⚠ LONG CHAPTER AHEAD

Ifza's pov :

"You! I'll not leave you" I screamed throwing the pillow towards him.

"Neither me" he replied catching the pillow.

I felt butterflies tickling in my stomach as he continued staring with his dazzling eyes, wearing a cocky smirk.

"Princess, come down.Breakfast is ready." Dad called me. His alarming voice intervened the uneasy atmosphere, shaking off my eccentric thoughts.

"Coming" I hurried out of the room without giving him an another glance.

What's wrong with my heart these days. Ifza you need to stop acting strange around him. He's a ghost, a scary one (my mind screamed). Still he looks ridiculously handsome (my heart defended). Argh! If this debate continues between my heart and mind,I'll definitely end up in a mental asylum one day. Please God help me.

I was lost in my inner conflict until I heard a few whispers among my parents. Mom's visual cues to dad clearly states that she's impatiently waiting for my dad to break the silence and announce whatever he's holding behind.

"Mom, if you've something to say, you can talk about it,without hesitation." I asked narrowing my eyes and emphasizing the words 'without hesitation'.

"Ahem, we've planned, you and zain..." dad decided to give up on the silence.

"Zain? Why's he ruining my breakfast?" I mustered glaring my mom. It takes no time to figure out it was mom's idea whenever Zain is concerned. 

"Uh-oh, you should take his name with more respect now" mom claimed.

"And, why would I do that?" I asked rasing my eyebrows up.

"Soon you'll be having your breakfasts with him...everyday." she replied patting her eyelids with a cheerful smile. She sometimes behave like a teenager.

"Dad!?"

"We've planned your engagement this weekend."  he finally finished the sentence he's holding up.

"Th-this weekend? But..." before I could make any further arguments, mom barged in with the best possible ways to defend Zain and our engagement plan.

"What? Isn't this something you both wanted since you were kids?" every word of her reminded me the unforgettable memory of my life.

Flashback:

"When we'll grow up, I'll marry you."

"I don't believe you"

"We'll be together...forever, I PROMISE" (Zain screams)

*Flashback ends*

"What's the promise you both made, 'Together and forever' right?" She chuckled.

"Mom? Did you sneak upon us. That's not fair" I scoffed.

"Stop growling, I just overheard the conversations few times." she said ignoring my stare. I wonder did she really heard that conversation of ours.

Dad's curios eyes were fixed upon me, demanding me to make a decision at the moment which I was stalling for so long. I'm trapped now. I cannot run away from this anymore.

"If you have any, any problem with this we'll call off your engagement. No one will ever force you. Okay?"  his voice was anxious and full of concern.

"If you think he's the best option for me, then I've no issues. Whatever you do will always be the best for me. You're my Dad, and I'll always respect your decisions." I assured him.

"My little princess" he pecked a kiss upon my forehead, holding joyful tears in his eyes, making my mom emotional too.

"I'm glad you finally did make a correct decision. I'm so happy for you. Zain will keep you happy and safe just like your dad." she whispered hugging me, with tears in her eyes too.

I was a lot embarrassed to continue this awkward conversation with them."Ahem (clearing throat) my phone." I said running towards my room like a starving cheetah behind a deer.

"I'll call Zain's mom and inform her." I heard mom's loud cheerful voice behind me as I stood leaning my head against the door to listen their conversation.

My soul almost left my body when he hissed "Congratulations!" in my ears.

"You startled me." I said throwing my fist in the air as if he really could get hurt.

"Why are you still here?" I asked rolling my eyes.

"I've something important to--" I interrupted him.

"Later, Ruhaan." I said dailing Ramsh's number. She was the first person with whom I wanted to share this great weird news, but she didn't pick up. Was she still sleeping or she's ignoring my calls for some reason. I hope everything is fine with her.

"Hey gloomy face, what happened?" he asked taking a seat on the other side of the bed beside me.

"I don't know. I feel...uh...weird maybe." I sighed dailing Ramsh's number on loop.

"Are you not happy with the decision?" I was amazed to detect the friendly concern in his voice.

"I'm happy I guess...or not. Ugh!! Why is she not picking up my calls?" I whined dailing Ramsh's number on loop.

