"Did you know 80% of the male admitted that love struck them at a time when they were least expecting it?"
Aahil stared at the pop-up floating on his computer screen, seemingly confused by the randomness of it.
"To know more such interesting facts, log on to www.lovestruck.dot.com."
The pop-up blinked again, this time with the image of a garish pink heart held by two cherubs. Then it faded, leaving a shadow of pink floating on the screen, like the smile of a Cheshire cat hung in space.
*Apparently, people have a higher probability of getting struck by love than by lightning now-a-days.* Aahil sighed. He didn't have to look further for proof, as two figures appeared at the far end of the room and engaged into an animated conversation.
*Look at them! These two are a fairy tale in the making...well, almost.* a slight crease appeared on Aahil's forehead as he watched Sanam and Rehan chatting like long lost buddies in 'kumbh ka mela'.
It didn't take a genius to tell that Rehan was totally smitten by her. One look at his mooney eyes and that obedient smile plastered on his face, and you know the love bug has bitten him hard in the @$$, but the million dollar question is, whether the other party in question (aka Sanam) is also affected by the love virus and on her way to the zombie love-land?
Aahil tried to search for the symptoms in her face.
Googly eyes: Nope.
Sugary smile: Well, it's hardly her fault she has a sunshine smile, with dimples and all...
Pink patches on cheeks : Nah.
Racy heartbeat, heavy breathing: Huh! What the hell was he thinking!
"Aahil bhai?" Rehan's voice snapped him out of his reverie.
"Rehan?" Aahil shook his head briefly to clear his thoughts.
"Woh, actually, Aahil bhai, Sanam ko adhe din (half day) ki chutti chahiye thi..." Rehan said hesitantly. His gaze was fixated on the floor.
"Never knew she has appointed a spokesperson!" Aahil's eyebrows shot up.
*Things are getting really, really interesting* he smiled inwardly as Rehan's face turned crimson.
"Nahi, woh baat yeh hai, ke Badi Masjid ke paas Palace Ground mein Eid ka mela laga hua hai. Toh Sanam keh rahi thi ke usse mela dekhne ka mann hai. I too have some work nearby. Aapko plot no. 84 ki inspection yaad hai na, Aahil bhai? So, I thought I will drop her there. It's on my way..." Rehan pressed his lips so hard it was a thin line.
"Yeah, I am sure it's important." the corner of Aahil's lips twisted slightly.
*Even if it was in Mars or Venus instead of Palace Ground, my bro, you'd have happily accompanied her to the end of the world, I am sure* the thought made him chuckle.
"You know what's more important Rehaan...that she stays here and make sure the guests arriving from Nida's side get a proper welcome and a nice breakfast...so, NO!" Aahil shrugged and shifted his focus to the computer screen again.
"Main bahut jaldi aa jaungi, please. Main wadaa karti hoon, buss ek ghante mein wapas aa jaungi." Sanam sounded like she was close to tears, The tip of her nose had turned pink. She was blinking furiously, perhaps to keep the tears away.
*Oh,sh*t. NO. No tears for the love of God, Please!* Aahil cringed at the thought of seeing her cry. It was somehow unbearable to him, though a part of him wondered why.
"Okay, all right. Buss ek ghanta. Not a second more. Warna tum janti ho..." Aahil's threat was lacking the edge though.
"Aap ka bahut bahut Shukriya, main ek ghante se pehle hi wapas aa jaungi." Sanam wiped the corner of her eyes with her dupatta and lightened up Aahil's world with a thousand watt smile.
"Rehan jee, chale?" Sanam threw Aahil a last look of gratitude before leaving the room hurriedly. She couldn't believe her good fortune and a part of her wanted to escape fast before Aahil could give it a second thought or changed his mind, perhaps. Rehan hesitated for a moment, and then followed her like the thorough gentleman he was.
Aahil closed his eyes and breathed deeply in her aroma. The sensation was crushing like a tidal wave against the dark, stoney corner of his mind.
This feeling was killing him, but he wasn't ready to let go of it!
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Sanam was waiting outside in the lawn when Rehaan emerged from the house, wearing his ever charming smile that exuded warmth and friendliness.
*Allah Miyaan, such a cute guy, he is!* Sanam secretly swooned a little.
"Sorry Sanam! Hope I didn't make you wait for long." Rehaan glanced at his watch. "Tumhe shayad der ho rahi hai." He said sheepishly.
