A red Land Rover stopped by a luxurious jewellery shop in South Mumbai. The driver got down first, and hurried to open the back door. A woman in her early fifties got down, arranging the heavy pallu of her navy blue saree and walked haughtily. Her driver carried an umbrella over her head. The woman wore gold bangles, delicate gold and diamond necklace and stud earring. Ruby and emerald rings adored her fair and slim fingers. Her caramel brown hair tied in a sleek French bun. As she climbed the stairs to the building, the watchman smiled eagerly opening the door for her. 

The salesmen all attempted to pull her attention, but she walked till her usual counter and a pleasantly smiling middle aged salesman greeted her.

"Okay, Mukesh." She removed her over-sized sunglasses and placed it next to her luxury hand-bag, - "You informed me about the latest collection. Show me."

"Sure, Ma'am." Then he called out at a peon, - "Raju get some chai for madam."

She raised her hand. 

"Please, at least water." He requested humbly. She shook her head.

"Mukesh, please, you know Hadiya doesn't like to waste time like this. Just show me the pieces." She said sternly. He nodded and turned to pick out the latest designs he had saved for her.

She tapped her manicured nude nails on the counter, scanning the display. Just then, her phone rang. When she took it out, Fareeha's name flashed on the screen. This slightly worried her as it was an odd time to call.

"Hi, Fareeha. All good?"

"Aunty—She is here, and Hadi is losing it."

"Who?" Hadiya inquired, picking a heavy jewellery piece from the one presented to her.

There was a short pause, - "Dania Siddique. Dr. Faryal Kaif and Dr. Rayyan Siddique's daughter."

Hadiya's expressions dropped and the jewellery slipped from her hand.

There was a pause, and then she replied, - "What was Hadi's reaction?" 

"Aunty, he has become puppy once again. I am worried, he will have his heart broken again and, what if he—"

"Allah na kare." Hadiya cut her, placing a hand on her chest, - "I almost lost him once. Now, at this age I can't lose him." She pressed her lips in a thin line, - "Because of her and her friends, my own son dislikes me."

"I understand, Aunty, but Hadi—"

"Make him understand, Fareeha."

"Yes, Aunty. I am trying."

Hadiya disconnected the call. The awaiting salesman eagerly began showing the best piece, but she shook her head and got up. Roughly, she picked her handbag and walked out of the show-room. After she got into the car, she dialled a number and patiently waited for the other person to pick up.

"Hi, Leila. How are you, darling?"

Sarfaraz couldn't sleep at night, knowing Fareeha was upset with him. He couldn't understand why Dania kept bumping into him. Was it some destiny thing? He tossed and turned in the bed; finally sitting up. Ruffling his hair, he got down the bed and wore fluffy slippers. For the nth time Sarfaraz dialled Fareeha's number and it was switched off. This made him worry for her. He pulled the collar of his grey knitted loungewear, and tugging up the long sleeve. 

Using duplicate key-card Sarfaraz unlocked the door and casually walked in. To his surprise the room was empty. He knocked at the bathroom door, calling her name but there was no answer. This made him panic. Once again he desperately began to call her phone. This time she picked up. Sarfaraz didn't wait for an answer from her and blasted her, - "Are you out of your mind? What did I do so wrong that you are behaving like I committed adultery or something?"

"I am in backyard, come here." She replied calmly.

He sighed, as the call got disconnected. Tugging his phone into pocket of his trouser, he dashed out of the room. 

Walking into the garden, Sarfaraz shivered, but ignoring that he looked around for his friend. Someone tapped his back. His shoulders relaxed as he turned around. Fareeha stood behind him, keeping a stern look. 

"Dude! Why are you doing? Why are you behaving this way?" Sarfaraz began bombarding her with his words.

Fareeha folded her arms, squaring her shoulders, - "Why was I expecting you to stand up for me, when you can't stand up for yourself." 

Sarfaraz lowered his head in embarrassment.

"Dude, what is wrong with you? You forgot everything, kya?" 

