"Are you guys done with the groups?" Ibrahim asked after finishing the last topic of the chapter.

The class representative handed him a paper carrying all the names ......

"Hmmm.......anybody who has still not found a group?"

Seeing no raised hands, Ibrahim kept the paper in his file and again picked up the marker.

"Sir...we are done for today please....." some of the students loudly whispered making Ibrahim turn "So what according to you all, should we do to kill the time?"

"We can ask each other some interesting questions" one of the students said

"Okay...who is going first?"

One of the boys raised his hand and stood up

The boy was answering the questions excitedly when all of a sudden someone asked "Latest crush" and pat came the reply "Safiya"

"Wow.."

"Excuse me"

Two different reactions came from two different places but the latter one overshadowed the former with its dangerous intimidating tone

And then the boy's eyes met Ibrahim's blazing ones and he tried to cover up..."Ahh..Ssir I meant Safiya's friend....." but the damage was already done....The boy closed his eyes cursing himself in his mind ... how could he ....

"Khan tu to gaya" The boy's friend who was sitting next to him said seeing Ibrahim's eyes ..according to him...if looks could kill...his friend would have been in the process of travelling to heaven right now.

"Guys there is something I wanted to tell you guys" Ibrahim calmed himself and said.
"This year theory paper carries 70 marks and the rest 30 is in my hands"

"Jaani tere fail hone ki wajah abhi bata de raha hai...baad me mat puchiyo" the boy's friend was having too much fun.

After 5 minutes the class ended ...Ibrahim was moving out when the boy came running......"Sir...it was just a slip of tongue....I didn't mean that"

"You better didn't " Ibrahim peeved and scooted off  leaving the poor boy with slumped shoulders.

While Safiya was sitting with a pout "Mera ek admirer samne aaya...use bhi aankhein dikha kar peeche kar diya"

-------------------

"Safi...." Ibrahim entered Safiya's room with a book in his hand but was a little surprised seeing some of his students in her room.

"Good evening Sir"

"Good evening.........so zeroed in on the project topic?" Ibrahim asked looking at a chart spread on the table.

"Yes sir......"

"Safiya....ye lo tumhari book....." Ibrahim handed Safiya a book and turned to go.....but then turned "Naashta mangwaya sabke liye?"

"Nahi bhaijaan" Safiya pouted

"Nahi sir....we are all right..." one of the groupmates said

"Arre aise kaise.....mai abhi bhijwata hun" Ibrahim went out closing the door

"He is sweet yaar..." Reshma said

"Please.......once in a blue moon..wali harkat hai ye" Safiya grimaced remembering his scolding in the afternoon for going late to his cabin. He had asked for one of her books urgently but she got a little late...and so faced the brunt.

"Kitne pyaar se tumhe Safi bulaate hain" the girl smiled

"Pyaar se nahi aadat se.....ghar me sab usi naam se bulaate hain" Safiya huffed writing something on the chart paper.

"Acha...ab ye batao....kaun kya kya karne wala hai?"

"Introduction Safiya se karwa lo...."

"Ok"

"Yaar main information collect kar lungi par mujhse bola nahi jayega" Anusha said with a pout

"Arre sab ho jayega" Safiya hit her shoulder lightly

After two hours, the group was done with the day's work

"Tumlog ghar kaise ja rahe ho.....?" Ibrahim asked Reshma and Anusha

"Sir hum auto se chale jayenge"

"Is samay?" Ibrahim looked at his watch "chalo mai chhod de raha hun"

"Nahi sir ... it's ok"

"Sir hume bhi chhod dein..." one of the boys also jumped in

"Hmmm...aao" Ibrahim took his car keys

"Safiya tum bhi chalo na" Reshma pulled Safiya along

Safiya was sitting in front with Ibrahim while her three friends were sitting at the back.

Dropping everyone home, Ibrahim and Safiya were on their way when Arhaan's call came..."Haan Arhaan.....acha hum paas me hi hain...."

"Kya huwa?"

"Wo Arhaan ko airport se pick karna hoga........"

"Wo toh kal aane wale the"

"Kaam jaldi khatma ho gaya hoga" Ibrahim shrugged

-----

"Arhaan bhaijaan" Safiya jumped on him as soon as she saw Arhaan coming out

"1 mahine me tumhara weight kaise badh gaya...." Arhaan pulled her nose putting her down.

