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𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓷 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓪𝓭𝓮 𝓼𝓮𝓷𝓼𝓮 𝓲𝓷 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝔀𝓪𝔂.

I squished the lemon harder in the empty glass. Making my lemonade and drinking it in the morning is the best refreshing thing ever.

"Mehrish?"

I heard my mother calling me. Turning around, I wiggled my eyebrows. She stood glaring at me.

"What?" I asked while pouring down the water in the glass.

"You are running out of time. You need to get ready soon Mehrish. Don't you want to go to work? Also, you need to come early this evening."

"Yes, I will go. I was just making my lemonade." I said sipping the delicious drink I made a few minutes ago and sat down in the chair near the dining table.

I got ready for my work. I was kind of feeling sad today but the remembrance of him made me blush. It's been year's since I started loving him secretly. No one knows that I like him but he has been always my first love. I wonder even if he has spared me a glance.

Hamza. His name seems so heavenly to me. His every gesture towards his sisters makes my heart flutter. He is my cousin sister-in-law's brother.

I left to work with his thoughts interrupting me all the time making me restless and smile unknowingly.

"Ms Mirza?"

Jerking the pile of files in my hands. I looked at my boss shocked.

"Where are you lost, Ms Mirza?"

"I am sorry sir. I was just zoning out."

I reasoned and took the files to check them properly. I am an electronic and communication engineer. Focusing on my laptop, I begin my work. Coding? It may seem hard but for me, they are my most favourite thing to do.

As time passed, lunchtime arrived making me more hungry. Amal, my colleague and best friend from my childhood. We went towards the cafeteria.

"You know I met your love today," Amal surmised making me choke as I was drinking water.

"Drink slowly Mehrish!" She warned. I glared at her, making sure I made her scared.

"How can you tell me to drink slowly when you just told me about his presence?"

"It's not like that Meher. Didn't you knew that he came here today?"

Shaking my head in a no. I made it clear that I didn't know about his presence.

"He is signing a project with our company as he is launching his new clothing line. I heard from some senior colleagues that in the meeting he wants our company to design the application for him. Also, there is so much more to do now."

His every move and his everything startles me. I nodded my head and we ate our lunch in chit-chatting about some things more.

Well, in my family there are only 3 persons including me. My mother, my brother and I. After my dad's death, I have been taking care of the financial expenses of our home and it is quite hard for me to take care of everything.

Expenses of our home, electricity bills, grocery bills, my brother Amaar's college fees, Ammi's medicines, their clothes and stuff they need. It's hard for me to manage both my personal and work life. Sometimes, I just lay down on Ammi's shoulder and cry my heart. She doesn't ask anything because she knows that I won't say anything to her and just makes me feel better every time.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't know when I bumped into someone and stood shocked when I saw the person. His guards surrounding him. Hamza.

"Watch where you are going, lady..."

He whispered in my ear making shivers running down my spine. I became startled at the way he talks. I guess he doesn't even know that I am his relative. We have been relatives for more than 12 years. Yes, that's how old my first cousin is and that's when he got married. I was too small at their wedding. But slowly I grew up I saw my bhabhi talking about him often that how kind and sweet he is with her.

"I am sorry," I said and moved aside making way for him. He smiled at me. The way he smiled melted my heart at that very moment.

"It's fine." He said and walked further away with his guards behind.

"Yeh kya tha?"

(What was it?)

I muttered sighing as soon as I discovered that he was gone.

"In whose remembrance were you that you didn't notice The Hamza Rahmani. Your crush walking over here?"

"I was just-"

"Zoning out?"

She knew my answer well. I always answer her like that. I answer everyone like that. I just daydream all the time. The day went too fast as I was only dreaming about him.

I know it's wrong to think about him but I can't stop myself. He doesn't leave my mind at all. He is in there all the time. I don't if it's just attraction or something more or less.

I lazily dragged my tired body to the living room of our small and cosy apartment. To my shock, Ammi and Amaar were seated there. No them sitting in the hall didn't shock me. The thing is they were wearing fancy wedding outfits. Is it someone's wedding today?

"Agayi Shehzadi..."

(The princess came...)

Amaar taunted.

"Why are you looking at us like that?"

Ammi's voice made me trance out of my shock.

"Are you guys going anywhere?" I sat on the couch, leaning on the headrest as I was tired.

"Not only us, but You are also going. Didn't I told you that you need to come early this evening?" She scolded me.

