6

" actually I was used to asked from Bhai .. that's why I told him ... Because he was the only one who was with me in London " zoha said

Zoha hesitated, her gaze falling as she spoke softly to her brother. She didn't want to come off as rude; after all, he had made an effort to come and meet with her, despite the circumstances that forced her to go to London.

"Zoha, beta, I know it's not easy for you... forgive everyone... we've all treated you poorly... but please, forgive us," Kamal Sahab pleaded, his voice filled with remorse.

"Dad, please... I respect you a lot... I'm trying... it will take me some time," she said, tears welling up in her eyes. Kamal Sahab nodded understandingly, and then Rubi entered the lounge, ready to leave for her kitty party.

"Wow! So, it's only mom you're enemies with, madam... you smile and chat with everyone else," Rubi taunted, ignoring Zoha as she stood up from her seat.

"Where are you going?,"rubi asked.

"University,"zoha replied.

"Your guards will go with you... I won't take any risk with your life," rubi said before leaving.

"But why? Uncle Asad had told you I've been going without guards for so long," Zoha asked, irritated.

"Hmm... but I've heard you're often with a boy... I suspect he's from the Maliks," Rubi whispered.

"So what's the problem? You shouldn't interfere in my matters," Zoha retorted, anger evident in her voice.

"I will, Zoha, because I'm your mom... and guards will go with you, or else stay home quietly," Rubi said before leaving. Zoha glanced at Kamal Sahab, but he avoided her gaze.

"12 years ago, you were silent like this too... like you had no right over me... the way you stand up for Fara, why couldn't you do the same for me?" Zoha said, her voice heavy with pain.

Zoha rushed outside and got into her car, driving fast as tears streamed down her face.

"Even after so many years, you haven't changed. Your parties are more important to you than your daughter... even after so many years, you can't even say sorry to me. You don't even feel ashamed of your actions, Mrs. Kamal... and you still call yourself my mother," Zoha muttered to herself, wiping her tears harshly. She reached the university and headed straight to the drama club, where Soniya and Ahad were present, along with other performers. As she was about to open the conference room, Soniya called out to her.

"Hello, madam junior president... do some work or let us handle everything," Soniya remarked.

"Whatever work there is, schedule it for two hours later... I'll do it later," Zoha said in a low voice, her hands trembling as she struggled to open the lock with the key. Ahad sensed that she was crying, as her face was hidden behind a hoodie and glasses.

"What's wrong with her today... she's behaving strangely," Ahad mumbled to himself.

"She's right... madam wants to work according to her own will," Soniya chimed in.

"I told you, work silently, you understand?" Zoha shouted, entering the room and locking herself in, then sitting on the chair. Her hands were still shaking as she drank a glass of water and took her medicine to calm herself down, as she started to panic.

When Fara found out about her conversation with Rubi, she skipped her class and hurried to the drama club.

"Ahad, where's Zoha... has she come here? I'm trying to call her but she's not answering," Fara said, sounding worried.

"Are you okay? Why are you so worried? Zoha was behaving strangely earlier too," he asked in confusion.

"Please tell me first," Fara insisted, and he recounted the events. Fara opened the door and rushed inside. Zoha was sitting, holding her head in her hands. Fara sat beside her.

"Zoha, are you okay?" she asked, placing her hand on Zoha's shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Zoha nodded, wiping her face, which was red from crying.

"Zoha... about mom and you again..." Fara trailed off.

"It's a normal thing, right? This has been happening for the past two months... it's not a new thing. But still, it affects me... I still don't know whether she hates me more, or I hate her," Zoha asked, looking lost.

"Zoha, she doesn't hate you... she loves you very much. She's just become hopeless because of your behavior," Fara said, gripping her hand.

"Hmm... she loves me so much... that sounds funny... oh well," Zoha laughed mockingly.

"Zoha... are you sure you're okay? You don't seem well... you should rest," Fara said, examining her face.

"No, I'm okay... you go, I'll join you later," Zoha insisted, and Fara nodded. After some time, Zoha managed to compose herself, knowing how to hide her emotions.

