(A/N I have published a new book named 'Love Is Cupid's Lure' do check it out, it is really different and funny)

Unedited and didn't had time to re read this chapter

≤≥≤≥≤≥

Meri dua'on ka mukkammal hona
Aur tumhara muskurana, ek hi toh baat hai

•••

Later that evening

"Kaha ja rahi ho?" Kabir was sitting on the wooden swing in angaan, using his phone when he saw Shyra walking toward Shahzain's portion. He couldn't help but ask as he never saw her going there before

(Where are you going?)

"Woh, maama ne Hanan ko bulaya Hai." Looking at Kabir then at the door of Shahzain's portion, Shyra replied to him

(Maama was calling Hanan.)

"Hanan? Woh toh ghar par nahi hai. Main abhi wahi se aya Hoon."

(Hanan? He isn't at home.)

"Ghar par nahi Hain? Kaha Gaye woh?" This information made Shyra startled, as she took steps forward Kabir and asked

(Where he is then?)

"Shayad Ayat ko pick Karne." Kabir shrugged his shoulder

(Maybe he went to pick Ayat.)

"Ayat ko?" Shyra murmured, which didn't reached Kabir, who was again busy in his phone.

(Went to pick Ayat?)

"Kyu?" She again looked at him and asked

(Why?)

"Huh?" Kabir raised his head at Shyra when thought he heard her voice

"Hanan Ayat ko pick karne kyu Gaye Hain?" Shyra expanded her question inti a full sentence

(Why he went to pick Ayat?)

"Kyuki Ayat ki chutti ho gayi Hai aur woh apne college mein nahi rukti." He joked. But Shyra got upset over his sentence, which wasn't answer of her question but a taunt

Seeing Shyra sulking made Kabir hold his smile back. "Arey, mazak kar raha hoon."

(I was joking.)

"Waise toh Ayat ko aap ya Ayla aapi pick karte Haina." Shyra was still offended but nevertheless asked him

(But most of the time it's you or Ayla aapi who pick Ayat from college.)

"Woh Kya haina, main Ayat ki service se thakk gaya Hoon, salary toh deti nahi hai, isliye maine woh job chorh di."

(I'm tired of being Ayat's driver as she never pay me. That's why I left the job.)

"Kya? Aap kaise jawab de rahe hain?" His words and way of speaking them irked Shyra as she finally asked

(What? What kind of answer this is?)

"Tum sawal hi waise puch rahi ho. Shohar Hai Hanan Ayat ka, ab woh ussey pick karne gaya Hai toh isme Kyu Kaha se agaya?" Kabir didn't minded her outburst and casually asked

(The kind of questions you are asking. Hanan is Ayat's husband and if he went to pick her from college, why it is bothering you?)

"Ayat toh nahi manti Hanan ko apna shohar." Shyra murmured. This time, it reached Kabir too

(But Ayat doesn't accept Hanan as her husband.)

Kabir was stunned for a moment

"Ayat ne tumse kuch Kaha?" Kabir put his phone down and looked at Shyra

(Did Ayat said anything to you?)

"Sab ko nazar ata hai ki Ayat kitni khush Hai iss nikkah se. Aur ussi ne toh Kaha Tha ki woh apne graduation ke baad talaq le legi." Shyra was referring about the night when Hanan returned.

(Anyone can see Ayat isn't happy with this marriage. And she herself told Hanan that she will take divorce from him after her graduation.)

Kabir and Ayat were strolling in lawn after dinner where Hanan came. Hanan didn't liked their closeness, and seeing Hanan being possessive over her, Ayat told him that she would take divorce from him.

But it was only three of them in lawn that night, according to them.

Not knowing Shyra has heard them too as her bedroom's window opened to lawn.

"Shyra! Pehli baat, Ayat ko abhi khud ehsas nahi Hai yeh rishte kitne zaroori Hai, isliye nadani mein kuch bhi keh deti Hai. Aur dusri baat, yeh un dono ka matter Hai, tumhe isme dakhal andazi nahi karna chahiye. By the way, tum itna interested Kyu ho rahi ho unke matter mein?" Kabir clearly told her off.

(Shyra! First of all, Ayat herself don't know how precious this relationship is, that's why she said it in stupidity. And second, this is their matter, why are you so interested in it?)

