Azmaish-e-Ishq

Ch. 12: The Photo Wall

Salaar's P.O.V.

I walked alongside Hina to her group of friends. We'd just reached the park for the barbecue.

Api was ecstatic that I agreed to coming here and Ami was grateful.

Hina gripped my hand and tugged me to her friends, rushing towards them to end the distance, "Hey guys! This is my friend, Salaar."

There were about seven of them, a mix of girls and guys. Two were handling the grill while the other five were sitting on a blanket over the grass.

I waved at them as she let go, "Hi."

She exchanged a few hugs with them before pulling me down to sit down in a circle with the rest of them.

The girl nearest to her leaned over to Hina and whispered in her ear, "Is he your boyfriend?"

"No. We're just getting to know each other," she smiled.

"If things don't work out, can you give him my nu-"

Hina's eyes widened as she giggled quietly, "Sofia!"

She shrugged with a smirk, "He's really fit."

Hina shook her head then turned to me, "Thanks for coming."

"Of course," I gave her a small smile.

Some of them asked me some questions before I quietly listened to them chat. Eventually, the group sitting down got up to play frisbee while Hina and I remained sat.

"You should come to Liverpool sometime, especially before you go to London."

"Yeah, I was planning on it. Api's been inviting Heer and I for a while now, but we just haven't been able to fix a date to go."

"You and Heer are quite close."

"We grew up together. She's my best friend."

She was more than that. She was my heart.

"I know. Aiza Aunty said she's family. I remember you two danced at Bhai and Bhabi's wedding. It was the best performance of the night."

I smiled at the memory, "It was all Heer. She came up with the choreography too. We practiced for like two months straight. Dancing's not really my thing, but she and Api were adamant that I had to. Your performances with your cousins were nice too."

"Thanks," she grinned. "You're sweet, Salaar. Very humble too. If someone tells you're good or cute, you know you can just say 'thanks' or even 'I know,' right?" she laughed.

I chuckled until I realized she was calling me cute.

The sound of someone jingling a bell caught our attention. It was a man pushing a cart that held cups and dispensers.

"Aww, he's selling hot cocoa."

"Do you want some?" I offered.

"Sure."

Heer's P.O.V.

After speaking with Ami, I headed off to Hayat to interview a few people to fill Haniya's position. I hired Javier, who was in college and seeking a part-time job. Once we worked out his schedule to figure out when he would start training and working, I grabbed a box and filled it with the baked good of the day before heading off to Kamran's. He told me he would be home in the evening after having brunch with some of his mates.

I knocked on his door, and he opened it two minutes later.

A surprised grin spread across his lips, "Babe? What are you doing here?"