Far Away Love ✓

√chapter twenty two

Zainab's POV

Seeing the all-set dinner table in front of me, a smile drilled onto my lips. After the exertion of the whole two hours, I finally succeeded in doing what was in my mind. And it was; making a way to spend my time with him; that too alone. Doing something so that he would be compelled to sit with me; even if it would be for just a few minutes. The dining table was adorned with every dish which Shaiq used to love. From his favorite chicken karahi to his favorite sweet dish, fruit trifle.

Through the big window behind the dining hall, I could see the faint darkness which was gradually replacing the sunlight. It was six in the evening and at this time, I was alone at home. Nofil and her mother had already left for Islamabad in the early morning and according to a call from Nofil, half an hour ago, they already reached there. Not only once, but tons of times, they called me to check up on me and how I was doing.

And Shaiq? He was still not back from his office. On normal days as well, he usually used to come home at around seven. That was the reason, I prepared everything before he would reach. Laying a glance at the table again, I smiled cheerfully that how much he would be delighted to see his every favorite food. Though I was sure, Aunt had asked him to get back a little earlier for me but I was certain of this thing as well that he wouldn't do it.

I quickly went to the room and took a lukewarm water shower which soothed my body as well as mind. After long reasoning with myself, I was at last able to wear a light pink outfit; a knee-length straight shirt with the same colored pencil pants. As I was combing my wet hair, a memory came into my mind which caused me to put a halt to what I was doing and stare at my reflection through the mirror.

'Should I tell you a thing, Zainab?' He asked after gazing at me for a good amount of time.

'What is it?' I questioned him back in an impulsive way while my whole focus was on attempting to wear my earring.

I still remembered it was the day of some college friend's engagement and I was getting ready for it in my room. And like always, I had asked Shaiq to take care of my pick and drop there. Right now, he was standing beside me; more like irritating the hell out of by his constant useless chatterings. But all of a sudden, his tone changed into something serious from the usual amusing one, he always had.

'You are looking gorgeous in this dress. This color suits you the most,' he said with a soft smile playing on his lips.

I abruptly stared down at myself at this weird compliment. I was wearing a light pink embroidered short shirt with the same colored lehenga. I again glanced back at Shaiq while chuckling loudly.

"Quit joking around, you moron. I know your next comment will be 'but this just a coincidence that you are looking good',' I shook my head at him before aiming to walk away.

Before I could move, Shaiq grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him. The smile was still on his lips, 'no, I won't say something like this because I genuinely like this color on you."

"And whenever you appear in front of me wearing a light pink colored dress, I always wonder; what beauty Allah has bestowed me in the form of my friend that sometimes, "he trailed off and leaned near to my face, "I just can't help but think about marrying you," with a wink, he got away from me and also left my arm.

"Don't you come with these marriage jokes, you flirt," I fake yelled at him as I punch his chest with my fists at which he laughed out loud.

And at this moment in the present, his heartily laugh still vibrated in my ears.

And his marriage joke also turned out to be correct.

Something flickered me out of the thoughts and I snapped back to reality. I looked at myself through the mirror and traveled down my whole figure.