Qureshi Mansion: Living room

Days were passing and with it, the bond between the two was growing. Everyday they learnt something new about each other. And today was one such day where Inaraah witnessed a completely new side of Alhaan.

The Qureshi family was settled in the living room entertaining an uninvited guest. The look on Ghazala and Aiza's face was enough for Inaraah to know that they aren't happy seeing the lady Asifa in their house.

Inaraah doesn't know much about the lady since she met the lady only once in her wedding. She didn't want to judge her but the way the lady was criticizing and talking ill about the person whose daughter's wedding she just attended. The way she was complaining about how the food was too simple for a wedding made Inaraah dislike her.

Sumaiyya was trying her best to change the topic but the lady didn't budge and continued bad mouthing. After half an hour she finally let go off the topic and turned her attention to Inaraah.

"So Inaraah you used to work in Qureshi company?" Asifa asked.

Inaraah was taken aback with her sudden question but nevertheless answered her, "Ji(yes)."

She started scrutinizing Inaraah as if she is some culprit. It looked as if she was annoyed with Inaraah for working in the company.

"You know Inaraah, I brought so many good proposals for Alhaan but Sumaiyya rejected all." The lady complained like a small kid.

Inaraah didn't know how to react to it, so she kept quite. Her words triggered Alhaan and he was about to reply but Sumaiyya took the matter in her hands.

"After rejecting so many proposals, I got the best girl for my Chote." Sumaiyya said with a smile.

Inaraah smiled back feeling happy with her reply. Alhaan looked down feeling anger rising in him. He clenched his hands to control the anger which was increasing with every minute.

"Yeah but still my friend's daughter was good match for Alhaan. Her father's business is spread throughout India and now he is planning to expand it outside the country.

It would have benefited you in your business as well. Plus the girl is the only daughter and after them everything would have belonged to Alhaan." Asifa said.

It was necessary to stop the lady from speaking further because Alhaan's anger had already reached its peak. The nerves on his forehead were popping out showing how hard he is controlling from lashing out.

"Alhamdulillah by Allah's grace we have been blessed with enough wealth and we don't desire for more. And it's His mercy that we are blessed with three daughters.

We always wished for a pious and practicing girl for our son. We are thankful to Allah as our sons got the best spouses who are helping them in both Deen and Duniya." Mr. Rahman replied in a soft tone.

The lady didn't utter a word after that while Alhaan looked at Inaraah. Inaraah felt bad at her choice of words but Mr. Rahman's words brought a big smile on her face. She looked at her sister-in-laws and the three started speaking in eye language.

Inaraah was oblivious of Alhaan's gaze which made him more angry. He got up and left the place not wanting to yell at anyone. Faizan and Azaan shared a worried look since they were aware of what was about to come.

After an hour which felt like lifetime to the girls, the lady left making them sigh in relief. The three made their way towards kitchen to prepare dinner.

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Qureshi Mansion- Kitchen:

"I know guests are a blessing from Allah but I didn't like her Bhabi. I am sorry I shouldn't be saying all this but that's what I felt about her." Inaraah said.

"Don't be sorry Inaraah. She is like that only. Even I disliked her in our first meeting." Aiza replied.

"Don't worry. You will get used to it." Ghazala commented.

Aiza and Inaraah started chopping vegetables while Ghazala started kneading the flour. They settled around the small round table present in the kitchen while talking about their experiences.

"She didn't like when Azaan married me because of my family status. I mean what's wrong if I belong to middle class family." Aiza spoke.

"Bhabi if you don't mind me asking who got Azaan Bhai's proposal to you?" Inaraah questioned.

"Duh! Obviously Mamma and Abbu. What sort of question is that?" Aiza replied.

"Ufff Bhabi. I mean how did you meet Azaan Bhai?" Inaraah questioned again.

"Oh that. We met in Qureshi company." Aiza replied.

"Qureshi company?" Inaraah asked with a confused look.

"Yes. I work in finance department under Faizan Bhai." Aiza answered.

"What? When? I never saw you in office." Inaraah spoke in a haste.

"Take a breath Inaraah. After marriage I stopped coming to company but I work from home." Aiza said.

"Bhabi full story please." Inaraah requested.

"Okay. So to begin with, I was selected in Qureshi company during Campus Placement. As you know I did MBA in finance, so I joined the finance department.

I used to work under Faizan Bhai, that's when Azaan and I met. I didn't know Azaan had feelings for me until the whole Qureshi family showed up at my parent's place." Aiza narrated.

"I guess it's a tradition to do so, because I was shocked when you all came to my parent's house." Inaraah piped in.

"Inaraah your family already knew about it." Ghazala replied.

"Yeah yeah. Okay so Bhabi what did you say? I mean what was your reaction?" Inaraah questioned.

