Entangled Love ✓

Chapter 16

Zara's POV

The refreshing and bracing gust blows my black hair away as I stride in the terrace with a cup of coffee in my right hand. We have already arrived home this forenoon and Armaan has left for his office right after dropping me here. I put the cup on the tiny cemented bar of a block behind the railing while tugging my hair in the back of my ears. I take out the earphones from my jacket's pocket and plug in my phone with that I push the earbuds in my ears while dialing her number. So I should get ready for some shouting, cursings, and fake cries.

'So finally you got time for me. Should I throw a party in celebration?'

After many missed bells, she finally greets me with a taunt causing the side of my lips to curl up in amusement.

'I will be grateful if you will do it once I return.'

I reply while lifting the hot cup of coffee from the block.

'Just shut up! I am still mad at you for not picking up even one of my call.'

She yells making me detach the earbuds from my ears. This girl is gonna pierce my eardrum.

'I am sorry Aila. Something happened and I just lost my phone. Now tell me why were you calling me?'

I clearly don't want to repeat that something. It's mere though still gives me goosebumps all over my body.

'Oh yeah, I have good news for you. When are you coming back by the way?'

I am astonished at her cheerful voice again. This girl has major mood swings. But what is the go news she is referring to?

'Next week and can I know the thing now?'

I ask while taking a sip of the coffee.

'You have gotten admission into the Pakistani National University in computer engineering. I got their notification last night. Congratulations!'

How can I forget I have asked Aila to submit my admission form on my behalf as I have to be in New York for the time being. This is surely good news for me. I hang up on Aila after some time. Again her blabbermouth is still there teasing me regarding that so-called honeymoon.
I take a deep breath to let the fresh and soothing air to travel down my lungs. Returning to Pakistan means a new beginning in my life. The start of a fresh reality. I pick the empty cup and return to my room. I still have to do the packing.

                          [IN PAKISTAN]

Zainab's POV

"Just look at his handsome face and vibrant persona. You have hit the jackpot, my baby sister. So sad he still didn't have the inheritance in his hand otherwise we won't spare a minute to marry you off to him." Daniyal bhai gets swoon over Armaan's personality, the moment he steps our house.

I show him a smile afterward my head itself goes from right to left in disappointment more in remorse. My family can do anything for money and this is the most crucial element which has been over my mind for many days. For this reason, I have asked Shaiq to come here as my family's interest will be more towards money, status than my actual satisfaction.

Daniyal soon left for the hall where everyone is present while I start preparing tea and refreshments. I put the things in a big tray and pace towards the hall. Whatever they were talking, they stop when they notice me coming. I glance at Armaan, there is uneasiness and displeasure on his face making me more worried. I look at Shaiq while pouring the tea with a dubious glance at which nods his head slightly conveying a notion that everything is fine. I one by one serve tea to everyone and when it's Armaan's turn, I smile at him slightly at which he smiles back. I sit along with my mother.

"So what is the assurance that you will marry Zainab after according to you three months?" My father asks with a suspicious look on his face. Armsan clearly sighs at this. Can my parents be less annoying?

"I am sitting here, this is the assurance," he replies while trying hard to maintain his cool composure.

"How can we believe you? No offense but maybe you have said the exact same lines to many girls." I divert my gaze to Shaiq in utter shock. Has this guy gone crazy? Instead of supporting me, he is making things hard for me. He glances back at me but draws away hi stare right away. Don't tell me he is taking some kind of revenge.

"Do you think I have that spare time to flirt with girls?" Armaan says while laughing a little but can see his white knuckles while his fingers curl up into a fist.

"You don't look like one. But a doubt can't fade away, isn't it?" Shaiq smiles back while folding his arms on his chest.

"So Mister Armaan, the thing is Zainab's parents want her to get married as soon as possible and we have really nice proposals for her already and you know a good girt can't get escaped from the eyes of better proposals so what about you both get engaged?" Shaiq suggests.

I eye him in disbelief. What is he doing? He clearly knows Armaan is married and we can't do anything at least before he gets his inheritance. I glare at him when his eyes meet mine but he again ignores it by passing a cheeky smile.

"I have no problem with it but my family won't be accepting it for the time being and I am afraid they won't come for engagement too," Armaan says while his attention entirely on my father.

There it is. My family won't accept this without proper baraat. What have you done Shaiq? I'll kill you and tear you in pieces.

"It's completely okay, right uncle?" Shaiq asks my father.

"It's not okay. A marriage without the family of the groom is unacceptable for me," my father announces in a deep voice.

"No uncle, look! We are not marrying them off, they are just getting engaged. In marriage, his family will be there too, right Mister Armaan?" He glances at Armaan for confirmation.

"I am not sure..." Shaiq interrupts him in the middle.

"Look, he is saying he is sure. So uncle don't worry about this. Moreover, engagement meant nothing. Marriage is everything," he pats my father's shoulder.

My father looks in confusion at Shaiq. Armaan, on the other hand, is gritting his teeth in anger. I am sure this time he is urging to kill Shaiq.

"Okay!" Father finally declares and stands up to walk away.

Shaiq peeks at me and winks before walking away too. Now I get this. He has done all of this to get us linked so that my parents won't marry me off to someone else. How can I think bad for him? Stupid me! I glance at his fading silhouette in gratitude.

"I will kill this guy someday, I swear!" Armaan blurts not forgetting to lower his tone. He glares at me prior to strolling out. I call him several times but he ignores and keeps on walking in the direction of his car.

"He has done nothing wrong. Can you stop and talk to me?" My breath is hitch due to running after him.

He stops in his track and looks back at me.

"Mocking me in front of everyone is okay, calling me a womanizer is also okay. Just.... leave it," he turns back on his heels and unlocks his car still fuming with anger.

"I can explain everything. He didn't do this on purpose. Instead, he has done this for our sake," I say while putting my hands on my waist calming my breath.

"That stupid and will do something for me, is freaking impossible. I am getting late for the office. I will talk to you later, Bye!" He says while sitting in the car, and in the snap of a second, he was gone. This guy! Can he control his anger a little bit? I shook my head in disappointment.
         
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Assalam o Alaikum! How are you guys? Do you like this chapter? If yes then don't forget to vote and comment. I will meet you guys in the next episode. STAY SAFE.