She went outside and sat in a corner, not in the mood to talk to anyone. Ahad came and sat with her.

"You okay? You've been here since morning and no fight with me," Ahad asked with a smile.

"Not in the mood today," Zoha replied quietly.

"Seems like something serious is bothering you," Ahad said, pressing his lips together.

"Okay... Sir Asad was saying that you're also participating in this event," Ahad knew that irritating her would make her open up.

"What... are you out of your mind? Why would I take part in this event?" Zoha asked angrily.

"I'm perfectly sane... go ask Sir Asad," Ahad said with a smirk.

"You know what... get out... and don't irritate me," Zoha said, glaring at him.

"Okay, but tell me this... will you choose a partner? By the way, there's a chubby guy here who keeps staring at you all the time... want me to talk to him?" Ahad said with a chuckle, and Zoha grabbed the water bottle next to her.

"Get out, Ahad Malik... otherwise I will kill you," Zoha threw the bottle, and Ahad rushed away laughing. After that, Zoha smiled at his antics.

"Idiot," Zoha whispered.

They sat in the club, everyone practicing. Zoha sat on a chair, making a weird face, with two guards standing nearby. Ahad sat with her.

"How are you?" Ahad asked.

"Fine," she nodded.

"Don't take Soniya's words to heart, she says anything," Ahad said, looking at her.

"It's okay... I know she's just jealous of me... that's why she hates me," Zoha said, playing with her ring.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Ahad asked, concerned.

"Hmm... why are you asking?" she looked at his face.

"No... you're not okay... because if you were, you wouldn't talk to me so calmly... and you wouldn't care about Soniya at all," Ahad said, and tears welled up in her eyes at his words. Ahad felt hurt seeing her tears.

"Sometimes, there's so much going on inside a person... that whatever others say doesn't matter anymore," she said with a sad smile.

"Ahad said with a smile, 'You can tell me, share with me, if you want. Let's suppose we are friends, for a little while.'"

"Zoha said with a smile, 'Now, not all my days have been so bad.' She knew how to hide her pain."

"Ahad said with irritation, 'You should sit alone here with your thoughts.' He then left, and a smile appeared on her face."

The next day, Fara, Zoha, Ahad, and Zain were in the conference room.

"Ahad said, 'I have something important to tell you.'"

"He continued, 'Sir Asad has ordered us four to participate in this event, and he has also decided that we will be paired up as couples.' Only Zoha reacted."

"Zoha said, 'Hello mister, I am not going to be part of this event. I've already made a mistake by joining this club. I see your girlfriend's tantrums every day.'"

"Ahad said, 'Zoha, try to understand. You are overreacting.'"

"'It sounds funny that I am overreacting,' Zoha replied."

"'What's the problem with you?' Ahad asked in irritation."

"'What's the problem with me?' Zoha retorted angrily. 'You are such a stupid person. You made decisions about my life on your own, and now you're asking what's the problem with me?'"

"'Zoha, it's not a big decision. I'm not forcing you into a big trouble for your whole life. It's just an event, not the Bermuda Triangle,' Ahad said."

"'Whatever it is, I am not going to take part. I will talk to Uncle Asad personally, okay? Don't worry about me,' Zoha said."

"'You are a student of this university. It's your duty to work for the reputation of this university,' Ahad said in a serious tone."

"'Look Ahad, I'm not comfortable,' Zoha said."

"'Zoha, it's just a competition,' Ahad said, taking a deep breath."

"Zain and Fara pleaded, 'Zoha, please.'"

"'Zoha, you're doing this, and it's final,' Ahad ordered her."

"'You can't order me,' Zoha said."

"'This is not my order, it's Sir's order. Okay guys, Zain and Fara, you both are modeling, and Zoha and I are singing. Now, go back to your practice,' Ahad said as he moved outside."

"'What does he think of himself?' Zoha said.

