HIJAAB WAALI
Love is safer... when covered!

"Her name was…"

He repeated slowly, his eyes closed, his face showing an unpredictable expression.

"I suppose…" He murmured, his voice low. "There will be no use of telling her name now as I can't give her a sole, single name. I'd tell you the whole story any way."

She didn't interrupt at this stage; and just sat there stunned and curious about what to come.

"But it's a long story." He told her. "I'm afraid you won't be able to hear all in just one sitting."

"Don't worry," Deeba tried to smile. "I'd come tomorrow too, if you don't mind."

Her statement made him change his gesture, he looked surprised, somewhat disturbed too.

"Don't you have any other thing to do?"

"First things first," She didn't break her smile. "I am on vacations these days."

Aariz was a constant surprise for her; just when she expected him to be furious, he was quiet. Or was this just the calm before the storm.

He uncurled himself and stood and reached near his room window. Extending his hand, he opened the glass shield. Sea-scented salty breeze began to flow inside the room quickly, and, so did those memories, which were not less salty anyway.

"Yes. It…it still feels like yesterday. It still seems like today." He whispered, like he was talking to himself.

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"I'm so bad at tying knots, " He said helplessly.

"Specially of these satin ties"

"Hurry up buddy, we're about to leave." Shaheryaar's voice was urgent, as he glanced at the wall clock.

"But this damn thing will not let me leave early." He replied, frustrated, his hands doing their best to set the knot around his shirt collar.

"And only now you realized this, huh?" Shaheryaar said, turning his friend toward himself so that he could help him.

"Wait, let me help you with that." Shaheryaar reached out, and with great skill in a minute he had fixed his friend's tie up. He then stepped a feet behind to have a look at him.

"My goodness, so handsome, so fabulous. You' look wonderful!" Shaheryaar's eyes were sparkling with a real glimpse of praise for his closest friend's smartness.

He had smooth, wheatish complexion and the cloths he wore made him more attractive than ever. He was wearing dark black pants and an expensive crisp, royal blue shirt with a finely tailored black jacket and pure red tie. In his mid-twenties, he was a prime specimen of manhood, decent in the typical way of a man of the East. He was not very tall, but his height was definitely above average.

"I only hope that they're carrying some ambulances with Baaraat!" Shaheryaar gasped admiringly.

"Ambulance?" His hands suddenly left his jet black, shiny hairs, as he kept the hair brush on the mirrored table. "What for?"

"You're going to injure so many girls out there. So much beauty really hurts some times." Shaheryaar smiled and winked.

"So do you think twenty six is too early to get married?" He asked casually, ignoring Shaheryaar's remark.

" Umm, I don't think so. " He told him. "I actually believe that Daniyal has taken the right step. I mean he is established, shaped and ready. Why wait then? "

"So funny, " Shaheryaar laughed. "Actually you're not getting me, friend."

"Not getting what?"

"I meant if he's taken the right step by following his parents' suggestion blindly. I mean it would be purely an arranged kind of marriage. They didn't even meet before." He threw a critical glance at himself in the mirror.

"So what? That happens everyday in our society." Shaheryaar commented.

"But happening everyday doesn't justify it." He grinned sarcastically, and turned toward mirror once again to spray the rich 'eternity' on his expensive, well-cut suit.

"I think that's the best way of preserving your roots and family values and to keep everyone happy." Shaheryaar placed his hands behind his nap and looked at him.

"Others' happiness" One of his eyebrows rose up. "Even if you have to kill your own happiness for that?"

"That's my motto." Shaheryaar smiled. "Live for others. One should not be so selfish that, in the end, he might find himself all alone and lonely."

"I don't agree." He picked up the keys from his table and motioned him to stand up.

"Do others live for us?" He asked harshly. "I can't even imagine myself spending life with someone who won't match my mind and heart."

"That certainly needs understanding." Shaheryaar said, as he followed him toward the main gate of his big house.

"Yeah, and understanding comes with meetings and gatherings. You have to pass time with each other to develop some understanding."

He had never met a woman he couldn't live without, and he wasn't going to settle for less. One day he would probably marry, but she had to be right; he was looking for a special woman, a very special woman, and he hadn't found her yet.

As they climbed into their car, Aariz put it into a fast speed. They didn't have much time.

Once on the main road, he took a long breath and put a quick glance on the passenger seat on which Shaheryaar sat, smiling continuously.

"Anything funny?" He raised his brows.

"Not really." Shaheryaar sighed, I was just remembering some marriage jokes. Those funny things always come to my mind automatically whenever I attend some wedding."

"Mind telling me some of those?" He asked with pure interest.

"Sure, why not." Shaheryaar chuckled.

"They say, marriage is a three-ring circle: Engagement ring, Wedding ring and 'Suffering'."

He smiled wonderfully as Shaheryaar finished his sentence.

"Very well." He appreciated.

"And like." Shaheryaar continued. "When a man opens the door of his car for his wife, you can be sure of one thing. Either the car is new or the wife is…"

This time he couldn't stop the natural laughter.

"Do you know what does it take to be happy with your wife?"

"You tell me." He gazed at him, grinning.

"Well," Shaheryaar smiled back. "To be happy with a husband, you must understand him a lot and love him a little, but to be happy with a wife, you must love her a lot and not try to understand her at all."

"Haha." He was truly enjoying what Shaheryaar was saying.

"I'd never understand one thing." Shaheryaar said, now a little more serious.

"And what's that?" He inquired, turning the steering wheel to the right.

"Why the married men live longer than single men?"

In answer he laughed softly and said. " But didn't you realize that married men are a lot more willing to die?"

"Well said." Shaheryaar smiled and then asked.

"Waisey, what do you think, what are the qualities of a good husband?"

"Umm," He thought for a second then replied, "I think he should be an archeologist."

"An archeologist?"

"Yeah, an archeologist is the best husband a woman can have; the older she gets, the more interested he is in her."

This time, Shaheryaar's laughter was louder than ever.

And then, they both remained silent for few moments, perhaps gathering their nerves again.

"Does marriage change one's life?" His question was sudden and spontaneous.

Shahreyaar turned his face toward him, wondering what had made him ask this question, totally out of the topic.

"Well yes. It does." Shaheryaar told him.

"How much?" He asked again.

"Depends."

"On what?"

"On circumstances, natures, characters and… on your fate." Shaheryaar said soberly.

Surprisingly, he didn't ask another question then. There was a silence of few moments then.

"Sometimes I really wonder," He said, breaking the silence. "That who would be my life partner? How would she look like and how would she behave and all that…"

"That's natural." Shaheryaar said philosophically. "Everyone of us does that. Ofcourse it's the question of your whole life."

"But it's not just that." He argued. "I think even more."

"Like what?"

"Like I am twenty six now, and how long will it take me to get married finally."

"I think I'd have to talk to your mother about that now." Shaheryaar suggested naughtily.

"Come on Shaheryaar. You know very well that I don't believe in arranged marriages. It's a waste of your life, a big gamble."

"So you're waiting for the moment when you fall in love with someone, right?" Shaheryaar asked.

"From the present scenario, it looks like that it will never happen." He sighed. "Never met the princess of my dreams, didn't even see her any where."

"Okay, what about a bet then?" Shaheryaar challenged, smiling.

"Bet for what? "

"You're gonna fall in love tonight "

"Aha. Funny, isn't it?" He laughed,

"Trust me, you will."

"Right, and with whom?" He smiled sarcastically.

"With the girl who won't smile at you."

"Just what the heck does that mean?" He cut in sharply, having no idea of what his friend was talking about.

"I've seen many girls giving you a typical 'Take-me' smile. But this girl will be different. She will be proud, not rude though. " Shaheryaar told him dreamily.

"Know what? You can write some good romances." He criticized his imagination. "It doesn't happen even in movies now."

"Yes, but it does happen in real life sometimes." Shaheryaar was very much determined.

