4

Author's pov.

Terrace was calm and quiet, darkness spread all over the sky,

Twinkling stars peeking through it, making a peacefull environment.

Jiya slept while reading , therefore her specs were still on her eyes, book placed on her chest,

Next to her was pari , gracefull, gorgeous and beautiful sleeping like a princess.

Next to her was Hifza sleeping with a cute pout and scattered hair. Her right hand over her eyes, and left one placed on her stomach.

Next to her was Kaif, his lips were curled down, somehow cute, and childish. His right hand was over his forehead, and left one on her stomach.

(Siblings...🤷‍♀️)

Next to him was Lee, He was sleeping over his stomach. Half face was visible ,and mouth open. His one leg was straight and other was over Kaif his left hand lying on mattress freely and other was under mannat's head who was sleeping near him.

She was sleeping peacefully, as a child without any worry. She was side hugging Lee, her face over his back, half visible. Her fist clenching Lee's shirt .

Next to her was Mahir his face covered with mannat's hair, barely visible. His one hand wrapped around mannat's waist.

Next to him was Tamir , his hands over his stomach, straight posture,

His face calm and quiet, lips neutral.

Next to him was none.😅

Mannat's eyes twitched suddenly, she scruntched her nose and sat up hurriedly. Lazily blinking her eyes, trying to open them.

After a second she yawned opening her full mouth, her eyes closed, she lowered her head, and was about to fall over her other side.

she flinched, her eyes went on Mahir,

His nose was scruntched, and his face sweating.

A smile tucked on her eyes.

" Meri pyaari bachhi, sote hue kitni masoo lagti hai." She gawked.

(My lovely kid, looks so innocent while sleeping)

"Par sirf sote hue, jagne ke baad to...." She pouted in defeat.

(But only while sleeping, after sleeping...)

Just then her eyes went on Tahir.

He was standing at a side leaning on the railing of terrace, his eyes were closed feeling the cold breeze gently touching his face.

His face was calm, and a soft genuine smile tucked on his lips.

She went to him, removing mahir's hand from her waist.

"Main abhi aayi meri bachhi." She patted mahir's hand after placing it gently over the mattress.

(I will come right now, my kid)

" Kya dekh rahe hai bhaijaan?" She asked leaning her back against the railing.

(What are you looking brother?)

Tamir flinched a little by her voice. He looked at her and then shrugged.

" You scared me" He whispered under his breath, placing his hand on his chest.

Mannat smiled at him, and then fold her hands over her waist, "Aapko nind nahi aa rhi kya?" She asked genuinely, staring at his face.

(Didn't you sleep?)

" Nhi, " he answered straight, shifting his gaze towards the sky.

"Kuch khas wajah, nind na aane ki? Ghar ki yaad aa rhi hai kya."

(Any reason, for not sleeping? Are you homesick?)

He sighed staring at nothing,"kuch soch Raha tha,"

(Thinking something)

Mannat pouted at his words," masalan?"

He looked at her confused," sorry?"

Mannat chuckled embarassedly, " mera matlab, kya soch rahe the?"

She clarified.

(I mean . What were you thinking?)

" Do you ,,, really like ... Tamir.?" He asked hesitantly, trying not to offend her.

Mannat's smile widened, she sighed heavily, staring at the sky.

"Like?? " She paused," Aap jante hai liking aur loving mein kya antar hota hai?" She asked, genuinely.

"Liking, is temporary maybe, and loving is forever thing." He stated.

" Liking is attraction, infactuation towards someone. While loving is falling for someone's soul." He further added.

Mannat held railing with her both hands, " liking matlab pasand, aur loving pyaar." She stated.

"Jab kisi ko ful pasand aata hai , to wo use todh leta hai.

Wahi jab kisi ko usse pyaar ho jaye, to wo us podhe ki dekh bhal karta hai." She explained.

Tahir looked at her with amazement, " to tum ful ko todna chahti ho, ya uski dekh bhal karna." He asked .

Mannat grinned," dekh bhal karna."

Tahir smiled seeing her getting red, "are you getting shy?"

"Mashriqi ladkiya aisi hi hoti hai!" She replied placing her hand on her cheeks.

(Eastern girls are like this.)

" Your language is complicated!" He complained,

" Wo isliye, kyunki baaki sab hindi bolte hai, aur main thodhi Urdu bhi bolti hu." She explained.

(That's because, others speak Hindi. And I speak Urdu too)

"💥 Boom 💥"

A loud voice came, mannat tightly closed her eyes, her lips trembled.

