Reaching the dining table, Hajra informed me that everyone had eaten. Fareeha gave Sarfaraz a side-eye. He shrugged and took his usual seat. The head of maids arranged the food. Fareeha stopped her and served toast and juice to her husband.

"Arey, you also sit. Don't behave like a typical wife."

"I am fine."

Sarfaraz shook his head and tore a bite from the corn and cheese sandwich. As Fareeha was about to sit, Hadiya and Haya walked to them.

"You guys are coming now," Hadiya exclaimed. Haya nudged her, giggling behind her palm. Her mother looked at them and smiled. Fareeha quickly placed her red dupatta over her wet head, but Sarfaraz was unbothered, with damp hair falling across his forehead. Her cheeks turned pink again.

Shit, they know. Do they assume? Gosh, why am I thinking so much? Isn't it natural and normal? Lack of it would have been abnormal. Right?

"Fareeha, beta, sit down and eat." Hadiya could barely keep her smile, and Haya had to excuse herself.

Fareeha nodded, sitting beside Sarfaraz.

"Are they high on some freaking laughing gas?" Sarfaraz murmured, annoyed. Fareeha stamped on his feet, keeping a neutral expression on her face for her mother-in-law.

"Oww!" Sarfaraz was ignored.

Adil took Dania for an outing in Mumbai and suggested for the weekend he would take her to Alibaug. Sarfaraz has a beach house there and the four of them can enjoy together. Dania felt a pang of guilt rise whenever he optimistically talked about hanging with the other couple. It was like he trusted her. But she was fighting for her feelings. Dania was getting desperate to talk to Sarfaraz, but wasn't getting the time. Fareeha was guarding him as though he was a queen's crown or something. Hardly for a minute, she left him.

Dania dug her hands into pockets of her purple romper shorts and forced her attention to Adil who spoke about his favourite chaat around the corner. Guilt snaked in her heart again. Bechara was trying too hard to make her happy. Else there was no reason for him to keep himself bonded with her, now. But he was, and that showed he cared and genuinely loved her. Not like the man she was sulking about.

After tasting vada pav from his favorite stall, Dania's mood got better.

"I was first introduced to Keshav and his delicious vada pav by Fareeha. She frequents here and takes parcels for Chote as well." Adil explained.

Again, the bitter feeling. Dania swallowed the morsel, forcing a smile.

Wind in the face on the top portion of the double-decker bus, taking on the ride of Mumbai was refreshing best for Dania. She listened to everything Adil talked about. He even clicked photos of her. The angles, the shots, everything was very impressive. She looked amazed at him. He smiled with pride.

Touring around the gate of India brought back memories from the yacht date. Dania's stomach sank at the reminder.

Why was that loser affecting her so much? Was she in love with him?

Yes, she was.

How to undo it?

Dania shook her head and brought herself back to the present.

Spending all day, they returned in the evening. Dania was exhausted and fell asleep. Still energized, Adil spent time with Hadiya and Almas, who had come to visit. They had tea and snacks and talked about random things. Almas had advised Hadiya to not bring up Dania's topic. But when Adil got a phone call, he had to walk at an ear-shot distance. Hadiya nudged her friend's arm.

"Did you see that maharani? No hi, no bye, no salam, no dua. I just went racing up as though we were some filths not worth greeting. And this—stupid, gullible son of mine is still defending her."

"Haa toh, she must be genuinely tired. Firstly, she is emotionally drained. Poor girl. First, she lost her dad, and now her mother as well. Being in the whole world without parents is tough. It feels so lonely. And Adil is a gentleman. Otherwise, who carries someone else's baggage? You raised him so well." Almas complimented her with a smile.

Hadiya nodded, sipping her tea, - "Hmm, you are right. Even Fareeha talks like you. Sweeter than honey and so intelligent, wise words. Shows her upbringing. And Dania's--her arrogant mother raised her like herself. I am afraid my baccha doesn't have to get a heartbreak like Mr. Siddique." She threw a worried glance at Adil.

Almas shook her head, - "Don't be mean, ya. Adil is a mature guy."

"But gullible too. That she seemed to—"

Almas shook her head, placed a finger on her lips, and shifted in her place. Hadiya twisted her lips.

"So," Adil huffed, sitting beside Hadiya again, - "What were you ladies talking about?"

After dinner, Hadiya left for her room. Youngsters remained awake. On the sky deck, enjoying the November weather, Sarfaraz, Adil, Haya, and Fareeha played a game of carrom. On Adil's sincere and multiple requests, Dania was present. But not participating in the game. She sat on the lounge chair, with her hands in her heart-print pajama set, and watched over the game.

