All Chapters of The Love Thief (Short Stories collected): Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Love! A strange feeling. For some, the reason to live. For some, a painful memory. Just like the feeling when the first drop of honey touches the tip of the tongue, love can prove itself sweet. And just like bitter gourd, it can be too bitter at times. Love is really a strange thing.   If it wants, it can make your heart prosperous, and if willing, it can ruin your life   •••   Sitting on a bench of the park, Taimoor was aimlessly looking around. The chilly wind of December brushes against his skin, making him shiver as he brought his hands up to blow some warm air in it. He forgot to bring his gloves. He didn't plan to leave his office and came to the park which is two blocks away, but the sudden wish of getting fresh air made him leave his office building.

Many days passed in silence, Nayab was noticing some changes in Taimoor's behavior, he was turning cold and distant, not only from her, but from Qirat too. Last week, he forgot to attend the parent-teacher meeting in Qirat's school, which he never did before. Nayab couldn't understand how to ask him the reason. While on the other hand, Taimoor and Daneen were meeting each other daily, many times in his office and many times in restaurants or cafes. They were becoming close, just like before, as if nothing happened between, as if Taimoor didn't have a wife and daughter at home. All that matter to him was Daneen, and only Daneen.    Silent lingers between them as they have their breakfast in silence. Nayab was helping Qirat finish her french toast, while Taimoor was having juice and omelet. From time to time, he would raise his eyes and glance at Nayab, like he wanted to say something but didn't know how to.

The silent room of the dining area was filled with the only sound of cutlery hitting each other, Finally, Anupriya decided to break the silence and called her only son.  "Dayyan!"  "Yes, mom?" Averting his eyes away from his breakfast to his mother, Dayyan asked, giving all his attention to his mother. "Tomorrow, we have to attend Ishra's wedding, make sure you don't have any important work tomorrow. And you too." Informing Dayyan about the schedule of the day after tomorrow, she looked at her husband and told him too.  "I'll make sure of it," Dayyan nods his head, and once again turned to his breakfast.  "And I have told Mr. Kapoor for your suit, you also call him and tell him what kind of

After telling her sister everything about Maya, Anjumand said. "Come, I will introduce you to Maya's mother."  When Anupriya told her that she liked Maya, Anjumand got really excited.  Maya was Ishra's best friend, and lucky for Anupriya that even Maya's mother was looking for a suitable boy for Maya. "Maya is the only daughter of her parents, she has two brothers, and her father is dead," Anjumand informed her while they make their way where Maya's mother was seated with her daughter-in-law. Anupriya truly felt like Maya is the one for her Dayyan. The way Maya was simply standing away from the crowd, her somber dressing sense, and her graceful voice.  Anupriya kept her hope high this time. 

Present Day* The meeting was done, Ahmed Nawaz and Dayyan entered his cabin after bidding goodbye to their client.  "Dad, can I ask you something?" Closing the door of the cabin, Dayyan asked.  Ahmed Nawaz only nods his head as he sits down, and picks the receiver to order two cups of coffee for them.  "How do you know mom's likes and dislikes so well?" Dayyan asked as he unbuttoned his blazer, and sat down.  This question was nagging him for a period, he never knew his father knows his mother that well. From childhood, he has only seen his brother instructing his father, and his father doing the complete opposite of what she says.