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Author pov
The weather was unusually cloudy that afternoon, the sky covered with soft gray clouds as a cool breeze drifted across the quiet lakeside. Far away from the noise of the city, the lake stretched peacefully beneath the overcast sky, its gentle waves reflecting the muted light. On a wooden bench beside the water sat a beautiful young girl dressed in a graceful blue anarkali suit. Delicate silver bangles adorned her wrists, chiming softly whenever she moved, while antique silver earrings framed her face. Her hazel-green eyes remained fixed on the calm lake, and a shy smile played gently upon her lips. A faint blush colored her cheeks, partly because of the cool breeze... and partly because the handsome man sitting beside her was holding her hand in his.
Let me introduce her properly. Her name was Haya Asfandyar. Nineteen years old. A college student.
A girl with a simple dream—to become a doctor. Haya had grown up in a sheltered, peaceful environment surrounded by traditional values. She believed in kindness, honesty, loyalty, and the goodness hidden within people. She had never been interested in the dangerous world of power, revenge, or hatred. Her life had always been quiet, innocent, and uncomplicated.
Until Azlaan Khan entered it.
Beside her sat her fiancé, Azlaan Khan, twenty-five years old. His broad shoulders looked relaxed beneath his crisp white shirt, paired with black trousers, giving him an effortlessly handsome appearance. He was the CEO of his own company, a position that made him respected and feared in the business world, yet whenever he looked at Haya, there was nothing intimidating in his eyes. Only softness.
His brown eyes were initially fixed on the cloudy sky, but when his gaze dropped toward their intertwined hands, his expression immediately changed. The corners of his lips lifted into a small, affectionate smile.
Haya noticed his gaze and immediately looked away, her lashes lowering as a soft blush spread across her cheeks. She suddenly became very interested in the peaceful lake before them, pretending not to notice the warmth of his eyes resting on her. Her fingers nervously played with the edge of her dupatta as her heart began beating a little faster. Why does he look at me like that? she wondered, secretly flustered by the tenderness in his expression. She tried to hide the shy smile threatening to appear on her lips, but the warmth spreading across her face betrayed her completely.
She tried to focus on the lake, pretending she hadn't noticed his gaze, but Azlaan slowly leaned closer. His voice dropped into a playful whisper beside her ear. "Agar aap sirf mera haath pakarne se itna sharma rahi hain... toh shaadi ke baad jab main aapke aur kareeb aaunga, tab kya hoga?"("If you're getting this shy just from holding my hand... then what will happen after we're married, when I get even closer to you?")
Haya's eyes widened, and for a second, she simply froze as the meaning behind his words finally registered. Heat rushed to her face, and her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. Her heart skipped a beat before beginning to race so quickly that she could almost hear her own heartbeat echoing in her ears. She lowered her gaze, suddenly unable to meet his eyes, while her fingers nervously tightened around the edge of her dupatta. "Ya Allah..." she whispered under her breath, secretly wishing the ground would open up and save her from her fiancé's shameless teasing.
She immediately pulled her hand away and lightly slapped his shoulder. "Aap bohot besharam hain!"("You are absolutely shameless!") But Azlaan burst into laughter. Haya quickly stood from the bench, trying desperately to hide the embarrassment written all over her face.
He looked at her for a moment, still smiling, before standing as well. But this time, when he reached for her hand, his touch was again gentle.
There was no lust in it.
No pressure.
Only affection.
Pure, uncomplicated love.
His fingers slowly intertwined with hers as his playful expression disappeared, replaced by something much more serious. He looked at her quietly before speaking in his deep yet surprisingly soft voice.
"Haya..."
She looked up.
His expression made her smile disappear.
"Ab aur kitna sabar karna hoga mujhe?"("How much longer will I have to be patient?")
He paused, his thumb gently brushing across the back of her hand.
"Main ab bas tumhein apna banana chahta hoon."("I just want to make you mine now.")
Haya's heart skipped another beat, leaving her completely unsure of what to say. His words had rendered her utterly speechless, and for a few moments, she could only sit there quietly, her lashes lowered as her gaze remained fixed on their joined hands. A tiny, shy smile threatened to appear on her lips, but she quickly pressed them together, trying desperately to hide it from him. The warmth in her cheeks only deepened as she took a small breath, gathering the courage to speak. After a moment, she finally whispered softly, her voice barely audible, "Humein wapas chalna chahiye..." ("We should go back now...")
