< H >

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❝And sometimes against all odds,

against all logics, we still hope.❞

★━━──━━★

"Koya!" Her voice echoed through the long corridor of the basement, as she sprawled on the carpeted floor, peeking under the wooden console table. Her copper brown thick hair in a side braid, hanging above her shoulder.

"Where the fuck did you go now bro?" She closed her greyish blue eyes shut, as her cheek squished against the floor, lying upside down in the middle of the way in her baggy trousers and panda shirt. This wasn't how she had planned to begin her Sunday morning.

Meow. Her eyes snapped to the front, her chin hitting the floor now. There she was, catwalking her way towards her owner, laying on the floor lazily.

"This fucking.....cutie!" Her frustration was immediately replaced with love as the cat purred while lovingly joining her little nose into hers, Nimra returned the affection by running her fingers through the persian cat's white heavy fur, it's bright blue eyes mesmerizing her greyish blue ones again.

"When will you stop intruding into the guest house secretly Koya!" She lifted her legs upwards swaying them back and forth, still laying there, as she positioned her elbows on the floor, while Koya stepped near to her, placing a paw over her hand, satisfied with the soft patting on her head.

Her parents owned a huge guest house in the city of Seville, Spain. It was their house as well. And it was a special kind of guest house, where everyone lived like a family since most residents were permanent emigrants. The ground floor was where the reception and her small family including one useless brother, one disrespectful sister, she as their eldest sister and her mom and dad lived, the first floor was the mess, where everyone gathered three times a day to eat altogether, while the other six floors and basement included rooms for guests, #1 till #70.

"What a scene to begin my day with." A male voice had Nimra roll her eyes as she rolled over on the floor, sitting upright, scooping Koya into her arms.

"I know right. We're just too cute." She scrunched her nose up with a playful smile looking at her cat.

"Yeah right, such a cute way to welcome the guests every Sunday morning. If Hameed uncle would've seen you here like this, that'd be cuter, no?" Almeer joked. He was a young man, computer engineer, who was one of their longest and first guest at the guest house.

"Oh please, shut up! Moun acha na ho, tou baat achi kar leta hai banda." Nimra scoffed at him, replaying the memory of Hameed uncle, an elderly man who lived in the room opposite to Almeer. The man had a strong disliking towards cats and Nimra too, because of her bold and care-free nature probably.

"For how many hours did his lecture and complaints went on last time?"

"Oh, don't even get me started on that shit. This uncle literally keeps getting on my nerves everytime I cross paths with him. I might just snap really bad the next time."

As if to test her words, the door #2 clicked open, with Hameed uncle stepping out, as she sat on the floor with her legs open and Koya purring between them.

"Well, fuck." She cursed under her breath, while Almeer held his laugh while making his way towards the stairs mouthing a "Good luck." He waved at her lightly, as Hameed uncle let out a tasbeeh of 'Astaghfirullah' looking at her.

"Yeh aaj kal ki nasal. Bahar reh ke bigar hi jaati hai, yeh koi-"

"Unlce sorry to cut you off, but aaj mera mood nahi hai please." Lifting Koya up in her arms, she strode down the stairs as fast as she could muttering colourful words as she heard Hameed uncle continuing another remark of being 'badtameez' on her.

"Mumma, can't we kick him out? Umer ho gai hai unki bhi retire hone ki, why doesn't he go back to Pakistan already? Plus not like he's my mamoon, phuppa, taya or chacha! Why does my behaviour or my way of living bother him so much? Like bro, what did I ever do you?" She continued angrily, while sitting in the private kitchen's dining table, chewing on the pancake her mother was feeding her.

"Beta, aise nahi kehte." Her mother gave her a slightly displeased look, placing another pancake in her plate, for which she gratefully opened her mouth wide open to welcome it in from her hands. Her mother handed her the fork and went out to check up on the guests telling her to eat the last piece herself. Pouting, she took a huge bite of it.

"Kam khao moti!" Nazia, her younger sister commented, although Nimra was clearly underweight but she always called her moti to tease her. Nimra glared at her sister. She had long silky thin black hair, unlike her own thick copper hair. Sometimes she wished to exchange these heavy hair with hers, they'll be easier to carry on the head at least.

