"Please come in Sir, this way."

There were several guards following his track in a straight line behind him, each with a loaded revolver attached to their belts. He walked through the hallway of this rather complicated building surrounded by mirrors and panels!

The way was led by one of Qasim Niyazi's men. With every step he took towards the office, people held on to their breath! Each and every single one of Qasim's force members stood where they were. His footsteps brought pin drop silence in the atmosphere and terror through the antique walls.

"Tashreef rakhiye janab! Aap hi ka intezar tha." Qasim said, turning around on his revolving chair.

He unbuttoned his black suit and sat on the sofa, one leg over the other knee.

"Kya leinge? Chai, coffee ya.."

"Iss se pehle k koi nuqsaan ho, kaam ki baat karo Qasim" His voice was dry and low-toned and yet it had the capacity to tremble the listener.

Qasim raised an eyebrow at the reply and layed back on the chair, lighting a cigarette. He then pointed 2 fingers of his other hand at the door signaling his men to leave the room.

"Uhh..Aap apne guards apne pas rakhna chahte hain to koi issue nai." He said, with a single sided smile appearing on his face.

The man sitting opposite to him tilted his head, resting his hand on the table.

"Ye guards bhi... tumhari hifazat k liye the. Khair, kehte ho to.." He looked back and all of them left the room as well!

The smile on Qasim's face had now vanished in a matter of seconds. The door was shut!

"Hmmm to kya socha apne hamare admiyon ko reha kerne k barey mei?

"Andaza lagao.." The answer was quick.

"Barkhurdaar.. aap ache tareeqe se jaante hain Qasim Niyazi ko ungli teri kerni bakhubi aati hai lekin humne socha kyu na apne sab se ache dost k saath ek agreement paida kiya jaye. Iss se sanp bhi mar jaye ga aur lathi..kisi ki bhi nahi toote gi." He moved his chair forward sitting up straight.

"Neik soch hai! Sanpon ka qarobar kerne wale apni lathiyan hi bachate phirte hain. Aur jahan tak tumhare admiyon ki baat hai, Kya tumhe tasalli hai k vo abhi tak zinda...."

Straightening his posture, he brought his face close to Qasim, joining his hands on the table.

Qasim was expressionless but raged by this thought. His jaw was clenched looking into his deep amber eyes.

He looked at the wall behind Qasim, examining it carefully. It also had a mirror and 2 panels attached. The Mirror wasn't a normal reflective one but it was an acrylic see-through mirror. Anyone could be watching clearly right into this office including his main men out of extra caution for this opponent on the other side of this wall. Timing every second. The panels were expanded scanners which were molded with plastic into this shape. They could scan any weapons, bombs, unusual sound waves etc. The meeting which was supposed to be "one to one" was pre-planned. HE was well aware!

He now looked back at Qasim, who was still without a reaction. He gave him a subtle easy smile, steadily piercing every inch of his khuddaari. He got up, buttoning the suit into place again.

"Bewaqoof banane k sau tareeqe.. Bewaqoof banne ka sirf EK." He leaned over on the table.

"Khuda Hafiz" He left the room.

***

Sitting there in confusion, exactly after 5 minutes of his exit, the locks of Qasim's qaid-khaana were found broken without any alarm breakouts.

That's when it hit him.

The heavy force was diverted towards one unarmed man sitting in the office while HIS men were sent outside to the easy overtake. His suit's button was connected to a chip, which confirmed a balanced situation in the office.

Qasim banged the glass ash container on the wall behind him, breaking it into pieces!

"Bhoolne nai dunga tujhe.."

•••

وہ میرے سامنے ہے مگر

اُس سے کوئ بات نہ ہو پائ ہے۔

میں اشارہ بھی اگر کرتا ہوں،

اس میں ہم دونوں کی رسوائ ہے۔

"Vo mere samne hai magar uss se koi

baat na ho payi hai..

Mei ishara bhi agar kerta hoon,

iss mei hum dono ki ruswayi hai"

****

The eyes went on the door every other minute. The heart rate was speeding although the heart wanted it to become normal. As much as the mouth wanted to say something, it wasn't able to.

The horn of Hassan's car was loud, the family that was in Hunza was about to see him after months. Here, he was named "chacha gumshuda". Zaina, for some reason, didn't want to get out of her room. The awkwardness was explainable because this was going to be the first meeting with him face-to-face after the whole rishta thing. And sone pe suhaga was that they had fixed the date as early as that.

