Chapter 21
"Ami... is Salaar still sleeping?" Warda demanded as she saw Mrs. Shamim in the garden, watering her plants.
"No, he left in the afternoon. There was a call from his university," Mrs. Shamim answered in a casual tone, without looking up, continuing her task.
"Ami, who is this girl Zarmeena? I'm extremely worried, thinking of Salaar making the same mistake as Taimur," Warda exclaimed. She had been restless since Salaar broke the news.
"Look, Warda, your frustration is useless because the girl is still unaware of Salaar's feelings, so she's definitely not a gold digger. Secondly, Salaar is much more mature and stubborn in his choices. So, start preparing for another wedding at Malik Villas, because Salaar will never back off, no matter how much you resist it. It is inevitable," Mrs. Shamim uttered sternly, leaving Warda speechless.
"And please, don't do anything else foolish. I'm tired of setting things straight for you. This is the last time I'm fighting your case." Mrs. Shamim's voice rose in frustration-she was really fed up with Warda's strange tactics.
Warda didn't say anything in front of her, but she decided to dig deeper into this girl, Zarmeena.

-------------------------------------------------

"Salaar!"
He gazed upward and saw Sajid looking at him. Along with his love gurus, he was squatting on the bench in front of the girls' common room, waiting for Zarmeena.

"Yes?" Salaar answered, amazed that Sajid was calling him.

"I am Sajid Butt. Actually, I wanted to ask if you've decided to join the sports club," Sajid asked formally and extended his hand, which Salaar ignored. In all his emotional turmoil, he had forgotten about Sir Baqir's proposal to join the sports club.

"I will reveal my decision to the concerned authority only," Salaar answered sternly.

"I'm sorry, I'm not getting you," Sajid replied, a little confused by his answer.

"I mean, you're not a sports person, so how can I tell you what I've decided?" Salaar clarified with attitude.

"Actually, my friend Zarmeena wants to know..." Sajid began, but Salaar interrupted before he could finish.

"Then let her ask me about my decision. I will only tell her. I mean, she's in charge of all this," Salaar finished and stood up, signaling Fahad and Jawad, who were already impressed with Salaar's plan to meet Zarmeena.

They moved ahead, leaving Sajid in shock.

"That bastard Salaar, what does he think of himself? He should be dealt with by Zaro. Let's wait until Zarmeena asks him," Sajid muttered, clenching his teeth in rage.
"Let's treat him with Dr. Zarmeena," he added, letting out a devilish smirk.
------------------------------------------------

"Do you think you are very smart? And that what you did with Sajid will help you win over Zarmeena?" Jawad said with a hint of sarcasm.

They were standing in the parking area, right in front of Rajah (Zarmeena's bike).

"And you think that Zarmeena will come pleading for you to join the swimming club? If you think like that, son, go pack your bags-you are not the one for Zarmeena," Jawad uttered, emphasizing his words.

"I think it's a great idea! Zarmeena will come to Salaar of her own will," Fahad said, taking Salaar's side.

"Fahad, my friend, you are so naive. I suggest you save yourself if you can," Jawad said sympathetically, tilting towards Fahad.

Both of them failed to grasp the meaning of his words. Confused, Fahad glanced to his side and noticed Leena approaching them. He wanted to inform Salaar about Leena's arrival, but suddenly, someone slapped him across the face. His senses blurred for a moment, but Zarmeena's harsh voice brought him back.

"Tit for tat. You insulted my friend, and I insulted yours. It's equal now," she snapped at Salaar, who was already stunned by everything.

"And you," she turned towards Fahad, pointing her index finger at him, "Stay away from my friend Sajida. What did you think-that she wouldn't tell me, and I wouldn't be aware of your intentions?" Near panic, Fahad first nodded, then shook his head in denial.

"Mr. Salaar Malik, you were right about not joining our Sports Club. We also don't need a rude person like you in our club. I will inform Sir Baqir about your decision."

Shooting them deadly glares, Zarmeena turned around, but Leena was standing in her way.

"How dare you talk to Salaar like that?" Leena spat, raising her hand to slap Zarmeena, but Zarmeena stopped her.

"Madam, whatever your name is, you better know your limits and not involve yourself in someone else's matters," Zarmeena raged, gripping Leena's hand tightly. Leena tried to free herself from Zarmeena's grip but couldn't.

"Next time, if you try something like this, I won't just hold your hand-I'll break it," Zarmeena warned before tossing Leena's hand away with a jerk and walking off.

Salaar and Jawad were dumbfounded, while Fahad rubbed his cheek and Leena held her hand in pain. None of them noticed Warda, who had witnessed everything from afar and let out a sigh of relief.
------------------------------------------------

Leena was sitting in front of Salaar in a less crowded section of a popular city restaurant. Both of them were silent. Salaar had come with her to clarify things. He didn't want to feel awkward in front of his friends, and most importantly, he didn't want a stain on his character since he now had feelings for Zarmeena.

"Who was that girl? She looked so low-standard and barbaric," Leena exclaimed in a very disrespectful tone.

"Why did you come to my university?" Salaar didn't like her tone but ignored it and asked casually.

"I wanted to meet you because Nazli forbade me from coming to your house," Leena complained. For the first time, Salaar liked something about Nazli.

"I think she's right. You're a girl, and you should be protective of yourself," Salaar didn't want to encourage her, not even out of courtesy.

"But I desperately want to be near you. You're well aware of my feelings for you," Leena said in a frail voice, full of emotion.

"And these feelings aren't just a matter of one or two days. You are my childhood love," Leena said, her voice etched with emotion.

Previously, Salaar neglected and ignored her, but now that he was familiar with these emotions, he didn't want to break her heart. He chose the best words to gently restrain her.

"Look, Leena, I respect your feelings and am very thankful for your love. But I cannot reciprocate your feelings in the way you want." Unlike his usual rude attitude towards her, Salaar explained very politely.

"So, you're rejecting me again. Salaar, let me make one thing clear-I'm not giving up on you, no matter what. I will follow you and make you mine one day, even if the whole universe is against me," she snapped, fully devoted, with tears in her eyes, meaning every word she said.

"This will never happen. You are, and always will be to me, only Nazli Bhabi's sister and my father's best friend's daughter. Beyond that, we will never have any other relationship," Salaar concluded, taking his car keys from the table.

"And please don't come to my university again because I will never meet you there," he said sternly, realizing he had been mistaken to treat her politely, and headed towards the exit. He knew that being rude was the only way to stop her.