Ishq-e-Junoon

12. Dil

-Hum toh fanaa ho gaye unki aankhein dekhte dekhte,
Na jaane wo aaina kaise dekhte honge

☾

During dinner, Shahmeer couldn't help but glance at Izzah. Her focus was solely on her plate, though she ate like a bird, barely touching the food.

Why does she eat so little? he wondered, his curiosity blending with an inexplicable admiration. She looked stunning in the soft pink shalwar kameez, the chadar delicately draped over her head, accentuating her innocence.

After the meal, Meher excused herself, claiming she was too sleepy, leaving Shahmeer and Izzah alone. Without a word, Shahmeer beckoned for Izzah to follow him. He led her into the lounge and sat on the couch, while she chose the seat opposite him.

For a moment, he simply gazed at her, forgetting to speak, mesmerized by her beauty. Her delicate features, the way her eyes shyly avoided his—everything about her captivated him. Then, their eyes met, and he saw her cheeks turn a soft shade of crimson which made him smirk.

Breaking the silence, Shahmeer spoke in his deep voice. "Tumhare ghar walon ne police me complaint ki hain. Dhund rahe hain tumhe."

[Your family has lodged a complaint with the police. They are looking for you.]

Izzah visibly tensed, fear creeping into her features. Sensing her distress, Shahmeer added, "Pareshaan mat ho. Abhi tak kisi ko pata nahi tum kahan ho."

[Don't worry, no one knows where you are yet.]

He then asked, "Kya kisi ko pata tha tum bhaag rahi ho?"

[Did anyone know you were planning to run away?]

Izzah nodded softly. "Jee, mere cousin ko," she confessed.

[Yes, my cousin did.]

Shahmeer's brows furrowed, his voice tinged with irritation. "Usse pata tha tum bhaag rahi ho, aur usne tumhe akele jaane diya?"

[He knew you were running away, and he let you go alone?]

Izzah hesitated but then explained everything—how her mother was in the hospital, how her chachi was forcing the nikkah, and how her cousin, Wahaj bhai, had told her to escape. He had assured her that he would handle everything back home and even gave her his friend's address, which she lost during the chase.

Shahmeer listened to her attentively, processing every word. While he understood the urgency of her situation, his anger simmered at the thought of her cousin letting her face such dangers alone.

"Kya tumne apni mumma se baat ki?" he asked, his tone softening slightly.

[Did you talk to your mother?]

"Nahi... main apna mobile ghar bhul aayi," Izzah admitted, her voice small.

[No... I left my mobile at home.]

Shahmeer sighed, thinking about how clumsy and unaware she seemed, lost in her own vulnerability. Without saying a word, he handed her his phone. As she took it, their fingers brushed against each other, sending an unexpected spark through both of them. Izzah quickly dialed her mother's number, her heart pounding in her chest.

As soon as Aina picked up the call, her voice tinged with exhaustion. "Hello?" she said.

"Mumma," Izzah whispered softly, her voice cracking slightly.

Aina immediately broke into sobs. "Meri bacchi, kahan ho tum? Tum theek toh ho na?"

[My child, where are you? Are you okay?]