•_____________•
Teri soorat say hai Alam main baharon ko sabaat
Teri ankhon k siwa dunya main rakha Kiya hai
_Faiz Ahmed Faiz_
•_____________•
This morning had been alot different than previous ones,
Simply because sun shone down much brightly today, illuminating everything a beautiful golden, basking the world in its glittery hues.
Though the winter had nearly been at its peak in the last few days with the misty fog covering the whole area, turning it a hazy white,
Strangely, the sun rose this morning in a clear sky devoid of any white puffy cloud.
Even the fog wasn't there as it used to be and the chilling-ness of weather was pretty much in control.
The crystal like dew drops glinted a light green under the sun's rays as the dainty drops dripped from the tips of leaves creating a soft melody in air as the canary sang a beautiful tune near the eave of her window.
The white thin gauze drapes, pulled over her open window, swayed with every light breeze that blew across the atmosphere.
The door pulled open as her figure walked out of the bathroom clad in a plain white knee length loose kurta and white palazzos.
Her slipper clad feet moved towards the dressing table as she gazed back at her reflection while drying her wet hair with the white towel.
Her light coloured orbs, glinting almost in a honey shade under the sun's rays peeking from the thin curtains, as she turned her neck to gaze at the wall clock.
The clock already rang 11.
Taking a soft inhale, she stretched the towel on the back of her desk chair placed beside the opened window for it to dry before walking out of the room with hurried steps.
The strands of her slightly wet but not dripping water as they draped her back as she took swift steps downstairs holding the railings for support.
Once crossing the dining area and reaching the kitchen, she halted near the door and gazed at the commotion happening inside with her lips parting in slight astonishment.
The kitchen looked crowded to say the least.
Crockery and cutlery pulled out from the cabinets earlier now rested on the counters.
On one side, Farzana was swiftly peeling and cutting vegetables that filled the steel trays while her mother stood near the sink washing the chicken as all the stoves remained occupied by pots as the steam protruded from them forming wisps of smoke.
Boxes of spices, bottles of sauces and bowls of yogurt and cream remained placed on the kitchen island as a strong scent of spices being cooked lingered in the air wafting across her nostrils.
Shanzay felt her jaw touch the ground as she gazed at her mother's back in utter confusion and disbelief.
Hadn't she said that she won't host the lunch?
She and her father had even at some point thought that they'll leave this important task with Farzana because Shanzay didn't know how to cook and her father, well, he was a completely different case.
The dishes that he cooked turned out anything but edible.
They had even thought of ordering a takeout from restaurant before an hour of his arrival.
But this sight.....
Well it was quite astonishing to the eyes.
She had to resist the urge to rub her eyes to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.
Her mother, in all her glory, was actually accompanying Farzana in preparing Lunch and that too in such an extravagant way as if preparing some feast.
Shanzay gulped softly as she stepped inside inhaling in the scent of mutton gravy being cooked.
She took slow steps, resembling a lost puppy, as she smiled at Farzana before reaching her mother's side.
Clearing her throat softly to gain her attention, she parted her lips to speak in a low voice,
"Ma, do you need any help"?
Her mother simply turned her neck and gave her a silent stare before silently turning back continuing her work.
Shanzay gazed back at her in utter dumbfoundedness as she let out a shaky sigh.
She gulped softly, raising her hand as she grabbed the hem of her mother's sleeve in between her thumb and forefinger, giving it a slight tug.
"Ma, ap khafa hain mujhse"?
Her voice coming out extremely low.
Farzana who was busy with peeling vegetables, raised her head giving Shanzay's frame an empathetic glance.
It was after few seconds that Nadia Begum's voice echoed,
"Main kiyun khafa hngi tum say"?
Shanzay felt as if she hadbeen given a new life at seeing her mother finally speak.
Her tone didn't seem angry or infuriated.
So did that mean she wasn't in a bad mood?
She didn't let go of the sleeve as as leaned forward resting her chin on her mother's shoulder,
"Than let me help you".
Her mother let out a soft huff lightly slapping her hand away,
"No need. Let me do my work, jao shabash".
Shanzay didn't stop clinging to her mother for a whole second making Nadia begum turn her neck to award her with her infamous glare and give her a nice scolding.
But seeing her daughter's wide doe like eyes that were at the verge of spilling tears and the corners of her lips dropped down, she immediately schooled her expressions as the frown on her face disappeared as if it hadn't been there in the first place.
Letting out a soft sigh, she spoke this time in a softer tone,
"Mera bacha, koi kaam nahi hai. Jao shabash, jakar dekho ap kay baba Kiya ker rahay hain".
Shanzay immediately shook her head knowing well deep inside that her mother hadn't fully let go of her anger,
"How about I make salad"?
She gave her a toothy smile that showed her aligned pearly teeth.
Seeing her antiques, Nadia begum let out a helpless sigh as she nodded turning her attention back towards the work at hand,
"Acha thek hai".
Shanzay gave her a quick peck on cheek before turning on her heels the other second and swiftly reaching the other end of counter as she pulled out the cutlery and plates from the stands before turning towards Farzana's frame as she gave her a sunshine smile,
"Can I borrow few veggies, Farzana baji"?
Farzana gave her a look as if asking 'are you serious',
"Bilkul lain ap Shanzay baji, ye bhi koi poochay wali baat hai".
Hence she picked up few washed vegetables from the tray before bringing them to the counter as she started first with chopping carrots followed by tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and onions.
