Asmara's POV

Flashback...

After attending the call,when I was going outside,I collided with Him.Unintentionally I said:"oh sorry ,I didn't see that you were coming."

He frowned.

"What did you just say?"He asked.

"S..sorry!"I replied hesitantly.

"No,before that!"he said.

I got confused and said I don't know.

"Call me by my name."He ordered looking into my eyes.

"Huh?"

He grabbed my wrist and putting my hair locks behind my ear he said"what is my name,Asmara?? Call me by my name...you just called me bhai."

My eyes widened in shock Allah what I did I thought to myself."Ss..sorryy!"I said with teary and afraid eyes.

"Hey!Don't cry ,just call my name for once."he pleaded cupping my face looking in my eyes.

"Ha...hash..Hashimm."I said stuterring.

"Titli."he said kissing my forehead once again,I closed my eyes feeling the moment.

"Open your eyes Asmara or else you will faint."he said mischeviously in my ear,lips touching my ear lobe.All the blood rushed to my face making me tomato red,lips trembling and hands shivering,eyes down.I was shying deeply.

"Red suits you."he complimented.

I frowned confusedly and said"it's black,not red."because I was wearing black dress.

He chuckled deeply and caressing my cheeks he said"it's red."

"Huh?"I got more confused,Is he colour blind?

"I am talking about your cheeks,ms.innocent.These are red,deep red and you know red is my favourite colour from now on."he said in a deep voice.

"Hashim,everyone is calling you outside and you..."a manly voice came.

He immediately left me and made some distance and I ran outside.

I was feeling strange but happy today.Why his little actions affect me so much?It feels so good to be with him.I was happy today and I was busy chatting with Sara when all that drama happened.I felt my world collapsing.I went numb,after that we came home.I got panic attack and everything went blank.When I woke up Sara came to me and told me about the divorce scenario.Firstly I felt a void in my heart but then I composed myself because of my family.I agreed to whatever my parents want.

We went home afterwards and I slept.In the morning I woke up,prayed fajar,made dua for myself and my family and for Ayesha Api's happiness.

Then I thought to be strong from now on.I'll not bother my parents anymore and about my nikah it would be over in two to three days I guess.I don't need anyone.I'll try to be happy for my family.

It was almost 8:00 in the morning when someone knocked the door.

"Door is open."I said.

"It's me,Hashim!can I come in?"he said.

I remained silent.

He opened the door and came inside.I was standing in the middle of room.

"H..here...t..take this."I said handing him the gift box.He got confused so I said"Its y..your,

bracelet.I can't wear it anymore." he hesitantly took the gift box from my hand.

"C...can..can we talk?"he asked.

I nodded.

"H...how..are you?" He asked.

"I am good."I said with a sad smile.

He just hummed in response.

"I..I am sorry."he said.

"It's okay.it's not your fault,no need to say sorry and best of luck for your future,hope it will be good...I know that was all because of sympathy.I am such a mess.Nobody can handle me.Aliya is good for you,best of luck."

He asked"can..can I hug you please?"

I went forward and hugged him.He hugged me back.I was feeling at peace now,still hugging him I said"Thanks for making me strong.Thanks for advising me to smile.Thanks for yesterday.I'll not cry anymore.What Allah has planned for me,I'll be given that."I said.

I asked again"do you want something else.If not then you should leave,it's Ayesha Api's barat day."

"Can..you call my name...only one last time?"he asked.

"I am sorry I can't."I replied.

"It's okay.I think I should leave now,be happy titli.May Allah give you all the happiness.Allah hafiz."he said and immediately left my room.

I was feeling lifeless now.I was feeling as if my soul left my body.How will I forget him?

When he was leaving Sana came

she asked"Who is he mara?"

I said"Ayesha Api's brother."

Sana said"oh,okay."

S:"how are you now.What happened to you earlier yesterday?"

"Nothing Sana I just got panic attack.I missed bhai,nothing else."I told to pacify her.

