Veiled Emotions

CHAPTER -2

Fahad's POV

As I entered the house, nostalgia washed over me. All the family members were eagerly waiting for me. I greeted everyone with "Asalamualaikum" as I scanned the room. My Nanu (Niaz Mirza), Naniammi (Safiya Mirza), Mamujaan (Ahsan Mirza), and Chote Mamu (Muzaffar Mirza) were all present, along with my Mamijaan (Humera Mirza) and Chote Mami (Zulaikha Mirza). My cousins, Qavi, Hafsa, and Arshiya, were also there, except for the one person I was most eager to see. I made my way to my grandparents and hugged them tightly, feeling a deep longing. Then, I greeted my Mamu's and hugged them as well. My Mami's were overjoyed to see me, and I could sense their excitement. Finally, I joined my cousins for a group hug, feeling a sense of belonging.

Haniya's POV

I quickly finished my morning routine and selected a beautiful light green Pakistani suit with a hijab. I wanted to look my best today, especially since he was coming after many years. I added a touch of lip tint and headed downstairs to join the others. As I reached the stairs, I wished everyone "Asalamualaikum." My cousins were already having a group hug with him, and I felt a pang of disappointment at missing the chance to greet him first. My family replied with "Walaikumasalam, beta." I then hugged my grandparents, as I always did. My Dadu teased me about sleeping in late, and I explained that I had been up late completing assignments. My Dadi then encouraged me to talk to Fahad, who had arrived after five long years. My heart raced at the prospect.

Haniya's look (imagine a hijab on it )

Fahad's pov

As I embraced my cousins, my eyes and mind were fixed on her. She came downstairs, hugged our grandparents, and engaged in conversation. When Naniammi suggested she talk to me, her heart began racing. I noticed her hesitation as she approached me, surrounded by our cousins.

Haniya's POV

Nani Ammi encouraged me to go near him and talk. I felt a mix of emotions as I approached him, surrounded by our cousins.

Fahad's POV

Here all my cousins were talking to me, but I could still see her coming towards me.

"Fahad bhai, aapne kya laaya hai mere liye?" Hafsa asked.

"Fahad bhai, ab aap aa gaye hain na, hum log bahut enjoy karenge," Arshiya said enthusiastically.

Qavi was just silently observing Fahad and Haniya, while Hammad was trying to manage the chaos, asking everyone to talk one at a time, as it felt like a fish market with everyone speaking simultaneously.

Amidst this chaos, I could only focus on Haniya .

Then slowly, Haniya came towards me; it felt like an eternity. She came and greeted, "Asalamualaikum, Fahad bhai."

Oh God, I was literally angry, sad, or whatever emotions I was feeling at that time because I didn't like her calling me "brother." But I couldn't even tell her to stop. After a long pause, I wished her back with a blank face.

Haniya's pov

I went there and greeted him, "Asalamualaikum, Fahad bhai," but he suddenly got angry. He wished me back after a long time, and that too with a blank face. He is so khadoos. When talking with others, he is always smiling and laughing, but with me, it's just a blank face. Then I asked him, "Khairiyat?" He replied with, "Alhumdulillah." Then he asked me, "Aap khairiyat?" and I replied, "Ji, Alhumdulillah."

We were still talking when we heard Mumma calling, "Haniya, jaldi se pure bachon ko aur Fahad ko dining room mein lekar aao."

My Inner Thoughts

Aaa, Mumma, you just ruined our conversation.

(Though we were not actually speaking.)

"Ji, Mumma," I replied to my mother. Then I said, "Chalo bacha party, let's go and eat."

Haniya's POV

Then I called Dada, Dadi, Hammad bhai, Qavi bhai, Abba, and Muzaffar chachu to come and eat. As I was calling everyone, I was the last one to enter the dining room. When I looked at the dining table, all the seats were already taken except the one beside Fahad. (I call him Fahad only in front of my best friend or while talking to myself, as I can't be caught calling him by his name; otherwise, everyone will scold me.)

Fahad's POV

We all went to the dining room, except for my princess, as she was calling all the family members to come and eat. We went and sat down; slowly, all the seats were getting filled. Hammad sat beside me on one side and Qavi on the other. I was praying inside that she would sit beside me, but Hammad and Qavi ruined my plan.

I just said to Hammad, "Hammad, yaar, please na, uth jaa, wo side baith jaa na. Mujhe Haniya chahiye mere baazou, please."

Hammad replied, "Ye acha hai, ab mein meri behen ke aashiq ko mein meri behen ke baazou bithaon?"

"Arey yaar, please na, sun le na yaar. Mein tu jo bole wo karunga."

"Aisa bole to phir theek hai."

He got up and sat on the other side. Then here comes my princess, looking with her doe eyes and searching for a seat. As she saw the seat empty beside me, she slowly approached and silently sat beside me.

As she sat beside me, Nani Ammi told her to put curry and chapati on my plate.

My Inner Thoughts

Ya Allah, aapka bohut bohut shukriya jo mere princess ko mujh se milaya, mere baazou bithaya, aur ab mujhe uske haathon se mere plate mein khana diya jaa raha hai. Mujhe toh iske liye shukrana ki namaz padhni padhegi.

Haniya's POV

First of all, I was nervous sitting beside him and eating, and upon that, Dadu said to serve him. Ya Allah, I am already trembling just sitting beside him. What will happen if I serve him? Maybe my heart will explode. But still, I replied, "Ok, Dadu," and stood up to serve him, asking him about his favorite dish on the dining table. He replied that whatever I served, he would happily eat it. (Yahan toh bada maska laga rahe the. Abhi tak toh muh phula ke baithe the.)

Then I served him and myself and started eating slowly as everyone else was also eating. Waise bhi, hamare ghar mein khate waqt baat nahi karte kyun ki wo achi cheez nahi.

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