Her legs weakened, and she fell on the ground, her vision went black and within second she fainted,..

......

Tamir's pov.

I was sleeping calmly , after all the chaos I was so exhausted.

But somehow it felt so good to hear that she likes me.

There are many girls in my life,

Many proposals, many confessions.

But her , it felt different, she is different.

Her eyes, her face, her way of talking her laugh, everything is beautiful.

Unique, Rare, eye catching,

"💥 Boom 💥"

God , bomb!!!

What was that voice!

I sat up infact I jumped on the mattress.

Sleep was far away from my eyes, right now.

I quickly scanned my surrounding, silent,

Everyone was sitting with a look," what was that?"

Except Mahir.

His eyes were finding something, he was worried,

Mannat? Where is she?

Mahir immediately ran past me towards the railing, .

There she was, sitting on ground, her knees tucked to her chest, head in her hands,

She was going to fall , before she could he held her.

"Mannu !" His voice at the edge of crying.

He patted mannat's cheek slightly,

Just then pari came and gave him a glass of water,

Mahir quickly grabbed it after placing mannat's head on his lap gently. He sprinkled it on her face,

She blinked,her hands lying freely on ground, her forehead wet, due to sweat.

Water droplets on her face.

Her lips moved slightly,

" Dara Diya yar tune!" Mahir spoke his voice creaky. Without waiting for a second he pulled her in his arms.

(You scared me)

Mannat chuckled fadely , " Thik hu mein ."

(I am fine)

Just then the door was opened, with a loud thud. Revealing Nawab Sahab.

The Hitler, with a grumpy, cold , exhautic face, and composed personality, was a total paradox right now.

His breath was heavy, resembling he might ran to come here. His eyes were softly admiring Mannat.

He stood next to mannat.

As she saw him, she pushed mahir slightly, sitting on the ground comfortably, her eyes were on Nawab sahab.

As a child , who has done something wrong, seeking for apology.

Just then Nawab kneeled, in front of her, placing his hand over her head.

"Aap thik hai na?" He asked , in a soft, voice.

The most feared person. Who never asks , who just states, and orders.

Is kneeling! Is asking! Is caring! Damn!

Mannat smiled, a warm smile .

"Main thik hu dada huzur! Sachhi!" She convinced him.

" Aap khamkha itna daudh kar upar aaye." She complained in a childish manner.

His lips curled up, just slightly. But enough for me to be shocked.

"Hum dekhte hai kya hua hai!" He said while admirring mannat and then left from there.

Just then pari hugged mannat, and then Lee, then Kaif.

She looked at them lovingly, convincing each member ,she is fine.

Everyone settled back to thier previous position.

Just then Tahir broke the deadly silence, the seriousness of situation.

"Kya tumhe panick attack aaya tha?" His eyes fixed on mannat.

Mannat leaned her back against Mahir's arm.then answered " Haa kah sakte hai."

Mahir wrapped his arms around her, almost engulfing her small figure, in his big body.

I somehow felt it wrong.

Something burnt, a feeling of taking mannat out of his embrace.

To hug her, to cuddle her, to caress her.

Wait! What am I saying?

"Jab se dadi huzur ka accident hua hai, tab se mannat aise hi dar jaati hai, choti choti aawazon me." Hifza mentioned, side hugging Kaif.

Mahir gave her a dead glare. Hifza ignored it shifting her gaze on Tamir.

Pari sighed tiredly, " Mannat idhar aao, tum hamare paas so jao." She adviced approaching her.

Mannat glanced at Mahir with interrogative eyes, Mahir slightly shooked his head, pouting slightly.

" Di mein thik hu, aap befikr ho jaiye." She answered sweetly.

Pari glared at Mahir, " Meri bhi bahan he wo mahir."

"Hogi, par meri dost hai wo." He answered, hugging mannat again.

Both gave each other some angry looks and then turned away thier gaze.

I guess they have some rivalry. They always fight.

" Dadi huzur ka accident kaise hua tha?" Tahir asked.

Bro, seriously!!!

Accident means a car got crashed , simple.

"Dadi huzur aur mannat ghumne Jaa rhe the tabhi waha koi truck aa gya aur -" Kaif spoke leaving the sentence incomplete deliberately.

Hifza rolled her eyes, and added," Halanki accident hua mannat ke liye tha, par death nawab sahiba ki ho gayi."

" Hifza kuch zyada nhi bol Rahi ho?" Mahir spoke with anger.

"Kya? Main to bas bata Rahi thi!" She explained, hesitantly.

Mahir was about to say something when mannat stopped him.

