Hadiya was surprised to find Adil with Dania arriving in the living hall. She greeted her stepson zealously, but Dania kept a dull face.

"You remember me, beta?" Hadiya brought up the topic on purpose, - "Of course, how will you? You hardly noticed us. But your mother must have—"

"Ammi!" Adil interrupted softly, - "I am taking Dania to our room. She needs some rest."

"She is not a porcelain doll, Adil," Hadiya spoke bitterly. Haya tugged on her elbow, stopping her from speaking further, and nodded at her brother.

"Yeah, Dania, take some rest. The butlers will take your luggage."

Adil thanked his sister and then guided Dania with him up the stairs. Hadiya scowled at them, fisting her fingers tightly. "See, Haya, this is how one controls their husbands. Adil is full on joru ka Ghulam." She scoffed.

"It's cool when Hadi Bhaiya does it?" Haya pointed out.

Hadiya looked away, swishing her pallu, and folded her arms, - "Yeah because I love Fareeha. And this—she and her mother both are witches."

"Shh, Mom, her mother is no more. And please control your behavior and tongue in front of bhaiya. Don't give Dania more chance to separate Bhai from you." Haya explained. Hadiya looked at the wisdom of her eighteen-year-old and shook her head.

"First, you should stop watching these saas-bahu serials."

Haya looked away, making a face.

Dania washed her face and hands, wiping from the hand towel hung next to the washbasin, and walked out of the bathroom.

"Adil, I don't think anyone likes me being here. Fareeha and Sarfaraz will also behave rudely with me."

Adil held her shoulder, giving her a kind look, - "I can't say about Hadi. No one apart from Fareeha can guarantee about him. But I assure you, Fareeha won't judge you. She is very sweet."

"What if she sees me as a threat?" Dania moved his hand and sat on the edge of the bed.

Adil poured some water from the bedside table, and handed it to her, - "No. she is a very sorted girl. Do you want to have lunch here in the room?"

Dania sighed and nodded. Adil straightened and rushed to go to the kitchen.

Fareeha returned home in a joyous mood. When she met Adil, she was happy he had shifted back here for a while.

"Where is chote?"

"The crew members took him. They wanted treats and whatnot. Before that, he had a meeting with a magazine. I think he will return later, " she informed eagerly.

Adil smiled hesitantly, - "I have—brought someone with me."

Fareeha's smile dropped.

"Dania?" She paused and added with a smile again, - "Obviously. Your wife."

Adil looked at her and nodded, - "Fareeha, everyone is being mean towards her. What is her fault? She lost her mother and—this home, it is Hadi's, I understand, but isn't it as much as mine as hers?"

Fareeha bit the corner of her mouth. Her mother's cautious words rang in her mind. She shook her head, pushing the thought away. She trusted her best friend and Dania needed people around her; not the time to hold grudges.

Adil held her hands, - "Please Fareeha, give her some boost and hope. She is upset. Her parents aren't there anymore. She is very lonely."

Fareeha nodded, - "Of course, Adil. She is your wife. And she has every right to have your support. Who else if not you? Now, you—we are her only family."

"Thank you." Adil beamed, - "I knew I could count on you."

Fareeha pulled her hands from his hold, - "I will go check on her." 

Dania stood on the balcony with her arms folded and eyes moist with tears. She stared out, letting stray strands of hair fan her face. Her brown midi-dress fluttered in the light breeze.

But she stood still, recollecting her childhood with her father. Carefree and blissful. She lowered her head and fidgeted the fingertip of her ring finger.

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

Thinking of his proposal at the yacht made tears drop from her eyes. It was her fault that she didn't—couldn't accept his proposal. Her justification was right. How could she have agreed to marry a stranger? Only if he had or she had—

Dania sighed, moving her hands back. What was the point of thinking of ifs and hads? If they were meant to be, everything would have fallen into place. But his eyes. Those intense deep brown eyes held so much love and how could it just disappear as though it never existed? But what of her now? The connection she felt with Sarfaraz. She didn't know if she could find it with someone else. How was she to live a loveless marriage with Adil? Should she divorce him?

