Real love doesn't meet you at your best. It meets you in your mess.

Fariya

"You're what?"

Maida's aghasted voice deepened the smile on her face.

"Love. I'm in love."

Fariya said as she fixed her gaze on the door but even Maida knew that she was not looking at the door.

"Fari, what are you saying? How can you be in love?"

Maida just couldn't register the fact that her sister was in love with someone who had so badly ruined her life.

"That's an absurd question, Maida." Fariya said with narrowed eyes.

"Omer... but you hated him." Maida said with wide eyes.

"Hatred is the first step towards love."

The lady in love tore her gaze from the door and looked directly in Maida's brown eyes.

"You purposely hated him?" Maida questioned quizzically.

"Of course not." Fariya said as she laughed slightly.

"When I hated him, I did it with all my strength. I didn't give him a chance to explain. Hell, I didn't even give myself a chance to understand him. I just hated him.. as simple as that. There were no ifs and buts. There was just hatred."

Fariya said, her voice diving into the ocean of emotions.

"But, that day, when he came to my University, my whole being shook. He seized my mind that day. Never in my life had I felt more protected than when I was in his arms. His embrace did magic. It has always done magic."

Fariya's voice tailed off as a small smile lifted the corner of her lips.

"Then? Where did love come from?" Maida confusingly asked.

"Love was always there, Maida. Love has always been there." Fariya whispered.

"The word Nikah carries in itself an ocean of mysteries. It is a powerful relationship-the Nikah. A relationship which has the power to turn mountains into dust, oceans into a drop of water. Turning hatred into love has never been a big deal for it."

Fariya's voice died as she reflected upon the words she said.

Nikah can do miracles, she had always heard people saying it. Nikah did a miracle, she was seeing it for herself, breathless.

"But when exactly did you fall in love with him?"

Maida seemed to have finally understood as she asked in a low voice.

"I don't know myself. Maybe when Syra told me that he'd never leave me or when he held me in the rain like there would be no tomorrow. I do not know."

She said while a ghost of smile appeared on her face.

"But I do know one thing, last night was a night of revelation. I didn't even know myself that I loved him before last night. When I cried in his arms, when he took my hands in his, when he ran his fingers through my hair; it all felt like eternity. Like it was meant to be. Do you understand?"

Fariya romantically asked Maida as she looked at her sister hopefully. Maida only shook her head, worry written clearly on her face.

"Fariya, you're not making sense. I think you should sleep." Maida said as she forced a smile on her face.

"But I just woke up, Maida. The misunderstandings and hatred have finally gone to rest and you're asking me to sleep?"

Fariya asked as she stood up from the bed and went to stand behind the window.

"But what about all the things you said about him? Like he has killed my heart and all?" Maida asked doubtfully.

And the frown on Maida's face deepened when she heard Fariya burst into a laugh.

"I hated him, then. Loathed him. It was obvious that I'd say things like that."

Fariya said, still looking out the window into the sky which reflected light blue and golden.

"But..." Fariya cut Maida as she began to say something.

"Maida, last night, I felt something. Something I've never felt in my entire life. It was ecstatic. It was like I was floating in the sky and all my worries had vanished into thin air. And I always feel like that when he is around. Even when I hated him, I never once denied the fact that he is the only person who could turn my problems both into mountains and dust. It was him all along but I never noticed."

Fariya said slowly, thinking and weighing each word as she moved along. The hazel-eyed beauty stared at the sky as love settled in her blood.

Love is not some troubling emotion that binds you. It's the ecstatic feeling which rises you to the heavens. And Fariya Ali Sikandar was indeed flying at that very moment.

"Are you sure it's love? I mean it can be mere attraction."

Maida put forward her concern and Fariya closed her eyes, the darkness eradicating the beautiful morning colours. But the image that flashed before her eyes was enough to convince her that it was no attraction-it was much more.

"Love. It's love." She whispered while fluttering her eyes open.

The scene before her was pleasant- the golden sky sheltering the clouds as it peered down at the lady standing behind the open window. Rain was nowhere in the air and the sky was clear. But the sight-sight this magnificent that it always took her breath away-was nothing compared to the sight of the man who held her last night.

Omer was not a perfect man, she knew it. He had his flaws which she had known from the start. But despite that, Fariya was in love with his perfect imperfections and there was no going back. She didn't even want to go back. It had been her first day in love and her senses were already in jeopardy.

"And what about Syra?" Fariya's breath caught for a moment and she closed her eyes in pain.

Syra.

There was Syra, she remembered.

Her cousin who was in love with Omer. She forgot about her and now as she remembered her, pain teared through the already broken barriers she once built around her heart and engulfed it.

Though Syra was nowhere between the two of them but still she was everywhere. She was standing on the every path which lead her to Omer, making it difficult for Fariya to even move an inch.

"Syra."

Fariya breathed as she slightly turned around and moved forward to sit on the bed.

"It's wrong. I shouldn't have fallen for Omer. This is wrong, so messed up."

She murmured to herself as she collapsed on the bed.

"How can I fall in love with him after I know that my sister is in love with him?" Fariya mumbled weakly as she looked at Maida with terrified eyes.

