Chapter 13: 9. 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗵𝗶 𝗻𝗮𝗵𝗶 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗮 𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗵𝗲..

❛ Koshish bohot ki ke raaz-e-mohabbat bayan na ho,

Mumkin kaha tha ke aag lage aur dhuwaa na ho. ❜

Third Person's POV:

Altan scrubbed the skin of his cheeks for the third time in a row as he could still feel the stickiness of the gum on his skin which he used to glue the fake beard on his face.

He splashed the water on his face and Arya's words echoed in his mind.

“Tumhari baat sahi sabit hui. Postmortem report se pata laga hai ki Bakhtawar ki maut zeher khane se hui hai joh isey juice ya koi liquid form mein di gayi ho.”

In the afternoon, before Altan went to take a bath, Arya gave him the news which he was waiting to be confirmed and it did.

He held the marble slab and breathed. His suspicions were turned into certainty.

Before he could reach Bakhtawar, somebody else did and poisoned him to death.

There was someone who didn't want Altan to find the truth or specifically about them but they didn't know that he was Altan Mirza and even if they were hiding deep in the pacific ocean, he'd find them and make them suffer.

Altan plashed the water on his face again, wetting his already damp hair. His mind was throwing a fit, telling him there was a traitor amongst them or else how could somebody know that he was here to take Bakhtawar down?

Only Arya, Zaviyar and Jannat knew about his plans and these three would rather hang themselves on a ceiling fan than betray him.

He shut his eyes and shook his head a little. It was his last day in India as tomorrow he was leaving for Pakistan.

So once he enters his base, it'd become much easier for him to connect the dots.

He looked in the mirror and pushed his long hair behind. They weren't enough to tie them in a bun or pony as he liked to keep the length of his soft curls till his nape.

His face looked red and his sea green eyes looked bright. He was beginning to forget the shine of his eyes because of the brown contact lens.

Altan tightened the towel around his waist and got out of the bathroom. His brows darted up in finding the room empty as Arya was there.

He walked to the living room and didn't find him there either. His gaze fell on the table where his DSLR camera was resting with some photographs underneath it.

He picked the camera and placed it aside. He lifted a picture in his hands and his lips curled up slightly.

There she was laughing and her head was thrown back. She was in a light yellow churidar and her hair was tied in a loose braid and some of the tendrils were peeking out of the tail, flowing in the air.

Whenever Altan got the opportunity, he sneakily clicked her photos on his camera without being caught by anyone.

He asked Arya to get him the pictures to put in the album, which Altan was going to make later and being a nice friend, Arya did.

Altan went through each photo one by one, taking his sweet time by admiring the beauty in the photo.

Suddenly the door opened, “Assalamu-Astaghfirullah, tauba!”

Mahoor turned around, seeing Altan standing half naked only in a towel.

Whereas, Altan stilled. He wasn't wearing his fake beard, his lenses and this wasn't the time to reveal his identity to her.

And if he does, she'd throw many questions and the sarcasm and sassiness would never leave her mouth.

And even if Mahoor doesn't trust him, she'd even stop hanging out with him alone by thinking if he's the danger or something.

‘Yeh Arya, haramzada! Darwaza lock kiye bina bahar chala gaya.’ Altan groaned and murmured to himself.

“Darwaza lock karna chahiye na aapko. Aise kaun towel mein pure ghar mein ghumta hai? Simple etiquette hai yeh.”

Altan slightly looked over his shoulder and sighed in relief, seeing her back.

“Knock kar ke kisi ke ghar mein ghusna bhi simple etiquettes mein aata hai.” Altan mocked.

Mahoor rolled her eyes, “Ek tou kal aap jaldi chale gaye aapki tabiyat thik nahi thi iss wajah se aap ke liye goli aur shadi ka khana le aayi hu. Haath full the tou kaise karti knock?”

“Aur main bhi abhi nahake nikla hu tou kaise pehenta kapde?”

Mahoor raised her eyebrows, “Haath se?”

Altan clicked his annoyance, “Kya chahiye tumhe ab?”

She shook her head and turned around, the crockery in her hands rattled, signaling Altan.

