Sirf Tum~ Collection of Stories

2

Author's POV

Rayyan sat quietly in the living room, his thoughts swirling. The warm evening air carried the sounds of distant chatter from the kitchen, where his mother was preparing dinner. His father was reading the newspaper, his glasses perched on the edge of his nose.

"Abbu, Ammi, mujhe aapse baat karni hai," Rayyan finally spoke, his voice steady but his heart racing.

His father looked up from the newspaper, a curious expression on his face. "Haan, beta? Kya baat hai?"

Rayyan took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Woh... Zeeana ke baare mein soch raha tha. I think it's time we take the next step."

His mother entered the room, wiping her hands on her dupatta. "Next step? Kya matlab hai tumhara?"

Rayyan shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Main yeh keh raha hoon ke... humari families ka rishta toh pehle se hai. I want to make it official. I want to send a proposal for Zeeana."

There was a moment of silence as his parents absorbed his words. His mother exchanged a glance with his father before sitting down beside Rayyan.

"Beta, tum dono ke darmiyan 10 saal ka farq hai. Aur tum yeh sab kuch samajh ke keh rahe ho?" his mother asked, her tone gentle but concerned.

Rayyan nodded, his mind made up. "Jee, Ammi. Main samajhta hoon. I know she's still young, but I care for her deeply. Aur main chahta hoon ke yeh rishta sirf dosti tak na rahe. I want to build a future with her."

His father leaned back in his chair, studying Rayyan carefully. "Lekin tum dono ke liye yeh faisla sahi hoga? Zeeana is still figuring out her life. Tum yeh sab kuch jaldi mein kar rahe ho."

"I know, Abbu. Lekin main usse support karna chahta hoon, uske decisions mein, uski life mein," Rayyan explained, his voice filled with determination.

His mother placed a hand on his shoulder. "Theek hai, beta. Hum baat karenge Gashkhori sahab se. Lekin yaad rakho, yeh sirf ek engagement hogi. Shaadi tab hogi jab dono tayar honge."

Rayyan nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "Jee, Ammi. Bas itna hi chahiye."

Two days later, Zeeana sat in her room, her thoughts racing. She had been weighing the proposal carefully, trying to understand her own feelings and the gravity of the situation. Her parents had asked for her opinion but left the final decision to her.

"Zeeana, tumne ab tak socha? Kya faisla kiya?" her mother asked gently, entering her room with a glass of juice.

Zeeana looked up, her face a mix of anxiety and resolve. "Ammi, main thoda confuse hoon. Main Rayyan bhai ko achhe se jaanti hoon aur unke saath waqt guzara hai, lekin abhi bhi mujhe lagta hai ki main shaadi ke liye tayar nahi hoon."

Her father, who was also present, nodded understandingly. "Hamare liye bhi yeh naya hai. Hum tumhare jazbaat samajhte hain. Tumhare liye yeh faisla karna mushkil hai. Tumhare liye zaroori hai ki tum apne dil se faisla lo."

Zeeana took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her decision. "Mujhe kuch aur din chahiye, Ammi, Abbu. Main faisla tab hi karungi jab mujhe lagayega ke main puri tarah se tayar hoon."

Her mother smiled reassuringly. "Theek hai, beta. Tumhe jitna waqt chahiye lelo, hum tumhare saath hain."

After three days of careful thought, Zeeana approached her parents and Rayyan's family with a decision. "Main shaadi ke liye haan keh rahi hoon. Yeh mere khud ke jazbaat hain, aur main tayar hoon. Lekin main chahungi ki yeh samajhkar ho ke main abhi bhi apni zindagi ko samajh rahi hoon."

Rayyan's parents were relieved and pleased. "We appreciate your honesty, Zeeana. It's important that you feel ready," they said warmly.

Zeeana closed the door to her room softly behind her, her heart still racing. She sank onto the edge of her bed, feeling a strange emptiness wash over her. The engagement was now official, but her mind was a swirl of conflicting emotions.

"I said yes," she thought, her hands trembling slightly as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. "But do I really feel ready for this?"

There was a part of her that felt a rush of excitement. Rayyan was kind, and she did have feelings for him. 

"I like him," she admitted to herself, "but is it enough? Am I ready to give up my freedom so soon?"

The thought of a future with Rayyan felt both thrilling and terrifying. She was torn between the desire to embrace this new chapter and the fear of losing her independence. Zeeana lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling hollow and overwhelmed.

"I hope I've made the right choice," she murmured, closing her eyes and wishing for clarity.

One Year Later

The Gashkhori mansion sparkled with celebration as guests gathered for Zeeana's 18th birthday and engagement. The house was beautifully decorated with a mix of vibrant flowers and soft fairy lights, creating an elegant atmosphere.

Zeeana was a vision in a dark blue lehenga adorned with sparkling diamond embellishments. The lehenga's flowing fabric shimmered under the lights, and her dupatta was draped gracefully over her shoulder, catching every glimmer of light. Her diamond jewelry—necklace, earrings, and maang tikka—added to her regal appearance. Her long brown hair left open. She smiled gently, though a hint of nervousness was evident in her eyes.

Rayyan looked dashing in a sleek black sherwani with subtle silver embroidery. The sharp contrast between his outfit and Zeeana's dark blue lehenga created a striking visual harmony. His poised demeanor and warm gaze were focused on Zeeana, reflecting both his excitement and commitment.

During a brief respite from the festivities, Rayyan stepped out onto the terrace for some fresh air. Zain, joined him there. The two stood side by side, taking a moment away from the lively celebration.

Zain turned to Rayyan with a teasing grin. "Rayyan, tumne Zeeana ko khush rakhne ka vaada kiya hai, hai na?"

Rayyan nodded, his tone serious yet warm. "Bilkul, Zain. Main uski khushi ka dhyan rakhunga. She means a lot to me."

Zain's smile softened, and he placed a hand on Rayyan's shoulder. "Yeh zaroori hai. Uska dil tootna nahi chahiye. Agar tumne usko hurt kiya, toh mujhse bura koi nahi hoga."

Rayyan smiled in return, appreciating Zain's protective nature. "Main uske saath hamesha doonga. Tumhara bharosa mere liye bahut important hai."

As they rejoined the celebration, the engagement ceremony continued with heartfelt vows and the exchange of rings. Zeeana and Rayyan shared a meaningful look during the ceremony, surrounded by their loved ones.

Dubai, Six Months Later

The glittering skyline of Dubai provided a dazzling backdrop as Rayyan's car came to a halt outside his modern apartment building. After a demanding day, he was looking forward to spending a quiet evening with Zeeana, who had arrived earlier that day.

Inside the apartment, the ambiance was soft and inviting. Zeeana, dressed in a kurta and jeans with delicate earrings, sat on the balcony, her gaze lost in the city lights. Her recent acceptance into a prestigious business college had left her feeling a whirlwind of emotions.

Rayyan entered, dressed in a formal shirt and pants, his expression a mix of concern and affection. Seeing Zeeana's distant look, he approached her with a warm smile.

"Zeeana," Rayyan began gently, "kya hum thodi der baat kar sakte hain?"

Zeeana looked up, her eyes reflecting a storm of thoughts. "Haan, Rayyan. Kya baat hai?"

Rayyan took a seat beside her, his voice soft. "It's been six months since our engagement, and I've been so absorbed in work and other responsibilities. I feel like I haven't given us the attention we deserve. I want you to know how much you mean to me, and I'm sorry if I've seemed distant."

TBC