Khwahish- Pt 2

*****

Masar sat on the ground, looking deep in thought. His hands were mindlessly working on the rubik's cube that was a few steps away from being solved but if only he hadn't turned it the wrong way once again.

"Oye, kya kabse use ghumaye ja raha hai? De idhar."

Ahzan tried snatching it away but Masar was quick to move it far from him. A displeased look took over Ahzan's face as he huffed loudly and slumped down beside Masar.

It was 3 days since Masar had returned back to his home and 3 days since he had seen Faeezah. They had stayed away for far longer but this time, the distance was annoying Masar for no utter reason.

He was snappy.

He was frustrated.

He wanted to yell at someone.

But most of all, he wanted to see his Ezah.

"Acha sun, ammi ne tujhe lunch pe bulaya hai. 1 baje-"

Masar sprung to his feet before Ahzan could complete his sentence. The latter gave him a weird look but anyhow copied his actions while Masar dusted himself off.

"1 baje kyu, abhi chal. Waise bhi we are free for the rest of the day."

Masar tried holding his excitement while internally reciting 'Alhumdulillah' a million times! Ahzan nodded his head, thinking that the explanation was logical but if only he knew.

If only he knew!

The two grabbed their bags and raced towards the Bukhari mansion on their bikes, of course, maintaining a proper speed limit. Removing his helmet and black gloves, Masar ran towards the door and threw it open only to bump into someone.

The two fell on opposite ends as one let out a loud 'Uff' and the other a curse that better not be mentioned.

"Khudaya! Kaunsa toofan aa gaya hai?"

Faeezah grumbled while rubbing her head gently. She was just going out to check her beautiful rose plants that were planted in the lawn but this happened!

"W-woh, aise hi. Zyada zor ka laga kya?"

Masar asked with a concerned look. Faeezah narrowed her eyes at him before shaking her lightly and offered him a small smile.

"Nahi, woh unexpected tha na, isliye it hurt more than necessary. But it's fine now. Jao abhi, ammi and choti dadi are waiting for you. 3 din se miss kar rahe the tumhe."

"Aur tum?!"

Masar asked before he could control himself. Faeezah cocked her head to the side and gave him an incredulous look while his wide eyes turned back to normal as he cleared his throat to stop the embarrassing blush from being visible.

"W-woh ma-main-"

"Awe, Masar ko Ezah ki yaad aa rahi thi?"

She cooed at him and softly pinched his cheeks while he swatted her hand away and gave her a displeased look.

He was 23 for Allah's sake! Not a kid anymore.

"Nahi."

He grumbled and tried walking past her in an attempt to walk away from the teasing session that she had planned but Faeezah took hold of his hand and pulled him back.

She tapped his nose a few times and ruffled his hair before announcing with a smile.

"Ji haan. Ezah missed Masar. Ab jao andar ja kar fresh ho jao. Ammi abhi lunch ke liye bulayengi sabko."

Saying that, she passed him a full blown smile and walked outside, leaving behind a dazed looking Masar.

Like a teenager who had just gotten his first crush, he touched his nose where she had and sighed dreamily.

Had his nose become softer than before?

What even-?

"Masar!"

He quickly shook himself out of his daze, trying to forget everything that just happened and walked towards his nani who was ready to hug the life out of him!

*****

"Mami, yeh parathe bahut ache hai."

"Toh aur lo. Itna kam kyu kha rahe ho. Allah, mera bacha kitna dubla ho gaya hai."

Ahzan choked on his water while Faeezah, Mayza, Sahir and Zuhayr tried to control their laughter. The sentence was something they always heard from Jameela, their choti dadi every time she saw Masar but each time they found it as amusing as the first while Masar rubbed the back of his neck to hide the rising blush.

What was with him and blushing today?

"Haan na dadi, kitna dubla ho gaya hai mera bhai. Aur khilao na ise, aur khilao!"

Sabir added up to the food fire, professionally ignoring the glare that Masar was sending his way. Zuhayr too got in touch with his cousin and added more to Masar's already filled to the brim plate.

The two mischief makers shared a look before settling down on their seats and continuing their meal, all the while pretending to be oblivious to the death sentence that they had just signed.

Masar sighed heavily and looked up from his overflowing plate. His eyes met Faeezah's and he gave her his best pleading look. The latter looked at him for a while before blinking her eyes in reassurance.

She cleared her throat and looked at her ammi and choti dadu.

"Arey kya aap log bhi. Insaan hai woh, food disposal bin nahi. Look at his face, his stomach is clearly filled. Aur khayega toh tabiyat kharab ho jayegi."