“Kuch nahi bas woh...” her words trailed off as her gaze fell upon the very visible scars on his broad muscular back.

There were two scars starting from the sides of his nape and they were drawn up to Altan's each elbow. There was a huge blotch burnt mark on the side of his back, like someone had tried to barbecue his skin. A scar ran in the middle of his back in a horizontal line, and some other long deep stitches were imprinted near that scar.

Mahoor didn't need to be a genius to understand that someone used their knife on this man and burnt him.

She closed her eyes and heaved a sigh too loudly.

Altan's whole demeanor tensed. He forgot about the scars of his back and now they were mirrored naked in front of her eyes from whom he wanted to hide his darkness.

His scars were ugly and scary. When Altan had them, he himself couldn't see it. It took him years to settle down with those souvenirs of his past which were nasty, so how could he expect others to not get icks or vomit at that ugly sight?

Not did he care about what others feel or think about him but if the person is Mahoor, the concerns do start up from there.

He didn't want Mahoor to look at these marks and get terrified of them.

But it was too late.

She already saw a glimpse of his gloomy life and it didn't scare her a bit.

She cleared her throat, “Main khana yaha couch pe rakh deti hu.”

Altan nodded stiffly, Mahoor placed the dishes on the couch and backed away.

Mahoor had a hunch that Altan's posture got rigid as she saw the marks which he probably didn't want to exhibit but the situation made it do so.

To make him feel at ease and clear the tense air, she clapped her hands, attracting his attention.

She placed her hands on her hips, “Kuch aur chahiye tou bolna, main laa dungi. Nayi dulhan ki tarah sharmana bilkul nahi.”

Altan bobbed his head in agreement and Mahoor groaned, “Mundi nahi hilau, jawab do.”

Altan muttered profanities under his breath. For the first time since he met Mahoor, he wanted her to leave as soon as possible. But the woman was too adamant for her own good.

“Thike, shukriya ”

Mahoor rolled her eyes and walked to the door. Getting out of the flat, she closed the door half-way and peeked her head inside, “Shukr ada karna hi hai tou kapde pehen ke ghuma karein ghar mein nahi tou darwaza lock kia karein.”

She slammed the door shut and Altan exhaled in satisfaction. He moved towards the door and locked it from the inside, so as not to have her again unwelcomed on his real side.

He looked at the tray of food and he thought how she even brought it on her own as the tray was so damn huge and it had five-six dishes in it.

His face morphed into a poker one seeing a medicine pouch alongside the food.

Altan sat down on the sofa and took the medicine in his hand. He rested his head on the couch and his chest heaved up.

“Ya Allah tera shukar.”

He thanked his Lord for not letting Mahoor see him without the disguise. Altan knew Mahoor didn't trust him but the woman wouldn't even breathe the same air as him if she'd got to know that he was hiding himself.

He looked at the medicine in his hand and his lips tugged up. He shook his head at her innocence and waited for the night to get her alone to talk about what she saw.

•♡•

“Mahi kaha hai?” Zorawar asked Mubashira.

“Baji tou na jane kaha ghum rahi hai, maine unhe aakhri dafa woh bahar function hall ke pani puri ka stall laga hai na, waha dekha tha.”

“Uff, yeh ladki! Yaha itna bada masla hogaya hai aur isey gupchup khane hai!”

“Par hua.. ” Mubashira didn't get to complete her Q&A session as Zorawar dashed to where Mahoor was.

They were currently at Hadia's Valima, enjoying their heart out by eating from each stall which was organized by the groom's side.

Mahoor stuffed her mouth with gol gappa, relishing the spicy sour taste of the pani, on her tongue.

Zorawar came rushing to the pani puri stall and his eyes searched for his twenty one year old toddler amongst the others.

His gaze fell upon the teal blue coloured lehenga woman, who was busy shoving golgappe down her throat.

Zorawar moseyed towards her and Mahoor's eyes lightened up, seeing her cousin.

“Aaye, aaye bhai. Aap ne khayi pani puri?”

Zorawar rolled his eyes and opened his mouth to talk but Mahoor beat him at it.