S:"oh,sorry but Mara you should be strong.See Aunty and Uncle are so tensed for you and Sara,she is also worried.She is not chirpy anymore.Be strong for them,Allah will make everything better."I nodded and hugged Sana.

"Thank you Sana for being with an idiot like me,you will never leave me?"I asked with questioning eyes.

"never ever!nothing can separate us...not even my future prince charming."she said jokingly to light up my mood.

I smiled.

"Keep smiling Mara because beautiful butterflies are meant to spread happiness."she said.

We kept on gossiping when Sara came and said:"Api,Hashim bhai.He wants to meet you,he is here."

I got confused why is he here now,what he wants now?

Sana asked:"why he wants to meet her?Tell him Mara is busy."

"Api,Aunty Uncle are also here,please come downstairs.All of them are waiting for you."Sara told me.

I felt that they are here for divorce purpose.Is it going to get over now?I meant nothing to them.I know they wanted divorce but today?I felt tears running down my cheeks and after that I broke into hysterical crying.

"Sara...Sara...please...I...I wan..want tt to meet him...please...I want to talk to him...please...please...!"I pleaded while crying.

"Api,Api relax I am sending Hashim bhai here.He will talk to you,Don't cry andSana api please come with me.."Sara said and both of them left the room.

Hashim's POV

All of us went to Ali house to talk about Divorce matter,everyone was happy again.I asked Sara to talk to Asmara that I want to talk to her,after a while Sara came with a girl and said in a worried state:"bhai api is calling you,she is crying very badly."

I ran to her room.I opened the door.She got panicked,came in front of me,red puffy eyes,red nose,folding her trembling hands in front of me she said while sobbing,tears running on her cheeks.

"H...Hash...Hashim...please...don't leave me...I..I don't want divorce...please...please have mercy.I will not bother you but please,I can't bear this...please...For Allah's sake...I beg you Hashim."

She fell down saying this and started sobbing...hiding her face in her palms.

I was feeling as If I have crushed the most innocent soul on Earth.I sat down in front of her,removed her hands from her face.

She was looking at me with hope filled innocent eyes.Her gaze was piercing my heart.I was unable to say any word.I just hugged her,trying to ease her pain.She was clinging to me like a baby,her face hidden in my chest,her tears were getting absorbed in my shirt.I gently patted her back,stroked her hair,trying to relax her.

After becoming a bit relax she looked upwards into my eyes having confused look as if trying to get what was going on,her hair strand was falling on her face,I tucked that behind her ear gently.She was still not averting her gaze off of me,I kissed her forehead gently.Now she closed her eyes and again rested her head on my chest,I smiled seeing her relaxed and kissed her hair.

"Asmara,Asmara!!"I called her,she was not responding.

I called her again but still no response but after that I heard her cute little snores,her breath fanning my chest.So she slept.I smiled a little,she is so cute.I backed away a little to see her and I guessed right she was sleeping,her hair falling on her face,I moved them back and kissed her forehead again.

I lifted her up in my arms and placed her down on the bed,she was fisting my shirt very tightly.I removed her hand slowly from my shirt.

I slipped the bracelet on her wrist and tracing the bracelet in her hand I spoke:

"This will belong to you till eternity.Meri jaan.I am sorry for breaking you,for the pain I gave to you.I will make everything right.I will protect you,I will bring your smile back.I want to be a reason for your happiness not grief.I am sorry."

I went out of the room and closed the door behind slowly.When I came downstairs Shiza aunty and Mama asked about Asmara.

"She is okay now but sleeping.Don't disturb her,let her sleep for sometime."I told them.

"Whenever you meet her,she sleeps,whats the logic?"Both of them asked.

I chuckled"nothing,she must be feeling sleepy,nothing else."

Mama said okay beta lets leave your baba and uncle already are home,Its 12 pm already we should get going.

Aunty said"we will come after she wakes up."

I nodded.

After that we left for the house,I was feeling as I was back to life again!

Dated 12 feb,2020.