After the mehndi function, Zoya was lucky enough to not see her nemesis face. She didn't know how he had earned the title of her nemesis in the numbered days. But he had. And he worked hard to keep that. The Irtaza-distancing would have continued if not for Alizey's stupid as lamp-post request to meet Hashim the night before her Ruksati.

Zoya had been sitting in her bed, reading Midnight Sun by Stephine Myer's. Yes, she was too old for Twilight but there was just something about Edward's point of view that made her go, aww. Don't we all want Edward's superpower? Reading someone's mind. Knowing what the other person thinks of you? How he sees you? Ahhh! She signed as she shifted on her right side, towards the door only to see something move in the dark.

She would have let out a loud shriek if Alizey hadn't placed her hand on Zoya's mouth.

Her eyes were wide and huge as she stared at her best friend. Breathing hard, she pushed Alizey away.

"Jaan he nikal de. Pata nai hai tumhain k main daar jati hoon. Ab agr mera heart fail ho jata tu idhar tumhari dholi uth rahi hoti aur udhar mera janaz."

(You scared me to death. Don't you know I get spooked easily? If I had suffered a cardiac arrest, you would be getting married while I would be 6 feet under the ground lying in my coffin!")

"Zoya, stop being dramatic. Utho jaldi. (Get up quickly)"

"Main nai uth rahi. Jao yahan say. (I am not getting up. Leave)" She replied as she resumed to read the e-book on her phone.

"Zoya! I need your help please?" Alizey said, her tone was serious all of sudden. With that she had all of Zoya's attention. She flattered her eyelashes, something that she did to appear desperate, a damsel in distress.

"Don't give me the look Alizey. Just tell me what you want?" Zoya asked, she was dramatic herself but hated it when another person did it. Hypocritic much. Yes.

Zoya knew Alizey a little too well to buy her needy act. Plus, she hated the disclaimer. The "I need to tell you something" and "Mujhe say galti ho gae hai ek." (I committed a mistake) kind of sentences were such a killer for her anxious mind. It made her dread everything.

If you have to tell something. You don't need to give disclaimer. You don't "Ek baat pochon"(Can I ask a question?) Because it's not just ek(one). It turns into two the moment someone asks this stupid question.

"Okay just because you asked and you are actually like my maid of honor, if there was any .......

So, it is why the responsibility falls on your shoulders.........

Yes...

It means you have to be the one helping me" Alizey's unsurety and the word responsibility had Zoya sweating.

Responsibility and Me? Alizey, I am the most irresponsible person. Areyyyy yaar maat keroooooo... (Please don't do this.)

"Actually, you are perfect for the job." Alizey, said suddenly realizing that Zoya was the perfect candidate for the job she had planned. She sounded so pleased with herself while on the other hand curiosity was killing Zoya.

"Alizey, just get on with it. Look my palms are sweating." Zoya whined. She had never liked suspense. She was the type of person who'd read the story of a suspense thriller on Wikipedia just to avoid that over-anxious element of the movie that left her biting her nails.

"I want your help in sneaking out and meeting Hashim."

"Kya (What)?"

"Cheekh chekh k sub ko utha do."(Wake up everyone with your screams, will you?) Alizey whisper shouted at her.

"Sorry. I am actually very dizzy with sleep right now. Can you believe I just imagined you asking me to help you sneak out?" Zoya claimed as she nervously laughed.

It happened with her sometimes. Like she'd be so busy zoning out that she'd miss what was happening in the real world and sometimes , it would confuse her to such an extent that it would force her to question herself whether she was imagining all that or was it happening in real.

Right now, by the look Alizey was giving her , Zoya could tell that it was all real.

"Seriously? Are you out of your mind? How can I help you with that? Aunty is going to kill me. I can't take this on me. Fazeela ko lay jao (Take Fazeela with you)". Zoya suggested.

"Fazeela ko nai lay k jaa sakte. (I can't take Fazeela with me.) You know Jaffer bhai (Fazeela's husband) just arrived aj raat(tonight). Galat baat ho ge, (It would be wrong) invading her privacy like that."

Of course! Zoya tu single hai. Uska tu koi banda hai nai. Tu woh raat main busy ho nai sakti. Na he uski privacy ho sakti hai. Is liye use he yeh sab kaam karnay parain gay usay.

(Zoya is single. She has no bae. So, she is not going to be busy at night. Nor is she entitled to some privacy. That is why she is supposed to do all these types of chores)

"Tu Kaiant aur Azeem bhai ko lay jao. (Take Kainat and Azeem Bhai then) I know they are up."