"Tumhe kia hai bhens." She hit her foot under the table, but it ended up hitting her brother's leg, who was busy on his phone making him wince.

"Kia hai, jahil!" He hit her back too with full force, as Nimra screeched holding her leg and placed it on the chair rubbing it. "Bare hi koi bereham bhai ho tum." Nimra hit him with her other leg, while Nadir put away his phone and returned it with a double kick.

"Aik tou araam se tou khaya hi nahi jaata na tum logo se kabhi." Her mother returned back to the kitchen after serving all the guests as she saw her eldest and the youngest fighting.

"Mumma mai bata rahi hun, mai Nadir ki shaadi nahi hone dungi. Mai kisi larki pe yeh zulm nahi kar sakti." She stuck out a tongue at him as he scoffed at her.

"Tou tumhe kia lagta hai, jo tumse shaadi karega wo bohat khush qismat hoga?" He retorted, but soon a heavy silence filled the room among the rest except for a chuckling Nimra.

"Aur nai tou kiya. Dunya ka sab se khush qismat banda hoga bhae, kyun?  Koi shak hai?" She smugly looked at her mom, who soon snapped out of her trance and side hugged her daughter, the tears almost brimming her eyes. "Bilkul. Meri beti mai koi kami thori hai."

Only if she knew. Only if she remembered.

//❄︎❄︎❄︎//

'Good afternoon passengers. This is the pre-boarding announcement for flight 98A to Seville. I request all passengers to......'

Dragging his feet and pushing his luggage forward, the brown haired, tall guy sighed, a heavy yet deep sigh, trying to calm and provide assurance to himself once again.

It was finally the time. He had been waiting patiently since the last two years, he didn't know how he held on for so long, but it was only because of the hope in him, that told him to keep going, to keep living, to keep believing, till the end.

He was going to meet his wife after two whole freaking years. Knowing she didn't even remember him, knowing she couldn't even think about him, he kept hoping and thinking about her.

He still got nightmares of that one day. He was still not able to set free from the trauma. He could never...

●●--●●◄flashback►●●--●●

The youngsters gathered around the large auditorium hall of the university. The welcoming seminar for the freshman year was about to begin. The greyish blue eyed girl sat on the second last seat scowling, regretting putting her hair in a high pony as her head felt like falling off due to it's weight. While the brunette haired guy sat on the backseat, his shining brown eyes full of enthusiasm looking forward to his year.

Nimra gulped down the water, trying to calm herself and the spoiled morning mood. Her navy blue boyfriend shirt was tugged inside her blue boyfriend jeans, and a thin scarf wrapped around her neck.

Affan on the other hand sat behind her in his turtleneck black shirt, with black jeans folded above his ankles, paired with chukkas. His hair combed back, as his mascular built and attracting aura caught attention of many girls who kept glancing back at him.

The seminar soon begin as the boring speeches of the heads had many students to lose interest. To add some fun, the host read some stories written by the seniors to give some advices to the new ones with their experience. He kept adding his 'pathetic remarks' according to Nimra for the entertainment.

"..love is in the air." The host opened his arms wide to let out a dramatic reaction as the hall was filled with laughter, excluding a vexed Nimra.

"Then don't fucking breathe!" She seethed out, fully annoyed. The brunette haired boy sitting behind her seat gave her an amused look from the back. Well, she had a point.

With every phrase he spoke, she let out an angry sarcastic remark as Affan's ears perked up everytime she spoke making him smile and lowly giggle throughout the session.

"....happily ever after." With that he ended the seminar as Nimra punched the armrest with her clenched fist.

"I swear to god, the person who invented this phrase 'happily ever after' should have his ass kicked so hard-" A snortle coming from behind her had her snap her head back, her high pony flipping over her shoulder due to the force. Affan placed his fist over his mouth to stop himself from laughing as she threw daggers his way.

"What are you laughing at?" She raised a questioning brow at him. Could he hear her? Not that she cared anyways.

"Nothing. I enjoyed your commentary." He scratched his forehead, nervous under the grey eyed beauty's blazing gaze.

"Well, I really didn't enjoy attending this shitty seminar." She picked up her bag, getting up. Affan formed his lips into a thin line, she was one sassy girl. He wanted to ask her name, but quickly gulped down the thought.