"Aap apni kamzori mujh par thop rahe hain" Safiya twitched her lips making Arhaan laugh.....he then turned to Ibrahim and gave him a hug "Kaise hain bhai"

"Theek hun....tum batao"

"Mai bhi bilkul khairiyat se hun" Arhaan smiled opening the door of the car.

"Safi.......yaar kya kehti ho gol gappa competition ho jaye?" Arhaan said eyeing a gol gappa stall

"Neki aur puchh puchh.........bhaijaan gaadi roken" Safiya shook Ibrahim's shoulder

"Bhai aap bhi hain competition mein" Arhaan asked offering Ibrahim a plate

"Mujhe maaf karo"

"Nazuk mijaz wale logon ke liye nahin hoti ye sab cheezein" Safiya was salivating at the sight and just couldn't hold her tongue .

"Excuse me......." Ibrahim narrowed his eyes but didn't get any answer......instead heard a "hmmmm"

"Mujhe bhi ek plate do"
And with those words, the three entered in a fierce paani puri battle.
No one was ready to lose.

If Safiya thought, she would easily win......... the two men were hell bent on proving  her wrong.

Safiya was amazed seeing Ibrahim not backing down ........ water had started coming out of her eyes and nose...and when she couldn't take it anymore, she made a face "yahaan ki paani puri achhi nahi hai"

"Gol gappe ache nahi hain....ya nazuk mijaz bigad gaye." Ibrahim smirked throwing his plate

"Sach bataye bhaijaan....aap ki koi girlfriend thi..jiske saath aapne ye practice kar rakhi hai" Safiya was not able to believe that she lost.....and that too to whom......two men.

"Shut up...." Ibrahim's glare made Safiya shut her mouth.....she kept a finger on her lips to calm him down which made Arhaan giggle and pull her cheeks "My cutie patootie"

-----------

The college campus was bubbling with a new energy owing to the Freshers' programme.

Safiya was very excited and cheering for the performers in the first row.
Azhar,Ayaan, Rahat and Faiz were also there...but sitting somewhere at the back.

"Wohoooooo" a loud cheer distracted the boys....."kya huwa yaar .... itna kyun chila rahe hain"

"Arre freshers apne paseendeeda seniors ko rose de rahe hain" one of the boys spoke

"Hume abhi tak kisi ne nahi diya" Ayaan pouted

"But tumhari behen ko toh bhar bhar kar mil rahe hain"

The words were enough for the boys to rush to the first row with closed fists.......

Ayaan stood in between a junior and Safiya "Ulte paon waapas jao...."

"But sir.......Safiya ma'm ko dena tha"

"Mujhe bhi bahut kuch dena hai..doon?"

Someone  called Ibrahim seeing the commotion

When Ibrahim came to the spot, he was confused "Kya chal raha hai yahaan"

"Sir.....I am just being sporty.....Ayaan sir is not letting me" The stubborn junior was not ready to back down as he didn't know about their relation.

"Ayaan ...  karne do use..." Ibrahim patted Ayaan's shoulder

"Bhaijaan ye Safi ko rose de raha hai" Ibrahim's head snapped at Ayaan's words "What...."

"Ji..."

"Sir....I like her.....she is very beaut"

"Shut up.......dare you complete your sentence" Ibrahim dangerously spoke pointing a finger making the junior tremble. The boy looked at his batchmates and other seniors who were laughing as if enjoying the whole show.

"I am ssorry sir......."

"You better be........" Azhar pushed the boy a little.

The boy immidiately took steps behind  and went to other batchmates who were laughing "Tujhe aur koi nahin mili.........paanchon kha jayenge tujhe"

"Unka kya ja raha tha yaar" the boy made a face

"Extra possessive and extra protective cousins is not a good combination right." The batchmate smirked

"Kya........why didn't you guys stop me .... mai pit jata........aur upar se Ibrahim sir ko bhi bula liya...."

"Just wanted to make some memorable moments" all his batchmates laughed.

-------------

The presentation day came and Safiya's group was in the front presenting their topic

Ibrahim was impressed with Safiya's oral skills....she was really good at public speaking.....

The question answer session came...and a few students mainly Safiya's friends stood up with their queries. The way the interaction was taking place, it was no rocket science for Ibrahim to know that the questions were prepared by Safiya itself....and were distributed among her friends.

He smirked and then pointed towards a drawing .. "What is the theory behind this?"

"Now my friend Anusha will...." Safiya was about to shift the responsibility to some other member when Ibrahim objected "I want to know from you"

"Sure sir.....this figure depicts" Safiya started with confidence but all of a sudden started coughing passing the mike to one of the members...."I think maine kuch zyada bol diya" she said in a croaky voice and continued coughing......

