Mannat

35 | I do

Third Person

"Shiza will you?" Mrs. Irani asked with hope glistening in her eyes. She wanted Shiza to get married to Asad for two reasons - one obviously to save Asad and second cause in her eyes Asad and Shiza are made for each other.

She always had this feeling that Qulsum matched Zayaan more than Shiza, maybe it was because she had observed the way Zayaan eyes always searched for Qulsum. Or maybe because of the longingness she had seen in Zayaan's eyes whenever he gazed at Qulsum.

Yes, she had observed it all but couldn't speak because of her daughter's happiness.
And Asad, he is a free soul, who wants to fly high in the sky and dive till the deepest water which is everything Shiza is.

"I - " Shiza started but her eyes accidentally met Asad's bloodshed eyes making her gulp. "I need a few minutes to decide." She mumbled instead of straight NO.

Shiza definitely felt bad for Asad but marriage? It's a very big deal for her. She can't just marry someone, and definitely not Asad; they get agitated in each others presence. How will they make this relationship as pure as marriage last.

"Take your time." Mr Irani said after a long silence.

Nodding her head, Shiza grasped Qulsum's hand and started to walk out.

"Shiza - nothing was her fault. I'm the one to be blamed..." Zayaan finally spoke. Shiza halted in her track but didn't turn around to face him.

Her grip on Qulsum's hand tightened. Zayaan speaking up for Qulsum was new to her. She somewhere knew it was his concern towards Qulsum which made him speak because Zayaan was aware of her temper.

"I don't need anyone's permission to drag MY SISTER anywhere I want." Shiza stated quite loudly and clearly for everyone to hear.

Qulsum peered at Zayaan, her eyes begged him not to speak anymore. They both were wrong here cause they hid such big truth from Shiza and any sane person would react to it in a similar way or worse.

Shiza inhaled deeply and dragged Qulsum with her.

Zayaan perceived how furious Shiza was and his heart started beating erratically. Beads of sweat decorated his forehead.
He was about to rush outside when Asad interrupted him.
"This is not the right time Zayaan. You shouldn't go between them."

Zayaan shook his head and mumbled, "Shiza might not be the girl I wanted but over time I've known her enough to say that she is very angry, to the extent that she can do anything. I just don't want her to make the wrong decision or hurt anyone in anger..." Saying this Zayaan stormed out.

Just as Qulsum and Shiza were about to enter the last room in the same floor, Zayaan ran and stood in front of them.

"Please Shiza, you know you are very angry right now. This is not the correct time to speak to her." Zayaan prayed that Shiza would understand him.

Shiza chuckled leaving Qulsum's hand. The vexation increased exponentially when she saw Zayaan so helpless and almost begging her to leave Qulsum.

Qulsum and Shiza were inseparable. No one was supposed to come between them. They didn't hide things from one another but for the first time Qulsum did, all because of Zayaan - her first love and ex fiancee.

"I'm at fault Shiza, because of me you got kidnapped. I'm to blame here." Zayaan said and looked past Shiza at Qulsum who shook her head and mouthed him to leave. "She - Just leave her. You can talk to her later, when you are calm enough to listen to her explanation."

Somewhere deep down Shiza knew Zayaan was right. She does things out of context when she is frustrated. She doesn't comprehend the impact or damage her action could cause in future when she is furious.
Zayaan's concern towards Qulsum's safety was one hundred percent correct, which enraged her even more. How could he think she'll hurt Qulsum.