IYAAD'S POV

"This is insane. Mr.Pathaan has been informed about your location, and sooner or later, you have to return home. Why the delay? Sir is already angry as it is. As I mentioned, we have strict orders to bring you back as soon as possible. Your mother is worried out of her mind. If we leave now we can reach before the sun sets-"

"Enough Taj." I interrupt our head of security, running my fingers through my disheveled  hair and letting out an exhausted sigh.

My gaze flits outside the open window, but the  bodyguards standing around the perimeter block any view of the opposite property.

"My work here is done and I would have returned home soon even if you hadn't tracked me down somehow." 

Taj narrows his eyes, clearly skeptical at my words.

"Everything is already over. I know things aren't going to be easy for me after I return home-"

" After the stunt you pulled , you should also be ready to face the consequences. I have been working tirelessly ever since you decided to disappear. Search units had been dispatched across the country- even to other nations in fact. " Taj cuts me off.

"Come on buddy, I did not board any plane. That would have made finding me a piece of cake. You just bothered unnecessarily." I stop myself from laughing when I see his piercing glare staring into my soul.

Taj had been around ever since I can remember. He's practically family. I knew very well how soft hearted he was behind his scary exterior. But when the guy was pissed- you would whish you could hide yourself on another planet to evade his wrath.

"I know I caused a lot of trouble and I am sorry for that. But I had a valid reason- or that's what I thought at that time." My voice trails off as memories of the past flood my brain. My grandfather's fading voice echoes in my ears ,and my older sister's forlorn face swims before my eyes.

" Do you regret your decision now?" Taj's familiar deep voice grumbles from the side.

I do not hesitate to answer . " No. The trip was completely worth it."

The memory of a rainy night, a girl curled up in a chair, with a book in her hands, flashes through my mind and I can feel the corner of my lips lift in a reminiscing smile.

She was totally worth it.

" Ahem." Taj clears his throat and I turn to see him observing me with a single raised brow.

I shake my head and force my expression to remain neutral.

" Right. As I was saying, I know things are gonna be tricky back at home so will you please do me a favor and allow me to enjoy my last moments of freedom ?"

I stare at him with wide unblinking eyes and pout for extra effects, hoping he'll get reminded of  the decent, well mannered child I used to be. 

Which I still am! This was my first act of rebellion.

Compared to what my cousin Shehzaad got up to on a daily basis, I was literally a pure, innocent angel.

" Stop with the weird expression. It's not as if you will listen to me anyway." Taj sighs, rubbing his palm over his face. " Though I must admit, this escape you pulled was quite impressive. I assume you had help? "

A cheshire grin spreads across my mouth, " I did learn from the best. And I'm not betraying my ally at any cost." 

" We know very well who your partner in crime is. Too bad we couldn't blame him as he was hiding away in Japan." Taj murmurs, his tone laced with annoyance at not being able to do anything about this.

My grin widens and I make a mental note to inform Damyan about this incident as soon as possible. He wasn't my jiggar ka tukra for nothing.

" Shh- we don't talk about that. Seriously- it's not his fault so we are gonna leave him out of this okay?" I mime zipping my lips with my finger and throw away the imaginary key.

" Besides why did you bring so many bodyguards anyway?" 

" To make sure you notorious duo won't be able to play any more tricks." He deadpans.

" Come on, have a little faith in me. It is just a one time thing!" I throw my hands up for emphasis but Taj looks unimpressed as always.

" Anyway, since ya'll are already here, make yourself useful and help me out."

As annoying as having your whole life be under constant surveillance was,  I couldn't deny that I was also blessed in many ways. 

Having many men at my disposal can surely come in handy sometimes. God had given me the opportunity and means to do something memorable for Yara and her friends so why not make use of the resources and connections  I had?

I tell Taj my plan for the rest of the night. Despite his skepticism and hesitance about why I am going to such lengths for strangers I had just met, he follows my instructions nevertheless.

" Got it? Great, let me go and get ready now." I turn back and start climbing the stairs, eager to send Yara another message wrapped in paper. I didn't have her number yet but it's okay, I prefer the classic forms of communication anyway.

