There are some issues, once they are sorted, the updates will be regular. Please, my lovelies, be patient till then. And, motivate me with tons of your comments about the chapter. 

Sarfaraz sat in his vanity, facing the well-lit mirror while his make-up artist worked on his face. Agitatedly, he kept checking his phone, which bothered the artist as well. It has been one week since he and Fareeha were not on talking terms. After returning from London, she barely spoke with him. Mostly professional talks. And, honestly, this attitude of hers, was eating his brains.

Dania video-called him usually at night time, showing her work in progress. Momentarily, she brightened his mood but the thought of Fareeha still disturbed him.

In the past few days, Fareeha had taken off from work, and that escalated his bad mood. Sarfaraz reached her home, but her enraged father kicked him out. Today he had decided to take the police to their home.

"Sarfaraz, stop fidgeting."

He straightened, - "I am still, Kiran." He wanted to dismiss her, but they were on a tight schedule.

The door to his vanity opened and a worried-looking Fareeha got in. Sarfaraz excused his stylists from the van and leaned against the chair.

"Finally, someone got time from their busy presidency." He taunted her.

She rolled her eyes, and slumped on the sofa beside the dressing table, - "I came here to save your ass. Once again." She retorted, looking him dead in the eye. It was then, that Sarfaraz noticed fading bruise marks. In a hurry, she had forgotten to conceal them.

"Fareeha." He reached out and held her shoulder. There was a pause, in which Fareeha glanced at the reflection and touched her face.

"Why don't you kick that bast—"

"Hadi!" She interrupted, - "He is my father."

Sarfaraz fumed moving his hands off her shoulder. Fareeha held her forehead and sighed loudly.

"I am here for much serious issue." She looked up at him, her fingers joined together and resting on her thighs.

Sarfaraz sat next to her, and placed a hand on her shoulder, - "Whatever it is, Fareeha, nothing more important than you."

Fareeha raised her eyebrow, slanting her lips to the right, - "Don't butter me." She yanked his arm off her.

"Anyway, I am not interested in talking to you."
Sarfaraz shifted, opening his mouth to counter her but Fareeha spoke over him, - "I contacted Deepak from our school. Remember him, he was Mr. Know it all. And he obviously, had no friends other than being on talking terms with us. He told me. Did you know? After we left—Dania was in juvie."

"What?" Sarfaraz was flabbergasted.

Fareeha nodded grimly. He looked away in shock.

"She had shot her stepbrother, not fatally though but her stepdad forced her mother to send her to juvie. To punish her."

Sarfaraz placed his hand over his open mouth. He recollected her reaction that night at her home when the lights went off. But in the alley, she was dead scared holding the gun.

Fareeha placed her hand on his thigh, - "Dude, are you sure about her? She seems messed up."

Sarfaraz doesn't say anything nor does he look at her. Fareeha observed him closely, - "I don't want you to get hurt and—if you are still planning to break her heart, then don't. She is already broken."

"Fareeha, I have dropped that plan." He noticed his friend giving him a side-eye. He shifted, turning towards her, and spoke in a serious tone, - "You don't trust me?" Sarfaraz pointed at his chest.

Fareeha sighed, shaking her head, and held her forehead. He shifted closer and threw an arm around her, pulling her.

"Are you okay?" He rubbed her upper arm.

"No." She breathed, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I am sorry."

Fareeha hummed.

Sarfaraz shrugged his shoulder, and she lifted her head. He smiled, and with the other hand pinched her cheek, - "Don't worry, we will get you your Chomu soon. Like the ones in your stupid romance books."

Fareeha slapped his hand away, trying to mask her smile.

"If no one marries you, I will marry you." Sarfaraz teased her, placing his hand on his chest.

"Chal, chal! I would die as an old woman with twenty-seven cats rather than marry you." Fareeha commented in a non-serious tone.

Sarfaraz chuckled. Feeling of ease and refreshment was mutual to both.

Dania lost count of the days, months, and years, she was out of India. It was like a bad memory long forgotten.

Walking out of Delhi's International Airport, Dania shuddered not only from the temperature change or the drastic weather change but also the dread of the evitable meeting.

A jolly-looking elderly man limped towards her. Dressed in the driver's uniform, he flaunted his toothy smile at her.

"Dania, bitiya." He attempted to take the luggage trolley from her, but Dania pulled back.

