At Bhopal:-

Khan Ghar:

I had been trying for months to propose Aaliya but somehow or other I failed to do it. And few days before Rohit and Abhay had challenged me to propose Aaliya on my b'day.

"I promise you Rohit, I will definitely tell her today my feelings." I assured him.

He smiled at me and hugged me.

"All the best man. Don't make any flop this time. Damn it. Otherwise I am gonna kill you." He encouraged me as well as threatened me.

"Sure dude."

He left with my other college mates grinning at me.

It was time for dinner and we all gathered to eat.

Just then I remembered about the AIT competition.

"Ammi I think it will be better if you stay here itself for next one month as I will not be here for the next month." I told ma as I sat down to eat.

"Why? Where are you going?" She questioned me.

"Mom I did tell you right? Our college is participating in AIT competition and me, being the President of Student's Council should go for it...."

"Hmm....... Now days your just informing me and not seeking permission." She complained. "Okay aren't Aaliya and Aayat coming with you?"

"Hmm...... Papa I wanted to ask about this to you. Could Aayat and myself take part in this competition." Aaliya asked mamu. She was looking damn beautiful in her maxi dress.

Of course whatever she wears, she always looks beautiful for me.

"What can I say? That is what your guardian has given you permission." Mamu teased at her.

"Whom mamu?" I questioned him as he got up to wash his hands, though I had guessed what he meant.

"You...." Ghulam replied to me.

Though there was immense of joy within me, I looked at Aaliya who felt awkward, while the rest of the family joked on us.

"Abbu???" Aaliya cried.

"Okay....okay.... You both can go....." Mamu permitted them.

"Which city?" Mami asked as she served the food to Dadi.

We three looked at each other and grinned, for it was the city that we wanted to visit always but couldn't due to circumstances.

We three shouted in unison"Mumbai".

And suddenly the smile that was in mami's face vanished. Not only hers but all the elders, at the mention of 'Mumbai'.

All looked tensed and surprised.

Mami immediately told us, "All the three of you are not going for this competition"

Aaliya, Aayat and I looked at her in surprise

"But ammi why?? You have taken us all over the world except for Mumbai. Why is it so? Please let us go. We will enjoy a lot, we will go to---" Aayat tried to convince mami but mami shouted at her, "Enough Aayat..... I have told you clearly that your not going anywhere and no more your going to talk about this. You always tend to talk to much. Learn to obey when elders say something"

It was completely a strange tone.

Saying so mami left the place angrily, and the elders followed her silently.

Aayat started to cry and she ran to her room.

Aaliya tried to go behind her when I stopped her," Aaliya I know you have to go and console Aayat but I want to talk to you about something important."

"Zubair whatever it is I will only come after Aayat becomes normal. Please understand." Aaliya replied to me.

She said hastily and started to walk. I understood her thoughts and said,"Okay fine. I will wait for you in the terrace. Come soon."

"Okay fine bye."

She left to her room. I stood there and thought how bad my fate is.... Whenever I try to propose her something or other comes as an obstacle. But today I was firm in my decision. Irrespective of the situation, I am going to tell my feelings to Aaliya.

**************************************************************

Ghulam and Shabana's Room:

Though I didn't wish to express my feeling to Aaliya at this moment, I had no other option. I felt as though if I don't tell her now what is in my heart, I will never ever will be able to do so. I made up my mind to definitely propose Aaliya, irrespective of the consequences. Though, I had a belief that Aaliya wouldn't reject me. With all these thoughts running over my mind, I passed by Mamu's room. And what I witnessed over there was something that I shouldn't have.

I saw Shabana mami crying. Mamu was trying to console her. She cried out,"We were able to hide the truth for fifteen years but I fear it will come out."

That was the very first statement I heard. I understood she was crying because she purposely had to hurt Aayat's feelings and she was feeling guilty for it. But the purpose was unknown. And here she reveals it in a mysterious manner, that is known only to the elders.

"Bhabi, please you don't worry for it. It will not come out." Ma tried to console her, to her level best. "Even if it comes out there is going to be no problem. You don't need to wor---" Before she could complete, mami interfered.

"What are you telling Razia? Don't you know what will happen when the truth comes out? " She asked her in serious tone.

Mami never spoke to Ma in such a tone. And today if she is speaking like that, then definitely there is something to be worried about. What was it?

