10| I can't breathe!

the most awaited chapter is here. Vote as much as you can for the next chapter.

their ages:

Ahaan: 33

Zeeshan: 32

Farhaan: 28

Shayan: 30

Zoya: 30

Amna: 28

Waniya: 26

Mirha: 26

(Farhaan and Amna have 11 months age gap.)

Happy New Year!!!

Happy reading.

WANIYA'S POV:

"Niya, I wanted to invite someone. Can I?" Mirha questioned me. I raised my eyebrows at her to ask her because as far as I recall she has no one except for me.

Her mother died when she was eighteen and she used to live with her aunt; she was a cunning woman and left as soon as she had a source of income.

"Farhaan," something in her eyes sparkled. I smiled at her.

"Oo, who's he?" I teased her.

"He was my senior, and I had a crush on him back-I kind of still do. And I guess he likes me too. And he also turns out to be Ezzah's teacher's brother," a blush crept on her cheeks while she told me about Farhaan.

"Yes, you can call him," I said and started replying to some emails. "Mama," I saw Ezzah yawning and entering the hall.

She was gloomy yesterday because she wanted to go back and meet her Teacher, Grumpy Pants. I just can't with her.

"Come here," I moved my laptop aside and told her to sit on my lap.

She was still sleepy. She placed her head on my chest, closing her eyes. I started caressing her hair, and she sighed.

"Do you want to have your breakfast?" I asked her. She shook her head.

"Mama, I miss Dadi," she said, her eyes still closed. Wait, Dadi? She doesn't have a Dadi? I mean-

"Who?" I asked her.

"Ufffo, ik toh ap ko kuch nahi pata hota. Grumpy pants' Mom, she told me I could call her Dadi," she explained in an American Urdu accent she looked the cutest and I didn't even pass a comment.

Ezzah has always been deprived of relationships when it comes to her Dad's side of the family.

Talking about my family- let's not talk about them or I'll end up crying. I do miss my Mama and Baba but certainly, I am dead for them. It is not their fault but I was their daughter, no?

"Mama," Ezzah broke my trance. I nodded at her.

"Grumpy Pants has a huge family. I wish we could have one," her face fell. Zeeshan too had a big family and I always used to adore them, a lot.

How funny it would be if Zeeshan turn out to her teacher? That's not possible.

"It's okay, we will have one, one day," I kissed her forehead.

"Mama, can I call him to your engagement? Please," I sighed. I don't want to let her down and most probably her teacher would have other things planned.

"Mirha, you can also call her teacher with Farhaan. Instead, call their whole family," I said. She blushed and nodded.

"Waniya, is your dress here?" Mirha asked and with a heavy heart, I nodded my head. I was still in the phase where I was able to process - I'm trying to move on from him but at the same time I can't.

I can easily bump into one day; we are living in the same city.

"Waniya, pareshan na ho. Shayan acha hai," she smiled at me. I nodded at her. (Waniya, don't be stressed Shayan is nice.)

"Aur agar usne kuch kiya toh main huna," she flexed and I chuckled. (And I'm here for you, always.)

We talked about the dresses and all of our dresses belonged to my brand only, though it was not the first time we were wearing anything from my brand but not in my wildest dreams I had thought I would wear my brand on my wedding functions.

ZEESHAN'S POV:

"I am warning you, again. Stay away from my company and my family. Or you won't be pleased with the action I would take," I precautioned Shayan on the phone call.

"Aw, it seems the Baigs can't do anything," he chuckled. "If you don't remember, I was the one who easily fooled your silly sister Amna. Who do you think you are?" He chuckled once again. I hated how he was taking her name from his filthy mouth.

"Shut up, you filth. You don't know how to respect women and believe me you won't find one," I snapped at him.

"Oh, for your information; I am getting engaged this Sunday. I would gladly invite you and your sister and make you see how I get engaged to another woman," he said and I was disgusted by the fact that Ezzah's Mom was convinced to marry him, a filth.

