Please read the note in end.

I wish my dream of visiting NYC come true.

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Chapter 17.

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Khadija.

It has been 3 days since that little incident at Usama Bhai new house. Thankfully they drop that topic and didn't say anything after that. Yasir Bhai was little mad at Rauhan.A little because he don't know anything about what his Mom says. Yesterday Aminah and her family came at dinner. Hira Bhabhi apologized from her Mom side but I wasn't angry or mad with her. I was just upset that she thought about me like that. She don't know anything happen with me.

Asim is still herewith me. He never leaves my side but soon he will be gone. He had to meet his parents before he went off to NYC to give final interview for his dream job. He also find someone better then Zaid for me but I wasn't interested in it.

I was only thinking about Rauhan. He knows everything about me now. Did he also think about me the same way like his mother? Did he also leave me like everyone?

'He never with you' some part of mine snapped at me. I sigh heavily knowing it is right. We were never together and never will be.

"Strawberry are you ready?" Asim voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked at door and he was standing there wearing his new jeans and button shirt. He was dressed a little formal. He says they were his friend family. Daniyal is his friend from his previous job. They became friends there and then he left job to join his father in business. He live with his parents and brothers. He is the eldest siblings in three of them. He has two more brothers one is 20 and other is 18.They used lived here but move to California last year.

"Khadija.What's wrong?" I feel a shake on my shoulders. I looked up in mirror and see Asim cornered face reflecting in mirror.

"Nothing. I was just thinking." I said shrugging and looked down at my hands.

"Don't think about those things Khadija. Never let anything change your life. Be happy and show everyone you could stay happy and strong without them."He spoke softly. A tear slipped from my eyes.

"I can't do this Asim. I am weak, a gold digger who trap people in her trap and make their life hell." I said quietly to myself. He turned me around to face him.

"Don't say that again. You are not what you said. You are the girl who is innocent, who never think about those things. You are very strong Khadija. Just trust yourself." He paused and wipe my tears. "Forget about it. Let's go down they are waiting for you." I nodded and stood up. We walk down with him by my side. We enter in living room and everyone looked at us.

Yasir Bhai and Usama Bhai having a threaten conversation with Daniyal. I call it threaten because I knew it was by the look on their faces. Aminah, Hira Bhabhi and our Mom stalking about things. Aminah want to come with me but I told her not to. I want Asim by my side who can make me feel better. Our Dads were also talking with two other young guys who I guess were Daniyal brothers.

"Go and sit with your Mom." Asim whispered and light push me to Mom. I walk over her and give my Salam before I sit down.

"Mash Allah.She is very beautiful." An older women comment who introduce her as Daniyal Mom. I politely smiled at her. She asked me few questions before she decides to give Daniyal and me some time alone but Asim jumped in.

"I am staying with them." He walk over and sit next to me making himself comfortable.Everyone walk out of room to kitchen.

"Go on.Talk." Asim says and I could feel his smirk because I don't really looked up only staring at my hands.

"Um... How are you?" Daniyal asked politely. I closed my eyes as Rauhan face flashed in my closed eyes. I quickly open it again and mentally shake my head.

"I am fine. How are you?" I asked quietly. I don't know what happen to me but I keep thinking about Rauhan.

"I am fine too.So... Um... How much you study?" He asked which making Asim laughed.

"Dude I told you 20 times before she was graduated in science. She also do teaching course and was a teacher." Asim says smirking. I mentally rolled my eyes. I slowly looked up and take a look of his face. He is good looking but looks are not important for me. He has hazel eyes and he was blushing slightly.

"Yeah... Sorry I just forgot."

"Why you guys are so nervous?" Asim asked confused.

'When it is your turn to meet the girl you marry then I ask why you are nervous'. I thought and smirked.

"How much you studied?" I asked because Asim hadn't told me about his studies.

"I graduated in English literature. I also do a short course of writing." He says. I nodded. Then questions we ask were of our likes and dislikes. He can say I was distracted. Most of the questions he asked were answered by Asim. Everytime he give my answers, he looked at me and give me a worried look.

