Chapter 6✔

ONE NIGHT BEFORE RUKSATI

After the mehndi function, Zoya was lucky enough to not see her nemesis face. She didn't know how he had earned the title of her nemesis in the numbered days. But he had. And he worked hard to keep that. The Irtaza-distancing would have continued if not for Alizey's stupid as lamp-post request to meet Hashim the night before her Ruksati.

Zoya had been sitting in her bed, reading Midnight Sun by Stephine Myer's. Yes, she was too old for Twilight but there was just something about Edward's point of view that made her go, aww. Don't we all want Edward's superpower? Reading someone's mind. Knowing what the other person thinks of you? How he sees you? Ahhh! She signed as she shifted on her right side, towards the door only to see something move in the dark.

She would have let out a loud shriek if Alizey hadn't placed her hand on Zoya's mouth.

Her eyes were wide and huge as she stared at her best friend. Breathing hard, she pushed Alizey away.

"Jaan he nikal de. Pata nai hai tumhain k main daar jati hoon. Ab agr mera heart fail ho jata tu idhar tumhari dholi uth rahi hoti aur udhar mera janaz."

(You scared me to death. Don't you know I get spooked easily? If I had suffered a cardiac arrest, you would be getting married while I would be 6 feet under the ground lying in my coffin!")

"Zoya, stop being dramatic. Utho jaldi. (Get up quickly)"

"Main nai uth rahi. Jao yahan say. (I am not getting up. Leave)" She replied as she resumed to read the e-book on her phone.

"Zoya! I need your help please?" Alizey said, her tone was serious all of sudden. With that she had all of Zoya's attention. She flattered her eyelashes, something that she did to appear desperate, a damsel in distress.

"Don't give me the look Alizey. Just tell me what you want?" Zoya asked, she was dramatic herself but hated it when another person did it. Hypocritic much. Yes.

Zoya knew Alizey a little too well to buy her needy act. Plus, she hated the disclaimer. The "I need to tell you something" and "Mujhe say galti ho gae hai ek." (I committed a mistake) kind of sentences were such a killer for her anxious mind. It made her dread everything.

If you have to tell something. You don't need to give disclaimer. You don't "Ek baat pochon"(Can I ask a question?) Because it's not just ek(one). It turns into two the moment someone asks this stupid question.

"Okay just because you asked and you are actually like my maid of honor, if there was any .......

So, it is why the responsibility falls on your shoulders.........

Yes...

It means you have to be the one helping me" Alizey's unsurety and the word responsibility had Zoya sweating.

Responsibility and Me? Alizey, I am the most irresponsible person. Areyyyy yaar maat keroooooo... (Please don't do this.) [NOTE somebody please get my meme reference]

"Actually, you are perfect for the job." Alizey, said suddenly realizing that Zoya was the perfect candidate for the job she had planned. She sounded so pleased with herself while on the other hand curiosity was killing Zoya.

"Alizey, just get on with it. Look my palms are sweating." Zoya whined. She had never liked suspense. She was the type of person who'd read the story of a suspense thriller on Wikipedia just to avoid that over-anxious element of the movie that left her biting her nails.

"I want your help in sneaking out and meeting Hashim."

"Kya (What)?"

"Cheekh chekh k sub ko utha do."(Wake up everyone with your screams, will you?) Alizey whisper shouted at her.

"Sorry. I am actually very dizzy with sleep right now. Can you believe I just imagined you asking me to help you sneak out?" Zoya claimed as she nervously laughed.

It happened with her sometimes. Like she'd be so busy zoning out that she'd miss what was happening in the real world and sometimes , it would confuse her to such an extent that it would force her to question herself whether she was imagining all that or was it happening in real.

Right now, by the look Alizey was giving her , Zoya could tell that it was all real.

"Seriously? Are you out of your mind? How can I help you with that? Aunty is going to kill me. I can't take this on me. Fazeela ko lay jao (Take Fazeela with you)". Zoya suggested.

"Fazeela ko nai lay k jaa sakte. (I can't take Fazeela with me.) You know Jaffer bhai (Fazeela's husband) just arrived aj raat(tonight). Galat baat ho ge, (It would be wrong) invading her privacy like that."

Of course! Zoya tu single hai. Uska tu koi banda hai nai. Tu woh raat main busy ho nai sakti. Na he uski privacy ho sakti hai. Is liye use he yeh sab kaam karnay parain gay usay.

(Zoya is single. She has no bae. So, she is not going to be busy at night. Nor is she entitled to some privacy. That is why she is supposed to do all these types of chores)

"Tu Kaiant aur Azeem bhai ko lay jao. (Take Kainat and Azeem Bhai then) I know they are up."