"Well I was shocked too because my family also didn't know about their visit. My father had concerns because of the status difference but you know how Abbu is. My family was very much impressed and agreed to the proposal but I didn't give any answer. I asked for few days time to think about it.

It was almost a week but I didn't give any answer. I was with Faizan Bhai in his cabin when Azaan showed up. He was looking at me but I kept myself busy in my work. Faizan Bhai tried to divert his attention and act normal but Azaan being himself turned to me and asked for my answer. Faizan Bhai tried to stop him but his next words shocked Bhai and me as well." Aiza said.

"And what did he say?" Inaraah questioned curiously.

Aiza became silent while Ghazala started laughing. Inaraah was getting impatient and looked at them with puppy eyes.

"Well our great Azaan confessed his feelings to Aiza." Ghazala replied.

"You mean to say he .................." Inaraah was about to say but stopped abruptly.

"Yes Inaraah. He told Aiza that he love her in front of Faizan." Ghazala completed her sentence.

Inaraah squealed and caught hold of Aiza. "Wow Bhabi. Azaan Bhai proposed you in such a filmy style. I am really impressed with him." Inaraah said smiling cheekily. Aiza blushed at her comment while the other two ladies tickled her in a teasing way.

"The best part in this whole ordeal was Aiza already told her answer to Faizan. But when Azaan confessed his feelings, Aiza was so shy and decided to trouble him. Faizan wanted to punish Azaan for embarrassing her, so he accompanied Aiza in teasing Azaan. And finally after troubling Azaan for another week, Aiza agreed to his proposal." Ghazala said.

Inaraah laughed after learning about their dramatic love story. "Bhabi we should suggest Abbu to change the company's name from Qureshi company to Qureshi Marriage Bureau." Inaraah remarked. Three of them started laughing at her lame remark.

"Ghazala Bhabi did you also meet Faizan Bhai in office?" Inaraah questioned.

"No Inaraah, but their story is amazing too." Aiza replied.

"Really? I want to know your story too please." Inaraah pleaded. Ghazala chuckled at her childish behaviour and started narrating her story.

"We met in a function. It was a house warming ceremony of my father's friend. I refused to go since it was a mixed gathering but my dad insisted saying it would be rude not to attend. Asifa aunty had invited Mamma and Abbu along with the Q- bros because she wanted Faizan to meet her niece with whom she planned to fix Faizan.

I was sitting in one corner as I didn't like the way girls and boys were mingling with each other. Faizan saw me and told Mamma he wants to marry me. Asifa aunty was annoyed as Faizan chose me over her niece. She was glaring at me in the function and I was oblivious about the whole scenario. My brother came to me and told me everything.

At first I refused as I was still studying but Mamma assured me that I can continue my studies after marriage and even do job if I want to. I had no other reason to deny so I accepted and we got married."

"So I come to a conclusion that Asifa aunty hates three of us." Inaraah said.

"Yes with the bottom of her heart." Aiza replied. Again the three started laughing.

"And the reason for this hatred are these three brothers who were adamant on marrying us. These Q-bros are really very stubborn." Ghazala said.

"Bhabi you forgot to add one thing." Aiza said while the other two looked at her waiting for her to speak.

"They are romantic too." Aiza replied with a wink and the three started giggling.

A while later Sumaiyya entered the kitchen and took a seat next to Inaraah.

"Sorry to disturb you girls, but can I have a word with Inaraah." Sumaiyya said in a polite tone.

"Of course mamma." Saying so Aiza and Ghazala got up and engaged themselves in cooking. Inaraah looked at Sumaiyya who looked worried. Sumaiyya took her hand and smiled warmly at her.

"I don't know how to begin with and what to say." Sumaiyya said.

"What happened mamma? Is everything alright." Inaraah asked.

Sumaiyya just squeezed her hand and spoke, "Inaraah being the youngest one, Chote was pampered endlessly as a child. Though we treated our sons equally but Faizan's love had spoiled Chote a lot.

Don't know when and how he became so stubborn and short tempered. I am scared that his attitude might create problems in your married life.

I know this all is new to you as well and maybe that's why you didn't notice the change in Chote's behaviour. I am not saying you are at fault Inaraah but Chote don't pay heed to anything in anger.

He might yell at you or avoid you in his anger. All I am saying is please be patient and don't act in haste. Always remember this, when one partner is fire the other need to be water.

I hope you are understanding what I am trying to say. Please don't take me wrong in any way." Sumaiyya explained.

Her words reminded Inaraah of Alhaan whom she totally forgot in this mess.

'Allah he must be really angry now.'

Inaraah pushed away those thoughts and assured her mother in law, "I will be patient with him mamma. I will talk to him after dinner."

Sumaiyya smiled at her and showered her blessings upon her. She decided to help them in cooking but the girls didn't allow her to do so. She blessed them and moved out of the kitchen while the three again engaged themselves in conversation and now their topic was Angry Alhaan.

