Love Means Sacrifice

Ch. 33: The Showdown

Mehwish's P.O.V.

A few moments earlier, I was standing face-to-face with Javed. I was feeling faint and light-headed, but I tried my best to keep it together.

Javed held his hand out with a huge smile. I slowly placed my hand in his and he slid the ring on to my finger, and that's when the pressure in my head grew. I could see everyone cheering, but it sounded like I was drowning. The events of the year preceding my accident began playing in my head like a movie.

I began raising my hand to hold my head, but I caught and stopped myself. I didn't want to cause a scene, even though I felt like I was going to pass out at any moment.

I had just joined my new university. I spilled ink on Zahid's pants then coffee on his laptop. I met Javed for lunch.

My heart felt like it was going pump through my chest and come outside.

Zahid would tutor me and he took me to Sahir's birthday party. I got cake on his face and he rubbed it back on mine.

"You okay?" Javed asked.

I nodded, forcing the smile to stay on my lips, and moved the ring closer to Javed's extended hand while trying to keep my balance and not throw up.

We worked on a project together and became friends. We kissed and professed our love for each other on his rooftop. He gave me a bouquet; it was Zahid's handwriting. We'd kept it all a secret, no one knew except Farhan and Sarooha Aunty... And on my birthday, he came to wish me, which was when he gave me the diamond bracelet. Then it was the arcade, his graduation, Mahira Apa's wedding, my accident—THE ACCIDENT!

It was Zahid's birthday. He had asked me to meet him at the beach under the boardwalk. After I wore a red dress with my hair in large waves, I called Javed to give me a ride. I lied to him saying that I was going to hang out with a friend from college that he didn't know. After I got in the car, we were chatting about possible plans for Zahid's birthday the following day and what he thought of doing for the rest of summer since Mahira Apa's wedding had taken place already. As we discussed, a car suddenly rammed into my side of the car and I blacked out.

Right as I finished recollecting everything, I looked at Javed's hand and realized that I had already finished pushing the ring onto his finger. The guests erupted in applause again.

What had I done?!

My Mr. Handsome Arrogant, the love of my life, my boyfriend was Zahid, not Javed!

Wait.

No.

What did Zahid do?! He knew everything, yet he let all this happen!

Javed pulled me closer and posed for pictures.

I just stared at his face. I couldn't register the fact that I just got engaged to the wrong guy.

I needed to talk to Zahid.

I scanned the guests, but I didn't see him anywhere. Javed tugged on my hand and gestured at our elders. I nodded and we moved off the stage to go and hug Javed's grandparents, Ayaan Uncle, Ma, and then his relatives.

My blood was starting to boil. Where was he? How could he do this? Why was he hiding after playing with our emotions, our lives like this?

"Where's Za-" Javed began.

I cut him off, "I'll be back. I have to use the restroom."

He nodded.

I made my way upstairs and opened his bedroom door. He stood up and looked at me like a deer caught in headlights.