Hum jou tum se mile hain ittefaq thore hai?
Mil Kar tum ko chorden mazaak thore hai?

Agar hote tumse muhabbat aik hadd tak tou chordete,
Par hamare tumse muhabbat ka hisaab thore hai?

Abb tum dhondoge mere iss gazal ka jawab,
Ye meray Dil ki awaz hai kitaab thore hai!!

Jahan

" Alamdar. I missed you so much."

The woman cried out making me bite the inside of my cheek. I leaned against the island, the marble digging in my back as I saw the two people pull apart from each other.

" Well I am here now, birdie. And look at you-" the man poked her cheek and she visibly flinched, slapping his finger away. The tall man cocked his head.

" And look at you, you look pale." He dragged.

Saboohi shook her head and turned her head to look at me. Her small smile contracting and she gestured her hand to the man pulling him in and closing the door. Her eyes beckoned me over and so I pushed myself and walked to the couple. Forcing a smile on my lips as the man nodded my way.

" Hi. I am Alamdar." We shook hands and exchanged smiles.

" Jahan."

" Alamdar is my cousin and only best friend. And Jahan is my husband."

Saboohi smiled looking at her cousin who chuckled.

" I am very sorry for disturbing your honeymoon but I was passing by and with much difficulty I figured out the address." Alamdar looked genuinely guilty but the woman beamed. Waving his excuse away.

" Tch. You are always welcomed here. Come let's sit."

Saboohi said and I nodded showing the man towards the lounge. Saboohi followed behind him as he took off his coat and hanged it. I pulled the woman back. My fingers already unbuttoning my white button down. As I scowled.

" What?" She whispered yelled as we stood hidden from the man.

" Wear this." Her eyes widened seeing the shirt I was extending to her. Her lips parting as her eyes ran up and down my toned torso.

" Why?" She fired back making me step towards her and force the arm holes on her. She squirmed like a stubborn child, making faces as I pushed the middle buttons in place. Her butterscotch eyes rolling as she huffed when the folded the sleeves upto her forearms.

" Don't make faces, your arms are all bare."

" You're making me look like a monkey infront of him." She complained as I stubbornly straightened my shirt out on her.

" He's another man Saboohi and I am your husband, not allowing you to appear before him with your shoulders and arms bare." I whisper yelled sneering at her excuses.

How could one woman expell out so many emotions from me within mere three minutes.

" Happy now." She stuck her tongue out to me before rushing past me, making me growl beneath my breath.

I made my way up the stairs and into the bedroom. Hearing the once silent house now fill with voices and laughter. Pulling the wardrobe open I shrugged on a black t-shirt. Mentally preparing myself to control two uncontrollable children. One of them being the most hard to handle, Saboohi.

Walking back downstairs, I heard them talk.

" Oh my God, I hate you so much for not attending the wedding. You should've been there."

She aimed a fluffy cushion at him but the man dodged it and laughed out loud.

" Oh birdie come on. I had to go to Lahore. You could have taken up my suggestion; extended the wedding but no." He fired back.

I smiled and settled opposite from them on the bean bag.

" I am sorry man. I hope I ain't intruding much of your privacy." He said flashing a half grin. I shook my head.

" Nah it's okay. You weren't at the wedding." I asked instead.

" Yeah. I work with the oil and industrial sector so they have their headquarters in Lahore. I had to be there for a week and you guys planned the wedding in the same week." He sighed.

" Oh. I am sorry where's your site?" I inquired.

He chewed the gum in his mouth. Running a hand past his jaw.

" Um it's in swat but now I've been transferred to a place not very far from here, I am staying at my friend's farm house-"

He glanced at Saboohi and grinned, raising an eyebrow.

" You guys should visit the place. I am sure it'll add more to your honeymoon." Saboohi glanced at me quickly and then back at her cousin.

" Sure." I said leaning comfortably.