Azlaan studied her face for a second before giving a small nod. "Theek hai chalo."("Alright.") They began walking toward the car together, their hands still intertwined. Their footsteps matched naturally, one beside the other, as though they had been walking through life together for years rather than only recently becoming engaged.
When they reached the car, Azlaan opened the passenger door for her. Haya gave him a small, shy smile before settling into the passenger seat. Azlaan gently closed the door for her and walked around to the driver's side. A few moments later, the engine came to life, and the car slowly pulled away from the peaceful lakeside, joining the quiet road that stretched ahead beneath the cloudy sky. For several minutes, neither of them spoke. The only sounds inside the car were the soft hum of the engine and the faint music playing in the background, while Haya quietly watched the scenery passing beyond the window but ,the faint blush on her cheeks hadn't completely disappeared. and Azlaan remained focused on the road, occasionally stealing a brief glance in her direction.
Azlaan glanced at her.
Once.
Then again.
He immediately noticed the way she was pretending to be completely fascinated by the passing trees.
A mischievous idea suddenly crossed Azlaan's mind, and the faintest, most playful smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Without saying a word, he reached toward the music system and pressed a button. A moment later, the soft melody of "Zara Zara Behekta Hai" began filling the car. Haya's breath instantly caught, and her eyes widened slightly as she recognized the song. For a second, she remained completely still, staring out of the window while a familiar warmth crept across her cheeks. She slowly glanced toward Azlaan, already suspecting that he had chosen the song deliberately, only to find him calmly focused on the road, a barely noticeable smile still playing on his lips.
She knew that song.
Tadpaye mujhe teri sabhi baatein....
Ek baar ae deewani jhootha hi sahi pyaar to kar.....
Main bhula nahi haseen mulakatein....
Bechain karke mujhko mujhse yun na pher nazar....
Slowly, she turned her head toward him. Azlaan kept his eyes focused on the road, but the faint curve of his lips told her everything. He had done it deliberately.
Without saying a word, Haya quickly turned her face back toward the window, pretending to be completely absorbed in the passing scenery. Her cheeks had turned as red as a tomato, and she tried desperately to hide her blush by lowering her gaze and pretending to fix a loose strand of hair. But no matter how hard she tried, the warmth spreading across her face refused to disappear. She pressed her lips together, hoping to regain her composure, completely unaware that Azlaan was secretly watching her from the corner of his eye. A faint, amused smile tugged at his lips as he noticed every little attempt she made to hide her embarrassment.
Roothega na mujhse mere sathiya ye wada kar....
Tere bina mushkil hai jeena mera mere dilbar....
Zara zara behekta hain mehekta hai.....
Aaj to mera tan badan main pyaasa hoon mujhe bharle apni bahon mein....
At that, Haya quietly closed her eyes, hoping to hide from the overwhelming shyness that had taken over her. Her breathing became slightly uneven as she tried to calm her racing heart, while the warmth in her cheeks refused to fade. Noticing her flustered reaction from the corner of his eye, Azlaan's lips curved into a small, satisfied smirk. He said nothing, choosing instead to focus on the road while secretly enjoying how easily his teasing had left his usually composed fiancée completely breathless.
Zara zara behekta hain mehekta hai.....
Aaj to mera tan badan main pyaasa hoon mujhe bharle apni bahon mein....
[MUSIC ]
yun hi garaj garaj kaali ghata barse.....
Hum yaar bheeg jaaye is chaahat ki barish mein....
Haya curled her fingers into tight little fists in her lap, trying to steady herself and regain control of her racing emotions. Her knuckles turned slightly pale as she took a slow breath, silently scolding herself for becoming so flustered by his teasing.
Teri khuli khuli lato ko suljhaun mein apni ungliyon se....
Mein toh hun iss khwahish mein....
sardi ki raaton mein hum soye rahe ek chadar mein.....
hum dono tanha ho na koi bhi rahe is ghar mein....
Azlaan briefly turned his gaze toward her, his eyes settling on her hair as the soft breeze from the slightly open window caused a few silky strands to flutter around her face. A faint smile touched his lips, but as the melody continued playing, his own thoughts slowly became lost in the emotions of the song. For a moment, the road ahead seemed to fade into the background as his attention drifted toward Haya beside him. He found himself thinking about her shy smile, her flushed cheeks, and the way she always became flustered whenever he teased her. A quiet warmth settled in his chest as he silently wondered how someone so innocent had managed to become such an important part of his world.