No. He stood by her during her tough times and kept her mother going for so long. She can't live with another burden for the rest of her life.

Dania sniffed and turned around. There was a knock at the door. Hoping it was Adil, she unlocked the door.

"Hi!" Fareeha entered, greeting her in a small voice.

"Hi!" Dania choked.

She observed her, - "Are you okay?"
"Hmm!" Dania nodded.

"First, congrats." Fareeha hugged her. Dania took a moment before reciprocating.

"You too." Dania congratulated her meekly. Fareeha blushed, acknowledging her. The glow on her face made Dania jealous, but she buried the negative thoughts.

"Dania, please feel comfortable here. I am there for you. If you need anything, tell me." Fareeha held her arm and urged her, - "Come, I will make you coffee and we can chill together on the sky deck."

Dania wanted to decline, but then thought it would be a welcoming change. After Fareeha got them coffee, then they, Adil, and Haya sat together in their jute chairs around a round glass table under the sky and chatted happily. Teasing, sharing memories, talking about random stuff. All that to ease, Dania. Slowly, she relaxed, but the dread of facing Sarfaraz kept disturbing her. 

Eleven o'clock,

Receiving a text from Sarfaraz, Fareeha got excited to meet him. Quickly, she changed into a wine-red short night dress and wore the matching long night robe. Shyly, she admired her reflection as she wore a simple pearl neckpiece and ear studs. She kept the gold Kundan anklets and wore heels. For the first time, Fareeha used a deep red lipstick. She always thought it was bold. And applied matching nail paint.

Impressed by her final look, she applied some heavy perfume infused with amber, vanilla, and sandalwood, creating a sensual aroma. Fareeha touched the goosebumps on her arms, thinking about his reaction. She looked at herself in the mirror again and smiled.

Tonight, she was excited to consummate her marriage and confess her love to the man who meant the world to her.

After waiting for some time, she felt her throat patch from all the nervousness. Checking the time, she decided to get some water from the kitchen. No one will be up at this time.

Sarfaraz returned home completely exhausted. Those leachy friends of his weren't leaving him. And upon talking about his wife, they teased him. By now, all his patience was exhausted.

He hurried towards the stairs, but stopped at the first step, noticing the light of the kitchen was on.

"Fareeha!" He grinned and tip-toed.

There was a figure searching from the top cabinet. Her hair was open, and she wore a red pajama set. He frowned. She knew he told her to wear something sexy, but she was hell-bent on testing his patience.

He approached her from behind closely. She took a step back and collided with him. Sarfaraz smirked, placing his hand on her shoulder and her body tensed up against his palms.

"You are really a bandariya, haina." He slid his hands over the length of her arms and hugged her from behind, with his hands over hers. He leaned, realizing he needn't bend too low. Perhaps she was wearing heels. He didn't notice that.

"But I like this bandariya, and I want you to trouble you all my life. But not tonight—tonight, I will—" He inhaled her fruity scent, which was oddly familiar but not hers in particular. She must be trying some new brand.

"Hadi!"

Sarfaraz stilled, hearing the voice coming from behind. His eyes snapped open, and he sprung away from the woman.

"What the hell? Fareeha, you are there and—"

My lovelies... want more...  another update today ;) then comment lots, lots, lots (silent readers, I am looking at you) 

Oh, Sarfaraz's magic worked on Dania, but too late... 

Now, she is broken and feels lonely, and alienated. She deserves better. 

Glad two wonder souls, Fareeha and Adil, are with her. Hope she doesn't break their hearts. And Sarfaraz...

Bhaang khaake aaye ho kya?

𝒫𝓇𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓅:

"I can't believe I let his bandar sleep on my arm the whole night." His smile grew, - "They are numb now, but Jo bhi hai, last night was the best thing to happen to me." He thought, keeping his gaze fixated on her.

Fareeha shifted, and Sarfaraz shut his eyes, pretending to be asleep. She glanced at him and sighed. Lovingly, she kept observing him, taking in his handsome features. The lingering feeling of last night made her blush and shifted, but her hair was tugged under his arm.

"Ow! I can't believe I let this ass sleep over my hair."

As she attempted to free, he opened his eyes.