Ayesha's PoV

Another holiday and this time we decided to play cards. Zain agreed to join us. But he didn't want to join any group instead wanted to play individually.  Hiba, Shahina and Hanah were in one group and me, Sana and Zahra Aapa on another group. We started playing and Zain was continuously winning games. We are amazed. Till now he won three rounds against us and about to win another one.

"See didn't I tell you? Noone can win over me. I dont need teammates. Zain alone is enough to win against you all girls."he told making the girls giggle.

I frowned. Because I was watching something else that the others didn't notice till now. He have another set of cards hid behind him. Each time before he place a card, his hand travel to his back and come with the winning card. That's his game. I wanted to shout about his foul gaming. But then I got another idea. I can use this later to tease him.

"Its another win for me. Fourth one. Sorry babies. Try next time."he shouted.

The girls pouted.

I realized that this is the best time. At a point I gained his attention and gestured that I caught him. When he was looking at me in confusion, I moved my eyes to his back where an extra set of cards is hidden. I nodded my head ensuring that I have seen it. He became pale and grinned at me. I smirked and moved my head to threaten him. He shook his head in a pleading way to stop me from disclosing his foul play infront of others. My heart melt seeing his cute expressions. I didn't get him caught and allowed him to continue playing.

The games winded up in the next 30 minutes with Zain winning all rounds against us. Hiba announced that she is not willing to play another round with him and so as the others.

I smirked and he smiled at me thankfully.

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I was playing with Noisy when he came to me descending the staircase. He stopped seeing noisy in my hands.

"Hey Ayesha. He will bite you. Get that creature out of this house."he shouted making me glare at him.

He started again.

"Not Noisy I will bite you if you say one more against him. I already warned you many times, this is not a creature. He have a lovely name."I shouted back.

"Talk to me only if you can love my Noisy."I pouted.

"Ok forgive me this time. I swear I won't do anything that hurts you."he pleaded and suddenly all my anger melt away.

"Now smile please."he demanded.

"Only if you take my Noisy in your arms for once. He needs to be pacified first."

"What the hell? Not possible. I hate cats."he yelled.

"Thanks. I hate you too. Now get lost Mr.Londonwala"I said firmly.

"Ayesha please dont do this. Actually....to be frank I am scared of cats. Yes I admit. And please dont tell this to anyone else."he scratched the back side of his neck with his fingers. I chuckled seeing his pale face.

"Finally you admit it."I laughed. He turned his face away making me stop.

"Listen Zain. There is nothing to be scared about Noisy.  Come and sit here. I will make you understand "I welcomed him with a smile.

He hesitated first and then sat beside me. Noisy is looking at him strangely while sitting on my lap. I assured him that everything is ok. He stared at Noisy as if he is watching some horror movie. I chuckled while waving my hands across his face.

"Here he is. Take him." I said making him terrified.

"Take him Zain. He won't harm you."I assured.

"No no....I can't take injections."he snarled at me.

"How could you say that looking at my cute Noisy? Mr.Cat Hater "

"Ayesha..."

"Don't talk to me."

"Ayesha please. Let me explain "

"Don't talk to me"

After  a long silence he cleared his throat.

"Ok. Let me try. But tell him to dont bite me."he said making me smile.

I turned towards Noisy.
"Baby. See he is our cousin. Dont harm him. Okay?"

"What? I am not a cousin to any creature. May be you both are from same family. But not me" he interrupted making me glare.

"Okay then he is someone whom Asiya aunty have adopted. Behave nice with him."

Now he glared at me.

"Here take him now. Dont squeeze him too much."I said while handling over Noisy to him. After hesitating for a long time he finally touched him.

"Cheee...He is smelling bad."he immediately withdrew his hands back. He took out the handkerchief from his pocket and started rubbing his hands with it. That made me more angry.

"You know what. Noone had insulted my Noisy before the way you did now. I won't talk to you and I will let everyone know about your foul gaming. You are a cheater."I declared.

I stood up to leave but he held my wrist and pulled me back.