"Alhaan's anger is the worst among the three." Aiza said.

"I know Bhabi. I have witnessed it in office once. But it was totally different from the current situation. At that time he yelled at us but now he is on silent mode. I assured mamma but from inside I'm scared." Inaraah said in a defeated tone.

"Relax Inaraah. Everything will be fine. Just stay calm and act with maturity. Okay." Ghazala pacified her. Inaraah just nodded and they resumed their work.
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Qureshi Mansion- Gym room:

Alhaan came to the Gym room to control his anger but was failing miserably. He took the basketball which was lying on the floor and started dribbling it in anger. The more he thought about it, his anger increased by 10 folds. He sensed the hurt in Inaraah's eyes but she masked it behind her smile.

He was angry at the lady for talking nonsense but his anger increased when Inaraah acted as if it didn't affect her. He remembered their conversation which they had few days before.

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Flashback:

Both Alhaan and Inaraah were sitting in the balcony enjoying the ice cream. The weather was cold and the night was beautiful with serenity all around.

"When did you start writing diary Inaraah?" Alhaan asked breaking the silence.

Inaraah looked at him for a brief moment and again looked at the sky and replied, "Few years before."

His question reminded her of all those memories, both the pleasant and awful ones. All those days when she used to hide from everyone and those nights which she used to spent crying.

"And why do you write it?" Alhaan questioned.

This time Inaraah didn't look at him. She was in her own trance and her heart crying remembering all the pain.

"Because I cannot express what I feel. And even if I can, I don't think anyone can understand what I am trying to convey. In all these years, my diary became my secret keeper." Inaraah replied in a low voice.

Alhaan could sense the pain in her voice. The way she was trying to stay strong and not breakdown in front of him. Somewhere he was hurt that she couldn't express her feelings to him openly. He knows he need to work hard to gain her trust.

"Now You have me Inaraah. Try to share your feelings with me. I promise I won't disappoint you." Alhaan said hopefully. Inaraah looked at him and he could easily see the fear in her eyes. She immediately looked down trying to get hold of her emotions.

She just gave a nod and again gazed at the sky. Alhaan circled his left arm around her pulling her to himself. Inaraah placed her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes feeling secured in his arms. Alhaan kissed her temple and placed his head on hers.

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The whole conversation made him more angry and now he was angry on himself. He felt like a loser. All his attempts to make Inaraah trust in him went in vain. His brain was clouded with all negative thoughts. He threw the ball in anger and placed his head in his palms.

Azaan and Faizan who were standing outside the room witnessed everything. They were worried seeing his anger which was only increasing with passing time.

"I thought his anger would subside but it's only increasing with every minute." Faizan said.

"I know Bhai. I'm worried of his reaction. He can't be calm like me when he is angry." Azaan replied.

Faizan ignored his remark and said, "I hope he doesn't do anything stupid in his anger. He doesn't use his brain when he is angry."

"I agree with you Bhai. He is not intelligent like me to handle the situation with maturity like I do." Azaan said.

"Azi will you stop your self praises. At least analyse the situation before going into your 'Self obsessed mode.' Here I am worried about his reaction and you are busy with your self praises." Faizan chided.

"I am just stating the facts Bhai." Azaan replied.

Before they could continue, Ayaan came running to them calling for dinner. He went to Alhaan and pulled him along. Even though Alhaan was angry, he kept his calm. The only sane thing he does in anger is he never yell at kids and instead pamper them.

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Qureshi Mansion- Dine area:

Everyone settled in their respective seats to have dinner. Alhaan fixed his eyes on his plate avoiding everyone as if they don't exist. Inaraah kept glancing at him who didn't even spare a glance at her even once.

Ahana shared the incident which took place in her school this morning while Ayaan complained about the boy who refused to share his eraser with him. And baby Zeeshan was simply babbling trying to be a part of the conversation.

Though they always tell kids not to talk while eating but in the present situation their babbling kept the atmosphere lively.

Mr. and Mrs. Rahman steal glances at Alhaan whose whole concentration was on the food. They shared a worried look sensing his anger.

Ghazala blinked her eyes at Inaraah in a way to calm her. This side of Alhaan was completely new to Inaraah where he completely ignored her existence. His behaviour was hurting her. She know he was angry but ignoring her for something which isn't her fault was unacceptable.

Alhaan kept assuming that his efforts aren't worthy enough to make Inaraah open up around him while on the other hand, Inaraah was hurting with his distant behaviour.

Inaraah was about to refill his plate, but Alhaan stood up from his place and left the dining table and most importantly a sad Inaraah behind. Both the hearts were hurting and only they are the cure to each other.

Communication is the most important aspect for a healthy and blissful marriage.

And maybe this whole situation was needed to learn this new aspect of life. A situation where both need to cross the invisible barrier between them and reach out for each other.