4.9|Ishqa • Tell me|

•••

First of all, I want to thank Alishbakhan1909 & insomanic_kanchi for their amazing suggestions.

•••

Why girls have to do makeup?

Which idiot invented heels?

Can't girls have short hairs like boys?

Who started this waxing thing?

These all questions popped into Zahra's mind while getting ready.

*Breaking News*

According to the writer, Aram Ali Khan has invited Zahra Ali Khan over lunch. But I can't say if it is just a meeting or date. I mean, you are smart enough. However, really no, Aram is going to tell her the truth. At least that's what Zahra thinks.

Zahra was all ready umm.... almost ready.

"Should I wear Indian or Western?"

"Black or white? No, Pink. But Orange also looks good."

"Should I tie my hair or leave it open?"

"By the way, why I am thinking so much? It's just a meeting, more like a confrontation. Not a date."

"But I wish it was. Me dating a real-life Prince who turns out to be my cousin. Sounds like a desi fairytale."

"Zahra, come back to earth. He is SIX years elder than you. Umm... But it's Six, not Sixty."

"However, what if he turns out to be like those ruthless billionaires. By the way, what does the word "Ruthless" mean?"

"Oh wow! Just a few days ago I find out that he is my cousin and now I have literally imagined a whole love story of us. Get out of Wattpad, Zahra."

"Let's just go with this white shirt and black pants. I have to wear an overcoat so wearing something special won't make any difference."

And finally, after an hour-long self-talk session, Zahra was ready to meet Aram.

"Why I was thinking too much when I had to wear these simple clothes? Oh, I forgot, I am a God-gifted freak. That's why!"

This is how Zahra behaves when she is alone in her room. Like the descendant of Charlie Chaplin.

Just like every normal girl does.

🤍🤍🤍

"Why I am sweating in minus degree temperature?"

"Come on, Aram. You can do it."

"And don't you dare fall head over heels for her."

"She isn't the one for you. No, you are not the one for her. Understood?"

"But whenever I look at her... I feel like she is the only girl I will ever fall in love with within my whole existence."

"Ughh! I have to do it."

Aram was busy talking with himself while sitting in a luxurious restaurant.

He was waiting for Zahra. Slightly... actually very nervous to be exact.

His attention drifted to the main door every now and then. He came half an hour early. Because he needed to practice. He was going to lie to a girl who rules over his heart since her birth. It wasn't an easy task, you know.

He was feeling like someone is stinging his skin with sharp needles at all the corners. At that time he understood how it feels to have goosebumps. It was hard to take breathe like he was drowning in a deep ocean. His hands were getting sweaty, much to his irritation.

To divert his mind he began watching a comedy show on YouTube.

The waiters passing by his table must be thinking "Is he here to binge YouTube?"

He heard a familiar sound of the clicking of heels and there came Zahra Ali Khan.

With one heel on her foot and another in her hand. But the weird glances weren't bothering her, which meant that she has faced such situations quite a few times.

IMPRESSIVE is what Aram will say even when he would be laughing internally.

All girls, get inspiration from Zahra. Don't bother if your mother points out even your tiniest mistake.

Just remember this moment when Zahra came to meet this billionaire with a broken heel in her hand and you will feel proud of yourself.

The broken heel didn't bother Zahra but what bothered her was Aram's suit. He was wearing an Armani suit. While she was in the simplest clothes a girl would wear.

Hey! You got another reason to be proud of.

"I must say, you made a grand entry." Amusement was evident in Aram's statement.

"I must say, you have gotten ready like it's your wedding." Zahra taunted back while sitting on the opposite seat to him.

"Who knows." He mumbled under his breath.

"I heard what you said."

"Oh... what's your opinion about it then?"

"I am not the expected bride whose opinion would matter."

"I repeat, who knows."

"Are you here for proposing to me or confronting me?"

"Obviously pro... I mean confronting."

"Then spill the beans."

And now the situation got a little serious. All of a sudden, Aram forgot what he has to say. Not because he was nervous. But his conscience wasn't allowing him to lie. Because lying won't end this matter, however, the truth can end it.

"Aram, I am expecting the truth. Don't disappoint me."

Maybe her words gave him the courage that he decided to speak the truth.

"The destruction of our family began when my grandmother brought her niece, her sister's daughter to the Nawab Mansion. Dadi wanted to get my dad married to that woman. But it couldn't happen because my father met my mother and he married her. Second marriage wasn't appreciated in our family. So it wasn't possible that my dad would marry that woman as well. But still, she lived with us, hideously looking for a chance to take revenge."

He looked at her, his eyes were getting red in rage. He continued.

"When I was two, my mother was poisoned. But no one had an ounce of an idea that it was the deed of that vile woman. She was manipulative. Once again she began dreaming to marry the Nawab Hamza Ali Khan but... All her dreams crushed when he refused to remarry and adopted another boy as well. His two sons were the reason he was alive. But a day came when he was no more alive. She killed the man she once loved. And when his younger brother came to know about the truth, she ended his life as well in a mysterious car accident. Her heartbreak had now turned into something else. She became toxic and ruined the whole Nawab family."

He paused. He looked vulnerable.

"The day she will find out about you, she will ruin you as well."

"Why?"

"Prejudice. She doesn't need any reason to hate us."

"What she has done with you?"

"She is threatening to snatch away my only loved one."

"Ahsan?"

He nodded.