And from his serious expression at that moment, even 'he' couldn't guess whether he was really serious or was just having fun.

Dr.Shahper's house was in Gulshan, a few miles away from his own in Clifton. He was Shaheryaar's favorite uncle, youngest brother of his father. It was surprising even for himself that, at times, he felt more close to sixty-year-old Shahper uncle than he did with his son, his cousin, Daniyal who was twenty-six.

He slowed the car as they approached their destination. Swinging off the main road, the black Honda accord rolled past the long row of pine trees to stop in front of the huge building, which was completely drowned in sparkling lights and bulbs at the moment.

With the gear shifted to park, he switched off the ignition key and opened the door for Shaheryaar.
The house itself was large, a duplex, and was tastefully decorated with all the necessary wedding items.

Big colorful bulbs hung from the walls, setting off galleries and room with shades and glows of bright color.

Moments later he and Shaheryaar entered the spacious two-storied house. It was a beautiful place with polished oak floors and beamed ceilings. They noticed that the interior of the house was equally sparkling. Everything was arranged in a neat and well-styled manner supported by heavy beautiful, colored bulbs and glamorous electric fancy lights. The furniture was modern and elegant and was organized on the grass lawn in an elegant way to accommodate all the guests. The whole place was crowded with people.

There were girls already present on the reception, lining up together to welcome the guests with the beautiful flower vases and bouquet in their hands.

As they neared the reception area, the tantalizing aroma of different fragrances of male and female perfumes greeted them, mixed with delicious smells emitting from several wedding dishes.

While passing through the main reception gate, they stopped for a while for introduction and exchange of greetings. As he paused in front of the group of young girls and bent his head to take the large rose chaplet in his neck, he heard a musical feminine laughter nearby. His lifted her gaze to inspect her as his glance touched the person who was offering him the chaplet.

His eyes blazed into hers as her forearms circled his neck to set the chaplet properly.

Shaheryaar gave her a warm smile and paused in front of her to introduce her him.

"Meet my best friend," Smiling, Shaheryaar introduced him to her. "Aariz Ali from Karachi "

"And Aariz…This is Komal from London." Shaheryaar introduced. "She is Daniyal's cousin."

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"Hi,"

That was her only response and then she turned her head away, smiling with her friends, not even caring to glance at him again.

And Aariz…

Open-mouthed, he just stared at her, as she walked away without deigning to give him a second look, clearly ignoring him.

It never happened to him that he met some woman and she ignored him. It never occurred to him that he wanted to talk to some girl and she did not talk.

"K…Komal, " Her name choked past Aariz's swollen throat, but that was all. He couldn't say anything else. He could only stare at something that was truly unique in every aspect.

This girl was different, really different. She was quite something.

We do not know how beautiful legendary Helen was, or how charming and attractive historical Cleopatra was, or how shapely classical Atalanta was - but if one saw Komal, he would have a fairly good idea about those women.

She wore a narrow, pink choori-daar Pajama, finely embroidered Hyderabadi Kurta with net's Dupatta. She looked typically traditional and yet atypically modern.

Her shoulder length satiny dark brown hair framed a heart-shaped face that would cause any male to turn his head when she passed. Her sparkling brown eyes were the eyes that one could drown in for, and were set slightly apart and her dainty, pert nose was freckle free across its bridge. She was also heavier with her make-up, using blusher on her high cheekbones, and mascara to darken lashes long and thick as Barbie doll's. She already possessed the flawless skin, and the high cheekbones that would make her desirable. She wore her hair lose, straight and shiny. Thick and bright, it was the color of dark nut, and matched eyes that titled at the corners, giving her a faintly exotic appearance which men found irresistible.

Her full ripe mouth had had thick, naturally upward-curved lips, the lower lips protruding slightly in an almost perpetual little-girl pout, which added a sensual look to her round dimpled chin and soft, satiny complexion.

Her best feature, though, was, he thought, her hair…hair to die for. It was long and luxuriously thick. It fell around her pretty face and dainty shoulders in cascading waves of nut brown.

And her figure…

He had never seen such a perfect body. Curvy, shapely, ultra-feminine, her appearance reminded him of some ancient Greek Goddess. She was tall, but proportioned. Her finely fitted dress perfectly revealed the attractive ups and downs and seductive highs and lows of her slim shape.

"Hey" Shaheryaar waved his hand in front of his eyes. "What happened?"

"A lot," He breathed automatically.

Sometimes, people just enter your world and - whoop - Things will never be the same again.

He pulled his gaze away and turned to Shaheryaar, who was standing beside him.

"Did you see her?" Aariz asked enthusiastically.

"Who? Komal?" Shaheyraar replied.

"Yes, her," He said, trying to indicate my new object of desire without it being obvious.

His eyes flickered from Aariz to Komal, then back again.

"People say I have a 'black tongue'." Shaheryaar smiled devilishly. " Means, whatever I say, it always happens. Remember what I told you today?"

"Yes," Aariz replied blankly. "You said I'd fall in love today."

While he spoke to Shaheryaar, he didn't miss a single chance to take a detailed look of her.

Through out the evening, his gaze didn't leave her. Wherever she went, he wanted to see her, observe her.

The way she stood, the way she talked, everything about her was so lovely that he thought it would hurt him if he tried to look somewhere else.

And then, she turned back with a real grace, but he was transfixed. There were two or three other girls with her, but he wasn't looking at them.

Almost against his will, he found himself going behind her.

"Stop it, Aariz." A voice came. "You don't even know her. Don't' be so stupid, you're a twenty six year old grown man, not some silly teenager craving for opposite sex." His conscience warned him, but his feet didn't listen.

He saw she laughed at something, and this was the instant she turned back and their eyes met. Hers two, and his two, became four. The nature smiled and the feelings laughed.

It felt wonderful and touchy.

Again, giving him a quick glance and flashing her don't -you -wish it -was -you smile, she turned her face away like nothing had happened.

But that was not the truth. Ofcourse a lot had happened and they both knew it.

Exactly at the same instant, she playfully clapped her hand and let her hair fly about her head, while her soft laughter danced on the wind.

"Tyrant." He clenched his teeth and smile. "This 'who-cares' style suits her." He thought.

On the other side too, feelings were not much different.

Although she tried her best to keep herself 'apparently' normal and calm but only she knew what did it.

Ofcourse, she was very much used to men's glances, but this man…

There was something unique in his eyes. It did make her uncomfortable, but not in a bad or disgusting way.

She felt like high school all over again.

"Hey, come on! What's happening to you Komal?" Rubab looked into her cousin's eyes with deep concern.

"I... I'm all right." She tried to smile.

"You sure?" Rubab asked again, like she was not sure.

She nodded in silence.

It was very astonishing for Aariz. For the very first time, some girl had not really taken any 'interest' in him. She was not looking at him again and again, unlike rest of the girls.

Unable to take his eyes away from her, he watched her walk away from him without ever seeing him.

For the rest of the wedding, he tried his best to get a chance so that he could talk to her properly.

His wished came true when the dinner was served and she sat alone in a corner of the house's enormous lawn, listening to the soft music as she ate. Stars as bright as the sequins on her Kurta, were popping out all over a black velvet sky and the summer breeze was warm.

Alone at the moment, she was shaking the spoon slowly in the plate partially filled with Chicken Biryani, taking short, fine sips of cold drink at the same time. Apparently ignorant, she was fully aware of each of his actions and gestures. The sight of Aariz standing there, backlit by big lamps, made her breath catch in her throat. When he took a few steps toward her, Komal could see that his lips were parted in a dazzling display of perfect white teeth. His smiling eyes seemed even more compelling and magnetic.

He stepped closer and came to stop in front of a table spread with plates of Salad, Kabaabs, Biryani, Kheer, Sheermaal, Qourma and Carrot's Halwa.

"Hello!"

