Dilbar (دلبر) -
Lover
*****
Samaira Baksh has sworn off love. The emotion in itself brought memories that were synonymous with a weak nightmare. For her, love was a forgotten feeling and farthest away from what could be considered...
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*****
After spending a good half an hour in silence, with him- Zaigham- beside her, Samaira reluctantly made her way back to the party. She couldn't skip even if she wanted to. She spotted Zaira and Azlan talking to an elderly couple, looking at ease and joy. The rest of her family too was around. She had spotted Aman stealing a drink or two while Maria was busy taking pictures beside every other thing she liked.
Sighing to herself, her heart begged her to go back to where she was the most comfortable. Biting her lips in contemplation, she almost turned on her heels when someone stopped her.
"Yes?"
She didn't know the man who stood in front of her, a smile on his lips. Her confused eyes looked over his shoulder only to find her mother looking at her and him. The confusion quickly dissolved away when her mother avoided eye contact and pretended as though she didn't notice Samaira looking her way.
"Arman Sehai. Nice to meet you."
He forwarded his hand for a shake, the smile a little more laid back than nervous.
Samaira stared at the extended hand like it was an alien, not forwarding hers because one- she didn't do touching, especially with strangers, and two- why was he even talking to her?
Arman pulled his hand back when a good seconds later too she didn't reciprocate. If he was embarrassed, he didn't show.
"I'm sorry but have we met before? I mean.."
She let the words fall in between them and he shook his head, motioning with his thumb over his shoulder- exactly where her mother stood now with an excited expression.
"Your mom thought it'd be good to be friends with mine. I don't see anything wrong with us being the same."
He shrugged, a boyish grin on his face. His smile reached his eyes and the simple act of true happiness was so contagious that Samaira felt her tense muscles relaxing and a small smile slipped its way on her lips.
"Sure. I'm Samaira Baksh."
"Jaanta hu. Your mom gave a brief description about you."
(I am aware.)
Samaira felt an embarrassing blush rise atop her cheeks. She passed a discreet glare to her mother who was now smiling ear to ear looking at the two. Shaking her head lightly, she ignored the matchmaking techniques of the older Baksh and focused on what Arman was saying.
"Though, I must say, she didn't say you'd be this beautiful. Masha'Allah."
The compliment was anything but suggestive. It was a soft comment, like a friend telling the other and Samaira grinned at him, swinging her hand behind her back to put on a show for her mother.
"You don't look too bad yourself."
But not as good as him.
Samaira blinked when the thought voiced itself out of nowhere. Arman too had worn a suit but it just didn't-
