Noorie was out for her usual morning walk. The conditions looked perfect for a pleasant summer dawn. Just the right kind of cool air mixed with the faint rays of the sunlight. The park had a plenty of people jogging, exercising and running around it. Everything looked at peace, except Noorie's mind and heart. It's been three weeks since Irfan and she had mutually called off their engagement explaining to their angry parents that they are not made for each other. They try to understand each other. But that was the problem. They were 'trying' pretty hard and it was straining them. What should have come naturally was being forced upon and it was a warning sign and though Noorie knew that it is going to affect her life in more ways than she can think if, she agreed with Irfan's suggestion and parted ways.

Flashback*

"It's better to cry and get over with it now to move on in life happily than live a life of regrets together," Irfan said trying to make her see sense.

Noorie could say nothing much so she nodded. She was totally taken aback when Irfan announced that he cannot marry her. It was entirely because of that stupid trousueau thing that they had argued about and to make matters worse, Irfan who was also following her blog was annoyed with whatever went there.

'I am not able to understand you and your temper,' He had said with cool indifference. 

"I was provoked and I said what he deserved to be told," Noorie said confidently. If Irfan cannot stand by her and understand her then there is really no hope for them. 

"The world doesn't revolve around you. Everyone wouldn't do or say things to please you, not all the time. Sometimes, you just have to accept things and let them be..." Irfan said with hissed teeth.

"Why does it matter so much to you what happened there?," Noorie said in a confused tone and then when she watched Irfan grimaced, it was as if she got enlightened, she said,"No Irfan... you just want to end things and so you are using that as an excuse. " 

'Dare you suspect me like that," Irfan almost shouted. "You always have to have an opinion about everything and I do not like this about you. I tolerated enough."

'You were tolerating me?" Noorie said with tears in her eyes. She looked at him for a response, but he avoided looking at her.

"Yes, I am because my way of thinking and living does not matches yours. I cannot fulfill romantic fantasies,may you have mentioned in  your blog and let people make fun of us. C'mon... Get real." He said in a harsh tone bringing fresh tears in her eyes. She could see all her hopes and dreams being washed away with the way Irfan uttered those words. She had no idea what has she written so bad that is king everyone judge her so much. And the only person who she wished would understand it, the one she was suppose to share her life and realize her dreams was actually mocking and insulting her because of such a silly thing.

She strengthened herself as she recalled Zayna's words that he is selfish and he is not even trying to understand her. She looked at him with hurtful expression and wondered why he had agreed to marry her at all. It's not that he didn't knew her. Their fathers had been friends since ever and they knew each other all along. Maybe, Uncle Jawed had forced him, she thought sadly. She took a deep breath before finally saying, "If everything to me is so unacceptable to you that you have to tolerate me, then let me make it easy for you." Irfan's face jerked up as she said,"I truly agree with your reasons and I want to end all acquaintances with you, this very moment."

Saying that, she didn't give him a second to say anything more and make her hurt worse. She gave him one last look, turned and walked away from him. She didn't looked back. She as convinced there was nothing to look back to now. Inspite of what Zayna concluded about him, Noorie never let that affect her at all. She did everything the way he had wanted but, he nev acknowledged her efforts, never saw that she wa showing everything out of her feelings for him. For him, she was just something he had been tolerating. She wanted to marry but she cannot marry a man who makes it clear to her that he is making a compromise in marrying her. She walked away as  He kept looking at her in utter shock.

Back to present*

Noorie was watching people walking and talking as they took rounds of the park. Especially older couples, it was wonderful to watch them, like life, is promising that all is not lost. That there is still hope. True love does exist and lasts as well, you just have to be lucky enough to find that right person who can make it possible for you.

Irfan was not meant for her, she recognized it quite shortly after they split up. His behavior and attitude confirmed that maybe the truth hurt, but it was better than living a lie. He expected she would try harder and try to convince him to change his mind, but she didn't. He told her parents that she is proud and stubborn. What he didn't realize was that she was protecting her self-respect from being crushed upon by his ego any more than he already had done.

What kind of man tells his fiancé that he had been tolerating her? He was so thoughtless and wanted to end things with her that he used her blog as an excuse to get rid of her. Although, her parents were angry at her for what happened with her blog but they went calmed when she toke them that she has closed it and will never use it again. She was glad that her parents supported her decision of ending things with Irfan. They were completely shocked to know that he had insulted her in such a way. Her father spoke to Jawed and Jawed told him that he really was ashamed for his son's behavior. Though, they never met each other after that call.

