SHATTERED HEARTS

Ch.22.Avoiding the Shaykh brothers....!

Dedicated to hubban_lillah for her lovely comments make me smile so much that my cheeks hurt ;) I hope you like this chapter....!

                

           The cold, chilly winter had reached its peak levels in the quaint little town of Sundarnagar. It was biting cold and the weather was harsh and rough. Strong, heavy winds blew across the town making it difficult to walk or drive on the streets.

            Afzal Shaykh stood infront of the mirror in his room, after freshening and showering early on the cold winter morning. Not that he had to, but he just had no reason to toss and turn anymore after having spent another sleepless night!

            A strange feeling of anxiety and nervousness had trapped his mind ever since his mother had invited her family! It was the first time that she would be coming to his house. He didn't even imagine in his dreams that he would ever see her again let alone the fact that she turned out to be the daughter of his mother's friend. And now was the day when she was going to visit his place.Try as he might his crazy shattered heart wasn't able to calm down for a second.

            Afzal sighed in exasperation looking at himself in the mirror. His handsome face seemed tired and weary and the restlessness of his shattered heart was being clearly reflected in his hazel eyes. He ran a hand across his face trying to get rid of all the disturbing thoughts.

             The ringing of the doorbell proved to be a good distraction for him. He picked up his favourite itr
(perfume) from the dressing table and applied it hurriedly. After buttoning the sleeves of his pathani dress he took one last look at himself in the mirror. He was dressed in a black pathani dress with silver embroidery along the collar and edges of the sleeves. Despite the tiredness and lack of sleep, he looked as handsome and dynamic as ever!

           Afzal made his way out of his room and descended the stairs in silence.  Upon reaching downstairs he stopped and smiled widely at his best friend who was sitting on the sofa.

         "Assalamualaikum Fais, it's so nice to see you early morning. "
Afzal greeted his friend engulfing him in a brotherly hug.

          Faisal hugged him back and smiled,"Waalaikumassalam Afz, I could say the same for you."

          Both friends took their seats opposite each other as Mrs.Shaykh came out with a glass of water.

        "Faisal beta, you didn't have to take so much trouble. Hanifa might have not gotten enough rest after waking up early to make all of those parathas." Mrs.Shaykh said, concerned about her sister.

        "It's no trouble aunty.And Ammi loves to cook for Arhaan so it's not that much strain for her." Faisal assured his aunt.

        Mrs.Shaykh shook her head, smiling ,"Hanifa is so fond of my Arhaan. I am sure if you had a sister Faisal she would have been my daughter in law and Arhaan's wife. "

         Both Afzal and Faisal laughed at her comment.

         "Alhamdulillah that Faisal doesn't have a sister Ammi.Just the thought of being in such pitiful state of marrying my annoying brother makes me sympathise with the poor girl. " Afzal remarked and his friend laughed.

        Mrs.Shaykh however gave her son a stern look,"Stop underestimating your brother Afz.My Arhaan is one in a millions. " She added with a warm smile.

     
       "Ammi, could you please repeat those kind words of praise once again, it makes me love you more than ever!" All of them turned to look at the source of the voice to find the object of their discussion standing by the staircase with a smug smile.