Love Means Sacrifice

Ch. 9: A Hidden Loss

Zahid's P.O.V.

It was now late spring, and summer was around the corner.

Mehwish and I had been keeping our relationship to ourselves. I didn't want others to know until I popped the question. Farhan was the only one who knew.

Mehwish and I were on my rooftop to watch the sunset. She sat in between my legs, resting her back against my chest.

She ran her fingers down the veins on my right arm, "If tattoos weren't haram, would you get one of my name? I know I would get yours, right here," she pointed to the back of her left forearm.

"Why would I get a tattoo of your name?" I looked down at her.

"Oh.. I.. I don't kn-" she started coiling back.

I lifted her chin with my fingers and gazed into her eyes before replying, "Why would I get a tattoo of your name when it's already written on my heart."

I placed her soft hand on my chest while watching the twinkle in her eye, "It belongs to you."

She wrapped her arms around me, burying her face in my neck while the smell of vanilla, the scent of her and what became my favorite perfume, engulfed me.

I kissed the top of her head before she rested her cheek on my chest.

"I can hear your heartbeat," she whispered, "It's beating fast like mine."

My phone beeped.

I informed Mehwish that Ayaara had messaged saying everyone was waiting downstairs.

We both got up. I walked over to the edge of the rooftop and peered down to see Ayaara, Javed, Farhan, Sahir, Mahira Apa, and Zia Bhai.

 As I went towards the door to go back downstairs, Mehwish grabbed onto my hand from behind me, stopping me. She looked at me with a playful smile before coming closer and pressing a quick kiss on my cheek. Without waiting for me to react, she rushed past, opened the door, and went down the stairs, leaving me to follow behind her.

She settled in the living room, pretending to have been on her phone the whole time, while I opened the door.

"Bhai! What took so long? We've been ringing the doorbell since forever!" Ayaara complained.

"I, uh, was upstairs and had my airpods on, so I didn't hear the doorbell."

"And Mehwish?" Farhan asked with a smirk.

I glared at him until, as if on cue, Mehwish arrived next to me.

"Hey! You guys finally made it! Why'd it take so long to pick up everyone, Javed? I was getting bored sitting alone. Zahid was busy doing work in his room." She expressed.

"I had to make a couple of stops to pick everyone up, plus there was traffic. Hope I didn't make you wait too long." Javed grinned.

After everyone came inside, we all sat down to watch a movie. Abba walked in a few minutes later with a bag of groceries.

"I will make barbecue tonight. You all have to stay for dinner!" He declared endearingly before going to the kitchen.

Ayaara got up to help Abba, Farhan and Sahir were on their phones, Zia Bhai and Mahira Apa began talking, and Javed questioned Mehwish about their future exam. The movie just played in the background.

"You'll look so beautiful, jaan. I can't wait to see you on the day of our nikkah." Zia Bhai said to Mahira Apa as she showed him a picture of her wedding outfit on her phone. She smiled up at him.