At half five that morning, Zoya entertained the thoughts of falling dreadfully ill. At quarter to eight, she refined it to having an interview. But at quarter to 12, she got out of her bed, squared her shoulders and walked into the bathroom to get showered.

Bish Irtaza and her stupid mind that had been dreaming about him didn't let her sleep. Actually, she would have been sleeping if Irtaza hadn't appeared in her dreams. And that was the moment she knew she ducked up. That the crush was getting out of control. If the guy you crush on, starts appearing in your dreams, recurringly than my sister its not just a 'crush'. And if she didn't put herself in order, she was going to be heart broken. So, she wanted to avoid him!

But she wasn't a coward.

And she wasn't going to act like one. She hadn't done anything wrong. But....

She was going to be there for Meena who was waiting for her at the parlor.

Wese bhi, bus nikkah ho jae ga ajj. Sham ko ruksati. Baat khatam. Ek din main kon si qayamat ajae ge Zoya? (Just have to attend nikkah and then rukshati in evening. After that we are done. It can't be that bad. )

Itna bardasht kiya hai. Thora aur kar lo... (You tolerated him for days, just a little more.)

Thora aur he tu nai ho raha. (I can't do a little more)

I think I like him......

Bezati karwa k bhi 'like him'. Ghadi he rehna sari zindagi .... (He insults you and you still like him. Stupid, since forever)

We going to barat! That is, it! You can do it!

I am going to be there for Meena. Besides, he is going to be busy with all the elder brotherly responsibility. It not that I am going to bump into him or something. Asa tu ho ga he nai. Bilkul bhi. (Its not going to happen. NO!)

She didn't want to think "is say bura kya ho ga(how much worse it could be)" because last time she had said, it a stranger who knew her secrets had showed up at the wedding.

Truth be told, she didn't even know what could go wrong. Suffice it to say, she had this feeling in her gut that it something was going to go wrong. It had something to do with that mehndi night. Something had changed between her and the stuck up suit. Something was different. And it frightened her.

Normal people feared what they don't understand. And Zoya didn't get him. At all. But there were times when she thought she understood him when no one did. His obsession for being in control, his fetish with independent women! His fear of dying. He hadn't said it out loud but after a month of being a text buddy with him she had figured that out. All of that was because of his father's early death leaving a young widow with two children and zero source of income. And so, Irtaza Haider Awan tried to make best of his time. Invested all of it to earn money. Never pausing his workaholics life. Never stopping and appreciating it, enjoying it. She did respect him for all he had done and how far he had come. She was sure his father if he had been here would have been proud of him. But that didn't mean, she agreed with his way of life. He needed to rest a little and enjoy life.

Later that evening after helping Meena get inside the bridal room, Zoya left for the main Marquee. She wasn't paying attention to where she was headed as she was busy calling her mother. Her parents had still not arrived, and she was getting anxious. Why? She didn't know.

Zoya bumped into a young woman and recognized her instantly as Iman Sultan, Meena's family friend. After losing her parents to an accident and her brother, an anchor person shifting to Islamabad Iman used to live alone in Lahore and come to Karachi to attend the wedding.

Zoya liked Iman. She was the shy reserved girl in her 4th year of MBBS. The two had formed a bond during the Alizey-Hashim wedding. With a sigh, Zoya noticed the poor girl's faded complexion and soul less eyes. It was a pity. Because the girl was beautiful if people allowed her to breathe. She had a pleasing face and dark hair which were hidden under neath her hijab. And her eyes that light shade of grey. She would have looked pretty in the greyish blue she was wearing, if only she allowed herself to break free from the cage. Cage of "log kya kahinay gaye"(What are people going to say)

"Zoya!" Iman called out, as soon as she saw her. "It's so good to see you."

Zoya nodded. "Same. Next, we'll meet when? Another wedding?" Zoya tried lifting the poor girls spirit but it seemed like a sorry cause. The damage had been done.

"InshALLAH, yours!" Iman replied cheekily and Zoya smiled as she shook her head.

"Barat kahan pohanchi...." (Where is Barat?)

"Bus anay wali hai..." (They are just about to arrive)

" Barat anay wal hai aur pata nai mera amma abba kahan reh gayen hain" (Barat is about to arrive and Mama Baba are no-where to be seen.)

