Face to face | مقابل

Thank you so much @_liliees_ for the amazing book cover and aesthetic edits.❤

Mohabbat hai, aqidut hai, anayut hai ya ulfat.

Nazar mein jub say aye ho, nazar kuch bi nahi atha.

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Zohiab sat down on the chair beside the bed and starred at the wall in front of him.

"I'm sorry Zohaib I couldn't d..",

"You love her", Zohaib stated cutting Uzair's words. Uzair inhaled sharply.

Zohaib turned his head towards him and said "Faryal is the girl you fell in love with when you were in London".

Uzair fetched an audible deep breath and nodded his head.

Zohaib's breath hitched in his throat, he leaned back on the chair and gazed at the ceiling.

Flashback starts:

Zohaib was standing in front of the mirror, combing his hair.

Beep!...Beep!

His cell phone rang. He went towards the bed picked up his cell phone, Uzair's name was displayed on the screen.

"Hey buddy", Zohaib held the cell phone to his ear by supporting it with his shoulder.

"You lost the bet", Uzair stated.

Zohaib picked up the tie from the closet and asked "Which bet?", suddenly the realization dawned upon him and he stopped. "Wait, is it what I'm thinking?", he asked.

"Yup", Uzair laughed.

Zohaib hurriedly cut off the call and dialed a video call.

"Why are you video calling me?", Uzair questioned as he attended the call.

"I wanted to see your expression", Zohaib said. "Did you fall in love for real?" he frowned.

"Fell in love? Nah mannnn", Uzair shrugged. "I'm actually drowned in the deep sea of love", he said dramatically.

Ayza came inside the room. Zohaib looked at her and said, "Ayza come, I think it's time to play cupid for our cupid. Payback time".

Ayza joined Zohaib and smiled. "Congratulations Uzairrrr".

"Thank you", Uzair smiled.

"Uzairay you are blushing like a lovesick teenager. What happened to your keep me away from girls attitude", Zohaib asked in disbelief.

"Zohaib stop teasing him. Let him say", Ayza frowned and playfully slapped his arm. Zohaib laughed.

"Because until now I've never seen someone as kind and innocent like her. It's the first time I'm feeling a deep connection and feeling for someone. She is different....very different", Uzair replied dreamily.

"She must be", Ayza said.

"Koe gori pata li kya? (Have you wooed foreigner?)", Zohaib asked curiously.

"No", Uzair groaned.

"Are you dating her?", Zohaib questioned again.

"Nooo I.am.not...She is a friend. Remember our no dating rule", Uzair replied quickly." She doesn't even know about my feelings."

"What?", Ayza exclaimed. "At least tell her", she suggested.

"I can't", Uzair shook his head.

"I've understood if I told her about my feelings she would run away from me. Marriage is the only thing that can bind us together. And the good news is she is young and very ambitious I don't think so she is going to get married soon which means my chances are high. Marrying her is the first thing I want to do after coming back to Pakistan", he added.

"Are you sure she doesn't have anyone else in her life", Zohaib questioned.

"Yup", Uzair stated.

"I'm so excited, Uzair will be getting married", Ayza cheered. "And here I was getting upset that our kid would be alone. Now Uzair will get married and have kids and our baby would have cousins. Thank God", Ayza sighed in relief.

Zohaib and Uzair burst into a peal of laughter.

"Ayza calm down. Here he hasn't even confessed his feeling to the girl and you are getting happy for his kids.", Zohaib shook his head in disbelief.

"When is the baby arriving?", Uzair asked.

"A month is left", Zohaib said.

"Is it a girl or boy?", Uzair questioned again.

"Uhu, we decided that we won't find out the gender before. Let it be a surprise for all of us. But my heart says it would be a girl", Zohaib smiled.

"Yup I want a baby girl and she should resemble Zohaib so I can know how Zohaib would look if he was a girl", Ayza said.

"What?", Uzair chuckled.

"Then she is going to be the prettiest girl ever", Zohaib rolled his eyes and Ayza pulled his cheek.

Zohaib looked at his wristwatch "Sorry guys I'm getting late for work. I've night shift at the hospital today. I'll go and get ready"

"Can I see her picture, please?", Ayza requested.

"Wait I'm sending it to you", Uzair said.

