Hussain's POV:

"Where are you guys?", i sputtered as soon as Waqas picked up the call.

'Woah.. Calm your pants, boy! We are on our way', said Waqas dryly.

'You've been telling the same thing from past two hours.. Where the hell are you guys coming from? China?', i gritted my teeth frustratingly.

'Traffic jam, peanut head!', i heard Atif howling and rolled my eyes.

'Okay whatever! Bye', i muttered and cut the call.

It was sunday and today we were going to meet Leeha.. The girl with whom we have been chatting from past three months. The girl who has little control on her mouth and hands. The girl with whom i shared such thoughts that i couldn't share even with my friends..

I didn't know that someone would come into our lives like that and become an important part of them. Specially, a girl!

A smile crept on my face as the chats of last three months made their way into my head.

'Hussain!!', Mum's voice broke the chain of my thoughts.

'Coming!', i yelled and jumped off the bed.

Descending the stairs, i found Mum sitting in lounge with Maha playing games on her iPad.

'When are the boys coming?', asked Mum as i plopped on the
sofa.

'They are on their way. Would be here any second', i briefed and Mum gave me weird looks.

'What?', i asked raising my burrows confusedly.

'Did they tell you that why they decided to visit Houston again so soon?', asked Mum suspiciously and i mentally smacked my head.

Even Khala (Waqas' mum) and Atif's mother is also worried that why their stupid sons are going to Houston again.

The reason behind their confusion is that both of those morons didn't settle on one reason and both of them told different stories to their mothers, giving air to their suspicion and same was the case with our mother.

'I didn't expect you to be this cold hearted, Maa! Apny bhanjay (nephew) aur beton k dost k dubara anay pe itna shaq? Em truly disappointed!', i feigned hurt as i placed my hand on my chest.

But her reaction was only a straight-face which meant that she ain't going to buy the shit.

'Sidhay tareeqay se bta rae ho k kya chal raha tum logon k minds main ya tumharay dad ko btaun?', threatener Mum with her index finger pointed at me and i gulped.

'Uncle ko kya btana hai, Khala?', i heard Waqas' voice that felt like
.
.
an oasis in mid of desert, a cloud in day of summer and.. And i think i should stop.

In short, his voice saved me from some deep shit and i let out a huge breath.

'Assalam-u-alaikum!', they all greeted and the session of hugging and greeting started.

'Thanks for saving my ass, Salay!', i muttered into Waqas' ear as we hugged.

'Your knight in shining armour', said Waqas snickering and i rolled my eyes.

'Why are you guys so late?', asked Mum as she brought cold drinks for them.

'Traffic, Maa! Uski wajah se phans gaye thy', said Shehry placing his head on the back of couch.

'And you both.. Tell me straightforwardly that why are you guys here? What's going on in your heads because your mothers are pretty much annoyed by your actions!', ranted Mum and we all shared secretive looks.

'The truth is that aunty we are here to make a video.', Atif offered an excuse.

'But you guys made two videos in your last visit that finished few days ago', said Mum curtly.

'Yeah but your son a.k.a Mr.Shehryaar Asif unintentionally and unconsciously deleted one video that was going to be uploaded this sunday. So we had to make it again', lied Atif skillfully and my eyes went wide open at his trick.

Iska b mind chalnay lg gya..

'But you could've made it at your place.. Like you used to do before and then editing it?', Mum wasn't looking in mood of abandoning her investigation and i sighed exasperatedly.

'Chal Atif chaliye.. I think Khala ain't gonna make us stay here! Ye galiyaan ye chobara.. Yahan ana na dubara.. K humara yahan koi nahi!', sang Waqas singing dramatically and yanked Atif's hand who was about to sip his drink but in process of Waqas's yanking, spilled the drink on his jeans.

'Khabees insaan', mouthed Atif glaring and got up from sofa whereas Shehry and I was finding it hard to control our laughters.

Mum seemed somewhat effected by Waqas's senti speech and sighed.