"Is there any secret?"

"Yes."

🤍🤍🤍

Ahsan was standing on the balcony of his apartment. Smiling to himself, he was happy. Soon he will be a married man at the age of 25. And he wasn't complaining at all.

The doorbell rang and he paced to the main door. As he opened the door, he found Qainaat standing there.

Something was odd. She wasn't her usual bubbly self, she appeared serious.

"Welcome, soon to be wifey."

She didn't respond and moved past him.

Ahsan turned around and followed her.

"Qaina, are you upset over something? Do you want some gifts? Or do you want a kiss?"

"I want an answer to my one question." She asked in a serious tone.

"Umm... okay. What is it?" He asked while smiling like a lovestruck Romeo.

"Are you a virgin?"

His smile faded away as smoke fades away in the sky. Silence emerged as a reply to her question.

"Ahsan, answer me. Are you a virgin?"

His head hung low was enough to convey his answer.

Tears escaped her eyes. Accepting that her so-called true love had betrayed her, she wiped her tears. The echo of a slap followed and she was out of his vision. Maybe out of his life as well.

What he feared the most finally happened. And he couldn't do anything.

🤍🤍🤍

Zania exited her room. A shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her hair tied in a messy bun. And she was looking, even more, skinnier than before. She visibly looked weak.

She hadn't seen Qaran. Just heard from Zahra that he was ill.

Both of them were going through the same mental and emotional breakdown.

Lost in Qaran's thoughts she didn't notice when she bumped into Qaran itself. Qaran was carrying an old leather bag that fell on the floor. But he didn't bother to pick it up. He was busy examining her. She has turned so pale in just a few days.

He could spend his entire life just standing there and looking at her if the doorbell didn't bother them.

Zania came out of her trance and went to open the door. While Qaran picked the bag with a sigh and went to his room.

Zania opened the door and whom she saw had slipped the earth beneath her feet.

🤍🤍🤍

Qaran entered his room with that heavy leather bag that had his and Qainaat's childhood pictures. His little sister was going to be married soon and he wanted to give her a very memorable gift.

At least through this, he will for once forget the hurricane which has occurred in his life.

He squatted on his bed and opened the bag. It had about fifteen albums. And Qaran knew that most of them will have his pics. He still remembers a little bit that in his childhood he was the male definition of a drama queen. He was the polar opposite of what he is today. And the main fact was that he wanted to become a reporter. But he ended up taking the profession of an auditor.

He pulled out all the albums and found a tape recorder as well.

Looking at this old tape recorder, he remembered that once his mother had playfully told everyone that he used to act as a reporter while recording his voice in a tape recorder. Maybe it's that one.

He clicked a random button on it and it started playing. A kid's shrill voice coming out of it. He had a thick British accent, just like Qaran.

"Like you can see... no! Like you can hear we have arrived in the... Dad, where we are?"

"The Nawab Mansion."

"Yeah! We have arrived in the Nawab Mansion and right now I can see my aunt Asifa with a football-size tummy."

"Qaran, she is pregnant. Don't say like this."

"Oh! Sorry, mom. So as you just heard aunt Asifa hasn't eaten a football. She has eaten a kid."

"Qaran."

"I meant, she will soon give me a little cousin. Mom, tell her to give me sister as well."

"Qaran, your aunt can't give you a sister. Only your mom can give it to you."

"Really! Mom, give me a sister then."

"Oh, God!"

***

"Asifa auntie!"

"Oh, my baby! How are you?"

"Dad says I am fat. But you are fatter than me"

"Qaran, speak with respect."

"Okay, Mom."

"Good evening, Qaran."

"Dad, who is he?"

"He is your aunt Asifa's husband. Your uncle."

"Hello, Qaran. I am Hanzal Ali Khan."

"Hi! I am Qaran."

"Would you like to have a tour of this little palace?"

"Yes!"

"Then hold my hand and come with me."

***

"Qaran, meet my nephew Aram."

"Hello!"

"Hi."

"Okay, I am going. You both play with each other."

"How old are you?"

"Six."

"Wow! I am also six."

"Hmm."

"Why don't you speak much?"

"Cuz I don't like."

"Can we play something?"

"Sure."

"Which game you like to play?"

"Pakdam Pakdai."

"Then catch me!"

It was followed by the giggling and running of those two kids.

***

"Dad, why Asifa aunt is crying?"

"Because she is bringing your cousin to this world."

"Really!"

"Yes."

"Mom will also cry when my sister will come?"

"Umm... yes."

***

"Haa! Aram, she is so cute."

"Yes, she is."

"What is her name?"

"Zahra... Zahra Ali Khan."

"I want to take her with me."

"No! She is mine. She will always live with me."

"Hey! Why are you putting this chain around her neck?"

"It's a gift, idiot. It will remind her of me."

***

Qaran was shocked. He could not even imagine that his life was filled with so many mysteries.

Aram seemed familiar to him because he had met him in their childhood.

Zahra is not his Phuppo's daughter, but his late Asifa Aani's daughter. Which meant his aunt Zoya was the second wife of Hanzal Ali Khan. And Zania is Zahra's half sister.

It also means that Aram knew it from the beginning. He must have recognized Zahra.

Is that the reason why his mother Afifa behaved weirdly with Zoya? Because she took place of her sister.

Zahra was unaware of her real mother for her whole life.

How many more secrets are there?

•••

I hope you all liked the chapter.