18 - Bankrupt and shot.

Hi. (no lamba message today)

Just wanna say agar koi mistake ho toh pls ignore.

3 MONTHS LATER.

Aynoor's frustration radiated from her tense posture as she confronted Ali Baksh, her brow knitted in a deep frown that mirrored her inner turmoil. "Ali Baksh, tum hume lene kyu aaye ho? Khan kahan hain?" Her words were tinged with annoyance, and the crease on her lips betrayed her discontent.

"Ji, wo chote Khan doston se milne gaye hain. Toh unhon ne mujhe aapko aur Yazdaan baba ko lene bejh diya," Ali Baksh replied respectfully, bowing his head slightly. Despite his courteous demeanor, he couldn't miss the furrowed brow on Aynoor's face. With a gentle smile, he gestured towards the car door, silently offering his assistance.

Dressed in a crisp white and blue uniform, Aynoor marched towards the car, her dupatta draped elegantly around her shoulders. With each step, her frustration seemed to intensify, evident in the forceful manner in which she stomped her way to the vehicle. As she settled into the backseat, her irritation was palpable, her legs crossed defiantly, unconsciously dirtying the seat with her shoes. It was clear—she was livid.

Yazdaan joined her in the car, his surprise evident upon seeing Aynoor occupying the backseat—a departure from her usual position beside Almeer. His curiosity deepened as he noticed that Almeer was not behind the wheel, his raised eyebrow a silent question hanging in the air.

Aynoor's agitation was unmistakable as she reached for her phone, her fingers trembling with anticipation as she hoped for a message from Almeer. However, her optimism quickly faded into disappointment as she found her inbox empty. With an audible huff of frustration, she clenched her phone tightly, her cheeks flushing with irritation, the tension radiating from her every movement.

Yazdaan watched her with a mixture of concern and longing, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of her puffed cheeks. Summoning all his courage, he took a deep breath, feeling a shiver of apprehension race down his spine as he unzipped his bag and retrieved a small box from within. Despite the turmoil raging within him, he was determined to follow through with his plan, no matter the cost.

"Aynoor..." His voice wavered slightly as he spoke her name, the sound of it hanging in the air like a delicate thread. It had been too long since he had addressed her directly, without the weight of their complicated circumstances hanging over them.

Turning towards him, Aynoor met his gaze with a mixture of curiosity and impatience. Yazdaan struggled to maintain his composure as he held her gaze, the intensity of her eyes causing a momentary dizziness to wash over him. Quickly averting his gaze to the small, shiny-wrapped box in his hand, he pushed aside the ache in his chest, determined to proceed with his plan, even as Aynoor's patience wore thin, oblivious to the storm of emotions raging within him.

"Arey!! Bolo bhi!" Aynoor's impatience bubbled over, urging Yazdaan to speak. With a resigned sigh, he finally turned to face her, his lips moving in sync with his hands.

"Happy birthday, Aynoor," he conveyed silently, extending the hand holding the gift towards her. Aynoor remained motionless for a fleeting moment, causing Yazdaan's heart to skip a beat in anticipation.

Aynoor's initial surprise swiftly blossomed into happiness. The fear of being forgotten on her special day, especially by Almeer, had gnawed at her. Deep down, she clung to the hope that his silence was a facade, but the possibility of his forgetfulness fueled her determination to make him rue his oversight.

As Yazdaan watched her, a surge of joy swept over Aynoor, and she couldn't contain her excitement. "OMG!!! Thank youuu soo much!!! You’re the best, Daani!" Her gratitude overflowed in her words as she accepted the box from him, a radiant smile gracing her lips.

Yazdaan's heart soared at the sight of Aynoor's happiness, knowing it was temporary but yearning to savor it nonetheless. His lips curved into a rare smile, a flicker of warmth after so long.

"Khol k dekho gi nahi?" he ventured, breaking free from his usual restraint and allowing his heart to guide him, even if it meant perpetuating a falsehood.

"I am so excited to see what's inside!! Lekin abhi Khan ne mujhe koi gift nahi diya…," her innocent words pierced through his momentary elation. How long could the facade of happiness last? "Mai pehle unka gift dekhun gi phir ye wala dekhungi? Thik hai na?" she asked hopefully, and Yazdaan couldn't ignore the reflection of his brother in her eyes, a painful reminder of what could never be.

With a heavy heart and a stoic expression, he nodded, the weight of reality crushing the unspoken words that lay buried within him.

