All the glitz and bling pricked Dania's eyes. The whole of Bollywood seemed to be present. Dania noticed the movie's heroine- Eshana, draped in a blue net saree with a sleeveless blouse and golden thread border. Her hair tied in a sleek bun and she wore a heavy choker set. Dania admired her, then glanced at her black V-neck gown. The ruffle sleeves were her addition to the sequin dress. Her hair was let down and a simple neckpiece adorned her neck. But her pride was the heart-shaped ring resting on her ring finger.

Dania unclipped her black clutch purse and took her phone. She dialed Sarfaraz, but he didn't answer. Placing her phone back, she looked around, clenching her VIP card in her fist.

Sarfaraz drove the car, but constantly kept glaring through the rear-view mirror at Fareeha and Adil. They were chatting like they were long best friends. And the way, Fareeha blushed as though she was a new bride. Sarfaraz's blood boiled watching how casual Adil was. Was he planning to snatch his best friend, like he took away his mom? He was a sweet-talker, good-looking, and a doctor- a deadly combo. Taking his frustration on the steering wheel, he accelerated the car. Hadiya requested in a fearful tone to slow down. On the turn, when Sarfaraz maneuvered the car. Fareeha fell against Adil. He wrapped his arms around her shoulder, holding her hand tightly. She leaned against him, giving him a dreamy look.

Sarfaraz tightened the steering wheel in a death grip. His eyes blazing fire at the reflection of the two.

"Are you okay? Chote, what are you doing, bro?"

Fareeha's gaze met Sarfaraz's through the mirror. She winked at him, grinning. He inhaled furiously, but controlled his anger as he didn't want any "accidents."

With so many men in the world, why does she have to choose the only man he despises? Shouldn't she be respecting her friend?

Hadiya and Haya inquired about Fareeha. She nodded, sliding her hand over her dress to make it proper. Sarfaraz noticed how cleverly she hid her neckline with her hair and shifted in place. The only question, he had was- why?

They reached their destination, Sarfaraz closed his eyes and mentally prepared himself. Stepping out, he flashed his best smile but his mind and heart weren't in it. For the first time, he found it hard to pretend. Fixing his suit, he controlled the urge to glance back at Fareeha. Why doesn't she understand, how restless she made him?

The camera flashes, and the media hadn't ever disturbed him before. In fact, for a once introverted Hadi, this was the comfort space for extroverted Sarfaraz. He always lived dual personalities, but right now he wished he was Hadi, only Hadi.

As Sarfaraz attempted to kick insecurities from his mind, his eyes landed on his girlfriend. The pretty woman in black. She waved at him. He waved back. The distraction was welcoming.

"Fareeha! Who is that girl? Someone new in the industry?" Hadiya whispered.

"No, Aunty." Fareeha hesitated, - "She is Dania. Hadi's girlfriend."

"What?" Hadiya gasped. Momentarily, she stopped but Haya held her hand and pulled her mother along.

"Hadi has proposed to her, and she has accepted. They are planning—"

"Okay." Hadiya rudely interrupted and then walked forward. Her son having a girlfriend wasn't new, nor the a rumor of him getting married. But, Dania. Never her. She hated that girl, and even more her mother, Dr. Faryal. Her ego would be hurt if Dania Siddique became her bahu.

Hadiya watched Hadi with the main heroine, the director, and the producer under the spotlight. They welcomed the other members of the fraternity, clicked for the cameras, and answered the media regarding the movie. Sarfaraz had thought of introducing Dania to the world, but she refused because still she was uncertain.

Sarfaraz on purpose didn't glance at Fareeha and Adil, instead, he focused on Dania. Her face had a radiant glow and her eyes had pride in them. He didn't know what more surety did she want before marrying him. The quicker they marry, the quicker the heavy weight can be lifted off his chest.

At the screening, Sarfaraz sat with the film's team and his family. Fareeha sat next to him and urged Adil to sit beside her. Sarfaraz gestured, angrily, with his eyes. Adil leaped next to Fareeha. She turned her head and smirked at Sarfaraz. He glared away. Fareeha's heart jumped to her throat when Adil insisted Dania sit beside him. Sarfaraz scowled harder at Fareeha. But she was irritated and spent the rest of the movie, making faces as Adil kept whispering to Dania. She responded with mostly head shakes. Fareeha noticed the sparkly ring on her finger. It was a slight relief.

As the movie began, for the first time Sarfaraz had butterflies in his stomach. Dania would be watching him on the big screen and somehow this thought intimidated him. More than any action sequence, the best response was for the only kiss scene. Sarfaraz looked dangerously at Chandan from the side. The latter avoided him and beamed with pride. Eshana blushed, leaning towards him.

"Best kiss scene of my career." She tapped his hand on the armrest, - "I will never forget it."

