mujh mein agan hai baaki aazma le
lekar rahi hoon khud ko main tere hawale
مجھ میں آگن ہے باقی آزمالے
لے کر راہی ہوں خود کو میں تیرے ہوالے

The night rolled over the vast expanse of the impenetrable inky sky. The wraith-silver moon lay sieged under the shimmering sparkle of the stars, that glimmered against the murky clouds, which were sailing along with the faint wind. The fireflies glowed and danced joyously against the darkness of the night, faintly disrupting the stillness that came down upon us like a calming prayer.

A shadowy dimness crept over the deserted street, that was lined with tall green trees, which in the darkness stood like harrowing gnarled giants. But a sweet damp scent of moist earth and wild greens lingered softly in the air, wrapping the atmosphere with a luminous serenity and calmness.

"Where are we going?" I asked, trying to maintain a composed exterior, while my insides shuttered with unknown emotion feeling his warm hand clasp mine as we strolled down the street.

He squeezed my hand lightly, looking at me with a faint smile. "We're almost there."

"You've been saying this for the past twenty minutes. And why is this place so empty?" I said, looking around once again. "You don't plan on kidnapping me, do you?"

He stopped abruptly, looking at me with a bizarre face, his eyebrows raced to meet together in a confused frown before he spoke thoughtfully, "Why would I kidnap someone who is already mine?"

I hung breathless on his words, as his words bought home the inevitability of the truth. I was his. I felt my world stop, before it began to spin uncontrollably. His eyes, despite the darkness, smouldered with an inexplicable fire that warmed my insides, but today unlike all other times the fire felt comforting and secure. And I felt myself slowly set aflame. "—don't you think it's counterintuitive?"

"Huh?" I fumbled for words, embarrassed I had not heard the rest of his statement. The air had suddenly turned electric, blurring his voice.

His face softened and he smiled. "You weren't listening." He stated, drawing closer. My lips twisted into half smile, while a deep red glow marred my cheeks. "I was saying, if I kidnapped you, I'd have to pay the ransom, and who would I pay that to? Myself? That would just be stupid. Don't you think?" He was now standing in front me, his hands closed in on my cold clammy ones.

I looked at him gamely, jutting my chin at him, "My family would pay. And you'd get the money then."

He had been watching me carefully and as soon as the words left my mouth he laughed softly, his eyes twinkled with amusement and he tugged my hands pulling me closer, "I'm not interested in your family's wealth. Although they do have something else, that I really want."

I arched my eyebrows at him, my deep black eyes giving him a sharp knowing look. "My family always keeps their promise, you'd get the political backing you're —"

"Wait. What?" He interrupted. And in the faint lamplight I could see the slight frown puckering his forehead, and my eyes narrowed in return. "That's not what I want." He said softly and I felt my heart begin to beat recklessly within my chest. His hand curled underneath my chin, making me look up into his eyes, "I want you."

The fire burning between us crackled gloriously, drawing away the frigid cold that had seeped into every cell of my body. I welcomed the warmth, soaking myself in this new soft feeling that wrapped around me like a velvety blanket. My heart was full of exhalation and my lips curled in a silent prayer of thankfulness to Allah. I floated on the blessed feeling before looking up to meet his smiling brown eyes.

"You know how to make a girl feel special." I said, looking at him from underneath my thick sooty lashes.

His eyes pierced into mine, before he shrugged slightly, "But all I want is to make this girl feel special." He said, slowly wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me into him. A faint blush began to creep up my face, and timid smile adorned my lips.

A soft wind blew over us, and I realised our not so private setting. I squirmed, twisting in his arms trying to wriggle out of his hold. "Leave. Someone might see us." My eyes rounded fearfully looking around for any sign of human existence.

His hold loosened but the amused smile lingered on his face, "This is private property. No one can see us."

I rolled my eyes, as I stepped away and began walking ahead of him, "Of course this is private. How much property do you guys own?"

"We're property developers. What else do you expect?" He jogged up to me, taking my hand into his again. "This land belongs to the amusement park." He pointed to the giant carnival themed entrance to our left.