»»————>

"Yaar!! Dekhna wo senior kitna pyaara hai. Haayee!!!" Deenia's hushed whisper in Qiswa’s ear stirred her curiosity, prompting her to squint for a better view. However, upon laying eyes on him, Qiswa's initial excitement soured into dismay, her face contorting into a strange expression.

“Aye Haye ladki!! Tumhe ye chashmaatu pasand aagya hai??” Qiswa exclaimed, her voice ringing out loudly and earning a swift slap on the back of her head from Deenia.

“Pagal tu chilla chilla ailaan kyu kar rahi hai??” Deenia hissed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as a few curious glances from nearby students fell their way.

“Wo sab chord. Mai toh keh rahi hu ye waqt se pehle he takla ho jaayega,” Qiswa prophesied dramatically, as if she had stumbled upon some profound truth, while Deenia rolled her eyes, feigning offense. Qiswa responded with a playful snarl.

"Tu toh pagal hai he, mera dimaag kharab mat kar," Deenia nudged Qiswa, who let out a sarcastic laugh in response.

"Andhi hai kya? Ab yahi champu bacha hai?" Qiswa shot back, prompting Deenia to raise an amused eyebrow.

"Haan, toh tu konsi Elizabeth hai?" Deenia fired back, catching Qiswa off guard. Quick to recover, Qiswa retaliated by tugging on Deenia’s braid and delivering a sassy retort, "eElizabeth mere saamne kuch nahi, samjhi?" before flipping her hair with exaggerated flair. Deenia snorted in amusement at the playful banter.

("Indeed," he whispered, overhearing their banter. He admired her sass and glanced at her friend who laughed at her expense. Just her mere presence took his breath away. His eyes darkened as he watched her flip her hair.)

“Qiswa maine na kissi insaan k bache k saath settle hona hai. Tumhari tarah aasman se utra para nahi dhoond rahi mai,” Deenia said, her tone firm, and this time Qiswa was seriously offended.

“I don’t want an ‘asmaan se utra hua para’. Mujhe bas ek aisa shakhs chahiye who can heal me from within. And I hate guys who are nice to everyone; he might be a villain in everyone's story, but I want him to be my saviour. If he’s all that, I will swear my every single breath to him,” she declared rather seriously, her words carrying weight.

Deenia felt a pang of guilt for making fun of her friend's heartfelt desires.

(‘I didn’t know we were a match made in heaven, my hayaat.’)

»»————>

"Almeer Bhai! I think you should get her a bracelet!” Zainab, Ahad’s sister, pointed excitedly at the collection of bracelets displayed in the window. Almeer carefully examined each one, but none seemed to quite match Aynoor's elegant yet understated style. They all appeared too flashy, lacking the subtle charm he knew she favored.

“Are you sure, bache?” he questioned, still uncertain, and Zainab nodded vigorously, her conviction unwavering.

Almeer breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that he had brought Zainab along to the shopping mall at Ahad's suggestion. He needed someone with a discerning eye to help him choose the perfect birthday gift for Aynoor, and Zainab had proven to be an invaluable companion. With her guidance, he had managed to avoid the temptation of splurging on every enticing item he laid eyes on.

“Ji, bhai. Clothes and chocolates are so ordinary; everyone gives those as gifts. You should aim to stand out!!” Zainab encouraged him, giving him the final push of motivation. Now, Almeer found himself considering all the pieces of jewelry in the display, eager to find something truly special for Aynoor.

His gaze eventually settled on a delicate necklace, its golden chain glinting softly in the light. The tiny butterfly charm caught his attention, its delicate wings frozen in mid-flight. Yet, it was the gemstone nestled within the butterfly's wing that truly captured his imagination. It shimmered with a subtle, ethereal pink hue, reminiscent of a dew-kissed petal bathed in the gentle glow of dawn.

As he stared at the necklace, a flood of memories washed over him, each one intricately woven with moments shared with Aynoor. He remembered the way her laughter danced in the air, her eyes reflecting the same delicate hue as the gemstone before him. It was as if the necklace itself held a piece of her essence, a token of her grace and beauty.

Without hesitation, he made his decision. "I would like to buy this…" His voice was firm, his gaze unwavering as he pointed to the necklace, knowing deep within that it was the perfect gift for Aynoor.