"I forgot it Ammi. Sorry! But Where?"

"Why are you forgetting things Mehrish?"

I chuckled, "Ammi I don't know. Please enlighten me. I don't know."

"Today is your Dira Appi's Bridal Shower. You need to get ready fastly. If you don't come your Zoya Bhabhi will not let me breathe."

My first cousin Sahir Aziz's wife is Zoya Rahmani Aziz, whose brother is Hamza. My heart skipped a beat when I realised I was going to go to the bridal shower of Dira Appi who is also his sister. Dira Appi and Hamza are twins but they look different.

"Haan... I am sorry I'll change quickly."

I entered the shower and changed my clothes. Wearing a white and maroon coloured dress and applying a little amount of makeup. I was looking fine.

We went towards their home in a taxi. Their mansion was huge and was nicely decorated. Afreen aunty welcomed us with open arms.

"Assalamu alaikum!"

"Walaikum Assalam!"

"How are you, Aunty?" I asked. "Alhamdulillah beta. How about you?"

"I am good. Alhamdulillah."

We three were talking with each other. Amaar left towards Sahir Bhaiya. Zoya Bhabhi came to us.

"Thank you for coming. Shall we go towards Dira?"

She dragged me towards Dira Appi who was capturing photographs with her friends. I hugged her while congratulating making her blush.

"You look beautiful Dira Appi!"

"Thanks, Mehrish. And once again thank you for coming. Please enjoy."

We captured some pictures together with Zoya Bhabhi and Shaina who is her 14-year-old daughter. Yes, our family is huge so we have a large age difference. Every desi family is huge just like us.

I was smiling giving my pictures with the bride when I felt someone stare even when the flashlight was paining my eyes. I looked at the person smiling to give my pictures but my smile turned into a blush when I saw Hamza. He was wearing a black Pathan kurthi and had wrapped himself in a dark beige shawl.

He was looking devilishly handsome. I didn't know when he smiled looking up and down at me. He scratched his neck and smirked. My heart just melted and I looked away. What was he doing? My heartbeat was getting faster every second and I was having difficulty in breathing. I never faced something like this ever. As the other guests came towards Dira Appi, I left and went towards Shaina.

"Shaina, can you get me some water please?" She nodded and left to get me a glass of water. I rotated my eyes around the place finding him again staring at me but this time I was feeling highly uneasy. I turned around and started to talk with Zoya Bhabhi.

I gulped down water and pressed my lips together. A girl came near me and mistakenly poured the juice she was carrying. I saw her actions well. She intentionally did it.

"I am sorry."

She started batting her lashes. "It's alright," I said.

"What did you do Fizah appi? OMG, she is wearing a white dress. The stain will look so bright now." Shaina muttered frustratingly.

"It's fine Shaina. Can you tell me where the washroom is?"

She nodded and showed me the washroom. I washed the stain which was thankfully more on the pattern of roses. I came out of the washroom and sat on the bed. The whole room was messed up. Maybe because they were getting ready for the bridal shower.

The stain was gone but the stained place is wet. I sat there in front of the Air conditioner so that the stain would dry soon.

"What are you doing here Mehrish?"

I stood up quickly stumbling as I heard his voice.

"I... I..."

"You what Mehrish?"

My name. My name sounded heavenly in his voice. Astagfirullah! What am I even imagining about? This is wrong.

"One of the guests mistakenly had poured the juice on my dress. Shaina showed the washroom to get done with it. I sat here to let the wet stain dry in the Air Conditioner instead of coming like this to the garden where the bridal shower is held."

I reasoned looking down at my fidgeting fingers. He walked closer and looked at me. I sneaked glances at him and said,

"I'll go." I ran towards the door but his words stopped me in my tracks.

"Go slowly." I could hear him chuckle but I didn't turn around and walked out. I was trying hard not to show but I was flushed. My cheeks were hurting due to continuous blushing.

Ammi was talking with Umar uncle and Afreen aunty. They were the parents of Zoya Bhabhi. Even Zoya Bhabhi and Sahir Bhaiya were standing there. They were engaged in a serious conversation. I started walking towards them but Shaina stopped me and dragged me towards her friends.

"Appi! You'll talk with them later. Please come and meet my friends."

This girl. I went with her but my eyes were glued to my mother. Phupho was also there. No one knows it but my Phupho hates my mother. She doesn't show it but we can always see her hate by the way she talks with Ammi. Ammi said she didn't even like Abbu ever. She always used to criticize him and her in front of our Chachu and Chachi.

