"Here you eat this." Zeenath aunty placed another dish into Shamz's mouth. He was already struggling with all the food in his mouth.

"What about tasting some sweet? I have made this." Jasmine aunty held his hand and made him sit infront of a big bowl full of sweets.

Zain gave him a disgusted look.
"Is he really here for his engagement or some food competition? Mom, better you don't invite him to London. He would finish our groceries for a month." He commented into his mother's ears. Asiya chuckled.

It was then Zain noticed Ayesha silently coming towards them. He felt his heart beating fast. She didn't look at him but straightway walked towards Shamz and stood infront of him.

"Shamz, I was waiting for you. I want to talk with you."she declared.
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Zain felt restless with Shamz and Ayesha talking alone. Away from the rest of the family. He didn't wait for one more second to escape to his room. He was sweating badly. All he wanted was to take a bath and refresh his body and mind. Without concentrating he quickly took off his shirt and then something has fell onto his feet.

He knelt down to take the piece of paper that has gained his attention. He unfolded the paper and read the line written on it.

Please prince don't come back ever

He quickly recognized the hand writing and his lips curved into a smile. Then his eyes fell on the picture drawn on the paper and he was astonished.

It was his own picture with Ayesha, a picture of them together in the store room. He smiled. Probably the biggest smile he ever had on his life. His mind quickly went back to one of his memory with her.

"Ayesha, you have to tell me. What is that damn dream that excites you this much?"he asked hearing about her dream. The smile on her face making him amazed.

"A prince waiting for his princess." She told dramatically.

"And who is that prince?" He asked enthusiastically.

"I don't know. But I know the princess."she winked.

"Who?"his eyes rolled.

"Probably me only."she replied. A grin playing on her lips.

Zain's PoV

Is that me?

The prince in her dream.

Why didn't she tell me?

How did this paper come into my pocket?

I got a quick idea regarding what happened when I remembered my encounter with Zeenath aunty a few hours ago. She said she was cleaning Ayesha's room and this paper must have been taken from the room only.

If I am the prince, then you would be my princess for sure.

I can't wait to see you Ayesha.

I need answers.

Ayesha's PoV

I looked at Shamz who appears very calm and cool. He looks interested in everything except what seems to be most important for the time being.

"So how are you my bestie?"he asked funnily.

I wanted to smash his face.

"You want to know?" I asked angrily.

"Yes, I would like to know what would aunties prepare for the dinner. It must be something delicious and I can't wait to taste that."

I glared at him with disbelief.

"Don't look me like this. If you have given our Londonwala this look, he would have probably scared and fell in love with you at that instant."

That was the limit.
"It's a closed chapter. Don't take his name again. Are you here to get engaged with me for real?" I asked genuinely doubting his intentions.

He laughed.
"A chapter that is not closed from heart is always open."he smirked.

Wait. What did he mean?

"Do you want me to close your chapter forever? I would kill you Shamz if you talk rubbish again."I shouted.

"Hey, first of all tell me. Why are you angry?"he asked coming close to me.

"Don't you know? We are getting engaged tomorrow Shamz. We have not yet find a plan to escape from this. Bapuji has done all the decorations, arranged for everything. All the preparations have been done."

"So what? Let him decorate. His own money, he can do anything Ayesha. Not at our cost."

I sent a murderous glare at him.
"And who would get engaged tomorrow? Me and your ghost?" I asked.

"Oh was that a threat?"he chuckled. "Don't worry. Everything would be fine. Believe yourself."

"I don't believe myself. I was always wrong."I said sadly.

"Then believe in Allah. He would open a path for us."

"How do you know?"

"Because my predictions may never go wrong."he said proudly.

I punched him on his arm. "Your biggest prediction has ruined my friendship with Zain. You don't talk to me hereafter."

I pouted and he gave me a side hug with a smile.
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Author's PoV

Zain looked for Ayesha but she was busy with the girls applying mehendi on her hands. The entire evening she had to wait for her mehendi to dry. He didn't get a single chance to talk with her in private. He was disappointed but never gave up. He knows if it's now or never. He waited patiently.

At night, he saw her going towards the kitchen. He looked around to realize noone is watching him. He then silently followed her.

Ayesha switched on the lights in the kitchen. The kitchen was empty since everyone was gossiping in the hall. She opened the refrigerator to have some water.

