Check at the end of the chapter to find the meaning of the foreign words used here...

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"Is this the you I knew all my life?"...

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Ayaah's POV:

I felt my entire existence fading as I heard their conversation... How could you do this Ayan!

"Well, the proposal you gave me, I thought about it a lot. And you are right, it will benefit both of us. But I wanna know you first. Marriage is an important bond for me. I can't choose my life partner just like that. Hope you understand.." I heard him say as I felt someone stabbing my heart.

"It's completely fine Ayan, I understand and respect your opinion. You gave us a chance is more than enough for me. I feel like I have won something big!" Mahira looked at me from the corner of her eyes and smirked. I felt a lone tear falling from my eyes.

" What the fudging hell is happening here? " I heard Nick whisper yelling. I didn't know what to say, I keep my head low as another tear fell from my eyes.

"What! Will you just stay silent and do nothing?"

What right do I have that I will do something!

"Okay then, if you won't do something then I will!"

She started to march towards them as I kept quiet...

I grabbed her hand as I wiped my tears away.

I nodded negatively at her "No."

"Wha.. really? You want me to just stand here and watch all these shiz happen! I won't, let me go.." She said as she tried to free her hand from my hold.

"No! Nick behave... it's his choice. We shouldn't interfere." I looked away hiding my tears.

"Well, I don't believe that it's his choice! And this business model can never be his choice. There's something fishy! Leave me!" She again marched.

"Nick, stop it!"

"ARE YOU FREAKING INSANE AYU!" She yelled loudly.

"Ayaah, Nikhar! What are you guys doing here?"

I heard a male voice and it's none other than Ayn.

I saw him as he got up from his chair and Mahira too.

She mouthed 'Game Over' so that only I could see and smirked. But unfortunately, Nick saw and she gave me a 'what the hell' look.

But Ayan's eyes were fixed on me. His eyes held the same unknown emotion that he always has.. when he wants to convey his feelings to me.

That look, that eyes, and those emotions have a different owner now Ayan. And I am just a mere third person now. Don't give me those looks.

*********

A few hours ago:

"What's up with you lately? You seem zoned out!" Nick asked me as she removed my queen from the chessboard. Nikhar didn't have classes today and I don't have much work. So we decided to play chess instead.

"It's nothing, just a little headache," I said as I rubbed my forehead.

"I think it's also related to Ayan bro!" She giggled as my eyes widen. "Oii.. don't you think you are acting more mature than your age? Concentrate on the game." I scolded her.

"Ayu, for how long?" She asked as I looked at her.

"For how long will you deny your feelings for Ayan bro? If things go like this you both will end up getting hurt!" She stated.

"It's nothing like you are thinking. He is just my... my habit. And nothing else. Also, he thinks of me as his sister. We grew up together, Nick... we just made ourselves each other's habit. He will eventually forget me when he gets married..." I said as I gulped the lump formed inside my throat.

"Keep telling that to yourself!" She said angrily as she removed my horse too. Arghhh! How did I miss that?

Suddenly my phone vibrated with a massage.

Mahira: How many hours are left to turn 24 hours?

Ayaah: how would I know?

it was your statement. You

made this game and all.

Mahira: Was it? So let's end this game...

Meet me at the XYZ cafe. 2 pm. ;)

My eyes widen at the massage.. did Ayan really?

No, no, no... that's not possible! It can be something else too... I can't say anything before seeing it with my own eyes.

"Nikhar, I need to go," I said as my voice was cracking. As if sensing my cracked voice Nick insisted to come with me too.

"I also have some notes to collect. Drop me on the way home!" She said getting up.

"You can go with someone else too."

"I am coming with you. And this isn't a request!"

She said stubbornly. 'This isn't a request' is a secret threat, meaning, 'You won't be able to stop me'.

Ya Allah! Why does she have to be so stubborn?

I didn't have any option other than to take her with me.

*********

I entered the cafe and Nikhar followed me. I told her not to follow me but she didn't listen.

How does it feel when you don't have any control over your younger sibling and they order you around!

As I entered there, my heartbeats quickened. Why am I feeling like this? I looked around but couldn't find Mahira.

Huh! It's nothing...

"Wait a minute, isn't that Ayan bro?" I heard Nikhar say as I immediately turned and looked where she was looking.

It is Ayan!

So this is it! Everything's over? No, no, no.. why are you thinking like this Ayaah.. they can be discussing something else too. I have to listen to their conversation.

As I took slow steps towards them, I felt an unknown feeling inside me. Feelings that I was denying since forever. It's not jealousy, it's not anger, it's something much more intense...

It's just then when I realized, Ayan is more than a habit of mine.

does it matter now?

"I am ready to give a chance to us Mahira.."

These words of Ayan worked like a dagger.

Is this the Ayan I knew all my life?

Why did you have to lie to me at first Ayan?

You said Mahira isn't your type!

Have I become so distant that you had to lie to me?