"We're going to an amusement park?" I felt a thrill of excitement rush through my veins. With the adrenaline pumping through my body in pounding surges, I was giddy with anticipation, almost jumping off my feet. It had been ages since I went to one.

He nodded, "It hasn't been inaugurated yet. So there won't be any public there. I thought we would come here now."

"Do you own this?" I asked out of curiosity.

He looked at me from his peripheral view, his stubble hiding the half smirk on his lips. "No. The company does. It's part of this community we've built."

I stifled a laugh. "How humble of you. You own the company, which means you own this place too."

"Correction. My father owns the company. I'm just a shareholder and a member of the board."

"So, you have no active part in running your family business?" I asked as we drew closer to the park entrance.

"I'm the COO, and before you ask no, I do not plan on taking over as CEO any time soon." He said sensing my curiosity.

I grinned sheepishly, "I didn't mean to intrude. I was just curious."

"You have every right to ask. I didn't mean to stop you from asking, but I knew that would be your next question." He passed me a lazy smile, his hand pressing against my back as we walked inside though a revolving gate. A well suited man, hurriedly from across the control room. Several security personals roamed the gates, while a few staff stood alert by the booths and stalls.

"Welcome Sir, Ma'am." The man gave us a curt nod. "Everything has been prepared as per your request. If there is anything else, please let me know." Aliyaar shook his hand, introducing him as the on-ground manager. He walked with us to the main avenue of the park, briefing us about the place and the few rides which were not yet operational.

I looked around taking in the colourful giant structures that dotted the skyline of the park. A faint joyful music vibrated through the air, and the atmosphere felt easy and cheery. The streets were lined with several kiosks, gaming booths, food trucks and merchandise stalls.

"Ready?" Aliyaar came up from behind me and I realised the manager was now gone.

"Yess!" I squealed in excitement, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the merry-go-round right ahead of us. Another delirious surge of excitement shot through me and I hastened my pace marching up to carousel, when I felt him pull his hand back, stopping dead in his track.

"We're not going on that." I heard him say in a disbelieving tone. I swirled on my feet to see him look at me with an appalled expression. He stood rooted to his spot, shaking his head in disapproval.

I raised my eyebrows at him, popping my hands on my waist and looked at him squarely. "Why are we here if we aren't going to go on a merry go round?"

He pursed his lips, his eyes widened with worry. "I'm not sitting on those tiny horses. We can go to the roller coaster there." He said pointing at the green whirling tracks.

"Oh yes, you are." I said tugging his arm.

He shook his head, resisting my pull. "No. I'm not sitting on them."

"But you love horses," I argued childishly, my eyes twinkling with determination.

"Yeah, real ones." He scoffed, the corner of his eyes wrinkling with irritation.

"No." I whined, stomping my foot lightly, "We're going on this and it's final," I pulled his arm and turned around, "You love horses and you love me so we —"

I froze hearing the words that slipped from my lips, and I felt my heart drop from my chest. What had I just said. It wasn't until a deep chuckle resonated from behind me that I felt myself breathe again. "Can't argue with you on that now." I heard him say, as he casually scrolled past me. I was still rooted to my spot when he called out. "Are we still going on this one or have you changed your mind?"

I was flushed but I walked up to him, my eyes awkwardly avoiding his gaze, which I knew danced with amusement enjoying my flustered self.

I climbed onto the horse and Aliyaar passed me grin. I rolled my eyes looking away, but he laughed loudly behind me. "Are you going to stay awkward throughout the evening now?" He asked once the ride started to move.

I cranked my neck to give him an angry scowl, my eyes narrowing at him, "No. I'm not going to give you that pleasure. You're not enjoying at my expense."

He shook his head, clutching his heart, feigning disappointment, "Too bad, I was enjoying myself."

I stuck my tongue at him and he bellowed another laugh. "And I'm enjoying a 6ft man sitting on a tiny horse." I quickly turned around and pulled my phone out, snapping a picture of him. His eyes widened in horror and he almost stumbled off the horse trying to pull the phone away from me. "I should upload this to Twitter." I laughed devilishly.