"Ayesha..." she looked up to see Zain standing infront of her.

"Again here for congratulating me?"she asked narrowing her eyebrows.

"No. For congratulating myself."

She gave him a confused look before averting her eyes away from him. She knows that the moment she looks into his shining eyes she would get lost in that.

"Ayesha, look at me."

"I won't. I would only look at Shamz hereafter. That is the rule. " She said stubbornly.

"If you want to watch a monkey for life, I would take you to a zoo."he said immediately, not liking the way she said that.

"One more time you tell this. I would throw you into the well."she warned.

"Really? Then hear me carefully. Shamz is a monkey." He smirked.

She herself closed the distance between them and held his collar.

"You are the monkey. Not him."she declared straight at his face.

"Then marry this monkey and watch me for life."he demanded in his most genuine tone.

She was shocked at his statement. They both locked their eyes and body almost pressing against each other. It was then he heard some footsteps and he became alert.

"Ayesha, someone is coming." He alerted her.

She was out of the world and didn't even move her body. He understood what he have to do now. He held her hand gently and pulled her towards the storeroom. He locked the door from inside.

When he leaned back on the door, she once again came close to him.

"What did you say?"she asked with glittering eyes.

"That I love you." he said stressing each word for her to hear clearly.

"Shut up. You are making fun of me again."she was about to walk back. But he held her hand and pulled her back towards his chest.

"This time I am not."he said looking into her eyes. "And I don't want to be late once again."

"Yes. You are not at all late. It is just my engagement tomorrow."she said sarcastically. "You still have time till marriage."

He laughed at that.

"Can you be serious for once?"she glared.

"What made you think that I am not serious? Ayesha, believe me. I was never serious my entire life. But this time I am. Trust me."he pleaded.

"I have asked you once and you told that I am one among all the girls you have seen. You can't love everyone of us." She said, her eyes slowly welling up.

His face fell down.
"I am ashamed of myself for saying that. I would have said that to any other girl. But you. I am sorry."he spoke while she raised her eyebrows confusingly. "That time I thought you were in a relationship with Shamz. And I didn't want to open up about my feelings only to disappoint in the end."

She was amazed at his discovery.
"What the hell? You don't understand me a bit." She declared anger evident in her voice.

He gave an embarrassed look.

"And what made you now think that we are not in a relationship? It's our engagement tomorrow."she rolled her eyes.

"I don't know. My heart keeps telling me that you love me and not Shamz. Yesterday you told at the hospital bed, and this..." he took the small piece of paper from his pocket and showed it to her.

She was wondered. She didn't want the dream to return back to her, but now the paper and the dream has been appeared infront of her for real.
She felt herself trapped between so many emotions.

"I don't remember anything about yesterday, it might be a dream. And about this paper, I am not answerable to you."she said before he gets any doubt.

"But Ayesha..."

"What if I love Shamz now?"she asked and he was shocked.

"You are lying. Right? I can read your eyes."he said.

"And you couldn't read my eyes when I came to propose you?"she cried while he was amazed.

"That day...that damn day I didn't come to you for revealing my relationship with Shamz. I came to know about your feelings for me. I wanted to know whether you feels the same what I feels for you or not. I wanted to propose you Zain." She wiped her tears away.

He couldn't move an inch of his body at his shocked state.

"But you proved me wrong Zain. You broke my heart."she sobbed. "You know what? You are the reason why Shamz and me have to come with this lovestory. Because you made me lose faith in love."

He stayed silent and let her anger subside first.

"And I don't have the strength to fall in love once again. It is over for me."she declared and he hugged her.

"It's not over. It wouldn't be over as long as one of us is alive."he whispered into her ears.

She pulled back from him.
"I don't know what destiny brings to me. But I can't handle this anymore. I am going to Bapuji and tell him the truth. I want to go to Delhi without any guilt."

She walked towards the door and opened the lock. Only to be shocked.

"What the hell? How did you lock this from outside too?"she asked looking back at him.

"Yes, I am a magician. I can lock any door from any side."he replied.

She shook her head in disbelief.

He came towards the door and checked it.

"Thank Allah. We have been locked once again inside the storeroom."he declared and she was frightened.

"What?"

"Even Allah is with us. This is the place where our bond began. Can't we take this as a sign?"he asked.

