21. BACK TO NEW YORK... BACK TO FEELINGS!!!

Ahhh… Home!…. I stretched my arms wide as I took the first step out of the Air plane, without realizing I was blocking the way of many at my back, somebody blabber something behind and I at once got a side, a fat aunty eyed me horribly and then walked past me…oooops! Well, It felt great to be back home after more then a year…. It felt a thousand years to be away from home.its true, Home is where your heart is and no matter how much I love Bollywood my heart is here in Newyork with these idiots……. I looked back and found Shehry and Waqas coming out as well.

“I so want to see Angad’s face right now man!” Shehry said excitedly, we were coming out of the airport now. Atif has come to pick us up.

“Angad? Angad Saberwal?Whats with him?” Atif asked as we sat In the car.

“yaaar long story…..” I stretched my arms.

“or tujhe to batani bhi nai…… aya q nai saley?” I smacked his head and he made a face.

“yar, had to go with dada… he needed my signature there… some property work” Atif said, carelessly and I nodded.

“acha bata na chal. Hua kia” Atif asked again

“Kaka……” Waqas said and we all laughed.

“oh really? Kis ka? Tera?... wah bhai mein chachoo ban gaya” Atif said and Waqas chuckled.

“Angad had a plan of defaming me actually….”I started saying.

“or woi plan us k khud ka moo per chaperr ki tarah per gaya, the summery of the story” Shehry added and I chuckled.

“well, we leaked a veryyyy verryyyy controversial tape of Angad and some bitch, I don’t know the name….” Waqas said rolling his eyes.

“you did not?” Atif’s eyes popped out in shock.

“we did putter ji……..” Shehry said.

“then?” Atif asked curiously

“then….. all the channels and press got to know this and waaaat lag gai Angad ki, I think explanation call aa gai hogi use ub tak to” I said and Atif nodded.

“and he didn’t do anything after that?” Atif said stopping the car at the filling station.

“nope, he must be so danm caught up in this scandal that he wont even get time for bothering me anymore….” I said.

“yeah! hopefully” Atif said, patting my shoulder.

We sat back in the car when suddenly my cell phone rang up…. Pallavi was there.

“hello!” I took the call….

“Hussain are you safe?” I heard her worried voice.

“ummm yeah! am pretty safe, what happened?” I asked and all of them looked at me.

“well, Angad had a press conference here and he openly said that Hussain has did this all to defame him….

“what rubbish, he actually tried to dig a hole for me and now he himself fell into it…. Not my fault” I cut her up in the middle…. … I saw Waqas gesturing me to put the call on speakers so I did and held the phone in the middle.

“I know Hussain…. But please take care, Natasha met me today after she watched the press conference of Angad… she was really worried about you. She told me what ever happened between you two… so you have to keep your eyes and ears open. listen, keep security with you. I have asked Anuragh for providing you gaurds” Pallavi said and I rolled my eyes.

“Are you kidding pallavi? Am not some… some Amitabh bachan or something, please let me enjoy my holiday here. And am not at all afraid of that git. Let him come and face me like a man” I said and heard Pallavi sighed deeply.

“Okay… don’t get carried away… do enjoy your time there along with the show you are having ….but please take care as well.” She said.

“okay, don’t worry…I will” I said.

“That’s my boy…… chalo all the best for your show, its your second international show Hussain, am so excited for you” she said and I chuckled.

“You take care, am gonna miss you smacks and slaps here during the show” I said and heard her laugh.

We hung up and sighed deeply.

“Come on… that’s okay, ye to hona he tha. Angad sounds and seems a ….. what should I say….

“kuttey ka bachaa…..” Shehry cut Waqas in the middle and we all burst out laughing.

I shook away all the negative thoughts, I simply want to enjoy my days here at home and Angad’s thought would be the last thing that should come across my mind.

RIDA HAD A PLAN!

Oh it was danm difficult, but somehow I managed to steal her phone for a while… when she was busy drooling on Dhoombros old dance videos and every now and then laughing like crazies and then dancing with them…. Ahhh! Once a fan girl, always a fan girl! I took her phone in my pocket and putting it on silent mode I excused her for washroom, coming to the other room I checked his number, then dialed from my own cell.

“Oh! Come on…… pick up, I don’t have the whole day” I said to myself, waiting him to pick up, and after a couple of rings he picked up.

“Hellooo” I was actually hearing his voice that closely for the first time, awaz se to banda alaa lagta hea. I cleared my throat.

“hii…. Who is this?” I asked

“This is what I should be asking, who is this” he asked playing with words and I rolled my eyes.

“Oh please, are you Waqas Riaz?” I asked hurriedly and heard a chuckle.

“oh! Waqas Riaz…. Well, ek muddat hui apna poora nam suney hue, wo bhi itni sureeli awaaz mein” oh! What a flirt.

“Listen, I don’t have the whole day…. Am Mannat’s friend, Rida… I have to ask you for something” I said hurriedly.

“Oh! Mannat’s friend…. How is she? koi ata pata he nai us ka. She…..

“Oh! You talk a lot…. “ I cut him in the middle and heard a loud amused chuckle.

“Acha to ap boliye mein suntan hoon” I felt him smirking.

“Listen, its Mannat’s birthday on 2nd November we are celebrating at her place, its just the cake cutting… no fancy party sharty… so I wonder if you people could come to wish her…she

“Only to wish her? Cake nai khilaaeen gi ap?” he cut me in the middle and asked stupidly and I sighed.