»»————>

Ahad's voice quivered with a mix of shock and amusement as he eyed the expensive gift Almeer had just purchased. "I can't believe you bought something this expensive!! Meri toh taange kaanp rahi hai, Almeer!!!" His exaggerated reaction bordered on theatrical, and Almeer couldn't help but chuckle at his friend's antics, his deep laughter resonating in the bustling mall.

"You know Ahad, I work… so I can earn more money," Almeer replied with a smirk, his tone tinged with playful arrogance. "Aur don’t forget, hum khandaani ameer hain," he added, emphasizing their affluent background with a hint of pride gleaming in his eyes.

Ahad rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress a snort of laughter. "Karle bhai flex. Hum gareeb log toh bas chup reh sakte hain," he quipped dramatically, his animated gestures drawing amused glances from passersby, including Zainab and Almeer.

As they made their way out of the mall, Ahad leaned in closer to Almeer, his tone conspiratorial amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy corridor. "Waise tune apni aadhi property bech toh di hai lekin, wo gift lene se pehle teri pitaai na karde." Almeer flashed a knowing smile at his friend's teasing, a twinkle of mischief dancing in his eyes. "Khuda ka shukar hai. My wife is very calm and collected," he replied smoothly, though inwardly he couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness at the thought of Aynoor's potential reaction to his extravagant gesture.

Ahad erupted into laughter, his boisterous chuckles drawing amused glances from passersby, who couldn't help but be infected by his infectious mirth. Almeer chuckled along with him, enjoying the camaraderie shared between lifelong friends.

“Mere bhai, apne liye ek concealer bhi lele. Zakhm chupaane k kaam aayega,” Ahad teased, a mischievous glint in his eye as he playfully poked fun at Almeer's potential need for cosmetic assistance. Almeer paused, momentarily considering the suggestion with a playful glint in his eye, before shaking his head with a chuckle.

“Almeer bhai, late ho raha!! Aapki speed aisi he rahi naa toh agle saal birthday manana padega,” Zainab scolded Almeer, her hands firmly planted on her hips as she adopted a no-nonsense stance, her authoritative demeanor contrasting sharply with her petite stature. Almeer glanced at her, momentarily taken aback by her assertiveness, before offering a wry smile and nodding in acknowledgment of her reminder.

“Kya kismat hai, 4ft ki ladkiyan dhamka rahi hai…,” he muttered to himself, amusement flickering in his eyes as he marveled at the unexpected assertiveness. With a shake of his head, Almeer opened the front door of his car and gestured for Ahad and Zainab to hop in.

Ahad and Zainab settled into the car, the excitement palpable in the air. Ahad couldn't contain his curiosity and leaned over to ask, "Waise what is the plan?"

Almeer glanced at Ahad, who was seated in the passenger seat beside him, and couldn't help but smirk.

»»————>

"Aapki baat hui Dilawer Khan se?" Yamaan inquired of Shajar, observing the fury etched on his face. Shajar responded with a curt nod, his anger radiating from every fiber of his being.

"Toh kya bola usne?" Yamaan's tone remained composed and calm, though concern laced his words, aware of the volatile situation brewing.

Shajar Yousoufzai slammed his fist on the table, the sound echoing in the tense atmosphere, his veins bulging on his temples and neck. "Inkaar kardiya… Wo samajhta kya hai har baar wo mujhe zaleel kardega aur mai….." His voice trembled with anger, his frustration bubbling to the surface in a torrent of emotion.

"Wajah?" Yamaan inquired, his curiosity piqued, his brow furrowing slightly as he sought to understand the root cause of Shajar's ire.

"Wo ladki. Almeer Khan ki biwi," Shajar replied bitterly, his gaze filled with resentment, the mention of Almeer Khan's wife igniting a flame of indignation within him.

Yamaan ran his fingers through his hair, his expression troubled, as he grappled with the weight of the situation. "Dada saayein, is ladki ka kuch toh karna padega," Yamaan declared, his hands balling into fists in frustration, his resolve firm as he acknowledged the need for decisive action.

Shajar regarded his grandson, a mixture of determination and concern reflected in his eyes. There was an undeniable sense of urgency in the air as they both recognized the gravity of the situation and the necessity of addressing the turmoil caused by this girl.

“Kya kehna chahte ho, Yamaan?” Shajar inquired, his tone filled with curiosity, as he sought to understand the intentions behind Yamaan's declaration.