He never talked to her like this before. But today, the matter was his best friend's. He has always saw Hanan's love for Ayat. And he knew, Hanan leaving Ayat is like hell freezing.

Before Shyra could say anything, Khushnuma's loud voice interrupted her.

"Kabir!" Both Kabir and Shyra stand up when saw Khushnuma there.

"Zara market se yeh kuch saman le aoge? Hanan pata nahi kab loutenge aur yeh Guddu bhi na jane kaha chala gaya." Khushnuma gave him a piece of paper, which looked like a list of the things she wanted him to buy.

(Can you get these things from market? I don't know when Hanan will return and Guddu is also not present here.)

"Ji, Chachi." Kabir glance at the list and nod his head

Glancing at Shyra from side way, Kabir left from there

"Kya hua, beta?" When Khushnuma saw Shyra standing there with a sour face, she asked her

(What happened?)

•••

Sun was long drown in, and now orange hue were spreading in sky, reflecting its gleam on surface too.

Ayat wiped off the sweat from her forehead with her cotton lemon dupatta then checked her wrist watch to see the time.

Kriti and Ayat were outside of their college, kriti was waiting for her brother while Ayat was waiting for driver to pick her.

A black bike just got parked a few distance away from them. Hanan took off the helmet and fixed his hair with his hand while looking into the rear mirror of bike. Few of college girls passing by stopped to stare which he payed no heed to, as he looked around to search for Ayat.

Neither Ayat payed any heed to the bunch of girls giggling around her or the guy who's eyes froze on her. She was busy in her phone, dialling her mother's number

Kriti was the first one who saw Hanan.

Kriti playfully nudged Ayat

"Ayat, tumhare sajan aye hain tumhe lene." On Kriti's voice, Ayat looked in front of her and found Hanan there. Slapping Kriti's hand away from her, Ayat went to Hanan

(Your husband is here to pick you.)

"Itni jaldi Kyu agayi? Thora time aur le leti." Removing his hand from accelerator of bike, Hanan taunt her. As if he was waiting for her for hours. Although in reality, he just got here

"Haan to jab class khatam hogi tabhi ayenge na. Aur yeh bike se kyu aye Hain?" Looking at the bike, Ayat's face showed a great dislike

(Class just got over. And why you brought bike?)

"Maaf karna, princess ke liye chopper lana bhool gaya." Accelerating the bike, Hanan apologize which didn't looked he was sincere

(I'm sorry, I should have brought chopper for princess.)

Ayat made face on his words, but didn't said anything. She was already tired and hungry, she didn't had any energy to waste it on him. Taking off her bag, she placed it behind Hanan then sat on the bike

Wearing helmet, Hanan started the bike

"Aram se!" Hanan has just took off the stand of his bike when Ayat scaredly said, and hold her bag tightly

(Be careful.)

"Tum aram se baitho."

(You just sit carefully.)

"Hum aram se hi bathey... Mamma!" Ayat was replying to him when Hanan started the bike, which made her more scared, as she hold onto his shoulder. Hanan moved his head a little to see her hand placed on his shoulder. "Agey dekhiye." Which made Ayat yelled

(I am sitting carefully.)

(Look in front of you.)

"Aise darr rahi ho jaise yamraj ki sawari pe baithi ho." Hanan said over the air, as he speed up

"Apki bike ussey Kam toh nahi Hai. Hum bhoole nahi Hain apne Jo last time kiya Tha." Ayat remind him about that one time when she sat on his bike, and they met with an accident

(Your bike isn't less than it. I have not forgot what you did last time.)

It was that incident which made her scared of bikes, specially if Hanan is the one riding it.

She still have a mark below her elbow

"Tumhe baithne ki tameez nahi Hai bike pe toh usme Meri Kya galti?"

(It wasn't my fault that you don't know how to sit on bike.)

"Baat Kam kare'n, aap agey dekhiye... Allah! Hanan, aram se bike chalaiye." Ayat tighten her grip on his shoulder and told him when they bumped into a speed breaker

(Focus on the road.... Hanan, ride the bike slowly.)

Her bugging made Hanan irritated, as he stopped the bike on side.

"Ek kaam karo, Ayat, tum bike chala lo. Main tumhare piche baith jata hoon." Taking off the helmet, Hanan tried to passed it to her. But Ayat didn't took it

(Why don't you ride the bike, Ayat?)

