In The Pursuit Of Love

The New in Him

Assalamualaikum beautiful readers!! I am really sorry for not updating yesterday. As dumb as it may sound, I forgot that it was Saturday yesterday and only remembered at 12 midnight. Forgive this ullu author of yours and enjoy the story. Do vote, comment and share. 

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should not hurt his neighbor and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should speak what is good or keep silent." – Sahih Al Bukhari

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Mehreen had seen her brother's each and every phase and had been through every thick and thin with him. The times when he was happy, she was there to increase his happiness tenfold; when he was scolded by their dad, she was there to comfort him; when he was sad, she was ever ready to cheer him up; and when he was depressed because of that incident which took away his only chance to live his dream, she was there, with all her support and love.

But what she was witnessing at this moment in front of her was something foreign to her. She had never seen her brother in a state he was in. At first she thought that he was just playing a prank on her, but then a glance at his face and she could swear that he wasn't kidding.

She saw him shaking his head in his hands and mumbling coherent words, which she couldn't get a hold on.

And what did he mean by 'she was taken'? Was the girl in some kind of danger? Well he did say that, but being taken wasn't what she thought of.

A soft rustle of the grass made her look up from her brother's despondent form and saw an unknown girl walking towards them from their backyard, with a frown on her face, her eyes on her brother's back.

"Bhai..is she Nargis?"

His head whipped up with a jolt upon the mention of her name and he followed his sister's gaze. Turning his head around, his eyes fell upon her confused yet nervous form and he fell back and landed on his hips, his face falling into his palms, taking deep quick breaths.

"Oh Ya Allah! Alhumdulillah Alhumdulillah" he kept on muttering, while his heart started beating back again which had almost stopped upon not finding her in his sight.

"Zeeshan.. A-are you alright?" she asked hesitatingly, trying not to look at the person next to him. Her voice brought out something within him, and he got up with a jerk and paced towards her making her take a step back in fear.

He fisted his hands next to him, "Where were you?" he growled and no words came out of her mouth, as she kept looking into his eyes which had turned a shade darker if that was even possible.

A second later, a messy head came infront of her eyes which made her look away taking a step back.

"Stop it Bhai, you are scaring her" Mehreen came in between the two with her crossed arms and looked at his brother who was now glaring at her, which she returned with a glare of her own.

"I-I went to look at the garden in your backyard. Sorry" she squeaked, cursing herself for intruding into someone else's home.

"It's okay, Nargis. Is it okay if I call you that?" Mehreen now turned around to face Nargis, and she nodded.

"Assalamualaikum Nargis, I am Mehreen, his sister," she pointed towards Zeeshan and Nargis looked at him, who didn't bother to look at her, "Oh don't worry about him. He's just overreacting." She dismissed with a wave of her hand, but didn't fail to notice her biting her lip and glancing at him every now and then.

"So you are my friend" she stated after a few moments of awkward silence. Nargis looked at her with a confused expression making her roll her eyes. "Don't tell me he didn't even tell you the plan"

"He didn't" she confessed, failing at her attempt to make him look at her. He was mad for some reason. Mehreen shook her head, "Ah what a world this is, younger sister has to do all the work, while the elder brother just stands and glares. Huh." She stated raising her chin, and a chuckle escaped Nargis' lips. She slapped her hands over her mouth when Zeeshan glanced at her and then hissed at his sister.

"Nargis you are my friend from..lets say school and we lost touch after that. Umm.. you are from another town and that's why you have to stay here" she nodded to herself and Nargis looked down, embarrassed.

"Thank you" Nargis focused on the grass beneath her feet and prodded the soil with her foot thumb.

"Pfft.. for what? A marriage is about to happen in this house. Don't you know, the more the merrier" Mehreen smirked and Nargis' eyes widened for a second but she let the thought slide instantly. She was grateful for their hospitality and was probably going to be more in the future. She opened her mouth to thank her once again and to properly express her gratitude for letting a stranger stay at their house, but Mehreen put up her hand stopping her.

"We have a lot of time for whatever you are trying to say. Let's go inside first" she held her hand softly and pushed her brother aside. Two steps away and they were stopped by his voice.

"Wait," he came forward and pointed towards her feet, "Where are your shoes?"

Taking in a sharp intake of breath, she turned to where she had hidden her shoes, beneath a half filled sack of soil. "I-um- wanted to feel the grass, that's why.." she explained with an awkward smile looking at the both of them. And before she could turn around and grab her shoes, Zeeshan beat her to it after following her gaze. She heard him mutter something about how crazy she was and could have taken the shoes with her making her bite her lip. He walked with quick steps and fetched her shoes.

"I-" she said loudly with wide eyes, as she saw him walking towards her with her shoes in his hands and crouched down in front of her, putting them near her feet. "-would have taken them myself" she mumbled, melting away with embarrassment. Her heart did skip a beat.

And to say Mehreen was shocked was an understatement. She was beyond that and much more. Of course he was like that with her and their mother. But something like this or even close to it never happened with any other person apart from them, especially a girl.

Zeeshan stood up and moved aside as Nargis quickly wore her shoes. Then taking her hand, Mehreen tugged her forward and walked away making her follow. Before turning around the corner, she turned to glance at him, and saw him looking at her, with crossed arms and an upset expression.

She wouldn't agree but it settled a bit of discomfort in her heart.

As she and Mehreen were about to enter the house, Mehreen quickly explained that Nargis didn't need to say anything and she will take care of everything. Oh how considerate Mehreen was. She wasn't sure how she was going to return the favor. She wouldn't be able to, not even close to something of what they were doing.

As they entered, she saw a middle aged lady, coming towards them and as soon as her eyes fell on them, she smiled, a beautiful one that is. Mehreen introduced her as her mother and Nargis greeted her with a salam.

"Walaikumassalam! And who might this be?" she asked putting her hand on Nargis' scarf clad head, the action overwhelming her with serenity. Mehreen explained her mother about Nargis earning some honest nods from her.

"She can stay with me in my room" Mehreen wounded her arm with her making her smile.

"Okay. Beta go and take a shower, you seem tired from the journey and then, Mehreen come out for breakfast" they both nodded and were about to walk when Zeeshan entered. In order to make it look more real, Mehreen introduced her to Zeeshan as well, and Nargis looked at him. But he didn't even glance at her and nodding his head went his way.

"Lets go. I'll introduce you to everyone else at the breakfast table" Mehreen sang but was stopped by her mother's voice.

"Mehreen, please take a bath," Mehreen grinned at her mother," You stink" she said rolling her eyes and left, making Mehreen pout and Nargis chuckled.

"Do I stink?" she asked innocently. Nargis shook her head while smiling, and Mehreen grinned telling her who she has in her family all the way to her room. But what really bothered her was Zeeshan's behavior.

Why was he upset with her?