"It's not your fault..." Maida tried to reason but was cut short by Fariya.

"It is. I knew everything and I still fell for him. How would I face Syra?" Fariya spoke lightly as she fell back on her bed.

"Fari, it's not under our control when we fall and who we fall in love with. It's not your fault."

Maida said as she laid beside Fariya on the bed, both ladies staring up at the cemented ceiling.

"But..."

This time it was Maida who cut Fariya in mid-sentence.

"Omer is a good man. After that incident, he has been nothing to you but nice. It was so predictable that you would fall for him and fall you did. There's nothing wrong with loving a man." Maida said smilingly.

"Yes but there's everything wrong with loving a man your sister loves."

Fariya cried out as she tearfully stared upward.

"Syra has given up on Omer, Fari. She will never come between the two of you. You shouldn't ruin your life just because your cousin fell in love with your husband who doesn't even know about that."

Maida angrily stated as she averted her gaze and looked at Fariya.

"But Omer might also love her..."

Fariya weakly said as fresh tears started falling on her face.

"Fariya, for heaven's sake. You yourself told me what Syra said about him. He doesn't know and he most certainly is not in love with Syra. Forget about everything and just tell him about your love."

The brown-eyed woman said with an ocean of irritation in her eyes.

"I would never tell him."

Fariya said as she wiped her face with the back of her hand and stood up from the bed.

"You will repeat Syra's mistake."

Maida tried to make her sister understand while she too sat on the bed.

"It's not that I would never tell him. I will, eventually. One day. But I'll only tell him when the right time comes and trust me, this time is anything but right."

Fariya forcefully said with a flushed face as she turned around and hurriedly went towards the washroom.

◇◇◇◇

Two days had passed and Fariya Ali Sikandar felt her heart beating to a single melody-a melody which took her breath away everytime she tried to listen to it.

To say that she had tried to scratch his name from her heart was an understatement. She had spent the last two days trying to avoid him, trying to control her heart which came to her throat whenever he was around.

But everything went in vain the moment their eyes met. His gaze was the usual-tender but distant. But Fariya's eyes lost their cold demeanour the moment she stepped in the Court of Love.

She saw as a man approached her, a smirk plastered on his handsome face as he tore apart her private space. He stood near her, so near that she could smell his cologne and see herself in those piercing, black eyes.

He lighlty took a step towards her, their bodies touching now. With a devilish grin on his face, he wrapped his arms around her petite waist and pulled her closer, his black eyes penetrating through her soul.

The lady felt something on her arms and legs but his captivating eyes did not let her move her head around. She continued looking in his eyes, hoping to find the secrets of his guarded heart.

A voice of click rang in the air and broke apart the deadly silence which had descended upon the large room. She narrowed her eyes but did not tore the eye contact-it was the man who committed this atrocity.

He laughingly shook his head and uncoiled his arms as he stepped back and scanned her face, the smirk not leaving his face for a moment. The woman tried to move ahead towards him, to feel his hands around her again but the chains around her arms and legs prevented her to do so.

With wide eyes, she looked at the shackles which acted as a hurdle between the two of them and then collapsed. She fell on her knees, her head raised as she looked at the man who dared enough to bind her. He only smiled, an innocent smile, and the lady was swept off her feet.

"You are caged."

He whispered as he tenderly blew on her face and stood up to his full height. His laughter rang in the air as the fallen lady took in the sight of a man who binded her in his love.

◇◇◇◇

"Get up from the bed, you lazy woman!"

Urwa entered her room with a blast and threw away the blanket, revealing a sleepy Fariya from underneath it.

"What's wrong?"

Fariya irritatingly said as she tried to cover herself with the blanket.

"Fariya, it's Saturday today. Rings a bell?"

Maida's voice came but Fariya was too exhausted to think.

"The only thing ringing right now is your annoying voice. Leave."

She angrily said as she hid herself underneath the blanket.

"It's Saturday. Batch Party. And half an hour is left. How can you forget it?"

Urwa confusingly asked as she sat on the bed, yanking the blanket away from the woman who had sold all horses while sleeping. The movement under the blanket stopped for a second and the next instant, the blanket was lying on the floor while the hazel-eyed woman was sitting on her bed, flabbergasted.

"Oh my, goodness. How can I forget it?"

Fariya mumbled as she ran towards the wardrobe but stopped abruptly when her eyes landed on the clock. She looked for a full minute before turning around and coming face to face with two laughing ladies.

"Relax. There are still 3 hours left."

Urwa assuringly said with a smile on her face.

"Go to hell."

Fariya blessed them with a glare and moved towards her bed, full intention of falling into a deep slumber again.

"Oh, no, no, no. You're not going to fall asleep again. You have so much to do."

Urwa blocked her way and placed her hands on Fariya's shoulders.

"What do I have to do?" Fariya asked tiredly, her eyes closing.

"You have to get ready." Maida said matter-of-factly as she crossed her arms.

"Come on. It won't take me three hours to get ready."

Fariya said and made a feeble attempt to move towards her bed but was again blocked out.

"It would take you two hours. You have to bathe, dress up, apply make up and the other things. We'll do it slowly so it would take 2 hours."

