Azmaish-e-Ishq

Ch. 32: Frog Becomes a Prince

🎶"Tu pair paya, sajna ve, basti meri ch, basti meri phir soyi nai, paagla. O banjar zameen utte baagh yeh phulan da, tereaan bullan da koi nai muqabla.

(When you came, my beloved, to my colony, my colony never slept again, crazy-one. Like barren land to a garden of flowers, there is no competition to your lips.)"🎶

- Meri Zuban | Jaani | Kamal Khan

Heer's P.O.V.

Salaar's eyes watered as a smile of disbelief tugged on his lips. He pulled me closer until our noses were just an inch away. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to hear that," he whispered as tears flickered in his eyes.

Seeing him emotional made more tears trickle down my cheeks as I chuckled softly.

"I love you," I told him with a smile as my eyes continued to well. "I love you." The way he was looking at me, I hoped the more I said it, there more he would believe it. "I love you," I giggled as a smile drew on his lips.

"I love you too."

The words rang in my ears, in my heart, in my soul. My entire being radiated with the fact that Salaar loved me and I loved him. The world seemed golden. Every glance I took seemed coated in honey. The sweet fragrance of love graced our surroundings. We'd both fallen hard, and we finally caught each other—we were both in love, together, with each other. Things couldn't be any better and I couldn't be more grateful.

We both began leaning in before our heads turned towards the sound of a knock on the door.

"Iss baar knock kiya hai maine. Joothey khaane ka koi shaunkh nahin hai mujhe Bhai se. Bas yehi kehne aaya hoon Heer Ranjha ko ke khaana lag gaya hai," Daniaal informed before walking away.
(I knocked this time. I have no desire of Bhai hitting me with a shoe. All I've come to say to Heer Ranjha is that lunch is ready.)

I also began stepping away from Salaar when he jerked me against him. He brought his lips dangerously close, smirking while peering into my eyes with mischief, "Ab jo itne rukavaatein aaye hai, dekhte hai kitne dair thak rok paati ho khud ko."
(Since we've been interrupted so many times at this point, let's see how long you can stop yourself.)

My eyes widened before I too smirked. I moved closer so he would feel my breath, careful to not touch his lips, "Two can play this game. If that's how you want to play, then let's play. Let's see how long you can hold off."

He swallowed hard, taking a moment before responding in a low voice. "I've had months' worth of a head start. You've just joined the game."

"I'll wear your patience thin, Riaz."

"Likewise, machchar. Game on."

"Game on," I murmured, leaning in.

He froze as I brought my lips a breath away.

Just as he began tilting his head, I fled from his arms and ran out the door, giggling, "Maindak!"

He caught up by the time I reached the stairs. He wrapped an arm around my waist briefly, pecking my temple lovingly before we went down holding hands. It was unspoken, but our little game was obviously to be put on pause when around family.

I smiled up at him, recalling just how almost a year ago I ran out of his room in a similar fashion and he chased after me as though he were a cat and I a mouse because he had called me a fly. We were simply two best friends, but now, we were also husband and wife.

"Did you increase the volume, Ami?" we heard Seher Api's voice from Ami's phone when we got to the living room. Everyone was gathered here.

"Yes, beta, we're listening and we can see you," Ami then looked at us, "Seher wants to tell us something."