His voice was as inspiring as the rest of him.

In answer she just raised her face a little, but said nothing.

"May I sit here?" He asked, taking a chair adjacent to her.

"You already have." Words left her mouth in a flow and a soft British accent floated through the air.

He laughed.

His nearness disturbed her even more.

She turned to find him, studying his eyes through heavy-lidded eyes, so black and sharp with male interest---nothing offensive, just an honest male admiration for a member of the opposite sex.

He had lean, angular face. He was a dominating man for sure, it was written all over him… in the way he sat, in the way he held himself, in the 'male' way he sized her up.

She turned her face to the wall to avoid his penetrating gaze. Her mind was frozen into two black and white, conflicting, polarized feelings.

"May I ask your name?" He said in a dream-like voice.

"You already know."

He became answer less. But, a wonderfully mysterious smile played about his well-formed mouth, a smile that touched and matched the deep black waters of his eyes.

"Oh yes. I'm sorry," He looked toward her and smiled absently. "Komal," He breathed.

"For the first time in my life," He whispered. "I've met someone whose name perfectly suits her."

"So delicate, fragile, vulnerable."

Blushing at the compliment, she wanted to look directly into his eyes, wanted to stop him from what he was saying, but she couldn't.

He had a mesmerizing quality in the way he spoke.

"I… I don't know but seems like we've met before?" He slanted his lips into a smiling grimace.

"No, certainly we have not." For some unknown reason, she felt confused.

"Oh, sure?"

She couldn't reply.

"By the way, you don't have to be scared of me. I am pretty noble kind of man."

"How can I confirm that?" She asked in a low voice, her tone teasing tone.

"Trust me, I'm. " He chuckled, satisfied and content as he saw her features relaxing some more.

She shrugged and looked away.

"So, you're from London, right?"

"Yes," She replied in a friendly tone. "I come from London."

"First time in Pakistan?" He asked as if guessing her thoughts.

Her beautifully arched eyebrows rose.

"I guess that's pretty obvious." She answered. "I'm normally not this confused."

"But your Urdu is fabulously fluent." He argued.

"Yeah. My mom used to teach me since my childhood. If we live in Europe, it doesn't make us Europeans. We are still eastern and Pakistani, by heart."

"I see," He said with clear interest. "So enjoying your time here?"

"Umm, yes very much." She said, grinning. "Although many things have changed, still Pakistan is the best."

"Yes, for sure, that I'd have to believe." He said in a serious tone.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, when the 'best' people from London come to pay us a visit and like it here, I'd have to accept that Pakistan is the best." He explained.

On his comment, she laughed. As her musical laughter spread beautiful wedding bells in the atmosphere, Aariz felt like the whole world was smiling and laughing. He had never heard such a feminine, musical laughter. He wanted her laughter to go on and on until last of his breath.

"So, how long are you staying?" He asked, as last waves of her laughter dissolved in the air.

"Just ten more days."

"Oh," His said, his eyebrows shooting skyward, "But I thought, after you were here..." He swallowed. "Ah well," He sighed, trying to hide his disappointment,

"Not to worry. It's been nice meeting you anyway." She said calmly but his next question startled her.

"How old are you?"

"Jee?"

She was at a loss for words. She wanted to tell him that his questions were becoming too personal, but on second thoughts she decided against it. Certain frankness seemed to be in order so that a relationship could be established.

"Oh don't worry." He grinned naughtily. "I know it's out of ethics to ask such a question from a lady but in certain relationships, age is very important."

"Which kind of relationship?" She asked spontaneously. "I'm sorry," She said. "You've quite lost me there."

She fought down the sudden acceleration of her pulse, and said in soft-spoken, elegant voice.

"Just a simple, plain friendship, nothing more."

"Then you must not forget that, in friendship, age doesn't matter at all, does it?" She sighed with relief. "I am Twenty-four, by the way"

"Thanks. I was just curious." He smiled again. "I'm twenty-six."

"Not much difference I suppose?" She looked into his eyes.

"Yes, as far as the matter of age is concerned, it's not much difference I hope." He told her.

"So, friends?" He asked very pleasantly.

"I just met you." She uttered in a defenseless tone.

Her remark caused him to lift a dark eyebrow and give her a penetrating look that was both curious and amused.

"So did I " He got nearer.

His fragrance was intoxicating. Her eyes began to close.

"Komal, it's time to go now." A graceful lady-like woman in maroon Saarhi called her.

"Alright Mom, I am coming." She gave good-bye pecks to her friends and turned toward her mother swiftly.

"OK. Mr. Aariz, it was so nice talking to you." She left her chair and got up. "Bye, bye"

She didn't even wait for his answer. Without once looking in his direction, she started walking.

She didn't once look back, but she didn't have to. With every step she took, she could feel his hawk-like stare boring into her back.

As she turned and walked toward her car, she tried very hard not to look back.

Such was life. She tried to convince herself.

He said nothing then, but the nape of her neck continued to prickle with awareness of him.

Aariz felt a weird disappointment as she walked away.

Would she leave like this?

Without even looking at him.

Didn't he deserve even a single good-bye glance from her?

Would they part like this?

His heart began to disturb him intensely.

She continued to take short step, walking slowly reaching near the main gate where a black Mercedes approached them. A chauffeur in uniform got out and opened door for both mother and daughter.

Disappointed and dejected, he was almost about to turn back, when she looked at him for one last time.

The whole world stopped as his heart began to beat wildly. For next few seconds, Their gaze didn't break at all. She felt the earthy sensuality that was within the atmosphere between them. And then jerking her hair in a touchy style, she climbed into the car.

Only then he saw she was smiling.

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Aariz called Shaheryaar at his office first thing the next morning.

"I want her phone number"

"Whose?" Shaheryaar could not get him.

"Come on yaar." Aariz said, displeased at his friend's memory. "I'm talking about Komal, your cousin's cousin."

"Oh," Shaheryaar took a long breath. "Are you really serious Aariz?"

"Now that's totally ridiculous," Aariz said with artificial anger. "Didn't you guess anything last night?"

"Umm, yeah but I thought it was just simple, plain admiration and that's all. I didn't think you were really into her."

"You forgot what you said last night?" Aariz smiled. "That you've got a black tongue. Now here's another proof of that."

"But are you sure?"

"What the hell do you mean by that?" Aariz asked angrily.

"I mean, are you sure about your feelings? Are they real or do you just want friendship with her?"

"I already have a lot of female friends and you know that very well." Aariz stated. "It's not just time passing. For the first time in my life, I am feeling something really genuine, straight from my heart."

"But…" Shaheryaar said after few moments. "She… She is different yaar."

"What do you mean by different?"

"She is not from your community, friend."

"Oh, does that really matter?" Aariz laughed emptily. "I thought she is alien or something."

"Aariz, this is not some game or fun."

"That's what I'm trying to tell you, that, stop kidding and give me her phone number."

There was a silence on the other side, then he heard Shaheryaar's breath.

"Okay. I don't have her number right now. But I can take that from Shahper uncle."

"Do that soon."

"Alright buddy. I'd call you in twenty minutes."

As Aariz set the receiver back to the cradle, his breaths grew fast.

"So Mr.Aariz" He told himself. "You finally got what you were looking for, huh?"

"My ideal, the princess of my dreams, my 'girl'." He placed his hands behind his nap and sighed contently.

"How would she react?"

"What would be her response?"

From what he'd guessed after his short meeting last night, she looked friendly, outgoing and social kind of girl. Exactly like the kind of girl he had in his mind. Smart, open minded and modern. One who could be freely able to move in society, walking side by side with him.

He had to have this woman... this prize, this angel.

He leaned back and closed his eyes. He had not been able to sleep for a minute last night. As whenever he tried to close his eyes, her face came into front.

"Yes, all the 'symptoms' were there." He thought and smiled at himself.

