1 year has passed...
Khan House:
Mah Laaj! Mah Laaj! Her Moray was shouting her name from downstairs.
She was standing in front of her mirror, drying her hair in haste.
Coming Moray! Just give me... 1 hour! She shouted back.
"Allah g what should I do with this girl? Why she is always late for important things in her life." She thought in her mind.
Mah Laaj come down in 15 minutes or else Qasim Bhai (brother) will leave you here. Don't complain me later. She said it and went back to the kitchen to make breakfast.
"Uff! Sometimes I hate waking up late. Today I have to be there or else Aftab would kill me."She contemplated in her head and start using her hands in a more fast way.
Exactly in 20 minutes, she was down.
She was wearing a pink shalwar kameez (traditional attire of Pakistan) with golden work on it. Her hair were down and she did natural makeup. She was looking simple but breathtaking. It was either the color of her skin that was making every color look good on her or she was the epitome of beauty by herself.
Moray I'm already late. I can't eat anything.
She gulped the orange juice and went out after giving a peck to her mother. Mah Laaj apologized to Qasim's uncle and then sat back in her seat.
Farah and Naila were waiting for her on the bus. After Minhaaj was gone Mah Laaj made many new friends and the close ones were two of them.
Both started using the bus just because they wanted to be near Mah Laaj. Although they were not from the same faculty.
Hey! Why are you so late today? You know that today is our senior's last day. I don't want to be late. Farah whined more than asking.
Omg! Look she is all dolled up for someone. Today will be the last day of Aftab on this earth because he will surely die after seeing you like this. Naila said it dramatically and nudged Farah while teasing Mah Laaj.
Haha very funny. I didn't doll up for anyone. It's just that today is the last day of Aftab in this University so we are going to celebrate that's why I have to do this other than that I'm too lazy to stand up from my bed these days.
Mah Laaj put the strand of her hair back with her finger as it was disturbing her view. She was smiling, by just thinking, as she knew what he would be going to say when he see her.
In no time they were standing in front of the threshold of the University gate.
Mah Laaj settled her shawl over her head once again and stepped inside the University. She was going to take her classes first and then will meet him around 11 o clock after their convocation.
Mah Laaj was striding towards her class when she stopped at its gate suddenly.
Aftab was standing there with a beautiful rose in his hand.
He was looking enticing in his blue coat white pants but for Mah Laaj he was just an average-looking dork for whom she would never fall.
She shook her head and walked in his direction with a smile on her face.
What are you doing here looking like a monkey Mr. pea size brain? She asserted while giggling.
Waiting for Princess Diana to come out of the grave and marry me. He said it sarcastically.
Why making her worry to come out when I can send you to the grave. She wiggled her brows.
So fierce and that too in the morning. I assumed Miss Khan, you haven't eaten your breakfast yet.
Both chuckled because it was right. Mah Laaj hadn't eaten anything yet.
Okay, jokes apart, I came here to tell you that meet me at the cafe sharp at 12 o clock. My friends wanted me to spend at least one hour with them. So I hope u would adjust your schedule just for this pure, handsome, hunk, dashing human.
He bowed down like a prince in front of her.
Shut up and go away. Message me when you are free. She pushed him away to go back to his convocation when he halted abruptly.
I forgot to give you something. A beautiful flower for another beautiful flower. He passed the rose to her.
Geez! Why are you so cheesy? Give it to your hidden crush Mehrab. And stop your unrequited love.
Mah Laaj gave back his rose.
I did but she threw it back on my face so I thought if not her why not try it on my friend.
He gave her his tooth smile when Mah Laaj wanted to break those teeth.
I'm sorry to say this won't work here either as you know I'm already engaged. She showed him her ring.
You just shattered a broken heart again. Your Allah will not forgive you. Aftab pouted while spewing it out.
He was feigning being hurt when actually he was being dramatic.
I wanted to ask you just what did you see in your donkey fiance. Don't you feel like puking seeing his dull boring stern face? Plus people say green eye guys are not trustworthy. He whispers shouted.
Don't you dare to utter nonsense about Umar! At least he is better than the girls that roam around you. And I don't believe in those stupid green eye things. It's all just myths. Mah Laaj flicked her books on Aftab's head a lil and went inside her classroom.
I'm sure you will regret not choosing me over him. Aftab shouted while running back towards the hall.
Mah Laaj just cackled because she knew what she was doing.
After attending all the lectures she went to see Aftab who was taking pictures with his female fans.
He was like a celebrity in the university. Mah Laaj came there to tell him that she won't be able to attend this party as she has to go back because Umar's parents are waiting for her in their house. She just got the call from her house.
Aftab I have to rush back. Umar's parents are at my home. Mah laaj asserted nervously.
Yaar! Don't spoil my last day. You know because of you I planned my party here in this lousy cafe because you don't want to come to anyone's farmhouse. And now this. Aftab whined.
I wish I could kill this Umar. He thought in his head and clenched his fist in anger because after their engagement Mah Laaj changed entirely.