I don't know why my heart is not at ease. I knew this one day we end up marrying each other, still I've a lots of doubts in my mind. I should shook off the negative thoughts. I know Zain all my life and he isn't the one who plays with the feelings of others. I should trust him and also trust dad's decision.

"If you're not sure, then you don't need to take such step unwillingly. Relations like these doesn't end well" his words made me chuckle.

"It's kinda weird to get an advice about life from a dead being." I said laughing.

"It's an advice from an experienced one" he grinned but his eyes tells a different story. There was a hint of loneliness in them. " I'll be back." he said disappearing. I wonder what he was supposed to say to me.

Zain's pov :

Everyone are gathered in the lounge with our chirping love birds Zara and Rayyan. I know Rayyan's a good guy and a perfect partner for her but still Dad shouldn't rush their wedding. Zara should get appropriate time to know about Rayyan, even though he's perfect but I want her to be sure. I don't want her to end up like--

"Hey buddy, lost in your dreams." Rayyan's voice dragged me from my thoughts to the reality.

"Come-on let's go for shopping, we've a lot of things to buy." Zara hopped in excitement pushing me and Rayyan towards the car. I can feel her smile tearing her cheeks.

"Rayyan, don't you think this wedding is in a bit of rush. I mean like you may have a lot to prepare and I don't think it'll be possible with in 5 days." I tried convincing him to delay the dates.

"Well, you're right. But don't you worry uncle Zaroon assured Dad and uncle Zafar that he'll handle everything. So I think situation is under control." he clarified.

I should know Dad won't make plans with loopholes. I'm sure he got all of it covered and I couldn't do anything. All of these ought to be happen as he planned. If can't stop him then I should help him to execute his plans in my way.

"I know you're worried about Zara." Rayyan mumbled seeing my distress.

"I promise you, I'll do right by her side, protecting her, loving her just like her father and her brother." he assured me and I knew every single word coming out of his mouth were truthful and honest. 

"No. Not like her father and brother. Promise me you'll do far more better than us. I'm counting on you."  I'm reveiled my sister finally got a better man than she had in her life. I can't ask for anything more.

"I promise." He said giving me a brotherly hug. Okay, I'm not used to this awkward emotional conversations but I think Zara is better off without us and it'll be beneficial for her to leave this house asap.

"Have you invited all your friends?" I was curious about the person whom Ifza mistook as Ruhaan.

"Any special references." he mused. Sure he clearly knows to whom I wanna invite still he enjoys my misery.

"Yeah, a VIP, who lives overseas and gives you hand in your happy moments." I commented keeping my tone sarcastic.

"Ahhh, the one Ifza thought he's her friend. Naahhh!! Not yet." he smirked.

"Don't forget to invite him." I ordered. I wanted to meet the guy to know whose place this Ruhaan has taken.

"I'm ready. Let's go. Zain let's pick your princess too." Zara's incredible mind always gives perfect ideas.

"Sure. Let's go."

Ifza's pov :

It's been two hours,he left saying I'll be back and hasn't back yet. Ohh God, why am I waiting for him. It's not like he'll always stick to me.

"Khalid, I made this guest list have a look." mom's voice echoed my ears probably the whole house.

"How are we going to arrange everything?" she added.

"You don't have to worry Aunty. I'm there to handle the things." a familiar husky voice comforted my mom.

"See Aunty, my brother had became a responsible guy, don't worry he'll handle everything." a sweet melodious voice commented.

These familiar voices were of Zain and Zara.

"I'll call Ifza, you kids can suit yourself." my mom said coming upstairs.

"Ifza, get ready. Zain and Zara are waiting for you downstairs." mom ordered knocking the door.

After the announcement of engagement I'm a bit shy to face them and their teasings. I wish Ramsh could be here. I wonder if she's doing fine.

I went down, they all were waiting for me in the lounge. As soon as I reached there Zara wrapped me in a tight hug, congratulating me. I wished her back for her wedding. Finally I met the gaze of a man, who's staring at me without even blinking. His stares made me anxious. I greeted him curling my lips. I couldn't able to justify his blank, emotionless stares.

"Let's go." at last he decided to utter something.

"You know, Zain never looked at anyone the way he looks at you. He's a lot more protective whenever you are concerned. He may not be able to tell you this but he never had anyone else beside you. He'll be a better husband, I can assure you." Zara whispered analyzing the discomfort in the air.