"Zoya tum meri bestie how ya Kainat? (Who is my best friend? You or Kainat) And this is the last favor. Iske baad tu mainay Hashim ka sir kahana hai? (After that I am going to bug Hashim)"

Haan Alizey, bhejo mujhe guilt trip pay. Acha chalta hoon duaon main yaad rakhna. (Okay Alizey send me on a guilt trip. I'm leaving, remember me in your prayers)

"Chal rahi hoo phir (So are you coming with me)? Alizey asked as she noticed Zoya frowning.

"Kya, chal rahi ho? (What, are you coming?) I am not going anywhere. Mujhe Kabab main Hadi banay ka koi shoq nai hai. (I don't want to be a Bone in kebab)"

"But you won't be a kabab main haadi. Please Zoeeee. Irtaza will be there with you. Aur Meena aur Moiez bhi arahay hain. (Meena and Moiez are coming too)"

"Huh?"

" You won't be alone and awkward. And let's be honest Irtaza is a total snack, just your type. Chalo abb (Come on!) "

HAHAHAHAHHA Alizey. If only you knew how taking his named has decreased the chances of me helping you.

Ab tu main bilkul nai jaa rahi. ( I am not going now.)

Kon sa snack? Snack nai sneek hai woh! ( What snack? More like snake instead of a snack.)

"Sorry Alizey. Subha Barat hai aur mujhe jaldi uthana hai. (Its barat tomorrow and I need to get up early)"

What an excuse Zoya! Well-done! Taliyann honi chahiyen (Slow claps)

"Zoya!! Barat meri hai tumhari nai. (It's my Barat. Not yours)"

Don't fall for it. Don't! You know it's her pup face. Please Zoya. Do yourself some good. Say No. It's not that difficult. Say 'N' 'O'! Try. Yaad hai last time, Kaiant ko Yes kiya tha tu kya hua tha. Haan....... Yaad karo .... (Don't you remember what happened last time when you said yes to Kainat. Yes, try to remember)

What she meant to say was, "No Alizey. I am sorry. Please ask your cousins." But what came out of her mouth was, "Okay Alizey. I'll come."

"Kya masla hai Zoya! (What is wrong with you Zoya) We thought by now you would have learned to say NO. Ajeeb." Kainat who was hiding in the shadow of the darkness came out and stood in the doorway. She scowled at Zoya.

"Roo nai, Kainat. Woh urban decay ki kit. Kamray main rakh dena mere."(Don't cry Kainat.Dont forget to place that urban decay kit in my room) Alizey said turning towards the door with the arrogant smile.

"Nuksan he karana humesha mera." (You are always costing me money) Kaiant vined as she gave Zoya a stinky eye.

"Sharam karo Alizey! You placed bet on me? Kis kisam k dost ho tum? Main nai chal rahi ab. Jao khudi!" (Shame on you Alizey. You placed a bet on me. What kind of friend are you. Now, go alone.)

"Bohat achi.(Good one!) Stop being overdramatic. Fazeela and Kaiant thought you changed. They thought wrong obviously." The wink followed by her all-knowing smile irked Zoya so much that she wanted to jab Alizey for the trickery. But her mind was occupied elsewhere.

Irtaza, I'd have to face him again. No, we are not doing it. Tell, Alizey you can't go. What if we got caught sneaking out. No, no, no! Abort!!!

"Alizey tumhara dimaag kharab ho gaya hai. Jao Panadol khao aur ja k soo jao.(Alizey, you have lost your mind. Take a Panadol and go to sleep)" Zoya exclaimed.

"Zoyeee, don't be a party pooper okay. I got it all planned. Sab soo rahain hain. Kisi ko pata nai chale ga, it's all set. (Everyone is sleeping. No one is going to know)" Alizey said dangling her car keys in front of her. And by the looks of her confidence, Zoya knew that she had spent all her day planning that get away.

Zoya kya ho gaya hai? (Zoya, what is wrong with you) This is so romantic. A voice spoke to her.

Yes, it is so romanticccc. I mean wow, Alizey! I am so proud of you for coming up with this. I would have agreed if there was no Irtaza in the picture. Can't we just drop him. Like pleaseeeeee!!

"Alizey, I can't see anything. Can't we just turn on the flashlight?" Zoya whispered as she reluctantly followed Alizey out.

"You know we can't. " Alizey who was ahead of her told in a tone that meant 'Zoe you can be so stupid sometimes.'

They both were carrying their boots in hand because sounds echoed at night, plus the hard wood floor would have made those creaking sounds under the weight of their boots.

