1st July, 2022
When life has only been nasty to you, you stop anticipating things and losing hope. But then everything abruptly shifts. All of this is changed by one person. You start to think that even at the end of the longest, darkest tunnel, there is still a glimmer of hope. When someone throws you down, there is a hand outstretched to lift you up in the most lovely way.
When she realised she was in love, nothing had changed, yet everything appeared to have changed. She found an explanation to connect it to him in every person and place she looked. She couldn't help but recall how he would follow his mother's orders as she turned to face his mother. The couch made her think of the times he would slouch on it; even the inanimate object made her think of him. Everything about her possessed a hint of his.
She could feel the proximity of the blush on her face, all throughout and she was glad that Zara wasn't there to tease her. Zara had disappeared when she was praying her Salah and after she had inquired she was informed that the sister was forced by her brother to accompany him, somewhere secret.
Yusra looked at the time while she waited for them to return, then she looked around at the people while tinkering with the ring that had been given to her. While she awaited the arrival of the siblings, everyone had finished their dinner.
Before returning to her own thoughts, she made a small amount of movement in her position to get comfortable. She grinned at the initials as she gazed down at the ring she had replaced on her left finger.
She found it difficult to accept that she had grown to love him.
"Can you guess who?" She slowly moved her hands upward as a hand covered her eyes, but when she heard Zara's voice, she smiled.
"Let me guess," "Rania?" Yusra asked while acting as though she was thinking while maintaining a constant smile. When she heard Zara chuckle, she inquired while laughing. In an attempt to remove them, she pressed against her hands, but all that happened was that they grew tighter.
Even with her eyes closed, Zara sung, "I love you, bhabhi," and she recognised her grin, but she sensed something different. "I love you too, Zara, but why do I sense something is off?" Yusra questioned her attempt to remove the palms.
"And what about me?" She froze as soon as she heard the voice, she least expected. Her hand clutched onto Zara's palm on her eyes, gulping.
She was speechless as she saw the hands move, which caused her to blink to acclimatise to the light. Zara was encircling her mother and standing directly in front of her when she caught her attention.
She turned around to look at Hana and Fariha standing with a grin plastered on their faces. Standing up she rushed to them, engulfing them both in a hug, burying her face in their shoulder feeling the tears roll down her eyes. She heard the two chuckle before wrapping their arms around her.
She pulled away, Hana wiping her tears.
"And here I thought that you are so happy that you forgot about us." Fariha mocked glaring at Yusra making her laugh.
"How did you'll get here?" Yusra asked looking between the two, while they pointed behind them making her gaze to fall onto the person, she loved.
And just when she thought she loved him the most, his deed made her love him even more.
She wanted to ask him some questions and express her gratitude to him for making the day special, but she was unable to speak. Instead, she clutched onto the girl's hand and smiled gratefully at him.
"He and Zara came out of nowhere and we were so surprised. We thought you would be there but when we didn't see you we were a little dissapointed but then he said it was a surprise for you and without wasting our times we packed our bags and see here we are." Fariha explained and Yusra smiled at Zara who grinned ear to ear whole throughout.
"Saim I have been-" Yusra heard Afreen walk in, glancing around the room, raising her brows in question. She looked at Zara who rolled her eyes, making her smile at her.
Yusra recalled that Afreen had inquired about Saim more often than his own mother had inquired about her missing children. She could surely notice Afreen's efforts to win Saim's heart and enter his life. And Yusra was doing everything she could to stay away from them. She didn't want to witness Saim admitting Afreen in his life. She wanted to give her the chance to have him all to herself while she was still present in the house, as his wife.
"Is she being the villian in your life?" Fariha questioned and Hana too moved closer to hear their conversation. Looking at Fariha whispering, Zara rushed towards them while Sara walked away on being called, leaving the kids alone.
"No Fariha," Yusra giggled hearing her reference, "Just in case she is, then let me know." Fariha said and pulled away while Hana nodded her head and Zara gave her a thumb up.
"Hey, where were you two gone?" Naman asked walking in looking at the unfamiliar faces, while Hasham and Saad were good to recognize them.
Saim walked towards them with the girls bag's despite their denial of being it carried. Saim pushed a bag into Hasham's chest, asking it to carry while he carried one himself.
"Saim," He heard Afreen making him shut his eyes in agony. He looked at the boys for help but all they did was silently laugh at Saim. "Where were you gone? I had been waiting for you the whole day." He heard her speak politely and he was sure anyone would fall for her sugar coated words except for his family.
"Well sorry to burst your bubble but he was busy bringing us," Fariha pointed towards herself and Hana while Yusra pulled onto her hand, knowing her friend, "As a surprise for the love of his life, Yusra." She completed pointing to Yusra making her look at her friend in horror. She gaped at her before looking around the room to see every eye on her, making her flush.