Ibrahim excused her for a while seeing her skin getting red "Natak me bhi pura passion daalna hota hai"

Next was the same boy's presentation who had dared to take Safiya's name as his crush. Everytime he opened his mouth, he stuttered looking at Ibrahim who didn't even console him.

Somehow, the class was done with the presentations...and Ibrahim was left impressed with the dedication.

-------------------------

Months passed and it was Safiya's last day of the semester.

She had been keeping a little aloof these days......she would either be locked in her room or busy on phone.

"I love you too" Safiya giggled and took a turn on the bed.

"Mai wahaan nahin aa sakti...ghar walon ko pata chala toh..." Safiya turned serious all of a sudden

After sometime, she sat up with a gulp "Hotel me?"

"Pakde na jaane k dar se hotel me baat karein??....no......I can't"

"Arre kisi ko pata chal gaya....mujhe zinda gaad denge....."

"Kuch kaise nahi hoga....we will only talk...but doosron ko toh"

But after some time, she sighed

"Ok.......but not always "

----------------------

"Uncle ... aap log is hotel me koi pareshaani nahin hogi......" Ibrahim smiled and walked towards the reception area. Her maternal relatives had come for some treatment in the city and the hotel was just next to the hospital which would help them to easily commute.

He took the keys from the reception area and escorted his uncle's family ............

Just when  they were entering their room, His aunt smiled..."Arre Safiya us room k bahar kya kar rahi hai..."

Ibrahim atonce turned but saw no one...."Huh....aapko galatfehmi hui hogi auntu..........Safiya yahaan kahan se aa jayegi"

"Side se ekdum Safiya lag rahi thi.........ho sakta ho weham ho" His aunt shook her head and entered the room.

Making the family comfortable, Ibrahim took steps towards the elevator but then don't know why took a u turn and walked towards the room at the extreme right corner. Pressing the door bell, he waited with a  bated breath.

When the door didn't open, he started rubbing his palms. He took out his phone and pressed Safi's contact..

"Hello.....haan kahaan ho?"

"Tum itna ghabra kyun rahi ho......kahaan ho"

"Mai bhi Central mall ke paas hi hoon.......tum aao wahaan jaldi"

He kept the phone and leaned on the wall with red eyes......he could make out with Safiya's tone that she was lying...........

After a couple of minutes, the door opened slowly and what Ibrahim saw next just set him on fire.........pushing  the figure inside, he locked the door and his thundering voice echoed in the room making the figure tremble in fear....."Kya kar rahi ho yahaan "

"Bhaijaan aap galat samajh rahe hain"

"To mujhe sahi karo Safiya...batao mujhe" his anger was just rising

"Bhai bhaijaan.....wo....hum bas baat karne wale the....." Safiya was breathing heavily....she had started crying by now

"Kaun hum"

"Ib....Ibrahim aur main......"

"Tumhe mazaak sujh raha hai" his voice made Safiya take steps back..."Nahin...bhaijaan...mere dost ka naam hai"

And next second, Safiya fell on the bed with the intensity of the slap.....

"Are you out of your mind......you idiot" Ibrahim shouted pulling her up and shaking her

"I am sorry bhaijaan....I am sorry..." Safiya was crying uncontrallably

"Kahaan hai tumhara wo dost.....zinda nahin chhodunga mai use" Ibrahim was running his fingers in his hair.....he didn't know what to do

" Tumhe pata hai....kya ho sakta tha..ya kya ho sakta hai..."

"Bhaijaan wo waisa ladka nahin hai ... bas baat karna chahta tha......."

"Sab tumhari tarah bewkoof nahi hote...........kis naam se book kiya tha tum logon ne room?" He gritted his teeth and hauled her infront of her

"Mujhe nahi pata.....bhaijaan....mai nahi milna chahti thi....."

Just then Ibrahim's phone rang....."Haan Aunty" he tried to fake his calm tone

"What......."

"Haan...woh...wanted to surprise you all..........aap sab aaram karein...hum aate hain thodi der mein"

"Kya kiya tumne Safiya..." Ibrahim dropped on the bed with his head in his hands...

"Bhaijaan aap roen mat please....mujh maar lein please.....but please.........maine Ibrahim ko message kar diya hai wo nahin aayega...."

