Mannat

28 | Asad fiancee

S H I Z A

“Ouch!” Zayaan breathes when Asad plucks the shards of glass from his hand.
“I think you should change man. There are still some pieces stuck on your shirt.” Asad says pointing at Zayaan’s back.
“Yeah,” Zayaan mumbled standing up and walking towards the set of briefcases placed right besides the bed.

“Which one is mine?” he questions looking at Qulsum.
“The Maroon one is yours.” Qulsum answered unknowingly.
I blinked my eyes in shock. How does Qulsum even know about the colour of Zayaan’s pack bag.

My mind was rupturing as the scene of Qulsum in Zayaan's arm kept replaying in front of me.
I was numb, I didn't know what I should feel right now.
And before my brain cells could burst with unnecessary assumptions, I strolled out of the room.

Absent-mindedly I ambled in the hallway only to bump into some girl.
"I'm sorry," I said and looked straight at the person I collided with.
It was Jasmine's second best friend. Not again I huffed looking around.

"Are you ser—" Before she could utter her words, she was cut off by another voice behind me.
"Saniya?"

I twirl around only to find Asad jogging in our way. His eyes gleamed with happiness while a huge smile broke on his face.

Saniya?

A frown etched my forehead as I turned around to face her.

Asad stood next to her and mumbled 'You're are looking beautiful' to her.

"Thank you." She replied shyly in a fake tone. I cringed at her fabricated sweet smile.

"You met her?" He asked gesturing towards me.
"She is Jasmine cousin right?" She enquired.
"Yeah and also the girl I told you about, she is Shiza Irani." He answered.

Now What exactly did he tell her about me?

"Oh!" Saniya made a face as though she didn't knew my name.
"She is THE Shiza — the one who went on a bike ride with a stranger." Saniya uttered with a tight face.

And here I assumed that she was less spiteful than that Tara.

"Saniya please..." Asad pleaded her with clenched teeth and turned to face me. "Shiza, this is Saniya — my finacee."

"Oh nice choice." I answered, I didn't even try to hide the amount of disappointment I felt after seeing her.

All the while when Asad used to praise about Saniya, I thought she is some soft hearted girl but I didn't knew Asad was not only dumb but also blind. How could he not see how fake she is with him?

"Yeah and I'm not so very happy to meet you too. Anyways stay away from my man." She barked, her nose flared and her eyes narrowed.

"Cool, I'm not dying to be with him. Just for your information — Dumb guys who can't even judge people aren't my type." I scoffed looking away.

"You know what Tara was right. Because of this behavior only Zayaan —" And before she could complete her sentence I picked the glass of water from the table emptied it on her feet.

"Now get lost." I replied with gritted teeth.

Oh how wrong she was if she thinks she could bring up my marriage topic again and get away with that.

She stomped her foot with clenched teeth and moved past me, when Asad was about to follow she turned around, "Don't follow me. I'll hit restroom and go to Jasmine. She said she has invited few well known show makers who are searching for models for their brands. I will have to speak with them."

"Yeah okay." Asad muttered taking a step back.

I watched as Asad eyes were glued to her until she disappeared in the crowd. "She is nothing like you." I found myself speaking.

"I know," He huffed slipping his hands inside the pockets. "But I still love her cause she is — she is good to me, she was there when I needed someone. She cares for me."

"But Asad marriage? It needs more than just care to make a marriage work." Albeit I do not like Asad a bit but somewhere deep down I know he isn't a bad guy. It's just our vibe doesn't match and I was genuinely concerned about his choice.

"True, she isn't rude to me. This character of hers is for the other. With me she is sweet, loving and caring. She loves me. A lot." He answered trailing his eyes back to Saniya as she walked towards Jasmine and few other guys, who looked like show makers.

"I'm sorry to say this — but she looks anything but in love with you." I mumble padding away leaving a very disappointed Asad.

♡♡

"Can you be honest with me Qulsum." I asked folding my legs and sitting upright in front of her.

"Yeah," She answered scribbling something on her diary.

"Do you like Zayaan?"

Her hand stopped mid air. She batted her eyelids before slowly turning her face to look at me. She looked nervous, her eyes
crammed with apprehensiveness.

"What? Shiza are you listening to yourself?" She gulped visibly.

"I'm serious Qulsum, Do you like Zayaan? I want you to be honest with me. I feel like we have grown apart since the time Zayaan entered my life. I assure you Qulsum, it's not late. You know I would give the world to you if that means you'll be happy. Zayaan is just a guy. I don't even love him so much, you can share your feelings with me."

God knows how hard it was for me to say I don't love Zayaan. He was the first guy who made my heart flutter, who made me feel special, who looked at me with adoration but if Qulsum loves him, I would happily sacrifice my love for her. For me my sisters happiness comes before mine.

"You what? What are you speaking Shiza? I — I don't like Zayaan." She answered lowering her gaze.

"Then tell me about your first heartbreak. Who was that guy?"

Her eyes welled up with tears. She shook her head to and fro. "I can't , I'm sorry."

Even though I didn't force Qulsum to tell about him, I know exactly whom to force to get the truth out — her best friend.

♡♡

Q U L S U M

"Can we not send this with driver abbu (dad)?" I asked my dad pointing at the red file in my hand.

"No Qulsum. The file has confidential information so I can't risk it..." Dad shook his head and turned his gaze back to the laptop screen.

"Why don't you go and give this to him." I pout making puppy eyes hoping it would effect him.

"I'm busy Qulsum. Now leave cause Zayaan needs to sign those files by today." He gestured me towards the door. Defeatedly I look back at Mom for help but she shrugged walking out of room.

Huffing I stand up, "Okay fine I'll give him."

"No you have to wait till he signs it..." Dad answered.

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Why do I feel like this is preplanned."

Dad choose to ignore my questions. Holding the file tighter I press my lips straight and walk out.

I haven't met Zayaan after the marriage incident. It's been five days already and today out of nowhere dad wants me to take this red file to Zayaan office and get it signed.

❤...

A/N — Just to give a sneak at next chapter.... Qulsum is about to get shock of her life at Zayaan's office. A big reveal... Someone's gonna find something at Zayaan's office.

Also the chapters after this are going to move in fast mode... Truth is gonna be out soon and also the story is going to end in about another 10 chapters...