"Darshu..Shut up. Ayesha is my best friend and also my cousin. It's my duty to make sure that she is ok always. And stop teasing me every time. Next time you do this to me with Ayesha.."Zain stopped seeing Ayesha already standing infront of him near the door.

He was shocked and he felt his mouth dry.

"Why did you stop? Complete it."Darshana spoke from the other end of the phone and he looked at Ayesha blankly not knowing what to tell.

"What happened Zain? With whom you are speaking in phone?"Ayesha asked.

Zain stared at her without moving his eyes.

"Zain....Is she there? I can hear her voice." Darshana giggled making him realize what he was doing.

"Shut up Darshu. I will call you back. Bye."He ended the call and looked back at Ayesha who is now standing confusingly. She was pale.

He walked towards her and stopped infront of her.

"Hey why are you not speaking?"he asked.

"I think you are not in a good mood. I will come back after sometime."she was about to go but he blocked her way.

"Wait. Who told you that I am not in a good mood?"

"That....you were shouting at Darshana."she said pointing towards his phone.

"Oh that one ah? That girl will always irritate me. Dont mind. I am not in any bad mood. Even if I am, you dont need to wait till my mood changes. You can talk with me anytime."he assured making her smile.

She felt relieved.

"I am afraid of talking with people when they are angry."she said.

"Wow. You should be. I wanna ask you. Is there anything that you are not afraid of?"he teased her.

"Yes."

"What's that doctor madam?"

"You."she said and his face brightened.

They both didnt speak for a long minute.

"By the way, why did you come now? If I am right, morning onwards you were busy with Shamz. Now what made you suddenly remember about me?"he asked and her face fell down.

He became alert.

"Hey Ayesha. Leave that. See, I have an habit of telling bad jokes. I thought you will laugh. But. Anyway. Dont bother."

"It was you who didn't come to me since yesterday onwards. I thought you are busy. That's why I didn't come to disturb you."she said and he was wondered.

"Disturb? Seriously? That's what you thought about me. Great."he pouted.

"Again started. I am sorry. Please."she pleaded and he smiled.

"We are playing cards downstairs. Do you want to join? I came here to call you."she asked.

"Yes ofcourse. I would like to."he replied making her happy.

"Come with me. But this time I wont support you if you are foul gaming."she declared.

"Last time I was not much into the game. That's why it happened. This time you see. I will win without a single foul. Do you want to see?"he challenged her.

"Then let's see."she said and they both walked out.
.
.
.

"Today Shamz is gonna lose for the first time. With Zain."Hiba announced while they are waiting for the game to start.

Zain and Shamz sat opposite to each other.

Sana folded a book assuming it as her mike and started announcing.
"The biggest foul player our family has ever produced.."

Zain looked at Ayesha shockingly and she winked.

"None other than our beloved brother Mr.Shamz Ashaq." Sana continued.

Zain was relieved. He thought that Sana was saying about him which only Ayesha knows.

"The person who dont let anyone win over him. Have no records of losing."Sana giggled looking at Shamz.

"Whether by hook or crook. You should add that too."Hiba said.

"Yes. But history won't repeat today. Your fouls are not gonna work out. Because you are going to play with the most brilliant, most intelligent and honest Zain Ahmed" Sana declared proudly.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you ....for the compliments you guys are showering on me."Shamz said with a proud smile.

Zain glared at Ayesha while she giggled.
"He is an expert in winning games with his smart fouls. And the worst part is no one can ever prove his fouls. Even if he get caught, he wont accept that. Now it's your turn to get irritated by him." Ayesha whispered into his ears.

"Is this the reason why you convinced me to play with him?"he asked and she nodded making him sigh.

"Yes. I wanna know who is better in foul plays."she flashed her teeth. He gritted his teeth.
"But these girls think that you are so intelligent."

"Okay the game starts now. Zain v/s Shamz" Shahina announced.

Zain looked at Ayesha before placing the first card.

"Wow smart move brother."Shamz placed his first card with a grin.

They played for a long 5 minutes with some rounds won by Zain and some rounds by Shamz.

"Ok guys. So we are entering into the final round of this match. Since the game is in draw with the results of the previous rounds, the winner of this final round will be announced as the overall winner."Hiba announced.

"Ok then start."Shamz said placing the first card.

The game continued and Shamz is about to win. Everyone knows that he is playing fouls but no one could prove it. He argued with everyone who caught his fouls until the person gave up.

And Zain was also playing the same fouls. The difference is noone could realize the fouls he played. Except one person.

"Oh .....Seems like Shamz will be the winner." The girls screamed.

"Thank you thank you."Shamz said playing the last move.

Zain knows that he is gonna lose with the remaining cards he have. He looked at Ayesha with a disappointed look.

"I am getting interested seeing my bhai gonna lose for the first time. Wow..."Hanah yelled making Zain irked. Ayesha laughed adding to his displeasure.

"Arey Zain, play your last card. Lets see who is gonna win."Shahina said.

Zain glared before taking the last card but immediately Ayesha threw another card into his lap without anyone's notice. He was wondered on her that gesture.

"Place this card. You will win."she whispered into his ears.

He was totally surprised. She gestured to play and without a second thought he placed the card that was given by Ayesha instead of his own card. And that's it, he won.

"Wow..thats unbelievable."the girls shouted.

Shamz looked at Zain in disbelief.

"My bhai won once again....."Hanah screamed excitedly making him glare at her.

"Where were you hiding that card man? It was unexpected."Shamz said and Zain looked at Ayesha with a smile. She smiled back.

"Anyway congrats."Shamz shook hands with him. Girls giggled.

"No one is here to officially announce the winner ah?"Ayesha asked.

"I will. Let me look for the prize."Sana said.

"I also need prizes. Second place"Shamz grinned like a kid.

Zain stood up.

"Ayesha can you please come with me?"Zain asked making her confused.

"What? I won't eat you. Please come."he said walking outside. She silently followed him.

"What happened Zain?"she asked in a low tone.

"Why did you help me to win?"he asked with surprise.

"Because you were playing less fouls compared to that Shamz. So I thought you are more eligible to win."she grinned.

"From where did you get that card?"

"It was Shamz's card. I stole it from him when he was busy thinking."she said scratching her forehead.

He laughed and then hugged her tightly. She was surprised. She didnt hug back but he was not leaving her.

"Thank you. You saved me from a big embarrassment today."he said without breaking the hug.

"Zain...that.....you..."she felt her mouth dry with his closeness.

"Oh sorry."he pulled back realizing their position.

"It's okay."it was awkward for her to face him.

"Anyway thank you so much Ayesha."he said.
"I didnt think that you will let me win over Shamz. You are so cute. Come. Let me receive the prize. And also I need to irritate Shamz as much as I want."

With that Zain left. He was laughing loudly for everyone to hear.

Ayesha placed her hand above her heart to control its fast beating. She blinked her eyes continuously to extract what had happened a few moments ago. She could still feel his hug and a blush formed on her face. And then she smiled.
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Here is the next chapter.

Hope it is up to the mark.