“Ofcorse ap cake khane he aa jaiye ga…. but aa jaiye ga” I said gritting my teeth and he laughed, I think he felt my irritation.

“wese ap hamesha itni jaldi mein hoti hen?” He asked

“nai… what do you mean?” I asked

“nai, to phir kisi din sakoon se miliye ga kaheen… you sound interesting” Was he trying to hit on me?

“mil rahe hen na!…. 2nd November, remember! And do bring all of these, dhoombros with u” I said rolling my eyes.

“Oh! Yeah definitely… text me the address” He said and I felt satisfied.

“Okay, I will…..” I said and felt him like cutting up

“Hey!.... do come han! That would be the best surprise for her… ever” I said, excitedly and he chuckled.

“Allright babes… see you there, bye” he said and I looked at my phone stupidly…

“Babes????? Seriously? Idiot” I said and went out of the washroom.

WAQAS’ END

“bari muskurahaten bikhri hui hen….. whats cooking boy? Shehry smirked at me and I laughed.

“Nothing… cook to tu hea saley! Mein q kuch pakaoon ga, well have to tell you something” I smacked his head.

“na bata na bata beta… pata lag he jana hea” Shehry said, rubbing his head and I chuckled.

“Listen bro! Mannat’s friend called me.. she invited us all on her birthday, call it a surprise” I told him and he nodded.

“vadiya ho jae ga… its ben long nobody invited us anywhere yar” Shehry said making a face and I smiled.

“or billi ke galey mein ghanti kon bandhe ga?” Atif came out of the kitchen and asked.

“billi?.... ghanti? Oooooh! Hussain?” I said and Atif nodded.

“yup, he will never get ready to go to her party” Atif said shaking his big head.

“To ready hue bager chaley… we have no issue” Shehry said stupidly and I rolled my eyes.

“Seriously dude! Remember? How furious he was on his party… last time when they met, it was a disaster” Atif said and I nodded.

“hah! Every time they met…. It’s a disaster boy!so why not another disaster?” Shehry said.

“oye! Batate he nai use k kaha ja rae hen….” it came to my mind and I clapped my hands excitedly.

“Idea is good, but what then… when he will get to know about Mannat’s party?” Atif asked

“nai nai… Mannat k moo per plastic bag cherhaa den ge, so that hero won’t get that” Shehry said sarcastically and I rolled my eyes.

“yeah! okay…. You tell then, what to do?” I said.

Okay, lets stick to this plan… bad mein kia ho ga we will see. He wont mess up things once we will be there, itna bhi badtameez nai sada bhiraw.” Shehry said and we laughed.

“yeah cool then…..” Atif said giving me a high five.

***********

“Oye this is my bloody coat you are wearing Shehry” I looked at him in utter shock and he hide behind Waqas.

“I was trying to find it everywhere and here it is…..saley chorrrr!” I headed towards him and he backed off, still holding Waqas from behind. Waqas was trying to balance himself.

“Tu mujhe giraye ga yar” Waqas yelled out.

“oho… tu to pehle hi itna gira hua hea, or kitna gire ga… nalayaq!” Shehry slapped his face from behind and Waqas gritted his teeth tightly.

“look! Bro, bhai bhai mein kesi chori… jo tera hea wo mera hea” shehry said cheeeckily and I put my hands on my waist.

“tu pitey ga muj se Shehry” I pointed a finger at him, who was peaking at me from Waqas’s back.

“You can wear that blue one…. Uff you look amazing in that one Hussain, maa qasam!” Shehry said pointing towards the blue coat lying on the bed.

“no, I wanna wear black…… Shehry! You better take it off otherwise am…. Okay! Am not gonna give you this” I looked around and saw the right thing… suddenly a smirk appeared on my face and I took up the hair gell… well, the only one we have right now.

I showed him the gell and he made a face.

“Ub jaeen tu dinner mein zulfein lehra ker…. Ufff! You will look amazing Shehry” I mimcked him and he rolled his eyes.

“Tum dono kaheen or ja ker laro maro…… leave my jacket, you just ruined it man! Itni mehnat se press ki thi” Waqas jerked Shehry’s hands and looked down at his crumbled sleeves.

“Tu jacket bhi iron kerta hea?” I looked at him in disbelief and Shehry started laughing like idiots while Waqas shot his eyebrow.

“Jacket…. Bro! he irons his chaddi as well” Shehry said and I burst out laughing.

“Seriously! Grow up man!” I patted Waqas’s shoulder and he eyed me angrily.

“buss agaya heat u wapas… ub shuroo ho gai tum dono ki behoodgi….Dafa he ho jao tum dono…” Waqas said showing his palm on our faces, and left the room.

“Hussain! Give me the gel” Shehry asked looking back at me and I held the gell at my back.

“no, you give me my coat, first… chal utaar” I countered.

“Sharam ker sharam…. Khotey! Bhai k kapre uterwae ga? behaya! Yei seekh k aaaya hea india se tu?” Shehry was in his Dolly aunty mode.

“Shehry…. Stop it okay, yar de de na!” I said in between laughing and Shehry took out my coat.

“oye! Hussain….. pass me the towel bro!” we heard Atif yelling from the bathroom.

Shehry looked at me and then at the coat he was having in his hands…. Suddenly he jumped towards the bathroom door and knocked at it.

“ye leh Atif, towel nai hea isi se kam chala le” No, he cant be serious.