They seemed to be enjoying it. Laughing, chatting, and pulling each other's legs. Dania smiled slightly, with tears glistening in her eyes. She never had so much fun since her dad's passing. It was only he who was her true friend, and they shared everything, even had cute banters.

With Shahzain and other girl gangs, she had to pretend to be someone she was not.

Dania's gaze landed on Sarfaraz. Had she not rejected him when he first proposed to her and made genuine friends with Fareeha, perhaps her life would have been different and better.

Haya turned to Dania, noticing her sad face and subdued body language. She and Adil requested her to join them.

Fareeha nervously glanced at Sarfaraz. He looked at Dania with a stony expression. She looked at him, too. He lowered his gaze.

Haya held her hand and dragged Dania to the table where they played. Adil scooted, making her sit. She came directly facing Sarfaraz. Fareeha's tension rose.

Why was she getting so worked up?

And, like that, she was distracted from the game. Every accidental eye contact between them raised her BP. Once, they reached out for the same carrom piece. Dania first, then Sarfaraz's hand landed on hers.

She looked up. He looked at her too. Dania's mind flooded with the meeting in the alley. The eyes, the eyes--the magic was the same--but--but--something was different--something amiss.

Swiftly, Sarfaraz pulled away and sighed, getting up.

"Guys, I am tired." He pulled down the helm of his tee, - "Early morning shoot." He stretched, - "Fareeha, let's go."

"Okay!" She instantly got up.

"Oye hoye, such an obedient wife." Adil teased them. Haya laughed, snorting.

Sarfaraz scoffed, - "This monkey, and obedient?" He pointed at her.

"Shut up, Hadi." She slapped his stomach and walked back in.

Adil and Haya continued to laugh. Dania stuffed her hands into her pockets again.

Once inside the living room, Sarfaraz threw an arm around her shoulder. Fareeha gasped, attempting to move his strong arm, but he was put.

"Dude, someone will see us."

Sarfaraz laughed, - "What a big deal? Before also I held you like this."

"Ya, but--"

"Shh, I am sleepy."

Fareeha stopped protesting. But to tease her. As they climbed the stairs, Sarfaraz on purpose slipped his hand to her lower back, but before he could move any further down, Fareeha glared at him and hastily ascended the stairs. Sarfaraz laughed.

In the middle of the night, Fareeha found herself wide awake. Her mind tortured her with thoughts of Dania. Hadi's craze for her. The way he used to talk about being with her, the madness. She gulped and turned her head. Sarfaraz was fast asleep, lying on his stomach and snoring softly. Fareeha hated that he slept almost immediately after falling on the bed, while she struggled to sleep. She was worried because of him, and he-- 

Next evening.

 Fareeha happily glided up the stairs. She had fun times talking with Hadiya and reminiscing old times while glancing over a photo album. Nearing her room, she flipped her hair behind her shoulder and adjusted her white dupatta before walking into her room.

Fareeha stilled, finding Dania alone in the room, standing in front of Sarfaraz's portrait. Her smile faded.

"Marry me, Dania."

"I am serious. Very serious."

"We couldn't meet. And that one kiss kept me so restless."

"Dania Rayyan Siddique, will you be mine? Will you marry me?"

"Dania, I love you. I can't express myself enough. You are the reward of my sabr."

"You are saying as though you have been manifesting me for ages."

"You can say that way."

Fareeha cleared her throat and stepped in.

"Hey!" She forced a smile, rubbing her hands lightly "Is everything alright? Do you need something?"

Dania let out a deep breath and shook her head. She glanced at the portrait, then at her.

"Sarfaraz isn't here?"

Fareeha shook her head, - "Yeah, his movie producer invited him to dinner with the cast."

"The heroine as well?" Dania raised her brow, keeping her arms clasped.

"Yeah."

"I will wait for him--" she was about to leave when Fareeha interrupted her.

"He will be very late. Dania. You needed something?"

"I just wanted to talk to him. Alone."

Fareeha pulled up her organza dupatta on her shoulder, - "You can tell me."

Dania licked her lips, - "You know, Fareeha. On our first date, I wore a saree for the first time, and--and Sarfaraz were so mesmerized. And that was the first time we kissed. I had--never been kissed like that before." She sighed.

"So many times, he confessed that he loves me and desires to marry me. If I had said yes, I am sure he would have gotten married to me in London. I am not able to digest--understand, how can that man just--fall out of love--like that?"

