Chapter 22

Faizan was resting on a couch, enjoying a book, when Warda entered the room and collapsed on the seat with a bang near Faizan, exhausted.

"Warda, where did you go in such a hurry?" Faizan demanded without removing his eyes from the book.

Warda raised her head a bit, and after a brief silence, she started laughing. This time, Faizan set the book aside and watched her, dumbfounded.

"Oh Faizan, I was worried to death for nothing," Warda said with a deep sigh of relief.

"What do you mean?" Faizan still didn't understand.

"I was always scared of having another Nazli at home but didn't expect such a beautiful result out of all my fears," Warda said in a relaxed tone.

"I still don't get it," Faizan said, confused.

"Wait." She pressed the button on the table used to call the servants.

"Yes, ma'am?" The servant appeared with a bowed head and asked obediently.

"Inform Dadi about our arrival," she ordered the servant and then turned to Faizan.

"Faizan, let's go. I'll reveal everything in front of Ami." She exclaimed excitedly. Seeing her enthusiasm, Faizan followed her silently. A few minutes later, she was explaining the whole story, from Fahad's slap to Leena's hand, with all the enthusiasm she could muster. Dadi and Faizan listened, their faces etched with surprise.
Warda finished and gazed at them for a response.

"Wow, it seems that Salaar is in love with a real girl," Faizan said, still shocked, while Dadi smiled at their reactions.

"Don't be too happy because it is almost impossible for Salaar to win over that firecracker," Dadi exclaimed, seeing their excitement. They bowed their heads in disappointment.

"But there is still a way."

Both of them raised their heads, looking for hope.

"I think we should help him and try another way," Dadi said, deep in thought.

"Another way?" Warda asked, the question clear in her eyes.

"Let's officially meet Zarmeena's family and ask for her hand for Salaar," Dadi revealed her plan for pursuing Zarmeena.

"From my experience, Zarmeena is not likely to engage in informal relationships," Dadi added, her words filled with the wisdom of her age.

"Ami, you're absolutely right! Let's go today... why not now?" Warda rose in excitement, not wanting to lose the chance.
"Warda, I don't like your urgencies. These things need proper planning. Let me make some investigations first," Dadi said with a hint of annoyance. Warda, who had risen like foam on water, collapsed back into the chair as the excitement deflated

"And Warda, it will be better if you leave nasty games for a while and give some attention to Musa. Yesterday, Majid gave me his report card, which he took from the trash can. Musa tossed it in the dustbin because he failed in Maths. If Nazli is unable to perform her role as a mother, at least you should play your part as a grandmother," Dadi continued, nagging her. Warda had to listen, fuming at Nazli.

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The next day, all of them were sitting in the furthest corner of the lawn, with no one else around. Both Salaar and Fahad were pensive, while Jawad was amusingly looking at them.

"Oh, come on, it's not a big deal. Now snap out of this," Jawad said in an urging tone.

"Of course, you can say that because you weren't the one who took all this to your face," Fahad grumbled, still annoyed. "I don't know why I'm always the victim of Salaar's love. First, you punch me, then she slaps me. You're also Salaar's friend, but you remain unharmed. Why?" Fahad continued his complaints.

"Because you're stupid. How could you forget that Zarmeena would come after you for your discussion with Salida?" Jawad said calmly, but it only ignited Fahad further.

"You were the one who compelled me to do so! And Zarmeena must have weak eyesight if she couldn't see that her friend has no qualities that anyone with even a little sense would pursue," Fahad said, almost crying.

"I signaled to both of you, but as always, you're slow to respond," Jawad shrugged.

"Yes, first you dragged me into the battle and then signaled to escape. What a deadly friend we have," Fahad said, gazing at Salaar and pointing at Jawad.

"Hahaha," Junaid chuckled. "Let me first appreciate Zarmeena for her double attack. She killed two birds with one stone and took revenge for both her friend and herself in one stroke," Jawad couldn't control his chuckles.

"Oh, actually three birds... Who was that girl, Salaar? She was so beautiful, buddy," Jawad exclaimed, his mouth agape.

"She is Leena, Salaar's bhabi Nazli's sister," Fahad replied casually.

"Don't think of any nonsense. She's never dated anyone. Since childhood, she's been into Salaar, but he's constantly rejecting her," Fahad added, noticing Jawad's admiring gestures toward Leena.

"Salaar, you're... impossible," Jawad stretched the last word.

"Are you an angel or something, rejecting such beauty? All your family has beauty running through their veins," Jawad was utterly impressed by Leena.

"God is extremely unfair to us. He has given you everything-looks, wealth, and intelligence," Jawad gasped.

"That's your misconception. I'm not blessed with everything. Some people are more fortunate without these qualities," Salaar exclaimed hopelessly.

Fahad and Jawad looked at him with questioning eyes.

"That bastard Sajid. Zarmeena is ready to do anything for him," Salaar shook his head in disbelief.

"Ohhhh, hooo. Jealousy, huh? Now I get why you insulted him," Jawad smirked mischievously.

Suddenly, Fahad's phone started beeping. He looked at the screen and picked up.

Both Salaar and Jawad focused on Fahad, but Fahad excused himself to answer the call.

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Salaar and Junaid entered the auditorium. Salaar's eyes scanned the area and found Zarmeena at the table tennis section.

She was wearing black loose pants, a white long shirt with a black hoodie over it. Her short hair was free of a ponytail today, and she wore a black cape. A multi-colored muffler was wrapped around her neck.

A beautiful smile touched Salaar's face-he loved everything about Zarmeena, from her tomboyish outfit to her almost worn-out sneakers.

Zarmeena struck the ball in a way that won her the game. Her face shimmered with the joy of victory as she chuckled, lifting both hands in a winning gesture.
Salaar felt her happiness in his own heart.

"Salaar, control yourself. Sir Baqir is coming." Jawad's warning brought him back, and for a moment, he felt ashamed of his behavior.

"Oh, Salaar, thank you. I cannot tell you how happy I am that you joined." Sir Baqir shook his hand vigorously, showing his pleasure.
"My pleasure, sir," Salaar replied genuinely.
"Zarmeena, come here for a moment," Sir Baqir called her.
Her delightful smile vanished in a second as her gaze traveled from Sir Baqir to Salaar. She forced herself to step forward.
"Salaar, I told you that Zarmeena is my assistant." He told Salaar and then shifted his gaze to Zarmeena.
"We are so lucky that Salaar accepted our invitation to join the swimming club. You take him and complete the documentation," Sir Baqir's voice carried both pride and appreciation.
"Sir, actually, I am a little busy today," she wanted to decline but was stunned by the words that came out of Salaar's mouth.
"I'm sorry, Zarmeena." Everyone heard but couldn't believe their ears. How could rude Salaar say those words? Fahad, who had just entered the auditorium, was also dumbfounded, his mouth agape.
Certainly, this was not his cousin Salaar, who didn't care about anyone's feelings.
"I'm sorry, Zarmeena, for treating your friend so badly. I assure you that I will never do this again in the future."
The whole auditorium drowned in silence, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Zarmeena, waiting for her response. A huge ball named Salaar was now in Zarmeena's court.
"He's really a bastard. How can he forget my slap?" Fahad clenched his teeth in fury.
"Just wait and see how Fahad Dilawar takes his vengeance," he muttered with a devilish smirk.