“Kha ke tou dekho, ek dum chumma gol gappe hai.” Saying, Mahoor pushed a pani puri in Zorawar's mouth who didn't have any option but to chew it.

Zorawar's eyes widened at the great taste as he swallowed down the golgappa. He wiped the corner of his mouth with the sleeve of his blazer.

He smiled broadly, “Yaar, Mahi! Waqayi bhot acche hai yeh tou.”

Mahoor grinned, “Haina! Aur khau, vaise bhi humne ladki biyaai hai itne tasty khane ke liye.”

“Ha, ha, ek aur plate bol.”

“Abhi bolti hu.”

Mahoor turned towards the stall to ask for one more plate but sudden realization fell upon Zorawar for why he came here as he held her arm, stopping her from going ahead.

“Arey ladki, kya abhi bolti hu? Tumhare yeh khane khilane ke chakkar ne mujhe bhula dia main yaha kyu aaya tha!”

“Kya hai yaar! Ek raat tou chain se jeene do, sukoon se pasand ka khane do. Itne dino se shadi ke kaamo mein ghada mazduri kara rahe the woh kam pad gaya tha kya, jo valima mein bhi kuch na kuch karwana hai aapko?”

Zorawar's face scrunched and he blinked his eyes at her, “Maine tou tumse zyada mazduri ki hai par ro tou nahi raha tumhari tarah.”

“Whatever. Ab bole, kis ki basti mein aag lagi hai?”

“Kya matlab hai tumhara?”

Mahoor clicked her tongue, “Mera matlab ye hai ki hua kya hai.”

Zorawar smacked his hand on her forehead, making her wince at the agony erupting from his hit.

“Kya yaar bhai, punching bag hu kya aapka? Seyran ko bhi do lagaye, jab dekho jab mujh pe hi hinsa karte rehte ho!”

“Woh tumhari tarah fizool baatein nahi karti joh uske upar yeh hinsa ho.”

“Jayein, ussey kara lein joh bhi aap ko kaam hai.” Mahoor turned towards the pani puri stall but Zorawar stopped her.

“Arey meri maa, sorry. Mazak kar raha tha. Ab tou meri baat sun le.”

Mahoor folded her hands across her chest, “Bolein, kya baat hai?”

“Mummy ne mujhe ek watch di thi joh main Aira khala ke yaha bhool gaya, kyun ke main aaj tum log ke yaha ready hua aur woh watch lena mere dimag se nikal gaya.”

Mahoor raised her eyebrows, “Main kya kaam aaungi iss mein?”

Zorawar scratched his neck, “Tum jaa ke le aau, please?”

Mahoor's face palmed herself and blew out a breath. She peered at Zorawar with annoyance, “Na bolungi tou bhi bhejoge hi aap. Par iss baar mera driver kaun hai?”

“Aryan. Usey kaha tha maine woh parking lot mein, apni SUV mein wait kar raha hai. Please turant jau aur jaldi wapis aau.”

Mahoor glared at Zorawar who smiled sheepishly, “Main chala jata par mere haath mein already kaam hai, ladke koi hil nahi sakte woh log bhi kuch na kuch kaam kar rahe hai. Seyran, Hadia ke paas se hili bhi nahi hai aur bakio pe main bharosa karta nahi, aur bacha kaun?”

Mahoor pointed to herself, “Mahoor, the great.”

“Great toh meri behen hai hi. Isiliye tou I'm grateful to have you.”

Mahoor scoffed, “And I'm forever ungrateful to have you.”

“Chal, chal, you don't mean it.”

Mahoor wiped her hands and picked her lehenga a little up, “Trust me, I do.”

She dashed to the parking lot where Arya was waiting for her in the SUV.

Her eyes wandered around, looking for the particular SUV. Her vision stopped at the car which was parked in the dark, only headlights blinking.

She reached the car and opened the door, she settled in down.

“Assalamualaikum.”

Mahoor yelped and gasped. She was about to fall backwards as the door was still wide open but Altan very smoothly held her hand, saving her from going down.

Her free hand clutched her chest and while taking huge breath, she said, “Qasmay keh rahi hu, duniya ke saare mard, wahiyat bhai ban ke mere hi kismat mein aa gire hai.”

