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Ahmer, Hamza, Haider, Ali, Ahmed & Azhar were sitting in a circle with Fajar, Safiya & Ramsha. Naimal was as usual sitting in a corner away from them. Reception was a common function for males & females. So not wanting to roam here & there they sat in a group talking & laughing among themselves.

"Hide & Seek khele kya???" Ahmer exclaimed excitedly.

"Yaha par? Pagal ho gaye ho kya?" Fajar stated disbelievingly.

"Haa yaar maza ayega. Itne saare logo me chupne me kitna maza ayega na." Ali said excitedly.

"I will start counting." Haider said closing his eyes with his palms.

Everyone shockingly looked at them, but nontheless got up to find the place to hide.

Being bride's side they didn't have anything to do in reception. After meeting Mirha everyone was stranger to them.

After counting Haider went in searching for them. They were looking like maniacs.

Haider was looking here & there while searching for his party. He started looking behind the curtains and tables when in process he colloided with a soft body.

Humeira was walking fastly towards the food stall when colloided with a hard body. She was about to fall but was stop by steong arms going around her waist to held her in a place.

Haider looked at her closely. Her eyes were closed tightly due to fear. Her hairs were perfectly combed in a side french braid. The peach color she was wearing was doing justice with her complexion.

Not feeling the impact of fall Humeira opened her eyes to come in contact with the dark orbs.

Immediately pulling her hand from his chest which started to beat rapidly she pulled away from him making him retreat his hands back she disappeared in a second.

Safiya was hiding behind one of the pillars peeking every now & then to catch a glimpse of her brother. Someone tapped her shoulder from behind but she waved the person off. Another tap, another wave. Another tap, another wave. Another tap, she turned around frustrated at the person ready to press his neck when her breath hitched immediately fisting her hand which was about to catch his neck. Ahmer was standing close, too close to her without touching.

"Tumhare paas to mere liye time hi nahi hai." He whispered huskily.

"Ap...ap kya kar rahe hai. Haider Bhai aajayege." She stated with fear lacing voice.

"Mere sawal ka jawab do Safiya." She wasn't still used to his this side. It has just been a week since this nee feeling developed between them.

She just looked away from him.

"Hamara rasta chode."

"Nahi chodta. Kya karogi?"

"Ham chilla chilla kar logo ko jama karlege."

"Chillao. Fir Zaydan Bhai k jaisa mai bhi tumse raat-o-raat nikah kar lunga." Safiya blushed extremely flustered.

"Ap had se aage badh rahe hai." She said making an angry expression.

"Achaa. Tum batao na kya had hai meri." He asked looking teasingly at her.

Safiya suddenly punched his stomach making him groan in pain. "3 bhaiyo ki ek lauti behen hai ham. Hamse panga lena no changa." Winking at him she stepped out of there forgetting that she was playing the game.

"First Safiya. First Safiya. First Safiya." Haider immediately shouted making her realise her mistake. She slapped her head in regret and glared at Ahmer who was looking at her angrily.

"Bhaiii." She called Haider. "Hamko lagta hai..." before she could say further Haider showed her his palm indicating to stop.

"Mai cheating nahi karta Safiya." He said with serious expression.

"Agar ap cheating nahi karte to abhi tak school ja rahe hote." He looked shocked at his sister who was insulting him.

"Waise point hai Safiya." She nodded vigorously and said Ahmer's location in his ear.

Ahmed & Azhar were sat under the table enjoying gulab jamun where food was kept for buffet.

"Ahmed yaha to hame koi dhund hi nahi sakta."

"Ha yaar kya khaas jagah dhundi hai tune." Azhar straightened his collor. "Agar wo log hame chod kar bhi chale jayege to pata nahi chalega." He slapped his twin brother's head who was looking so proud.

"Kyaa yaat tu to aasman tak uraa kat farsh par gira deta hai."

"Aaaaahhhhh Haider bhaiii." Ahmed at once shouted when he ducked his head inside the table and made space for himself.