“hey are you mad….. Shehry de de mujhe nai to …….ye le” I said warning him and opening the cap of the tube I held it upside down…..

“oye!... no, we don’t have another man! No Hussain” Shehry said hurriedly and I smirked, I pushed the tube a bit and gel started coming out..

“zameen se utha k khoprrey per laga leen” I said looking at the floor and Shehry hurriedly ran towards me holding out my coat.

“ye le… marr!”he extended my coat and I took it with one hand while Shehry took the gel from his other hand. Now we both were holding both things in both hands :D well, sounds crazy but yeah it looked like this.

“tu chor….”

“nope, you leave first….”

“am your elder bro man! Tu chor” Shehry said.

“abbey salo…. Mujhe towel de do, Ya aese he nikal aaoon mein?” we heard Atif’s voice, Shehry looked at the door and I hurriedly took the coat out of his hand.

“hey! Bro that’s cheating” Shehry complaint, I was holding the gell in air above my head and Shehry jumped to take it back.

“Ah! Shortyyyyy” I made a face at him and Shehry put his hands on his waist.

“Acha?,….. tu nai mane ga! saley!” Shehry said and extended his hands towards my abs… no, no tickling.

“Nai nai nai… le lo.. le lo. No gudgudi” I atonce backed off and throw the tube towards him which he caught nicely, smirking at me.

“Tu nai badla han! Abhi tak woi shokhii bakri hea tu meri” Shehry held my head in his arm and said, I rolled my eyes, while he gave me a gentle punch in my abbs.

“oye! Towel kidher hea? Atif aese he na nikal aaye…….” Shehry said looking around and I laughed.

Oh my God! I so missed all that begherties of Shehry there in India… ever day. I was in thoughts when suddenly I heard Waqas’s cell phone rang up. I took up the phone, it was an unknown number.

“Waqaaaas!” I called him but he didn’t reply back, I swipe the screen after a couple of more bells.

“Hello!” I said

“Hi… Waqas?” it was a girl…. Oho! A girrrrrl, Waqas tu pitey ga mere hath se…larki ka chaker???? batya bhi nai!

“Ummm nope actually its Hussain here” I said and there was silence for a couple of seconds. Oh! I think meri awaz pasand nai aai.

“oh!... okay.. umm actually I had to ask him if he is ready or not? Its getting late” she asked hesitantly and my eyebrows shot up.

I was about to say something when Waqas entered in the room… I held the phone towards him and he took it,looking at the screen his expressions got serious atonce. Kuch to garr bar rhea yahan beta!

“A… hi!” Waqas said, looking sideways at me and I stood right next to him, putting my elbow on his shoulder. Shehry looked at me and then Waqas questioningly.

“Yeah!... yeah, no no I got that…. Yeah! don’t worry. Bye” Waqas put the phone back in his pocket.

“What?... aese q dekh rah ea?teri niyat theek nai lag rai mujhe” Waqas said and I rolled my sleeves.

“kab se chal raha hea ye?” I asked rolling my sleeves and he chuckled.

“Shery?tu ne bhi mujhe nai bataya?I looked back at Shehry.

“oho, are you mad? What are you talking about?” Waqas said carelessly.

“who was this girl? And what was she talking about?” I asked

“oh! Ye… wo.. ye friend hea yar kia hogaya hea tujhe. Shehry samjha ise kuch” Waqas said hurriedly and headed towards the door… “ by the way hurry up, we are getting late” he stopped and looked back.

I was about to ask about all this to Shehry when Atif came out of the bathroom, looking angry. Oh! Khan saab ka gussa… qayamat!

“I just want to kill you two…. Kab se mang rat ha towel, idiots” Atif eyed me angrily and I smiled cheeckily.

“towel na ho gaya… Nawaz Shareef ka isteefa ho gaya! Jo nai diya to tu dherna kare ga tu…. chup ker!” Shehry joked and I started laughing while Atif threw the wet towel at Shehry’s face……  Shehry ran after Atif and he ran outside the room.

We took another half hour in getting ready….. I finally wore my favourite black coat over a dark blue shirt and black jeanz, Shehry finally gelled up his hair and wore one of his cool dude check shirt and rolled up his sleeves to his elbows

Time to take a selfie after a long time I guess, we all took selfies and put in on Fb and instagram…. We went out of our apartment and headed towards Waqas’s Mustang….. kuch bhi ho jae… duniya idher ki udher ho jae Waqas is not gonna change his vehicle, tabhit o ise bivi ki zaroorat nai… gaddi he kafi hea is k liye. I chuckled at my thought and sat in the car.

Waqas put address in the gps and switched on the music……and Enrique’s seductive voice came out……..

Tonight we dance,

I leave my life in your hands.

We take the floor,

Nothing is forbidden anymore.

Don't let the world in outside.

Don't let a moment go by.

Nothing can stop us tonight!

Bailamos! Let the rhythm take you over

Bailamos! Te quiero amor mio

Bailamos! Gonna live this night forever

Bailamos! Te quiero amor mio, te quiero!

We were singing at the top of our lungs, after so long I was enjoying my time with these three idiots…… ah! So mnay days… so many nights without them. Success gives you a lot but takes few things from you as well. And in my case fame took away those moments I could have spent with all of them here in my city. I was thinking all this when I felt the car stopping…

“Are we there?” I asked popping my head in the front.

“ummm nopes, wait here am coming” Waqas said and he got out of the car.

