"Does uniqueness make us more beautiful, or is it just a flaw to be fixed?"

Happy reading.....

Safiya sat in her classroom during the break, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of Azlan Shaik. The encounter with him had left a significant impression, and she found herself unable to shake the enigma of his presence. She fished out her mobile and began searching for information about him, her curiosity driving her to learn more about the man who had come to their aid.

Haider, spotting her from across the room, approached with a curious expression. "What's got you so focused, Safiya?"

She looked up, a smile spreading across her face, and shrugged. "Oh, nothing much. Just... browsing."

As he spoke, Haider noticed Safiya’s scarf slipping off her shoulders. Quickly, he stood up and adjusted it, pulling it back over her shoulders. Startled by his sudden action, Safiya looked at him in surprise.

"Your scarf," Haider said, his tone gentle but firm. "You should cover yourself properly. There are some boys who are staring."

Flushing with embarrassment, Safiya immediately adjusted her scarf to cover herself properly. She had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed the attention.

Haider continued, "How is everything going at home?"

Safiya's eyes brightened as she spoke about her sister. "It seems like Shaziya is going to get married soon. Everything is moving so quickly."

Haider’s expression softened, and he mumbled, "Alhamdulillah," a sign of relief and happiness for her sister’s forthcoming marriage.

Safiya glanced at him, appreciating his genuine concern. "Yes, it’s a big step for us. I hope everything turns out well."

Haider nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Insha'Allah, it will. If there's anything you need or if you want to talk, I'm here."

The sincerity in his voice was comforting, and Safiya felt grateful for his support. As the bell rang, signaling the end of the break, she tucked her phone away and prepared for the next class, her thoughts still lingering on the enigmatic figure of Azlan Shaik and the upcoming changes in her sister’s life.

----

Azlan Shaik sat at his expansive mahogany desk, surrounded by stacks of documents and a trio of computer monitors displaying various charts and reports. The soft hum of the air conditioner provided a soothing background noise to the otherwise bustling office. Outside his glass-walled office, employees hurriedly moved about, phones ringing and conversations blending into a constant murmur of activity.

Azlan was deeply engrossed in a financial report, his sharp eyes scanning for discrepancies. His office, though minimalist in decor, exuded an aura of authority and efficiency. Awards and certificates adorned one wall, a testament to his dedication and success in the corporate world. The other wall was dominated by a large window offering a panoramic view of the city skyline, a constant reminder of the world outside his rigorous schedule.

A knock on the door briefly interrupted his concentration. His assistant, a poised woman in her mid-thirties, entered with a stack of papers. "Sir, these are the contracts for the new merger. They need your signature."

Azlan nodded, taking the papers without breaking his focus. "Leave them here, Sarah. I'll go through them after the meeting."

She nodded and quietly exited, leaving Azlan to his work. He leaned back in his chair for a moment, rubbing his temples. The pressure of leading one of the city’s top firms was immense, but Azlan thrived under it, his determination and work ethic setting him apart.

---

As he returned to his work, Azlan's phone buzzed on his desk. Glancing at the screen, he saw an unknown number flashing. Frowning, he dismissed the call, only for it to ring again moments later. Reluctantly, he picked it up, curiosity getting the better of him.

"Hello, Azlan Shaik speaking," he answered, his tone brisk.

There was a brief pause before a woman's voice came through. "Azlan? It's... Fariya."

Azlan's heart skipped a beat. "Fariya? Is it really you?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. Fariya had been a close friend from Delhi, someone he had lost contact with when she mysteriously disappeared years ago. He had tried to find her, but all efforts had been in vain.

"Yes, it's me," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. "I need your help."

Azlan felt a rush of emotions—relief, surprise, and concern all at once. "Where are you? Are you safe?" he asked urgently.

"I'm in the city. Can we meet? There's a lot I need to tell you," Fariya said, her tone desperate.

"Of course. Tell me where and I'll be there," Azlan replied without hesitation.

---

Shaziya was busy in the grocery store, meticulously noting down items that needed restocking. The familiar smell of spices and the gentle hum of the refrigerator provided a comforting backdrop to her work. As she scribbled in her notebook, her phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and saw an unknown number.

