Possession by Laila Ali (best authors to read txt) 📕

"How do you know Haseeb?" Suddenly, the sharp striking dominant voice resonated in the dining room and everyone's eyes snapped towards, him, Shehryaar, who was standing by the door, a girl standing beside him.

There questioning eyes landed on the girl and his questioning eyes landed on Haseeb.

They all were appalled.

Her big grey eyes, slender nose, pink lips, snow white skin and her pitch black hair. They all looked too similar to Jahan ara, his late mother.

'How can you do this to me?' she thought.

"Who is this beautiful girl Shehryaar?" his grandmother asked.

"She is Sheharzaad, my fiance to be" he announced, answering to there questioning glares.

"Assalam alaikum" she greeted everyone and they replied. 

"Come daughter sit" she said and after that they settled on their chairs, Sheharzaad next to Shehryaar and Zahra next to Irtaza while the seat next to Moosa was empty.

"I will take an interview of you both but first start eating." Her grandmother announced, curious to know where he met this beautiful girl.

And then Zahra was confused. What she should eat?

Not finding any option she placed chicken roast in her plate and begin to eat it while everyone enjoyed there dinner. She wondered for how long this chicken roast will be her food.

Her eyes slightly moved towards Sheharzaad. She was sitting just next to her. Her posture was quite stiff as if she was nervous or disturbed. She wasn't eating anything just poking the salad with the fork, deep in a thought.

"Where did you both meet?" his grandmother asked, not being able to control her curiosity.

"She was my secretary." Shehryaar replied shortly.

"Oh and when you both are getting married?"

"Soon Dadi," he answered and looked towards her, tucking some stray stray strands behind her ear, while she just gave a slight smile, "she was excited to meet you all so I decided to bring her along with me and introduce her to you all" he continued before retreating her hand back.

"MashAllah, you are so beautiful, I must say my son has chosen a very beautiful bride." his grandmother said in her thick old accent.

"Thankyou" she muttered.

"I am really keen to know yours and Shehryaar bhai's love story." Dua asked

"Its nothing special, we both got interested in each other and then he proposed me. "She answered shortly, cursing herself.

She had never lied in her whole life and he made her a liar.

"And what did your parents say daughter? Did they accept the proposal of Shehryaar?"

"My parents had passed away, they died in a car accident."

"Oh I am so sorry to hear that. May Allah grant them the highest ranks."

"Amen"

"So where do you live then?"

"I share an apartment with my friend."

"If you want to, you can live here in this haveli. There is a lot of space here."

"No, no. I'm completely fine. Dont worry yourself."

"So shall we start the wedding preparations Shehryaar beta?" his grandmother asked.

"Not so soon Dadi. I will tell you later."

Soon the dinner was over, Shehryaar, Irtaza, their grandfather and both of their uncles then moved towards the study to discuss something important while Ammara and Asma helped with the maids to clean up the mess, their grandmother went in her room to offer her prayers and Dua called Sheharzaad as she wanted to talk something important with her.

Zahra had noticed Dua's off posture since she came into the haveli. She hadn't met her properly. When she hugged Dua, she gave a smile which didn't reach her eyes.

She wondered what had happened to Dua.

Haseeb, Haya, Saif and Zahra went in Zahra's old room. When Zahra entered there, her nostalgia clicked in and tears brimmed in her eyes. She used to live here, she was at peace closer to her mother but now in that mansion there is no one who can listen to her cry and pleads.

She didn't want to leave this haveli. She missed every bit of it. She was scared to go back into that mansion again.

Everyone settled down their when Ammara called Zahra in her room and she went there.

"Zahra" Ammara whispered and engulfed her daughter in a bone crushing hug.

"Are you happy Zahra?" Her mother asked pulling back, worry etched in her tone.

"Yes mama I am. I am so happy. So happy. Don't worry yourself."

"Can't you both shift into this haveli daughter?"

"I dont know"

"I miss you alot child. Whenever I see you, it suppresses my grief for Mujtaba, I miss you alot child" Ammara cried out and again took her in a hug. 

Both mother daughter cried out in each other arms, sharing their unspoken sorrows. After a few minutes there cries died down and then they talked and talked.

A few minutes later, Ammara was informed that her mother in law is calling her and she left the room when Haseeb entered.

"Zahra are you fine?" Haseeb asked worriedly.

"Yes" she answered shortly.

"Did he go harsh with you?"

"Please Haseeb, I dont want to talk about it" she answered, trying to shrug off the topic, she didn't want to recall those horrendous memories.

"Ok Ok Zahra, but keep your faith in Allah, one day everything will be fine InshAllah."

"Nothing can get fine in my life."

"Yeah, nothing will not, but everything will get fine Zahra and wohoo damn you look pretty, even more beautiful than me." he said making her giggle.

"Boys are handsome Haseeb"

"My bad, You want me to say that I am the most handsomest person. Right?"

She laughed, nodding her head. She really missed him.

And then they both talk, with Haseeb making her laugh on and on. And then all of their cousins joined them prolonging their intense conversations, which mostly involved the discussion of paranormal activities they had experienced.