The loud sound of shehnai was almost deafening. Maybe not to all but Mahnoor's ears rang as the gravity of the events landed on her shoulder.

After today, everything will change. All this months she tried to convince herself that she doesn't love him anymore.

For all she cares he could marry tomorrow but now that is happening, why does it feel like she is dying slowly?

She looked at her pale reflection in the mirror staring back at her. And she hated, despised the girl looking back.

She didn't want to feel like this for Zarim Pasha.
The selfish and arrogant Zarim Pasha.

Not after what he did the night, she finally confessed her love for him like a fool.

⋆‧°𓏲ּ𝄢

6 month ago

The soft rays of sun filtered through the curtains as a man got up from the bed and walked towards the modern bathroom in the corner.

He turned on the shower as cold water sprinkled on him, he stood under it, letting the coldnees seep into his skin.

When he finally came out with a towel around his hips, he stepped towards his wardrobe, there fresh, ironed shirts hanged in perfect order, according to their colour. First the whites, greys and black, same with other colours.

He picked up the blue shirt and a grey pant. Before taking the tie that matched from the table.

He dressed up quietly, his hair still damp from the shower.

He rubbed the towel on his head before picking up the comb and pushing his hair back. He wrapped the silver analogue watch that once belonged to Nafis Pasha around his left wrist.

He slipped into his brown polished shoes and grabbed his bag, before finally coming out of the door.

The bird chirped in sky above as the loud clattering of utensils can be heard from miles.

Shahna stood behind the stove as she beat the omlet and diced some onions and tomatoes in it, then she added salt and some pepper before she poured it into the hot oil.
The sizzling sound filled the kitchen as after a few moment she flipped the egg before putting it onto the plate where already two toast were waiting.

When she stepped inside the dining room, the Halima begum was already there, her old specs perched on her noes as she looked closely in her tablet.

"Ye lijiye ammi aapki chai" Shahna said as she poured the tea into the cup before putting it on the table.

"Shukriya" she said before keeping the tablet away.

She watched as Shahna wiped the sweat in her face with her cotton dupatta.

"Ek toh bahu meri baat smjh nhi aati, jb Zarim tumhare liye mulazim rakh chuka hai toh tum kyu har subah chulae ka aage khadi ho jati ho" she stated the obvious.

"Maine toh phele he usse phele he mna kiya tha mulazim na rakhe. Aree mujhe konsa 10 20 logo ka khana bna na tha, hum char he toh hai. Upar se wo aaurat badi kamchor hai baartan sahi se dhoti bhi nhi, mujhe sb kuch firse krna padta hai" she complained

"Aree meri beti mohbaat hai uski. Maa ho tum uski" Halima begum said as sipped the hot tea.

Just then Zarim entered, he looked the every definition of handsome. His tie was in perfect knot, his silver watch sat on his wrist and his hair combed neatly.

He wished Salam and sat on the chair and put his coat on the other. He helped himself with the breakfast.

"Laiba kaha hai?" he asked as he bit into the toast.

"Uski kissi saheli ki engagement hai toh woh waha gyi hai" Shahna replied.

Just then, someone called out, "Mamiiii," as a girl climbed up the stairs, her skin as white as milk, thick lashes resting against her cheeks while a tiny nose pin glimmered softly beneath the light. Her long wavy hairs were braided that they almost reached to her hips.
"Mamii" she called out again as her sandal slapped against the floorboard.

"Mahnoor hum log yaha hai!" Shahna said loudly from the dining room.

"Assalamwlekum", she entered as her steps faltered.

Her eyes went up to Zarim who was without in the care of the world was focus on his phone, probably relpying to some important emails, Mahnoor thought.

His back was to her, but it was like her heart began beating way too fast.

She thought he won't be here, he leaves almost everyday at 8 am. but it was already close to 9.

"Mahnoor!! Kya hua?" shahna's voice pulled her out of whatever trance she was in.

She wet her lips as she began, "Woh...woh mere kapde ki silai kholni thi" she raised the green kurta.

Shahna stood up from the chair, "Acha ye wahi kurta hai na jo tum aaj phenogi" she took it from her. "Bada khoobsurat hai" she raised the kurta as she admired the work on it.

"Baitho yhi kuch he der ka kaam hai" And with that Shahna disappeared into her room.

Mahnoor stood their akwardly for a moment before taking a sit next to Halima begum.

"Engagement mai ja rhi ho?" she asked

"Ji nano..jahan Laiba api gayi hai na whi jana hai"

"Laiba ki dost tumhari dost hai?"

