We reached to party hall. Everyone was happy to see me along with Zain.

"There they are. Together. Aren't they looking cute." Zain's mom, Saman aunty teased us as we entered the room.

"Yes mom. I think it's the time now, you should think about him" Zara encouraged her mom.

I'm not interested in such things. Marrying Zain is the worst thing ever could possible in my life. I peeked at him to have a look on his reaction...and Yuckk he was blushing. Ewww!!

"What do you say Ifza! Want to marry him. We are waiting for your reply." Zara doesn't seems to stop teasing us. Engagement's hangover I guess.

At Ifza's house

Ifza's pov:

Finally I was able to escape the truth or dare session of the party without answering their stupidest questions.

Zain's proposal left my parents confused. I guess mom seems to be pretty convinced by this proposal. If they agrees then I'll be left with no other choice but marrying him.

I rolled over my bed and texted my best friend.

U can't believe what has happened today. I got proposed. Wanna know the details then meet me at college. Sharp at 8am. *offer ends within half n hour* better be on time. Love you!

It's the only way she'll be on time to college I hope.

Zain's pov:

"Mom you shouldn't have asked her directly. I don't know what she's thinking now. Oh God!!" I was a bit angry and contented at the same time. A part of me was really happy about this but I don't know how she'll react to it.

"Ohhoo! Mom look at him, don't you think he's over protective for heeeerrrrr" Zara's echoing voice was irritating enough to piss me off.

"Zara I'm worried here, what if she refuses the proposal. Ahhhhh!!!!  You guys should have waited for me to ask her first." I was loosing my mind.

"Don't worry bro...there's no way she'll reject you. I mean look at you, you're smart,handsome,well mannered, extra caring for her." Zara encouraged me. And what she said isn't wrong. There's no way Ifza will reject me.

Ifza's pov:

*Dreams*

I found myself in the dark graveyard. I could hear cats meowing a little louder. It was scary and horrifying walking around the tombs. Few minutes later I saw a man standing near the graves. He was wearing black suit. I couldn't see his face as his back was towards me.

He was in grief. I could hear him crying. Crying out for help. I started walking towards him when I heard him murmuring "Ifza please help me". I think I've heard this voice before. It was familiar. I tried reaching to him , getting constantly worried of being dragged as there was someone else too, secretly following me.

"Wh-who are you"my voice was mere a whisper possibly he couldn't even heard it. I heard the same line again but this time his voice was a bit more pleading. Before I could get dragged I got to see that man's face and it was Ruhaan Malik.

*Dream ends*

Ohh God Ifza!! What the hell was this? You dreaming about a guy whom you just met. Just for a few seconds and you started dreaming about him. What the hell is wrong with you? I scolded my mind.

At college:

Surprisingly Ramsh was already present there. I remembered the text I sent her.

"Who was that? Damn sure Zain did that right? Why didn't he informed me before? Tell me how was it? Did he  knelt down for you holding a ring or did he announced infront of everyone? Come-on tell me!!" she bombarded me with her questions.

"If you let me, then I'll" she paused her non stop radio. I began " Zain didn't said me anything. It was Saman aunty and Zara who asked me infront of my family--" I was interrupted by her loud voice screaming "what Zain didn't proposed you. Aghh what an idiot he is.." Her excitement was dropped now. But still his proposal of wedding is annoying me.

"so what your parents are saying?" she added curiously before heading to the class.

"they haven't uttered a word since then. I guess they were more surprised than me" I added.

Zafar's pov :

My princess is all grown up now. And I think it's probably the time she should get married.

The thought of her getting married and sending her away from me made my heart skip a beat. I couldn't leave without seeing her face every morning. There will be no one roaming around and shouting my name ZAFAR SAHAB. She's the light of our house. But I've to accept the fact of letting her go and get married, this is what the daughters are for, they'll leave us when they grow up. We cannot have them with us forever.

"Zain is a very nice, well mannered and a stable person we've known. And moreover he's a bit more concerned and protective for our Ifza" Kinza's words were supporting Zain and Ifza's marraige proposal.

"You always wanted to see her infront of you right and protect her from that past. Then it's a good chance. With ZAIN as her husband no one will dare to touch her, he'll always be there for her supporting and protecting like you've been since last 23 year" I could say Kinza wasn't lying either. This fact was striked in my mind too.

"Let Ifza come first. I'll try talking to her." I assured Kinza.

Ifza's pov:

I got a message from dad to reach home as soon as possible. Definitely it's about Zain. This guy will never let me live peacefully.

"Ifza, you sure you wanna go alone. Wait for me I'll be finishing in an hour" Ramsh was worried keeping the last few incidents in mind.

"Don't worry Ramsh I'm IFZA, you know. And baba wants me to come quickly." I assured her.

