Chapter 13: part 4

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and the house was now alive with the vibrant hues of celebration. It was Zobia’s mehendi ceremony, and the place was a riot of colors—golden fairy lights twinkling against the night sky, marigold garlands adorning every corner, and the air filled with the scent of roses and freshly prepared delicacies.

Sehar, dressed in a blue-pink lehenga with delicate net work, looked stunning as she flitted between guests, ensuring everything was in place. Her jhumkas swayed with her movements, and her laughter rang out like music. Hamza, watching her from across the garden, couldn’t help but smile. She had a knack for lighting up any room she entered, even if she left behind a trail of chaos in the process.

He himself was dressed sharply in a deep emerald kurta with a gold vest, the ensemble handpicked by Zobia, who refused to let him get away with his usual casual style. As he leaned against a pillar, sipping his drink, he noticed Sehar struggling to balance a tray of mithai while managing a group of children tugging at her dupatta.

“Need help, Miss Perfection?” he teased, walking over to her.

Sehar glared at him, but her lips twitched upward. “As if you’d actually help, Sohail. You’re just here to make my life harder.”

He smirked, effortlessly taking the tray from her hands. “You’re welcome.”

She huffed, crossing her arms. “You’re still insufferable.”

“And yet, you’d be lost without me,” he retorted, his grin widening.

“Keep dreaming,” she shot back, rolling her eyes.

Despite their banter, Hamza noticed how her cheeks flushed slightly when their hands brushed as she reached for the tray. He also couldn’t ignore how much he enjoyed her company, even if she was constantly finding ways to challenge him.

The evening carried on, with guests dancing, singing, and celebrating the joyous occasion. Sehar found herself sitting with Zobia, who was getting intricate mehendi designs applied to her hands.

“Aapi, you’re glowing,” Sehar said, leaning close to her. “Furqan bhai better be prepared to have his breath taken away.”

Zobia laughed softly. “You’re such a drama queen, Sehar.”

“Someone has to be,” Sehar quipped, winking at her.

Hamza, standing a few feet away, watched the exchange with a strange sense of contentment. Seeing Sehar and Zobia together like this made him realize how seamlessly Sehar fit into his family. He couldn’t deny the pull he felt toward her, even though it drove him crazy at times.

Later in the evening, as the celebrations were in full swing, Hamza found himself cornered by a group of cousins eager to tease him.

“Hamza bhai, what’s this we hear about you and Sehar?” one of them asked, wiggling their eyebrows.

Hamza raised an eyebrow. “What about us?”

“Oh, come on, bhai!” another chimed in. “The way you two bicker—it’s like you’re already married!”

Hamza tried to brush it off with a laugh, but his ears turned a little red. “You all have too much free time on your hands.”

Meanwhile, Sehar wasn’t spared either. A group of aunties pulled her aside, their smiles knowing.

“Sehar beta, you and Hamza make such a good pair,” one of them said. “It’s only a matter of time, isn’t it?”

Sehar’s eyes widened, her face heating up. “Aunty, please! There’s nothing like that.”

“Nothing yet,” another added with a sly grin, making Sehar groan inwardly.

When the two finally crossed paths again later that evening, Sehar couldn’t hold back her irritation.

“Your family is relentless, Sohail,” she muttered, cornering him near the dessert table.

He raised an eyebrow, amused. “What did they do now?”

“They think we’re a thing!” she hissed, her cheeks still pink from the teasing.

Hamza chuckled, leaning closer. “Well, we do argue like an old married couple.”

She glared at him, but her lips twitched despite herself. “You’re impossible.”

“And you love it,” he shot back, his voice low enough that it sent a shiver down her spine.

She opened her mouth to retort but found herself at a loss for words. He had that infuriating effect on her—making her feel like she hated him and enjoyed his presence all at once.

As the evening wound down and the guests began to leave, Sehar found herself reflecting on the events of the night. Despite the constant teasing, she couldn’t deny that Hamza’s company had grown on her. He was insufferable, yes, but he was also dependable, funny, and, in his own way, kind.

Hamza, too, lay awake that night, replaying the day in his mind. He thought about Sehar’s laughter, her quick wit, and the way she lit up every room she entered. He couldn’t deny it anymore—he was undeniably drawn to her.

But one thing was certain: their story was far from over.

About amaan's proposal sehar's family said no and told them to wait till sehar completes her degree . But they also understood that they were not at all interested in the marriage proposal

The night was serene, the sky adorned with a blanket of stars, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves in the garden below. Hamza found himself on the terrace, unable to sleep after the long day of festivities. His mind wandered as he gazed at the stars, but his thoughts were interrupted when he noticed a familiar figure at the far end of the terrace.

It was Sehar. She was leaning on the railing, her hair slightly tousled by the breeze, lost in her own thoughts. Hamza couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease her, so he approached silently, his footsteps light against the stone floor.

“What’s this? The mighty Sehar Tahir sneaking out at night?” he said, a smirk playing on his lips.

Sehar jumped slightly, startled by his voice, and turned to face him, her eyes narrowing. “Hamza Sohail, do you always make it a point to interrupt my peace?”

He chuckled, leaning against the railing beside her. “It’s one of my favorite pastimes, actually. You’re so much fun to rile up.”

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “Well, congratulations. Mission accomplished. Now, go away.”

He didn’t budge. Instead, he tilted his head and gave her a curious look. “What are you doing up here so late, anyway? Planning your next revenge scheme?”

Sehar sighed, turning back to the sky. “No. Just… enjoying the quiet. It’s been a hectic day.”

Hamza’s smirk softened into a small smile. “Fair enough. It was a long day.”

They stood in silence for a moment, the tension from their usual bickering replaced by an unspoken understanding. But Hamza couldn’t resist breaking the quiet with his teasing nature.

“You know,” he said, glancing at her, “you looked nice today. That green lehenga suits you.”

Sehar blinked, turning to him with a mix of surprise and suspicion. “Are you complimenting me? Or is this part of some elaborate joke?”

He laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “I’m serious. You looked… beautiful.”

Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned her gaze back to the stars, pretending not to be affected. “Well, thank you, I guess. Even though it’s weird coming from you.”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Why weird? Can’t I think you’re beautiful?”

Sehar’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her confusion with a sharp retort. “Because you’re you, Hamza. And you’re always trying to mess with me.”

He grinned, leaning just a little closer. “Maybe I’m not messing with you this time.”

Her eyes darted to his, searching for any sign of mischief, but his expression was unreadable. It was both infuriating and intriguing.

“You’re impossible,” she muttered, stepping away from him.

“And you’re predictable,” he shot back, a hint of amusement in his tone.

“Predictable?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah. You’re always ready to fight me, always on guard. But deep down, you like the attention.”

Her jaw dropped slightly, but she quickly recovered, glaring at him. “You’re delusional, Sohail.”

“Am I?” he challenged, his voice dropping a notch. “Then why are you still standing here, talking to me?”

Sehar opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. She hated how easily he got under her skin, how he could make her question herself with just a few words.

“I—good night, Hamza,” she finally said, turning on her heel and walking away before he could see the flustered look on her face.

Hamza watched her go, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. There was something about her that fascinated him—her fire, her stubbornness, the way she always kept him on his toes.

As he turned back to the stars, he couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, this rivalry of theirs was leading to something far more complicated—and far more interesting.