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𝓘𝓷 𝓨𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓐𝓻𝓶𝓼, 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂

𝓓𝓪𝓻𝓴𝓮𝓻 𝓒𝓸𝓻𝓷𝓮𝓻 𝓢𝓮𝓮𝓶𝓼 𝓑𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓮𝓻.

The arcadian calmness spread across the giant vintage based bedroom. Silence passed a bunch of blissful whispers at the ears of the lovers madly in fondness for each other.

Shahveer and Sahar.

Together, united and blessed for the past 6 years. Their unity has been blessed with happiness and peace. Sahar blinked slowly opening her eyes as the sleep faded away from her eyes Still clinging to the serene of sleep, she whispered,

"Veer?"

That's what she calls Shahveer. It was a rare time when she called him by his name.

Always Veer, her Veer.

"It's late. Wake up, you need to drop Shahzaib at school," Stating that; she sat up straight. Twisting her winsome hair into a loose bun, she knitted the slackened ribbon that hung below her stomach of her night wear.

She got freshened up and changed her clothes wearing a grey salwar kameez. Looking as charming as ever, she pressed the towel against her wet hair calling Shahveer to wake up from the closet.

"Shahzaib will be late because of you again. Tackle with the teacher yourself this time, Siddiqui Sahab." She smiled remembering her 5-year-old son Shahzaib Siddiqui who attends kindergarten and who slept daily with his Nanu.

"She is not a teacher. She is a wild species. I wonder how kids stay there," he murmured making Sahar lowkey chuckle.

"She is just strict, Shahveer."

"Strict? The kids are just in the kindergarten and she acts as if they will get late for the extra classes of the board exam."

He got up and walked towards the washroom chanting against Shahzaib's teacher, Oviya.

Sahar laughed at his words and went to Shahnawaz's room where her son slept. Sleeping with his grandfather was his favourite thing he loved. Sahar slowly opened the door of the huge bedroom. Sneaking in, her eyes went around before they landed on Shahnawaz who sat near the window drinking his morning tea. A newspaper was clutched by his palms as he ran through the content.

"Assalamu alaikum Papa!" Sahar greeted entering the room. Shahnawaz's chartreuse eyes travelled towards her. She smiled warmly. "Walaikum assalam!"

"He didn't wake up yet?" She asked shaking his head and glancing at her 5-year-old son. His hair flew swiftly due to the air conditioner. Sahar shook him slowly and the range of speed grew faster but he didn't move an inch. "Get up, Shahzaib!"

The five-year-old stirred in his sleep, clenching his eyes to not let them sleep get afar from him. He snuggled closer to the blanket. "Mummy jee! I am tired. Let me sleep for today."

"Let him be, Sahar. He slept late last night," Shahnawaz voiced, glancing at them from the newspaper. She shook her head, "No way, papa. He has taken loads of leave last two weeks because of sleep."

She tickled Shahzaib, making him giggle in his sleep. He sat up straight and begged her to stop, "Please stop Mummy jee!"

"Now that you came in line," she raised her brows. Shahnawaz laughed staring at them. "Alright, get up Jaani! We need to get ready and leave for school."

Shahzaib groaned sitting up, sleep still installed on every part of his body. Sahar took him in her arms and rushed towards their room. Shahnawaz laughed looking at the way she took him outside.

After making Shahzaib ready for school, Sahar gave him breakfast. Jahangir, Zeenia, Shahveer and Shahnawaz were the only ones present in the table, With a sleep-poker face, Shahzaib munched down the pancakes. He got up from his seat and wore his bag saying, "I am done, Mummy jee." As much as it pleased Sahar to hear him, she knew why his voice sounded extremely sweet.

Shahzaib was about to turn around when Sahar stopped him in his tracks. "Who will drink the milk, Shahzaib?"

"I will be happy if Papa drinks it."

They laughed at his choice of words. Shahveer teased, "Champ, I have my glass of fresh juice. You can drink your milk."

