~~~ASMAARA's POV~~~
" Jaane kab hothon pe dil ne rakh di dil ki baatein. Samjha nahi yeh dil isko hum toh rahe samjhaate. Maine dekha tujhe bhula ke- Har ek tarqeeb laga ke, Har nuskhe ko aazma ke Par dil se kabhi na utre. Hangover teri yaadon ka. Hangover teri baaton ka. Hangover teri yaadon ka. Hangover teri baaton ka"
"Kabhi jo baadal barse main dekhu tujhe aankhein bhar ke. Tu lage mujhe pehli baarish ki duaa. Tere pehloo mein reh loon mein khudh ko pagal keh loon. Tu ghum de yah khushiyaan seh loon, sathiyaa.."
"Yaadon Ki Baraat Nikli Hai Aaj Dil Ke Dwaare Dil Ke Dwaare. Sapnon Ki Shehnai Beete Deeno Ko Pukare Dil Ke Dwaare. Ho O O Chedo Tarane Milan Ke Pyaare Pyaare Sang Hamare ..."
"Raat Akeli Hai, Bujh Gae Diye, Aake Mere Paas, Kaanon mein Mere.. Jo Bhi Chaahe Kahiye, Jo Bhi Chaahe Kahiye, Raat akeli hai.."
It was late at night but, everyone chose to stay up for a battle of antakshari. There were two teams; with Shehry, Adeel and Preet in one and Hussain, me and Waqas in the other while Paige and Jessica decided to judge the competition. Though it started as a challenge, right now we were just yelling out Bollywood songs from the top our lungs, one after another. Everyone seemed so happy however, my mind kept racing back to Preet...
She danced with Hussain for hours tonight even after everyone else had left the stage. They looked so lost in their own little world. Happiness and peace. That's what I saw in her eyes tonight. It has been years since I saw her laughing like this. Hussain's lame dialogues entertained her for the first time during this whole trip. They exchanged millions of texts while sitting right across the table. She looked like a happy bird today; with no broken wings. Personally, I am very happy for her yet, this scares me the most too.
"Asmaara, we need a song from 'R'. Quick!" Waqas shook my shoulder. When exactly did we get back into the challenge mode?
"Asmaara?" I heard him say my name and my chain of thoughts broke into bits, bothering me even more.
I looked up only to find seven pairs of confused eyes boring into me. It suddenly made me uncomfortable...
"I.. Uhh..." What did he ask me again?!
"Song from R ?" Hussain asked this time while my eyes trailed along the familiar yet, unfamiliar faces. I decides I needed to get out of this room. I am either sleepy or having a mood swing.
"I guess I am just gonna sleep," I sighed and walked out before anyone could stop me. I heard Preet calling out my name but, I was not in a mood of talking. I just needed to get this Preet-Hussain thing out of my head and sorted. Maybe they are just friends?
"Asmaara wait!" I heard footsteps approaching me. I knew it was Preet, "what happened? Are you ok?" She asked.
"No, are you ok?" I groaned at her and turned around again.
"Yeah I am but- can you please stop and talk to me?" She called out and no, I don't feel like stopping or talking, "Asmaara?" She reached out and gripped my arm.
"Talk about what?" I snapped at her, "not like you ever listen."
"Oh come on, first I was running after Hussain and now you? What's up? Tell me. Please?" Her cute puppy eyes.... Wait!
"You were running after Hussain!?" I frowned at her while she just shrugged her shoulders.
"That's not the point. The point is-"
"That is my point! I asked you to stay away from him!"
"And I told you that we are just friends. Keep your suspicious eyes off me!" She yelled in a very low volume.
"Really, Preet?" I sighed loudly.
"Really!"
"I don't know who you are trying to fool here but, I hope you, realise it before it's too late. Good night," I mumbled and turned away again, hoping that her words will prove my instincts wrong.
I just don't see happiness in their eyes when they are around each other, I also see something that they are probably not aware of. Something that shines too much but is not supposed to be there. Not because they are not good for each other but, because of their religions. Preet is getting married and I know she will never go against her grand father's wish. She doesn't see what I see even when they are fighting. Yes, I see concern for each other in their eyes; I see admirations; I see tears and smiles; I see love.
