Third Person's POV

The hot air of June July had transformed itself into the salty monsoon breeze of August and then to a slightly cool breeze of September and October. The sun which rose on the old buildings of Karachi city did not have the same heat karachites were used to for the better part of the year but the weather was pleasantly fair.

Two abaya clad women were hurrying down a noisy street of North nazimabad at 1 pm on a busy Monday. After full four hours of shopping despite the fair temperature they seemed to be sweating profusely. Entering a home at the end of the street the younger one with a purple floral hijab slumped on the living room chair laddened with multiple shopping bags and gasped,

"Water please Marium.. oh you've made juice!! Thanks darling." Gratefully gulping down the ice cold orange juice she felt her senses coming back and thanked her sister who was watching her amusedly.

"Haya how many times do I've to tell you that don't drink water just after coming back from outside!!" The elder woman who was the mother reprimanded.

"But mama I drank juice! There is a difference." Haya replied innocently and the mother shook her head while Marium laughed.

The preparations for Haya's wedding had started. She didn't only hate shopping but she despised it. Going from one shop to another asking for prices and bargaining was just not her cup of tea and she had always wondered how girls can willingly spend hours doing this stuff. If there was any attraction in shopping malls for her it was the food court as the foodie she was. So Bilquis and Fatima who were crazy for shopping too would bribe her with it but she would still be given the title of old soul among them just because she would deny going on any such outing. But oh well who cares!!

But since it was her wedding preparations it was totally different. In the beginning she was reluctant to take part in any such discussions but one good lecture from her mother to be happy and enjoy it and the results were astounding.

Naheed was adamant that Haya buy everything of her choice as she will be the one using it. And so first time in her life Haya was excitedly going to shopping malls and taking part in all the shopping lists and discussions. It had made her realize the countless small blessings here and there which we don't even acknowledge and which we are always bestowed upon and thank her Lord.

Her bridal dress was on her head these past few days and though it was too soon to place an order for it she still wanted to be sure. No one had objected so after much discussions and suggestions from everyone and checking renowned bridal designers' sites herself she had finally chosen one and had went to place an order for it.

It took her a good fourty five minutes to explain how she wanted the dress to be and be sure that the tailor had gotten all the details right she was finally satisfied. After telling the tailor when was the wedding and when should she complete it they had left the shop feeling content.

After that there was a long list of accessories to be bought plus the house grocery which took their next few hours without them realizing the time! By the time they were done with grocery they were too exhausted to do anything else and so they called it a day.

Taking a nap after lunch and feeling quite fresh the two eldest women of the house were sitting in their living room finalizing the household accessories for Haya. The two youngest ones after putting all the grocery away came and sat beside them.

"Seriously ma I don't know how you manage everything always! I get tired putting the groceries away only!" Marium exclaimed fake wiping sweat from her forehead.

"That's because your elder sister never really left anything for you two to do any work huh! You just wait till Haya leaves and I'll make you cook every day." Their mother replied feigning seriousness while marium's eyes spread as wide as saucers.

"You aren't serious are you!!?" The only thing she hated doing was standing in front of stove wasting hours as she used to put it.

"Oh yes I am! You'll see!" She replied and Haya not able to contain her laughter anymore burst out laughing.

"Oh my God did you see your face Marium!! It was like someone gave you your death sentence!!" She said between laughing and Marium huffed.

Few kilometers away from the sisters' banter and the family's little bubble of happiness there sat a man in an open air restaurant with his friends enjoying the high tee given by one of his friends. He was in a black half sleeve T-shirt which had white strips on one side with white pants. His jet black hair were a combination of messy and styled hair and falling over his black eyes they looked really handsome. Besides his features the aura of happiness and care freeness was what was making him attractive to people around him.

"Hey dude are you joining us tonight at that new place?" The red shirt guy asked the black shirt one.

"Nah man I told you I am not coming. I got stuff to do." He replied sipping on his tea.