"What sign?"she asked.

"That we still have a chance remaining. We can even start the next phase of our relationship from here."

"I am not interested."she averted her eyes.

He chuckled.

"Who would have locked the door?"she asked tensed.

"Your baba"

"What? Did you say something about my baba?"she was all ready to attack him.

"No..I was saying your baba must have send his angels to do this honor for his daughter."

"My baba would never send his angel to lock me with a devil."she blurted out which earned a pout from him.

She walked around and looked for a window to escape.

"It won't work. We have tried last time and failed" he reminded her.

"That doesn't mean it wouldn't work again."

"Exactly that was what I am saying. You can believe in love once again. This time it may work."he said in a way to convince her.

"But not with you."she immediately retorted back.

She dragged one of an old chair from a corner and placed it below the large window. She climbed the chair and reached the height of the window.

"Why are you climbing? I can help you by carrying you in my arms."he offered.

"No thanks. You can't carry everyone of the girls you know."she gave her instant reply.

He smirked.
"I didn't know that it affected you this much."he muttered under his breathe. But she clearly heard that.

"What?"

"Like I compared you with every other girl. Are you jealous?" It was impossible for him to control his tongue. That's him.

"I am not."she declared.

"You are.."

"No...I am not....Ahhh..."she slipped her step and about to fall down only to be landed safe in Zain's arms.

"Didn't I offer you help earlier? You didnt have to jump into my arms like this."he smirked at his best.

She pinched him and with that he freed his hand but not before making her stand straight.

"I don't know what would happen if anyone sees us together."she exclaimed.

"Let them see. Then we can marry."

"You and me are done forever."she said stressing each word for him.

"Not yet. Atleast till you marry that Shamz."

"I am not marrying anyone." She declared.

"Yes. Not anyone. Only me."he also declared.

"You better shut your mouth before I put some old clothes into that."she threatened him.

He laughed.

She looked away.

They both remained silent for a minute until he breaks the silence.

"Ayesha, you do love me still?"he asked with hope.

She didn't answer. But a tear drop that fell down from her eyes answered for him.

"I wish everything was same between us. If our friendship was not broken, atleast I would have had a friend whom I can rely on with my every problem."

"Nothing has changed Ayesha. I am sorry for hurting you. But there was a lot happening with me." He started. "Even I couldn't understand my feelings changing towards you. I thought you as my best friend. It was not for the time being. This friendship was meant for lifetime for me. I have seen many girls in my life. But you held a special place in my life. There was no walls between us."He sighed.

She was listening to him carefully.

"The thought of missing you only hit me when it was the time for us to return back finally. I know that it was impossible for me to live without you. It has affected me as much as it affected you. I was late to realize my feelings for you. But then I saw you in Shamz's arms that night."

Ayesha became numb.

"I know it was a misunderstanding. But I really thought you both are in love. I am sorry Ayesha."

She stared at him blankly.

"You know nothing about me. About Shamz. That man stood up for me when I have noone by my side. Even you."

His face fell down with embarrassment.

"I can't define my relationship with Shamz. He is not just a friend. He is more than that. But I would never ruin our precious bond by naming it love. Like I ruined ours."

He saw the honesty in her eyes.

"He doesn't owe me anything. But he was there for me everytime I needed him. Whatever bond we shares its priceless for me." She declared straight on his face.

"I wish I was half genuine of Shamz with my feelings. Then I wouldn't have lost you." He said in a soft tone.

"I don't know Zain. I just want to escape from everything. I want to leave to Delhi as soon as possible. I want to forget everything. I want to forget you."she said her eyes meeting him at the last sentence.

He felt someone has pierced a knife into his chest.

"You may forget me. But I can't Ayesha. Because you are not just one among all the girls I have seen. You are the only one who understood the real Zain. You are the one destined for me. You are my love."he spoke.

She felt her heart fluttering unknowingly. He still has that effect on her. She wondered.

"You may be reserved, you may be silent, you may be not smart, you may be not active, you may not talk a lot, but I love you Ayesha. With all my heart." His voice echoed the whole room.

She was astonished.

"I wouldn't have fallen in love with you if you were like all the other girls. I fall for the person you are." His words made her heart dance in joy.

In a single moment he broke all the walls of her insecurities. All those that made her pull back.