Zara zara behekta hain mehekta hai.....
Aaj to mera tan badan main pyaa
Before the song could continue any further Haya's patience finally reached its limit. With a frustrated sigh, she reached toward the music system and switched the song off. The sudden silence inside the car felt almost dramatic. She then turned toward Azlaan, her cheeks still flushed, but now her expression was filled with annoyance. Folding her arms tightly across her chest, she gave him an irritated look.
"Bas, Azlaan!" she complained, her voice carrying a mixture of embarrassment and frustration. "Aap mujhe itna tang kyun kar rahe hain?" ["Why are you teasing me so much?"]
Azlaan glanced at her from the corner of his eye, fighting back a smile. Seeing her adorable expression only made it harder for him to take her anger seriously.
"Azlaan..."Her voice came out quieter than she intended.
He glanced at her briefly.
"Hmm?"
Haya narrowed her eyes.
"Aap ne jaan boojh kar yeh gaana lagaya hai, hai na?"("You deliberately played this song, didn't you?")
His smile grew.
"Shayad." ("Maybe.")
Her cheeks immediately flushed again. She turned toward the window. She couldn't even finish the sentence.
Azlaan chuckled softly.
"Achha, sorry na, bachha." ["Okay, sorry, sweetheart."]
Haya shook her head.
"Nahi mujhe aapse baat nahi karni."( "I don't want to talk to you.")
But the shy smile that appeared on her lips betrayed her completely.
Azlaan noticed. He knew she wasn't truly angry with him. Deep down, he also knew Haya could never stay upset with him for very long, So he said nothing. not want to tease her further. A small, knowing smile touched his lips as he continued driving, quietly enjoying her adorable attempt to remain angry.
He simply continued driving, one hand resting on the steering wheel while the other occasionally brushed against hers whenever their hands met between them.
Outside, the cloudy sky slowly darkened as the car continued along the quiet road. Inside, the soft music played gently in the background, filling the comfortable silence between them. And between two hearts already promised to each other, there existed a quiet kind of happiness—the kind that needed no grand declarations or dramatic promises, because it lived naturally in their shy glances, their intertwined fingers, their playful teasing, and the little moments they shared without even realizing how precious they were. It was the kind of happiness that quietly carried the unspoken promise of a future they both secretly couldn't wait to begin.
The remaining journey passed in a comfortable silence, neither Haya nor Azlaan feeling the need to fill the quietness with unnecessary words. Eventually, the car slowed to a stop in front of a grand, luxurious mansion, its impressive architecture rising beneath the darkening sky. Azlaan switched off the engine, stepped out, and walked around to open Haya's door for her, a soft smile already playing on his lips.
Haya looked up at him before carefully stepping out, and Azlaan gently closed the door behind her. He then walked toward the back seat, opened the door, and picked up her college bag and white coat. When he returned and held it out to her, Haya reached for i at the same moment, and their fingers accidentally brushed. For a brief second, neither of them moved. A tiny spark of awareness seemed to pass between them, leaving Haya suddenly conscious of how close they were.
She slowly looked up, and their eyes met. Azlaan's lips curved into a playful smile before he gave her a quick wink, making Haya's breath hitch in surprise. Before she could react or say anything, he turned around, walked back toward the driver's seat, and started the engine. The car slowly pulled away, leaving Haya standing at the entrance. She watched until it disappeared from sight, then shook her head with an embarrassed little smile.
"Allah... kitne besharam hain."("Ya Allah... he's so shameless.")
Still smiling despite herself, she adjusted her college bag on her shoulder and finally walked inside her home, carrying a heart that was far lighter than it had been when she left.
Haya's POV
The moment I stepped inside the mansion, the familiar warmth of home instantly surrounded me. I walked into the spacious hall and found my younger brother murad Asfandfar ,[ age 14] sprawled comfortably across the sofa, still wearing his school uniform, completely absorbed in whatever was playing on television. I rolled my eyes at the sight before dropping onto the sofa beside him. Without saying anything, I grabbed a packet of chips from the table, tore it open, and started eating.
For a few moments, everything was peaceful.
