.:.Manzil.:. MOVED (Read 19) - Page 12

Originally posted by: DesiChocolate

omggggggg..
so cute suhanaaa..

omg imraan and sabah are choo chweeeeettt 😳

Thanks Priya! Yup, they are adorable, aren't they? lol...Glad you liked it.

Originally posted by: alydesi_chick

aww i feel so sorry 4 imraan
but like alwasy a great episode
thxx

Hi, I don't think I've seen you here before (unless you changed ur username)...anyway, welcome and thanks for the comments. I wonder why you feel sorry for Imraan though...are you anticipating something in the future? Hope to get more comments in the future.

Originally posted by: nitu07

aww....
😆 I agree with sabah...they are only 17 and no one wud take their realtionships seriously 😕 So i guess it's better this way 😕 ..anyway great chapter😉 ......
update next chapter soon 😳

Thanks Nitu...yeah, they are definitely too young. If I told my parents at 17 that I was in love, I don't think they'd take it well either...lol. But just as a preview, Sabah is a little more complex of a character than she seems now. Anyway, will write the next chapter soon. Keep reading! Thanks again.

Originally posted by: tnbedi

wow suhana dats such a cute epi 😳 😳 😳
loved it
yes sabha is rite no one would take their relationship seriously....so is da next one abt aisha n yusuf 😉 ????
short n sweet chapter
update soon
n one more thing i love ur siggi 😛
muzammil is looking sooooooo hot 😳

You guessed it....Aisha and Yusuf are next. The chapter is still in planning stages, but I will start writing it soon. Thanks for the siggie comnment. Muzammil is definitely a hottie!

Originally posted by: suuunshiine

awwwww .

it was super adorable .. love reading it ..

and this chapter wasn't that short .. i actually really liked it :D

Thanks Navi...it was just shorter than usual so I thought I would point that out.

Originally posted by: aditi1412

Fantastic Chapter. Keep posting in. Waiting eagerly for next chapter.

Thanks Aditi. Will let you know when the next chapter is posted. Glad to have you as a new reader!

Originally posted by: Monika__29

Omg such a good chapter!!waiting eagerly for the next one and good luck tryong to find an apartment and good luck for job 😃 fantastic chapter like the rest of your story!sabah and imraan are so sweeettt
hope they're together soon(if they are until the end of the story,which shouldnt come soon 😳 )

Yay, Mallika, you're still there! I was getting worried when I read that you hadn't signed in since Sept 15th. Well, glad that you're back and that you enjoyed the chapter. Keep reading!

suhana, i think i read you story - not sure. but will start reading (again)!

Kinda long this time. I hope you guys like it. Please comment.

About the new names in this story, none of them are important except for Radhika (Aisha's roommate)…Krishna, Carrie and Hina will probably not be mentioned again. And, if they are, I will remind you who they are. Sorry I have so many characters. I hope no one is confused.

Chapter 14

Aisha was delighted to be home for her 21st birthday. When she arrived on Friday night, she surprised her family with her enthusiasm. They were expecting the reclusive and dull Aisha that they had finally gotten used to, but Aisha was no longer willing to force her depression onto her loved ones.

When she went to bed that night, she once again pushed Hasan away from her mind, and focused on how good it felt to be sleeping in her own room. She watched the alarm clock on her side table for a few minutes. As "12:00" flashed at her in bright red figures, she wondered how her family would celebrate her birthday. She had already told them that she didn't want a party, but she was certain that wouldn't stop them from planning something.

The next morning, Aisha awoke to find a pile of presents on her desk. She got up from bed and looked at the names on them. There was one from her parents, one from each of her siblings and a few from relatives who lived nearby. Determined not to change her usual birthday tradition, Aisha decided to wait until the evening to open them.

Breakfast was pleasant, and Aisha enjoyed the attention from her family. However, she did notice something unusual. There seemed to be some tension between her father and Imraan, who despite sitting next to each other appeared to be avoiding any kind of interaction. Also, Imraan and Samira were sitting as far as possible from each other, something that was unheard of from those two. Thinking that she might be acting paranoid about nothing, Aisha decided not to give it much thought.

As they were cleaning the table, the doorbell rang, and Shamyl left to answer it. Aisha was surprised to see Yusuf, Sabah, Rehan and Amaan all walk into the living room.

Sabah: Happy Birthday!

Her siblings repeated this greeting and Yusuf handed Aisha a present. Aisha welcomed them into the family room where Samira, Imraan and Maryam also joined them. After saying hello to the guests, Aisha's parents took Shamyl and went upstairs.

Aisha: Thanks guys. Maine kabhi nahin socha tha ke aap sab mujhko wish karne aa jaayenge. Thanks guys. I never thought you all would come to wish me.

Rehan: Jab aapse dosti karli hai to humaare itna to farz banta hai ke aap ki khushi mein shamil hone aayen. Well, since we are friends now, I think it's our responsibility to be there for you, especially on such a special day.

Aisha smiled. They really were a wonderful family.

