𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞

7. Unraveled Ties

Mashal's POV:

I noticed Hassan's increasing distance. He was often engrossed in work, his focus unwavering, and I respected his space. But part of me longed for the connection we shared in those quieter moments. I missed the ease with which we talked, the playful banter that seemed to hang in the air between us.

One afternoon, while I was in the garden sketching, I caught him glancing my way from the window. For a moment, our eyes met, and my heart raced. But before I could even register the moment, he turned away, returning to his work.

I felt a twinge of disappointment but understood. Hassan was a man of responsibility, and he carried a weight I could only imagine. I wanted to support him, to be a part of his life, but I was unsure how to bridge the gap that had formed between us.

"Want to take a break?" Maria suggested one day, pulling me away from my thoughts. "Let's go get ice cream!"

"Sure, that sounds nice," I replied, glad for the distraction.

As we walked to the nearby shop, I found myself thinking of Hassan again. I wanted to share everything with him, yet I felt a barrier he had erected—perhaps out of fear, perhaps out of duty. It was hard to pinpoint.

Hassan's POV:

The days passed, a monotonous cycle of work and family obligations. I kept my distance, believing it was best for everyone involved. Whenever I caught a glimpse of Mashal, whether she was lost in her art or enjoying time with Maria, I felt a strange mix of admiration and confusion. But I remained silent, a barrier between us that I couldn't cross.

I noticed how she would sometimes look my way, her expression searching for something in my gaze, but I never gave her anything to hold onto. I kept my focus on the tasks at hand, allowing my responsibilities to consume me. It was a way to block out the feelings stirring within me—feelings I had no right to entertain.

Even when Maria and Mashal ventured out for ice cream, I chose to remain inside, staring at the screen in front of me as if it could provide the answers I sought. I didn't need the distractions that came with their laughter, the lightness that filled the air when they were together. I wanted to shield her from the weight of my life, to protect her from the complications I carried.

I often found myself thinking of Mashal during those quiet moments, yet I buried those thoughts deep. Each time I saw her, my heart would race, but I dismissed it as a fleeting distraction. I couldn't let myself linger on the what-ifs. My life was a puzzle with too many pieces, and the last thing I wanted was to complicate hers.

Even in the family gatherings, where conversation flowed and laughter echoed, I remained a quiet observer. My presence felt like a shadow—there but never fully engaged. No one dared to probe into my silence; they respected it, and I was grateful. I couldn't bear the thought of revealing the turmoil within me.

Instead, I continued to immerse myself in work, reminding myself that this was my duty. Each completed project brought a momentary sense of satisfaction, a distraction from the tugging feelings that Mashal inspired in me. I would focus on the future, the responsibilities waiting for me, and push aside the longing to connect with her.

But as the days turned into weeks, I knew deep down that avoiding her was becoming increasingly difficult. The connection was there, palpable and unspoken, but I refused to acknowledge it. Each time I saw her, I felt the pull of something greater, yet I remained steadfast in my resolve to keep my distance, believing it was the right thing to do.

And so, I carried on, buried in my work, unwilling to confront the emotions stirring within me.

Author POV:

The family sat quietly in the living room, an unspoken tension hanging in the air as they observed the dynamics between Mashal and Hassan. The first day they had shared a moment together had filled everyone with hope—perhaps a new chapter was beginning. But as days passed, they noticed Hassan retreating into his shell, distancing himself from Mashal. It was as if an invisible wall had been erected between them, one that neither seemed willing to breach.

One evening, while Hassan was preoccupied with back-to-back meetings, Mashal was lost in her creative world in the studio. The rest of the family gathered in the living room, and Zayaan, ever the playful spirit, couldn't hold back.

"What happened with Hassan?" his dadjaan asked, concern etched on his face. "He was practically glowing around Mashal, and now it's like he's a completely different person."

"Bhai was different in the gallery," Zayaan continued. "He was so protective over her on the first day."

Dadi, sitting with her knitting, looked up, intrigued. "What do you mean, Zayaan?"

Zayaan leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Dadi, I was testing Bhai to see if he had some soft feelings for Mashal. So I tried to tease him, but he threatened me to stay away from her!"

The elders exchanged glances, their expressions shifting from surprise to contemplation. They had kept a secret for far too long, one they felt was finally ready to come to light.

Dadi, her knitting momentarily forgotten, spoke up. "This isn't just playful teasing; it shows how deeply he cares for her in his own way. But why the sudden distance?"

"Maybe he thinks it's for the best," Maria suggested, her brow furrowed. "He could be feeling the weight of expectations."

The elders nodded, recognizing the truth in her words. They had known all along about the bond that had quietly formed between Hassan and Mashal, a bond that had been decided long before either of them understood its significance. It was time to reveal this truth.

"Perhaps it's time to talk to them," Dadi said, her voice steady. "They're both too lost in their own thoughts to see what's right in front of them."

"What if Hassan reacts negatively?" Ariz, hassan father asked, concern etching his features. "He's been so closed off lately."

"We'll guide them," dadu assured him. "Once they understand the truth, they may find the path clearer."

As the family discussed their plan, Mashal continued to sketch in her studio, unaware of the quiet discussions unfolding just a few rooms away. Her heart felt heavy with the weight of her unacknowledged feelings for Hassan, and she longed for the connection they had shared, even if only briefly.

Little did she know that her family was preparing to bring to light a bond that had been quietly nurtured long before their time, a bond that could change everything.

♡

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Yours Author, 
Noor🦢