"Be like the flower that gives it's fragrance even to the hand that crushes it"- Hazrat Ali (R.A.H)

Shehzer's POV:

I landed in Lahore at least 4 hours later than the "Official" PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) schedule. A semi-famous politician had decided to grace the VIP lounge with his presence a whopping 90 minutes late. The air craft had sat on the Karachi airport runway for more than hour, waiting for his worthless ass to get on board. A plane full of sweaty, irate passengers had threatened to physically deplane the idiot when he arrived, causing him to flee the scene with his bodyguards in tow. The entire drama had everyone keyed-up and spitting mad at the airway authorities. Someone had even made a video of the whole hilarious scene.

It heartened me to see Pakistani citizens finally standing up for their own rights. Usually, they were supposed to meekly accept outrageously screwed up flight schedules to accommodate self-appointed "V-VIP" passengers.

Upon my arrival, I immediately headed directly to the hospital for my first shift. In all this hurried activity, I forgot to turn my phone on. When I reached the hostel at night, I was shocked to find 12 missed calls from Ali on my phone.

What on earth....?

I quickly dialed him back, heart in my throat. Was Mina okay? Why would he call me more than once, unless it was dead urgent? Please let her be okay! I must have made a million bargains to Allah in the few seconds it took Ali to receive my call.

"Hello, Assalamualikum..." Ali says.

"What happened? Is everything OK? Is Mina Okay?" I ask anxiously, not even bothering to return his greeting.

He stays silent for a pause, making my heart sink further. Please Allah! Please, I'll donate my car to charity! just make her be alright!

"Ali? What. Happened?" Please....

"Relax Romeo. Everything's fine. I just called to make you stay for the Valima ceremony. Wanted you to postpone the flight. Guess I was too late by the time I called....but then your whole flight scene was being broadcast on TV, so I thought, heck maybe he can still get off the plane..."

I didn't know whether to cry with gratitude or kick Ali's ass for the grey hair he gave me in the space of a few moments. I frown at the news he is giving me. Huh? it's viral now?

"Seriously? It made the national news?" I scramble to find the remote for the mini TV in my room.

"Yeah dude, we are beyond tickled at the video this one awesome guy made.The plane passengers were like 'Shame on you, YOU STUPID DOG! GET OFF THE PLANE!" he laughs at the memory.

Woah! I didn't know it went this serious. I knew a few passengers had been righteously furious at the delay, but I wasn't one of those vocally protesting people.
I switch on the TV screen, to find various News channels debating over the bravery and folly of civilians taking on powerful politicians. This was accompanied by a shaky, phone-shot video of regular passengers; (lawyers, business executives), shaming, and de-planing two different VIP passengers. Apparently the egoistic idiots had forced the airport authorities to delay the flight for them. I grinned as I took in the hilarious video of a former minister actually turning tail and running when he saw the mob coming after him. Bravo to the Egalitarian class!

"Wow! this is awesome!" I chuckle back. "Uh...thanks for inviting me to the wedding man! sorry I couldn't have stayed for the Valima, even if I missed my flight today. I have used up a lot of free days, so it would have been next-to-impossible to get an off day again."

"Ahaan. Okay, that's fine I guess. You probably saved your nose in the long run..."

I smile confusedly, my nose? Is it some sort of contemporary Pakistani-young-adult reference that I'm not aware of? It had taken me a while to get used to the strange urban lingo of Pakistani youth nowadays. "A Burger" was not only something you ate for with fries, it was also, "A rich, sophisticated individual, who thinks he is above the "Desi" society and it's traditions" HOW? and WHY? I honestly don't know....

"Huh? My nose?"

"Yeah, your fucking nose. Ass-hole. I would have probably broken it." he says all casually, but something in his tone hints at seriousness.

How on earth did I manage to piss him off?

"Is this a joke or something? What did I ever do to you?"

"Do I sound like i'm joking? I am dead serious. My sister is not a joke for me. Or YOU, for the matter." He takes a deep breath before continuing. "You played with Mina's feelings during and after her engagement. What exactly is your game plan huh? You want to marry her, but you never sent over a formal proposal like respectable, committed people do...."

My mouth drops open. How dare he accuse me of playing with her feelings? If anyone ever deserves that particular blame, it's Areeb.

"I have no idea where you got the crazy idea that I'm the one playing with your sister. I have never been more straightforward and considerate with anyone than I was with Mina...and what do you mean I proposed? Did she tell you about it?" I was shocked and mildly confused about this fact. Whatever I said to Mina that day, had been in confidence. Later on, it became irrelevant, when it turned out that she was already in a relationship with Areeb. Either way, in my book, Ali's reaction made no sense.

