1st December, 2018

There are moments in life when you start to question yourself why the presence or absence of a particular someone has started to bother you, affecting you in a way that in his presence you feel complete and a single moment you have to stay away from the person, it takes everything in you to control your aching heart.

Staying away from the person starts to make you feel like bursting out in tears and you start to question yourself why you feel the way you feel, but the answers to it you can't seem to find. You start feeling a heaviness in the heart as it aches longingly to just have a glimpse of the person but you find yourself helpless.

Now standing in front of Shumail Eram was feeling the same. Seeing him after the whole 2 months, she felt overwhelmed as her eyes glistened with unshed tears and she finally let them free.

"Hey! Hey! Why are you crying?" Shumail asked, panic and worry gripping him.

"I don't know!" Eram answered as she wiped her tears hastily, her bangles making a clicking sound from the movements of her hand.

"What do you mean you don't know? No one cries just for fun!" Shumail spoke clearly confused as he looked at her.

"I mean I just don't know why I am crying! I guess it's just so overwhleming to see you right here at this time when I least expected." She spoke as she sniffed, wiping her nose.

Shumail let out a small laugh looking at her crying like a baby with her nose red and she glared at him. "You mean you're crying seeing me? Aww! You missed me this much?"

"Of course I missed you! You're the only guy friend that I ever had!" She answered honestly as she wiped her eyes trying to get rid of the betraying tears that were leaking from the side of her eyes.

"I don't think so! You wouldn't have avoided my calls and messages otherwise." Shumail spoke looking at her with raised eyebrows, his lips in a thin line. She looked away from him not meeting his eyes as she felt a wave of guilt and embarrassment wash over her.

"I left so many messages for you, even called a few times but you didn't even replied to one." He complained making her bite on her bottom lip, her gaze fixed on her feet unable to look at him.

"I..was kinda upset." She unswered in a low tone and Shumail had to practically strain his ears to hear her.

"And may I ask the reason?"

"I was upset because you left suddenly like that. For two whole months!" She spoke making Shumail sigh as his shoulders slumped.

"That doesn't mean you avoid me like that, making me worried for you so much!"

"You were worried for me?" She asked, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips as she looked at him with a shine in her eyes.

"Of course I was! I was raking my mind trying to remember any stupidity of mine which could be the reason you were avoiding me but the only thing I could remember was our happy moments together. At one point I was beyond frustrated you know!" He answered as he ran his hand through his hairs, giving them a messy look.

"Sorry." She apologised in a meek tone.

"You better be! In my entire life I hadn't been this angry with someone." He spoke feigning anger.

"I'm sorry." She ended up crying as her tears started running down her cheeks again.

"Please don't start crying again. I seriously fail in consoling."

"But I made you go mad."

"Forget that! I was just kidding. I am not mad at you." Shumail spoke in a swift.

Seated on the separate swings in the playground after Eram had stopped crying, both were lost in looking at the night sky, stars winking at them from the endless arch of void, making them feel as though they were witnessing a snowfall sparkling in outer space. Among all the twinkling glitters, Eram's eyes fell on two particular stars which were beside each other as they winked at her at the same time making a huge smile to cross her features.

"You see those two stars together right there?" Eram asked as she pointed in the direction of them. Shumail looked at her and then where she was pointing at as he hummed in response.

"Those are like my parents, always together. May Allah grant them highest rank in Jannah Ameen." She spoke, not taking her eyes off them but Shumail's head snapped in her direction as he looked at her slightly taken aback by the revelation. He wanted to say something but looking at her lips which were slightly pulled up in a smile as she looked at the stars with so many emotions that he couldn't bring himself to break her chain of thoughts so he kept quiet, silently gazing at her.

They stayed silent for the rest of the time, enjoying each other's company. Neither do they wanted to break the comfortable silence between them nor did they wanted for the moment to end. Swinging slowly on the swings, letting the cool night breeze hit them and enjoying the pleasant atmosphere, both sat in silence, not wanting to speak and spoil the moment.

"It's quite late. You should head back Mr. Ibrahim." Eram spoke as she stood up from the swing wrapping her coat more securely around herself trying to protect herself from the chilly winter air. "I'll head back to my apartment. Drive safely. Good night Mr. Ibrahim" She spoke to him who seemed to be lost in some thoughts as she gave him a smile and turned around to walk when he held her wrist making her stop abrubtly, her eyes going wide.

She turned her head and looked at her hand which was in his hold as her gaze travelled to his face. Shumail stood up from the swing as he gently released her hand from his hold and stuffed them in his jacket pocket to keep them from freezing. She looked at him in confusion as he stood on his place with an expressionless face looking at her.

"Marry me."

