'Beyond the Horizon': There's more to it...

Chapter - 5

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Shehnaaz was struck with amazement. She was flabbergasted to say the least. It was an out of the world feeling to see him through a picture. Never in her eighteen years of life had she though to fall this hard for someone only by seeing a picture of them but she did, falling harder with each passing moment. It was 'him' after all. Her Sidharth, whom she had missed like crazy. It was close-up picture with few lamps blurred out at the backdrop. The dreamy eyes, some hair strands falling on them bridging the forehead, the angelic but goofy smile, one that could capture your heart, Cheeks shining bright may be with the slight make-up and the lights that could be seen on the picture background. The sharp nose, those glossy brim lips and the sexiest of 'V' formed at the space in-between. She was in love with that specific feature of his face. And she had no shame in accepting that it was one of the very initial things that had effortlessly captivated her heart after his height of course.

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Flashback

"Sana jldi kar le thoda...hume aur bhi jaghe jana hai" Her cousin who was to get married in a few weeks had been dancing around her head with a dress in her hand.

Yes, they were in a trial gallery of a well known boutique for tailor made ethnic dresses. Shehnaaz has been trying her dress for last 30 mins now whining about the minutest stitch issue on her dresses. They were here to collect her dresses for two of the ceremonies in advance. The one to be wore on the wedding day was yet to get stitched.

"Haan aa rai hu na...kuch dhang ka kaam nahi kiya hai inhone...ye dekho ye kurta utar raha hai shoulders par se..." She was fussing again.

"Hey bhagwan! Sana ye deep neck hai na? To utrega hi jab tak peeche dori nahi lagayegi.." Shireen replied irritated by now. This little sister of hers has been a drama queen all through the time during their visit to the boutique.

"Achaaww ...Dekha kitna sahi hua maine puch liya varna to Shadi tak pata hi nahi chalta aur phr sara Mazak ban jana tha mera" She spoke with a childlike innocence in her tone.

"Meri amma! Ab lag gya na pata...ab khatam kar jldi aur chal...bhai bahar wait kar raha hai humara...Shifa is a saint I must say! Tolerating you is a task!" Shireen huffed playfully.

"Are didi! Shifa koi saint nahi hai...usko bhi to me tolerate krti hu na! Aur vaise bhi kaam saare perfect hone chaiye taki end moment par koi gadbadi na ho...aur dress ka perfection to most important hota hai!" She replied.

"Teri shadi nahi hai jo dress ka perfection chaiye! Shadi meri hai...! Ab jaldi kar le!" Shireen was ready with a response.

"Uff! Aa ri hun baba!" She shouted from the trial room.

They were out soon after discussing about the amendments to be done on her dresses with the boutique owner who was passing all those details to the tailor subsequently. Shireen had her clothes ready for all the functions in advance as she was the bride to be but with Shehnaaz and her family joining in a little late they had to figure out something quickly for her as she wanted to wear everything new and not something that already laid in her wardrobe. She had been specifically wanted her dresses to be bought from Mumbai. Perks of being the youngest in a family that you can get people on their toes around you for all your sensible and non-sensible(sometimes) demands. Shifa, she was not bothered about anything and had got herself only a new Saree with a matching blouse that she already owned, to go with it as the attire for the main function. For other days, she had selected few from their own shop back in Karachi.

About to reach their car across the road Shehnaaz noticed Shaan talking to a guy, standing with his back towards them slightly bent to be the lower back resting on the bike's seat. Eyeing the bike first, it was a Hero Honda CBZ. She had been crushing on it from the time it was launched and was in the advertisements. They were now at the other side of the lane and her eyes still on the hunk placed on the roadside, gradually following the leg, one folded at the knees, slowly moving up, her head hung at the back a little to travel the height as the person adjusted himself standing straight, landing on the handsome face finally. She could not keep her eyes on him for more than few seconds as his were already focused on her. But those few seconds were enough for her to notice the 'V' on his philtrum. She was quick to turn and walk towards her sister making themselves comfortable in the backseat pf the car. Not an era to be introduced to a stranger on a roadside where people have their ears and eyes open and focused on you from every nook and corner.