Shattered Dreams

Chapter 26

Safiya's pov:

Sun Sako To Suno Dhadkanon Ki Zaban
Main Yahaan Hoon, Yahaan Hoon,
Yahaan Hoon, Yahaan

This morning, on the day of the mehendi ceremony, I was in the garden watering the plants when I texted Fahad, "You like painting, right?" My phone buzzed a few minutes later with his reply, "No, I don't." What a blatant lie. Just the other day at the museum, he had been inspecting the paintings with interest. Now, this immature 34-year-old brat was pretending otherwise.

"Okay, but I painted you," I texted back, giggling as I looked at what I had drawn. I sent him a picture of a cartoonish cat with bunny teeth, labeled like a diagram of the heart.

Fahad's response was swift: "Haha, lolzz. Very funny." I could practically sense his annoyance. Mission accomplished. Then he added, "Focus on watering plants instead of those paintings." Curious, I turned around and saw him watching me from his room window. I waved playfully and laughed at his cold expression.

Still grinning, I went inside to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. I overheard my mom and Shazma phuppo deep in conversation. Phuppo remarked, "Our Safiya looked so beautiful yesterday, didn't she?" She then handed my mother a box containing a set of diamond bangles, adding, "This is for her."

"Shazma, I can't accept this," my mother quickly refused. I chuckled inwardly—this family sure has a thing for gifting jewelry. Just like when Fahad gave me a Tiffany necklace, which I still wear all the time, now phuppo was offering me bangles.

"Why not?" Shazma phuppo insisted. "She's my beloved brother's daughter. Please, take it."

"Shazma, you're too much," my mother said softly, eventually accepting the box.

Phuppo then asked, "Are you both doing well and happy over there? Ever since Safiya left, I've felt so lonely. When she was here, the house was filled with laughter."

"We missed you too," my mother replied gently. "But, you know, it didn't feel right staying longer. And I miss Rashid as well."

Before we arrived, Shazma phuppo continued, "The house was so dull, just full of workaholics. I missed all the bickering and teasing between Fahad and Safiya."

At that moment, Fahad strolled into the kitchen in his usual t-shirt and sweatpants. Standing beside me, he asked, "What are you doing?"

"Making coffee," I replied. "Want some? Oh wait, I forgot—you've sworn off it." I teased, thinking anyone who doesn't drink tea or coffee must be out of their mind. How do they even function? My mornings are incomplete without my cup of tea.

"Shut up and just make me a litchi juice," he demanded.

"Litchi juice," I mimicked mockingly, rolling my eyes.

Then Shazma phuppo chimed in, "Bhabhi, don't you think Safiya and Fahad make a good match? I think one day they'll end up marrying each other." I glanced at Fahad, only to find him looking right back at me.

My mother quickly responded, "Shazma, Fahad doesn't like Safiya in that way, and i think it's better for Safiya to have this little pain now than having it later." Her words stung, but they were a reality check. She was right—I needed to stop dwelling on him. It was time to move on.

fahad's pov:

"Fahad, how's life? Safiya, you looked jealous yesterday," Ayush teased me. I responded, "I'm not jealous. Ayyan would never take what's mine. She's mine, only mine."

"You need to experience what it's like being apart from her to truly understand how much you love her. You haven't told her how you feel yet, have you?" Ayush said as if we were always together.