The sun light peeking from the slid open glass windows of the kitchen fell on her frame basking her pristine unblemished rosy face in it's golden hues accentuating her beauty.
The light coloured cups of hers glinted like honey as the shiny light brown strands of hers, that had completely dried by now, sparkled like gold.
The lowered lashes of hers casted shadows on her soft cheeks as she kept her focus on cutting board careful not to cut her precious fingers in the process because she was actually very clumsy when it came to cutting or chopping vegetables.
She even heard her mother and Farzana tell her more than twice to be careful while cutting and she nodded giving them her thousand watt smiles making Nadia begum shook her head slightly.
Once she had set everything on the white round tray in a well set and presentable way, she turned towards her mother who was busy with stirring spatula in the pot she was cooking pulao in.
"Ma, is there anything else"?
She asked while drying her washed hands with a paper napkin.
Her mother turned her attention towards her at her words as the other second a crease formed between her brows,
"Abhi tak yahin ho tum? Bara tou baj gaye hnge, Jao shabash ja ker tayari shuru karo".
Shanzay nodded disposing off the used napkin in the plastic bin,
"G Ma".
"Aur suno"?
She who was about to walk away immediately halted at her mother's voice as she turned back towards her,
"G"?
Her mother narrowed her eyes as she spoke in a serious and slightly stern tone,
"Koi light sa colour pehan lena. Makeup ziada kernay ki koi zaroorat nahi aur ziada jewelry ko bhi rehnay dena, acha"?
It wasn't like she had ever liked wearing too vibrant colours.
Though she had many of them in her wardrobe, she preferred wearing the soft pastel ones.
And about makeup, she actually didn't do much except a lipgloss or mascara.
And jewelry?
It would be rare for her to even carry earrings and let go of her usual tiny studs.
She gazed back at her mother with accusing eyes as if saying she wasn't going to do those things anyways.
But her mother turned her eyes more stern as she spoke giving her a look of finality,
"Koi ziada tayar honay ki zaroorat nahi".
She let out a soft sigh as the lower lip of her jutted out as she spoke in a small voice,
"Ap na bhi kehti tab bhi main nay simple hi rehna tha".
Her mother nodded in satisfaction turning her gaze back towards the pot,
"Mhmm. Now go and get ready".
She nodded exiting the kitchen and dining room as she entered the lounge taking swift steps upstairs.
Once reaching her room, she closed the door before walking towards the desk and picking up her phone.
She began typing the message,
Aj tou bara aman hai, mood bhi acha hai.
Kiya apnay kuch kaha unsay?
A minute later, her father's reply popped out.
Nahi tou, humari itni majaal kahaan k shair k pinjray main haath dalain
Shanzay's brows furrowed as she began typing again,
Kiya Matlab? You really didn't say anything? Like coax or persuade her?
How come she's preparing the lunch so enthusiastically in the kitchen?! *Inserts shocked emoji*
A few seconds later, Salman Malik's response popped up.
Bus Meri muhabbet ka Kamal hai. Ab Meri biwi mujhay udaas aur pareshan tou nahi dekh sakti na. I knew my Nadia would never abandon me at times like these.
Shanzay let out an exaggerated sigh as her lips pressed in a thin line.
Baba, you're very delusional, do you know that?
Salman Malik's response popped the other second.
Nah, I've not an ounce of doubt in my precious Nadia's love and empathy for me.
You tell me, do you think there's anything we should order? Anything that's left? Do tell me bachay.
Baba, do order those chocolate brownies, biscuits and the puddings from the bakery that we decided on last night.
I think we'll need them for refreshments.
Done boss!
Anything else?
Want me to order your fav strawberry cheesecake too?
Ofcourse baba! Is that even a thing to ask?! *Inserts heart emojis*
*Thumbs up emoji*
*Heart with sparkles emoji*
*Winking emoji*
*Cool emoji* (the one with sunglass)
*Pink heart with yellow ribbon emoji*
*Hug emoji*
*Finger heart emoji*
When she placed her phone back on the table, she had a soft smile adorning her lips as she took slow steps towards her wardrobe.
Pulling the white doors open, she began shuffling the hangers to find an appropriate dress to wear.
Her fingers stopped on one as she the other second, pulled it off the steel rod smoothly.
It was a lilac coloured dress, one in the softest and lightest shade of lilac.
It was the dress she had bought last year for Eid and wore it only once.
It was beautiful, modest and not vibrant or standoffish.
She smiled to herself as she entered the bathroom with the hanger in her hand.
Ten minutes later, she stepped out closing the door behind and reached the dressing table.
Under the sun's peeking rays and lights illuminating the room, her reflection casted in the mirror.
The lilac kameez wasn't in fitting, it draped her body loosely, not accentuating her figure as it fell an inch or two below her knees, below which were the neatly stitched, plain wide trouser pants that ended above her dainty pale ankles.
Slight lilac and light coloured embroidery adorned the hems of full sleeves that ended at her wrist in wide hems, also adorning the hem of her kameez and neck in dainty patterns.
The colour looked good on her frame, giving her a soft and dainty look like a fully bloomed flower.
She raked an approved look across her attire before grabbing the brush and carefully brushing her hair.
Her hair were naturally straight and silky, and now after they had completely dried, they were back to their straight and glossy appearance hence she didn't need to iron them.
Leaving them untied on her back she lowered herself, placing down the brush and grabbing the bottle of her moisturizer.
She straightened up as she squeezed some in her palm before placing the bottle back as she neatly and evenly applied it on her face before rubbing it on her hands.