"Beghairaton...Hamza hu mai." He said slapping both the heads.

Fajar was hiding behind one of the curtains. Not a single person could be found there. She was getting anxious second by second but she relieved the sigh when she saw Ibrahim coming towards her.

Ibrahim saw her shadow through the curtains & confusedly walked to her.

"Shukar hai ap agaye. Ap bhi chup rahe hai? Yeh achi jagah hai na yaha koi nah ayega." She ranted not knowing why was he here.

"Kya keh rahi hai? Tum log hide & seek khel rahe ho yaha?" He asked not believing his ears.

"Ibrahim Bh..." He instantly placed his finger on her lips.

"Don't call me bhai." He said stepping closer to her making her take a step back.

"Khabardar jo mujhe bhai bola to." He said in a dangedous voice.

Fajar gaped at him looking at his audacity to touch her.

Pushing his hand away she step towards him making him take a step back with shock.

"Khabardar jo hame aj k baad hath lagaya to. Apne had me rahe." Pointing towards him she passed him to go inside when his words halted her steps.

"Mai apse mohabbat karta hu Fajar." They didn't turned to look at each other.

Fajar's heartbeat increased. Her breaths started to come out in pants.

"Zaydan bhai ko pata hai yeh baat." She started mockingly. "Ki unka jaan se zada aziz dost unki behen k baare me kya irade rakhta hai."

"Mohabbat karna koi gunah to nahi hai. Or naa hi ye mere bas me tha." Fajar inhaled sharply at his confession.

"Behtar hoga ap apne dil ko behla le." She said without any emotion.

"Ap mujhe inkaar kar rahi hai?" He turned to look at her but she was already gone.

Ali dragged Ramsha to one of the corners to hide.

"Mera hath to chode." She said once they were in secluded area.

Ali raised his hands in surrender.

"To?"

"To?..." She asked back making him chuckle.

She looked away blushing.

"Ye kaisi feeling hai Ramsha? Ye dil ka tumhara naam zor zor se chillana. Ye aankho ka tumhe dekhne k liye tarasna. Ye dimag ka tumhare khayal me dube rehna. Ye kya hai Ramsha?" She looked away from his piercing eyes.

"Jaa rahi ho?" He asked again not getting any answer.

She just nodded in return.

"Mujhe miss karogi?" He asked with hope.

"Ap karege?"

"Bhot zada." He stated in a blink.

"Mai intezar karungi apka." She replied instead. "Zada der mat laga dena." With tears pooling her eyes she stated.

"Hey. Tum ro kyu rahi ho? Mai sirf tumhara hu Ramsha. Or tum sirf meri ho." Ali said not knowing what to say seeing a girl he loved crying in front of him.

"Then why it feels like we won't meet again?" She asked while wiping her tears.

"It won't be last time Ramsha. I won't live you ever. You are the first girl that caught my eye. The first girl I fell in love with." He said with determination. "We will meet again. Soon. In sha allah."

Saying he wiped her tears not able to control himself.

"4th Aliiii." They flinched at Haider's voice & moved away.

"Oo. Oooh. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry to disturb." Ali glared at him.

"Waise ho kya raha tha. Hayeee." He exclaimed seeing Ramsha's red eyes.

"Abhi se rula raha hai bhabi ko. Badtameez." Haider smacked Ali's head & again turned to Ramsha.

"Bhabi mujhe bataye kya kiya hai is nikamme ne maine isko hamari nani na yaad dilayi to mera naam bhi Haider nahi." Ramsha blushingly looked away when he called her "bhabi".

"Chup kar." Ali took the revenge by slapping his head. "Bakwas kara lo bas isse. Ja jakar pani le kar aa." Ali dismissed his brother.

×××××××××××

Hoor was not comfortable being the limelight of the function & it didn't go unnoticed by Zaydan & it was getting unbearable with Rukhsar dragging her to literally every guest to introduce her as her daughter-in-law. So they took an early leave from the reception.