Zoya said stretching out her hand. She wasn't a social butterfly but there was just something about Iman that made Zoya want to rescue her.

Zoya had mindlessly mentioned her parents and she couldn't help the guilt creeping on her heart. She felt like the she was the worst human. Iman had lost her parents and talking about her parents in-front of Iman, felt like rubbing salt on her wounds.

When they reached the main hall, the larki walay were already there, chatting as they waited for the Barat to arrive. She spotted Irtazaa across the room. Actually, she didn't spot him since his back was towards her. She sensed his presence and then found him facing his mother, discussing something with her. She could feel him, nonetheless. She knew she had to be crazy, but she'd swear she knew when he tilted his head and heard him when he spoke and when he laughed. And she definitely knew when his eyes were on her back. Her neck felt as if it were about to go up in flames.

"I don't like Musarat Auntie.Yaar woh idhar he arahi hain. (She is coming here)" Iman half-whisper complained.

Zoya discreetly followed Iman's gaze. Musarat Auntie the typical viper was making her way towards them. With her eyes fill with kajal(kohl), she was legit sending daggers their way. Two unmarried woman. Upar say (that too) independent and financially stable. How could Musart Auntie let the golden moment go. She was going to bestify (insult) them and in PUBLIC.

Underground honay ka waqt agaya hai Zoya! (It's time to disappear)

Bhago!!(RUN)

[Author's stupidass note: Refer to that om shanti om scenes where Om goes BHAGOO]

"She hates me," Iman whispered.

"She hates every woman who is career oriented," Zoya replied.

"No, she really hates me."

"Why?" Zoya turned to her friend with curious eyes. "What could you possibly have done to her?"

"I bumped into her at the Alizey Hashim wedding and that caused her to spill the juice all over herself and her daughter when they were talking to Moiez."

"That's all?"

Iman rolled her eyes. "It was enough for her. She's convinced that Moiez would have proposed her daughter if her daughter hadn't acted like the complete shrew she was and shouted at me for the accident."

Zoya let out a snort not giving two cents about acting ladylike and proper. " Moiez was forever into Meena. Unki beti ka koi chance he nai tha. (Her daughter had no chance.) "

"Okay, chalo Moiez nai tu unkay khayal main Irtaza tu rishta bheej he deta, (She thinks that if not Moiez, Irtaza would have sent proposal)" Iman told her and Zoya narrowed her eyes at that.

"That's what she thought." Iman swore.

"Bah," Zoya scoffed. "Irtaza bhej he na day rishta. Agr us nay bheja ho ga tu, woh notice bhejay ga. (As if Irtaza is ever going to send proposal. If he is going to send something, it's going to be a court notice!) How dare Musrat Aunite try to steal his sister's husband! " Zoya joked trying badly to coverup for her hurting heart.

"Mazaq nai karo yaar (Don't joke please)", Iman said as she smiled.

"Kasam say. Agr Irtaza nay rishta bhejna hota tu bhej deta. (I swear. If Irtaza wanted to send it, he would have.)"

Why can't you understand that. If Irtaza liked you, he would have told his friend Zara about you! He didn't even accept you as a friend. He treated you like a nobody on Mehndi! And you are dreaming about him saying "QABOOL HAI".

"Ab kahan say (It's not possible, now)" Iman replied with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"Everyone knows Irtaza have set eyes on this girl. After the guest left last night Meena told me there is this girl, Irtaza writes about in his diary."

WHAT?

He keeps a diary!

Diary? HE WRITES ABOUT A GIRL IN IT.

CUTE ! ROMANTIC !!! AHHHHHHH MY HEART.

WHAT, MY HEART !

THAT GIRL IS NOT YOU! HE LIKES THAT GIRL. Definitely not you!

ZARA.....

It had to been Zara.

He likes her.

Zoya bit her tongue before she muttered, " I don't know. I don't want to talk about him. Chalo jaldi say underground ho jaen is say phelay, the dragon finds us. (Come on, lets disappear into the masses before...)"

But her voice was drowned out by Iman's hoarse whisper of, "Oh, no. She's coming this way."

