaar, you can't leave me here like this!" He whined, looking at me in disbelief.

"Too bad I'm already doing that. Wait for me." I muttered, a small smile escaping my lips as I started running ahead.

"Ya Allah, you have gone crazy!" He called out from behind me, making me grin.

"I guess..." I muttered while increasing my speed.

._._._.

"The hell do you mean by that?!" Ali cursed, glancing at me wide eyed before concentrating back on the road.

"No cursing, Ali." I shook my head at him, disappointed about the fact that he cursed.

"I would actually care less about it right now." He retorted in disbelief.

"Then what would you be caring about?" I asked while looking at him.

"About how to get that chameleon out of my life." He replied, his sharp gaze flickering in my direction.

"Chameleon?" Furrowing my brows, I asked him, confused about who he was talking about.

"Yeah. Your 'supposed to be fiancée'." He replied nonchalantly while shrugging his shoulders and quoting certain words.

"Oh you mean Shanzay." Realisation dawned on me as I nodded my head, deep in my thoughts, getting half of whatever he said. Why would he call her chameleon, though?

"It's the same thing. You see, even she changes her colour with time and situation." He replied in a disgusted voice, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Ali." I warned, hearing his reply. We should at least respect her as our colleague if not because of anything else.

"Okay whatever. What are you going to do now?" He asked, changing the topic.

"Allahu Aàlam." I replied while running my hand through my hair. To be honest, I had stopped thinking about it because it was only giving me stress and anxiety. Nothing else.

(God knows.)

"Then what are you doing, idiot?! Think about something!" He roared angrily, making me flinch slightly. What was wrong with him? Why was he getting so hyper about it? He could have calmed down a bit before replying, right?

"I will, I guess." I replied uncertainly before changing the topic. "By the way, Jazak Allahu Khairan for helping me out yesterday."

"If I would have known that something like that was happening behind my back, I would have interrupted you sooner." He grumbled, upset.

"Accha ji, kyu? Kahi tumhe to Shanzay nahi pasand na?" I teased, knowing there was no way that was possible. Halting the car suddenly, making us jerk forward, he turned to look at me, a disgusted look taking over his features. I guess he was too shocked to actually process whatever I said.

(Oh yeah, why? You don't like Shanzay, do you?)

"What? Where did this come from now? Hell no! She isn't my type at all bro." He seethed, starting the car once again.

"You sure about that? You aren't saying that just to cover up the truth, are you?" With a slight smirk on my lips, I teased further, enjoying his situation.

"Saad. Let me get this straight. I. Don't. Like. Her. You got that? She is just too... I don't even know what to say. Just fix that in your brain now and don't take her name in front of me and spoil my mood." He replied furiously through gritted teeth, his gaze flickering in my direction time and again.

"So you like someone else, hmm?" I said, knowing he would get worked up on this as well.

"Why are you suddenly thinking like that? Where is all this thinking coming from? No actually, why are you suddenly interested in my love life?" He retorted furiously, speeding the car.

"So, am I right or am I right?" Ignoring his questions, I asked him while looking out of the window, trying to hide my smile.

"You are wrong. Actually, let me rephrase that. I. Don't. Like. Her. Or. Anyone. Else. I'm happy as I'm. And watching you and your situation now, I'm rethinking about ever getting married in my life. I don't want to face all these things. I don't think I will be able to handle them." He made a weird face at that, making me chuckle slightly.

"Accha. Good luck with that."

(I see.)

"Ah, thanks, but I think you will need your luck for yourself now. So get out." He retorted while halting the car and turning to look at me.

"What? Why?" Turning to look up at him from my lap, I asked him, confused. 

"Oh romeo, where are you lost?! We reached your destination." Amused, he replied while shaking his head.

"Oh..." Nodding in understanding, I look around. And indeed we were parked in front of my house.

"Yeah. Waise kal to tum bach gaye the kyu ke late ho gaye the ghar jaate jaate. Lekin aaj kaise bachoge?" Smirking smugly, he asked me.

(Yeah. By the way you were saved from aunty's warth yesterday because you went home late. But how will you save yourself today?)

"Pata nahi yaar. Bas dua karo ke ammi ghar par na ho ya wo bhul jaye kal ki baat ko." I replied, getting worried about it and thinking what to do.

(I don't know man. Just pray that she shouldn't be at home or she should forget about it.)

"Jao beta jao. Meri shubkaamnae tumhare saath hai." He said, showing me his hand.

(Go my son, go. My prayers are with you.)

"Aliii!" I whined, glaring at him.

"Accha accha theek hai. Waise aisa to kuch hone wala nahi hai phir bhi, In Sha Allah aisa hi kuch hoga." Chuckling slightly, he said with a twinkle of amusement glinting in his eyes. "What? Tumne jo dua karne kaha tha maine kar di na, ab mujhe aise kyu dekh rahe ho?" He added, when he noticed my glare intensifying.

