"Aman answer me. Why were you so upset about Kehara having a boyfriend?"

"Well.." Aman started but was cut by Afzal.

"The truth please."

Aman thought for few minutes but was unable to find a satisfying answer.

"Aman?"

"I Don't know Afzal."

Afzal smiled and said "You need to find that out really fast because." Afzal took a dramatic pause and after few seconds said "Kehara's aunt has asked Kehara's hand in marriage for her son."

Aman closed his eyes. He is lying  on his bed and this conversation of him with Afzal is playing continuously in his head. He is stressed out to such a level that he had put his phone in the bowl of cereal instead of a spoon. He don't know what he should do. He is not sure about his feelings. That is what he thinks but the truth is he is afraid. He is afraid because he don't want to get rejected by her father. He is afraid because he don't want to lose a friend like Sufyaan. But most of all he is afraid of Kehara. What if she don't have feelings for him just the way he has for her. She is really close to his family and if anything goes wrong all the friendship will go for a toss. Aman closed his eyes and covered his face with a pillow when an idea came in his mind. He removed the pillow and smiled. He made his way towards the bathroom to make wudu. He decided to pray istekhara.

***

Mr. Khan is reading a business magazine sitting on his bed. Mrs. Khan is applying lotion on her hands staring the mirror blankly.

"What's wrong with Aman?" Mrs.Khan asked who is really worried for her son. Mr. Khan smiled and said

"He is in love."

Mrs. Khan's eyes widened and she turned around to face her husband.

"What!?"

"Yup."

"He told you?"

"No."

"Then how do you know?"

"Because I'm his father."

"How do you know?"

"Okay I told you about Zara right?" Mrs.Khan nodded." So I told Aman about her and he freaked out as if I told him to marry an alien."

"Maybe he don't like her."

"Yeah but he did not said I don't want to marry her. He said I want to concentrate on my work now." Mr. Khan said trying to mimic Aman. Mrs.Khan did not look satisfied by the answer so Mr. Khan kept his magazine on the side table and said "look even I was a young boy once. So I know what all this excuses mean." Her unsatisfied expression changed to disappointed Expression.

"What happened Mehru?"

"Nothing."

"Mehru!"

Mrs. Khan hesitated  at first but said"I always wanted Aman to Marry Kehara."

Mr. Khan blinked in surprise.

"Kehara?"

"Yeah.I love her. She is so sweet,kind and always ready to help. She is such a sweetheart."

"I never thought about that before."

"Why will you? She is your employee's daughter and your employee as well."

"Well it is true and I do see it as a problem but kehara is a good girl. And I really like her. But I don't know. As I said I never thought about this before."

Mrs.Khan looked down. Disappointed by what her husband said. He is still doing the same mistake he did years ago.Giving more importance to Money and status than Deen and heart.

"Come let's sleep. We will discuss Aman's marriage tomorrow."

"Yeah. Coming."

***

Kehara is sitting on the dining table lost in her thoughts. She is staring the table for no reason. She don't Know what to think and what not to. She opens her diary and started writing.

My life was good. No no in fact it was best. But then Addy and Amy opened their mouth. I still don't believe I talk about Aman. I'm a talkative girl and I love to talk but I never talk about boys. NEVER! Then what just happened? And I never realised it before. But now when I think about it, it hits me like arrow ,a pointed one that I actually talk a lot about him. But whyyyy? Please someone answer.

And to add to all the confusion and stress I have a new problem. What exactly is wrong with my family! Why everyone is interested in me!!!! I'm sure He is not interested in me!! it is just my aunt who is worried for me. Who want to compensate for the damage her sister did. I know her intentions are good but i don't want another forced relationship and more over I don't want to get married in my family. I cannot handle Noman and Shazia in every function. And I don't want to be in the same city as them. I don't hate them but I love myself more. And yes there is one more problem! I don't want to leave Daddy and Bhai. AHHHHH! I'm dead! Allah please help meeeeee.

Kehara closed her diary and pen and looked up from her diary. She was shocked to see Sufyaan sitting on the seat which is to her left.He is staring her. 