She would have, if she knew how to ride a bike. Instead she replied. "Humara license banne dijiye. Phir na toh apki zaroorat hogi na hi kisi aur ki." Ayat wishfully imagine how it would feel when she won't have to be dependable on anyone.

(I would have if I had license. Then I won't need you or anyone to pick me from college.)

"License?" Hanan snort

"Ayat, jitni buri tarah tumne apne driving test mein drive kiya Tha na. Mujhe nahi lagta woh log dubara tumhe waha galti se bhi bhatakne denge."

(The way you drive car in your driving test, I don't think they will let you wander there again.)

"Apko yeh kisne bataya?" Ayat was surprised that Hanan knew what happened last year.

(Who told you this?)

It wasn't anything serious, Ayat just bumped the car in a three on footpath. Her trainer had a little injury on his head, but that's it. No serious harm was done, except the blue and shiney car had huge bumped now.

But Hanan wasn't here to know what happened. He was in America, how does he know this

"Aapi ne." Hanan answered with a little smugness. Didn't matter if Ayat and him didn't talked much when he was away. But Ayla filled him with every detail of things which happened in Ayat's life.

(Ayla aapi.)

"Ayla aapi humari aapi hain ki apki." She angrily mumbled. Feeling humiliated

(Is Ayla aapi my sister or your?)

"Meri!" Hanan again wore the helmet

(My.)

"Kuch khaogi?" They have traveled few distance away from college,when Hanan asked

(You Want to eat something?)

His question made her stomach grumbled as she remember how she skipped lunch because of her assignment

"Haan! Bhook lagi hai." Forgetting her anger on him, Ayat replied

(Yes! I'm hungry.)

"Kya khaogi?"

(What you'll have?)

Ayat saw a stall of her favorite dumplings on roadside

"Momos." She quickly said

"Bike rokiye." But when Hanan didn't stopped the bike, she ordered him.

(Stop the bike.)

"Restaurant toh aney do koi."

(I will but in front of restaurant.)

"Itne sarey stall ja rahe hain momos ke."

(But here is so many stalls of momos.)

"Waha se khayenge?" Ayat couldn't see his face, but his voice clearly says that he is cringing

(We will eat from there?)

"Haan toh."

(Yes!)

Hanan didn't argued more. But stopped the bike. And as Ayat wished, bought her momos from roadside stall, although he didn't wanted to

Ayat quickly took it from him after saying a small thank you

She has only savour one piece of momos when thought of offering some to Hanan.

Forwarding the plate, she raised her eyebrow.

Hanan showed her his busy hands, one had bike keys and helmet and other had water bottle, which he could easily put on bike but didn't.

He just bent down a little and opened his mouth for her to feed him.

Picking a piece of momos, Ayat quickly stuffed in his mouth and turned other side. Hanan would have laughed on this if his mouth wasn't full.

•••

Rukhsar put a heavy red dupatta adoring with mirror work on Ayla's head which startled her

Ayla was here since last one hour, looking at dresses after dresses which Rukhsar and Rehnuma passed her. She was least interested in shopping because of her hunger.

As soon as Ayla returned from college, Rubab dragged her here, not giving her chance to change or eat anything.

Ayla was still in her navy blue kurti and jeans with her stole around her neck. She could feel Rehnuma's disapproval glance at her jeans but Ayla was thankful that Rukhsar didn't said anything about it.

Rukhsar was busy in selecting dresses for Ayla. Rubab has already excused herself and left for her own house as it was time for Ayat to come from college. Now it was only Rukhsar, Rehnuma and Ayla. And of course the designer who Rukhsar called here today. He is best designer of their City, but it seems like he has brought worst dresses of his design

"Nahi, yeh nahi." Rukhsar made a face and removed the red dupatta from Ayla's head

(No, not this.)

Designer again started showing her various types of dresses and bragging about their material and design. Ayla was also listening to him, but half way through it, she zoned out.

She got back to her trance when Rehnuma came there with tea and snacks.

Ayla gladly took tea from Rehnuma and picked cookie from tray.

"Ayla, tum bhi apni pasamd batao. Tumhe kuch achha laga ki nahi. Warna phir hum log Kal boutique chalte hain." Rukhsar finally decided to ask about her like, as she was now tired. Whatever she liked for Ayla, it didn't suited on Ayla, according to Rukhsar. Although Ayla showed positive response in everything whichever was passed to her.

