EYE CONTACT....

The Dining Hall of Shah Mansion filled with aroma & laughter............the aroma of delicious food, the table laden with fragrant biryani, spicy qeema, warm roti, and sizzling kebabs. A bowl of creamy custard sat at the center, waiting to be devoured as dessert.

The soft glow of the overhead lights cast a warm ambiance, making the room feel cozy and inviting......

Haider Sahab, sat at the head of the table, Beside him, Zoha Shah, his loving wife, served the food alongside the jameela Bua who's smiling at the Maya & Azan teasing............

Qulsoom Begum, Haider’s sister, leaned back in her chair, a cheerful and warm tuck on her face.

“Zaryab bhabhi, why are you so much obsessed with eggs ??? " (Maya teased, her laughter ringing through the room.)

(Zaryab, who was seated next to her husband Ali, rolled her eyes and glare at her with sharp eyes) “Of you start again i swear i will burry this fork in your mouth. Shut up and eat "

Ali chuckled, wrapping an arm around Zaryab’s shoulders. “I think we should start a fan club for her and her love for eggs.The Egg Enthusiasts’!” (he joked, earning a round of laughter from everyone.)

(Zohan, the mature one, shook his head with a grin)“you all are insane, but what's this love of eggs about bhabhi since i came back i heard it many times "

Maya, the family’s little sunshine and troublemaker, piped up, “Bhai, i will tell look. Bhabhi loves to eat boil egg..... Over the same Centigrade boil water no high no low......every damn morning not even a single one left behind.......(She giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief.)

Azan, her equally mischievous partner in crime chimed in, “And bhai, she week ago didn't had a breakfast for 2 days.....just because the egg stays on stove 2 minutes than the exact time”

Noor ul Ain, the quiet one, smirked as she teased, “what about you Maya, why not tell Zohan bout your love for hot things.....like you can't eat paratha if it's not came off stove directly......or bath in 45 Centigrade of hot water huh........”

" API, you can't just change sides like that..........." (Maya complain with a sad pout)

" Finally, Love you Little Devrani jiii..." ( Zaryab exhale a breath and said in. Loving tune, blowing flying kisses towards Noor ul ain.....but, they all catch by her husband....)

The table again erupt in laughter.......

Simran,sat quietly at the end of the table, her gaze fixed on her plate. She listened to the laughter and chatter, a small smile playing on her lips, but she didn’t join in........

Simran, you must try the kebabs! Jameela bua made them. I think she makes the most delicious kebabs in the world ” (Noor ul ain urged, her eyes sparkling with hope)

Simran forced a bite, her stomach churning. The food, despite its delicious aroma, felt heavy in her stomach, a wave hits her guts harder........she know what's coming for her...........

“Simran, you should try the biryani! It’s amazing!” (Zaryab called out, her voice warm and inviting)

Simran looked up,for a moment her gaze soften seeing sincere look on zaryab's eyes than..... She offered a brief nod, her voice soft as she replied, “Maybe later.”

“Come on, Simran! You can’t just sit there! Join the fun!” (Maya urged, her enthusiasm infectious) Ohh, by the way, Zohan bhai this is simran my most fav human in this house....." (when it hit her she immediately introduced simran to zohan in a excited tune)

" The hell my fav human....... Side okay....(Azan immediately jump between.....and yank Maya shoulder hard) Bhai she's lying....Simran is mine & Noor's friend here to study for her exams..... she's gonna stay here for a month....... " (finally introduced her in a proper human language)

" but, Zohan maya is right.....simran is also my fav........ " (Zaryab said in a warm, loving voice)

" Sorry, darling I might hear it wrong ????" (Ali immediately holds zaryab hand like she might vanish)

" Bro, you know you both are married for about 6 years......" (Maya commented with boredom )

" You are 4 years old son guys have some you know shame......." (Azan also chimed in and added with sarcasm)

" Where ??? Did you see my son???? " (Ali ask in a fake amusement tune)

" Fine bro, when Yousuf calls me again this time.........than, i will tell him....." (Noor ul ain suddenly jump into the chat and said dramatically)

Again everyone starts laughing.........

But, when everyone is busy laughing Zohan lift his Smoky gray eyes towards the person sitting opposite side of him.......

When simran feels someone gaze she also lifts her head.........

Gray eyes meet with brown eyes👀🌷

Zohan gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he returned to the conversation.