"You will do no such thing." He said in a low menacing tone, as the ride came to a halt and he helped me down the horse. "And for the record, I'm 6ft 2in."

I laughed again, ruffling his hair as I stepped down. "Your threats don't work here." The scowl on his face deepened and he grabbed my hand, walking out of the carousel. "We're going on those bumper cars next," I said pointing to the carts on the right. "You're not going to argue with me on that one?" I giggled seeing his brooding face.

He shook his head, "No. I'm not going to give you that pleasure." He said imitating me and I threw my head back in a fit of laughter. The lines on his face straightened and his eyes softened. "Plus I get to beat you at it. It's revenge time."

"Pfft. Get off your high horse. Or tiny horse in your case." I said teasingly and he narrowed his eyes at me, looking at me with an agitated glare.

"I used to race cars." I heard him say, as we sat in our carts and buckled the seatbelts. I looked at him inquisitively and he continued, "During my college days. Actually even university. I'm a pretty fast driver. I left because Ammi didn't like it. It can be pretty dangerous." Just then the carts buzzed start and Aliyaar swiftly turned the steering bumping into my cart with a loud thud.

I clenched my heart at the sudden impact, almost jumping out of my seat, "Hey, that's not fair. I wasn't paying attention." Another loud bump and I turned around to see him look at me with a devilish innocence.

"Every thing is fair in love and war. You can decide what this is." He shrugged swirling his car out of my way.

A few minutes and several bumps later we walked out, with a triumphant smile on his face and an irritated glower on mine. "C'mon be a sporty loser." He nudged my shoulder as we walked over to the flying scooters. I gave him a faint smile, my mood lightening up again.

Several rides, crazy screams and boisterous laughs later, when we were walking past a shooting game stall that my eyes caught a stuffed butterfly. I tugged at his hand urging him to stop. "Can we play this? I want to win that." I said pointing to the butterfly.

"You can just have it." He suggested.

I shook my head, "No I want to win it. Play against me."

His eyebrows arched and he looked at me disbelievingly, "You want to compete against me? In a shooting game?" He asked pointing at himself.

"I didn't speak French earlier. But to answer your questions, yes and yes."

He chuckled shaking his head, "You won't win." He bit his lips trying to hide the amused grin threatening to spill on his lips.

"Whoever gets the butterfly wins. And I promise you I'll win. I've never lost." I narrowed my eyes at him with a challenging glint and he scoffed waving his hand at me dismissively as we walked up to the counter.

"I first held a gun when I was four years old. I've been practicing shooting since then. I've won several shooting competitions as well," he said setting his aim at the ducks that rolled past us. "Who did you win a shooting game against, a three year old Layla or a ten year old Zaroon." He chuckled, looking at me.

I held onto my gun, but my mouth popped open hearing his words. "You're so full of yourself. Trust me I'd win this." I said setting my aim.

A couple of straight aims, and Aliyaar clearly won. He grabbed the butterfly from the man at the counter and handed it over to me. His shoulders squared triumphantly and his eyes shone victoriously. He stood in front me with his arms folded and a smug smile adorning his face.

I passed him a sly smile, "I won." I said plainly. His eyebrows slanted together in confusion. "The bet was whoever gets the butterfly wins. Who got the butterfly?" I asked pointing at myself. Aliyaar rolled his eyes in disbelief, throwing his hands up in the air. Another laugh bubbled through me, "So who won?" I asked in a mocking tone pointing at myself again.

"Whatever." He grumbled. "That's not fair. You played on words." He said taking in a deep harboured sigh.

"Everything is fair in love and war." I wriggled my eyebrows at him unapologetically, my grin growing with each passing second. He rubbed his forehead, shaking his head at my childlike antics. "Are you feeling bad you lost?" I teased him with a wide grin.

He rumbled a laugh, as he moved closer, squeezing my cheeks between his palms. "You sly fox." Heat spread across my face and my insides began spiralling with the torrent of emotions at the intimacy of the moment.

