𝐹𝓊𝓃 𝐹𝒶𝒸𝓉:

Hadi and Fareeha share the same birthdate, month, and year. They are born on the same day. But one of them is older than the other by a few hours. Any guesses who? 

How rare for two best friends to go into labor together. One birth a boy and another birth a girl. It looks like Almas and Hadiya's manifestation worked *hehehehehe*

The Chapter is very, very, very long, so I'm hopeful of lots, lots, and lots of comments.  So, please help me, my lovelies.

Sarfaraz exited the washroom in his vanity, tugging up the pre-made red dhoti. It was kinda off his waist size. He needed to speak to the costume department. Hearing a shuffle, he assumed Fareeha was here.

"Please get me some pins from the drawer." He called, rubbing his wet hair with a towel and then tossed it to the side.

There was more shuffling sound, and then a surprised feminine voice spoke.

"Vanilla—"
Sarfaraz's head shot up.

"Strawbe—"
Aghast, he stared at the reflection in the brightly lit make-up mirror.

"Dania!" He twirled around, his eyebrows raised and gaped.

"This is what you all do here?" She threw the packets on the sofa, and crossed her arms, - "Don't tell me, they belong to your friends." Dania's glare challenged him.

Sarfaraz gulped.

"Not—exactly." He stammered, - "It's from a long time ago, check the dates." He confessed nervously.

"Your manager, Fareeha, knows about this?" Dania squared her shoulders, still scowling at him.

He gulped once again and nodded.

"And, she didn't tell me."

"Arey, no, no," Sarfaraz hurried to her and attempted to hold her hand but she twisted her body away from him, - "I promise you, Dania, it is from before. Before, I met you in London." He pleaded.

"Why didn't you throw them?" Her demeanor mellowed.

"I will burn them now. Please don't be angry with me." He looked into her eyes with guilt and sadness. Dania looked away. She was finding it harder to trust him. And knowing he was an actor made things worse for her.

"Dania!" He called her softly.

She sighed, turning to face him, and dropped her hands. "I had come here for your measurements." She spoke rather professionally, which made him restless.

Sarfaraz sighed sadly, - "Dania, please—"

"What?" she snapped at him.

He made his best puppy-dog eyes and a sad pout. Within a minute, this melted Dania. She smiled, rolling her eyes.

"Whatever." She gestured him to her.

"You are happy?" He opened his arms, but she pushed them away.

"Back to business, Mr. Khan. I am running late." Dania faked her tone this time. Sarfaraz smiled uncertainly.

"Good, I am shirtless then. It will help you get better measures." He extended his arms, flexing his muscles and grinning at her.

Dania didn't want to accept that he was enticing her, and pretended not to be bothered. But her cheeks turning pink gave her away.

Not looking at him, she whisked out her measuring tape and her tablet.

"Stand here."
Sarfaraz stood only inches from her and smirked, - "Here?"

With the proximity for a moment, Dania fumbled with the tape.

"Be careful."

She nodded, blinking away. Inhaling his spicy cinnamon scent, she shivered from their closeness. Often she wondered if this was his natural scent. Sarfaraz, sensing the effect of his proximity, smiled to himself. Her annoyance with him won't last much longer. Dania avoided gazing into his eyes. To tease her, he would flex his muscles. Until she slapped his chest."Shut up, Sarfaraz."

He chuckled with a naughty grin, - "Did I say something?"

Dania rolled her eyes.

"Are you still—"

"Almost done." She interrupted him, wrapping the measuring tape around his waist. Her fingers brushing against his skin made him flinch. Dania paused and straightened; their eyes met. He kept a small pout and sad eyes. Eventually, she broke into a smile, and he let out a sigh of relief. Dania giggled, stepping a little back.

"Thank you, Dania." He paused and admired her. She lowered her eyes, keeping a smile on her face, and fidgeted with the measuring tape around him. Sarfaraz's heart skipped a beat as he reached out to hold her hands. Dania grinned playfully and pulled her hands.

"Done." She turned and wrote the measurements. Dania upped her gaze and glanced at him through the mirror. Sarfaraz looked at her reflection and her smile. Unsure of what signal she meant, he kept standing there.