His eyes made Simran’s heart flutter, a feeling she hadn’t expected to experience......she frowns............but________

“I… I need to go,” (Simran stammered, her voice barely above a whisper)

" Where ??? You didn't even eat properly." (Qulsoom begum ask in a worried manner)

" Aunty, I needed to use a washroom...." (she gives the excuse)

" Ok child......you go....." (Haider shah replied with a small smile)

she pushed her chair back,She try not to rushed out but her step and the things began to happen inside her betrayed her....her heart pounding in her chest. The laughter and chatter of the family faded behind her as she sprinted down the hallway, her breath quickening.......

Behind her, As the night wore on, the Shah family continued to tease and joke, the atmosphere filled with love and laughter..........

...______________________...

...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

She reached her room, slamming the door shut behind her. The familiar sanctuary felt suffocating as she leaned against the door, her heart racing. She could still hear the echoes..........

Her pulse quickening with each step. She reached the bathroom, the door stays open behind her, she leaned against the cool tiles, gasping for breath.

The world outside faded away, replaced by the chaos in her mind. She knelt before the toilet, her hands trembling as she leaned over.

The familiar ritual began,The sound of her vomiting echoes in the bathroom...her body responding to the turmoil within. She felt the release, the relief mingling with guilt, a twisted sense of control that she craved

Each wave of nausea brought a fleeting moment of clarity, a brief escape from the weight of expectations and the mirror that reflected her deepest fears.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she continued, the physical exhaustion creeping in.

She felt worn out, her body trembling as she fought against the urge to stop. The bathroom was her sanctuary and her prison..........

...__________________...

...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Wearing simple white full sleeve shirt baggy & long enough.......she also wore a white baggy trouser....... wearing her transparent frame glasses and a messy bun of hairs.....

She's fully focused on her studying.... it's 3 am at night....

She's currently studying in one of the small living room of the mansion.... left side of the room is a kitchen......

After studying for hours she lifts her gaze towards the wall watch and saw" 3:12Am "

simran stretch her feet and arms and walks out of the room......

The whole mansion is filled with silence.....every human being is sleeping.....even though outside the night shift bodyguards. Still awake doing their duty without a single yawn or sleepy eyes.......

Simran walks towards the kitchen....... she's fine to eat or drink the food that was made by herself.......

Simran turn on the light, She took out the pot, filled it with watch......put it on stove, filled it with tea powder and small amount of sugar......and wait for it to boil......

" Noor makes me coffee too please..." (zohan entered & said in a calm voice without noticing the person standing In front of him)

Simran whole body went stiff....... She took a deep breath. Her heart pounder in her chest..... not because of some fluttering warm moment because of fear that start building in her...........

" Can you________(finally he pays attention)ohh, I thought it was Noor....." (, he immediately said in an apologetic manner)

Simran only nodded her head says nothing......silence stretch between them.....an awkward one..... finally Zohan broke it......

" Do you know how to use coffee machine and make a coffee???? " (he asks in a normal and calm voice)

Simran again nodded without a single word.......

" Can you make it for me.....I needed it... If you , than make and gives me coffee to my study it's on right side " (zohan again request in a calm voice)

He was about to turn away to leave when he heard a voice barely audible.......

" No......."

" yes ?????? " (he turns because he thinks he listens is wrong)

" i.....i..... I said.....NO....." (IN A hesitant voice she replied)

" You can't make me a coffee ??? " (he asks with a raised eyebrow as if to confirm again)

" I can make but," (she pauses in mid-sentence)

Silence again.............she lifted her gaze towards him and a realization hits Zohan harder in an instant he understands.......

" You can't come to the study to deliver it. Right???? " (he asks as if try to confirm his doubt)

She nodded.....

Again silence.........

Then,

" fine, I'm waiting outside the kitchen. After you make it.......just call my name I will pick it up myself......." (he immediately gives her solution)

" Alright......" (simran agreed)

After 15 minutes she walks out of the kitchen..... finding him sitting on the small vase table.....whose vase is now placing on the ground while he's sitting on it.....head against wall.....closed eyes......

" Coffee......" (loud enough for him to listen she stretch her hand holding a cup of hot black coffee)

" Thank you" (he immediately opened his eyes and got up, took a cup, thanked her and walk away)

Without noticing the shaky breath and trembling body of simran because when he took a cup from her hands......

His finger brush against simran's finger....

And someone like simran with severe **haphephobia**

[[Individuals with haphephobia may experience intense anxiety or fear at the thought of being touched or touching others......]]

Another wave of panic attack she needed to deal with..........

..._______________________...

...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Thanks for reading>>>🤍

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