"But it was not her fault, she was—"

"She was accomplice in mocking you. They called your mother a whore—and her boyfriend, Shahzain crossed the limit when he embarrassed you in the boy's washroom that day. Remember. You were half dead when he and—"

"I get it." Sarfaraz irritably stopped her mid-way, placing his hands on his hips.

"No, Hadi, you don't. That time, I listened to you when you were whining and bawling your eyes out." Fareeha scolded him, pointing an accusing finger at him. Towards the end, she angrily flipped her hair behind. 

There was a pause between the friends, and an eery silence in the ambience around them. The sound of crickets was the only sound at this time of the night and the street lights were dimly lit. 

Sarfaraz kept his hands on his hips, and huffed deeply. Fareeha observed him while he contemplated her words.

"You are right, Fareeha. But—"

"But?" She frowned harder.

"People change, right? And she and Shahzain aren't even together, it seems. And she was a teen then, now she is a woman—a gorgeous one." Sarfaraz turned to Fareeha and held her shoulder, - "Tell me, what is the point of us meeting again." His eyes twinkled, and he continued to look excitedly at his friend.

"Because its destiny. And timing of our reunion is perfect. I have been to London before, but we met now. Why? Because we are meant to be. It is the right time."

Fareeha sighed, throwing his hand off her shoulder, - "I can't believe you are siding with someone who insulted you and your mother. Remember, when you proposed to her and how she crushed you and mocked you. Hadi you have—"

"That was Hadi, now, I am Sarfaraz."

"Dude, please remove this rosy glass of love and focus. You are a public figure, now. You are only a google search away." Fareeha turned half her body away from him, - "Also, she doesn't seem to have changed. Same arrogance."

"My love will change her. Something tells me this." 

Fareeha slapped his forehead and shook her head, - "Then, don't come crying to me when she brutally breaks your heart. Again" She turned and marched back to the hotel. Sarfaraz watched her go. Somewhere in the back of his head he knew she was right.

That night sleeping was even more troubling for Sarfaraz. Everything from the dark phase of the past came flashing before him. For the first time in years, he vividly recollected everything.

2005, New Delhi

❝Aankhon mein tera hi chehra

Dhadkan mein teri hi yaadein

Karti hai, Deewana.

Aankhon mein tera hi chehra

Dhadkan mein teri hi yaadein

Karti hai, Deewana.❞

Hadi had plucked the best rose from a garden on his way to school. Fareeha cycled ahead of him, and after a while noticed he had stopped. She slapped her forehead and speedily cycled back.

"Hey, duffer, this is Khadus Uncle Jasbinder's garden. He will shoot you first and then ask later." Fareeha warned him. Hadi twisted his lips, looking lovingly at the rose in his hand. He had plucked the one with minimum thorns. 

Safely, he tugged it in the back pocket of his trousers and cycled towards her. He tossed hair off his forehead, and proudly announced, - "I am going to prove to you that I am not some cowardly psycho stalker."  He grinned.

Fareeha frowned, tilting her head a little.

"I am going to propose to Dania."

"Huh?" Fareeha looked totally puzzled, - "Pagal hai kya? She is Shahzain's girlfriend."

Hadi raised a finger and gently shook his head, - "Rumoured girlfriend." He corrected her.

Fareeha rolled her eyes, exhaling through her mouth.

Hadi looked confidently back at the rose, - "But she will be my girlfriend, for sure." He smiled dreamily.

❝Door jab se tum gayi ho,

Jab se mujhko bhool gayi ho

Main.. hu deewana

Lekar dil chura li aankhein

Kar gayi mujhko teri yaadein

Deewana.. Deewana❞

At recess break, Dania and her friends gathered outside the class and chatted. Hadi gulped hard, keeping the rose behind him. Oblivious to him, Dania coolly shared lunch and spoke with her girl gang. 

Hadi's heart pounded hard in his chest, the muscles of his lungs tightened and he had to breathe through his mouth for ease.

Fareeha hid behind one of the pillar, silently praying for him. 

"Please, Allah, make him successful." 