'Okay go to your rooms.. You guys must be tired, meanwhile I am going to preapre your lunch', said Mum standing up and walking to kitchen and we all shared smug faces.

'Why a little birdie is telling me again and again that you guys are hiding something from us?',asked Maha narrowing her eyes at all of us, making Waqas and Atif's mouth hung open.

'So our little Maha has started keeping an eye on her elders?', asked Waqas pulling Maha's cheek and she smirked.

'Yes! Beware of me now!', flinging a warning at us, she ran to her room, leaving us dumbfounded and wonder-strucked.

'Ye din b anay thy k bachay humen threats den ge!', shooked Atif his head dismayed and we all chuckled.

'Let's go to the room', said Shehry and we all got up.

..

'Did anyone talk to Leehay?', was the first thing that Atif asked entering the room and all heads turned towards me.

'What? Why are y'all looking at me like this?', i asked dryly and they all raised their eyebrows challengingly.

Mar hi jao..

'I didn't. I swear to God. The last talk we had was in the group with you guys. That's all', i stated the facts and tore my eyes away from their moronic faces who were smiling meaningfully.

These idiots have gone crazy! They think that there's something going on between us.. How silly of them!

I shooked my head.

But what if whatever they are thinking is true..

Someone spoke inside me, leaving me speechless.

Can it happen?.

I asked.

Why can't it be?

Someone counter-questioned.

'Oye hello! Wapis aa ja.. And stop smiling like creeps', said Waqas snapping his fingers in front of my eyes and i came out of my thoughts.

Was i smiling? But why?

Ugghh.. Why the hell em asking so much questions from myself?

'What time is it?', i asked distracting their attention from myself as they all threw themselves on beds.

'Your bad time', retorted Atif and i deadpanned.

'It was our sheer luck that we got tickets for sunday or we would have to cancel the plan of meeting Leeha', said Waqas adjusting pillow under his head.

'Yeah.. And the panic that our mothers created..that delayed our plan to come here at friday', said Atif rolling his eyes.

'Now everyone of you.. Keep that thing in your tiny minds that none of us is going to let Leeha know about the fiasco that we created to meet her. Otherwise she's gonna cancel the plan as you know her', Shehry straightened the facts and we all nodded.

'Yeah.. She herself breaks the rules but hates it when someone else does the same', i added and sat beside Waqas who was lying on my bed.

'Did you send her the address?', asked Atif from Shehry.

'Yeah i did.', said Shehry shortly.

'What did she say?', asked Waqas curiously.

'Nothing.. She just saw the message and didn't reply', said Shehry shrugging and they both 'oohhed'.

~•••••••••~

'Would you step aside from fucking mirror, Ati? You have been standing in front of it from past fifteen minutes', i heard Shehry yelling at Atif who was trying to adjust his hair with gel and didn't seem to move from there.

Atif was wearing white colored shirt and same colored blazer with blue jeans and white converse. Whereas Shehry was wearing grey colored tee with 'Boss Orange' written on it, black jacket and black jeans and grey sneakers.

'Why don't you two just go to your room and use your fricking mirror so that we all could get ready at peace?', asked Waqas dryly who was trying to tie his white converse.

He was wearing grey hoodie with black leather jacket and fading blue jeans.

'Don't you remember what Maha said? She's keeping eye on us and em damn sure that she'll blurt everything out to mom', said Shehry pushing Atif away and now he was trying to tame his hair with brush.

'Agar koi humen dekh le to kya sochay k kya aik larki ne chaar (four) larkon ko agay lgaya hua hai.. Shame!', i said putting on my jeans jacket.

I was wearing white shirt with blue jeans-jacket and grey jeans.

'She's isn't every other girl.. She's Leeha! And i think she can make everyone go crazy for her just like that because she's worth it', i heard Atif saying softly that made my ears perked up.

Does he love.? No it can't be.

