ʜɪꜱ ɴᴏᴏʀ (ʙᴏᴏᴋ #1)

33. ᴅɪɴɴᴇʀ

SHIFA SALEEM

"How did you even know that...uhm...you know about Shahid and me..?" I direct the question to  Shuhaib who is sitting in the living room beside me, watching NBA.

"Wasn't it sooo obvious." He replies. "Obvious? How..?" I Inquire, and he responds, "You used to ask about our business partner, and i was pretty sure you liked him. Then later, when Shahid arrived to Rehan's wedding, I noticed you were shocked and kind of like blushing i guess."

He stared at me after saying this, making me feel even more embarrassed. "Shut Up, It was your eye problem." I bark at him who appeared to be teasing me more.

"Not only that, I heard your friends whispering to each other mentioning 'shifa's man' was there in the wedding." He states making me crock an eyebrow at him asking, "What do you mean?"

He continues,"Nahima whispered to Tanisha. They chuckled as they mentioned shifa's man, which piqued my attention. Nahima said, 'Shifa's man is here!! I'm pretty sure she will be glad to meet him here'. Then I heard Tanisha saying 'Let's go meet him.' Later Tanisha dragged Nahima and I followed them. I blocked them as they were approaching someone."

"Ermm and then what happened?" I ask nervously smiling at him because of my stupid friends.

"I asked them if Shifa likes someone, and Tanisha replied with 'Yesss!! He--' and she covered her mouth instantly. My curiousity raised and that's when Nahima stuttured in between saying 'Erm, we were just talking opposite of that. To be precise, It's the man She hates to be exact hehehe'. Then they slipped away from me, and i noticed them approaching and talking to Ishan. That moment i assumed it was Ishan that you liked, but when you returned with Shahid, my mind realized you actually liked Shahid rather than Ishan."

I sigh, thinking about my friends carelessnes, as he giggles, "Between, you weren't here when i announced this to my family. Shahid has finally agreed to my new side business. He even assigned Ishan and his help for the gaming programme which i needed the most. Now everything is sett!!" He says.

I smile at him, seeing his cheering personality back and his excitement for himself. I'm thankful for Shahid, above all else I'm grateful to His Almighty Allah.

"But...why did Abu wanted to keep it a secret though?" I ask again. "Secret about what?" He directs the question to me.

"You know like how Rehan mentioned that Abu told you guys to keep quiet when i asked for guy's pic to get to know him.." I state. He smirks and tilts his head, saying "You can ask Abu about that, i thought you already knew."

"Abu is in his room right?" I inquire, and he responds with, "Yeah i guess." I walk towards the room and speak awkwardly to him.

"Umm Abu, you know about Shahid and me...Why did you want to keep it a secret?-" He cut me off and said "That's because, Shahid came for your hand-in-marriage and he mentioned to keep it low until you guys meet each other."

"H-He did?" I stutter. "Yeah dear, I was unsure seeing you guys at rehan's wedding but when he approached me to talk about you, I made sure i can trust him with you." He speaks with a smile on his face.

"Now it's all up to you to decide whether to reject this relantionship or  to start one. Don't worry about our business; Shuhaib can handle it." He states, patting my shoulder.

"No Abu, I'm fine with this relationship and most importantly......" I hesitate. Ummi enters the room asking "Importantly..?"

I turn back, knowing she was here minutes ago; I can't hide this any longer, they are my parents to whom i have to tell the truth. I need to let them know. I go on to say "the thing is....Actually....I...Liked....Shahid, But i didn't know he was our business partner." I state half-closing my eyes.