Zoya gave her arm a reassuring squeeze. "Don't worry about her."

Preach preach preach!

Iman shot her a sarcastic look. "Are you telling that to me or yourself?"

Before Zoya could say, 'both' a voice interrupted.

"Zoya, Iman" Musrat Aunty trilled, drawing up alongside them.

"Koi shadi mangi hoe tum dono ki ya abhi tak knwari ho? (Did you get hitched or are you still single.)"

"Abhi tak tu nai hoe (Not till this date) Aunty", Iman replied politely while Zoya just nodded.

"Bilkul herat nai hue mujhe. (I am not surprised at all)" Musrat Aunty mused as she gave them a disapproving head to toe look.

"And why is that?" Zoya found herself asking. She shouldn't have. She should have known better, but it was just the look of disdain that she had given them that forced Zoya to ask that question.

Musrat Aunty blinked, obviously surprised that Zoya had even questioned her pronouncement. Itni badteemzi! (Such mannerlessness)

"Kyunke"(because) she said slowly, "Khair kehna tu nai chahiye par (I shouldn't say it...)" She shrugged daintily.

If you think you shouldn't, then don't please.

But no, you'll say something shitty knowing you shouldn't!

VIPER!!!

"Par jab larkiyon ko sahi waqt pay lagam na dali jae tu phir yehi hota hai. Iman k tu na koi agaye hai na peechay par tumharay maa baap tu hiyat hain..." (When girls aren't restrained then this is what happen. It is understandable for Iman who has no parents but you have them.....)

The comment was so rude that Zoya could not help but gape. And while she was staring at the lady, openmouthed with shock, Musraat Aunty went in for the kill.

"Tumhara bhai bhi chala gaya na dosray shehar(Your brother left the city?)" she said, her smile so sweet that Zoya could swear she could taste sugar in the air.

Sub jaa rahay hain bus app nai jaa rahi..(Everyone else is leaving except you)

"Allah bakshy us becharay ko, woh bhi kahan tak sambhalata jawan behan ka booj "(Allah bless him, for how long could he have endured a burden of sister?) she added, smoothly looking down at Iman.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" Zoya blurted out.

Musrat Aunty looked shocked. " Itni badteemzi. Maa baap nay sikhaya nai baron say kesay baat kartay hain. Yeh asay baat karti tu samaj main ata."

( Such disrespect. Didn't your parents teach you how to talk to elders. If Iman would have talked like that, it was understandable.)

Zoya could feel Iman shaking next to her. She hoped it was with anger, not with pain.

"Apko nai lagta k apko apnay bachon pay dehan dena chahiye.(Don't you think you should focus on your children?) " Zoya said in icy tones.

"Haye Allah dekho kesi qanchi ki tarhan zaban chala rahi hai yeh larki..."

(My God, look at this girl with razor sharp tongue...)

Zoya opened her mouth to give a scathing retort, but before she could make a sound, Musrat Aunty added, " Aj kal ki larkiyan. Char jamatain kya parh lee. Apnay buzrgon ko parhanay lag gae hain." ( Girls these day ! After studying two classes starts teaching their elders.)

" Ajj kaal ki larkiyan,(Girls these days)" Iman ground out, " purany waqt ki aurtoon ki tarhan dosri auraton k kidar par ungliyan nai uthaten. Ajj kal ki larkiyan baki aurtoon ki dhal bhanti hain. "

(Unlike the women of your days, don't not go around pointing fingers at the character of other women. Instead, they protect like a shield)

Zoya wanted to jump up and cheer.

YO GO GIRL !!!

SLAYY

SLAYYY SLAY !!!

Musrat Aunty made a breathy little "Acha(RIGHT)" sound, as if she had any right to be offended. "Larki(Girl)...Oh! Irtaza betay!"

Zoya moved to the side to allow the esquire into their small circle. Such timings. Now was the time they both needed a lawyer for their defense. She only hoped that he was going to defend her. Zoya had noticed with disgust, that Musrat Aunty's entire demeanor changed. Her eye which was filled with scorn now began to flutter with something sweet and her mouth curved into a smile.

It was so appalling that Zoya forgot to be self-conscious around the Esquire. She was so lost mentally cursing Musrat Aunty that she forgot that she had been avoiding Irtaza.