"Bhai you scared me!"

"You scare me as well." 

"How?" Kehara asked before rolling her eyes. 

"Are you by any chance planning to say yes to this new proposal you got?"

Kehara looked directly into his eyes and asked "What do you want?"

"Well it's you decision. I will be happy with anything you decide. I won't..."

"Bhai!"

"No I don't want you to say yes."

Kehara smiled "Then you should have said that directly."

"If I reject any boy you will reject him too?"

"Of course!"

"Even if you love that guy."

Kehara chuckled before replying. " Even if I love that guy like a crazy teenage girl in love."

"Really?"

"Yeah bhai. Your opinion is important for me." 

Sufyaan smiled like a kid who got a star by his teacher.

"Love you Kehara."

"Love you too bhai."

"So."

"So?"

"That's it?"

"What's it?" 

"was this the only reason you were upset for?"

"Yeah." Kehara did not waste a second to say that. The last thing she want is Sufyaan doubting her.

"But this was not such a big problem. Dad will never force you. Specially  after what happened."

Kehara nodded. "Yeah I know."

"Then." 

"I think I was scared."

"Scared?" Scared of what?"

"Dad already don't talk much to his one sister because of me. I don't want him to leave his whole family for me. What if phuphu gets angry and decides to never talk to dad because we rejected her son? You know how much dad loves his family."

"You know phuphu. She is just guilty of her sister's act. I'm sure she won't mind. well InshaAllah."

"InshaAllah." They were quiet for some time before Kehara decided to break the silence. "Why are you still awake?"

"I can ask you the same question lady."

Kehara laughed and said "I have problems!"

Sufyaan rolled his eyes. "Shut up and go to sleep now! It's an order!"

kehara laughed before getting up. "Going sir!"

After kehara was gone Sufyaan sat there for some time. Thinking how he can help his baby sister. Sufyaan was looked down at the table when suddenly he looked up and smile.

***

Kehara is making breakfast and her father and brother are sitting on the dining table reading newspaper. After five minutes Kehara was done and she joined her father and brother. 

"Here you go." Kehara said placing their plates in front of them and sat next to her brother.

"JazakAllahu Khair Kehara sweetie." Her father said and she smiled.

They were eating in silence when Khurshid decided to speak.

"So Kehara sweetie. By any chance were you planning to say yes to..."

"Your sister? Kehara completed for him and smiled and he nodded. "Bhai is definitely your son. same words!" She said and Sufyaan smiled.

"Yeah.So?"

"No." Kehara said slowly not sure what her father's reaction will be. She is guessing he wants her to say yes. After all he loves his sisters and nephews a lot.

"Good." Khurshid said and both Kehara and Sufyaan looked at him in surprise. 

"What? Did you just said good?"Sufyaan asked in disbelief. 

"Yes, because I said no to her."

This was the second time in one minute when Sufyaan and Kehara widened their eyes and dropped their mouth. 

"Wow." Kehara said.

"But why dad?" Sufyaan asked. 

"Because now I'm scared to leave her alone in India."

Kehara and Sufyaan looked at each other before looking at their father. 

"Dad." Kehara said and placed her hand on his.

"Yes my love?"

Kehara just smiled and Khurshid smiled back. 

"Now that's good. but is phuphu angry?" Sufyaan asked.

"No. She said she was expecting a no."

"Then why did she ask you for my hand. To disappoint herself?" 

Khurshid was taking a sip from his tea and started laughing even before placing the cup back down. 

"She said She loves Kehara and she thinks Kehara will be a really good wife and daughter in law. She didn't say anything to anyone there and tried her luck here. If we would have said yes then she was going to ask her son and husband. And she was sure they would have agreed instantly." 

Kehara raised her eyebrow and looked at Sufyaan who has also raised his eyebrow. she turned to face her father and smiled.

"Thank you daddy." 

Khurshid smiled. After some time Sufyaan and Khurshid started talking about random business related stuff and Kehara looked upwards as if she can see Allah and smiled before thanking him. 

"So one down ,one to go." Kehara whispered so that no one can hear her.