Hadi clenched the rose so hard, that one of the thorn pricked him. He winced, but kept a straight face. Licking his lips, he adjusted the loose strands falling repeatedly over his forehead. Taking deep breath, he mentally prepared himself as he approached his target. The presence of other girls was a huge deter but he had to take the chance.

Dania continued to eat and talk, one of the girls had her mobile phone, They giggled and read text messages, then commented on it.

Hadi gulped softly, and opened his mouth but nothing came out. Closing his mouth, he tried again, - "Da—Dania."

She stilled and turned her head. The other friends gave him a disgusted look. Dania kept twirling the edge of her high ponytail. She glanced at him from bottom to top; judging.

"Yes, who are you?" She asked casually.

Hadi gulped again. His hands and feet turned cold, and his fingers trembled badly, knees wobbled. 

"I am—Hadi—from your—we are—in same class." 

"So?"

Slowly, with shivering hand he brought the rose from behind him and forwarded to her. Sweat beads glistening on his forehead, and the restriction in his throat made him difficult to swallow.

The girls including Dania blinked surprised at the rose, and then at Hadi. She scoffed, - "Are you serious?"

He nodded hesitantly, - "Dania, I really love you. I have always loved you— I didn't realize when I fell in love with you, but when I did, suddenly all love songs were about you. Till date, my love for you was my beautiful little secret. But now, I can't stop myself from confessing to the girl I love the most." 

"Especially now, when I am afraid to lose you. You had bewitched me since the first time, we accidentally met and your eyes landed on me for a moment. And that moment registered in my heart and memory."

Hadi was nervous as first. But as he began confessing, everything flowed naturally and from his guts. His true feelings overwhelmed him.

"Dania, amongst the crowd, my eyes always search for you. You are my favourite day-dream, and I want to make it my reality." He breathed deeply, smiling, - "I love you, Dania Siddique. Will you be my girlfriend, forever?"

"Eww!" One of her friend commented before Dania spoke. Before anyone can say anything else, Dania showed her hand to discourage them. She smiled at Hadi, their eyes fixated on each other. He glanced into her chocolate brown eyes, hoping to convey his feelings to her.

She took the flower from him, not noticing his bleeding hand.

"You have some guts, Badi."

"Hadi!"

"Whatever." She crumpled the rose with both her hands, - "What a loser you are. And, whatever you by-hearted and "confessed" here was puke-worthy at best." She dropped the rose and crushed it with the heels of her shoes. 

Hadi's smile disappeared, and tears brimmed in his eyes as he stared at the broken flower. 

"I have never seen you ever in my life. And, I don't want to be part of any of your weird reality, ever. Just stay away from me, you creep."

"Arey, Dania, isn't he the one whose mother was in that B-grade movie." One girl commented. Dania gasped, and then laughed.

"Not only in one but few more. I saw from my elder brother's collection."

Hadi kept staring at the scattered petals of the crushed rose.

"Oh, wow. Son of a slut has the audacity to confess his love to me?" Dania rolled her eyes.

Another friend, chirped -"Dania, he is the one who is your neighbour. I saw him sneaking around your place. His mother has recently married that sleazy B grade producer Ashiq Mastana."

Dania along with her girl gang laughed out loud.

Fareeha hurried to the scene and stood between Hadi and Dania. Hadi clenched his fist, still looking without blinking at the crushed rose. 

"Listen, you losers. That wasn't Hadi's mom. She was a look-like."

Dania's expressions darkened, - "Whatever. Ask your loser friend to stay in his limit and stay away from me."

The girls haughtily walked away, following Dania. Fareeha turned at Hadi, glaring at him. She held his shoulders and shook him, - "Are you happy now? How many times, I told you to stay away from these rich kids. But you—" She gasped, seeing his hurt hand and grabbed it.

Hadi pushed her hands off him, his eyes blank. Slowly, he turned and dragged his feet away from his friend. The on lookers gossiped and stared mockingly at him. Fareeha felt the second-hand embarrassment for her friend. But she doesn't interrupt him. Instead, she secretly followed him to make sure he doesn't do something stupid like before.