The way her life turned into a nightmare from a beautiful, pleasant dream still hurts. She thought she lived a perfect life and she would have a perfect partner to share it with. But, Man proposes and God disposes. Nothing was perfect, she was living a myth. Her eyes blurred with tears as she lifted her gaze to find a man standing right in front of her and looking at her emphatically, "Are you all right, Miss?"

Who is he? She was puzzled. She had been coming here for past 2 weeks everyday and she has never seen him around. He watched her steadily. Noorie looked up at him to see a tall, dark haired man with an athletic appearance and drop dead gorgeous looks smiling down at her with concerned eyes. Color flooded her cheeks when she realized that he was still watching her as she was trying to take in his sudden appearance with admirable, but tearful eyes. She hurriedly rubbed her face away from tears and moving her face from him said shyly, "Yes, I am fine."

"I was just passing by when I found you...", he stopped as he observed her grief-stricken face more closely. He asked persistently this time," ermm are you really okay?." Her eyes were red and puffed because of sleepless nights and constant crying.

Noorie gave an impatient sigh, feeling disturbed by his tenacity. She is not used to talking to Non-Mehram. She might not wear Niqaab or Hijaab but, she maintains her modesty and avoid getting acquainted to Non-Mehrams as much as possible. And here, She just needed to be alone. That is the reason she chose to go for walks, early morning, so that she can have a quiet time alone in the midst of nature. And this man is ruining it. She could have told him sharply, but one thing that the entire episode of her past has taught her was -If you cannot make things work by staying calm, doing it with anger and arrogance won't help either.

"I told you, I am fine," She said as calmly as she can.

"Listen, I know that there must be some sort of prophecy against talking to strangers, but I am only willing to help because I can see your distress right through," he said analyzing her behavior.

That was enough. Some people just does not know where to draw the line.

"I like to be alone," was all she said as she turned her face away, hoping he would leave her - alone.

"There is a difference in wanting to be alone and being lonely," He said as to her dismay he sat next to her in the bench. She shifted, trying to have more space between them and ignoring him altogether. He further quoted a line from a book he read once,"The trouble is not really in being alone, it's being lonely. One can be lonely in the midst of a crowd, don't you think?"

"You're the kind of 'stranger' my mother warned me about," She finally uttered quoting one of the line from the same book, but in her style.

He laughed.

"Smartly edited," He said, admiring the fact that she is bright and that whatever her sorrows are, it hasn't dulled her spirits. "So, you read the book too hmmm," He added smiling at her.

She couldn't help but smile at the way he caught her and nodded at him. She didn't want to respond but somehow couldn't help. This man seems magical or maybe it was his laugh that kind of helped her look past her gloominess for a while.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?," He asked politely.

"I may not seem like a practicing Muslimah because I am not wearing hijab but, trust me I still follow other equally important things and one of them is to not talk to a Non-Mehtam," She said as coolly as she can and then as if observing him, she added, "A non-mehram is..."

Her words were swiftly cut by his, "I know what a Non-Mehram is. I am a Muslim too." He confirmed with great pride.

Is he? Noorie thought, These days it's so difficult to spot a Muslim from other communities. With these sudden ride in modernity and the need to adapt the change to move with the role has diverted Muslims like us t a great extent. Look at her, even she does not follow Islam compkeeyly when she know how much importance has been given to Pardah in Islam. It's not that she takes it as a strict act, she knows that it is to safeguard her modesty as her beauty is only for her husband but, being brought up in a free and modern society of India, she was never forced to wear Hijaab. And even this man who claims to be a Muslim does not have a beard, which is considered Sunnah for men of Islam.

"If you are a Muslim then you must know that I am not giving a lame excuse and that we are not suppose to be talking to each other, and here you just sat down on the same bunch as mine without seeking my permission," Noorie's words were filled with mild anger and resentment.

"I apologize for that, I didn't meant to cause any hindrance to your privacy or your protocol but, I genuinely thought you are unwell and as Islam teaches to be helpful and kind towards others, I stopped by to ask you," He put in politely making Noorie feel bad for being angry at him. He was only being kind and thoughtful, she realize.