Kaif also stopped Hifza.

" accident pre planned tha kya?" Tahir again asked .

"Haa, !" Hifza spoke hastily.

Mahir was giving her side glares, as if he was stabbing her through them.

God , this man is really protective. I am jealous.

Why am I not protective like him?

"Actually, wo accident meri grandma ne karwaya tha! " Pari explained.

Tahir's eyes narrowed in a questioning manner, waiting for her to explain.

"Wo.." mannat spoke sitting straight.

" Mr. Hero aur princess - " She added, but I interrupted her.

"Mr. Hero?"

I asked, not understanding the word.

She chuckled bitterly, her eyes were empty. Not as her usual laugh.

"Mr. Rajveer Kapoor, inke Mr. Hero. Aur Princess, Shanaya aunty." Jiya informed.

Mr. Hero? That kapoor? He looks like a villain who will kill someone just by one punch.

But yeah he has good body, maybe six or even eight abs.

"Haa to mr. Hero ki mumma nahi chahti thi ki mr. Hero aur princess ki shaadi ho. But Maine sabko mana liya, aur shaadi ho gyi. Isliye unhone yeh plan Kiya mujhe -" she paused,

"Par mannat ki jagah nawab sahiba chali gyi!" Hifza commented.

This time Mahir smiled, trying to assure mannat.

His priority was mannat , mannat too smiled back at him. Just then Hifza further added, "uske pahli bhi unhone mannat pr attack karwaya tha uska kidnap."

This time Mahir lost his temper, he barked angrily," one more word, aur mein bhul jaunga tum kon ho!"

Hifza flinched at his sudden action, she his behind kaif, holding his arm as the last support.

She is so irritating.

Mahir turned to mannat, her hold tightened on his shirt. Her face was pale, and eyes talking to Mahir.

Wait! Hifza said, she was kidnapped?

Mannat was kidnapped?

Am I watching a movie? Or is it a dream!!

My thoughts were interrupted by Tahir's sudden voice.

"Were you really kidnapped? By whom? When? Were they scary? Did they hurt you? Tell na mannat!"

He chanted words, his each word filled with pain, concern and audible care.

He is concerned for mannat? The girl he met like few days ago, but why?

Don't he know she likes me?

I was staring at him,

He is not my brother, he never care for a girl.

He is a bachelor, with no friend literally not a single friend.

I sometime wonder how is he alive, he spends all his day in office.

"Tahir bro .. calm down!" Kaif spoke,

Then I looked at them, everyone grinning.

Surely they are also shocked because of Tahir's concern.

Sudden concern.

Then my eyes landed on Mannat, smiling quietly.

"Bhaijaan, main thik hu. Aapke saamne ." She answered and then sighed, her face tightened and smile faded.

"Aur wo bohut lamba kissa hai, " she further added.

Tahir also sighed , then he carresed her head.

He Patted Her Head!!!

God! He is melting for a girl. Finally , he is melting...

" I am sorry, I think I got too personal." He apologized with an embarrassed smile.

Mannat gave him a bright smile, and held her hand in her both hands.

"Koi baat nahi. Bhaijaan, dil chota mat kijiye." She tried to cheer him up.

Mahir then interrupted them , taking mannat's hand away from Tahir's hand.

So possessive!!

I am not jealous, I am just saying.

" Chalo ab so jate hai. Bohut raat ho gayi hai." He adviced with serious tone.

I am not sleepy at all, infact sleep is far away from my eyes.

" I am not sleepy." I told Tahir, only to get a nod from him.

Seriously, a simple nod.

No emotion, no words nothing.

He is so mean to me.

"I am also not sleepy" Lee also joined me.

That's like a good cousin.

Then one by one everyone denied Mahir's suggestion of sleeping.

Obviously except mannat.

His so called friend.

Mahir glared at everyone , one by one.

" She needs rest guys!" He suggested, IN A convincing tone.

Then I realised, mannat was already drooling. She was sleepy.

"To use sone do, humne kon sa use laa kr sabke samne khadha kar diya?" Hifza taunted, with a sarcastic tone.

This girl!!

Just then Mahir laid mannat and started patting her head, just like a mother trying to make her baby or infant sleep.

Such a cringey duo they made.

But somehow they are cute.

I never prayed , but I wish they stay like this forever.

I somehow like this bond, friendship.

........................

Author's pov.

Tamir's phone buzzed, interrupting him.

Both Aiman and Emilie were waiting for him to continue, Thier curious eyes fixed on Tamir.

He smiled at there curiosity, just then he saw Angelina glaring at him.