Yamaan met his grandfather's gaze, a glint of mischief dancing in his eyes as he prepared to unveil his plan. “Talaayh, Almeer Khan ki duusri biwi zaroor hogi lekin uski pehli biwi…." He paused for dramatic effect, allowing the anticipation to build before delivering the final blow, “uski pehli biwi ka koi toh bandobast karna padega.”

Shajar focused intently on Yamaan, his interest piqued by the cryptic statement. “Kya matlab hai tumhara??” he asked, eager to unravel the intricacies of his grandson's scheme.

Yamaan proceeded to outline his elaborate plan, each step calculated with precision and cunning. As he spoke, Shajar's admiration for his grandson swelled with pride. “Shabash!! Mere sher! I never expected anything less from you,” he exclaimed, a sense of satisfaction evident in his voice as he praised Yamaan's ingenuity, his hand coming down to pat Yamaan's shoulder in approval.

With a satisfied smile, Yamaan reflected on his plan, his determination unwavering. “It’s not even about his property anymore….. Mujhe Almeer Khan barbaad chahiye,” he murmured to himself, his eyes flashing with resolve. He couldn't wait to set his plan in motion and witness the downfall of his adversary, Almeer Khan, as his carefully crafted scheme unfolded.

»»————>

Almeer's gaze was fixed on the black screen of his phone when Ahad tapped his shoulder, breaking his reverie. "Bhai, teri haseena screen phaad k bahar nahi aayegi. Jaldi jaldi haath chala, bohat kaam pada hai," Ahad urged, gesturing towards the various decorative items scattered around the garden.

"You're right," Almeer sighed, reluctantly tearing his eyes away from the phone. He slid it into his pocket and set to work alongside Ahad, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Aynoor.

Throughout the hustle and bustle of the preparations, Almeer couldn't shake off the unease gnawing at him. Aynoor hadn't reached out to him even once since morning, and the absence of her messages weighed heavily on his mind. Despite trying to reassure himself that everything would be fine, a sense of foreboding lingered within him.

As he stole a moment to glance up at the bright sky, Almeer felt a rush of warmth from the sun on his skin. Inhaling deeply, he closed his eyes and placed a hand over his heart, silently hoping for reassurance and strength in the midst of his inner turmoil.

“I miss you, my pagleth.”

»»————>

“Bure hain aap!! Bohat bure hain!! Jaayein!!” Aynoor whined, her arms wrapped tightly around Billu, her pet cat. She hadn't even changed out of her school uniform, sulking ever since she returned home.

“Mai kya karu, Billu? Tumhare abba mera birthday bhoole toh bhoole, ghar ka raasta bhi bhool gaye kya?? Itni der hogyi hai abhi tak aaye kyu nahi?” she lamented, her frustration evident as she looked to her furry companion for solace.

“Nahi nahi…. Aise kaise bhool gaye? Aaj tak kabhi bhoole hai jo ab bhool jaaayenge!” she continued, her voice tinged with disbelief. With a sudden burst of energy, she untangled her hair, releasing it from its braid in a flurry of movement.

Standing up from the bed, Aynoor hurried to her closet, pulling out a kameez that Almeer had worn earlier that morning. It still carried his scent, a comforting reminder of his presence. She threw it onto the bed and stood before it, as if questioning Almeer's absence.

“Khan, batayein kyu kiya aapne aisa??” Aynoor demanded, now fully directing her frustration towards Almeer's kameez. Since the inanimate garment failed to respond, she leaped onto it, unleashing a flurry of punches.

“Aap ko mai chordun gi nahi… ” she huffed between punches, her anger palpable. “Ghar aaiye, batati hun aapko mai..” she continued, her punches growing more aggressive with each word.

Her assault came to a halt when she ran out of breath, her chest heaving as she leaned against the kameez. “Naraaz hun mai aapse,” she whispered, her voice softened by the lingering scent of Almeer's clothes.

Her brief moment of solace was abruptly shattered by an aggressive knock on the door, followed by the clamor of raised voices. Aynoor's heart pounded in her chest as she quickly wrapped her dupatta around herself before rushing to answer the door, her mind racing with apprehension.

“Aynoor bibi. Chote Khan ko kissi ne goli maar di hai,” a maid exclaimed, her words piercing through the air like a dagger, sending a chill down Aynoor's spine. Without pausing to process the shock, she felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as instinct took over. With determination etched on her face, she bolted out of the room, the blaring sirens growing louder with each frantic step, her thoughts consumed by fear and desperation.

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Dhooom tanananan...

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