For the first time, Manal listened to cheery music whilst driving to work. She lip-synced to it, effortlessly parking her BMW car. Opening the door, Manal frowned, picking up her bag and keys. Where was Raza? His irritating face always greeted her first thing at work. Ready to carry her bag and annoy her with the schedule and everything under the sun. Was he alright?

Manal pulled her long beige overcoat closer and gracefully walked towards the entrance. Perhaps he was there.

Stopping at the reception desk, she placed a hand on the counter. A young man smiled politely, greeting her. She reciprocated in a hurry and added, "Where is Raza? Has he not come?"

"He called. He will be half an hour late. His landlord wanted to discuss something with them."

Manal nodded and dragged her hand off the counter. Clenching the bag, she stepped into the elevator.

Raza stumbled down the auto, pulled on the strap of his laptop bag, and darted towards the revolving door entrance. Huffing, he greeted everyone back with full zeal. In a hurry, he almost dashed into a short woman in a knitted V-neck top and jeans.

"Hey!" She tossed her curly hair behind. Her frown turned into a dreamy smile.

"Raza."

"Hi, Mini. I am in a hurry." He gasped, still running, - "Boss will rip me apart."

When Raza realized Manal had gotten her coffee from the café. He gulped, wiping sweat off his forehead, and pulled his dark blue sweater's sleeves up to his elbows. Dumping his bag at his desk, he fixed his hair and hurried to Boss's cabin.

Manal stood by the tall window and stared out at Noida's skyline. She held her hips with one hand and held a cup with the other. The bitter taste eventually grew on her tongue, else she liked coffee made by Raza. And only by him.

Besides the taste, it eases her nerves and makes her tension wash away. After her friend's phone call disturbed her, and a headache rose from behind her neck. She needed his coffee.

There were a series of knocks at the door. Manal walked to the table and placed her cup, calling the person inside. Raza jumped inside, profusely apologizing. Manal rolled her eyes, sitting properly on the office chair.

"But why are you late?"

"Arey, that Ch—landlord Prem. His name is Prem, but he is no less than a dictator. After I finished my gym and walk, I returned to the flat and Prem was checking our belongings. Some idiot was smoking. It is Vinay, I am sure. Prem, our landlord, is very particular about no smoking, no drinking,g and girls."

Manal sighed, massaging her temples.

"Boss, crocin?"

She nodded tiredly. Fixing the heater, she removed her beige overcoat and placed it on the sofa.

Everything was perfect until the call.

"Boss, I'm sorry. Because of me—"

"No, it isn't your fault." Manal cut him off. She sat down on the chair again. After he saved her from drowning, she had gotten subconsciously soft on him. And annoyed, he occupied most of her thoughts.

Raza suggested he get fresh coffee for her. Manal groaned, nodding. After he left the cabin, her phone beeped again. Dreading, she checked and cringed, realizing she had been added into their business school's group.

The Doon Goons.

In her mind, Manal strangulated her friend Misha.

*Hey, you guys are coming as alumni?

*Oh yes.

* I have shifted abroad, so will see

*Have You guys heard anything about Zayan?

*ooo, Zayan. Heard about him being lost.

*Kidnapped?

*His girlfriend is getting married to someone else.

*Which one?

*His father's choice, I think. Raesha Amin.

*Such is life. People just easily forget you and move on.

*He was our senior, he won't come

.

.

.

Manal muted the group and slammed the phone face down. She leaned, holding her head with both her hands, and sighed.

Should she go to the reunion? Then, it might, most definitely will, refresh old wounds. But Zayan won't come. So, what is the harm? She sighed and called Asim. He revealed he was added to the group as well, and was excited to go. He encouraged her. Speaking to him, she felt much better.

Raza walked in with a cup of coffee and his smile grew, noticing Manal was busy on her computer.

"Feeling better?"

"Book my and Asim's ticket to Dehradun."

For a fleeting second, his smile dropped, then he grinned, - "Wow, honeymoon."

Manal glared at him, and he apologized, retracting his figure.

"None of your business."

Raza nodded, and licked his lips, - "How many days?"

"Ask the details from Asim."

"Okay."

Raza walked out of the cabin and went straight into the cafeteria and ordered a cup of masala chai.

"Hi, Raza. How is Boss's mood now?" A soft feminine voice spoke from behind. He turned and beamed at the curly-haired young woman.

"Better. Fortunately." He wiped his forehead with his upper arm. Mini smiled, fidgeting with the thread of the tea bag.

"How is everyone else at home, Mini?" Raza inquired casually, taking the small ceramic cup from the counter.

"All good. Ravi and his mother came yesterday. My marriage is fixed."

Raza looked excitedly at her, - "Congrats." He gave his hand. Mini happily shook his hand.

"I will send you an invitation." She winked. He nodded.