Her face was tightened, fist clenched.

" Did he liked mannat?" She furiously asked, though her voice was low, but it was deep.

laced with anger, and pure fury. Her eyes narrowed, as if piercing Tamir, to get her answer.

All the three gulped there saliva.

"A. Angelina ." Tamir sluttered.

Just then he looked at his phone screen, Tahir flashed on it.

" Ask him yourself!" He handed Angelina the phone , and escaped from there.

Youngsters exchanged few glances, and then sneaked out from there.

..............

At the evening Emilie was sitting on her bed calmly , her eyes staring at zero.

She was deeply engulfed in her thoughts, when Aiman entered the room.

She stood in front of Emilie,

" What happened?" Aiman asked, snapping Emmie out of her thoughts.

Emmie looked at Aiman, her face still calm, yet not soft.

" She's something." She mumbled, barely audible.

" What?"

" That girl... What's her name? Man.." Emilie explained trying to remember her name.

"Mannat!" Aiman stumped, her eyes curiously watching Emilie standing.

Her bare feet, marching along the room to and fro.

" She's not a girl , she is an ocean." She exclaimed.

..................

Aiman's pov.

" She's.. just ... Like.."

She was speechless, I guess. Can't find words.

" I mean just how can someone be this. Like this much amazing."

Her eyes sparkled, her face was lit up. I know she is like this .

She gets excited for small things, she is childish.

But at this time, I am also excited.

What is this mannat? I want to meet her.

" Dad!" Emilie spoke,

I turned to the door, uncle was standing thier, his eyes were on Emilie.

Without wasting a second, Emilie hugged him. And he lifted her up giving her a princess whirl.

To which she giggled, as always.

Then he looked at me, and with a mischievous smile, he ran to me.

No , he is going to whirl me, I hate this childish antics.

I tried to escape from his sight, but that was useless, as he already lifted me.

And then he swirled, really fast, and I just damn.

I hate it, a lot.

After five rolls, he placed me on the bed.

Whole surrounded was revolving around me, and within few seconds, I fell.

On bed,

" I hate you uncle." I cursed him, only to get a chuckle from him.

Just then Emilie asked," Dad did you liked Mannat.?"

Tahir sighed in exhaustion,

" Tamir spread this misunderstanding, to everyone." He complained.

I guess he got a long lecture from Angelina aunty.

A smile tucked on my lips, the way he pouted. God he is cute.

I wonder how was he looking when he was concerned,

the way he looks at Emilie when she falls.

When she gets injured?

I wonder if Paps also gave me that cute look . Someday.

Yeah it's true that he is my Superman,

he tried his best to keep me happy.

To maintain my smile.

To fill my life with joy.

But without mom , there is nothing like it was.

The colours are gone, not mine, but his.

He is broken.

He is sad, terribly sad.

No matter how hard he try to hide that pain, of loosing his wife.

I know , everytime he cries sitting alone in his room.

I did understand when he himself, threw all her photos, still out of blue he search for them.

Just one glance of mom, and he will broke down.

I did know. From the start. Very start.

"She is like my sister, she is so cute, playful. Full of life." He explained.

" No one can hate her, bet me. She is just so innocent." He further added.

I am craving for her right now.

I want to meet her..

I can't wait...

.......

Days passed one then two.

And finally the day came.

Of our departure to India.

Though it was my first time, going India. I was not nervous.

I was curious and so so so excited.

Before I could sit in flight , my eyes landed on a figure.

A man in his sixties probably, but he was ....

Grandpa, paps' paps.

He was so tall, just like paps, or even one or two inch taller than him.

He is aged , his hair turned white. Wrinkles on his face.

Yet, he looked so handsome, and charming.

His posture was straight, just like a soldier.

As paps told, he was just as I imagined.

Just a bit old.

Emilie didn't pay attention to him, and stepped in,

Should I greet him? He is elder than me.

I think I should. But..

I finally lifted my head ready to greet him, but to my shock.

No one was there, except me.

Every one was gone, in the flight. I also paced and stepped in.

And my seat was not window, as I was afraid of height.

Emilie grabbed the window seat, and I was next to her,

I plac d my chin over my left palm, eyes set on grandpa.

He was like paps, a bit serious,

His eyes, face cut, everything.

Why don't I look like him, in that way I would be like my father. My paps.

But I am like my mother,

My face resembles her. It's not like I hate it.

But it might remember paps of mom, I don't like that thought.

Thought of making him sad .

Why God? Why I don't resemble my paps ?

Why?

.............

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