Picking up the mascara stick, she turned the cap pulling out the brush as she lightly lifted her long lashes with it's gentle strokes.
Closing it, she placed it back, picking her lipgloss as she coated her lips with it.
She picked up the tissue patting it on her lips to lessen the already light shade that now resembled the natural shade of her lips, just a bit glossy.
Giving herself a scrutinizing look, she gently tucked her hair behind her ear and sliding them off her shoulders.
She didn't opt for wearing any jewelry item.
She was already wearing her tiny heart shaped gold studs and that dainty white gold chain that she usually wore hence she went along with them.
Humming in approval, she grabbed the dainty small palm sized perfume bottle as she sprayed it lightly across her wrists.
Placing it back, she rubbing her wrist together before raising them and gently rubbing them against her neck and behind her ears.
The light, almost soothing scent of jasmines lingered in the air.
It wasn't overpowering, it wasn't dizzying either, it was rather natural, subtle and calming.
It's scent was only as powerful as that of body soaps or body lotions, light and lingering.
Softly pushing back the strands that were sliding over her shoulders again and again, she crouched down as she opened the lower white cabinets and pulled out two white shoe boxes.
She opened one and it had low block heeled white pumps, while the other one had very pretty lilac coloured khussas with oh so pretty and intricate embroidery littering its border and front.
These khussas were bought last month when she accompanied Waniya and Ayat on their shopping spree and ended up buying this pair because it caught her eye and captivated her heart the moment she laid eyes on them across the dainty glass racks.
She opted for khussas as she closed the boxes pushing them back in cabinet before closing it as she stood up sliding her cotton like feet in the soft padded khussas that caressed her soles like velvet.
She stepped forward, grabbing her thin organza dupatta from the bed as she slid it over her one shoulder gazing back at herself in the mirror.
Giving herself a last glance, she exited the room rushing downstairs towards the kitchen where she was met with only Farzana baji's presence who seemed to be wiping the dainty crockery and dinner set with the clean cloth.
✿✿✿
^Shanzay's dress
✿✿✿
"MaSha'Allah! Shanzay baji, kitni piyari lag rahi hain ap".
Farzana whose attention hadbeen snapped towards her frame at the sound of her footsteps spoke in visible awe and admiration.
Shanzay's pale cheeks immediately blushed a pale pink as she gave her a shy smile taking steps towards the counter where she stood.
"Aur ye suit bhi Kitna piyara pehna hai apnay".
Shanzay smiled at her words as she stopped beside her,
"Bohut shukria, Farzana baji. Ap batayen, sab tayar hogaya aur Ma kahaan hain"?
"G sab tou tayar hai. Aur begum sahiba tayar honay gayee thi apnay kamray main".
Farzana informed as she carefully wiped the crockery.
Shanzay hummed as she turned raking her gaze across the counters.
Her gaze stopped on the wooden table where plastic and paper bags with peeking bakery boxes rested.
"Are they the things baba brought"?
She asked taking steps towards them.
"Haan g baji, ye Salman Sahab refreshments k liye laye hain".
Farzana replied while continuing her work.
She peeked through the bag making sure all the things were there when a sudden horn and screeching of tires echoed from outside as the soft noises erupted.
Shanzay immediately straightened up as she turned towards Farzana,
"Ap chai charhayen, main trolley lati hu".
"Hayee, mehman aa bhi gaye"!
Farzana spoke as she opened the cabinet and pulled out a pot settling it on the stove as she checked the flame.
Shanzay was back with the silver and black tea trolley that Farzana had wiped clean earlier.
She stopped it near the counter as she began taking out the boxes from bags and opening them.
She picked up the trays and plates that Farzana had cleaned earlier as she began setting the patties, biscuits and brownies on them.
She began settling the cupcakes on the small aesthetic double layered stand followed by the teacups and teapot.
When her mother entered a few minutes after recieving the guest with her husband,
She had nearly finished setting the tea trolley.
Her gaze first raked the kehwa almost being cooked before it turned towards the trolley as a look of approval raked her irises before it swept from it towards her daughter who looked nothing less than the beautiful flowers she had grown in the backlawn.
A soft smile immediately lifted the corners of her lips as she walked forward kissing her daughter's forehead,
"MaSha'Allah".
Shanzay smiled at her as she also raked a gaze across her mother's frame who was now clad in a graceful gray khaddar suit with a dark shawl neatly draped over her shoulder and hair tied in a neat low bun looking extremely graceful and elegant.
The small square shaped studs in her ears only added more grace to her appearance.
"You're looking so graceful, Ma".
She couldn't help but state making her mother chuckle softly,
"Oh, that I always look".
Shanzay hummed, playfully draping her arm over her mother's shoulder,
"Hmm, that's true but tell me one more thing Mrs Salman, how's your husband doing? He would have fainted at your mere sight".
Her mother slapped her arm away as pink hues invaded her cheeks,
"Paray ho, besharam"!
Shanzay tried to stifle her smile as she pointed at the red fully bloomed rose tucked in Nadia Begum's neat hair bun,
"But this rose is telling me a different story. I can bet all my precious slices of strawberry cheesecake that baba tucked it there, didn't he"?
She even wriggled her brows playfully at the end.
Farzana who was keeping an eye on tea immediately snorted hiding her face in her dupatta.
Her mother's cheeks blazed red as she slapped her arm away muttering 'besharam' under her breath as she completely turned towards Farzana,
"Farzana, pour the kehwa in the teapot'.
She than turned towards Shanzay,
"Have you poured milk and placed sugar"?