I know I can't do this again. I am distracted with everything happening around me. What ever happen between Rauhan and me or between his Mom and me is affecting me a lot. I was never like this.

At table everyone was talking and having a good time. Daniyal brothers were studying in school and college. His younger brother who is Sami and is 18 was in last year of his school. His other brother who is Zohaib and is 20 was graduating next week.Everyone was talking only I was sitting quietly. Whenever I feel eyes on me I looked up and saw Daniyal keep staring at me and it make me uncomfortable.

"So... Khadija Daniyal you guys decide anything?" Dad asked us with a smile. The smile I was hoping to see. He looked really happy.

"It's a Yes from me Uncle." Daniyal said with same smile. Everyone turned to me for answer. I looked at them before looking down and sighing.

I closed my eyes and whenever I do that I saw his face flashing. I want to get rid from this. I don't know what to say. To say Yes or No? I open my eyes and first saw Asim cornered face that make me better a little.

"Dad I want to you to do Istikhara. Whatever it says I am ready for it." I told them my decision. They looked at me and smiled softly. Even Daniyal and his family also say it is a good way to know what is best for us and what Allah wants.

After dinner everyone left. Usama Bhai and his family also left half an hour ago. I walk back in my room and changed my cloths. I lay on bed staring at ceiling blankly.I rolled on other side and close my eyes. As I was about to sleep a knock on my room door wake me up again.

"Come in"I called out because I forgot to lock it. Door open and a figure came inside.It was dark and I couldn't see anything. I move on side and switch on the lights.

"What are you doing Strawberry?" Asim asked sitting on edge of the bed. I sighed and also sit up and rested back on the headboard.

"Nothing. I was about to sleep." I told him and shrugged. I looked at him but he was staring me back. I raised my eyebrow and he only shook his head.

"Why are you here?" I asked after a silence of few minutes. He sighed and lay back on bed.

"I want to spend some time with you before leaving tomorrow." He says with a sighed.I looked at him shocked.

"What? You are leaving tomorrow?" I asked. He looked at me and nodded. I can see sadness in his eyes.

"I have to go.I am leaving for New York on Friday after 3 days. Tomorrow night I go home to meet Mom Dad. Then after a day I will be flying for my interview." He said smiling. I smiled but I was also upset for him leaving me. He is the only one who can threaten Yasir Bhai for teasing me. He is the only one who can make me feel better and take my mind out of everything.

"Good Luck and give your best in interview." I said and forced a smile. He looked at me and sighed.

"I will be visiting here every weekend."

"I know. It's just I don't want you to also leave me." As I came from my mouth He looked at me confused. I was also confused on what I say. Also? Who also leave me? Oh yeah, Zaid.

"What you mean by that? Khadija I am always here for you whenever you need" He says with a small smile. I looked at him and nodded.

"I know I didn't mean to say that." I laid back on bed and look away from him. After few minutes of silence I heard door getting closed meaning he left. I sighed and a pair of tear slipped from my eyes.

I don't want to be alone again. I want someone with me. First, it was Asim, then Zaid and now Rauhan. They all left me in middle. Everyone give up on me. I never felt so alone before. I closed my eyes with tears falling and fell into deep sleep.

Next day.

I wake up when I heard my room door opening loudly and suddenly cold water hit me. I wide wake and was shocked to see myself wet. I looked and saw Asim and Yasir Bhai smirking.

"What the hell it that?" I yelled and wipe my face with some tissues on side table.

"Wake up Strawberry. We have to leave." Asim says and pulled me up to stand. I stood up and walked in bathroom. I took a shower and brush my teeth. When I walk back in room it was empty. They left. I took out a pair of jeans and long green shirt. I put on my hijab and walk down in dining room where everyone was sitting and eating breakfast.

"Assalam-o-Alaikum"I give my Salam and they greet back. I sit down and start eating breakfast. I notice everyone was smiling and looking at me.