Just as I reach the second floor's landing, I turn back and lean down. " Make sure everything is perfect."

I don't know what the future had in store for us or when and how I would see Yara again. 

But we still had a few hours left in this island and I was determined to make the most out of this remaining time.

I'm going to make sure this is the best vacation she ever had. A memory that would be engraved in her heart forever.

                   YARA'S POV

The last rays of sun gradually dip behind the clouds, retreating for the night.  I watch as the sky changes from its orangey-red hued outfit into a more dark purplish one.

My friends and I stand in front of Iyaad's bungalow.

Bodyguards surround us in all directions. If someone were to see this scene from afar , they would probably think we had been caught  in some crime scene.

Iyaad had gone back inside for a few minutes to talk to the chief of his security - Taj.

Soon, he jogs down the steps of his bungalow with the intimidating man following closely behind.

Hreedhan discreetly clears his throat and pulls me in front of him. "Why's that scary dude still here?" He whispers, referring to Taj.

I stay quiet as Iyaad approaches us with a neutral expression.

He turns and snaps his fingers, signalling the guards to disperse. The men immediately scatter out of sight.

" Hi! I guess this is the first time we've properly met, aside from a few chance encounters that is." Iyaad shoots us a friendly smile.

My friends remain silent,  no doubt intimated by his presence and the revelation of his true identity.

Sehar steps forward , "I'm really sorry about that day. I had no idea- we were just skeptical about what's really going on. "

" Relax. You guys have nothing to be sorry for. In fact, I'm the one who should be apologizing. I know my presence kind of  ruined your vacation-"

" Not at all! It actually made it more interesting." I chime in .

" She's right. Who doesn't love a bit of adventure? " Hreedhan finally manages to speak up, sidestepping me to forward him a hand in greeting.

Iyaad shakes Hreedhan's hand and smiles.

" Please forgive Yara's antics . I know how scary hearing her scream in the dead of the night must have been." Hreedhan adds with a serious expression . Iyaad bursts out in a fit of chuckles.

My face heats up with embarrassment. I mentally note to punch Hreedhan at the earliest opportunity- or perhaps I can leave an open packet of sugary treats in his suitcase for ants to invade.

"I think seeing me lurking around in a supposedly abandoned bungalow was more horrifying. Especially for Yara." Iyaad's says, his gaze flitting towards me for a  brief second before he continues, " I messed up your plans for relaxation and I truly feel guilty for ruining your vacation. Please let me make it up to you guys by treating you to dinner and planning some fun activities."

"There's no need to go through so much trouble. We don't want to bother you." Aleesha speaks, nudging Hreedhan who looks ready to accept the offer.

" I insist! It would be my pleasure."

" It's honestly not necessary. We don't want to be a bother-" Sehar adds in agreement to Aleesha.

"Okay if you guys think you bothered me and want to make it up to me, please accept my offer. I have a feeling I'll be put under restrictions when I get back home so now's my only chance to go crazy and do whatever I want. I've only got a few more hours left before I have to face my family's wrath so I would like to spend that time getting to know y'all."  His words are directed at all of us but I can feel his magnetic gaze lingering at me in particular.

" If you insist. But please don't take too much trouble." Aleesha finally agrees, her excitement barely contained.

Deep down all of us were curious to see what Iyaad had planned but it would be embarrassing if we agreed from the get go.

" Perfect!" Iyaad claps his hand excitedly, a wide grin spreading across his lips.

" So what are we doing first?" Hreedhan questions, slinging an arm around Aleesha's shoulder.

" How does dinner by the beach sound?"

Aleesha's eyes light up at Iyaad's words, " I heard there's this  restaurant alongside the beach, famous for its BBQ."

" Sure, we can go there if you want." He smiles and looks at me, waiting for my reaction.

I nod, mirroring his smile.

★

" Oh well- tough luck", Hreedhan murmurs, hugging a disappointed Aleesha from the side.

The restaurant is packed, every seat is occupied. The air is filled with laughter, clinking cutlery and the sizzling of the BBQ.