“yaaawr… am hungry! Kahan jar a hea ye ub?” I said holding my tummy.

After a couple of minutes I saw Waqs coming towards the car…. What? Wait! He was holding a beautiful bouquet in his hands, he came running towards the car and opening the door he sat in. he gave the flowers to Shehry.

“hey! What is this for?” I asked smelling the flowers, they were amazing.

“ummm yar actually it’s a birthday party so us k liye he liye hen” Waqas said casually

“ahaaan! That phone wali bhabi? I giggled and Waqas shook his head.

“Kameeney chup ho ja us k samne na keh deen” Shehry glared at me.

“Han to batao na theek theek k kia chaker hea…. Bhabi or Waqas ka” I said and Waqas took my collatr in his hand while the other was on steering.

“Oye! Marwaye ga sale…. Garii chala” I laughed and he left my collar, rolling his eyes.

“aye… you will give it to bhabi” I poked Waqas and he laughed…

“Nai nai tu de de…. Shehry, give it to Hussain!” Atif said and Shehry gave the flowers at the back, I held them in my hands… Ahhhh what a fragrance.

MANNAT’S POV

I took a shower and hurriedly got ready, wearing the dress Rida has bought for me… giving a little touch up I tied my hair into a high ponytail and headed out of my room…. My class mates were already there, oops! I was late….. Rida was glaring at me.

“You were getting ready for your barat. Right?” Rida put her hands on her waist.

“Nops…. Your barat” I winked and Rida blushed.

“Oye hoye!.... blushing han” I pintched her cheecks.

“Chal ub charrh mat…… I had to handle these idiot friends of yours, I swear that Ron is a psycho” Rida jerked my hands then whispered in my ear and I chuckled.

“Ub to buht sudher gaya hea yea Ronald ka bacha! When I first met him… he was the biggest pervert on earth ub is ki ranking perverts mein kafi peeche ho gai hea” I said and Rida chuckled.

“Han… mein ne to khoob punjabi mein ki is ki” Rida said and we laughed.

“khair, Punjabi mein to ek he banda hea jo sab ki suthri ker sakta hea” I said smiling.

“who?..... there is nobody who can beat me when it comes to Punjabi” Rida boasted.

“Dolly aunty……” I whispered in her ear and she rolled her eyes.

“haaa! Bula lo we will have a face off…. Lets see who is better” Rida said popping her eyes out and I laughed. We headed into the hall… Ron, Peter, Alia and Lizzy were enjoying drinks and snacks, Seleena and Hammad were giving them company.

“Hiiiii” I beamed entering in to the hall and they all got up…..

“Hey!... birthday girrrl!” Lizzy hugged me.

“Happy birthday sweetie” Alia hugged the hell out of me….

“Happy birthday dear…. Wish you have many more” Peter  and Ron hugged me side ways and I smiled.

“hey! Where is Adam and Niki?” I looked around and asked.

“Adam has gone on a blind date……” Lizzi said and I chuckled.

“Seriously?...... don’t tell me, I feel pitty for the poor girl” I said and they all laughed.

“hey! Time for some fun guys…… what do you think? Songs? Dance?.....” Ron clapped his hands.

“Yeah! but bollywood songs okay! I don’t understand how you people move yours butts on English songs” Seleena said getting up.

“hey no…. some, ummmm Bruno Mars song” Ron said excitedly.

“Tu akele nach le, Bruno Mars… k piyo!” Rida said gritting her teeth, apparently looking all calm and cool and I controlled my laughter.

“I didn’t get that baby! But whatever you said…. I loved that” Ron winked at her and she rolled her eyes.

Seleena switched on the music and a hell loud Bollywood song played on… they started dancing the shitt out while I excused them and headed to the kitchen to check on the cake. It was looking perfect… though I was out of practice but still it was pretty good at looks, I wonder it tastes good too. I put the cake in the fridge and set the temperature.

WAQAS’S POV

We were waiting for someone to open the door, we could hear loud music coming out….along with the noises. The door slowly opened and a girl came face to face… stout and chubby, bubbly kind of… her dimples were being extra prominent as she was  smiling ear to ear at us.

“HIii….!... Dhoombros, right?” she looked at all of us as if counting us and then asked smiling.

“Yeah! hello! Am Waqas, he is Shehry… Atif and he is… hey! Where is he?” I smiled and was introducing ourselves when I couldn’t find Hussain at out back.

“Forgot the flowers in the car.” Atif rolled his eyes and whispered and I cursed him silently.

“Oh! Please come in…” She said gesturing us to step in and we all headed inside. She locked the door back and turned towards us.

“Thank you so much for coming guys… Mannat would seriously faint finding you all on her birthday!” she said excitedly and we all chuckled.

“hey! You all wait here in this room… and I will send Mannat here , koi bahana bana ker” She looked too much excited and we nodded… she made us sit in a room just with the main door and we took couches. She left the room…. Almost jumping excitedly and we laughed at her.

“Mannat ki photocopy…. Excitement overloaded” Atif said and we all chuckled.

MANNAT’S POV

“Where have you been? Ron was missing your company” I winked at Rida who was coming towards me.

“Shuttt up!... acha get up and come with me” she took my forearm and said.

“Hey hey! Hold your horses girl, kidher?” I asked getting up and she rolled her eyes.

“Find it out yourself girl… come now” She smirked and I narrowed my eyes, she took out a silk strap from her jeans pocket and stood at my back….

