Hiba's POV,
God!!! I hate parties. It's been more than two hours since I came here. And till now I did nothing just to smile at every single person I saw. And more frustrating is that they say it just started. What the hell will happen to me till the end?? I can't even talk to my colleagues. They all are enjoying their time with their friends. I don't want to be a third-wheel between them. As I was roaming here and there, someone pulled me by my arm. Because of sudden movement or my heels, I stumbled and was about to fall. I closed my eyes thinking my ass was going to kiss the ground but Asad held me at the right time. I slowly opened my eyes and looked at him. He was staring at me.
"Thanks for saving me. But why did you pull me so suddenly??? Because of you, I was going to be on the ground by now."
I said standing straight and hitting his chest. I straightened my dress and looked at him. I don't know if it's thinking, or he really blushes whenever I touch him on my own. I was looking at him with furrowed eyes waiting for him to speak. He was in so deep thought but when he noticed my gaze on him he shook his head and with a cheerful expression he said,
"Ohh!! I was searching for you. I thought you had already left."
"How can I leave when you are here???" I said while folding my hands to my chest. I don't know what he thought of my mere sentence??? But for a second his eyes got wide. He closed his eyes and sighed and said,
"Leave it. I came here to take you to meet some people. They wanted to meet you. Boss has talked a lot about you to them." Taking my hand, he started dragging me to them.
"No Asad. I really don't want to meet more people. Please!!! Ever since I came here, I am just smiling and talking to everyone. Even my cheeks are paining now." I said trying to remove his hand from my wrist.
"No, Hiba. You should meet them. You are an important person in our company. And the boss always talks about you wherever he goes. You know, you are his favorite. People want to meet and know you. Because of this attitude, many of them just know your name and not you. You should take care of your popularity, dumbo." He scolded me.
We started to argue about it. It's very few times when Asad argues with me. He always supports me in every situation. But he knows I hate meeting new people. We were so engaged in our argument that we didn't see someone approaching us.
"Hello, Ms. Hiba so nice to see you." Mr. Imran greeted me and that's when we stopped.
"Hello, sir. Same here." I replied with a weak smile. I am fed up with all this. I so wanted to go home and sleep peacefully. He pointed towards Asad and asked,
"And he is....."
But before I could answer Asad himself replied,
"I am Asad. I am her colleague and her one and only best friend."
I didn't know he was so proud to be my friend. I was looking at him thinking if something's wrong with him. Or does he have some split personality disorder??? A minute ago, he was arguing with me. And now as Mr. Imran came he is smiling and talking with him. I came back to earth when Imran said,
"By the way, you look gorgeous in this dress."
"Thank you. I..." I was cut off by Asad saying,
"See, I told you it's looking stunning on you. My choice is never wrong you know."
When I looked at Imran for a flip second I saw a change in his reaction. But then, he was back to normal. I don't understand if my brain is too drained out to imagine things or it's really happening?? I shook my head and discard these weird thoughts. A waiter approached three of us. Feeling thirsty, I was about to take a juice when he stopped me.
"No mam, this one is for you. Snehal mam told you to give this juice to you. She said you will like it very much."
"Huh!! But I don't want to drink orange juice. I will take mango. Go now. Will try it some other time."
I furrowed my eyebrows at him as to why would Snehal do something like this?? He was very much upset about my choice. But did say anything else and gave the juice to both of them as well and went away. Before I could escape from here, Sana's voice gathered everyone's attention.
"Can I have everyone's attention, please?? Hello everyone. I'm Sana. Today we are having this party as my dad's company has finally closed the deal!! And the main reason behind this is my dad's favourite or I guess everyone's favourite 'Hiba Khan'. A big round of applause for her." She said and clapped her hands with everyone.
I was shocked would be an understatement. Sana, the one who hates me, god knows how much?? And for what I don't know!! Is suddenly doing appreciation for me. I thought tonight was really very different. And miracles do happen in real lives as well.
But her sudden change of heart got everyone's attention to me. It was the first time when I attended such a party and I don't know how to react to this?? I just weakly smiled at everyone. Everyone looked back at her as she spoke,
"As we all came to celebrate one thing, why not enjoy together??? So, why not play some games??" Everyone chuckled and she continued,
"I know it might sound childish, but we are not so old that we can't play games!! So, what say guys??" Everyone nodded at her.
"So, let's play truth or dare. Let's see who is the daredevil here?? And how many of your secrets come out?? But, but, since we all know Hiba doesn't like to talk much. And she is our prime star tonight, so why not start with her?? What say, guys?? Let's get her to spill her secrets."
"Yes, let's do it." Everyone said in unison.
What the hell?? Why does she always target me?? For a second I really thought she truly appreciated me. But then, how can I forget she is Sana?? She holds grudges towards me ever since I joined here. Asad pulled me up to reality when he grabbed my elbow and said,
"Heyy, what's up with you???? Go!! Everyone is waiting for you." I pleaded with him through my eyes that I didn't want to go. But he just widens his eyes giving an 'I have to go' look. I was crying internally. Why would she do this??