Ugh!! Why am I this unlucky in getting a taxi. It's almost about half n hour and I'm still wandering to get a taxi. Why did I refused dad to come and pick me up.

I remembered the night at the bus stop, how that strange man disappeared still had me in dilemma.
My mind replayed all the events from that night. I was sure those things weren't just my imagination it actually had happened.

A few moments later I heard the noise of a cat meowing, it reminded me today's dream. It was creepy and there was no one around. I tried searching the cat. I couldn't find any. The voice was increasing every second as if it is approaching me from a far distance. When the voice grew stronger and stronger I felt a strange presence behind me again. I couldn't able to turn back. It had me frozed. I started reciting salutations. I heard someone calling me, voice was low and almost inaudible. I stoped reciting the dua(salutation) when I felt a little free, I started running without giving a second thought. The presence was following me like a shadow.

I was running it was similar to my dream. I was afraid of being dragged. While running I thought of giving a look to check whose the one chasing me. I suddenly got bumped into someone and I started screaming and immediately covered my face.

"Relax, relax!! You okay!" voice was familiar, I peeked to look with hands still covering my face. And surprisingly it was him! Ruhaan Malik.

"I saw you running, I thought of helping you. Is something wrong?" I was lost in his eyes our eyes were locked for a brief second before he spoke "Excuse me, you fine" I realised he was holding me, I immediately backed off from him.

"I'm sorry I thought someone was following me" I was still amazed by his presence there. The chasing person was no longer there. Maybe he saw Ruhaan near me.

I was just staring his beautiful eyes in amazement, figuring out what and how to start the conversation.

"I couldn't find anyone here. You sure you okay! You look pale" his voice was magical and showing a little bit of concern.

"I'm fine. Thanks!" Noo I'm scared my inner self shouted.

"Hey, you...! From the last night right. I'm sorry we didn't get a chance of proper talk. Sorry I don't know your name, may I ask you?" his voice was drooling over innocence. I remembered him calling out my name. I clearly heard him calling. Why is he lying now? And how does he know my name and why does he pretending not to know now? Lots of questions striked my mind.

"it's fine if you aren't comfortable to say your name.. " he said seeing me confused and a little lost.

"I'm sorry I-I got distracted for a second. Ifza! Ifza Zafar." I replied in embarrassment.

"Ifza! Pretty name!" he complimented with a charming smile. I couldn't help but to blush a little. What the hell Ifza stop it, you can't be flattered by some stranger.

"You look a little lost. Let me take you to hospital, if you aren't feeling well." he was observing me briefly,studying my expressions.

"No no I'm completely fine" I assured him giving a smile. Stop staring him I scolded myself.

"mind if I ask you who was that person following you, have you seen him before?" he was curious.

"If I tell you, will you believe me?" I asked him, for the first time someone was genuinely curious about the incident and he actually saw me running so I could explain him I wasn't imagining the things.

He stood there listening to me with a lot of interest.

"I never saw the person." I began. "it's just I always felt a presence like a shadow following me. It's just like a weird feeling like I'll be dragged right now." I paused to check his reaction. He was still listening me with a lot of interest.

"How long you think you've been followed?" his voice was deeper now, his interest was more which made me feel a little uncomfortable.

"It's a long story, if I tell you you'll definitely laugh and think I may be a little crack. So it's better if I let this topic slide." I wanted him to drop this topic. I genuinely doesn't wanted him to know how crazy my hallucinations are.

"Okay, if you say so. But if you want any kind of help, feel free to ask me. It'll be a pleasure to me helping you." his voice becomes more comforting when he smiles.

"actually"..i paused for a moment to think weather should I ask him or not but still I continued. "I-I wanted to ask you something." he nodded his face in agreement.

"I wanted to ask, if you are okay? You are not in any kind of problem right. I just wanted to know whether you are in pain or not." I was looking at his expression, he was surprised, as he wasn't expecting me to ask such a question. We doesn't know each other and here I'm asking him like I.... like I'm a friend maybe.

He was still in amazement. "I'm sorry I just asked without thinking much. Please don't get me wrong." I mumbled seeing him confused.

"No that's fine, I'm okay." I took a step forward to him,before I could say anything he interrupted me moving a little back"I think you should probably get going now. You're parents may be worried." he's tone was getting serious. Did I offend him? Why does he reacting in such a way.

"I-I I'm sorr-" before I could finish my sentence I heard him shout "LEAVE".

Tears were filled within my eyes. I felt humiliated and scared at the same time. I saw a sudden spark in his eyes. He then immediately started walking away from me. His pace was faster, in no time he was gone and I stood there, tears were rolling down my cheeks.

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

Hey guys,

Sorry for the late update.

Hope you enjoyed a little chat of

Ifza and Ruhaan.

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