I couldn't help but to smile thinking am I the only one in his life. He never looked anyone in the way he looks at me. But I couldn't get a glimpse of his gaze. They were stiff, blank and lost. His eyes should be like as enchanting, mesmerizing and dazzling as the ones of Ruhaan. We don't have such thing in between us but his stares are compelling enough to capture my heart.

I immediately shook my thoughts off. What the hell I was thinking, I shouldn't have such things in my mind. I'm getting engaged to Zain. I bumped into him while he stood holding the car door open for me.

"You okay, princess?" he mumbled passing a half smile.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lied. I was a lot nervous and trembling due to my own thoughts.

"Get into the car, they're are waiting." I did the same as he ordered me.

After wandering around five to six different malls neither me nor Zara selected a single dress we thought appropriate to wear for our big day. We decided to stop by a food stall for gathering the energy we've exhausted.

"What happened? You look upset." Zain asked handing my order.

"Do I? It's nothing, I'm fine." a lot of things going on my mind I don't know where to start with.

"Are you...(clears throat) is this about our eng-"  before he could complete his sentence, I replied hesitatingly in a loud voice.

"No. No it's not about that. Actually it's about Ramsha." I clarified his twisted thoughts.

"Ramsha? What about her? Is she okay?" his eyes grew wider, muttering a lot than he spoke in last few hours.

"I don't know." I mumbled.

"You don't know? Did you call her?" he asked curiously and impatiently.

"I did but no use she isn't picking up." I sighed.

"Maybe she's sick, you should've visited her." he said rolling his eyes, hiding the curiosity.

"I think I should try calling once. I'll be back." Zain left me alone to make a call. After a few minutes Rayyan and Zara came to pick me for another round of shopping.

"Where's your Prince Charming?" Zara directed her question towards me.

"Ahh! He had something urgent to deal with, he'll join us. We should get going." Rayyan replied to both of us, clearly I had no idea where and when he left the mall. One of the most annoying reason to dislike him is his irresponsiblity.

Ramsha's pov :

I woke up having a mild cold and fever. I stayed in bed, feeling exhausted, cutting my ties with the outer world and ignoring my parents and my best friend's call for the whole day. I was all set for an another hour of nap until a precious call caught my eye. His name kept flashing on my mobile and I couldn't able to ignore it.

On call :

Z : Assalamualikum! (peace be upon you)

R : Waleikumassalam (and onto you as well)

Z : What's wrong with your voice? Are you
       alright?

R : Yeah I'm fine (sneezes)

Z : Yeah I see, how fine you are doing.

R : I'm fine Zain. It's just a Lil bit of cold and
       that's (sneezes again) it.

Z : Hmmm...get up and get ready, I'll be. 
      there shortly.

He hung up commanding me, and all I know is that I'm going to obey his orders despite being unnoticed,ignored and staying in the light of best friend. 

He reached here all well dressed with a hint of exhaustion on his face, a little tired. I felt bad for dragging all the way here from whatever work he was engaged in.

"How are feeling? Lemme check your temperature" he marched forward to place his rough big palms on my forehead. 

"I'm fine Zain. You shouldn't have bothered." I uttered holding my breath, hiding the discomfort and uneasiness twirling because of him standing closer to me. 

"Your health is the priority." He said causally without any hesitation in his tone, making my heart  to skip a beat.

"Wh-what?" I mused.

"I mean, as you are my best friend, your health is my top priority." He clarified my silly head. Of course he'll be looking at me as a friend and nothing else. While gazing into his rock solid eyes I sneezed a little harder this time. "Well...you don't have temperature but we should consult to the doctor for your cold." He added.

"Doctor? No, no need. I'm completely fine" I said sneezing again.

"No more excuses. Let's go."  He held my arm, very gently this time making sure not to hurt me like he did in the past. Without letting my arm go he asked permission from my mom to let him take me to the hospital and she agreed. He surely knows how to convince people.

All the way to the hospital we drove in silence with my annoying sneezing and coughing voices in the car.

"Hold on." said by Zain making me stand near the entrance. After a few moments he came with a wheelchair for me.

