Laazawaal Mohabbat

Chapter 22 : Raspberries And Chocolate

Arbaaz and Zunera were walking towards his car. Hand in hand. Try as he might, but the smile was just not leaving his face. To him, the world suddenly seemed a happier place. And out of the blue, a memory struck his mind and he gave out a chuckle.

“What ?” - she asked. Her own lips forming a grin at the happiness radiating off of him.

“Do you remember that day in office when I had blurted out ‘Marry me ?’ and then had tried to cover it with ‘Merry me’ ?” - he asked and she chuckled at the memory.

“Of course I do. It was the most bizarre and hilarious explanation by the way!” - she said and they both laughed.

They reached the car and he leaned against it. Taking her other hand in his as well, he interlaced their fingers together. She was enthralled by his eyes glinting in the moonlight. A mixture of love and mischief dancing in them.

“So you knew I had asked you to marry me ?” - he asked, a brow raised while smiling that lopsided smile of his.

“Of course I did. You don't really think that I bought that excuse now do you ?” - she teased rhetorically.

“So why did you do that ? When you knew how serious I am for you and you also felt the same way so why ?” - he asked.

His tone was not accusing. He just sounded curious. Even if he had been taunting her, she wouldn't have blamed him. He had a right to. And she decided to be honest with him. Not only because he deserved to know the reason behind it but also because they were life partners now. She didn't want any secrets or misunderstandings between them.

“I... I got scared Arbaaz. For you. I didn't want you to get separated from your parents just because of me.” - she said and he blinked at her in confusion. “When I got to know that your mother is upset with you I-”

“Wait a minute!” - he interrupted, straightening up. “Who told you my mother is upset with me ?”

“Kashish told me.” - she replied, causing his eyebrows to shoot upto his hairline.

“Kashish ?” - he asked, surprised.

“Yeah. She had come to meet me at the cafe that evening.” - she told and he exhaled a long breath.

Why didn't he realize sooner ? He should have surmised Kashish was upto something by that strange smile of hers before farewell! So that was her plan. Asking Zunera to step out of his life else he'll lose his family...

And he thought they were friends.

“Arbaaz...” - Zunera's worried voice pulled him back to present. “Are you okay ?”

“I am.” - he replied.

At least, as fine as one can be after knowing that his childhood friend stabbed him in the back.

“Let's go home. I want you to meet my family and see for yourself that I won't lose them because of you. Instead, they'll be happy to see me happy. Specially Dadi Jaan, Bhaijaan and Bhabhi.” - he said and started to open the car gate but she held his wrist. Stopping him.

“And your parents ? They'll be happy too ?” - she asked.

He stilled. Unable to answer that. She smiled and turned him around to face her again.

“That's what I don't want Arbaaz. I have spent my life without my parents and I know how it's like to be. But you know, there's a kind of consolation that they are dead that's why are not with me.” - she said, cupping his face. “Having parents and still not with you is another kind of pain Arbaaz. One, which I don't and won't let you go through.” - she stated with an authority that made him smile.