He had left without paying any heed to his bleeding heart. The look on his face was clearly telling about his pain yet none had any clue. The happiness around had overpowered his heart break.

“Irfa any special kind of dress do want to buy for your engagement?” Zubaida asked her. Only three days were left for the engagement ceremony. Last three days had passed in haze for them, but for him....they were the most painful and longest days.

“Anything you all like will do.”she said smiling.

“So it's final tomorrow the girls will go and find her a beautiful dress...clear.” Zubaida said and everyone agreed on it. Sana had taken the responsibility of all the things, her happiness had no bound. Shifa was as excited everyone, Saba and her phupos had the same glint in their eyes.

___________

It was almost midnight when Irfa's phone rang. The ring was shrill but the tiring day had made her sleep like crazy, finally after two or more calls she picked it up without seeing the caller I.D.

“Hello?” She said in sleepy tone that almost sounded like a question.

“Asslamoalaikum.” a deep husky voice came.

She immediately got up and looked at the clock, it was midnight...why was he calling her and that too at almost midnight. Curious and confused she replied.

“Irfa... I just want to ask a question. Are you happy with this engagement?” He asked breaking the silence of few seconds. Her eyes had widened on his question. She couldn't decipher what to say and what not.

“Shehreyar.” she whispered. It was the first time he had called her and that too to ask if she was willing to get engaged. Sensing the lack of answer from her he sighed and spoke,

''Yes or no...”

She was silent for some moments...she was happy, why wouldn't she? At least she could do this much for her family.

“Yes.” after a long pause she spoke and the next moment the call was hanged up. He had lost the only hope left, she got the one hope she never had.

I was feeling guilty, it felt like betraying him but then I was helpless. I should have told him about everything but Mamu jan had asked not to, he was right on his place. Shehreyar would definitely create a fuss.

I was walking around here and there when I saw Shifa bending down near the fridge. The day was boring and It's time for some fun.

I silently tip toed towards the kitchen.

Nearing her I shouted, and she jumped with an ear aching shriek.

“Are you out of your freaking mind Khizir?” She shouted at the top of her lungs rubbing her head where it bumped into the fridge.

She looked so funny that I couldn't stop my laugh... I kept on laughing and after sometime when I saw her she was red. All red like tomatoes but this isn't something to be blushing for,

“Khizir...” She gritted her teeth. Ok that's not blush that's anger.

I started running with a fierce little rat behind me.

“Mami bachao…”(mami help). I shouted and hid behind mami.

“Mom...get away I will kill him.” Shifa almost yelled, trying to get me from behind Mami.

“Mami please save me from this witch.” I begged.

“Stop.”

“Stop this nonsense both of you Khizir say sorry and Shifa go get ready you all have to leave for shopping...Khizir you will take them.” Mami said, she definitely looked angry.

“No no...never mami these mad women will kill me.” I said...how can mami push me in this. It's nothing but diving off a cliff.

“Enough you are taking them now go.” She said making me sigh and nod.

Kahan phans gaya main.(where have I got stuck).

I sighed and went for 'the shopping'.

__________

Losing something before even getting is agonizing, but then it's all fate. I didn't even know if I was moving on or getting dragged back into the pool of pain.

Tomorrow is her engagement, and I am here sitting like a moron.

She is going to become someone else's. How I wish I was not a jerk, I should have behaved well with her, I shouldn't have said all those things to her. I hurt her, and here I am...hurt.

I was in my thoughts when my assistant came inside with his phone.

“Sir Mr Ahmed wants to talk to you...sir are you drinking?” He asked with a weird face.

“Are you stupid Zaid…it's cola.” I replied, and he nodded.

I knew why dad wanted to talk...but how can I go there?...though I had completed the work three days earlier.

“Assalamoalaikum dad...how are you?” I asked.

“Walekum assalam I am fine and listen carefully...your jet will be ready in two hours, and you are coming to India...clear.” His voice held seriousness that meant that I had to agree, there was no way I could deny his order. I tried to say something, but he didn't even listen and cut the call.

The preparations were almost done as it was not a grand engagement ceremony...just a small one with few guests. The decorations were done in the backyard. Simple, elegant and beautiful.

Shehreyar when reached home everyone was sleeping so without meeting anyone he had directly gone to his room. He thought he would leave for office in the morning but to his bad luck Mr Ahmed caught hold of him and made him do all the errands he could.

“Dad the decorations are done and the food section is almost done.” He said taking deep breaths.

It's just fabulous that he was working on her engagement. First the heartache and now the body ache. He was tired and exhausted mentally and physically.

Asking the girls to get ready Saba made her way towards Shehreyar' room. Finding no one she frowned, she had seen him working the whole day and the look on his face wasn't that tough to decipher.

“Sherry beta...where are you?” She asked.

“Mom...in the shower.” He yelled from the shower.

“Come out fast.” She said and sat on his bed.

After good 10 minutes he came out.

“Get ready fast. You need to attend the guests.” Saba's sais smiling a little.

What is the point of getting ready mom...either way I am going to see the disaster.

He thought and started getting ready.

Saba left him alone and made her way towards the girl's room.

“Ma sha Allah Irfa you are looking so beautiful.” Saba exclaimed entering with Zubaida and other ladies in her room.

“Mom… what about me? Shifa asked innocently.

“Meri sari betiyan guriyon ki tarah lag rahi hai(all my daughters are looking like dolls)."Saba said with a small smile.

I was almost ready when the door of room burst open and I knew who it was.

“Khizir what do you want?” I asked in a bored tone.

“Woah bro how did you know it's me?” He asked.

“I know you very well...hmm looking good…do you have a plan to kill the girls by your look.?” I said making him smirk and raised his collar.

“Thank you very much… Sherey now will you do the honor of coming to the backyard, mamu will be pleased to see you there.” He said as usual in a dramatic way and went out.

I sighed, I couldn't escape this.

Everyone was already present there. In the way towards mom many people congratulated me for my “cousin's engagement”...could anything turn more bad...no.

I saw her sitting on the stage surrounded by girls. She was looking beautiful, her dress her makeup everything was elegant, simple and beautiful....but she will become someone else's. I looked away.

Ya Allah give me sabr.

“Sherey your father is calling you come...” mom said and dragged me with her.

“Yes dad...any problem.” I asked dad.

“Shehreyar listen carefully...whatever I am saying just do it…no questions now...clear.” he said, I am tired of his orders. What was in his mind?

“But dad what happened?”

“Come with me.” he said and dragged me with him...now what's everyone with dragging me?

I silently trailed behind him...wait why is he taking me towards the stage?

He stopped near her and made me sit with her...what the hell? I looked around and found everyone smiling at us, I was so confused that I couldn't help it but be frozen for some time.

“Come on Shehreyar, put that ring fast.”

_________