THIRD PERSON'S POV

"What's wrong with Maizah... I'm missing her, I want to talk to her after ten days but she has to go to Muskan's home... Duffer idiot, chudail" Anzala was mumbling while going to the home.

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"What I have done? I didn't want go hurt Muskan but she felt bad, I wanted to say that in playful way but she took that in negative way, its all because of her father who always makes her realise that she is careless." Arham mumbled while entering in his home

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"Maizah.."

"Hmm"

"Umm.. Can I.. Ask you something?" Muskan asked while picking a toy car and Maizah nodded.

"Yeah ask" How is this car to gift?" Muskan asked and Maizah looked at her with disbelief

"Were you taking my permission to ask this question?" Maizah asked with wide eyes but then rolled her eyes.

"No my question was different but you tell me how is this to gift? He is four years old boy!" Maizah hummed while examining the car.

"Yaar I don't know is this fine to gift or not?" Maizah said and Muskan made a pout.

"By the way who is he? I mean where you have to go?" Maizah asked and Muskan made an unpleasant face

"We have to go to Umar uncle's home for his grandson's birthday celebration. Umar uncle is daddy's best friend, they both were together in army and now they both are business partners" Muskan informed and Maizah nodded while saying "Oooo"

"You will enjoy" Maizah chirped and Muskan rolled her eyes.

"Kya enjoy... Ek jail se nikal kar dusri jail main jana hai... Daddy or Umar uncle dono ek jese hi hain. Unke ghar me itne strict rules hain ki bolte hue bhi dar lagta hai, hasne se mano unko allergy ho, sari bate itni formality ke sath hoti hain..." Muskan rolled her eyes while saying the same and picked a board game.

(what enjoy? I have to go from one jail to another. Daddy and Umar uncle both are best friend so their rules are also same. There is a different suffocation in Umar uncle's home, it seems like they people don't even know how to laugh. They all are very formal)

"Which type of people they are?"

"Pta nhi yaar.... Kabhi kabhi to main sochti hu, ye log shayad sote hue bhi Savdhan- Visharam (Stand at ease- Attention) wali position maintain karte honge" Muskan said with frustration but Maizah laughed out on her words.

(I don't know! Sometimes I wonder maybe they people maintain where Attention and Stand at ease possible while sleeping too)

"Cheer up girl... Don't spoil your mood, we will enjoy in Rumi aapi's wedding. Will you come?" Maizah said happily and asked the last part suddenly when she realised that might Muskan won't attend the marriage of Rumi.

"I will definitely come... If daddy will allow me!" Muskan said and Maizah rolled her eyes.

"It's my responsibility, If dada abbu will invite you then your daddy won't stop you to come." Maizah said happily and they both friends moved towards the cash counter to buy the board game.

"Maizah your family is so cool, I wish I would be the member of your family" Muskan said and Maizah shook her head.

"They are not cool, but..." Maizah said sadly but she was Maizah she knew how to maintain good mood.

"Musu cat don't spoil my mood by discussing this topic" Maizah said with a stretched smile and Muskan also smiled

They both hopped in the car with the gift which they bought for the birthday boy.

"Maizah today..."

"Muskan I have to tell you something"

Muskan and Maizah both said in unison but their sentences were cut off by one another.

"What today?" Maizah asked and Muskan felt hesitation while discussing the scene which she witnessed in the morning.

"Nothing important, you tell me what was you going to say" Muskan said and Maizah think for a moment.

"I... I forgot about what I was saying" Maizah decided not to share with Muskan about her and Anzala's marriage

"Rumi Aapi's marriage is after a month and I'm excited for shopping" Maizah change the toppic and Muskan smiled.

"And what about your marriage?" Muskan asked and Maizah was shocked to listen the same

"wh.. What do you mean?" Maizah asked with surprised expressions

"I mean to ask do you like someone?" Muskan's question made Maizah realise that something was cooking in Muskan's head.

'Does she know something, or it's just a general question?' Maizah asked to herself

' how she could know?' Maizah assured herself and mask a smile on her face

''I.. I don't like anyone" Maizah mumbled and Muskan smirked.

