Almas lounged on the sofa, drinking her morning tea and watching daily soap. Invested in the TV show, the unnecessary ringing of the door frustrated her. She screamed for her daughter to answer. But neither did Fareeha come nor the person on the other side stopped impatiently ringing the doorbell.

Almas sighed loudly, slamming the remote on the couch, and marched towards the door.

"Who is the madman?"

Opening the door with a deep scowl, she didn't get a chance to blast the person. He pushed past her, looking around, - "Fareeha!"

"Hadi, what is the matter?" Almas's tone hadn't changed.

"Aunty, where is Fareeha?"

"In her room, why?"

Sarfaraz let out a sigh and hurried to her room. He knocked a couple of times, but there was no response.

"This mad girl has locked herself since afternoon."

Sarfaraz gave her a worried look, - "Why?"

Almas shrugged, sighing, - "Don't know, she had gone to meet someone. Since then, she is in a troubled mood. She is neither eating nor coming out of her room," She sweetened her tone, - "Beta, please Dekho Na. Her father is about to come in one hour, leave before that." With that, she turned on her heels towards the TV set.

Sarfaraz nodded, then called from outside, - "Fareeha, open the door else I am breaking it."

Next second the reply came, - "Huff and puff all you want, I am not opening the door."

"Why? Coz you had a shitty date with Adil?"

Sarfaraz smirked as next, the door to her room flung open. Fareeha's eyes were wide in shock. She looked behind him, fortunately, her mother was involved in her show. Then, she glared at her friend.

"What is your problem?" She spoke through clenched jaw, and grabbed his hand, pulling him inside. Shutting the door, she huffed tugging on the helm of her cotton floral Kurtha.

Sarfaraz noticed baggy eyes, a reddened button nose, puffy dry lips, and tinted cheeks. He placed his hands on her shoulder and gave her a told-you-look.

"I told you, don't give bhaav to that bandar. He doesn't deserve you."

Fareeha folded her arms, - "First tell me, did you propose your bandariya?"

Sarfaraz scoffed, running his hands through his hair,- "Yes." He said with a prideful grin. Adjusting the strands falling on his forehead, he slumped on the edge of the bed.

"What did she say?" She observed him.

"Accepted."

Fareeha gasped, - "Sacchi! For marriage." She hurriedly sat beside him.

Sarfaraz sighed, shaking his head - "No."

"Then, monkey, why are you narrating your dumb love story as a thriller murder mystery?"

"Excuse me." Sarfaraz raised his eyebrow.

Fareeha snapped her fingers impatiently, - "Fast, yaar."

"She agreed to be my girlfriend."

She exhaled, clenching her forehead.

Sarfaraz twisted half his body and looked keenly at her.

"Dude, Adil is interested in Dania." She informed giving him a serious look.

Sarfaraz clenched his teeth, - "What the hell? That bast—"

"Hey!

He shot up from his seat, - "I don't understand his problem. Why is he behind my girls?"

Fareeha stamped on her feet from the bed, - "Your girls?"

"Never mind. Are you upset because of that?"

Fareeha pouted, nodding.

"It is okay, we will find a better man for you." Sarfaraz held her hand and pulled her for a hug. She took a second to wrap her arms around his back and adjusted her head on his chest.

Women in ethnic wear are a bore. I love women in gowns, business suits, skirts, and tops.

Almas's TV show ended, and she arranged snacks and forced Fareeha to make tea for them. Sarfaraz spoke about the premiere of his latest movie. And invited her. Almas blushed, declining politely. Fareeha kneeled on the floor, placing the cups on the coffee table.

"Beta, what have you decided for marriage? Hadiya is worried. She wants to enjoy being a saas to her bahu." Almas winked at Fareeha. Embarrassed, she fumbled with bourbon biscuits.

Sarfaraz smiled, lowering his gaze, - "Yes, I have thought of it. And if things set well, then—"

Almas's smile faded, - "Oh, Fareeha's papa was also talking about her alliance with a family friend's boy, Saheem, who lives in Singapore."

"Ammi!" Fareeha interrupted. She quietened her daughter with a deadly stare. Fareeha dropped her shoulders, zipping her lips.

Sarfaraz involuntarily stiffened for a moment, then relaxed in his place.