Zaydan accelerated the car on highway. Hoor was enjoying the speed he was forcing on accelerator. Zaydan was enchanted by her smile. She was facing out of the window with her eyes closed. Calm expression spread on her face.

Suddenly she remembered today's conversation between Zaydan & Ibrahim.

Hoor turned to him with her eyes breaming with tears. Her breaths started to come in pants. She needed air badly. The atmosphere which seemed to calm her few minutes ago began to choke her.

"St...sto...stop the...ca...car." she whispered in between her breaths gaining Zaydan's attention. Seeing her condition he immediately stop the car on the side of the road.

"Hey... Hoor you okay? Look at me. Hoor." Zaydan began to call her. Concern lacing his voice.

Hoor didn't bothered to answer him & stepped out of the car followed by him.

Zaydan instantly came to her side. Cupping her face with his rough hands he made her look directly at him.

"Hoor. Hey. Look at me. Take deep breaths. Okay." This made her somewhat calm. She began to copy him, inhaling & exhaling.

After few seconds she relaxed. Few tears made its way down her cheeks penetrating in his palms.

"What happened Hoor?" He asked in a whisper making her insides melt with his honey laced voice.

Hoor immediately hugged him tightly. Hiding away from world in his safe embrace. Zaydan startled for a second at her sudden action but reciprocated her hug tightly.

Hoor didn't knew what she was doing. She just wanted to calm herself. After a while detaching herself she looked at him.

"Ham...hamne...apki baate sunli thi." She said between hiccups making Zaydan confused.

"Konsi baate Hoor?" He asked softly.

"Apki or Ibrahim Bhai ki baate." Zaydan's eyes widened at her confession.

"Hoor...ap...apne?" He stuttered badly.

"Hame pata hai. Hamne nahi sunna chahiye tha. I am sorry." She whispered.

"Hoor. Car me baitho." Hoor looked surprised at his cold voice.

"Hamari baat to sune." Hoor tried to convince him.

"Hoor." He warningly called her. "Car me jakar baitho." He said not giving her chance to argue.

With a dejected sigh & wiping her tears she opened the door & sat inside followed by him.

"Someone is following us." He whispered and closed the windows & locked the car with child lock.

Hoor's heartbeat quickened with the information.

"Apko kaise pata?" She asked confused.

"A car stopped at a distance. How can I not notice it first?" He whispered to himself but was heard by her.

"Am sorry. Hamari wajah se..." Hoor trailed off but was cut off by him.

"Apki galti nahi hai." He replied to her & stepped on gas pedal speeding the car.

Hoor was getting scared now. He himself was getting scared for her.

"Relax Hoor. Nothing will happen to you." He assured glancing her way.

Hoor looked back to see the car still following them.

"Nothing should happen to you too." Hoor said to him keeping her hand on his which was on the gear.

Zaydan held her hand tightly for few seconds.

"Nothing will happen to us. I promise." Saying he took a U turn in a glimpse distracting the other car.

Speeding the car towards opposite direction he took a few turns to distract the intruder leaving that car behind.

Hoor relieved a sigh of relief seeing no car behind them.

"I have cottage half an hour from here. We can go there. It is quiet late and we had left highway far behind us." Hoor just nodded at Zaydan.

"Aunty ko call karna padega." Zaydan smiled at Hoor's concern. "Waise wo log the kon?" Hoor pointed her question at the car which followed them.

Zaydan just looked at her with calculate expression but didn't said anything. Hoor also didn't pushed him more. Comfortable silence fell between them after that.

×××××××××

Zaydan looked at her. She was now sleeping peacefully with her head on the headrest. Her hijab disheveled. He had some explaining to do. She won't leave him without knowing full story.

He was about to wake her up but startled at the phone's ping. He checked his mobile but he didn't got any notification. He then looked at Hoor's phone placed on the dash board. Thinking it must be his mother asking about their whereabouts he picked her phone.