She even leaned ahead to gaze at the trolley to make sure if anything was missing.
"Ma, everything hasbeen taken care of".
Shanzay spoke truthfully.
Once everything was settled, Nadia begum turned towards Shanzay,
"Take this to the drawing room".
"G"?
Shanzay felt as if someone had poured cold water on her head.
She gulped softly at feeling her mother's glare,
"M-main kiyun? F-Farzana baji Le jati hain na".
Her mother's brows furrowed as she spoke in a scolding tone,
"Bunda tumhara hai tou wo kis khushi main le ker jaye? Khud ja ker serve karo usay, Jao shabash".
A layer of pale pink blush adorned her cheeks at her mother's words as she nodded taking a deep inhale before finally grabbing the handle and dragging it out from the kitchen.
Once reaching the corridor leading to drawing room,
She let out a deep exhale trying hard to not let her hands turn clammy as she draped the dupatta properly across her shoulders as both the hems fell backwards nearly sweeping the shiny spotless tiled floor due to its length.
Grabbing the handle, she pushed it across the corridor entering the room.
Shanzay couldn't name the feeling she felt at the moment.
Or maybe it wasn't just feeling, it was, instead, feelings.
Many emotions were swirling in her mind, in her heart collectively.
Was it nervousness?
Was it reluctance?
Was it slight awkwardness?
Was it shyness?
She simply stopped the trolley near the glass table as she parted her lips without raising her gaze,
"Salam".
As she crouched on the carpet, she didn't only hear her father's reply, she also heard a low baritone voice replying and not only that, she could visibly feel a scalding gaze set on her frame as she gulped softly trying to appear busy.
Pouring the milk in the teacup after she poured kehwa,
She added sugar and mixed it well before forwarding the teacup towards her father who smiled taking it muttering a soft thanks.
She than proceeded to prepare another cup when her fingers holding the spoon moving towards the sugar pot halted in air as she gulped softly before raising her head to look at him for the first time.
The moment she raised her head, and their gazes met, Shanzay wished she hadn't raised her head.
The brute sat there garbed in all white,
White kameez shalwar cladding his frame with the similar coloured spotless uncreased warm shawl draped across the broad shoulders of his and raven hair brushed back oh so perfectly and neatly as he gazed back at her with those intense orbs of his that could successfully take living daylights out of anybody.
He was clad in that pure, spotless colour.
His intimidating frame sat on the sofa in all his unreal glory and grace looking nothing less than a devil garbed in the disguise of an angel.
The contrast so striking, so bizarre yet looking oh so perfect on him.
The moment his obsidian cups met her honey coloured ones,
He didn't bother withdrawing his gaze nor did he say anything.
His orbs oh so intently fixed on her that Shanzay literally felt her soul slip from her fingers.
She couldn't meet his gaze, and at the same time, couldn't even evade his devastating irises that had her encaged, almost captivated and petrified under a spell.
It was one of the most difficult situations Shanzay had ever find herself stuck into.
A situation that was unescapable and unnerving at the same time.
It seemed as if in that mere few seconds of eye contact, their surroundings had disappeared.
It was just them.
Just him and just her.
Or maybe it was him who blurred the surrounding with his intimidating and daunting presence, the figure of his that always stood out, no matter what the place or attire he was draped in.
His ferocious inky irises sucked her soul, plunged into the depths of her irises, messed with the mind of hers and disrupted the normal rythm of her heartbeats.
As if his mere presence wasn't intimidating and a challenge in itself, the orbs of his took one's struggle to a whole different level, almost making them sigh in defeat, complain in helpessness and gasp in disbelief.
Shanzay had never ever encountered a person who possessed such dominating aura, such strong presence, such intimidating frame and such deep and intense irises.
Like many other times, this time too, Shanzay felt her breath nearly halt as the palms of hers turned clammy.
She, with great difficulty, as if doing great struggle, evaded his unforgiving gaze, lowering her eyelashes as the sun's rays peeking from the huge glass windows illuminated the pale pink hues slowly scattering across her milky cheeks, turning them a light rosy.
"Cheeni kitni"?
Shanzay tried hard to not let her tone waver as she asked in a small voice.
"Aik chamach".
The echo of his baritone voice was low and calm, making her let out a soft exhale as she silently added the said amount, stirring the spoon in the dainty teacup.
Shanzay for a moment thought of giving her father the teacup so he could hand it over to the brute.
But the thought dissipated as soon as it flickered because she knew well how rude and awkward it would seem.
It's just handing over a mere teacup!
He won't bite you, right"?
Maybe, she actually was being overly dramatic.
Trying to evade her stressful thoughts, she held the teacup and hesitantly raised it towards his seated frame from across the glass center table.
The other moment, not even wasting a second, the hotheaded sardar leaned forward as the strong hand of his stretched to take the cup from her.
It was a matter of few seconds when Shanzay's orbs that were fixed at the tea trolley, immediately widened as the frame of hers froze like a wax statue and a shriek nearly escaped her lips at feeling his fingertips graze past her skin.
Only Shanzay knew how she stopped and restrained herself from flinching or showing a reaction.
The internal struggle was too much at this point.
She could literally feel herself internally freaking out.
Though she knew oh so well that the touch wasn't intentional, it wasn't long lasting either.
It was a mere coincidence.
The teacup was small and the large calloused hand of his couldn't help but graze past her slender soft one when grabbing it.
