Hi there .. :)
I'll try to make this chapter as emotional as possible I hope you enjoy the emotions and the effect I want you guys to feel..
We all are not perfect and so are our stories(not the wattpad ones, our real life ones)..
I hope you understand the feeling the chapter contains so do enjoy it to the fullest.. :)
Grab some tissues if you want sweeties otherwise your pillows work just fine ;) I know...

Hope you like the chapter .. <3

***

It had been two days since I cried all night after Salah left.I was right to think that we wouldn't be the same after that.Two days and Salah avoided me perfectly not that I was too clingy.He wouldn't talk and nor stay close to the place where I would stand and sit.

It seemed as if I burned him.He would mostly stay in his room or busy himself in office work.I would too not linger in the lounge or hall but stay quietly in my room or with Ahya.

Watering the plants in the garden I felt a presence.As I turned around I saw Zarah sitting on the Charpoy bed.
When I was done, I sat besides her as we enjoyed the peaceful environment.

"I miss Junaid Uncle."I stated after a while.

The young girl turned to me as she studied my face.

"Are you okay."she asked.

"No maybe not."I said truthfully.

Some hours later I capped the pen and kept it in my drawer as I stood up from the chair.Reaching towards my black dupatta I pulled it around my shoulders as my long hair remained in a loose braid behind my back.

Walking down the dimly lit silent hallway I skidded down the stairs with a piece of white paper in my hand.

I found Baba in the main hall with Mama.He was sitting in his favourite armchair as Mama sat on the couch besides him as they talked over something, maybe important.Noticing me they stopped their conversation and settled their eyes on me giving me full attention.I smiled at them and placed the piece of paper in front of Baba on the glass table.His eyebrows raised as if to question.

"You asked if I wanted something from Islamabad, so here is a list of book you can get me from there."I stated.

"Oh sure Shahwar.I'll make time for your book shopping."He smiled teasingly as his eyes turned to Mama.An amusing smile on her lips too.

Baba was leaving for Islamabad to attend some business and he had asked if he could bring something from there, for me.He was leaving early morning tomorrow so I sat with my parents talking about random things.Almost everyone was already in beds after dinner.Giving Daadi Maa her medicine I had gotten to my room to prepare a long list of books to renew my little library.

After talking for a while Mama said as she tucked her feet beneath her,

"Shahwar, go to sleep now its late.And you have to wake up early.Now go my daughter."

She said as I was a little girl but still I compelled.Kissing her cheek and pecking Baba's hand I said my 'goodnight' walking away from them.Making my way to the stairs I felt the need to drink water first.Walking into the kitchen, I pulled the refrigerator door opened before taking out a bottle of cold water out.Filling a full glass I felt relief wash over me.Thinking what a blessing water is and how many people do not have clean and cold water to drink like I have.

Whispering hundreds of Alhamdulillah in my heart I thanked ALLAH.

The voices from hall had come to a stop but the bright lights still illuminated the hallways, maybe Mama and Baba left.Walking across the hallway I thought to close the extra lights.

Coming in the hall I gazed at my parents still sitting but Baba's next words made me slid to the side a little to not get noticed by them.

"Neelum, there is something important I want to talk to you, its about Shahwar."His voice was low and I had to try to listen to his words.

My hands landed on the wall besides me as my heart thudded in my chest.Despite drinking water, my lips seemed dry as I curled my bottom lips inside my mouth.

"Yes what is it.You seem worried."My mother asked.

Baba sighed as he rubbed his forehead,

"Mr.Farhaan has given a proposal for our Shahwar.His son is an able worker and is following his father's footsteps.He will soon be the president of his father's company."Baba informed Mama making me almost gasp.My hand going to my mouth to muffle it.Tears brimmed my eyes.

No.This cannot happen.

"Um..Nawaz isn't it just a bit fast.I mean, the events are still fresh for Shahwar and this proposal.."Mama trailed off.Her voice sounded a bit shaky.

But Baba had other plans.
"Neelum I know.But look, Mr.Farhaan was even invited to Shahwar's wedding.He is a close associate and an honourable man and he knows all about the wedding and still he asked for Shahwar's hand."

"Nawaz..its good that he still wants our daughter's hand but we should slow down a bit."Mama hesitated.Tears now flowed down my cheeks silently as I closed my eyes shut tightly.

"Yes we should, but we cannot always  keep Shahwar with us.One day she has to get married."Baba said, his words emphasizing.