He still remembered the soft brush of her long dark brown hair, the sweet smell of her perfume.

To say she was stunning was an understatement. But at the same time, he was sure that his attraction to her was more than physical.

And then, the memory of his conversation with Shaheryaar came into his mind.

Things had been so true so far. He couldn't believe it.

"Does marriage change one's life?" He had asked.

"Well yes. It does." Shaheryaar had told him.

"How much?" He had asked again.

"Depends."

"On what?"

"On circumstances, natures, characters and… on your fate." Shaheryaar had finally said.

He opened his eyes and smiled.

But he was sure about one thing, his life had changed even before marriage.

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The alarm clock went off precisely at ten o'clock in the morning. Komal rolled over with a groan while her hand fumbled over the bedside table to find the clock and shut it off. The urge was strong to go back to sleep but her conscience wouldn't let her. She tried to push the sleep from her face without success and lethargically swung her legs from beneath the silky bedcovers on to the floor.

Her eyes, heavy with the sleep, opened to mere slits as she stumbled to the chair where her cotton house robe was lying.

Just then, her bedside telephone rang with full disturbing sound.

Angry and confused at the same time, she first looked at the wall clock of her bedroom and then reached to answer the phone.

"Damn. You never leave me Mawara!" She hissed in an angry tone, without even confirming about the person on the other side.

Silence.

"Hello?" She asked, even more confused. "Who's this?"

"Good morning." After a brief silence, came a heavy, purely masculine voice which was enough to stimulate the deepest nerves of her being.

She didn't say a word, trying to recognize him.

"Don't think too much. I don't like philosopher kind of girls." He laughed soberly.

"May I know who you are?"

"Sure, why not. I'm very much willing to give you my whole bio data, if you're interested," Said the voice on the line.

"Listen…" She opened her tongue harshly. "Whoever you're…"

"Aariz," He breathed, before she could say further. "Aariz Ali,"

He didn't let her finish her sentence but did finish her confusion in the most fabulous way possible.

"Oh," A long shuddering breath escaped out of her lungs through her trembling lips as she sat up straight.

She was almost about to tell him 'I wasn't expecting you to call', but caught her tongue just at the moment.

"I hope I didn't disturb your sleep, did I?"

She smiled in answer and said. "Why do you always take permissions for things you've already done."

He laughed loudly this time.

"Do remember your words Ma'am." He said, his voice smiling. "That was something very meaningful."

Only then she realized what she'd said and what could be its 'after effects'.

"So, how was the wedding?" He asked anxiously, after a brief pause.

"Very nice, so beautiful."

"So are you" He said spontaneously.

She was speechless for some moments, then said,

"That was very superficial remark."

"I always keep 'deep' things saved for later times." As he spoke, she could easily guess that he had not stopped smiling for a second.

"May I ask how did you….

"Get your phone number?" He interrupted again, never giving her a chance to speak properly.

"It was pretty easy. Your cousin Daniyal is my best friend's cousin."

"Oh," She giggled. "Seems like very close relation."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"No," She answered. "I'm only being honest."

"I like…" He said huskily, his tone suddenly became serious and deep. "I like honest people, because I am an honest man myself."

She kept herself silent this time.

"Also, you told me you were about to go back to London soon…" He continued. "And that's why I didn't waste time."

As he spoke, her breaths grew fast.

"Basically I'm a simple and straight forward person, Komal," He told her, his voice even more deep and heavy now.

"I don't believe in flirtatious movie dialogues and cheap styles of expression. So I decided to tell you the truth right away."

"And what's your truth?" She wanted to ask but her tongue didn't follow her mind.

"And the truth is that," He said.

Oh God, he even seemed to be reading her mind.

"I really like you and want to meet you.

"What" She was totally shocked and taken aback. "But why? What do you have in mind?"

"I was wondering if we both wanted to go out?" He said in a flow.

"But…." She said, her voice high. "But we don't even know each other properly."

"That's what I thought, too," said Aariz, "but I've been thinking and it occurred to me that meeting each other would be the best way possible to know more of each other."

She couldn't say a word in answer.

"Take your time Komal," He said softly but firmly. "I don't want to force myself upon you. But I have just one request…" He finished his sentence.

Her heartbeats had become so loud that she though if he could hear them.

"And that is, don't deny your feelings, and don't betray your heart." He whispered, and then added." And now even if you refuse my offer, reject my suggestion, I won't insist. I'd take that as my fate, my luck."

He didn't say a word then, but she could hear his breaths. He sure was curious to know her response and was very desperate to see her reaction.

"I…" She began to say, but felt like her throat was obstructed. "I…I've never ever done that.

"Neither did I" He told her.

"Okay," She finally released the long breath she was holding for so long." When and where do you want to meet?"

"Thanks," His voice became loud and shaky with intense happiness. "Thanks so much Komal,"

"Thanks for what?"

"For trusting me, believing me."

"It's alright," She smiled for the first time in their conversation. "I think you're nice."

"Now I won't say a second 'thanks' for that. How about tomorrow night, if it is not too short notice?"

"Er, tomorrow's no good, I'm afraid, it's my best friend's birthday. How about Saturday?"

"Saturday's great, I'll book a table somewhere nice if you fancy it."

Komal was always up for good food. "Sounds great."

"Okay then, I'd pick you from your home at seven?"

"Umm. Okay, but do you know my address?"

"Ofcourse not," He laughed.

"I'm actually staying with my uncle's family here in Defense." She told him her address

"I'll be there!" I was feeling very happy indeed.

"Well, see you then! Bye for now" She put down the receiver.

Her first 'date' with any guy ever. She thought and sighed.

The line had been crossed and there was no stepping back.

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Komal lifted an arm and brushed aside a strand of dark brown hair that fell lazily across her forehead

She knew he would want to see her this way, fresh and natural without any goopy makeup to mask her natural loveliness.

"Komal are you going somewhere?"

Hairbrush almost dropped off her hand as she heard her mother's voice at her back.

"Y…yes Mom."

"Where?"

"To meet a friend," She turned back to face the huge mirror of her dressing table, applying lipstick to her pouting lips.

"Is there some party or something?" Her mother raised her brows.

"W-why, n-nothing, nothing at all," She stammered. "Just a simple meeting."

"Alright, but this is Karachi, not London. Be back soon, okay?" Her mother looked into her eyes.

"I will mom. Don't you worry," Turning back to her mother; she gave her a typical daughterly peck on the cheek and said 'good bye' to her as she left her room.

She had always been proud of her parents. They were 'ideal' parents for her. Not just because she was their only child but also because their nature was very flexible and they were really 'broad minded'. They had always trusted her and she had never made any attempt to break their trust.

Aariz parked his car just in front of her gate and climbed out of it. He first rang the doorbell and then knocked on the door, feeling that she'd be able to hear his heart pounding through it.

He was almost about to ring the bell second time when suddenly the door opened and Komal appeared from inside.

Aariz was again struck by her appearance, as she looked extremely gorgeous in a cute, simple royal blue fitting dress and matching heels. Her fair, smooth arms visible out of her quarter-sleeved dress added extra charms to her already very attractive figure.

He looked up at her for what must have been a few seconds, but felt like hours.Their gazes met. There was a sense of intimacy they shared that couldn’t be denied. Something had happened between them, without a touch, without a word, but very real all the same.

"Aariz," Her lush lips curved into a smile. "Well, I guess we're already late. Hurry up, I've to be back soon."

"People are looking very beautiful today!" He teased but his eyes were gentle. Long, muscular arms folded across a broad chest.

His sentence brought a blooming crimson blush on her face.

She could feel his eyes roaming over her vulnerable and exposed figure. But, surprisingly, it did not make her uncomfortable. Instead, it gave her a surge of pride for the beautiful body she owned. Men stared at her as she walked down the street, even though she always tried to wear clothes that would hide her figure in the best possible way.