"That's good... But I think Anzala is not a bad choice for you?" Muskan said and Maizah try to pass a smile.

"I don't know what are you saying... How.. Do you.. Come to this point" Maizah tried her best to say something but she was actually stammering in front of Muskan. At the same time they both reach to Muskan's home

"Come... Today Aunty has cook rajma chawal, you also like that, right?" Muskan said with a smile before stepping out from the car and Maizah just know, she was feeling fear of the secret which was hidden in between her family.

"Assalamualaikum uncle" Maizah greeted Arsalan Haidar when they entered in the home and he nodded in reply

"Why are you coming late?" As soon as Muskan entered in the home she was encountered with the question by her father.

"Daddy I was buying gift for..." Muskan was saying but her father understood and nodded.

"Fine, go and freshen up then come for lunch" Muskan nodded on the order and Maizah also follow her to her room.

"Yaar have your daddy ever talk to you with love? Or he just give order like a colonel?" Maizah asked and Muskan shrugged

"Daddy doesn't love me... Maybe..." She mumbled and Maizah rolled her eyes

"I also think so" Maizah said and throw herself on bed.

"he use to buy me chocolates when I was small, but I don't know what happened to him now" Muskan shared and Maizah gave her a side hug.

"Don't think too much!" Maizah said to the sad Muskan

"I don't have love in my fate, either father's love, mother's love or A...." Maizah suddenly looked at Muskan.

"Or... Who is the third person?" Maizah asked and Muskan shook her head.

"no one..." She said and stepped in the bathroom.

'Does Muskan loves Anzala like Anzala told me many times that he loves Muskan' that doubt come in the brain of Maizah which made her restless.

'Maizah I love Muskan only and only Muskan!'

Suddenly Anzala's words started roaming in Maizah's head.

"It means Muskan also love Anzala?" Maizah mumbled and tears appeared in her eyes.

'Does Anzala love me or he is just obeying the the order of our family?' Maizah was thinking the same when Muskan stepped out from the bathroom.

"Maizah what happened? Why are you crying?"

"Crying! No I'm.. I'm not" Maizah wiped her tears and said with a fake smile

"Maizah tell me why are you crying? Due to Anzala, have he done something?" Muskan asked and Maizah nodded.

"Maizah you love Anzala. Aren't you?" Muskan asked and Maizah looked at her.

"Who told you?" Maizah asked and Muskan smiled

"I was noticing this since long time, not only me but Arham was also noticing this" Muskan said and Maizah was shocked.

"No.. I don't..."

"Maizah no need to lie"

"Yeah I love him... But what can I do except crying... He love someone else." Maizah said and Muskan's eyes become wide.

"Whom does he love?" Muskan asked suddenly and Maizah rolled her eyes while removing Muskan's hand from her hand.

"You are asking as if you don't know anything! He loves you Muskan" Maizah said with bitterness in her tone

"Maizah, are you mad? How can you even think about this!" Muskan exclaimed while standing a step away from Maizah

"Muskan don't act in front of me, I know you also love him" Maizah said and Muskan was gawking

"Are you out of your mind? I... I love Anzala? Come on Maizah.... I know you like Anzala but to be honest my choice is not like this, that I like Anzala!" Muskan said and Maizah was shocked.

"What do you mean! Don't you love Anzala" Maizah asked and Muskan waved her hand in front of her eyes.

"Ohh hello madam, come out of your misunderstanding... Your Anzala is only good for those girls who are interested flirting with him. And I'm not from them" Muskan said and Maizah was blinking her eyes with mixed emotions.

"Muskan.. Are you serious?"

"Maizah are you mad? How can you even think that I love Anzala... I only like him that too as a friend nothing more or less" Muskan informed and Maizah smiled and hugged Muskan.

"I love you Muskan... I love you.." Maizah said like a mad while hugging her tightly

"Uhhh.... Leave me... I don't love you..." Muskan pushed her away and both laughed like mads.