The girl who never listen to anyone and be ready to fight back against any injustice was now working on other commands. Or if you think deeply he knows what was the actual reason she changed.
That bastard Minhaaj. He tried controlling his facial expressions.
I'm really sorry Aftab. I do want to give you a proper goodbye but you know this is important too. Mah laaj tried to be reasonable
Whatever! You are not my friend anymore. I don't want to talk to you. Go back to your Umar Nut Khan. He sulked and deliberately spewed out her fiance's nickname.
Stop giving him names Aftab. You promised me you will never call him by this name again. And it's not like you will never come to uni tomorrow. So drop your acts, madam.
Mah Laaj pressed her lips in a thin line to suppress her laugh because he always gets irritated by calling him, Madam.
You know that I hate you forever. Aftab scoffed while controlling his anger.
Same here. Now I gotta go. Meet you tomorrow Mr. pea size brain. She said it and walked away from him.
On her way to her house, she remembered how they had become good friends.
Past
It had been two months since Minhaaj left the uni. Mah Laaj was trying her best to cope up with the situation but by feigning strong she was just losing weight and her appetite.
As usual, Aftab was annoying her but he was noticing too that Mah Laaj was acting strange.
She was speaking less and was not even bothering anyone. She doesn't even take classes that much and if she does, she always dozing off in the class. It's like she was a whole new different person.
One day Mah Laaj fell in the cafeteria and was sent to the hospital. Her blood pressure was so down that she lost consciousness.
Aftab came to her classroom just to irritate her but when he got to know that Mah laaj is in hospital and there is no one with her, he rushed out of the uni.
On his way, his hands were sweating. The old memory of Mehrab was coming into his head.
He couldn't drive properly. Just thinking about that he couldn't able to see Mah Laaj again just like Mehrab, he put his feet on the accelerator. He broke all the signals and reached there.
Aftab ran inside and asked the receptionist about Mah Laaj Khan.
Sir, she is in the emergency ro-
Aftab didn't let her complete and strode towards the room.
When he saw Mah Laaj laying there his heart broke. She looks so pale. You could see dark circles around her eyes. Her lips were white. He stood there gasping for air. He walked in her direction and hold her hand in his embrace.
Why are you doing this to yourself Mah Laaj? Did you get the peace after not taking care of yourself? Why do you like to hurt yourself? I don't know why you women are so tangled. I just want you back. Just be yourself once again. Don't leave me as Mehrab did. Get up and beat all the boys of University. He blurted out all the words that have been mingling in his head for so long.
Mah Laaj was not asleep. She heard everything. A lone tear cascade down from her closed eyes.
She knew that Aftab was not a bad guy and he always tried to find someone else in her. And now she know that it was a girl named "Mehrab".
Mah Laaj sat down after few minutes in order not to embarrass him.
Both were looking in the opposite directions.
Why are you here Aftab? A muffled voice came out from Mah Laaj's side.
To see if my friend needs me. A simple short answer by Aftab.
I don't remember you being my friend.
I think I should take you to do the CT scan. You might have bumped your head. He chuckled.
That day Aftab took great care of Mah Laaj and even dropped her at her house.
From then onwards, Aftab becomes a real gentleman. He never bothered Mah Laaj and even help her out in her studies. Even tho he was not a bright student but he took classes just to help Mah Laaj with assignments. Aftab stopped hanging out with his friends and started to give more time to Mah Laaj.
Everyone was gossiping about them but Aftab knew how to shut them up. For some time he tried to pursue her but when he saw that she has already someone else in her heart he stopped. Now she was his best friend, his guardian, and his mother.
She changed him!
Mah Laaj was in her school of thought when the car stopped. She paid her Uber driver and then walked towards her house.
Umar's mother was waiting for her in the living room.
Mah Laaj ambled directly to the kitchen where her Moray was walking to and fro in anxiety.
What happen? Why is Umar's Moray here? She asked.
Oh, thank God you're here. Mah Laaj I need to discuss something with you. Come sit here. Hadiqa Khan, Mah Laaj's Moray said in a stressed tone.
Don't tell me Moray she came here for Nikkah's proposal. Mah Laaj sixth sense alarmed her something.
Ah! Yes! How did you know about that? Her mother was confused.
Mah Laaj felt like someone just snatched a ground under her feet. Everything was going so fast that she didn't know how to cope up with it. Only if her Lala would be here. She didn't have to become mature so soon.
So yeah! The new chap is up!
I hope you guys like it a lot.
Did you guys like Aftab and Mah Laaj friendship?
The change is good, right?
You will know soon why I changed Aftab's character in the upcoming story!
Something terrible is going to happen to Mah Laaj.
So Umar is going to marry Mah Laaj? Her cousin who once told someone to stalk Mah Laaj. Ewwww!
In the upcoming chaps, more twists and turns are coming! Let's wait for Minhaaj, Hania, and Hanan to stop by Mah Laaj's wedding 😁
Bye bye cupcakes ✌️