Urwa counted on her fingers, ignoring the bored expressions Fariya was giving.

"And the third hour?" Fariya aksed as she rubbed her eyes.

"That third hour is for Bhai."

Urwa cheerfully said and not only Fariya, Maida's breath too caught.

"What?" Fariya shockingly asked as she lowered her hand from her face.

"I mean that Bhai is at home and he doesn't know that you're going on a night function. It would take at least an hour to convince him so the last hour is reserved for that."

Fariya let out a breath as she glared at Urwa.

"And what if he says no? I mean our two hour hardwork would go down the drain." Maida put forward a question and earned a jovial laugh from Urwa.

"If she just goes down and asks him, he would say no without a second thought. But if she gets ready and is about to leave and that's when he comes to know about this function, chances are he will agree. So, we'll take the chance."

Urwa explained her tricky plan to which she received an understanding nod from Maida. Fariya, on the other hand, was still confused.

"But I asked Taya...." Urwa cut her short as she looked at her.

"Fari, it wouldn't take Bhai more than a second to convince Baba otherwise. You need to get Bhai's permission in order to go."

Fariya weakly nodded her head, her legs failing her at the mere thought of talking to him after that night.

◇◇◇◇

She climbed down the stairs, Maida and Urwa by her side, and moved forward towards the TV Lounge. She pushed the door open, hoping to see everyone in the room but a wave of nausea hit her as her eyes saw someone her heart didn't wish to see at all.

Omer along with Taya Abbu and Tayi Ammi was sitting on the sofa, smiling as he heard his father say something. Fariya retreated her steps and tried to go out but it was too late.

Omer's eyes, like everyone else in the room, had landed on Fariya who was dressed in embroidered, emerald green frock matched with a pair of black heels and a clutch. Her black hair were open while they fell on her back in curls, covering her back.

Fariya saw as Omer's eyes roamed around her body and for a split second, Fariya was sure that it was appreciation and sparkle which leapt in his eyes. But the emotions were gone as soon as they came and Fariya saw him shaking his head.

Fariya ran her tongue over her lips as she stepped inside the room, trying to control her heart which was beating wildly in her chest.

"Masha'Allah. Look how pretty my daughter is looking." Taya Abbu said as he smiled at his niece.

Fariya only managed a smile as she tried to not look at Omer whose eyes were fixed on her.

"Where are you going?" Omer suddenly asked when she was receiving compliments from her Tayi Ammi.

Everyone stopped and gazed at Omer who was questioningly looking at Fariya. Fariya turned towards him and looked down at him-and there, her heart was gone, again. Her heart did a backflip as her eyes saw her man gazing at her. Fariya gulped down the emotions and tried to control her racing pulse.

"Umm... I.. I..."

Fariya had no idea where her confidence went whenever she felt his penetrative gaze on her.

"There's a function in her university."

Tayi Ammi helped her but the lines which appeared on Omer's face clearly showed his disagreement.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" Omer questioned as he looked at his father.

"What was there to tell?"

Taya Abbu answered carelessly and Fariya felt her love for him intensify.

"You're not going anywhere." Omer forcefully stated as he looked up at his spouse.

"But why?"

Fariya released the words which were caught in her throat as she addressed the man who had seized her heart and mind.

"It's not safe. Go anywhere you want in the day but not at night."
Omer said as he smoothly tried to make Fariya understand.

Fariya, who desperately wanted to go on this function, shook her head as she tried to convince Omer.

"Islamabad is a safe city. There's nothing to worry about." Fariya tried to reason but Omer raised his hand, stopping her from saying anything.

"Fariya, please. I'm saying this for you. It's not safe." Omer softly said and Fariya's heart skipped a beat.

So much care and tenderness.

She came here to convince Omer and was leaving the room, convinced. She tried to nod but her actions halted when Urwa spoke from behind.

"But Bhai, she was so excited to go. And look, she's ready. Please. For a few hours only." Fariya cleared her mind as she looked at Omer.

"You should have asked me before getting ready." Omer looked up at Fariya as he pronounced his words.

"I had already asked Taya Abbu."

Fariya defended herself while she scratched the back of her hand using her polished nails.

"But..."

Omer again tried to object when Maida cut him in mid-sentence.

"Bhai, she has been dying to go there. She was so excited and happy. Please." Maida pleaded as she hopefully looked at her cousin.

"You really want to go?" Omer asked Fariya directly after hearing her sister.

Fariya nodded her head and then the unexpected happened.

Omer took a deep breath and nodded his head.

"Okay, fine. But for 3 hours only. I'll come to pick you up at 10."

Not only Fariya, everyone stared at Omer with wide eyes as he stood up from his seat.

"But please, be careful."

Omer said earnestly as he collected his wallet, mobile phone and car keys which were lying on the table and looked at his startled spouse in the eye.

"Come, I'll drop you."

With that said, he left the room leaving a flabbergasted Fariya behind. She blinked her eyes startlingly as she gazed at the sofa he was sitting on. He agreed, she couldn't bring herself to believe it. Everyone around the room seemed to be equally shocked. A ghost of smile appeared at the corner of her lips but she quickly recovered and after saying quick goodbyes to the stunned people in the room, turned around and followed the trail left behind by her husband.

