Alishba pov:

Pissed. Yeah, it is a perfect word I'm feeling right now. Why? Because my father and brother ditched me on SUNDAY. We were supposed to go on a family trip but they canceled it without informing me. Now here I am stuck with boredom. I woke up at nine got ready for the trip only to find the house oddly quiet. And then I found out they are gone. They left me notes which were.

Gone for practice. With Maher.

Afan.

Urgent work came up. Be safe.

S-

They were from my brother Afan and my father, Shahzeb Mughal. Afan even took Maher my only way left for entertainment. Well, Maher's my childhood friend from when I was six and Afan and Maher were eight. They are the same age.

He lives next door. We used to play together all the time. And those two jerks used to play pranks on me. Once they put gum in my hair when I was twelve. That stuff doesn't come off easily. I had to cut my hair. My waist-length hair turned to shoulder length. I cried and wouldn't talk to them. When they realized how serious I was they used to apologize daily with chocolates and ice cream.

I was a kid. Obsessed with chocolate and ice cream. I used to eat it all and then told them I didn't forgive them. They would do it daily for two weeks. Until I realize I had to group. So I decided to playback. I took their shirts and wrote 'I got poop in my pants at the back of their shirts so only the person behind them would see it. It was so hilarious. Everyone laughing at them and they didn't even know why. And when they found out there was a tickle war. When we grew up the pranks reduced. And

I fell in love with Maher. Yes. I realize it when I was seventeen. He got into an accident and the doctor told us that he couldn't survive. He wouldn't wake up. I remembered crying my heart out because I couldn't live without him. That I loved him. I was on cloud nine when he woke up. I wanted to hug him so badly but I resisted.

That love developed and now at twenty almost twenty-one I still couldn't tell him that. Because afraid of the answer. He doesn't love me.

I was bought out of my thoughts by my phone ringing. I shook my head to clear my mind and saw it was from my cousin Fatima. I smiled maybe the day could turn good. I quickly received it.

"Asslam o alaikum, how are you Fatima?" I asked grinning. She was my best cousin. We were the same ages and a lot closer. She is from my father's side.

"Waliikum-asslam

hello

. I'm good. What are you doing right now?" She asked making me sigh.

"Nothing, Afan bro

brother

and papa left me. Maher's also not here so I'm probably getting bored. What about you?" I asked putting the last dish in the rack and washing my hands.

"Good. I was going somewhere so I thought you could accompany me there. How does that sound?" I grinned. "Yeah sure. Anyways I didn't have anything to do."

"Great. I'll pick you in ten minutes. Dress a bit formally. Like anyone of your maxi. Oh, why don't you put on that peach one we bought. Get ready quickly. Allah hafiz

goodbye

."

She hung up without waiting for my reply. Formal eh?

I got ready in ten minutes all I had to do was change. I was wearing a blush pink maxi skirt with a cute white top tucked in. My make-up was already done which consist of eyeliner mascara and lip balm. I got my bag and went to the front door. Fatima was already waiting. I got in the car after locking the house and hugged her.

"Aslam o Alaikum

hello

, now tell me where are we going? And why are we dressed like we're going on an event." I said as soon as we broke the hug.

She rolled her eyes. "Waliikum-asslam. And yes we are going on an event." I raised my brow as she started the car. "What event?" I don't like being curious. "Now that's for me to know and for you to find out." I huffed and crossed my arms. I loved surprises but something tells me this is going to be epic.

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

After fifteen minutes drive, we arrive in front of the woods. Woods! I gave Fatimah a look and she just shrugged it off. We walk through the path between trees leading to the lake. The lake was the most beautiful part of the town. Me, Afan and Maher used to come here. We turned and Here it was. The bridge was decorated. And there were few chairs before it. I looked at Fatima.

"Where's everyone else, Ima?" I looked at and she grinned. "I'm just coming back. I think I forgot something in the car. I'll be back." I frowned but nodded. Something seems off. Besides being this place very beautiful and daytime. I can't help the chills down my spine. It's like someone's watching me.

"Alisha" a familiar voice called. I turned to see Maher standing at the foot of the bridge with a grin. I smiled instantly but then my smile faltered. "Maher. What are you doing here?" I said treading towards him.

He didn't say anything. When I was in front of him he held my hand. My eyes widen. He never did that. I mean not except when were greeted. His touch made a butterfly erupt in my belly. "I wanted to ask you something." He said nervously. I looked around to find the place empty. Now, this was getting really creepy. I looked at Maher.

"Yes." I nodded and waited.

He got on one knee and my heart skipped a beat thinking about what was about to come. He looked at me and smiled.

"Alishba, I want to marry you. will you be my wife?" I was going to die. The moment I dreamt was in front of me. I blinked to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. It was perfect. But my big mouth had to ruin it. "Why?" I blurted out.

He frowned but then smiled. "Because I love you." My eyes widen and my heart was like running a marathon. Maher loves me. My head moved up and down and I said "yes."

Cheers erupted all around me. I jumped a little and look around to find everyone coming from behind the curtain set. Why didn't I notice it before? But I let that thought pass away for now and looked at the crowd.

It consists of papa, Afan bro, Fatima, her mother, and father, uncle saad, and aunt Zahra. Her sister and brother. Amna and Sohail. Maher parents and a few cousins were present too. I narrowed my eyes and put my hands on my hips.

"So who would start explaining now?" I glared at them and they all turned their heads looking at anything but me. I sighed and turned to Maher.

"I guess then It'll be you." He nodded and we all sat on our chair with Maher holding my hand. A blush crept on my cheek at his touch as I listened.

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