Inaya

"What are you doing here Inaya?"

His voice was ever so cold. It wasn't before, and I missed that. Missed the warmth he gave me once, until it was over, and we were just strangers again. The grip of his hand around my wrist was tight. I wasn't sure if was because of anger, or the fear that I'll go away yet again.

"I just wanted to meet you. It was a bad idea anyway."

I didn't look at him, I was too scared to. I didn't wanna know what emotions were going through his mind. I could read his eyes clearly and I didn't want to give my heart the chance to get hurt by the truth.

A sigh escapes his lips, and he seizes his hand back, making me bump into his back. The strong smell of his cologne hit my nose, and I swear I could melt right here. He lays his head on my shoulder, another sigh leaving his lips. This was so wrong, we had separated our ways a year ago, so why are we here again?

"You're killing me inaya, you're everywhere, you're just supposed to be in my memories then why do I see you everywhere too? In my room, in my garden, outside the window of my class. Why won't you leave inaya?"

Tears pool up in my eyes, he sounded weak. Weak talking about me. He shouldn't be, but his words are right, why would the images leave if the feelings haven't? How could I leave? My love never did.

His free arm wraps around my waist, feeling the warmth of my body, suddenly it felt hotter than it had a few minutes ago. It felt so good around him yet, the guilt settled in me. The guilt of breaking his heart, leaving, disappearing so suddenly. He didn't deserve it, but my future didn't give me any choice.

"How could you be so cruel inaya? Did I mean nothing?" His voice was breaking, only making my heart break more. Oh, you don't know how much you mean, I'm sorry my love, I did it for our good.

"Why aren't you speaking?"

"I'll just say the same things you've heard before, Aditya."

His grip around my wrist loosens, and so does the one around my waist. I hesitate, holding his hand tightly in mine. I didn't want it to be over this soon, my heart asks for more.

"I swear Adi, mene jo kiya tha, humare liye kiya tha." My friends always called me strong, but only if they would see this side, they'd know. Love makes everyone weak.
(I swear Adi, whatever I did it was for our sake)

"Chup. Chup raho Ms Khan. I'm so tired of hearing you're lame excuses."
(Shut up Ms Khan)

I turn around to face him, I could see the tears on his face. It hurt, seeing the wetness on his cheek. My hand raised with instinct to wipe his tears away, but his hard push made me startled. He turns his back to me, running his fingers through his hair.

"Don't touch me. You lost that right inaya, not only that, you've lost all rights regarding me. I hate you from my core, don't fucking take my name from those liar lips of yours ever again."

He stepped, circling me and leaving. I could hear the sound of his footsteps retreating. Along with each footstep, I could also hear my heart breaking.

Why was loving so hard?

Ishaan

It had been a week or so after the incident at The Rajvanshi household, yet the memories of her face so close to mine, and the feeling of her waist under my hand can't seem to leave my head. She was so beautiful my stomach would erupt into butterflies every time she smiled. Even her name was the most melodic word in the entire world. Anvi. Anvi. ANVI. I could say it all day.

I sprawl my hand across my desk, laying my head on my arm, lost in the thought of her. We had every single lecture together, we spent every weekend together since we were kids, and she was my brother's bsf, it was natural I had gotten a small crush on her. The way she moved, the way she talked, everything about her fascinated me. She was like a medicine without which I might die.

I hear the thud of books dropping on the desk next to me. A smile automatically makes it up to lips knowing who it is. Her fingers smack the back of my head softly, making me look her fit figure.

Anvi had her hair down falling on her back, the bag which previously held her heavy books on the ground against her desk. My eyes move down tracing the line of her beautiful curves, a small amount of her cleavage visible under her v-neck crop top. Travelling further down, my stomach storms with butterflies eyes her tiny waist, which was under my touch just a few days back. She wore her iconic waist chain with green cargo pants, finishing the look with some sneakers. Even clad in sexy clothes, seeing her smile and say good morning, made my heart melt.

She snaps her fingers in front of my face, confusion visible on her face. I chuckle softly, tilting my head indicating her to sit down at her place.