"If you give me your hands, I would be that part of you that completes whatever you are not. I want you to complete me too."he asked with a genuine smile that reached her heart.

"What if I want to." She asked slowly.

"Then there is no looking back." He announced. "I would take you with me."

She smiled for the first time.

"I want my old Zain back."she demanded.

"I am all yours Ayesha if you give me a chance."

She hugged him tightly. "I love you Zain. No matter how much I tries my heart pulls me back to you."

His happiness have no limits. He hugged her back tightly as if his entire existence relies on that.

"So you are not marrying Shamz. Right?" He asked, a smirk playing on his lips.

She didn't move an inch away from his arms.
"Next time you are doing this with me, I would break your head. Asiya aunty has to carry your head and body separately to London."

With that he laughed. A burden leaving both of them.
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A few hours later

The entire house searched for the soon to be bride. She was missing and everyone was worried.

"What if someone has kidnapped her?" Reyza asked.

"She is not here. We checked everywhere." Both Sana and Hiba announced.

"We should do something fast baba." Meharban said losing all her strength.

"You please don't worry. We can find her." Bapuji said.

"I think we should search the storeroom also." Someone from the crowd shouted and it was none other than Shamz. Everyone looked at him wondered. He grinned.
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The door of the storeroom opened to reveal the sight. Zain has been found sitting down while leaning back on the wall, Ayesha with her closed eyes laying on his shoulders. They both in each other's embrace.

All of the family members are shocked.

"What the hell?"It was Reyza; Shamz's mom shouted.

With that Zain and Ayesha pulled away from each other. He got up from the floor and helped her to stand straight. She was worried seeing all the intriguing eyes on them. He held her hand in support.

"What am I seeing?" Meharban exclaimed.

"Zain and Ayesha...." Bapuji was equally shocked.

"What are you doing here with him? Tomorrow is your engagement with my son and I didn't know that you are such a kind of woman." Shamz's mom raised her hand to slap Ayesha but Zain stopped her.

"No aunty. I would not allow anyone raise a single finger at her."he announced protecting her.

"Oh and what are you to her? Her secret lover?" she snapped back.

"Reyza, shut up. Watch your words." Bapuji warned.

"Can't you see what is happening around you? This girl was cheating my son. This is the second time we are catching them red-handed from storeroom." Reyza spat out.

"Mom, I am not a kid for someone to cheat me. Stop embarassing me. Listen what they have to say." Shamz told.

Meharban stood infront of her daughter.
"Ayesha, I want answer. What were you doing here?"

"Mama, I don't know. Someone has locked us from outside." Ayesha replied, her hands shivering.

"How did you both come inside here?" It was Bapuji who asked.

"I can answer you Bapuji. It was not Ayesha's fault. I am the one who dragged her inside despite her protesting her best." Zain announced making everyone amazed.

"You've any idea what you are talking Zain?" Asiya asked.

"Yes mom. I know."

"What was your intention?" Bapuji asked.

"I wanted to convince her before the engagement. I wanted to talk with her alone."he replied.

"Convinced about what? That I am a fraud?" Shamz rolled his eyes at him.

"No. That I love her."Zain said.

The entire atmosphere became silent at his revelation. Ayesha and Zain looked at each other.

"Ayesha, what about you?" It was Bapuji who asked.

The women started murmuring with each other.

Ayesha didn't answer but looked at everyone's face to read their expressions. Of that she feared Asiya's the most.

"I am asking you Ayesha. You can't be silent everytime." He repeated.

She gulped.
"I love him Bapuji."

Zain smiled like a kid winning his toy. But that doesn't went well with the others. Everyone gave them suspicious eyes.

"And you realize this on the night before your engagement?" Bapuji again asked her.

"No. Not me. He realized it late."she immediately gave him a look.

He looked everywhere but at her.

"I did ask him. But he rejected me. Then only I agreed for this engagement."she added.

"Rejected? Why are you using such big words?"he widened his eyes.

"Just shut up you both. What about my son? Without knowing anything, he loved you." Reyza cried.

Shamz gave the most innocent look as if he is really innocent.

"Aunty, your son is not innocent. He is the one who dragged me into this. He asked me to propose Zain. And then he announced that he will marry me." She pouted and Shamz narrowed his eyes. Zain laughed at both of them.