Altan groaned at his favorite term ‘bhai.’ He loosened his grip on her hand, making her sag down more to the floor.

“Haider bhai, main gir jaungi. Mujhe upar lein. Mera haath aur tight padein.”

Ignoring his favorite words, Altan let his intrusive thoughts win. “Soch lo, ek baar pakad lia tou chodunga nahi.”

“Toh keh bhi kaun raha hai chodne?”

“Nahi kahogi chodne?”

“Nahi.”

“Kabhi nahi?”

“Kabhi nahi.”

“Main kabhi nahi chodunga tumhe.”

“Nahi chodna.”

“Soch lo, kabhi dusra mauka nahi milega phir.”

“Nahi chodna, bass! Main kahu bhi tou nahi chodna. Mera haath dukh raha hai upar khee..” With a great force, Altan tugged her up resulting in Mahoor falling over him, across his chest.

Mahoor's eyes broadened and her mouth fell wide open. Her hands clutched his shoulders tightly and his hands held her upper back which was covered with a peplum dress.

Altan sniffed her hair, his eyes closed shut when the smell of white strawberries and sweet mint hit his nostrils and they were heavenly.

‘Yaar, yeh mushtande ke saath kya moment hote rehta hai mera?’

Mahoor backed away little but she froze seeing her face so dangerously close to him. Though, their faces weren't touching but the close proximity had her insides jumping in agitation.

Altan looked into her eyes and he lost himself all over again. The beauty of those earthly soil eyes pulled him towards her like a child is drawn to a lollipop.

Feeling the scene getting intense, Mahoor smiled awkwardly, “Assalamualaikum?”

Altan came back to earth from the high of her delight. He cleared his throat and muttered a reply under his breath.

Very reluctantly, he let her go and Mahoor unclasped her hands on his shoulder. She sat down in the passenger seat, cursing her kismat for always making her fall into his embrace.

As the car moved onto the streets, the air seemed cumbersome to her so she decided to speak to let that air turn into a pleasant one.

“Aryan bhaiya aane wale the na? Aap kyu aa gaye?”

Altan raised his eyes at her, “Mera aana acha nahi laga tumhe?”

Mahoor shook her head and smiled in embarrassment, “Aisa nahi hai bass unexpected tha.”

“Hmm. Usey khane se fursat milegi tou woh kahi jayega na.”

Jhoot.

Arya was all on his toes to take Mahoor back to the house by hearing Zorawar's request but when Altan got to know he was going with Mahoor, he simply swapped the role with him and Arya didn't mind.

“I agree! Itna chumma khana hai, sacchi woh taste ke liye insan baar baar khaye.”

Altan brows furrowed and he looked at her with weird expressions.

‘Chumma khana?’

‘Kaise baat karti hai yeh khudaya!’

“Kya hua kuch ghalat kaha kya maine?”

Altan shook his head, “Bilkul nahi. Khana waqayi mein lajawab hai waha.”

Bhot bada jhoot.

He ate from every stall and in the first bite itself, he took an exit from there.

“Haina! Kaha hi tha maine.”

Altan bobbed his head in agreement. They reached their abode as the valima function hall was close to the house.

Altan parked the car and Mahoor ran to the house to get the watch.

Within two-three minutes, Mahoor came back with the watch and settled in the car.

He drove out of their familiar surroundings and Altan wanted to talk about the incident which took place in the afternoon.

Altan cleared his throat which grabbed her attention.

“Woh jo tumne dopeher mein dekhaa...” he trailed off as the car stopped at the signal.

Mahoor nodded and approved of him to go further.

“Kuch bas mere..” Mahoor showed her palm to him, ceasing him from talking further.

Mahoor bent down, Altan eyes followed her actions which bewildered him.

With every ounce of courage, she lifted the lehenga over her one leg till knee and Altan averted his gaze.

Altan didn't know what was happening or what was the reason behind this move of hers but what he knew was he respected the woman sitting beside him and he didn't want to see the bare skin of hers.

“Meri request hai aap yaha dekhe.”

He shook his head but Mahoor insisted and after hearing her insistence on repetition, he did.

