It was one of the coldest December nights Quetta city had ever seen. The temperature had not stopped dropping since it had reached freezing point and tonight the thermometers read -18°C, the record lowest since decades. It happened very rarely that despite being so cold the inhabitants of the city would see so much snow in common streets. Only the mountains surrounding the entire city usually enjoyed it. But this year it had snowed on and off for a week straight and white icings could be seen on every space that had not been cleared yet. Fiery winds were howling like an injured wolf pack and no breathing being could be seen through naked eye; plants, animals and humans alike, been found solace for themselves somewhere.

Almost on the outskirts of the city a beautiful wooden house stood proudly facing the now frozen lake. There were a few similar huts scattered around in that area but the house could be seen among the bare trees from a long distance due to its height and beautiful structure. It was surrounded by a pretty fence inside which was a once green garden adorned with apple, peach and apricot's trees. For now it was submerged in white blanket and the trees were bare. The house's triangular ceiling was also buried in snow but the square windows of first landing were shining brightly welcoming anyone in the wake.

Zuhaib, not used to the intense cold, was bundled in thick black woolen jacket, black gloves, a black mufler around his neck, a black beanie over his head and black leather boots. A blue and white striped shirt could be seen peeking from under his jacket but with dark faded jeans he was in all black otherwise. A pleasant fire was crackling in the old fashioned fire place situated in the main wall of the room. The room was occupied by eight men icluding Zuhaib all dressed according to the weather but due to being used to the weather were in better condition than Zuhaib who every other minute would feel a chill running down his spine. And maybe the reason was something besides cold weather too.

Zuhaib's uni was closed for some reason for a week so instead of spending time at home he decided to visit his aunt in Quetta and enjoy some snow. Aunt Yumna had been asking him and his sisters to visit since ages but they always got busy with one thing or another so this time when he got the opportunity he availed, despite going alone. He had never seen snow in his life and like all karachites he loved winters. The kid inside his heart was very excited.

He was in his third year of uni now. After Eid ul adha his two eldest sisters had gotten married. After months of preparations and all the twin marriage celebrations the home felt exceptionally silent now. After their marriage Haya's family had invited all of them for dinner party. It had been ages he had seen Haya properly and if possible she had become prettier, he had realized.

He was 22 now while she was 16. As they had grown up they had distanced unconsciously. On his part it was because he had found so many activities outside the home with his friends that he hardly got time for his childhood best friend anymore but on her part she had actually became aware of the rulings of hijab and had started maintaining her distance. Both of their families knew about their friendship and shameem aunty even would show interest in making Haya her daughter in law sometimes. So Mehnaz, Haya's mum, saw it right to warn Haya to maintain her distance. What both the families, Haya included, never realized was even when they were best friends or when they grew apart Zuhaib always had a crush on her which never wavered.

He was 22 and ofcourse he would daydream about his future wifey sometimes but he never pictured anyone besides Haya in that place. Over the years they had grown apart so much that he just couldn't go talk to her freely like before even though there were many moments when he really needed a good friend and adviser to share his burden with but still that didn't stop him from thinking about her or picturing a future with her. He was 10 when he had fallen in love with her and he was sure even when he'll be 100 she'll hold same place. And yes he knew his mum wanted to make her daughter in law too and he was satisfied. When the time will come she'll be his. But will she be?? Time had to tell!

Coming back to the wooden house besides the frozen lake, it actually belonged to Danial's father. They had apple and apricot's gardens here in this area so his grandfather had built this house in the middle of them and sometimes on vacations they would come here. Away from the hustle bustle of the city it was an ideal spot to spend vacations at. When Zuhaib had told them he's going to Quetta Danial had offered him this house.

"Hey dude! you remember the fruit gardens we have in Quetta? We've a house there too. You'll love it there. It's so peaceful. If you could do visit it okay? You can even stay there if you want? Kareem uncle look after it and he can use some company" He had offered mentioning their house caretaker.

"That's great buddy! Thanks for the offer but I think my aunt won't allow me to stay anywhere else. Though I'll visit it for sure." Zuhaib had replied thumping his back.