Until my brother suddenly glanced at me with a suspicious little grin. "Waisa..." he began casually. "Aap college ke baad Azlaan bhai ke saath kahan gayi thi?" ("By the way... where did you go with Azlaan bhai after college?")
I nearly choked on my chips.
My eyes widened for half a second before I quickly composed myself and turned toward him.
Oh no...
I could already feel embarrassment creeping into my cheeks. But I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of seeing me flustered.
I reached over and lightly slapped the top of his head.
"Apna kaam karo aur chup raho!" ("Mind your own business and keep quiet!")
He rubbed his head dramatically and gave me an offended look. "Ouch!" I rolled my eyes and continued eating. But then his expression suddenly changed. A mischievous smirk appeared on his face. "Theek hai..." he said slowly. "Mujhe chup rehne ke paanch hazaar do."
("Fine... give me five thousand, and I'll stay quiet.")
I stared at him. "Excuse me?"
He folded his arms proudly. "Paanch hazaar. Warna main Mama ko sab bata dunga." ("Five thousand. Otherwise, I'll tell Mom everything.")
For a moment, I simply looked at him.
Then...
A slow smirk appeared on my lips.
"Jao."
He blinked.
"Kya?"
I shrugged innocently.
"Jao aur Mama ko batao."
His confident expression immediately faltered. I leaned closer and lowered my voice.
"Phir main bhi Mama ko tumhari woh chhoti si girlfriend ke baare mein bata dungi." ("Then I'll also tell Mom about your little girlfriend.")
His face went completely pale.
"Aapi!"
Before I could laugh, he instantly placed his hand over my mouth.
"Shhh! Pagal ho kya?!" ("Shhh! Are you crazy?!")
My eyes widened as I glared at him.
He looked genuinely terrified.
And just then—
"What's going on between you two?"
Mama's voice came from behind us.
We both froze.
Slowly, I looked toward my brother.
He was still covering my mouth.
I gave him a murderous glare and gestured for him to remove his hand immediately.
He pulled it away at once.
Mama stood there with a suspicious expression.
"Why are you two whispering?"
We exchanged a quick glance.
"Nothing!" we both said at exactly the same time.
Mama narrowed her eyes. Clearly, she didn't believe us. But thankfully, she didn't question us any further. Instead, she sighed.
"Both of you go and change your clothes. Lunch is ready. Come downstairs afterward." with that She turned and walked back toward the kitchen.
"Ji, Mama." we said again together.
The moment she disappeared, my brother looked at me.
I pointed a warning finger at him.
"One more word..."
He immediately raised both hands.
"Okay, okay! I'm silent."
I rolled my eyes and headed toward my room.
After changing into something comfortable, I went into the washroom and took a quick shower. The cool water helped wash away some of the tiredness from the long day, but unfortunately, it couldn't wash away the memories that kept replaying in my mind.
Azlaan.
His teasing smile, his voice, the way he had held my hand, the brief touch of his fingers against mine, and that ridiculous wink before he drove away all came rushing back into my mind at once. My cheeks immediately warmed, and I quickly looked away as if that could somehow hide my embarrassment from my own thoughts. Why am I thinking about him again? I silently scolded myself before shaking my head. "Haya, bas," I whispered, trying to bring myself back to reality. Enough.
After changing into something comfortable, I headed downstairs for lunch. Everyone was already seated around the dining table, so I quietly took my usual place and began eating. For the first few minutes, everything seemed perfectly normal, and I tried to focus on my meal rather than the man who had somehow occupied every corner of my thoughts.
Then my phone vibrated beside my plate.
I glanced down.
Azlaan.
My heart gave an embarrassing little flutter the moment I saw his name on my screen. I quickly picked up my phone and opened his message, and before I could stop myself, a soft smile immediately appeared on my lips. I began exchanging a few messages with him while continuing to eat, completely lost in our little conversation and forgetting that someone else was watching me murad.
After a few moments, I slowly looked up and caught him staring directly at my phone with the most suspicious expression imaginable. My smile vanished instantly. I quickly locked my phone and gave him a sharp warning glare, silently daring him to say even a single word.
"Don't."
He simply grinned.
"I didn't say anything."
"But you're thinking something."
He shrugged innocently.
"Can't help it."
I rolled my eyes and returned to my food.
After lunch, I quickly escaped upstairs before he could start another round of teasing.
Back in my room, I changed into comfortable clothes and collapsed onto my bed.
