Haider returned home in a slightly easier mood as the workload was steadily reducing. He walked into the Villa and frowned upon hearing manly laughter. A stranger in his house? AK hurried to him and walked around.

'Who is here?' Haider asked as his butler removed his coat.

'Sir, Madam's guest.' He informed whilst neatly folding the coat, then he forwarded back to him. Haider casually took it - Who could it be?

He walked into the living room and found the TV running, Amaal, and a man sitting on his plush sofa. Haider cringed noticing Amaal had both her legs on the couch and a stranger with her.

'Hey!'

'You...' Haider exclaimed as Reyansh greeted him with a wide grin. Amaal straightened, looking interestedly at both the men. Reyansh extended his hand.

How did this man come here? And why was Amaal entertaining him? Shouldn't she have asked me first? Haider wondered as he mindlessly shook hands with him.

'Great to meet you, Haider.' He then side-hugged him but Haider doesn't bother to reciprocate.

'You are still here?' Haider spoke in an irritated tone.

Reyansh frowned, - 'Excuse me?'

Haider straightened, clearing his throat, - 'I thought you left for England.' He pretended to sound surprised.

Reyansh chuckled and pointed at Amaal, - 'How can I leave my love so soon?' – Then, he looked back at him, - 'Also, I have Mike's wedding to attend. His fiancé is so beautiful and a polite woman.' He commented. Haider clenched his jaw and looked away. He glanced at Amaal and gestured with his fingers, asking her to come upstairs with him. Amaal gulped giving a slight nod.

Haider paced in the room. He held his forehead with his fingers. His mind was restless, and anger brewed inside him. He stilled hearing a meek knock at the door.

'Come in.'

Amaal walked in, - 'Everything alright?' She quizzed shutting the door behind her. From her expression, Haider knew she realized she should have consulted him or at least told him about Reyansh.

'Why is he here?' He asked straightforwardly. She was taken aback by his tone.

'Woah! He is my friend. He doesn't know anyone in Noida. So, I offered him to stay here.' She informed and blinked innocently at him.

Haider looked aghast, - 'What?'- He exclaimed, - 'Stay here!'

Amaal folded her arms and patiently listened to him rant about this being his house and he didn't know about this and he should have been asked. After venting out his frustration he looked at her. He took a deep breath placing his hands on his hips.

'What is your problem with him?' She placed her fingers on her chin and tilted her head slightly. Haider sighed, - 'My problem is.'- He took a step closer to her, - 'I don't like that man.'

'Why?'- She shrugged, - 'He is such a nice guy.' She commented.

'Maybe for you. But I am no—' He stopped speaking as she held his hand.

'I know I should have spoken to you.' – she pouted, fidgeting with the sleeve of his shirt, - 'but he is my friend and he came all of sudden and—' she looked up at him with hopeful eyes, - 'please let him stay here.' She blinked rapidly at him.

Haider instantly melted and slowly nodded. He watched her jumped with joy and then was taken aback when she leaped on him, clinging unto him tightly. Now, Reyansh didn't annoy him anymore.

Amaal parted and held his arms, - 'Thank you. Anyway, I have to get ready for Mehendi function tonight.' She sighed. Haider doesn't say anything and just smiled at her.

Later, he was pleased to know that Reyansh was going with Amaal but not to the function but to spend time with Mikael. Haider decided to relax and watch some TV. An activity he hadn't done in years. It was refreshing. As he sat enjoying the cricket match, he heard chattering voices. Without turning around, he kept listening to Amaal and Reyansh talking to each other as they climbed down the stairs.

'Haider!' She called and slowly, he turned around. She waved at him. He observed her, she was dressed in an olive-green knee-length kurta with lighter shade long shrug and white churidar pants.

'You are looking decent.' Haider commented and her smile dropped. Reyansh chuckled grabbing her shoulder and Haider stirred in his seat.

'Decent? You are looking ravishing, my love. Simplicity is the best.' Reyansh complimented and her face lit up again.

'Thanks.' She giggled touching her small silver Jhumka. Haider clenched the remote control tightly as Rey held Amaal's hand and led her away.

Alina sat on the bed, admiring her Mehendi clad hands. The warm light from the nightstand next to her shown light on her hands. The delicate design covered till her elbows and with curve font a letter M stood out amongst it all. She bit her smile thinking about Mikael's reaction to this. A feeling of sadness pinched her heart as she felt the distance between them. He had become so close to her that even a day of separation made her feel lonely and empty. But the thought that they will be married tomorrow, brought her smile back.

'Alina, beta. Come and change. Since when you are dressed this way.' Asmat called from the door.

'No, Mom.' Alina replied without looking away from her hands, - 'The design will spoil.' She said and continued to admire the design. Asmat shook her head and walked away whilst muttering to herself.

Though the heavily golden embroider green floor-length Anarkali was extremely uncomfortable, Alina didn't want to risk messing up the design. She was interrupted by the ringing of her phone. Irritably, she looked at the phone and a smile quickly adorned her face.

'Mikael.' She whispered and extended her hand but stopped before she touched the phone.

Shit! She thought to herself.

Alina bit her lips looking around. The dress was too heavy to walk without lifting it. She wondered what to do. As she kept wondering, the phone got disconnected and she looked back at it. She thought for a millisecond more and then picked up the phone.

