A Thing, Beyond Forever

35.

Nouman

"I'm so sleepy right now,  Zukroofie" I yawned.

It was Zukroof's birthday and a year to our relationship and she was as usual far away from me. Nothing changed in the whole year. Except that we kept fighting with each other and it was cute how she still chose to stay with me. Sweetheart, as she has always been. But, I was happy I had someone who loved me and meant it for one year. One year. 365 days. 525600 minutes. She loved me and I loved her.

"It's okay, you can sleep and assume I turned 17 when the clock struck 12 in India," she spoke, in that good natured manner that she always did. 

"No, no, no! I'll wish you only and only when the clock strikes 12 in Kuwait and it's my final decision!" 

"Alright then don't whine by saying you're sleepy!" She said and I could feel her shrug through the phone, despite the miles. Sometimes you could just feel something just by the tone of someone's voice. 

"Alright cupcake, only 10 seconds left!" I tried to sound cheerful.

"10...9...8..7..6..5..4..3..2..1.. " I counted. "Happy birthday, sweetheart!" 

"Aww thank you!" I imagined her cute smile, hand clutched over her phone. 

"And happy anniversary!" we both wished each other in unison and then laughed.

"I love you!" again, in unison.

That made us laugh. "Oh my god, Zukroofie, 1 year, a whole freaking one year. I didn't know I'd be able to do this, staying far from you and waiting for you. But now that I realize it's worth it, for a girl like you, I love you so much!" it was her day and I had to something so I could to make this day the best for her.  She had been saying me how her life in school was going and how miserably she was missing me and her friends.

"I know right!" She giggled.

"Such a shameless person you are! here I am confessing you about how much I love you and you are saying, I know right?" I chuckled.

"It's my day!" she argued.

"Okay, hypothetically asking what will you do If I cheated on you?" I asked curling my lip inwards as I waited for her answer, for a minute it went awkwardly silent.

"Hello?" I chuckled. 

She didn't answer.

"Hello, Zukroof? Are you there?" I asked again, checking my phone to confirm whether she had cut the call.

"Um.. yeah?" She answered in a low tone. Damn! I must have ruined her mood. 

"You didn't answer my question?" I asked nonetheless

"Um..obviously I'd feel bad...probably more than bad....I don't know...bad is such a small word to suffice for that feeling but since I haven't experienced it yet, I'd say bad. So, yeah I'd feel bad but eventually I'll settle myself with the thought that if you are happy with her, your happiness is all I'll ever want" she said.

To say I was shocked was an understatement, it seemed like I was talking to someone I didn't know. The Zukroof I knew was helluva possessive of me. 3 months ago when I and Zukroof fought was only because of this reason. When I compared her to Mehvish and sarcastically said, "You aren't  beautiful like her!" and she replied me with, "Go propose her and live happily", blocking me right away.

I had to go on missions of saying sorry a million times, I didn't know she would feel that bad. The only thing she said me after that fight was, "Call me anything, any bad word, ugly, blah blah, this or that but please don't compare me to someone else. I can't be her, she can't be me. The least I can ask from you is to not compare me to anyone else"