"Where were you?" Her siren eyes look at me, as her hand places her coffee cup back on the table.

"I was dropping my cousin at Shivy's company, she starts her internship today. I told you."

Well, I forgot, why should I remember anything she tells me about another woman? Mere khayalo me toh ye hi baasi hui hai.
(You're the only one in my thoughts)

She takes another sip from her coffee cup, looking grumpily at the professor teaching up front. As the coffee her cup empties, her expression gets grumpier. A soft chuckle leaves my lips looking at her pulled eyebrows and pouted lips, she looked cute even when pissed off.

"What did the poor professor do to you?"

She lets out a soft yawn and shakes her head in denial. Someone didn't get her a good night's sleep.

"I woke up early so I can drop di early, Bohot nind aarha." Her head dropped on the table between her arms. My poor baby. Scooting my chair closer to hers, I place my hand on her head, patting it softly.
(I feel very sleepy)

"Sleep, I'll record the lecture and send you the notes."

She gives me a small thumbs-up before getting comfortable under my touch. The next hour went by like this. Her snoring away in sleep as my hand softly runs through her hair. Her soft hair glided smoothly through my fingers, my lips pull up into a smile looking at her serene face.

I see my phone brighten up seeing Kyra's message pop up on my screen. She'd been busy with Kanishk's wedding, and being the elder sister made her responsible for so many things, it made me worry about her health.

Anvi stirs under my touch making my attention go back to her. She peeks up from her desk looking at me with a sleepy face making me grin. She sits up in her chair, and I remove my hand from her head. She scratches her head and looks at the time before picking up her bag from the ground and stuffing her books inside.

The sharp bell rings when the final book drops in her bag and she zips it close.

"I'm hungry buy me food."

I shake my head and let out a laugh before picking up my bag and standing up from my seat. Her hair looked like a baby bird's nest after that short nap, my hands smoothes out her locks, framing them around her face while she looks at me with a sleepy smile.

Yeh aurat ek din marke choregi
(This woman will kill me one day)

"Chalo na ishu."
(Lets go ishu)

Grabbing my hand, she pulls me along with her through the crowded hallway, outside to the food court of our college.

Pushing me down on a bench, she hands me her bag and heads toward the crowded canteen to grab us something to eat. Wasn't she just sleep- khane ke naam pe koi bhi jag jata hai
(Everyone wakes up at the mention of food)

"Um excuse me?" I turn around to see a girl standing there with a paper in her hand held out to me.

"Ye Kya hai?" I look up at her face with a question.
(What is this?)

"Someone wanted me to give it to you, it's not from me I'm just a messanger" She keeps the letter on the table and scurries off into the crowded ground.

Weird.

I glance at the table looking at the envelope, when I reach out for it, I feel Anvi's presence behind me. I tilt my head looking at her smiling face and she settles our trays on the table.

"Love letter hm?" Her index finger points at the paper in my hand, with a goofy expression on her face.

I just nod my head in approval and rip open the envelope to take out the small letter stuffed inside it. I've had many admirers but one has never sent me a letter.. But I sure have sent letters to the one I admire. I look at her face, which is currently being stuffed with a sandwich as she scrolls through her phone. The expression on her face every time she finds a letter in her bag is so precious. Her eyes light up and she wiggles a little out of excitement. I could watch her all day with that expression and not get bored.

Bringing my attention back to the letter, I unfold the page and read the content written inside it.

Dear Ishaan,

Mujhe pata hai ki tumhe aese kabhi koi letter nhi bhejta hai, magar mujhse raha nhi gaya. Mujhe lagta hai ki mujhe tum pe dil aagya hai. Zyada Kuch nhi kahu gi, bas itna ki, I love the way you do everything, I love the way you smell, I love the way you move, sachi me mera dil legae ho tum, and ab Aesa lag raha hai ki agar tum mere nhi hue toh mai mar hi jaugi. Please find me.

Yours only,
EL.