"But papa-"

"Shahzaib!" Sahar took him in her arms. Jahangir called in, "Today, Dadu will make Shahzaib drink his milk."

He sat comfortably in his lap and said in a sad voice, "I don't want to drink that too so early in the morning, Dadu. The taste is not good."

"No my munchkin! It's good for health. It boosts your energy. You want to be a spiderman who saves lives, didn't you?"

He bobbed his head slowly, nodding. "Then you have to sum up lots and lots of energy to become one. The more you drink, the more energy you will consume."

He pinched his nose and drank a quarter of the glass of milk. Within four sips, it was complete. The sound of clap resounded in the dining hall, making Shahzaib blush.

"Sahar, will you not have your breakfast?" Zeenia asked in her ever sweet voice. "No, Ammi. I am fasting as a nafil today."

"Oh alright. That's good." She appreciates.

Meesha and Rayed were happily married for two years now, Rayed had earlier talked with Jahangir and Zeenia while they could've been less happy about marrying their daughter to someone they knew well and he was a gem of a person for Meesha.

Shahveer went to drop Shahzaib to school and came back in the evening. The clock hit five in the eve when he entered inside. Shahzaib had already returned from school because Sahar goes to pick him up. His son ran in his direction engulfing him in a tight hug, warm and welcoming.

"Daddy!" He squealed in his arms. "Does my little Shahzaib has any idea of what Daddy has bought for him?"

Startled and surprised at his father's words, Shahzaib started thinking about what his father would have bought for him. "Chocolates?"

"No..."

"Daddy got you an ice cream."

Shahveer gave the ice cream as Shahzaib squealed in excitement. Sahar walked towards them. With a smile, he gazed at them. Her family, her small happy family.

"I bought you one too," Shahveer smiled at her. All the tiredness which had etched his eyes washed away staring at his only love. She raised her eyebrows, smiling.

"Don't you remember?"

"Remember what?" He questioned with bafflement hitting his face. "That I am fasting today, Shahveer."

The realisation washed through him. He but his lips, trying to think what to say he sighed. "Ohhh... Yeah, I remember. Let's eat it after you break your fast in the evening."

"That's not the point, Shahveer Siddiqui. The point is you forgot that I was fasting."

With the words that left making Shahveer regret his words, he closed his eyes in anticipation of thinking something for a solution. "You're trapped, Veer."

She chuckled teasing him, making him grow embarrassed into the tickling seconds. "I am not supposed to feel trapped and I am embarrassed but why am I feeling that way?"

"Excuse me? You are supposed to feel that way. Well deserved."

Shahzaib sat between his parents, glancing at them with desperation. "When I looked at the ice cream parlour where I was a few minutes ago with Rayed and Izhaan, the only thing I remembered was my wife and my son who'd want to eat the ice cream too but seems like my world doesn't care."

"Daddy, I appreciate your efforts."

"World can't see it, Shahzaib." He mocked Sahar who giggled at his words. "I appreciate you, Shahveer. Not only your efforts."

He smiled winning over her heart again. Watching each other being the happiest was the best thing for him. She made him believe in future, in love, in hope and in everything that requires to live happily, contently and lovingly.

The amount of infinite euphoria ran through their selves when they will encounter them still feels fresh and never grows old. The emotions of pure love are still raw and strong.

"Mummy Jee, Daddy, I have a question."

"Ask away, my heart." Shahveer hugged his son sideways when he began asking his question, "My name is Shahzaib, Daddy, your name is Shahveer and Nanu's name is Shahnawaz. We have Shah's in our names."

"Uh-huh?" He encouraged him to continue. "Suggest one other name with Shah."

"Why?" He asked with knitted brows. "To name my son, Daddy."

"Oh my god! This was the last thing I imagined you to think about, Shahzaib," Sahar stood in shock while Shahveer laughed at the words Shahzaib said. "My son! You proved to be mine in every trait, my boy! You are just as intelligent as I am."