Irtaza shot Musrat Aunty a hard look but didn't say anything to her. Instead, he turned quite deliberately to Zoya and Iman greeting them.

Ufff haye Allah. Zalim.

Mere heroooo! Ase karo gay tu dil ajae ga ( My hero. If you'll act like this, then I'll lose my heart.)

Zoya was nearly jumping with glee when he had given Aunty Musraat the public snub.

"Zoya", he said smoothly, " I hope you won't mind seeing to the guests alone. My friend's sister is aspiring to be a doctor and she needs help. Iman would you please..."

"Par(But)!", Musraat Auntie blurted out.

Irtaza gave her an icy stare. "I am sorry " he said in a voice that translated to him being everything but that(sorry).

"Koi masla hai kya? Main Fareesha ko bhi bula leta hoon thori uski bhi madad ho jae ge. Bechari kisi sorat FSC nai kar pa rahi. "

(Is there a problem? Let me call Faresha, she needs help to. Poor girl can't even clear 12th.)

Musraat Aunty shrank back mortified by his direct hit. Irtaza waited for Iman to step aside from the group engaging her into a conversation. " I really admire your strength Iman. I am sure Uncle Saad if he were alive would have been proud of you. You are going to make a fine doctor, kiddo!" he murmured as he patted her head, and he escorted her.

Kiddo??

Did he just called Iman, kiddo?

Did he just pet her head .........

Yun Mujhko Kabhi

Hui Hi Nahi

Jo Tumse Abhi Ho Gayi Hai

Mohabbat

(not ever like this, I have fallen in love. Like I have fallen for you...)

Zoya couldn't help the smile. She bit the inside of her cheeks to stop the giggle from escaping. Irtaza offered her a small, secret smile over Iman's head, and in that moment Zoya had the oddest feeling that she understood this man completely.

Suddenly she was certain that he had a soul.

And a heart of gold!

Gosh, did she just said a poem. Soul gold? Did it rhyme?

Zoya was going crazy. She was in awe as she stared Irtaza and Iman with an open mouth.

She was dazed. How could she not fell for that man? She liked him. Liked him a lot. Despite his crude remarks. How could she not? He greeted her cat. Helped her parents carry the grocery bags. And now just rescued Iman. He wasn't as soulless as he wanted the world to see him.

And then she said something she'd never thought possible: "He is a hero."

"Main tera main tera main tera( I am yours)" her heart sang as she kept staring at his back. The hero in black plain sherwani!

Zoya was in great mood after that encounter. She smiled more brightly, she walked a happy walk. Twirled in her dress as she hummed happy tunes. Blushing like an idiot, she greeted the barat.

When it was the time for nikkah, Mahira Aunty asked Zoya to help Irtaaza escort Meena to the stage. And Zoya being a complete idiot agreed.

She was halfway to the stage on Meena's right side with Irtaza was on the other, helping Meena with her shahra when realization dawned on her. She could feel the eyes of people herself and she realized how stupid it was. The whispers of people reaching her ear, made the hair on her neck stood up.

"Mahira nay Irtaza ka rishta kar diya tay sanu dasyabhi nai" (Mahira fixed Irtaza's marriage and didn't inform us)

"Haan kar he diya hai. Larki hai tay bari soni...." (Yes, looks like it. The girl is very pretty MashALLAH)

"Changa kita...bahu ho ge tay ghar main ronaq rahay ge...". (Good for her. With a daughter in law in the house, it will be lively)

Zoya gulped as she passed the Aunties who were making assumptions about her.

Haye Allah miyan, kya yeh saray log yehi soch rahain hain?(Are they all thinking the same?) She wondered as she passed an idle stare at the crowd and then at Irtaza. His face was blank. She couldn't tell if he had heard it or not. But she assumed that he hadn't because the frown was missing.

Auntie apke moon main ghee shakarr (Ameen Auntie Ameen!)

The photographer kept clicking pictures forcing them to stop after every minute. And Zoya was exhausted. Her back was hurting like crazy.

Am I not a little young to have back problems? Koi serious masla tu....(What if it's a serious problem)

Nai, I am an instructor. I stand a lot. Maybe that's why.