"Zoya tum meri bestie how ya Kainat? (Who is my best friend? You or Kainat) And this is the last favor. Iske baad tu mainay Hashim ka sir kahana hai? (After that I am going to bug Hashim)"

Haan Alizey, bhejo mujhe guilt trip pay. Acha chalta hoon duaon main yaad rakhna. (Okay Alizey send me on a guilt trip. I'm leaving, remember me in your prayers)

"Chal rahi hoo phir (So are you coming with me)? Alizey asked as she noticed Zoya frowning.

"Kya, chal rahi ho? (What, are you coming?) I am not going anywhere. Mujhe Kabab main Hadi banay ka koi shoq nai hai. (I don't want to be a Bone in kebab)"

"But you won't be a kabab main haadi. Please Zoeeee. Irtaza will be there with you. Aur Meena aur Moiez bhi arahay hain. (Meena and Moiez are coming too)"

"Huh?"

" You won't be alone and awkward. And let's be honest Irtaza is a total snack, just your type. Chalo abb (Come on!) "

HAHAHAHAHHA Alizey. If only you knew how taking his named has decreased the chances of me helping you.

Ab tu main bilkul nai jaa rahi. ( I am not going now.)

Kon sa snack? Snack nai sneek hai woh! ( What snack? More like snake instead of a snack.)

"Sorry Alizey. Subha Barat hai aur mujhe jaldi uthana hai. (Its barat tomorrow and I need to get up early)"

What an excuse Zoya! Well-done! Taliyann honi chahiyen (Slow claps)

"Zoya!! Barat meri hai tumhari nai. (It's my Barat. Not yours)"

Don't fall for it. Don't! You know it's her pup face. Please Zoya. Do yourself some good. Say No. It's not that difficult. Say 'N' 'O'! Try. Yaad hai last time, Kaiant ko Yes kiya tha tu kya hua tha. Haan....... Yaad karo .... (Don't you remember what happened last time when you said yes to Kainat. Yes, try to remember)

What she meant to say was, "No Alizey. I am sorry. Please ask your cousins." But what came out of her mouth was, "Okay Alizey. I'll come."

"Kya masla hai Zoya! (What is wrong with you Zoya) We thought by now you would have learned to say NO. Ajeeb." Kainat who was hiding in the shadow of the darkness came out and stood in the doorway. She scowled at Zoya.

"Roo nai, Kainat. Woh urban decay ki kit. Kamray main rakh dena mere."(Don't cry Kainat.Dont forget to place that urban decay kit in my room) Alizey said turning towards the door with the arrogant smile.

"Nuksan he karana humesha mera." (You are always costing me money) Kaiant vined as she gave Zoya a stinky eye.

"Sharam karo Alizey! You placed bet on me? Kis kisam k dost ho tum? Main nai chal rahi ab. Jao khudi!" (Shame on you Alizey. You placed a bet on me. What kind of friend are you. Now, go alone.)

"Bohat achi.(Good one!) Stop being overdramatic. Fazeela and Kaiant thought you changed. They thought wrong obviously." The wink followed by her all-knowing smile irked Zoya so much that she wanted to jab Alizey for the trickery. But her mind was occupied elsewhere.

Irtaza, I'd have to face him again. No, we are not doing it. Tell, Alizey you can't go. What if we got caught sneaking out. No, no, no! Abort!!!

"Alizey tumhara dimaag kharab ho gaya hai. Jao Panadol khao aur ja k soo jao.(Alizey, you have lost your mind. Take a Panadol and go to sleep)" Zoya exclaimed.

"Zoyeee, don't be a party pooper okay. I got it all planned. Sab soo rahain hain. Kisi ko pata nai chale ga, it's all set. (Everyone is sleeping. No one is going to know)" Alizey said dangling her car keys in front of her. And by the looks of her confidence, Zoya knew that she had spent all her day planning that get away.

Zoya kya ho gaya hai? (Zoya, what is wrong with you) This is so romantic. A voice spoke to her.

Yes, it is so romanticccc. I mean wow, Alizey! I am so proud of you for coming up with this. I would have agreed if there was no Irtaza in the picture. Can't we just drop him. Like pleaseeeeee!!

"Alizey, I can't see anything. Can't we just turn on the flashlight?" Zoya whispered as she reluctantly followed Alizey out.

"You know we can't. " Alizey who was ahead of her told in a tone that meant 'Zoe you can be so stupid sometimes.'

They both were carrying their boots in hand because sounds echoed at night, plus the hard wood floor would have made those creaking sounds under the weight of their boots.

