Two empty mugs of coffee, a pile of books scattered pens and highlighters and a table top full of reading material and notes addressing someone's hardwork. Clock hands were reading 8 of morning. New day rituals were being performed in the kitchen with little hustle bustle.

"Mumma, I'm going." Mumbled the tired girl after yawning but leaving the newspaper Anwar looked up suddenly.

"Have breakfast." It was an order in the unchanged cold tone but Shifa shook her head, "I'm getting late"

"No you're not! Sit here." Anwar kind of glared at her while pushing the glass of milk towards her, though she didn't like milk but she also didn't like to start her day with a scolding so silently lift the glass and gulp it down in a single sip.

"Shifa, you're looking tired. Have you slept at night or not?" Coming out from the kitchen Maryam asked in her lovely tone and passed sandwich to Shifa then Anwar.

"I was studying whole night."

"Beta, there is only fifteen days left for your wedding and look at yourself... This dull face and these dark circles..."

"Mumma these dark circles will be fine but if I got red circles on my mark sheet, that's not going to be fine..." Replying that she took a bite and picked another sandwich which she packed for lunch. "Now I'm going." And Shifa rushed while holding her bag and mobile.

"Learn something from her." Anwar glared Bilal who was munching on sandwich while fixing his eyes on the mobile screen.

"What?? How to turn your face dull? Or how to gain dark circles? Papa I'm fine as I already am."

"Maryam do something about this boy!"

"As if it's in my hands" she also sat down for breakfast and Anwar restarted the newspaper reading, and suddenly he remembered something. "When will you go for shopping?"

"Kuch samajh nhi aa rha, time itna kam hai aur kaam itne zyada."

(In unable to manage so many works in this spam of time.)

"Lekin aap ko ye sab karne ki zarurat hi kya hai? Daniyal bhai aur unke parents ne to kuch bhi lene se mana kra hai na..." Bilal put his point and Anwar looked at him with disappointment.

(But why you have to think about this? Daniyal Bhai and his parents have refused to take anything.)

"Betiyon ko khali hath rukhsat nhi kra jata."

(Daughters are not meant to send off empty hands.)

"Khali hath rukhsat karne ke liye kon keh raha hai? Shifa aapi ko Duaye dijiye, advise dijiye aur thodi aqal bhi... Samaan dene se kya hota hai? Aur aap bhul gye kya Mehvish bhabi bhi to khali hath ayi thi is ghar mein. If you can accept a daughter-in-law without dowry then why can't you send off your daughter without that?" For the first time Bilal said something sensible but Anwar smack his head lightly.

( Who is telling to send off Shifa aapi empty handed? Give her your blessings, some advices and even a little wisdom too... Lifeless material is just waste of money. And don't you remember Mehvish bhabi? She also didn't bring these things on the same of dowry or gifts.)

"Badi badi baate karni aa gyi hai..." Maryam rolled her eyes but smiled too, her little boy was talking like a grown up.

(You've learned the art of aggrandizement.)

"Take this and go for shopping, Ask Maham to join you." Passing some money Anwar ordered Maryam in his cold tone which wasn't unchanged till now. "Buy gifts for Daniyal and his parents." Maryam nodded on the order and started listing down the things. It wasn't less than a dream for Maryam that she was preparing for her daughter's wedding. She was wondering how fast time ran and soon her little girl will be beautified as a bride. Her all prayers were starting as well as ending for her only.

<><><><><><>

"Hey Shifa, how was your exam?" One of her classmate asked after the exam was over.

"Not bad, and yours?" She asked while switching on the mobile and a big smile crept to her lips when found a message from Daniyal, wishing her luck for the exam.

"What's the answer of last question?" Asked the other girl but Shifa was lost in her different world, before she could reply to Daniyal's text, his name appeared on the screen. "Deni." She grinned like a freak while uttering his name.

"Ji Deni?" Without wasting a single second she picked the call.

"How was your exam?"

"It was good," not letting her smile go she replied without noticing her classmates who were feeling amazed to see a different side of Shifa.