Before Yusra could say anything, she heard an evil chuckle from Afreen as she turned to face Fariha and noticed her sneer. She knew the laugh too well at that very time, which sent a shiver down her spine. It was mocking her. The entire house would have been a mess if only her girls had known about the divorce.
"Well sorry to burst YOUR bubble but they are-" Afreen was cut off by a nervous laughing Hasham, while everyone looked at Afreen in panic. "Bhabhi I am hungry, get me food. Saim come let's get the bags upstairs. Zara show the girls the room. Saad accompany me. Come on, come on." Hasham spoke covering up for what Afreen was about to say and hastily Zara pulled Fariha and Hana through their hands taking them by surprise.
Afreen rolled her eyes, before walking away while Saim glared at her retreating back. Saim along with Hasham walked up with the bags following the girls, listening to Fariha speak to Yusra the whole time.
"Make her stay away from my mother otherwise there would be consequences." Hasham warned and Saim nodded his head, knowing all too well what Hasham meant.
Entering the room, Hana was quick to use the washroom while the boys left the girls alone.
"I'll ask mamma to heat the food." Zara said and was about to leave them alone but Yusra barged in telling her that she would do it.
"I'll come with you," Fariha said making Yusra to ask Zara to wait for Hana, "Okay." Zara nodded giving her a smile letting the two girls to make their way downstairs.
"So tell me how is it going?" Fariha whispered down the stairs, looking around for people who could hear their conversation. "Alhamdulillah." Yusra said, and walked inside the living area asking if anyone was up for food once again.
When everyone shook their head, her eyes moved around for Hasham knowing him, but when she found him no where, she simply walked into the kitchen.
"Tell me did you ask him how did he actually convince your aunt to get you married to him? Because I am sure there is some catch there." She said watching Yusra turn on the stove.
Yusra closed her eyes for a brief period of time while she contemplated whether or not to tell Fariha about the situation. She turned once she had opened her eyes to see her face looking for a response. She told Fariha everything, from the deal to the divorce, in a single glance, with the exception of her feelings. Except for herself, she didn't want anyone to be aware of it.
"I knew there had to be some catch with this marriage because when I had suggested my cousin to ask for your hand in marriage, they had said that you had reject-"
"What?"
Fariha was cut off by Yusra, her eyes wide looking at her friend in astonishment at the news. Fariha rolled her eyes, nodding her head letting her know how she had planned to get Yusra out of the household by using the marriage trick but hadn't worked since she had rejected.
"I never rejected," Yusra said shaking her head, thinking of no one asking it to her, "I so knew it!" Fariha exclaimed startling Yusra.
"It was your aunt, I knew it- she- nevermind." Fariha shook her head while Yusra gave her a curious look, glancing at her mumble.
"But why the divorce? Everything is going fine then why?" Fariha questioned before giving a fake smile to Afreen entering inside, before rolling her eyes. She saw her pour a glass of water and taking it out, minding her own business making her heave. She turned back to Yusra to see her watching the plates and wiping them getting them ready for the dinner.
"I am waiting," She sang raising her eyebrows while Yusra sighed turning around with the plates ready to walk out, "Because in the end it is a compromise he made for me and it is a mutual decision."
"You've got a point," Fariha said deep in thoughts and it made Yusra's heart to ache a little but instead she smiled at her friend's thoughtfulness, "Well in that case how about I talk to my cousin after your divorce? He is still single and it would be so much fun- you- my bhabhi." Fariha said jumping a little making Yusra to give her an unbelievable look.
"You are crazy." With that being said she walked out while Fariha stood there nodding her head with a grin.
"Have you lost your mind? What were you suggesting bhabhi? Getting her remarried? You better stay away from them." Hasham exclaimed jumping in, making Fariha to roll her eyes at him.
"What's the matter with you?" She asked bored looking at the biryani, picking up to help Yusra when she noticed her walking in.
"Hasham bhai, I was looking for you, come have food with us." Yusra said smiling at him walking out asking Fariha to come.
"You better stay away from bhabhi and just know they are not getting a divorce so keep that cousin of yours away from bhabhi." Hasham warned pointing his finger at her making her agitated. She looked around before taking a spoon and smacking his hand down making him wince.
"I know they won't end up divorcing, so stop threatening me." She replied, looking at him blowing air into his palm as he gave her a curious look, "Anyone would have to be stupid to miss that. If he didn't want Yusra to be content, he wouldn't have just come to collect us. He and her obviously love one other." She stated with a smile on her face and a dreamy expression in her eyes as Hasham smiled broadly and opened his lips to ask when he saw his mother enter the room.
