𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐫𝐚𝐭 - 𝐄 - 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐚𝐫

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 : 𝟏𝟕💫

"Fate has a way of bringing two souls together,
even when the timing feels all wrong."

Hashim's POV

I saw her in an off-white dress, her head covered with a white dupatta. I was looking at her without shifting my gaze when she suddenly turned to the nurse, who was asking something I couldn't quite hear. She glanced back at me for just a second before looking at Zain.

"Okay, come inside. She's asking for her family," I heard the nurse say. Zain moved first, followed by me, and then her.

She entered the room, and a word escaped her mouth—it was like a whisper. Zain almost ran to the lady as well. I watched as she hugged the woman tightly.

The room felt suddenly smaller, the air thick with emotions I couldn't quite place. I stood at the threshold, watching Amha as she stand beside the bed, her arms wrapped gently around the frail figure of the elderly woman. Her dupatta fell on the shoulder her but that's not her concern now . The word she whispered—"Dadi"—hung in the air, making everything clearer to me .

Zain, too, had rushed forward, standing beside her, his hand on the woman's shoulder, concern etched on his face.

I stayed back, hesitant to interrupt the moment. It was clear that this lady was important to both of them. I couldn't shake the image of Amha's face, her worry turning into relief as she held onto the woman. And I will be damned if I see that worried face again of hers .

"She's weak, but stable now. It's important she rests." The nurse quietly spoke up, breaking the silence.

Amha nodded, brushing back a tear that had escaped down her cheek. Zain also nodded .

For the first time, I noticed the tension in my own body. My fists were clenched at my sides, a knot tightening in my chest. Watching her like this, hit me in a way I wasn't prepared for.

I had seen her before, she was looking so poised and strong, but this—this side of her stirred something inside me. By the look on her face the old woman is damn important for her .

I cleared my throat softly and stepped further into the room, catching both Zain and Amha's attention. They looked at me, their expressions mirroring gratitude, though Zain's was mixed with confusion.

"Is there anything I can do?" I asked, my voice steady but quieter than usual.

"No, bro. You've already done enough by bringing her here. If you were not there we don't know what could have happened." Zain shook his head, coming up slowly.

Amha, still by her dadi's side, glanced at me, her eyes full of emotion—more than I could decipher in that moment.

"Thank you," she murmured softly, and for a brief moment, our eyes locked. Something shifted between us, unspoken but understood.

I cleared up throat and Amha looked at me briefly. " I think I should go now I have a very important meeting. But if you have any work for me you can tell me . "

"You should go, Hashim. We'll handle things from here." Zain spoke up

I nodded, though the pull to stay felt stronger than I wanted to admit. I gave them one last look, and my eyes lingered on Amha for more than ten seconds and I turned to leave. As I walked out of the room, I couldn't shake the image of Amha from my mind—the way she cradled the old woman with such tenderness.

I sat in my car, and after a few moments, Haider joined me. I hadn't noticed where he had disappeared to earlier, but now that he was back, I could see a slight tension in his expression.

"What happened? Where did you go?" I asked, glancing over at him.

"Nowhere, bhai, I just had to take a call," Haider replied, shrugging casually. "How's the lady doing? I hope her family has come to see her."

"Yes, her family arrived. Turns out, she's Zain's nani," I explained, my tone softening a bit.

"You mean Zain Iqbal? Our Zain bhai?" Haider asked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Yes, the same," I nodded. "Now, let's go. We're already running late for the meeting."
We both headed towards the company but my mind was not leaving her Noorani face and then worried face . I can't seem to take my mind of off her . I sat in the meeting room but nothing seem to work to distract me from her .

Hasrate-e-deedar . I wanted to see her for so long but when I saw her in that circumstance that I can't express my emotions to her . What a game destiny plays with me I can't understand till now in her matter . Whom I seem to start loving in just one meet .

And I don't know where will this longing to see her will take me .

Later in the evening, I arrived home earlier than usual and found Meher's family already sitting and engaged in conversation with mine. I couldn't spot Meher, but I was sure she was with the women of the family. After greeting everyone, I sat down beside Dadi. She must have sensed my unease because she glanced at me with a knowing look. She gently patted my arm and squeezed my hand with her soft, wrinkled fingers.

I smiled at her and leaned in, hugging her from the side, pressing a light kiss to her dupatta-covered head. Dadi had always understood me without the need for words. Ever since I was a child, I've relied on her emotionally. No one else in the family had ever seen me cry, except her.

Excusing myself from the ongoing conversation, I headed to my room to freshen up, planning to rejoin them shortly. As I lay down for a moment, her face appeared in my thoughts again, smiling warmly at me. Her angelic face, filled with affection, was always the comfort I needed. But then, the irritating sound of my ringtone interrupted my thoughts. Can't people just leave me alone for a little while, so I can enjoy my time ?

I glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Haider.

"What?" I answered curtly, sitting up on the bed and opening my laptop to check something related to today's project.

"na Salam na dua direct what?" Haider's voice on the other end sounded amused.

"kya kaam hai vo bolo . Tumhari faltu baato ka time nhi hai." I snapped, more irritated than I should have been. I sometimes wondered if he had nothing better to do. His chitchat often irked me when I was already on edge.

"accha abhi meri baate faltu ho gyi . Niche aaye bade abbu bula rhe hai . Event managers aa gye hai . "I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath as I ran a hand through my hair, trying to steady myself.

"Okay, I'll be down after I freshen up," I replied, my tone calmer now.

"haa jaldi aayiyega " Haider said before hanging up.

I shut down my laptop and got up . I went towards the balcony and automatically my hand went inside my pocket to search for pack of cigarette. I couldn't find that and I twist my head to look on the coffee table but it's not there . I realised a frustrated sigh and went inside the bathroom to have a relaxing shower to ease my mind . If not cigarette than shower will do .

I came down and saw three new figures sitting in the living room . I can't see faces as they were back facing me . Dadi was the first one to notice me . As they were indulged in some kind of discussion already .

" Lo Hashim bhi aa gya . Aaja mere pass beth. " Dadi called me and also went and sat beside her .
I lifted my gaze to the latters and my gaze stuck in her face . How come she is here ?

Assalamualaikum everyone I hope you all are liking this story so far .
Will meet you all again in next part till then
"Fi amanillah"

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𝐓𝐎 𝐁𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐔𝐄D

𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐎 𝐕𝐎𝐓𝐄 ,
𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒
𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊

𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒 ❤️
𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