Fareeha took a step, - "Don't mind, Dania. But Hadi was lattoo over you. And yes, you are right, he would have married you right there and then. And both of you would have found out the hard way. He went out of his way to get Akshay Makhwana into this thriller movie and got the villain role. Just because he was your favorite. For you, Hadi was ready to break his successful career. Take a different tangent, just because you were insecure."

She paused to breathe, - "Still, he had to keep justifying himself. You were upset over your business, and so Hadi pulled his strings for you. All that was okay for him. But the real eye-opener was when you refused to acknowledge your relationship in front of your mother."

Dania sighed, - "I was about to tell. He was being impatient."

"But were you considerate about that? What did you do to make him feel secure? Like he tried his best to keep you happy?"

"Fareeha, my mom wasn't well. That is what I was trying to tell him."

"I know, Dania. What is the point of talking about this now?"

"I need closure."

Fareeha huffed, getting irritated. She was in no mood to listen to someone fantasize about her husband.

"What closure do you want, Dania?"

Tell her about the kiss before the double date.

No, she will get hurt.

Tell her.

No

"You were the one who gave back the ring. You ended the relationship long back, not him. Now, Hadi has moved on. Got married, and--probably we, um, will extend our family. But you are stuck in the past." She spoke sternly.

Before anyone said anything else, a voice interrupted them, - "What are you doing here, Dania?"

Hadiya spoke from the entrance. Dania shook her head, and without answering, she walked out.

"Arey?"

"She lost her way," Fareeha replied with a smile. But their talk disturbed her.

Later in the night, Sarfaraz returned home exhausted. He whistled, hastily climbing the stairs. Casually, he walked into his room and sighed happily.

"You haven't slept yet?" He commented, watching his wife seated on their bed with a book in her hand.

He smirked, - "Waiting for me?"

Fareeha rolled her eyes, - "Yeah, whatever." She focused on her book again. Sarfaraz stretched, then removed his tee and decreased the temperature of the AC.

"Hey!"

"Hey!"

"Shut up, Ass. I will freeze."

"Don't worry. I will keep you warm." He winked. Fareeha passed him a fake look of disgust.

Sarfaraz chuckled.

Fareeha patiently waited for him to step out of the washroom. He rubbed his face with the towel and placed it behind the chair.

"Is there anything you want to talk about?" Sarfaraz asked, tugging up the elastic of his lounge pants.

"Um," Fareeha placed the bookmark, - "Yeah." She replied, adjusting the lacy neckline of her nightdress.

Sarfaraz applied his night cream and slumped next to her on the bed.

"Go on." He pulled a cushion against his chest and looked intently at her.

"Hadi. I think you should-- talk to-- Dania."

He blinked, flinching back.

"Why? Why are bringing her topic?"

"I am not. I--dude, you were being madly in love with her and suddenly just dumped her without any--"

"Shut up, Fareeha, please." He straightened, glaring at her, - "I dumped her? She gave back my ring. She got married to Adil first. But does that matter?" Sarfaraz leaned, waving his finger, - "I didn't marry you because she got married to someone else. Now, she is that chaparganchu Adil's problem. Not ours. Don't spoil your marital life for her. Not everyone deserves your kindness." He explained.

Huffing, he leaned against the bedpost and picked up the TV remote. Fareeha observed him with awe.

"What?" He replied, annoyed.

"I can't believe you the same Hadi, who wouldn't listen to anything against Dania. And now." She raised her eyebrow.

He smiled, - "All thanks to you." He leaned, cupping her face with one hand, - "The rosy glasses are off."

Fareeha smiled too. Sarfaraz shifted and kissed her. She kissed him briefly and leaned back.

"I am sleepy. Good night." Fareeha lay on her side and pulled the duvet to her head. Sarfaraz shrugged and diverted his attention to the television.

She closed her eyes but couldn't sleep easily.

You know, Fareeha. On our first date, I wore saree for the first time and--and Sarfaraz was so mesmerized. And that was the first time we kissed. I had--never been kissed like that before.

Dania's words disturbed her. Almost the whole night, she turned in bed. Occasionally watching Sarfaraz. What if her mother and Hadiya were right? What if Dania manages to re-ignite the obsession by playing the sympathy card? She was desperate to talk to him. How long can she keep them away? Sarfaraz doesn't seem to be interested in her at all. And he was right. Why should she spoil her marital life because of someone else?

A dead issue.

Dania, you should have thought of this before. And, Fareeha, please keep your kindness aside and focus on your married life. 

Don't you think, guys?

Feeling bad for Adil in all this. He is truly a chaparganchu and Fareeha gives him tough competition.

How was the Chapter, guys, please drop your thoughts in the comments lots, lots, and lots.  Stay Tuned for the next update ;)