Hadi sat at the edge of the stairs in the back of the school. It was way off school hours. The crushed petals in his hands, and tears rolling down his cheek. Why didn't he listen to Fareeha? Or rather why did he accept her stupid challenge?Everything was going cool, him loving her from afar, at least the delusion was enough to keep him going. 

"Hey, loser." 

Hadi shuddered, and turned his head. A group boys from his class stood looking down at him aggressively. All had hockey sticks in their hands. Hadi slowly rose from his seat. The leader of the gang, Shahzain charged to him and grabbed his collar.

"You have the audacity to propose to my girlfriend. Loser." He roared shaking the petite boy by his collar. The petals slipped from Hadi's hands. Fareeha got alerted and she dropped her bag and hurried to them.

"Hey, hey. Hands off him."

"Aye, girl. Hitesh grab her." 

Taking his order, Hitesh and another guy held both her hands.

"Fareeha!" Hadi called, but Shahzain forced him to look at him. He flexed the stick in his hand and towered him to intimidate him.

"Either you are too brave or too stupid. Tell me, this was some wild prank of yours." Shahzain's nostrils flared.

Hadi glared into his blazing eyes. What does he have to lose now? Shahzain took it as a challenge and roughly pushed him back. His back slammed against the pillar, and he winced.

Shahzain rushed to him, and flung the stick on him.

"Hadi!" Fareeha struggled to free her hands. The other boys attacked him all together. 

Shahzain showed no mercy in bashing him. Fareeha began to cry but Hadi only groaned. After attacking him and not getting the desired response, Shahzain whispered to his boys. Hadi remained collapsed on the ground, and all bloodied. With difficulty, he managed to blink his eyes and realized the boys were heading towards Fareeha. 

"Fa—Fa—Reeha." Hadi managed to slid up, and struggled to drag himself towards them. Shahzain and his gang laughed at his misery, teasing him by flaunting their hockey sticks around Fareeha threatening to hit her.

"Sha—za—in—leav—leave her." 

"Why? If you had a girlfriend, why were to prying on my girlfriend?" Shahzain raised the hockey stick to aim at her legs. Hadi found a strange courage to grab the stick mid-way. The stung of pain on his injured arm from the hard wood was excruciating. Fareeha squeezed her eyes tight, expecting a blow.  Shahzain was stunned. Hadi looked bravely at him. Again, what does he have to lose now?

Two other boys were about to strike him, when he caught Shahzain's throat, halting them. 

"Wow! You have some guts." He spoke through the tight clench of the lanky boy, Hadi. Shahzain easily threw his thin arm off him, then grabbed his collar once again and pulled him at face level to him. Fareeha wasn't crying anymore. From Hadi, she too gathered courage.

"Listen, loser. Stay away from my girlfriend, okay. Else, we have that b-grade movie CD with us. Your mother's "acting" will be publicized for everyone to see. Including, Dania."

Shahzain growled, looking menacing. Then, he pushed Hadi to the ground. His goons let go of Fareeha and she rushed to her friend collapsed on the ground.

"Hadi, come with me—can you walk? Oh, God, what I am blabbering? You are gravely injured. Oh, my God, Oh my God." She cried fanatically, - "We need to go to hospital quick." She urged, huffing as she pulled him up. Helping him, she took him till the gate. There was a good Samaritan who gave them lift to the hospital. From there, Fareeha used the hospital landline and called Hadi's mother. Reaching the hospital, Hadi fell unconscious.

How many of you remember this song *_* Good old memories.

Bechara Hadi! Fareeha stuck with him in all odds, Sarfaraz should heed her warnings. What do all think?

And, Dania didn't forget his eyes. Remember their first meeting in the alley, and her fixation with his eyes. Matlab Dania ke dil mein bhi kuch hai... or

She remembers those eyes of a loser who proposed her *giggles*

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Drop your thoughts in the comments, please. It will motivate me tons; which means quicker updates.