I zoned out, staring as the two cousins talked. Saboohi looked happy and carefree, not resembling the woman I carried in my arms and lowered her lifeless body on the car seat. Her butterscotch eyes sparkled as she yelled and laughed at her cousin. She was wrong about looking a monkey instead, she looked nice with the white button down over her dress. She had the flowers, I gave her this morning, in her hands as she played with the stems. I flickered my eyes to the man across from her.

Alamdar Yaseen, third year student when I was completing my masters. A typical popular bad boy. He had looks and was like magnet, the girls used to die for his attention and he would die for the girls of my batch who wouldn't give him a second glance. He was a spoiled brat when I saw him. We hadn't ever met in university and now only that I looked at him and asked about his work, I recognised him. I stopped myself from bringing up about knowing him from University because that would've already brought up the topic about me and Ronaq. And Ronaq was the last person I wanted to discuss with him. And I wasn't even sure how Saboohi would react to the new information.

Years had changed him just a little. He was tall, board with muscles he flashed whenever he flexed his arms around the cushion he was playing with. Dark brown eyes, thick brows. A sharp jaw line and high cheek bones with absolutely no fat on his cheeks. Making his face look more chiselled. He had thin lips, sharp nose, light stubble growing over his sharp jaw. The man had his hair styled messily on top of his head. He sported a white shirt and jeans and had chains hooked around his neck that shined against his white shirt. He looked model type, and I could easily pass him for a handsome eligible bachelor.

My eyes tore away from him as Saboohi stood up.

" Tea?" She asked us.

Alamdar nodded his head whilst I shook mine. The coffee in my stomach still churning.

Saboohi hadn't moved a stick since morning and now she was all sobered up as she sweetly asked for tea. I bet if her cousin hadn't showed up, I would've done the chores till midnight.

Alamdar pulled out his phone as it tinged and I quietly excused myself as he began scrolling. Stepping up in the kitchen, I leaned against the island so that my back faced the man in the lounge.

" Why don't you rest, Saboohi. While I make tea." I offered sickly.

Her eyes snapped to me before she scowled.

" Listen here, what happens in this house stays here. Don't act smart disposing off unnecessary information." She glowered.

I nodded silently and then gasped. Feigning innocence.

" And what information are you talking about?" I asked in a hushed voice. The woman huffed as she resisted the urge to bang the kettle on the stove.

" You know exactly what I am talking about." She raised her eyebrows and then ushered me out of the kitchen to her cousin.

" Why don't you boys talk. I am sure you'll find something common."

Alamdar kept his phone away on the pointed look he received from his cousin. And nodded. I slumped down on my spot and switched on the television. Men could talk best upon one thing; and that's politics. Alamdar's attention also turned to the t.v and we simultaneously passed on comments about the news.

•

" Jahan, your mother has gone crazy she's been eating noodles since we arrived here. And I don't actually know why she wanted to visit Singapore except that she liked noodles."

I chuckled as General Sahb complained. His arm going around mom as she clicked pictures of the festival they were attending. I waved before the screen as the couple appeared together.

" Yes Jahan. It's so good here. I wish you and Saboohi had tagged along." Mom said in the phone. And I shook my head.

" No mom. We are good here." I said flashing my eyes to the guy behind the counter as he placed my parcel on the top.

" Where are you? Who's that guy in the background?" Mom asked making eyes turn and look to my phone and me. I grabbed the plastic bag and then easily made my way out of the restaurant.

" I came to grab dinner, mom. Saboohi's cousin is visiting us." She said something but the video paused, the screen popping the message of error connection.

I sat in the car and sighed as mom appeared on the screen again.

" When are you guys planning to go back?" She asked walking.

I ran my tongue over my lips and leaned back on my seat.

" Well we're not returning back anytime soon. It's actually very good here. Saboohi and I are tagging along well."

The woman laughed.

" See! You only needed to do a little effort-"

" Yeah mom. I'll talk to you later okay." The video paused again as I said goodbye and I reserved the car before hitting the road. The dark night had shadowed over us with thick velvety clouds. Making nostalgia sore my bones. I had drove down the same road with the same thick clouds on many uncountable evening with the passenger seat occupied by the most precious woman to me.