Finally, I was alone, and the quietness of my room felt like a small escape. I closed my eyes, intending to take only a short nap, but the moment I did, my mind betrayed me all over again. Memories of the lakeside came rushing back—the warmth of his hand holding mine, his teasing whisper, the softness in his expression when he suddenly became serious, the way he had looked at me, and then, of course, that ridiculous wink before he drove away. My lips slowly curved into a shy smile as I pulled the pillow closer to my chest. He's impossible, I thought, hiding my face against the pillow for a moment. Absolutely impossible. Yet despite all my complaints and attempts to convince myself otherwise, my heart felt strangely happy.
A soft blush spread across my cheeks as I whispered his name under my breath, "Azlaan..." and somewhere between those sweet memories and the warmth filling my heart, I quietly drifted into sleep.
The smile remained on my lips.
And somewhere between those sweet memories and the warmth filling my heart, sleep quietly carried me away.
⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎
After what felt like only a few minutes, I slowly woke from my nap when the familiar sound of my father's voice drifted through the room. Still half-asleep, I blinked several times before reaching for my phone from the bedside table. The screen lit up, and I glanced at the time. It was already afternoon. I really slept that long? I thought sleepily, rubbing my eyes before finally sitting up. After fixing my hair, I walked into the washroom, washed my face and hands, and let the cool water wake me up completely. A few minutes later, I returned to my room, slipped on my sandals, and headed downstairs toward the hall.
As soon as I entered, I found my family gathered comfortably in the sitting area. My father was seated on one sofa, while my mother and Muran sat opposite him. On the other sofa was my elder brother, Zafar, who looked completely relaxed as he listened to their conversation. Zafar wasn't only my brother; he was also Azlaan's best friend, which sometimes made me wonder whether I had two people in my life whose favourite hobby was teasing me. I smiled softly before walking over to my father and sitting beside him. I gently placed my head on his shoulder, and he immediately turned toward me with a warm smile.
"Uth gayi meri beti?" he asked lovingly. ("You're awake, my daughter?")
I nodded.
"Ji, Papa."
He looked at me for a moment before asking, "College kaisa chal raha hai? Aur studies?" ("How is college going? And how are your studies?")
A small smile appeared on my lips.
"Good, Papa. Sab acha chal raha hai." ("Good, Papa. Everything is going well.")
He smiled proudly and gently patted my hand.
"Bas isi tarah mehnat karti rehna." ("Just keep working hard like this.")
Before I could reply, Mama suddenly spoke from across the room.
"Waise, Haya..."
I turned toward her.
There was something unusually cheerful in her expression.
"Hum Aaj raat gaon ja rahe hain."
I blinked.
"Gaon?"
She nodded.
"Haan. Ahmed ke nikah ke liye."
For a second, I simply stared at her.
Then my eyes widened with excitement.
"Hareem dii ka nikah?!"
Mama laughed at my reaction.
"Haan, baba. Tumhari hareem dii ka nikah hai."
I practically jumped to my feet.
"Really?!, But Mama! Aapne pehle kyun nahi bataya?"
Everyone laughed at my sudden excitement.
I immediately rushed toward Mama and sat beside her.
"Mama, mujhe shopping bhi toh karni hai!" I announced sadly.
I paused dramatically.
"Aur mujhe ek bohot pyara outfit bhi chahiye!"
Mama shook her head, laughing.
"Abhi se shuru ho gayi?"
"Of course!" I replied proudly. "Nikah hai, Mama. Main simple kaise reh sakti hoon?"
Baba smiled gently before looking around at all of us. "Theek hai, main, tumhari Mama aur Murad aaj raat hi gaon ke liye nikal rahe hain. Tum aur Zafar kal shopping kar lena, phir kal hi gaon aa jana." His words immediately made me nod, although a tiny spark of excitement returned to my eyes at the thought of spending the next day shopping with Zafar before joining everyone at the village.
Muran chuckled from beside her.
"api, tumhein bas shopping ka bahana chahiye."
I immediately turned toward him.
"Bilkul nahi!"
Zafar raised an eyebrow.
"Haan, haan. Humein sab pata hai."
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"Zafar Bhai aap bhi..."
He instantly smiled innocently.
"Main ne kya kiya?"
I ignored him and turned back toward Mama, already imagining the entire trip in my head.
Village... family... wedding...
And suddenly, another thought crossed my mind.