I stare at the initials, trying to remember anyone with same ones. Nothing. My mind was blank. I pick up the envelope and shake it softly to make sure nothing remains inside. A big bar of chocolate falls out along with a shiny material. Picking up the shiny piece of jewelry I study it carefully.

A chained silver earring with small bright diamonds attached at its end. To its hook, was a paper attached reading,

"Find me now my love."

Shivyansh

The hustle and bustle of footsteps echoed outside my office, it was a busy day, with some internships starting and Kanishk's leave for the wedding preparations, a lot had to be done without his presence.

I stretch my fingers out, staring at the numbers on my screen, starting a business was hard enough, but maintaining it was even harder.

Quickly sending out some emails, I closed the screen of my laptop and relaxed back in my chair, it was almost evening and tomorrow was the weekend, fridays were always a half lazy day, but today had stretched out which made me more tired.

My phone sounds of a ring as I pick it up and see Dad's call, immediately swiping right I pick up the call and answer to him.

"Shiv, keep your schedule clear for tomorrow, the Rajvanshi's wedding functions start and we have to be there."

"I'm not free." Which was a complete lie, I have no problems with the Rajvanshi's nor attending, but going there will only cause me to gain unnecessary attention. Which I didn't want.

"Shiv you can't jus-"

"Dad I've work, bye."

I throw my phone back on the desk and lay back in my chair closing my eyes. Two minutes pass by before I hear the ring of the phone again, growing I stand up in annoyance picking up the cell. Papa ko samjh nhi aata kya me-

'Kyra Rajvanshi is video calling you'

Weird she never calls but now she's video calling? I pick up the call and put the phone on my desk as it faces the ceiling.

"Bolo mohtarma kya chahiye Aapko."
(Tell me lady, what do you want?)

"Shiv sun na, hum ye idhar Bhai ke function ki saree lene aae hai aur decide nhi ho raha, Bhai is not picking up the call and Ishaan aur Anvi college me hai. You were the last option"
(Shiv listen, We've come here to get sarees for Kanishk's function, but we can't decided. Bhai is not picking up his call and Ishaan and Anvi are at college.)

A small smile forms on my face hearing her whining voice, and Kaynaaz's grunts of struggle from the background. Both of them have been engrossed in their brother's wedding, with the at most dedication. And as for the elder sister of the two, we've started to well, bond?

The more I've started to talk to her rather than fighting with her, the more I've realized she's not half bad. No matter how much we've fought, the day she cried over her ex, I wanted to be there for her. She's annoying yes, eats my brain all day yes, but she deserves much better than what that asshole had done to her.

In the past week, we've hang around a lot, not just me and her but the whole gang. Anvi, Kay, Rooh, Inaya, Me and Ishaan have been constantly shopping around and making plans while Kanishk has been stuck with the elders.

"Bola NAAAA panda" another whine leaves her lips and I smile at the nickname she has given me. Panda. No idea where that came from but yes.
(Tell me panda)

"Golden wali." I point at the one held in her right hand, then look back at the sulking Kaynaaz sitting there wearing Black heels.
(The golden one)

"Teri behen ko kya ho gaya? Why is my Minnie sulking?" Before a word leaves Kyra's lips, Kaynaaz snatches the phone from her and look is at the screen.
(What happened to your sister?) 

"Pehele toh Tu screen me aa, I wanna see your ugly beautiful face not the ceiling"
(First you come on the screen)

Her demands are endless. Sitting on the couch next to the huge glass windows, I hold the phone up to my face and raise my eyebrows in question at her pouting face.

"What happened meri jaan?"

"Black ya silver? Didi bol rahi pink but mujhe nhi chahiye pink, mai barbie doll dikhti hu kya?" My lips purse as I hear her small rant, these women never fail to entertain me.
(Black or Silver? Didi is saying pink but I don't want pink, I'm not a barbie doll)

"Black lele, aur woh heel bhi le lena they look good on you." A small smile forms on my face looking at her giggling figure, she hands the phone back to kyra and ruins to back to the box in which she kept the heels.
(Black, and get those heels too.)

