After the proposal, Ashfaq and Nagma had become the popular campus couple. Everyone adored the cute duo and teased them mercilessly as they were always seen holding hands and being all lovey dovey.

However, not everyone was rooting for the couple. There was this certain person who was burning with jealousy at just the mere sight of them. It was Haider who was being a thorn between those two flowers while the kind hearted Ashfaq was oblivious about his best friend's intentions.

As Ashfaq had promised Nagma that he'll be successful man for her sake too, he was now even more fired up to make his dream a reality. He was never found studying though. Bookish knowledge meant nothing to him. His experience of the outside world and gathering knowledge of the market resulted in better understanding and hence better scores for him. He, Haider and Nagma were always the toppers of the college.

After seeing Nagma at the party and witnessing her feisty nature, Haider was attracted to Nagma and desired her even. Ashfaq being unaware of his intentions would usually come to his friend to share the overwhelming feelings of his heart, driving him even more mad.
But, he was adamant to have Nagma all to himself even if it meant stealing her away from his childhood friend.

So, he met with Nagma with the context of apologizing to her.
"Hey Nagma, I'm sorry for behaving like that with you. It was wrong of me to touch you or speak to you in such an imprudent manner. Can you forgive me for that?"

Nagma forgave him innocently and even excepted his friendship. So from then on, Haider always managed to be the kabab mei haddi between them.

####
"Haider, I think it's finally time that we both join hands and start our own company in partnership." Ashfaq proposed one day after the end of their first year.

Haider scoffed.
"Aren't you being too eager? There's still an year left for us to enjoy. Relax man!"

Ashfaq smiled scratching his nape shyly.
"Actually, I am eager. I've promised Nagma that when I become a successful businessman, I'll marry her and I want to uphold my promise as soon as possible so that we can be one soon."

Hearing that left a bitter taste in Haider's mouth.
"Marry her huh? Does she even know who you are? She still thinks you're an ordinary middle class guy, right? Will she be ok knowing you've been hiding your true identity of being the son of famous steel merchant, Saqib Qureshi?"

Ashfaq smiled.
"She loves me and I love her. Even if I'd hidden the truth from her, once I explain her everything, she'll forgive me."

"I see." Haider frowned.
"Alright then, what's your plan for our business?"

Ashfaq sat up excitedly yet the passion in his eyes for his idea was clear.
"We will start a company which will take advantage of all the new opportunities and become an epitome of this modern era." He grinned.

Haider raised an eyebrow at him.
"Ok, sounds interesting."

"How about we take advantage of the global trade? Purchasing local things from the foreign market and introducing them into our Indian market....but it won't be limited to just the rich, but setting prices so that even the middle class folks can benefit from too. And for that, we'll take advantage of the Internet service."

"....and get backrupt within a few months. What a plan!" Haider mocked making Ashfaq laugh.
"Are you serious? Setting prices for the middle class folks? What profit will we earn then? Do you know how expensive internet is? 15000 bucks for mere 40 minutes a day and who has such expertise while we don't know shit about that technology."

"Then we'll higher experts from abroad. Step by step we'll climb the ladder and someday....our company will even become an independent internet service provider." Ashfaq gave him a thumbs up.

"Your father is going to kill you."

"Then let's die after fulfilling our dreams, my brother."

Haider shook his head. Still, however crazy his idea sounded, it had potential and if it became successful, they could become Kings of the market.

"I bet someday internet would be soo wide spread that every person of the world can use it with ease and have the world at their fingertips. Imagine how convenient would that be for everyone!"

Ashfaq was a dreamer, yet he had the passion and the talent to turn his dreams into a reality and even though Haider was a bit skeptical, he was a risk taker. And a business can only flourish if the owners are willing to take big risks, accept challenges and have the guts to do something no one can ever imagine to do.

Higher the risk, greater the outcome. It's either win it big or lose it all and that's the thrill of business.

Haider smirked.
"That kind of business would require an awful lot of capital. Are you planning on raising shareholders?"

"Bingo!"