Eventually, she was called down by especially using the sentence "Koi intezar ker raha hai.." She adjusted her hijab one more time in the mirror.

*The trowser tho, is full uptil her ankles lol*

And now, the nerve wrecking walk down the stairs had to happen.

Hassan turned around just as Zaina had come down. He smiled. The classic unintentional smirky smile of Hassan Mirza. He was dressed in a perfect navy blue suit and a mustard trench coat. Swinging his car keys and checking the time, he swayed both his arms in the air telling Zaina that she's late again. That was when the nervousness disappeared as it was never there! That was just a part of Hassan's incredible charm. He could get anyone to feel confident around him.

"As'salamuAlykum, bari jaldi utri hain aap."

"Aap se to jaldi hi hoon, chacha gumshuda sahab.."

"Oh please, hum gumshuda hai to aap gumnaam. Hum be-magrah hain to aap be-parwah."

Zaina looked at him confused, then burst out laughing at his convinced face.

"Ek baat batayein, ye itni saari baatein latey kahan se hain?"

"Wahin se jahan se aap apni khamoshiyan laati hain.. mei wahan se batein ley aata hoon!"

Zaina couldn't help but stare at him... he wasn't wrong.

"Suna hai meri Barbadi ki date fix ker di gayi hai do mahine baad?" Hassan broke the silence.

"Acha? Aur mera kya? Ese chalak advocate k saath phasa rahein hai mujhe.."

Hassan laughed.

"Chalak? Aur mei? Mujhe abhi haq hi kahan hai.." He said, looking right into her eyes even though she wasn't standing too close to him.

Zaina didn't have an answer to that but it felt like he said something that he usually wouldn't say.

The next second, Saima tayi called Hassan over. He gave her a genuine "excuse me" smile and went over. She stood there still not knowing what happened or what was happening.

She noticed Hassan closely for the first time. He was handsome. He had prominent brown hair in a side part, deep almost-black eyes, slightly bearded and had a good height. He also had a great dressing sense and of course his endless manners. He was the type of person with whom you would just need a few exchanges of words or he would do something unintentional but extremely sweet and that would be enough to fall for him. He could really do that but only if he wanted. He wasn't really a flirt but gave special attention to people close to him.

Zaina recalled when at first, her parents asked her if she agreed to this proposal. She took one whole week! One, because she had goals to achieve and she thought it was too early. Second, because she tried but failed to find anything in Hassan which was qabil e inqaar. It was also originally Taya Faisal's khwahish and he was Zaina's favorite taya. So looking at the whole situation, she had to agree.

Hassan was 23 and full of life despite the fact that he was work-oriented and very sensible. After the proposal, he personally confirmed it from Zaina if she wanted to marry him and wasn't pressured into it. He assured her that she wasn't going to miss out on any of her goals and education, and the best thing he did was to extend the nikah an year later than it was planned! For the sake of her comfort.

"Taar rahi ho bhai ko?" Noor asked from behind.

"Not again Noor" She made a face at her.

"NoT AgAiN NoOr. Ek to chori uper se seena zori" She was smiling viciously.

"Mei koi taar vaar nai rahi ok?"

"Nai nai koi baat nai agar check out ker bhi rahi ho.. apna hi-"

Zaina had now taken out one of her sandals.

"Ruk tu Batameez"

"Mamammaaaaa..," Noor ran towards Madiha.

"Mamaaa mere uper hamla ho raha hai juti seee."

She screamed all through the living room.

"Juti nahi tujhe dandey parhne chaheye.."

Zaina threw the sandal in the air aiming for Noor but she turned inside the kitchen. It went onto hit someone else.

"Oh shit.."

****

Dinner was served, everyone was gathered at the table. Zaina didn't dare to look up to the person sitting opposite to her. As much as she avoided contact, he was looking right into her direction, trapping his lower lip in his teeth and with tensed eyebrows. He turned to Fahad.

"Lagta hai teri behan iss waqt sharmindagi ka shikar hai..kyunke sharmana to inke naseeb mei likha hi nahi!" He whispered.

Fahad laughed inaudibly and looked at Zaina who was now trying to find something in her plate to stare at.

"By the way, juti Kesi thi uski?"

"Maze ki!" He exclaimed.

Both of them tried to control laughter.

Zaina gave Fahad a stare.

"Bhai tyan nal! Kidrey tussi vi na kha lavo hun duje aali." Hassan passed a dish to Fahad glancing at Zaina.