(Ayla, why don't you choose something for yourself. And if you don't like anything then we will go to boutique.)

"Um!" Taking the cup away from her lips, Ayla also roamed her eyes on the dresses in front of her.

The shiney and glittery dresses were eye catching but the heavy material turned her mood off. Until a dress caught her eyes. It was hidden beneath the heavy dresses, making it hard for anyone to notice it in first glance.

Putting the cup back on tray, Ayla reached for the dress.

It was champagne gold coloured kurti with delicate zardozi design. The designer praised her choice and showed them sharara of the dress. It was also same colour as kurti but it had heavy gota and salma work on bottom. And the kirni dupatta of the dress was the most beautiful thing about it. Soft and delicate. This dress was perfect for Ayla. It wasn't too heavy to tired her off or neither to somber for a bride.

It was a perfect combination of traditional and elegance.

"Yeh?" Rehnuma's nose cringed

(This?)

"Maaf karna, Ayla, par dulhan toh red mein hi achhi lagti Hain." She gave her opinion

(Don't mind it, Ayla, but red suits the bride's most.)

Ayla opened her mouth to oppose but closed it when saw Kaif entering the living room

"Assalamualaikum!" Kaif greeted his mother while his eyes were looking at the mess present there. At last, his eyes stopped on Ayla, who was clutching the kirni dupatta in her fist

"Walekum-Assalam! Aaj tum jaldi nahi agaye?" Rukhsar put the green lehenga aside and asked

(You came early today?)

"Mummy, bas.. sar mein halka sa dard tha isliye..." Kaif left the living room. While Rukhsar ordered her daughter to make soup for Kaif

(I have headache that's why...)

•••

They have resume their journey again,

Ayat felt tired and layed her head on Hanan's back.

In her tiredness, she didn't saw Hanan taking a long route to their home.

Ayat's both hands were on Hanan's torse, hugging him and her head on his back, her soft breath pacing with his as his heart flutter with her closeness.

He wanted this moment to stay longer, but they reached their home

"Thank you." Getting down from bike, rubbing her eyes to vanish the sleep, Ayat thanked him

"Tabiyat toh theek hai?" Hanan worriedly asked on her thank you and touched her forehead

(Are you okay?)

This raised heat on Ayat's face.

"Hanan!" Hanan's hand was still on her forehead when Shyra came there

Hanan quickly took his hand down. As Ayat stepped back

"Apko maama bula rahi thi." Looking between Hanan and Ayat, Shyra stopped her eyes on Hanan and told him.

(Maama was calling you.)

Nodding his head, Hanan put the helmet on handle of bike and get down.

Shyra hold his hand and took him to her house. Leaving Ayat alone, as she was gazing at his back

Ayat would have stayed there little more but Shaaz's voice startled her

"Thank God you are here. Pata hai kitna bore hua hoon? mujhe koi company dene wala tha hi nahi. Ayla aapi bhi apne sasural mein Hain... Waise Tumhara cousin Kabir Tha par..." Shaaz was loudly complaining to her. Not noticing her lack of interest in him or his talk.

(Do you even know I much I got bore? No one was here to give me company. Although your cousin Kabir was but..)

"Ayat!" Shaaz waved his hand in front of her eyes

"Huh?" Ayat looked at him

"Yaar, bore ho raha hoon." Shaaz again complained

(Dude, I'm getting bore.)

"Toh hum apke entertainment ke liye kya kare?" Ayat irritatedly asked

(What should I do to entertain you?)

"I have an idea. Come.." Shaaz excitedly said and hold her hand to drag her inside.

But Ayat removed her hand from his grip. Which made him stop and looked at her questioningly.

"Aap chaliye, hum arahe Hain." Ayat mumbled. While remembering Shyra holding Hanan's hand

(I'll just come.)

Shrugging his shoulder, Shaaz left.

Ayat glance at Hamna's house for the last time and left from there.

In her head, conversation with Hanan from last night was playing.

No need to be free with him.

Khud toh Shyra se itne free Hain lekin humari zindagi mein dakhal zaroor denge. Ayat thought

•••

Ayla put the dirty cups and plates in kitchen and turned to leave when Rukhsar came there

"Ayla! Ek baat puchu?" The way she asked it made Ayla nervous. She meekly nod her head

(Can I ask something?)