"And how will you convince people to invest in your crazy plans?"

"Not mine, our! We're in this together."

"Ah, jiyenge saath aur marenge saath huh?"
(We'll love together and die together huh?)

Ashfaq winked.
"Next week, at the party in our mansion, many businessmen and investors will be there. Even a few politicians. Once we present to them our ideas and convince them how profitable it can be for them, I bet we'll have funds raining for us." Ashfaq said confidently.

"You should get a noble prize for your unfiltered confidence." Haider mocked.

"Uh ...was that a compliment?"

"Yeah sure, why not!"

Ashfaq made a face.

#####
Ashfaq's father had always been strict with him as he was his only child and was capable too. He didn't wanted his son to he distracted like the others.... especially that spoilt Haider so his father always made sure to put any kind of invisible leash on his son's neck to keep him under control. However, Ashfaq was a free spirited bird, full of ideas and lively to ever be in full control.

Unlike his father, he liked to hang around middle class or poor people rather than the rich who always liked to show off. He wore simple clothes and was even friendly with the servants of the house who too adored him. He was more like his mother in that aspect.

Still, it wasn't hidden that Ashfaq was infact terrified of his father, yet he respected him immensely. So, it was time he finally told his father about his lady love.

"Unacceptable!"

Ashfaq's heart sank. He knew something like this would happen, however, it still hurt.

"MY Son will marry an ordinary bank manager's daughter?! Have you completely lost your mind staying with those lowly people?" He raged getting off his chair.

Ashfaq sighed.
"Dad please, what kind of era are we living in? What is this middle class and upper class? Everyone is the same in the eyes of the Lord and Nagma is a really nice girl. Trust me, you'll really like her if you just meet her once." He implored.

Saqib scoffed.
"I sent you to college to study and instead you were fooling around just like that Haider?"

"No dad! I really love Nagma and I wish to marry her. We've never done anything haram either and we never would. I've promised you all that I'll be a successful businessman and make you proud and that's what I'll do. After that, I want Nagma to be my wife and your daughter in law."

"Nonsense!" He scoffed.
"She's only clinging to you because you're my son. She's just a gold digger."

Ashfaq smiled.
"That's the point dad. She doesn't even know I'm your son or that I'm rich.
Dad.... please, just give her a chance. Meet her once and then decide. I'll invite her to the party tomorrow and Haider and I also have a business proposal for the investors. It will not only help expand our business, but also give opportunities for impressive growth."

"Saqib ji, listen to him na. Has our son ever demanded anything from us before?"

Ashfaq's face brightened up as he saw his mother being brought in on her wheelchair and he immediately went to her kneeling down beside her like a child as she carased his hair lovingly.

"Shagufta, you're the one who has spoilt him soo much. I've already fixed a marriage meeting for him with my friend's daughter. There's no way I'll ever except a middle class daughter in law." He announced sternly.

Ashfaq gave his mother and puppy face and his mother gave him a look like, 'I've got this'.

"Saqib ji, our Ashfaq said na that he really loves this girl. Let's meet her once atleast. I really want to see my son's choice thought. Please....for me~~" She cooed tilting her head and no matter how much Saqib tried, he couldn't ignore his lovely wife and instantly melted, still struggling to maintain his angry composure but failing miserably.

"N...now your being unfair Sagufta. Fine, bring her tomorrow. We'll meet your choice of girl." He cleared his throat and Ashfaq bit the inside of his cheeks to stop his smile seeing how always his angry young man of a father turns putty in front of his mother. She gave him a thumbs up and Ashfaq kissed his mother's hand gratefully.
He was the closest to his mother and loved her with all his heart.

#####
"So, your father agreed to meet Nagma?" Haider questioned shocked and pissed.

"Yeah, of course he was mad at the beginning but then obviously, he couldn't say no to Mom." Ashfaq informed across the cordless, grinning from ear to ear while working on the presentation on the computer.

"I see..."

"So, how is your part of the presentation going? We need to make a lasting impression on the investors tomorrow night."

"Yeah ...good."

