Inayat has not slept for many days now. Her sick self could not be the sole reason for it. However, this is not that bothers her, but someone else.

The past few days had evoked an emotional turmoil within her. Her heart, the biological organ for the realms of science, had caused riots and revolts within her mind. How could she crush the significant feelings that were nurtured within her? All love and tenderness for someone hell-bent on silent vehemence against her, unfortunately, on the pretext of a few misunderstandings.

She stared through the window wordlessly, her pastime activity nowadays. The cloudless sky was occupied with bright stars and a full moon, cutting through the ambiguity of her room.

The insensitive and strict behaviour of Azhar Nawab towards her was unsettling. She regretted being in the vicinity of Basharat Nawab, her old friend. The young man never revered the dignity and boundaries of their friendship and she was immature in not understanding that, despite Azhar being extremely vocal about the issue. Basharat Nawab was head over heels in love with Inayat under the masked emotions of acquaintance and friendship which Inayat Sahab chose to ignore and deny.
It was only last week when the wisdom washed her after she went through the acute marriage proposal of Basharat Nawab. This was put forth in sheer earnestness and inevitable embarrassment from his side that the man was fully unaware of the disconcerting and discomforting presence of his elder brother. His face flushed with a pinkish glow, his fingers fidgeting nervously as he voiced his emotions, holding back almost nothing in his big heart and timid self.

"I know this is all sudden and might be awkward for some obvious reasons but neither can I help it nor do I wish to force myself upon you. It is just that in the past few months after you arrived in my boring life, I have discovered sparks and a newfound interest in love. Honestly, in every other way, you are synonymous with love for me. You have bridged gaps and filled craters of emptiness in my life with affection and care. You are my friend to whom I have given my entire self. I have lost my heart to your existence. I am even willing to lay my life at your feet. It is just one command away from your side. I want to give a new definition to our already robust friendship. I in all my senses and the entire portion of love want to make you, my consort. Will you please marry me, Inayat Zulfikar Sahab? "

The colour had been drained and drenched off from Inayat's face. Not only because of the proposal but also due to the realization that Azhar had been there since the start of this pomp and show, in the quarters of Basharat.

She chose to ignore the love-filled pleas of Basharat Nawab. She continued to look towards Nawab-e-Awadh, his eyes icy cold, face taut and inscrutable as he witnessed the genuine proposal of his brother for the lady he loved.

Facing away from the two of them, Azhar had marched off from the quarters. His presence could have done no good otherwise. The boiling inferno and the furious rage that Azhar had suppressed did not fail to frighten Basharat Nawab for somewhere he knew about Azhar's budding affection and passion for his best friend.

In the sudden rush of emotions, Inayat ran towards the exit, following Azhar's footsteps not even caring to give a proper response to his feelings and that's when Basharat knew, he was doomed.

The work had kept Inayat busy for the past week. But the cruel indifference and cold aloofness of Azhar Nawab broke her from within, causing her to fall sick. She wanted to dissolve all the tension and distance between them only if she got a chance. Azhar had kept himself unnecessarily busy. And when he was free from his business ventures, some days he would be out playing cricket and riding his favourite horses or visiting orphanages, hospitals and other public places. On some other days, he would go out of the station. He did not want to meet her. She knew that. Some days before they had formed a beautiful bond over their work and profession but now all of that had evaporated into thin air or crushed by foreseen yet ignored circumstances. She cursed herself iteratively for being so ignorant towards the possible troubles of the future, despite having faint hints about them. She shuddered terribly. Her tears of frustration glowed under the moonlight. No, she could not punish both of them in this excruciating manner. Azhar deserved a clarification even if he would turn deaf to it. The piercing noise of accusations was far better than this deafening silence. She knew where she had to go. His selfless love was her guiding light through the darkness of this painfully long, hanging night.

Azhar was a teetotaller. All his life, he had refrained from consuming alcohol, not even in his most grave days. But today, he desperately wanted to break this rule of his life. Nothing was close to normal nowadays. The sombreness of his heartbreak had left him hollow. There was agony and misery everywhere, infused in his existence, at his workplace, in the air of his room, in the moonlight that adorned his sullen face, in the haveli that had sheltered him. As much as he hated to admit it, he was swept away by his immense love for Inayat Sahab, his mother's general assistant. Now the fact that his love was not reciprocated had caused him tremendous grief. He wanted to act normal but he could not. Even a novice could tell and talk about his shattered appearance and the brutal heartbreak he was nursing.

The hallway leading to the haveli's huge library was drenched in darkness as Inayat watched her careful footsteps. She was sure of finding Azhar here. It was his favourite spot where he loved to spend his free time after the overloaded, tedious working hours. He was a literature connoisseur and loved to read classics. She had even lent some books from him because they shared a common interest. The door to the room was ajar, with no servants strolling to serve. What else one could expect in midnight hours? She closed her eyes and imagined Azhar's smiling face. The serene calmness that beautifully highlighted his sharply built features, empowered her to enter inside. She could do anything to bring that charming smile back on those thin, taut lips.

To be continued....