"Shayan, I'm telling you to back off," and I just cut the call. I held my head in my palms, this headache would be the end of me for sure.

I leaned against my office chair and shut my eyes. I also had to look for Waniya. Nothing is helping. I pulled myself and opened a drawer of my table to grab a painkiller but a frame caught my eye, unable to see anything but that frame.

A picture - Waniya clicked this picture when we were dating. I was looking at her and she sneaked her phone and clicked a photo from a lower angle. A shattered smile crept up on my lips. Where are you, Waniya?

"Bhai," I rashly placed the frame back into the drawer and looked at Farhaan penetrating my office. I nodded at him.

"Are you free this Sunday?" He asked, I could feel he was smiling more than usual. "Why?" I opened my laptop.

"Your cute heart's Mom is getting engaged and she wants you there," he said.

How did he talk to her?

"I'm in contact with her Aunt, we were batch mates," he answered my unasked question.

"Okay," I haven't got the foggiest idea why but I acquiesced to it. Perhaps, I was getting connected to Ezzah, an invisible thread of our connection that was not seen by anyone but it was felt by me.

I didn't regret it at all. I have been teaching for almost two years now and I have found my solace in it.

But then something connected in my brain, Shayan was also getting engaged on Sunday and I saw Ezzah with him at the airport.

And it was confirmed, that Waniya; Ezzah's Mom is getting married to my rival. Indeed the world is small!!

After a long day filled with back-to-back meetings, I finally clocked out and headed home, having put in some overtime at the office. With school keeping me busy during the day.

By the time I walked through the door, the clock read nine o'clock, and I could smell the delicious aroma of dinner wafting through the house.

As I entered the dining room, I noticed my family already gathered around the table, plates piled high with food. My stomach growled in response, reminding me just how hungry I was after a hectic day.

Without hesitation, I pulled out a chair and settled in with them, ready to enjoy a much-needed meal and the company of my loved ones.

"Maa, my friend's best friend is getting engaged and she has invited you all too," Farhaan announced.

"Your friend?" Maa raised her eyebrows. "Do you remember Ezzah?" Maa nodded at his question and her eyes sparkled with love. I smiled looking at her.

"Her Mom is getting engaged," a frown appeared on her face, not understanding the situation.

Everyone looked at Farhaan as they couldn't understand what he meant.

"Maa, Ezzah's Dad died so her Mother is remarrying now," I explained and an 'o' formed her lips.

"Anaya, ab aap kaise ho?" I asked her. She nodded.

Zoya Bhabhi and Ahaan are busy these days because Zoya Bhabhi's best friend is getting married in two weeks. Plus I have noticed that she wants to say something to me. I don't have the faintest clue, what?

As soon as I had dinner I moved towards my room because I needed to sleep, after a hectic with meetings and deadlines I was in need of a good 8 to 9 hours of sleep.

I was to close the lights when I heard my phone ringing a call from Ezzah's Mom. This late?! I choked when I saw that it was a video call. I guess it's Ezzah. I picked it up.

"Hello, grumpy pants," she grinned and I smiled at her. "Hi, little cute heart."

"It's late, you should sleep," I yawned. "Aap so jao agar aapko neend aa rahi hai main toh nahi so rahi," she said. I shook my head at her antics. (You can sleep if you are sleepy, I don't feel sleepy so I won't sleep.)

"Aap kal ao gaye?" she asked and I nodded at her. (Are you coming tomorrow?)

"I will make you meet my Mom then," she was excited, I knew that.

"Okay, I need to go, my Mama is coming," she disappeared. What is this girl? I don't know why. I feel like she's not just a student to me.

THE NEXT DAY:

"Bhaii, jaldi karo deir ho rahi hai," Farhaan was way too eager to go there. I think something is suspicious for sure. (Brother, hurry up we are late.)

"Na tumhari engagement hai na meri toh sabr karo," I rolled my eyes at him. (It's neither your engagement nor mine, so wait.)

I've been feeling uneasy about going. Something doesn't feel right with my heart; it's been skipping beats, and I can't shake the sense that something is off.