"Am I disturbing something?" She questioned and he didn't miss the mischievous tone with that smirk she used to ask that question. "NO!" The two exclaimed, Fariha a little too loudly before rushing out with the jug of water, Muskan glancing at her all the while before turning to her son who narrowed his eyes at her.
"What? I was just asking." She stated before bursting into laughter making him groan. He rush out leaving his mother to devour in her own world, to only see everyone seated. He settled himself next to Saim looking at the girls.
"What were you doing in the kitchen? Making water?" He heard Saim ask him, his signature smirk on. He knew his best friend was just getting his revenge.
"Planning bhabhi's marriage." Hasham said giving away the same smirk as Saim's making his to drop. He raised his brow, turning to glance at Yusra who sat on the other side before moving back to his cousin.
"What do you mean?" Saim asked but instead Hasham ignored him, taking the bowl of biryani, "Bhabhi will you really get married to her cousin?" Hasham asked pointing to Fariha, a sad look on his face.
Yusra panicked looking at Hasham before turning to Fariha who looked taken aback too.
"What?" Hana questioned looking between the people in confusion before waiting for an answer from Yusra who had her mind running for some excuse.
"Well I was telling Yusra how she could have been my bhabhi if she would have said yes to my cousin when he walked in on our conversation." Fariha spoke and Yusra heaved deeply, grateful at Fariha's cover up, "Yeah my bad, I used the wrong words." Hasham too nodded giving an awkward smile before the room fell in silence.
"I never knew about this," Hana said looking at Yusra and even before she could reply Hana questioned, "Guess mamma never told you either, otherwise appi would have never rejected it."
Yusra avoided looking at her and instead returned to the dish, where she was mucking around with the food. There were just so many things that were concealed. She was happy with how things had worked out as well. She couldn't have denied him if she had known about Fariha's cousin, keeping Fariha in mind. And she wouldn't be here right now, feeling warm feelings for the man in front of her.
She didn't need to know who was watching her because she was lost in contemplation when she felt it. She raised her eyes to look at him and was met by his analytical gaze, which caused her to give him a timid smile that went unanswered.
She let go of her stare and returned to her thoughts, realising it was the best at that particular time. because she kept a lot of things from the people she loved.
***
While his thoughts were still replaying the discourse that had taken place at the dinner table, Saim clicked his jaw and changed into his pyjamas. He was unable to relax as he considered all the scenarios that might actually happen if he did not act right away. He took responsibility for his stupid choice. Everything would have been wonderful if only he hadn't said anything about divorcing her.
Groaning, he threw his shirt away, ranking his hand through his messy hair, before walking out. He looked around the messy room, before his gaze stopped onto the couch. Walking towards it, he picked up his files spread onto it, arranging them neatly and keeping it onto the table. He sat down on the couch, gazing in the air. His eyes flickered over to the messed bed, wanting to clean it but deciding against it, he stood up abruptly wanting to clear up his mind.
He walked out of his room, glancing at Saad's room. He knew his cousins were with him since they had planned on staying back. He would have loved going in that room, if his mind wasn't messed up but right now all he needed was space.
Yusra was locking the door behind her when he turned to look at Zara's room and saw her holding some clothes. His posture suddenly straightened as he saw this as an excellent opportunity to speak with her. When he heard no noise and turned to glance down the stairs to see whether anyone else was awake who may disturb them, he smirked.
He turned to her, to only have their eyes collide. He gazed at her all through her making her way towards him.
"What happened?" She questioned looking at him worriedly, making a small smirk to appear on his face. Shaking his head, he leaned a little onto the wall, crossing his arms on his chest.
"Nothing," He said eyeing her to see her nod her head. He could see she was trying hard to say something, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Wa iyyaki," He spoke, "Huh?" She looked up at him surprised. He straighten up to his height, making her level up her chin to look at him.
"I know you want to thank me so I just made it easy for you." He said and she gave him a smile making him grin, "Where were you going?" He questioned eyeing her clothes in her hand before glancing at her waiting for an answer.
"Oh," She looked down at her nightwear in her hold completely forgetting the reason for her getting out of the room, "That, Hana doesn't know about the divorce thing so she doesn't know that I stay in Zara's room so I am just getting downstairs to use the washroom to change." She explained and Saim instantly got worked up, planning to take this as his chance.
He caught hold of her hand, pulling her with himself inside his room taking her by surprise. He looked around his room, before glancing at Yusra who seemed to take her time looking at the messed up room.
"It's just a little messy here," He said giving her a nervous smile while she nodded her head, biting her lip trying to hide her smile. "Nevermind let's just go somewhere else." He said embarassed and once again caught hold of her hand pulling her with him, but not before keeping her clothes onto the couch.