Her ammi and choti dadu looked at him for a while before patting his head and telling him not to eat more than he can.

Masar sent a grateful look to Faeezah before standing up and bidding a thanks to the elders. The boys skipped towards the living room while the girls took their sweet time.

"Appi, chale na. Hume pakka pata hai, woh bandar saare ke saare baith kar koi movie dekh rahe honge."

Mayza whined at her elder cousin who just smiled at her. Nodding her head, she kept the dishes aside and wiped her hands before walking towards the living room with Mayza hot on trail.

As expected, Masar had his elbows wrapped around Sabir and Zuhayr's throats while the two in captivity kept pleading for mercy.

"Nahi, kya keh rahe the nani aur mami ke saamne? Aur khao? Nahi? Ab tum mere punches khao!"

"Nahi nahi nahi bhai please!"

"Bhai reham. Humare masum chehre toh dekho!"

"Masum? Kaun masum? Kaha ke masum? Nahi Masar bhai, aur maare dono ko. Jab dekho tab tang karte rehte hai sabko."

Mayza added fuel to the fire and just showed her tongue to her oppressed cousins who were glaring at her.

"Masar, jab dekho tab ladai. Chodo dono ko."

"Lekin in dono ne-"

"Masar."

On hearing the sternness in her tone, he grumbled under his breath but anyhow let go of the two who were quick to run and stand beside their Faeezah appi.

At the age of 20, they had wreaked more havoc than a 1 year old kid who had just learnt how to walk.

"No more fights now. Chalo koi movie dekhte hai."

"Harry potter!"

"Kitne saal ka hai tu?"

Ahzan gave a stink eye to Mayza who returned the favour with a sickly sweet smile.

"Ya phir, appi, why don't you tell us about the plot you are working on?"

Faeezah was a bubbling author and her first work would soon be published. A time of 7 months was guaranteed and right now she was working on polishing her work as much as possible.

Faeezah rolled her eyes at Sabir's words. She had told them a million times that she'd rather have it all written at once and then read it but the people around her just didn't know the meaning of 'patience'.

"Sabir, abhi nahi. 7 months ke baad."

"Lekin appi, seven months are too far!"

"Sabr karo, time beet jayega."

Saying that, she took a seat on the comfy sofa and adjusted the cushion behind her. Masar took a seat beside her while Mayza sat on the other end. The rest of the boys occupied the seats at the side while Ahzan sat on the ground, in front of Faeezah who ruffled his hair much to his displeasure.

"Appi, nahi karo!"

"Baal kitne bade ho gaye. Ja kar cut kar walo."

"Hmm.."

Was the only response Faeezah got to her suggestion. Smacking her brother's head lightly, who finally had had enough and walked to the other side of the sofa, she leaned a little on the couch and sighed after getting comfortable.

They had decided on watching Shershah and the last scene was nearing. It was 5 in the evening as all the cousins had their eyes etched on the tv screens. Mayza was already sniffling beside Faeezah who had given up and closed her eyes.

She didn't want to cry.

With that decision in mind, she leaned her head on Masar's shoulder who visibly tensed on sensing her so close but anyhow remained stiff so as to not bother her.

Minutes later, Masar could only hear the sounds of even breathing from her and that's when he finally glanced at her.

And uff, how beautiful she looked!

Her messy bun had let the rogue strands of her hair escape it's clutches and they were now becoming a means of trouble for her peaceful sleep. Masar slowly, carefully as to not disturb her, tucked in the strand behind her ear and heard her releasing a soft sigh at the action.

His already dazed eyes could only become wide once he realised his own actions that he had done on reflex.

This was getting bad.

With that thought, he gently moved her to the side, and giving a look to the rest of the cousins present there who didn't even give them a glance, he quickly walked out of the living room with a heavy heart and conflicted mind.

Shaking his head, he hurriedly bid 'Allah Hafiz' to the elders and practically ran out of the Bukhari house as it was set on fire.

He had to control his baseless emotions before they became something intense. Something intense that he wasn't sure whether his Ezah would be pleased about.

And losing her even as a friend was the biggest nightmare Masar could ever see.

**********

Ouch! Our Masar boy is having second thoughts about his feelings!

Ahh, young love, I remember-

Reading and dreaming about it...😌🤧

You all are definitely not ready for what's about to come! But I am..lol. Evil at it's highest!

Bite your nails, be careful not to hurt your fingers while I type down the rest of the updates!!....

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