Mama reached for his hand.
"Yes she has to get married.I will ask for her consent.And she will agree.But please don't give any answer to Mr.Farhaan until we confide Shahwar.Okay "She said.

Baba only nodded.

"Bad lucks happen but Shahwar has to start a new life and we should worry about that."Mama said after some moments of silence.I felt all the muscles freeze inside my body.

"Yes, that is what I am saying Neelum.And look at the generosity of that man that he still wants to make our daughter his daughter-in-law."Baba said in a pleasant way but his words were like bricks thrown to my face.

"Yes"Mama said softly.

"I'll ask Shahwar."Mama added.

They both got up walking to their room from the other side of the hall never knowing that I was here all the time and had even eavesdropped on their conversation.

I stood there for a moment staring at their empty spots.I turned to go to the stairs when I felt it.A presence.I slowly turned back around and my eyes widened seeing who stood there.

Salah.

He was across from me.His phone in his hand while his eyes stared at mine.His stance rigid, he too seemed frozen.His jaw was clenched and so was his fist.His green orbs looking through me.

From the looks on his face it was clear that he had heard my parents conversation as much as I had.I gulped the lump that had formed in my throat.It was all too painful.My heart clenched inside my ribcage.

I closed my eyes tightly and upon opening them I found Salah stare at me blankly.Expressionless.Except for the storm and fire that danced in his eyes.

He slowly started to walk towards me as I stood frozen on my spot.My eyes fixed on him.My lips parted as I watched him make his way towards me.Suddenly the hallway seemed more long than it actually was.

And just like that he walked past me with no words.With no emotions.Leaving me to stand there crying.

His footsteps could be heard as he walked up the steps.Never looking back at me.

How could Baba and Mama do this to me...

Did they not see how much I loved Salah.

***

A week passed and Baba was back home.I wasn't very enthusiastic to read the books he brought.Mama would try to reach me but I didn't give her any chance to approach me and talk about my consent.

I loved Salah and thats all I knew.

My eyes traced my reflection in the mirror.My flesh had sunken making my cheekbones stand high and prominent.Dark bags remained under my eyes as my light brown eyes stared blankly at the mirror.My lips jammed shut unlike curved into a smile.My lashes long against my large eyes.I didn't eat or sleep these days.

One of the main reasons was that, Salah had started to stay back at work late till night.He would not join us for dinner and stroll in house when everyone was almost asleep.

Aunty Meena would wait for him till he came home.Warm his food and serve him.Despite he always said to not wait for him, the mother would not come to rest until Salah came home.

I pulled the band from my hair as they fell on my back.Moving away from the mirror I walked to the door pulling it open.Walking down the stairs I saw Aunty Meena lie on the sofa her arm on her eyes as she yawned.

Softly touching her hand I got her attention as she looked up to me.A warm smile forming on her lips.

"Oh.Hi Shahwar."She said.

"Hi...Aunty you are very sleepy.."I stated seeing her, as she tried to keep her eyes open.

"I am but Salah is not home yet."She said yawning.

I thought for a second.

"You can go and sleep.When he's home I serve him food."I said softly.

"Really are you sure?"She asked sitting up.

I nodded my head and grabbed the newspaper that was placed on the table besides me.Tucking my feet underneath my knees I ushered her to go.

She kissed my head before she walked off.It wasn't the first time I was waiting.I was waiting from the past week, sitting in my balcony till his car pulled up and till his bedroom door closed when he finished eating.

My eyes only stared at the newspaper but reading it.The sound of clouds clashing made me flinch in my seat.Keeping the newspaper aside I stood up,the floor cold beneath my bare warm feet.

Walking to the window I moved the cream curtain aside as I stared out from the glass.It was raining heavily.My heart thudding loudly against my chest.

Salah wasn't home yet.

I grabbed the phone from the table my fingers pressing against the numbers hurriedly that I had memorised well.I waited in anticipation as the bell rang on the other side but he didn't pick up.

My heart prayed a thousand times to ALLAH to keep Salah safe.The sky roared from above as I went back to the window.The phone still clutched in my hand as I dialed his number again.

After about half an hour the harsh rain had slowed down as it poured down from the dark sky.I closed my eyes tightly just feeling the cold window glass against my palms.

Turning around I sat on the couch leaning my head backwards.I closed my eyes slowly.

The sound of a car pulling up in the driveway broke my little slumber as I sat up.Salah was home.Minutes passed as the door opened to the house.