"You are intelligent?" Sahar teased. "I guess you are, one needs to have a really good mind to have fallen in love with me."

"Literally?" He questioned her words. "The heart is enough though." He said with eyes seemingly and gladly in love with her.

She blushed.

• ° • ° •

The room was filled with the enchanting smell of the candle. The lavender flavour spread among every corner of the turquoise room which was none other than Shahnawaz's room.

The father-daughter duo sat having a look at the wedding album. The wedding album of Shahnawaz and Myza. The grand reception where Myza looked no less than a princess, who became a royal queen of a ruthless king.

Their fairytale was destroyed by evil eyes that haunted their story of love. Evil eyes can be harmful, too much that they broke their heart and quenched their lives making it a barbed wire of steel which was once a thread of satin, a shining satin.

"Baba?"

Sahar called out looking up from the note of memories; the album. Shahnawaz's gaze travelled towards his daughter, sitting beside him on the huge couch of his room. Her ebony eyes were too beautiful to be stared at. Whenever Shahnawaz encountered them, he felt nostalgic because she had inherited her mother Myza's eyes.

"Yes, princess?" Sahar smiled heartily. Her heart felt euphoric whenever Shahnawaz called her a princess.

Indeed, she was one. She was the daughter of a renowned king, a king who always made sure to win the battles he played over. Now, she was the queen of the kingdom. The wife of Shahveer Jahangir Siddiqui, the man acquiring the power of fame, money and respect in every aspect. He spread among every end of popularity like fire. There was no going back once you touch the sky.

"There was a time when Isha Phupho told you that I'd be a traitor to this family. A person always gets a little hesitant after suspension why didn't you suspect me? I would have been the traitor if you think practically. To get revenge, Hashir Mama would have me to you."

"There is no chance of the things to happen that way, princess." He paused after chuckling. His voice was thick, rough and bold with a hint of kindness added with affection to his daughter. "Why?"

"Your name says it all."

"Huh?" Baffled at his words, her brows knitted together. "I didn't get you?"

"I had told Myza that I loved the sunrise, to kill the lethal and extreme end, a celebration to cherish and a hope of the brightness. A little time before dawn is the best time for me, the excitement and the charm are unique. The time before dawn is ethereal."

Sahar was intensely listening to his words. She didn't have any appointments that she needs to worry about when she is with her father. She cared about her father, the moments spent with him. He continued,

"And your name means the little time before dawn. I had wished to keep my daughter's name as Sahar one day. Only Myza knew about this and I am sure she would have kept this name."

The realisation hit her and she smiled. She never knew the reason behind her name. She assumed that it was another name which was suggested by someone and her mother approved it. "You are Sahar. The little time afore the sunrise, you are the time of excitement, the beginning of celebration and brightness. You are my daughter."

Her lips stretched into a beautiful smile and she hugged her father mumbling, "I am so lucky to have parents like you and Ammi."

"And I am so lucky to have you as my daughter and Myza as my only lady love and wife."

If only Myza was alive with them, it would have been the perfect life anyone could wish for but life is never meant to be perfect. Perfection never existed, this stereotype makes one feels that way.

Life is meant to be hard and when you enter paradise after struggling. The hardest struggles and pain will all be worth it.

"This was Myza's favourite picture."

"Really?"

They began staring at the memories captured and printed in the album was the string of the last scoop of moments to be remembered.

• ° • ° •

Sahar, Shahveer, Rayed, Meesha and Izhaan were out shopping a little for Izhaan's engagement.

After years of healing, Izhaan finally decided to get married and when he finally met the girl, it all clicked. He had changed a lot over the years. He was the country one of the best architects and had a lot of power over the city.

He was getting engaged to the daughter of one of the raging businessmen. Daughter of Fawaz Ahmed Patel, Laiba Fawaz Patel.

"This one?" Rayed asked.

