6- Label As ‘Love’

“Hoorain, stagnating your heart won’t lead you anywhere.” Haziqa whispered as she was looking in the other direction with a devoid gaze, hugging her knees close to her chest. “What difference could my feelings make anyways?” She shrugged with an empty smile.

“Why are you after him anyways? Leave him, It will only hurt you. You can find someone millions times better than him.” Haziqa tried to make her understand, patting her back but curling her hands in a fist, she hissed, “What’s the point when it could be anyone but not him? How will I convince my heart? Please try to understand, Haziqa, I cannot choose what to feel for whom, I have no control over feelings.” Her voice grew weary, lowering by each word, looking down, hugging herself closer,

“The world would be so beautiful if we could choose who to love, what to feel but that’s something beyond our capabilities.” She whispered, closing her eyes, leaning her head back. 

“But what will you gain by ruining yourself for someone who feels nothing?” She asked. “I know this much and if it was so easy to understand, I wouldn’t be at this point.” She breathed out, pulling her hairs in frustration, “The fact he feels nothing cannot change what I feel. My emotions will remain mine, he never asked me to fall for him, this whole mess is my own fault.” Growling, she slammed her hand down, pressing her teeth together, rage overwhelming her heart but soon it was replaced by agony when he passed by.

Dammit. Cursing internaly, he glanced at Hoorain for a second but coldly turned his head away from her. That girl will surely destroy her life over a paltry matter. He thought. Yes, that’s what he considers it- A Paltry Matter.

But after seeing him, she couldn’t resist herself and went after him, “No, Hoorain, No.” Haziqa said strictly, pulling her back, “Just a second, it won’t take long,” 

“Don’t be so desperate.” She said, not leaving her wrist. “I need to talk to him, please.” She whispered back, “Please don’t do this to yourself, I can’t let you.” She said firmly, not letting her go. 

But a friend hexed in love loses their senses of reality.

“I need to go.” And with a harsh yank, she pulled her hand away and went after Zain who was walking down the corridor.

“Shit.” Haziqa cursed under her breath and ran after her, hoping to refrain her friend from extra troubles.

“Listen, Sir, please, listen.” She called, coming to him, “Hoorain.” Zain put his hand in between, sighing deeply, “Don’t.” He told her dominantly. “Don’t put us both in an awkward position. Savor your life, your so-called feelings but stop meddling in mine.” He breathed out, closing his arms at his chest, narrowing his eyes in rage at her.

“Why are you doing this to me?” She asked, coming closer, “I can’t force myself to love you back and it would be better if you move on.” He tried to make her understand but she blinded, “That’s too easy for you to break my heart.” Her voice came out croaked.

His gaze softened more, “Then give me an easiest way to let you down because no matter what I say, your heart is going to break in the end.” He sighed, leaning on the wall, pitying the desperate state of his best friend’s sister.

“Why can’t you accept it?” She asked feebly, “I don’t want to. And you better stop your obstinacy as well. To me, my career deems more important, I need to focus on my life.” He gave a reason to stop but it wasn’t enough.

“That doesn’t mean you will reject me.” She was on the verge of crying and he knew he had to be hard or else she wouldn't understand. “Snap of it, Hoorain.” His voice came out outraged, commanding, stiffing her for a second by its intensity. “If you won’t stop it, then I have to tell your parents to control you- You know what? I am telling Rayan to knock some sense into his vacuous sister.” He hissed, leaving her startled about his warning. 

After hearing his assertive words, she was left frightened in anticipation. Pacing around her room, she clenched and unclenched her hands continuously, pushing her hairs back, “Shit, shit. What should I do?” She didn’t know what to do, fearing her family’s reaction, she couldn’t bear it. 

Brimming tears in her eyes, she covered her face and remained like this for a long time. After suppressing her tears, she called Hoor, telling her everything. 

“I don’t know what to do…” She whispered tensely. “Tell Rayan everything, if you won’t, Zain will and this would be unfavorable for you.” Hoor advised. “I can’t… I just can’t.” She shook her head. “You have to tell anyone, Even Emraz Bhai but tell anyone. How do you expect anyone to understand when they know nothing?” Hoor asked, trying to convince her softly. “I know but… It’s hard for me.” She whispered, holding her chest.