Mami got emotional again and she started to cry. I wanted to go to her and tell her not to worry, 'I am there for you mami'. But I also wanted to know the truth. With great difficulty I stopped myself.

"No, no... Then my bhai's family will get shattered. Bhabi will never accept us. Aaliya shouldn't go to Mumbai. No, no the truth shouldn't come out." She spoke out of fear.

Bhai?? Bhabi??

Who's bhai and bhabi? What are they talking about? What does it has to do with Aaliya?

My thoughts were disturbed by my mamu.

"Shabana I understand your feelings but at the same you have to think about Aayat also. She isn't that matured enough to understand all these."

"Neither are the other kids" Dadi added.

She was silently watching the whole scenario and at last she spoke.

But what makes them think, that even Aaliya and I wouldn't understand it? What was the issue?

"But I didn't have any other way to stop Aaliya from going to Mumbai." Mami again claimed Aaliya to be the reason.

"Shabana, we understand your anxiousness. But running away from the problem isn't the solution for the problem. You need to understand this. Now tell me, what will you answer to Aaliya and Zubair for your act? They both aren't kid like Aayat. Will you shout at them also?" Dadi asked mami, sternly.

A tone that I have never heard from her. Strange. Both mami and dadi are different today.

"I am sorry Ma ji. But I don't know how to handle it. I am scared for the bitter past." Mami apologized.

"It is okay Shabana. Now we have to care about Aayat also. If you had told some other reason atleast Aayat would have accepted but your tone was harsh to her. We have to let them go, if you force them then the peace of the house will be ruined." Mamu convinced mami.

"Shabana, it is important that the peace of Khan Ghar is also maintained. We have to let them go." Dadi added for it.

"Ma are you sure?" Ammi asked Dadi anxiously.

"Razia you don't need to worry at all. Aaliya and Zubair's marriage is final and you will stay here until Zubair returns back. Okay???" Mamu replied to her firmly.

Now what is it do with OUR MARRIAGE???

Ugh.... So many mysterious in this topic.

They all startet to come out of the room.

"First we need to compromise with Aayat, Shabana." Mamu said.

As they started to head out, I hid myself before they could notice and then I stealthily left the place.

**************************************************************

In Aaliya and Aayat's Room:

Aayat kept crying. Though I tried my level best to console her, she wasn't to stop her cries. After all it was her ammi who had hurt her and she couldn't bare it. The mother who was always kind and never scolded when she did grievous mistakes, today had hurt her a lot for a silly thing.

"Now a days ammi is not liking me." She complained to me.

"Aayat, ammi told it in anger but she never meant to hurt you. Why should she hate you? You're her lovable daughter. Come on Aayat. My sister is matured enough to understand all this. Your my sweet sister right na?"

"Yes" Ammi entered with a tray of two milk glasses.

"My angel is angry with me? Sorry Aayat.... Aaliya's sister will only make others to cry but she never cries because she is a brave girl." Ammi tried to use her tricks to pacify Aayat but it didn't work out this time.

"Didi, tell ammi that I am not still a kid to get cheated my all her lies." She told not even looking at ammi.

"See you yourself told that you're not a kid. So you know I didn't hurt you from my heart." Ammi again tried to convince her. " Now I will tell you something..... " She said.

"You all can go to Mumbai" Abbu finished it.

Immediately Aayat smiled at ammi.

"Really?" She asked to confirm it again.

"Yes..... When have I refused to my angel's wish?? You, Aaliya and Zubair all three can go to Mumbai. Happy now?" Ammi asked her stretching out her arms.

Immediately Aayat hugged ammi. She was so happy. All her tears vanished in a moment. Well it is easy to convince her by bribing. And abbu & ammi used it cleverly. After all they are our parents.

"But on one condition...." Abbu said.

Aayat and I looked at him in a surprise.

**************************************************************

A/N:-

Hi guys.

Sorry guys if this part was dragging or boring. I had tried my level best to make you all enjoy my writing. The upcoming will be quite interesting.

And sorry for any mistakes. Please do let me know if there are any mistakes.

For all the old readers, only the FIRST PART IS SAME. From the Chapter 2 - Childhood Days Love or Infatuation on wards I had made changes.So I WILL BE GLAD IF YOU ARE LOOKING INTO IT.

And yes don't forget to:

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Yours,

Rithushree.