While he preceded her toward his car, she observed him with concentration. He was a few inches taller than she was, with broad shoulders and fine, black hair but it was his eyes that unsettled her the most. They were a deep black, quick and brazen and tender, all at once. His hands looked strong yet artistic and they were dusted with soft black hair, as was the generous expanse of chest revealed by his open-throated white shirt.

The effect was one of quiet, inexorable masculinity.

Here was a man, Komal decided uneasily, who had no self-doubts at all. He was probably arrogant.

There was an air of ease between them as they took their table in a candlelit restaurant whose windows afforded a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. It was a place for lovers: soft lights and softer music, tables set discretely apart, food and service faultless.

As they both sat there, they began to just gaze into each other's eyes. Examining the others beauty at the edge of their close focus distance. Komal felt a stirring inside her as she explored his face with her eyes. As the two gazed into each other's eyes, they knew this relationship was going to last. An unspoken truth in their hearts for so many years... Now this was their time.

"Aariz…" She called him in a low voice. "Aariz?"

"Hmm, yes?" He opened his mouth in reply, his chin still supported by the fist of his left hand.

"Say something." Said Komal, ultimately breaking the silence.

"I'm speechless."

"Why?"

"When eyes can talk, I prefer to give my tongue some rest." He smiled.

"It…it all seems like a dream to me. I never thought it could all happen so soon." Komal whispered dreamily.

"Same here." He sighed and straightened himself up.

"So are you going to waste all the time, sitting here like this and saying nothing?" She smiled.

He smiled back in answer, his eyes never leaving his face.

"Did I tell you Komal that I love the way you smile?" He breathed softly. "And your smile, in turn, makes me smile back." He said and then added.

"If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand." He said in a gentle, purely romantic manner.

"Oh," She changed her angle and turned her head to hide the expression his wonderful words had produced on her face." Don't flatter me,"

"I'm only telling the truth." He told her.

"Tell me more about yourself?" She propped her chin on her hands, her elbows paced on the table in a stylish way.

"What do you want to know?"

"Hmm, everything. Like about your family, your parents, your future plans, your hobbies, nature…." She said, her voice filled with sheer interest and pure curiosity.

"Well…I am graduate in public administration from John Hopkins University, USA. My father urged me to go to U.S for higher studies immediately after my matriculation in Pakistan." He left his sentence unfinished as the waiter brought their ordered menu items for dinner and refreshment. The items include Chinese fried rice with Italian salad and some fresh mushrooms. Pakistani dishes like spicy 'Kata-Kat' and 'Behari Kabaab' with 'Poori Parathas' were also there. The drinks include fresh lemonade, orange juice mix, and hot tea.

"My God, Aariz this is too much. Who'd eat all this?" Komal exclaimed with shock, her big eyes getting even bigger.

"Doesn't matter if your stomach is small. Just keep your heart big enough." He winked naughtily.

"So I was saying… I have been in U.S for last nine years. I just came back last year, but thankfully being living in U.S has improved my personality a lot, in certain ways." He resumed his talk as Komal re-arranged the dishes in front of them.

"Which ways?" She asked curiously.

"I mean, I am more broad minded and balanced person now. You'd not find even single trace of 'conservatism' or backwardness in me." He told proudly.

"Basically, I am a simple person. Fun loving you can say, emotional in a healthy way. I run away from sober kind of people, they simply make me bored."

"Means, you are an out going kind of person?" Komal asked, separating the plates of spaghettis and Italian salad.

"Yes, you can say that." He poured the hot sour and sauce soup in the bowl. "I love to have fun and want to enjoy my life to its fullest."

"Hey, that's my line." Komal grinned. "I can't tolerate sad faces. Life is too small to be wasted in sorrows and tragedies."

Aariz smiled and said, "I'd call myself a talkative man. Talkative in a good, funny way. I love to joke around."

"Really?"

"Yes, why not. You won't believe I was thinking something really funny when we reached here few moments ago." Aariz told her.

"And what's that?"

"Some jokes related with this so called 'dating' phenomenon." He chuckled.

"Oh yeah? I know some those myself." Komal giggled.

"Like what?"

"Like, when before their first date, the guy asks the girl, encouraging her, 'Go on, don't be shy. Ask me out!' and the girls says, 'Okay, get out!"

As a reaction, Aariz's masculine laughter touched her soul as she heard it.

"Have you ever heard that joke…?" Aariz asked, finally getting his breaths to normal. "In which the boy assures the girl that 'I think I could make you very happy." Aariz changed his accent in parody of the joke.

"Yeah, and the girls asks," Komal said, amused. "Why? Are you leaving?"

This time, they both burst into a delightful laughter.

"Yeah, " Aariz couldn't stop laughing. "And when the guys asks again that 'do you think it was fate which brought us together?"

"But the girl replies, 'Nah, it was plain bad luck!"

And while they were laughing, smiling and giggling, Aariz realized something for the very first time in his life.

Yes, that's how he'd always wanted his life to be, full of smiles and laughter with a wonderful partner.

"God. Are we really on a date?" Komal asked, her face turning red due to the intensity of her laughing.

Aariz watched with interest as the flush spread from her pretty face down to her throat.

God, she was adorable.

"It's not a date." He said huskily. "It's our fate, which has brought us together."

His serious and touchy tone brought her back to the reality. Here she was alone with this wonderful man whom she had met just a couple of days ago, talking about everything. But it all felt wonderful.

"Can I get the two of you anything else?" The waiter asked as he stepped back alongside the table.

"No thank you. Kindly show us the bill please." Aariz smiled with grace as the waiter returned to bring the bill.

"Are you religious?"

On this unexpected question of Komal, he was surprised. Religion was something he was not much used to discuss with others.

"Yeah I am a Muslim, but not a fanatic one." He said firmly.

"Fanatic Muslims?"

"One who goes to extremes in following his religion." He told her with clear disinterest.

"Mullah kind of people, you know," He added. "Who always keep on saying, do this and don't do that. Well, such kind of people really makes me sick. I keep everything in its limits."

Komal exhaled a deep breath of relief and then took a final sip of her tea. She, herself, had never liked 'religious' men ever. Conservative, male chauvinists biased towards women, having narrow world starting from Islam and ending on it, never going out of their self-made shell.

"Yeah, same goes for me too." She said seriously. "I want balance in every thing of life. Being moderate is the best way to pass your life. Be moderate in everything. Religion, world, life… everything."

"Leave this boring discussion yaar. Religion never attracts me. It's a food for old conservative people and I'm not that old yet." He laughed.

Throughout dinner, Aariz chatted about his parents, how gentle and caring they were and how they had always respected his wishes.

"So when we're going to meet again?" He asked, now looking directly into her deep eyes.

On his question, she lowered head, thinking something.

Seeing her hesitation, he said,

"I... I'm sorry, Komal. Really I am. I ... I don't know what came over me. I ... I've never tried to force myself on a girl before."

"You are not 'forcing' me to do anything Aariz." She cut in before he could say further. "It's me," She said.

"I'm more to blame than you because I should have stopped you sooner. You... you're a man, after all."

"Stopped me, but why?" He couldn't understand what she meant.

"I mean…" She tried to say. " There're some problems."

"Like what?"

"Well…" She sighed and looked at her wristwatch. "I should better be going now. Mom would be waiting for me. I'd tell you next time." She smiled.

"Okay, as you wish." He shrugged his shoulders.

Aariz signed the bill and they rose to leave.

As they walk the short distance to their car, he called her.

"Komal!"

"Yes?"

"We sat together, we walked together just for few moments and yet it felt so wonderful." His face creased with emotion. "I was wondering how beautiful this whole life could be if you get your desired partner, one you really wish for…."

And on his meaningful sentence, she suddenly became silent, thinking nothing but him.

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That night sleep didn't come early. Komal tried to work on rest of her daily schedule and put it out of her mind the rest of the day; but those two pure black eyes invaded her mind.