Shit. Dang! My foot hurts like hell. Ughh, Zoya asa chalta raha tu Alizey ki shadi say wapis wheelchair pay jao ge. (If this continues after the wedding, I am going home on wheelchair)

Astagfirullahh!!!! THINK POSITIVEEE !!!!

What did I just crush under my feet? Aghhh, it hurts. I hope it was not Sara's truck which she had gotten Yesterday in the happy meal. I am so sorry Sara. I'd check for the damage on my way back and replace it with my truck.

But I like my firetruck. Okay, please be someone else's toy and not be Sara's.

Why did she agree to this stupid sneaky, was beyond Zoya. She didn't want to get into trouble. Still, she was sneaking out with Alizey. When she very much preferred to be in her room planning of ways to avoid Irtaza. Not on her way to meet him.

"Alizey, I swear this is the last time. And if Aunty finds out, I am out." Zoya told Alizey as she sat in the passenger seat of her black Grande. "Stop stressing Zoya! Kaiant and Azeem bhai will cover for us if we get caught. Ab mood kharab maat karo."(Don't ruin my mood) Alizey instructed as she pulled her seatbelt.

Shouldn't have agreed to it. I am so stupid. Damn it. How am I even alive with all the stupidity?

Mama ki dua(prayers)

It's not that, I had any chance against Alizey and that look.

From the farmhouse to the meeting point which Alizey had decided, Zoya didn't nothing except regretting. She hated how she had so many regrets.

"There they are." Alizey said pointing towards the black SUV which was parked against the curb. Leaning against it was the person Zoya was trying her best to avoid. He was wearing the denim which he had gotten from 'Levis'. The denim brought back memories she was trying to block. She couldn't see his expression, but she could bet her swear jar that either he was scowling or had that smug smile on.

Parking the car behind theirs, Alizey got out whole excited to meet her 'husband'. If only she would have waited for ruksati.

"Salam Zoe, I am forever indebted to you for this getaway." Hashim told Zoya as he wound his arms around Alizey's waist and placed his head on the top of hers.

Zoya noticed Alizey shiver a little and then wrap her arms around herself. Zoya was going to offer the extra shawl that she had wrapped around herself, but before Zoya could do that. She watched Hashim take off his bomber jacket and wrap it around Alizey, who looked at him like a warmed kitten. Then he put his arm around her, and the two of them nuzzled each other.

NUZZLED. They were NUZZLING.

That personal display of affection got to her heart.

Where was her Hashim, who was going to share his jacket with her. Ughhh

Zoya looked over to see if Irtaza had noticed, and he totally had. He was looking right at them. But unlike her, his eyes weren't filled with longing. He genuinely looked happy for his cousin. That was something Zoya thought, she could respect.

All this personal display of affection was making Zoya uncomfortable but at the same time her heart was going "hayeeeeee Allahhhhhhh!!! INSHALLAHHHH" She was feeling like a kabab main hadi already. (Playing the gooseberry).

Zoya awkwardly looked around until her eyes got glued to Irtaza, who standing under the lamp. Yellow light from the bulb fell on his cheekbones, highlighting them and the scowl on his face. Until now she hadn't given many thoughts to how perfect and well sculptured his face was. Definitely, a face which had that golden ratio. She thought. Steering her gaze away from his, she looked at the happy couple who was in their own 'bubble'.

Say something.

The silence is getting awkward. But God damn look at those dark bushy brows Irtaza got there.

Allah, why are the pretty ones always mannerless?

He isn't mannerless.

Yes, he is just cold. SPITEFUL VIPER which makes him worse. Her alter ego provided.

"It wasn't a big deal." Zoya replied desperately trying to fill the silence as she smiled nervously looking at Hashim. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Alizey roll her eyes at her remark. Zoya was thankful that she didn't make any comments.

Another lie. Why did you have to say it wasn't a big deal? That too after a 4 minute pause.

Jhooti! (Liar) One day you are going to regret all these small lies especially when you are rotting in hell!

What was I supposed to say? "Mujhe nai ana tha kyunke Irtaza araha tha? Alizey say dar gae is lie ana para?" (I didn't want to come because Irtaza was coming. Alizey threatened me which is why I am here)

"So, the plan is that we are going to where Alizey wants while you guys are going to head over to Street Café 1. Moiez aur Minaal wahin hain."(Moiez and Minaal are there) Hashim said as he looked lovingly at his wife.

Stop being so cringe.

Allah ka diye sub kuch hai daulat hai shohrat hai, bus ek larka.......(Allah has blessed me a lot. Money, fame, only a man is required.........) [Note: WELCOME IS My favourite movie]

Where are you my future husband!

I am stranded with these people.

Wait a minute!