Altan wished he never listened to her or his eyes should have popped out from the sockets, before putting his eyes on her calf.

A scar ran from the outer corner of her knee down to her ankle. The calf of her leg was brutally burnt and it didn't look like an accident.

Though those marks looked years old, they still were scars which didn't have the right to be carved on her skin.

Agony, Fury, Vengeance were these emotions he felt deep in his blood.

The agony of seeing her pure soul went through this fucked up shit, punched him in the gut. The fury only fuelled in his veins of thinking of the person who did this to her and he swore vengeance against her tormentor.

The signal turned green and Altan put the car back to life.

Mahoor dropped her lehenga to the floor and sighed. It took everything in her to be brave and show her past to someone who didn't mean anything to her.

But what she knew was the scars bothered everyone and they were a memory of the ugly story but what mattered was how they accepted it and turned out to be after it.

Altan's jaw clenched in rage and his grip on the steering wheel tightened.

“Kis ne kia yeh?”

Mahoor looked at the window and muttered, “Mere sagge chacha ne.”

Altan parked the car in the parking lot with a screech. He looked at Mahoor who was fidgeting her fingers, probably trying to put words together.

While she played with her fingers, the barbaric memory of her childhood flashed before her eyes and her left hand started to tremble.

Altan saw it all. He wanted to hold her hand but it would be too much for her. He wanted her to let her know that she didn't have to be terrified of anything as now she has him.

“Tumhe kuch bolne ki zarurat nahi...”

“Pappa ka inteqal ho ke ek saal hone aa raha tha aur maa mujhe mere chacha ke yaha Hyderabad mein chod ke America mein raha karte the. Woh thode mahine mere saath bhot acche se rahe fir he tried to touch me inappropriately.”

His hand curled into a fist, till his knuckles turned white. The lava of anger erupting in his whole body was too hard for him to resist.

Mahoor took a shaky breath and continued, “Maine maa se kaha bhi ki mujhe chacha aise jagaho pe haath lagate hai, par unhone kaha mai aa rahi hu tumhe waha se lejane aur woh kabhi aaye nahi. Har waqt kehte rahe aa rahi hu, aur main darwaza dekhti rahi par woh nahi aaye.”

Altan listened intently. Nothing was on his mind beside finding that man and killing him in his twisted ways and digging the soil for her mother to bury alive.

“Seyran, Chennai mein raha karti thi khala ke saath aur Zorawar bhaiya ka kya kisi ka number nahi tha mere paas jissey main call kar ke keh saku mujhe le jau. Mere paas phone bhi nahi tha woh chacha deta tha apna phone maa ki call aane pe.”

She looked at him with a watery smile and oh boy, it broke the heart of the thirty-one year old man.

“Main ek din dopeher mein soi thi aur mujhe mere pair pe kisike haath mehsoos hue aur meri neend khul gayi, turant. Mujhe dikh bhi nahi raha tha kaun hai, chashma dhunda mil hi nahi raha tha aur utne mein mere pair pe garam angar cheez laga di, jissey meri rooh kaanp uthi.”

Altan rubbed his temples as the ache was just increasing. He didn't want to believe that she went through this. A person like him totally deserved it but the sunshine like her, did not.

“Fir maine dekha woh insan hass raha hai mujhe dard mein cheekta, rota dekh aur woh koi nahi mera chacha hi tha. Woh mere haath pair kheech ke apni taraf kar hi raha tha mujhe baar-baar par maine ek zor ki koni maari usey chest pe aur woh thoda peeche hua, mujhe bhagne ka mauka mila par mai jaisi bhagi uss aadmi ne wohi garam cheez se pair pe yeh nishaan bana diya.”

Mahoor rubbed her hands and blinked her tears away. This was the moment where her eyes only watered. It ached her but it did not stop her from sharing her past.

“Main khoon aur dard mein kaise bhi bhaag rahi thi, apne pair ko kheech kheech ke par chacha bass haste hue mujhe haath hi lagaye jaa raha tha aur mujhse jab dard bardasht nahi hua, mai gir gayi. Woh aadmi mere kareeb aaya hi tha ki utne mein ghar ka darwaza khula aur Zorawar bhaiya ne sab dekha aur woh aadmi ki kutai kar di aur charges bhi lagwaye uss pe.”