***

Aman, Sufyaan and Afzal are discussing about their new business and it's opening with Mr.Khan in his office. Kehara is sitting there noting all important things to make a report. After some thirty minutes they finished and Mr. Khan and Kehara left as their was some emergency. The boys were quiet before Afzal decided to play with Aman.

"So Sufyaan did you guys say yes to your cousin!?" Afzal screamed at the top of his lungs. Aman from his tone understood why Afzal wants to talk about this topic. 

"Calm down boy! No Dad rejected him."

"What?? really!? Why will he reject his own nephew?" Afzal asked his voice showing disappointment.

"Why are You so disappointed Afzal?" Aman managed to control his anger and ask.

"Because Sufyaan is my best friend. And his sister is like my sister. And I want her to get married and be happy." Afzal said cheerfully.

"That's really sweet of you. And dad don't want to leave Kehara alone there."

"Does that mean he wants his son in law to be someone who lives here?"

"Well probably."

"That's nice. we have some awesome guys here as well like Azhar,Dawood ,Rashid and AMAN!Afzal said Aman with all his energy.And he did not allow anyone to speak and said "But Dawood and Rashid are way too young for Kehara. And we all Know Azhar is interested in 'Someone'. " Afzal said someone because it's their secret code when they talk about her in public. "But we still have many more." Afzal said Indirectly pointing towards Aman and Aman closed his eyes in anger.

"Okay. But what happened to you today? Why are you so interested in Kehara getting married?"

"I told you she is like my sister!"

"Okay brother!" Sufyaan said quite surprised by Afzal's behaviour. 

"You know Aman's dad wants him to get married as well!" 

"AFZAL!Why are you talking about everyone's marriage?" Aman said hoping his friend will stop this torture.

"I'm not talking About everyone's marriage. I am just talking about Mr.Aman's and Kehara's wedding!" 

Aman literally had a mini heart attack and Sufyaan looked at Afzal in confusion.

"I mean marriage."

"Bro what's with this energy?" Sufyaan asked.

"Nothing! Just thinking we were in school just few years back and now we are talking about marriages." Afzal chanced the topic as he knows, now if he tease his friend either he or Aman will be in the hospital before the day ends. Sufyaan chuckled and said.

"Yeah. even I don't believe Kehara will be married in some time. probably in few years."

"Guys stop it. Let's not talk about this."

"Why Aman what's wrong?" Sufyaan  asked.

"Just don't want to think about your sister's marriage." Aman said and Afzal looked at him with his eyes Dancing in happiness and Sufyaan gave him a 'Excuse me!' look before saying.

"Hai?" 

Aman started panicking but was fast to compose himself and reply "About our sister's getting married. I mean even I have a sister and I hate the thought of her getting married."

"Grow up Aman! Even your wife will be someone's sister!" Here Afzal starts again.

"No he is right. Thinking about Kehara getting married and leaving the house is a torture. And I hate her future husband already." Sufyaan said and Aman shifted uncomfortably and Afzal started laughing. 

"I'm loving this!"

Before anyone could say anything Kehara entered the room.

"Salam." She said smiling.

"Walekum assalam."  They said together.

"What was the emergency?" Sufyaan asked.

"Someone was smoking. So the fire alarm got activated."

"Oh" 

"Kehara where is dad?" Aman asked and Kehara's heart started beating fast. All she was wishing was to never face him again. She don't want to see him or talk to him until she is under control. She is so lost in her thoughts that she forgot to answer Aman. 

"Kehara?" Afzal called her to get her attention but failed.

"Kehara!" Sufyaan shouted and Kehara came back to reality. Kehara looked at Sufyaan and said.

"He will be back in few minutes. Mrs. Khan called him, so he is attending her call."

Everyone noticed that she completely ignored Aman. Where Sufyaan and Afzal were surprised,Aman on the other side was highly disappointed and hurt. But he cannot react here or question her as her brother is sitting next to him.

"Ahh I have some work. Mr. Khan will be back soon."  Kehara said And left the room as soon as possible leaving behind two confused brothers and one hurt......