The next whole week after the reconciliation of the families, Shahzain was in bliss.

He could finally pursue his feelings for Noor. But he wanted to do everything in a halal way. So he decided to talk to his parents. He just needed to gain courage for that.

Even in college he looked excuses to see her or talk to her.

He was getting ready for college while whistling a tune.

"Zain ye Fati phupho ke ghar de aao. Aaj maine taaza kachori banayi hai. Unhe pasand hai."

(Zain give this to Fati phupho's house. I have made fresh kachoris. She likes them.)

Kinza said handing a box of fresh kachoris to Shahzain. The boy instantly beamed at her. Another reason to meet her.

He immediately drove off to her phupho's. Their houses being at a distance of 15 minutes came to his benefit.

He rang the doorbell hoping that Noor would open it.

But instead Fatima opened. She smiled widely seeing her nephew and called him in.

"Ye ammi ne aapke liye bhijwaya hai. Aapki favourite kachori. Ammi ne banayi."

(Ammi send this for you. Your favourite Kachoris. Ammi made them.)

Fatima thaked him and went to keep it in kitchen.

Shahzain looked around to find her but she was nowhere.

Fatima came out of the kitchen and saw Shahzain looking around.

"Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

"Wo-umm phupho mai keh rha tha ki mai college hi jaa rha hu toh agar Noorain jaa rhi hai toh mai chhod dunga usse."

(Umm phupho I was saying that I am going college only so if Noorain is going I'll drop her.)

He stuttered out with nervousness. Fatima nodded with a smile and said.

"Taiyar hi ho rhi hai. Tum ye batao kya khaaoge?"

(She is getting ready. You tell me what will you eat?)

Shahzain smiled and said.

"Abhi toh kuch nhi phupho. Lekin usse chhodne aate waqt biryani bana dena. Aapke haath ki biryani khaane ka mann hai."

(Nothing right now. But when I come to drop her make biryani. I want to eat your hand's biryani.)

"Zarur mere chanda."

(Ofcourse my Chanda.)

Fatima kissed his head. Just then Noor came jumping out of her room.

"AMMI MAI COLLEGE JAA-"

(Ammi I am going college-)

She stopped her fudakna abruptly when she saw Shahzain looking at her with an amused smile.

She cleared her throat in embarrassment and reprimanded her ammi in her mind.

She could have told her that they had guests over. She smiled politely and walked near them.

"Asalamualaikum!"

She greeted an amused Shahzain.

"Walaikum assalam!"

He greeted her back. Noor turned to her mother and said in a very civilised manner.

"Ammi mai college jaa rhi hu. Allah haafiz!"

(Ammi I am going college.)

"Zain bhi wahi jaa rha hai. Wo chhod dega tumhe."

(Zain is also going. He will drop you.)

Fatima said and Noor almost had an heart attack.

Ye sab baatein 10-15 saal pehle batane ki hoti hai ammi. 10-15 seconds pehle nhi.

Noor wanted to say but instead just smiled.

She sat in his car in a very civilised manner and Shahzain just observed her movements in amusement. This was the first time he was seeing her so mannerful.

She was always a loud patakha.

Shahzain started the car and started driving. 5 minutes in and he spoke.

"Aap sabke saath hi itni kamosh hai ya mai kuch special hu?"

(Are you this silent with everyone or am I special?)

He asked and Noor jumped at the sudden question. She cleared her throat and said.

"Aisa nhi hai. Aapse naya naya rishta bana hai na. Kahi aap mujhe pagal na samjhe."

(There is nothing like that. I have a new relation with you. What if you of me as mad.)

She mumbled the last part but he heard it and laughed loudly making her smile involuntarily. His laugh was so good.

"Don't worry I won't think of you as that. Aap bhut cute hai by the way."

(You are very cute by the way.)

He added cheekily making Noor blush. His first compliment for her.

"Point No.1: He is very happy in your company."

She remembered Aakriti telling her. She had asked her how would she get to know that Shahzain loves her too.

Noor smiled mischievously as she thought about their plan.

"Mai jaanti hu. Kuch naya bataye."

(I know. Tell me something new.)

She boasted on his cute compliment.

Shahzain chuckled but complied nonetheless.

"Aap ek bhut hi acchi insaan hai."

(You are a very good person.)

Noor yet again raised her collar and said.

"I know. Mera hone wala shohar bhut lucky hoga."

(My would be husband would be very lucky.)

"Point No.2: If he gets jealous when you talk of some other man."

Shahzain became uncomfortable thinking about her with someone else. The thought didn't settle well with him.

He thought about him with her and a smile formed on his face.

"Beshak! Bhut hi lucky hoga wo."

(No doubt! He would be very lucky.)

He said imagining him in the said place. He so was going to talk to his parents now.

Noor's smile fell and she thought.

'Inhe toh koi farak hi nhi pada. Dhat! Plan flop."

They reached the college and that day unfortunately Shahzain did not have any class with Noor.

But he was happy that he was going to drop her home.

Shahzain was going towards his car in the parking lot while opening his phone to text Noor to come there when he heard a few voices.

"Arre toh seedha jaake bolde unhe ki tu unse pyaar krti hai."

(Go and tell him directly that you love him.)

"Aise kaise yaar Disha. Aise hi jaake thodi na bol skti hu."

(How like this. I can't say it like this only.)

His eyes widened recognising the voice. Noor!

He hid behind a pillar and listened to what they were talking about. Noor loved someone? He thought she liked him. Did he get it all wrong?

But the next sentence got his attention.

"Arre cousin hai na wo tere. Kya problem hai?"

(He is your cousin right. What is the problem?)

"Haan toh aise hi thodi na bol dungi yaar. Kya bolu? Ki Shahzain mai aapse behad mohabbat krti hu. Pagal samjhenge wo mujhe. Allah! Mujhe toh ye bhi nhi pata ki mujhe pasand tak krte hai ya nahi."

(Yes so I can't say like this. What should I say? Shahzain I love you a lot. He will think I am mad. I don't even know he likes me or not.)

He heard her cry in agony and a chuckle left his lips. He was on the ninth cloud now.

He pressed the button opening his car and that got the girls' attention and they got quiet.

"Mai aap hi ko bulane wala tha. Chale?"

(I was going to call you. Shall we leave?)

He asked looking at Noor and she nodded wordlessly hoping he did not hear their conversation.

"Aate raha kro. Aacha lagta hai."

(Keep coming. It feels good.)

Fatima said when Shahzain was leaving. He smiled and said.

"Zarur phupho. Agli baar aaunga aapki ijazat maangne."

(Ofcourse phupho. Next time I will come for asking your permission.)

Fatima frowned and asked.

"Ijazat? Kis cheez ki?"

(Permission? For what?)

"Aapse aapki sabse azeez cheez maangne ki."

(To ask for your most precious possession.)

He whispered only for her to hear and left after kissing her head.

Fatima caught his reference and smiled looking above at her Allah.
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