"Tumhare aur Kaif ke beech koi.... Koi problem hui hai?" Rukhsar hesitatedly asked. She looked awkward but not more than Ayla, who's face was flushed

(Is there any problem.. between.. you and Kaif?)

"Tayi ammi... Nahi... Woh.." Ayla started saying but no sane words came in her mind?

(No...)

"Ayla, theek Hai. Husband wife mein hoti Hain choti moti arguments..... Lekin tum dono ki shaadi mein din hi kitne bache Hain. Jo bhi problem Hain unhe sort out karlo. Achhe lagenge dulha aur dulhan munh fulaye?"

(Ayla, it's okay. Small arguments happens between husband and wife but you two should sort it out soon. Your wedding functions are about to start.)

"Maine kal Kaif se baat toh ki thi... Khair! Main janti hoon ussey, thora ziddi hai woh." Ayla was silently listening to her, thinking why Rukhsar and her is having husband and wife's problem when it is Rukhsar who is creating drift between Kaif and her.

(I even talked to Kaif yesterday about this matter.. but! I know him. He is stubborn.)

"Ayla! Tum sunn rahi ho main kya keh rahi Hoon?" When Rukhsar saw Ayla wasn't paying attention to her, she called her

(Are you listening what I am saying?)

"Tayi ammi, Kaif aur humare beech aisa kuch nahi hua jo aap soch rahi Hain."

(Nothing happened between Kaif and me.)

"Mujhe maloom Hai, tum kabhi shikayat nahi karogi. Aur yeh achhi bhi baat Hai ki husband wife ki baatein sirf unhi ke beech mein rahe lekin... Agar tumhe kabhi bhi koi baat karni ho toh befikar hoke mujhse kar Lena." Rukhsar lovingly pat her cheek, and for the first time in her life, Ayla saw softness in Rukhsar's eyes for her

(I know, you would never complain. And this is good thing that whatever the problem is, husband and wife should not involve third person in it. But still, if you ever want to talk, you can talk to me.)

Rukhsar left kitchen and Ayla was still thinking if she dreamed this conversation with Rukhsar or it was indeed real.

When Ayla came back to present, another thought crept in her mind

Rukhsar talked to Kaif about them yesterday? Was it is the reason why Kaif called her and apologise?

•••

When the night came, Ayla stood beside her window to gaze at the starry sky. Ayat's loud voice avert her eyes from sky to her.

"Kya hua?" She looked at Ayat and asked.

(What happened?)

"Shaaz bula rahe Hain. He has planned a sleepover type of thing." Ayat informed her which made Ayla confuse.

(Shaaz is calling you.)

"Sleepover?"

"Not really sleepover. He says tomorrow is Sunday so we all should stay up and play board games or something.." Ayat explained her properly.

"You guys enjoy. I don't feel like....." Ayla refused and sat on her bed.

"Aapi, please! We will have lots of fun. Kabir and Shyra is already there and I was going to call Kaif Bhai.." Ayat made a pleading face.

"Kaif?"

"Haan!" Ayat nod her head, thinking this will make Ayla agree

(Yes!)

"Ayat, idhar aaiye." Ayat quickly went to her bed.

(Ayat, Come here.)

"Nahi!" But When she heard what Ayla told her to do, Ayat refused.

(No!)

"Kya nahi?"

(Why not?)

"Nahi means no. I don't know what you both thinks of me. Kaif bhai kehte Hain apko bulau, aap kehti hain Kaif bhai ko bulau. I'm not owl."

(No means no. Kaif Bhai tells me to call you. You order me to call him.)

"Waise bhi aap Kaif ko hi bulane ja rahi thi. Aangan ki jagah chatt pe keh dijiye. Aur owl kya, apka Matlab pigeon se Hai?"

(But you were going to call Kaif na. You just have to tell him to come on terrace. And owl? Do you mean pigeon?)

"Nahi hunara Matlab owl hi tha." Ayat straight forwardly said but when saw Ayla's down face, her heart melt.

(No, I mean owl.)

"Achha theek Hai, Bula de rahe Hai, Waise bhi I can't see you guys looking gloomy." Ayat dramatically stood up and said.

