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𝓦𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴𝓮𝓭 𝓪𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽'𝓼 𝓱𝓸𝔀 𝓘 𝓭𝓲𝓼𝓬𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓹𝓮𝓪𝓬𝓮

T H I R D P E R S O N

"Are you leaving me?" Ruhaan whispered to Humaina. The wind flew, making her shiver standing in the garden.

"Is there any reason to stay?"

She asked clenching her hands on the hem of her dress just like she is crunching her heart.

"Be mine. That's the best reason for you to stay."

"I cannot," Humaina cried.

"Why can't you?"

Humaina didn't knew the answer either. It was as if she was ignoring the fact that they love each other. What is stopping her? Not like there will be any more clashes between their families. Ruhaan became restless with her answer. It was not something he expected. He wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. He missed her.

"It's barely possible."

Was it the answer? The real answer? The real way her heart felt.

"I love you,"

He mumbled.

"I know." Humaina closed her eyes and let the tears fall. She continued,

"I must go now."

She got up from the laid-back chair situated in the huge garden. The weather gloomy and the emotions sensitive.

"Stay," He whispered.

His melodious voice soothing her aching heart. Her tears breaking him. With a heavy heart, she walked out of the huge garden. It was in his mansion that She and Zahid were visiting because Ashhar wanted to compensate his mistake with a dinner together. It was not enough though.

She sat beside Zahid and smiled. The aura of the room was different. It was filled with laughter and smiles. As soon as she sat, Ashhar's wife Ruba sat beside her and stroked her hair.

"You are such a beautiful girl."

"Thank you Aunty!"

She thanked her.

Ayzal uttered,

"My to-be bhabhi!"

(Sister-in-law)

Humaina looked at her astonished. It was not something she expected from her. She was afraid what her father might think about her.

"Ayzal!"

Ruba warned her. Everyone chuckled. They didn't take it seriously which bothered Humaina. She got engrossed in her thoughts. They let it go? So easily?

Was it supposed to be taken lightly?

She pondered.

Looking down at her fingers, she was soo engrossed in her own thoughts that she forgot that it was time for them to leave. Zahid got up,

"Ok Mr. Khan. My daughter and I must leave now. Do visit our home some day."

"Stay for some more time Zahid and do ask her about that," Ashhar got up from the couch following Zahid.

"It's late and yes surely I will. I have no problem if my daughter doesn't have any."

The communication between Ashhar and Zahid made Humaina confused. Ask whom and about what? Totally baffled at their words. She walked behind them talking with Ruba.

"Please do visit our home Aunty."

Ruba nodded and smiled. Her smile was so warm that Humaina remembered her mother. The way Ruba depicts Humaina's mother made Humaina miss her.

"It feels really great to talk with you."

"Same here dear," Ruba pressed the word dear.

"Ok Aunty Allah hafiz."

Humaina could sense that Ruhaan had came into the hall. He walked towards Zahid and Ashhar talked with them for a while. She noticed Zahid tapping his head. A gesture of appreciation? May be.

"Allah Hafiz Ayzal!"

"Allah Hafiz Didi!"

Zahid and Humaina walked out. Sitting in the car, they drove off the driveway. She looked out of the window.

"Stay," Ruhaan whispered.

The way he had called her. The way he had loved her. Everything made her feel guilty that she was making him suffer for no particular reason. Before the misunderstanding, she had a reason. Not-so-true one. But now she must have a reason to compensate. Her father called,

"Humaina?"

"Yeah?"

She slowly looked at her father.

"I want to ask you about something very important. Let's go inside first."

The car stopped infront of their apartment.

"Ok." They walked out of their car after parking it in the parking lot.

'About what?' She kept thinking about it.

Once they reached the floor, they entered the veranda. Her heart was beating fastly. She didn't expected that.

"Is Naimal home or is she in her in-laws?"

Zahid asked. Humaina opened the door of her apartment while answering Zahid,

"She is in her in-laws Papa. She left in between because there were guests coming in her in-laws. So she had to leave."

Zahid nodded and they entered together muttering a "Bismillah"

(In the name of god)

Zahid walked towards his room to freshen up.

"What does he wants to ask?" Humaina muttered to herself. Sitting on the couch, tired. She closed her eyes. The sound of the Air Conditioner made her feel home. Ruhaan's face was the only thing that flashed once she closed her eyes. She got up and changed her clothes after going to the room. Coming out of room, she walked towards the kitchen to make a cup of tea for herself.

