RAPHAEL VARANE is here. Right in front of me. Arms around me. His arms around me. This is a dream. A very very beautiful dream. Don't wake up before he kisses you, Shaheen. Don't you dare wake up.

She gave a dazed smile, her hand reaching up to his perfect face. Her fingers grazed his cheekbone and his arms slackened around her as he laughed, embarrassed.

"You must be the famous Shaheen."

Her eyes widened and she yelped, "You're real!" Jumping back she ran a hand through her hair, "God, I am so sorry for-er-that weird touching your cheek thing. Shit, this is a horrible first impression. I was..." Suddenly, she remembered.

Karim Parim is here. No, don't call him that. He isn't your friend. Don't use a cute nickname for the guy who stood you up. He's evil.

But he came.

And he can go to hell.

No, don't turn around to look at him. Control your feelings. No. Stahp. Shaheen, don't you dare turn around and let him see you miss him. Oh God, I'm turning around.

Karim was aware that someone was yelling at Isco to get down from the stage. He wanted to go and help his friend or maybe run after Shaheen to explain. He would have probably done the latter anyway.

If his worst nightmare hadn't been playing out in front of his eyes, that is.

Because yes, there was his best friend holding his crush in his arms. Okay, so they were standing apart now but she was talking to him. Something very much like jealousy spread through his veins. And then disappointment.

His heart nearly stopped when he watched her turn around. It looked as if she was about to speak something before a woman called out, "Shaheen, idhar aana zara!"

Shaheen's eyes were still on him filled with unreadable emotion and for once, he couldn't understand her. Why would she look away from Raphael whom she loved and look at him? Why did it feel as if she valued him in some way?

Why?

"Shaheen, beta, I'm calling you. Come now, we need you to video this. Come fast," the woman called out again.

Karim followed Shaheen with his eyes as she jerked out of her momentary haze. She mumbled something to Raphael before replying to the woman, "I'm coming."

He watched her disappear inside the house at the back of the sprawling lawns and ran up to Raphael who looked at him with a reddening face.

"Bro, I didn't do anything. She ran into me," Raphael said, getting all defensive.

Karim shook his head, feeling buzzed and empty at the same time, "Uh, what did she say?"

"She said she was sorry for you know, bumping into me and that we shouldn't do anything stupid. And that she would be back in two minutes. Also, we should get Isco off the stage."

Meanwhile, Chand was talking to Shaheen breathlessly while they were supposed to take a video of a bunch of aunties singing wedding songs.

"Isco is outside," she said, freaking out.

"Yeah," Shaheen nodded, totally at a loss for words.

"ISCO ALARCON IS OUTSIDE," Chand repeated. "Why? How? What's he doing here? By the way, thank you so much for running away outside and leaving me to deal with the aunties. I couldn't even go and see Isco closely. Thankfully, I rescued Jese from Jaun who was making him do all the work."

The videocamera nearly fell from Shaheen's fingers. "Jese Rodriguez!? What's he-Is the whole Madrid team here?"

Chand's mouth fell open, "What do you mean the whole Madrid team? Who else did you see? Oh God, how am I supposed to meet Isco? What if I do something wrong? Am I supposed to tell him I love him? What do I do? What if I mess it up?"

"Tell me about it," Shaheen sighed.

"Does that mean-?"

"I met Raphael."

"WHAT THE FUCK!"

Their mother (okay, fine they referred to her as their 'ex-mother' now) looked at the two girls with shock from across the room while several aunties gave them scandalized looks.

"Sorry," Chand laughed nervously. "I meant to say what the luck. Haha, autocorrect." She whispered to her sister, "Raphael is here? Where?"

"Outside. Ugh, Chand, I messed it up and there's another problem."

"Man, our favourites are here. This is great."

"Karim is here."

"Ya Allah, is the whole Madrid team here?" it was now Chand's turn to ask. "Wait, they're here because of you. Karim has come to meet you."

"No," Shaheen's voice shook as she tilted her camera around the room. "That's not true. He doesn't care about me and I don't care about him."

"Except for the fact you spend every day moping over pictures of him," her sister pointed out.

"He was the one who stopped talking to me right after he stood me up on the most embarrassing night of my life."

"And you did take revenge by blocking him." Chand sighed, "Maybe he can explain. Dude, if he came here all the way to meet you, you have to give him a chance."

I know. God knows I want to. "Where is Jese?" she asked, changing the subject.

"I've hidden him behind the sofa with some Pepsi and Lays," her sister replied, proudly.