◇◇◇◇

She took her steps slowly and cautiously as she walked out of the University at 15 minutes past 10. Her tries to reach the gate quickly were thrown out the window as she looked at her throbbing feet angrily.

The 4 inch heels were killing her and she doubted that she would reach the car safely. The pain had reached its climax when she passed the gate and halted for a second, her eyes searching for a person.

It didn't take her that long as she spotted Omer standing beside the car, his eyes fixed on his mobile phone as his body leaned against the car. Fariya for a second forgot everything as she took in his handsome features from some yards away.

Shaking her head and controlling the smile that threatened to escape, Fariya moved forward towards him. Omer, sensing someone's presence nearby, looked up only to find Fariya standing in front of him, looking at his face with a very small smile on her face. Omer instantly straightened up and put his mobile phone in his pocket.

"Salam." Fariya whispered.

"Wassalam."

Omer nodded his head as he turned around and opened the door for Fariya. The lady in love smiled inwardly as she climbed in the car.

"How was the function?"

Omer asked once the car was running on the roads of Islamabad.

"It went perfect."

Fariya happily replied as she interlaced her fingers and looked at Omer for a second.

"That's good." Omer commented and Fariya turned her head to look out the window.

"You look nice."

Her whole world stopped for a moment. The only voice she could hear was her heart beating in her ears and she dreaded that Omer would hear her racing heartbeat too. Blush crept upon her face and her lashes fluttered as she rotated her head to look at Omer who was immersed in driving.

"Thank you." Her voice was even lower than a whisper but the silence in the car made it possible for Omer to catch it.

Fariya saw Omer slightly nodding his head as the car turned right and she lowered her face, staring at her hands.

"I wanted to talk to you about something." Omer said out of the blue as the car stopped at the signal.

"What is it?" Fariya asked as she looked straight in his eyes.

Her heart stopped for a moment but she ignored it for once, fearing that Omer might get to know the secrets that are hidden deep in her heart.

"About what happened three nights ago. When you came to my room...." Omer intentionally tailed off as he averted his eyes and looked straight ahead.

"I'm sorry for everything that happened." Fariya put forward her apology quickly.

"It was not your fault. You were mentally distressed." Omer waved her apology off as he speeded the car on the road.

"I wanted to talk about the nightmares. Are they frequent?"

Omer asked in a voice which was laced with softness and care and Fariya felt her mind going numb.

"Yes." Fariya whispered a one word answer.

She heard Omer take a deep breath beside her as he slowed the car.

"Since when are you seeing these nightmares?" Omer politely asked as he glanced at her.

"Since Baba passed away." Fariya replied and glanced out of the window, the conversation aching her deep in the heart.

"Did you tell anyone?" Omer questioned.

"No. Nobody knows except you." Fariya answered and closed her eyes.

"I understand. Why don't you go to a therapist? You can't just leave it untended." Omer suggested as he looked sideways, only to find Fariya whose head was rested against the mirror.

"I don't want to go to anyone. They'll make me repeat my nightmares and all. I don't want that..." Fariya shook her head after she lifted her head from the mirror.

"It will take some time to heal but I'll be fine."

Fariya smiled slightly as she looked at the concerned man in the eye. Omer, who was not satisfied at all, tried to object.

"They'll worsen if you don't do anything. And if not a therapist, you need to tell someone about it. Telling about things like that erase half of the problems."

Omer tried to make her understand and Fariya slighlty laughed.

"I have told you." Fariya shrugged her shoulders and looked at him.

"Not me, Fariya. Someone you're close to, who will help you when you see the nightmare. Maida, for example."

Fariya wanted to remind him that he did help her once when she saw a nightmare but stopped herself on time.

"Okay. I'll tell her." Fariya gave up with an audible sigh.

"That's good. If a person leaves the problems the way they are and do not tend to them, they intensify. The ignored problems return one day with frightening consequences."

Omer added and stopped the car. Fariya only managed a slight nod as she looked ahead at the gate of Lashari House.

◇◇◇◇

"Oh my. When did you people come?"

Fariya cheerfully asked as she entered the room and was met with the sight of the family of her Phoppo.

"Where are your manners, lady? Who will say Salaam?" Talha asked as he intentionally laced his voice with slight anger.

"Okay, father. Salam!" Fariya sarcastically replied and bent her head to meet her Phoppo.

"Better." Talha ignored her tone and smiled.

"How are your vacations going?" Phoppo asked Fariya once she had seated on the sofa beside Syra.

"Perfect, Phoppo." The lady replied with a bright smile etched upon her face.

"That's good." Phoppo smiled and took a sip from her tea.

"Talha, how's your job going?" Fariya's mother asked.

"It has been very tough but still, it's going fine." Talha replied and she nodded her head.

"Syra?" Fariya slighlty whispered as she bent towards her cousin.

"Yeah?" Syra asked.

"I need to talk to you. Come with me." Fariya said and saw Syra narrowing her eyes in confusion.

"About what?" She questioned, quizzically.

"Just come. I'll tell you."

Fariya stood up from her seat after motioning Syra to get up. Syra placed her cup on the table in front and followed suit. Both the ladies left the room one after the other.