"Shifa, Will you handle today's program alone? I've some important work to be submitted by tonight at any condition, so I can't accompany you in the recording." Daniyal shared his problem without wasting time and Shifa hummed sadly.

"No worries Deni. I'll handle, you focus on your work." It was a formal statement but deep down her heart was breaking into small chunks as she wasn't going to see Deni today.

"Okay then..., see you tomorrow." Deni said in a small voice and Shifa hummed sadly.

"Allah Hafiz." She muttered and waited for him to say something else but she heard a beep which indicated call end. Putting a stone on her heart she removed the mobile from her ear and looked at the group of classmates standing there, "Trisha, you were asking something?" She asked in a dead tone.

"Yeah, have you d..."

Shifa's ringing mobile again stopped the girl, it was again Daniyal's call so how could it be delayed to receive?

"Ji Deni?"

"Shukriya kehna to bhul hi gya tha... Shukriya." A big smile crept to her lips and natural blush covered the dullness of her cheeks.

(By the way, I forgot to mention my gratitude, thank you )

"It's okay Deni, you don't have to be so formal," she exhibited as if it wasn't needed but in reality only his voice was enough to bring happiness to her heart.

"So should I took back my words?" It was a clear teasing and Shifa smiled shyly.

"Deniii~ aap bohot bure hain, you always pulls my leg." She complaint like a kid but suddenly realised a few pairs of eyes witnessing her.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow Allah Hafiz." And she hang up the call, but the pair of eyes were already questioning her who's Deni? It was surprising for everyone that the girl who don't talk to any boy normally, was blushing and smiling while talking to someone.

"Umm... You were asking something." Asked Shifa with hesitation but her classmate shook her head. "Nothing... You do your important work." She replied with a smirk and Shifa preferred to rush off to radio station.

<><><><><>

"Good afternoon sir." Shifa greeted David while signing he attendance register. She was reporting few hours earlier than the reporting time so David was pretty surprised but he didn't say anything other then passing an information.

"Today Daniyal is busy, so maybe he'll be late, so you have to write the script alone."

"Umm, Sir, as far as I know Deni is not coming today, maybe he'll inform you soon." She replied and David kind of rolled his eyes. "I see... Now his every report will come to me through you." Shifa couldn't help but smile but soon she suppress it very well and clear her throat.

"Sir, may I write down today's script in the conference room, I need tranquillity." Shifa asked and David nod his head before approaching to his office and Shifa went to the conference room. Drawing out the diary and pen she started writing the script.

The eyes which were filled with dreams till yesterday suddenly filled with tears. The heart which was beating with enthusiasm suddenly started sinking and the tongue which was praying to get Farhaad till yesterday suddenly got ties as if it will not be able to utter a single word ever.

What was the fault of this pretty girl?

Why love is associated with pain only?

Shifa yawned and continued to write,

In the silence of her heart she cried out her pain, no one noticed that but her lord. He knew what pain she was hiding still maintaining herself in front of others...

And shifa again yawned, she was tired because of exam moreover she didn't slept last night. She spread her left arm on the table and put her head on it then started writing the script but the peaceful room with a well working AC not so bright lights pushed her together towards the door of lands of slumber and soon she took possession in the that beautiful land with a soft pillow of delightful dream. She didn't realise when clock hands started running to bring evening very soon.

<><><><><>

"Kaha jau? Pure ghar ka kya haal kar diya hai." Mumbling that with frustration Daniyal tried to find out a peaceful place where he could do his work. Standing in the corner of his room with the laptop in his hands he was seeing renovation process going on in a good speed.

(What they've done with home.)

"Daniyal, can you collect the clothes from boutique while going for job?" Mrs Kazmi came out from her bedroom with this question and Daniyal simply shook his head.

"No, I can't "

"Beta aap se ijazat nhi mangi, hukm diya hai."

(It's not a question dear, but order )

"Ammi, I'm not free to..." Daniyal was cut in between by his mother. "I'm telling you to collect clothes only... Not to stitch them..." He sighed: defeated.