Shit. Dang! My foot hurts like hell. Ughh, Zoya asa chalta raha tu Alizey ki shadi say wapis wheelchair pay jao ge. (If this continues after the wedding, I am going home on wheelchair)

Astagfirullahh!!!! THINK POSITIVEEE !!!!

What did I just crush under my feet? Aghhh, it hurts. I hope it was not Sara's truck which she had gotten Yesterday in the happy meal. I am so sorry Sara. I'd check for the damage on my way back and replace it with my truck.

But I like my firetruck. Okay, please be someone else's toy and not be Sara's.

Why did she agree to this stupid sneaky, was beyond Zoya. She didn't want to get into trouble. Still, she was sneaking out with Alizey. When she very much preferred to be in her room planning of ways to avoid Irtaza. Not on her way to meet him.

"Alizey, I swear this is the last time. And if Aunty finds out, I am out." Zoya told Alizey as she sat in the passenger seat of her black Grande. "Stop stressing Zoya! Kaiant and Azeem bhai will cover for us if we get caught. "(Don't ruin my mood) Alizey instructed as she pulled her seatbelt.

Shouldn't have agreed to it. I am so stupid. Damn it. How am I even alive with all the stupidity?

Mama ki dua(prayers)

It's not that, I had any chance against Alizey and that look.

From the farmhouse to the meeting point which Alizey had decided, Zoya didn't nothing except regretting. She hated how she had so many regrets.

"There they are." Alizey said pointing towards the black SUV which was parked against the curb. Leaning against it was the person Zoya was trying her best to avoid. He was wearing the denim which he had gotten from 'Levis'. The denim brought back memories she was trying to block. She couldn't see his expression, but she could bet her swear jar that either he was scowling or had that smug smile on.

Parking the car behind theirs, Alizey got out whole excited to meet her 'husband'. If only she would have waited for ruksati.

"Salam Zoe, I am forever indebted to you for this getaway." Hashim told Zoya as he wound his arms around Alizey's waist and placed his head on the top of hers.

Zoya noticed Alizey shiver a little and then wrap her arms around herself. Zoya was going to offer the extra shawl that she had wrapped around herself, but before Zoya could do that. She watched Hashim take off his bomber jacket and wrap it around Alizey, who looked at him like a warmed kitten. Then he put his arm around her, and the two of them nuzzled each other.

NUZZLED. They were NUZZLING.

That personal display of affection got to her heart.

Where was her Hashim, who was going to share his jacket with her. Ughhh

Zoya looked over to see if Irtaza had noticed, and he totally had. He was looking right at them. But unlike her, his eyes weren't filled with longing. He genuinely looked happy for his cousin. That was something Zoya thought, she could respect.

All this personal display of affection was making Zoya uncomfortable but at the same time her heart was going "hayeeeeee Allahhhhhhh!!! INSHALLAHHHH" She was feeling like a kabab main hadi already. (Playing the gooseberry).

Zoya awkwardly looked around until her eyes got glued to Irtaza, who standing under the lamp. Yellow light from the bulb fell on his cheekbones, highlighting them and the scowl on his face. Until now she hadn't given many thoughts to how perfect and well sculptured his face was. Definitely, a face which had that golden ratio. She thought. Steering her gaze away from his, she looked at the happy couple who was in their own 'bubble'.

Say something.

The silence is getting awkward. But God damn look at those dark bushy brows Irtaza got there.

Allah, why are the pretty ones always mannerless?

He isn't mannerless.

Yes, he is just cold. SPITEFUL VIPER which makes him worse. Her alter ego provided.

"It wasn't a big deal." Zoya replied desperately trying to fill the silence as she smiled nervously looking at Hashim. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Alizey roll her eyes at her remark. Zoya was thankful that she didn't make any comments.

Another lie. Why did you have to say it wasn't a big deal? That too after a 4 minute pause.

Jhooti! (Liar) One day you are going to regret all these small lies especially when you are rotting in hell!

What was I supposed to say? "Mujhe nai ana tha kyunke Irtaza araha tha? Alizey say dar gae is lie ana para?" (I didn't want to come because Irtaza was coming. Alizey threatened me which is why I am here)

"So, the plan is that we are going to where Alizey wants while you guys are going to head over to Street Café 1. Moiez aur Minaal wahin hain."(Moiez and Minaal are there) Hashim said as he looked lovingly at his wife.

Stop being so cringe.

Allah ka diye sub kuch hai daulat hai shohrat hai, bus ek larka.......(Allah has blessed me a lot. Money, fame, only a man is required.........) [Note: WELCOME IS My favourite movie]

Where are you my future husband!

