LOVE TRIALS

ii

Sufiyan Ameer's heart jumped to his throat, the moment Shahzaib Nisar crossed the gates of his house, almost as if Maysa had opened her heart to him.

He saw Shahzaib take a quick glance around the people standing at the door to welcome him, maybe his smile dimmed a little when he didn't see Maysa, Sufiyan couldn't tell as Dawar pulled the man into an enthusiastic hug.

"Welcome back," Dawar said, patting Shahzaib's back and Sufiyan felt himself becoming a stranger as he witnessed the scene unfold in front of him. Shahzaib was Shahzaib, he smiled and laughed standing amongst his parents and Sufiyan's family. He had bowed his head for his family's blessing, he had bowled and taken a wicket while Sufiyan gaped at him with his bat, he nearly struck the ball.

Nearly.

Nope.

Sufiyan hadn't seen Maysa since morning, either. She had been cooped up in the room and Sufiyan hadn't the opportunity to check on her.

Mithaai lado, Sufiyan. (Bring sweets, Sufiyan. )

Dahi laado, Sufiyan. (Bring yoghurt, Sufiyan.)

Nayel ko poocho kab tak aarahay hain, Sufiyan? (Ask Nayel, when will they reach?)

Nayel ko poocho Shahzaib ko khaanay mein kia pasand hai, Sufiyan?  (Ask Nayel, what's Shahzaib's favourite food?)

Bachay ko Punjabi aati hai? Urdu mein baat karaingay ya English mein? (Does the kid know Punjabi? Should we talk in Urdu or English?)

Darzi se Maysa ka suit le aao, Sufiyan. (Bring Maysa's suit from the tailor, Sufiyan.)

Sufiyan hadn't a moment of rest, he had been running all over the place. He finally claimed his reprieve when he ran to his washroom in lieu of taking a bath. He had been sweating, profusely in fifteen degrees. He hadn't even closed his eyes while lathering shampoo in his hair when it became real. Fear clawed at his chest, maiming his heart once the reality of his decision dawned on him.

Someone was coming for Maysa, someone would take her away from him. Potentially.

Potentially, he repeated in his head.

Nayel knocked his shoulder with his own, gesturing with his eyes to- to Shahzaib's hand.

Sufiyan grasped Shahzaib's outstretched hand and introduced himself, "I am sorry, I am Sufiyan Ameer."

"Shahzaib Nisar," Shahzaib's polite smile mirrored Sufiyan's.

"Let's go, inside," Yawar said, aloud, pulling Shahzaib in a side hug as his own son walked, silently behind him.

"Are you regretting just, yet?" Nayel whispered.

"No," Sufiyan uttered in a clipped tone.

"You do but you won't say. Fine. One word from you and I'll mess this up for him," Nayel muttered, deviously beside Sufiyan.

"Don't."

"I'll ask Maysa," Nayel told him. Sufiyan chuckled, under his breath.

Sufiyan learned Shahzaib Nisar was the apple of Akbar Nisar and Majda Nisar's eyes with a first-class degree in Software Engineering from University of New South Wales, no surprises there. He had a sister, Nayel had done nothing but stolen glances at Manal Nisar.

Sufiyan grumbled, "Stop looking at her, Nayel."

"I have to get married, as well and I think, I just found my one and only."