Chapter : 17 - Uns winning Abbu's heart

Ammi and abbu entered, each carrying trays of tea and coffee. Ammi handed me my tea, and as I approached them, I sat beside Uns leaving some space.

Finally, the deep conversation between Uns and Samir came to an end, but now there was something strange - Samir's expression was serious, while Uns seemed calm. What did they talk about?

"What would you like to eat, Uns?" My mom asked from across the table, beside Abbu.

"Biryani," Uns replied instantly.

My mom laughed at her sudden response.

"Ah, I mean, I'm sorry, aunty. I just said it," Uns tried to explain.

"It's okay, dear. You're like our daughter, and if our daughter asks for something, then we have to do it," Abbu reassured her with a warm smile.

"And Zaina, biryani will be made now. Uns requested it for the first time, Abbu," said to my mom.

"Uncle Khalid, please don't do all this. Sahar and I are about to leave, it's getting late," Uns said to Abbu, trying to convince him not to make the biryani.

"Don't worry, dear. Aziz and Samir are here, they'll drop you both safely. And if we can't do it for our daughter, then who will we do it for?" Abbu reassured her again.

She didn't say anything, just smiled at his response.

And here, I'm amazed by her cuteness and shyness again. Does she even know how to be shy? I've always seen her as fiery, I thought to myself.

But this is new - no matter how fiery she behaves, there's still a soft side to Uns, who melts when people talk to her with love.

The table was set, featuring Miss Reza's biryani and many other dishes. Abbu sat at the head of the table, with Ammi, me, and Samir beside on his left, and Uns and Sahara on his right.

Dinner was going well, and even Uns' mood was better than before. The dining table was filled with conversations between Abbu and Uns; they seemed like best friends meeting after a decade.

"How quickly Uns won Abbu's heart. What are you, Uns?" I thought to myself.

"Make sure they reach home safely, Aziz," Abbu insisted.

"Yes, Abbu," I assured him.

After bidding goodbye to Ammi and Abbu, the four of us came out. Since they had come by their car, I said, "Our driver will bring your car, Uns. I'll drop you."

"Samir, let's do this - I'll drop Uns, and you drop Sahara," I suggested as he approached my car.

"Why two cars when we're going to the same place", Uns asked.

Oh, you're so innocent, Uns. If these two stay with us, how will I talk to you? I thought to myself.

"Yes, Bhabhi, Aziz is right. Moreover, I have something to discuss with Sahara. You guys enjoy your time," Samir said, winking at me and holding Sahara's hand as they headed towards his car.

Uns instantly turned towards me, confused by his words. I smiled awkwardly and opened the door for her; she sat without saying anything.

It had been ten minutes since we started driving on the empty road. A serene silence filled the car, with only the fresh, cold air hitting us. She was looking outside the window, admiring the beautiful street, while I stole some glances at her to reassure myself that she was with me.

"That house is so beautiful," she murmured.

"Do you like it?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.

"Yes," she said, turning towards me, then again turning her gaze towards the window.

"Wow, even that house is beautiful," she exclaimed.

"Do you love houses so much, Uns?" I asked again.

"I like houses, but I wouldn't say I love them because they're not mine," she said, still gazing at the houses we passed.

"Then what type of houses do you love?"

"Something that would be called mine," she replied, her voice calm like the fresh wind.

"What type of 'mine'?" I urged her.

Now she turned towards me.

"I need a house filled with peace, with couches in the lounge to sit on, a big garden filled with flowers, and I really liked your black and grey-toned room, so a room like that, and a small library, and on the terrace, beautiful decorated couches and chairs to sit on.

And an open space, and especially a small cozy room for offering prayers," she began explaining her dream house to me with excitement. I stopped the car to focus solely on her.

She was telling me the whole design as if I were an architect. I nodded as I listened to her. Then my gaze went to a cafe by the roadside.

"Do you want to have some coffee while continuing about your dream house?" I asked her.

"Sure" she said with a smile.

I came in and handed her the coffee cup. She took a sip, then turned towards the window. I took a sip while watching her.

"What else do you need in your dream house?" I asked her.

"Oh, I forgot the most important thing, Nader. I need many rooms in my house. Inshallah, if Allah wills, in the future, there will be children, and they will need rooms too, right?" she said, as if it's the most crucial aspect.

"How many? For 10 children?" I teased her.