Ayza picked up her mobile and looked at the picture "She is so pretty Ma'Sha'Allah", she said honestly. "You both will make a lovely couple. I pray everything goes in your favor Uzair. You deserve the best.".

Zohaib buckled up his shoes and picked up his bag.

"Zohaib look", Ayza said showing him her mobile screen. Zohaib didn't look at her mobile screen but instead glanced at Uzair and said "Nah I'll see her with Uzair. If Uzair loves her she must be the special one". Uzair smiled.

"Uzair dair na kr dena yaar ( Uzair just don't get late)", Zohaib said sincerely and gave him a tightlipped smile. Uzair nodded his head and smiled.

Flashback ends:

"Do you still....", Zohaib broke the frightening silence in the room.

"If you are asking about the Faryal who is my friend, an ambitious, lively, and confident one then, yes. I do. Can't imagine the day without that. But if you ask about the Faryal who is your wife and Zahra's mother, whose world revolves around her child and family, then no. I don't.", Uzair stated.

"Mom forced me to marry her", Zohaib gulped. His Adam's apple bobbed in his throat. "Socha tha (I thought) I'll marry that girl, keep her away from Zahra and myself, and eventually she will walk away from our lives for her own good. But Faryal... she never complained and didn't ask for anything. The more I pushed her away the more she bounced back.... little did I know the walls around us couldn't stop her. Wo khushbo ki tarh pehlthi ja rahi hai hmari zindagi mein (She is spreading like a fragrance in our life) and I'm unable to control it." Zohaib sat straight and turned his gaze towards Uzair.

"Gunah ho gya hum say yaar (We have done a sin). Mom got selfish for her son and she didn't realize that she has involved an innocent person in our messed up life. Faryal deserved a better life, a better life partner. But now the mere thought of divorcing her scares me knowing fact how naive and innocent she is. The society will eat her up with a title of divorcée." Zohaib tilted his head forward and took it between his both hands.

"She has proved how wrong I was when I thought I was enough for Zahra. I wasn't. Shoor machathi zindagi mein sukoon ka lamha hai wo (In chaotic life she is like a moment of relief). I could be having the worst day but the moment I come home, that all changes. I...I can not leave her. As much as I try to deny Zahra and me, we both need her", There was a lump in his throat that could not swallow away.

"Nibhanay walay nibha jathay hain hur haal mein Zohaib (The one who want to stand by you, would do that no matter what", Uzair said. "Don't complicate it for yourself".

"It doesn't hurt you?", Zohaib asked.

"I won't pretend that it didn't hurt, it still does. I've been through hell. I took some psychologist sessions", he took a deep breath. "And now I'm good". Uzair smiled. He knew between the two of them Zohaib had most to lose, that was obvious. He had already accepted that Faryal has gone. I would survive he kept telling himself. I would pick myself up, dust myself off, and will manage to live with a broken heart just like he was doing all these months. But Zohaib, how would he? without Faryal he would return to the empty, solitary existence he had endured before, and Zahra what will happen to her without her Ammi?  Uzair did not want that. Zohaib and Zahra need Faryal more than him.

"You went for psychologist sessions?", Zohaib was caught off guard. Uzair nodded.

"I had no one to share what I was going through. It was my first heartbreak and I was unable to deal with it. It was hard...really hard to accept that she is not only married but I'll also have to face her all my life. Deewano si halat thi meri, rooh jali jism kanpa gya tha mera (I was gone insane, my soul burnt, body trembled.)", He smiled. His eyes shone with unshed tears. "Ab sabr aa gya hai muje (I've got the patience now).

"I'm sorry Uzair...I wasn't there for you when you needed me", Zohaib moved his gaze towards the wall in front of him. "Since childhood, everybody said that we are alike, they were right. We are still the same, look at us how broken and messed up we both are", Zohaib smiled ruefully and his eyes welled up.

"Why didn't you confessed your feelings to her when I told you Uzair. Wo bachi hai (She is still a kid). This life was never supposed to be hers."

"Bachi? (Kid?)", Uzair scoffed. "She is your wife. Your WIFE. You need to change your perspective."