He and his sudden pulls. I dashed with his strong biceps. I averted my gaze away from him before sitting comfortably.

Thank Allah. I didn't land on his lap.

Noisy made a sound gaining my attention.

"For you. I will try once again."he announced.

This time he took Noisy into his arms with closed eyes. I clapped for him. His face clearly shows how much panic he is. I giggled. He gave a disgusting look at the poor cat. I was happy anyway.

"See. Did he bite you? He won't. He is my noisy. He won't harm anyone."

He didn't want to keep the cat on his lap for a long time. Each time he tried to give him back, I hesitated to take him. Noisy was sitting silently on his lap enjoying the new friendship he got.

A few minutes went by and Zain now started enjoying it. He caressed Noisy's head with love. I smiled. Suddenly Noisy moved his lips towards Zain's leg.

"Ayesha. Save me. He is gonna eat me. Poor my leg."Zain started shouting.

"No Zain. He is not. He wants to lick your feet. This is how he shows his love" I tried to convince him. But he was still afraid.

He was about to shout again. But noisy already did what he wants. And then Zain sighed in relief realizing that he was not attacked.

"Didnt I tell you? Please don't be afraid."I assured him once again.

He nodded his head. Now he understood Noisy wont hurt him.  I could see the relief in his face.
Within a few minutes he became friends with Nosiy and they started playing together. My happiness had no limits.

"Isn't he cute?" I asked.

"Yes he is. I didnt think that he would be so friendly."

He played with Noisy for some more time. Suddenly he looked at me remembering something.

"Oops Ayesha. I forgot to tell you the matter why did I come searching for you."he smacked his own head.

"Why did you come?"

He took out two chocolates from his pocket and placed it in my hand. I looked at him surprised.

"This is for you."he smiled and I was wondered.

"For what?"I raised my eyebrows.

"For helping me in the games."his smile changed into a naughty smirk.

I gave an ignorant look.

"How did I help you? As far as I know, I dont know to play fouls and steal cards like you."

"But I know both. My talent. Dont congratulate me. But thank you for not telling them about my cheating. You saved me."

Shocking me he suddenly hugged me.

"You actually saved me from getting roasted by my cousins.  Thank you."he pulled back.

It took me a minute to get back to the world.

"You should stop cheating Zain. I know you are talented. Then why this?"I said in an attempt to scold him.

He gave me a full teeth smile. I giggled.

"You could have win without cheating. So I am not gonna appreciate you. You dont deserve it."

"I know you my cousin. The person who discovered honesty in our family. It's okay. Next time I wont cheat. Pinky Promise. "he bowed down infront of me.

I smiled.

"Shall we take a selfie now?"he asked while taking out his phone from the pocket.

I suddenly became nervous.

"What? Are you allergic to selfies?"he asked seeing my reluctance.

"Only if you allows Noisy to be in the frame."I said regaining myself.

"Ofcourse."he leaned close towards me and then placed noisy in his lap. With the other hand he adjusted his phone. We smiled together.

Click, Click, Click!!!

Three pics.

Noisy couldn't smile properly in the pics.
My only sorrow.

Better luck next time.
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Later that evening I was talking with Maaji in her room.

"Maaji, that's how he finally took our Noisy with his hands. You should have seen how shivering he was." I laughed out loud.

"Dont you think its abnormal for a boy to be afraid of a little kitten?" I stopped suddenly remembering about something important.

"Do you remember how he threw our Bapuji's kitten into the well? I hope he was 9 or 10 that time. Must be that kitten's curse."

I laughed while narrating the entire story of Mr.Londonwala's cat love to my grandmother who rarely remembers anything. I saw her smiling. I dont know the reason for that, but I assumed it to be for him.

"I know you got it. How can you forget it? Anyway I didn't know that he is a coward to fear such a small animal." I laughed even more loud.

"Dont you think I am right?"I asked to the woman lying on the bed with a confused face; forgetting the fact that she lost her memory and talking ability years back.