“Oh! What the heck Rida?.....” I almost jumped when she put the strap on my eyes…. And tied it hard at the back of my head.

“Hey! I could not see anything” I yelled tried to protest.

“Yeah! this is exactly the purpose of blindfold, dumbo” she smacked my head and I tried to slap her back but in vain…..

“Now I will take you somehwre and you will find out the rest, and don’t remove this strap too quickly okay!” she held my hand and took me.. to I dunno where.

“Okay now here, stand and stay calm Mannat please!” she left my hand…. And said irritatingly I was freaking out, seriously.. I could sense something was fishy there. my heartbeat was too high.

“where the hell I am?” I asked and she chuckled.

“Near the main door exactly……stay there girl” I heard her voice…. From a distance, she left I guess.

“What the effff Rida! You know am afraid of darkness. And its pretty dark here” I cursed her when suddenly I heard the door bell…. Oh! Great! Who will open it now? between that loud music nobody would hear the bell. I slowly took a step raising my arms in air… thankfully the door was too close. I searched the knob with my hands and finally found it… the bell rang again.

“oh! Wait ….. coming” I said and opened the knob. Well definitely I couldn’t see who was there…. but I could smell something, flowers?..... who could it be?

“who is this?....” I asked, that silence was freaking me out.

HUSSAIN’S POV

I hurried towards the car and took out the flowers…. How irresponsible you are Hussain! I smacked the back of head and locked the car once a gain, I was entering into the builing when my phone rang up….. Anuragh was there..

“Hey! Hello…” I said, while going towards the lift.

“Hi, Hussain! Had to remind you about tomorrow’s meeting. Be there on time boy, break your record of arriving late” I heard his mock anger and I chuckled.

“oh! Okay boss, don’t worry… agle pichle sare records torr doon ga” I said and he laughed.

“That would be a day Hussain! That would be a day, seriously” Angad said dramatically.

“And do bring Waqas with you… I had few things in my mind for him” He said and I entered into the lift holding the bouquet. I pressed the button.

“okay, don’t worry. We will be there” I said and we hung up.

I arrived at the floor and stepped out of the lift, I headed towards the appartment’s door.. and rang the bell…. I turned and looked my reflection in that huge mirror near the door… set up the strands coming down on my forehead, Ahhh… zulfein lambi kuch ziada he ho gai hen Hussain!

I was casually whistling when the door got opened…. And my lips halted. My eyes fixed on the girl standing in front of me…. Wearing a long black shirt and red choori dar, her duppata was wrapped in her cylindrical neck nicely. Her hair were tied up into a ponytail, which was placed on her right shoulder…… her hands still on the door.

“who is this?” her words brought me back on earth, she couldn’t see me.. her eyes had a blind fold. I wonder what was happening here, and what the hell am doing in Mannat’s house? Was this Waqas’ surprise… Ahhh I will kill them all.

I took a step closer to her and she remained there….. I took another step and I was inside the house, just a foot away from her, but she took a step back atonce…

“k…kon hai?” fear was there on her face. I took another step towards her and slowly raised my hand to her face…. her breath was getting heavy.

“h.. huss…Hussain!” something popped up from her lips and my hands stopped in the mid…. How on earth she got to know it was me? My gaze shifted to her lips… they were slightly apart letting out heavy breaths and trembling a bit. Slowly I took my hand at the back of her head and pulled the hanging strand of the strap. Her eyes shut tightly… she slowly opened her eyes.

I was too close to her, our faces inches apart. I was looking into her eyes, she looked shocked…. Surprised, so was I. she suddenly took a step back and stumbled on her feet…. I hurriedly snaked my arm under her waist and pulled her up from falling down, she collided with me, looking straight into my eyes…. Clenching my coat’s collar in her hand. I was holding her with one arm while the other was still holding the flowers….

“oye…. Agaya tu, khotey!” suddenly I heard Shehry’s voice and I looked up, shittt!  awkward… hell awkward, it wasn’t only my friends but so many other boys and girls standing there staring at us like… koi bhoot dekh liye ho,few had smiles on their faces, while few were smirking… you can know better who was smirking. My idiot friends. I let go of her waist and she took a couple of steps away from me.

MANNAT’S POV

I opened the door and heard whistling, …. Who can it be? Whistling on a Shahrukh’s number…. Suddenly the whistling stopped.

“who is this?” I asked but nobody replied, this silence was freaking me out.

“k… kon hea?” I could sense the person was holding flowers, and the fragrance was coming closer to me now… was he entering the house. I took a step back…. The fragrance got even more closer,  I could hear the heartbeats… the breathing, I held my breath…. I wanted to deny what my heart was saying and my mind was thinking. This person can not be him, he is not in NewYork Mannat! Hota bhi to yahan mar ker bhi na ata. Butttt….. his cologne was there,he was so close I could recognize his smell even in between the fragrance of those flowers…

“h…. huss…Hussain” I uttered unintentionally and felt a hand at the back of my head, he was pulling the strap down.

The strap was no more over my eyes, I slowly opened my eyes and he was there… right in front of me, too close to me. My eyes were about to come out of their sockets. What on earth he was doing here? And how come he came here? Wasn’t he in India? His eyes were fixed on my face… slowly he shifted his gaze to my lips and I gulped down, I knew my body was trembling and he must have felt my uneasiness. I tried to take a step back when suddenly because of nervousness I tripped. I was ready to land on the floor when suddenly Hussain’s arm pulled me up and I smashed with his hard chest, Ahhh…. It wasn’t that rough and tough the first time we met in the hotel and he pulled me towards himself…. Definitely Mannat! Tab six pack bhi to nai thy na. I was staring into his eyes when suddenly I heard… Dolly aunty, oh! I mean Shehry….

