Night follows the morning, but sometimes the darkness lingers. Irfa hadn't slept whole night, thinking why he had been faking everything? Why he didn't say that he liked someone else? Her mind was a total chaos as she left the bed seeing the time of morning prayer. Yesterday's event started flashing in front of her eyes as she sat on the bed with her head resting at the headboard.

Without her knowledge a silent tear escaped her brown orbs. She had many unasked question...she had many unsaid answers. Yet she was silent. Trying to hold herself, trying to think of a way of handling everything.

Shehreyar hadn't felt this kind of contentment and happiness in his life. His face had a beautiful smile as he descended the stairs. The sleep he had last night was a relaxing one. After all his love was going to be his, soon...very soon.

“Assalamoalaikum mom...good morning.” He greeted entering the kitchen.

“Walekumasslam beta...hmm someone is in good mood.” Saba said patting his cheeks. He flashed another full-blown smile towards his mother.

“Mami what's the point of asking a monkey that are you happy with the banana you got.” Khizir remarked entering the kitchen.

“Walekumassalam Khizir and good morning to you too.”Shehreyar replied in his famous sarcastic tone. Saba shook her head and went away to continue her work leaving the two monkeys to fight.

“Whatever.” Khizir mumbled and rolled his eyes...making Shehreyar smile and punch his friend playfully and then the battle began, punching, rolling and what not.

___________

The breakfast table was as chaotic as it could be...more than having their breakfast the family was teasing the bride and the groom to be.

She was still silent...the silence which appeared as the silence of shyness to others, was nothing but silence of anger. Anger that was boiling for Shehreyar...not for the fact that he had love for someone else but why he was masking it?

“Irfa, I am telling you if this moron ever troubles you come to.me directly. …though I am his mother I will take your side.” Saba said in fake stern voice on which she smiled...a fake one.

“Mom, what if Irfa troubles me? Where will I go?” Shehreyar asked playfully earning a few laughs and an amused yet shocked look from her.

“Then go wherever you want, I don't care.” Sara replied trying to act stern and hide her smile. Shehreyar chuckled at his mother's attempt and shook his head, oblivious to the heated gaze he was receiving.

___________

***

Finally, the evening stepped in and the function of Mehdi started.

Clad in a beautiful pastel green dress and looking equally beautiful Irfa was sitting at the center with Shifa who was looking gorgeous as usual. The henna artist arrived soon and were instructed about the design.

Her form was silent, not speaking a single thing...only smiling at everyone. The intricate designs of henna had always attracted her but this time she didn't look at it.

On the other side Shehreyar was being restless, he had no entry in the function. He had seen her yesterday looking beautiful in a yellow dress though secretly but today it was impossible as the girl's would do some function.

“Shehreyar mere bhai chatt toot kar gir jayegi tumahri chahal kadmi se...khuda ke waste baith jao.(Shereyar bro the roof will fall down by your steps so stop walking and sit)” Khizir said clearly making fun of him and in a bit irritated way.

“Shut up please help me.” He said making Imran chuckle. He was really being a lover boy, thinking about ways to see her. Khizir and Imran was totally pissed off at his behavior but somewhere they were enjoying this side of Shehreyar.

“Idea!...let's sneak into the function what say?” He asked excitedly.

“Yes and then receive the flying chappal(slipper) of mami."Khizir said in bored tone, rolling his eyes also.

“Come on please... Imran bhai do you know Sana aapi is looking beautiful you can join me please.” He tried to convince his brother-in-law.

“Shehreyar she is my wife I can meet her whenever I want I don't need to sneak...waise idea bura nahi hai.(well it's not a bad idea though.)” He said making Khizir turn towards him with 'is this really you' look on his face.

“Khizir you also join...please.” Shehreyar once again requested making Khizir shake his head vigorously.

“No brother no... I am still young and I don't want to die.” he said, turning his head away.

“Please you are my best friend right?please.” he again insisted but Khizir wasn't going to listen so the two did what they wanted. They started going downstairs and also dragged Khizir forcefully.

