Second Chance (BOOK 1)

Chapter 1

Arisha was sitting in the middle of the bed wearing her bridal dress looking extremely beautiful, she was not Syeda Arisha Ahmed in fact she was Syeda Arisha Hashir, the person whom she always think as her friend is now her husband. Arisha remembers her conversation with her sister.

Flashback Starts

Arisha was in her mayon dress and was looking at her heena when Mahira comes and sits beside her.

Mahira (excitedly): Show me your heena, is it dark? (Arisha forwards her hand which were dark in color) Beautiful, you know na that if the color of your heena is dark then your husband loves you very much.

Arisha (nods slowly): Hmm, his heart is full of love but (mumbles) for someone else.

Mahira (asks): Arisha, is Hashir bhai the same guy who was in love with Tahreem (Arisha looked at her with a jerk) you used to tell me about them?

Arisha (gives a slight smile): He is!

Listening Arisha’s reply Mahira looks at her shockingly as she remembered that how much Arisha used to make fun of Hashir because of his actions for Tahreem like a typical lover boy but sometime admire it too.

Mahira (a sudden fear raises in her heart): Does he still love her?

Arisha (gulps then nods in no): No (in a slow voice) he had moved on a long time ago and wants to start fresh.

Mahira (looks in Arisha’s eyes to read her emotions): But you used to say that Hashir bhai can’t move on from Tahreem as he loved her unconditionally.

Arisha (smiles): People change Mahira and I never said that Hashir can’t move on from her until he wants to (stares back in Mahira’s eyes and speaks with confidence) this time he wants to. (Arisha speaks under her breath) Please don’t ask anymore, please.

Mahira (concerned): Are you sure?

Arisha (gives a big smile): Totally!

Mahira (sighs in relief): Then no problem (hugs her tightly) I will miss you!

Arisha (hugs her back): But I will miss you more.

Mahira (releases the hug): I will come in some time.

Arisha nods her head; Mahira goes from there before closing the door. Tears started to fall from Arisha’s eyes.

Arisha (crying and mumbles): Cry as much you want Arisha, after marriage you won’t shed a single tear.

Flashback Ends

Arisha comes back to her senses with the door opening sound, Hashir enters in the room looking handsome in off-white sherwani and his eyes fall on the girl who was sitting on his bed.

Hashir (chuckles and locks the door): I wasn’t expecting you to act like a typical bride.

Arisha (speaks in her veil): Munawar aunty told me that it is a custom and

Hashir (completes her sentence): You love to follow customs (sits in front of her) I know that.

Arisha (sarcastically): Then Your Highness, will you give your hands some pain to lift this veil?

Hashir (hides his smile): Why? I think its good (mischievously) I don’t think I have this much strong heart to see what prank the beautician played with your face.

Arisha makes a fist to stop herself from lashing out on him while Hashir who notices this enjoys her this condition.

Arisha (mocking): Or you are scared that you might get mesmerized in my face?

Hashir (snaps): I’m not scared!

Saying this Hashir takes a deep breath and lifts Arisha’s veil, he stares at her for a while.

Arisha (moves her hand in front of him): What are you trying to find?

Hashir (nods in no): Nothing, looks like the beautician didn’t do her work properly (ardently) I still can see the Real You.

Arisha (rolls her eyes): Thanks for the compliment.

Hashir smiles at her, Arisha narrows her eyes to understand what he was doing to do next. Hashir takes out a ring box from his pocket.

Arisha (confused): What is this for?

Hashir (forwards it): I wanted to give it to you.

Arisha (frowns): Why? Did Munawar aunty tell you to give this to me?

Hashir (calmly): Nobody told me anything, I wanted to give it to you.

Arisha (asks): May I know why?

Hashir (gently): As a token of Thanks and Promise. (Explains) I wanted to thank you the way you helped me and agreed to marry me ( Arisha looks at him) I really can’t return your favor but I promise that I will take care of you and will try my best to not to hurt you.

Arisha (nonchalantly): I didn’t do it for you, I did it for your mother as I don’t want her to stress out because of you and (coldly) don’t do promises because they are hard to be kept.

Hashir becomes silent for a while, he looked at the girl who was sitting in front of her like she was sure that he won’t keep his promise and her certainty frightens him.

Hashir (speaks after a minute): I always keep my promises and you know that Arisha (softly) so may I?

Arisha looked at him for a second then reluctantly forward her hand; Hashir takes out the ring and slides it in her finger. A lone tear escapes from her eyes.

Arisha (clears her throat): We need to offer prayer.

Hashir nods his head, he goes to the washroom till then Arisha removes her nail polish, after a while when Hashir comes out from washroom she goes and do the ablution and both offer the prayer in which they both prayed for their respective and each other’s parents.

Arisha takes some clothes to change then comes out from washroom in a long shirt and plazo and saw that Hashir was pacing here and there, she notices his behavior for a while.

Arisha (come towards him): What happened Hashir?

Hashir (stops in his track): Nothing.

Arisha (assuringly): You can tell me Hashir, maybe I can help you.