Kya matlab? (What do you mean)

We????

"Main Kainat aur Azeem bhai ko bhi bo deti hoon Café 1 ka. Wasey tu unka alag he plan tha." (I'll inform Kainat and Azeem bhai about Café 1. Although they have some other plans) Alizey said as she smiled at Zoya and then looked in Irtaza's direction.

"You guys are going alone?" Zoya asked dumbly as she stared at Alizey, with her mouth hanging open.

"You want to third wheel them?" that disapproving voice asked.

What? NO!

Why wasn't I informed earlier about this? Why couldn't we directly go the café?

Zoya, they want to spend some time alone. Why the hell did you think that they were going to bring you along? Plus, didn't a moment ago you wanted them to do all this coupely thing in private!

"Yes! I mean. NO? Why would I want that?" She replied as she nervously licked her lips.

"Irtaza" said Hashim throwing car keys at him, who caught them with ease. Zoya's desperate lovesick alter ego couldn't help but 'Aww' at his reflexes or how his muscle flexed.

Reaching the car, Zoya sat in the passenger seat not before reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi.

She was nervous. He was a stranger, and she was going first seats with him. She didn't want any beggars to come and bless them with prayers like "Allah karay tumharay 5 bachay hoon"(May God, bless you with 5 kids.)

What was with the beggars?

Matlab kamayabi ki duanain dain? Jese he ek khatoon aur admi dekha, direct 5 bache hoon ki dua ka gola martay hain.

Koi Nasseeb ki he dua dain dain.

(They can pray for success? But no, the moment they see a man and a woman, they gun you down with a '5 kids' wish. They can even pray for good fortune.)

Thankfully it was midnight, and the burger beggars of Islamabad were sleeping. Being a Karachite she found it funny. Beggars in Karachi stayed till 2 or more, and you'd find them at signals blessing you with weird duas. But in Islamabad the roads were deserted and abandoned. It was making her more nervous.

May Allah save me from the embarrassing myself again. Pata nai Irtaza kya soch raha ho ga? (What is Irtaza going to think?) No, no, no! Think about something else. Anything else. Food. Yes, think about what you want to get. Think about food. FRENCH FRIES. And Mayo sauce!!! And gol gappayyyy with meethi chatni! And extra spicy dahi bhallay.

The food was a diversion enough and soon Zoya's mouth was watering. The food had her salivating like a dog and consciously she checked the corner of her mouths for it.

Thank God there is none.

"Zoya " he said after 4 minutes. Yes, she was actually counting the seconds. Because it helped her with anxiety. She turned her head to look at him and was glad that he was staring straight ahead.

"I am sorry." He spoke. She watched his lips move but still she wasn't sure she had heard him right.

"Sorry?" She repeated.

"Yes, for mistreating you on Mehndi. I have been trying to apologize to you, but you kept ignoring me. "

"You could have texted me." Was her instant reply and she wanted to facepalm herself!

Ghadhii!!!(Jackass) And now he is going to think that you are fishing for his number. Or you want him to text you. Dimag kyun nai chalta mera!( Why does my brain not work?)

"Yes, but I didn't have your number. My behavior was uncalled for. And I am really sorry for treating you the way, I did."

"You are?", She asked as she looked at him shocked.

What? He is apologizing. With zero drama? Ase kese yaar?(Not like this.)

Don't apologize. I want to hate you. Please don't do it. Pleaseee no..... She was internally screaming.

"Yes. I am very protective of Meenu. I am sure your brother is like that with you. But that is not an excuse for treating you like I did last night. " He replied firmly. She wanted to say, 'No! Mustafa is not like that. He respects my space. And he allows me to fight my battles on my own! He doesn't go apeshit and definitely not on the other women.'

But she didn't. Mainly because she was sold by his apology which she wasn't expecting. He had been throwing shade at her since he had met her. How in the hell was she supposed to expect an apology from him? Just like that, she forgave him for all the shit he had said. A clean slate.

"You are being nice to me?" She asked frowning hard. She couldn't believe it.

"This isn't nice. This is being cordial. So, can we call it a truce?" He asked.

"I accept your surrender." She replied mindlessly.

He stared at her face as surprise flicked through his eyes. But didn't say a word. Just shook his head and she wondered what was going through his mind.

Did he just get my THOR reference? Did he? Is he my soulmate? Her heart was doing cartwheels, all she saw was red hearts with Irtaza's face on it. It was magical.

Tujheee dekhaa tu yeh janaaa sanaamm

Pyar hota hai deewanaa sanamm

(Sweetheart, on seeing you I learnt that

Love is crazy)

Back to the real-world honey! He didn't get you. He was shocked by your chic and the word surrender. Bus, zyda nai socho.( Stop, don't overthink it)

No matter what she told herself, her eyes were sparkling, and her lips were curled into the sweetest warmest smile. She didn't miss the humor in his eyes or how his lips curled as he shook his head.

