Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha

Ch. 4: Roma

Alizey's P.O.V.

🎶"Jaise mere dil mein khile phagun ke mausam, tum kya mile,"🎶 I sang with a smile while I pulled into work.

To my own surprise, I was in a good mood this morning. I was trying to suppress my worries and be optimistic. For some reason, I felt hopeful after my encounter with Fawad. I didn't know why.

It's because he said your eyes were pretty.

Be quiet! But perhaps things won't turn out bad. Nothing is set in stone. Just because Papa wants me to marry Tahir doesn't mean it's going to happen. Maybe Mama will be successful in convincing him that I don't want to. Maybe Tahir Bhai, himself, will decline.

After clocking in, I sat in front of my computer and checked my emails.

Were Fawad and I friends now? I would say so.

I placed my headset over my ears and listened to my new favorite song on repeat while I worked on a report.

I eventually looked over the maze of cubicles, getting lost in my own dreamworld.

🎶'Darj hui hai shayari mein jinki hai prem kahaniya,'🎶 I sang along silently, envisioning myself running across a snowy mountain in a bright, deep blue sari while singing the lyrics.
(Those who have a love story, it's registered in poetry.)

As I come to standstill, I smile as I see a man running towards me in a matching navy-blue turtle neck, black coat, and dark trousers.

🎶'Hum zamane ki nigahon mein kabhi gumnaam the,'🎶 Fawad smirked teasingly as he circled me, his nose and cheeks adorably pink from the cold.
(We were once unknown in the eyes of this generation.)

🎶'Apne charche kar rahi hai ab sheher ki mehfilein,'🎶 I gazed at him warmly.
(People are now talking about us in the gathering of the city.)

🎶'Tum kya mile, tum kya mile, hum na rahein hum, tum kya mile,'🎶 he took my hand slowly and leaned closer, gazing at me with his twinkling light brown eyes.
(I met you, I met you, I am no longer myself, because I met you.)

"Earth to Alizey," I heard Susie as she removed my headset.

"Huh?" I looked up at her, "Sorry. I didn't hear you."

Bleh. Back to reality.

She giggled. "I could tell. Must be a nice song."

"It is," I smiled. "What's up?"

"Nothing. It's almost lunch time. Just wanted to get away from my desk early. I haven't even gotten the chance to tell you about Friday night!"

"How was it?"

"Oh, it was the best!" she continued rambling on and on and my ears zoned in and out as I tried my hardest to keep listening, "... the scallops were just so good and Aaron got this truffle m... Victoria's going to Italy with... Octavio wants to try professional soccer and leave his job as... she was surprised with a customized Burberry coat and Cartier bracelet..."

She followed me to the machine to clock out for lunch and continued sharing about her lavish, posh night out as we made it to the breakroom.

"Excuse me," I interrupted way too eagerly when my phone vibrated.

"Yeah, sure. Go ahead."

My expression faltered when I read the contact name. Papa.

'Call me,' the message read.

I got up and went to the hall to call him. "Assalamwalaikum, Papa."

"Walaikumsalam," he greeted curtly. "I'm calling about the proposal... Your mother asked that you be given more time to make your decision, but I wanted to inform you that Tahir wants to meet with you for dinner tomorrow. He will be contacting you to make plans."