“I am telling you Shehreyar mami will see us surely.” Khizir said this line for the nth time yet it didn't stop the two from entering death's mouth.

“Shut up...” Shereyar hushed him making him roll his eyes and scoff at him.

Standing behind the pillar the duo was busy staring their girls while Khizir was not at all interested in this.

Shehreyar was having a hard time removing his eyes from her. He just wanted the time to stop...let him look at her, as much he wished. To his heart's content.

Khizir impatiently tapped his feet and after some more time he decided to return. He was about to go when his eyes landed on Shifa...green suited her. This was the first thought that crossed his mind.

“Kya ho raha hai yahan.(what's happening here.).” A stern voice boomed from behind making the trio jump.

In all her glory there stood Saba and Zubaida with clear annoyance written on their faces.

“Woh mom...Khizir had to see Shifa.” Shehreyar blurted receiving 'are you serious' look from Khizir.

“No way I am here for that witch...” it didn't take Khizir long to defend himself.

“Imran bhai also wanted to see Sana aapi.” he again spoke hurriedly.

“Sherey she is my wife... I don't have to sneak for seeing her.” Imran defended himself making his eyes widen. He glanced at his brother-in-law trying to tell with his eyes that he himself had joined willingly.

“So any more excuse Shehreyar?” Saba asked sternly.

“No mom.” he mumbled and looked down. The next moment Saba came towards him and twisted his hears making him groan in pain.

“Aah mom...it's hurting sorry...sorry.” He cried in pain it was such a funny scene that Khizir and Imran could not hold their laugh.

“And you two...”Zubaida turned towards them and twisted their ears receiving loud cries from them.

“Come with me.” Saba said still twisting Shehreyar's ear.

Dragging the trio with them Saba and Zubaida came into the study room of Mr Ahmed making the three shiver in fear. They exchanged looks accusing each other with their eyes.

“Now rest your father will deal.” Saba said and left with Zubaida.

“Told you...now face.”Khizir whispered standing in front of Mr Ahmed with bowed head, like a child caught stealing.

“Shut up.” Shehreyar whispered back.

“So sneaking hun?” Mr Ahmed finally spoke in a cold tone enough to make them flinch.

“Woh baba...”

“It's alright... I also did these when I was of your age.” Mr Ahmed said making all of their head shot up in shock. Mr Ahmed smiled at their shocked faces making them look at each other and after a second or two they burst into fits of laughter.

___________

It was again an awake night, where she could not do anything just ponder and stay awake. It was almost two in the night. She silently got up and proceeded towards the washroom to wash her henna… Washing off her hands when she came and glanced her hand in the brightly lit room.

The first thing that caught her attention was his name...written boldly in Urdu in the center of her palm. That name which was going to be written in her fate as well...but how she wished the owner of this name was also in her fate, wholely.

Throwing one glance towards Shifa who was sound asleep she came out of the room and descended the stairs. Walking calmly she entered the kitchen. Taking a bottle of cold water she gulped half of it in a go. Still, the quench was there...she was unknown to the fact that the quench was not for water but for love, for happiness.

“Thank god it's you I thought it was a thief.” a hushed voice spoke from her behind making her jump.

“What are you doing here?” She asked in a hushed tone yet her shock was evident in it.

“I can ask the same question...”he said and took the bottle from her hand.

“Janta that main ki neend tumhe bhi nahi arahi hogi...(I knew that you also couldn't sleep).” He whispered.

"Meri baat toh alag hai apko neend kyu nahi arahi thi?(my matter is different why were you not able to sleep.)” She asked in somewhat tone.

“Jab apki mohabbat apko hasil hone wali hoti hai tab neend ankho me teherti hi nahi hai…(when your love is going to be yours sleep flies from your eyes.)” He said, his eyes shone with a strange glint...the soft smile never leaving his lips.

She was frozen. How?...he loved someone else and here he was behaving as if he was madly in love with her, no doubt he was an actor…a good one.

“Kaun hai apki mohabbat?…(who is your love?)” She asked…knowing the fact that the answer might hurt her.

