Fasid-e-Ishq

Hurt

The party had been in full swing, and the guests had gradually departed after dinner, congratulating the Mir family on the successful evening.

In the midst of the crowd, Zain was searching for his best friend when he suddenly collided with someone. Without looking up, he quickly muttered an apology and regained his composure. As he was about to move forward, something caught on his watch. It was none other than Kiara’s dupatta. Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Zain.

Realization dawned on Zain as he immediately recognized her. Kiara murmured a quiet apology and began to carefully untangle her dupatta from his watch. However, fate had other plans.

A waiter bumped into Kiara, causing her to stumble, and her head collided with Zain's chest. She blushed furiously, her face now as red as a tomato, both from embarrassment and the sudden closeness.

Zain chuckled softly as he noticed her flushed face. She looked so adorable in her flustered state, and he couldn’t help but stare at her beauty while she nervously worked to free her dupatta.

"Mashallah," escaped Zain’s lips as he admired the blushing beauty standing before him.

"Kya?" asked Kiara, confused.

"Kuch nahi, bas Khuda ki banayi hui khoobsurti ki tareef kar raha tha," Zain replied with a smirk.

"Chal jhoote," laughed Kiara.

"Aapki hasi hamara dil na le jaye," Zain said dramatically, placing a hand over his heart.

"Hogya flirt? Ab nikal! I have more important work to do," Kiara responded, flipping her hair playfully in his face.

"Tera dhyaan kidhar hai, yeh tera hero idhar hai," Zain sang, following her like a puppy.

It was obvious to everyone that they both had a massive crush on each other. They had liked each other for quite some time and hadn’t exactly tried to hide it.

"Hero? Kaun? Koi dikh nahi raha idhar toh, shaitaan ka mama hi dikh raha hai," Kiara teased, laughing.

"Kiki, why so rude?" asked Zain in an innocent tone, smirking at her, fully aware of how much she despised that nickname.

Kiara shot him a glare. "Zuzu, why so ugly?" she retorted, laughing in his face.

Zain's smirk instantly vanished, and he glared back at her. "Izzat raas nahi hai aapko," he said, smiling sweetly at her.

"Nahi, aapki tarah dheet nahi hoon jo izzatafzai karwaoon apni. Aur meri izzat karne ka haq sirf mujhe hai. You know, self-love, kitty," Kiara quipped, blowing him a playful kiss before vanishing from sight.

"Psychology padhke dimag kharab hogaya hai iska, kuch bhi bolti jaa rahi hai," Zain muttered under his breath, continuing his search for Hareem.
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Hareem was exhausted after dinner and had decided to retreat to her room. Just as she was about to enter, she heard voices coming from Hashir's room. The door was slightly ajar, revealing two people sitting and chatting.

She hadn’t spoken to Hashir since their dance, and as she peered in, she saw Mirha and Hashir sitting on the couch. His back was turned towards Hareem, but she could clearly see Mirha. They seemed deep in conversation. Rolling her eyes, Hareem thought, "Kaise baatein kar raha hai, mujhe toh bahut keh raha tha Kabir se door raho." She had started moving towards her room, but something made her pause.

"Yeah, I know. I always wanted a mature girl, someone who was intelligent, classy, and elegant. You know, jo bilkul perfect ho—koi clumsiness na ho, bohot polite ho. But dekho, mujhe kaun mila," Hashir said with a slight lovesick smile, though Hareem interpreted it as mocking.