"By the way who is the one whom you love?" Maizah asked and Muskan's smile suddenly drop down

"No one..." Muskan mumbled and sigh

"Tell me musu cat, maybe I can help you"

"Yaar Maizah I don't want to show my feelings in front of him, he love someone else and he want to marry with that girl." Muskan replied halfheartly and Maizah felt sad for her

"Atlaest for once talk to him" Maizah suggested

"I tried two times, but every time I realised that he can't give her place to anyone else in his life, he loves that girl very much" Muskan utter with sadness in her voice, only she knew how much pain she was tolerating in heart

"who is that guy?" Maizah asked and Muskan mask a very good smile on her face.

"You don't know him, and I don't want to think about him. Even I'm trying my best to forget about him" Muskan said and Maizah held her hand.

"Musu cat you are very strong, I know it's very difficult, I also tried to forget my feeling for Anzala but it's not easy" Maizah said and Muskan gulped the tears which were coming to her eyes.

"Muskan bibi, bade sahab (sir) is summoning you for dinner" Muskaan listen the voice of maid after a knock on the door

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"Muskan are you ready?" She had listened a very loud voice from downstairs which made her heart flutter with fear

"Yeah daddy, just five minutes" She yelled back in reply and looked at her hair. Her half hair were curled and half were straight. The hand which was holding curling iron started shivering.

"Why I have to curl my hair today? Am I going to my marriage that I have to look good... And who is there to see me!" she mumbled while curling another piece of hair lock.

"Why he is calling now?" Muskan mumbled that when witnessed Arham calling her, but she ignored and keep curling her hair.

"Muskaaann" That was a loud Roar because the clock was showing perfect Half past seven and Carnal Arsalan Haidar hate to become late.

"Coming Daddy" Muskan mumbled and placed the curling iron on dressing table after turning off its switch. Half hair were curl and remaining were straight, living with no other way she made a loose bun of her hair and surprisingly that hairstyle was looking adorable Cherry on the cake curly hair lock was falling on her forehead to the cheek.

Taking her mobile from the present table she ran out from her room but noticed her slipper.

"What the hell I am doing!" Muskan mumbled and change her slipper with a beautiful black heel sandals which was going good with her red ankle length kurta and black trousers.

"Muskannnn can't you hear I'm calling you since five minutes." Muskan was in half way on stairs when her father again yelled on her.

"Sorry daddy" Muskan mumbled with a fearful expression, for a couple of moments Arsalan Haidar was watching Muskan without averting his gaze, because she was looking exactly like her mother.

"Are you going in someone's wedding! What is the need of grooming this much?" Muskan felt the urge of crying after listening that.

'What is my fault? I just felt happy that after a long time I get a chance to attend any gathering, but...' Muskan said to herself.

"I'm sorry daddy" She mumbled with lower gaze.

"I'm sorry..... I hate these words... After doing everything only these words are enough to ask forgiveness" Muskan was listening everything with lower gaze. Her father didn't wait and moved towards the car, Muskan followed him silently holding tears in her eyes. Both father and daughter hopped in the car.

"Don't waste more time" carnal ordered driver and the care started moving towards a new journey of Muskan's life.

'Why Daddy can't talk to me politely? We're only five minutes late.' Muskan said herself, and tried to gulp her tears, she picked two tissue papers from the backside of car.

"Muskan you are just like your mother, she was also like this, her tears were always ready to fall down. I hate that woman, and you're becoming just like her." Muskan tried her best to control her tears but couldn't. She was fluttering her lashes to control her tears to flow down

" Stop your crocodile tears, I'm already very angry don't make me more angry" She nodded on the order and soak her tears in the tissue. Soon the car was stopped in front of a big house.

"Come inside after making your face fine" Saying the same Arsalan Haidar stepped out from the car leaving Muskan alone.

After some five minutes Muskan come out of the car wiping her tears, her mobile again vibrates and she picked the call, he was Arham.