"

"Zoha, please, just agree. Look, this is just a matter of a little time. And if you participate in this competition, you'll get an extra 10 marks," Fara appealed, knowing Zoha's weakness.

"Okay, fine. But you have to make your brother understand not to misbehave with me," Zoha said to Zain, nodding in agreement.

The next day, after their class, they gathered again in the club and started their practice.

"Ahad, baby, that's not fair, right? You selected Zoha without any audition, even though she's new in our club," Soniya said with a sweet-coated voice.

"Well, actually, Soniya, talent can be recognized from a distance," Fara replied.

"Guys, can you please stop it? Ahad, I've made the list of songs that we need to finalize. Please choose which ones to select from them," Zoha said in a serious tone.

"Hmm, look at her attitude. I wonder what it's about," Soniya murmured audibly, and Ahad struggled to control his anger, while Zoha glared at her.

"Ahad, what's the problem with your girlfriend with me?" Zoha asked when her patience ran out.

"It's nothing like that. Don't take her seriously," Ahad said.

"Soniya, that's enough, okay? Don't say another word now," Ahad said through gritted teeth, and she made a face.

Time passed by, and two weeks went by.

During these two weeks, Ahad was restless because he didn't know what was happening to him. He felt something towards Zoha that he didn't want to, and it irritated him even more.

He entered the class and saw Zoha sitting there, working on her laptop with her guards standing on both sides. A smile appeared on his face when he saw her, but it vanished as his gaze fell on the boy who was staring at her.

Anger built up in Ahad's chest as he swiftly walked towards her and took the chair next to her, blocking the other boy's sight.

"Hello, Miss Tiwana, what are you doing?" Ahad asked in a cheerful tone.

"Ahad, I'm busy. Please don't disturb me," she said without looking at him, and it hurt him.

"Okay, fine, as you wish," he said in a low tone, and started using his phone. But Zoha didn't care. She finished her work and stood up.

"Alright, I'm going to the club. I have some work to do there. You should join the others at the club on time," Zoha said and left without waiting for his response.

She reached the club, opened the room with the keys, and sat down to start her work when Soniya also arrived and sat with her.

"Who gave you the keys?" Soniya asked after some time.

"Ahad did," Zoha replied, and got back to her work.

"Aren't you ashamed of keeping an eye on someone else's boyfriend?" Soniya said angrily.

"What the hell are you saying? Are you out of your mind?" Zoha asked angrily.

"What's wrong with saying the truth? Ahad gives you more importance than me. He doesn't have time for me. Whenever I see him, he's just thinking about you," Soniya said angrily.

"It's not my problem if you can't control your boyfriend. And don't you dare talk to me like this again," Zoha warned, as her guards also arrived.

"Is everything okay, ma'am?" they asked, and she nodded.

"Hmm," she turned and saw Ahad standing behind them. Soniya also noticed him and stood in fear.

"What was happening here?" Ahad asked politely.

"W-w-well, baby, nothing... we were just talking about fashion, right?" Soniya said nervously.

"Is that true, Zoha?" Ahad asked her.

"Baby, why would I lie to you?" Soniya grabbed Ahad's arm and asked.

"Your girlfriend is right. Give her more time than this. She's going crazy," Zoha said, about to leave when Ahad grabbed her hand.

"Where are you going?" Ahad asked in an emotionless tone.

"Home... I need some rest," she said and left.

Ahad released her hand and stood in front of her in anger.

"Now tell me, what were you saying to Zoha?" Ahad asked through gritted teeth.

"I was just telling her—" Soniya began, but Ahad roared.

"I want to hear the truth. I've heard enough from my own sources, but I want to hear it from your mouth again," Ahad said, and tears fell from Soniya's eyes. She tried to grab his hand, but he pushed her away.

"Stay away, Soniya. From the beginning, I told you, 'Soniya, we're just friends.' But you said no. 'Ahad, there's something more than friendship between us.' I stayed quiet. You made us famous as a couple in the university without my permission. I stayed quiet. But now, you've hurt someone I care about. I won't stay quiet anymore," Ahad said angrily.