"Ammi, Baato mein to aap se koi nhi jeet sakta."

(Ammi, No one can beat you in assertions )

"To koshish bhi mat kra kariye."

(So don't even try)

"I'm going..." He muttered with frustration

"At least have lunch before going."

"No thanks," mumbling that he went to his room to picked the car keys and in no time leave the home.

..........

"You were supposed to take leave, today.'' As soon as David witnessed Daniyal in his office he asked and Daniyal deew out his laptop. "Yeah, consider me on leave, I'm here just to get some peace to do my work." Muttering that Daniyal took his seat but unfortunately her didn't get the required amount of peace as staff members were continuously coming to David's cabin.

"May I get some peace??" Daniyal asked with frustration and David jerked his head. "Go to conference room, your peace is already present there." Daniyal didn't understand the meaning of that satire but stood up to go when he was stopped again by David.

"Bas Kaam hi karna, kabhi kuch aur hi karne lag jao." David winked at Daniyal, just to make him confused but when he stepped in the conference room everything turn clear.

(Do only work, not anything else.)

Resting her head on the table Shifa was sleeping peacefully, her dupatta we already slipped from her shoulder and her sleeping posture was a bit revealing which Daniyal didn't like. He cleared his throat, and call her softly. "Shifa, wake up" but the tired girl gulped down two or three calls without any efforts, then Daniyal noticed the dark circles in her eyes and tiredness of her face. He brought a shawl from his car which was just for Shifa. Mrs kazmi buy that yesterday, but Daniyal forgot that shopping bag in the car only. Sometimes being forgetful works great!

Spreading the shawl around Shifa's shoulders he took seat beside her and looked at the incomplete script then his laptop. Both of these works were important, he couldn't leave one undone but leaving his laptop at a side he picked the diary and pen in a hurry.

..................

Shifa wiggled in slumber, she tried to change her side but then realisation hit her hard that she wasn't in her bed. And she felt the darkness of table top under her arm which made her realise about her presence in the office. "Oh no." She suddenly lift her head with a jolt and looked towards the clock, only half an hour was about to go for recording.

"How I could be so careless?" She smack her forehead and felt like something slipped from her shoulders. It was the same shawl.

"What's this? From where it came?" Mumbling that she looked everywhere, the room was empty, on a laptop was resting on the table top and her diary was not present on its last position.

"Deni." She smiled and picked up the diary, a messy script was already written in that which brought a smile to her lips.

"Uth gayi aap!" Deni entered in the room holding a big box of pizza.

(So you're awake.)

"You were supposed to stay at home?" Shifa asked in her heavy voice and then cleared her throat.

"Hmm..." He took his seat without bothering to answer her. "Have your lunch or not?"

"Not yet." She replied and Daniyal open the pizza box in front of her. "I also haven't,"

"Aapko to pizza pasand nhi hai." Shifa asked while lifting a slice which brought smile to his lips,. "You remember?"

(But you don't like pizza)

"Of course," she smiled. Daniyal focused on his work and she on him. His each and every action, his care, pure intentions, the way he notices every small thing and resolve the issue without even asking, all those things making her heart jump with different pace.

How can be I so lucky to get him?

It's like a dream. No. Even better than my dreams. I never thought to have such a caring man, I just wanted someone supportive and sensible but he has many more qualities.

I love him...

Yes, I love this man.

I wish I could let you know Deni how much I love you.

She was lost in her thoughts when Daniyal snapped his fingers in front of her eyes. "Where are you lost Shifa?"

"I love..." She muttered in her lost self but stopped suddenly when realised that she was giving voice to her thoughts. Daniyal was confused about her reaction and she felt embarrassed. Looking here and there she smile like a fool while chewing her words... "I love pizza... I... I just love it."

Daniyal found her reaction weird. He furrows and looked at the pizza slice present in her hand, "if you like pizza then why aren't to eating? It's untouched for last five minutes!"

"Umm... Yeah... Having it... Hehe..." She muttered while palming her face in her thoughts and Daniyal smiled... A teasing smile...