"Seriously Zain? A wheelchair? What am I gonna do with this?" I busted out laughing.

"What? Patients usually go on a wheelchair here." he replied which made me laugh again.

"Yeah, the patients who hurt their legs or who cannot walk on their own should use this not the ones who has a mild cold." I explained pointing towards a patient with a fractured leg moving in on a wheelchair.

"Ahem(clears throat)...it's a hospital property provided for the ease of patients. I think we should use this. So hurry up and sit down." he commanded hiding the embarrassment in his eyes.

I did as he ordered. Whole of the hospital was now staring at me which was lot more embarrassing than I thought. A nurse came rushing towards us. Seeing me on the wheelchair she assumed my condition to be worse and she immediately started checking my blood pressure, pulse rate, temperature. Everything came out normal as I was expecting them to be.

"Everything is normal" nurse replied.

"How can you say everything is normal? She's sick and she has cold. Look at her properly." Zain raged on her.  Listening to his voice a beautiful lady doctor came towards us. Black eyes, fair complexion, pink lips, blushy cheeks and a perfect small nose with flawless skin, she was damn beautiful.

"What's the matter?" she pointed her question towards the nurse.

"Your staff doesn't know how to treat people. This nurse is saying everything is normal while she has severe cold." Zain worked up again on that poor nurse.

"I clearly understand your concern sir. I apologize behalf of my staff and we'll look at your patient right now. I'm writing few test here. Please calm down." Doctor said handing a peice of paper in Zain's hand. Her sweet little smile and her alluring gaze on Zain clearly indicates that she was pretty impressed by him and his charm.

"Zain! It's just a cold, there's no need of any blood test. Let's just take a tablet and go home." I whispered.

"Shhh! You don't know anything. We've to know this isn't due to some viral infections or something. I can't take risk with your health issues." Zain answered lowering his head and kneeling down.

His every action and every word was making my heart pound more and more faster. Everytime when I try running away from the feelings I have for him, he sprinkle his affection on my barren land of heart making impossible for me to escape.

"It'll take some time for the test results. We've to wait here." he pushed the wheelchair in the waiting area where lots of patients and their families were waiting for their turns. He dragged a chair to sit beside me. I could feel the eyes of the people staring us. I don't know what they were thinking but it's actually very embarrassing.

"I'll be back. Wait for me okay." Zain mumbled to me answering an unknown call.
_______________

Zain on call-

"Yes, a black card with the pictures I've sent you."

"Yeah...Send it to the previous address and my details should be confidential as usual."
_______________

I followed him to let him inform the doctor is calling us in and I accidentally overheard his conversation.

Black card, picture and details should be confidential...? These Key words got struck in my mind. What is he planning to do? What do I care, it must be something for Ifza.

"He made all this fuss just for nothing, she's perfectly fine."

"Yeah, who does even brings a common cold patient on a wheelchair."

"These younger people are unbelievable when they're in love"

A bunch of oldies started gossiping behind us. I was feeling flustered and embarrassed.
To make us feel less uncomfortable one of the staff lady came forward to compliment us.

"The way he cares for you, he must be madly in love with you. You're lucky to have him as your boyfriend." she said with a brightest smile.

"No. He's not my boyfriend!" "No. I'm not her boyfriend!!" we both replied in chorus with the extent of shock which made her jump in her shoes.

"we're just close friends." I replied biting my lower lip.

"Ahh...I see. By the way you both should date each other, you'll make a lovely pair together." she chuckled.

Her advice made me blush. I tried to steal a glance of Zain reacting towards this piece of advice, he looked as if he's trying not to blush as his cheeks were turning red just like mine I guess.

We stayed in silence as we took an exit from the hospital and headed towards home. I tried my best to avoid the eye contact, still trying hard to hide the uneasiness we've been through today.

Before either of us broke the unending silence my stomach started growling as if I haven't been embarrassed enough the whole day. Zain still remained silent. Without saying anything he drove towards the restaurant closer to my place.

He pulled me closer by his side whispering
"let me treat you, a dinner date." 

*********************************************

Assalamualikum beautiful readers,

How are you all?

I'm so so sorry for the late update and

making  you all wait.

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter.

Plz do vote and comment,

Thanks!!

~Inaayat ♡(∩o∩)♡