"The colour of the ring is off," Shahveer commented whilst his gaze penetrated towards the rings kept in front of them. Too hard to choose yet too easy to decide, helping Izhaan to choose the ring.

"Don't go for sapphire or emerald. Go for a pure white diamond, Izhaan. It will suit her with every outfit," Meesha suggested.

"As far as I noticed Laiba, she is obsessed with red," Sahar stated. "I guess you should go with Ruby."

The jeweller presented the Ruby rings in front of them. Each one was hard to choose, finally after a lot of discussions.

"If you are confused, why don't you mix up all the designs and ask them to make one, Mr. Architect?" Rayed suggested. "After all you can design buildings, this is just a ring."

"I have no idea how would she like my design because I have no idea what type do girls like and that to it's a ring, not a building, Mr. Engineer."

"Don't think too much, Izhaan. Just tell him to make what you'll like on her. She will love it too."

Izhaan personally told the kind of ring he would want for Laiba to design it. Mixing up the many designs, the jeweller agreed to deliver them before the engagement.

"L and I look so good together Mr. Newton!" Sahar teased when Izhaan checked the showpiece etched with initials. It had many showpieces with different initials etched together. Sahar urged Izhaan to buy the showpiece which had I and L. It was enchantingly craved to be kept in their room.

"It's worth it bunny?"

"Off course, it is, Izhaan. Just look at it. Laiba would love it."

"Yes, it's beautiful!" Shahveer gazed at it. Sahar and Shahveer bought the ones which have double S whereas Rayed and Meesha bought the ones having R and M.

They come out of the jewellery showroom and went towards the huge building of the mall. Shahzaib was clinging to his father all the while. They spent well and good time together watching a horror movie and shopping a little more, going to the play pin for Shahzaib and finally decided to land in their respective homes.

"It was such a beautiful day! Allhamdulillah!"

(All praise to Allah)

Sahar said keeping the showpiece on one of the side tables of the couch which stood with it's glory.

"I am really excited for Izhaan's wedding and shopping for his wedding makes me remember ours even though we didn't do any shopping."

"Weddings are blessings so yeah it feels too good always," Sahar agreed.

"Loving, living and discovering happiness with you. I had the best days of my life after our marriage."

He held her hand gently pressing them between his warm palms. It felt so real, a splendid part of life. Their love was filled with pain, hope, ecstasy, unending saga of scepticism towards the end. Shahzaib entered showing his bunny teeth which he had gladly inherited from his mother making him look as adorable as he was.

The small bundle of joy of Shahveer and Sahar. Their son was the beat of their heart. Even though their story was painfull but it was worth it.

However, their love was glorious, beautiful and elegant.

"I am grateful to have you," she said.

"I? For sure I Am grateful to the infinity of everything."

They were sitting together on the couch beside each other as Shahzaib hugged them whilst grinning at the toy he had just purchased. They were a family now. Shahzaib was a blessing to them, the greatest felicity that Allah (SWT) blessed them with.

"You like this toy, Shahzaib?" He nodded gladly smiling at his mother's question. Sahar snuggled her son closer as he sat in his lap. They played with him for a pretty good time.

A moment later when Shahveer and Sahar gazed at each other. There was a spark that shone brighter in the presence. Joviality spread throughout the existence of the place.

Love is true and it was beautiful.

They were madly in love. Their eyes were the living proof of how deep the affection towered in their hearts.

"I love you!" He announced.

"I love you too!" She smiled.

"I love you three!" Their son Shahzaib announced chirping at his parents and hugging them. This was their story, their family, their love, their affection, their twisted fondness, their euphoria and this was their tale.

This was Blaze Of Tangled Emotions.

With love, Shahveer, Sahar and Shahzaib.

• ° • ° • ° • ° •

Thoughts on epilogue?

And I am happy to announce that Tangled Emotions will be named as Blaze of Tangled Emotions and it will be published in paperback.

Take care.