It took a moment for her to register his words as she stood numb on her place. Her eyes searching for any sign of humour in his, but she couldn't find any. She thought she heard him wrong and not wanting to make a fool out of herself by saying something stupid she stayed silent, rooted on her spot.

"You heard me right Eram! Will you marry me?" He asked as he shifted his weight on his other foot and looked at her with hopeful eyes waiting for her answer. Eram looked at her feets unsure of what to answer.

"I mean I am not sure whether I love you already but don't you think this relationship of ours is more than just friendship? I won't deny the fact that I've started liking you and to be honest more than just a friend. I don't want to commit any gunah by continuing this relation." Shumail spoke honestly. Eram's lips curled up in a bright smile as she looked at him.

"Why are you smiling?" He asked with an amused smile on his own lips.

"This is what I like the most about you. You always try to be steadfast on your deen." She spoke making him scratch the back of his neck. "Well I won't lie but yes I have started to like you as well, more than just a friend."

"Since we both don't have anyone of our families to fix the alliance for us, let's do it ourselves!" He laughed at his own pleasantry. "So Ms. Eram Azam will you marry me?"

"Do I get any options?" She asked with a hint of humour looking at him with raised eyebrows.

"(a) Yes (b) Definitely Yes." He grinned putting forth the options.

"Definitely yes!" She answered as he let out a whistle giving her a boyish grin making her let out a giggle.

***

Shumail was surrounded by Shahmeer, Zaid and Aahil who were looking at him through narrowed eyes as he slumped down on the couch further more wanting to hide in the furthest and darkest corner of his house, not wanting to face their scrutinising gazes at the moment.

"So you mean there's a girl named Eram in your life?" Aahil asked with a raised eyebrow making Shumail turn his face and look at Aahil.

"And you are planning on getting married to her?" Zaid questioned as shumail then turned to look at him.

"Already?" It was Shahmeer who questioned this time as shumail turned to look at him. They all bombarded him with questions not letting him speak.

"Umm yeah." Shumail asnwered in a small voice, unsure of their reaction.

"What?" All the three exclaimed in unison making shumail jump on his place in fright.

"And you didn't even told us all this time?" Aahil asked shocked.

"Guys you are not getting it right." Shumail tried to put forth.

"Then you tell us what it is actually?" Shahmeer spoke in a stern tone.

"Well I met her accidentally 6 months back when I had hit her with my car. I had taken her to the hospital but had left her as I was getting late to attend a metting. I was so guilty for leaving her like that and had tried to search for her everywhere but couldn't. Then a few weeks or so later I collided with her again and we kept meeting accidentally from then on. We became friends soon and started meeting often.

When I was on the trip I was thinking of her more often then not. I started to like her but I didn't wanted to commit any sin by continuing to meet her like this. So I thought it better to make our relation halal and thus I proposed to her this evening." Shumail finished, a smile finally breaking on his lips.

"Woah!" Aahil exclaimed. "My boy! I am so proud of you." He spoke as he patted Shumail on his back.

"Are you in love with her already?" Zaid asked in a teasing tone raising his eyebrows at him.

"Well I don't know honestly. But we can fall in love after marriage In Sha Allah." Shumail answered, a shy smile on his lips.

"Ma Sha Allah! Ma Sha Allah! You've grown up my boy!" Shahmeer spoke as he engulfed Shumail in a hug, ruffling his hairs.

"And made your mother proud!" Zaid exclaimed wiping his fake tears off his cheeks.

"And people say I am the drama queen." Shumail spoke sarcastically rolling his eyes at Zaid as Zaid slapped him on his head tackling him in a bear hug.

"So when have you guys decided to get married?" Aahil asked as they all settled back in their seats.

"In a month probably. We haven't deicded the actual dates as of now." Shumail answered.

"How about the first week of next month?" Zaid suggested.

"That's like 3 weeks from now! There's so many preparations to do!" Shahmeer stated.

"Its 3 weeks! It's enough to get all the preparations done." Zaid argued.

"Well I agree with Zaid. 3 weeks is more than enough!" Aahil spoke in agreement.

"But first confirm it with the one who is to get married. After all it's his wedding." Shahmeer spoke.

"Erm I don't have any problem with it." Shumail answered, his ears turning pink.

"Ahem! Ahem! Look at the blush on the soon-to-be groom's face! Ma Sha Allah!" Zaid grinned as he tackled Shumail in a hug making the other two laugh.

Assalamualaikum

So? *raising eyebrows*
How was the chap? *grinning*

Expected this happening? Naah?
Yeah I know I am awesome Thank you Thank you *smiling like a cheshire cat*

Well comment down below and let me know your thought and give ideas for the grand wedding. I will try to include them in the upcoming chapters.

Untill next time...Annyeong

And this beautiful cover is from Chhahat...I loved it girl.
Thank you so much♥️