"Uh, Best of luck then." He also stood up as everyone slowly started leaving the hall, murmuring of students filling the place. Nimra rolled her eyes with a "Ahan." How sweet of you. She stepped out to cross his chair, as he waited for her to pass.

"I'd wish you the best, but I'm the best." Tilting her head to the side where he stood a step away, she passed him a small smirk and walked out leaving a surprised Affan behind with a grin on his face.

Affan's wish to meet the girl again was fulfilled when they both ended up being in the same department. What a great coincident it was. Soon, from just knowing their names they became acquaintances to friends when they were partnered up for a project and then something which can not be controlled developed among them; feelings for each other.

Affan thought his feelings were just one-sided. Since Nimra was a very outgoing girl who no one ever messed with but everyone wanted to be friends with. In fact, one thing he liked about her personality was she had a very kind heart and never got scared or backed away from trouble. She dealt with bullies at university single-handedly and never lost her shine.

He himself was the leader of the sports team of the university, which simply meant girls drooled over him at every game, and that later led to him receiving love letters from random girls. Nimra was the type of girl who never hid her feelings, so when she let her jealousy show at random girls approaching him, he knew what he had to do next.

He sent his parents to ask for her hand in marriage. They were engaged in their last year and as soon as they graduated, they were happily married in the most grand way by both the grateful families blessing their children.

However, after six months of their gleeful marriage, an unexpected accident caused their lives to turn upside down. Nimra wanted to visit the Northern Mountains during winters to experience snowfall there. On her stubborn demand, they finally set off on the dangerous journey.

She was too excited. The whole ride she kept jamming to songs and talking to a focused Affan. Their stay of three days was over within a blink of an eye with them enjoying each and every moment together. They were the happiest and the luckiest couple there.

When the day of going back came, Nimra wanted to stay for longer and after stubbornly taking another tour of the lift chairs, they set off to way back home at night time. She was showing off the matching couple rings she bought for them, as she took a hold of one of his hands to put it on his ring finger.

His attention diverted to her for a moment, and in that one moment everything turned into a blinding flash. A truck turning from the intersection hit Nimra's side of the car, as the car rolled twice before falling into a small pit at the side of the road.

Loud noise of mirrors breaking, the car hitting the road with thuds, and a shriek coming from her were heard until everything finally stilled into a painful silence, blurred vision, darkness surrounding them.

Affan groaned as blood seeped out of his arm where the broken mirror had slid through, blood dripped down his eye from the cut on his forehead. His legs felt stuck as he couldn't even move a muscle. But his mind only went to one thought, Nimra.

"N-Nim..ra," he kept his heavy eyelids open to glance at her form. Her head had fallen on the dashboard with blood covering her whole face, her lower body lying under the broken seat as the tiny pieces of the mirror had caused cuts on her arms, her hands filled with blood too.

He felt shivers running through his whole body, trying to move his hand to hold her. She had to be breathing.  His heart was beating at a faster pace as he forgot about his own wounds. The car caught fire from the backside as he got rid of the belt.

No. This can't be happening. He has to get them out of here.

Wincing in utter pain rushing throughout his body, he kicked the door open. He couldn't grow weak right now. He had to save her. Stumbling out of the car, he limped to her side of the car which was almost falling into the pit if not for the tyre holding it back due to a rock. He grabbed onto her petite form which was dead of any movements pulling her outwards, as the broken piece of glass in his arm pierced it further, but he couldn't care less about it. She was his only priority right now. He held her into his arms as if his life depended on it, as another truck coming through stopped upon looking at the broken car on fire by the road.

They were escorted to the hospital as Affan didn't let go of her hand until she was taken to the ICU and he was taken to treat his own wounds when he started losing his own consciousness due to the loss of blood.

Their families rushed to the hospital upon receiving the call about their accident from Affan's phone. After staying there for three days beside an unconscious Nimra who had faced a concussion, he was breaking down by each passing day. He kept on blaming himself for the accident, but Nimra's mother was the one who gave him a positive lecture. "It wasn't your fault. Whatever is written for you will take place. And I know one thing for sure, you would've protected my daughter over your own life, that's the reason she's breathing and alive right now. Alhumdulillah. You both are."

The doctors had been doing MRI and CT scans on her brain to check for serious injuries, but they couldn't say much until she woke up.