"Would you teach me how to shoot?" I asked hesitantly, as we stood by the lake, waiting for our candy floss. I stole a cursory glance at him, trying to gauge his reactions.

"Do you want to learn?" He asked taking the sticks from the girl at the counter and handing them to me. I nodded meekly. I wasn't sure if he'd approve of the idea. "Yeah sure. We can practice at home or at the farmhouse."

"Really?"

He bobbed his head, as he pulled onto the candy floss. "Why are you so surprised? It's a good skill to have, especially for security purposes. Do you always roam around with a bodyguard?"

I took a deep disappointed sigh, before nodding my head. "Either we're not allowed to go out, or we travel with guards. Strangely they didn't send one today." I said quietly, turning around to look at the pair of black swans swimming peacefully.

"I'm your bodyguard." He joked and I passed him a smile. "Your family is rightly concerned for your safety, we're surrounded by enemies in this profession."

"I understand, but sometimes it's just," I paused, looking for the right word.

"Suffocating." He finished for me, and I looked at him with a surprised look, but his eyes swirled with understanding as if reading my thoughts. "I feel the same way sometimes. But this is my life, I chose it. I've to live with the consequences."

"But I didn't choose it." I murmured indistinctly.

"You didn't back then, but you have now." He stated softly, his eyes catching mine, trying to decipher the turmoil churning within me.

I nodded in agreement, "I have. But I've never felt this free in such a long time. It feels like I was finally able to escape from a cage, where I am constantly being watched. Yet in this wilderness I felt safer than I did in that cage." I stepped closer to him, my voice dwindling to a mere whisper, "I feel safe with you."

He smiled, raising his hand to slide the stray lock of hair off my face, safely tucking it behind my ears, "You'll always be safe with me. I'd protect you with my life."

"I know." I smiled at him graciously. He did not say anything, but bent forward and placed a fervent kiss on my forehead. I beamed in content, needing no further acknowledgement of his care and concern for me.

We stood in a comfortable silence, enjoying the serenity of the place. In that moment I realised, all my life I had been striving for perfection, persisting to make the perfect little world. But tonight, I understood life isn't about perfection, it's about disorder, distortion and delight. We can't make a perfect world, but we can find delight in the disorder and distortion around us. And that is what makes it perfect.

My eyes caught sight of the pair of swans again, and I turned around to see him watching them as well. But the sight in front of me had my heart clenching. He was a strikingly good looking man, and right now even in a simple white shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a black dress pant, his hair slightly disheveled, he oozed a charm few men were capable of.

But as the realisation dawned, I felt a pang of jealousy prick my veins. And before I could think, the words tumbled past my lips, "How many girlfriends have you had?"

He looked at me a little surprised, but then his lips twisted with a rakish grin. "Are you jealous?"

"Why would I be jealous? I just don't want crazy women confronting me later." I said with a dismissive shrug.

He began to laugh, and I passed him a waning look. "That is not something you have to worry about. There is no one."

I eyed him suspiciously, "I don't believe you."

"You don't have to, but it's the truth." He said with a shrug, throwing a few pieces of popcorn towards the swans.

We were quiet for a while, before I finally spoke, "I've seen your pictures on the internet. You don't have to lie to me."

He smiled, "Is that a cloud of jealously I see looming over your head?" I rolled my eyes, pushing him away from me. "I've a lot of friends, but I've never dated anyone. I don't believe in meaningless relationships and up until now I didn't think I was ready to get married."

I looked up to meet his gaze and in that moment I knew he wasn't lying. "You said you weren't forced into this relationship, but you're telling me you didn't want to get married either."

"I didn't. I hadn't even considered it until your grandfather mentioned it. I strongly believe some people are a part of your destiny, and you were written in my destiny." He said, as he took a tentative step forward, raising his hands to cradle my face.

"Then why were you ready to let me go?" I asked, holding his hand while his thumb caressed my cheek.

