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.

❖❖

"The dinner is ready" Shiza informed Zayaan and her dad who were conversing about business in living room.

Mr. Nial Irani took the head seat, to his right was his wife Maria Irani and to his left side was his loving second daughter Shiza Irani. Zayaan pulled the chair next to Shiza but his movement came to halt when he heard tingling sound of anklet which fluttered his heart.

"Finally Qulsum is here" Shiza muttered looking ahead of her.

Zayaan heaved his eyelids only to suck in a deep breath. His hold on chair tightened while he peered intensely at the beauty who had walked down the stairs.

Qulsum walked down the stairs after changing into comfortable light pink dress paired with white head scarf. She had applied light kohl to shed the redness of the eyes.

As Qulsum walked towards the dinner table she made sure her eyes were rooted to Shiza. She wanted to avert her eyes and gaze at the person standing still next to Shiza but she knew she will break down the moment she looks at him.

Shiza smiled gleefully, standing up she pointed at Zayaan "Qulsum this is Zayaan and Zayaan that's my amazing sister Qulsum."

Qulsum nonchalantly averted her gaze from Shiza to Zayaan. Curling her lips upwards she gave Zayaan a forced smile "Asalamuwalaikum" She greeted, her heart hammered against her ribcage, Zayaan stood there staring at her like always. She bit her inner cheek and shrugged off unwanted thoughts reminding herself that this man in front of her was her sister's boyfriend.

"Walaikumsalam" Zayaan replied gulping the lump formed in his throat. Not in a million year he had imagined that this was going to happen.

He was cursing himself for the entire evening for even looking at some unknown girl when he had Shiza in his life but now he felt as if someone has stabbed in his heart. He never expected that unknown beauty to be Qulsum.

Qulsum took a seat right in front of him.

During the whole dinner Qulsum never looked at Zayaan. She had her eyes glued to her food occasionally looking up at her father.

She felt Zayaan's sharp gaze many times but never once did she get courage to look at him. She didn't knew what was happening to her. They have never spoken to each other nor they know each other properly yet the pull Qulsum was feeling towards Zayaan was unexplainable. She felt extremely guilty for thinking like this about her sister boyfriend.

After the dinner was over, Zayaan walked out of the house after saying goodbye to Shiza's parents. He never got a chance to speak to Qulsum cause she sprinted upstairs right after dinner.

"Okay bye then. I will meet you tomorrow..." Shiza's gushed making Zayaan snap his head at her.

He looked at her happy face, this was his girl. He smiled staring at Shiza. Shiza was the one for him. He really liked Shiza and he didn't want to screw this beautiful relationship with her just because he felt some unusual pull towards her sister.

"Thank you for the dinner." Zayaan said holding her hand in his. Shiza blushed looking down.

Zayaan hadn't missed to notice the lack of excitement and gleam in Qulsum eyes. He knew Qulsum also felt the pull and at the same time he also knew Qulsum was hurting knowing I was the guy her sister talked about all the while.

Zayaan knew what to do next. He didn't want to complicate anything in his life anymore. He didn't want to think about any other women other than Shiza. Shiza was best for him and she was the only one for him. Qulsum was epitome of beauty for sure but Shiza was no less and he liked being around Shiza.

Zayaan promised himself to never let his emotions over power him. He promised to give all his attention and love only to Shiza.

"I want you to meet my parents Shiza. Mom is constantly been asking about you." Zayaan said, he was taking a very big step in his life. There was no going back after this.

"I - I would love to meet them." Shiza muttered looking at Zayaan.

Qulsum smiled looking at them from the balcony. Shiza looked happy with Zayaan and with the way Zayaan was holding Shiza hand whilst staring at her Qulsum was sure he was so in love with her and that was enough for Qulsum to keep her heart in check.

This was first time she was going through heart break but she knew he never gave her any hope. It was her imagination which led her to heart break and agony. She smiled at them once more and walked inside making sure to let go of her first one sided love.

❤...