I pushed on the radio, a soft music filling in and I sighed. Ronaq where have you left me? You should've at least trained me, taught me of the cruelties of this world. Instead you spoiled me, I never looked up at any other woman other than you. I never asked for more, never asked for less but asked for you. And now look! I have to learn thousands of things thrown my way. All by myself.

Parking the car besides Alamdar's, I took the food out and unlocked the door before going in. Alamdar and Saboohi were still seated on the island where we had evening tea. But unlike any time I had seen them, they looked serious with smile less faces.

" You're back." Saboohi said as I handed her the bags.

The woman got up, ready to dish the food out. We washed our hands and sat around the dining table.

" How is it that you guys grew up so close together?" I asked curiously playing with the fork and cucumber.

Alamdar looked up from his plate, his dark eyes flickering to me before he wiped his mouth with the napkin and looked at Saboohi. Expecting her to give the answer. I casted my eyes to the woman in white.

" So, um- Alamdar has been the closest in family apart from papa whom I was attached to since I could remember. If I had any problem, if I had anything to share, if something was troubling me, or anything of the sort. So it was never Rubi or moma instead it was Alamdar who I would inform. And he is the only friend I have."

Alamdar chuckled, grinning.

" I feel honoured." He said looking at me. I nodded my head and we all fell in silence again. After the pleasant dinner, we had some coffee as we sat on the islands again.

" My dad passed away when I was very young. So it was always me and my mom. Saboohi is the closest person to me as well. And the woman who would've been cheering and shouting the most at your wedding would be my mother."

We shared a chuckle as we enjoyed coffee. And I did remember this one woman from the wedding who was swaying when the music was playing and cheering and the most excited, moving up and down the stage.

The clouds roared indicating that rain would swing with them soon. Saboohi blew out a breath as the clouds glowered outside.

" I think it's my que to leave." Alamdar stood up. Giving us a smile.

" Would you be okay going back. The rain-" I started seeing the man reach for the coat over the stand. He chuckled and shook his head.

" Yeah I'll be great, the farm house is just forty minutes away from here. I am sure the clouds will hold up their pee till then."

A smile broke up on my lips as he gathered his phone and wallet.

" I'll see you soon then, birdie." They side hugged. Saboohi growing quiet as we walked to the door.

" Take care." She called out from the door as I walked Alamdar to his car. The man turned around winking at her, a sly grin growing on his lips.

" I will for you, birdie."

I dug my hands in my pants pockets, after shaking my hand with him.

" It was very nice meeting you, Jahan. I will sleep peacefully at night knowing she is in good hands."

He smiled and unlocked his car. I offered a small smile as well.

" It was good meeting you as well." I spoke seeing the man sit on the seat. But before he could close the door, I found myself speaking.

" Alamdar. Um- keep visiting us, um for Saboohi. It was nice having you around."

He grinned nodding his head.

" I will."

Exchanging numbers and waving at him, I returned back inside seeing Saboohi already in the kitchen, cleaning up. I filled a glass with water and sat on the island stool seeing the woman move around. Her fingers filled a spoon of rice and she brought the spoon to her lips, making me interrupt almost immediately.

" Saboohi put that down. You cannot have that." I said seeing the woman murmur something beneath her breath.

" They had to wash your stomach twice, you can't risk eating things you like." I folded my arms against my chest seeing her pack the container and put them away in the fridge.

" Your soup is still left, want some if you're hungry?" I asked knowing the dilemma she was in. But instead she ignored me and advanced to the stairs. Making me spring to my feet as I strode to her.

Before she could climb the first step, I caught her arm and pulled her back. My tall figure hovering over her as I spoke covering up the sneer.

" I am already tired of you leaving up the stairs without answering me properly and I will not tolerate this behavior of you again."

The anger blazed my skin as I tightened my fingers over her arm.

" Let go of my hand."