I am stranded with these people.

Wait a minute!

Kya matlab? (What do you mean)

We????

"Main Kainat aur Azeem bhai ko bhi bo deti hoon Café 1 ka. Wasey tu unka alag he plan tha." (I'll inform Kainat and Azeem bhai about Café 1. Although they have some other plans) Alizey said as she smiled at Zoya and then looked in Irtaza's direction.

"You guys are going alone?" Zoya asked dumbly as she stared at Alizey, with her mouth hanging open.

"You want to third wheel them?" that disapproving voice asked.

What? NO!

Why wasn't I informed earlier about this? Why couldn't we directly go the café?

Zoya, they want to spend some time alone. Why the hell did you think that they were going to bring you along? Plus, didn't a moment ago you wanted them to do all this coupely thing in private!

"Yes! I mean. NO? Why would I want that?" She replied as she nervously licked her lips.

"Irtaza" said Hashim throwing car keys at him, who caught them with ease. Zoya's desperate lovesick alter ego couldn't help but 'Aww' at his reflexes or how his muscle flexed.

Reaching the car, Zoya sat in the passenger seat not before reciting Ayat-ul-Kursi.

She was nervous. He was a stranger, and she was going first seats with him. She didn't want any beggars to come and bless them with prayers like "Allah karay tumharay 5 bachay hoon"(May God, bless you with 5 kids.)

What was with the beggars?

Matlab kamayabi ki duanain dain? Jese he ek khatoon aur admi dekha, direct 5 bache hoon ki dua ka gola martay hain.

Koi Nasseeb ki he dua dain dain.

(They can pray for success? But no, the moment they see a man and a woman, they gun you down with a '5 kids' wish. They can even pray for good fortune.)

Thankfully it was midnight, and the burger beggars of Islamabad were sleeping. Being a Karachite she found it funny. Beggars in Karachi stayed till 2 or more, and you'd find them at signals blessing you with weird duas. But in Islamabad the roads were deserted and abandoned. It was making her more nervous.

May Allah save me from the embarrassing myself again. Pata nai Irtaza kya soch raha ho ga? (What is Irtaza going to think?) No, no, no! Think about something else. Anything else. Food. Yes, think about what you want to get. Think about food. FRENCH FRIES. And Mayo sauce!!! And gol gappayyyy with meethi chatni! And extra spicy dahi bhallay.

The food was a diversion enough and soon Zoya's mouth was watering. The food had her salivating like a dog and consciously she checked the corner of her mouths for it.

Thank God there is none.

"Zoya " he said after 4 minutes. Yes, she was actually counting the seconds. Because it helped her with anxiety. She turned her head to look at him and was glad that he was staring straight ahead.

"I am sorry." He spoke. She watched his lips move but still she wasn't sure she had heard him right.

"Sorry?" She repeated.

"Yes, for mistreating you on Mehndi. I have been trying to apologize to you, but you kept ignoring me. "

"You could have texted me." Was her instant reply and she wanted to facepalm herself!

Ghadhii!!!(Jackass) And now he is going to think that you are fishing for his number. Or you want him to text you. Dimag kyun nai chalta mera!( Why does my brain not work?)

"Yes, but I didn't have your number. My behavior was uncalled for. And I am really sorry for treating you the way, I did."

"You are?", She asked as she looked at him shocked.

What? He is apologizing. With zero drama? Ase kese yaar?(Not like this.)

Don't apologize. I want to hate you. Please don't do it. Pleaseee no..... She was internally screaming.

"Yes. I am very protective of Meenu. I am sure your brother is like that with you. But that is not an excuse for treating you like I did last night. " He replied firmly. She wanted to say, 'No! Mustafa is not like that. He respects my space. And he allows me to fight my battles on my own! He doesn't go apeshit and definitely not on the other women.'

But she didn't. Mainly because she was sold by his apology which she wasn't expecting. He had been throwing shade at her since he had met her. How in the hell was she supposed to expect an apology from him? Just like that, she forgave him for all the shit he had said. A clean slate.

"You are being nice to me?" She asked frowning hard. She couldn't believe it.

"This isn't nice. This is being cordial. So, can we call it a truce?" He asked.

"I accept your surrender." She replied mindlessly.

He stared at her face as surprise flicked through his eyes. But didn't say a word. Just shook his head and she wondered what was going through his mind.

Did he just get my THOR reference? Did he? Is he my soulmate? Her heart was doing cartwheels, all she saw was red hearts with Irtaza's face on it. It was magical.