Crossing the threshold, Fariya entered her room and pulled the door wide open, a gesture meant for the lady following her to enter the room.

"What did you want to talk about?"

Syra asked as she went ahead to stand in front of the window-the view from up here was spectacular.

"Omer."

Fariya breathed out his name, honey dripping from her mouth. Syra sensed the love in her voice but didn't say anything, instead she continued looking out the window, unfazed.

"Fariya, that topic is closed. I don't want to talk about it."

Fariya understandingly nodded her head and went forward to stand beside her. Her breath caught as she looked down at the person sitting in the lawn-Omer. She turned her head to look at Syra who was peering down at him but averted her eyes when she sensed Fariya's gaze on her.

"I'm in love with him."

Fariya finally released the words and the reaction which came was sudden but quite expected. Syra turned her head around to look at her with such speed that Fariya dreaded that her neck might get broken.

"What?"

She asked with wide eyes but the reaction lasted only for a second. She controlled herself on time and hid her eyes from Fariya.

"Th... that's good." Syra said with much difficulty as she turned around and leaned against the window.

"I'm sorry. I tried to stop myself but it was too late."

Fariya swallowed her regrets as she hesitated to look Syra in the eye.

"You're an idiot. Why are you saying sorry?"

Syra laughingly said as she hid her pain behind the words whoch echoed around the room.

"That's because I knew that you love him and still...." Fariya began to say something when Syra cut her in mid-sentence.

"Fariya, please."

Syra raised her hand in order to stop her but Fariya wanted answers to questions that had been blocking her sleep for many days now.

"What should I do now?" Fariya questioned as she eyed Syra who was staring at the wall ahead.

"You should ask your heart." Syra replied but failed to convince the throbbing heart of the lady.

"My heart has gone selfish. It says that forget about Syra and just love your husband. But my conscious? It doesn't agree. It says that you should talk to Syra and clear things with her."

Fariya dejectedly replied as she eyed Omer who was reading the newspaper, oblivious of the fact that two ladies had placed their hearts in his feet.

"Look, Fariya. As I told you before, Omer is your man. You have a right to love him. There's no need to feel guilty and remorseful about it." Syra said as she looked at Fariya in the eye.

"And you shouldn't ruin your life because of my love. It's just a one sided feeling anyways and when I'll get married, I will forget it." Syra added but Fariya was not so sure.

"Really?" Fariya questioned as she raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. So please, just go to him and tell him before it's too late." Syra suggested but Fariya shook her head.

"No. Not yet. Now is not the time." This time it was Syra who raised an eyebrow and looked at her confusingly.

"I will tell him someday. But not right now. I'm not mentally prepared. And besides, what would I do if he says no?"

Fariya shook her head forcefully and mouthed her biggest fear.

"Why would he say no? You're his wife." Syra shrugged her shoulders as a pain went down through her heart.

"Still..." Fariya pressed her lips in a thin line as she peered down at him.

"As you wish. But I'm telling you this again. Don't think about my love for him ever again. It will vanish one day, that I'm sure of. I will get married, have children. Omer will become my past once I get busy in the affairs of life." Syra's kind words vibrated her ear drums.

"But I count on you, Fari. And I'm sure that Omer and you will live a very happy life together. You both are lucky to have each other."

Syra smiled at the end and Fariya too followed her, a genuine and carefree smile appearing at the corner of her lips.

"How can you be so kind?" Fariya asked after a moment of silence.

"That's not kindness, Fari. That is thinking about situations beforehand. It it a matter of fates and destiny. Omer was never meant to be mine; if he was, you would've never come between the two of us. His name was written with yours the moment this universe came into being. No person can do anything about it."

Syra smiled as she closed her eyes for a second and opened them again after a moment.

"And don't think for a second that I have bad luck. Besides, there is no such thing as bad or good luck. When you accept your fate happily and breathes it in, it becomes good luck. And when you start fighting it and become ungrateful for what has been given to you, it changes into bad luck. And Fariya, I have accepted my fate for I know that Allah has chosen someone for me who would prove to be a far better man for me than Omer. Omer is for you."

Syra smiled and after patting Fariya's shoulder, left the room. Fariya Ali Sikandar stood there, rooted on her spot, as she looked down at Omer while a voice rang in her ears.

"Omer is for you."

Omer

It was 9 pm when he entered the house and without looking for anyone, started walking straight to the room of his grandmother. However, he was halfway there when he heard loud voices coming from the Lounge.

He halted and after a moment of thought, turned around-his steps taking him towards the TV Lounge this time. Omer reached the door and pushed it open, stepping inside as he took in the sight of his father, Saad and Talha sitting there.

A smile began to appear at the corner of his lips but it was gone as soon as it came when he saw someone else in the room too-Salaar. However, he was not the only stranger in the room. There was an elderly man too who was his father, Omer deduced. He forced a smile on his face as he went forward and greeted them.

"Salam. I'm Omer." Omer said as he shook hands with Salaar and his father.

"Yes, yes. We've heard so much about you." The old man excitedly shook his head and Omer looked at him with confusing eyes.

"From your father, of course. He's a very big fan of yours."

