Irfa had never felt this kind of nervousness and excitement at the same time. One moment she would be normal and the other freaking out. It was her mayun's day and obviously his too. Shehreyar's function was in the morning while her.in the evening.

Shehreyar had requested the functions to be much private and confined. Very few guests were invited. The decorations were simple yet beautiful, and she couldn't thank him more for that. She didn't like any kind of attraction on her self, and being a bride would draw a whole of it which was a no.

Every member of the family was beyond happy, their zealous face narrating the inner excitement.

The one who were tensed in this whole situation was Shifa due to her engagement being fixed and Irfa due to the rose she had received every day.

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“Shehreyar....bro where on earth are you?” Khazar shouted on the phone.

The intensity of his voice was so loud that Shehreyar had to keep his phone away from his ear.

“Calm down Khizir... I am in a really important meeting.”

“What?...are you for real Sherey?...your function is in an hour and there you are in a freaking business meeting...come here now.”Khizir again yelled emphasizing the last part.

“Coming in 20 minutes.” he replied. Shaking his head at his best friends antics he started the car and drove it back to the Siddiqui mansion.

“Assalamoalaikum Khizir...why were you so angry on the phone?” he asked entering his room.

“Shehreyar, it's your wedding function...why were you out? You are fine right now but if mami had found out the were in a freaking business meeting you would be dead.” Khizir said making weird faces like he every time did.

“Yeah I know that, so will you go out I need to change.” Shehreyar said, irritated by his loud voice and weird antics.

“Nah why would I? Change in the walk in cupboard.” Khizir shrugged his shoulders making Shehreyar groan inside. He glared Khizir but all went in vain.

“Khizir yaar please move out."he pleaded

“No means no.” Khizir said shaking his head in no. He didn't want to go out and end up doing another work. Since morning he was running around, doing all sorts of work he could, or he couldn't.

Shaking his head in annoyance Shehreyar went inside the washroom. It wasn't a big deal for him to change anywhere, he wanted to hide the thing he had bought. He didn't want anyone to know what it was except for the person for whom he got that.

Changing into a mustard yellow kurta and white pants he styled his hair. He came out only to find Khizir standing in front of him wearing a same color kurta.

“Oh my Allah Shehreyar you are looking so good...'' he said and whistled.

“Thank you but please stop the whistle.” Shehreyar hurriedly replied not wanting anyone to hear Khizir's stupidity.

“Okay fine. Man you take so much time like girls.” Khizir said rolling his eyes.

“It's absolutely fine for me to take time like girls, it's my wedding function.” Shehreyar said winking on which Khizir again rolled his eyes.

“Yeah yeah love sick puppy.” Khizir said making him laugh.

“Khizir bhai...Sherey bhai...mami is calling you both downstairs the function is going to start.” Alizeh entered the room in a hurry and spoke. A frantic look on her face.

“Calm down Alizeh.” Khizir said seeing his cousin like this.

“Ma sha Allah...ma sha Allah kya jach rahe hain dono (how handsome both of you are looking.)” Alizeh said smiling at her brothers.

“Par afsos! Sherey bhai Irfa apko dekh nahi payegi…(but alas! Brother Irfa won't see you.)” Her mischievous smile didn't go unnoticed by Khizir but Shehreyar was way too shocked to see that.

“Why?” He almost shouted at the new revelation.

“Calm down bhai her function is at night.” she laughed and asked them to come downstairs.

Shifa's tensed face and anxiousness was evident of her fear. She didn't want to panic or react in any way but the fact that only handful days were left for the engagement ceremony was making her mind haywire.

“Shifa listen to me...please don't panic I think you should talk to Khizir about this.” Irfa said trying to calm her down.

“How will I talk to that person... I am just so scared Irfa. We can't even stay civil around each other for a bit… Why can't our parents understand this?” Shifa said sitting near Irfa. Her head resting in between her hands.

“Ok just try once maybe he has some idea.” Irfa said placing her hand on Shida's Shoulder, making her hum in agreement yet only she knew how tough it would be to confront Khizir.

“Why don't you relax for sometime and get ready for the function,

“Irfa suggested?

Raising her head from her initial position she nodded. Her mood was totally off, and she didn't want to do anything. She hadn't imagined herself to be like this on her brother's functions. She was feeling guilty but then what could she do?

“Ma sha Allah Shifa you look beautiful.”Irfa complimented her as she came out wearing a beautiful yellow dress.

“Thanks...will you be ok here alone?” She asked.

“Yeah you go and I will be watching everything from the window.” Irfa said smiling lightly.

Her heavy heart was making everything uninteresting, even walking seemed to be a tiring work. She wasn't looking forward resulting her to bump into someone who was Khizir.

“Sorry...”both of them said at the same time much to their surprise.

They were standing still on the stairs none spoke…though they had so much to speak.

“Um I need to go...” Shifa said trying to break the awkward silence.

