Meera was annoyed by the silly, dreamy glances Alina and Mikael threw at each other. She grumpily looked at her friend and poked her shoulder with a finger.

'What's up, man? You guys are all over the newspaper and—what is all this?' She enquired. Alina tilted her hand and smiled at her. Then, her expressions changed, and she became serious.

'Meera.' – she swallowed softly, - 'I am sorry about that night. I went too far.'

Meera sighed, - 'Honestly—just forget it.'- Then she gripped her hand, - 'Tell me?'

Alina smiled leaning closer and whispered everything to her. She gasped as she gobbled down her words, - 'Get lost, really!' Meera was amazed. Alina nodded and looked away with a smile.

'Dude.' – Meera held her forehead and glanced the other way. Mikael was stealing looks towards their direction.

'Alina, I was about to confess my feelings to him, ya. I had hinted my parents also.' She revealed and Alina's smile dropped, her heart skipped a beat.

There was silence for a moment and then, she spoke in a whisper, - 'What? Are you serious?'

Meera nodded, looking dead-serious. Alina watched her friend with battered breath and could feel her palm dampening. Minutes later, Meera burst out laughing and she found her breath again.

'Stupid.' Alina slapped her arm playfully and looked at her computer screen. As her gaze moved from her, Meera looked away and blinked back her tears. She licked her lips and tapped her fingers on the keyboard for a moment and then clumsily excused herself. Before Alina could respond, her friend had dashed towards the door.

Ravi was just done with the bathroom and walked out. As he wiped his hands with a handkerchief, he heard a muffled sobbing. He frowned and walked up to the women's bathroom and hesitated before knocking at the door.

'Hello! All Okay?' He called and the next second the muffled voice stopped. Minutes later, the door opened and Meera came out. She sniffled, wiping her nose with a tissue.

'I am good.' She replied in a hoarse voice. Ravi eyed her.

'But you don't seem okay.'

'I am.' Meera snapped at him, taking him by complete surprise. He raised his palms in defeat and sighed.

'Okay.'- He paused, - 'by the way, if you are up for it then there is a super burger joint nearby. Wanna grab a bite?' He asked politely. Meera scowled at him, thought for a moment, and then nodded.

'Okay.'

'Mikael was so caring and lovi—supportive. He was my motivation and me—I genuinely began to feel something for him. Perhaps, love, or maybe attraction. But it hurts to know that Alina has taken him away from me. I know, he liked her but then she went with Haider. Haider Minhas Zaidi. If you have him why go for Mikael? I was with Mikael, always. But he chose Alina. Why?' Meera spoke her heart out while crying silent tears and gorging down a burger. Ravi listened to her intently. It did hurt him to know her feelings for Mikael, but he doesn't show it on his face.

'I think you need to breathe.' Ravi passed her some tissues. Meera grabbed the tissues with a rough hand and wiped some ketchup and mayo from the corner of her mouth.

'You know.' – she slammed her hand on the table, - 'the problem is in me. First Ronnie and now, Mikael. I am a fatso, right, chubby. That is why?' – she paused, - 'But Mikael isn't that type. You know what.' – she pushed away from her plate, - 'I am done. Unless I lose weight, I won't find a soulmate.' She huffed, angrily crossing her arms.

Ravi chuckled, - 'You know something.' – he leaned closer, - 'I like you the way you are.' He confessed. Meera blinked at him. She knew about his feelings and now felt like an idiot for blabbering like that.

'I, um.' She felt her cheeks flush as she pushed aside her hair.

'Meera,' – he extended his hand, - 'give me a chance. I want to be your soulmate.' He confessed. Meera frowned at him, - 'I don't trust you. After Ronnie, I don't trust any stranger.' – she gave a thoughtful pause and then grinned evilly at him, - 'Get my name inked on your heart.' She dared him and giggled seeing his dumbfound reaction.

'True love!' She scoffed, waving a hand at him and stood up, - 'Thanks for the burger, though.' She added before walking away.

As Alina worked on her laptop, her phone began to ring. She glanced at Mikael and frowned. He was engrossed in his work. Then, who could be calling her? She wondered. Alina watched him, as she picked up her phone and was surprised to find an unknown number calling her.

'Hello?' She spoke with uncertainty.

'Miss. Alina.'

Alina froze and her eyes widened. The familiar deep masculine voice sent shivers down her spine. Even after so many weeks, his voice had the same effect on her. She gulped slowly, staring front she wound her fingers tightly around her pencil.

'Hai—Hai—' She stammered nervously touching her golden hoop earring. Then, she looked around and leaned into the phone, - 'Why did you call? You know it is dangerous?' She whispered urgently.

Alina frowned as he scoffed from the other side. She got up and walked out of the cabin, then she dashed into one of the cubicles in the bathroom.

'Haider, If Jahangir finds out that you—' She sat over the flap of the toilet seat, - 'he might track you.'

'I don't know what to make of your concern?' Haider replied and sighed deeply, - 'I was hanging on a hope that you—but you crushed everything.' He sounded defeated and weary. Alina felt her heart sink. He must have found out from the newspaper and it wasn't a pleasant way to find out. He didn't deserve this.

'But—but, before we parted I retur—returned the ring to you as a gesture that—', she gulped the hard lump in her throat, - 'I do care for you, but—not in a ro—romantic way.' She bit her lip.

'But you had said you don't have feelings for Mikael. Then why?' Haider countered her instead. Alina quietened, biting the back of the pencil she had brought with her. He paused to give her time to react.

'Tell me, Miss. Alina. Tell me, it was just a friendly dinner and—please.'

Alina found it hard to form words, but she can't lie to him either, - 'Haider, I and Mikael have strong feelings for each other and, please let me go. It will be less hurtful.'

There was silence, but she could feel his heavy breathing and her chest tightened. Some time passed and, finally, he spoke

- 'Do we have a chance?'

Alina took a deep breath and replied politely, - 'I am sorry, Hai—' She was interrupted when the call got disconnected. She sighed and held her mobile. Haider risked a lot to call her, she needed to be sure he is fine.

- Amaal- The name crossed her mind.

After Haider, it is Meera who has faced heart-break 

She has a strong point about being with Mikael when Alina conveniently chose Haider over him. But Meera had stood by him *heartbreaks* Also, Ravi isn't a bad guy too *winks*

My Lovelies, whom do you feel should be paired with Mikael, Meera or Alina??? Drop your comments, please *smiles* And Stay Tuned for the next update *the precap part *wink** *Lots of love* *hugs and kisses*