He was sitting beside her bandaged form, when she finally fluttered open her eyes groaning. He had quickly caressed her face, kissing her forehead. But she had looked at him with a completely unknown gaze as her next question caused the ground from beneath his feet to disappear. "Who are you?"

He ran to call the doctor and after check-up he informed the bad news which felt like a worse nightmare to Affan.

"Most traumatic brain injuries are mild which results in concussion. But due to the severe injury on her head, the memory storing area of her brain has been damaged which has led to retrograde amnesia. She has lost her previously made memories. This type of amnesia tends to affect the recently made memories first, therefore, the reason she can't remember you is that."

"Will she ever.....Can she gain those memories back?"

"Although, depending on the level of damage, the amnesia could be temporary or permanent. Many people completely recover from it, but it may take months or years. In rare instance, people also experience emotional, mental or physical changes but that isn't the case with Mrs. Nimra."

"So she can gain her memories back." He sighed in relief.

"Yes, but by her current condition I would prefer that you don't inform her about the things she does not remember as it might cause a damage to her brain if she tries focusing on the forgotten stuff. It'd be better to act natural around her for her family, and for the people she doesn't remember not to go in front of her. One of the bestest ways to treat such patients is to let them relive all their memories and remind them of things slowly. As she will face many signs of concussion like having regular headaches, memory problems, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea etc which is normal. I hope you understand what I'm trying to say."

Therefore, Nimra's father who still lived in Spain called his family back to him. They shifted to Spain then, as Affan was the one who convinced his mother-in-law to actually go back there. He couldn't live knowing she was near him, but still they were so far away, her known gaze looking at him with an unknown cold look was killing for him. He knew he wouldn't be able to control his urge to run over to her whenever he would miss her uncontrollably. So it was better for her to be away from him.

However, on the day she left, he felt himself falling into a breakdown, a dark depressive pit. He went over to his friend's, Ayaz, place who had been their university fellow.

"Well, she also forgot my joker self yet I'm holding on bro!" He joked as they sat on the stairs outside. "So, what are you planning to do?"

"I became so dependant on her, that I don't even know what I'm gonna do without her." Was all he could say and think about. Her daily demands, cute antics, sarcastic remarks, his most favourite part, her storytelling technique adding up her killing commentary which always had him laughing his head off. How would he survive without all that now?

"Of course. Your always no fun-life was only decent thanks to you-know-who." Ayaz rolled his eyes since Affan was a very boring person according to him, unlike the bold and rebellious Nimra. "When will you make a re-entry in her life then?"

"When my urge wins over my patience. When our timing will be right. When my hope will lead me on."

"What if...she never remembers?"

"I'd still keep hoping. I'd still keep living with that hope."

●●--●●◄flashback ends►●●--●●

There he stood now after two years of waiting. Right in front of the guest house. Just a few steps away from her. And collecting all the courage in himself, telling himself not to act reckless nor breakdown after seeing her, he was all ready. Ready to face her as a new face again, ready to enter into her life as a stranger.

Pushing the door, he stepped inside pulling his luggage behind him. His gaze taking in the fancy interior of the hall, which had drastically changed since the last time he had visited this place. The reception desk was empty, as he looked around for anyone from the family. Anyone but her, for now.

"Welcome to Luna Guest House." Damn. It's her. The voice he had been longing to hear, the soothing voice which caused his heart to beat fast once again. He shut his eyes tightly fisting his hand to get a control of himself. Act natural and normal Affan!

He turned around, flashing a smile on his lips, which slowly wobbled when his eyes matched with her greyish blue ones. Oh, how he had missed these unique pair of eyes every passing second.

Nimra on the other hand, stood there clueless. She was just sneaking in the kitchen to eat some snacks, when she heard the dangles striking caused by the main door opening, which indicates someone has arrived, so she came to see who it was at this time of the night.

It turned out to be a tall handsome brunette haired guy, with a perfectly fit physique, his smile was quite precious that she couldn't help but return it. His dark brown eyes were quite intriguing though. Have I ever met him? She stared at the mark of the cut just above his eyebrow.

She didn't ponder much on the thought, as her head starts throbbing whenever she tries focusing on or think about some useless stuff. Breaking the eye contact, she jumped over the reception counter sliding down the other side making Affan chuckle. Her antics can never change, can they?

