Hating The Devil

3| Shocking Announcement

|| S H A N Z E ||

After half an hour, Hasan arrived to pick us up. Mahira sat in the back seat and I sat beside Hasan.

“What's up with this lizard?” He said in a whisper but we knew Mahira heard it.

“I am sitting right behind you. You i***t and fool. And don't call me lizard,” She said in anger and frustration.

I coughed to hide my laugh but Hasan didn't stop his laugh and laughed loudly. Mahira’s face became red with anger like she was going to explode anytime soon.

When Hasan parked his car, Mahira didn't wait for us and climbed out of the car; and stomped inside the mall.

I turned to Hasan who also turned to me and both of us laugh loudly.

“Angel, why she is opposite of you? She always looks like an angry cat to me,” He said and jumped out of the car.

I also jumped out of the car and we both went inside the mall.

“I don't know,” I said shrugging my shoulders.

“Thank God you are nothing like her,” He said pulling my cheeks.

I pouted and slapped his hands away from my cheeks. He chuckled because he knew I hated when someone pull my cheeks.

He grabbed my hand and pulled me with him to the near shop. We both bought gifts for grandpa and grandma.

“Angel! Come with me,” He said and pulled me with him to a jewelry shop.

“Why are we here?” I asked him.

“Shanze!” We both turns around when we heard Rania appi voice.

She was also here and the devil himself was also here who was glaring at our intertwined hands. I stopped the urge to roll my eyes at him.

“What are you doing here?” I asked appi and pulled my hand away from Hasan to hug her.

Zeeshan and Hasan was blankly stared at each other without saying anything.

“Nothing just shopping,” —I nodded my head— “Thank God you are here. Now come and help Zeeshan to choose a ring,” She said which made me frown.

“Huh?” I and Zeeshan both looked at appi in confusion.

Why would I help him to choose a ring? And he needed a ring?

“O ho! I mean I told him to find a beautiful ring but he was confused. Now please help him,” She said, exhaustedly but her spirit for shopping was still here.

I looked at him with slightly annoyed look and started looking for a beautiful ring. There was a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw Hasan holding a beautiful yet fragile necklace in front of me.

“Turn around!” He said with a motion of his head.

I looked at him confusion. He sighed and turned me around. I looked in the mirror which was in front of me. He moved my hairs and put the necklace on my neck.

My eyes fell on Zeeshan who was glaring at Hasan then he looked in my eyes with a blank look.

“It's look good on you,” Hasan whispered quietly which I heard.

“Its like it is made for you, Shanze,” Rania appi said pointing at the necklace.

I smiled and was going to open the hook but he moved my hands.

“Don't. It's look good on you. Don't try to remove it or give it back to me,” He warned but I was hesitate.

“No. Please. It's too much expensive and fragile. I don't want to buy it,” I said and again tried to remove it but he stopped me.

“Who said you are going to buy it. I am buying it for you,” He said and leaving no room for me to deny.

I still tried to argue him but his one glare was enough for me. Zeeshan cleared his throat which made all of us to look at him.

“If you both have stopped fighting then can we please buyback ring really quick?” He asked, arrogantly.

I reluctantly nodded my head and moved to select ring after removing the necklace. Hasan took it to pack it while Zeeshan looked around for the ring.

Rania appi was busy talking with Mahira who I hadn't noticed in the whole time because she was silent.

“This!” I and Zeeshan said together, pointing at the same ring.

Rania appi and Mahira came near us and looked at the ring.

“Perfect!” Appi said clapping her hands, “One more favor. The girl who I want this ring to wear and same size as yours. Please try it.”

I put the ring in my finger and it perfectly fit. Appi bought it and packed it.

I turned to Hasan and gave him a look which saying why you this expensive necklace for me.

“Angel! Don't look at me with this look. I know I am handsome but please it makes me a little uncomfortable,” He said putting his arm around my shoulder.

I tried to keep my face straight but ended up laughing at him.

“Thank you!” I said with a soft smile.

“Don't mention it!” He said with a wink.

“If you both have stopped your romance then can we go back to home? I am really tired,” Mahira said glaring at us and specially at my shoulder on which Hasan wrapped his arm.

I narrowed my eyes at her because I felt slight jealousy in her tone. Hasan mumbled something under his breath then mischievously smiled.

“Aww.. My love I love you so, so, much!” Hasan said, mischievously snuggling his head in my hair.

I turned to him quickly and looked at him with wide eyes. He smirked at me and winked then turned to Mahira who was looking at us with her mouth opened.

“What? I am just trying to little romantic with your sister,” He said like nothing happened.

Rania appi laughed at us and patted Hasan back.

“Stop messing with poor soul,” Appi said pointing at Mahira.

I didn't know why but I looked at Zeeshan who was looking angry. It was like he wanted to kill someone but why.

He looked dead in my eyes and went out of the shop giving me a dead glare. What was this? I asked myself.

• • •

Mom gave me a dress which was non other than off white dress with beautiful work on it with dark reddish black velvet shawl.

The whole house of tayaabu was decorated with colourful fairy lights. I greeted my grands and wished them.

My grandma loved my dress and was giving me compliment on how beautiful I looked. I met with everyone but my eyes was not stopping like they were looking for someone.

I looked here and there then my eyes looked in the beautiful eyes of the devil. I mentally slapped myself for calling his eyes beautiful but I couldn't take my eyes away from him.

“Angel! Ice cream for you,” Hasan said appearing in front of me.

I couldn't look at Zeeshan because of Hasan who was between us.

I looked at Hasan and he had ice cream in his hand. I greedily took it and put the spoon in my hand.

“Mhmm..!” —I closed my eyes and enjoyed the cold chocolate ice cream— “Thank you! You know how much I love ice cream in this cold weather.”

Hasan pulled spoon out of my mouth and ate ice cream with my spoon. I gasped at him and pulled spoon from him.

“Sharing is not allowed when it comes to ice cream and chocolates,” I said turning my back at him.

“But sharing is caring, angel,” He said but I kept eating my ice cream.

We all turned around and looked at tayaabu and dad who clapped to get everyone's attention.

“We all consider ourselves very lucky to have our parents beside us,” —Tayaabu started and phupho, Asia, also joined them— “We all pray that their blessings always be with us and also with our kids,” Dad said smiling at grandma and grandpa.

(Phupho means father's sister)

“Please welcome our parents to cut their anniversary cake!” Phupho said and everyone clapped for them.

Grandpa and grandma cut the cake and we sang anniversary song for them. Grandma and grandpa put cake in each other mouth on which we awed and our grandma blushed.

Grandpa and grandma looked at each other then at dad and tayaabu. Then all of them turned to us.

“Attention everyone! We have a surprise news for all of you and we hope that you join us in our upcoming happiness,” Grandpa said looking at everyone.

Mom grabbed my hand and took me near them and taiama did same with Zeeshan. Why did I have this feeling that something big was going to happen?

Grandpa took my left hand and Zeeshan’s right hand and put my hand in Zeeshan hand.

“Today I announced my granddaughter, Shanze’s and grandson, Zeeshan’s engagement right now and right here,” Grandpa announced which left me in shock.