"Yes, Miss Hiba you should go. Even I want to know about you." Imran said with a weird smile.
I looked at the stage and took a deep breath and decided to go. As I reached there everyone started clapping and cheering me up. It's not like I afraid to speak in front of everyone or I don't want my secrets to be out. Cause I don't have one in the first place. But maybe my personality makes everyone think that I have many secrets. I don't talk much because I know my way of thinking will not be liked. They all want to live in their bubbles of imagination. And I don't want to break it. Simple as that. But one thing came to my mind as I frowned and asked Sana,
"If we are playing truth and dare. I can take dares as well. Right??"
"No, babes. As everyone knows you would do anything and basic many of them are afraid of you that if they gave you a dare you won't leave them afterward. That's why we will go with truth only for you at least at first. And besides, no one knows much about you. And as it's your first party that you are attending, let people know you. What secrets you don't want to speak out??" She said the last part with a smirk. I sighed heavily and nodded to continue.
"So who wants to ask her a question???" She asked.
"I want to" "Me" Asad and Mr. Imran said at once.
"Interesting!! Why not you both ask??" She said as if she is enjoying everything.
"What do you think of love???" First Asad asked. Everyone stared at him. Even I was confused why he would ask such a question?? When he felt everyone's gaze at him. He coughed and again asked,
"I-I m-mean, what is your opinion on love and marriage??" And now everyone again looked at me, waiting for my answer. I took a deep breath and answered,
"Look!! You guys asked for my opinion. I think there is no such thing as LOVE and marriage is just another label for 'Responsibility'." Everyone gasped at my answer. See that's why I don't speak my thoughts out. They started to mumble.
"And why do you think like that??" Mr. Imran asked, looking confused.
"Cause that's what I have seen. Every couple I came across has proven it!! Seriously, I know you guys have a lot of imagination and fantasy about it. And that's fine by me. But, I don't like it. When you get married, even if you're not in love with the other person, you have to be with them always. And LOVE. The idea is crap for me. Sorry if I offended anyone. It is also a responsibility. You must always think about them first. You must change for them. No one ever loves anyone without any reason. We all already have responsibility for our parents, siblings. Trying to fulfill them properly why do you want to increase it by seeking out more?? The....." I stopped, thinking I had said too much. Closing my eyes I took a deep breath. And continued,
"Is it done?? I already answered two questions!!" I said, frustrated by all of this. And she's the one who caused all the mess. I looked at her when she didn't answer my question. She was also shocked by my outburst like others. But, it's not my fault. They only asked me such stupid questions. I faked a cough to get her attention. She came back to earth by that. And said,
"Ohhh!! You really changed our way of thinking about love and marriage. So, let's continue the game."
With that everyone started playing again. I was too bored to ask any questions or give dares to others. My attention got back to the game when it was Asad turn. Everyone started shouting to tell him to take the truth. I don't get why they are so interested in others' lives so much. He lastly took the truth. One of the female employees hurriedly asked him,
"Do you like someone from the office??? If yes, is she present here with us??"
Everyone again started shouting. But when I looked at him, he was blushing. He was biting his lower lip to control his blush. He took a breath and replied,
"Yes, I like someone. And she is present here."
"Woah!!! I knew it. You like someone. Why don't you propose to her right now?? In front of us." One of the male employees said.
"No, no. I can't do it. Will do it some other day!! And secondly, I am not sure if she likes me back or not?? I don't want to get rejected in front of everyone." He replied back laughing dryly.
I shook my head and took a juice from the waiter. I sat there for some more rounds. But slowly I started to feel dizzy. I felt like everything around me was revolving. My throat started to itch. And felt stomach ache as well. My head started to feel heavy. I suddenly feel like vomiting. I stood up from there and started to head towards the washroom.
I don't see properly. Everything was shaking. Due to which I bumped into someone. I blinked my eyes to see who was he?? And finally realized it was Asad.
"Heyy, heyy, are you OK?? Where are you going??" He asked in a worried tone.
"I- I am-m o-k Ok. Just going to the washroom. I- I feel sto-stomach ach- ache. No-nothing much." I replied with a bit of difficulty.
"Should I come with you till there?? I can wait outside." He said, but I shook my head saying no. He went from there and I headed back to the washroom as well.
As I reached there, I vomited in the basin. Not once, but thrice. I felt myself losing consciousness. I splashed some water on my face and decided to head back home. As I turned back I saw Sana coming towards me. I couldn't see properly. But, I felt like she was smirking at me while folding her hands on her chest. I took hold of the nearby wall.
"Wh-what are you do-doing h-here?? You should be at the ta-table, play-playing ga-games wi-with others." I shuttered as the pain in my stomach and throat kept increasing.
"What happened to Miss Hiba?? The star of the party." She said while laughing at my state.
"Ge-get o-out of m-my way. I don't ha-have time f-for your bull-bullshit. I ha-have to go ho-home." The pain didn't let me speak properly.
"Yeah sure!! Please go." She said and moved my way.
With great difficulty, I reached the lobby of the hotel. I felt like my consciousness was at its last stage. And before I could take any more steps, I felt someone's hand across my waist and I passed out.