Khwab e Mah

PROLOGUE🌻

Eshaal X Zeeshaan:

In Mumbai, the clock struck midnight as Eshaal's phone screen lit up with an incoming video call from her best friend, her "oxygen," her "sky," her "everything."

Eshaal, finishing up her skincare routine and carefully applying a sheet mask, glanced at the screen. Tomorrow was her flight to Zimbabwe, and she was brimming with excitement.

It was a trip she'd been anticipating for weeks, and seeing her best friend Aiman only made it better. No matter how many times they met, every reunion felt like the first.

Eshaal quickly grabbed her phone and answered the call. "Assalamualaikum!" She greeted me warmly.

But before she could finish her salutation, a startled Aiman yelped. Eshaal had held the phone too close to her face, and the sight of her wearing the sheet mask sent Aiman into a brief panic.

"What the hell, Esh? You scared me! I almost dropped my phone. Move it away from your face!" Aiman scolded, half-annoyed and half-laughing.

Eshaal chuckled and adjusted the phone. "Okay, okay, sorry. Assalamualaikum, mohtarma! How are you? And don't forget, you're picking me up from the airport tomorrow, right?"

"Of course, my moon! That's not even a question. Oh, and remember, after the airport, we're heading straight to the orphanage, okay? You haven't forgotten, have you?" Aiman reminded her, her voice bubbling with excitement.

"Yup, babes, I remember," Eshaal replied, pulling a Lotte Choco Pie from her bedside table. She brought it to the screen, pretending to feed Aiman a bite, then took one herself.

"You know, you should be their brand ambassador. You've eaten so many of these that it's basically your job now," Aiman teased, laughing.

"Haha, very funny," Eshaal said, taking another bite. "Ugh, this mask is making it hard to eat properly." She pulled off the sheet mask dramatically.

Aiman giggled. "You look like you're ready for marriage. Honestly, if you were a guy, I'd elope with you-or send my proposal straight to your doorstep. You're the dream partner I never had."

"Hatt, tutti!" Eshaal exclaimed, using their favorite nickname for each other.

"Alright, my mom's calling me. We'll meet tomorrow. OMG, I'm so excited!"

"Same here! Oh, and say Salam to aunty from me. Allah Hafiz, love you, Esh!" Aiman said, blowing a flying kiss.

"Love you more! Mwah! Take care, bye!" Eshaal replied as the call ended.

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Author's POV

The next morning, the shrill beep of Eshaal's alarm echoed repeatedly, but the "great heavy sleeper" remained unfazed. After five minutes, the alarm went off again, and this time Eshaal groggily turned it off, realizing she was already running late.

Leaping out of bed, she grabbed a lavender kurti and straight pants from her closet and rushed to the washroom to change. Emerging quickly, she completed her skincare routine, applied a touch of blush, her favorite lip balm, and tied her hair back neatly. With her lavender cap and white sneakers on, she looked effortlessly chic.

After hugging her parents goodbye, she set off for the airport. Twenty minutes later, she arrived and breathed a sigh of relief-she wasn't too late. Feeling a pang of hunger, she made her way to the lounge for breakfast.

Craving pizza, she approached the counter and ordered a margarita. Unfortunately, the waiter informed her it wasn't available. Disappointed but determined not to let it ruin her mood, she ordered an Americano instead.