The man seemed to be a cheerful person, Omer had concluded within seconds after meeting him. Omer gave a shy smile to the old man and coldly shook hands with Salaar, a forced smile hurting his cheeks.

"Saad, go tell Urwa that Omer has come and to bring a cup of tea for him."

His father said as he patted Saad on the shoulder who was sitting to his right. Saad began to get up when Omer motioned him to sit back down.

"I'll tell her myself. Uncle, I have to get fresh. I'll be back shortly."
Omer said as he looked towards Salaar's father and placed his hands on his knees.

"Okay, okay, my child."

He energetically nodded his head and Omer on seeing that, gave him a smile as he got up from the sofa and left the room. The smile vanished the moment he was out of the room and a frown took its place. He went to the kitchen and found all four ladies in it.

"Urwa, make me a cup of tea." His voice made all of them turn towards him.

"Salam, Bhai." Urwa said before turning around and placing the kettle on the the stove.

"Wassalam. Syra, when did you come?" Omer questioned as he looked directly at Syra.

"In the morning." Syra's tone was normal.

"Phoppo is here too?" Omer asked as he drank the water Maida gave him.

"Yes. She's sitting with Salaar's mother and everyone in the room." Syra replied, her voice monochrome.

Omer nodded his head and looked at the woman standing beside Syra. Their eyes met for the smallest of moments before she tore her gaze away quickly. Omer sighed and after telling Urwa to bring to the cup to his room, left the kitchen.

As soon as he entered his room, he took a deep breath and relaxed his tensed muscles. After almost throwing the wallet, car keys and his mobile on the nightstand, he fell on the bed and closed his eyes tiredly. He had laid there for few minutes when the bedroom door knocked.

"Come in." Omer said, without opening his eyes.

He heard the door creak open and some faint footsteps.

"Place it on the table." Omer said, expecting the person to be Urwa.

When he didn't hear anything, he confusingly parted his eyes open and the sight made him get up from his bed quickly.

"I thought it was Urwa." He said as he looked at Fariya standing in front of him, the cup of tea still in her hands.

"Place it on the table." Omer motioned towards the table behind her as he took in her red face.

He saw as Fariya slowly turned around and moved ahead. After placing the cup on the table, she rotated and hurriedly made her way out of the room.

"Fariya!" He called out from behind.

He observed as Fariya halted almost abruptly but didn't turn towards him.

"Why is Salaar here?"

Omer couldn't stop himself from asking this question.

"Taya Abbu invited his family over for the dinner. In fact, he knows his father. Ismaeel Uncle was Baba's childhood friend so obviously, Taya Abbu knows him too."

Fariya gave her answer in detail after contemplating on it for a while. Omer nodded his head as he observed Fariya who looked at him innocently.

"Thanks for the tea."

Fariya just shrugged her shoulders while a small smile lifted the corner of her lips. She glanced at him one last time before she left the room.

◇◇◇◇

"Everything is so delicious." Salaar exclaimed as he took a bite from his plate.

"Seriously, Aunty. The food cooked in your house still has the same taste." Ismaeel Uncle said to Dado who smiled at him.

Omer saw as everyone was seated around the dining table, eating their meals with a smile stretched upon their faces.

"Fariya, do you remember the dinner we had on that restaurant beside the River? This is way more better than that."

Salaar addressed Fariya who was sitting right in front of him on the other side of the table.

"Really? You were officially in love with that food."

Omer saw as Fariya widened her eyes, smile never leaving her face.

"Well, I'm officially in love with this food now." Salaar laughingly said to which he earned a good laugh from Fariya too.

"And Bhai, do you remember the time when all of us went to Bazaar? You and Fari challenged on who could eat more Gol Gappas. Fari was literally crying at the end." Maida too said smilingly as she cherished a memory they shared.

"How can I forget that? I still have those pictures." Salaar said with a mischievous grin dancing on his face.

"I deleted them from your mobile." Fariya proudly stated as she looked at him.

"And I recovered them."

Salaar said in the same tone as her and Fariya's large eyes widened even more.

"What?" She cried loudly.

"Give me your phone!" Fariya extended her hand but Salaar raised an eyebrow at her.

"Do I really look like an idiot?" Salaar mockingly asked.

"Well, these two are always fighting about these silly things. Sometimes I refuse to believe that they have grown up."

Ismaeel Uncle said, happiness dripping from his voice.

"Exactly. And whenever Fariya used to come over to our place, their fights brightened up my house." Salaar's mother said as she looked at Dado and Omer's mother.

Omer saw as Dado nodded her head and said something but Omer couldn't understand what for his mind was somewhere else at that moment. He scolded himself for thinking bad, but the notion was incurable.

Jealousy had deepened its roots in his heart as he looked at his spouse who was laughing at God knows what. He couldn't understand his jealousy for he never felt anything more for her other than care. His care for her was deep, far more deep than the deepest ocean itself. But his jealousy at that moment outweighed it.

He was angry at her but he was far more angry at himself becuase he couldn't justify his behaviour. He looked down at his plate, trying to ignore the two childhood friends who were laughing their hearts out.