"You are absolutely right Ayesha."

"See didn't I say?" I was so happy to turn away looking at the door, but my all happiness gone and my face became pale seeing Zain. He is sending murderous glares at me. I was shocked. I must say he is really angry this time.

"Zain...when....did you come?"I stuttered still couldn't believe that he heard what I was saying.

"I came exactly when you were saying Mamu that I didn't know that he is a coward to fear such a small animal." He mimicked me making me numb.

"Heee....that coward I mentioned is not you. I was telling about one of my friend who happens to be a cat hater." I tried to make the atmosphere cheerful.

"Thank you for clarifying."he gritted his teeth.

"May I know to whom else did you tell about your cat hater friend?"he asked in a serious tone.

"Zain I swear. I didnt tell to anyone else. Maaji can't talk or even understand anything. Disclosing any secrets to her is fine."

He widened his eyes. I gulped.

"You betrayed me. Didn't you promise me that you wont tell about my fears to anyone?"he asked.

"Did I? I don't remember."

He huffed.

"Come with me. For this, you need some punishment; so that you wont repeat this again."he held my hand and started dragging me towards the hall.

I could see everyone sitting on the hall while chatting about some random topics. It includes Bapuji, my mama, Aunties gang, my cousins, Ali uncle, Haneef uncle and Hayaan.

I startled when he stomped towards the centre of the crowd and stopped on his track leaving my hand. I looked around to see everyone looking at us. I must say only at us.

I already started shivering.

I can't even breathe feeling everyone's gaze on me.

Plus I hate crowds.

What he is up to?

He winked at me and leaned towards my ear.
"This is one of the best place to punish people." He whispered in my ears.

Mind if we go to one of the worst.

"Zain what are you doing here?"Asiya aunty stood up suspiciously seeing her son. I must say she knows her son better.

Nothing aunty. Your son is gonna get me killed. Nothing else.

"Nothing mama. I am here to help Ayesha since she wants to surprise you all."he said making me shock.

"Surprise?" Me and Bapuji asked together.

He giggled much to my annoyance.

"Yes it's been a long time we all gathered together. We don't even know when would be the next time we get a chance for a family get together. So why can't we have some entertainment?" He announced making my cousins shout "yes".

"That's why Ayesha is here today. To entertain you and make this evening beautiful."he said aloud.

"Entertain? She?" Shahina asked pointing towards me.

"Yes. She will sing a song for us."he announced making me shocked.

I will faint anytime soon.

But that's ok if it can save me from a big embarrassment waiting for me.

I saw my cousins whistle on Zain's statement. Mama was looking at me confusingly. Zahra Aapa giving me an expression 'Are you sure?'

I dont know what to do at this moment.

Singing and me has nothing to do with.

And this Zain....

I looked at him furiously.

"Ayesha Aapa, do you really sing? But noone has told me this."Hanah asked surprised.

"No I won't." I stated enough audible for everyone to hear.

"Hey Ayesha. Dont be too dramatic. This is our own family. Dont be so shy."Zain interrupted.

"Yes. Ayesha Aapa should sing."I saw both Hiba and Sana shouting. They started cheering for me. I know they won't miss a single chance to get me embarrassed.

I hissed.
"Zain please."

He again winked at me.

"Ayesha, why cant you try for once? We want to hear you singing."Asiya aunty encouraged me.

I dont want to make a fool out of myself.

Things I cant do, I won't even try.

"Please aunty. I dont know singing. This Zain is making fun of me. I don't intend to sing not only here, but anywhere." I told.

"Ayesha there is no way we are going to leave you without singing."Zain said.

"I am not. Ask Bapuji whether I sing or not. I wont."I told in a way to get Bapuji's support. I know he will understand my dilemma.

"Zain. Leave her. She won't sing. Dont force her."Bapuji stated and I was relieved.

Now noone can say anything against his words.

"Ok if you dont know to sing, atleast tell us a story."Zain demanded and I heard the whistles again.

What way of punishment is this.

"Story? What story?" I startled again.

