Ek Chehra Meri Aakhon Mein Abaad ho Gaya, Use Itna Padha Ke Wo Mujhe Yaad Ho Gaya.

In the evening everyone was gathered around the garden area. The older generation was sitting enjoying the weather having snacks and tea, whereas the younger generation were sitting talking reminiscing old days and making fun of each other.

Getting bored with the talks they all mutually decided to have a volleyball match. But Mustafa declined to play with them as he was feeling tired.

"Come on bhaai don't be a spoil sport and join us. We will have so much fun."

Whined Osama tugging Mustafa's hand convincing him to join them.

"Yes bhaai join us because we are only three people and the teams won't be able to divided in three."

Hassan tried to convince him rationally.

"I am very tired Hassan. Please don't force me."

Mustafa replied him, tiredness evident in his voice.

"Don't lie bhaai cause if you are really tired then you should rest in your room and not sit here."

Osama narrowed his eyes on Mustafa who in return glared at him and replied angrily

"Don't you get it Osama that I DON'T WANT TO PLAY. Stop bugging me and go away from here."

His harsh tone on Osama made Maria frown so she tugged Osama with her seeing his sad face and left from there muttering

"Rehne do Osama waise bhi tumhaare bhaai ki umar ho gayi hai, unse ab kaha khela jaega."

(Leave it Osama, your brother is old now and it will be difficult for him to play at this age.)

She was speaking softly but it was clearly heard by Mustafa who instantly got up agreeing to play with them. His ego was badly hurt and he was ready to show them how good he was at volleyball.

"I'll show you all how old I am."

Mustafa smirked rolling the sleeves of his light blue shirt, making his toned muscles pop out, all ready to play. He was sure his team will win as he was a champion in volleyball during his college days.

"I don't want Osama as my partner."

Maria quicky said before the teams were decided.

"Haww.... But we are best friends. How can you leave your BFF in the time of crisis partner ?"

Osama wiped his fake tears dramatically composing a painful look on his face, showing how much hurt he was, making Maria roll her eyes along with Hassan and Mustafa.

Taking steps towards Osama she took him aside for a secret talk making both Mustafa and Hassan raise their eyebrow at them in confusion.

"Samjha karo Osama agar ye dono hatte katte mard ek team mein huye to hum pakka haar jaenge. So it's better if we split teams."

(Try to understand Osama if these two bulky huge men will be there in one team then we will lose for sure.)

Osama nodded getting her point and started speaking dramatically

"Haan to mujhe bhi kaunsa tumhaari team mein khelna hai. Koi aur partner choose karlo apna, kyuki Osama the champion tumhaare saath nahi khelega."

(Who said that I am interested to be in your team. Choose another partner for you, cause Osama the champion will not play with you.)

Yaar ye kitni overacting karta hai.

Maria rolled her eyes again over his overacting who was now winking at her, praising his own acting skills in his mind.

"Osama will be in my team, not Maria."

Mustafa announced. He said that because he was annoyed with her previous statement and wanted to show her that he was not old but better than everyone sitting there.

On the other hand she was hurt with his statement. They always played in the same team and sometimes she sided with Osama when he was not there, but there was not a single time when they played separately.

"Okayt then, I'll be in Hassan's team."

She nodded masking her hurt expressions, smiling at Hassan who was glad to have her in his team.

"Let's see how will you win without me."

Mustafa smirked knowing that they can't win from him. He wanted to show her without him she can't win.

"Hassan you better play your best cause I want to win this game at any cost. I know we can win this game cause Osama sucks at it and we have a high chance of winning."

Ignoring Mustafa's comment she turned towards her partner, motivating him to play his best.

He nodded, determined to win the game to see her precious smile for him.

The game started Osama and Mustafa as one team whereas Maria and Hassan playing together as another team.

Maria was right, Osama sucked at volleyball and it was difficult for Mustafa to cope up with them but he did. He was playing brilliantly but still Maria and Hassan were leading and they only needed two points to win the match.

"Two points more and we are going to win Hassan."

She turned back to look at Hassan in excitement, ignoring the ball coming towards her in full force thrown by Mustafa.

"Maria...."

Hassan boomed in a loud voice alerting her, making her turn back only to see the volleyball coming towards her face in full speed. She took few steps back to save her face from the impact but twisted her ankle in return.

"Ahhhh...."

Hissing loudly she fell down on the ground clutching her ankle. Hassan who was by her side quickly held her, whereas Mustafa and Osama quickly rushed towards her.

"She twisted her ankle."

Hassan informed everyone.

"Let me have a look at it."

Hassan gave space to Mustafa to inspect her injury as he was doctor and could tell how bad the injury was.

"N-no... D-don't' touch it... It's hurting a lot."

Maria cried clutching her ankle, slapping Mustafa's hand back when he tried touching it.

"Bhaai let's take her inside then you can have a look at it."

Said Osama to which both Hassan and Mustafa nodded. Before Mustafa could pick her, Hassan came forward and bend down picking her up carefully as she wrapped her arm around his neck for support still crying in pain.

Their actions made something flare inside him. A fiery feeling inside his chest. But he didn't payed heed to it and focused on her. Following them inside the mansion he went towards the sofa where she was sitting now.

All of their family members were surrounding her, blocking his view from seeing her making him feel irritated. He didn't knew why he was irritated. Specially with Hassan.

