PHIR MOHABBAT

Hearts Entwined, Lies and Unshaken Faith and Silent Confessions (10)

(WRITER'S NOTE: 
It's my birthday month. 22 Oct is my birthday.

So, I planned for a surprise for my beautiful readers who kept me going and that would be a SURPRISINGGGGGLY LONG CHAPTER. because I know, waiting for chapters are really painful. So, I decided to make this chapter a reallyyyyyyyyyyy long one! 

Soooo, QUACK QUACK QUACK! BEWAREEEE, LONG LONG LONGGGGGGGG CHAPTER INCOMING CAUSE I LOVE MY READERS AND I AM DOING THIS FOR THEM.)

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Saad sat on the rooftop of his house, the faint hum of the city below barely reaching his ears. The cool evening breeze brushed against his face as he sipped his tea, his thoughts a tangled mess. His mind kept wandering back to the events of the past few days, and, inevitably, to Sehr.
Her presence lingered in his thoughts, the way her eyes had flickered with fear and defiance, and the quiet strength she carried beneath her uncertainty. Then there was Maheer. His past. A heaviness settled in his chest as her name crossed his mind.
The creak of the door downstairs interrupted his thoughts. Sehrzeen's soft footsteps echoed as she climbed the stairs to the rooftop, and soon she appeared at the entrance, her scarf loosely draped over her head, her expression unreadable.

SEHR:
You've been quiet.

Saad took a deep breath, placing his cup down.

SAAD:
Just thinking.

SEHR:
About what?

Saad looked away, his gaze sweeping over the city below.

SAAD:
Everything. You. Maheer.

SEHR:
I'm sorry... if I've made things difficult for you. I didn't mean to—

Saad interrupted, shaking his head softly.

SAAD:
You didn't make anything difficult. If anything, you've made things clearer for me.

Sehrzeen's fingers nervously twisted the edge of her scarf. She lowered her gaze, unsure of how to respond.

SEHR:
About Maheer?

Saad sighed, standing up and walking over to the edge of the rooftop. He turned, looking at her intently.

SAAD:
About everything. Maheer, Areeb... and you.

Sehrzeen's eyes widened slightly at his words, her breath catching in her throat.

SEHR:
Me?

Saad nodded, his voice steady.

SAAD:
I can't ignore the fact that you're here. And I can't pretend I don't care.

There was a pause, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Before Sehrzeen could reply, Saad's phone rang, cutting through the silence. He frowned, fishing it out of his pocket. His heart sank when he saw the caller ID.

SAAD:
I need to take this.

He turned away slightly as he answered the call, his voice quieter now.

SAAD:
Hello?

MAHEER:
Saad, it's me. Can we talk? It's important.

Saad closed his eyes, his grip tightening around the phone. He knew whatever Maheer had to say wasn't going to be easy.

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Maheer smoothed the folds of her dress as she arranged the dinner table. The soft glow of candlelight flickered against the walls of the dining room, casting warm shadows. Tonight was important—Areeb had invited someone special, someone who Maheer had heard much about but never met.
She turned as Areeb stepped into the room, a grin on his face.