"I couldn't hold you back forcefully. If we were meant to be, I knew you'd find a way back to me and you did." He smiled at me comfortingly and I smiled back before wrapping my arms around him. I sighed feeling his arms squeeze me, pulling me into his embrace.

➿➿➿

I munched on the last French fry from my box, when my eyes caught sight of the Haunted House ahead of us. "Oh my god." I squealed, my eyes rounding with anticipation. "We have to go there." I said tugging at the sleeve of his shirt.

"Where?" He said, looking at the end of where my finger was pointing and his eyes narrowed. His lips meshed together in a straight line and his nose scrunched in an uneasy look. "The haunted house?" He muttered.

"Yup. What's wrong?" I asked dusting the salt off my hands.

He shook his head worriedly, some of his gelled hair coming to fall on his forehead and I suddenly felt an urgent need to run my hand through those lusty locks. I quickly averted my gaze and started walking towards the ride, when I heard him call me from behind. "You really want to go in there?" He asked hesitantly.

And that's when I realised the reason for reluctance, "Are you scared?" I asked in an amused tone, trying to control myself from laughing.

He frowned hearing my words. "No."

I nodded my head, an uncontrollable laugh rumbling through my chest. "Yes."

"No." He growled lowly through his gritted teeth.

"Aww. Aliyaar is scared of ghosts." I teased, my face glowing with amusement. "The ghosts should be scared of you." I said, covering my mouth to stifle the laugh threatening to erupt, the corner of my eyes watering up.

He narrowed his eyes at me, his face rousing with irritation, as he slowly walked past me towards the ride, "I'm not scared." He mumbled begrudgingly.

"Are you scared?" I asked once again, nudging his shoulder, as he sat besides me in a cart. "Don't worry I got you." I said squeezing his hand, but he just passed me an angry dark look.

"That wasn't too bad." I said facetiously as we walked out of the ride.

"It was unnecessarily traumatic." His face was flushed and his eyebrows furrowed together in a resting frown. "Why do people enjoy weird dead men jumping at them for no reason?"

"But I love horror movies. Would you not watch them with me?" I said fluttering my eyelashes at him innocently.

He smiled slightly, but shook his head. "Absolutely not. You can watch them with Shehryar. He enjoys this non sense as well."

My mood suddenly thwarted hearing his name. Shehryar was the reason I started enjoying horror movies. I remember how he'd suggest movies and books every time we met. But things were no longer the same. What were once sweet memories were now bitter reminders.

"We've covered most of the park. Do want to go on the Ferris Wheel or do want to leave?" I heard Aliyaar ask me, bringing me out from my chain of thoughts.

"Sure. Let's go on the Ferris Wheel."

I climbed into the cabin, holding onto my butterfly. "Move over." Aliyaar said, standing outside the cabin.

"The whole bench empty." I said pointing to the bench opposite mine. He shook his head, pushing me slightly to scoot over. "What? Sit there." I argued stubbornly.

"I either sit besides you or I don't." He said in a bored tone and I knew there was no point arguing with him.

"Fine." I huffed, sliding over to the far end of the bench. He climbed in to sit besides me with a smug smirk on his face. "You're such a bully." I muttered under my breath and I heard him chuckle lowly.

The wheel slowly began to move and the skyline of the glittering city in the distance became visible. The glimmering city lights against the black canvas of twinkling stars and the pale moon, surely made for a breathtaking sight.

"Are you happy?" Aliyaar asked when our cabin stopped at the top of the wheel. I turned around to see him look at me with an earnest expression, his eyes gleaming fervently.

I moved closer to him, raising my hand to lightly graze his cheek. "I'm very happy. You've made me very happy. But are you happy?"

He turned his head, kissing the palm of my hand, "You are the dream I never knew I had. Your happiness makes me happy. And right now, with you besides me, I feel like the happiest man on earth."

^All the ghosts cheering for AliZae!
How can Aliyaar be scared of these cuties?

A little more insight into Aliyaar and his life. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Let me know your thoughts?

I've joined TWITTER, you can follow me there.
@sssaltynothings