Without breaking the eye contact Eifad stood up. She found her eyes glued to his.

'Eifu!' Shad said happily and hugged her. Eifad didn't know how to respond, she stood there frozen.

'After so long, Eifu. I am so happy.' Shad said. Slowly, Eifad moved her hands and hugged him. Being in his arms felt like rain in summer. Eifad had instant tears rush to her eyes

'Oh, Shad.' She whispered, her lips quivered. She closed her eyes letting tears fall.

When they broke apart, Shad looked at her carefully.

'Wow, Eifu, you have become much more beautiful.' He complimented.

Eifad smiled, that is all she could do as she found her voice lost. The conference was about to start and so Shad excused himself and walked with Imran to sit with other doctors. Eifad watched him. Eifad occasionally kept glancing towards Shad, he had his full attention towards the middle-aged man giving the introductory lecture. Once, only once, Shad looked at her. She smiled awkwardly at him, he smiled back. Even from far, his dimples were slightly visible. Eifad turned around, her gaze fell on her ruby ring. She smiled imagining Shad's reaction knowing about Farhan and her feelings for him.

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As the conference ended for a Lunch break, Eifad looked at Shad. He smiled standing up, she stood up too.

Eifad liked how Shad ignored everyone else and walked towards her.

'Come Eifu, let us have Lunch together and catch up.' he said. Eifad nodded. Before Kiran or anyone else interrupt them Eifad held Shad's hand and led him out.

After what seemed like an eternity for Eifad, she sat in front of Shad across the table. Shad handed the menu back to the Waiter and placed their order. Eifad kept staring at him, taking in his features. He has become more mature, his boyish charm overtaken by a more rugged look.

'Eifu!' Shad held her hand and looked at her, his dimples made her knees wobbly.

'It has been so long. God!'

'We were so close Shad. Then why didn't you stay in contact with me? Why did you break all contacts?' Eifad asked sadly. Shad's smile faded and a serious expression overtook his charming features.

'Eifad, I...'

Eifad moved her palm from under his, her eyes held his gaze, 'didn't you once miss me? Think of me? Your childhood friend?' she asked.

Shad looked uncomfortable and Eifad could see guilt written all over his face.

'Eifad, truth be told. I always thought of you. Not a single day or night passed that I didn't think of you. I was in constant touch with Aisha and always kept a tab on you...always.'

Eifad looked on, her eyes glistening with tears

Shad extended his hand and placed it over hers, 'I love you, Eifad. You are my best friend.' He said. Eifad smiled sadly.

She looked at him, 'Are?' she shook her head, 'Were.' Shad stiffened. Eifad continued, tears brimmed in her eyes, 'We were good friends, Shad. Things have changed between us...You have... Rhea...and you have moved on...' she couldn't say more and looked away. Shad held her palm tighter.

'Rhea is my wife but you... Eifad, you are my best friend...not were... we still are. Life isn't the same always...but our friendship isn't dependent on life. I know, we know, how pure and strong rooted it is.' Shad said.

Eifad looked at him, 'Eifad, trust me. I always there for you, just didn't come in open.' Shad said. That was it for Eifad, she stood up pushing back her chair.

'I... need to use...the washroom.' And without waiting for him to respond, Eifad walked out of the restaurant.

She hurried inside the washroom and locked herself in one of the cubicles. She crumpled on the floor, leaning her head back she began to cry.

Having Shad in front of her after so long and knowing his care for her, she felt emotional. She brought her knees closer to her chest.

'I wish you were here, Farhan. To help me with these emotions...' she sobbed.

After she had composed herself, Eifad washed her face and redid her makeup. Shad was still waiting for her at the table, Eifad looked at him but didn't join him. Instead, she walked away. He had been hiding from her for too long and she didn't feel like being with him now.

The conference began, Eifad tried her hardest to focus on the speaker and not turn and look at Shad. For some reason, she felt cheated.

The meeting ended and she hurriedly left the conference. But Mr. Saxena caught up with her in the elevator.