I turned around and saw Atif smiling cheekily and i don't know why i started feeling angry.

'Is everything okay, Khan Sahab?', i asked sarcastically.

'Yeah! But i don't know if everything's gonna be okay after meeting her..', said Atif winking and my mind blew.

What does he mean??

'What do you mean by that, Ati?', Waqas voiced my thoughts and i glared at Atif who was blushing.

What nonsense?? Did he fell for Leeha? But how?

Why? Can't he fall for her? Why are you acting like you have any claim over Leeha?

Someone jolted my inner world and i stood there motionless.

Am i feeling jealous?

'Nothing, Wikz.. It's just that em too eager to meet her!', Atif's voice pulled me back from my inner battle.

'Let's go guys.. If y'all are ready.', said Shehry spraying perfume and i felt like not going to there anymore. I didn't wanna see my apprehensions coming true.

What the fuck am i thinking? She's just a girl..and what's wrong if Atif has fallen for her. You should be happy for your friend. Stop being an ass, Sain!

Shooing away the silly thoughts, i nodded and we all came out of the room.

'Where's mom?', i asked whisperingly as we were descending stairs cautiously.

'She's at neighbors' home. I have got all the information, boys!', said Shehry smugly.

Finally, we made it to the lounge without being caught.

Pheww..

'Where are you going?', Mum's roaring voice made us halt in our steps and Atif jumped with a start, clinging onto my arm.

'Pichay ho oye!', i said gruffly and swat his hand away.

Mum was sitting on the sofa with a frown on her face and Maha was sitting on the arm of sofa, smiling evilly.

That devil...

'Oye Shehry, you told us that Aunty is at neighbors' house', Waqas nudged his elbow in Shehry's ribs and he whined in pain.

'Can't you see her agent sitting with her.. Badshah ki billi hai wo!', said Shehry grimacing and we all glared at Maha.

'Aik doosray k kaan main ghussna band karo aur btao mjhe k itna lash ho k kidar ja rae ho tm sab?', asked Mum in loud voice this time.

'To the beach' - Atif

'To Subway' - Me

'For movie' - Waqas

'For recording the video' - Shehry

I mentally face palmed myself at our contradictory and idiotic remarks and Mum raised her eyebrows suspiciously.

I felt like we are standing in a court and soon are going to be sentenced to death.

Aj to Maata ji b full policeman ban'nay k mood main hain..

'Umm.. We meant to say that first of all we are going to the beach then we'll have our drunch at Subway and after that we planned to see the movie and then all the way to record our new video, Yaye!', blurted out Shehry and laughed nervously at the end.

At least he tried to cover up the shit we started. We should've decided one solid reason. But never mind.

'And we are getting late too, right boys? Let's go!', said Waqas pushing Shehry and we all nodded our heads like maniacs and ran out of door at speed of rocket.

'But listen..

Mum hollered from behind but we decided to ignore her because we knew that if we stopped to listen to her then none of us is leaving home.

'Start the engine, you fucktard!', shouted Waqas at Shehry who was looking zoned out but after Waqas' ear piercing shout, came back to senses and ignited the engine.

Kya kya karwao gi ab tm hum se, Leeha!

Soon our car was on the road. Even though the park was at throw of stone but it was already 4:35 pm so we had to hurry up.

'Now i don't want any other hindrance anymore because i think if any other shit came in our way then em not gonna put up with that. Hadd ho gai aj to!', ranted Waqas looking at us as he turned his head back at us.

'Literally.. The whole day was full of thrill and adventure, man!', said Atif excitedly.

'And the real adventure is coming to meet us!', i said smirking as i caught sight of the park.

The same park where i saw her for the first time..

Stop it Sain.. It's no time to think about her now because you know that it will only ruin your mood and you won't like to meet Leeha with such mood..

My inner voice instructed me as i was about to drown in thoughts of my mystery girl.

I was never going to find her nor i was going to meet her.

I guess some mysteries are better left unsolved..

