One Shots Collection By Samayra Akhtar

Maayra came out of a college after confirming her admission. Yes, she was continuing her studies. Although two years back she thought of getting married and settling down. And four months back she was about to start preparing for her marriage. She was about to tell her parents that she wants to get married and introduce to them the man of her dreams.

He was the only person whom she have loved in her whole life. It's not like she is an old lady. She has just turned twenty two few a months back. But for the last ten years she have that person in her heart.

He was someone who always had a special place in her heart as well as in her life. He was always the top most priority of her. He was always in her thoughts.

But.... even after loving him for so many years Maayra can't stay with him.

Why?

Because she was the only one who was in love.

Six months ago she mustered up her courage and proposed him. She was anticipating his rejection. She made up her mind to get rejected. But her expectations failed.

But soon they ended up. It was something that she has always kept in her mind. She was knowing that they can't stay together. She knew very well that his heart have someone else. She knew he loved someone else.

After six months she is again in college continuing her studies.

Few days were remaining before her college when some people visited her home. She opened the door and they asked for her parents. She called her mother and went straight into her room.

At night on the dining table her mother said to his brothers that few people came with the marriage proposal for Maayra.

'Oh so they came for me' crossed her mind. Her brother inquired about them and her mother said everything.

The next evening Mayra's second brother took her out and asked about her opinion on her wedding.

She simply replied, "I don't mind if he's good. I already asked Mommy and Daddy to look for the boy."

"What about the person you love?"

"He doesn't love me and I can't keep on loving him for the rest of my life.

"You are still young so, you can wait for him a little more."

"There's no use of waiting for him. He will never come. He loves someone else. So if I decide to wait I'll be waiting 'til my last breath and yet he won't come. He'll come after I will be gone but as a friend to mourn over my demise and probably with his children and wife."

"He loves me only as a friend so I shouldn't wait."

She was in college when her to be in-laws came to fix the wedding. It was after her examination in three months. It was after this that she saw the photo of her to-be husband carefully. Her mother showed her the photo before too but she didn't pay attention at that time.

After seeing the photo she was happy. She was marrying a really good looking man and he was also having good fortune. She probably won't have to work.

The groom's grandmother came a month later to take Maayra for shopping. After going a little far Maayra was abandoned by her future grandparents in-law on the side of the road.

Grandmother: "Shajal will be taking you for shopping."

Grandfather: "Why don't you go there and stand. he'd come soon. I don't wanna be late for my date because of that punk."

Grandmother: "Shut your mouth." She then grabbed Maayra's hand, "Just sit in the car and don't listen to that old man."

Grandfather: "That punk finally came."

Grandmother: "Go."

Maayra was still in daze by their conversation. However she changed the car and now was sitting in the passenger's seat of her future hubby's car. It was their first meeting. She made excuses and avoided meeting him twice in the past. Now, she was deceived and was beside her.

There was a silence in the car but she stole few glances of his handsome future hubby. Finally he broke the silence. "Sorry."

"For what?"

"For coming late and... not telling you that... I'll be going with you."

Maayra didn't say anything. She wasn't nervous or sad or angry. She just didn't have anything to say.

Shajal again took the initiative and he was direct this time. "Are you not happy with the wedding?"

"Huh?"

"Do you like someone else?"

"Where are we going?"

"Do you wanna grab something to eat first?"

"No. It's fine."

"Okay." He thought he guessed correctly. She liked someone else and was probably being forced to marry.

"Where are we going?" She asked again.

"You say where do you wanna go first? I mean... we have to go finalize your wedding dress and I have taken a new apartment for us so, I want you to come and see and decide the interior."

"You decide. I am fine with anything."

"You don't need to be so submissive."

"I don't like any of the things you mention. I am not good in buying clothes nor am I good in designing the house."

"I am taking you because I want everything to be of your choice. It's your day so I want you to wear something that you like and something that you are comfortable in. And you are going to live in that house with me so I want you to design it. I want to make it according to our tastes."

"What if our taste are completely different? What if my likes are your dislikes?"

"Nothing matters as long as you are happy. You can ask for anything that makes you happy."

Again silence enveloped the car. The car then stopped near an apartment.

He took her in a room where they were greeted by another girl.

