It's not your first time, Maria. You are just seeing him after many years.

But I must admit he was doing justice to the suit he was wearing. It was complementing him, going perfect with his good looks. Yes, he is good looking, he always was but now he looks breathtaking. He is breathtaking as well as intimidating and No, I am NOT drooling over his good looks,  I am just simply stating the facts.

Yeah, whatever let you sleep at night.

My inner conscience again mocked me which I ignored royally diverting my attention towards my family who were busy greeting the great king.

He was greeting everyone politely with a big smile on his face but his eyes were busy roaming around the whole villa and it looked like his eyes was searching for someone. I couldn't understand it and proceeded further as now I was the only one left to meet him.

I don't know why I all of a sudden I am feeling conscious about myself seeing lingering gaze of people around me, specially the elder ones. Dado was mischievously smiling at him as if hinting something and tayi ammi was looking at us with her loving gaze.

"Meri to samajh se bahar hai ye log."

Why are they behaving so weird ? I am totally clueless about it.

Ignoring their lingering gazes I focused on him, proceeding my steps towards his direction and greeted him politely.

"Assalamualaikum.. welcome back Mustafa Bhaai"

I smiled at him but what I got was a plain nod and a blank expression making me feel embarrassed. For a second I thought he was controlling his anger, but then it was masked by a blank face.

He changed. He is a different man now. He is not your so called friend anymore. Atleast, he could have greeted me back for sake of old times  but no he is so full of himself that he can't even do that. Go on Mr. Mustafa as if I care. I stopped caring a long time ago. I am not the same weak girl who used to depend on you for her every single task. Now, I only depend on my rabb. As long as he is with me I don't need anyone.

My work is done and it doesn't matter if he greets me back or not. I just completed the formality and now I don't have to stay here and tolerate his rude behavior more. Taking my bag I started walking towards the exit, praying no one stops me but was stopped by dado's voice

Lucky me.

"Kaha jaa rahi ho beta, abhi to Mustafa aaya hai aur tum jaa rahi ho"

(Where are going dear ? Now that Mustafa is here,you are leaving.)

As if we both care about each other's presence.

Taking a deep breath I turned towards dado and give her a very fake smile of mine.

"Dado mujhe college mein kaam hai aur project bhi submit karna hai. Aur haan, aate mein mujhe deri ho jaegi friends ke saath kuch plans hai."

(I have some work at college plus I have to submit my project too.. And today I'll be a little late as I have some plans with my friends.)

I was ready to leave when Osama too interrupted me.

"Acha nashta to karti jaao warna bhuka rehna padega itni der tak."

(Atleast have your breakfast before leaving otherwise you'll be hungry.)

He was concerned for me even when I glared and stomped on his poor feet  few moments ago, making me smile at him and this time it was a genuine one.

"I don't have time but I command you to eat on my behalf."

I grinned teasing him, ignoring the arrogant man who was standing beside him, looking intensely at us.

"Don't take tension about that but about the revenge I am about to take from you for the stunt you pulled few moments ago. Don't complain that I never warned you before."

He whispered inside my ear and  smirked back challenging me. And here poor me was thinking that he is an angel which surely he is not.

"You'll lose, Sammy."

"I won't."

He smiled confidently making me scoff in return.

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Maria arrived home late and since it was getting dark so Zaid dropped her home. He was just her friend nothing more, but he was acting too friendly for her liking and she just wished that she reaches home soon.

When she reached her home she thanked Zaid smiling at him to which he replied saying that it was his pleasure to have her company. And much to her dismay he started rambling about how good she was and dropping her home was not a big deal. She was uncomfortable as well as irritated with his over friendly behavior and started walking towards her house without paying much heed towards him.

Mustafa, who was standing in the lawn attending a business call saw the whole exchange got angry seeing them. He couldn't control himself and lashed all his anger on her.

"Itna has has ke kya baat kar rahi thi us ladke se ? Distance maintain karke rakho usse."

(Why were you laughing with that guy ? Maintain your distance with him.)

Maria stopped on her tracks when he held her wrist tightly in his, stopping her from leaving. She was angry on his earlier behavior as well as the way he was now handling her and replied him angrily with zeal matching his.

"Aapko kya masla main kisi se bhi baat karu ? Wo mera dost hai main bas use shukriya kar rahi thi, aur rahi baat distance maintain karne ki to main ache se jaanti hu kisse dur rehna hai. Aapko meri fikar karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai, uske liye mere mehram hai. Aur acha hoga ki aap mere maslo se dur hi rahe."

(Why are you so interested with whom I interact with ? He is my friend and I was thanking him and regarding maintaining distance, I know with whom to distance myself from. You don't have to worry about me, for that I have my mehrams and it's better if you don't interfare in any of my matter.")

Jerking her hand from his hold she left fuming in anger but what she didn't heard was Mustafa's reply

"Masla hai mera kyuki tum meri ho to tumse judi har cheez se mujhe masla hai."

(It does matter cause you are mine, so everything regarding you matters.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Salam everyone,

Picture of Mir Mustafa Ahwaan attached above...

Hope you guys liked the chapter and if you did then please do vote and comment...

Till next time,
Allah Hafiz.

For women Mehram on the basis of blood ties are her father, brother, son, her brother's son , her sister's son, her paternal uncle, maternal uncle and grandfathers..
For Maria Mustafa is a Na-Mehram as he is her cousin and one can marry their cousins in Islam.. so Maria lashes out at Mustafa saying that he doesn't have to worry about her as she have her mehrams for that and because he is not her mehram so he should forget bothering her too much.

Jaan-E-Mustafa Where stories live. Discover now