Next day Fawaz came to work with a gloomy expression on his face. He hated this monotonous life, he is working so hard since so long and now he is running out of patience, he is impatient for the result.

This evening is the Walima (reception). This time his mother had promised him she will personally decide his attire and make sure he wore that. Begum has seen a girl she found interesting, that girl works in an MNC. What's frightening is that the girl and his mother has shown interest in him. The thought itself is making Fawaz stressed.

He met Arshad in the elevator, can this day get any worse? Arshad beamed at him while Fawaz forced a smile.

'You are coming for Walima right?' Arshad asked as the elevator door shuts. Fawaz nodded, what other option does he have? His mother will force him anyway, it will lead to an unnecessary argument. He is going to lose to his mother anyway. So, what is the point?

With each floor the lift traveled, sharing space with Arshad made Fawaz feel miserable.

Fawaz couldn't concrete on his work, frustration building inside him. He wished Miara was there with him to comfort him, he used to share everything with her. And feel much better about himself. He had shared all his insecurities, fears, happiness. Somehow, she always had right words to tell him, encourage and motivate him.

He held his head in his palms. He felt like a loser; he isn't getting promoted, he has lost his girlfriend, his mother wants him to get married and produce babies. He groaned dropping his head on his desk, can things go any worse?

Just then he heard a soft knock at his door, he quickly composed himself.

'Come in' he said and a peon walked into his cabin. Fawaz looked up at the peon dressed in a grey suit.

'Sir, Tasneem ma'am wants to meet you. It's urgent' he said, Fawaz nodded and asked the peon to leave.

He is in a very bad mood but he must maintain his calm, one mistake might spoil days and months of his hard work.

Fawaz washed his face, taking a deep breath he stared at his reflection.

'I can do this, I can do this' he motivated himself aloud. Adjusting his tie and coat he walked out of the washroom.

He knocked at the door and after getting an affirmative response he entered. Tasneem looked up at him, her stern expression turning into a soft one. Fawaz felt uncomfortable with the smile she is flashing at him, she has never done this before.

'Sit' she gestured him, he nodded taking his seat across the table from her.

'I spoke to Arshad yesterday at the wedding and he said something interesting to me. I didn't know you were a matchmaker as well' she said and Fawaz gulped, he got a hint of where this conversation is going.

'Maam, Zeeshan is my friend. Mr. Khan is my senior and like a father figure to me. He was worried and I asked his reason then he explained me. I wanted to ease his tension so I suggested this alliance' Fawaz explained calmly making sure he doesn't stammer or look nervous.

Tasneem nodded her head, she leaned back, her eyes piercing his, 'You did because you were concerned for him or you were hoping he would retire and you get his post?' she said calmly

Fawaz's mouth fell open. How did she know? He wasn't obvious was he?

Fawaz gulped feeling the heat but he shook his head, 'No Maam, I was genuinely concerned for him' he said sounding innocent. Tasneem smirked, she placed her palm on the table, her long nails tapping the glass table.

'I have a proposal for you'. she said resting her elbows on the arm rest and joining her fingertips

'Tonight, at the Walima I will be coming with my daughter, I want you to find a match for her as well...and if you succeed...I will think of your promotion' she said and Fawaz looked at her nervously.

'And for your information, Mr. Khan was supposed to retire after the wedding but I convinced him otherwise' she added coolly still staring at him through her cat-eyed glasses. Fawaz felt trapped if he agreed he will be taking a huge risk. What if he isn't able to find a match? Will he ever get promotion then? And his mother will be at the Walima too, she might try hitching him with Mrs. Shah's daughter, god knows what kind of woman is her daughter?

According to Tasneem she is a rebel and is giving a very hard time to her, God knows what she will do to him.

Fawaz gulped and after a while, he gave a reluctant nod. She smiled gesturing him to leave.

Once in his cabin, Fawaz aggressively kicked his chair. He slammed his hands on his desk.

What is happening in his life? Where is this taking him? He just wants the damn promotion, now from where is he going to find a groom for a wild rebel girl. He fell on his chair loosening his tie. He massaged his forehead.

Just then his phone beeped and an unknown number flashed on the screen. Fawaz looked at it, he didn't want to pick up the call but a small voice in his head asked him to pick it up.

'Hello' he said, his voice quivered as he tried very hard to control his anger

'Hello' a familiar meek female voice came from the other side. Fawaz stood up, instantly recognizing the voice.

'Miara' he said, a smile appearing on his lips. She must have felt that he needed her the most right now. His eyes felt moist.

'Thank God you called, I was missing you so....'

'I am getting married, Fawaz' she interrupted him and Fawaz froze. For a moment, he thought he is hearing things and she actually said something else. Just to ensure himself, he asked her

'WH...What?' his lips trembled. He can't believe what heard? She is getting married.

'Fawaz, my marriage is next week.... I am sorry' she sobbed from the other side. Fawaz fisted his fingers tightly

'Shut up! Don't you ever try contacting me...else...I swear I will kill you' he yelled. Finally, he lost his cool. He could hear her pleas but he cuts the call. Fuming with rage, he threw his phone that flew and smashed against the wall.

Fawaz ran his fingers through his jet-black hair frustrated.

******************

Fawaz adjusted his maroon shervani, a gloomy expression on his face. His mother stood behind him giving advice which is going unheard. There are a lot of things going through his head, how is Maha going to be like? How will he find a groom for her? And what if he fails, he will never get his promotion? Even though his motive of buttering her had always been for a selfish reason he had always seen her as his role model and inspiration. But she has proven herself to be even more selfish than him. He sighed exasperatedly.

*************************

Fawaz received a call as he climbed down his car, he quickly fished out his mobile and checked it.

Shah Maam calling, it flashed on his mobile screen.

He rolled his eyes

'Hello, Maam...Yes Maam we have just arrived...we are at the gate' he said on the phone, he looked around searching for Tasneem. He then looked at his parents who are standing beside him, his mother is adjusting her orange and white saree while his father is looking around at the guests.

'Ma, Papa. My boss is coming here to join us...please behave' he whispered urgently, his father frowned while his mother shook her head.

Minutes later Fawaz spotted Tasneem Maam approaching them, she is wearing peach colour Saree, her hair open. Fawaz must say even at her age she has maintained herself well, his gaze then fell on the girl walking beside her. She is dressed in Royal blue lehengha and white Choli, her dupatta on one side exposing her perfect flat tummy and her hair resting on the other side. She looks disinterested.

Fawaz smiled at Tasneem but then his smile fades when he noticed the familiar hazel bambi eyes.

'Hello Fawaz' Tasneem greeted him forwarding her hand, Fawaz nodded shaking her hand

'Hello Maam,' he greeted her politely, 'these are my parents' he introduced his parents, they all greet each other. Fawaz noticed his mother staring at the girl beside Tasneem, looking at her from top to bottom and back again.

'This is my daughter, Maha' Tasneem introduced the girl beside her. Fawaz almost smacked his forehead but somehow controlled himself. This is a disaster, how is he to find a groom for her, she already has a boyfriend. Not only does he have to look for a groom but he must also convince her to marry, but then, why should he? His deal was only to find a groom, what if he hooks her with her boyfriend.

His reverie broke when he hears Maha's voice 'I have met you before' she said forwarding her hand towards him. Fawaz felt his mother nudge him with her elbow, he turned to glare at her but she gestured him to shake hands with Maha. Fawaz looked at her and smiled shaking her hand.