Mahoor looked at Altan, “Mujhe mera chashma dhund ke dene wale bhi wohi the, mujhe hospital le jane wale bhi wohi the. Mera khyal rakhne wale bhi wohi the aur maa aaye bhi mujhe le jane saath par maine Seyran aur khala ke saath rehna qubool kia. Fir thode mahino baad mein apni marzi se Mumbai jaa kar boarding school mein rehne lag gayi.”

She peered out of the window, seeing a man buying a little girl a balloon who was probably his daughter.

“Jis din se pappa ki saansein ruk gayi, baap ki kami mehsoos hoti thi par aise halat mein unke alawa kisi ki yaad nahi aayi. Agar pappa zinda hote, woh darinda chacha aaj zameen ke andar hota.”

She averted her eyes from that scenario to Altan and smiled.

“Tou aapki bhi koi kahani rahi hogi, aap ka bhi gehra dard raha hoga, yeh nishano ke peeche. Na jane kaunsi umar mein aap ne yeh sab saha hai, par yeh baat jane tab thode kamzor the par ab aap aur strong hai. Woh choti si umar mein agar aap itna kuch jhel sakte ho tou kaun sab se zyada himmatwalaa aur strong hua? Aap ya fir woh chota baccha?”

Altan never thought about his scars from this sight. He always saw them as the gate to hell; to his past as they were marked on his back to make him remember about his failure as a man.

But now she was changing his vision for him to see the good even in these ugly deeds of his life.

‘Woh chota baccha.’ his heart whispered in pain.

“Main aapko apni dukh bhari kahani sympathy lene ya fir aap ki kahani sunane ke liye nahi keh rahi but don't look at your scars as if they are from some bad memories. Look at them and remember how you went through all of it alone when there was no one to pull you out and you thought that you'd never be able to come back, but you did. At a point in life, where you thought everything was falling apart but you raised from the ashes and became a Phoenix. Everybody has scars, the size doesn't matter but each of them unfolds a story of pain yet survival.”

‘Sahi haathon mein dil gaya hai mera.’

The way his eyes never looked away from her since she began to give motivational thoughts was understandable.

Because in his sight, she was someone if you put your eyes on, you can never waver them away from her.

“Aur pata hai, people forget the fact that Phoenix rises from the ashes. Yani ke jab sab kuch raakh raakh ho jata hai tab hum joh ussey ban ke aate hai wohi humare present aur future pe reflect karta hai. So be proud of your scars, as they made you rise from the pit of hell, from once you thought you'd never be able to come out. Got it?”

Altan nodded, “Got it.”

Mahoor smiled and unlocked the car door. Before she could step down, Altan tugged at her dupatta, calling out her name.

She looked at the dupatta in his hand then back at him, “Ji?”

“Ghar jab ponch jayenge, mujhse bahar milo. Andar chale mat jana.”

Mahoor's brows creased in confusion, “Hein, kyu?”

“Abhi jo hua isi silsilay mein baat karni hai tumse.”

“Par..”

“Bass milo.” Altan deadpanned, leaving no room for an argument. Mahoor nodded meekly and Altan raised his eyebrows at her.

While playing with the ends of her dupatta, he asked, “Kya kaha tha maine? Ishare nahi, alfaaz.”

Mahoor bobbed her head and cleared her throat, “Ji-ji zarur.”

Altan let go of her dupatta and she got down from the car. She hastily sprinted to the hall to give the watch to Zorawar.

Whereas Altan sat there in the car with no intention of getting it out from there as it was of no use because Mahoor will be in the ladies section and he didn't have in him to converse with men who'd come his way and talk about anything.

He rested his head on the headrest of the car seat and his mind played the moments which happened a few minutes ago.

The moments of her agony and trauma were replayed in his mind. She didn't say it but Altan was older than her and he could still see how traumatized she was as her hands shook while telling him the story.

He was quite older and experienced than her to know everything precisely.

He sent a message to Zaviyar, the hacker of his mafia to get him the details and location of this relative of Mahoor.