Love that's going to hurt everyone. Preet, Hussain, Daarji, Raj, Bani... Everyone. This feeling that Preet is unaware of right now, will eventually lead her to nothing but a life full of pain. I think its time that everyone finds out about her wedding. Maybe after knowing about her roka, Hussain will distant himself from her? Maybe this will lead them to their ultimate realisation of love. Maybe it's going to hurt them now but it will prevent their hearts from further damage.
I think its time to take an action. Even if my suspicions are wrong, there is no harm in others knowing about Preet's relationship status. That's it, I will talk to Shehry first thing in the morning. Maybe he might have felt the same way as I do?
ALLAH Ji, why does love have to be so complicated? Why can't we get everything straight and as we plan it? Like fairy tales? Pyaar mein itna dard kyu hota hai?
~~~PREET's POV~~~
One more night and all I am doing is shuffling around in the bed. The only difference is that Asmaara's words made more sense this time. She thinks I might fall in.... No that's ridiculous! Even in 21st century she believes in that 'ek ladka aur ek ladki kabhi dost nahi ho sakte'. That's just stupid. Hussain and I are just friends and I don't need to maintain a distance between him and me.
My phone buzzed just after I closed my eyes. At this hour? Everyone should be sleeping right now. There was a message from Hussain. I slide my finger across the screen to unlock it.
HUSSAIN:: Up at this hour?
How the hell does he know? I quietly peeped over to the curtains which were tightly shut. Crawling on the bed, I reached the other end of it to look at the main door. Even there I could see nothing. Is he hiding in here? Spy cam? He is keeping an eye on me?
I think I should probably ask...
PREET:: how did you know?
I sent and jumped back on the bed. "Do you mind sleeping?" A groan from my right came. Jess was sleeping peacefully. Everyone was, except me. I looked at her and mumbled a sorry before turning my attention to my buzzing phone.
HUSSAIN:: I didn't but now I do ;)
Duffer!
HUSSAIN:: too tired? Come outside?
PREET:: wait up!
I briefly looked around, making sure that everyone is fast asleep before heading out. I can't have Asmaara find out about this. I slipped out of the sliding door and instantly regretted not picking up my jacket. It's supposed to be almost summer and not freezing nights. Ugh!
I stopped midway when I saw Hussain by the shed. He wore grey sweatpants and a maroon skintight T-shirt along with a leather jacket. I found myself smiling idiotically all by myself as I watched him so lost in his phone. Deciding that he hadn't noticed me yet, I went around the wooden deck and climbed on to the shed from behind Hussain. I carefully tiptoed towards him, wanting to shut his eyes with my hands. I was only a foot away when I felt my breathing pacing up and heart pounding, ready to jump out of me. Stop it Mr heart. Go back to sleep! I mentally said to myself and reached out, excited.
"Boo!" Hussain turned around and yelled, freaking the hell out of me. I stumbled backwards as my slippers rolled. Closing my eyes I almost fell when Hussain reached out and held my hand.
Dekha! Another accident and he is here!
~~~HUSSAIN'S POV~~~
I paced up and down the pavement. Why did I call her at this hour? Abhi toh mile the thodo der pehle so why? I was having coffee toh akele hi pee leta. Why did I have to invite her?
I saw the door of her room moving when I quickly grabbed a seat on the shed's staircase, not wanting to look so desperate. She came out wearing pink pajamas and black tank top with her hair falling down to her elbow. No make up, I could see. Angel. That's what a voice inside my head said.
Lowering my eyes to my cellphone, I tried hiding my grin. From the corner if my eye, I could see her smiling too. My heart skipped a beat as she started walking but it sank when she went around. Her mind is deffiniately upto something. I waited for her to come around just when I heard a light thud on the deck.
Crystal clear. That's what her intention were to me. I kept looking at my phone while I kept my attention on her. When I could feel her breathing right behind, I turned around yelled, "Boo!"