All of them gave a wondered look at the trio.

"So you are also involved in this?" Bapuji asked Shamz.

"Why should I? I was just trying to help Ayesha. That idiot has actually ruined everything for us. Ask him." Shamz pointed at Zain.

"You are the reason for everything mr.monkey. Who told you to be heroic and announce that you would marry my girl? If you haven't done that, I would have get some time."Zain snapped back.

"Give him a million years. Nothing would happen. He is as slow as a snail." Shamz retorted back.

"Both of you better shut up." Ayesha shouted. She walked towards her mother. "I am sorry mama. I didn't want to hurt you. I don't love Shamz. But I agreed for the engagement only because of you. I can't see you worried for me."

"What should I do now Ayesha? You just didn't play with me. But with the entire family. Because of you I don't have an answer for them today." Her mother's eyes flowed down.

"Whatever you ask me, I would do that."she agreed.

"You would do anything what I ask you?" Her mother asked to confirm.

"Yes."

"Then get engaged tomorrow. As we planned." Everyone became shocked at her mother's statement.

"But not with Shamz. With the one you love." Her mother added and it was an happy moment.

"Mama.." Ayesha hugged her mother emotionally.

"I don't want anything less than your happiness." Meharban was equally emotional. Zain smiled at the mother daughter duo. He joined the hug.

Shamz approached Bapuji.
"Bapuji, please forgive all of us together. Let them unite please. They don't deserve this much pain."

"But Shamz..." Reyza couldn't complete.

"Mom, you don't talk please. If she marries Zain, I would be the most happiest. After all I am the one who dragged her into this." Shamz said.

With that Reyza shut her mouth.

Bapuji looked at all of them together. Zain gave him a mischievous smile while Ayesha was worried. Shamz stood as if he is the only one interested.

"Meharban, you agree for whatever your daughter wishes for ?" Bapuji asked her mother.

Meharban nodded.

Bapuji then turned towards both Asiya and Ali.
"Do you have a problem if Zain and Ayesha unite?"

Both Asiya and Ali looked at each other before staring at their son.

Ayesha being scared hid behind Zain holding his hand from back.
"Your mom won't agree. I know." She said worriedly.

"Who told you that?" He asked squeezing her hand.

"I know. She don't like me." She replied her eyes slowly welling up. He was confused.

Her heart beated fast with Asiya taking each step towards them.
"Ayesha..." she called with an expressionless face.

He moved away from her front so that both the woman can see each other.

"My daughter in law wouldn't come to me?"Asiya asked with welcoming hands. A smile fixed on her lips.

Ayesha was astonished. When Zain elbowed her, she ran towards his mother and hugged her.

"You wonder what changed my mind? Well, there is no change of mind. I have always liked you." Asiya kissed her forehead.

"But aunty that day..."

"The first time when you heard us, it is true that I was against your marriage with my son when Ali proposed it. But that time I didn't know anything about you. Then I saw how my son is slowly getting well along with you and how you both were so close. I must agree my son is a changed man around you. He was never like this before." Asiya's words surprised Ayesha.

"The second time when you heard us, I was never against you. Infact I was proposing the same marriage that once I opposed. I was talking for you for my son. You didn't wait to hear complete." Asiya gave a naughty expression.

Ayesha was amazed at the discovery. Zain stood completely clueless about what is happening.

"I am sorry aunty. I misunderstood you." She spoke in a low tone.

"It's ok. I can forget anything for my son's happiness." Asiya smirked. "I would agree for this marriage only on a condition."

"Now what's new?" Zain asked.

Asiya looked at Ayesha lovingly. "You should stop eavesdropping."

She laughed at that.

"So tomorrow Zain and Ayesha are getting engaged." Bapuji announced and everyone slowly accepted.

"No engagement please." It was Shamz. All of them looked at him confusingly. Zain glared at him.

"I don't trust that Londonwala. What if he changes his mind once he reaches London back?" Shamz asked louder.

"You don't need to trust me. I am not marrying you." Zain narrowed his eyes.

"Same to you. Bapuji, let's get them married." Shamz suggested.

After few minutes of silence and some discussions, Bapuji announced "Tomorrow it's Zain's and Ayesha's Nikkah."

Everyone smiled. The family restarted where they stopped. The preparations!

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