FEAR OF LOSING YOU

FOLY-20

MEH: "Um... I have a doubt" She asked gaining everyone's attention.

LUB: "And.What.Is.That?" He asked irritated with Meh's interruption.

MEH: "Does Zamina's parents know about you both?"

    Her one sentence wiped the smile off of everyone's face. Zami felt that she was in a fix. None knew what to do & looked up to know what Lub's reaction was. But what they saw confused them. Lub was sitting unaffected and with a wide smile on his face. Zami was both angry & bewildered at his behaviour. Lub noticed her glare & became serious.

LUB: "Zami, I want to tell you something. But will you listen to me patiently?"

    Zami just nodded not knowing what to say.

LUB: "Do you all know why I was late?"  Everyone nodded no. "Do you all know  where I'm coming from?" Again, they nodded no.

SHEH: "Will you just speak up without beating around the bush?"

LUB: "Cool. Before coming here, I went to Zamina's house"

    Lub heard several gasps around him and was amused.

ZAMI: "Why would you go there?"

LUB: "I wanted your parent's acceptance before I accept you officially. I know the value of parents Zamina and I know how much they are important to you too. So I first went to them & asked for your hand"

ZAMI: "What did they say?" It was a mere whispher.

LUB: "What did they say? They were not ready to trust me. They literally shooed me away. Wow! How do you even manage them?"  

           He went on blabbering & failed to notice Zami's tears. But when he did, he stopped & felt guilty for playing with her emotions. He went towards her and cupped her face. He wiped her tears and made her look into his eyes.

LUB: "Zami I'm...  I'm sorry.I just wanted to tease you. But didn't expect that it would turn out to be tragic. I'm extremely sorry my dear. You punish me as you wish. I will accept it wholeheartedly. But please don't cry. I can't bear that. My heart can't ber that. Please stop crying na. Please?"

      Seeing his puppy face Zami smiled slightly which brightened Lub's soul. 

ZAMI: "Did they really reject you?" She asked in low voice and her face was sooo cute with a frown. Lub felt like pinching her cheeks but restrained himself from doing so owing to the surrounding they were in.Seeing Lub gazing at her without speaking anything Zami pinched him hard.

ZAMI: "What are you thinking?"

LUB: "Aah Women. Wait. I'll tell you"

MEH: "Serves you right" Lub glared at her & started speaking.

LUB: "I was literally shocked beyond surprised when I met your parents.

ZAMI: "Shocked? But why?"

    Sheh & Arh shared knowing glances.

LUB: "When I rang the bell, it was your mom who opened the door. I was surprised because her face felt somewhat familiar for me. Upon seeing me your mother became excited & called for your father. I didn't know why she was happy and her call for your father freaked me out thinking what he might do to me"

     Zami raised her eyebrows at that comment. Whereas the rest 4 relaxed in their seats & got ready to hear the best story of their lives. Seeing Zami tensed, Lub placed his hands on hers and gave a gentle squeeze, silently saying that everything was okay.

LUB: "I was ushered inside gracefully & showered upon with lots of snacks & juices that I literally felt suffocated"

    Zami laughed imagining his face and Lub released a sigh.

FLASHBACK STARTS...

LUB: "I'm"   He was cut off.

DANISH KHAN: "Luboid Jabalah"

LUB: "How did you know my name?"

MARWAH KHAN: "We know much more about you" She smiled.

LUB: "Sorry, I didn't get you. Do we know each other?"

DANISH: "You were the one who is donating funds & basic necessities to Ashram. Right? Along with your friends?"     

    That's when Lub recognised who they were. Zami's parents were the ones who he met on the Ashram that day. On Zami's b'day.

MARWAH: "How are you and your friends?"

LUB: "Fine aunty"

DANISH: "We were happy hearing your services. You all are doing a great job dear. We felt proud too"

LUB(In mind): "If you both get to know why I came here, I don't know what you would do to me. Forget about feeling proud"

MARWAH: "How did you know our house dear? Do you need any help?"

LUB(Clearing his throat): "Actually uncle, I came here to talk to you about an important matter"

DANISH: "Sure. What is it?"

LUB: "About Zamina Khan"

DANISH: "Zamina Khan? That's my daughter. What happened to her? Is she okay? How do you know her?"

LUB: "Uncle please relax. Me and Zamina are studying in the same college. I'm her senior"

DANISH: "Oh. Okay"

MARWAH: "What happened dear? Any problem?"

LUB: "No actaully, we and Zamina love each other. I'm here to ask for your daughter's hand for marriage. We need your permission first before we decide anything. Without your consent nothing will be done. You both are our first priority. I like Zamina. You are her world. So you come first to us. Don't think wrong about Zamina. She decided  to tell you about us after informing our friends. Don't take it wrong. Zamina has you both. But I have none EXCEPT MY FRIENDS(He gulped his feelings & the lump formed in his throat).

    They are my everything. So I decided to tell them first. But I felt your approval is important than informing my friends. And that's why I'm here now. Even Zamina doesn't know that I came here. If you think I'm wrong, then please punish me. But don't seperate me & Zamina. I can't live without her and I can't handle another heart break. Please. I want her in my life for eternity. But, WITH YOUR BLESSINGS. I said everything what I wanted to say. Now, it's you both who need to decide"   

    Danish stood up & started pacing the living room making Luboid's heartbeat to accelarate. He turned towards Lub and.....

 To becontinued...