"She's my cousin sister. She's a fashion designer and they'll be making our clothes."

They picked the material and then Maayra realized that Shajal is planning to wear couple's clothes. She can't say that she wasn't happy. And their choices didn't clash. That was good, right?

He then took her to a restaurant for lunch. After that they headed for a movie.

"Movie?"

"Hmm."

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"You don't like movies?"

"I do like but I.... we came for shopping."

"It's done. You chose the material and design and sister will make it."

"What about the house?"

"It can't be finalized in a couple of hours. By the way if you don't want to go for a movie. it's okay. Let's head home."

"Huh?"

"My family won't mind."

He took her to his house. She didn't get out of the car but was staring at him.

"Don't worry. It's our family home. My Uncle and Aunt would be home and my cousin too. My parents have also shifted here until our wedding."

She ended up spending time in his grandparent's library. He had a huge collection of books and she was mesmerized by all of those books.

Shajal called her for snacks.

"You like books?"

"Hmm."

"Want some?"

"Won't grandpa mind?"

"Nope. He in fact want us to take books and read. But none of us do except for my second brother. He also have a pretty good collection."

"What about you?"

"I have comics but I don't read them now."

"You can take a look, if... you... want?"

"Hmm..."

"Maayra..."

"Hmm"

"Are you not happy?"

She sat with her head down looking at the floor. She then said, "Actually I have been in love with someone for very long."

Shajal's face dropped after hearing her words.

"You don't have to marry if you are not willing."

"I didn't say, I don't wanna marry. Shajal.... it's true I have loved him but from past few months I am trying to get over him. I know, in fact I knew from the very beginning since I got for feelings for him that nothing gonna happen between us. I thought I'll be satisfied just by being with him and looking at him but I was wrong. I have not met him nor do I have even sent him a text in these three months. I left because I didn't want to get hurt."

After feeling her stomach she went to Shajal's room to take a look at his comics. She found out that he was a 'Marvel fan'.

"You like Marvel ?!"

"It's a comment or a question?" He asked her back.

"Both." She chuckled. "Who's your favorite superhero?"

"Iron Man."

"Ohhh." She saw the 'Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions' Comic and asked him, "Didn't you say you don't read comics now?"

"Hmm I don't."

She looked at him with raised eyebrows and brought the comic in front of him and asked, "Isn't it the latest comic?"

He smiled and was amused too. "Hmm. I bought it but haven't read it yet. In fact there are more books like this which I haven't read."

"Okay..."

"Did you thought I lied to you?"

"No. I was just curious."

"Are you also a fan of Marvel?"

"Yep. I like Wolverine." She replied with twinkling eyes.

"Ohhh.. So you are X-Men fan?"

"Yep." She said while her eyes were still glued on the comics in front of her.

"Don't you like Avengers?"

"I like Avengers too."

"Who's your favorite Avenger?"

"We like the same...." She paused when she saw some photos in the comic. She wasn't sure if what she saw so she took a close look at those pictures. She was shocked to see her photos which she never clicked.

"Why do you have my photos?" She asked Shajal after confirming that it's her photos.

"Ah~" Shajal was shocked. He cursed himself internally for being careless. How can he forget those photos. He scratched his neck looking nervous. He wanted to tell her about those photos and everything else but he wasn't ready.

"Why are you having these photos?"

"Um... Ac...tually...I.. saw you two years before. In... City N. I don't know why... but... I was attracted to you so,... I clicked some photos."

"What does this mean?"

"Okay sit. I'll tell you everything." He then continued. "Two years ago I was also in City N. My cousins were nagging to click pictures so in one I saw you...." He showed her that photograph. ".....I don't know what happened to me when I saw you. But after that I started looking for you. I wanted to come and talk to you when I saw you but I got stuck with my Uncle at that time I clicked these photos. I saw you going in a restaurant but when I followed you I saw you were with your family and honestly I was a little scared. And then after that I didn't see you the whole day. I swear I tried looking for you but didn't find you anywhere."

"How did you find me then?"