Azlaan bhi toh wahan hoga...
My excitement faltered for half a second.
Then my cheeks warmed.
Wait...
What am I thinking?
I quickly shook the thought away and focused on Mama again.
"Mama, kal shopping ke liye zaroor chalna. Mujhe sab kuch lena hai."
Mama smiled.
"Theek hai, meri beti. Kal shopping kar lenge."
I smiled brightly.
The entire atmosphere suddenly felt warmer.
For the first time that day, my heart was filled with nothing but excitement.
The thought of a family wedding instantly filled my heart with excitement. A village surrounded by familiar relatives, beautiful clothes, endless celebrations, laughter, delicious food, and all the chaos that came with a wedding already sounded wonderful. And perhaps... there would also be a certain someone I was trying very hard not to think about. The thought alone made a shy smile creep onto my lips before I quickly lowered my gaze. This trip is going to be interesting, I thought, unable to stop the tiny flutter in my heart.
⁕⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁎⁕
After dinner, the house slowly became quieter as Mama, Baba, and Murad prepared to leave for the village. I stood at the entrance and waved goodbye, watching their car disappear through the gates before finally making my way upstairs. Once inside my room, I changed into something comfortable and walked toward the balcony, hoping the cool evening air would clear my thoughts. I leaned against the railing and looked out at the quiet garden below when my phone suddenly vibrated in my hand. I glanced at the screen, and the moment I saw his name, a smile automatically appeared on my lips.
Azlaan.
I quickly answered the call.
"Hello?"
His deep, familiar voice came through almost immediately.
"So... finally remembered your fiancé?"
I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn't see me.
"I didn't forget you."
"Really?" he teased. "Because I was beginning to think you're enjoying your freedom now that everyone has left."
A small laugh escaped me.
"Azlaan, stop it."
He chuckled softly.
"Achha, batao... kya kar rahi ho?" ("Alright, tell me... what are you doing?")
I looked up at the evening sky.
"Balcony mein hoon."
There was a brief pause.
Then his voice became playfully curious.
"Akele?"
I immediately narrowed my eyes.
"Obviously."
"Hmm..."
I could practically imagine the mischievous smile on his face.
"Aur mujhe miss kar rahi ho?"
My cheeks instantly warmed.
"Bilkul nahi."
He laughed.
"Jhoot."
"Main jhoot nahi bol rahi!"
"Achha?" he replied, clearly enjoying himself. "Toh phir meri awaaz sunte hi tumhare cheeks red kyun ho jaate hain?"
My eyes widened.
"Aap mujhe dekh bhi nahi rahe!"
"Tumhari awaaz bata deti hai."
I pressed my lips together, trying desperately not to smile.
Why does he always know exactly what to say?
"Aap bohot tang karte hain mujhe."
His laughter became softer.
"Aur tumhein meri yehi aadat sabse zyada pasand hai."
I shook my head, although a smile had already betrayed me.
"Mujhi baat hi nahi karni aapse."
"Theek hai," he said dramatically. "Main phone rakh deta hoon."
I froze.
"..."
He waited.
I remained silent.
Then his amused voice returned.
"Kuch nahi kahogi?"
I finally muttered,
"Nahi."
He laughed quietly.
"Tum mujhse naraz reh hi nahi sakti, Haya."
My heart gave a tiny flutter.
I lowered my gaze, hiding the smile spreading across my lips.
"Aapko bohot yaqeen hai apne aap par."
His voice softened.
"Tum par hai."
For a moment, I couldn't think of a reply.
The teasing suddenly faded into something warmer.
I looked up at the sky, my cheeks still warm.
"Azlaan..."
"Hmm?"
I smiled softly.
"Aap kabhi serious bhi ho jaya karein."
He chuckled.
"Tumhare saath? Mushkil hai."
I rolled my eyes.
"Besharam."
"Sirf tumhare liye."
And despite myself...
I smiled.
Azlaan's teasing laughter slowly faded, replaced by a softer tone.
"Achha, ek baat bataun?" he asked.
I immediately became suspicious.
"Kya?" He chuckled.
"Nikah ke liye saree pehenna." My eyes widened in surprise.
"Saree? Main?" He hummed, clearly amused by my reaction.
"Haan, tum. Main dekhna chahta hoon tum saree mein kaisi lagogi." My cheeks instantly warmed.