"I guess you're still sleepy,"

"Umm... No." She muttered and started having that with a blush on her cheeks and shyness in her eyes.

"Deni."

"Ji?"

"Thanks. Sometimes you're just a life saver."

Daniyal just smile with a nod and pushed the pizza box towards Shifa, a silent gesture to pick another slice. "I'm unable to understand how to manage everything? My studies, job and now new responsibility... Shopping." Shifa added in her tired voice but suddenly glanced at the clock.

"Deni, come fast only ten minutes are left for the program."

"I can't accompany you today, this work is much important."

"Okay, I'm going." She hurriedly walked towards the exit of the room but not before picking up her bag, the same shawl which was on her shoulders and one more slice of pizza.

"Shifa?"

"Yea?"

"All the best!"

"Good luck for your work too." She muttered with a smile while walking towards the recording room, but her heart was saying only one thing why he's so good?

<><><><><>

After a few days:

Lost in her own world she was sitting in the college canteen and seeing a pic of her engagement. "Ahem.." A well known voice grabbed her attention which widen her smile.

"Someone is seeing her would be hubby." Afifa teased her to push a blush on her cheeks. It was Shifa's last exam, and only two days were left in the beginning of wedding functions. She was happy as well as nervous for this big change in her life.

"Shut up." She tried to suppress her hy smile but couldn't. "Ohhooo... Blushing."

"Affooo... Shut up." This time she was more than shy but Afifa chuckled while passing the glass of cold coffee.

"Deni is even better than my imagination." Shifa muttered before taking the very first sip and Afifa narrowed her eyes in a teasing way. "Did he already confessed his love?" This question took away the smile from Shifa's lips and she gulped the reality one more time. "I have already told you Affo, he doesn't love me."

"But you love him. Right?" Afifa asked and Shifa stay silent for a moment then nod her head. "Yeah, I do."

"Then why don't you confess it?" Afifa asked which widen Shifa's eyes.

"Tu pagal hai kya? Deni kya sochenge mere baare main?"

(Are you out of your mind? What will Deni think about me?)

"Honestly speaking Shifa, I feel that Jiju also loves you but don't want to confess his own feelings. I think you should take a step ahead."

"No way Affo. I can't."

"Why?"

"What will he think about me? He knows that I stay away from boys and I don't talk to them such nonsense... If I'll confess my feelings for him he will think that I must have been talking to other boys in this manner also."

"Are you mad Shifa? You both are going to get married after a few days. It's obvious for a girl to develop feelings for her fiance. Moreover, jiju is not judgmental at all."

"Maybe he's not judgemental but he can think in this way." Shifa put her thought and Afifa rolled her eyes.

"Shut up. He loves you too. Didn't you see how he became restless when you cried on engagement day? When Rani aunty was creating a problem for you he was standing by your side. Why would he do so if he doesn't love you? Today, just confess your love maybe it will give him strength to confess his feelings." Afifa kinda forced Shifa for what she's ready wanted to do, but it wasn't a walk on the grass.

"Are you sure Afifa? Should I tell Deni about my feelings?"

"Of course, you should."

"Fine. I'll try." Shifa pressed her lips nervously but Afifa shook her head. "Don't only try but be determined." Shifa's heart started beating faster than normal and she nod her head with nervousness.

"But what and how will I say?" She muttered while biting her nails and Afifa smack her forehead. "Why are you so idiot Shifa? Tell him that you love him, that you feel good when he's around you."

Shifa pressed her lips together and took a deep breath then nod her head. "I'm going... Wish me luck." She stood up taking the glass of cold coffee in her hand, and Afifa give her a hug.

"I'm so excited to attend your wedding Shifa. It's like a dream..."

"I also want to be excited." with a big smile Shifa took a step back and waved her hand to bid a good buy.