Our family was always treated differently but Zoya Bhabhi is kind and generous. Sahir bhaiya is kind too but at times he shows his wickedness.

The function ended soon and we departed our home soon after. I am very tired. Ammi was looking very happy at the function. I loved how she was so happy and was enjoying. It's quite good that she was happy.

We had already eaten dinner in their mansion. The girl who had poured the drink on me was eyeing me furiously throughout the function. I didn't like it. What did I do to her that she was just being my enemy?

• ° • ° • ° • ° •

"Ammi, Am I right? Did you made macaroni?" I asked. The excitement was radiating from my voice. The smell of Ammi making my favourite dish made me wake up earlier even at the weekend.

"Yes only for my children. Now wake your brother up. He will get angry if we left him and ate alone."

I nodded and went towards his room. As I opened the door, I saw the whole room neat and clean. I guess my brother was already up. He wasn't inside the room. I could hear the sound of running water from the washroom so I went out as he was already up.

He came out and we ate together.

"I want that piece," I demanded looking at the chicken piece which I was badly craving for this morning.

"I want that too," Amaar cried.

Ammi shook her head on our fight and took the chicken piece and served it to me. She served another one to him.

"How many days will she live here? Let her have it Amaar."

Her words made me freeze. "Ammi? Are you kicking me out?"

Ammi chuckled and Amaar joked,

"You didn't know? I thought you knew. Ammi and I are planning to kick you out."

"How can I kick her out? If she is the only one who is paying for all the expenses of this house after her father's death."

Her eyes had tears. "Ammi..."

"It was a joke ammi..." Amaar pinched my cheeks.

I cupped her cheeks and hugged her. "Why do you feel like that? If Amaar was in my place, he would have done the same. I am your elder daughter Ammi. I need to take all the expenses in my hand only. You wouldn't have cried like this if Amaar was paying for the expenses."

"You are my daughter. Daughters don't look good paying for the expenses of their house. Amaar is a boy. I have every right in his money but..."

"But what Ammi? You have equal rights on my money too. You don't need to follow society's stereotypes. They are all a lie. A daughter can do anything she wants to." I surmised and wiped her tears as she nodded smiling at me. My mother's happiness is everything for me.

Amaar slowly sneaked the chicken piece from my plate and exchanged it with his one. I caught him and glared.

"I was just having my right on my sister's hard-earned money."

We laughed at his words and started eating our breakfast.

After eating breakfast, I cleaned the dining table and washed the dishes. Making three cups of ginger tea for us as it was winter, I sat down on the floor in front of our couch. I love sitting on the floor.

"Let's play Ludo."

Amaar surmised and took the box which contained the necessary things of the game.

"No. I need to talk about something very important with my daughter today." Ammi said all of a sudden with a proud smile.

"What is it about?"

I asked sipping my tea. "There is a proposal for you."

I sighed and rolled my eyes.

"Ammi I have told already that I won't get married until Amaar finishes his college."

"It's just one-year Mehrish. We can manage. You have been very focused on your career. You should also focus on your future. After Amaar finishes college he will go to work. We can manage until then." She argued making me angrier.

"I cannot leave you guys like that. What if the groom's side didn't let me work after marriage?"

"You will not work if your husband doesn't like it." She simply declared. I do not like it at all. I cannot leave them alone. I don't want Amaar to go on jobs for paying for his fees in the last 2 semesters where he should work hard. No, I can't take such a risk.

"Ammi, listen to me. I will get married after Amaar finishes college. Please trust me I will. I am just 24 Ammi." I requested by making puppy eyes.

"I have rents coming from the house your father had built before his death. That's more than enough for us to survive."

"That's not everything Ammi. There are other expenses too. The college fees are not the only thing."

I said making my intentions clear that J can't get married.

"We still can manage Mehrish. There's a great proposal for you. I don't want to hear a thing. Either way, Amaar is studying on a scholarship. He will manage and I will manage in the rent of that home for our expenses."

I sighed frustrated. She was stubborn this time.

"You need to go and meet him in the cafe at 5 PM."

I made a mental note that I will ask the groom if he will be ok if I go for a job after marriage. I'll accept this proposal only if he agrees to my condition. I cannot convince Ammi but I guess. I'll have to go the other way.

• ° • ° • ° • ° •

Word count - 2800

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