It grazed her skin for even less than a flicker of second,
Grazing past her knuckles like a caress of gentle wind, almost like a piece of satin brushing past one's skin, too soft, too unreal, almost delusional, as if it wasn't even there in the first place.
She felt her fingers quiver oh so slightly but the man had already taken the cup from her hand leaving that lingering feeling on her fingertips, on the soft translucent skin of her knuckles.
"Shukria".
The voice of his low, deep and rough,
Yet Shanzay could swear she heard a tinge of gentleness edge it.
She gulped softly nodding her head not daring to raise her head again, trying to ignore the strange feeling in her chest, in her heart.
His eyes, they weren't just eyes, oh lord they weren't! The ferocious cups of obsidian, the intense orbs of charcoal, the ones that possessed a depth one could only find in the vast expanse of oceans, they possessed the intensity that could be compared to the blazing heat and scalding warmth of the bright sun, the same orbs that had found her frame since she entered the room, the same orbs that were fixed on her for a long time, the same orbs that didn't even waver from her frame for even once leaving her low-key panicked.
There was something so unnerving about his gaze.
It wasn't uncomfortable, but it didn't let anyone breath in peace either.
Shanzay picked the plates filled with mouthwatering delicacies as she carefully propped them on the glass center table.
All the while, she felt his gaze not move an inch away from her frame.
Shanzay even felt the hair on the nape of her neck rise as she tried hard to not let her hands setting the plate quiver.
"Bus betay, jo lena hua hum khud le lain gae, ao idhar akar betho meray pass".
Her father's voice echoed snapping her out of this torturous misery as she silently finished the work before getting up from her crouching state as she took soft steps towards her father's figure as she settled beside him on the double seater sofa.
Her father leaned ahead towards the glass table to pick a plate when she raised her head and her gaze unintentionally raked past the air stopping on his frame.
His gaze, this time, was lowered to the teacup as the sunlight peeking from the huge wall sized glass windows gave her a vivid and clear view of his luscious eyelashes as the raven canopies casted dark shadows on his honey caramel skin.
There was something so soft in that look,
Something so soft in him garbed in all white with the hair of his perfectly set in a neat hairstyle yet one strand oh so stubbornly and rebellious-ly falling on his spotless forehead touching the perfectly thick arch of his arrogant brow giving his refined frame a roguish look.
The way the lashes of his were casted down shielding those ferocious cups giving his frame a gentle, somewhat approachable look.
Shanzay had to tear her gaze away before the man raised his orbs and caught her glancing at him.
She cleared her throat softly now turning her attention towards her father who had raised the plate infront of the brute for him to pick up a naankhatai and was now saying something as he leaned back on the sofa while munching on the brownie pieces from another plate.
"Haan g tou ap kab bula rahay hain phir humain apni haveli"?
Salman Malik asked in a light tone as he leaned back against the sofa turning his gaze towards the intimidating specimen of the man.
Badar raised his gaze from the teacup towards the man's frame as he spoke in a sincere tone,
"Ap jab ana chahain, Meray ghareeb khanay k darwazay apko khulay milain gae".
A soft hum left her father's lips as he spoke with a warm smile adorning his lips,
"Bus phir apko takleef deni paray gi".
The Sardar's orbs glinted under the sun's warm light as his features appeared calm and laid-back,
"Mujhe bilkul bhi takleef nahi hogi, Salman Sahab".
"Ye tou phir apki aalazarfi hai".
Salman Malik spoke making the corners of the sardar's lips twitch lightly, almost subtly as he replied in his low and calm tone,
"Itna bhi alazarf nahi hu main".
"Aur sakhi bhi Hain Saath Saath. Mujhe tou lag Raha hai ap apnay pooray gaon ki zameenon ka phal humaray Liye lekar agaye hain".
Salman Malik's tone was slightly teasing.
A soft throaty chuckle left Badar's lips and Shanzay literally felt her fingertips quiver as she tried to hide their shaking by raising her hand and picking a piece of brownie from her father's plate.
It hadbeen a habit from her childhood.
She liked munching on the food from her father's plate who elatedly and happily let her eat to her heart's content not even saying anything also taking her side when her mother scolded her on this bad habit of hers.
"Ye pooray gaon ki zameenon ka phal kahaan hai Salman Sahab, lekan agar ap chahain tou Badar apko zubaan deta hai k pooray gaon ka phal apkay Ghar ki dehleez per rakhwa de ga"
Shanzay had seen those huge well wrapped baskets and cartons filled with fruits to brim earlier. Fruits that were not only freshly plucked but also ripe and succulent, fruits that were of the best quality.
She hadbeen slightly taken aback and that was her first thought too that maybe the hotheaded sardar had actually brought all the fruit from his lands.
But hearing his words now as he responded to her father in that sincere yet underlying respectful tone, a slight unknowing smile tugged at her lips as she lowered her head munching on the brownie.
The movement causing the silky strands of hers to slide across her cheeks hiding her expressions for him.
"Ye tou apki faraghdili hai, aur ap pehlay hi itna Kuch ker chukay Hain, iski bilkul bhi zaroorat nahi".
Badar sipped his tea as he smiled at his words as the other second his gaze flickered towards the dainty figure of hers settled beside the graceful man's frame who Badar had started to respect wholeheartedly.
There were few people who got the privilege to be in Badar's good books and Salman Malik was undoubtedly one of them.
His dark inky irises that seemed to appear gentler, warmer and calmer under the sun's golden hues, gazed back at her figure for a fraction of second as the lips of his parted and a low echo of his deep baritone voice echoed,
"Ap phal khati hain"?
