Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha

Ch. 22: Besties

🎶"Zikr ek bewafa aur sitamgar ka tha. Aap ka aisi baaton se kya vaasta? Aap toh bewafa aur sitamgar nahin. Apne kis liye munh udhar karliya? Saadgi toh hamari zara dekhiye, aitbaar aap ke vaade par kar liya."
(Talks were those of an unfaithful oppressor. What do you have anything to do with these kinds of talks? You are not unfaithful nor an oppressor. Why did you turn your face away? Look at my simplicity, I have trusted your promise) 🎶

- Saadgi To Hamari | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Alizey's P.O.V.

Laid before me was a scene that melted my heart.

Donning a black crew-neck sweater and dark grey trousers, Fawad was stood near the railing, past picnic arrangements. There was a red and white checkered blanket on top of which rested a picnic basket and a bouquet. Next to the basket and flowers stood two empty wine glasses, a tall bottle of sparkling juice, two small metallic heart-shaped balloons, three LED candles, and a medium-sized white box.

Fawad did a double take when he noticed I had arrived. "Alizey," his eyes softened. He walked over to the blanket and grabbed the bouquet before coming over to me. He handed the medley of flowers to me, "Happy birthday, Alizey."

I searched his eyes admiringly. "Thank you," I answered softly, pushing a small smile to my lips.

His head lowered, "I won't lie and act like I planned this out days ago. Harris called and reminded me it was your birthday. I'm sorry I didn't remember and wish you earlier. But I still wanted to do something special for you."

It would be a lie to say that I wasn't sad and waiting for him all day to wish me, but I appreciated his honesty and his efforts.

"It's okay. Thank you. You didn't have to do this."

He looked at me solemnly, "I wanted to." He took my hand gently and tugged me towards the blanket.

I took my shoes off and sat down next to him. "When did you do all of this?"

"I left work right after he called me then went to a few stores," he told me while he began taking food out of the basket. Fruit salad, hummus, a bag of pita chips, and a few other to-go boxes.

I smiled at his arrangements while being unable to shake off the feeling that this all felt so familiar.

"What's in there?" I looked at the to-go boxes.

"The seafood pasta you like from Blue House and shrimp lettuce wraps. The restaurant packed the shrimp, lettuce, vegetables, and sauce separately, so they won't become soggy," he served me a plate of fruit and hummus with chips.

"Thank you."

While I watched him open the juice bottle, it finally dawned on me why I was getting deja vu. Wahid surprised Mahwish with a special dinner for her 22nd birthday in Love Means Surrender. The candles, heart-shaped balloons, wine glasses for sparkling cider, Wahid had included all of these in his surprise for her. Had Fawad taken inspiration from it?

Fawad handed me a glass, holding one for himself in his other hand. He extended his, "Cheers."

"Cheers," I clinked my glass with his before taking a small sip. "Does alcohol taste anything like this?" I inspected the drink.

"Not even close," he chuckled softly after drinking some himself.

We ate the appetizers in silence for a moment until Fawad turned to me, inhaling deeply.

"Alizey," he took my name quietly, lifting his gaze to mine as he reached for my hand. I set my plate aside and gave him my full attention. "You've been avoiding me," he acknowledged, hints of hurt lacing his voice.