You shattered me Ayan...

*********

Present time:

"Won't you introduce me to them Ayan?"

Ayan tore away his gaze as he heard Mahira.

"Oh.. umm... Mahira.." He stammered.

"It's okay, I will introduce myself!" She gave me a tight smile, pretending she doesn't know me, "I am Mahira Iqbal. Ayan's girlfriend." She said extending her hand for a handshake.

"What is this bro?" Nikhar asked Ayan ignoring Mahira.

"Oh.. we are so sorry sweetie! Things happened so fast that we couldn't inform." Mahira started withdrawing her hand.

"I asked him not you!" Nikhar said angrily.

"Nick, behave!" I yelled a little.

"Jahannum with your behave! I am leaving.."

She yelled angrily and stormed out of the cafe.

"Huh! Teenagers.." Mahira said with a fake smile as she saw Nick leaving.

"I guess she was a sister of Ayan. And you must be another sister?"

Both mine and Ayan's head snapped towards Mahira. What is she playing at? Is she trying to trigger me?

"Sorry for my sister's behavior. She is Nikhar Ayan's cousin. And I am Ayaah Qureshi. I am a...

Cousin of Ayan too!" I said as I forwarded my hand for a handshake again.

She shakes my hand, "Nice to meet you!" She smirked as she shook my hand.

Just then Mahira's phone rang and she excused herself and left for her meeting.

"I need to go.. see you later Ayan!" She winked at him and left.

And I have now left alone with Ayan.

Silence fell in the environment as my eyes began to tear up.

"You could've told me the truth Ayan! You didn't have to lie.."

I said as I looked at him trying to smile.

"Ayh! Things happened so fast that I couldn't tell you... I am sorry.. please don't be upset." He said with pleading eyes.

"Oii.. why would I be upset! It's just that I feel bad that you didn't tell me... in fact, I am happy for you that you finally chose someone." I said pouting.. hiding my sadness so that he doesn't get to know my inner turmoil.

"You don't have any problem with me dating Mahira?" He asked

"No, why would I have a problem you dating someone? You date one or hundreds, our relation won't change!" I said with a soft smile.

He looked at me with an unknown feeling in his eyes.

"But remember, Allah (SWT.) told us not to go even close to Zina (unlawful sexual intercourse). If you date her. Intend to marry her" I say with a serious voice. Though I felt myself dying saying the word 'Marriage'.

"Oii, of course not! cause..." he trailed off as it felt like he went in deep thought...

This stupid guy.. urghh!

"Hey, you caveman! Come out of your thoughts.. who's gonna drop me home?" I hit his head lightly.

"Oww.. woman! Why do you have to hit me always!" he whined and I chuckled...

I can pretend that I am okay, nothing happened... but my peek inside my heart and you will know how wounded I am.

Ayan dropped me home and we bid bye.

I didn't wait much longer and marched inside my room. Locking the door, I sat near it and I buried my face between my knee as tears started to make their way out of my eyes.

*********

Writer's POV:

"What's your damn problem?" Hamza Qureshi yelled at his wife as he banged the table.

"Problem is not with me but you!" Fiza said calmly and resumed what she was doing.

"My daughter is not your shares that you will buy and sell! I won't let you use her as a business deal.."

"Shut up Fiza! I am not a father that will sell his daughter for a mere business deal. The proposal was good. Ya, they proposed a big business collaboration with it, but the boy was good! He had everything... Our Ayaah would've lived like a queen if the marriage happened!" He groaned.

"By what? Hiding the truth about her?"

Fiza yelled at him...

"What would've happened if they got to know about the truth after marriage? Won't that be a problem then? Look now, after I told them the truth, they took back the proposal!"

Fiza said and Hamza buried his face in his palm.

He sighed, "What do I do Fiza? I am a father. I want my daughter to live happily.. what is my fault?"

"I know Hamza. That is the reason I think we should get Ayaah married to Ay..." Hamza didn't let him finish as he said "No, not Ayan! Never. Ayaah will die unmarried but won't marry Ayan."

"Everything was fine Hamza! what happened? What happened that you hate him so much!" Fiza asked.

"Everything was fine when I was an idiot. But I am not an idiot now... I won't lose to Firoz now!"

Hamza stated as he got up and left the room leaving Fiza in confusion.

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"But they plan and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners." - Quran, Surah Al-Anfal|Ayah- 30

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Some meanings of the words from the earlier chapters:

Alhamdulillah- Praise to be Allah.

Bismillah- Starting in the name of Allah.

Wallahi- I swear by Allah.

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Jahannum: Hell

Jannat: Paradise.

Assalamualaikum (peace be upon you) guys! So here is the 7th chapter of my book... Sorry for the late update.

So, Did you guys like it?

What does think is Ayaah's truth?

Do you guys like how the story is progressing?

Let me know your thoughts. By the comments.

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Jazakallahu khairan< (may Allah reward you with goodness)