Shanzay who had picked up another piece of brownie from her father's plate and was munching on it pretty content with the velvety softness and not so overpowering taste of the brownie immediately froze in her position as the hand bringing the piece of brownie to her lips halted in air.
She gulped the bite she was chewing with great difficulty after a second later but before she could reply her father opened his mouth to speak,
"She is a lover of fruits, I tell you. She can skip meals, but she'd never skip on fruits. And guavas that you brought earlier, I'm pretty sure whose stomach they're going in".
She immediately snapped her neck towards her father, so fast that it almost sprained as she threw an accusatory look at his side profile but Salman Malik pretended as if she wasn't glaring holes into his face as he continued speaking in an utterly amused tone,
"Guava is something, she'd even climb trees for".
Shanzay's lips parted in shock as she gaped back at her father with a betrayed look in her honey irises.
How could he expose her like this?!
How could he tell her top secret and that too so casually to him?!
A soft hum echoed as the low baritone tone of his echoed,
"That, I'm well aware of".
Her orbs widened the size of saucers the other second as she unintentionally met his gaze again.
Shanzay regretted it the other second.
The obsian cups of his weren't blank like always.
Instead, under the sun's peeking rays, the orbs of his reflected an amusement, oh so vivid and oh so intense.
And Shanzay would be a fool to not understand what the brute of a man was utterly amused about, and referring to.
The first encounter of theirs.
The first time she came across him.
The time when she'd plucked guavas after climbing the tree and devoured them.
And the expression dancing in his eyes confirmed that he had indeed caught her climbing down from the tree.
Shanzay's cheeks blazed up as she felt like drowning in a cup of water, even a cup of tea was fine.
But along with utter embarrassment that enveloped her frame, she also felt underlying infuriation at seeing him oh so openly look back at her with those teasing and amused eyes.
She immediately evaded his gaze turning her attention elsewhere as she vowed not to pick anymore brownies from her precious baba's plate.
It was a gesture to show how angry she was at him.
Also, making sure not to meet the arrogant man's confusing orbs again.
He was literally messing with her mind at this point.
They talked a bit more as she silently sat there only replying with a hum or nod when the conversation turned towards her.
It was after nearly half an hour when she decided to stand and excuse herself to check up on her mother and Farzana to see if they needed any help when her father immediately spoke turning his gaze towards her also snapping brute's attention towards her poor frame too that she was trying hard to not attract towards herself,
"Also bachay, isn't the weather pretty nice today"?
Not understanding his question, she simply nodded making her father break into a grin that still looked good on his graceful face adding more grace to his appearance if possible as he spoke gesturing towards the brutes frame the other second,
"Tou phir ap aisa kiyun nahi kerti k apnay bunday ko lawn ka chakkar lagwa layen jab tak main jakar apki mama say khanay ka pata kerta hu"?
Shanzay felt her heart drop to the pits of her stomach as she nearly choked on her breath,
"G"?
Maybe she had misheard it, right?
How could her father throw her infront of the enemy like this.
Okay not enemy, but this feudal lord was much scarier than an enemy.
"Chalain shabash, betay".
Her father spoke giving her a smug look making her grit her teeth tighter in helplessness and infuriation.
She was oh so sure she was going to settle the scores with him later.
How could he just do that to her?!
And hence not a minute later, she was walking past the well lit corridors of the house with white painted walls adorned with paintings and beautiful decoration pieces, thanks to her precious father.
Turning in the corridor that led to the wooden double doors that opened into the expansive and beautifully gardened back lawn, she walked beside him as the air remained silent, which she was extremely thankful for.
It was as if the strong sandalwood scent emitting from his frame was leaving a trail behind, as if an evidence to his lingering presence in the house also enveloping the air around her making her take in a shaky breath as she tried not to stumble over her own feet and embarrass herself.
She gulped softly as they reached the opened doors.
Shanzay felt his frame halt immediately making her frame also freeze as she raised her head gazing up at him in slight confusion.
Seeing the orbs of his already set on her made a strange, that same unnerving feeling arise in her chest as he gazed down at her honey cups with the lips of his slightly parting,
"After you".
It took Shanzay a second to understand his words as she silently withdrew her gaze from him, taking slow steps entering the lawn first as a second later, his strong frame followed matching her steps.
She didn't say anything, neither did he initiate the conversation as they silently took steps on the grassy grounds, walking side by side in slow, calm strides.
It was a comfortable walk, light and not overwhelming.
Even his closeness this time didn't daunt her like usual, making her doubt if he was the same sardar she literally used to flinch at his mere approaching step towards her.
There was something so calming in the moments, something so gentle, so safe, she couldn't name the feeling,
But she was sure it wasn't uncomfortable either.
Shanzay's dupatta swept the ground behind her lightly caressing the luscious grass as she walked forward.
The golden rays of sun fell down illuminating their frames, complimenting the lilac cladding her figure with the white garbing his strong muscular frame.
The colours appearing striking, contrasting yet oh so similar, as if fitting together perfectly like the pieces of a puzzle.
When they were just about to walk past the bougainvillea tree, the brute decide to speak for the first time,
"Do you love growing flowers"?
She turned her neck only to come across his tall figure as he remained gazing at the flower beds and flower pots adorning majority of lawn.
An unnoticeable soft smile graced the corners of her lips as she nodded,
"Ma loves them, and all these flowers, they're here because of her. She has turned this lawn into a mini garden".
A soft hum left the sardar's lips as he walked beside her with his hands folded on his back, his steps slow and matching her pace,
As if purposefully trying not to outrun her.