"Yeah, cool." Sarfaraz looked away and gritted his teeth at Fareeha's subtle giggling.

"I will kill that ba****d, Chandan. Why did he include this?" He hissed to her.

Fareeha gulped her chuckles, - "It looked so natural."

"Whatever. I will kill you too."

She chuckled harder, Sarfaraz glanced away in annoyance.

Dania had watched a few of Sarfaraz's rom-coms in recent days, but no scene had disturbed her as this one. Something about it made her awkward. Adil seemed to feel her stiffness and whispered, - "Are you okay?"

Dania nodded, licking her lips, and lowered her eyes from the screen.

The after-party had the guests complimenting the actors and the production team. Dania moved oddly in the party, she took a glass of wine and stood at the corner sipping silently. She noticed Sarfaraz attempting to break free from the surrounding people, to come to her. But she gestured to him that she was fine. She smiled at him, blinking softly. He passed her a hesitant smile.

Adil approached her with a glass of juice.

"The movie was great, na? My brother is an amazing actor." He boasted.

"Hmm. Natural." Dania raised her eyebrows. She doubted the brothers' part because Sarfaraz had mentioned Adil was Fareeha's cousin. Perhaps, he takes him to be "like" brothers. Either way, Dania doesn't care.

Hadiya was present with her ladies' gang but thoroughly distracted. She kept an eye on Dania. Her only wish was to talk to her and order her to leave her son. Then, she noticed Fareeha with her girls and Sarfaraz in the other corner.

Hadiya called for a waiter and gestured towards Fareeha. She walked with him.

"Beta, you aren't drinking anything?"

Fareeha smiled, - "Aunty, I took this lime juice. It's tasty."

Hadiya leaned closer, - "But have you tried wine?"

Fareeha gasped, shaking her head, - "Aunty!" She exclaimed in disbelief.

"Arey, it is your best friend's movie's success. Don't you want to celebrate it?"

"Sure, but drinks?"

"Take this one. It's non-alcoholic." Hadiya confidently passed her a glass. Fareeha smiled, nodding, and took it from her. Taking a sip, she complimented her choice. Pushing her guilt aside, Hadiya handed her another glass. Fareeha liked it and didn't say no. She trusted Hadiya but refused when she suggested another glass. Hadiya was in two minds if she should force a first-time drinker.

After the third drink, Fareeha began to feel tipsy.

"Aunty, I-- not feeling well. Are--sure it—non-- alcoholic?" She had trouble forming long sentences. Her brain seemed to be fogged.

"Of course. You must be overwhelmed with all the work." Hadiya held her shoulders and guided her to the couch in the corner. Then, she turned towards where her son was. But quickly, she realized he wasn't seen nearby and nor was that girl, Dania. Panic began to to rise in her chest, as she looked for them. Hadiya knew she couldn't leave Fareeha vulnerable alone for a long time.

Adil was left out once Dania abruptly left him. He mingled with few but filmy people never interested him. He needed a wiser crowd. Glancing around he noticed some random person talking to Fareeha. She looked confused, dazed out, and even had difficulty in standing up. Adil observed the man's body language. He straightened, alerted as the man helped Fareeha to stand and placed his hand on her hips. She lightly pushed his hand away, and he did, but the next second held her firmly.

Adil slammed his drink on the counter and rushed to them.

"Excuse me." He pulled Fareeha from the man's hold, - "Fareeha, I was looking all over for you." He pretended to be causal, and passed a fake smile at the man, dragging Fareeha with him. It was shocking that she was drunk, swaying in his embrace. Someone with mischievous intent must have given her drinks.

"Ad—Adil?" Fareeha slurred, barely able to keep her eyes open.

He nodded, - "Yes. Gosh! You are so senselessly drunk." Adil looked around the crowd for Sarfaraz. He had the car keys. Then someone told him to wait in the private VIP lounge area.

"That will be best." He wrapped his arm firmly around her shoulder, her legs wobbled and so she held his waist.

Adil took her into the elevator.

"Wha—what are—you doing?" She squinted her eyes at him.

"I am Ad—"

"I know who you are—" Fareeha giggled, covering her mouth with both her hands. In that, she stumbled back.

"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 let him take her. In the lounge area, Adil made her sit on the couch and sat 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 know 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 you. 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 have feelings for him, but she was very good at masking her emotions. 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!"

He froze on the spot.

oooooo, Fareeha's subconscious, real, feeling is out *_*

Adil, what are you going to do with this information? 

And, where is the star? Sarfaraz? What do you guys think?

How was the Chapter my lovelies? Drop your thoughts in the comments (lots and lots) and please do share the book, and vote for the chapter *Lots of  Love*

Stay Tuned for the next update ;)