Ayesha's PoV

I was sitting alone on an empty couch at our balcony. The mehendi function is still going on and I already felt exhausted with the large crowd and their never ending gossiping sessions. So I decided to take a break and started looking for an empty place. Finally reached here.

The thoughts about Zain's mom still didn't leave me completely. May be I am over thinking. Because she didn't make me feel that she hates me from any of our interactions till now which I intentionally tried to escape from, but failed. Even after these many days she is behaving nice with me eventhough I can see her looking at me with suspicious eyes whenever Zain is with me. Just a few hours ago, same happened. She spotted us together and after that her eyes were completely fixed on me during the mehendi ceremony. That's the main reason why I escaped from there.

I know Asiya aunty dont like me seeing along with Zain. She already made it clear when uncle asked it that day. I wish I didn't hear them that day. It was a wrong move that completely destroyed my peace thereafter.

And Zain is too confusing like his mom. Why should I give false hopes to my heart? He is the same with everyone and not showing me any special care. Even if its Sana or Hiba in my place, he will behave the same like he is doing with me. I don't want to hurt myself after filling my mind with unnecessary thoughts.

This is happening to me for the first time and I can't let it control me. It's better I take care of myself without detaching from him. Because I don't want anything to be a barrier between the good relationship we are sharing.

"Bowwww..."
I heard someone shouting from my back in an attempt to scare me. I tilted my head to see Zain laughing infront of me.

"You are scared Ayesha."he continued laughing.

"I am not" I glared at him.

He sat beside me on the couch.

"Why are you here sitting alone? Everyone else are enjoying there."

"I felt so lonely in that crowd. So came here."

He looked at me wondered.
"Feeling alone in the middle of such a big crowd? You didn't fail to surprise me everytime."He said with widened eyes.
"I used to get bored only when I am alone."he added.

I chuckled.
"By the way why are you here then?"

"I searched for you everywhere. I won't get bored with you even if no one else is around us."he said making me skip my heart beat once again.

I didn't look at his eyes. I felt awkward.

"Zain, can I ask you something important?"I asked after thinking for a long time whether to ask or not.

He nodded assuring me.

"What do you feel about me?"I asked trying to read his face.

He smiled at me.

"Hey I was not joking. Answer me seriously. Please."I said in a begging tone.

"What do you feel about me?"he asked back.

I had no answer. So kept quiet.

"A cousin and best friend with whom you can spent time overcoming all your limitations and comfort zones. Without any barriers. Same way I feel for you. I can't sit alone for a long time without people around. But if its with you, I don't bother about that. I can break many rules that I set for me, if it's for you. Same way you are overcoming your many discomforts when you are with me. A special bond. Isn't it?"he asked and I smiled.

I dont think anyone else can describe our beautiful relationship better than he did. I looked everywhere but at his face.

"Ayesha, anything disturbing you?"he asked and I was shocked.

"I can feel you. You seems to be so lost in another world. What's bothering you?"he asked seriously.

"Nothing Zain."I stood up to leave.
But he held my wrist and made me sit back beside him.

"Do you know what's your real problem is?"he asked.
I shook my head.
"Lack of interaction."he declared and I was confused.

"Tell me the last time when you opened your mind infront of someone? Shared your problems with anyone close to you?"

I thought for a while.

"With your mama? Bapu ji? One of your friends? One of your cousins? Shamz? Me?"he looked looking straight at me. I gulped.

"Did you ever share your fears with anyone in this world in this 24 years of your life Ayesha?"he asked and I had no answer.

"No you always confine to a shell."he came closer towards me.

I lowered my head.

"This is not something to be embarrassed. If you think that you dont need anyone to help you with your problems, then it's good. That means you are strong. You are capable enough to handle everything by yourself. Like you lived 24 years on this earth. It's not something everyone can do. I am really proud of you."he said making me confident.

"But still we are living in a world full of people around us. We can't live alone for a long time. It's the law of nature. You have to open your mind infront of someone atleast once in a while. Everytime you can't escape from your problems by confining to a corner. If you have any friends enough capable of sharing your problems with and trust to the level where your sorrows can be solved by them, it's good. Because sharing will only make you relieved. A burden will be gone away from your heart."

I looked at him in wonder. I didn't know that he can motivate me like this. He is more than what I can see with my eyes.

"Thank you Zain. You are such a nice person."

He smiled at me.

"But you are more nice. Ayesha, you don't need to change. You are beautiful in the way you are. It's just that you need to change your ways little. You should break the shell around you allowing atleast one or two people to enter. So that they can understand you deeply and you can share everything with them. It's enough."he paused for a while.

"Tomorrow you will be having a new life with your own family. Imagine you still keeping your husband as a stranger outside your shell. What kinda life would be that?"

I thought and understood that he is right. Actually he is just reading my mind. These all are my fears which I thought a million times before.

"You should start communicating more often. Retaining what you are. Then there is nothing to worry. Believe me."he said pinching my nose slightly.

I nodded my head.

"But I don't know where to start. How to start. I am happy the way I am. But sometimes I too wish to have someone to share the state I am going through."I was confused. But I am happy that finally I told that to him.

He started walking in the balcony. He didnt look at me. But was serious.

"Ayesha, be ready at 10 am tomorrow morning. We need to go out."he said after thinking for sometime.

"Where?"I was wondered.

"If you believe me, then don't ask me where we are going. I wont cause any harm for you. You will be safe with me."

"But it's Zahra Aapa's marriage day after tomorrow. How can we go out?"I asked doubtful.

"Why not? The guests will only arrive at evening. You don't need to worry about that. I will manage everything."he assured.

Eventhough I was nervous and tensed, I nodded.

"That's all for today. Now come. Let's eat something. I am really hungry."he said gesturing me to follow.

I smiled and walked along with him.

"Ayesha, you wait here. I will just come." He said asking me to stay there.

"I will come along with you." I whined.

He gestured me to wait and went outside.

"Hey cutie..why are you standing here? All alone. Didn't have your dinner?" Someone tapped my shoulder and I saw Shamz with his grin.

"Did you have?"

"Yes. The chicken dish was super. I am waiting for Aapa's marriage to over. Must enquire Bapuji about the caterer."he exclaimed.

I shook my head in disbelief.

"By the way I forgot to ask you. When did you have your last check up?"he asked seriously.

Allah...How did he remember about it now?

Why all headaches over my head? That too at this time.

Ayesha, get ready to be scolded by him.

"Shamz...that...I had last time....But... now I am not at Bangalore. So....and I am perfectly fine now .."I stammered.

He gave me a serious look.

"Why are you so careless Ayesha? You shouldn't do this to yourself. I think I must inform your mama and Bapuji about this. Then you won't repeat this."he said making me shocked.

"No... please don't Shamz. Dont let them know."I pleaded.

"Dont forget about the promise you have given me. Otherwise I will break my promise to you. Mind it."he said strictly and I nodded.

I was little scared.

"Dont wait for your next visit to Bangalore. You should consult a doctor here itself. The next possible day. Understand?"he asked and I nodded.

"Take care of your health well. Because it really matters to me"he said before leaving.

I sighed in relief thinking that he has finally gone.

Thank you Allah. No one heard him.

I turned back happily only to get frozen on my place. There standing Zain with two plates on his hand. He was staring at me in confusion. I felt my knees tiring.

Did he hear us?

Now what would I tell him?

Will he accept everything like the way Shamz does?
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So Ayesha have some secrets.

What would be that?

Stay Tuned to Know.