"They're all so fully bloomed even in this season".
Shanzay didn't realize that her smile had deepened at his words as she nodded enthusiastically,
"They are. They always do. In every season, whether fall or cold. Ajeeb baat hai na"?
Under the blazing rays that were blinding yet also glinting like specks and glitter of gold descending down like a meteor shower, Badar turned his neck, sweeping his gaze from the fully bloomed rose beds towards her pristine face that gazed down at the flowers with a warm and gentle look adorning her irises.
As if reminiscing something, some distant memory, the lashes of hers sparkling, their light colour appearing almost golden and the eyes as if they were cups of molten magma as a slight, almost unnoticeable smile hinted at the corners of her lips that moved again to speak,
"Aur ye hain bhi kitnay piyaray".
The voice of hers almost coming out as a low whisper, a soft echo, a light caress, that easily reached Badar's ears with the softly blowing wind echoing across his eardrums like a soft melody.
The mere sight of her pristine face, the hint of smile adorning it, the frame of hers clad in a soft light colour basking under the sun's hues, the golden of her hair striking against the honey of her lashes.
There was something so soft in the sight, something so gentle, the man's irises couldn't help but soften, as if at the verge of melting.
They didn't realize that they had stopped walking as they both now stood under the luscious canopy of bougainvillea tree, the rays peeking from between its branches, falling on them, illuminating their frames.
She didn't realize that they unintentionally and unconsciously stood facing each other at the moment.
Badar's gaze swept from the deepening smile of hers, before caressing the pristine face of hers reaching her shining honey irises as he hummed slightly,
"Mhmm, piyaray tou hain".
The softness edging his tone oh so vivid, oh so obvious, almost astonishing, that Shanzay couldn't help but raise her head and gaze back at him slightly taken aback.
But the slight shock turned into utter bewilderment and disbelief at seeing the brute's lips curling slowly, forming an oh so slight and subtle smile, on top of that, a heartfelt and genuine one.
Smile?
Smile?!
SMILE?!!!!
No it couldn't be!
Shanzay resisted the urge to rub her eyes, to blink them, to make sure the sight unveiled upon her wasn't just a fragment of her imagination, a work of her hallucination.
Had she really started daydreaming in broad daylight?
He was smiling.
Not just a subtle or hint of smile like he gave her father earlier, instead, a proper smile, a complete smile.
A smile which reached his eyes.
The mere sight stirred something in her, something she couldn't name, couldn't point at, couldn't understand as the other second she saw the brute tilt his head towards his right shoulder oh so smoothly, oh so slightly, causing the stray strands he had swept back with his fingers earlier to fall touching his spotless forehead again as he spoke gazing deep into her astounded and widened doe like orbs,
"Magar uss say kam jo meray rubaru hai".
For few seconds her orbs gazed back at him with confusion and earlier dumbfoundedness.
She kept gazing back at him, her neck inclined, her chin tilted upwards, subconsciously trying to interpret his words that felt as if they had passed over her head.
Under the sun's warm golden rays peeking from between the branches of the thick canopy of tree standing above them, his face switched between dancing rays of sun and shadows the branches casted on his well sculpted face.
A few bougainvillea flowers tinted a deep pink, swayed effortlessly down in slow motion like bird's feathers descending almost lifelessly, invading her vision for a fraction of second, still not succeeding in gaining her attention as she gazed back at him with utter confusion dancing in her honey cups, looking a bit lost.
A slight astonishment danced in her light coloured irises causing them to widen when she caught sight of his hand move from his side, reaching towards her frame, knocking the breath out of her chest for a moment,
Leaving her breathless.
The orbs of hers gazed back at him in utter dumbfoundedness as a minute later, she felt the gentle graze of his fingers on top of her head, caressing past her silky strands, lingering there for a flicker of second yet the intense obsidian orbs of his didn't free her, didn't let her go, didn't even waver from her frame for once.
When the touch withdrew and the hand of his dropped on his side, she lowered her gaze trying to catch her breath as her gaze swept down towards his strong hand.
A dainty bougainvillea flower, now held in a gentle grasp of his calloused fingertips illuminated, making her lips part slightly but what completely and utterly left her astounded and speechless were the words that had left his lips earlier.
The words that her brain had just bothered to process.
The words that had not only knocked the breath out of her chest, but also caused the poor soul of hers to nearly flee from her body.
And her heart, she could literally hear its thudding just beside her ears.
The words that her brain was left baffled after processing, her heart taken aback and shocked to an extent that she blurted out the other second almost in disbelief.
"Hayee Allah"!
Before the other second bit her tongue at realizing that her voice came out loud, audible enough for him to hear, as she averted her gaze elsewhere turning her frame completely away from his as she pressed her lips together to not spout anymore nonsense in her state of shock and disbelief that wasn't even fading a bit.
The soft scarlet hues oh so proudly began spreading across her soft cheeks, scattering all the way to her slender neck, bathing her in a beautiful crimson.
A soft, throaty chuckle echoed behind her making her shut her orbs tighter as the fingers of hers grasped the hems of her dupatta tightly.
Wow!
What a way to embarrass yourself, Shanzay!
Can you be anymore stupid?!
She bit her lower lip as she tried hard to not choke on her breath.
The shock given to her poor heart hadbeen too much.
She no way in jahannum was willing to believe that these scandalous words had left the said man's lips who was standing beside her at the moment.