"You, Boss, Asim. You all are lucky to have someone special in your life." He dipped the tea bag, sitting at the table.

Mini rested one arm on the table, and picked her cup with the other hand, - "Why don't you find your special one?"

Raza sipped his tea and quietly placed the cup on the saucer plate, - "Not yet. You know about my old father and our financial status. Not many women will be interested in marrying a financially broken man."

"But you are good-looking and a gentleman."

"Who cares?" Raza shrugged, - "Everyone wants money." He gestured with his hands.

"Not everyone," Mini replied.

Raza doesn't counter her instead; he diverts their talks to her fiancé Ravi and marriage plans.

Later in his cubicle, Raza booked tickets for his boss and her fiancé. Then, he prepared her schedule for the day and adjusted other important tasks around the dates she will be at Dehradun. He contacted Sohail, and they discussed business in her absence. Working the whole day, running behind Manal and entertaining Asim, Raza was tired by the end of the day.

Manal left the office early, as she wasn't feeling well. Raza also packed up his desk and left as well. Taking an auto, and got to his apartment. Only one of his flatmates, Karan, was there. He had been in the living room, browsing on his laptop. Raza removed his bag and fell on the couch.

"Any luck on the new job?"

Karan clicked his tongue, - "It is so damn hard to find a job nowadays. Without a job and heavy EMIs, life is a nightmare for us, middle class."

"True, man." Raza rubbed his face, and patted his thighs, - "That is why whatever job you got is a blessing." He shared his thoughts of wisdom.

Karan hummed in agreement.

Freshening up, Raza wore woolen loungewear and slumped on the lower berth of the bunker bed. He glanced around, checking if he was the only one in the room. With a cheeky smile, he stared at Manal's photo from the beach. Zooming on her assets, he caressed her photo with his fingertips.

Manal tugged on the long sleeves of her blue knitted top and glided her palms over her hour-shaped hips. Raising her chin, she touched her neck and checked on her thighs, behind, and arms. She wasn't plus-size anymore. Will everyone recognize her? Maybe this was a bad idea. Nerves began to give her cold feet. Manal contemplated if she should call Asim and cancel the trip.

She picked up her phone, thought for a second, and placed it back on the table. Then again picked up the phone and got to Asim's number. Before dialing, she tossed it on the bed. Manal let out a sigh and fell on the bed, covering her face with her palms.

2011, Delhi

Manal munched on some chips, sat crossed legs on the couch, and watched her favorite rom-com. She and her mom always watched it together, as it was their go-to movie.

Now, comfort movie.

Sohail hurriedly climbed down the stairs, looking around. He halted upon finding his nineteen-year-old daughter on the sofa. He gripped the envelope tightly and sauntered towards her.

"Princess, you are here."

"Obviously," Manal grumbled, popping another chip into her mouth.

Sohail didn't let her tone deter him; he sat beside her and snatched the packet from her. She protested, but he shoved the envelope into her chubby hands.

"What is this?"

"Your dream business school--and your mother's too. Pack your bags for Dehradun." He announced, opening his arms and grinning.

Manal blinked. Slowly, a smile cracked on her face. Shakily, she tore the envelope and pulled her a letter- her acceptance letter. Manal looked up and leaped, embracing her father. They swayed on the spot, Sohail caressed the back of her head.

He arranged a treat for his only daughter. Sohail got her a new luxury car as a gift. And even send her on a solo trip to Mauritius. After his wife's death, he began to over-pamper his only daughter. A living symbol of his love for his Zooni.

Being very close to her mother, Manal was hit hard. She started binge eating. With her weight increasing, Sohail never let her confidence go down. No matter what her size, he loved her unconditionally.

Manal was secure in herskin to don a bikini in Mauritius and flaunted her curves. Enjoyed the beachesand the sun. 

Thesummer in Dehradun was pleasant, unlike Delhi's scorching heat. Manal placed herpurple-tinted sunglasses on top of her head. Clenching the handle of hertrolley bag, she dragged her luggage through the tall metal gates into theelegant, posh, and prestigious school.

Mostly, uber-rich and NRI kids study in this illustrious business school. Reading the map, she confidentially walked through the pathway. On the way, the wheels of her trolley bag hurt someone. He hissed, jumping on the spot.

"Oh, oh, I am sorry."

"It is--okay." A mid-height guy smiled at her. Manal observed he wore a plain non-branded shirt and worn-out jeans. His shoes also seemed "trying too hard." He must be a scholarship student from a humble background.

"Asim. Asim Siddique."

"Manal--Emeer." She straightened.

"B.com first year?"

She nodded.

"Same." Happily, he gave his hand. Manal shook his hands firmly. Before he could say anything, she excused herself. The entire journey from Delhi to here was exhausting, and she wanted to sleep.

Reaching her room, Manal noticed there was another bed, and they had claimed their side. The window side.