••••

It was around 10 pm, everyone was bidding on their rooms including Zaina. Her room was at the opposite end of the second floor. She was walking in her own concentration when she heard his voice. Soft and clear. She turned around to the sight of nothing. She started walking again when he appeared in front of her.

"Apke keemti waqt mei se 5 minute chahta hoon.. ijazat hai?"

"I..I'm so sorry, vo sandal...mei-"

"It's ok, shayad mujhe zarurat thi."

"Zarurat? Really Hassan?" She smiled.

"Phir kabhi bataounga, abhi kuch aur kehna hai."

"Jee nahi, kal baat kareinge." Zaina tried to pass him but was stopped by his arm in the track.

"Subha tak to coila raakh ho jayega." He made a disappointed face.

Zaina took a step behind, folding her arms.

"Konsa koila aur konsi raakh? Aap kabhi straight forward baat bhi ker sakte hain ya nahi?."

"Apko straight forward baat pasand nahi aayegi lekin barhal..."

Why did he have to do this with his words? Especially with her, she thought in her head.

"Kya kehna hai.."

"Mei Kuch laya tha, bas wohi dena hai."

He took out a small, round navy blue box out of his pocket and opened the golden clip. The ring was an oval bordered diamond. She looked up at him.

"It's..beautiful. But you know I can't accept gifts yet Hassan."

"I know that you won't but ye mera gift nahi hai, mom ne dia hai apke liye."

"Jhoot mat bolo.." She raised an eyebrow.

"Hassan jhoot nahi bolta." His face was peaceful, no signs of worry.

"Ok Lekin this is still expensive, how can I-"

"Jahan tak mujhe dikh raha hai, it's worthless!" He said, looking at her diamond-like eyes.

"Thank you...to tayi jaan," She added.

"May I?" He extended his hand but she became hesitant.

"I'm sorry Hassan, I'm don't mean to be rude but I can't... before the nikah."

"It's absolutely ok, jo apki marzi." He gave her an assuring smile.

He handed her the box and she thanked him again.

"Shab bakhair." He walked past her.

Something came over his mind and he stopped, turned around!

"Zaina.."

"Jee," She turned.

"Allah iss paakizgi ki hifazat karey!" He put a hand on his heart and walked away.

•••

Zaina and Hassan were walking down the Rakaposhi mountain trail. It was cold and sunny. The ideal Bahar ka mousam. Talking about how Hassan had accepted a new case file to work on. Discussing long nights and imagining blissful times of life ahead. Planning a visit to Makkah first and then different destinations to explore. Zaina's dream to complete graduation and her much awaited degree which would say, "Aalima Zaina Mirza", this was something she had wanted her whole life.

They stopped in their way to take a break on one of the benches, Hassan held her hands into his and gave her the exclusive smile. They were perfect. The phase was perfect, Just with each other. That moment was once in a lifetime. Zaina walked in front of Hassan as they got up to continue the path.

The very next second, the air was filled with smoke, the silence of the peaceful glaciers was broken mercilessly, the dreams were shattered, the moment was gone...Forever. There was a gunshot.

Her heartbeat had frozen. She stood still in her way not being able to turn around. Her eyes filled up with dard.. khauf. She turned around, Hassan was showered in blood. She couldn't move.

She saw the man standing at least 10 foot behind wearing a pant and a white collared shirt. He lowered the gun and was now putting it back in the cover. Hassan fell on the ground. She fell on her knees, tears falling down her eyes one by one. She was looking at his Qatil.

***

ZAINA WOKE UP, sweating and with damp eyes. She felt like she was unable to breathe. She got up shaking from her feet and opened her window up for air. Now exhaling loudly; she sat on the couch holding her neck and recited a few Duas. She went back to bed but sleep was far away.

"What was this dream Ya Allah..?"

After a few minutes, she couldn't recall any of it. Plain darkness in that mountain. Nothing.

"Vo kon tha..?"

All that she knew was that he had golden eyes.

••••••

تماشہ حقیقت کی گہرائی ناپنے...

اک روز تو تنہائی چھائے گی...

یہ دلفریبی تو محظ ایک اتفاق ہے...

اک روز تو اے ہمدم، وہ قیامت آئے گی۔

"Tamasha e haqeeqat ki gehrai napne..

Ek roz to tanhayi chaye gi..

Ye Dil-farebi to mehaz ek ittefaq hai..

Ek roz to ae humdam, vo qayamat aaye gi."

••••••

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From behn E,