(Okay okay, alright. Although anything like this won't happen but still, I hope something like this happens.)
(What? Whatever you asked me to pray, I prayed, so why are you looking at me like that?)

"Kuch nahi. Soch raha tha tumse badla kaise lu. Lekin ab baad me sochunga kyuke mujhe kisi ke haathon se kachumbar banne ka koi shauk nahi hai." Sighing, I replied while opening the door. If mama saw me talking with him in the car, she would, no doubt, invite him in and scold me in front of him. Since we have been childhood friends I didn't actually mind getting scolded in front of him, but I wasn't in the mood to listen to anyone's ranting.

(Nothing. I was thinking how to take my revenge from you. But now I will think about it later because I don't want to become a salad by anyone's hands.)

"Accha."

(Okay.)

"Haa to isliye, I'm going now. Drive safely, Allah hafiz." Getting out of the car, I said before closing the door.

(Yeah so that's why, I'm going now.)

"Allah hafiz banne wale kachumbar." He called out and I could clearly hear the amusement in his voice.

(Byee to be salad.)

"I will get back at you for that." I muttered while turning around to go.

"Sure sure." He called out loudly from behind me, shaking from mirth while I just shook my head, dreading the events awaiting me.

._._._.

Knitting my brows, I looked around the house once again. But to my confusion, or should I say utter relief, I found no one. Where could they have gone at this time? Not that I was complaining.

Wondering about their whereabouts a smile graced my lips as I quickly kept my bag on my bed and freshened up. This would be the perfect moment to go and meet my wife and come back home before anyone returns, I thought, as I went around the room in a hurry, looking for something to change into.

Quickly changing my clothes and gulping down a glass of water, I headed out of the room, an excited skip in my steps. Just as I was about to head out of the living room, Alayna and bhabi entered the room. A sigh escaped my lips, there went my plan of going there alone, I thought.

Looking at me, bhabi raised a brow, silently questioning me about my whereabouts while Alayna just grinned, greeting me happily.

"Walikumussalam. I- Uh... I just thought of taking a walk outside because the weather is so nice?" I said, which came out more like a question and I immediately facepalmed in my mind. Great! Now they wouldn't even believe it.

"Nice? Bhai? Aapko kya hua hai? It's so hot outside that we came back early from the park." Looking at me in disbelief, Alayna interrupted my thoughts.

(Nice? Bro? What happened to you?)

"Oh... Wo... Mai..." I stuttered while rubbing the back of my neck, trying to make up an excuse as quickly as I could.

(Oh... That... I...)

"Jee boliye janab." Bhabi replied while folding her arms, looking amused. She was definitely enjoying my condition.

(Yes go on mister.)

"Fine. I wanted to go and visit her once before ammi returns from her work." Sighing, I mumbled while looking away, feeling heat rush up to my face.

"Bingo!" She said with fake enthusiasm, her expression not changing even a bit before adding. "Although sorry to break it to you, but maybe you forget. Today is her mom's holiday."

"Oh man! Why didn't I remember this." I muttered to myself, closing my eyes shut. So my plan went down the drain even before I made it? "I was thinking that it would be a good idea since no one was home." I muttered with a sigh.

"And oh yeah. Mama went there with her friends." Bhabi added cheekily, a mischievous look on her face. So it was supposed to go down the drain anyway.

"Wait a minute. Who is the 'her' we talking about here?" Alayna interrupted, looking confused.

"Your other bhabi, dumbo!" Bhabi replied teasingly while hitting her head lightly.

"Owww, I'm not a dumbo!" She muttered, rubbing her head with a pout.

"I know princess, I was just kidding." Bhabi replied, smiling slightly.

"Umm hmm... But why didn't bhai take her name? I would have gotten to know na then." She asked her curiously, turning to look at me. Then as an afterthought, she added with narrowed eyes. "And were you planning on going there alone?"

"No princess, it's nothing like that. I was just thinking about it because no one was here..." I quickly replied, shaking myself out of my thoughts and looking at her wide eyed. If she would have gotten to know, hell would have broken loose.

"Yeah, keep saying that to yourself." Bhabi muttered, smirking at me.

"Bhabiii!" I whined, warning her not to start again.

"What?" She asked me innocently, smiling bashfully.

"Allah! I can't even go there now." Closing my eyes, I complained, not replying to her.

"Patience my boy, patience. You will be able to meet her soon." Chuckling slightly, she replied, still amused.

"Yeah yeah. I'm going back to my room." I grumbled with a frown, turning around to leave.

"But bhai. You still didn't clarify." Alayna called out.

"Later princess. Later. I'm tired now." I replied with a tired sigh. Ah, why did this have to happen, I thought grumpily.

"So you weren't tired when you were about to head out now, but suddenly you are?" Bhabi called out, trying to suppress her laughter.

"Yeah." I muttered, not turning around. I was suddenly feeling tired now.

"Pagal!" I heard her say as I walked out while shaking my head. They would never change, would they?

(Crazy!)

._._._.

▪ What are your thoughts about Ali?

._._._.