She sighed, dropped her handbag on the bed, and rested her luggage against the cupboard allotted to her.

After calling her father and speaking for some time; promising to send photos. Manal got to arrange her desk and wardrobe.

Sometime later, an intense vanilla scent floated into the room, and a loud clicking of high heels approached. Manal stopped and leaned back. A tall, slender girl of her age walked haughtily towards the room. Manal eyed her red pumps, skinny jeans and floral shirt with buttons undone till her collar-bone. She flipped her hair to her back.

Manal secretly prayed she wasn't in this room. But to her disappointment, she walked right in.

She paused, judging her from top to bottom. Manal ignored her and continued to arrange the top section.

"Um, are you a scholarship student?" There was a hint of an American accent in her voice.

Manal shook her head. She pushed back her shoulder-length hair and tied it in a quick bun.

"Then?"

"I am Manal." She replied, turning her head and giving her hand.

The girl glanced at her hand, then again observed her from head to toe.

"Daneen Haque, daughter of top Heart Surgeon Meer Haque and gynecologist Firdous Azmi." She announced haughtily. Manal mentally rolled her eyes, slowly retracting her hand.

"Good to know."

"Are you in this room?" Daneen asked, in a snooty tone.

"Yup!" Manal resumed arranging.

"You can't stay here. This is my room."

"So." Manal placed both her hands on her hips, - "Do you own this place?"

Daneen glared at her, - "I don't like you."

"Too bad." She ignored her and turned to unpack her laptop bag.

Daneen's jaw dropped. This was her insult. Angered, she overturned all her clothes from the closet.

Manal gasped, - "What the he--"

"Listen--chubby queen. I said what I said. Okay. Else I will tell the hostel warden."

Manal huffed, placing her hands on her hips again, and replied arrogantly, - "After this, I am not interested in staying here. You stay here, b**ch."

Daneen gasped. Manal looked away and walked out of the room. Later, she complained to the hostel warden, but she was asked to adjust. Manal argued, but the warden turned her down. So, she suggested Miss. Susan D'Souza to check on them. When they reached their room, both were shocked to find someone had thrown out all of Manal's stuff. Her clothes, lingerie, books, electronics, everything. The door shut. Before Susan could react, Manal gritted her teeth, flipped her hair, and tugged up the belt of her high-waist jeans.

"Miss. Emeer." Susan yelped.

Manal kicked the door open and launched on Daneen. Susan's eyes widened, and the other girls rushed out of their rooms. Loud commotions with both the girls hurling dirty abuses at each other whilst physically and passionately fighting.

Later, Manal sat in the cafeteria ordering a large soda and fries. Wiping her angry tears, she stuffed her mouth with fries. Sohail had called her after her complain.

"Bahut khoob, beta. Did you punch her face?"

"Don't fret, my child. Focus on your studies, okay? And stay away from such people. They will ruin your academic career. They aren't here for the reason you are. Nor they are as intelligent and gorgeous as you. Beta. Be brave. And, if things are getting overwhelming, then come home. There are many business schools here."

With tears blurring her vision, Manal slurped her soda. She wished she could confess that her dream wasn't this. But to be a freelance painter. She had seen her father breaking down after her mother's death. And grew up with relatives taunting them about not having a male heir for business. With that, Manal decided to be that "heir" for her father. But this was all suffocating.

"Hi!" A familiar man's voice greeted her. Manal looked up and found the young guy from earlier today smiling at him. She forgot his name.

"May I sit with you? I am sorry. I found you sitting alone and--"

"No need to sympathize with me."

Asim recoiled, standing in his place. Slowly, he shook his head, - "I didn't mean to." He paused, - "But everyone needs a friend."

Ten minutes later, Manal gelled with him. He talked about his parents and young sisters in Bhopal. His father was a professor, while his mother was a homemaker. His simpleness and frankness impressed Manal. His happy-go-lucky nature was motivating.

In this dull and unknown place, his company could be a breath of fresh air. After lunch, they walked out and towards their department when a bike whooshed past them. Manal's elbow hit the handle, and she winced, falling to the ground.

"Hey!" Asim yelled. Manal checked her elbow and had a bruise. She was thankful it wasn't a fracture. The person on the bike halted with a screech and turned the bike. Asim held Manal's shoulders to support her and moved her behind her.

The biker stopped inches away from them, almost toppling both together.

"Moron, you could have gotten us killed." Manal brandished her heavy fist at him. The guy casually lifted his helmet's lens. Manal's eyes met a pair of piercing green eyes. The way those bright green eyes looked at her seemed like he was peering into her soul. A tremor ran down her spine.

Manal and Zayan's first meeting *_*

How was their first encounter? Excited for more 

Stay Tuned for the next update ;)

Drop your thoughts in the comments, my lovelies. Comment lots and lots and lots *muuah*