<><><>

The metro train stopped on the station and looked at two fresh roses she was holding in her hand. There was a small floral shop near her college but it never attracted her attention before today, as she never thought to confess her love before today. Without leaving the smile she stood up from the seat. After stepped out from the metro station she started walking towards the radio station in a different style... Like it's not a road but green grass on which she was enjoying her slow walk. But a loud honk from behind scare her to force her smile to vanish. It really hurts when something unpredictable destroy one's dreamland, same happened with this girl. This horn irritated her.

"Which type of idiots are living on this earth? Why one has to blow horn when road is already empty." With the same irritation I keep walking but suddenly that car stopped in front of her. "Come." Opening the door, the handsome gray eyed driver ordered her which brought a smile back to her lips.

"Assalamulaikum... What are you doing here right now?" Hoping in the car Shifa asked him, he was already late to reach radio station.

"There is a lady in my home, nowadays she's giving me a lot of works to do, I'm late due to all those works." Shifa smiled on his statement and bowed her head to glanced the flowers she was holding.

"Beautiful flowers," Asked Deni while pointing out towards the seatbelt and Shifa secured herself.

"Deni."

"Ji" he smiled.

"Umm... What's is real love?" She inquired in almost no voice and Daniyal's heart skipped two beats because once Adeena asked him the same question. He smiled bitterly and sighed.

"When one smile in other's happiness, feel pain in other's sorry and can't see the other person crying, it's love. Giving gifts, telling that I can't live without that person or doing good morning or good night texts are not a proof of love."

Shifa smiled and pressed her lips together as she realised Daniyal always do same for her. "Deni."

"Ji?"

"What if a person is loving someone but can't confess it?" she asked and Daniyal think for a few moment then he remembered Adeena. According to Daniyal, they both didn't confess their lobe on right time because of that they were separated.

"Allah hasn't given any superpower to humans from which they can understand the emotions of the other person. So using words to express their emotions is the only possible way, and I think one should not delays in that work." Daniyal put his opinion but for Shifa it was a permission. She looked at the roses and planned to give him those while confessing her feelings but before she could gather up the courage Daniyal stopped the car.

"Are you ready for today's recording?''

"Almost"

"Great." He gestured her to step out from the car and she did so.

'It's okay Shifa... You have some time to prepare yourself.' She told herself and Daniyal narrowed his eyes, he was noticing Shifa with a different shine on her face.

"Will you handle today's program, I haven't even think about anything." Asked Daniyal and she nod her head in response.

Some time passed smoothly, recording was great. However, today Shifa and Daniyal didn't record only one episode but five in one go, as because of their wedding Shifa can't attend the job for next few days.

With some nervousnes and a big amount of energy Shifa looked towards Daniyal who was going out from the recording room. She took a deep breath and let it out.

Holding the flowers in her hand she asked the same question to her heart... "Does Deni really love me?" But there was no one to answer that question so she decided to took help from one of the flower.

Plucking one petal of that beautiful rose she mumbled "he loves me." And one another petal she mumbled "he loves me not," this process didn't stop until almost all the pretty petals were scattering on the table top, and few of them were still attached to the stem waiting for their turn to be fall on that hard surface. "He loves me"

"he loves me not."

"He loves me...."

"He loves me not..."

And a big grin covered her lips when the last petal stood straight in front of her and she picked that with different level of happiness. "He loves me."

People say Love is a disease... Maybe that's true. It converted a mature and intelligent girl into a silly and stupid one.

She took a deep breath and looked here there, other than the dull walls of recording room no one was present there "Deni... I didn't want to fall for you but I can't help my heart that started beating for you, and now I love you" she rehearsed what she wanted to say and picked the fine flower from the table. She decided to say that when they will be in the car.

On the other hand...

"How everything is going?" Asked David and Daniyal sighed. "Tiring. Renovation of my room moreover Ammi's demands... Wedding plannings and all..."

"I'm not asking about these works I'm asking about your relationship with Shifa. Are you happy now?"

Daniyal's well pretend smile went away.

"There is no relationship between us." He answered back in hushed tone.

"And why so? You're going to get married to her then why there is no relationship in between you two?" This time David didn't asked but kind of scold Daniyal.