'I am not feeling well, I won't be able to join you all for the party tonight.' She said simply

'But Maam, it is an important social event.'

'You do the socializing.' Eifad snapped and Mr. Saxena instantly quietened.

Eifad then locked herself in her room. To calm herself she began hearing Farhan's recording on the loop. It worked as she felt all her worries and anger melt away.

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Later that night, as the party went on down stairs Eifad chose to remain up in her room. Dressed in her lavender night shirt and PJ she walked towards the French window. She opened the window, a glass of wine in her hand. She had wanted to smoke but dropped the idea because Farhan doesn't like her smoking. She smiled, since when did she began doing things that others want her to do. Then she remembered looking at the ring that she is in love with this man, Farhan. Thinking of him, a smile crept up on her lips.

As she sipped her wine the doorbell of her suite rang. She wondered who it could be. It couldn't be the room service because she has stuck the 'Do not Disturb' sign on the door handle. She placed her glass on the glass table and walked towards the door.

'Eifad.' Shad stood on the other side. He is dressed in Tuxedo confirming Eifad that he was at the party. Eifad wanted to shut the door on his face but didn't, couldn't.

'I know you are angry with me, Eifad. And I deserve it. But please forgive me.' Shad pleaded. His eyes made Eifad melt. Her expression softened and she stepped aside and he entered.

'Wine?' Eifad asked walking towards the small table.

Shad nodded taking his seat at the edge of the bed.

'You said, you were in contact with Ma. Where you in touch with Farhan too.' Eifad asked pouring wine into a glass. Eifad held her breath waiting for his response.

'No, only Aunty.'

Eifad is relieved. This means Farhan hasn't cheated her by hiding about being in contact with Shad but Aisha did and so Eifad felt angry at her mother. Why did she hide about Shad to her?

Eifad forced a smile picking up the two glasses of wine and walked towards Shad.

'Thanks.' Shad said taking the glass from her. Eifad sat beside him

'So, tell me about you, what's happening your side?' she asked taking a sip of her wine.

Shad nodded a smile appearing on his lips, his dimples slightly visible.

'All Good.'

'How is Rh-Rhea? And the kids?' Eifad asked. Shad looked at her.

'They are all cool. Rhea works with me. Thanks to you we got the job.' Shad chuckled. Eifad looked at him, a smile appeared on her lips. Looking at him she realized how much she missed him.

Eifad shook her head, 'No. You got it because you deserved it.'

'But I don't like it much...' Shad said suddenly getting serious. Eifad looked on, she didn't move a muscle when he held her palm, 'Because it separated me from my best friend.'

Eifad smiled sadly.

'So, anything new your side?' Shad asked

'Nothing much, anyway,' she looked at him, 'you know everything.' She said sarcastically. Shad looked little embarrassed but he covered up with a smile.

'Still, anything new?' he asked

Eifad nodded looking front, she took a sip. She then looked at him and smiled, 'I am engaged.' she showed her ring.

Shad blinked at it for a second before smiling widely.

'Wow, Eifu. Congrats.' He side hugged her. Eifad smiled hugging him back.

'Who is the lucky man?'

'Farhan.' Eifad said with pride. Shad looked like he has his mind blown.

'The one from the Rehab? Wahi na.' he asked in disbelieve. Eifad nodded her head.

Shad smiled amused, he shook his head, 'Wow! When I met him, I didn't know you will be getting engaged to him one day.' he said taking a sip of his wine. Eifad looked away smiling.

'Life is unpredictable.' Eifad shrugged not looking at him. Shad nodded agreeing with her.

'You love him?' Shad asked after a while. Eifad looked at him and nodded, 'Yes.'

Shad smiled and patted her shoulder, 'I am very happy for you.' he said. Eifad nodded.

The two best friends then spend some time catching up, sipping their wine and randomly talking (mostly Shad spoke). They didn't realize how time flew and soon the two fell asleep.

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How was the chapter, guys? The two friends met after a long time, how emotional *_*

Drop in your comments and let me know. Thanks a lot guys for reading and voting :*