I find myself anxious, picturing all the ways things could go wrong, even if I can't pinpoint exactly why.

Maa had wanted us to attend because Ezzah would be there, but after giving it some thought, she expressed her concerns.

She mentioned that even if they had invited all of us, it wouldn't create the best impression for us to show up. I weighed her words carefully and ultimately decided to agree with her.

We settled into the car and made ourselves comfortable. I brought the car's engine to life and made my way towards the venue.

I could feel the anticipation in Farhaan's act. He was continuously setting his hair, setting his collars, checking his phone, and fidgeting his fingers. Something is definitely up, does he like his friend? What was her name Irha?

"Do you like Irha?" I moved my hand on the wheel as I took a left turn.

"Uh... umm... maybe I don't know," he stammered. I was controlling my laugh. "Why are you calling her Irha?" He raised his eyebrows. What does he mean?

"Huh?" I said.

Before he could say anything, further, his phone rang and a blush crept on his cheeks. I never envisioned seeing Farhaan blushing.

"Yeah, we are almost here," he cut the call and I stopped the car as we reached the venue. I parked my car and made our way to the venue.

The decorations featured a simple yet beautiful design. They used clean lines and soft colors that created a calm atmosphere. Each element was carefully chosen to draw attention without being overwhelming, making them captivating and memorable.

"Grumpy pants," Ezzah ran towards me with her Aunt following her. "You made it," I picked her up.

"You look beautiful," I said. She looked like an adorable doll. Her hair was tied into a small bun with small beads on her hair. I wonder if they would hurt when she'll take it off.

She was adored in a pastel pink colored frock. I don't know how to explain it but it was looking as if it was made for her. Farhaan was occupied articulating to her friend. She welcomed me and I responded with a sharp nod. And she excused herself.

Shayan stood there, a mixture of disbelief and surprise etched across his face. I had anticipated this moment-his engagement announcement didn't come as a shock to me, yet seeing him in person stirred something unexpected within. Farhaan, standing beside me, caught my eye.

As Shayan made his way towards me, the atmosphere shifted. I couldn't help but notice the way he held himself, vulnerable yet eager as if he was stepping into a moment that would redefine everything. I silently braced for what would come next.

"Look who's here? The Baig's," Shayan said. I put Ezzah down and she moved away.

"I don't want to ruin your day. So, it's better if you stay away," I didn't want to talk to him. He was a piece of little shit. I was here for Ezzah and only Ezzah. No one else.

Thankfully he didn't want any drama so he moved away. I saw Ezzah coming towards me.

"Can you pick me up?" I smiled and picked her up.

"Where's your Mom?" I asked.

"She's about to come. We should go to the front," she said and I started moving. Farhaan went to look for Irha.

"Is she your daughter? You guys look the same," a random lady came and said. I was about to deny it.

"Yes," Ezzah said and I looked at her.

"Why did you lie?" I questioned her when that lady went away.

"You said that you were like my Dad," she said. I shook my head at her antics.

"Look my Mom is here," She gently guided my gaze toward the staircase as her mother gracefully made her way down the steps, her footsteps echoing softly in the quiet room.

The light from the window cast a warm glow, illuminating her figure as she descended, creating a moment that felt both tender and full of anticipation.

I stood frozen in place, a heavy weight pressing down on my chest. I felt as if the air had been sucked from the room, making it impossible to draw in a breath.

Panic clawed at the edges of my mind, urging me to calm down, to breathe, to focus on the rhythm of my lungs.

With trembling hands, I gently placed Ezzah on the ground, my heart racing as I fought to regain control.

My surroundings began to blur, shapes and colors melting together as my vision wavered, I found myself amid the overwhelming surge of fear.

Waniya — the most precious being in my life, my tresor, my cute heart. After six years, here she was, standing right in front of me, and it felt like a dream.

I couldn't breathe.

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Vote as much as you want for the new chapter, see you next year!!!

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Zaar.