Page 103 of If I Loved You Less
“Shanzay, I’m so glad we’re friends,” I say, squeezing her hand. “I know I haven’t been the best friend to you. I’ve been a bit self-centered and delusional, which is why things got a little messy there for a second, but I promise I’ll do better.”
“Aw, Humaira, thank you. You can be a bit self-centered, yes, but I’m so glad to have you as a friend,” she says. “And it all worked out in the end, didn’t it?”
I squeal, overjoyed. “I’m so happy it did! You’ll be married! We have to go shopping!”
She laughs. I hug her again, and she squeezes back.
“Now let’s compose ourselves before Uncle scolds us,” Shanzay says, giggling. I nod.
“I have something to tell you as well,” I say, taking a deep breath. “I think ... I am also in love.” I brace for her reaction, and she grins.
“With Fawad?” she asks. I gasp, looking around nervously as if he will appear.
“Shh!” I order her. She giggles. “How did you know?”
“You looked so heartbroken when I said I liked him,” she tells me. “I began piecing two and two together and realized just how silly my crush was when you both are clearly in love with each other.”
I gasp, shocked by this information.
“Who is it clear to?” I ask. Shanzay laughs.
“We are all fools in love.”
“You’re not angry with me?” I ask. “Be honest.”
Shanzay shakes her head. “Don’t fret over me. I truly love Huzaifa – I think I have loved him since the very beginning. I was hoping he would call, oh, I wasprayinghe would call. Every day.” She breaks off, emotional. “And he did! I am so happy.”
My eyes well with tears, seeing her so content. “Me, too,” I cry.
A coworker walks in to get coffee, then promptly turns around when he sees both of us nearly sobbing and laughing. A short while later, someone else enters, releasing an alarmed noise.
“Goodness,” Papa says, seeing the sight of us. “What on earth is happening?” He comes to stand in front of me, putting his hands on my shoulders. “Is everything alright?”
I nod, enveloping him in a tight hug. For a moment, he doesn’t react, but then his arms come around me.
“I am not suffocating you, am I?” he whispers, voice unsure.
“No, Papa, you aren’t,” I reply, tears wetting his blazer. “I love to have you just this close.” His body relaxes, tension leaving him, and he hugs me tighter.
When I pull back, I can see his eyes are misty.
“Why on earth are the both of you crying?” he asks.
“Shanzay is getting married!”
He shakes his head, pulling away from me to go to pour himself some coffee. “You girls are so emotional,” he says. Then, he looks at me. “You won’t leave me, will you?”
Shanzay and I exchange a glance.
“I don’t know if I will marry soon, Papa,” I say. “But I promise, I will never leave you.”
I kiss his cheek, and when I pull back, I see his eyes are filled with tears, which makes me lose it once more, and Shanzay starts crying again, as well.
“Good God!” Papa says, voice stern. “This is a workplace! Get it together!” He shakes his head. “Take the rest of the day off, the both of you!”
He does not need to tell me twice. I quickly drive home, wiping my tears, grinning, laughing, smiling as I do. Without stopping to check my appearance or do anything else, I rush over and knock on Fawad’s door, hoping he is home.
Luckily, he is. The door opens, and he stands in front of me, eyes worried when he takes in my disheveled state.