"Can you please step aside so that I can check her now ?"

His voice was rude and cold, making his father frown at his behavior but nonetheless he kept quiet seeing his princess cry in pain.

"N-no I won't let you touch my feet. Taya abba tell him to go away. I am alright."

Maria's eyes widened seeing him coming towards her. She was in pain and didn't wanted anyone to touch her feet.

"Beta let him check your injury."

Her Taya softly told her making her sigh in defeat.

"I won't do anything. I promise."

He raised his hands showing her that he will not harm her.

"If you do, then I'll kill you with my own hands when I get alright."

She tried intimidating him with her glare which made him smile on her cute behavior.

Pagal ladki.

He thought, smiling at her efforts to intimidate him.

He nodded, bending down towards her injured ankle, removing her anket which was adorning her feet making him admire it with pure adoration and placed her injured feet on his thigh checking it.

"Don't worry it swelled a little. You just have to use ice pack on the swelling for 20 to 30 minutes every three hour, for two to three days and try putting less pressure on your feet. Insh'allah in one week it will be alright."

Mustafa smiled at her to which she nodded her head in monotone. Everyone was relieved that she didn't got any big injury.

"You should go to your room and take rest beta. Hassan you come with me I have to discuss the upcoming project with you."

Her Taya Abba suggested alerting both Hassan and Mustafa who were ready to carry towards her room.

"You go baba is calling you I'll help her."

He patted his brother's back assuring him, not wanting to see the repeat of the scene he witnessed before. Hassan nodded and followed his father.

Mustafa bended down till her height, scooping her small frame in his arms effortlessly, but this time she didn't wrapped her arms around his neck but kept them in her lap looking down, making him frown.

He felt relieved having her with him. It soothed the burn he was feeling inside his chest. He himself didn't knew why he was feeling that but he couldn't help it. How much he tried ignoring those feelings but they were stuck with him, making him feel annoyed and irritated.

Settling her on her bed he sat beside her, instructing her do's and don'ts while wrapping a bandage around her feet.

"Make sure to elevate your ankle higher than your heart level whenever you are lying down."

"Okay."

She mumbled nodding at him.

"Take care."

He got up patting her cheek and bended down to kiss her forehead making her breath hitch inside her throat and heart thud loudly with his action. He himself didn't knew why he did that but he did what he felt at that time. Leaving her room he felt content in his heart and a big smile adorned his face.

•

A week passed and Maria's ankle was much better now. She was able to walk properly but still she wasn't allowed to put strain on her ankle as it was not properly healed.

Right now she was going towards dado's room for head oil massage session. Going towards dado's room she noticed that her door was open and her Taya Abba and Tayi Ammi were sitting with dado discussing something. Not wanting to evade their privacy she decided to turned back but stopped when she heard her name.

Dado and Taya Abba were arguing.

"But you should marry Maria with Mustafa. They both share a very good bond and look good together. Also Mustafa is older and should get married before Hassan."

Dado was arguing with Aaqib Ahwaan who was hell bent to set her with Hassan.

"Ammi I think Hassan and Maria should get married because they don't have that much age difference and I already talked Hassan about this and he agreed. By the way Rabia what do you think ?"

He asked turning towards his wife who replied instantly

" Both of my sons are gems so I can't choose any one of them. But yes, I want to keep Maria as my daughter forever. Choose whomsoever you want but at the end of the day she is going to be my daughter in law."

Rabia Ahwaan clearly stated what she thought. She knew both of sons were capable to keep Maria happy. All she wanted was Maria as her daughter in law, be in the form of Mustafa's wife or Hassan's.

"If you have already took the decision then why are you asking me. Do whatever you want but I still want Mustafa and Maria to get married."

Dado looked at her son with a dissatisfied look for not sharing the matter with her earlier.

"Ammi I know I should have discussed this with you first but you should also try to understand that Hassan already likes her and is happy about this alliance. But this will only go further if my princess agrees."

He apologetically looked at his mother for not discussing it with her earlier but still stood on his stance in favor of Hassan.

"Okay. If Hassan likes her and she is ready for the alliance then I am ready too. Mere ya aap logo ke chahne na chahne se thodi kuch hoga. Wahi hoga jo Allah ne bachon ki kismat mein likha hai."

Dado smiled agreeing with her son making Maria freeze on her place. she was speechless. Few moments later she gained her senses and dashed for her room and locked it.

No... I don't want to marry Hassan.

I can't. I don't see him that way.

Ya Allah what should I do ?

I don't want to break Hassan's heart. Taya Abba said he likes me. I don't know how I am going to say no but I will. I can't keep Hassan in dark when I love someone else. Yes, I love hero and I can't see anyone beside me, other than him.

I don't know when I started loving him but I know I love him. I know I do. His presence, his existence, his care makes me feel complete. His protective arms around me, makes me forget the world and remember only him, only his presence. His powerful smell makes me feel calm from the chaos going inside me.

The way he hold my hands strongly when I break into pieces, makes me want to fight back even when I don't want to. His mere presence gives me courage, comfort, confidence to go on.

His words of encouragement and his support tells me I am not alone, I am not an orphan but the most luckiest girl of this world. That I have him beside me and I can rely upon him in desperate times of need.

He is there whenever I need someone with me and that's why I call him hero.

My hero.