"I don't know what she is to me but all I know is she matters A LOT. Her tears rive my heart, her presence keeps me sane, for her one smile I can do anything. She has brought new hope to our lives. I can give her anything respect, care, sincerity, understanding, protection, money except love because that part of me has died with Ayza. waqt marhum nahi hota. uske janay ka dukh dilo dimagh ko itna thorh chuka hai kay faqt sanasay hi hain us say jhurhay jazbat mur gye mere andhr (Time is not the salve. Her demise has left me devastated. I'm only breathing, the emotions related to her have died inside me). The grief keeps coming back in waves. I feel guilty for that because Faryal deserves all the love in the world."

"Did she ever ask you to forget Ayza?", Uzair questioned.

"No", Zohaib shook his head.

"Then what's the problem? Stop stressing yourself. If you think it would be against your feelings towards Ayza then you are highly mistaken. Ayza always wanted your happiness did you forget. Seeing you and Zahra happy would make her happy I'm sure about it. Accepting Faryal does not mean forgetting Ayza. Remember that and just go with the flow. Allah has blessed you with two amazing women." Uzair explained. Zohaib seemed in deep thoughts.

Uzair looked at him and thought, "You won't know and she will be in your heart soon. That's how she is".

"And what about you?", Zohaib asked.

"Don't worry I'm trying but you know it's not in my hands. I want to see you, Zahra, and Faryal happy, that's all. I'll go back if my presence makes you uncomfortable", Uzair said.

"No, you don't have to leave", Zohaib replied.

"How is she now?", Uzair questioned reluctantly.

"I've calmed her down. But it has affected her not only physically but mentally too.", Zohaib rubbed his forehead with his fingers. "I won't let that matter go easily. They will be punished for it"

"Exactly", Uzair replied.

Zohaib stood up. "I think I should go now, she will be waiting for me".

Uzair stood up as well, gave him a brotherly hug, and patted his back. "Just go with the flow Zohaib and take care. Tum der na kar dena is bar", he said sincerely and moved back.

"Thank you", Zohaib gave him a tight-lipped smile.

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Huzaifa was coming back from the main gate. He was about to climb the stairs in front of the foyer when he heard a sniff, another sniff making him stop. He frowned, strode forward, and looked behind the pillar. He looked carefully and realized Mahum was sitting on the stairs behind the pillar.

"Mahum", he called out her name.

Mahum turned her head back. Their eyes met. Tears were falling from her eyes. She turned her head back.

"Please go Huzaifa. I'm not in a state to deal with you", she sniffed and wiped the tears with the back of her hand. Huzaifa stared at her back for a few seconds and sat beside her silently.

"Why are you here?" she asked him. For a moment she thought he would not answer, then he said, as though reluctant, "I heard you cry."

"Ro Kun rahi ho (Why are you crying?)", he asked in a concern-filled voice. She kept mum.

He grabbed her arm and turned her towards him. "Why are you crying? he asked again in a low voice.

She blinked her eyes rapidly a few times and then looked up. "Everything happened because of me", she said and started crying loudly.

Huzaifa's eyes shot open in surprise. He has never seen her in his entire life.

"Please stop crying", he said.

"Faryal did not want to go outside, I forced her", she paused. " and Uzair bhai had instructed us to sit inside the car but because of me, she had to come out. I...just can not imagine what she had been through.", she hiccuped in between. The thought of what might have happened to Faryal sent shivers down her spine.

"It wasn't your fault", he tried to calm her down.

"It was my fault", she said. "I don't know how will I face Faryal. She is going to hate me".

Huzaifa took her hand in his and said. "Whatever happened to Faryal is extremely distressing for all of us but that does not mean we will blame you. You didn't do anything purposely. And if you think she is going to hate you, that's impossible. She can not hate anyone. Just go and talk to her. You both need each other".

"I don't have the courage to face her.", she whispered.

"I didn't know a wild cat can cry too", he whispered playfully. "Koe nahi ankhien saaf hogyi (It's okay, your eyes got cleaned)."

Mahum threw daggers at him and angrily pulled back her hand. Huzaifa laughed.

"Let's go", Huzaifa said.

"Leave me alone",

Huzaifa grabbed her hand again. "We need to fix it", he said and stood up. Mahum glanced at their hands and then to him. He seemed serious, there was not even a single trace of playfulness on his face.

"Ab chalo b (Let's go now)", he pulled her hand, she stood up and nodded her head.

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Zohaib entered his room.