"How may I help you Mister?" She questioned with a serious tone, trying to sound professional. He must be here as a guest.

"How ever you'd like ma'am." He spilled out playfully, but soon internally smacked himself for sounding like a flirt. What a great new first impression.

She raised a brow at him. Well, how could she expect a handsome guy with that face to be nice, just by the looks. He had to be a douchebag.

"Name?"

"Affan. Affan Chauhan." He spoke with a hope, maybe, it'll flicker something in her?

And it did. Her head spun. A confusion arose. But she chose to ignore it. Why does he keep staring at me like that?

"If you're planning to book a room here, let me tell you, we have some rules especially to be followed by pervs like you-- I mean young guys like you since you see, we provide a very eco-friendly environment here for guests which include young girls too." She was saying each and every word on purpose, pointing at him and he couldn't help but hold back a chuckle at her words, yet curse himself for going into her black list already. He could correct that later maybe?

"That's impressive." He placed his arms on the countertop.

"It should be. So? Are you planning to stay here? For how long?" She asked not wanting to provide him with any room. He seemed to be a mysterious guy. His gaze was weird too.

"Depends on how long someone takes to hold me back." He murmured, loud enough for her to hear as she furrowed her brows. What the fuck was wrong with this guy? Is he a hopeless romantic or simply a flirt?

"Then you should ask the so called someone to tell you how long will he or she take to hold you back cause you have to pay the rent to be able to book a room here." She dramatically moved her hands up, giving him a completely done look.

"Oh, I do?" He queried about the rent licking his lips.

"Duh!" She banged the countertop causing him to flinch back from the place, retreating his arms placed on it.

"You think you can live here without having to pay any rent?" She gave him an 'are you for real' look.

"Yeah. Just like you live in my heart and mind rent-free." He innocently replied, shrugging his shoulders upwards. She stood there shocked, her widened grey eyes staring into his big brown ones, as he batted his long lashes, causing her to cringe. The fuck was wrong with this guy?!

//♥︎♥︎♥︎//

/Author's Note\

Oh my gawd🤧

My bunnie, Affan is so

💪strong💪

(*Flex*)

Also, girl here got no filter so don't mind her use of cOlOuRfUl lang🙂

Hope y'all liked the first chap of Hope lol🌝

Do drop ur reviews:)

I was acc so scared while writing their accident scene🥺 like my heart is rlly weak to accidents and I cant even watch a simple vid of anything as such.

This reminds me the other day I was travelling, and it was raining and GOSH THE ROADS GET SLIPPERY AND SO MANY MOTORBIKES CRASHED DOWN BCZ THE TYRES OF A BIKE ARE PRONE TO SLIDE DUE TO THE WETNESS BRUH! BUT WHOSE GONNA TELL THE RIDERS CUZ THEY BE RIDING WITH AUNTIES AND CHILDREN AND I- 😭

I SO WANTED TO GO STOP ALL THESE MOTORBIKES FROM RIDING ESPECIALLY WITH CHILDREN AND AUNTIES! LIKE THE ROADS ARE SLIPPERY SO STOP!👊

Also, bohat research karni pari thi iss lazy author ko for the hospital scene cuz I'm not a medical student and idk a thing abt it (i personally HATE hospitals almost a phobia so i dont like dactars too and medicines r a big n0n0!-)

Sorry for the rant lol i j got too sjsjdjsj. At this point quarter of the word count goes to me ranting at the end of every chap lmao😭💀

I should j write another separate book for my ranting cuz they be endless but meh, im too lazy!

Plus y'all r gonna tape my mouth shut getting a headache🤚

Queso, I was wondering since this story will have three more chaps i.e [O, P, E] so should I upload them altogether in a day so y'all can enj0y it at once, without having to stay in suspense for days~¡

Also, OMG, I've made this reaLLLyy ✨cool edit✨ for this book, and I'm so proud of it this time (unlike the rest lmao) so do check it out!✨

Here's a glimpse of it🐈

(Let's ignore the bad quality and size, wattpad doesn't allow high quality stuff🙂)

*catch my flying chummi*

Also, y'all wish me luck for my exam😩 i've been having exams yet i took out time to write🙂 a v hard working person im🙄👽🤚

Until next time then;

Take care🥀

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