He really knows how to make me nervous. I lowered my gaze and played with the edge of my sleeve.
"Aapko kyun itni fikr hai main kya pehnungi?" I asked shyly.
His voice softened further. "Kyuki main tumhein dekhna chahta hoon, Haya." My heart fluttered at the simple confession. Before I could respond, he added teasingly, "Aur haan, kal shopping ke baad seedha gaon aana. Mujhe wahan tumse milna hai." I blinked.
"Aap bhi gaon mein honge?"
"Obviously," he replied with a quiet laugh.
"Tum samajh rahi thi main tumhein itni aasani se miss karne dunga?" I couldn't help smiling.
"Aap bohot ajeeb hain."
"Sirf tumhara liya," he replied softly, making my cheeks turn even redder. I quickly looked away toward the dark garden, trying to hide my smile.
Zayyan's POV
The dim lights of the club flickered across the crowded room, drowning everything in shades of crimson and gold. I sat comfortably on the velvet sofa, my legs stretched apart, one arm resting lazily along the back while a glass of whiskey remained loosely held in my other hand. His shirt clung neatly to his well-built frame, emphasising his broad shoulders. The sleeves were casually rolled up to his elbows, while the top few buttons were left undone, revealing a glimpse of his solid chest. The effortless look only added to his intimidating, confident presence as he sat beneath the dim club lights. The music throbbed through the room, but he barely paid attention to it. his expression was unreadable, his mind somewhere far away.
And he was none other than Zayyan Qureshi—a name whispered in fear long before he ever entered a room. At thirty-three, he was both an influential business tycoon and a feared underworld leader, a man known for ruthless decisions, merciless punishments, and an unforgiving nature.
Betrayal was the one thing he could never tolerate, and once someone became his enemy, he never offered them a second chance. His deep black eyes carried an intimidating darkness, framed by long lashes that only sharpened his intense gaze. A defined jaw, sharp features, broad shoulders, and a tall, powerful build gave him an effortlessly commanding presence, but his appearance was never what truly frightened people.
It was the coldness in his silence, the authority in his every movement, and the darkness hidden behind his eyes. Zayyan didn't need to raise his voice to command a room; one cold glance from him was enough to silence everyone around him.
Then she appeared.
A woman in an elegant red silk gown walked toward me with practiced confidence. The dress was striking, the fabric shimmering beneath the low lights, while her dark red lipstick and perfectly styled hair completed the glamorous look. She wore a smile that made it obvious she knew exactly what kind of attention she was trying to attract.
She stopped in front of me.
"May I?" she asked softly.
I raised an eyebrow, taking another slow sip of my drink.
"You're already here."
A playful smile crossed her lips before she sat beside me, leaning slightly closer.
"You look lonely," she murmured.
I gave a quiet, humorless chuckle.
"Do I?"
"yes."
She studied my face, clearly trying to read my reaction. "Maybe I can keep you company."
I glanced at her for a moment before looking back toward the crowded dance floor.
"Maybe."
She laughed softly, but my attention had already drifted elsewhere.
Why am I even here?
The music grew louder around us, yet an inexplicable emptiness remained inside my chest.
She leaned closer again, trying to pull my attention back toward her.
"You're difficult."
I finally looked at her.
"Good."
Her smile faltered for a second.
I took another sip of my drink, my expression remaining completely calm.
Tonight, I had come to forget something.
But whatever it was...I was beginning to realize that no amount of noise, alcohol, or distraction could make it disappear.
I finally turned my cold gaze again toward her, my expression unreadable. Whatever playful confidence she had shown earlier disappeared beneath the weight of his stare.
"Go," i said calmly, my voice carrying a quiet authority. "I'm not in the mood tonight."
She hesitated for a moment before nodding quickly.
"Okay."
Without arguing, she quietly moved away from me, understanding from my tone that i wanted to be left alone. I watched her disappear into the crowd before turning my attention back to my drink, my jaw tightening as I sank deeper into my thoughts.
Author's Note
Assalamualaikum, everyone! 🤍
Thank you so much for reading and supporting this story. It truly means a lot to me. If you're enjoying the journey of Zaryab and Meher, please don't forget to vote, comment, and share your thoughts. Your support motivates me to write more.
🎯 Target: 100 Votes
Let's reach this milestone together! Thank you for being part of this journey.
With love,
Fiza ali khan❤️