"You what?" Shaheen looked at the sofa on which some aunties were sitting and laughing. "The sofa on which our ex-Mom is sitting?"

"Yeah. I didn't have a lot of time to act when I found him and you did disappear on me."

"The sofa where Rabia auntie is sitting?"

"Ye-es."

"The sofa which Rabia auntie is reaching behind?"

"Ye-what!?" Chand looked as Rabia auntie, the famous gossip who was looking for a groom for her daughter, caught hold of Jese's collar and hauled him up.

"And who is this?" Rabia auntie cackled. "Hiding behind the sofa and listening to beautiful ladies, huh?"

Jese had never felt so frightened in his life, "I-I-"

"Oh there you are, Jese," Shaheen tried to damage-control. "We were playing hide and seek two hours ago. Have you been hiding since then?"

"I have?" Jese gasped. Isn't that THE Shaheen? Oh my God. I found her. How do I tell Karim?

"Yeah," Chand joined the act. "We totally forgot about you. Let's get you out of here. Men aren't allowed at this ceremony. Haha, let's go."

As they walked out with him, they heard several aunties mutter, "They are playing hide-and-seek at this age? Mariyam, you have go to teach your daughters some manners. They're old enough to get married soon. Just because you divorced your husband doesn't mean you forget your daughters."

Shaheen saw her mother look at her with something close to longing and pain. Their eyes met before Mariyam looked away, "They're kids. They'll learn."

"But who is that young man with them?" Rabia auntie asked, giggling. "He looks fine."

Arshad's mother, Najjo auntie clicked her fingers, "That must be the bride's younger brother. My son told me that Jamila's younger brother has arrived today and he is a billionaire. He did mention the man has short cropped hair. That must be him"

"I should introduce my daughter to this guy," Rabia auntie said, possessively.

"I have a niece who would be a good match too."

Soon everyone was talking about the new eligible bachelor.

Outside, Jese was profusely thanking them, "You guys saved my life. First that Jaun and now these women. I would have died if it wasn't for you. I am so thankful. I owe you my life."

Chand looked at her sister, "Ye acha hai." ("This one's nice.")

Shaheen smiled back, "Sahi mein, cute hai ye." ("I know right, he's cute.")

Jese couldn't understand a word of this and truth be told, he was so confused that even if they had spoken in English, it wouldn't have made any sense to him. Suddenly he realized just how important his position was at the moment.

"Karim," he remembered. "You're Shaheen, right?"

"Man," Chand looked envious. "They know you."

Jese grinned, "Of course, we stalk your videos all the time and you must be the sister. Noor or Chand?"

Shaheen looked taken aback, "Woah, you are a stalker fangirl."

Chand was so happy, "I'm Chand, the younger one."

"Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Jese."

"I know," Chand laughed. "Nice to meet you too."

"Oh, I shouldn't forget. Shaheen, Karim is here." He looked at her expectantly.

She nodded slowly, "I know."

"You met him?" he asked, hopefully.

"No."

"Look," Jese said, "it is my fault. Everything that happened. I let out Raphael and messed up everything. He really loves you. You have to hear him out."

"That is enough, Jese, my boy," came a very irritated voice.

They looked up to see Isco followed by Karim and Raphael walking right towards them.

Isco gave a scary smile to Jese, "How about you come with me and Raphael? Your help is needed in the kitchen."

Raphael beckoned to Jese who gave out a loud, "Oooh, yeah, right of course. We got to pretend we're leaving so they can talk, right?" He winked at Karim, whispering loudly, "Good luck, Karim. Be safe, okay?"

Isco face-palmed, "Ugh, Raphael, take him away before he scares her." He looked at Chand, "Uh, you are also required in the kitchen. Go, scoot."

Chand was stunned, "Wha-"

Isco took her by the arm, "Yeah, they told me to come get you. The-er-biryani is burning and only you can save it"

She looked over her shoulder at Shaheen with round eyes. Uh, sister, Isco is kinda dragging me away to the kitchen. SHIT SHIT SHIT. This is not how I imagined I would meet my idol.

But Shaheen was looking at Karim now. He gave her a small smile, "Hey, Shaheen."

"Karim parim," she said before she could stop herself.

[ FINALLY #SHARIM MEETS! 

What do you guys think is going to happen next? Also thoughts on Isco, Jese and Raphael? 

Chand tho XD

PS our exams are over so expect regular and faster updates!!

Don't forget to VOTE AND COMMENT xx ]