But he couldn't block out their heartfelt laughters and mocking remarks. As he took a sip from his cold drink, he couldn't help but think what jealousy was. Jealousy is a disease which settles not in your heart but in your mind. But strangely, it can only be cured by care showered by the heart itself.

◇◇◇◇

He closed his eyes as he leaned against the wall in his room's balcony, breathing out smoke after he took a puff from his cigarette. The cigarette eased his tensed muscles a bit and he started walking on the balcony, his eyes glued at oblivion as he smoked cigarette.

There was frustration clearly visible on his face after he crushed the cigarette under his feet and lightened up a new one. It was the same dark, insomniac, cigarette-filled night it had been since the past five years. However, tonight the reason of his discomfort was far divergent from the other nights.

He was disturbed in the previous nights by the thought a woman who meant nothing to him. But tonight his woman was the main reason behind his anguish and desolation. He was jealous of Salaar, he had admitted it the moment the saw Fariya laughing openly with him.

But this was not the thought which had kept him awake at this time of the night. Rather, the more perplexing question which awaited him the moment he accepted his jealousy was what which had made him smoke an entire packet of cigarette.

Why? Why was he jealous?

He couldn't find a satisfying answer even after thinking on the situation like he had never thought before. His care for his woman was something he had never denied. Rather, it felt natural that he became easily worried about the woman who was his wife.

And since the past few weeks, things had finally gotten well between the two of them and Omer was grateful for that. Being rude to the woman you care so much about was never an easy task for him. The only thing which chained him was the demon of his past but miraculously, it has stopped terrifying him like it always did.

And that night, when Fariya came to his room unknowingly, Omer for the first time felt that he had finally freed himself from the shackles of his past. He had never felt more relieved in his life than that night. That night was magic and the mere thought about it still had the ability to spread smile on his face.

His arms around her fragile body, her face pressed against his chest, her small cries, his soft whispers. Everything was so serene, so beautiful.

But as they say, night is an overwhelming blessing of God which carries dark mysteries and deep secrets in its veil and the spell of the night is broken as soon as the Sun cascades its lights on to the world filled with cruelty and injustice.

The morning next to that magical night was exactly like what everyone had said. The spell was broken and his senses abandoned him the moment he saw Fariya in front of him.

He for a second couldn't grasp the unexpected act he had committed and the only word he could manage to utter was the one asking the woman to leave. And he breathed out a sigh of relief when Fariya didn't say anything else and left the room instantly. She understood his need to be alone and to reflect upon the situation and Omer was thankful to her for that.

He didn't love her, he was hundred percent sure. Besides, he wasn't capable of loving anyways. The incident that happened five years ago not only halted his life, it immuned his thoughts towards love.

However, he had always felt great responsibility and care towards his woman and he was sure about this too. But now his jealousy was overlapping his concern and he felt angry at Fariya.

"Is this what jealousy does to people?"

He thought as he stared at the midnight sky and exhaled smoke out into the cold air.

◇◇◇◇

"Dado!" Omer exclaimed as he entered the room and engulfed his grandmother in an embrace.

"You took my breath away. How are you now?"

Omer concernedly asked as he sat beside her on the bed, taking her hands in his and tenderly kissing the back of her hand.

"I'm fine, my child. It was nothing. You shouldn't have come running back from the office." Dado weakly smiled at her grandson as she ran her hand over his face.

"Thank God. I was so scared."

Omer said as he took a deep breath and normalised his racing heart.

"What happened?" He asked after a second.

"She fainted while performing the ablution. If not for Maida who was with her at that moment, something serious would have had happened."

Omer turned his face towards Maida who was standing at the other side of the bed and passed her a grateful smile.

"Dado, why don't you take care of yourself? If you were not feeling well, you should have told me." Omer asked, his voice containing the anger which hid immense care behind it.

"Omer, it's nothing. They are just exaggerating. I'm perfectly fine." Dado reassured him as she looked at everyone gathered in the room.

"You are not fine. I'll take you to the doctor in the evening. And from then on, you'll be on complete bed rest." Omer forcefully said and everyone present in the room agreed except for the woman whose health was concerned.

"Omer, I'm fine and I certainly don't need any bed rest." Dado annoyingly said.

"Yes, you do. And I don't want to hear a single word after this. You've neglected your health so much, Dado. Please, take care of yourself. It is because of you we people are living."

Omer dismally said as he looked at his weak and fragile grandmother. Dado took a deep breath and smiled.

"Okay, child."

She nodded her head unenthusiastically and drank the glass of milk which Fariya gave her. She took small sips and Omer looked at her smilingly, his heart filling with happiness and pain simultaneously - happiness because his grandmother agreed to do what he had said and sad because he could see her falling health and he couldn't do anything about it.

"Happy?" She asked Omer as she gave the cup back to Fariya.

"Yes." Omer only nodded his head and smiled.

"Okay, now. You should rest." Fariya said and Omer stood up from the seat with a smile after looking at her.

"Yes, she's right. Rest is all you need at the moment."

Omer stood beside Fariya, their shoulders touching. Fariya's smile vanished instantanly as she moved an inch away, her face the slightest shade of pink. She was tall herself but Omer had easily surpassed her with his 6'1 height. Omer, however, didn't seem to notice her moving away for he was too busy in his grandmother.