“But you have to do this and if you can’t then I will.” She declared, “No! Please don’t.”

“Then do it.” And with this, she cut the call, leaving her more perturbed than she already was but before she could gain time to tell everyone about her brief tale of endearment, the jubilee party at Paradise came and she had to keep quiet until then but she was worried to no extent to think if Zain had told anyone or not.

She got ready for the ceremony, wearing an exquisite white dress, contemplating the area to find at least Zain or Rayan to ask and when she did, upholding her facade, she went to them.

"Bhai!" Hoorain chirped, rushing to them. "Aw, you guys look amazing together." She beamed, forcing out a smile. "Thanks." Isra smiled, wrapping her arm around Rayan's. "I know." She said sweetly. 

"I am so glad to see you guys happy." She whispered sincerely. "Me-" Rayan was about to speak but his phone rang, "Must be Hoor, you guys talk, I will be back." Rayan smiles, leaving them alone.

"So, how's everything Hoorain? How's your preparation for exams going?" Isra asked happily but forcing a smile, she replied, "It was great. Everything is fine."

"Listen Bhabhi.. I hope you don't mind if I call you bhabhi." She trailed off nervously, "No, No, it's fine." She reassured her. "Um... Did Sir... say something to you... or even Bhai?" She asked hesitantly.

"No. None of them did. Is there anything?" She asked. "No, no, It's okay." She sighed in relief mentally, relieved to know she still has time.

"Did something happen?" Irsa asked, narrowing her eyes, "No.. I was just asking. Leave it." She muttered, shaking her head, walking back and leaving her alone in her perplexity as she left shaking her head off from any stress.

But while she has calmed down Zain was fed up with this shit and before it brings him any trouble, he wants to tell her family to clear himself and to control her before she grows obsessive. 

"Rayan, Listen, Man, I want to tell you something important." Zain called,  still pissed at Hoorain, wanting to tell Rayan about it but he was busy dealing with guests and searching for his wife. "Sure. But not here, Bro. Have you seen Isra? I have to find her, I have prepared a special speech for her. I need to find her to make the announcement." He asked, looking around to find Isra to confess his feelings finally and make the declaration of his love.

"You are going to confess?" He asked in perplexity and he nodded with a grin, "Of course, I had been working on that speech for years." He beamed, excited, barely controlling himself.

"Why don't we hit the bar after the party? I will tell you everything... even the one before." He smiled genuinely. Zain smiled, totally understanding this event is going to be grand for him, the gaiety on his face shows it.

"Sure, Good luck." He Smiled, giving him a thumbs up. "Let's pray everything goes well." He winked, waving at him, "By the way, did you see her?" He asked, stopping, "Yeah, she just went to the restroom. You will find her there." He smiled, "Thanks." Waving at him, Rayan left happily to call Isra and proclaim his endless love for her but what you fathom never truly happens...

After Rayan, Zain went to Emraz, knowing Hoorain is mostly attached to him and he will understand. "Emraz Bhai. Listen." He called, going after him, who was observing the crowd, leaving him baffled, "Oh Hey, Zain." He replied, looking in the other direction, "I swear, I saw her." He mumbled. "Who?"

"Huh? No one. What is it?" He asked, turning to him. "I want to talk about something important." He breathed out. "Yeah sure-" The moment he was about to look at him he finally found the person he was looking for, "Ah, there she is!" He chirped. "Who?" Zain asked in perplexity, looking in the other direction, "Who are you talking about?" Zain asked but Emraz smirked faintly, "Someone who is in my debt." He said with a mischievous grin.

"Could you wait a sec, please? I will be back." He asked sweetly, not removing his eyes from the arresting girl with black hairs highlighted red from the edges, lost in her own world. "Uh.. Sure." Zain sighed as Emraz left and having nothing else to do anymore.

He waited for Rayan's enunciation, going back to his comfort zone to ponder what to do to prevail this affliction Hoorain label as 'love'