Iqraar E Mohabbat ✓

Chapter 9

"Good morning." Humera sat on the breakfast table and frowned looking at the extra smiley face of her cousin, Rehan. "Why is he high on sugar early in the morning?"

"Umar bharr ka kadwi dawai milne wali hai na isliye. (He is going to get a lifelong bitter medicine, that's why.)" Hamid, her brother said making the elders glare at him.

"I did not understand. What medicine?" Humera asked before sipping the water.

"Rehan is getting married." It was Shahzain who said that. Hearing the words, Humera choked on the water she was drinking and coughed.

"With whom? Which blind girl is marrying him?" She asked after recovering from the cough.

"Hey, I am not blind." Zainab said with an offended look.

"Zainab? You agreed to marry him?" Humera turned to glare at her father and uncles. "You guys did not force her, right?"

"You seriously think we will do that?" Ahaan, Humera's father said with an innocent face.

Humera sighed before looking at her younger cousin. "You still have time, Zainab, Stay back."

Zainab shook her head. "It's too late now, Appi. I love him."

Humera nodded and looked at the Rehan with pointed eyes. "You better treat her right or else I would perform surgeries all over your body."

"You said you would do the M.D. in Cardiology, Humera. How would you perform surgeries?" Shahzain piqued making her scowl at him.

"By the way, Appi, you are next." Zara, another of her cousin said.

Shahzain froze hearing her words. There was a possibility that Humera could get married after her internship period ends. A fear erupted within Shahzain. A lot of questions started raising in his mind. Suddenly, he felt his appetite gone.

He was brought out of his thoughts due to Humera's voice. "So, when is the Nikaah?"

"After two weeks." Rehan said making her widen her eyes.

"Isn't it too soon?" Humera asked him.

"We want a small and simple one with just us." Zainab replied.

Humera gave them a look over and shook her head. "Too desperate."

"We will be going shopping today since Humi Appi has a day off." Zara said with excitement.

"Of course. We are using Rehan's card for the expenses." Humera said with a smirk.

"No. Ask Chachu for his card. I am not wasting my money on you." Rehan told her making everyone chuckle.

"How rude." Humera muttered before focusing on her food.

"I will take my leave then." Shahzain said after the breakfast was over.

"No. No. How about you join us for the shopping, Shahzain? What will you do in that empty house alone? Come with us." Ahaan told. Others also insisted him to which he nodded. He went to change at his home since it was next door.

After everyone got ready, they all left for the mall. Shahzain and Humera were with Rayyan and his wife in one car.

"So, how are the days in hospital?" Rayyan asked them.

"It's going well, Bhai." Shahzain replied to which Humera scoffed. "What going well? Don't lie. It is so hectic, Bhai. Those resident doctors are very cruel. They think of us as some servants. Even servants are treated good. They treat us like a slave."

"You should scold them and refuse their works, Appi." Ayesha suggested.

"Not possible, Ayesha." Humera shook her head.

"Do you face the same as well?" Ayesha turned her whole body backwards making Rayyan widen his eyes in fright. "Begum, careful."

"Oh hush." Ayesha waved her hand at him before raising her eyebrows at Shahzain.

"I don't, Bhabhi." Shahzain replied to which Humera said, "Perks of being the son of the Dean and owner."

Ayesha clapped with excitement. "Great!! You can also get such perks. Marry him."

The occupants of the car gaped at her. Rayyan shook his head before giving an apologetic glance at the people on the backseat. "Don't mind her words. She has started sprouting nonsense due to pregnancy."

"You shut up, Khan sahab." Ayesha snapped at her husband before turning to the people in the back. "It's a good idea, guys. Your story would be epic. Academic rivals to medical colleagues to lovers."

Rayyan rubbed his forehead. "They will consider your idea, Begum. Now, please, turn ahead. It's not safe for you and the baby."

Ayesha pouted but obliged him. There was an utter silence in backseat. Shahzain and Humera were red by now and they were looking outside the window to avoid each other's glance. While the couple in the front were busy with their small silly talks, the people behind were completely lost in their thoughts.

Humera had always found Shahzain handsome. A part of her had always admired him not just for his exterior structure but for his nature. He was kind, supportive and understanding. From the childhood, she had never seen him behave rudely with anyone. Even during their childhood while she was rude to him and would not let her brothers play with him, Shahzain would smile in a distance and watch them without complaining. He was a literal sunshine. This was one of the reasons she had envied him. While she herself was cold and detached, Shahzain was warm and friendly to everyone.

While Humera had conflicting thoughts, Shahzain was clear about what he wanted. He knew he liked Humera. He had liked her since they were in grade 11. Humera was the only reason he had decided to return to Pakistan. Life Care Int'l Hospital had it's branches in a few cities of Turkey and when he had left the Pakistan six years ago, he had thought to settle there only and operate the hospital branches from Istanbul. But then when days passed by, he started missing Humera. There were times when he cried in his prayer for her. By the time he completed his MBBS, Shahzain was sure he was in love with her and that was why her indifference in the first day had hurt him. He had thought that after completing the internship he would talk to his sister and ask for Humera's hand in marriage but it was in that moment he realized something he had not before. The Khan family would happily marry Humera to Shahzain but what about Humera? What if she has someone she already liked? His heart clenched at that thought. Would he be able to see her with someone else? The answer was no but if she did not want to be with him then he could not force her either. A drop of tear cascaded through his left eye with a fear of losing her. He quickly wiped it and internally prayed Allah to give him his love and guide him.

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Lots of Love,

Samm.