“oye… agaya tu, khoty”

Hussain let me go… and I stepped back, this time too cautiously.

“hey! Hi…. Hussain.. Hussain Asif, right?” Seleena hurried towards him and greeted, I felt his confused and forced smile.

“yeh! hi…..” he said nodding his head.

“well, I have become a huge fan of yours, since Mannat moved here” Seleena said and I pintched her arm to hush her up.

“Hey! Birthday girllll….. happy birthday” in nervousness I simply forgot what was happening, when suddenly I saw Waqas, Atif and Shehry stepping closer to me.we hugged and  I smiled warmly at them….

“Thanks a lot…. I couldn’t believe you guys are here on my birthday. Thanks a lot for coming” I beamed at them and  they smiled back.

“ofcorse, Mannat! Tum ne to bulaya nai… wo to Allah bhala kare in muhterma ka” Waqas dramatically pointed towards Rida who was smilling ear to ear at me.

“I love you girllll” I hugged her and she hugged me back.

“by the way,….. muhterma ko Rida Bakhtawar kehte hen” Rida looked back at Waqas and said in style… and Waqas smiled at her bowing his head a little down.

“oh! Please come inside…… sorry, kept you all standing here” suddenly I realized and said…. trying hard to hide my nervousness and blush.

“yeh! that’s okay… scene was on fire han” Atif poked me whispering in my ear and I felt heat coming out of my cheecks, I slapped his arm and we headed towards the hall.

“de de na… ya wapas ghar le ker jae ga?” I heard Shehry at my back, whispering loud enough to Hussain.

“tu de de…..” Hussain replied and something broke inside me.

“hey!.... Mannat! This is for you, wish you a very very happy birthday. Or hamesha aese he muskurati raho” Shehry suddenly came near me and I relaxed my expressions, trying to smile.

“Aww… thanks a lot Shehry, that is so sweet of you” I took the flowers and he putting his hand on his heart bowed down his head.

“The pleasure is all ours” he said and I chuckled.

They all settled down in the hall… got busy in talking I got up and headed towards the kitchen, to take out the cake.

“kesa laga surprise….?” Rida poked me in my tummy and I chuckled.

“yeh! it was awesome Rida, beyond words. Seriously I thought to invite them but then mein ne socha rehne do, they are pretty busy people now” I said and Rida smiled.

I took the cake out of the fridge and Rida set it down in the trolley along with other platters and forks. Rida held the trolley and we headed out….

“hey! Mannat, you are okay, right/” Suddenly Rida asked and I weakly smiled.

“I didn’t expect him to be here… you know I thought he  must be in India” Rida tried to explain.

“oh!thats okay Rida, and ub mein nai sochti us tarha se….. us k hone na hone se ferk nai perta mujhe, the fact that I love him won’t change, am growing up you know… samajhdaar ho gai hoon. And by the way…. The fact that he hates me wont change as well” I said and winked at her.

“But… but you two look perfect together.” Rida said and I remained silent…. “and I think he feels a lot for you as well” Rida added and I laughed.

“pagal…. He definitely feels but that feeling is no where even closer to love or anything…. God! Rida! tum bhi na pata nai kia kia sochti ho” I shook my head and tried to calm down my heartbeat, time to face him again. I took a deep breath and stepped into the hall.

HUSSAIN’S POV

“No, its not gonna start anytime soon , actually he had loads of stuff to be done before the shoot will start. So time hea abhi kafi” I replied to the boy named Hammad, Mannat’s cousion I guess.

“Oh! All the best for that man! You really look amazing on screen, wo alag bat hea k Mannat ko cherne k liye tumhari khoob dil bhar k buraiyan kerta hoon” he said and everybody except those goras… laughed aloud while I smiled.

“you people used to make amazing videos, why stopped that?” I heard one of the goras talking to Shehry. Everybody was busy in talking when suddenly my gaze went up on her, she was coming into the hall… with that signature smile of her on her face, I noticed her ponytail bouncing as she was walking towards us, completely and intentionally ignoring me….. I knew it now.

“well, guys time to cut the cake… so can I have you all here?” Rida clapped her hands in order to grab attention and everybody stood up, pata nai meri bhook kaha chali gai thi, I didn’t feel like eating anything. But I got up when I saw Shehry, Waqas and Atif glaring at me.

“Tum teeno abhi pito ge? ya bad mein?” I got up and glared them back, while they chuckled.

“yar, tujhe bata dete to tu aata nai…. So had to make it a secret” Waqas said and I rolled my eyes.

Mannat cut the cake, it looked yummy.. though I wasn’t going to eat it at all. She cut the cake and made Rida, Seleena Hammad and all of her friends have a bite….. they made her eat as well. She came near, where we were standing and made Shehry, Waqas and Atif have their bites too…. I was standing at the far corner, was expecting her to come to me as well, but got surprised when she didn’t.

“The cake is yumm” Waqas said looking sideways at me and I rolled my eyes.

“yup, Mannat has made it herself” Hammad said patting her back…. Wow!

“han cake bana bana ker she has become an expert now” Rida said, while serving cake to everyone.