"Woh first year mai meri senior thi.. toh achi dost bn gyi meri or unki choti bhn meri bhot achi dost hai"

"acha.. fir toh sahi hai"

"Zarim tum isse chorrd ana shaam ko", his eyes lifted up as he noticed wide eyed Mahnoor looking startled by the sudden statement of Halima begum.

"Mai shyd late aau. Darood ko khaunga choord aayega" he said not even glancing at her.

"Darood or Arsalan toh Reshma ke saath uske aami ke ghar leke jane wale hai " Halima begum pointed out, "tum jldi aana or isse choord kr or lekr anna"

The finality in her voice stopped Zarim from saying anything further. He only nod his head and wished Salam before leaving.

Mahnoor watched him go as something dipped inside her.

"Mahnoor zara isse phen kr check kro" Shahna came back with a dress.

The sun dipped quickly and it was almost time for Mahnoor to go, she paced inside her room as she picked up the green dupatta from the chair and pinned it neatly on her shoulder.

She had done the most minimal makeup she could. If it was for her she would have gone by just applying some Kajal and a lip balm. But Urooj decided to play makeup artist today and now Mahnoor felt like she had overdone it.

She pulled out the couple of tissues from the box and rubbed then against her lips, until only the faint stain of lipstick remained.

Her hair was again in braids, even though Urooj insisted she let them stay open. But Mahnoor had always liked them this way. It felt more like her.

When she finally came outside, her mother Fatima was in the living room with tasbeeh in her hand.

"Mashallah bhot pyaari lg rhi ho." She complimented her daughter.

Mahnoor only smiled in reply, "zarim ko zyada pareshan na krna or jitni jaldi ho sake wapis aa jana"

"Ji aami" she replied obediently.

Before taking her purse and phone with her. She stepped out of the metal gate and closed it behind her.

And there he was sitting inside the car, his finger tapping on the steering wheel as he typed with his other hand on the phone.

For a moment Mahnoor stood their and choose to admire him from afar. He was till in his work clothes, but somehow he still looked effortlessly fresh.

A faint stubble had started to grow along his jaw. Usually, he shaved before it became noticeable, but sometimes Mahnoor found herself wondering how he would look if he let it grow properly.

Mahnoor lowered her gaze almost instantly when he suddenly looked up from his phone.

For a brief second, their eyes met.
Her heart stumbled inside her chest.

Zarim unlocked the car with a click before placing the phone aside. "Khari rehne ka irada hai?" he asked flatly.

Mahnoor quickly shook her head and walked towards the passenger seat, carefully gathering her dress before sitting inside, with dupatta on her head.

The familiar scent of his perfume lingered in the car, subtle yet enough to make her strangely aware of his presence.

She quietly fastened her seatbelt while Zarim started the engine.

For a while, neither of them spoke.
The silence between them wasn't unfamiliar. Mahnoor had grown used to it long ago. Zarim was never much of a talker, and she... she had never known how to speak freely around him without feeling nervous.
Still, despite the quietness, she liked being near him.
Even if he barely noticed her.

As the car moved through the busy streets, the city lights reflected against the windows in blurred streaks of gold and white.

Mahnoor kept her hands folded neatly in her lap, stealing occasional glances at him whenever she was sure he wasn't looking.

His attention remained fixed on the road ahead, his expression calm and unreadable.
Mahnoor looked away quickly before she could get caught staring again.

He stopped before the house lit up with lights and turned towards her, "Jb janna ho toh usse 30 min phele mujhe message kr dena"

Mahnoor only nodded her head quietly before stepping out of the car.

The cool evening breeze brushed against her face as she closed the door carefully. For a second she stood there, staring at the brightly lit house. The warm yellow lights hanging across the balcony twinkled beautifully while distant laughter and music echoed outside.

As Zarim's car drove away, Mahnoor looked down at her phone and quickly typed.

Mahnoor: Main agyi

Not even five seconds later.

Eda: WHERE??

Mahnoor smiled faintly.
Before she could reply again, someone suddenly grabbed her arm dramatically.

"YA ALLAH finally!" Eda groaned loudly. "Mujhe laga tum last moment pe mana krdogi."

Mahnoor laughed softly as Eda pulled her inside without giving her any chance to breathe.

The entire house was crowded with people. Girls dressed in colorful outfits moved around laughing while aunties sat together gossiping shamelessly. Somewhere from upstairs loud music could be heard while kids ran around the hallways.