The tips of her fingers had dried up. With difficulty, she dialed his number and placed the phone in between her ear and shoulder. Mikael picked up the phone within the first few rings. Alina smirked at his enthusiasm.

'I am sorry to disturb you.'

She chuckled, - 'You can never disturb me, Mikael.'- she paused, - 'Were you thinking of me?'

'Every time, always.'- He replied instantly. Alina lowered her head, letting out a nervous chuckle. He sighed, - 'For the first time, I am feeling impatient.' He confessed. Alina nodded and looked at the closed glass window.

'Indeed.'- She looked down at her fingernails, - 'this night is the longest one for me.'

'Us.' Mikael added and the confession touched Alina's heart. She nodded, but before she could say anything further her cousins barged into her room and she had to hastily say bye to Mikael. She felt bothered by the sudden appearance of them and their teasing made it worse. It was for the first time, she felt annoyed by their presence.

Haider poured a generous amount of water into the cup and turned around, continuing to dip the teabag. As he climbed the stairs, he could only think of Reyansh and Amaal. He only admitted to himself that he was jealous of their friendliness and nothing else. He went to his room and tried to concentrate on his work. Taking a few sips of his tea, he left his canvas and removed it from the aisle. Then, he began searching for the portrait of Amaal that he had painted back in Mussoorie, but he was disappointed to realize that he had left it back there.

Haider sighed and slowly walked out of the room. As he approached Amaal's room, he found the door to her room was left ajar. Something ticked alarm in his head and he rushed to the room. Haider flung open the door and looked front.

Amaal was asleep in her bed and next to her was Reyansh. He was with her, sharing her blanket. Her hand in his and he was leaning towards her face.

'Hey!' Haider exclaimed and hurried towards him. Without thinking, he grabbed Reyansh by his collar and dragged him up from the bed.

'What are you doing?' – He shook him angrily, - 'Taking advantage of your friend in her sleep. You rascal.' He yelled. Reyansh opened his mouth to counter him but without a thought, Haider punched his jaw. He yelped in pain and fell to his side.

Amaal woke up with a start. She blinked a couple of times, searching for her glasses and then, switched on the lights. She gasped covering her mouth with both her hands.

'Enough, Mr. Zaidi. This is no way—' He couldn't speak further as Haider gave another blow, this time in his guts.

'Haider!' Amaal screamed, kneeling on the bed. Reyansh hunched, clenching his stomach tightly. Slowly, he looked up and glared at him. Reyansh launched himself at Haider and punched his face. He lost his balance and fell against the wall.

'What is wrong with you, Mr. Zaidi?' He held his chin and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Haider breathed out, feeling warm liquid from his nose. Soon, he could taste the bitter-sweet taste of his blood.

'What is wrong with you guys?' Amaal jumped and hurried to the men. She held Reyansh's arm and checked his face. She winced, - 'Ya, Allah! You are bleeding so much.'

Haider was taken aback, he felt rage built up in his chest and a tinge of disappointment as she didn't come to him first.

He straightened and with difficulty he managed to say, - 'Amaal, kick this man out. Now!'

Amaal scowled at him, - 'If he goes, I go as well.' She said angrily. Haider blinked at her, for the first time he has seen her angry. And this made him mellow down.

'What are—what are you talking, Amaal. Why will you leave? This man was misbehaving with you.' Haider justified.

Amaal held Reyansh's shoulder firmly and continued to glare at him, - 'Because he is my best friend.' She clarified. Haider was left stumped for a moment, but he managed to say,

- 'And I?'

Amaal sighed, - 'You are my friend too but Reyansh is closer.' – Haider felt a pinch in his heart. Once again, he was reminded that he had no close friends. He was, perhaps, just a second option.

Amaal's voice broke his thoughts and with tears pricking his eyes he looked at her, - 'I can't stay with someone who insults my best friend.' – She swallowed, - 'Rey was with me when no one was. Okay.'

Reyansh raised a palm, - 'No need, Amaal.' – He glanced at Haider and looked back at her, - 'If he dislikes me then I don't want to stay here.'

Amaal frowned and firmly shook her head, - 'A place where my friend isn't respected. I don't want to stay there.' She said sincerely.

Haider was dumbstruck, he just stood emotionlessly. Amaal furiously began to pack her bags. Reyansh stopped her but she doesn't listen. Haider doesn't respond as Amaal pulled down her luggage and decisively held Reyansh's hand, dragging him out of the room.

'Amaal! Don't be dumb. It is the middle of the night where will you go.' He kept saying as she led him out.

Haider let out a shaky breath and rested his head against the wall. He couldn't believe what just happened. Amaal just walked out of his house and probably his life without a second glance at him. How easily, she chose Reyansh over him? He dragged his back against the wall and crumpled on the ground.

Once again, he was left alone. Perhaps, he over-reacted but what she did wasn't right either. She should have respected his feelings and tried to sort out things rather than just leave. Haider clenched his head. Jahangir was right, he can't keep people to himself. He deserves no one.

Yeh kya ho gaya?

How was the Chapter, guys? Drop your thoughts in the comments, please *smiles* and Stay Tuned for the next update *Lots of love* *Hugs and Kisses*