He is likeable when he smiles

MashAllah .........

"The roads are empty and its weird. It's frightening. In Karachi, we usually have traffic." Zoya said as she cradled her face in her hand. She hated how she was saying everything without a filter. AGAIN!

Bus ab mainay pocha, keh k meri bizti maat karna dena. (Now insult me by asking "When did I ask") I was trying to fill the awkward silence.

"I am sorry, but I love the empty roads, midnight drives with the windows down" he said as he looks at her with an awkward smile.

Good heavens, he is sorry. Nai bhai, I am sorry. It's not you. It's me.

Scratch that line. It feels like a breakup line.

Thank God, I didn't say it. He'd probably thinks that I am a nut head.

If he doesn't by now.

But he does, and it is no surprise at all.

Khair, he loves the drives with the windows down. Can I roll my window down and

Thora say hath bahir nikal loon? (Can I hold my hand out the window?)

Nai! He'd think you are a gawar(illiterate )! Koi zaroorat nai hai. Window roll down karnay ki. Chup kar k betho! (There is no need to roll down the windows. Sit quietly.)

"Hey, do you mind if I turn on the radio", she asked, and he nodded and then turned on the stereo.

Guess which songs start blazing through the FM radio after those Ufone and kapas ki sundi (pest control) ads. You can guess it. Make a wild guess. If you think "Bad liars" by Imagine Dragons, then honey you just got bull's eyes.

^^^^^^" Imagine dragons just make me cry. Just say

'Oh, hush, my dear, it's been a difficult year

And terrors don't prey on

Innocent victim' and I'd cry because damn it always a difficult year for me."^^^^^^^^^^^

Just my luck. Well, if he remembers that imagine dragons make me cry then probably, he also remembers that I have a sucker luck. So, it's not a surprise that out of gazillions of songs which we could have on radio, the song that makes me cry is playing.

I will not cry. I am a big girl.

Everything in my life is sorted. There is no need to cry.

NO TEARS.

Plus, it's just intro music, he will probably change the station as soon as he realizes what song it is. Hopefully!

Zoya had identified the song by its introductory music, she had spent nights in her bed crying her eyes out. She knew which song it was more than anyone. When the Dan Reynolds (vocalist Imagine dragons) begun singing "Oh, hush, my dear" the muscle on Irtaza's face twitched and Zoya felt herself blushing from head to toe. She was beyond embarrassed.

Irtaza turned to look at her pained reaction and the glassy eyes, trying her best to smile. It was one of those awkward smiles the doctor offers before telling your-scared-of-injection-self, that you need to get a shot. Seeing her reaction, he quickly zaps through the radio station to find a different station.

He ran his hands through his hair in frustration as if he was afraid, she would start crying. "Surriya" starts blasting from the speakers and Zoya couldn't help but sink in her seat.

"Things happen. It's a free world. Plus, it's not that it was your playlists and you intentionally played it. Plus, no harm done. I don't cry. It was a lie. "

Why was she talking? Could she not stay quiet? What was the need to lie? As if he knows I was lying?

She knew that he knew that she was lying about not crying part. Because what sort of person lies when they think they are dying?

After what felt like eternity, they finally did arrive to their destination. Irtaza had to reverse the car to park it in the spot. The moment he carelessly put his hand at the back of the passenger seat while reversing the car, her heart went wild. She didn't know why? She felt like a live wire. She could actually feel the cologne from his arm that could nearly touch her shoulder, if she moved a little in his direction. The cologne was slowly invading her senses. And it made her want to get out of the car as soon as possible! Or move her head back a little so it would rest on his shoulder!

Why do men, rest their arm on the passenger seat while reversing the car? He wasn't even turning to look back.

He doesn't need to dummie. This car comes with a camera!

Which isn't functionable! So plus 1 for his driving skills!

Zoya, you aren't here to approve his driving license!

GET out of the car!

The moment the car came to halt, Zoya hurriedly got out of the car without waiting for him. He did pass her a weird look but decided to stay quiet. Grabbing his phone and his black leather wallet he got out of the car to find Zoya gulping as she looked in the direction of road they had to cross.

Oh no! Yaar! Why did I not think about this before? HOW the hell am I going to cross the road. Shit shit shit. And and on the top of that, what is he going to think when he realizes that I an Instructor at a University, who is independent babble mouth can't even cross a road on my own.