What had she let herself in for?

What on earth was happening to her? She thought, as she lay awake in her bed.

Komal's brain whirled. It couldn't be happening to her. It wasn't possible

She had never experienced anything like this before. It was something weird, strange; a pleasurable kind of pain originating deep with in her, a feeling she was not much used to.

For the first time, she was thinking about her future in a different way. Only now, she was able to realize her needs and wants in a more personal way. She reasoned that she needed someone attuned to her personal life, someone with whom she could talk about the things that were important to her, someone who understood. A man who could supply that in a way no other man could.

And who this man could be?

His heart whispered only one name, again and again.

His personality was no doubt very disturbing. His smiles, his laughter, his way to talk, every thing was unique and distinguished. Confident face, naughty, sparkling eyes.

We don't meet such guys every day, do we?

She could not get Aariz out of her mind.

Did she just like his looks? Well, she did like his looks, but that was exactly the problem. Something had to be wrong with a man who looked so perfect. No man who looked perfect ever really was.

Her heart still raced when she thought of each time that Aariz's gaze had touched her.

As soon she her head touched the pillow, his smiling face came in front of her. She began to smile too. Yes...She needed Aariz. She wanted him more than anything else. She felt as though this was a person who genuinely cared for her. Someone who had asked because of genuine concerns and not due to superficial observation or 'politeness.' Someone who would listen and who would understand. A man, who would be able to share all of her smiles, sorrows, tears and laughter. She was not imaginative enough to figure out what men wanted from today's career-minded gals but she was sure of one thing, that, there was no selfish interest or materialistic desire behind his feelings.

The great thing about having such an ideal husband with a sizeable fortune was that she could actually get all the happiness in life she wanted and she was more than ready to take that all.

Rolling from side to side in her huge Victorian bed, she tried her best to sleep but it would not come.

Finally deciding something, she gave up trying, and rose from her bed.

She needed to share it with someone. Yes, only this could decrease the intense burden on her heart. She wanted to tell what she felt to someone who could be trustworthy and supportive.

Combing through her hair, she pulled out her laptop, and settled down in her easy chair.

With a sigh, she rested her fingers on the familiar keys and closed her eyes, willing herself to relax and let the words fill her ears, just as they always had whenever she sat down to write. But it was the silence of her surroundings she heard, a thick, throbbing unbroken quiet that threatened to go on forever. And in its echoing emptiness, the only words she heard were those of Aariz Ali.

Her fingers curled in frustration on the keyboard as she opened her mailbox and 'clicked' on 'compose'.

She wrote…

"Hi Mawara,

I've been enjoying my time a lot. Pakistan is wonderful except for that nonsense pollution and stupid traffic. For the first time, I have experienced its culture and heritage. I love the weddings, like all the festivals. Last weekend, I was in Lahore, enjoying Basant. It was fun.

Oh yes, remember Mawara you always used to ask me if I liked someone? And I told you that I'd not hide it whenever I really like someone. Well, dear tell you what, I've met someone. He is simply wonderful. And I've finally got my 'ideal'. Hey don't laugh, okay? Okay I know I might sound kiddish but that's how I feel.

Would fill you up with all the details once I'm back to London.

Mom has got our tickets booked for next week's flight.

Okay, see you soon.

Bye

K .K


Komal smiled at herself, and closed her laptop to return to her bed again.

It wasn't fair!

She asked herself why.

Why it was all happening to her?

"It's never been like that. It's never been this way. Oh God!" She shifted in her bed desperately, clutching the feathery pillow to her bosom.

And then, some invisible power whispered deep inside her heart.

"It's love. Oh yes, definitely love and nothing else. This is mind-ruining, and soul-sizzling love which will last for rest of your life."

What was she really afraid of?

Now, now it was time to confess what and how she had felt.

She had to admit, had to confess and to express herself in front of him. Otherwise this 'ache' was going to be unbearable.

Yes, Aariz was the man she had always wished, wanted, and hoped for.

And she knew that from now on, she would not be able to imagine herself with anyone else.

I was in a wedding one night.
And came across someone so nice.
We introduced ourselves and talked about certain things.
But never did I know that this could be.

How could it be that you're so far but yet near.
When constantly, I'm wishing you were here.
Why is it that the treasures you long for most,
Are always so far, but never too close?

I thank God for sending you my way.
And to see you soon is what I pray.
Everything I do, I can't do without thinking of you.
All I can do is hope my wish come true.

I can't figure out what to do.
All I seem to think about is you.
Before I go to bed and when I wake up too.
That's how I know these feelings are true.

Sometimes I'm scared to open up to you.
Wondering if this is really true.
It's funny how one night we're strangers
then the next, you whisper in my ear
'Goodnight'

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Her dark brown hair was combed back after she came out of the shower and right now was dried and falling about her face. Her thin, slim frame was wrapped in a loose bathrobe. She could see her reflection in the dining room mirror and she was pleased by what she saw.

As Komal brushed her hair, she smiled at her expression in the mirror, giving herself a critical look.

She had two black moles---beauty marks---on her face: one on her cheek and one on the side of her chin. Those were the marks she had always been proud of. They made her even more distinguished and feminine.

She brushed her hair back from her eyes. Her freshly washed hair smelled wonderful as the aroma of her shampoo settled around them. What anyone would notice first about her, however, were her eyes. They were a soft brown and seemed almost too large for her face. Her eyelashes were unusually long, and her generously fun lips seemed always to be wet, to have sheen to them. Her smoky, startlingly brown eyes had a warm provocative look to them.

"What to wear tonight?"

She asked herself, looking around for what she hoped would be something to really wow 'him' at their mutual date tonight. The long sleeved shirt like dress she finally pulled out was made out of a silky material, sky blue in color. It was one of the most flattering dresses she owned, its light color, a complement to her dark brown hair.

She wore only a little makeup tonight although she didn't even need that. Just a little blush on, just a hint of pink showing through the velvety skin of her cheekbones and brown lipstick made her full, pouting lips more prominent.

She was giving herself a final, observatory look when the doorbell rang and she felt her heart begin hammering loudly. Quickly but swiftly she reached out to open the main gate.

As Komal opened the door and smiled down at him, Aariz forgot to take breath.

He was truly struck by the stunning beauty of Komal. He had seen her irresistible charm and attraction, but never had he imagined that she would be so breath-takingly beautiful, charming and magnetic. Aariz, today, was totally spellbound by the enchanting beauty of Komal.

His black eyes warmed as they swept over her, and the familiar grooves dented his cheeks when he smiled.

"Hi, beautiful." Dark eyes crinkled at the corners, when he was able to speak finally.

Komal's heart started to race, as she blushed a bright red. She felt a little foolish, all these feelings, she felt like she was back in high school.

She surveyed the tall, handsome man standing before her, silent appreciation in her eyes. He was clean- and the scent of his cologne was crisply masculine. Her wide brown eyes gazed downward over his broad shoulders and muscular chest, all encased in an impeccably tailored dark gray suit.

"Hi, good looking!" She giggled, brushing her soft, luxurious mane of hair carelessly with her left hand. "Shall we go now?"

In answer, he just motioned her toward his car, his eyes never leaving her for a single second.

As they walked to his car, she was conscious of Aariz's approving glance sweeping over her. He had leaned across the seat and opened the passenger door for her so she could climb right in beside him.

Together, they left for their favorite hotel in his car. He said no more and neither did she, aware of him eyeing her speculatively as they drove the short distance to the hotel.

The porter welcomed them with a smile and nod of his head. Aariz stepped back to let her precede him into the hotel's restaurant. The restaurant was full when they entered it, and Komal saw two young women eye Aariz with evident interest. Seeing him though their eyes she had to concede he was worth looking at, his darks suit a foil fir his black hair, sensual curve of his mouth.

