Inaraah's p.o.v

At office:

After few seconds I tried to process everything and looked up at Azaan Bhai. I was staring at him as if requesting, accusing and scolding him at the same time.

Soon Rahman sir excused himself and left with Alhaan sir and everyone got busy with their work. I was still in my place and then moved towards Azaan Bhai who was talking on phone near the entrance.

I waited for him to finish his call. He turned towards me and greeted, "Assalamualaikum." I replied to him and started bombarding him with my questions.

"Bhai what was that?"

"How can you suddenly leave the designing department?"

"What about the project we were working on?"

"Why can't Alhaan sir work under you?"

"And you didn't ............................."

"Breath Inaraah breath!!!" Azaan Bhai interrupted me. I took a long breath and waited for him to continue.

"First of all Alhaan used to work in the office as an intern. He worked for a year and left to London to gain experience in software and designing. I was managing it on his behalf since he doesn't have any experience and he cannot lead the department. That's why we decided to send him to London to gain experience. And he can't work under me because he is very good at it, much more better than me." I was just staring at him all the while.

When he started getting uncomfortable he requested, "Inaraah please stop staring at me, you are making me uncomfortable. And please tell something."

"Bhai you didn't even inform me about the announcement sir made today. Bhai please don't leave the designing department, I want to work under you. Please Bhai please." I was requesting him hoping he would talk to sir and change his decision.

However I couldn't utter a word when Alhaan sir joined us. My eyes went wide seeing him and I was scared thinking he might have heard me. Well done Inu! I mentally slapped myself for being so loud. Unable to withstand his scrutinizing gaze I excused myself and made my way to my desk.

I was still confused whether he heard me or not when the girls around started gossiping about him.

"OMG he has become more hot than before," Keerti said.

"Did you notice his biceps which were bulging out," Manisha asked.

All the girls nodded their head. I avoided them and tried to focus on my work.

"Inaraah you are really lucky to work under him yaar," Keerti said.

I just rolled my eyes at her and was about to reply her when Noureen interrupted, "Oh c'mon girls. Didn't you notice how hot Alhaan sir is? Do you think he will even glance at the behanji? Oops I mean hijabi!"

I glared at her and thought If only looks could kill. I don't understand why she has so much problem with my Hijab and way of living. It's not like I'm forcing her to follow Deen nor did I ask her to wear Hijab. I was about to answer when the peon came to us and informed, "Rahman sir asked the designing team to report in the board room as their is a meeting in few minutes." We all nodded and he left.

Noureen, Priyanka, me and other boys moved towards the board room. We all were sitting in the board room when Azaan Bhai walked in with Alhaan sir and Tauhid. Soon Rahman sir and Faizan sir joined us. Rahman sir introduced Alhaan sir with all the officials, managers and head of department. He started giving him the details of the new projects we are currently working on. He was listening keenly and nodded every now and then.

Except our team everyone left the board room. I once again looked at Azaan Bhai helplessly. He smiled at me and left. Tauhid was sitting with Alhaan sir. Although he will be working under him, they were friends from like forever. I admire their friendship and also Tauhid is a really good person. Well can't say the same for Alhaan sir since I don't know him.

Alhaan sir started interacting with everyone asking about our knowledge and experience. My participation was 0.00% while Noureen was all set to impress him. She couldn't stop talking about her knowledge and skills. I looked at Priyanka who was mirroring my expression. I controlled my urge to laugh at that moment.

Priyanka is a sweet girl, she joined this office along with me. We both shared a good bond. Shreya, Priyanka and I hangout during the free time in the office. Shreya is loud at times but Priyanka is always calm and composed.

My thoughts came to halt when out of nowhere Tauhid started speaking about me. I looked at him to understand what he was up to that's when others joined him saying how I played major role in making the last two projects successful.

I wanted to yell at him to stop, I mean common it's a part of my work and a little guidance from other's. Fahad Bhai always share his experience with me since he is a MCA as well. That's the reason I was able to give my best in those projects. It's not a big deal.

If it was any other situation I would have laughed at Noureen's expression. But right now these people are making me uncomfortable with their so called praises.

If that was not enough Alhaan sir declared, "From today Miss Inaraah will assist me in all projects, only then I can decide how efficient she is." My eyes became wide and I sat numb at my place. I saw Noureen was not happy with it either. I ignored her and tried to speak but Alhaan sir dismissed the meeting and left the board room. And I was sitting there like an idiot thinking Can this day be more worst than it was before?

As I came out of the board room Tauhid congratulated me. I was mad at him and planning his murder in my mind. I was about to shout at him when everyone started congratulating me. Why on earth are they congratulating me. It's not like I won Oscar award.

Shreya hugged me saying she is so happy. I know she is more happy because of Noureen who was in a way insulting me few minutes back. Priyanka joined us and said, "it's karma."

Oh Allah I don't believe in karma and all but today it's like I paid for her words.

I went to my place and started thinking about the events which happened to me in last 24 hours.

Flashback:

Sunday- Inaraah's house:

Today I can spend my whole day with my family. With these thoughts in mind I went to freshen up. I changed into long orange kurti paired with white leggings. Wrapping a white hijab around my head I moved out.

As I entered the living room I saw Dadi sitting with mommy and mamma. Dadi was at Samina phupi's place. I didn't knew when she came. I went to them and greeted, 'Assalamualaikum.'
They all replied and I asked Dadi about her well being.

Something was fishy because when I entered they were talking nonstop in hushed tone and after seeing me they went all silent. I was about to ask when mommy said 'Inu go and help your Bhabis in kitchen.' I wanted to know about their conversation but still left since mommy asked me to.