"She was tensed and awkward throughout her engagement, and now, I can attribute it to your little confession." His tone is smooth with anger. "Let me tell you something as clearly as possible: If you hurt my sister, You better move to another country for this internship! She has been hurting like hell because of one asshole, she sure as hell doesn't need another in her life!"

I am seething with anger, at his accusations.

"You sho-" I try to speak, but he interrupts again.

"If you were really serious about her, why the hell haven't you brought in a Rishta (proposal) Yet? Her engagement ended a month ago, why haven't you approached me, or my parents regarding it? Do you have any idea how many other proposals we have considered and rejected for her so far? Do you think gifting her with a kitten will let her forget all the bullshit you planted in her mind? You made her fall for you, and then proceeded to ignore her. Freaking heartless Doctor!" Ali's voice was considerably raised by now, but I was still reeling over the information he had unwittingly given me.

She fell for me? When did that happen? And why is my profession being involved here? Crazy idiot!

"Ali, you must mis-" I try to get a word in, to no avail.

"No. Shut-up. You're clearly no better than that spineless bastard who cheated on her! You told her that you had feelings for her, and then you did squat about it! Who the frack, will believe that your intentions were honorable towards her? Bro, this is Pakistan! when you plan to marry someone here, you involve your families in the matter. You don't just ship over a fat feline, and hope for the best."

"ALI! CAN I SAY MY LINES NOW?" I roar at him. I have never felt so wrongly incriminated in my life. His argument was ridiculous!....Wasn't it? My hesitation over involving our families was always related to Mina's insecurities. Particularly, because of the recent heart-break, it seemed premature, and opportunistic to urge her into a commitment. Before three seconds ago, I had no idea she even had any feelings for me. While half of me was beyond ecstatic at this news, the other half was itching to give Ali a piece of my mind regarding his idiotic accusations. Ali has quieted down after my outburst, so I start my defense.

"Firstly, I have no idea how you got the idea that I am not serious, or committed To her. My hesitation about involving family has always been out of respect for Mina's wishes. She was already engaged when I proposed for the first time. Since then, she has given me no indication that she is truly over her ex-fiance, or that she is ready for a relationship with me." I run an agitated hand through my hair, "I never 'Played with her feelings' at all! Dude, trust me when I say, I had no idea she had anything more than friendly affection for me, before your phone call...Are...are you sure about it?" I ask hesitantly, dreading his answer. I want so badly for his words to be true. I had hated the idea of her being hung up on Areeb.

"She sure as hell doesn't have feelings for Areeb anymore, if that's what is stopping you from proposing. She was deeply affected by your presence here, and I have rarely seen her as happy with anyone else than whenever she hangs out with you and your sister." He sounds slightly mollified now, "What exactly is stopping you from making a move now? is it because she was in a relationship before? Does the idea of a broken engagement turn you off? Do you think she isn't worth it now?"

I see red at these pointed insults.

"Listen to me you prick. She could be divorced with a kid, and I'd still marry her in a heartbeat. Societal conceptions like these are bullshit in my book! SHE WILL ALWAYS BE WORTH EVERYTHING TO ME!" I resist the urge to break something. "Do you think it was easy for me? watching her with someone else? and then watching her learn to live without that someone? Do you have any idea how many times in the past month, I was tempted to ask your parents formally for her hand? I held back, because I wanted to give her time to get over Areeb, because with your sister, I cannot bear to...I can't...She...She is special for me. I can wait for an eternity, if it means that I get her without her past relationship tainting her." I breath heavily after this speech. Ali is dead quiet.

"Did you mean that part?" he asks gruffly

I roll my eyes, "I meant every fucking word, but which part in particular are you talking about?"

"That you could wait for her for an eternity?" His tone is quiet now.

"Well, yeah. That's the whole idea behind not involving you guys-her family-yet. I wanted to make sure she was willing to commit to me on her own terms, and not because of any family pressures, and expectations." I mutter back.

"That's kind of what I wanted to hear...." He chuckles in my ear.

Say what now?

A/N:

Heylo!

Hope you guys enjoyed this one. I was kinda swamped with homework. Also, I just saw the new Taylor Swift Video, with all those celebrities, and I got a little distracted when I tried to recognize each one. (watched it five times in a row before I succumbed to googling. OCD. *SIgh* I just HAVE To know random stuff)

Anyhoo, I had fun including a real piece of info in this chapter.

The whole VIP passengers getting kicked out of the plane is TRUE STUFF! you can google it, or find the videos on YouTube. :D This happened a few months back, and it has brought me endless joy on multiple occasions! Extremely proud of the brave civilians who daringly turned the status quo over. It's high time Pakistanis started speaking up against the ridiculous VIP culture in our institutions.

At the end of the day, all of us are humans who eat, sleep and defecate the same way. ;) Ponder on that Rehman Malik!

Video Link for the Plane scene, for interested people: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANnGacqANOs