دیکھ لو خود کو تم انکھوں میـں, میری انکھوں میـں
Dekh lo khud ko tum ankhon mein, meri ankhon mein

See yourself in my eyes.

***

Stifling a yawn, Saman blinked her sleep away. She needed to stay awake, but doing that alone was nothing but a war in itself. She tried to use her phone, but that too did not help much.

She had been up since early morning as she had to see off her father who was going on a small trip for his work. She did try to sleep again but could not, and only when the clock struck eight in the evening did she realise that she had to stay awake tonight.

She had asked Nadia,Sara and Mansha to sleep and had taken the responsibility of waking them up fifteen minutes before midnight. How absolutely foolish of her! The three of them had managed to prepare for the required things beforehand. So now the only thing left was to execute their plan.

"Just half an hour more Saman." she whispered to herself. Keeping the book aside she stepped out of her bed and grabbing her phone made her way outside. It was extremely chilly tonight, so she had put on her padded jacket and also pulled on its hood. She had chuckled seeing her reflection in her room's mirror.

She looked like a penguin.

Waddling and sniffling she finally reached the kitchen. Taking out all the things needed, she started preparing them on trays as it would be easier to carry it all the way upstairs.

"I should carry them up." She mumbled. Taking the tray with candles, party poppers, birthday cap and noise makers, she stepped out of the kitchen only to hear a soul curling shriek.

Shocked and horrified she too screamed while the tray fell from her hands. She could make out a silhouette in the mild lights and it only made her scream louder.

"Who are you?" The person asked, basically yelled.

"Who the fuck are you?" Saman yelled back, grimacing at her choice of words.

"Saman is that you?" He spoke, a little calmly

"Yes." Saman replied, finally recognising the voice. She turned around and immediately went to switch on the lights.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, squeezing her eyes at the lights. Armaan watched her with bewilderment.

"I just came back." He spoke and then his eyes went towards the ground. He frowned and looked at her.

"This?" He pointed towards the mess.

"Ahad's birthday." She replied curtly and started picking up the things.

"Time?" She asked standing up with the tray. Her round eyes looking at him expectantly. Armaan found himself freeze for a moment there. She looked so unveiled at that moment,so innocent, as if she had left every shield and every defense of hers somewhere behind.

"Tell me, I already wasted so much time!" She whisper-yelled. Armaam looked away and took a look at his wristwatch.

"Eleven fifty."

"Shit, I am late!" Saman exclaimed.

"Hurry up and grab the other tray with the cake and follow me. Don't you dare fall or drop the damn cake!" She commanded him nod frantically and walk towards the kitchen.

"Come fast!"

"Coming."

"Can you walk faster? We have to wake everyone up!"

Reaching outside Ahad's room the two stopped, panting and sweating profoundly.

"I am gonna get the girls, stay here and make sure nothing happens to all of this." Saman said, keeping her tray on one of the tables. Armaan nodded like an obedient child. Only when she was gone did he realise what had happened.

He was just going to have his dinner and sleep as it was a really long day today but,here he was, caught by a penguin shaped girl, outside Ahad's room with a cake and a responsibility to protect that damn cake. Only Saman had the caliber to rotate him on her little finger.

"Come fast, we only have three minutes left." He could hear her voice even before she came into view and smiled. So like Saman.

"Open the door Sara!" She spoke in between her pants. Holding her knees she tried to regain her breathing. Armaan couldn't help but chuckle at the adorable scene she was making.The four of them looked at him, three of them with confusion as to how he was here and the other one with fury.

"Stop laughing." She yelled, making the three girls look at her with horror. Nobody talked to Armaan like that!

"Open the damn door you idiots." Saman screeched making all of them focus on the task on hand.

"Surprise!" screaming at the top of their voices the four of them barged in. That was all it took for Ahad and the twins sleeping with him to wake up screaming and shrieking in fear. Armaan wanted to close his ears but he had the cake's tray.

"Happy birthday Ahad!" When the initial shock and screaming subsided, everyone wished the poor birthday boy who looked horrified and not surprised.

"The way you witches are screaming it might become my death day!" Ahad spoke, rolling his eyes.

"Umair, Uzair go bring the tray from outside.''Saman urged the half asleep twins.The two walked out like zombies and as soon as the tray came inside Sara and Mansha took the party poppers and noise makers and then again, for the next few minutes there were only annoying sounds echoing in the dark night.

"Stop please!" Ahad screeched, holding his hands over his ears. That shut up the girls.

"Kis jungle se aye ho tumlog?"[which jungle did you escape from?] He asked only to receive giggles in return.

"Jahan se tum aaye ho, chalo cake cut karo." [the same you came from, now cut the cake]Saman spoke, turning towards Armaan, who was basically standing as a statue. Their eyes met and as if they couldn't register anything. For a moment, or two they knew not,the two of them kept drowning in the pools of browns.

"Saman, get the cake here." She heard someone's voice calling from faraway.

"Saman!" Another one and if it weren't the man in front of her that looked away, she would have stood there, stilled in air.

"Ahad, toh kaisa laga hamara surprise?" [How was our surprise?] Saman asked, brimming with pride.

"Heart attacking." Ahad replied with a fake smile.

"Jis tarah se cheekh rahi thi tum log!"[The way y'all were screaming!] Ahad shook his head dramatically."Allah jane kon se naik kaam kiye the maine jo mujhe heart attack nahi aya." [It must be my good deeds that I didn't get heart attack.] Ahad spoke, earning frowns from all of them. Armaan shook his head, trying not to laugh. Umair and Uzair had already dozed off after eating the cake.

"Layak hi nahi ho tum."[undeserving.] Nadia spoke and after passing him a mean look walked out, soon followed by the rest of the troop.

"Armaan bhai you too joined them?" Ahad asked with disbelief.

"Not really, just wrong timing." Armaan replied.

"Anyways, happy birthday man." He said side hugging Ahad making the birthday boy smile genuinely.

Closing the door behind him, Armaan sighed. He could always count on Saman for creating havoc in and around him. She had been expertly avoiding him,acting as if his entire existence was a lie.

He knew he deserved this, his actions had done deeper damage than he expected, but shouldn't he get another chance?

He wanted another chance, another try to mend everything and to finally let out what has been hidden inside. But the way things were going,he thought he would get anything.

Reaching downstairs he first switched off the lights Saman had left on. He was still hungry, a little bite of cake couldn't practically end his hunger so he made his way towards the kitchen.

But as soon as he stepped inside the dark kitchen he bumped into something and that something shrieked making him groan.

"Saman!" He exclaimed tiredly, he didn't even need to see it was her.

"Are you blind?" Saman yelled.

"Certified blind, don't you know I wear glasses?" Armaan couldn't help the snarky reply. Switching on the lights he turned towards her only to gasp. Saman was sitting on the floor, or maybe she fell.

"Did you fall?" He asked making her look at him with accusing eyes.

"No, I was doing yoga!" She spoke through clenched teeth. Her black padded jacket made her look so big yet so small as if she was trapped in it.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, helping her get up. She glared at him again.

"Fulfilling my responsibility, unlike some people." She rolled her eyes and adjusted her hood again on her head.

"Now which responsibility did I not fulfill?" He asked, offended at her acquisition.

"Responsibility of a basic human, kindness and empathy?" Saman raised her brows at him.

"That's not true!"

Saman passed him a challenging look.

"How long will you hold on to my mistake?" He asked, in a low, tired voice.

Saman did not answer, she looked away.

"Tell me Saman, what do I need to do? I am standing before you with my whole sincerity,just tell me what do you want me to do?" Armaan asked, inching closer to her. "I have hurt you, so you have the right to demand anything in return . Just say something Saman, anything."

The two of them were just a few inches apart, their eyes locked, their breaths shallow and the coldness around seeping inside their hearts. Their erratic hearts,trying every possible way to win over their egos and just reach out.

Saman didn't know what to say, she did not know if she even wanted to say anything.

"You don't have to do anything." She replied.

"I do, please Saman."

"Why? Why are you so bent upon?"

"Because it is my responsibility to not hurt and harm any person." Armaan spoke.

"Any person,right." Saman chuckled dryly."Here's your answer Armaan Shah, I am just another person for you,so you don't have to do anything at all. Leave me on my own,I don't have any right to trouble you." She stepped back.

"What did I even expect from you?" She murmured to herself and walked out, leaving him again in the pits of regret and only regret.

____________

"I screwed up!" Armaan exclaimed, holding his head in his hands. Ahad watched him for a moment.

"That's nothing new."

"You don't understand! I messed up everything again." He pulled his hair in frustration.

"That again is not news, but anyways...it's my birthday I don't want to hear anything negative and ruin the vibe." Ahad spoke, waving his hand in dismissal.

"Ahad please help me." Armaan pleaded, tears almost slipping out of his eyes.

"No I won't, you screwed up, you clean your mess. Don't drag me in this. Just because of your stupid brain everything destroys, and I don't even have to ask what you have done. It's so visible on your face that you, Doctor Armaan smarty Shah, again ruined your love story even before it could start." Ahad spoke in a breath leaving him shocked.

"What did you say to her now?" Ahad asked, folding his hands dramatically. A frown decorated his face as his eyes shone with disappointment.

"I told her she was another person." Armaan replied.

"Bravo!" Ahad slow-clapped at him."Instead of telling her that she's the most precious and most important person for you, what did you say? That she was just another person?"

"I didn't say exactly that, I said as a human it's my responsibility to not hurt anyone." Armaan reasoned innocently. Ahad gaped at him in disbelief.

"No wonder she is so irritated by you! How did you manage to become a doctor?" Ahad asked.

"How is this related?" Armaan asked, offended.

"After what you have made her feel you should have laid in her feet!"

"Do I actually have to?" Armaan was utterly clueless.

"I meant you should have apologized to her hundreds of times already but, how many times did you say sorry?" Ahad asked, narrowing his eyes at Armaan.

"Twice."

"See this is why-" Ahad sighed."I can't help you anymore Armaan bhai, please figure everything out yourself. Don't ruin my mood on my birthday!"

"Please yaar Ahad-" Armaan felt as helpless as a fish out of water.

"What?"

"What should I do?" He again asked with hopeful eyes.

"I will not tell you anything, go do everything on your own." Ahad scolded him. Armaan silently got up and left with his head lowered.

____________

Ahad adjusted his jacket and took a last glance at his appearance. There was no chance Nadia would be able to handle his charm.

He had told his mother that the two of them had to go for work purposes. At first his mother wasn't believing him but he told her that even Nadia had to,so she agreed immediately. Even Nadia did not know the real reason he had asked her to be ready on a holiday.

Ahad had planned this surprise date a few days back and he had put a lot of effort into planning. This would be the first time the two of them would go on an official date and he wanted to make this as special as he could.

"Where are we going?" Nadia asked as soon as they hit the road. She had an inkling that this outing wasn't work related but she had hushed for his sake. And now seeing him she was sure it was nowhere for work.

He had put more effort in his appearance and that was doing something to her. The way his usually out of place,mane of hair was styled in a sleek style and the way his favorite sports watch was switched with a silver, classier one.

She could easily make out the differences, it was like reading your most cherished book once again. He would smile at her from time to time and everytime, it felt like a gentle caress of breeze. This man beside her had bewitched her completely.

"You will know." He replied to her earlier question. Nadia watched him for a while.

"Stop staring, trust me na!"

"I trust you." Nadia whispered, making him look at her, for a whole moment in time. The passing trees and the following wind had witnessed something extremely magical in those few seconds, something the two of them had also felt.

"So this was your work?" Nadia teased as they reached the restaurant.

"Well..I had to lie or...or ammi-" Ahad stuttered, making her look at him with wide eyes. He was nervous and on top of that his cheeks and ears were red.

"You are blushing!"

"No I am not." He denied, knowing very well his face was saying something else.

"You are but whatever floats your boat." Nadia laughed lightly.

Time seemed deceitful as the two of them talked, laughed and just watched each other to the brim of their hearts. As if all the mist that was between them had disappeared suddenly, leaving everything lucid.

____________________

Important discussion.

Sara: You all must be wondering why this group chat was made?

Mansha: No 🙂

Sara: Shut up
Sara: Anyways, everyone please pay attention.

Saman: What's going on? And why is it only the three of us? Did you forget to add Nadia?