"Sakhir Chacha. I will manage."

The old man continued to beam, - "Bitiya, I agree I have grown old. But these old bones still have a lot of strength. Like those days when I used to carry you as a child on my shoulders or become tik-tik ghoda for you."

Dania internally rolled her eyes but outwardly kept a straight face, - "Bas, Chacha. I said I would manage. Just show me the car." She replied in a dry tone.

The man's smile faded. Realizing her mood, he lowered his head and nodded. Dania silently dragged the trolley behind him.

Through the car journey, the cheerful man tried to crack a conversation with her. Even attempted to make her feel nostalgic. But she was least interested. Folding her arms, she stared out of the window. With each passing second, her dismay increased tenfold. The roads weren't familiar at all, neither was the posh neighborhood. The only thing, that Dania remembered was the tea stall, which still was at the same spot and functioning.

Entering through the huge gates, those she recollected had been renovated. Dania clenched her leather tote black bag and waited for Sakhir to open the door for her. Stepping down the car, a shiver ran down her spine. The helplessness on the face of her mother flashed before her eyes. Balling her fingers tightly, she walked behind the elderly man. Another butler arrived and helped the struggling man with the luggage. Dania walked past them and into the mansion.

The decor of the place had been changed entirely. The grand life-size double-door entrance opened into the capacious living room. Luxurious three piece brown tufted sofa set, with matching armchair and ottoman placed under extra-large three layered flush mounted chandelier. The lavish sofa set rests over a posh Persian woolen burgundy rug.

"So, you ate up your ego and came here. At last." An orotund cynical voice welcomed her. Dania gripped the handle of her bag, gulped a little, and raised her head. Her eyes met the icy cold stare of a man with a ruthless expression on his oval face. Standing at the top of the large staircase cascading into the room, his menacing eyes fixated on her, and his thick eyebrows tightly knitted.

Salman Zaidi, an authoritative figure who ruled the mansion that once belonged to Rayyan Siddique, Dania's father. Staring at him, made her blood boil. How dare he roam around with pride after ousting her father causing him to un-alive himself, that too in his own home?

Keeping fiery eye contact, Salman descended the stairs. Over a month, Dania had been rehearsing this confrontation. She thought she was prepared for it, but now she subtly trembled. Knowing, she was fighting alone. Not even her mother by her side.

Salman stood tall in front of her, placing his hands behind his back. He was a towering man; bald but had thick facial hair.

Dania gulped, straightening. Her fingers flexed around the strap of her bag. She glared back at him.

'If Faryal wasn't requesting so badly, we wouldn't have bothered calling you." He sighed, shaking his head.

Dania looked away and turned to walk to her room.

"Be ready, we have a flight to Mumbai tonight." He asserted. His tone had the ring of finality in it. Not that Dania would have bothered arguing. She stomped upstairs and turned left towards the hallway leading to her room. Her ailing mother's room was in the opposite direction..

After freshening up, Dania wore checked Kurtha and pajamas, since she was designing ethnic wear she had changed most of her wardrobe. Climbing up the stairs, she walked into the terrace. Her comfort space. Leaning against the terrace parapet, she looked around. So much had changed. Before there was clear space she would stare into nothing and keep her head blank. But today, emerging skyscrapers and the hustle of the street created more chaos in her head. Her mother hadn't called for her, did she know her daughter was here? Not that she cared, but the back of her heart said otherwise.

Dania moved her head, and her eyes rested on a red brick-walled house.

"Hadi! Yes, that was his name."

Her full lips turned into a slight smile as she faintly recollected the scene. That skinny boy who had the audacity to propose to her. She wondered what went in his head at that time. She met Fareeha, recently, and Dania found it interesting if she met this guy as well. It was a surprise, that he wasn't hanging around Fareeha. Usually, those two weirdos always stuck together. Her friends had mentioned they were the only two for each other. If one needs to find Fareeha, she will one hundred percent be with that Chomu guy and vice versa.

Dania made a face, after Tabish she had stopped trusting chomu men.

Just then, the buzz of her phone interrupted her thoughts, and she glanced at the phone. Her small smile widened upon reading the message.

Sarfaraz: I am hoping you had a good flight. Jetlag must be a problem, no worries, I am in no hurry for the reply. Mixed feelings about meeting you in Mumbai. Can't say I am excited. Though I'm, considering the situation...