" That actually smells delicious." Sehar's longing voice adds as the smell from the BBQ wafts around our surrounding.

" Sorry sir, every seat is reserved." One of Iyaad's bodyguards jogs back to inform us after checking in with the restaurant's manager.

The men in black had changed into casual clothes in order to blend in and not draw too much attention.

" Call the manager outside. I want to talk to him." Iyaad sighs, ruffling his dark locks and glancing at our disappointed faces.

" It's okay, we can eat somewhere else." I offer, not wanting to pressurize Iyaad.

We should have known better. This was the most popular restaurant on this island. Of course we wouldn't get seats without reservation if we came without notice.

A grumpy looking tired man, who seems to be in his early thirties, grouchily comes out of the restaurant and shoots us a nasty glare as if we're adding to his already heavy workload.

" What? I told ya man already, no reservations means no entry !" he barks at us with his hands on his hips.

Iyaad steps forward with his hands buried in his pockets, " Who owns this restaurant?"

"What do you mean?" The manager scoffs and gives him a side eye.

Iyaad sighs and stretches his hand towards Taj, who seems to get the signal and hands him a phone. He presses a few numbers and holds up the phone to his ears.

Someone picks up on the third ring,
" Hi, it's Iyaad Pathaan. Could you please help me deal with a little situation?"

Iyaad extends his arm, offering the phone to the manager who reluctantly takes it.

A few seconds later the man's scowling face pales and his entire demeanor shifts. " Yes sir, of course sir."

As soon as the call ends, the manager's attitude shifts entirely and he starts apologizing profusely.

" Extremely sorry, sir! I couldn't recognize you. No reservations needed. I'll have the VIP table prepared at once. All your tabs are  on the house. Please feel free to ask about anything you need!"

Aleesha blinks in amazement, while Hreedhan reluctantly throws Iyaad an impressed look. Sehar and I exchange wide-eyed glances, trying to comprehend what just happened.

Minutes later, we are escorted like royalty towards a secluded part of the restaurant which has one side directly connected to the beach.

The room in question overlooks the glimmering ocean as waves crash against the shore, the moonlight bathing its surface in a soft glow.

The view is breathtaking- like something straight out of a movie. I gasp as I take in the sight in front of my eyes.

A circular mahogany table stands in the middle surrounded by sea shell-shaped chairs.

Strings of seashells hang from the ceiling with flickering fairy lights glowing amidst them like fireflies blinking on and off.

Candle lit lamps rest around the border of the room whose floor is filled with white sand from the beach. We can hear a soothing melody playing nearby, as the churning ocean sings in the background.

A gentle breeze blows from the ocean, kissing our face and fluttering the ends of my dress, tickling my exposed feet.

"Please sit, we'll serve the food soon." A waiter bows and leaves the room.

" This is magnificent! Oh my - thank you so much." Aleesha turns to express her gratitude to Iyaad who just smiles and places a hand over his heart, " It's nothing at all."

" Please sit down, guys." Iyaad pulls out a chair and motions towards me, waiting for me to settle down.

I follow his order and send a soft smile towards his way .

He takes the seat beside me while the rest of the group settles down.

True to his words, the waiter immediately comes back, his arms laden with silver trays of various delicacies.

I can see the steam dancing over the charcoal cooked chicken and beef resting on the platters. Sticks surrounded by pieces of various kebabs come next along with freshly cooked seafood.

Sehar has already pulled out her phone and started taking pictures of the decorations.

Aleesha's face is beaming with excitement as she  whispers something to Hreedhan who has his head bent low to hear her.

"Thanks again-"

Before I can speak, Iyaad interrupts me.

" Shush- save your thank yous. This is just the beginning." He winks at me and the corner of his lips turn up in a smirk.

Author's Note

I loved writing Iyaad's pov XD

My jiggar ja tukra - ( translation) piece of my heart

Only a few hours of the beach vacation left - but this is the time they're gonna make the best memories (:

As Iyaad said - this is just the beginning!

Do press that star and let me know your thoughts - love A.M.K