"Muskan, I'm sorry... I didn't want to hurt you yaar, I just said that playfully... I'm.. So sor... "

"It's okay Arham.. Now I'm use to of listening these words." Muskan said while sniffing

"Muskan are you crying? What happened? Have tour father said something or you are crying because of me?" Arham asked in single breath

"No need to think about me... As I have already said, I'm use to of all these things... And don't call me again, I'm in a gathering and dad is around me, so I can't talk to you" Arham soon listened a beep which indicate that the call was end. He held his forehead as he thought Muskan was crying due to him

"Assalamualaikum Uncle" Muskan entered in the home with a smile but her eyes were red

"Waalaikumas salam, how are you?" that was a question from Umar (Arsalan Haidar's friend)

"I'm fine uncle" Muskan mumbled with a small smile at the same time everyone's gaze suddenly went to the entrance.

"Samad... What a surprise" Umar said while opening his both arms and taking steps towards the one who was standing on the doorstep.

Muskan's breath was stopped after listening that name. That was a muscular, tall man around twenty six or maybe twenty seven. His well fitted army uniform, with a cargo cap on head and a big bag pack on left shoulder was enough to introduce that an army man was come spend his holiday with his family.

"Assalamualaikum Sir, happy to see you here" Samad said while shaking his hand with Arsalan Haidar and he show a proud smile on his face

"Glad to see you young man.." Arsalan Haidar said while patting Samad's arm with his strong hand, but that hard frame guy was unaffected.

"Mera sheer hai ye" Umar said proudly and Arsalan Haidar nodded.

(He is my lion)

"Haan sheer to hai, magar jungle ka sheer nahi circus ka... Apne abba ke ek hukm par uchhal kr kursi pr Beth jauga" Muskan mumbled and rolled her eyes.

(Yeah he is lion, but the lion who belongs to circus not from jungle. He would jump and sit on chair with a single order of his father)

Everyone was busy in talking with Samad and Muskan was busy in playing some game in her mobile phone sitting in a corner of room.

"Ahem.." She looked up and felt her breath was stopped when a muscular frame was standing just a step away from her.

"I think you have forget me" Samad said with his overbearing voice and Muskan try to breath normally, but couldn't

"We are Meeting after many years." Samad said without any expression and Muskan nodded.

"Yeah.." She said without meeting her gaze

"I was at peace since many years, but now you are back" She mumbled while grinding her teeth

"Pardon" That was a ful formal reaction from the young army man.

"Nothing" She mumbled and Saad nodded with furrowed brows.

"I think you forget the manner of talking with others" Sayomh that samad made her way to other side, his face was holding an angry expression but Muskan's heart was beating a abnormally because she was feeling scared with Samad,

She was scared of him since childhood.

Somehow Muskan tolerate that environment and Samad's gazing. She was looking so beautiful that anyone can forget to blink, so the so called lion was also losing his heart. After all the party was almost over.

"Let's go Muskan" Arsalan said to his daughter and she nodded with a releif breath.

"See you again Umar" Giving a professional smile Arsalan Haidar shake his hand with his friend

"Pleasure to meet you sir." Samad said to Arsalan Haidar in professional style as if he was saluting his Carnal in an army parade, and Muskan almost jump on her place with that loud sound.

"Arsalan salo pehle kiya hua wada yaad hai na?" Umar asked to Arsalan and He smiled while nodding

(Arsalan Ave you remember the promise which you had made years back)

"Arsalan Haidar ki zuban pathar ki lakir hai, Jo wada kara tha wo yaad hai mujhe." Arsalan said with a proud feeling and Samad who was standing with up chin, and holding his both hands together behind his back; looked at Muskan, but she was looking pale. Because she knew what was that promise.

(Arsalan Haidar is a man of words, I am remembering the promise which I have made years ago)

"To waqt aa gya hai us wade ko pura karke dosti or business partnership ko rishtedari me badalne ka" Umar said to Arsalan Haidar and He smiled with a nod.

( the time has arrived to convert the friendship and business partnership into relationship by fulfilling that promise)

"Why not... But give me a few months" Arsalan Haidar said and Umar nodded, but Muskan was pale she looked at the tall man with terrified eyes.

'I can't marry with this hulk' she said to herself

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Unedited!!

🤐

_Naaz Jamal