Hahsir was about to ask that had she talked to Tahreem? Did she know about their marriage? What was her reaction? But something stops him to ask, however he knows that he has to say something to Arisha as she is one of the most intelligent and dangerous woman he met in his whole life.

Hashir (in a serious tone): I want to clear something on this day only.

Arisha (frowns): What?

Hashir (points to the bed): I will sleep on the left side of the bed.

Arisha (puzzled): Huh..? (Then realizes what he said) Absolutely no! I will sleep on the left side.

Hashir (stubbornly): I will sleep there only, I can’t sleep on the other side.

Arisha (retorts back): That’s not my problem. You can’t sleep on the other side then sleep on the floor, it’s not my concern. (Arisha turns to go) I’m going to sleep.

Hashir (stops her): Wait… we can solve this problem by our old method.

Arisha (giver him a 'are you serious' look): Seriously? Did you forget that how badly you used to lose from me?

Hashir (defends himself): That was in the past.

Arisha (dryly): As you wish! (smirks) But there will be only one match, no other option or best of three, ok?

Hashir (with a confident smile): Absolutely! There will be no need of all these options this time.

Arisha (rolled her eyes and mumbles): Huh... Over confident!

Arisha/Hashir (shakes their hands): Rock, paper,scissors

Both did it at the same time and Hashir brings paper while Arisha scissors which concludes her the winner

Arisha (gives a victorious grin): So? (speaks before going in bed's direction) Allah Hafiz and Shaba Khair

Hashir (shouts from behind): Arisha let's have another match? (Arisha turns deaf ears) A best of three? Or just a second one? Arisha? (Arisha lays on her side and covers herself from blanket) Are you listening to me? Argh....

Hashir comes out from washroom after changing himself in casual clothes and saw that Arisha's side lamp was off means she had slept as today was really a tiring day for her. He goes to his side of bed and lays down then takes his phone out making him smile.

Hashir (looks at Tahreem's photo): I missed you (with a sad smile)even after all this hectic day there was not s single time when I didn't think about you (painfully) How I wished that it was you sitting on the bed in that bridal dress and waiting for me! (In a determined tone) But don't worry no-one can take your place neither in my heart nor in my life. I won't allow anyone.

While he was speaking a tear slips from his eye then he turns himself to sleep holding his phone in which Tahreem's photo was there totally unaware that Arisha was awake and she had listened his words and listening to his words she felt a tug in her heart making her hand in a fist and closing her eyes tightly and reminding herself that she won't allow his words to effect her and even if Hashir was her husband but he was in love with her best friend and she won't be a third wheel between his and his feelings.

Next Day

Arisha got up for offering Fajr prayer then her eyes fall on Hashir who was holding his phone tightly in his sleep. She goes to washroom and comes out after doing the ablution then goes to Hashir to wake him up. She reluctantly forwards her hand to shake him.

Arisha (slightly shakes him): Hashir get up! Hashir it's time for Fajr prayer. Hashir!

Hashir (in sleepy voice): Tahreem let me sleep yr.

Arisha stops her hand in mid air then with the lose of touch Hashir open his eyes and saw Arisha standing with her hand in mid air making him realize what he said.

Arisha (speaks before him then starts her prayers): Time is running out for Fajr prayer.

Hashir gets up and do the ablution then stands on the prayer mat which Arisha had placed for him. They both offered the prayers. After offering the prayer Hashir looks at Arisha who was folding the prayer mat.

Hashir (starts to talk): Arisha I...

Arisha (turns her feet and walk away): If next time you wouldn't wake up in one minute then I will throw a full jug of cold water on you.

Hashir (his eyes widen): You can't be that cruel?

Arisha (coldly): I'm even more than that.

Hashir (mumbles): Heartless woman!

Saying this he also goes to sleep. After 3 hours Arisha gets up to get ready as her siblings will be there for breakfast. Arisha comes out after taking a shower and was busy in getting ready when she saw Hashir looking at her intently.

Arisha (scared): Allah! (turns to Hashir) Are you trying to give me an heart attack?

Hashir (rubs his neck in embarrassment): I'm sorry if I scared you (hesitately) going to take bath so can you arrange clothes for me?

Arisha (nods in yes): Go and come fast.

They both get ready any goes to his parents room and saw them talking with Zain.

Arisha/Hashir (enters in the room): Assalam u Alaikum everyone.

Mr. Ali (answers and blesses her): Walaikum Assalam beta. Be happy

Munawar (blesses her): MashAllah my daughter in law is looking so pretty, Allah save her from evil eyes. (Arisha sits beside Hashir) I want to inform you both that me and your father have decided that day after tomorrow we will go Australia with Zain and live there for 6 months.

Hashir and Arisha looked at each other shockingly.

Hashir (startled): But why? And this much suddenly?

Arisha (surprised): Exactly!

Zain (mischievously): Why Bhai you only want Ammi and Abbu's attention? I don't need them?

Hashir (justifies): I didn't mean that it's just that yesterday only I got married and you both are also going.