Left the hotheaded and violent feudal lord's mouth who walked with a signature frown marring his face indicating that either the whole world was indebted to him, or the heart of his didn't possess an ounce of softness.
Shanzay wholeheartedly believed the latter.
No, they couldn't be, right?
She definitely was hallucinating!
Those words, they could have left anyone's lips but not the heartless and emotionless sardar's ones, right?
No way in hell could such words be spoken by this brute?
She definitely misheard them.
She definitely did.
How could this violent and heartless man, who walked with a blank face as if he had mass murdered, and orbs as chilling as ice, with barely few words leaving his lips could say such words to her in all his arrogance and coldhearted-ness.
How could he say those words in all his sanity?!
Shanzay felt as if she was facing shortage of air.
She couldn't breath!
Trying hard to not faint on spot and bring more second hand embarrassment upon her poor self, and ofcourse not let her brain enter a state of shock, she opened her eyes as the fingertips of her quivered oh so slightly.
Her gaze involuntarily swept across the air as it landed on the house beside hers as she caught sight of her neighbor auntie's two daughters dangling across the railings on balcony on second floor, the side of house that faced their lawn, as they kept on whispering something in each other's ears with their orbs oh so visibly and intently set on their frames, almost glued.
Shanzay immediately felt more alarmed and conscious as she cleared her throat turning towards the brute's frame reluctantly.
Not daring to raise her gaze and glance at his face, she spoke in her small voice,
"A-ander chaltay hain".
She literally felt like breaking into tears in embarrassment with the way her voice cracked.
This man should be arrested for intimidating and puzzling others like this!
He needs to stop messing like this, alright?
Badar's brows knitted tighter in confusion as he gazed down her at her worried expressions,
"Wo kis liye"?
She gulped audibly before opening her mouth to truthfully state,
"Neighbors are w-watching".
The brute of a man didn't bother turning his neck to see the said neighbors nor did he make any move to budge from his position by even an inch.
Shanzay almost turned anxious at seeing him remain silent internally getting freaked out at still finding the girls gazes oh so vividly fixed on them as they whispered into each other's ears.
Since nobody in their circle and neighborhood was aware of her nikkah, ofcourse they didn't know who the man infront of her was and the fact that they were gossiping like that while giving her looks as if she had done something unforgivable and a heinous crime, made her nearly want to flee from there at the moment and escape their gazes.
She didn't know what gossip they'll spread because not going to lie, they both were famous among neighborhood for their extremely social and talkative nature.
She was sure they'd spread the talk faster than the fire the fuel catches.
Her internal rants and soaring perplexity was cut off by the baritone voice of his that echoed across the silent air after a whole minute.
"Tou dekhnay dain".
His words nearly made Shanzay stumble over her own feet as she raised her head gazing back at him with utter dumbfoundedness shining in those beautiful orbs of hers.
The brute shrugged his shawl clad shoulders as he completed in a nonchalant tone, holding her stunned gaze,
"Apka hi bunda hu, koi gher nahi. Dekhtay hain tou dekhain".
If his nonchalance and utter aloofness made her nearly choke on her breath, the first part of his sentence nearly gave her a nosebleed.
She tried hard to not let her precious brain go into a state of shock as the insides of hers nearly flinched, panicked and screamed in utter astonishment, complete bewilderment as a whole new wave of disbelief hit her already dumbfounded frame.
The heck!!!
She definitely was hallucinating!
Or had the bakery goods been muddled with drugs that caused her to see such bizarre things and hear such astounding words.
Or was it the lack of sleep last night taking a toll on her.
Shanzay felt as if her frame was about to collapse as she turned her gaze elsewhere pressing her lips tightly to not spout anymore nonsense this time.
The fingers of hers fisted the soft fabric of dupatta tightly as the sudden crimson hues began spreading across the soft pale skin of her cheeks, scattering all the way till her neck even causing the tips of her ears to blaze a deep crimson.
One would be blind to not see the sudden blush coating her face that illuminated oh so vividly under the sun's golden light.
She felt the intense orbs of his rake her face as the other second his oh so amused unwavering tone echoed,
"Shanzay, ap kay rukhsar itnay surkh kiyun horahay hain"?
The nerve of him to ask this while saying those soul-shaking words earlier!
Atleast they shook her soul badly, pretty violently if not more.
Even the tips of her fingers clutched around the hems of dupatta blazed as she reluctantly left her bottom lip from the grasp of her teeth and spoke in a tone that came out small and embarrassed,
"Dh-dhoop ki w-waja say".
The sardar's brow arched higher and the tongue poked the inside of his cheek as the orbs of his didn't even waver from her frame for a second,
"Acha"?
It was obvious from his tone that he wasn't taking her words for truth.
Before Shanzay could reply, Farzana's voice echoed from the opened doors leading to corridor,
"Baji ji, Khana Lag gaya hai. Ap log ajayen".
She nodded using the chance to escape leaving the other second not sparing the man another glance.
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Word Count: 8,730 words
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Ta-da!!!!
Guess who is finally backkkk!!
Someone is not so low-key excited to meet someone 👀
Tayarian check ker rahay hain ap 🫣
And someone is finally exposing his flirting skills 😳😏
Progress hai bhai progress 🙌💘
Andddddddd, the "dawat" is still not over yet!
You'll be getting a whole confrontation between Shanzay's mother and Sardar Sahab in the next chapter 👀
Do tell me your thoughts on chapter 🫶
I'll be looking forward to them ❤️💝
The translations would be provided till midnight🙌
Till next sunday,
Take care 💗💗