chapter 3

Raza's POV

I looked around myself as I parked my car in our garage, the door closed behind me I sighed tiredly. The day was really long or maybe it was the work load that made it feel like an eternity.

Walking in my house I opened my mouth to greet the residents when I was cut off in the middle by a loud screeching sound of my sister fighting over yet another one of her dresses with my other sister.

Rolling my eyes I walked in the living room and threw my office bag on the sofa, settling myself beside Baba I paid my salam to which he gently replied.

I leaned my head back on the headrest and closed my eyes feeling my back ache from sitting in that office chair for too long.

"Tiring day at work?" Baba asked me nod and slump against the cushions.

"Raza I want to talk to you about something" he said after a long silence making me nod my head with my eyes still closed.

"Go ahead" I whispered making him clear his throat and I wished it wasn't something about me getting settled.

"Raza I have a girl in my mind for you." Baba said and there it is, he just doesn't understands.

"Baba my answer will not change" I said with finality in my voice its just not happening. I do not wish to face another wedding ever in my life. I've tried doing as my parents said and it didn't work out the way it should've.

"For the sake of your mother just do it she would've loved to see your own family Raza you know how eager she was to get you married." He said in a tone that said you don't have a choice but I'm not the one to give up this easily.

"Don't bring ammi into this" I said he Knows very well that whatever happens I can never say no to Ammi; that woman was my life and still is she's worth all the love and respect in this world.

"I don't care I have already found a girl for you and tomorrow we are going to meet her and her family, I guess you have already met the khans before." Baba said coldly making me clench my jaw and run a hand through my hair clutching at the strands.

Why did he even ask me when he had everything planned. I was about to protest but my unspoken words were cut through by squealing, I looked at the doorway to see my sisters standing there with grins on their faces. Mehak was jumping up and down like a little girl and for a moment my heart warmed seeing her like this.

"We will finally have a bhabhi a girl in the house." Mehak squeaked.

"Don't get your hopes high my answer is the same" I said making her shudder at my tone. Somethings are not worth letting go.

"Raza enough of your nonsense you have to do it in order to fullfil your mother's last wish" baba said and that'sf it he got me Ammi's last wish was to see all her children settled and for that I had gotten Malaika engaged to the guy she loves and Mehak's still waiting for the one I can't force them but baba can surely force me.

"Baba...I.." My sentence was cut short by Baba yet again.

"Raza I'm getting old and I really wish to see my son married before the time comes." he said

"No more argument Raza"

And no room for argument was left. My blood boiled and I got up abruptly, there's no use of protesting since there aren't many reasons I can give to get out of this situation.

My mind was disturbed by the sudden revelation of this supposed girl that I'm going to be ties to. A part of me wants to just ignore this fact that I'll be getting married and live my life as I am right now but a part of me enrages me to think that I'll get locked up with someone I don't even know.

Khans? There are so many people with this surname that's I know but the one who's stands out is Habib Agha Khan. Baba's childhood friend.

They only have two daughters, Myra and.... Dua.

They both are married then who is Baba talking about. I wanted to wander my mind off to someone who would be a close friend of Baba's but my mind went back to her. Dua.

How can one ignore her when her loud mouth never shuts up, or when her clumsiness is always making something crash into one another. All that I could imagine was a chubby nineteen year old running around the house breaking every glass item in the house by bumping into it.

Shaking my head I tried to get rid of the headache that was building up by even imagining her voice, loud, screechy and continuous.

My eyes closed after while of trying to push her out of my thoughts but I failed and ended up surrendering to my sleep.

The morning came earlier than I would've wanted it to. Working had become a hazard since baba kept calling me to remind me of our lunch with these said Khans.

Soon I was on the road to the familiar address with a frown settled between my brows. Maybe the girl was their relative. Shrugging I drove over to the beautiful mansion built in the middle of what I would call heaven.

Mountains surrounded the area, greenery everywhere. Peace was all I felt as I entered the area and soon stopped my car in the driveway of their home. Taking a moment to appreciate the house I stepped on the gravel and walked over to the door. Baba and the girls were already here leaving me to face the wrath of my father alone later for being late.

Mrs Khan opened the door for me with a soft smile on her face making me return the gesture, exchanging formal greeting I sat down with Shahzain talking for a little while before I went back to my silent self. He took the cue and left me alone. Smart guy.

Socializing wasn't my thing and I didn't want to it be either. Looking out of the drawing room window while no one acknowledged me I saw another car pulling up in the driveway.

A girl stepped out of the car and started - what seems like - shuffling through her purse. Her back towards me. I could see her brown hair moving around wildly with her movement and her ponytail swung back as she turned around.

A familiar face greeted my sight and it took me good minute to realize who it was. The chatter box Dua. Brilliant now even she's here. Just when I thought this would be a normal event.

I watched as she rolled her eyes and snarled at her phone making me suppress my laugh at her expression. She lifted her eyes up and they met mine. I saw as she stumbled back on her feet and stared at me with her mouth a gape.

Turning her attention away from me  she hurriedly typed on her phone while turning her back to me again and going around her car, completely out of my sight.

A few seconds later Shahzain's phone starting ringing and buzzing nonstop in response to which Mr khan got irritated and asked him who it was or to just get it over with.

Shahzain grunted and walked out, involuntarily my gaze went back to Dua and saw her making her way inside the house. The thing is she could've rung the bell or maybe she trying to avoid us, that would be great if that's the case.

"Ohh Dua beta your home come come greet you uncle" aunty called out and in walked Dua with a small smile on her face. I couldn't help but notice how changed she look from the last time I saw her. She used to be chubby and healthier than now. I was waiting for her to grin like a cheshire cat but instead all I saw was a small... Graceful smile. Very unlike her according to me.

She nodded and sat down with everyone else. They chatted and I sat there burning holes in her skull, i couldn't help but not stare at her, she was tht same girl who used to not shut up and here she is not even uttering a greeting. Arrogant much.

After a while she turned around and looked at me straight in my eyes. My forest like eyes locked with a pair of golden brown ones ; her eyes held me captive for a while until she looked away ducking her head down. I could see a hint of blush on her cheeks that only made her look all the more adorable.

Wait what... Where did that came from ohh God even her mere presence have made me go insane if one of us don't leave I'll be next found in a mental asylum.

"Dua beta I have something really important to ask you."

She nodded and sat up straight. she hasn't spoken a word she either nods or types her answers her typing speed is abnormally fast though.

"Dua beta you know how much me and your aunty Muskan loved you, right?" Hearing Ammi's name I was even more attentive and saw her nod again, just nod? what happened to your chatter box?

She looked over her parents then turned her attention towards Baba again.

"I have a request for you I'm hoping to get a positive response" he said to which she nodded again.

"Dua will you consider Raza as your future husband?" Baba asked and I froze, has he lost it?

Isn't she happily married? Why is he asking her that? I looked over at her to see that she had literally frozen, her shoulders stiffened and all the colour drained from her face, her eyes were moist I don't know what she's thinking but I don't think but her condition looks concerning.

"Dua?" Her Ammi's concerned voice seemed to have brought her out of whatever thoughts that were going through her mind.

"its alright beta if you need time I understand" baba said and her baba nodded.

She nodded and went out typing or maybe texting someone and by the ring in Shahzain's phone I found out she texted him again no words.

What's with the attitude woman? I hope she refuses......