Veiled Emotions

CHAPTER-3

After lunch, Fahad bhai went to rest, exhausted from his long journey. Meanwhile, our cousins were busy planning ways to enjoy the evening with him.

**Fahad's POV:**

In the garden, Nanu and I were engaged in conversation while the others played badminton. Nanu asked about my work, and I replied that it was going well, Alhamdulillah. Main ne Nanu ko bataya ke mera kaam acha chal raha hai, Alhamdulillah. I had come to India for my brother's rukhsati, which was scheduled to take place a month later. I needed to start preparations and make arrangements, and my parents would join us in a few days. As we talked, a cork suddenly fell on me, and I heard my princess say, "Fahad bhai, please pass me the cork." Uski baat ne mujhe gussa dila diya, aur maine usay khali chehra dekh kar jawab diya. She repeated her request,Fahad bhai please de dein na, and I reluctantly passed the cork to her. She thanked me, thank you fahad bhai , and I couldn't help but feel annoyed.

**Haniya's POV:**

Hafsa, Arshiya, Hammad bhai, and I were playing badminton when the cork flew towards Fahad bhai. Main ne kaha, "Fahad bhai, please yeh cork pass kariye na ." I asked him to pass it to me, but he looked at me with a blank face and seemed upset. I repeated my request, and he eventually passed the cork to me. I thanked him, but he abruptly stood up and went inside. Mujhe samajh nahi aya ke unhon ne mujhe "you're welcome" kyun nahi kaha.

Later, Qavi bhai joined us, but we were short one player. Hammad bhai suggested calling Fahad bhai to even out the teams, but we all knew he was still upset. Everyone looked at me, and I realized they expected me to call him out. Main kuch dair ke liye jhijhakti rahi, kyun ke mujhe maloom tha ke unhon ne kabhi mujhe danta nahi tha, magar unka mood bhi dekha tha.

**Fahad's POV:**

I went to my room, performed ablution, and prayed to calm my anger. Main ne wudu kiya aur apne gusse ko kam karne ke liye namaz ada ki. I sat on the prayer mat, thinking that she didn't know about my feelings for her, and it wasn't her fault for calling me "brother." Mera gussa na-jaiz tha, kyun ke maine apne jazbat usay kabhi bataye hi nahi the. I reassured myself that the day would come when she would be my halal wife, and I would have all rights on her. Just then, I heard a knock on my door.

**Haniya's POV:**

Hum sab Fahad bhai ke kamray ke bahar kharay thay, aur sab mujhe tips de rahe thay ke kaise unhain manaon. Main ne gehri saans li aur darwaza knock kiya.

After knocking on the room door, I heard "Come in." Main ne darwaza khola aur dekha ke woh mujhe dekh kar muskurah rahe hain. I entered and saw him smiling at me, which melted my heart. However, my purpose was to convince him to play with us. Main ne socha, "Woh ache mood mein hain, iska faida uthate hain!"

So, I asked, "Fahad bhai, aap busy hain?" He replied, "Nahi, kyun? Tumhein kuch chahiye?" I explained, "Hum badminton khel rahe hain, lekin humare paas ek player kam hai. Kya aap hamaray sath khelenge?"

Fahad teased, "Tum log sirf mujhe bula rahe ho kyun ke tumhein kisi ki zarurat hai, warna koi mujhe bother nahi karta. Tum log kitne bure ho!" I clarified, "Nahi, Fahad bhai, aisa nahi hai. Hum sach mein chahte hain ke aap hamaray sath khelen." He continued teasing, "Main kya sochun? Yeh to saaf hai ke tumhein ek player chahiye, isliye bula rahe ho." Main ne rona dhona shuru kar diya, "Sorry, Fahad bhai, aisa dobara nahi hoga." He finally relented, "Okay, okay, main to bas mazak kar raha tha. Main tum logon ke sath khelta hoon." Main hansne lagi aur bahar bhag gayi.

**Fahad's POV:**

Main usay chidha rahe tha , magar usne isay seriously le liya, aur mujhe yeh pasand aya. Usne rona dhona shuru kar diya, aur main aur bardasht nahi kar saka. Main ne socha, "Yeh larki mujhe ek din pagal kar degi!"

**Haniya's POV:**

Mujhe maloom tha ke woh mujhe chidharahe hain, isliye maine kuch jhoote aansoo baha diye, aur boom! Woh hamare sath khelne ke liye maan gaye. Main achanak se hansna shuru kar diya aur bahar bhag gayi, chhod kar unhein stunned aur mujhe dekh rahe the jaise main pagal hoon.

**Fahad's POV:**

"Oh Allah, yeh larki ek din meri jaan le kar rahegi!" (meaning she's going to drive him crazy with her antics)

Haniya came running towards the garden, out of breath. "Kya bole, Fahad bhai?" Hafsa and Arshiya asked, curious. "Kya bola, Fahad ne?" Hammad and Qavi echoed.

Fahad smiled as he joined them, and they all looked at Haniya, waiting for her response. "Aisa kya kiya tune, jo Fahad bhai itni jaldi maan gaye?" they asked, trying to keep their voices low so Fahad wouldn't hear. But Fahad did, and his eyes sparkled with amusement.

Haniya replied, "Ye toh Haniya ka jaddu hai, jaddu!" (It's Haniya's magic, magic!). Fahad blushed, knowing it was true - Haniya had cast a spell on him.

All of the cousins looked at Haniya with a "done" face, as if to say, "We knew it!"

Hammad interrupted the teasing, "Abb baatein karenge ya game bhi khelenge?" (Shall we talk or play a game?). They decided to make two teams, with Fahad, Hammad, and Qavi on one side, and Haniya, Hafsa, and Arshiya on the other. The losing team would take the winners out for dinner.

The game began, with the boys playing professionally and effortlessly. The girls struggled at first, but Haniya rallied them, urging them to focus and play with energy. Despite their best efforts, the boys were winning easily. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost, Haniya suddenly unleashed her full power, determined to win. The game was on!
The game was still on, and they all were playing professionally as their goal was to win.

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Thank you!!