“Shifa, listen... I know you are upset and but I think we shouldn't show this to our family...it's golden moments for Shehreyar and Irfa we should not spoil it. We can sort out our problem later...nonetheless we are only getting engaged.”Khizir said calmly and went away.

It was ironical, they couldn't even stand each other, but they were agreeing to the same thing. Their problem was same, their anxiety was same and their solution was still not known.

______

Standing near the window she was watching the adorable scene. Shifa, Alizeh and Zainab were trying to mash the turmeric paste on Shehreyar's face while Khizir was defending and protecting his friend.

The backyard was full of yellow and pink decorations making it look more beautiful in the sunlight. A beautiful smile was dancing on her features and her whole attention towards them function. She didn't hear the ringing phone of hers as she kept looking down. But when it ringed for the nth time her attention turned towards it.

Picking it up she saw the unknown number flashing on its screen. Her brows knitted in confusion as to who would call her. She swiped the green and spoke.

“Hello?” no response.

“Who's this?” She again asked but no response came from the other side.

“Hello...I am hanging up?”she replied angrily and just when she was about to disconnect the call a manly voice spoke.

“Well hello miss Irfa...how are you?”

“Who are you...how do you know me?” This was the first thing she asked.

“Doesn't matter how I know you but I guess you are stubborn... I told you that you are mine still you are marrying that guy. You know the best part he doesn't even like you.” The man on the other side spoke making her eyes widened.

“Shut up...who ever you are stay away from us. You are lying.” She said, anger lacing through her words. The man on the other side laughed making a frown form on her face.

“So much trust on him, wrong decision miss Irfa...you will be mine, by hook or crook...wait and watch.” Her anger had subsided and now only fear overcame her. She could feel her frantically beating heart.

“Shut up...how dare you say that.”she spoke trying to sound confident but her voice cracked at the end, showing her vulnerability.

“You know something my love? Shehreyar hates you...if not then why would he meet a girl just before his wedding function?”the man spoke…smirk and evilness was evident in his voice.

“You are lying.” She mumbled hoarsely.

“I knew you won't believe me, so I am sending you some pictures...take care my love.” He said and before she could reply the call ended.

She couldn't believe what she had listened, was that true or not? She didn't know anything...she didn't want to anything yet a voice from inside spoke, asking her to really ponder on what the caller had said. Did he really like her?

A message beep made her look at the just received message. Opening it with shivering hands she gulped the lump of her throat. The image opened, and she could feel the ground slipping away from her feet. Her mind blocked as she looked at the evidence of what the man had said.

Her heart clenched as she looked at the picture, she went towards the window and saw him laughing on Khizir's and Shifa's fight...his laugh every movement seemed genuine. Yet everything was masked...a facade.

'How can you Shehreyar?...how can you act so well?' She mumbled to herself and fell on her knees. Her eyes had pooled with unshod tears and however much she tried she couldn't stop them from rolling down her cheeks.

She was broken...again.

Her anger was not for anyone, it was mainly on Shehreyar. If he didn't like her, if he liked someone else why didn't he speak? Why did he act that he was happy? She felt herself as a burden, a liability.

She didn't know for how long she had cried, she didn't know why she was hurting so bad...as if her was being sliced. Getting up from her position, she went inside the washroom and splashed water on her wet face. Her eyes glanced at the hollow ones reflecting.

Her reverie ended when she heard Shifa entering the room. Quickly wiping her face she went outside.

“Hey Irfa...do you need something?” Shifa asked removing her accessories.

“No thanks Shifa…did you enjoyed?” Irfa asked sitting near her.

“A lot...you know it will be more fun in your function.” Shifa said and again those pictures flashed in front of her eyes. Hiding the pain she smiled meekly.

“Irfa mom will send you food…she asked you to eat and then take rest.” Shifa said and went inside the washroom.

______________

***

The function started and everyone was enjoying but her...she was just sitting like a doll with a fake smile plastered on her face, numb without any movement. Wearing a beautiful yellow and white combination dress she was looking beautiful and happy yet the storm in her eyes was evident of the havoc inside her. But then who noticed? None.

Gradually the function reached its end. She was tired faking her smile, but then she couldn't trouble the ones who loved her. Mr Ahmed came and sat beside her bringing her out of her thoughts.

“Ma sha Allah beta you are looking beautiful...”he said and placed his hand on her head. She couldn't control the tears brimming her eyes.

“Beta you don't know how happy we are… thank you so much...you know my child your father, mother,nanu all will be so proud of you. How valiantly you have lived your life is just praiseworthy. You are very brave my child.” He said, and she didn't know why but his words were so soothing that her aching heart was coming at peace...a little. Without her notice few drops of tears started flowing from her eyes.

“Baba... I don't know how can I thank you.” she said and hugged him crying on his shoulder.

“Shh my child don't cry...have faith in god everything will be fine.” He said patting her head. The beautiful smile made every member smile.

The night was silent, everyone were fast asleep but her eyes couldn't even blink. She tried but the reality of a facade had felt like a slap on her face.

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