Dania sighed, then gestured to her waist with her eyes. She then looked at the mirror again, her smile widening. Sarfaraz relaxed his shoulders and stepped closer, then opened his arms. Before he could hold her, the vanity van door flung open. Both jumped apart.

Fareeha gasped and covered her eyes with her palm.

"I am sorry. I didn't see anything."

"It is ok—" Sarfaraz licked his lips, wiping his sweaty palms behind his dhoti.

"Oh my God, Fareeha, you have no manners?" Dania arched her eyebrow, crossing her arms.

"I apologized, na. I didn't know--" Fareeha's eyes darted to Sarfaraz standing behind her. He gulped.

There was a knock at the open door.

"Fareeha? Can I come in too?"

Sarfaraz frowned, hearing Adil's voice. Before she climbed down the stairs, he spoke loud enough for him to hear, - "Come on, Dania. It is my fault. I didn't lock the door."

Fareeha stopped, clenching the steel door handle.

"Okay. But shouldn't she have knocked?" Dania countered.

Fareeha took a step down.

Sarfaraz gulped, eyeing her, and then Dania, - "Nah! She had always been so—so—casual with me. Chill!"

"Chill?" Dania raised her eyebrow, - "What if you were naked in the van, getting dressed or something?" Her voice was stern.

Sarfaraz chuckled nervously, - "Cool, Dania, I don't shy in front of her. We are cool. She has already seen me naked." He raised and dropped his shoulders.

Dania's eyes widened, and Fareeha's jaw dropped. She pivoted her head, that her neck almost snapped.

"Sarfaraz!" both the ladies exclaimed together. He face-palmed.

"No, no, Dania, you are getting me wrong."

"Shut up—" She raised her palm, stopping him, - "Before I slap you. Get lost." Dania stomped her feet, twirled around, and pushed Fareeha against the door hard as she got down. Adil called her, but she marched off. He glanced at Fareeha, who hastily got into the van, and then he rushed behind Dania.

"Hadi! Are you mad?" she huffed, placing her hands on her hips, - "When did I see you—chi!"

Sarfaraz irritatingly nodded, turning away from her. For now, he needed to clear his head and run behind Dania. Grovel at her feet and apologise for the blunder.

"Arey, it was a slip of the tongue. Idiot." He turned to face her, - "And you did, okay? When our stupid mothers used to bathe us together in the dumb bathtub."

"As kids." Fareeha corrected him sternly, - "Zero till five. I was clothed, but you—" She burst out laughing.

"Shut up. I mean, who does that—?"

"So much fun days. I used to tease that your nu-nu was weird and tiny." This time her laughter was louder, and it burned him with anger.

"Shut up, okay. Your idiot Adil's nu-nu is tiny." Sarfaraz held her arm and tugged her towards the door, - "Get lost."

Fareeha continued to laugh. He stopped shoving her out of the door and pulled her inside.

She abruptly stopped laughing, - "Listen. Please" He joined his palms, - "Talk to Dania and clear this—fall at her feet if you must—but—"

"I won't. I will just talk to her—and—"
"And?" Sarfaraz urged her, but continued before her, - "What are your conditions?"

Fareeha smirked, straightening and folding her arms across her chest, - "First apologize for your demeaning comment on Adil."

Sarfaraz sighed, rolling his eyes, - "Fine! Adil the Great has the greatest nu-nu in the world. Happy?"

She grinned, nodding, - "Second—"
"Wait, wait." He raised his hands, - "How many conditions?"

She winked, - "Only two. The second—you will help me woo Adil, so he falls madly in love with me."

"I don't make love potions."
"Hadi!"

"Okay, okay. I don't know what you see in that chu—Simp." He corrected himself after the deadly glare from her.

"See yourself, simping over Dania."

"Now, please go." He gave a push.

"I am going—ass monkey." She twisted her lips and climbed down.

Adil caught up with Dania. He was the last person; she needed to talk to. In fact, she needed to be alone. Whatever happened in the vanity van was obviously Sarfaraz getting nervous. But the main question was why? What was Fareeha to him? She was just a stupid manager. Or were they having an affair? Nah! Who will have an affair with Fareeha?

