Fareeha adjusted her delicate bracelet, tugging on the lace embroiderer of her black saree. The lacy, black, sleeveless short blouse wasn't uncomfortable and made her confident. She approached the stairs and her smile faded.

Sarfaraz picked Daniain his arms and cautiously climbed up. Fareeha worried seeing Dania unconscious.

"Hadi, what happened?"

"She twisted her ankle."

"Uff!" Fareeha winced.

"Take her to our room. I will bring Adil, " She suggested. Sarfaraz nodded uncertainly.

He carried Dania to his room and gently placed her on the bed. Looking around, he found a water jug. Sarfaraz stretched her legs, adjusting her head on the pillow. His gaze fell on her unconscious face, and he paused. Her full lips slightly parted, and her eyebrows relaxed. Watching her face, Sarfaraz wondered. He had claimed to love this woman. Yet, he survived years without her.

Living his normal life, dating other women, even getting to a point of marriage.

But when it came to Fareeha. A few days without her, he couldn't breathe. The thought of losing her to someone else terrified him. Sarfaraz exhaled softly, looking away. 

After sprinkling some water on her, Dania shivered and fluttered her eyelids.

"Ah!" she groaned.

"Here, have some water." He poured water into a glass.

"Sar--Sarfaraz--" She held his arm and tugged on the sleeve of his coat. He helped her sit against the bedpost. He forwarded her the glass. She gulped water hurriedly.

"Dania!" Adil darted to her and sat next to her. Dania looked at Sarfaraz. He glanced away.

"You slipped on the stairs?" He asked, with concern, - "Why did you wear a saree?" Adil commented. Dania stiffened, avoiding eye-contact with Sarfaraz.

"Is it a fracture?" Fareeha craned her neck and anxiously eyed her swollen, red ankle.

Adil shook his head, - "We will have to do x-ray for that. Maybe hairline fracture. Wait, I will wrap the ankle to control the swelling for now. And have some painkiller." He suggested. Dania nodded.

Adil patted her shoulder and left the room. Just as he walked out, Dania held Sarfaraz's arm and winced.

"Sarfaraz, it is hurting a lot." She hissed, keeping a pained expression. Fareeha's breath got caught in her throat.

"What can I do? I am not a doctor. Wait for Adil." He glanced at Fareeha, - "Do you have a painkiller?"

Dazed, she looked back at him and nodded. Fareeha took small steps towards the drawer next to the door. But kept looking back. Dania pulled Sarfaraz to sit next to her feet.

"Sarfaraz! Thank you. You saved me again."

"Hmm!"

"Remember the time you saved me in the alley?"

Sarfaraz gulped, listening to Fareeha angrily rummaging through the drawer.

Dania sighed, lowering her moist eyes, - "The gun, the darkness--it reminded me of my actions that landed me in juvi." Slowly, she looked up, and a tear dropped. Sarfaraz retracted in his seat, not looking away.

"I saved a girl who was in danger. I didn't know it was you. If it was someone else, I would have done the same." He replied politely.

She nodded, wiping her tear. Moving her feet, Dania winced.

"Here." Fareeha shoved medicine at her face.

"What are you doing, Fareeha? Give her biscuits or something first." Sarfaraz suggested.

Zehar hai, dedu? To you. She thought menacingly.

Adil walked in. Fareeha was relieved, Dania disappointed.

"Sorry, guys." He apologized, taking out the bandage.

"Yeah," Dania said apologetically to Sarfaraz, "I've ruined our dinner."

Fareeha glared at him, as though daring him to say something. Sarfaraz gulped and Adil's entrance saved him. 

"Itis not a full disaster. You guys go." He smiled, blinking at them.

Hadiya hummed, applying night cream on her face when Haya hurried to her room. Startled, she looked at her breathless daughter.

"What happ--"

"Dania fell from the stairs--"

"And died?" Hadiya's eyes twinkled.

Haya made a poker face, - "No."

She sighed.

"I, Hadi bhaiya and Fareeha are only going now."

Hadiya paused, - "No need to go. You stay with me."

"What?"Haya whined, but her mother was adamant.

At the restaurant, Fareeha was quiet, either keeping her head down or fidgeting with the cutleries. Sarfaraz attempted to break the ice, but she wasn't interested. He placed his hand over hers, but she pulled back.

"Dude. Why are you angry with me?"

"I am not." She snapped.

Sarfaraz sighed. He dug his hand into the inner pocket of his coat and took out a small box. Fareeha eyed it as he slid it towards her.

"What is this?" She frowned at the box, placing her glass of lime juice next to her plate.

He smirked, tapping at it with his long finger, - "Open it."

Hesitating, she pulled the box and snapped it open. Fareeha gasped looking at a men's ring, she had gotten for Adil but made Sarfaraz wear it.

"I kept it safe." He confessed.

Fareeha's round lips curved into a small smile. Sarfaraz shifted forwarding his hand. She plucked out the ring, now grinning, and slipped the ring onto his middle-finger. Like last time.

Sarfaraz flexed his fingers, admiring the ring, - "The mock date was the best thing to ever happen to us."

Fareeha flipped her hair from her shoulder and raised her chin, - "Who's idea, was it?"

"Yours truly." He gestured towards her. She beamed.

Before they could enjoy their dinner, a minor distraction by Sarfaraz's fans interrupted them. A little chit-chatting, some photo clicks with the couple and autographs later, his bodyguards gently ushered them away. Sarfaraz sighed. Fareeha didn't mind, but she was glad they left. 

After dinner, the friends turned lovers went for a long drive. Returning home, Fareeha felt the familiar anxiety coming back. Fortunately, everyone was asleep upon their return. Sarfaraz gently held her hand, and she smiled, keeping eye contact, following him up the stairs to their room.

Locking the door, Sarfaraz removed his coat and walked to Fareeha. He wrapped his arms around her from behind. Startled at first, she relaxed into his arms.

Fareeha shivered with his warm breath fanning her face, Sarfaraz gently moved aside her hair from her shoulder.

"I am glad we got this date alone." He whispered, kissing her cheek.

"So, mean." Fareeha giggled, placing her hands firmly over his.

"Hmm!"

She tilted her head. Looking lovingly at each other for a moment before leaning in for a soft lingering smooch. Cautiously, Sarfaraz unpinned her pallu. Fareeha turned, breaking the kiss, and placed her hands on his chest. His palms caressed the curves of her waist, moving to her back.

As they kissed, Fareeha began to unbutton his shirt while Sarfaraz fiddled with the hook of her lacy blouse.

Carefully, he scooped her in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down and leaned to remove his shirt. Fareeha excitedly peeled her blouse off her and threw it along with his shirt. They chuckled as he fell on her. She held his face, kissing him passionately.

Later, Fareeha found herself awake and staring at the ceiling fan. She fiddled with her wedding ring and took a short, deep breath. Dania's words rang in her mind again. She turned her head to glance at Sarfaraz's sleeping figure laying on his stomach with one arm over her naked frame. Fareeha looked away, closed her eyes. Everything was going good, perfect even. She needn't overthink. 

Hopefully, today or tomorrow, I will complete this book with multiple updates. Yaaay!!

Please drop your thoughts about the chapter in the comments, lots and lots.