She followed him to her usual table by the wall and sat down, avoiding his daring eyes as he took the seat opposite.

The headwaiter was there to greet them. "What do you recommend tonight, sir?"

"Ask madam," Aariz waved his hand toward Komal.

"Well," Komal thought for a moment. She tipped her head to one side, a heavy mass of hair spilling over one shoulder.

"Anything special in your menu tonight?"

"Madam we've excellent 'chicken Karhaai,' and 'Mutton Sajji' flown in from Quetta today. Grilled with butter, they can't be improved on." The waiter told her obediently.

"Sounds great." Before she could speak, Aariz interrupted. "Sajji OK for you, Komal?"

"Umm, I'd prefer something lighter." She replied, as she fluffed out her long dark brown hair

"Alright. Bring Sindhi Biryani and Chicken Karhaai with Afghan Naan and soft drinks." Aariz told him finally.

Nodding his head, the waiter stepped back.

"Do you think it's light?" She asked, amazed.

"What?"

"The menu you ordered. It's pretty heavy I think, specially for me."

"Oh," He laughed huskily. "Well dear, as long as you're in Pakistan, do enjoy its food to the fullest. You won't get much chances afterwards."

She smiled but said nothing.

For a long a moment, neither of them said anything.

"So how was your day today," She asked finally, breaking the thick silence.

He didn't reply. Instead, she saw Aariz was continuously looking around them. Here and there, his eyes were everywhere but on her.

She waited, as if he would finally speak to her but his eyes didn't turn toward her.

She felt confused and frustrated.

"Aariz," She said sharply, when she couldn't take it anymore. "I can see we have a real problem here. You'll have to learn to speak when you're spoken to. I'm not used to people ignoring me when I talk."

He turned back toward her slowly, and laughed softly.

"I was actually enjoying seeing the way people look at you" He said.

"Well." Komal started, then stopped and tried again. "What do you mean the way people look at me?"

"You're the center of everyone's attention and attraction right now." He told her proudly. "And I'm proud of the fact that I'm with the most beautiful lady."

She looked into his face and she knew his words were true.

"You praise too much," She said with artificial anger.

"I won't argue with you anyway." He sighed.

"You better not, as a woman has the last word in any argument," She grinned, winking delicately at him.

"And anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument." He gave his own point of view, smiling back at her in the same manner.

She couldn't keep the laughter inside

"D-do you really think I'm pretty?"

"No, not really." He paused to watch her wide brown eyes darken with sadness. "I think you're beautiful!"

She giggled again and fluttered her lashes demurely, combing out her long black hair.

"So," He took a long breath and bent toward her. "Last time you asked about me, now it's your turn."

"Turn for what?" She asked, not getting him for a second.

"I want to know more about you."

"Oh," She sighed, the naturally red lips parted slightly, the deep brown eyes were half hidden beneath the smooth lids.

"I'm not much different from you when it comes to my nature. I'm a fun-loving person too. Out going, career-oriented. I want to be a lawyer." As she told her, he noted that her eyes had some special interest and ambition in them.

"I am applying for barrister ship and would do masters in law." She added with confidence.

"Wow," He exclaimed, looking clearly impressed. "Career women have always been my ideal. I'm always pleased when a woman achieves success, especially in a field too often dominated by men with inferior talents." He gave his personal opinion.

Throughout dinner, she chatted about her background, her aims about becoming a successful lawyer.

He loved listening to her low, edgy voice as she spoke of her job, her ambitions, her family and her hopes for the future. For just a second, he wished he did know a woman with a voice like that. Could spend an evening listening to that laugh, sharing a dinner and memorable moments.

It was only in the end when he came to the point, and this was the moment, for which, both of them had waited so long.

"Komal…" His tone changed suddenly, his voice a mere whisper, intense with emotion.

"I want to tell you something really important." His eyes looked deeply into hers, and then moved over her whole being slowly.

A tiny jolt shot through Komal's body, the touch of his eyes creating an actual physical sensation as they moved over her.

"I've never known the feelings I experienced with you." He began to say. "I smile each day as I open my eyes and cry each night as I close them. I thought, thought and thought and then it occurred to me that…"

He left his sentence unfinished, took a brief pause to see her rapidly changing facial expressions, a faint pink glow that spread upward to paint her cheeks, and then continued.

"I want you to belong to me. My dear girl, each day I love you more today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow, and I love you more than anyone or anything else in the world." He told her firmly, unshakably, meaning every word of it, "Believe it or not, but I really, truly, madly, deeply love you."

"I…I" She stammered thickly, not knowing what to say.

"I am in love with you Komal, with all my heart and soul, and through out my life I've never been this sure about anything like I'm about my love for you. It's true, real and genuine." He confessed all in just one breath but left her breathless in return.

And Komal… Komal was speechless. She was too overwhelmed to speak anything. She again looked at the wonderful eyes - glittering with expectation to listen affirmative - of his beloved. Their eyes locked and she detected compassion and love, love and love alone. There was no trace of lust. Aariz's eloquent eyes were shinning radiantly with a loud imploration.

"Do you love me?" He whispered, praying for an answer.

"Please say yes to me, Komal! I'm dying to listen to hear your yes. Don't deny me, Komal, don't deny me!"

Komal felt that all other emotion, namely, doubt, despair, anxiety, worry and all alike, fled into the thin air and disappeared into the universe. Flowers of love bloomed all around in ones and twos around them. All the ugly changed into beauty. A heavenly fragrance hovered all around the large and spacious place. All the evils turned into virtue. Thousands of melodious notes, under the skilled baton of some cherubim, blended together to produce a divine music all around the room. Having controlled herself somehow, Komal whispered those three divine words, which, since time immemorial, had been spoken, are spoken at present, and will be spoken in every love-smitten heart as long as there will be love on this surface.

"I LOVE YOU, too." Still looking into the wonderful eyes of Aariz, from which love and affection had been very evident, she repeated and repeated. It seemed like his powerful eyes had completely hypnotized her, taking her into his strong magnetic trance.

"From almost the very first day I saw you, I said to myself, that is the kind of a man I should like to be mine."

She placed her hand upon his to prove her point... an affirmation... a pledge to him.

"Ah," He let out a long breath, which he was holding for so long. "Thank you, my dear. Thank you so much."

"I don't want you to share any thing of your life with any one else." He murmured.

"I…. I need some time Aariz." She managed to say after some time.

"For what?"

"There're some things, some matters which have to be decided first."

He raised his brows but said nothing, perhaps not getting her point.

"You know Aariz. Marriage is such a big thing, we need to consider each and everything." She said soberly, her tone more serious than ever now. "We should proceed slowly. There are some problems too. Some big problems, Infact."

"What problems?" The tensing of his jaw betrayed his frustration.

"I'd tell you when I'd become sure of our relationship."

"Come on, you're not being realistic." He laughed sarcastically. "Here we are, confessing our feelings, expressing our love for each other, and you're not sure yet?"

"Oh," She shook her head. "Don't get me wrong. It's not what you're thinking. It's just that I need some more time to think. And we need to talk more about the matters which need to be settled first." She said in a low voice.

"Do you know Aariz," As she spoke, her voice felt like silk to him. "When and where a, man likes a woman, he wants to become hers. But when a woman likes a man, she wants to become his need."

"You've already become my most wanted need, what else do you want now?" He said in a weird way.

She laughed at the face he made. "Don't be so desperate. We're not teenagers."

"That's why I am so desperate." He teased her more. "We're old enough to get married."

"And how long will it take?" He asked thickly.

"I'm leaving for London this weekend. There're just three days left. I'd tell you earlier than that." She said, and then added.

"Now give me a big smile, will you?"

"You know, you don't look good at all when with bad mood and sad face." She told him and the way she told him that made him laugh naturally.

"Now I don't have any objection about that. When do we meet again?" He asked, thick lashes masking his eyes.