“Q? Mannat, you worked for some bakery…. part time?” Shehry asked and Mannat chuckled. Even a simple chuckle was grabbing my attention, there were many girls other then her but she was…. Well! Different, her presence around me…. Gives me feelings I never felt before. I was observing every thing about her, her smile…. Her hair, her voice, the way she flap her hands in air when she talks… she definitely can’t stay still.

“nai nai not like that Shehry, actually… her saal Kisi ka Birthday celebrate hota tha, and Mannat madam, jo khud se pani bhi nai peeti hen… apne hath se cake banaya kerti theen.” Rida said dramatically, and I noticed Mannat looked up at me…. Then looked back at Rida angrily, trying to hush her up.

“oye hoye…. Who is the lucky one han” Waqas asked having a smirk on his face and I felt Mannat’s nervousness on her face.

“shall I?......” Rida poked her and she rolled her eyes.

“Nothing Waqas bhai…. She is mad” Mannat tried to change the topic and smacked Rida’s head.

“hey! Hussain… you are not having anything, come on you should definitely try this cake” Seleena said and putting a piece of cake in a platter she gave it to Mannat.

“go, give it to him….. ill mannered insaan” she playfully smacked her head and Mannat reluctantly took the platter.

She stepped near me and standing at a handsome distance she extended the platter towards Shehry and gestured him to pass it to me, she was really ill mannered… I mean mein kha jaoon ga kia use? Jo itna darr rai thi. huhn! Wese to Aafat banti hea mere samne pata nai kia ho jata hea….

“No, I don’t want to eat… excuse me” I said ignoring Shehry’s extended hand and putting a lst glare over her I went back to the hall.

MANNAT’S POV

My friends left and so did Hammad…. He took Seleena with himself, ek minute bhi us k bager nai reh sakta, Gadha!

“hey! You guys want coffee?” I popped my head inside the hall and asked.

“neki or pooch pooch….. le aao” Atif said, his gaze was fixed on the huge screen… he and Waqas were playing games on the Xbox while Shehry was waiting for his turn I guess. I didn’t dare to look at Hussain, so I left the hall…..

“mein bhi aayaaa!” I heard Shehry’s voice as he joined me towards the kitchen and I smiled.

“well, I know you are a very good cook” I said while talking out the cattle.

“Yeah? how come?” Shehry asked with a cute smile.

“Ummm saw it in a video once… you were making chapaties” I said and Shehry chuckled.

“bus ki kawan….. menu te kurri he bana chora hea zalmon ne. kadi dolly aunty, te kadi wo khotiii jai …mary-um…. Te kadi cook” Shehry flaunted his ever loving Punjabi and sighed deeply. I laughed aloud and called Rida.

“you know, my friend… Rida!” I started saying and he nodded his head while blending coffee… “ she is too good in Punjabi, and actually challenged me that she can speak better Punjabi then Dolly aunty” I added and Shehry chuckled.

“oye merwa detta tu kuriye… menu kider aandi ae Punjabi” Shehry said smiling and Rida entered holding the platters in her hands, she place them on the counter.

“mein suniya ae tu bari vadiya Punjabi bolda ae” She looked at Shehry.

“Ah… no, not me. Actually its Dolly aunty” Shehry said in a pure American accent.

“haaawn to coook na apni Dolly aunty noo” Rida said, putting hands on her waist.

“o na ker… na ker, tu abhi bachi hea, Dolly aunty nal panga!! …..not changa not changa!” Shehry said dancing his hands in the air and we laughed.

“guys you people are giving me stomach cramps okay, please bus karo” I said laughing and holding my tummy.

“hey… its ready… smells yummmm” Rida looked at the mugs and sniffed in the air.

I placed the mugs in the tray and Shehry held it in his hands…..

“oh! I will manage Shehry that’s okay!” I said.

“I know you can manage but….. aese tab tray utha ker le jana jab tumhara rishta aaye ga na ghar…. Tab” Shehry said and we chuckled.

“wese, you can practice it even now…. not a bad idea! serve tum karo” Shehry put the tray on the table and said.

Waqas and Hussain were now playing and they were so much indulged into the game that they didn’t bother Shehry was calling them  like idiots.

“oey!.... khoto!bus ker jao, kha na jana screen nooo” Shehry said sitting on the couch with Atif and I laughed.

I gave mugs to Rida, Atif and Shehry and took up two mugs for Waqas and Hussain…. I stepped closer to Waqas’s side and poked him with my knee…

“han!....” he looked up at me for a split of a second while Hussain kept his gaze fixed on the screen.

“Coffee Waqas bhai….” I said and handed him both the mugs and turned back… I felt Hussain’s gaze followed me but I ignored. Ahhh Hussain, you wont understand tumhare pass aana is not good for both of us, tumhara pata nai but mere liye…. You are no less then addiction. Pass a ker door jana bhool jati hoon, so door he theek hoon. I took up my mug and sat with Rida on the sofa. Or wese bhi mein q khilaoon cake ya doon coffee usey, mujhe wish tak nai kiya… huhn!

I sat there holding my mug and observing him… every inch of him. He was trying hard to beat Waqas in the game but twice Hussain lost, where was his concentration man! Every time Waqas beat him he made a childlike cute pouty face and I so wished I could kiss away that pout from his face.

His hair were bigger then last time I saw him, his beard grew a bit thicker as well…. Ahh! That jawline and that stubble, the sexiest thing on earth. He wasn’t wearing his coat anymore, I could feel his toned body…. He had done a lot there in India I must say. Wese he to nai itna hot and happening lag raha . I saw his coffee was getting colder there and he didn’t take a single sip even….. gussa! Angry bird! I chuckled at my thought.