That's when Ashfaq heard a slight voice a girl moaning.
"Tsk! Damn you Haider. Give it up already." He yelled disgusted.

Haider chuckled.
"What's so wrong with that? I'm just living my life....right darling."
The girl giggled.

Ashfaq rubbed the bridge of his nose irritated.
"Whatever! Just complete the presentation and bring the floppy tomorrow at the party. Or I'll really kill you!"

"Got it....now I'm busy." He hung up. Ashfaq sighed and got back to his presentation mumbling a prayer of forgiveness for his buddy.

#####
Nagma gasped seeing the grandeur of the mansion. She was informed that there was going to be a party at the Qureshi mansion but she didn't even imagine it would be soo grand and the decoration would be soo breathtaking.

It was the birthday of the Qureshi family's only son and it was Ashfaq's birthday too. That was strange. She wondered.

She was wearing the same saree that she wore at the college party as she nervously walked inside. However, even though she tried to be invisible, she had unknowingly caught a lot of attention by her beauty.

Her eyes nervously scanned through the crowd searching for the one for she was there for.

"Nagma! You came. Excellent....and you look stunning." Haider walked towards her admiring her her from top to bottom.

"Haider! Oh thank God! Atleast I found you. Where's Ashfaq? And are you both really going to do a presentation in front of all these people? Wow!" She said looking around at the fancy crowd.

Haider smirked and put his arm around her shoulder making her even more uncomfortable.
"Ashfaq will be here, forget about him for a while and come have a drink with me."

"Oh no no no.... I don't drink." She panicked and Haider laughed.
"Relax Nagma, it's just juice. Come."

He took her to the bar and handed her a glass of pomegranate juice, watching her as she sipped on it and the way she gulped it. The glass leaving her lips ....her plump pink lips that he was soo tempted to bite into.

Involuntarily his fingers reached below her chin gazing intently at her lips as she froze.
"Haider .....what are you...."

Just then...
"Nagma... Haider!"

Haider's jaw clenched as he saw Ashfaq walking towards them towards them and Nagma getting that huge smile on her face ignoring him.

"Sorry I was late." He scratched his nape. Then he looked at Nagma and his hand went over his chest dramatically.
"So gorgeous.... let's just get married now!"

She slapped his arm blushing as he grinned.

"Alright you to love birds. It's showtime. Here's your floppy." Haider said distracting them annoyed and removing the floppy from his coat handed it to Ashfaq.

Ashfaq took a deep breath.

"Good luck....both of you."

Ashfaq smiled and kissed her hand before leaning close to her ear.
"A kiss on the cheek would be my goodluck charm."

Nagma gasped hitting him again.
"Shameless!"

He chuckled.
"After this presentation.... I want you to meet someone and there's something important I wanna say."

"Ok." She nodded squeezing his hand.

#####
Nagma watched in awe as both the men were giving their presentation in such an impressive manner. No doubt everyone one was impressed, however, there were still doubts on everyone's faces or some thought of their ideas as just wishful thinking.

"We want to dare to use the opportunities provided by the World Trade Organization and turn a new leaf for the Indian business bu going global." Haider continued.

"This won't only result in profits but also improve the standard of living and provide ample of employment opportunities...." Ashfaq added.

"Your son is always full of new and daring ideas." One man said to Saqib.

"Indeed. He's not only thinking about profits but also the betterment of society." Another added.

Saqib smiled feeling proud of his son.

"But....will it work? We are ready to invest in this project but....will it actually be successful?" One of them asked the two.

Nagma looked at Ashfaq worried. She had complete faith in his ideology but of course, the investors would be skeptical. They'd be investing their hard earned money after all.

However, Ashfaq smiled.
"Success comes through hardwork and perseverance. The more dedicated you are the better the results and we aren't leaving any stone unturned to turn this dream into a reality."

His answer surely impressed everyone as the room was full of applause and Nagma almost had tears in his eyes.

Ashfaq looked at his parents and then at his Nagma who were proudly applauding for him. Now it was time to reveal the truth.

