Ishq-e-Junoon

11. Khayalaat

-Hasrat hai ke unko kareeb se dekhein,
Kareeb ho toh aankhein uthayi nahi jaati

☾

As Izzah sat at the dining table with Meher, her thoughts wandered back to her initial assumptions about her. When she had first heard Shahmeer asking for Meher, Izzah had assumed she was either his wife or mother.

The idea of a wife didn't sit well with her, though she couldn't understand why. But to her relief, Meher turned out to be his younger sister—bright, kind, and incredibly sweet.

Meher had welcomed her with warmth, showing her to her room and even offering some of her own clothes to Izzah. She had a vibrant, sunshine-like personality that instantly put Izzah at ease. Meher was not just kind but also stunningly pretty, with a charm that made her impossible not to like.

Now, as they sat at the table waiting for Shahmeer to join them, Meher looked at Izzah with a wide smile. "Izzah, ye suit aap pe kitna pyaara lag raha hai," Meher said, her voice full of excitement.

[Izzah, this suit looks so beautiful on you.]

Izzah smiled softly, adjusting the sleeves of the suit. "Shukriya," she replied.

[Thank you.]

Despite the comfort of Meher's presence, Izzah's heart felt heavy. She missed Dilara, who had a similarly energetic and lively spirit. The thought of being apart from her family caused a wave of sadness to wash over her, and her expression grew somber.

Meher noticed the change in her demeanor and immediately leaned forward with concern. "Kya hua, Izzah?" she asked gently.

[What happened, Izzah?]

Izzah shook her head, offering a weak smile. "Kuch nahi, bas Dilara ki yaad aa gayi," she admitted quietly. "Meri choti behen, wo bhi bilkul aapke jaisi hain."

[Nothing, just started missing Dilara. My younger sister, she's just like you.]

Meher's face softened into a smile of reassurance. "Uff, aap fikr nahi karein," she said, placing a comforting hand on Izzah's. "Aap apni mumma aur behen se jaldi milengi."

[Oh, don't worry. You'll meet your mother and sister soon.]

Izzah offered her a smile in return, thankful for her kindness and thoughtful words.

As Shahmeer entered the dining room, his presence felt large and commanding, filling the space with an aura of authority. Meher immediately greeted him, her voice cheerful. "Assalamualaikum bhai!" she said, a wide smile on her face.

"Walaikum Assalam," Shahmeer replied, his usual stoic expression softening as he gave his sister a brief, affectionate smile.

Izzah, sitting quietly, mustered up the courage to greet him too, her voice barely above a whisper. "Assalamualaikum," she said, her heart racing as the words left her lips.

"Walaikum Assalam," Shahmeer responded, his gaze briefly resting on her, acknowledging her presence.

This was the first time Izzah had a proper chance to look at him, and she found herself in awe.

Sitting right in front of him, she took in his sharp features—the strong jawline, intense eyes, and the rugged handsomeness that seemed to radiate power and control. His physical stature, too, was imposing, making her feel small and delicate in his presence. Her cheeks flushed a deep scarlet as she realized she had been staring at him for too long.

Shahmeer, however, didn't seem to notice her flustered state as he turned to Meher. "Tumhara din kaisa gaya, Meher?" he asked, his tone polite and filled with warmth.

[How was your day, Meher?]

"Mera din toh kaafi accha gaya bhai," Meher responded, her tone playful. "Aap toh gayab hi the."

[My day went really well, brother. You were missing all day.]

Shahmeer chuckled softly. "Sorry, aaj kaafi kaam tha," he said, his voice low and apologetic.

[Sorry, I had a lot of work today.]

Izzah watched the exchange quietly, realizing how deep and affectionate the bond between Shahmeer and Meher was. She was surprised by the softness Shahmeer displayed toward his sister, a side of him she hadn't expected from his usual brute, authoritative self.

There was something almost magnetic about Shahmeer, and the gentle way he interacted with Meher left Izzah feeling both captivated and curious.

As they settled into the meal, Shahmeer turned his attention toward Izzah, his gaze calm but probing. "Tum theek ho yahan? Koi dikkat toh nahi?" he asked, his voice deep and measured.

[Are you comfortable here? No issues, right?]

Izzah quickly nodded, her eyes momentarily meeting his before lowering again. "Jee, bilkul theek hoon," she replied softly, trying to keep her composure under his intense gaze.

[Yes, I'm fine.]

Shahmeer then shifted his focus to Meher, his tone a little lighter. "Meher, Izzah ka theek se khayal rakh rahi ho na?"

[Meher, are you taking proper care of Izzah?]

Meher, with her usual playful smile, responded enthusiastically, "Bilkul bhai! Aur Izzah bhi bohat pyaari hain."

[Of course, brother! And Izzah is very lovely too.]

She then gave Shahmeer a knowing side-eye, her mischievous grin not lost on either of them, hinting at something unspoken. Shahmeer sighed playfully, shaking his head slightly at her teasing but with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

It was a rare sight for Izzah—this softer, more relaxed side of Shahmeer—and it only added to the enigma he presented.