Aisha (looking at the gift in her hands): I hope you don't mind agar main isko abhi nahin kholoon. Main apne saare gifts raat mein kholti hoon, dinner ke baad. I hope you don't mind if I don't unwrap this just yet. I like to open all my gifts at night, after dinner.

Yusuf: Not a problem.

Samira (addressing Aisha): Speaking of dinner, yaad hai aap woh nayi Mexican restaurant try karna chah rahi theen? Aaj wahaan dinner khaana chaahengi? Speaking of dinner, remember how you wanted to try that new Mexican restaurant? You want to have dinner there today?

Aisha: Sure.

Samira: Aur jahaan tak mujhe yaad hai, abhi tak aap ne Lage Raho Munnabhai nahin dekhi. Abhi bhi Naz 8 Cinema mein chal rahi hai. Aap aaj dekhengi? And as far as I remember, you haven't seen Lage Raho Munnabhai yet. It's still playing at Naz 8 Cinema. You want to watch it?

Aisha: Um, okay.

Sabah: Aap ko koyi farq to nahin parta na, ke aap ke saath kaun jaaye? You don't have a preference as to who you go with, do you?

Aisha paused for a second. What was that supposed to mean? Did Sabah want to come along?

Aisha: Of course not.

Yusuf: Perfect. I'll pick you up at six.

Samira and Sabah tried to suppress their giggles.

Aisha: Ah, I see. So you guys set me up.

Sabah: Sorry, lekin yeh kitna achcha mauqa hai. Aap dono ek saath thoda waqt guzaar paayenge. Aap ke mummy papa bhi raazi hain. Sorry, but it's a perfect opportunity for you two to spend some time together. Even your parents thought it was a good idea.

Aisha (smiling): Yeh Samira ka idea tha na? This was Samira's idea, wasn't it?

Samira: Sahi pehchaana, lekin is scene ke dialogues Yusuf bhai ne likhe hain. You guessed right, but it was Yusuf Bhai who wrote the dialogues for this scene.

Yusuf blushed as he glanced hopefully at Aisha. Aisha looked over his shoulder at Maryam with a questioning look. Maryam smiled and nodded.

Aisha: Theek hai. Main chaloongi. Alright, I'll go.

Everyone cheered and Samira gave Aisha a hug.

Aisha: You guys are taking this way too seriously.

Imraan: Are we? I think the first marriage in the family is a big deal.

Aisha: Maine abhi shaadi ke liye "haan" kab kaha? Did you hear me say "I do" yet?

Sabah: Us mein ab kitni der hai? Hai na, Bhai? It's only a matter of time, right Bhai?

Yusuf: Yes, of course. How can anyone possibly resist my charm?

He said this with such an artificial air of arrogance that they all burst out laughing.

The doorbell rang again to announce the arrival of Mrs. Divya Sharma. Yusuf, Sabah and Amaan returned home, while Rehan followed Divya Ji, Samira and Maryam down to the basement for their singing class. Soon Imraan and Aisha were the only ones left in the family room.

Imraan: You're finally back to your old self.

Aisha: You noticed, huh?

Imraan: Apa, agar aap bura na maane to main pooch sakta hoon ke aap itni badal kyoon gayi theen. Apa, if you don't mind, can I ask you why you had changed so much?

Aisha: Imraan, mere saat kuch aisa haadsa hua tha ke kuch din ke liya main zindagi ka matlab hi bhool gayi thi. Lekin ab, sab theek ho gaya hai. Ek din main tumko sab kuch bataaoongi, lekin abhi main us baare mein sochna bhi nahin chaahti. Imraan, something happened that made me forget the meaning of life for a while. But now, everything is okay. I will tell you the whole story one day, but right now, I don't even want to think about it.

Imraan: Alright. I'm glad you're okay now.

Aisha: Thanks.

Imraan: To phir sach sach bataaiye. Kya is summer ki shaadi ka koyi chance hai? Okay, then tell me honestly, is there any chance there will be a wedding this summer?

Aisha was saved from answering by the ring of her cell phone. She stood up to go answer it.

Aisha: Hum phir baat karenge. We'll talk about this later.

The caller ID told Aisha that her roommate Radhika was calling.

Aisha: Hi Rads.

Radhika: Happy Birthday!

Aisha: Thanks. How's it going?

Radhika: Not bad. Just procrastinating as usual. How's home?

Aisha: Great! I missed my family so much.

Radhika: You expect me to feel sorry for you? I only see my family during vacations.

Radhika was from New York and was only in California because UC Berkeley was her dream school.

Aisha: Sorry. Thanksgiving is not too far away.

Radhika: Yeah, true. Anyway, do you have any plans for today?

Aisha told Radhika all about how her dinner and movie plans with Yusuf came about.

Radhika: Oh wow. Miss Aisha has got herself a date!

Aisha: It's not a date!

Radhika: Okay then. You're going to dinner and a movie with a hot guy who your family wants you to marry, but it's not a date. So, what are you going to wear?