"I thought you came with the tour so I tried finding you through them. But the only information that I got was that you came from City B. I thought I'll have to give up on you.... I won't meet you and I didn't even know that whether you were single or not... I didn't know anything about you so, I returned abroad defeated. But you occupied my thoughts. I would think about you endlessly and when I came back I thought to search you. I also told my brother about you but I didn't know where to find you. I didn't even know your name. I was hopeless."

He looked at her and said, "I am really telling the truth. It's not...."

"It doesn't seem real."

"It really is. I swear. You can ask my brother, he knows everything and he even told your family about this. You can also ask your friend."

"My friend?" She asked in confusion.

"Yes. Sehran. I found you because of him. I left everything on fate. When I came back I became friend with Sehran due to football. I saw your photo in his cellphone so I asked him about you and told everything to him."

"Shit."

"What?"

"Sehran?! He's gonna make fun of me till I am dead."

"He cares for you?"

"Huh? He's the most ignorant among us."

"He cares for you a lot."

"Okay... But why didn't you tell me this before? I thought you are a pervert."

"What?"

"Hmm." She said with a smile.

"I wanted to meet to tell you but you were avoiding me and today you said you love someone else so I thought it's not appropriate to tell you now."

"I think you should drop me now."

"Hmm... let's go. Do you want some books?"

"Hmm... I'll like to take few comics."

"Okay. You can ask me if you want more comics or any other book, I'll bring it for you."

*****

[Text messages]

Shajal - Had dinner?

Maayra - Just had. And you?

Shajal - Just finished.

Maayra - ok

Shajal - Maayra, can you give me a chance?

Maayra - Didn't I already gave you a chance?

Shajal - I mean today you said you love someone else so, can I get a chance to show you my love?

Maayra - I have already given you a Chance. You have the whole lifetime to love me.

Shajal - Thank you

Maayra - You don't have to thank me. Just don't even think of some other girl

Shajal - I haven't since I saw you

Maayra - Ok sleep now

Shajal - A little later

Maayra - ok I am going. Bye

Shajal - Ok. Have a good sleep

Maayra - I am not sleeping

Shajal - then?

Maayra - I am gonna read comic now. You go and read too.

Shajal - ok

(Half an hour later)

Maayra - I am sleepy. I'll be sleeping now. Good Night

(After five Minutes)

Shajal - Sorry I was reading comic.

(Ten Minutes later)

Shajal - Seems you already slept. Good Night. Sweet Dreams💋

*****

Maayra - Wish me luck for tomorrow's test [text message]

Shajal - "All the best my love. You'll do best." [Voice note]

*****

[Phone Call]

Maayra - "Yep."

Shajal - "I am Missing you."

Maayra - "I miss you too."

Shajal - "I really miss you. Wanna see you. Let's video call"

Maayra - "I am in college."

Shajal - (Sad voice) "But I wanna see you."

Maayra - "I have a lecture in 10 minutes."

Shajal - "There's 10 minutes... you can call."

Maayra - "You are really missing me?"

Shajal - "Hmm. A LOT"

Maayra - "So why don't you come here?"

Shajal - "I can come?"

Maayra - "Yep." (She thought he won't come. Even if he decides to come it will take him about an hour to come to her city)

Shajal - "Then come out."

Maayra - "Huh? What?"

Shajal - "Come out fast I am waiting for you."

Maayra - "Where?"

Shajal - "Near your college gate."

(She takes her bag and rush)

Maayra - "Coming."

She waves her hand and rush towards him.

"Oh someone was so desperate to meet me that she came running." Shajal teased her.

"Why are you here?"

"Is this the way to greet your fiance?"

"Bye."

"Wait wait. Why are you so angry my love? Let's go somewhere."

"I have a lecture to attend."

"Please bunk this one Lecture."

"No."

"Please..... it was so difficult to convince your family to let me pick you."

"You went home?"

"Hmm... Grandma send something. Please spare some time for your poor fiance." He said with puppy eyes.

"Okay... Where should we go?" How can she not agree when he was like this- so cute.

*****

[Phone call from Shajal]

Shajal - "Have you eaten?"

Maayra - "Yep."

Shajal - "Are you gonna study again?"

Maayra - "No. I'll sleep now."

Shajal - "Okay. When do you have your Exam?"

Maayra - "Three in the afternoon."

Shajal - "Okay. Sleep Now."