"He must be a nice boy."

"Hmm." Almas spoke sadly, - "But there is one, obvious, condition only. Fareeha won't work in Bollywood."

"What?" Sarfaraz straightened, almost dropping the tea and saucer from his hand.

"Sadly. Every other alliance has this same condition. Not many are in favor of your and Fareeha's friendship. The world is harsh. No husband would want a wife who is so attached to another guy, though as friends. Neither would your wife want you to have such closeness with Fareeha."

Sarfaraz and Fareeha glanced at each other.

Almas placed a hand on his shoulder, - "Beta, it would be best, that you and Fareeha mar—"

"Ammi!" Fareeha jumped on her feet and snatched the teacup from Sarfaraz and a rusk biscuit from his mouth, - "Hadi, Chandan called. We need to hurry. Also, papa is about to come." She grabbed his hand and aggressively pushed him towards the main door. In the background, Almas attempted to complete her sentence.

Family dinner had gotten slightly bearable for Dania. It was only her and her step-father at the dining table back in Delhi. Here with the presence of other positive people, Salman's intimidating and negative personality were nullified. The only annoyance was her relatives insisting on meeting Adil again.

"You should bring your boyfriend for family dinner."
"Yeah, Faryal is loving him."

"And, improving as well."
"That boy, Adil has given us hope."

Dania could only roll her eyes at them. One of her cousins even went gaga over the ring on her finger. They assumed Adil proposed to her.

"As if. I have brought this with my hard-earned money. Can't a girl wear a ring wherever she wants?"

After dinner, Dania washed her face and changed into green polka-dotted loungewear. She worked on one of her designs for some time, then decided to sleep.

Dania fell on her pillow and raised her hand. She wriggled her fingers and grinned admiring the ring. Imagining Kriti's excitement and Poonam's bitter reaction, brought Sukoon to her heart. Dania turned on her stomach and picked up her phone. After clicking a photo, she sends it to Kriti. As she awaited her friend's response, her phone rang.

Sarfaraz Calling!

Dania bit her lip, looking dreamily at her phone, and then picked it up.

"Hi!"

"Dania, it is me, Fareeha."

"What?" Dania propped into sitting by her arms, - "What are you doing with Sarfaraz's phone?"

"That is secondary." Fareeha spoke agitatedly,- "I need your help."

Dania sat with her back against the bed. Sarfaraz was too friendly with his manager. Fareeha wasn't the type to make friends easily. How did she manage to be friends with an extrovert like superstar Sarfaraz J Khan? Weird!

"You must have received an invitation for the premiere. I need you to design a gown for me. I will pay you."

Dania placed her free hand's elbow on her knee and shook her head, - "No need for payment. We are classmates, this is the least I can do for you. Please give me your measurements."

"Yeah, cool. Tomorrow. My place?"

Premiere Night: Sarfaraz whistled blow drying his hair. He grinned at his reflection, adjusting the mandarin collar of his lavender, black jodhpuri suit. Then, he dabbed an intense aromatic perfume, checked his stubbles, and straightened. Just as he picked up his car key, there was a knock at the door.

Cheerfully, he opened the door, and his big smile dropped in an instant.

"Arey, chote, tell me, how am I looking." Adil tugged on his purple blazer. Sarfaraz shook his head, shutting his mouth.

"Rubbish. Where are you going?"

Adil looked at him as though his younger step-brother had lost his mind, - "To the premiere of my chota brother." He moved his hand to pinch his cheek, but Sarfaraz slapped his hand away.

"Chote?"

"You aren't invited."

"Yes, I am. Ammi said so."

Sarfaraz balled his fingers and gave him a menacing look. "She is not your Ammi."

Adil sighed, - "Look, Chote, she invited me, so—can you argue with her?"
Sarfaraz sighed, rolling his eyes at him, - "What do you want?"

"I want your opinion on my looks."

"Get it from Haya and get your own ride to the theatres." With that, he dashed out, hitting his shoulder with Adil's.

Sarfaraz furiously climbed down the stairs and looked up. He had to look twice, lowering his pace upon noticing a woman sitting on the couch of the living room. From behind, he saw only her long tresses. It was beautiful brown balayage wavy silky hair. 

