Khwahish- Pt 5

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"I am sorry."

Faeezah's head whipped towards Masar in utter shock. Why was this guy hell bent on spoiling the rest of the male specie's abilities in front of her eyes?

Being cute and understanding was a different thing, but at least be a little egoistic so that she could contradict you and Humaid!

But no, the guy decided to drop down from the heavens with both charms and a little bit of temper but to say in simple words, his charms overpowered his temper so anyone could look past that.

Faeezah quickly composed herself and huffed before getting more comfortable on the ground. She had no idea why his soft words- that were actually an apology- affected her in a way that she could feel her neck and cheeks becoming warm.

What the-?

"Ezah?"

Masar called out nervously when she didn't react for a good 5 minutes. Had he been so rude that she couldn't even accept his apology? But wasn't she here to converse with him? Lekin wait, who said-

Shit! He messed up real time!

His flabbergasted expression collided with Faeezah's nervous one and he quickly blurted out anything and everything that he could say in order to make it up to her.

"I know, I know, you are angry lekin yaar, masum ka dil rakhne ke liye maaf kardo. I swear I was in a very shitty- I mean, unpleasant mood, isliye jo nahi bolna tha, woh bhi bol diya. Kisi bhi cheez ki kasam khila lo Ezah, I promise phir kabhi aise gussa nahi karunga. I-I was just trying to-"

"Masar."

"Nahi, I know you are angry- wait you might be very angry lekin please, please find-"

"Masar, shhh! I am not angry!"

She whisper-yelled at him before gripping his shoulders and shaking him out of whatever world he was in. Masar gaped at her like a fish out of water, opening and closing his mouth a few times but sensing the embarrassing blush that was seconds away from covering his face, he hastily nodded his head and looked away.

Faeezah bit the insides of her cheek to stop the bubbling laughter from spilling all over. How was he so cute?

Her eyes fell on his cheeks and they visibly widened in surprise on seeing the bright cherry blossom colour blooming on them.

Was he- was Masar Abidi actually blushing? Or had she hit her head too hard before coming here?

Her eyes assessed his nervous posture and indeed, indeed he was blushing.

Not being able to control any longer, Faeezah laughed out loud, something she felt as though she hadn't done in ages. Her eyes shedded tears of glee as she clutched her stomach and looked at Masar who's face looked like it was set on fire.

Masar cursed his fates and body for being such a traitor. He had an image to uphold but right here, he could clearly see his dignity drowning in the water just like the pebble.

Duniya sach mein badi kharab hai.

"Awe, Masar, are you blushing?"

Masar tried glaring at her but the eye-blinding smile on her face made it tough to continue the action. He grumbled and looked away but not before shoving her shoulders lightly.

His actions made Faeezah laugh harder. Her stomach was painfully begging her to stop and after a few failed attempts she finally gained her sense back but not before giggling a few more times.

"Ho gaya? Nahi, kyu ruki? Aur haslo na."

Masar stated with an obvious sarcasm and Faeezah could only coo at his annoyed face. She softly pinched his cheeks that made him scowl and swat her hands away.

"Awe, Masar, itna kya naraz hona."

She tried to pacify him but he was a stubborn man since birth. His eyes were on the unmoving water of the lake but they unconsciously drifted towards the reflection of the woman that was trying to gain his attention, but little did she know that he was all eyes and ears when it came to her?

Her face glistened brightly even in the reflection and the smile that she was trying to hide, uff, it made her look even more breathtaking.

"Masar, itne kya nakhre kar raha hai. Maan ja na ab. I am sorry too!"

She touched her ears and gave him a pleading look while Masar, who had already cracked at her first attempt, let out a deep chuckle at her adorable antics.

Faeezah smiled widely on hearing his melodious response and sighed in relief once she had confirmed that he wasn't angry with her anymore.

A comfortable silence fell on the two while Masar's lightened mood dimmed instantly when he realized where she should be at the moment. A frown smeared on his features and he turned to look at her but remained silent once his eyes fell on her at-ease looking expression. Her eyes were shut and her form was relaxed completely. The momentary breeze that passed now and then did wonders to her long brown hair that was left untied, to move along with the wind.

Or maybe to look presentable in front of him.

The last thought left a bitter taste in his mouth and heart as he shook his head and cleared his throat to bring her out of her comforting dreamland.

Faeezah opened her eyes and gave a confused look to Masar who looked visibly tense.

Isko reh-reh kar tension ka daura padta hai kya?

She didn't say it out loud but raised an eyebrow at him in question and he casually shrugged his shoulder, pretending as if the question that he was about to ask was of no importance to him but the reality, the reality was far more different from what he was trying to assume.

"On a serious note, tumhe abhi us, Hammad-"

"Humaid."

He suppressed an irritated groan but anyhow nodded his head, trying not-to show the least bit of annoyance on his face.