"Main wo musafir hu jiski zindagi ek bina manzil ka safar ban gyi hai, ya phir ye kehna behtar hoga ki meri manzil to bohot peche chhut gyi hai, ab us tak pohochne ka na hi koi raasta hai na imkaan."

(I am the traveler whose life has become a journey without destination, or it would be better to say that my destination has been left behind, now there is neither any way nor any chances to reach it.)

"Kab tak us nakaam mohabbat ke liye rote rahoge? Peeche mud ke dekhna band kro, jo padaw zindagi mein aa raha hai usi ko apni manzil bana lo." For the first time, he gave sensible advice but broken hearts don't know what to do with wise words.

(How long will you keep crying for that unsuccessful love? Stop looking back, make the stage which is coming in life your destination.)

"Shifa is a nice girl and she loves you, life has given you a chance to live it. Now it's your turn to show some wisdom. Love her back and make your life beautiful." David added and Daniyal smiled sadly.

"There is no space for love in between us. Neither I can love her nor give her that place which I gave Adeena. Shifa knows this and she also doesn't love m..." Daniyal's sentence was cut short in between then something fall down outside the closed door of the cabin.

"Who's this?" David asked in his overbearing tone. He couldn't tolerate any of the staff members doing eavesdropping when he was discussing something personal with his friend. "I asked who's outside?" He yelled this time and hurriedly open the door to got a shook. The wooden showpiece was laying on the floor but no one was present.

Daniyal and David exchanged their looks while mumbling, Shifa.

Daniyal smack his forehead while standing up, "I'm going..." He rushed towards the recording room, only rose petals were scattered on the table just like pieces of that heart which was broken by him just a fee moments ago.

"Where is she?" Mumbling that he asked a few staff members about her and got to know that they saw her going out from the office. He dialed her number but she didn't picked the call.

"Daniyal..." Before he could step out from the office a loud voice grabbed his attention. It was David who gestured him to come to his cabin.

"Yeah David?"

"See." He pointed out towards the computer screen which was showing cctv footage. An overwhelmed Shifa walked towards David's cabin and lift her hand to knock the door but suddenly stopped, first her smile ended then she covered her mouth with her hand. And she wiped out her tears while turning back to go, but she dropped the showpiece by mistake.

"And you were saying she doesn't love you." David kind of glared his best friend and Daniyal rubbed his forehead with two fingers.

"David, She does not love me... Maybe there is something else."

"You can not change the reality by closing your eyes."

<><><><>

She rang the door bell while controlling herself to cry, soon the door was opened by Bilal. "Shifa Aapi we all were waiting for you... Mummy and aun..t..y..." Ignoring Bilal she stepped into the living room, without bothering to see the situation she said loudly. "Mummy papa... Can we delay this wedding?"

Air of the room suddenly turned heavy, and then she noticed her wedding dress as well as jewellery present on the coffee table. There was one more thing she noticed... Actually, not a thing but a pale face. She was Mrs Kazmi who was visiting to let Shifa try her bridal attire. For a moment she felt happy to see the rose in Shifa's hand as a thought strike her mind that Daniyal has giver it but Shifa's demand pushed that thought away.

"Shifa kya hua hai beta?" Before Maryam could asked this question Mrs kazmi stood up, she held Shifa's wrist and made her sat down beside herself.

(What's wrong dear?)

A shocked Shifa looked at every face present in the room then at her hand which was holding the rose but now that was not looking as much beautiful as before. Now it's thorns were hurting her deeply. She slowly open her fist and Mrs kazmi gasped.

"Ye kya kar liya beta aapne?" Looking at the blood oozing out from Shifa's palm, Mrs kazmi asked and Maryam also noticed the same.

(What you have done dear?)

"Gulaab ki khushbu aur khubsurti mein itna khoo gyi thi ki kaato ko to main bhul hi gyi." She muttered and two tears slipped out of her eyes.

(I was so lost in the fragrance and beauty of the rose that almost forget about its thorns)

===============

To be continued...

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