" You didn't have a problem laughing with that flirtatious of your cousin who was a play boy in university. And you go on ignoring me when I am being the nice and tolerable one here."

She squirmed, her eyes hardening as she gasped.

" Then I guess you should have practiced your flirtatious skills well." She fired back.

I groaned in a warning.

" Saboohi, behave."

I said seeing the woman clench her jaw.

" Or else what? Huh? What?"

She pushed her face towards mine, making me step back as she stepped forward. Her body moving towards mine as she asked.

" Or else what? Hmm? What?"

My back hit the island and she stopped before me, her face a breath away and I stilled with my tongue tied. Her messy bun had locks falling here and there. And her eyes were expelling small bursts of flame as they looked at me. I gulped down my throat roughly as she ran her eyes from my forehead, down my cheekbones, then to my eyes before slipping to my nose and stopping on my lips. She flickered her eyes back to mine and I found the hardness in them melt away. The tension easing off from her body as she relaxed against mine not caring that her arm was still twisted with mine.

" Or else what Jahan?"

She breathed out in a whisper and I tensed as she looked at me. Her eyes holding so much expectations that my heart trembled within my chest. I held in my breaths as she leaned in. Her soft perfume wafting past my nose. I closed my eyes before catching the glimpse of hers fluttering shut.

Please don't.

Please don't.

Please don't.

Please don't.

I broke from her grasp and moved away. Breathing in large gulps for my burning lungs.

" You are violating my personal space." I spoke running my hands all over my face and neck. I had my back to her as she spoke.

" You were doing the same 78 seconds ago."

I breathed and turn to go upstairs.

" Saboohi I'll have to be going for work and if you misbehave I might have to buckle you forcefully and leave you in the car with child lock on while I am at the site."

I groaned walking up the stairs. Hearing the woman laugh out from behind as she followed me up.

" Next time don't you dare to pretend to be jealous because you look like a sick man to me."

She yelled as she stomped inside the bathroom. I shook my head. She was absolutely crazy. A second later the bathroom opened and my shirt came flagging over my face. Making me curse as she slammed the door again.

Minutes later we lay in bed, in silence, in our own thoughts, in our own worlds, in our own darkness. Saboohi's flashing smile smeared on my mind and then her father's words. And I tried to imagine a fifteen year old Saboohi laughing and enjoying outside a cafe in Budapest. The protesting of rubber tires, erupt the screech and my ears bleed hearing it. The van door opens and the hands come out-

" Saboohi." I almost call out panicked. The woman shuffled over.

" Yeah." Her voice was thick, not with sleep but with sleeplessness. She rolled over as I did the same, now facing each other.

" How was it in university?" I asked daring the question myself.

Her lips curved up in the dark as she rubbed her cheek over the silky pillow cover.

" It was good. At times the day would be a challenge but other times I'd almost feel normal. Like all other students. Moma never wanted me to attend university and so going out to study would seem like a war I was fighting against her. Proving to her that I was no less and instead I could do more than many."

I smiled at her genuine answer. She was oblivious of what I now knew about her but she didn't care if I knew or not. She just gave her genuine and honest answer and I liked this about her.

" I am assuming you did score well."

" Yeah." she said quietly.

" -but Rubi still managed to wrap the floor. She was much more than I would ever be."

Her voice sounded sad and I felt bad that she was so looked down by her own sister.

" Rubi doesn't know that you are much more than anyone else would ever be."

I said in attempt to cheer her up. I did say it will all honesty. Whoever her sister was, I disliked her with the same intensity the nurse had for me.

" really?"

She confirmed making me bite back the smile before I closed my eyes.

" Yes Saboohi, I mean it."

I could feel her smile from across the pillow. Sleep slowly rolling in my system. And before I could lose my consciousness to sleep. I felt her hand moving down to grasp mine under the covers. I opened my right eyes to have a look as she rolled back on her back and titled her face away, sleeping.

Yet her fingers met mine in a fiery bursts of sparks and flames.

•

Voillaaa!!!

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Till then<

Love,
_Hafsa♥