Sara: No Nadia. We don't need Nadia!

Saman: Haw 🥺 why are you saying this? What's wrong? She is our sister too...

Sara: Shut up and listen to why I have not added Nadia.

Saman: why?
Mansha: why?

Sara: Have you guys noticed something different about her?

Saman: Not really

Mansha: Except that she is now more relaxed and not fighting Ahad bhai as much.

Saman: Yeah I have noticed that too.

Sara: Thank goodness you guys noticed something at least. But have you observed anything else?

Saman: Paheli mat bujhao. Hua kya hai?

Sara: I think, based on my observations and calculations-

Saman: Bak bhi do!

Sara: hush! I think there is something going on between Ahad bhai and Nadia aapi!

Seen

Sara: Say something!!!!

Saman: 🤨what do you mean by something?

Sara:🤦‍♀️
Sara: I think they are dating!

Mansha: WHAT!
Samna: TF
Saman: Where are you?

Mansha:Beside you
Sara: in my room

Saman: Not you Mansha, Sara come to my room immediately and silently.

Putting her phone down, Saman and Mansha looked at each other with widened eyes. Excitement and confusion flaming in them.

It was almost midnight and here they were again for the second day,awake. Yesterday it was for Ahad's birthday and now it was to discuss Ahad's supposed dating life.

"Nobody saw you na?" Saman asked as soon as Sara entered her room. Sara nodded and closed the door carefully.

"But why do you think they are dating? As long as I remember they used to be at each others' neck?" Saman asked.

"I know this sounds absurd but I have proof and you have to listen to me for that, without disturbing okay?" Sara replied, getting under the blanket. The two inched closer to her, forming a circle with their heads joined.

"See Ahad bhai and Nadia aapi had been fighting for all of their lives, but suddenly, their fights not only died down but the two started smiling around each other! I have seen them sharing glances too." Sara watched them carefully, trying to read their faces.

"But that's not a big thing you know, they have been working together so maybe they became closer." Saman spoke after a while, Mansha nodded in agreement.

"I know, that's what I thought first, but something happened that made my assumption truer." Sara added.

"Yesterday was Ahad bhai's birthday and also a holiday." Sara stopped, gauging their reaction.

"So?"

"Ahad bhai told ammi that he and Nadia had to go somewhere for work. Tell me which kind of work arises on a holiday? And even if it does, why would someone go there dressed to nines?" Sara reasoned.

"And on top of that, he wore his silver watch that he had worn only once. He was also in his most expensive clothing! He told me to tell ammi that he was leaving and did not do it himself because he knew ammi would catch him in a blink."

"You are making sense Sara but it can also be for work you know-" Saman spoke, still not convinced.

"There's more, I snuck behind them till their car and you won't believe what I saw?"

"What?" The two chorused together.

"That Ahad bhai opened the car's door for her and helped her by holding her hand and even adjusted her dupatta!" Sara's voice had reached an Octave louder as she spoke, while the surprise cum shock rose in the other two too.

"Few days back, I borrowed bhai's phone for a call and Nadia's name was on top of the dial list. I got curious so I dug more and the duration of their calls and the time they were made was telling another tale. Like from when did Ahad bhai talk to anyone for almost an hour and that too at midnight?" Sara was now breathless with all the talking,on the other hand Saman and Mansha were shell shocked. Everything Sara was saying made sense.

Saman had also noticed during the party that the two of them were getting friendlier but she was too immersed in herself to ponder more on it.

"Now you believe me?" Sara asked smugly.

"Okay now what? What are we supposed to do? We can't just go and expose them?" Mansha asked after a brief pause. Sara and Saman exchanged looks, she was right.

"That I haven't thought of but for the time being,we should just wait and observe." Sara replied.

"What is happening in this haveli! I never in my wildest life had imagined that Ahad and Nadia would be involved with each other romantically!" Saman exclaimed.

"Me too but here we are, with another love story of Shah gharana." Mansha spoke, shaking her head in dismissal.

"This is some solid enemies to lovers and academic rivals to lovers trope." Saman laughed out hearing her own self.

"Right!"

___________

Assalamualaikum everyone.

Happy new year.

Vote and comment alot.