"What?" I raised my eyebrow at them. They chuckle and shake their heads. Now, this is weird.

"Strawberry we are going somewhere today. So pack your bags and meet me outside in 2hours." Asim says while eating. I nodded and continue eat.

"But where are we going?" I asked normally.

"You're coming with me to New York" He says and smile. I smiled back and continue eating.After few second, something click in my mind. New York? With him? I looked at him with wide eyes.

"What! I am going with you?" I asked him totally confused. He smiled again and nodded.

"Yeah. I know you are going to miss me and I also do so why don't you come with me. When I got passed in my interview we will celebrate and then I will drop you back here." He told me his plan.

"Thank you so Much" I thank him and give him a side hug since he sits next to me. We finish our breakfast and everyone get to their work. I rush into my room and start packing. Asim told me we are going for a week. I wasn't surprised that Mom Dad gave us permission to go because every year Asim, Yasir bhai, Sana and I go somewhere to spend some time because he was always away on his job. He is a writer and writes Drama scripts for school and theater plays in different cities. He want some experience before he give interview to Gossip Magazine.

I pack everything I want. I call Asim and he take my bags out in his car. We said our goodbyes to Mom, Dad and Yasir Bhai drive us to Airport. He cancel his Plan to visit his parents because he says they all will be moving to New York City when he get the job. I prayed for him to give his best in interview to get this job and I know he can do it.

We landed and walkout of airport. Asim rented a car for us. We get in car and drove at hotel where Yasir Bhai already booked our rooms. We arrived at hotel and get inside.The receptionist give us our room keys and we walk in our room. Its 6 pm in evening so we decide to take some rest then go out for dinner.

I wear jean and long blue shirt. I do light make up and put on my hijab and heels before walking to Asim room. I get room next to his. I knock few times before he came out in a button up shirt and black jeans.

"Ready to go?" He asked walking us to elevator. I nodded and we went downstairs. We left hotel and drove to best desi restaurant.

We park the car in parking and walk inside. We heard a lot about this restaurant. We sit on an empty table in corner by window. We give our orders and waited for it while talking about random things.

"So... You like Daniyal?" Asim asked making me sighed. I know this is coming and he would be asking me this question soon but what I told him.

"He's okay." I said and shrugged looking out of window. I could feel his gaze on me that make me uncomfortable.

"What's going on with you Khadija? Why are you not interested in anything? You started to think about things a lot that you don't remember where you are or what is going on? Since Rauhan walk away you are not yourself. You were like lost. Tell me what happen?"

"I-I don't know Asim. I was just stressed out that's it. It wasn't because of him. Things happen in few weeks were giving me stress. I don't know what to do. He is always on my mind. Whenever I tried to sleep his face flash in my eyes like he was staring at me. If I would then I will go back in past and remove all bad things happen in Pakistan. It hurt me when I saw his face in pain last time." I finished and sighed heavily looking out of window. I frowned as I saw a familiar figure coming to restaurant. It wasn't clear so I couldn't seethe face.

"Strawberry you know what it is called?"He paused and I shake my head. "It is called Love. You are falling for him Khadija. These are the signs of love." He said softly with a small smile.

"It's not Love Asim. It is just my over thinking. It wasn't love. Love always hurt." I mumble the last part and looked away. He was about to say something when his suddenly says something under his breath.

"What?" I asked looking at him but he was staring at someone behind me. I followed his gaze and was shocked to see who it was.

"What he is doing here?"

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Late Night Update.

Sorry for updating so late. I want to tell everyone that from now I am not going to update my books on days I fixed because some of you are complaining about single or short updates a week. So from now, I will update when I get time because I am really busy in waiting for my result and admissions. I also had work to do so please try to understand. Don't think I am rude to all you because I will never be. I just got frustrated reading P.M about updating and why I set days for updates. 

It will be very great-full if you all try to understand my situation and what I am going through right now. Result Pressure is killing me. I hope you all think before asking for updates. I will try my best to update my all book 3 times in a week.

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-Maddy.!