(Okay fine, I'll tell him to go on terrace.)

"Thank you. Hum kal apke liye chocolate le ayenge." Ayla happily stood up and pinched her cheeks.

(I'll bring chocolate for you tomorrow.)

"Ouch!" Ayat rubbed her cheeks and left her room.

•••

After playing the role of messenger in Ayla and Kaif's life. Ayat return to aangan and sat on floor, Shaaz and Kabir has spread mattress there which was very comfy.

Both Kabir and Shaaz were laying with the support of their elbow and talking about sports.

"Ayla aapi kaha Hain?" Shaaz sat up straight and asked her

(Where is Ayla aapi?)

"Aur Kaif Bhai?" Kabir asked

(And Kaif Bhai?)

"Dono ko bula Diya, aa hi rahe honge." Ayat waved her hand to both and said

(I have called them boht, they must be coming.)

"Shyra kaha gayi?" She later looked around and saw Shyra was missing

(Where is Shyra?)

"Woh snacks lene gayi hai." Shaaz informed her

(She went to get snacks.)

"Ayat, tumhe Hanan ko bulaya?" Kabir again asked

(Ayat, did you call Hanan?)

"Unhe msg kar dijiye na." Ayat scrunched her nose and said

(Msg him na.)

"Yaar, main apna phone nahi laya."

(But I didn't bring my phone.)

Shyra also came there with a tray in her hands

Placing it on a still table, she sat down beside Ayat

"Ayat, jaldi se Hanan ko bulao," Shaaz ordered her and grabbed two sandwich from plate, passing one to Kabir and devouring the other one

(Go and call Hanan.)

"I'll call him." Before Ayat could say anything, Shyra said and was about to get up

"Tum baitho. Ayat, jao Hanan ko bulao." But Kabir stopped Shyra and sternly told Ayat, who didn't had any other options left

(No, you sit down. Ayat, go and call Hanan.)

Going to Shahzain's house, one thought was in her mind that she should have let Shyra call him, as he is more happy in her presence.

Khushnuma and Shahzain were already gone to their room. That's why Ayat directly went to Hanan's room.

Knocking on the door, she waited for him to open the door but he didn't. She again knocked, but when he didn't opened the door on fourth knock. She twist the knob and surprisingly, door was open

She first put her head in, hoping to find Hanan there but he wasn't present there, also the mess which she was expecting weren't there. To her great surprise, his room was clean. Unlike before whenever she used to come here, it would always be mess. At least three types of t-shirts used to place on his study chair, his laptop and notes scattered on table and his bed unmade. But not this time. His bed was perfectly made, his laptop properly placed on study table and his study chair was clear.

This was the first time she came here after he returned from America.

His room interior was now changed. Bed was placed beside window, study table and chairs was also on opposite side and vanity was placed beside his cupboard. The colour of wall was also changed. The warm blue colour got replaced by dark brown, mix scent of peppermint and coffee hit her smelling sense.

She was busy in checking his room, she didn't noticed the door of bathroom opened and Hanan entering his room.

Hanan got startled when saw her in his room. He cleared his throat to catch her attention,

Ayat jumped with sudden noise and looked at from where the noise came. Hanan stood on the doorway of his bathroom, his wet hair falling on his forehead which says he just got out from shower, he was wearing dark grey t-shirt which perfectly fit his toned body, its half sleeves giving glimpse of his hard biceps.

Her eyes again met with his and she instantly regret it. The mischievousness in his eyes was enough the make her heart tremble and her eyes lowered.

"Tum.. iss waqt mere kamre mein - " Hanan took steps closer to her. Her natural reaction was to walk backward, trying to creat a little distance between them. Her back was met with cold wall and Hanan stood in front of her. " - Kya kar rahi ho?" As he removed the distance between them, he leaned down to her and asked.

(What are you doing in my room - )

( - at this time?)

Ayat opened her lips to speak up but only some meek sound came, no words was visible in them.

"Bolo, Ayat." Putting his right hand on her left side and his left hand on her waist, he brought her closer to him and asked in his low and demanding voice

(Tell me, Ayat.)

"Warna phir main galat matlab le lunga."

(Otherwise I'll get wrong thoughts.)

≤≥≤≥≤≥

I wasn't really active on Wattpad from few days.. was busy

That's why didn't got time to write anything

-Ufaq