So after spending six days of full enjoyment with them he visited the place on Saturday evening. He had informed his aunt that he may stay the night there and come back sometime during the day tomorrow. It was a really relaxing place and Zuhaib had immediately hit it off with Kareem uncle too. He was a 40 year old man of strong built whose wife and only son had died in a car accident five years back. He used to be driver cum gardener for Danial's family but after the incident they had sent him here to look after this house and he was grateful for that.

He was an awesome cook and the dinner that night was ravishing. They were done with dinner by 7pm already. It was after the dinner when Kareem uncle told him how he gamble and his 'friends' often come here to gamble since it was a safe spot. He wanted him to keep a secret for him and not tell Danial's family as the guys may visit tonight too. What he didn't know was after almost a year in this filth Zuhaib was called a good gambler too and would need him to return the favor too.

By 9pm six guys were at the doorstep. Once the formalities were done they all had gathered with big coffee mugs in one of the bedrooms upstairs around the fireplace and started. It had been almost a year since that night Zuhaib first gambled. He had been exceptionally lucky all this time and had rarely ever lost. In start it had become an obsession for him to play and win almost everytime and he had learnt to hide this activity from his family quite well too. So now sitting in a different city with unknown people with the arrogance of a conquerer he bet the largest sum he had ever bet in a game. It was the largest amount from anyone around him too.

And then he lost it.

Zuhaib couldn't believe he had lost such a big amount. It was a huge blow to his ego as well as his bank account. So he bet again and then again and then again. But that night was the start to countless failed attempts he countered over the years to come. Both on and off the game.

It was his graduation day. He had successfully graduated from the best university of Karachi and his parents couldn't have been more proud of him. He had to give treat to his friends tonight. After they were done eating in a fancy restaurant They suggested to go visit that gambling place again. Uptil now zuhaib had always lost the money he had won from the games only but now he didn't have any of that remaining too. So if he would lose he had to lose from his own money but it's attraction was too much that he didn't care about this tiny but important fact.

Hours later when he left the place his shoulders were burdened while the happiness had vanished from his eyes as well as his face.

Life moved on. Zuhaib found a job in a local company. He was managing his job and addiction on border line when he turned 24 and his mum one day brought the topic of his engagement.

It was Sunday brunch. He had woken up late like always and was enjoying a heavy brunch of Mum's cooking when shameem brought up the topic suddenly,

"I was thinking Zuhaib..." She started and Zuhaib hummed from behind the newspaper.

"You've turned 24. Your job is going great too and in the end you've to take care of your dad's business anyways. So that's stable too. What have you thought about marriage beta?" This caught Zuhaib's attention and he put the newspaper away.

"Uh well not really! I mean it hasn't been that long I've gotten this job and i definitely am not stable yet. Plus in just 24 mama!" He said surprising even himself.

"So? Who's asking you to get married straight away? I just want to tie you up with a girl! And I even have the girl in eyes!" Shameem said dramatically and even though he very well knew the girl he still asked,

"Who?? You've found my wifey already and didn't even tell me?!"

"Oh she isn't some stranger. You know her well. Im talking about Haya." She said but missed the sudden light of Zuhaib's eyes.

"Oh well if it's only engagement then sure why not? I've no problem." He replied but didn't anticipate the sudden hug with which shameem crushed him. After the shock wore off he hugged her back laughing too.

His once pink baby is gonna be in his life soon as his wife!!! He couldn't believe how fast time flew. If he was honest with himself he would have agreed to marry her within a week but he didn't want to seem too eager. And then there was problem of his addiction. If he's gonna be engaged soon he needed to get rid of all bad habits and gambling was on the top list. But was it that easy??

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu sweethearts! So I wanted to finish Zuhaib's side of past story with this chapter but sadly it needed so much time and I wanted to update this chapter today so I ended it here! I hope Im not confusing any of you with the sudden writing change from first person to third person n from Haya to Zuhaib! 🙈 If any of you find it confusing then please please let me know. Pretty please?

On a side note the chapter is unedited again! I haven't even read it a second time. 🙈 So do point out any mistakes you see and please please pretty please click that cute little star at the end. It feels as a payment of our time n strength and motivate us to write more.

Feedback is always more than appreciated!
Take care loves! 😘😘