She hesitated anyway, not willing to sit there anymore and was beginning to stand up when he said, "Please do not leave your seat on my accord. I'll go, but just for my sanity let me know if you are fine because you do not seem so and besides being a Muslim, I'm also a doctor and it would not look good on my part to leave you to yourself knowing you do not seem fit."

Doctor? Huh.... Now, Noorie really doubted this one. But, she knew this man wouldn't take No for an answer and will keep trying until he succeed. He seems that kind of person to her. However, even if she keep aside this non-mehram reasons she gave to avoid talking to him, there was hesitancy in her, he was a stranger after all and it's not wise to talk to them too much. Wonder what he might ask and who knows who he actually is!

"I told you I am fine but, I really don't feel like answering any of your question," Noorie said flatly.

"Please, I insist," he said, as she had suspected and so she looked straight at him and said,"Okay, but just one and then you will leave me alone?"

He smiled again as if he had something else on his agenda and replied,"Only One, But I expect an honest answer."

That looked like a warning sign, but Noorie took this risk and ordered,"Shoot"

"Why do you want to be alone?," he asked and Noorie felt stumped. In just one question, he managed to ask her everything. She didn't need to answer him. He is playing games with her and she hated it.

"You said you are a doctor. So what has this question got to do with anything you needed to know to be sure I am fine?", Noorie asked directly, irritated with his earnestness.

"I am a doctor and also do counselling...." He uttered making Noorie feel more irritated as she flunged at him,"What makes you think I need counselling? How can you  jump into conclusions like that without knowing me?"

"Because I had been observing your actions and expressions for sometime. Before making an appearance here," He said calmly. He felt bad at the way she shouted and made people turn heads at them but, he had dealt with many temperamental patients and he knew they need to be dealt with  patience and calmness.

Noorie shifted away from him in anger and forced herself to ignore him completely as she got up and began walking away. But, everything was so inconsolable. His words actually hit her soft corners and made her wonder if she has come around to look like a sorry figure to people that they just show up and tell her she needs counselling. Tears stung at her eyes. She was never so weak then why she is not able to fight this rough patch life had thrown at her.bhow she wished Zayna was here with her but, she had to go away for work and she was all alone with this hurt, pain and mess to deal with.

"I'm sorry, if I am prying in too much, but trust me, I think I can help you out of whatever is bothering you," He said as fast as he could and hearing him made Noorie's footsteps slow down. She turned around irritated and looked at him derisively as she voiced out,"Who do you think you are? Some sort of magician, an angel, who can just drop anytime, anywhere and help people out of their miseries?" Her voice turned out into a shout as she finished her words. Some people who were strolling nearby, stopped and looked at them in confusion.

Both were embarrassed. She for causing it and him for being the subject of it.

She lost control again and she regretted it. The man was quietly watching her.

"Listen you, I am sorry for my outburst, but I really like to be alone," She said hastily and before turning around said,"And, I think that sort of sums up your answer."

"Not really," He pointed out and before she could say anything, he stood up as well and looking right into her eyes said,"I only intend to help because I do such things and I told you I had been observing you for some time, but stayed away, knowing you might not appreciate a stranger's word of advice," He said tautly and then looked away with embarrassment. 

Noorie knew she had attacked his ego and pride by shouting at him in front of everyone. Her eyes were on him. She felt bad over-reacting in that manner. The man only meant to help and he looked quite safe considering the fact that he has not misbehaved with her at all. "I am sorry," she stated slowly.

He hesitated to reply but then smiled as he said,"It's all right." And their eyes met and they held each other for sometime until they heard some passer by cross them.

She broke the awkward silence that fell between them after that by asking, "You said... you think I need counselling. What exactly do you mean?,"She asked out of curiosity, feeling maybe she really does need one because she never had behaved so outrageously in her entire life. These past happenings has really changed her for worse.

He pointed her towards the bench, "Shall we?"

They sat together, but Noorie maintained her usual space. Talking to strangers is one thing, she does not want to go over-friendly, no matter how good he may seem to be. Looks can be deceptive too, and she is not intending to take another risk with him. Once was quite a learning experience, she admonished herself.

"Aftab Ali Khan," He said as he put forward his hands to her with a smile that could make the sun feel ashamed.

This man surely thinks he is something!

The only thing is that Noorie has never seen him or heard of him and after today, she does not intend to be. Wait till Zayna finds out what she did, her mind warned and she instantly smirked imagining her friend's reaction.

                                                                         ☆☆☆☆☆☆