She hesitated as he looked at her with a, "Chalo ab kya masla hai "(What now?) expression. In that moment, she wanted to cry. Mentally she was cursing the Café 1 management.

Itna bara café banaya hai, ek zari se parking space banatay tu maar nai jatay!

Zoya, ask for his help. Truck k neechay akay marnay say tu behtar hai k thori bezati karwa lo.( They have constructed a very nice café. If only they had left some space for parking. Zoya ask for help. It's better to get insulted then getting run over by a truck.)

NO! I am not asking for help. I can cross road.

Ab har jagah tu Mama, Bhai ya Baba Jaan nai hoon gay na.( Mama , Baba Jan , or

Bhai cant accompany me everywhere)

Koi hath pakrnay wala sath nai ho ga tu( If there would be no one to hold my hand

then) I'd park my car on the correct side of road.

She nervously turned her head towards right and then left and then right again, biting her lips as she began calculating her options. Before she could arrive to some solution, he grabbed hold of her hand and began moving towards the road with ease. She turned to look at his face which was a bad move given she was crossing the road. She wasn't afraid because in her heart she knew that he would get her to the other side of the road without having to look for incoming traffic.

Zoya followed him like a lost puppy. She was thankful. When they reached the other side, he let go of her hand and she was disappointed. She wanted to hold on forever. She was eyeing him like he was an angel imagining a halo on his head.

Angel! Mankind's Angelll

I am like an angellllll

Mankind's angellllll

MY heart is like a roseeeeeee

The voice inside her head began singing the 'Mankind's angel' while her mind busied itself with imagining Irtaza in the Taher Shah's angel attire. Before she knew it, she was snickering with laughter.

Shssshhhhhh, shut up!!

You little sheet, he is going to think you are laughing at him. You were supposed to thank him.

Koi manners bhi hai Zoya tumhain! (Zoya, do you have any manners?)

She sobered up and before she could offer him her gratitude, he took her laugh as an offense and began explaining his action.

"Meenu can't cross road. She needs someone to hold on to her. And when I saw you look left and right for the traffic on the one way road and then gulp, I thought you needed help. I apologize."

He spoke and moved towards the door. His manner meant that he was dismissing her. And she couldn't blame him. He had helped her, and she had done what? Laughed?

Zoya couldn't help but be impressed by his kindness. She had expected him to taunt her for her childlike fears given he had showed her no sympathy at the flight.

Maybe that day, was a bad day for him.

Maybe that was the reason of his foul behavior.

Stop playing the devil's advocate!

He wasn't nice that day. Because he doesn't do nice.

So, are you saying that he helped me cross the road, held the door open for me despite me laughing in his face, is all for what?

Too IMPRESS ME?

Because I am getting impressed.

But why would he try to impress such a noob like you?

A voice of reason asked. All that left her with one rationale that, he really was having a bad day when he met her. Given he grew up with a sister, the protectiveness came naturally to him. Mahira aunty is such a sweetheart, definitely she raised him to be a perfect gentleman.

Maybe I have gotten him all wrong.

Guys, who are brothers do these things unintentionally. They look out of females around them because it comes naturally to them. Don't they? Yes, it's all that.

Warna yeh mujhe kyun impress karay ga? (Why would he try to impress me?)

Apas ki baat hai, agr karay ga tu main ho jaon ge. (If he tries, I would be impressed)

Shaking her head, she scanned the Café for Meena and Moiez and found them sitting in the corner booth. She passed a warm smile in their direction. She really appreciated them talking a booth and not the table! There was just something about the booths that made her all warm and happy.

"Abhi tak order nai kiya tum nay, Meena?" (Meena, you haven't placed the order?) Irtaza asked raising his brows, looking in the direction of his baby sister and then at Moiez as he took a seat in front of Moiez while Zoya sat beside Meena.

"Jee Bhai kar diya hai. Abhi kiya hai par. Mami kay barat kay kapray pick karnay chalay gaye thay. Unhon nay alteration k liye diye thay "

(Yes, Bhai. We did it just now. We went to pick Mami's dress which she had given for alteration.)

She replied as she looked at Moiez and then at her brother.

"Jee bhai." He replied as he stared hard at the floor not able to meet his fixated gaze.

"Chalo phir main bhi order kart deti hoon." (Okay then I'll place the order too) Zoya chipped in excitedly. She really was not liking the silence and the uncomfortable look they all shared.

Considering that only an hour ago they(Zoya and Irtaza) had buried their hatch and let go of all bad blood, everyone would assume that nothing could go wrong. That Zoya was going to enjoy her time out. But no. She was wrong like usual.

Zoya noticed Moiez and Minnal passing each other the look.