Sarfaraz wondered who this stranger was. Must be Adil's date. But he was interested in Dania, and this woman couldn't be her. Obviously.

"Excuse me." He called with uncertainty. Must be Hadiya's guest.

The girl rose from her seat and turned around. The car keys slipped from Sarfaraz's hand, and his mouth slightly hung open.

"Fareeha!" He tripped on the last stair and held the carved golden newel of the staircase for balance.

She gulped looking nervously at him, fidgeting with her manicured nude nails. Sarfaraz gaped at her from bottom to top. For the first time, she wore a bold dress. The body-hugging slate blue dress accentuated her curves. Knowing her since birth, Sarfaraz never realized she had such a killer figure.

Her ear was adorned with long rhinestone earrings and her neck bare.

Feeling conscious and slightly embarrassed, Fareeha pulled the plunging neckline closer. Giving up, she placed a palm over her cleavage, darting her eyes on the floor.

"What the hell, are you wearing?" Sarfaraz gaped at her.

"Nothing." She blurted.

"Huh?" Sarfaraz squinted her eyes.

Fareeha bit her tongue and turned to her side. He walked to her and held her arm.

"You are doing this for that loser?"

Fareeha shook her head, - "No, no." But she avoided looking at him. Her hand was still stuck over her chest.

"You are—"

"Fareeha."

She flinched and placed both her hands on her cleavage.

"Chote? Fareeha? All good?"

Sarfaraz nodded and asked him to sit in the car. Adil was taken aback but didn't argue. As he walked towards the main door, he commented over his shoulder, - "Amazing dress, Fareeha."

She smiled a little but remained hidden behind her friend. Once he was gone, Sarfaraz looked at her.

"Are you nuts? Go change your dress."

Fareeha closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, she felt confident. She smiled brightly at him, - "No. this is perfect."

Amazing dress, Fareeha.

Even after Sarfaraz scolded and threatened her, Fareeha was unmoved. She had dressed for Adil, and his approval gave her a wild shot of confidence. Hadiya appeared from her room, dressed and ready with Haya. Both were awed by Fareeha and showered her with compliments. Haya motivated her, giving her more boost. Sarfaraz left his home, frustrated to the core.

Fareeha is going to lengths to impress Adil. Do you guys think she will succeed?  

And, in all this, why is Sarfaraz behaving so weirdly?

Precap:

"Oh!" Adil grabbed her waist and arm to steady her. She placed her hands around his shoulder and smiled dreamily at him.

"You know, you always make my heart go crazy. The truth is—I am crazy about you."

Adil's head flinched a little back and blinked at her. She rocked lightly side to side. Her smile faded.

"But you don't have any feelings for me?" She pouted shaking her head. Adil wanted to answer her, but just then the elevator door opened. He held her hand and pulled her out. In a trance, Fareeha lets him take her. In the lounge area, Adil made her sit on the couch and sat on the other across the coffee table. She held her head, feeling giddy on the spot.

"Are you okay?" He asked with concern and picked up a glass of water. He passed it to her, but she pushed it away.

"I don't how to tell you this. And," She took both his hands in hers, - "I don't know any fancy words to express myself. But one thing, I know. I can't imagine my life without. Frankly, I don't know how to live without you." She gulped, her eyes drooping with heaviness, her heart thumping, vision blur. She tilted her head, clenching his hands in a surprisingly tight grip.

Her lips quivered, - "I love you—" Fareeha slurred, and smiled. Now gaining confidence. Adil patiently listened to her.

"Yes—yes—I love love you." Dizziness began to overpower her system, and her grip on his hands loosened. Fareeha fell backward, but Adil's reflexes held her by her arms.

Her eyes twinkled, her lips curved in a dreamy smile.

"I—love—you, " Her eyes closed and her body relaxed in his grip. Slowly, Adil rested her against the maroon couch. Fareeha's lips moved, but she wasn't saying anything. Still, stunned, Adil didn't believe his ears. Perhaps, she did, but she was very good at masking her feelings for him. Many times, he did see a glimmer in her eyes, and—

Fareeha continued to mumble, taking short pauses, - "I love you—very much—"

Adil rose from his seat.

"Hadi!"

Hefroze on the spot.

Becahra Adil was thinking, she was confessing to him.

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and Stay Tuned for the next update :*