"We should go now", Zain said to Usman and they both left the room.

Zohaib shifted his eyes towards Faryal. She was sitting on the bed, her back pressed to the headrest with Zahra in her lap. They were watching Zahra's rhymes on the tv. Zohaib sat down beside them on the bed.

"Are you okay?", he asked.

"Yes", She nodded.

"Did you have the dinner?", He questioned.

"I don't feel like eating anything", she replied.

"But I've ordered your favorite biryani, wo bi nahi khao gi (you won't eat that as well)", he raised an eyebrow.

"No", she hesitantly took his hand in her hand and said, "Please just stay here, that's all I want. Nothing else".

Zohaib sat down beside her. Faryal placed her head on his shoulder and he wrapped his hand around her. They were silently watching tv with Zahra when someone knocked at the door.

"I'll check that", Faryal straightened up so Zohaib can remove his hand around her. Zohaib stood up and went to open the door.

"Huzaifa?", Zohaib said looking at Huzaifa.

" Bhai, Is Faryal awake?", Huzaifa questioned.

"Yes", Zohaib replied.

"Actually she wanted to talk to Faryal", Huzaifa stepped aside and Zohaib's eyes fell on Mahum.

"Sure", Zohaib stepped inside and left the door ajar for them.

Mahum nervously glanced towards Huzaifa.

"Relax, come inside", Huzaifa said to Mahum and they both went inside the room.

"Mahum", Faryal called her name. "Come, sit with me".

Mahum sat beside Faryal on the bed and meekly said, "I'm sorry Faryal. Please forgive me".

"For what?", Faryal frowned.

"Everything happened because of me", Mahum started crying.

"Oh no Mahum stop crying yaar", Zohaib quickly came towards them. "I've consoled Faryal very difficultly, She would start crying again." he pleaded through his eyes.

Faryal moved forward and hugged Mahum. "let's forget what happened", Faryal said.

"Please don't hate me", Mahum requested.

"I can not hate you ever. You have not done anything", Faryal replied.

Zohaib and Huzaifa were silently looking at them.

Mahum moved back breaking the hug. She took Faryal's hands in her hands and said, " You mean a lot to me", she wiped her tears and turned back her head and said, "And Zohaib bhai is only concerned about his crying wife. mera koe khyal nahi (He doesn't care about me)".

"It's not like that", Zohaib said in his defense.

"It is", Mahum said.

Huzaifa was silent which was unlikely.

"From when did enemies start to get along?", Zohaib said.

Huzaifa rolled his eyes. "Ro rahi thi tou tars aa gya tha us par (She was crying so I pitied her)".

"If you say so", Zohaib replied. Huzaifa scowled in confusion.

"I think we should go now. Let them take some rest", Huzaifa said loudly.

"Yeah", Mahum stood up.

"See you tomorrow", Mahum said to Faryal and went outside with Huzaifa.

Huzaifa turned around to go towards his room.

"Huzaifa", Mahum called out. He stopped and turned back to face her.

"Thank you for the help", She smiled.

Huzaifa frowned and looked at his right and left.

"No one is here except me, muje hans rahi hai yeh? (Is she smiling at me?", he thought.

"I said thank you for the help", Mahum said again snapping him out of his thoughts.

"My pleasure", Huzaifa replied.

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*Next chapter will be the continuation of this one.

Assalam u Alikum/Namaste, ❤

I hope you're having a great day.

How was today's update?

What are your views about Zohaib and Uzair's conversation?

P.S: As an author I wanted them to deal with the situation rationally.  Some of you wanted to see the possessive side of Zohaib in this chapter. I respect your suggestion but according to me if I would have shown Zohaib as a possessive husband in this scenario it would have led to an argument/fight between him and Uzair, you know the typical situation in which Uzair would leave the house and Faryal would get worried for him and Zohaib would get angry etc. Any kind of violence is a big no for me. I believe everything can be done through healthy dialogue. Uzair and Zohaib are two mature characters, they share a great friendship bond since childhood. Understanding and care between them is the least I could show.

P.S.S: Some of the readers wanted some romantic scenes too in this chapter. About that *nervously clears throat*.  Faryal is mentally disturbed she needs Zohaib's care and support more than anything else in the world. Romance ka kya hai wo tou chaltha rahe ga hahaha.