The shy smiles, the mischievous eyes. And all this while Irtaza stared into his phone completely oblivious of what was happening. Zoya knew what was cooking and so a voice sang "phela nasha phela khumar" in her head making her sigh as she dreamily placed both her hands on the table, resting her head on them. Swooning like she was watching a romantic movie.

When the waiter arrived with her order of French fries and chai, and Moiez's Coca Loca, Irtaza had excused his self out of the café in the quiet to attend an important call. And Zoya couldn't help being delighted. She wanted to devour her fries when he wasn't around. Mainly because she knew she wouldn't be able to help with the sounds and Mr Stuck up Suit would disapprove.

Sadly, Minaal's prawns were taking time. And like every other person whose food hadn't arrived, Minaal decided to munch on Zoya's fries. This time Zoya didn't mind, mainly because she adored Minaal. And because she was in great mood. She didn't know why she adored Minaal, but she just did and that made her liable to eats fries.

"What are you doing?" He called out, startling everyone. Zoya placed her hand on her heart, and she tried to take deep breaths after placing her phone down on the table. On the other hand, Minaal who was holding a French fry dropped it, looking at her brother with panic-stricken eyes. Everyone in the café turned to look at them, and Zoya felt her cheeks getting hot. She was hating ever bit of attention they were getting.

I didn't dip my fries in my chai inadvertently. Did I?

He didn't peek into my phone? Haina?

What is wrong with not accepting / blocking the person on Instagram? She didn't want to add Alizey's cousin on her Instagram. It was only close friends and family kind a thing.

Zoya! Chill this isn't about him snooping into your phone. He is far too away for that.

Zoya watched him marched back towards the chair he had vacated earlier to attend a call. His eyes never left hers. Her eyes grew wide with panic and his grew smaller as he frowned. She was nervous. Really really nervous of what she had done this time. She knew it was her. Zoya, the destructive machine! Already feeling guilty for the offence, he thought she had committed, Zoya began preparing her apology speech when he sat in his chair and pulled the plate of French fries away from Meena and towards Zoya.

"Meenu! Order your own fries." He said as he passed his sister a disapproving look.

Zoya didn't hear any of it. She was too shocked busy preparing her apology speech for the criminal offense she thought she committed.

"Wait what? Bhai you got to be kidding me. This fuss was all about the French fries I have been eating." Minaal's revulsion was quite visible in her tone.

"Kya? (What)" Zoya asked a little too loud as she turned her head in Irtaza's direction.

"You are overreacting. Koi baat nai hai....(Its not a big deal)" Zoya cut in. But she knew why he had been reacting the way he had been.

"Bhai jaan(brother)" He shouted. [Author's extra: I really adore guys/ people who go bhai sahab , bhai jaan instead of shouting 'waiter' !!! ]

"Stop it. Koi bari baat nai hai.(It's not a big deal)"

"Bari baat hai!(It is) Stop lying" he told her while Meena and Moiez stared at each other in confusion.

Did he just call her a liar in public? She hated that. She wasn't a liar. Okay she was. But she always confessed when she lied.

"Mujhe pata hai, kya bari baat hia kya nai!( I know what is a big deal and what is not . ) Stop acting as if you know everything!"

"But I do! At-least about you." He chipped him with that sadistic smile that she wanted to punch his face.

"Kya ho raha hai. Bhai mujhe samaj nai araha."(What is going on. Bhai, I don't understand) Moiez pipped in.

"Yes Sir." The boy in his eighteen asked.

"A plate of fries, please! " Irtaza ordered in his lawyer voice ignoring everyone.

"Nai! Humain nai chahiye. Ab jayen. (No! We don't need it. Please go.) Thank you." She said dismissing the poor boy who stared at them, unsure of what to do.

"Fries!" Irtaza repeated and the boy left.

"Mangwa lain fries! Karlain apni marzi!"(Order fries. Do as it please you) She said as she grabbed her bag and searched for something.

"I am going out in the open, Meena! Payment tu apke 'MOZEEZ' BHAI karain gay. Aur phir koi tamsha karain gay. Is liye here. I pay for my stuff! ", (Your respected brother is going to insist to pay the bill and create another scene. So here. I pay for my stuff) She said placing the 1000 ruppee note and getting up to leave.

Only to bump into the waiter bringing fresh lime and damn she was soaked. Why she could never make graceful exits was beyond her. She stared at the boy's panic-stricken face and then at the mess. Looking up she found a lot of people staring at her with amusement. She wanted to cry then and there.

Of course! Yeh tu hona he tha. Irtaza sath ho aur koi bezati wali moment na ho! Ase ho sakta hai? (Of- course it had to happen. With Irtaza around, I am prone to get into embarrassing scenarios.)