"Right, Humaid, shouldn't you be with him? Having a conversation and stuff?"

Her brown eyes widened considerably as she sprang on her feets, stumbling a little due to the sudden friction but Masar was quick to catch her before she could successfully hurt herself.

He scowled at her carelessness while Faeezah smiled sheepishly before gaining her balance and giving him a grateful smile. Masar had his hands still wrapped protectively around Faeezah's waist and once the latter had registered the fact and the close proximity, she took a few steps back with wide eyes and a flushed expression.

She looked away from the male in front of her who was still gazing at her, trying to find something but she wasn't sure what he was looking for.

"Conversation ho toh rahi thi lekin phir ek bewakoof ki yaad aa gayi and I had to leave him alone in the lawn. Shit! He must be so embarrassed and angry that I left him like that. Masar, chal jaldi ghar chalte hai before he mistakes my actions as a sign of rejection."

Masar gave her a perplexed look, not knowing what to say or do. Her last sentence worked as a sharp blow on his guts when he caught onto the worried look in her eyes.

Right, she was supposed to be with her to-be husband and not him!

On the other hand, Faeezah didn't know what she felt. She knew he could see her worried expression but then why didn't her heart pick up speed due to the anxiety of what could happen? Why didn't her mind go haywire at the thought of Humaid leaving?

Why was it that her inner self didn't care about this fact at all?

Masar gave her a reluctant nod along with a smile, a smile that Faeezah couldn't actually decipher. It looked a little...sad, hurt, almost as if he-

He had given up.

But on what exactly?

*****

Masar parked the car in front of Bukhari mansion with a grim expression. The 20 minutes ride was spent in utter silence filled with discomfort and something so intense that made Faeezah a few steps away from being suffocated.

As the car came to halt, Faeezah didn't spend another second and sprinted into the mansion, not because she was worried that Humaid would be gone but because, because she didn't want to confront Masar.

What had changed in less than an hour of their time together?

Why was there a feeling of guilt and something extremely unsettling and worrisome? Why was she having second thoughts about this whole arrangement even after Humaid proved himself as a great acquaintance?

Meanwhile Masar watched her retreating figure with a smile. His eyes didn't leave her form until she had disappeared among those mahogany surroundings and as he closed his eyes, the last thing he expected was a drop of water to trail down his cheek with his smile still etched on his lips.

He bit his lips to stop the sudden surge to let out a loud sob and could only shrink on the car seat with his head between his hands and his shoulders shaking due to the continuous silent sobs that racked down his body. His eyes felt heavy, heavy with all the tears of frustration, misguidance, pain and loss of something that he wasn't aware of.

Life played a cruel game with him. He tried to stand the strong winds but they finally made him loosen his hold on the rope of hope that he held. Just a little bit more of the invisible wars within him and he would be left, left alone in the rain of heartbreaks and misery.

*****

"Humaid, beta what do you think? Should we continue with this or..."

Humaid's father whispered to his son as they remained seated in the living room of the Bukhari mansion. The rest of the Bukhari clan was sitting in front of them and the elders were already in the midst of hushed whispers.

Humaid smiled at his father and nodded his head in confirmation. Jamal Sheikh smiled in happiness at his son and patted his back, knowing very well that the choice he made was right.

Humaid watched as his father interacted with Abeer when Faeezah entered the room. His smile faltered slightly on seeing her looking so disoriented but nonetheless, he got up from his seat and walked up to her, maintaining a respectable distance.

"Assalam alaikum."

His words took Faeezah by surprise as she blinked more than a few times before looking at him. Humaid bit back a chuckle when he saw her eyes becoming wide before she cleared her throat and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

"Walaikum assalam."

"I don't mean to pry into your personal life, but I believe whatever it was that you went to attend, was highly important to you. Yeah?"

Faeezah didn't know what to say. Masar was important to her. Highly important. She didn't know when they had developed such a connection but Faeezah Bukhari knew one thing for sure, Masar Abidi was the most important thing in her life after her parents and no one, absolutely no one could change that fact. So she uttered the response that was already seated at the tip of her tongue on reflex,

"Yes. It was highly important."

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I am not getting emotional after torturing my poor Masar. Nope, not at all.

Ehh! Yaar, koi Faeezah ko dhakka do Masar ki taraf aur yeh, yeh Humaid ko hatao raste se. Kab se highway mein speed breaker ki tarah pada hai.

Lekin, everything will happen how the author wants it to and right now, the author is enjoying the guilty pleasure of torturing her characters. Sabr bacha, everything will fall into place very soon.

What I can guarantee you all is that the next 2 chapters will be filled with hella drama. Like A LOT! Oh, and did you prepare the list of colourful words that you are gonna address to the half of the male population after 1 more update?!

P.S: Published a new book a few days prior. If interested, please do check it out and shower it with your love. 'POSHEEDA'.

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