He gave me a naughty smirk. I pleaded him with eyes.

"Yes Ayesha. You are such a brilliant girl. Always topper in studies. Now you don't say that you don't know stories." Shahina told.

I felt nervous.

Why I am like this?

I am completely a different girl in my college. Even if someone ask me to address an entire crowd, I will do it happily. I have no doubt regarding my self confidence that time. But when I am asked to tell something infront of my own family, I feel helpless. And why should they have to be together always? I cant easily fit into a crowd unless it's related to my career which I am so interested in.

I hate this aspect of me. Last year I went on a 2 week camping trip to avoid 2 family reunions. But not with these people. Some other distant cousins who always ask me "why are you quiet Ayesha, why are you quiet Ayesha?"

I face the same difficulty even with my so called extrovert neighbors.  When I hear that my neighbors are near my door, I wait for them to leave and only then they do I go out.

Today Zain pushed me into the same dilemma which I always try to escape. Story? Seriously? In your dreams Mr.Londonwala. I huffed.

"Ayesha Aapa. Start the story fast."I heard Hanah shouting.

"See I don't know stories. Are you kids to hear stories?"I asked getting irritated.

"You poor dear. Always stuck behind some books. This is time for relaxation. Zain is right. You must tell a story."It was Zeenath aunty who spoke.

Beautiful pages of pure personal space; I love books.

"Ayesha, don't make us wait more." Reyza aunty who usually sit silent talked this time.

I was astonished.

Why the hell everyone on same team today?

I looked at my mama who is now furious.

"Please Ayesha. One story please."I heard Zain whispering.

I wanted to smack his head. He is the reason for all this.

"Ok I will tell." Finally I agreed.

Everyone clapped for me.

"Once there was a girl. She was not a fairy-tale type of princess because there were no prince waiting for her. She is just a girl, that's all."

I tugged few of my hair strands beside my ear.

"She was not beautiful but pretty enough to be herself. She was not talkative, but not quiet. She was boring but not a disturbance for people. She dont hate people but just not necessarily excited about their existence. She was reserved but not at all antisocial. She can talk about life for hours but cant stand small talks." I paused for a while looking at my audience.

They all are giving me an expression kinda saying what kind of story this is. Mama is looking at me with an opened mouth. The only look that insisted me to continue the story was Zain's astonishment.

"She barely have any friends. She was awkward most of the times she needed to face strangers. Talking to someone she dont know give her nightmares. She hated parties. She didn't want to be appreciated. She was invisible for most of the people. She secretly wish if she was an extrovert.  It was impossible for her to talk louder but she kept on texting for the whole night. Everyone thought that she was rude but she was kind enough to let people think what they want about herself. She was a person who believed on opportunities more than her tongue." I smiled while continuing.

"She was self-reliant and private. But she was not a terror like everyone thinks about her. Yes she was weird and different. Like what. She made phone calls while chanting in mind Please dont answer, Also she waited for phone calls to stop ringing so that she can text them and ask them what they wanted, She runs away the second when a stranger knocks on her door, She cancelled plans to avoid meeting people, she stayed at home mostly. Things that excited her were her bed, laptop and her private space. She stood in corners avoiding eyecontacts. She was normal. A girl with many dreams."

I paused again.
"Why are you not asking me Isn't she normal?"I asked to my audience.

"Is she an introvert?" It was Hanah who asked me.

"Yes she is" I answered.

I tilted my head to see Zain haven't changed his expression till now.

"Ayesha Aapa. Tell me. What did happen to her?"Hanah asked again.

"What to happen? Nothing happened."I talked carefree.
"Plot twist is the introverted character who doesn't like big social gatherings or speaking infront of people is still an introvert by the end of the story" I looked at each face around me.
"Because introversion is not a character flaw and it doesn't need to be overcome."

I stated before muttering a thank you. With that I walked back towards my room with a smile widely playing on my lips.
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I had to do a good research before coming up with this chapter. Credits for most of the quotes belong to Google.