Ab stop staring at the poor boy and your clothes.

"Mam ...Wohhh...I am sorry... I am really sorry...please don't ...."

"Heyy heyyy!!! Don't panic! Koi baat nai hoe. Juice he gira hai. (No worries. Its only juice) I'd clean it up. I am sorry, I wasn't looking where I was headed to. Washroom kidhar hai? (Where is washroom?) " She asked politely and then followed the direction, he pointed too. During this walk of shame, she could feel everyone's eyes on herself.

'Another feather in ZOYA-IS-AN-IDIOT hat!' She muttered.

Irtaza stared at her back as she made her way to the washroom. He had expected her to shout something like,"Dekh k nai chal saktay!"(Watch where you are headed too...) Or "Mere sara suit kharab kar diya."(You destroyed my outfit) Or just something abdominally rude. Maybe even cry like a child she was. But the maturity she showed shook him. Touched his heart because once he had been in that boy's shoe.

If she had reacted like a shrew, the manager would have deducted the salary. And he knew all that too well. He knew the importance of the kindness she had just showed him, despite the fact that she was in crap mood thanks to him. That brought him to another question to pounder upon. Had he overdone, the fries thing? Maybe. But wasn't she the one who told him that she hated it when someone ate her fries? That she lied when she said, "she didn't mind sharing" when she really did mind.

God, I am going to lose all my brain cells if I spend some more time with her. She contradicts herself every now and then. She ...... STOP!

But she got a kind heart.

And sweet warm smile.

Yes, the brightest of them all. Who smiles at their fries like that?

You are talking to yourself Irtaza!

F***!!!

He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. He was acting out of character, like Meena had pointed out earlier after that claustrophobe.

The ride back to the spot he had picked Zoya up from was a silent one. Irtaza was glad, Zoya was not. She sat in her chair frozen to her seat like an angry kid. He found it, cute.

I really like you, Hashim. I really do. You are such a nice guy. But sometimes, I just look at your jerk best friend come cousin and wonder what kind of a person you are to be best friends with him ...... Zoya wondered as she turned to look out the window.

"I ...." He began.

"Don't please. I am God damn sticking. Please don't say something which will force me to be rude and then I'd sit in my bed and regret the mean words." She exclaimed. But against her better judgement she began.

"You don't know anything about me. You know what? I wish I'd never sat next to you on that stupid ducking plane. You go around saying all these things to wind me up. Behaving as if you know me better than—"

"Maybe I do", he replied his eyes glinting.

"Kya?(What)"

"Maybe I do know you better than anyone."

Zoya stared at him exhilarated. He had just known her for what? 6 days and he was making such outrageous claim.

"You don't know me better than anyone else. And I wasn't going to say anyone. I was about to say myself when you interrupted me!" She retorts back in most scathing tone, she could manage.

"I know you don't like sharing your food"

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I do"

"No, you don't"

"I do." He said with absolution and started laughing.

"You are laughing at me??? Okay I hate sharing food, still it doesn't give you the authority to poke your nose in my business."

His laughter vanished, and he looked as though she had slapped him. For a minute he stared at her saying nothing making her regret what she had said. Then he shook his head, "You're right, I have overstepped the mark. I apologize" His voice was completely different, making her heart twist with dismay.

"I.... didn't mean —"

"No. You were right. I am sorry."

The atmosphere was disintegrated. The deadly silence. Horrible! She wanted to say something. Take everything back even though she hadn't said much. But she couldn't find the words. So, she stared at the road ahead cursing herself until she hears his voice.

"I can't believe the consistency with which I am apologizing to her. Damn" He muttered under his breath.

They started the ride with an apology and were going to end it with an apology. Zoya thought her suffering would soon, but she was wrong. She had to endure Irtaza for some more as Alizey was in mood for an 'ice-cream.'

Messages from Zoya(Angry Nugget) to Alizey during all the psycho

from Hashim to Irtaza

Assalam-Alikum

I dont know why I added these mini conversation snippets. I just felt like adding them. Hehheheheheh

It's a long chapter which are such a pain when it comes to editing.

It's sorta late. I said Friday but Eid Thursday ko he ho gae. Ajeeb. Khair Eid Mubarak.

Lots of love and good wishes your pray

Pray for my mom, my family and my naseeb. (Heheheh, I want a cutiee shohar who sends "tum kyun chalay atay ho har rooz in khawaboon main chupke say ao bhi jao ik din meri bahon main" audios in his voice when I am a visiting my Mom's place. Kuch zyda he reveals kar diya mainay hue hue hue...

Allahhh Hafiz ♥♥♥

Noor-e-Jehan