'Let's go boys!', said Shehry smiling from ear to ear and soon i found ourselves in the park.

As it was sunday, so there was pretty much hustle and bustle in the park. Kids were running around and different couples were enjoying the awesome weather of September.

'Thank God we aren't late!', said Shehry adjusting his shades as we were standing near the main fountain.

'But how we are supposed to recognize her?', asked Waqas with his knitted eyebrows.

'We'll recognize her. Don't worry!', said Atif smiling and i stared at him with my clenched jaw.

'What?', asked Atif as he noticed me glaring at him.

'Nothing', i said brusquely and started looking around.

Just then my eyes fell on the tree near the fountain.

It was the same tree where she climbed to save that little boy's kitten. It was the same place where i saw her hiding her scars.

My heart started aching at thoughts of her.

Get her out of your head.. Out of your heart.

Someone yelled inside me.

"I am trying but i can't"..

You have to..She ain't going to be yours..

Someone snickered.

"Shut uppp!!" I yelled out loudly.

'What the hell?', asked Waqas surprisingly.

I saw the boys staring at me with confusion and worry.

Fuck!

'Are you okay, Sain?', asked Atif worriedly and i nodded curtly.

'Yeah.. Em fine.. I just n-need some air. I'll be back', i excused and strode away.

'But Leeha would be here any minute.. Be back soon, boy!', i heard Shehry yelling behind me but i shut him out. In fact, i shut out everything around me.

My head was killing me so i slowed down my pace.

I was on verge of madness. I was thinking about her again.. She was occupying my mind and heart again.

I needed to let out my frustration.. I needed someone to talk to.. I needed to tell someone that i can't get that mystery girl out of my head. I needed someone to tell that the thought of not finding her is killing me..
.
.
.

I needed Leeha!.

Only she understands me. She knows me and my pain.

When did she came that much close to you.. Where no one else is?

The inner voice left me motionless.

'I don't need anybody.. I can handle myself and.. You.. Whoever you are inside me.. Shut the fuck up! Stop messing with my head!' I said to myself and started inhaling the fresh air around me to lighten my mood and it really helped.

'I got this shit handled!', i chirped and thrust my hands in the pockets of my jeans.

I was about to go back to boys when i caught sight of a black Audi stopping in front of park.

Seeing the car, my heart stopped too.

That car!!

And she stepped out of the car.

Stop it Hussain.. It's just malfunctioning of your brain.. She isn't there..

I blinked again again to shoo the hallucinations that i was seeing but she didn't disappear.

Instead, she was coming up to me with a smile adorning her cute face.

She was wearing a white top with muddy colored sweater, black stroller wrapped around her neck and fading black jeans.

Beautiful..

I felt like my heart was about to come out of my ribcage and i was standing there, frozen.

She is here!

I was numb.. I was motionless.. I couldn't move.. I couldn't blink and it felt like that i couldn't breath.

I didn't know that my wish to see her again would be fulfilled so soon. I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions..

Surprise.. Happiness.. Wonder.. Love.. Joy.. Doubts.. Fears!

Fear of losing her again.

I can't lose her again.. I won't let her go again.. Never!

Without thinking of anything else, i found myself running to her.

Em not gonna let her go.. Em not gonna let her leave me in agony again..

My heart was thumping with joy, my blood was rushing through my veins that i could even hear it and my stomach was filled with butterflies that was giving me giddy feelings.

As i reached up to her, i was panting badly and without wasting any other second, i engulfed her into my arms.

Having her so close to me was making my already crazy heart, going gaga.

She smelt so good.

Hugging her tightly, i felt electric waves running through my spine and i could feel goose bumps all over my body.

'I didn't expect you to be that much eager to meet me, Saroo!', i heard her mumbling in the crook of my neck.

I was smiling idiotically but soon my smile dropped when my mind processed her words and my heart stopped.

Saroo?

-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-

Eeepp! 🙈

Happy Reading :))