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Airaa's POV

I called Salman but he didn't answer my call. I knitted my brows, trying to think what wrong I had done. I went back into the house and checked the time. "Omg! it's already four p.m. and I haven't yet cooked dinner." I thought to myself in a state of shock.

I hurriedly changed into my kaftan and went to the kitchen to cook dinner. Aunt sabiha came to check on me while I was preparing for dinner. She asked me if I needed any help, I nicely denied.

All of a sudden she asked me if I had any guy in my life, I refused as I didn't want anyone to know about Salman and I before Salman talked to dad. "why?" I asked aunt Sabiha. "Nothing, I just wanted to know since you are a grown up and have reached the age of marriage". I tittered and tried to change the topic.

Aunt Sabiha's phone rang. "I will be right back honey". She said as she left to receive the call. I ambled to the gas stove to turn it off. The food was ready but I was still tensed and kept on thinking about Salman constantly.

I went to my room and called Salman several times but he didn't pick up my phone calls, I was so tensed that I couldn't think straight. I walked across my room restlessly waiting for Salman to call back. " love that gives you nothing but tension is not worth it." Faatimah said while walking towards me. She held me close and rubbed my back. She asked me what happened and I explained everything to her.

"you know Salman is a person with a very difficult personality, you haven't yet gone so far that return would be difficult for you." said Faatimah
" Faatimah I only know how to form relationships and not to break them." I said. "Salman is a narcissist, he only wants you to worship him for the rest of your life." said Faatimah.

"Faatimah there is nothing like that! it's just that he loves me to the extent that he can't bear the thought of me loving anyone more than I love him." I said stubbornly. "I haven't ever been In love but i know this much that in love you aren't controlled but instead you are given freedom. what does he want? he wants you to stop loving me, like seriously!! how can loving your own sister become an obstacle in your love life?" faatimah extended.

"this is what love is, he's afraid of losing me." I said. "Airaa are you pretending not to understand my point?" Faatimah asked. "you won't understand anything Faatimah." I said. "This Is not called love Airaa, this is called being jailed and I hope you understand that before it's too late." said Faatimah. Before I could say anything she walked out of the room angrily.

I cried into my pillow for a few minutes and realised it was dinner time. I walked towards the wall mirror in my room. I quickly wiped my tears, fixed my hair and headed towards the dining room. I called out for Faatimah and aunt Sabiha. " Faatimah!!!! aunt sabiha!! dinner is served, come have it."

They both walk into the dining room and take a seat. As i served them with dinner I noticed that aunt Sabiha was very happy. "Aunt sabiha, you seem to be very happy. what's the matter?" I asked. "My son, Zain is returning from abroad tomorrow." She said. I perked up since Zain and I have been really close friends since childhood. we all had our dinner and went to sleep.

I wrapped myself tightly in my soft and warm blanket. I called Salman while crying expecting he would answer but he didn't. i slumbered while crying.

          Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

The sound of the alarm woke me up at 6 a.m. I quickly got out of bed and went to take a shower. I showered for about thirty minutes. I stood inside my closet, I was wearing a pink robe and a towel wrapped around my wet hair. I moved my hands and rested them on my waist, I couldn't decide what to wear. ugh! picking a dress was hard, I spent fifteen minutes picking among the choices. I settled on my white long-sleeved floral print chiffon dress , I paired it with a pair of blue jeans. I wrapped my hair into a bun.

I went to the kitchen and found that aunt Sabiha had already prepared breakfast. "where is Faatimah?" she asked. " She must have left for college, she has breakfast with her friends at the canteen." I said.

just as I sat down to have breakfast I heard the doorbell ringing. I went to open the door and was surprised to see Zain. "Zain, oh my god!! you look so different." I said excitedly. He chortled with delight and asked me if i was not going to let him in. I apologised and smiled at him. Just as he enetered the house Aunt sabiha ran towards Zain and hugged him tight.

"I am very hungry." said Zain. I offered him to have breakfast with me, he nodded and sat down with me to have breakfast. whilst having breakfast, we talked about our childhood memories reminding each other of the crazy stuff we did.

         Ding dong! Ding dong!
I heard the doorbell ringing, I was just  about to stand up when aunt Sabiha stopped me and told me to finish my breakfast and that she will check who's at the door. I continued talking to Zain. As we were laughing, someone coughed and I looked around to see who it was. Much to my surprise It was Salman. I perked up seeing him but he gave me a very dark look. "I am very sorry, I hope I didn't  disturb you guys. " said Salman.
he walked out of the house angrily.

"what happened to him? why did he leave the house like this?" asked Zain.
"i don't know, I will go check on him." I said. I followed Salman. "Salman!! what happened? where are you going?" I asked. "Dont come near me, go back to your zain." said Salman. "what happened Salman? He's a guest and is my cousin too. why are you behaving like this ?" I asked.
"exactly! go attend to your guest or else he will get upset." said Salman.
"why are you doing all this Salman?" I asked him whilst crying. I placed my hands on his shoulder and said "I only love you." Before I could say anything further he slapped and shoved me. "is this what you call love Salman?" I asked. "I am going home, I don't want to talk to you." said Salman. He left. I was very hurt! my heart was literally aching . I ran to my room whilst crying  and locked myself up.....

to be continued.....

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