He tiptoed downstairs, looking for any sight of someone, while Yusra followed his league not understanding what was going on.
"Walk slowly," He whispered looking around before they made it to the door, "Is something wrong?" She whispered noticing him open the door slowly before he closed it behind them.
"Nothing is wrong," He whispered shaking his head, taking her hand in his hold once again, leading her to his car. She smiled looking at his unintentional move that made her feel happy.
"Then why are we whispering?" She questioned and he gave her no answer, opening the door of the car allowing her to occupy her seat before closing the door behind her.
"Where are we going?" She questioned noticing him turn on the engine, before glancing at the house. He uttered no words, while Yusra sat there worried thinking about the girls who were waiting for her.
And as they started their journey she needed no answer looking at the familiar road they were going through. She might have been to the place once, but the beauty had captured her heart to let her make it a point to remember the road.
They silently drove to their destination, both engrossed. While Yusra gazed outside the window, Saim preparing himself for the talk he was about to let happen.
As soon as Saim took the last turn to stop the car, a smile appeared on Yusra's face that did not go unnoticed by Saim. He glanced at her before getting down, Yusra following him soon after.
The two walked in front of the car, Yusra once again admiring the view while Saim gazed at her.
Yusra felt his gaze on her making her wonder why they had come here at this time in the first place. She was certain that the girls were already looking for her and that if their parents learned that they were absent at such a time, there would be havoc.
She waited patiently for him to speak up but when he didn't, she turned away from him gazing at the sky.
Saim gazed at her, unable to utter the words he needed to speak at the moment. He glanced around the place before sticking his eyes onto her.
"What was the deal with Fariha's cousin?" He questioned, satisfied of getting to start a conversation before heading to the main topic.
"Nothing," She shook her head playing with her fingers biting onto her lip trying to keep herself calm, avoiding looking at him, but just a glance at his face made her gulp letting her rethink of her answer, "She just wanted to help me out by letting her cousin get married to me, but I guess aunty rejected." Yusra spoke frowning her eyebrows to look at him, who had his teeth gritting while his eyes turned away from her.
Saim tried calming himself down after hearing what Yusra had spoken. He turned to her to only have her worried eyes on him, making him give her a fake smile which she reciprocated with a nervous one.
"So," He coughed trying to remove the hoarseness, "Would you?" He did not complete the question, finding it hard to speak about it.
Yusra lowered her head, her eyes scanning their legs while she repeated his question. She thought about all the possibilities, and through everything she knew her answer.
Through it all, Fariha had been by her side. She remained by her side throughout, and if she had been informed of the proposal, she would have accepted it without hesitation.
But at this point, she was unable to consider it. Being wedded to someone she knew she would never love made no sense because her heart belonged to the man in front of her.
Saim observed her lost in contemplation, which made him more impatient than ever. She was truly considering his question as he felt his temper beginning to flare. Before he spoke, he gave a slow growl,
"Let's give us a chance," He closed his eyes in frustration hearing his own words. He wanted to ask her not inform her and his tone did no justice to anything near asking.
"Ah?" Yusra turned to him, unsure whether she had heard him right or no. She blinked several times, waiting for him to explain before her heart leaps out of her chest.
"I did not mean it that way," He spoke and the rush Yusra felt died down in no time, her body reacting quickly while she mentally yelled herself for getting her hopes high. "I wanted to talk to you about this. How about we give us a try before going forward with the divorce?"
And with his every word, Yusra felt the palpitation of her heart increase. Upon hearing what had been spoken, she immediately felt a rush of excitement run through her body, making her want to jump.
Saim looked in her direction while holding his attention fixed on him in anticipation of a response from her as she stood motionless. While scanning her face for any sign of a reaction, his eyes suddenly focused on her lips, which had just begun to stretch into a small, coy smile. When she nodded, he could do nothing but grin in return.
"Really?" He questioned moving forward taking her hands in his own, the grin not leaving his face and just another nod from her and he had her wrapped in his arms taking her by surprise.
He tighten his hold on her, burying his face in her neck, whispering his gratitude to her making a smile to appear on her face. Just as she was about to wrap her arms around him, she heard something that made her smile to vanish.
"You don't know how happy my family would be after hearing about this."
The excitement. The happiness. The hope. Everything she experienced faded into thin air.
She fisted her hands on her either side, trying to control her emotions, not wanting to get carried away in her disappointment when he was above the cloud.
Saim pulled himself away, looking at her lowered face while she played with her fingers, a habit of hers whenever she would be nervous.
I love you
His confession was on the tip of his tongue, wanting her to know the place she had occupied in his heart. But he was afraid. Afraid of her rejection.
Instead, he moved forward and took a step toward her, letting his lips linger on her forehead as he wanted her to know how much she and their chance to be together meant to him.