Maayra - "Hmm... you also don't stay awake for too long."

Shajal - "I'll sleep in half on hour. Take care."

Maayra - "Hmm.. Good Night."

Shajal - "Good Night. And Good Luck for your Exam baby."

Maayra - "Thank you"

Shajal - "Love you"

Maayra - "Love you too."

*****

[Maayra called Shajal]

Maayra - "Finished my last paper."

Shajal - "How was it?"

Maayra - "It was good."

Shajal - "okay... now go home and sleep."

Maayra - "Yep I will. Bye. Take care."

Shajal - "You too."

Maayra - "Shajal!"

Shajal - "Hmm"

Maayra - "I love you"

Shajal - "I love you too."

*****

Shajal - "Hello..."

Maayra's Cousin - "Hello who's this?"

Shajal - "Give the phone to your sister."

M's Cousin - "Who are you?" (Chuckles)

Shajal - " I am Your sister's lov....."

(Maayra snatched her phone from her cousin)

Maayra - "Hello."

Shajal - "Who was she?"

Maayra - "Why? Did you liked her voice?"

Shajal - "I only like my little wife's voice"

Maayra - "And who's that?"

Shajal - "She's my love. She's my life. She's the reason why I live.."

Maayra - "Ooohhhh.... So go hurry and tell her."

Shajal - "She already knows"

Maayra - "Oh, really!"

Shajal - "Hmm... really and she loves me too"

Maayra - "Have you eaten?"

Shajal - "Yep."

Maayra - "Don't eat so late from tomorrow, okay?"

Shajal - "It depends on you from tomorrow... when and what you'll give me to eat."

Maayra - "Just go and sleep."

Shajal - (Chuckles) "Are you nervous?"

Maayra - "I don't know. I am having a feeling which I never had before."

Shajal - "Me too. But I am happy that tomorrow you'll be my wife."

*****

[Text Messages on the wedding day]

Shajal - Can you send me a pic? I wanna see you in your wedding dress.👼

(Without thinking even for a second she typed 'Nope' and clicked the send button.)

Shajal -- Please... I wanna see my wife 😣

(She chuckled before replying)

Maayra -- who's wife, Mister? We aren't married yet 😝

Shajal -- 😭😭😭😭

Maayra -- 😘

Shajal -- There's still time for kisses 😉

(Maayra blushed)

(Shajal's waiting for the reply)

1 minute.....

2 minutes.....

5 minutes.....

10 minutes.....

.... No Reply....

*****

Shajal's sitting on the sofa with Maayra in her arms. They just finished watching a movie.

"Baby your exams are over."

"Hmm.... so?"

"Let's go somewhere. We have not gone for our honeymoon yet."

"I am tired."

"We can leave after two days."

"Hmm okay."

"Where do you wanna go?"

"Anywhere is fine."

"Why are you always like this? I told you, You can ask for anything. Just tell me now where do you want to go."

"I don't mind the place.... All I need is you."

*****

[Video Calling]

Shajal - (gloomy face) When will you come back?

Maayra - I have just came here.

Shajal - Just come back. I am missing you.

Maayra - It's my brother's wedding. And I just came today.

Shajal - (Just showing the gloomy face to his wife.)

Maayra - You can come here if you want.

Shajal - (Evil smile) Tomorrow.

{ Maayra smiled unaware of the fact that tomorrow he will bring her back }

Maayra - okay sleep well.

Shajal - How can I without you ?

*****

"Darling... I want a baby. When will you give me one?" Shajal ask her while c.a.r.e.s.sing her cheek.

"I think we can have now."

"Are you sure?"

"Hmm.... I'll be finishing my college in a month..."

__________________________________

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*****

"Maayra... what do you want? Boy... or a girl?"

"I want a boy."

"But I want a cute girl just like you."

"You won't love if it's a boy.?" She asked him.

He took her in his embrace and said, "I don't mind if it's a girl or a boy, I'll love them but a little less than you." then tighten her grip around her.

*****

( 7 years later in City N )

"Why are we here again?" A little boy asked looking at her parents who are busy taking care of his two baby sisters.

"Because it started here at City N." His father answered him.

The boy just looked at him still not understanding anything.

*****