Mannat

8| Facing the truth

Third person

Aqsa, Qulsum and Shiza were now plopped on bed, each one ready to share exciting news about themselves.

"Who is going to start?" Aqsa asked rubbing her palms together.

"I am going last." Qulsum raised her hand. She had to tell Shiza about Zayaan, specially today's encounter.

"Shiza you are first, I am second and last our beautiful baby elephant Qulsum." Aqsa teased Qulsum, it wasn't like Qulsum was fat or something. She had a perfect physique but Aqsa would never leave a chance to make her friend flush.

"You need to get your eyes checked." Qulsum smacked her head while a light blush creeped her cheeks.

"So..." Shiza started dipping her teeth in her lower lip she smiled widely. "He said he likes me on our first date and I think I am starting to fall in love with him..." Shiza blushed and then buried her face into tiny fluffy circular pillow which was placed on her lap.

"Oh My God!! When did this happen..." Qulsum exclaimed shaking Shiza vigorously earning a giggle from her.

"I don't know-" Shiza muttered, her cheeks had turned crimson red. "He is just so good Qulsum. You will really like him."

Aqsa piped in asking, "Girl you are blushing hard. Will you at least tell us his name Shiza?"

"It's Zayaan..." Shiza pronounced feeling elated.

"Zayaan Zaidi?" Qulsum asked, her voice coming out nearly the same as whisper.

"Yes Zayaan Zaidi... Oh My God, he just loves to make me blush. He is handsome, successful, caring and he is also very good with words; what can I say Qulsum. He is everything I wanted in a guy-" Shiza kept on blabbering gazing at the space.

Her eyes shimmered with happiness. She was so lost praising Zayaan that she missed two pair of eyes going wide after listening to his name. One amongst them had tears brimmed in them.

Qulsum gulped quickly wiping off the lone tear which had slipped out of her eyes. She mouthed I am okay to Aqsa who was staring at her best friend with concern and sympathy.

Biting her inner cheek she smiled looking at her sister who was carrying heart eyes speaking about Zayaan.

"Wait! How did you know his full name? Do you know him?" Shiza asked suddenly realizing that Qulsum had uttered Zayaan's full name.

Qulsum blinked her eyes trying to come up with some sort of explanation.

Seeing her friend in trouble Aqsa cleared her throat, "I had mentioned his name quite a few times in front of Qulsum. Moreover who doesn't know Zayaan Zaidi. He is filthy rich and successful for crying out loud."

Shiza smiled and turned to face Qulsum, "Are you crying Qulsum?" she asked furrowing her brows.

"No silly..." Qulsum chuckled, "So when are we meeting your - your Zayaan?" a terrible anguish crammed her heart. She had a fake smile laced on her face.

"Today. He is coming over for dinner." Shiza gushed smiling widely staring at the window.

The last string of control that Qulsum had broke down. Instantly her eyes filled with tears. She was bewildered and heart broken.

"Shiza..." Another voice called from downstairs making Shiza snap her head at the door instantly.

"Yes Ammi(Mom)" Shiza sprinted out of the room without looking at Qulsum who by now had tears streaming down her cheek.

"I am sorry." Aqsa muttered pulling Qulsum into her arms. She was feeling extremely guilty. Had she not called Qulsum to her workplace that day all this wouldn't have happened. Her best friend was in pain and she was the reason. Unknowingly tears rolled down her cheeks. Qulsum was like a sister to her.