Before leaving India, he wanted to do a good deed in his own creative way.

Altan sat there and thought. His head was filled with only her thoughts but when was the last time someone actually showed him their scars so as not to make him feel sad about his?

When was the last time someone was this vulnerable to him about their past to make him feel better that he wasn't the only one who has an evil past?

When was the last time someone actually cared and brought food for him from time to time without paying them?

When was the last time someone believed his act of being ill and brought medicines for him?

Mahoor changed it all. In his life, she came like a tornado and with each passing day, the blow of the wind was becoming harsh, snatching away his senses and poisoning his whole being.

It was as if his ironed heart was placed in front of the fire and the heat of flames were painfully yet gradually melting the shields around his heart only for her.

From the moment he saw her, he knew she belonged to him.

He knew he was feeling something for her or else he wouldn't have felt his insides churn or a pain when he'd see her cry.

He knew she got into him, the moment their eyes met for the first time during the red signal.

He knew she melted the iron shields around his stoned heart, the moment she smiled at him and he wanted her to do so, again.

There was no more denying or ignoring his feelings for her.

This time he was sure and crystal clear positive.

Altan waited in the car for hours,till the valima ceremony wrapped up. If anyone would have made him wait for even a minute, he'd show him the gate of heaven but here the matter was not in his hand but in his heart.

He saw some of the familiar faces and Mahoor behind Arya with Seyran.

Mahoor's hand was tugged in Seyran's hand and they were laughing, talking about the Lord knows what.

Altan glared at Seyran for always being on Mahoor's side. He considered her as the fortunate soul for her to hang around Mahoor's side and Seyran getting the chance to hug or touch whenever she wanted was enough to make his mind go crazy in envy.

Zorawar along with Arya, Mahoor and Seyran came towards the SUV in which Altan was resting for hours or actually avoiding being social.

Altan ignited the engine back to life as they all bickered about random topics.

As the marriage hall was close to their abode, it hardly took ten minutes to reach.

Parking the car near the Noor-E-Jahan gate, the others entered the bungalow and Altan stepped down from the car.

He slammed the door shut and turned around. His breath hitched as his gaze fell upon seeing Mahoor, waiting for him.

Her hands were wrapped around her upper body, she beamed at him and even in eight degrees, her smile brought warmth in his body.

Her shawl wasn't thick enough to provide her the warmth, that's why she was holding onto herself.

“Aapko kuch baat karni thi na?”

Altan nodded and gestured for a walk, “Chalein?”

Mahoor came to his side and, removing his blazer, Altan spread it over Mahoor's shoulder.

She smiled in gratitude, “Shukriya, mujhe laga ab mujhe aap ko gentleman giri bhi sikhani padegi.”

Altan blinked his eyes in surprise, “Har baat pe tanz karna accha lagta hai tumhe?”

They began to walk down and Mahoor was surprised to see some people playing carrom or cards at this time of night as it was thirty past two.

“Baapu se virasat mein mili hai,” she smiled sheepishly, “Bardasht kar lein thoda.”

Shaking his head, Altan looked away. They walked down the alley for a good few minutes before the heels of Mahoor's feet began to ache.

“Aap ko kya baat karni thi? Mere pair bhot dukh rahe hai aur lehenga mera dikh nahi raha hai, par hai heavy.”

Altan ceased his steps midway as it didn't cross his mind or else he'd have talked to her near their apartment's gate.

They were under a yellow street light and he stood in front of her, maintaining a few good inch distance.

Putting his hands in his pants pocket, he asked, “Baat lambi chalegi, waqt hai tumhare paas?”

Mahoor brows shot up and she crossed her hands over her chest, “Kitna?”

Altan's eyes softened and his back straightened. He pushed his hands back and he gazed at her with a spark in his eyes which never twinkled so bright up till now.

“Mere saath apni puri zindagi bita sako jitna.”

•♡•♡•♡•♡•♡•

SURPRISE 😈😹

It's currently, 3:59 here, Sehri ka waqt hai. Main chain se khaungi, namaz padhungi, le araam se so jaungi, aap sab ki neend aur sukoon haram kar ke😂👍🏼