Her face went pale like she had seen a ghost. Terrified, she stumbled backwards but I held on to her hand in time. Sucking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and frowned at me.
"You!" She playfully punched me and plopped right next to me, "it's two. Why haven't you slept yet?"
"Pata nahi.. But then I felt like coffee toh socha pooch loon if you would like to join me," I replied and got off my spot. I held out my hand to help her up and then lead her to the table when two mugs were set out.
"So, this is like a coffee date," I heard her mumble while I poured the coffee out of the kettle.
"Hussain ka standard different hai madam- date hoti toh I would have booked a whole restaurant," I chuckled.
"Ohh well! But, I like this," she smiled as I pulled out the chair for her.
"As a date?" I asked curiously. Why do I always want to know more about her?
"Yes," she smiled softly as I took a seat right across her.
"How many dates have you been to?" I asked her eventually and regretted it. Not that I didn't want to know but, Is it okay to ask a friend such question? Especially a new girl friend? Ugh, I don't know!
"Non," she said, taking a sip.
"Koi mila nahi yah sabko dura kar bhaga diya?" I chuckled and she rolled her eyes at me.
"Jab itne hot shot options ho toh why would someone go for an average Indian girl with five brothers guarding her?" She raised her eye brows and I frowned at her.
"You call yourself average?" I asked her.
"Maybe bellow," she shrugged and took another sip.
"But, I would!" I blurted and instantly dug my face into my mug. Shit yaar!
"Uhh.. Umm," her face. It was red, "nice coffee," she mumbled and lowered her eyes.
Awkward!
We finished our hot drinks in complete silence all due to my insane tongue. Yes, there were moments when we smiled at each other but, that didn't really lead to any conversation. I was waiting for her to speak first. What if she wanted me to take the initiatives? Oh well, too late..
"Thank you for the coffee," she said after putting her mug down. She reached out and grabbed my wrist, "Haye rabba! Its almost three."
I quickly gathered everything on the tray and we headed towards our rooms.
I don't know why but, I had a sudden urge of calling out her name, "Preet?"
She stopped midway and turned around. Her messy hair blowing with the soft wind current. Her face looking angelic. "Hmm?" She frowned and my heart almost skipped a beat. She manages to look the best even in her night gear.
"You are not an average girl," I said, taking a step towards her, "you are beautiful, you are smart, you are strong. No, not perfect but, you are the best version of yourself."
She said nothing and stared deep inside my eyes as if she was again looking for the truth. I kept the tray aside and walked up to her.
"You don't have to be hot or pretty to date. All you need is a beautiful soul and you already have that," we were only a few inches away and I could hear my heart pounding loudly. I am pretty sure that she can too.
Pata nahi uske paas aate hi aisa kyu hota hai?
"Goodnight Hussain," she blushed and walk backwards to her room but not before banging her foot on the glass door.
Ouch!
~~
"I think we should head to some other place now. Taupo or Nepier?" I asked Waqas while skimming through the tourist guide.
"Yeah, I think we should," thank god he agreed.
"You like long drives? Just stay at one place and enjoy," Jess said, munching away her toast.
"I like cars and my friends so, I like traveling in the car with my friends," I made it clear for her and she just laughed.
"Wow! Preet also love cars and her friends," she chuckled.
"What about me?" Preet looked over from behind Paige. She was doing her hair.
"You and your cars, babe!" Jess told and Preet smiled at her.
"Which one is your favorite?" I asked curiously.
"Lexus or Lamborghini," Jess jumped in, "in fact, she has both."
"Yeah! They are fast and slice through air like no big deal!" Preet laughed, "I am in love with sports cars. I have five older brothers you see?"
"Right!" I chuckled, rolling my eyes.
Maha has the two of us only and she doesn't even meet us that often but, still the way she talks, her likes- dislikes; they are only semi girly.
"I am gonna look for Asmaara," Preet said after securing Paige's hair with a hair tie.
Yeah! It is quite funny. Bhai and Asmaara are both missing out on the morning breakfast.
Kahaan hein dono? Saath mein....?
~
Not much happened in this chapter but, the story is about take a huge turn! So, stay tuned :)