Zahid walked back to the dining room. He sat down on the counter chair.

"Do you want a cup of tea for yourself Papa?" Humaina asked pouring the milk in the tea pot. "Yeah sure. Who would decline the tea made by you?"

Humaina chuckled.

After making tea for both of them, she kept it infront of Zahid. He began,

"Humaina, I wanted to ask you that..."

"Why are you hesitating papa? Please continue," She sipped her tea and looked at him intensely.

"Actually I decided to get you married,"

Zahid completed. Humaina looked at him bewildered.

"Not now Papa, I will surely get married once I complete my 2-3 years in my profession."

"I know sweety. You have just started your career but I have considered the proposal that came for you recently, you can marry after two years or however you want." Zahid said.

"Papa..." She couldn't say anything. Atleast when Ruhaan's and her relationship is being so tough. They like each other. Is it wrong to like someone?

"Humaina, Ashhar asked your hand in marriage for his son Ruhaan. I think Ruhaan is a wise person. He will be a good life partner for you. Please consider it once," Humaina coughed loudly.

"What happened Humaina?" Zahid asked concerned about her. He took a glass of water and gave it to her. She drank it in a go.

"It's alright Humaina. You don't have to force yourself to marry hi-"

"It's not like that Papa." Humaina cut him off. Zahid laughed,

"Then what is it Humaina?"

"Nothing Papa. It was just unexpected for me," Humaina blushed.

"Really? Who are you lying to Humaina? I am your father. I have raised you. Do you think I wouldn't know that Ruhaan and you like each other?" Zahid washed his cup and stood near the counter.

"You knew?!" Humaina looked at him shocked to which he just nodded and smiled.

"Ofcourse. Even a blind would know how much you both like each other. Humaina you guys have been best friends from a very long time. Do you think I wouldn't know about your likings?"

Humaina looked down blushing. She didn't had any answers.

"So... Is it a yes?"

Zahid asked teasing her. "N-not re-eally," Humaina stammered.

"A no?"

"No Papa!"

Zahid laughed at her blushing face. He clasped his palms together and declared,

"Ok, my daughter! If you're so shy then I will consider it a yes."

• ° • ° • ° • ° •

"Stop it Ruhaan." Humaina blushed.

"Arre, I'll not stop today. I still can't believe the fact that we are going to get engaged," Ruhaan walked out with Humaina dragging her necessity suitcase. She had came back after her flight to Srinagar.

"It's been 2 months and now we are getting engaged within a week. Woah. Time flies, it was like yesterday my father asked your hand in marriage for me," Ruhaan surmised.

"Indeed. I can't believe it even now but the thing that's bugging me is what would everyone think about us. What if any kind of trouble arrives?! I mean you and I are so different Ruhaan," Ruhaan stopped walking as soon as she completed her sentence and looked towards her.

"I know we are totally different. You're female and I am a male." He chuckled.

"I am not joking Ruhaan!" He stopped laughing and began,

"Look, I don't care what they think about us. You and I have been best friends during high school Aina. Isn't it obvious that I loved you since then? And even if they do judge no one's gonna mind their words. They are meant to do that. Now smile. We are going to get through this together Aina. Smile."

She smiled assuring him.

"Congratulations Mr. Khan and Ms. Aamir. I heard you are getting engaged."

They heard a voice with a chirpy tone. Their eyes snapped towards the source. It was Mr. Narang. The Airport manager of Mumbai international airport.

"Here comes the actual trouble."

Ruhaan and Humaina laughed out loud.

"What happened?" Mr. Narang asked astonished.

"Nothing Mr. Narang. Thank you for the wishes." Ruhaan thanked. Humaina continued, "Yes Mr. Narang thank you for the wishes."

Ruhaan was indeed a best 'best friend' she could ever have asked for. He had supported her when she couldn't do anything but leave him. Neither it was her fault. How could she have been friendly with someone whose father's had her father's name in stake? But in the end, everything fell in the accurate place. What more can Humaina ask for? A supportive fiancé-to-be, her favourite career, his to be mother-in-law who gave her mother's vibes, a loving father, and caring family. She was indeed "Blessed with the best!"

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Eid Mubarak!

I hope you liked the last chapter.

I will post the epilogue soon.

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