It didn't had any lock so he opened the phone and looked confused at unknown number. Glancing at Hoor he opened the message.

"Saved today. But there won't be next time."

Zaydan got surprised at the text. Scrolling down he found more such messages. Frowning he looked at the number & than at Hoor. Why would someone threaten her? His thoughts went to certain person making his heart beat rapidly in his chest. The same thing happened of which he was scared of. He traced the number quickly in his phone.

Sighing he got down from the car & came to her side. Lifting her slowly in bridal style he stepped towards the cottage.

Hoor stirred in her sleep feeling someone holding her opening her eyes she shrieked loudly making him flinch seeing him carrying her bridal style.

"Keep me down!" Zaydan nodded sensing her discomfort & put her down.

With a blush adjorning her face she looked away from him & turned toward the cottage.

"Chachaaa! Chachaaa!" Zaydan called out loudly. A middle age man, nearly of 45-50 years came out.

"Salam Zaydan Baba. Maine apka kamra saaf kar diya hai. Ap pehle keh dete. Itne kam time me mai kuch kar na saka." He greeted polietly.

"Koi baat nahi chacha. Yahi bhot hai. Ham waise bhi kal subah nikal jayege." Zaydan said with respect & gestured him to go to small servent quarter where he lives.

He gestured Hoor to follow him. If Hoor was mesmerised by the exterior than she would be lying if she said she wasn't enchanted by the interior. A perfect match of ancient plus mordern decoration was giving blissful look to the cottage.

"Aap fresh ho jaye. Mai Ammi ko call karta hu." Nodding her head she disappeared inside finding her way to the room.

×××××××××

Entering the room she took in the interior. This man doesn't fails to amaze her. Simple yet elegant & was very cozy.

Sighing tiredly she stepped towards attached bathroom. But than she realised she didn't have clothes to change. Still in heavy saree it was getting difficult for her to control now.

Making a face she stepped inside for freshening up.

When she stepped out, Zaydan was already there. As if waiting for her, he stood up.

"Change nahi kiya?" He asked eyeing her saree clad form.

"Umm wo hamare paas kapde nahi hai change karne." She just shrugged. She had removed her hijab & makeup by now. With her hair open she was standing in front of him with her eyes lowered.

"Uhmm. Mere kapde hoge cupboard me. Unme se shayad kuch mil jaye. Mai bhi change karleta hu. Fir kuch baat karni hai apse." Saying he stepped towards the bathroom with his clothes in his hands.

She looked confused at him but then stepped towards his cupboard. From all the black shirts she took one random one and picked one joggers with it.

Zaydan just stepped out of the bathroom & saw her closing the last button of his shirt on her body very gracefully. In an instant he turned around when she shrieked looking at him.

"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry." He chanted like a mantra.

Hoor was flushed. Clearing her throat she composed herself.

"You can turn around." She said meekly.

Zaydan looked at her. If she looked beautiful in desi dressing than he couldn't even describe how was she looking in his dress. With sleeves folded to fit her hands & extra large jogger she was looking HIS. In every way.

"Apko kuch baat karni thi." She tried to distract him who was looking at her without blinking continuously.

"Ooh. Haa. Wo...apne hamari baate kaha tak suni?" He questioned her referring to his & Ibrahim's conversation.

Hoor gulped, not knowing what to say. "Itna ki apki hmko reject karne ki wajah Zain bhai nahi the wo sirf zariya the. Or apka reason kuch or tha." She said looking down.

"Or ye k mai apse ishq karta hu?" Zaydan asked knowing she had heard almost everything. She just nodded in response not looking at him.

Zaydan sighed in relief knowing she didn't knew the actual reason.

"Apke mobile par ye messages kab se aarahe hai?" He asked showing her mobile to her.

Hoor gasped looking at her mobile in his hands. She tried to snatch the mobile but he was fast in dodging it.