"Shut up," she said, now with her cold voice.

Finally, I got to hear her cold voice since morning. I'm so used to her cold voice that when she doesn't call me "bhegairat" or scold me, I don't feel at ease.

"Okay okay, fine, then 8 children are fine?" I asked.

"Is this anything you're bargaining for, Nader? Like any item you're trying to get at a lower price?" she said, now irritated. I love teasing her.

"Alright, neither yours nor mine. Five children it is, Uns. I can't go lower than that," I said, taking a sip of bitter coffee with a smile.

"Nader! Stop it now," she said, her voice now fiery.

"I can't be with you now. Leave me here; I'll go by myself," she said, pressing the lock.

"Okay, fine. I won't speak a word, Uns. I'll drive silently," I promised.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yes, of course," I assured her.

It was a beautiful evening, with the moon taking the spotlight in the dark sky. I stood outside her cafe, admiring the fresh flowers while holding a bag.

I hoped she would be convinced by this. Wishing myself luck, I went in to meet her. Yesterday had been one of those beautiful days when she was around me.

I got to spend the whole day with her. Today being the weekend, I spent the day with Ammi and Abbu, and now I am here to see her.

I looked around for her; Uns wasn't at her counter, nor was she anywhere reading. But to my dismay, I saw him sitting at one of the tables.

Zaki? Why was he here?

Unknowingly to me, my eyes started burning seeing him here, and I remembered what Samir had told me about him.

With heavy steps, I approached him, forcing a fake smile on my face.

"Hey Aziz? What a surprise! You're here?" he asked, surprised to see me.

I should have been the one asking him why he was here. Who told him about this cafe? Did he come by coincidence, or did Uns tell him? If she did, then why did she tell him?

"Aziz? Where are you lost?" he asked in his deep voice.

"Nowhere," I replied dryly.

"Come, have a seat," he urged with a smile. I couldn't tell if his smile was genuine or fake, just like his nature.

I sat down in front of him, noticing his attire - a black suit, hair slicked back with gel, and a strong scent of cologne filling the air. He was here as if he had come for a date.

"Are you here to meet someone?" I asked calmly.

"Yes, I am here to meet the love of my life," he said with a smile.

"And what about you? It's rare to see you in cafes rather than in clubs," he asked.

"I am also here to meet the love of my life," I said, smiling at his nonsense response.

"What! Don't tell me what Samir said about you is true. The cold stone is finally in love?" he asked, shocked by my words.

"Yes," I replied deeply.

"Okay, so tell me, who is she? If she's here, then where is she?" he asked with excitement, curiosity getting the best of him.

"Her name is Uns Reza," I said straight, looking at his light brown eyes.

The face that was smiling, now became  pale due to shock. No one spoke a single word; our eyes giving death glares to each other.

"She is mine," he said.

"I see," I laughed at his phrase.

"I am serious, Aziz," he said.

"Do you think I am joking with you right now, Zaki?" I asked back, being serious.

"You're living in a delusional world, Aziz. Get out of it. I've known Uns since childhood; she can never be yours," he said confidently, saying over confident is best.

"I don't know about me, but I think you're the one who should stop daydreaming, Zaki. Being overconfident will never get you anything," I said, still looking at him.

"Let's see who wins her heart. A person who drinks, smokes, and goes to clubs, and most importantly, who doesn't believe in God. Do you think Uns will love someone who does all these things, or will she choose the man who knows everything about her?" He said while overconfident smile playing on his lips.

I quit smoking and drinking the day I met her. But as for believing in God, that's impossible. I can't believe in him. He can't listen to me. Then why should I ask him?

Now, there's nothing I can't achieve; I can get whatever I want without waiting.

My thoughts got interrupted when I heard her voice.

"Oh, Zaki?" Uns asked, now standing beside me. I stood up; she glanced at me, then looked at Zaki, who was literally looking like a lovesick teenager.

"Hi Uns, how are you? Why didn't you pick up my call?" his tone changed in a fraction of a second from smiling to serious.

"He has her number? He calls her?" I thought.

"Oh, actually, I was offering my Salah in there, so I couldn't see it," she said, rubbing her fingers. Was she nervous? But why?

"Well, this is for you," he said, picking something from his bag.

"Oh no!!!"

...................................❤...................................

Thank you!

Please, share your thoughts ❤