He smilingly turned around to leave the room when the door opened and in walked his Phoppo. Omer looked at her for a split second and then towards his mother, his eyebrows raised. His mother shook her head, negating the thought that she informed Phoppo about Dado's health.

"Phoppo! Assalam-u-Alikum."

Omer exclaimed as he moved towards her and lowered his head in front of her. Phoppo placed a hand on his head and smiled.

"Waalikum-Assalam, child." She replied.

"Who informed you?" Omer asked as he looked at her.

"About what?" She incredulously questioned back.

"About... Dado's health." Omer confusingly answered as he looked at her.

"What? What happened to Ammi?" She asked with wide eyes as she crossed Omer and moved towards her mother.

"Ammi, what happened?" She asked as she sat beside her.

"Nothing, Phoppo. She's fine now. Alhamdulillah" Fariya answered as she tried to smile.

Phoppo looked at her and then back at her mother.

"Are you sure? You look weak. I came two weeks ago and you were perfectly fine then." She said as she eyed her weak body.

"You know, Momina. I've become old now."

Omer sucked in a harsh breath as he heard his Dado talk to her daughter. Age is a bitter reality and there's nothing more painful in life than watching your elders become weak and feeble.

"Don't talk like this. My Dado is still young and beautiful." Urwa forcefully said and everyone laughed including Dado herself.

"Why did you come, Momina? Everything is fine?" Dado asked as she looked at her daughter.

"Yes, Ammi. Perfectly fine. I actually came here to tell something and ask for your opinion." Phoppo suddenly remembered the reason behind her arrival and cheerfully replied.

"What is it, Phoppo?" Urwa asked impatiently.

"A proposal has come for Syra." Omer shook his head and smiled-the happiness of a mother.

"The guy is well settled. He lives in the same city and most of all, we know him." Phoppo unleashed the details as she looked at everyone while telling the news.

"Who, Phoppo?" Maida questioned.

Omer turned around to leave the room when the next words halted not only his steps but his breath too.

"Salaar."

Omer turned around and looked at her disbelievingly.

"What?"

Fariya's was the first one to say anything and her cry made Omer look at her. He expected grief there, heartbreak, sadness but the emotions that her face bore were anything but that. Her face was filled with happiness and a bright smile illuminated it even more.

"When did that happen?" Her happiness knew no boundaries.

"Yesterday evening. His mother and father came to ask my Syra's hand in a marriage." Phoppo replied.

"That's so perfect. Phoppo, you should say yes without a second thought. You will never find a more better son-in-law than him."

Fariya's reaction was surprising for Omer. There he was deducing that she was in some way interested in him and here she was setting up his marriage with her cousin.To say that he was confused was an understatement.

"What did you say, Hajrah?" Omer's mother asked and Phoppo turned towards her.

"I have asked for some time, Bhabhi. Syra is my only daughter. I said that I will reply to them in some days." Phoppo replied.

"Phoppo, I'm telling you. I've known him since childhood. He's perfect for Syra." Fariya cheerfully said as she turned Phoppo towards her.

"I like that guy too. When he came over for the dinner, I thought for a second that my Syra deserves a man just like him. Loving, cheerful, lively. I never thought that my prayers would be answered in this way." Phoppo told her niece and Fariya proudly looked at her.

"You're right. Syra deserves a man just like him." Fariya said.

"Then, when will you say yes?" Fariya excitedly asked.

Her mother shook her head as she looked at her impatient daughter.

"Fariya, matters like these are well thought upon. They can't be decided in the blink of an eye." She addressed her daughter.

"I came here for the same purpose. Ammi, what do you say? You've met Salaar. And Amna, you've known him since he was a kid. Tell me, should I say yes?" Phoppo asked as she looked from her mother to sister-in-law.

"To say the truth, he's a very good child. Very obedient and loving. In fact, Syra will be vey lucky to have a man like him." Fariya's mother said.

"Did you ask Syra?" Omer's mother asked.

"Yes, but she said that she'll take her time." Phoppo said.

"If my Syra will not have any problem, than I'd agree on this marriage happily. Salaar is a good man." Dado said smilingly.

"Omer, why don't you check his background and all? I have to be utterly sure before doing anything." Phoppo turned around and asked Omer.

"Yes, Phoppo. I'll check on him." Omer said and looked at Fariya who was also looking at him. Fariya's behaviour today had shocked him to the core. Omer averted his eyes and after looking at his Phoppo one last time, left the room.

☆☆☆☆

A new chapter, my lovelies. It's long, just the way you people like it. I actually intended to write 6000 words but the chapter ended up with 8500 words. Phew!

The above banner is made by numerals-one of the kindest human being ever to walk on this planet. Thank you!

Okay, so I'm giving you people a chance to participate in this story. Next chapter will be about Salaar and Syra's marriage and if you want some Omer and Fariya scenes, now is the time to tell!

Comment on this line and give me some ideas about what kind of scenes you want. I'm open for suggestions and I'll make sure to add some. Your time starts now!

The ice has melted and our Fariya is in love with Omer, what do you think about it? Is it too early or too late?

Don't forget to vote and comment!

Till next time,
Salam!