"I'd call you." She gave him a brief answer, then stalked to the front passenger door and climbed into the seat as they pulled out into the heavy night traffic.

When they arrived at her place, it was already late. Cold, dark, windy night was not something very 'ordinary' for the citizens of Karachi. He felt absolutely wonderful and romantic.

Stopping the car and turning off the ignition, he rested his arms on the steering wheel and drew a deep breath.

"I'd wait for your decision."

She smiled, and nodded, her lips trembling.

He liked her wide, vivid smile... lengthy flaxen locks of hair that fell nicely around her shoulders. Eyes that caught yours no matter where your gaze fell upon, and her irresistible aroma; that of a spring arrangement of the most exotic flowers.

"Look into my eyes. Will you?" He breathed gently.

Slowly, she turned her face toward him. As she looked into his face she felt a quickening of her heart.

His big, gorgeous black, excited eyes stared deep into hers.

His closeness enfolded her in the potent male aura of his after-shave lotion so that she felt slightly light-headed.

"You know Komal," His voice was unbearably sensual at the moment. "When you love someone all your saved-up wishes start coming out." His masculine hand brushed a fine lock of her hair away from her face.

"Why did you fall in love with me?" She asked hesitatingly, her voice weak.

"It just happened. Like lightening, unpredictable and beautiful."

"And dangerous!" She added silently.

"I…I know,"

He reached out and lifted her chin to meet her slightly glazed stare.

"You're crying?"

"Yes," She couldn't raise her eyes though.

"Why 're you crying?" He asked again.

"I...I don't know."

Slowly, deliberately, he took her tearful face into his shoulder and ran his fingers into her soft, velvety brown hair.

"Anything wrong? Hmm?"

"Nothing," she said. "Things have never been so right."

"So much beauty, Komal. You just... are so delicate-- gorgeous."

Her breath had quickened and her blood felt warm enough to melt her veins. She felt the hair on the back of her neck almost prick. It took her a second to realize she was feeling the effect of his nearness, the breadth of his shoulders and the towering leanness of his maleness.

He ran his fingers through her hair. "Have I told you that I love your hair?" He asked.

"Not yet." Her face became redder.

"I like girls with long hair!"

"But mine are not long."

"Yes." He stroked her shimmering soft brown hair again. "Don't cut them from now on. Okay?"

"Not like that!"

She blurted, smiling naughtily. "It's tough for a career woman to keep her hair long."

"And it's tough for a sensitive man to keep himself away from a desirable woman like you." He nuzzled her hair, breathing in her fragrance.

Her body ached for him, silently urging those magic fingers never to cease their play, to go on for ever vibrating upon her hair.

But before she could enjoy it further, he disengaged his body from hers and slowly turned back to his driving seat.

"God," He murmured sharply. "I was acting like some silly teenager guy with out of control hormones." He laughed huskily. "We didn't even realize that our car is parked in front of your house."

"It's…it's okay." She smiled and combed her hair with her fingers.

"Take good care of your self," He called, as she opened the front door and climbed out of his car. "For me."

She smiled, and stopped at her place to say,

"You were wonderful tonight."

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In the middle of the night, Komal awoke in a cold sweat.

With shaky hands, she took the glass full of cold water to her trembling lips.

It's enough now.

She had to inform him. She had to tell him the fact that was eating her up like a dangerous crawling dragon.

The telephone rang as Aariz was preparing for bed. He reached out one hand for the receiver, his other hand held the tooth brush.

"Yes?"

His voice was drowned in sleep.

"Aariz?" The feminine voice rang like crystal chimes over the wires.

"Komal, is that you?"

"Are you alright, what happened?" With the telephone receiver wedged between his ear and his shoulder, he went on brushing his teeth.

"I can't keep it inside me anymore, I've to tell you this."

"Yes, I'm here." He blinked his eyes fully, his sleep miles away now. "Tell me, what you need to tell me."

"Not on the phone," She sobbed. "We need to meet, need to talk."

"But what's the matter? Any problem?"

The answer was sighed rather than spoken.

"Aariz, I'm waiting for you at Sun café!"

And then she hung up the receiver.

He set the phone receiver back in its cradle and sighed. With in ten minutes, he was ready to meet her. He rushed toward Sun café in his Honda Accord, a famous restaurant that was not very far from his place.

When he reached there, he was surprised to find out that she was already waiting for him.

Her beauty, her charms and her vulnerability was so intense and effective that it didn't fail to inspire and impress him even in this tensed state and condition.

She had tied her gorgeous bright, nut-shining hair into a longish ponytail and wore a quarter sleeved plain white shirt of bosky and nice fitting jeans that revealed most of the details of her extremely attractive legs. He noted with interest that she had a pair of shapely legs tapering smoothly from their joint to the ankle.

"Wow," He said, as she stood up to greet him. "You startle me, dazzle me even in your casual appearance."

"Wow, yourself." She said without much expression. She ran one hand through her already tousled hair and sank into the chair.

"Now, what's the problem?" He asked, gazing deeply into her eyes.

She swallowed hard.

A waiter appeared and, vaguely she heard Aariz ordering black coffee.

By the time they were sitting in an isolated booth in the back of the coffee shop five minutes later, she had again found her voice.

"Aariz you have to listen with patience." She said huskily.

"For God's sake Komal, that's why I'm here. Please tell me now."

She opened her lips, her facial expression clearly showing the features of war that was going on between her heart and mind.

"God, …why does this happen to me?" She cried silent, clutching at her heart.

She needed to tell him things, wanted to inform him about all those essential facts, which were confusing her, making her frustrated.

"There are two big problems in our way, two major obstacles." She said, when at last she gained her breath.

"And what are those?"

"What would your parents thinks?" She asked, eyeing him critically.

"What would your relatives say? Would they accept me with open arms?" She asked another question, without waiting for his answer.

"Look Komal. It's my life. Do you have to live with my relatives and my community or with me alone?"

"But I don't want an 'isolated' life." She protested.

"You know very well that I don't give a damn to these stupid social and religious restrictions or whatever." He said with firm belief. "It's 'my' life and I have full right to spend or pass it in a way I like it. Frankly, it's none of my relatives' business."

He said harshly, his voice filled with emotion.

She couldn't reply, instead she just lowered her head.

Neither of them spoke much afterwards.

"Was this the reason that you called me at midnight and told me to reach here instantly?" He asked sarcastically.

She was silent.

He was angry, she knew.

They both rose from their chairs simultaneously.

"I hope I didn't hurt you." She said.

"No you didn't." His answer was quick and short as he accompanied her to the parking.

"I've my own car. You can go." She said as they reached the place where their cars were parked.

"Lady," He first looked at his wristwatch and then at her face. "It's two a.m. and it's Karachi, a city of lights but a place of fire and fights. You go and I'd follow you in my car to your house."

She didn't argue then, instead she just opened the door of her Mercedes and got in.

As she drove she could see in the back mirror, his car following hers.

He was caring, no doubt about that.

Few minutes later, she got out of her car and crossed the parking lot of her uncle's house.

On the gate, she turned back to throw one last look at him and stunned. He was standing wonderfully with his back tipped on his car; his arms crossed on his chest and his eyes fixed on her.

"I know what's making you worried and confused." Suddenly, words left his mouth in the most effective way, his tone heavy and serious. "We are from two different communities and sects, right?"

"One of us is Shiyah and the other is Sunni?" He gave her a slight smile.

"It's not just that." She opened her lips but her feet didn't leave the place.

"Then?"

She sighed and turned to face the man standing at her backside, for one last time.

" I... I "

"Hmm?" His brows curved upward.

"I...am…" She gathered all of her courage and power to blast the bomb finally.

Yes, this was the time. This was the occasion and this was the moment to tell him the truth.

"I'm… engaged."

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To be continued...

HIJAAB WAALI
An "unrevealed" love story

A story by IKRAM ABIDI

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