Book two of the Hussain-Zaidi Saga
▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪▪
It is a tale of two people who are caught up in the cruel games that destiny had played with them.
Their life was supposed to be normal, but an unintentional mistake changes everything. As they n...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Tum thehro, Aaj waqt ko jaane do.
▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️▫️
Adab was combing her hair while sitting in front of the mirror, but she was distracted. Instead of looking into her reflection, her eyes were focusing on nothing particular as a thousand thoughts ran in her mind. She kept the hair brush down and subconsciously started fidgeting with her engagement ring. A habit that she had involuntarily picked up ever since Zaroon had slipped that ring into her finger. She didn’t know why she did it, but it felt like the ring was somehow suffocating her from which she needed to find relief.
While sitting there, her thoughts ran towards a certain man that she had not been able to get off her mind since last night. There was something about Mirhaan that had her hooked ever since she bumped into him yesterday.
“Adab beta, Eshal and Ayaan have come and are waiting for you.” The househelp, Savitri, informed her. Eshal and Ayaan were there to pick up Adab for the movie with Zaroon and Mirhaan.
Adab nodded. She gave herself a final look. In a pair of skinny blue jeans and a white tee, she looked decent. Picking up her phone and sling bag, she left her room. In the living room, her parents were present along with her aapi and jiju. She hugged Ayaan and Eshal before bidding bye to Mehr and Arsalaan. The ride to the movie theater was filled with their casual talks. Adab tried her best to lighten her mood, but the thought of seeing Mirhaan again was making her nervous.
Zaroon and Mirhaan were already waiting for them. As soon as they entered the place, Adab’s eyes fell on Mirhaan. Dressed in black jeans and a light blue shirt, he was talking to Zaroon. And even though she knew it was wrong, she couldn't help but wonder how handsome he looked.
“Hey,” Zaroon’s voice forced her to tear her gaze from Mirhaan. She looked at Zaroon. He was smiling at her, his eyes were shining with the love he had for her, and suddenly she felt guilty. Guilty for not being a good enough fiance to him, for not loving him as much as he loved her.
“Hi,” She forced a smile and opened her arms to hug him. He was surprised at her actions. It wasn’t like they’d never hugged before, but Adab had never been the kind to initiate those things. Nonetheless, he wrapped his arms around her and cherished the moment of having his lady love in his arms. But what he didn’t know was that she didn’t hug him out of love, she did it out of regret. She was trying to lessen her guilt by showing him love, even if it was fake.
“Okay, lovebirds! I hate to interrupt but we’ll miss the movie if you keep hugging each other.” Ayaan said in a teasing voice, which made them leave each other. Adab gave him another forced smile before her gaze snapped back to Mirhaan. He was looking back at her, and for a small second, she thought she saw a hurt flash in his eyes. His beautiful brown eyes.
They all went inside the auditorium, and somehow Adab ended up sitting in between Zaroon and Mirhaan. Half an hour into the movie, accidentally, her and Mirhaan’s arm touched and she felt goosebumps all over her body. From the corner of her eyes, she saw him freeze for a second.
After the movie ended, they decided to have dinner in a nearby restaurant. Mirhaan couldn’t help but notice how Zaroon first served Adab before filling his plate. He also saw Zaroon pick up all the dry fruits that were in the pulao from her plate and put it in his plate. She gave Zaroon a grateful smile and started eating. Everyone was having a conversation, but Mirhaan’s attention was not there. He was feeling like a complete asshole. He knew how much Zaroon loved Adab. In fact Mirhaan was the first person Zaroon had confessed his feelings to. He had seen Zaroon’s feelings intensify with his age. And even after knowing everything, here he was, feeling envious of him. Feeling envious of the fact that it was Zaroon who got to serve Adab food and not him. Oh, how he wished to be in Zaroon’s shoes.
Adab said goodbye to Eshal and Ayaan since Zaroon insisted on dropping her home. Zaroon went behind the wheels with Adab on his side, while Mirhaan got in the backseat. The ride to Adab’s home was spent in comfortable silence.
Adab wished Zaroon goodnight and got out of the car as he pulled brakes outside her home. Mirhaan got off too to come and sit in the front seat. Their eyes clashed once again as they got out at the same time.
“Bye,” She said in a low voice.
He couldn’t help but smile. “Goodnight, Adab!”
She’d be lying if she said her heart didn’t skip a beat at the way her name rolled out of his tongue, and before she could control herself, she was blushing. He got in the passenger seat while looking at her. As he got in, her eyes moved from Mirhaan’s face to Zaroon’s face and her blush instantly vanished.
The car zoomed off, and Adab slowly walked inside the home with heart and mind in war with each other.
_____________________
“How was the movie?” Parishay asked when Zaroon and Mirhaan entered the haveli.
“It was amazing.” Zaroon smiled and kissed his mother’s forehead.
“You went with Adab. Did you even watch the movie or was your whole focus on my daughter-in-law?” Parishay teased her son, making Mirhaan uncomfortable.
Zaroon scratched his neck shyly, making Parishay smile more widely. “I think it is time to talk to Arsal and Mehr about the nikah date.”
Both the men’s eyes widened. One in happiness, and the other in shock.
“Really?” Zaroon asked with a smile.
Parishay hummed. “We should finalize a date soon. Mirhaan is also here, you’ll have company.”
“Yes, he didn’t even attend the engagement.” Zaroon passed accusatory looks to Mirhaan, making him fake smile.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to stay long. The work issues are almost resolved.” Mirhaan made the first excuse he could think of. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to attend the wedding, watch Adab officially becoming someone else’s. Even the thought of it was enough to freeze his bones.
“Oh no, I am hearing no excuses. How can you even think of not attending my wedding?” Zaroon shouted at Mirhaan. “Ammi, talk to phupho and fix a date soon. I am not letting him leave without attending my wedding.”
Parishay nodded before their conversation was interrupted by Mahad shouting for his wife. “Parishay, where are you?”
Zaroon smirked, “Your husband can’t spend five minutes away from you.”
“I’ll say the same thing to Adab after your marriage. I am sure you’d be exactly like your father.” Parishay retorted back. “Right, Mirhaan?”
Mirhaan smiled and lightly nodded his head.
Parishay left the room to go to Mahad, then Zaroon and Mirhaan also said goodnight before heading to their respective rooms. Mirhaan changed his clothes and laid down on the bed only to spend yet one more sleepless night, lost in the thoughts of her.