Aisha: I'm considering torn jeans and a basketball jersey.

Radhika laughed.

Radhika: Well, I'm glad to see you have your sense of humor back, but in all seriousness; don't let him get away. He's perfect for you!

Aisha: I need time, but I'll think about it.

Radhika: What is there to think about? He's good looking and pre-med. I would have said yes ages ago.

Aisha: Then why don't you say yes to Krishna, the other pre-med we know. He's been asking you out since freshman year.

Radhika: Eww, yaar. He's such a geek.

Aisha: Okay then. Let me make sure Yusuf is not a geek in disguise, and then I'll say yes.

Radhika: Sounds like a plan. Oh, I just heard a knock. I think Carrie's here to work on our project. I'll talk to you later. Have fun tonight!

Aisha: I will. Bye.

Radhika: Bye.

Aisha smiled to herself as she put her phone back on her charger. Radhika's loud and blunt nature was intimidating for some people, but Aisha loved knowing that she could always get an honest opinion out of her.

Yusuf arrived to pick Aisha up at 6 PM sharp, wearing a dark blue collared shirt and black dress pants. He had taken the time to gel his hair and looked very handsome. Aisha was relieved that she had chosen to wear her favorite emerald green dress and had straightened her hair.

During the car ride, they talked about how different the natures of each of their siblings were from each other. Aisha laughed as Yusuf imitated Sabah's irritated reaction when anyone discouraged her from doing something because she was a girl. Aisha was amazed how quickly she was understanding and becoming attached to his family.

At dinner, everything was going perfectly and Aisha was enjoying herself. She should have known that it was too good to last. As they were eating dessert, Aisha noticed Hasan's younger sister Hina arriving at the restaurant with a couple of her friends. Hina was a second year student at Berkeley, and was the only one who had known about Hasan and Aisha's relationship while Hasan was still alive. A few seconds later, Hina noticed Aisha too, and walked up to their table.

Hina: Hi Aisha.

Aisha: Hi Hina. How are you?

Hina: I'm fine. You're very dressed up today.

Aisha: It's my birthday.

Hina: Oh, happy birthday.

Aisha: Thanks.

Hina (sarcastically): I'm glad that at least you have been able to move on.

After giving Yusuf a disapproving glance, she turned around and joined her friends.

Aisha looked into Yusuf eyes for a few seconds and then down at her dress. Even though she knew Hina was being unreasonable, a feeling of guilt washed over her.

Yusuf: Yeh Hasan ki behen thi na? She was Hasan's sister right?

Aisha nodded.

Yusuf: Aisha, pareshaan hone ki koyi zaroorat nahin hai. Woh apne bhai ki maut ko le ke abhi bhi emotional hai. Aisha, don't worry. She's just emotional about her brother's death.

Aisha: Lekin Yusuf, abhi Hasan ki maut ko sirf paanch mahine huwe hain. Main itni jaldi usko kaise bhool sakti hoon? But Yusuf, Hasan only died five months ago. Isn't it too soon for me to forget him?

Yusuf: Koyi yeh nahin chaahta ke tum usko bhool jaao. Lekin kya tumhen lagta hai, ke Hasan yeh chaahega ke tum uski yaadon mein itni kho jaao, ke jeena bhool jaao? Aur sab ko chhodo. It doesn't matter ke tumhaari family kya sochti hai, main kya sochta hoon, ya Hina kya sochti hai. Tum wohi karo jo tumhen sahi lagta hai. Nobody wants you to forget him, but do you really think Hasan would want you to become so absorbed in his memories that you stop living? Don't worry about anyone else. It doesn't matter what your family thinks, what I think, or what Hina thinks. You should do what you feel is right.

Aisha thought this over for a moment. She was sure that Hasan would want her to move on, and when she thought about it rationally, it was also the right thing to do. Hasan's memory would always be in her heart, but it shouldn't stop her from pursuing her own ambitions and desires. Confident that she was making the right decision, Aisha turned to Yusuf with a smile.

Aisha: Yahaan se chalen? Main Munnabhai ko miss nahin karna chaahti. Shall we go? I don't want to miss Munnabhai.

Yusuf's adorable dimples reappeared, and he called the waiter over to ask for the bill.

Lage Raho Munnabhai was hilarious and entertaining. Aisha and Yusuf were still laughing and repeating the dialogues on the way home. As they drove into Yusuf's driveway, Aisha couldn't help noticing how comfortable she felt around him. They got out of the car and Yusuf walked her to her door. Aisha thanked him for a wonderful evening, and gave him a hug, which seemed to pleasantly surprise him.

Once she was in the house, Samira and Maryam surrounded her at once and demanded to know every little detail. Aisha made the excuse that she was exhausted and promised to disclose everything the next day.

Back in her room, she immediately began to open her presents. She loved each one of them, but her favorite was a teddy bear that had "I will always be there" printed on its stomach. Aisha knew that Samira must have informed Yusuf that she collected teddy bears, but it didn't matter. The sentiment was from him.