(4)

Inhal's breath hitched as she saw the big mansion illuminated with thousands of lights.

She couldn't move and rooted on her spot but the warm hand of Farzana encouraged her to walk ahead.

Inside the house, there were a hustle and bustle of workers who were trying to make ends meet at the last minute.

Inhal was dressed in a beige flowy frock with her chiffon dupatta which was securely wrapped across her chest. Her thick wavy brown hair was tied in a half up and half down updo and minimal makeup completed her look.

Zarrar's mother came forward with a smile settled on her face. She looked at Inhal with gentle eyes.

"Mashallah, you look very pretty."

Inhal apologetically lowered her eyes.

His mother was one of the kindest people she ever knew. Despite knowing about how brutally she rejected her son,

Fariya Sikander welcomed her with a big heart.

"Come on, the Nikkah is going to start in half an hour." His mother addressed them and led them towards the vast garden of her house.

The whole magnificent garden was decorated with glorious decor. On every set of tables and chairs rested a red card in which 'Nikkah Mubarak' was written in big bold letters.

Her hands were tightly clenched together and she tried hard to control her tears to fall. Everything was making her uncomfortable, everything around her was mocking her for not accepting, for not giving in when the universe was giving her a second chance.

But what could she do now? He was going to marry someone else in a matter of minutes. He will start his new life and forgets her.

She shook her head and bit her lips.

"No Inhal you cant snatch someone else's happiness, you can't be that girl, why didn't you accept when he was begging in front of you."

She closed her eyes and heaved a tired breath. Her mind was nagging her with different questions. She tried to block all doubts and focused on the event.

She looked up and her gaze clashes with him. He stood there on the stage wearing a white shalwar kameez with his sleeves folded till his elbow and the same colored waistcoat completed his look.

He stood there motionless, looking at her deeply, his hands were fisted in a tight ball; clenching his jaw tightly he turned around and left the stage.

"So, you are the famous Miss Inhal Omer." A boy around nineteen, sat beside her with a smirk etched on his face.

She looked around and saw her seats beside her empty.

"They all went inside, Ammi called them." She again looked at the young boy and nodded at him.

She was so deeply lost in her thoughts that she didn't saw her mumani and Zainab Bhabhi leaving.

"You didn't answer my question." The young boy spoke again.

She couldn't pinpoint who was he. "Do I know you?"

As this question left her mouth the boy pouted and looked offended. "Didn't Bhai ever tell you about me, didn't he tell you that he has a very handsome younger brother!"

She gaped at him and shook her head.

"No worries, my self Affan Sikander, age nineteen, currently in college, only brother of Zarrar Sikander-"

He was cut off by a loud noise, "Affan tum phir larkion ke sath flirt kar rahy ho ma Tayya Aba ko abi bta ke ati hon,"

(Affan you are again flirting with the girls, I will tell Tayya abba this instant)

Affan stood up with a lightening speed and placed his big hand on the girl's mouth who looked a year younger than him.

"Idiot, you'll again make me grounded by Dad, shut your loud mouth and I'm not flirting with anyone, do you know who she is? She is the famous Inhal Omer."

He spoke in one breath, the girl's eyes became wide after listing to his last sentence.

"Why didn't you tell me before." She slammed her elbow at his ribs and came forward to sit beside Inhal.

Affan shrieked in pain and glared at the young girl.

"I'm Zara, I'm Zarrar Bhai's cousin." The girl shyly forwarded her hand towards her and Inhal firmly shook it.

"You're also my cousin." Affan narrowed his eyes at Zara who scoffed at him.

Inhal had a smile on her face seeing the banter of two teens.

She cleared her throat to divert their attention. "Affan, how did you know that I-I"

She hesitated to speak further, however Affan understood and with a mischievous glint in his eyes he opened his mouth.

"I saw bhai looking at you like a lost lover and I instantly knew who you were." He grinned with raised eyebrows.

"Bhai banned us from going to your house, I desperately wanted to see you, I even begged him but he bribed me by giving me a new laptop." Zara timidly spoke and placed a strand of hair behind her ear.

"You're very beautiful." The young girl mumbled again with a painful voice.

Inhal gulped and blinked to speak further but as she opened her mouth the loud voices coming from inside the house stopped her.

Affan and Zara hastily went inside. Seeing no one in the garden, Inhal took slow steps to reach inward.

The worried faces of everyone told her that something terrible had happened.

Inhal briskly walked and stood beside Zara who was rubbing Zarrar's mother's back softly.

She sat beside her, worry lines etched on Zara's face as she looked at Inhal.

"W-what happened Zara." She stammered and gazed at the young girl.

"Fatima ran away, she married her cousin whom she loved and only left a note behind her, she was forced to marry bhai because of her parents." Inhal gasped and held Zara's hand who started to shed tears.

"I'm telling you, I'll bring her back, she will marry your son." A gigantic man with a thick mustache uttered.

"Mr. Sohail, stop this nonsense, I'm already very ashamed right now, why did you force your daughter when she wanted to marry someone else."

Another man with his deep voice spoke up.

Everyone became silent as he was talking.

"We don't want any alliance with you, not only did you let us down but you also let your daughter down."

The man with an autonomous character spoke in a clear tone. She knew that it was Zarrar's father.

One by one the family of the bride left with their heads down.

In all the scenarios, she didn't saw Zarrar once,

She was gazing at the main door when she felt a soft hand on her hand.

She looked up and saw Fariya Sikander pleading through her red eyes.

Mist gathered in Inhal eyes, a lone tear slipped and landed on her cheek.

Hesitantly and slowly she nodded at her.

Zarrar was standing on his room's balcony with his eyes closed.

He held the railing tightly in his hands.

He knew that Fatima ran away, nonetheless, he was feeling nothing from inside.

Whether he should be happy or upset, he didn't have a single clue, because the one he truly wanted was sitting downstairs.

They are so close yet so far.

"Zari boy, nichy dhamakay per dhamakay horhay ha aur tu yaha taza hawa enjoy kar raha ha." Ahmed came and uttered in a loud and cheerily voice.

(Zari boy, explosions on explosions are happening downstairs and here you are enjoying fresh air)

"Leave me alone Ahmed." Zarrar gritted his teeth.

"Why are you sad man, Fatima tuj se bahadur nikli jiskey sath pyar karti thi uskay sath shaddi to ki usnay."

(Fatima came braver than you, at least she married whom she loved)

"Shyad tu bhool raha ha key jisey ma pyar karta hon woh mujsey shaddi nahi Karna chahti."

(You are forgetting that the person I love doesn't want to get marry to me)

Ahmed chuckles and patted his shoulder. "Chal ab maan gai ha ab Aja."

(She is ready now)

Zarrar couldn't believe his ears, his throat felt like Sahara desert.

The tall and muscular man stood dumbfounded in front of his best friend.

This chapter is dedicated to Silvie_Dea who bombarded the previous chapter with her comments.

Don't be depressed now, you freaked me out and this chapter was supposed to upload on Friday but for you, I instantly typed and posted it.

So, they are getting married!!!

Did you expect this twist?

Tell me your thoughts and thank each one of you for commenting and voting.

You all are very special to me.❤

Until next time.

Allah hafiz