“Tum…(you).” He replied in a deep voice. His word laced with the love he had for her, yet she was unknown.

“Jhoot…(lie).” She snapped...her anger blazing, her eyes accusing him of the lie he hadn't even said. He frowned at her sudden furious reaction.

“You are lying. From me from everyone...why Shehreyar why?...why do you need to lie?” She burst out.

“What are you talking about Irfa?” He asked, confused as to why the shy timid girl was behaving like this?

She chuckled dryly and spoke,

“Don't act Shehreyar...not in front of me. You know what? Love is a beautiful feeling...lying about it is a very cheap and low act.” Her voice shook at the end.

This was confusing...really confusing for him.

“Irfa will you just explain in a clear way... I can't understand what you are saying about.”he voiced out his feelings.

“Woah...the Shehreyar Siddiqui is unable to understand.” she mocked and searched for something in her phone. He was carefully observing her every movement. He was not aware of this side of her...the bold and intimidating one. Yet the thought that why was she angry confused him.

“What is this? Or who is she?...don't worry I know the answer...isn't she your lady love?” she asked showing him the photograph she received on the mayun's day.

“No she isn't.”he spoke within nanoseconds.

“Again a lie...will you just stop lying?”she yelled making his eyes widen in astonishment.

“First you tell me from where did you get this picture?” he inquired.

“I have my sources.” she spoke in a confident tone.

He let out a long sigh.

“She is a miniature artist...she lives in one of our orphanage.” he spoke when she didn't say anything he continued.

“And she is like my sister.”he said.

“Shehreyar stop lying.” This time it was a real yell, that stunned him making him take a step back.

“I am not... I went there to get a locket made for you...as a wedding gift with our names carved in it.” He spoke with calmness, the angry and huffed face in front of his eyes made him smile, but he controlled it. He knew she was being jealous and that was something new and amusing.

“Again a lie.” this time her voice was full of irritation.

“Oh God! Why don't you believe me?” He spoke in an annoyed tone making her raise her eyebrows.

“Wait here.” He said and went outside the kitchen, leaving her behind. After a few moments he came back.

“Here…”he said forwarding the locket towards her. It was a locket and it really had her and his name engraved in it.

She stood silent and kept on seeing the locket. Her mind still not able to comprehend what had happened. The only thing it said that she had made a fool of herself and embarrassment surrounded her like clouds.

“Ok who fed the nonsense in your little minds?” He asked in a voice that's used with children. A smug smile forming on his face.

“Someone called me...he told me that you don't like me.” She said in a hushed voice, her head bowed down and hands fidgeting. It looked so adorable that Shehreyar hardly controlled the urge to pinch her cheeks.

“Oh god Irfa...how can you trust some random caller.” he couldn't believe.

“I also heard you talking to Khizir that why the news of engagement published…and you kept the functions private so-”she said playing with her fingers. He literally face palmed himself and let out a small chuckle.

“Oh my Allah... Irfa you are really naive and dumb girl.” He said making her head shot up. She felt offended and the embarrassment was making her eyes brim with tears.

“I did that because of security reasons...you know about our fame and rivalries.” He said and controlled his laugh.

“I am sorry...”she only mumbled and turned her head on the other side to wipe her tears.

“Look at me.” he whispered softly on which she shook her head in no.

“Ok fine... I do like you... I didn't want to confess like this, in the middle of night and in the kitchen...but that stupid caller and your little brain just ruined all my plans. The wedding gift was also a surprise...but, okay leave it.” He said and sighed.

“I am sorry.” she again whispered still not looking at him.

“You know one thing?...you were jealous.” He spoke in a teasing tone making her look up with a scowl.

“No... I was not.”

“Yes you were.”

“No...no...no.”

“Yes…yes...yes.”

He said and went away laughing, leaving her in pool of embarrassment. She closed her eyes tightly trying to erase the stupidity yet nothing happened. Groaning in annoyance she started walking towards her room.

The last thought before sleep overtook her was that he had said he liked her. Maybe he did all the time, she was just way too oblivion.

___________