preference delights

" Trust Truth and Teamwork."

____****++Chapter 26++****____

Salaar, depleted from his swimming club training session, collapsed on a bench beside the club. Still in his swimsuit, he used sunglasses to shield his eyes from the blazing sun.

"Adaab (greetings)," Jawad greeted, squatting beside Salaar.

"Where’s that jerk Fahad?" He glanced around, noticing Fahad hadn’t been seen since morning.

"I don’t know," Salaar shrugged, sipping a protein shake from his bottle. He, too, was wondering where Fahad was, especially since Fahad never missed university without informing them beforehand.

"I’m telling you, this bastard is cooking something. He really took Zarmeena’s slap to heart," Jawad smirked.

"Oh, I forgot—what happened that day you took Zarmeena to the hospital?" Jawad leaned closer, speaking in a low voice.

"Nothing much. I just offered her my friendship," Salaar admitted.

"Oh... my...?" Jawad, who had stretched out in a relaxed pose, sat up with a jolt.

"My brother... which of your bones is broken?" he asked, concern lacing his voice as he pretended to inspect Salaar’s body.

"Jawad, get serious," Salaar frowned, speaking firmly.

"I met her cousin there. I don’t know, but I felt something very strange ... something very weird about him," Salaar said in a pensive tone.

"What was strange about him?" Jawad asked, his tone growing mysterious.

"I don’t know...the feeling was beyond explaination it was like we were connected by some kind of force—not one that brings us together, but rather pushes us apart," Salaar muttered, lost in thought.

"I’m scared, Jawad... scared that he’ll take her away from me to a place I’ll never be able to reach. And if that really happens, it will push me beyond my limits.How will I bring her back to me ?What will I do then. How will I even survive then?" A deep, unspoken fear echoed in Salaar’s voice, his gaze intense enough that Jawad couldn’t look away.

"Salaar Malik," the silence was broken by Zarmeena’s stern voice, and both of them turned their heads to look at her.

"Sir Baqir needs the list of members participating in the sports gala," she announced in her usual, carefree manner.

"Jawad, can you please get it from my bag? It’s in the front pocket inside the office," Salaar requested, signaling something to Jawad with his eyes. Catching Salaar’s hint, Jawad smirked and nodded.

Once Jawad had left, Salaar looked at Zarmeena. Her dark circles were still visible, and she wore the same simple clothes she wore every day. He wanted to buy her branded clothing, cosmetics, shoes, jewelry—everything. But he knew she would never accept it, not in a thousand years. Today, he’d decided to ask her about his offer of friendship, which was why he’d signaled Jawad to take his time.

"Have you decided on your answer?" he asked, his voice full of quiet determination.

She was looking around the swimming pool, tapping her ankle absentmindedly.

"What answer?" She stopped tapping and shifted her gaze to him.

"Will you accept my friendship?" he asked, entirely vulnerable, as though his whole life depended on her response.

"Salaar, I may help everyone on this campus, but I’m a terrible friend. Once someone becomes my friend, I make their life miserable," Zarmeena said in a warning tone.

"I just need your friendship at any cost. I’ll do anything you say," Salaar replied with quiet resolve.

"Salaar, friendship isn’t just a pastime for me; it’s a serious commitment. Ask Sajid and Sajida—I made their lives difficult. They’re bound by rules they can’t break. I’m just a terrible friend for them," she conceded.

"Zarmeena, if you accept my friendship, I’ll accept the consequences too. Just give me a chance; I’ll do anything for our friendship," Salaar persisted.

"Alright, you’ve chosen this at your own risk. There’s no going back now," Zarmeena finally said, and Salaar listened in disbelief.

"But... you’ll have to follow certain rules," she declared.

If it had been anyone else, she would have simply turned them down, but this was Salaar. She’d never seen him cross boundaries, though his eyes always held emotions she couldn’t ignore. That’s why she decided to give him a tough time—so he might back out himself.

"There are three rules. Triple T: Trust, Truth, and Teamwork.

1. You will never break my trust.

2. You will always speak the truth.

3. You will always work as a team.

If you break any of these rules, it will be the last day of our friendship," Zarmeena stated firmly.

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" Aunty please, We came here with many hopes. My son really like Zarmeena and we have no objection on his choice."
Warda said pleadingly.
" But I have objection. I think marriages in same class is more successful. You take my suggestion and convince your son to choose someone from your own class." Dadi proclaimed sternly.
No more discussion on this topic.You are our guests please have refreshments before leaving."
Dadi concluded in a way that Warda couldn't speak any further.
On the way back both Warda and Fahad were taken by density of the moment .
" How I am going to clarify my self infront of Dadi and Salaar." Warda's voice slurred in her own dismay. This was beyond her expectation. She now realized there still people exist in this world who doesn't gives a dam about materialism and physical beauty.
"I told you to have least expectations but Zarmeena is engaged that was shocking." Fahad muttered with hint of disbelief.
He dont want to say infront of  Warda aunty but he didn't even imagine about the reaction when Salaar would find out. He had never seen Salaar that much graved about anyone. The news would shatter him it is better not to let him knew about this.
"Warada aunty please don't tell Salaar about all this.specially that Zarmeena is engaged." Fahad said pleadingly.
" She is not engaged. She said they inclined to but is not final yet." Warda tried to reassure her self  because she knew the consequences of her action.
I wish we had obeyed Dadi." Warda uttered with the hint of remource.
"We, .... First all remove this word we. dont involve me in all this.It was your decision I was just following you."  Its the first time that he was as much lound with Warda aunty.
" Did I force you on the gun point to come along." Warda spatted .
Fahad follow her just because he wanted to Punish Salaar for forgetting his slap but never intended to hurt him. He wa very well awared that Salaar will never forgive him byif ever came to know about that he was a part of this unsuccessful venture. His friendship was at risk now.
Soon they were sitting infront of Dadi bended their heads like culprits.
" Warda I told you not push forward things with out Salaar 's approval. But you were so  confident that no one can reject your son." Dadi uttered out his fury and shooting them deadly glares.
"What.?" With the sound all of them transfer their gaze to the door where Salaar was standing dumbfounded looking at them. They were frozen with terror.
" No this cant be...... possibly cannot happening with me...." Salaar voice slurred in disbelief.
" Salaar my baby." Dadi tried to utter some words to console him but." No Dadi this time they doomed me.This there no paradon for them." Salaar was  shaking his head in spekticism.
" Salaar my son I was thinking of giving you surprise. I never thought that nobody can reject can reject you. I mean you are so perfect."once again her voice was laced with pride.
" Oh mom come out of this superiority complex. She is not having a least interest in your peefect in all son. Only I am running like jerks after her....and you Fahad do you also have any stupid explaination."
Dealt with Warda he turned towards Fahad  and he even forgot to breath.
" I am ruined." Salaar was squatted near Dadi hang his head mulling on Zarmeena .Her voice was ringing in his ears

"FIRST RULE OF FRIENDSHIP IS TRUST"
The ward was shattered in peaces infront of him.