As I entered the kitchen I found my beautiful Bhabis talking about some recipe. I joined them and soon we started discussing about different recipes which can be prepared in an hour. An hour later our discussion was about the recent trend. The discussion which started on a recipe and ended on a trend, made me laugh like anything.

It was 10 when we were done with cooking and setting the table. Everyone joined us on the table and we started discussing about Dadi's visit.

After breakfast I thought of spending time with everyone but they left saying they have some important issues to discuss. I felt bad since I wanted to spend my time with them. I played with the kids and later moved to my room since it was zuhr time.

Whole day passed by but the elders were busy in their discussion. I was mad at them and decided not to talk to anyone. After dinner I made my way to room. Bhai suggested to play UNO but I was in no mood. I waited whole day to spend time with them and now they are acknowledging it.

Samiha Bhabi and Afreen Bhabi entered my room. I was gazing at the night sky. It was so beautiful. Afreen Bhabi asked me to narrate a poem. I looked at her and then Samiha Bhabi since she doesn't know about my passion.

Samiha Bhabi gave a nod and said 'I'm aware about your poems Inu.'

I felt bad for hiding it from her and apologized to her. She was okay with it and asked me to show my collection later. I smiled at them and said one of my poem

Day and night are two sides of life..
One depicts happiness other holds strife..
In the daylight we sound affable..
While at night we are vulnerable..
Behind the smile we hide our melancholy..
But in the darkness we cry in agony..
The brightening day veil our fears..
Only the night witness our scars and tears..
Pain is bound to us like a manacle..
None can see it since it's intangible..

They stared at me in awe. I raised my left eyebrow at them and they smiled at me. Afreen Bhabi broke the silence by saying 'You know Bhabi, Inu wrote some poem's for her future hubby as well but she doesn't what us to read them.'

Samiha Bhabi started insisting me to show them but I said 'I'll show it when the right time comes.'

Samiha Bhabi asked me, 'Inu what kind of guy do you prefer?' I looked at her surprised as I wasn't expecting that. I thought for a while and replied

'You know Bhabi when I was a teenager I used to have a crush on every other daily soap hero and wished to have a hubby like him. But as I was growing I understood that reel and real life are poles apart. You can never have a hubby with six pack abs, loving, romantic, caring and who will treat my family as his. I'm not saying that I don't dream about him but now his image is different from the image I had in teenage.

I have learnt one thing in these 23 years. A man who is on Deen is the person who will possess all of the qualities I wished before. I don't know whether he will have a well built body or not but if he is on Deen he will surely be loving, caring and respect my family.

And now I only pray to Allah that whoever is destined for me should love Allah more than anything. Because the man who loves Allah more than anything else in the world will be the keeper. I pray him to be my light to Deen, the coolness of my eyes and with whom In sha Allah I'll be walking to jannah.'

Once I was done I looked up at my Bhabi's who were staring at me as if I'm an alien. They were pleased since they didn't expect such answer from me.

I decided to voice out my thoughts to them and finally questioned, 'Bhabs what are you all hiding from me?' They seemed to be taken aback. Afreen Bhabi held my hand and squeezed it gently. She then said, 'It's nothing Inu. Don't think much about it.'

I was not convinced and said 'Bhabs I'm having a weird feeling from morning and the way you all behaved whole day added to it'. Samiha Bhabi placed her hand on my shoulder and said, 'Don't worry Inu everything is fine. And about feeling weird it happens sometimes, just take it in a positive way. Maybe today a new phase of your life has begun.' Even though I wasn't convinced with her reply I nodded my head. They left after sometime.

I was still sitting nearby the window and ponder over what Samiha Bhabi said. Maybe today it's a new beginning in my life. With these thoughts in mind I moved to bed and slept.

Today morning:

I was in a hurry since I woke up late. Damn I didn't knew when my alarm went off. I dressed up in a cream and black dress and wrapped a black hijab. I went to have breakfast when I heard mommy saying 'We should inquire first.' I was confused as to what they want to inquire about. When they saw me they changed the topic smoothly.

Now I was more curious to know and only two people can answer my questions. I made my way to kitchen where my lovely bhabi's were having a discussion about someone's profession. 'Afreen he should be equally qualified as our Inu.'

That's when I understood what was this whole matter about. I jumped in their conversation 'And it's not necessary to discuss it with Inu.'
They both turned on my voice and stared as if they saw a ghost.

I went to them and ask them to spill everything. I was beyond mad now and one more lie I will erupt like a volcano. They signalled each other and turned to look at me. Samiha Bhabi started 'Inu you got a proposal two day's before.' I was shocked and stood like a dumb person. 'We wanted to know about the family before revealing it to you.'

I was bubbling up with anger and bombarded them with questions.
'Who is he? Does he offer prayer? What is his age? What are his qualifications? Does he prefer a girl who is independent and wants to do job?'

'Relax Inu. We will tell you all the details soon. Please be patient till then.' Afreen Bhabi said.

I was mad at everyone. How can they hide such things from me? Tomorrow they will come to me and say we have fixed your marriage. Please say 'Qubool hai' when maulvi sahab ask for your permission. I had my breakfast and left for office.

End of flashback

I was brought to present when Priyanka shook me. I looked at her who was looking concerned. I smiled at her and said I am fine.

First the proposal and now Alhaan sir. He definitely heard my conversation with Azaan Bhai. Will he make me pay for my words. Oh My Allah! Today is seriously not my day.