He ran towards Nagma but before he could reach her he was surrounded by many people, investors to be precise and suddenly lost sight of her.

#####
"You must be Nagma?"

Nagma looked at her side and saw a middle aged woman on a wheelchair who seemed like someone quite rich and influential, smiling at her warmly.

"Yes." Nagma answered confused as to how did she knew her name.

"Come closer child."

Nagma obliged as she sat down on her knees in front of her.... utterly confused.

"MashaAllah.... you're as beautiful as my son said. No wonder he's soo head over heels in love with you." She smiled patting her cheek.

Son? Was she Ashfaq's mother? Not possible....she looked like a woman of high status and Ashfaq was just an ordinary guy who got a chance to do a presentation in here.

"Madam....you must've mistaken me for someone else."

Shagufta chuckled.
"Madam? Call me Mom like our Ashfaq does."

Nagma's heart skipped a beat.
She really was her Ashfaq's mother?!

"Saqib ji...come her please. See this is the girl our Ashfaq has chosen. Isn't she lovely?"

Nagma looked up with wide eyes as Saqib Qureshi, the Steel king of the market walked up to them. The man she had only seen in newspapers was right in front of her and....they were calling Ashfaq their son.

It was all making sense now. How he never told her about his family much, the way he bought all those movie tickets for everyone with such ease, wearing such expensive clothes, being friends with someone like Haider Malik and being soo comfortable around everyone at that party. Even if this was a birthday party, no one came up except for him....and now this.

She was frozen to the core as realisation hit her.

"Mom... Dad!"

Nagma slowly turned back, getting on her feet as Ashfaq walked up to them with a big smile on his face.

"So, you've already met my Nagma. See, I told you you'll love her the moment you see her?" He said holding her hand while she just stood frozen shifting her gaze from him to them.

"Beta ...may God bless you both. Such a sweet and beautiful girl. I would love to have you as my daughter in law." Shagufta smiled making Ashfaq a blushing mess.

"Nagma...this is what I wanted to tell you. Actually.... I'm Ashfaq Saqib Qureshi. And these are my parents. I'm sorry I never told this to you.... I ..."

"Excuse me!"

Holding her saree, Nagma darted out of the door leaving everyone stunned. Ashfaq soon followed her.

"Nagma? Nagma wait! What's wrong?" He caught up to her before she could exit the gate and grabbed her arm but she angrily yanked it back yelling at him...
"Don't touch me!"

Ashfaq was taken aback by her reaction.

"You lied to me!"

His heart ached seeing her tears and that anger in her entire being. He was scared now as he didn't even know what he did wrong.
"Nagma ..."

"Don't take my name!" She grunted shutting her eyes. She had always loved the way he said her name but at that moment, it pricked her like a thorn.
"You've been lying to me for months now, making a fool out of me... playing with my heart. How could you do this to me?! Being the son of a rich businessman but you acted like someone soo ordinary?"

Her voice was breaking and tears cascading down her cheeks, making him miserable.

"Nagma....let me explain...."

"No! I cannot handle any of your lies. It's over. I hate you Ashfaq! You're just a lying, cheat, fraud who toyed with my emotions. I can never forgive that!" She yelled and turned to her heels but he leaped towards her and hugged her from behind stopping her.

"Please.... don't leave me! I love you Nagma .... believe me. I only hid the truth so that you would love me for who I am." He implored desperately.

"You thought I was a gold digger, didn't you?"

"No! No! Never! I know your heart is pure and I know you love me. I was wrong.... please forgive me and give me a chance.... please Nagma.... I can't live without you...."

She couldn't live without him either, but she couldn't stand lying either. Knowing the truth only broke her and crushed her trust completely.

"No Ashfaq.... it's over!"

And just like that, she walked away leaving him in shambles.... calling out to her.

All this didn't go unnoticed by Haider who was smiling trimphantly. He was the one who sent Shagufta to Nagma before Ashfaq could get a chance to talk to her.

Now that Ashfaq was out of the way .... Nagma was all his now. 

_________________________________

To be continued......