"Sorry agar disturb kiya" Her voice was lower and concern filled, Kyra was always one to apologise over the smallest things, and I've guessed that it has become her habit.
(Sorry if we disturbed)

"Nhi I was just resting don't worry"

She smiles softly, her dimple poking into her cheek and I practically melt. That dimple makes her smile look a hundred times cuter.

"Main jati hu ab, bohot kaam hai, tu kal aarha hai na?"
(I'll go now, I've a lot of work, you're coming tomorrow right?)

"Woh actually mujhe boh-"

My words get interrupted by a knock on my office door. I glance at the clock and sigh softly. It's our new intern.

"I'll text you okay? Go home safely both of you." Bidding Kyra a finally go bye, I put my phone aside and stand up fixing the winkles on my shirt.

A second knock and I call out a loud 'come in'. The officer manager steps inside bowing before moving towards my desk. He places a file on my desk and point towards the door.

"Should I let them in?"

A hum leaves my throat as I face the window, staring at the view outside. The road jammed with traffic and the sky was starting to change its colour. The manager leaves and I feel the presence of someone new stepping inside the office. They take careful steps, until they reach the coach I was previously sitting on and wait for me to speak.

"What's your name?" I adjust my tie, running my hand through my hair still looking out the window. A lot of interns had come in today, all of them useless. Nothing about them seemed interesting enough to employ at the company. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same for this one.

"Mariam Khan."

The sweetest voice hits the love of my ears and I turn around to look at the source of it.

My heart skips a beat and my world stops as my gaze takes in the sight of her stunning form clad in a red kurti and a dupatta. My eyes flicker, my heart flutters, as I gaze upon the goddess of perfection standing before me in her traditional dress. Each fold and pleat of the delicate fabric cradles her perfect body and complements her heavenly features.

My eyes roam over her features, her eyes, big, brown, and sparkling. Her lips, pink, full and glossed. Her nose small and her eyebrows knit together showing her nervousness. The dupatta covered her brownish silky hair which were fell on her back and her kurti reached down to her knees.

I was taken aback by her beauty, awestruck by the moon like glow on her delicate features. It wasn't till she cleared her throat that I snapped out of my fantasy world and fixed my posture.

I gesture her to sit down in the chair in front of me as I settle into my own.

"I'll let you speak miss Khan please tell me about yourself"

She didn't have to, I had already gone through her file. She was 24, Anvi's cousin and soon to graduate her university. But only for the formalities and the sake of keeping her here a bit longer, just so I could admire her beauty a bit more. No one would get enough of this goddess.

A smile forms on my face looking at her continuously speaking, her voice was beautiful, just like herself. I could hear it all day. And night.

The snap of her fingers brings me back to reality and I look at her in question.

"Are you listen mr. Khurana?"

"Yes. Aapki nhi sunuga toh aur kiski sunuga?"
(Yes. If I don't listen to you who else will I listen to?)

A soft blush adorns on her cheek, and a small, lovingly smile appears on her lip. I wanted to see her blush everyday, each minute, only at my words.

"I should get going now sir, I think I've cleared all the formalities."

"Well I'd like to know a bit more, how about tomorrow?" Again there was nothing to know, I just wanted to hear that sweet, melody like voice.

"I'm busy with an event tomorrow, but i guess I'll see you there? You're friends with the Rajvanshi's." She picks up her small bag before adjusting her dupatta back on her head. It suited her, made her delicate features stand out more.

She bows a little before walking out the door and disappearing into the hallway. I sigh and lay back on my chair looking at my ceiling. Khud toh chali gyi, sath me mera dil bhi le gyi.
(She went herself and took my heart with her as well)

'I'll see you there'. Remembering her words I pick up a my phone and dial it to father again.

"Papa, I'll be there tomorrow."

"Where?" Confusion was clearly laced in his voice

"At the function"

"And what made you change your mind?"

"Someone." I cut the call and put my phone aside before picking up Mariam's file again and looking at her signature scrawled on the bottom of the page.

A smile form on my face remembering her precious smile and perfection like beauty.

Lal duppate wali mohtarma, aapko mera banake hi choruga.