"To hell with him..." Ibrahim shouted....."Tumhari zindagi ka naksha bigaad kar bhaag gaya.........Anwar uncle ki family yahaan thehri hui..hai aur unke bete ne register par tumhara aur  us ladke ka naam dekh liya hai.......khair manao naam milte hain.....toh unki soch kuch aur rang pakad rahi hai....."

"Mai nahi janti thi bhaijaan....ye sab ho jayega........mai toh bas........sab mere baare me kya sochenge ...chhii..." Safiya dropped on the floor crying uncontrallably

Seeing her at the verge of  unconsciousness, Ibrahim wiped his tear strained face and kneeled down "Jo ho gaya wo ho gaya......ab meri baat suno....."  he cleaned Safiya's face with his hands........."Mai jo bhi bolunga usme haan me haam milana"

Next he dialled Arhaan and informed him about the incident and what he was about to do next so that he could talk and make the family understand.

"Bhaijaan...aap apni zindagi barbaad na karein.......meri ek galti ke chalte sab barbaad ho gaya..."

"Apnon ki zindagi sambhalne ke liye mai kuch bhi kar sakta hun" Ibrahim shut her off with his words....and pulled her in the washroom "Hulia theek karo apna"

Standing next to her, he caught her hair away from her face so that the water doesn't get to her hair..........he didn't want to leave her alone anywhere for the time being.

After an hour, they were sitting in their relatives' room faking happy faces.

"Ahmad bhai se toh mai bahut shikayat karne wali hun ... matlab  nikaah bhi karwa diya...aur hume bhanak tak nahin lagne di" Rubeena huffed

"Wo Aunty....Safi college me thi isliye...socha ..."

"Hum samajhte hain....koi baat nahin rukhsati me sari kasar pure kar lenge.........maine toh sare rishtedaaron ko bhi bata diya....yeh hamara badla tha" Rubeena smirked "Maine bola tha maine Safiya ko dekha hai" she turned to her husband showing a victory face

"Jee bilkul"

-------------

Safiya was shivering while entering the house.....her one mistake just changed the direction of everybody's life....

Everybody was present in the hall and shooting glares at Safiya who was just crying in shame.

"Acha ab jo ho gaya...use jaane dein.....ab aage kya karns hai wo sochein......" Ibrahim couldn't stand her tears and finally spoke

"Ibrahim phir se ek baar soch lo...tumhe koi zarurat nahi hai.."
Sartaj was stopped midway

"Chachu maine sab soch liya hai...aap kaazi sahab ko bulayein" Ibrahim gave his final words

"Janab Ibrahim Siddiqui wald Ahmad Siddiqui.... aapka nikaah Safiya Siddiqui bint Sartaj Siddiqui se tai kiya jaata hai. Kya aapkk yeh nikaah qubool hai?"

"Qubool hai"

"Qubool hai"

"Qubool hai"

"Safiya Siddiqui bint Sartaj Siddiqui.. aapka nikaah Ibrahim Siddiqui wald Ahmad Siddiqui se tai kiya jaata hai.Kya aapko yeh nikaah qubool hai?"

"Qubool hai"

"Qubool hai"

"Qubool hai"

Ibrahim and Safiya signed the nikaahnaama and were finally tied in the pure and pious bond of nikaah.

There were only the family members present........Gulaab smiled and fed Safiya and Ibrahim a barfi

"Arre Safi....chal ye le tere favourite boondi ke laddoo" Azhar came and tried to feed Safiya who was not even able to meet his eyes...

"Ae....sab bhul jao....koi kuch nahi keh raha..hota hai.....chalo...smile smile smile"

"Bhaijaan" Safiya atonce hugged Azhar tight breaking into loud sobs......Ayaan caressed her hair while Rahat and Faiz wounded their arms around her....."Bas bas bas bas....Gundi....rona tujhe suit nahi karta"

"Uss saale ko dhoond....." Ayaan whispered in Rahat's ear and clenched his fist.

-------------

In the coming days, everything had turned normal with Safiya actually getting to know what an idiot she had been all along...the boy was just fooling around and she couldn't see through it. She was very proud when her brothers told her about what they did to him...."Served him right...."

The family had planned the rukhsati after the completion of Safiya's studies...and she was okay with it.

She had stopped adressing Ibrahim by any name since she found it very awkward....her mother scolded her for calling Ibrahim ....bhaijaan even by mistake......she sometimes addressed him as Sir even at home which made him cringe but he didn't say anything.

Safiya was not still not able to come to terms with the new concept of her professor being her husband in her life.

But she eventually will..........WITH SOME HELP!!!!