"Assalam O Alaikum.."He trailed off as his eyes settled on me.

"Walaikum Assalam"I whispered back softly.He placed his bag on the sofa as I observed him.His black coat was in  his hand.His white dress shirt had its upper button undone.His dark blue tie hung loosely around his neck as he ran his hand in his hair, messing them up.

I walked past him into the kitchen.Placing the plate of food in the microwave, I grabbed a bottle of water and glass and placed them on the dining table.Once the food was warmed I placed it also on the table as Salah walked into the room.Walking out into the hall I sat down leaving him to eat his food.My hands fiddled with the loose thread in my shirt.

Our silence slowly killed me and I wanted to break it.It was painfully hard to endure all this.Life was not at all a bed of roses.

After a while I walked to the dining room seeing it empty.The plate wasn't even there.I made my way to the kitchen only to see Salah wash his plate.I placed the bottle in the fridge and turned around walking up the stairs.

I wanted to say so much but couldn't even stutter a word out.I waited by the balcony door for Salah to come up.We had to talk one way or another and it was now or never.

He walked up and when he saw me standing there he stopped.

"Salah.."I trailed.He clenched his jaw looking away.

"You want to talk."He blurted out making me give him a small nod.

"Okay, then we'll talk."He strides towards me, taking big steps making me stand there frozen.

Grabbing my hand harshly he pulled open the balcony door and dragged me till we were in the middle.Rain pouring onto us.I stood there in fear.He looked furious as he left my hand from his death grip.

"You want to talk.What do you want to talk about.Hhn??"He shouted making me flinch back.

"Don't you understand what is happening around us.Shahwar don't you see."He moved his hands around us but I only gaped at him.

"They want you to get married to someone else.Don't you understand.The don't want me for you."I gasped feeling his pain.His voice had gotten low as he moved towards me.The crystal drops falling onto his face.His dark hair now covering his forehead.

"Your love is destroying us.Its destroying you.Its gonna hurt you Shahwar.Its gonna kill me.Ya ALLAH I fell hard for you Shahwar."He confessed and my eyes widened.Suddenly a lump forming in my throat as I saw his figure that remained a step away from mine.Finally tears making there way down my eyes.

"No..No."I chanted unsure what I was saying 'no' to.He shook his head staring in my eyes.

"Shahwar its gonna destroy you and me.You'll only get hurt with me.We'll never make it."He stated.

Despite the rain I could see the tears that filled his eyes.He was in pain and so was I.

He backed me on the nearest wall and held my hands beside me on the wall.

"Don't you see.Its destroying us.You've loved me soo much that its our downfall now.You've only hurt yourself ever loving me.I have always hurt you.I wish you never loved me."He whispered close to me as I wiggled in his arms.

But that wasn't over just yet.

"I fell for you Shahwar.I found all happiness in your beautiful smile but we cannot stay like this.We cannot be together.You'll have to get married.You'll have to love someone else."As he said I felt like he had gone crazy.

"Your love destroyed us Shahwar.I wished you never loved me this much."He said as his tears slid down.

That was the last straw as I pushed against his chest making him stumble back.

"It did destroy us Salah.It did because..."I said feeling my heart break.I felt the saltiness of my tears as I felt anger bubble inside of me as I whispered harshly.

"Muhabbat nhe ki thi mene, mjhe Ishq howa tha tmse Salah Yousuf Khan."I said as I wiped my tears harshly.

His eyes were wide and his face looked pain as tears slowly slid down his handsome face.I turned around leaving him there in the rain.

Coming inside my room I cried closing and locking the door.Sliding against it I felt my wet clothes make me feel cold.But I didn't care.

Who I care for was there standing in the rain.

I sobbed softly replaying the scene again and again in my mind.

He loved me.I felt happy but my tears were very heavy as they weighed the happiness down.

I tried to muffle my sobs but I couldn't as I cried more harder.Why couldn't we be happy.I loved him, He loved me then what was wrong.Why did he felt so much pain? Why did we feel as if we were torn apart.

Indeed my love had destroyed us..

***
How was the chapter ..?? Its super long .. :)
Which line did you like the most..??

Because I like the one in Urdu that Shahwar says to Salah.I had planned to write this line even before I started to write the prologue and since then I would memorize it in my head again and again after some days..
I want to write so much to you guys but I really don't have words to write... I am just a bit sad after writing this chapter .. :(

I hope you enjoyed so show your love by ,

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Until Next Time.. :*
_Hafsa