"Hello?" she answered cautiously.

"Shaziya, it's Naim," came the reply.

Shaziya's heart skipped a beat. " Assalamualaikum!
Naim? How did you get my number?" she asked, bewildered.

"Wa alaikum assalam! I got it from your mother," Naim explained. "I hope you don't mind. I wanted to ask if you could come shopping with me tomorrow to buy your engagement dress and ring."

Shaziya felt a flush of shyness. "Oh... um, I can be free tomorrow," she said softly. The idea of shopping for an engagement dress was both thrilling and nerve-wracking.

"Great. I’ve already spoken to your mother about it," Naim added.

As she ended the call, Shaziya closed the shop and prepared to head home. On her way out, she noticed a small, injured puppy running across the street, a ten-year-old boy chasing after it. Her heart raced as she saw the puppy nearly get hit by a car. The boy closed his eyes, and Shaziya gasped, but then she saw the car owner safely holding the puppy.

The man, wearing glasses, petted the puppy before handing it back to the grateful boy. Shaziya watched the interaction, a smile tugging at her lips. It was a small moment of kindness in an otherwise turbulent day.

---

Azlan drove through the bustling streets, his mind racing with thoughts of Fariya. He couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that accompanied the call. What had happened to her? Why had she disappeared? And why now, after all these years?

He pulled up to the address she had given him—a small café on the quieter side of town. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the car and walked inside. The café was quaint, with cozy corners and soft music playing in the background. He scanned the room and saw Fariya sitting at a table in the corner, looking anxious and frail.

Azlan approached her, his heart heavy with concern.

"Fariya," he said gently, pulling out a chair and sitting across from her.

Fariya looked up, her eyes filled with tears. "Azlan, thank you for coming," she whispered.

Azlan reached out, covering her hand with his. "Tell me everything, Fariya. I’m here for you."

As Fariya began to speak, Azlan listened intently, knowing that whatever she had to say would change everything.

-----

Naim sat in the lounge, scrolling through his phone, a faint smile on his lips as he thought about Shaziya. He had just finished speaking with her, arranging their shopping trip for the engagement dress and ring. His thoughts were interrupted as his mother, Gulshan, entered the room from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel.

"Naim, who were you talking to?" Gulshan asked, her tone curious yet tinged with suspicion.

Naim looked up and replied, "Ammi, I was just making arrangements to take Shaziya shopping tomorrow. We need to buy her engagement dress and ring."

Gulshan's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing. "Why are you doing that? They can buy it with their own money. We don’t need to do charity."

Naim was taken aback by his mother's harsh words. He stood up, his face flushed with anger. "Charity? How can you say such a thing, Ammi? I want to buy these things for her with my own hard-earned money. Is that so wrong?"

Gulshan shook her head, her voice dripping with disdain. "You’ve already done charity by agreeing to this proposal. She's not even up to our standard, and she's not good-looking. She's also a year older than you! She's not even fai-"

Naim cut her off before she complete the word, his voice rising. "Stop it, Ammi! How can you think like this? If you didn’t like her, then why did you take me to see her in the first place?"

Gulshan's face flushed with anger and frustration. "It was your grandmother's idea. She liked her, so I went along with it."

Naim took a deep breath, trying to control his temper. "Ammi, it’s wrong to judge people like this. It’s a sin. Shaziya is beautiful to me, and that's all that matters."

Gulshan’s anger flared. "This is how you speak to your mother? Where are your manners, Naim?"

Naim turned away, his voice filled with determination. "You already ruined my life once, Ammi. I’m not going to let you do it again. Stay out of this. I will buy whatever I want for her."

With that, he stormed out of the room, leaving Gulshan standing there, fuming. As he walked away, his mind was made up. He wouldn't let his mother's prejudices dictate his life or his choices. He was determined to make things right with Shaziya, no matter the cost.

*****

Azlan Shaik - age 27

Naim - age 26

Shaziya - age 27

Haider - 24

Safia - 24

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Allah Hafiz ✨