"Our Zuhaib has become a chicken guys. He can't accompany us anywhere anymore." Someone in the group of his so called friends mocked and the rest nine guys started laughing.

"Guys he hasn't become a chicken. He's getting married!" Another one said stressing over the word married and they snickered.

The clenching of his jaw was the only sign that Zuhaib didn't like the mockery which he efficiently hid behind his steaming cup and shrugged like he wasn't bothered at all. The subject didn't come up again during the course of their eating.

"Yo Zain send me the location of where we are meeting tonight. Will you?!" Proceeding towards their respective cars Zuhaib called to the red shirt guy nonchalantly.

"So you are coming after all! I knew you wouldn't like to miss the fun dude." He back thumped him appreciatively handing him the place's card on which the location was explained. He took it silently pocketing it.

"See you guys tonight!" Someone called from the crowd and all of them went on their own paths.

Zuhaib unlocked his own car and slid inside. He waited for the others to leave the car park before he sighed resting his head on steering wheel. It took him a good five minutes to gather his thoughts and compose himself. Fortunately the car parking was empty so nobody noticed him. After a while he straightened starting the engine and put the car on road. All through the drive to home his conflicting emotions were clear on his face.

After fifteen minutes drive he was in front of his home. Subconsciously he looked over at the house where she lives. Oh uh I'm not doing this again! He shook his head trying to clear his mind before coming out of the car and making his way towards his own home.

Calling out to his mum and sisters that he wanna sleep and no one should disturb him he came inside his own room and locked the door.

"Oh my God what should I even do!!" He sat on his bed and took his head in his hands. His friends were checking a new club at the outskirts of city tonight. The place didn't hold good reputation and frankly neither did his friends. He didn't want to join them there but he couldn't tolerate their mocking. He had been trying to divert their mind on going to that particular place for sometime now but tonight they were adamant to check that place.

They actually were right. He was trying to leave his bad habits for Haya. Only few months were left for their wedding and he wanted to be a good husband to her. She was a pearl and he wanted to make himself worthy of her. 

Till date he had efficiently hid his outer activities and friends from his family. He didn't want any of them to know what he does outside and his Mum had always covered him in front of his father too so even his father didn't have any suspicions. He was so wrong!

It wasn't like it was his first time going to a club with his friends. He had went to many clubs. His friends had first introduced him to gambling and It was so late when he had realized what he had gotten himself into. Till then he was already an addict to it.

Next was drinking but this time he knew not to indulge in anymore filth. He was already fed up with his bad habit of gambling and so many times he was so close to being caught. But his resolve crumbled the day when he was fired from his job. The job was very important to him and he wanted to show his father how he was as hardworking as him. Deep inside his heart he wanted to prove to Haya's parents too that he isn't a rich spoilt brat who got his father's money to waste.

On that evening when he joined his friends to their usual place he was so close to try one himself and see how this losing up one's self feel. The icing on the cake was when Jamshed, Zain's cousin who used to live in US and was in Pakistan for vacations, saw him incredulously and asked his cousin if he was the kid of the group. Forgetting all reasoning he had for the very first time in his life drunk. But it was the very first and last time.

That day he had realized he should leave his company after all. But after years sitting with them it was proving to be hell load difficult than it seemed. When his wedding date was fixed he promised himself he will leave all his bad habits. If not for anyone else then for the girl who was soon to become his better half. It was easier said than done!

"I'll go for the very last time with them tonight and then I'll stop all contact with them!"

He didn't know it was that last time that would take everything away.

Phew!!!
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu! Look who's back. 🙈😌
My exams ended at 18 and they went good alhamdulillah so this update was long over due! But it was proving to be rather difficult to come out huh! Felt like my writing skills has been rusted! Anyways this is in 3rd persons P.O.V so I hope I didn't confuse any of you! And I apologise for publishing it mistakenly few hours back! 🙈🙈
Anything left to say?? I guess no!

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Take care! 😘😘