"Dania, what happened?"

"Please, Adil, I am irritated right now."

He chuckled, - "With his embarrassing statement? Trust me, he is more troubled than you."

Dania scowled at him, - "Adil, I am serious."

He sighed, crossing his arms, - "Dania, you know you are dating an actor, right? You can't afford to be insecure. Nor can he keep explaining himself to you." He paused to give her time to get his point.

"Not everyone can be a star wife, Dania. Are you sure you are cut out to be one? You need a very strong heart and mind. Tackling the rumors, parties, and women trying to close to your husband—the scripts demand and whatnot." He spoke clearly and calmly.

Dania frowned, softly shaking her head. Adil observed her expressions. There was silence between them.

"I am a psychologist, and dealt with a few star wives from Hollywood and some—confused, not so mentally strong wives." He leaned a little towards her, - "I am not discouraging you, just warning you."

Dania licked her lips, and shrugged, - "Well—Sarfaraz said he will add a no kiss, and intimacy clause."

"And be a romance hero? What about his career? Still, can you keep away from the actresses? Female interactions? Outdoor shoots? Rumors, gossip magazines, paps. Will you be able to live in the constant public eye?"

She blinked at him. There were many stories she had heard about divorces, how actors leave one woman and marry another. How friends backstab and home wreck their own.

Before she could counter him, Fareeha called her name from afar. She jogged to them, wheezing.

"Fareeha, you need water?" Adil looked around for the packaged water.

"I—am—cool." She panted, then turned her attention to Dania, - "Can I have a word—"

"No, tell Sarfaraz I will meet him tomorrow. I am busy today." With that, Dania passed a glance at Adil. "On the second thought, can we talk over lunch?"

Fareeha exhaled through her mouth, placing a hand on her stomach and a fist on her hip.

"Okay." Then she excused herself. Adil smiled.

"I will be just here—enjoying the show." His grin highlighted the deep dimple on his cheek. Fareeha internally swooned at him as he turned and walked away.

"You have been with him since he started off."

"Almost, yeah!" Fareeha wrapped long strands of noodles on her fork and brought it to her mouth.

"And, it's been?"

"More than a decade. You, me, and he, we all are the same age."

"And, you must be closer to him and his family, right?"

Fareeha nodded, munching on the delicious chowmein, - "He has one mom and half-sister." She looked up, observing Dania. She hadn't touched a morsel of the food on her plate. She relaxed her shoulders, dropped her fork, and dragged her hand to place it over her clenched fist.

"Look, Dania, Sarfaraz really loves you, and—he is very serious about you."

"Hmm—" Dania pulled back her hand, - "Like he was for many girls before me."

Fareeha tilted her head to the right, and smiled, - "No, Dania. You have no idea how crazy he is for you. You are so lucky." She exhaled deeply, smiling again, - "Very rare it is to find a man who loves you like he does." Fareeha sighed, sadly. She wished someone could love her like crazy too, like Hadi is for Dania. She passed a quick envious glance at her.

"Are you—" Dania stopped, recollecting Adil's words.

Fareeha placed her elbows on the table, entwining her fingers, - "Can you help me, Dania, please?"

"Why?" Dania leaned back. Fareeha licked her lips, pushing her hair behind her ears. She hesitated, as taking help from Dania was her last and desperate resort. Fighting her ego, Fareeha cleared her throat and decided to take the plunge.

Later on the set, Sarfaraz cornered Fareeha dragging her to an abandoned makeup room.

"Hadi?"

"Is she convinced?" He blurted.

Fareeha freed her arm from his grip and made a sad face, - "I tried, yaar—"

"What?" Sarfaraz gasped, falling against the wall. From his expression, she realized he might get a heart attack.

"Dude!" She looked down at her friend collapsed on the floor holding his forehead.

"I was joking."

Sarfaraz's head shot up, he stared at her with a murderous gaze.

"What the hell?" He hurriedly got up, holding his dhoti. Fareeha defensively took steps back.

"Idiot." Sarfaraz held her arms, and pulled her closer, raising her little off the ground so she could be face level with him.

