𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹-𝗲-𝗠𝗮𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗮𝗯

فطرتِ عشق ۷۔

Sometimes, love comes knocking, and we don't even realize it's at our door~

Coming to the cafeteria, Daneen settled onto one of the benches, cradling her coffee in hand. It was the beginning of August, and the air carried a hint of humidity that caused her hair to sway gently, creating a picturesque sight for the man standing at the entrance. It was the man from that rainy day, he walked out of the cafeteria, his lips curved into a subtle yet charming smile.

Lost in her thoughts, Daneen found herself in the midst of emotional turmoil. Her mind was a battleground of conflicting emotions, wreaking havoc on her sense of peace. It finally dawned on her that she was now a married woman, bound to someone who had an intense hatred for her.

Unaware of Zaim's presence, Daneen was startled when he suddenly took a seat beside her and gently took the coffee from her hands, casually sipping from it.

"Kya hua hai Dano?" he genuinely inquired, concern evident in his voice.

Feeling a sense of unease, Daneen cautiously asked, "Ander kya baatein ho rahi hain?" sensing an air of danger around them.

Zaim spoke nonchalantly,

"Of course, tumhari rukhsati ki! Abhi to nikkah hua hai tumhara, agar tum bhool gayi ho toh yaad karwa deta hun!"

Rolling her eyes playfully, Daneen retorted,

"Thank you, bhai, for reminding me that I have short-term memory loss! Bhaiiii, be serious, please! Listen, I don't want rukhsati right now! Please, bhaii!"

"Daneen, listen, if it's about Murtaza and all, let me assure you, I've known him for more than a decade, and he's not a bad guy! He's actually awesome, with a clean past, he-""

"Uff, bhai!! It's not about Murtaza or anyone else! It's about ME!! I'm just not ready for this huge responsibility! I mean, I don't even know how I ended up agreeing to this nikkah thing. I feel too young for all of this! I really don't want the rukhsati to happen any soon! My career will be at stake"

Daneen tried her best to convey her feelings clearly.

"Rukhsati won't hinder your career, at least not significantly!"

"IT WILL!"
she asserted, her voice brimming with seriousness.

"Oh Okay, I'll talk to mom and dad,"

Zaim said, gently patting her head to reassure her.

Daneen nodded eagerly, relieved that her brother understood her.

"Yes, please! I suggest you go and talk to them right now, or else they might start planning my entire future!"

Zaim stood up, giving her a thumbs up and a warm smile before heading inside to have the crucial conversation with their parents.

______________

Vows exchanged, but hearts in question, a love enigma with untold answers~

Since Murtaza learned that Daneen had chosen to delay the rukhsati, he experienced a surge of emotions.
He couldn't help but wonder if her decision was influenced by lingering feelings for Ayaan. This made him question if she still had emotions for Ayaan even after their nikkah.

"Not that i love her or i am dying for rukhsati, it's just how- how can she take this decision by her own??!"

As Murtaza sat in the hospital room, he couldn't help but talk to himself in frustration. Murtaza's chain of thoughts was broken by Haider's voice.