Hashir didn't like the idea as his parents are leaving right after the marriage as there is alot of awkwardness between him and Arisha even if he don't want to accept but the reality was that Arisha is his wife not his friend only

Mr. Ali (speaks): We always wanted to go and live with Zain for sometime but as me and your mother were waiting for your marriage so that there would be someone to take care of you and now as we have Arisha beti with us so I don't think that there will be any problem.

Arisha (thinks): But how can Munawar aunty travel with this heart condition?

She was about to ask when they heard a door bell and after a while a maid enters in the room who was in her mid 40s.

Munawar (asks ): Rifat bi who is there?

Rifat bi (informs): Arisha beti's sister and brother are here with breakfast.

Munawar (stands up): Let's go.

Then they have their breakfast and after that Arisha goes to her parents house however in night Hashir came to pick her up, had his dinner with them then both Arisha and Hashir started their journey for their house and while driving Hashir played slow songs which were changed into a fast track after 5 minutes

Hashir (not liking the loud music): Why did you change the sound track?

Arisha (shrugs her shoulder): Because if I wouldn't do that then I would definitely sleep.

Hashir (changes to the previous song): I don't care. I like slow songs while driving so they will be played.

Arisha (changes the song and keeps her palm on the music system): You wish!

Hashir (he was about to remove her hand): You.

Arisha (shouts and Hashir moves his hand back): You.

Hashir (glares at her): Move your hand.

Arisha (stubbornly): No.

Hashir (stresses): Arisha!

Arisha (stresses): Hashir!

Their whole journey was passed by fighting each other over the song.

Next Day

Munawar Ali was packing her and her husband belonging as they have the flight tomorrow and Arisha was helping her in this.

Munawar (packing the clothes): Arisha beta! Can you bring my medical file? I will also take them with me.

Arisha (smiles): Ok aunty. (Goes to the cupboard and brings that file out then flip the papers) Aunty I think your some medical records are missing.

Munawar (turns to her): Really which one?

Arisha (tells): Your reports regarding you heart attack.

Munawar (puzzled): Heart attack? Allah forbade! What are you saying I never had any heart attack who told you this nonsense? (Arisha looked at her shocked) I just have problem with my blood pressure and cholesterol. Nothing else.

Arisha (embarrassed): I.. I'm really sorry aunty (gives her the file) may be I heard something Erin's.

Munawar (smiles and pat's on her cheek): It's fine.

Arisha goes from there like a wounded tigress and while going he reminisce Hashir's lie to her then enters in the room and saw that Hashir was near the dressing table.

Hashir (saw Arisha coming and turns to her): Arisha I... (Arisha raises her hand and slaps him hardly making Hashir numb for a second and when he comes into senses he pins Arisha to the wall and grips her same hand in a painful grip and asks in rage) How dare you!

Arisha (furiously with unshed tears): No, How DARE you Hashir! How dare you to lie to me about your mother's health?

Hashir (his grip loses from Arisha's hand): You got to know?

Arisha (gritted teeth): Obviously! Were you expecting that I will never get to know about your lie. How could you lie regarding this matter?

Hashir looked at her and saw that she was hurt, his lie has hurted her but this was just the beginning.

Hashir (tries to hold her from shoulder but she takes a step back): I... I didn't mean to lie but I want to convince you for this marriage so I said that.

Arisha (disgusted): That was so cheap of you Hashir.

Hashir (bows his head in guilt): I know. I shouldn't do something like this but this marriage was very much important for me I don't have any other option, I thought that...

Arisha (cuts him off): You thought that I has to marry someone then why not her! (Hashir looks at her) Then it would be easy for me as I would be indulged in my past and she would be happy thinking she did s good deed, am I right?

Hashir (nods in no instantly): No, it's not like that. I married you because I'm comfortable with you, you understand me and with you may be (fumbles) I can... try....

Arisha (wraps her arms on her chest): Try what?

Hashir (speaks with great difficulty): Try to move on.

Arisha (disbelief): Seriously Hashir! Can you even listen what you said? You and move on? Whom are you trying to fool (points finger to him then herself) yourself or me? While we both know the truth that you are deeply and hopelessly in love with Tahreem

Hashir (hopefully): We can at least try Arisha, can't we?

Arisha (wants to break his face on listening his words): What do you think of our lives Hashir? A drama or a fictional story where you will be in someone else's love and I will do every effort to make you move on by giving you access to hurt me or my self-respect then let me remind you (shows her index finger) I had never given anyone the right to hurt me or break me.

Listening to Arisha's reality check Hashir gets dumbfounded as like she can see through him, she can easily feel what he really feels or what his mind thinks? That was definitely true that he never wants to move on but Arisha was his friend too and he don't want to hurt her but his feelings for Tahreem were not replaceable and he was sure about that.

Arisha (watches the written conflict on Hashir's face and sighs): And when you completely decides to move on or you are ready to forget your past then come to me, till then don't speak baseless words.

Saying this Arisha goes from there leaving a stunned and perplexed Hashir.