“you know what Shehry… Mannat has an awesome video that she shot is Pakistan about you all.” Rida’s voice brought me back on earth.

“ahan! Great Mannat we want to watch it” Waqas said, still looking at the screen.

“yeah! definitely……” Atif said and I was mentally cursing Rida for all this, I had spoken so much about Hussain in that video, I mean pata nai kia kia keh dala tha…. In front of Mama Baba and all the house staff and Rida. But back then it was okay, not today with Hussain sitting at an arm’s distance from me. No man!

“ummm wo… wo to got deleted by mistake” I stammered a bit.

“Awww….” Shehry made a pouty face and I smiled.

“oye Waqas and Hussain…. Yar come on! Get up we should leave now” Shehry got up putting his mug back on the table, he smacked Hussain’s head. Hussain was about to grab Shehry’s hand when accidently his hand missed the aim and hit the coffee mug.

“shitttt” he suddenly got up, coffee was now on the lower part of his sfirt and jeans…. Ruined I would say.

“oh!” I gasped….

“Oh!....” he looked down the rug was now soaking in coffee, it was off white in colour and now turned brown, he looked down then back at my face.

“hey! Hussain you better wash it…. Stain nai jae ga” Rida said and Hussain nodded.

“Mannat show him the wash room, I will take care of this” Rida said and before I could protest she headed out. I looked back at Hussain who was still standing there shutting his lips tight. I gestured him to come and leaving the hall I headed towards the main wash room…..

“oh! Mannat take him to the other one… please!” Rida was there doing nothing but to annoy me she said and I gritted my teeth angrily at her.

I took him to my room and opening the door I gestured him to step in, he entered while I kept standing at the door. He turned back and looked at me raising his eyebrows.

“ummm that’s the wash room” I pointed towards the door and he entered, after a couple of minutes I heard his voice.

“hey! How to open this idiot tap” He said irritated and I controlled my chuckle. I headed towards the wash room and saw him trying to open the tap… come on Hussain! What are you doing, I rolled my eyes…. thankfully his back was towards me.

“hey! Let me…..” I said and he slightly moved a side. I pushed the tap but nothing happened, what was wrong with it abhi to theek tha.

“yeah! and you thought I was stupid, unable to open a tap” he said, his breath fanning the back of my neck, I closed my eyes for a second.

“Dunno… what's wrong with it” I said and tried to pull the tap upwards….

“tumhara wash room hea?” he asked and I nodded

“tabhi aesa hea” he said looking at me and I eyed him.

“what do you mean by that? Meri her cheez perfect hoti hea… tumhen kia pata” I said rolling my eyes and saw him controlling his chuckle.

“yeah I can see that” he said and suddenly the upper part fell down and water came out splashing upward on my face, I suddenly gasped and stepped back  trying to breathe…. My left eye was hurting, I guess water rushed up into it, I saw Hussain burst out laughing like idiot and I kept on looking at his face with one eye close

“perfecttttt!.... wow! You and your perfection, Aafat!” he joked sarcastically while turning the tap off and I started rubbing my eye.

“Hey! What happened….?” He took a step closer touching my hand which was on my left eye…and I took one step back hurriedly, leaving his hand in the air.

He took a step closer and I backed off…. He kept on coming until I was blocked between him and the basin, I looked up but couldn’t open my eye so I shut my eyes tightly.

“mein kha nai jaoon ga tumhen….. let me check” his voice thicker then usuall giving shiver to my spine, I slowly put my hand down and he raised his hand…. Looked at my eye then suddenly he took hold of my duppatta from one corner and made a small ball out of it. He put it on his mouth and blew in it then placed it on my eye….. the pain was going away, it was warm….. I liked that sensation not in my eye but in the pit of my tummy. I closed my eyes and he did it for a couple of times. His hand stopped and I slowly opened my eyes.

“better?” he asked in a soft whisper and I nodded my head, he didn’t move back… neither did I want him to move back, rather I wanted to hug him right there and then, never let him go… why? Why this man cant be mine? Or agar mera nai hona tha to phir ye sab q hua? Why did I fell in love with you Hussain? Be mine!please, it hurts now… it hurts a lot. I stared at his face, so was he… I saw him raising his hand once again and my gaze shifted on that while his shifted on my check… slowly he held my face in his hand and with his thumb he rubbed a tear from my face. oh! Tear? When did it pop out. “how did you get to know it was me on the doorstep? Your eyes were shut” he whispered, his breath fanning my forehead, my breath hitched in my throat and I blinked my eyes, his hand still around my face… “I… I dunno” I whispered back, trying to contain myself. He raised his other hand and with the back of it he rubbed my jawline…. I forgot my face was still wet. I couldn't take it any more, I closed my eyes my ,heart was coming out of its cage….” Happy birthday Mannat” he said softly and put down his hands, I opened my eyes at once….. slowly he took a step back…. He backed off still looking at my face while I was standing there looking at him.

Mat jao Hussain, please don’t go!……

 Guys! Hope u people have enjoyed reading this chapter… I had a lot of work load today so couldn’t come up with that great stuff :-p but I hope u all will like what I have written. … well am hell sleepy now and tomorrow is school. Aaaaghhh!!! so m gonna sleep now and you people take care.

Love u all <3