Fareeha gulped.

"Donkey, I was taking a stand for you. Else, you will go on and on for days, years, and millineas, taunting me." He shook her.

"Hadi," She placed her hands on his broad shoulders, looking timidly into his eyes, - "I was just pulling your leg. I am sorry, dude."

Sarfaraz brought her closer. Fareeha leaned her head back as their nose accidentally brushed.

"Don't joke about Dania." He asserted. She swallowed lightly and nodded.

He placed her down and was about to storm off when she grabbed his arm. Sarfaraz breathed deeply but didn't turn to her.

"Dude, thank you for taking a stand for me. In front of Dania, it must be really difficult for you. I appreciate that. And I am sorry for playing around—I should have known better." Her voice choked towards the end. Sarfaraz turned, frowning, and noticed her eyes were moist. He sighed and faced her. Fareeha lowered her head and sniffed. He smiled, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"What are friends for?" He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to him. But Fareeha pushed him.

"Chi! I don't want to smell your underarms."

"What the hell?" He frowned. Then, gesturing at himself from top to bottom, he said defensively,- "I keep myself well-groomed and smelling fresh. My sweat also smells like—like—daisy."

Fareeha rolled her eyes, folding her arms and looking away.

"Anyway,"- She turned to face him and made a pouty face, - "I did setting for you, na. Despite not approving your choice. Now, you help me." She placed her hands on his left arm and blinked rapidly.

Sarfaraz scoffed, shrugging her hand off him, - "Okay. How can—"

"Great!" Fareeha exclaimed and clapped her hands. A gleam in her doe-shaped brown eyes.

"First. Help me with the etiquette of dating."

Sarfaraz smirked, - "Why? Didn't your ridiculous romance books teach you anything?" He taunted, shaking his head.

Fareeha frowned and slapped his bicep.

"Ouch!"

"Theory and practical are two different things. I am an open book to you, Hadi. And I have no shame in admitting it. Yaar!" Fareeha sighed, clasping her fingers together, and licked her lips. Thinking for a moment, she added, - "Let me take you for a mock date." Her eyes gleamed once again, and her face brightened.

"What?" Sarfaraz dropped his folded arms and chuckled, - "Seriously. You?"

Fareeha pursed her lips tightly, tilting her hand, - "I—am—serious." She nodded, giving him a fierce look.

He looked at her, then burst out laughing. Fareeha frowned harder.

"I am sorry," He spoke between his spurt of laughter, - "You are so cute, it is difficult to take you seriously." He pinched her cheek, - "My shawty!"

"Sarfaraz, I will smack you with my chappal. Listen, ass! Dania hasn't gone too far, I can catch up with her and tell your truth."

He quietened instantly, his expressions hardening, - "You are blackmailing me?"

Now, she smirked, - "Obviously."

Sarfaraz sighed, ruffling the back of his head, - "Okay, I had promised. So, I will. But I hate that dumbo."

"I don't like you and Dania, still I am supporting you or not."

"Cool! But one thing, I am telling you. Only this mock date. Later don't go like,"- He modulated his voice to sound like hers mockingly, - "Hadi, I have no idea how marriages happen, so let's have a mock marriage. Hadi! I have no clue what happens after the wedding, so let's have a mock Sughraat. I am not doing any such things."

"Chi!" She passed him a look of disgust, - "Your dung-filled, tharki mind can think like an ass monkey."

Sarfaraz laughed at her misery. Then, he grabbed her shoulder pulling her against him, and they walked together towards the door of the make-up room.

"Acha! Shawty, please wear some heels. I don't want to look at your head lice."

"Haww!" Fareeha pushed him hard, and he stumbled sideways. But he doesn't stop his teasing laughter.

"Dude, please shave and come—I don't want to see your hairy nipples." Fareeha smiled smugly.

"First, like I said, I am always well-groomed. See." He puffed his smoothly done broad chest, then leaned to come face level to her, - "I won't be coming shirtless to our "mock" date, nor we will end up there. So relax." He flickered her nose with his finger, while she gaped at him.

Sarfaraz straightenedand with a look of triumph, he casually walked out.