"Nahi, nahi, Rehaan jee. Yeh aap kya keh rahe?" Sanam shook her head. "Actually, mujhe toh aapki shukriya ada karni chahiye, aapne mere liye itna kuch kiya." she sighed "I never thought that Jallad...mera matlab hai, Aahil jee would allow me to leave the house, even for an hour, specially when so many guests coming for the sagai."
Rehaan took her hands and pressed them gently. "Achche logon ke sath humesha achcha hi hota hai. Aur tum ek bahut achchi ladki ho, Sanam."
He stared at her beautiful face. His heart flattered a little in his chest.
She didn't know what to say.
"Rehaan jee, aap itne achche hain, issi liye aap ko puri duniya achchi lagti hai. Lekin asal mein sab log aap jaise nahi hote." she was overwhelmed with his kind words. Nobody had ever spoken such nice words about her in this house.
"Sanam, mujhe lagta hai Aahil bhai ko samajh ne mein tum galati kar rahi ho." Rehaan said thoughtfully. "He may appear a little rude sometimes, par unka dil sone jaisa hai...No, trust me, Sanam. Aahil bhai ko mujhse zyada shayad iss duniya mein koi nahi jaan ta. Jisse woh sachche dil se aapna mante hain, usske liye woh jaan bhi de sakte hain." Rehaan's voice was brimming with conviction.
Sanam was about to contradict him, but her words were drowned by the screeching noise of a car halting beside them.
"Yeh Eid ka mela kya mere ghar ki lawn mein laga hai?" the glass window rolled down to reveal Aahil Raja Ibrahim's face, hidden behind a pair of slick black shades.
"Tum dono ab tak yehi khade ho! I thought I told you only one hour, not a minute more." with one swift movement, he was out of the car and standing in front of her.
The air of lazy arrogance surrounded him like the devil's cloak.
Before Sanam could answer him, he silenced her with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Get inside." Aahil's head turned towards Rehaan, who instantly obliged his Aahil bhai like a five year old.
Sanam stood there indecisively. She had never been offered a ride in such an expensive car before, that too by Aahil Raja Ibrahim, the man himself.
"Both of you." he barked pointedly at Sanam.
*Shaitan ka naam lo, aur Shaitan hazir.* Sanam grumbled and reluctantly joined Rehaan in the rear seat.
Aahil shut the front door with an unnecessary loud thud and walked back to the driver's seat.
*In the name of Allah, is that chick too blind to notice I opened the front door for her! Foolish girl!* Aahil jaw hardened as he adjusted the rear view mirror to at least get a glimpse of what's going on behind his back.
*Wait till I poke you 'bout all those hand holding in the lawn, little brother!* the thought of these two standing gooey eyed in his garden annoyed him to no limits, he wondered why, though.
Aahil was about to start the car when a perfectly manicured hand gripped the edge of the glass window and yanked the door open.
"BREAKING NEWS! You guys have a party crasher...and I'm sure you don't mind." Nida gave them her signature lopsided smirk as she carefully adjusted herself beside Aahil's seat."Apne hone wali biwi ko chhod ke inn boring logon ke company mein kya kar rahe ho, darling? Was my presence getting too hot for you?" Nida gave him a playful wink.
Somehow, every single word coming out of her pretty pink lips managed to sound obscene to Aahil
He crinkled his nose in disgust.*Does this girl ever stop talking sh*t?* He cursed inwardly.
"Of course I don't mind that you decided to grace us with your presence, sweet heart! After all, you are my loving would-be wife." the frost in his voice was anything but loving. The corner of his lip twisted, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.
*Who'd notice his eyes, anyway, when they are hidden behind those shades.*
In the back seat, Sanam's face paled. This was hardly the holiday she was hoping for.
...(to be continued)
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Teddy ❤️
Rukawat ke liye khed hai, babu moshai! 😆
Zindagi ek safar hai suhana/ Yahan kaal kya ho kisne jaana... 😉 Jan ne ke liye, keep reading.
But one thing is for sure guys, I need to get rid of Nida 'wannabe choti begum' ASAP! She gets on my nerves, honestly.
P.S: PM kal karti hoon, yaar...badi neend aa rahi hai.🥱 Good night & sweet SaHil dreamz.
CHAPTER 2: PAGE 3 😉
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