Dania: I want to get over with this. The way they are describing it, I doubt this woman will survive.

Sarfaraz: I hope she does... because I want to see you mend with her and live peacefully.

Dania: Really? I will be peaceful without her. Anyway, I don't want to talk about this.

Five minutes later;

Sarfaraz: Okay. Do you think about our kiss? We didn't get to share another one.

Dania giggled, and looked up, her eyes falling on the brick house in passing.

Yes, I do. And about your proposal. Do you?

Sarfaraz: All the time. What have you thought of it?

Dania: Same here...

.

.

.still thinking.

Sarfaraz: Uff.

Dania chuckled. Then, she paused. Can she dare to trust him? Why will India's biggest superstar fall for a woman like her? That too at first sight in the alley? He had women, and girls going mad over him all over the globe, yet he was crazy for a simple nobody like her? There was something fishy. And this worried her.

Hadiya sulkily climbed down the stairs, one more attempt to coax her son for Fareeha had failed. Fixing her hair bun, she glided down the stairs, whilst still in her thoughts. In her mindlessness, her feet missed a step. Before she slipped, a woman's hands grabbed her.

The whiff of her strong serene floral fragrance made her realize who the person was. A bright smile filled her lips, - "Fareeha!"

"Aunty, are you alright?"

"Yes." She nodded vigorously. Fareeha helped her stand, Hadiya held the railing and took a deep breath.

"Where are your thoughts, Aunty? Please be careful."

She nodded once again, placing a warm hand on Fareeha's cheek. She smiled back.

"Come have breakfast with us." Hadiya held her hand and pulled her slightly. Fareeha refused, tugging her hand back.

"No, Aunty, I need to show this script to Hadi, and Gaurav sir wanted to talk to him, so—"

"Bas!" Hadiya interrupted sternly, - "I am not going to see you waste your life like this." She lightly hit her forehead, - "Pagli. Enough of work, first pet-pooja." She once again tugged on her hand. Fareeha kept making excuses, but Hadiya was adamant.

As they began to get down, melodious musical notes from guitar emanated from above. Fareeha stopped, and an automatic smile formed on her round lips, - "Adil?"

Hadiya smirked, - "Yes."

Fareeha fixed her expression, but she couldn't hide her smile. Hadiya observed her. Keeping her feelings aside, she placed her hand on her shoulder and forced a smile, - "Go meet him. He was asking for you."

"Really?" Fareeha gasped out of impulse, then she shook her head, touching her warm cheeks, and stammered, - "No, no, no—Aunty, I am fine. First, I need—"

Hadiya placed her hand over her fidgety fingers and trembling hands. Fareeha stilled.

"You guys have become good friends over a short time. He has no friend like you. You should meet him." She urged her.

Fareeha smiled shyly and passed her short nods. Then, she twirled around and hurried up the stairs.

Hadiya smiled melancholy.

"To the world, you are my stepmother, Ammi. But to me, you are my Ammi. I have not seen my biological mom, but I bet she wouldn't have been adorable and perfect like you."

The best gifts she got fromher second husband were his son, Adil; and their daughter Haya. Everyone bondedwith each other, except for Hadi. Obviously, to Hadiya, her biological son,Hadi was precious. And, she desired he got the best. Fareeha was best for him.But—if not him, then she would want Fareeha to settle with Adil. At least, shewould come to her home; as her bahu.

Expecting Dr. Hottie Adil to make an appearance in the update 

Chalo, Jaldi Jaldi comments lots and lots to get a quick update of him in the next chapter. Otherwise, there will be a loooooooooong wait...

Everyone needs a friend like Fareeha *hearts* Even while being on non-talking terms with Sarfaraz, she was making sure he doesn't land up in a soup by choosing Dania. She is doing a background search of her *_* Kahan milege aise dedicated friend? 

Fareeha is trying to warn her friend, meanwhile Sarfaraz regarding Dania,

Sarfaraz, are you sure you will survive without Fareeha? 

Both mother and son, Hadiya and Hadi, believe they have some strange authority over Fareeha *roll eyes* The Moral of the story: never let anyone take you for granted.

My lovelies, how do you guys hope to see Sarfaraz redeem himself... *Please be evil, you guys*

Drop your thoughts in the comments, my lovelies. And, Stay tuned for the next update.