"Bro," Raphael knocked at the door.

Shaheen frowned as she looked up from Chand's messages, "I'll just see who that is."

Karim nodded, smiling shyly as he replied to Isco's messages, "Yeah, yeah."

"Oh hey, R-raphael," she stuttered as she found him standing at her doorstep.

"Is Karim here?" he asked, looking perturbed.

"Uh, yeah, wait a sec." She turned around, "Karim, um Raphael's at the door? He looks a bit worried."

Karim walked out as Raphael whispered, "Can we talk alone?"

"What-" he laughed in response, looking guiltily at Shaheen. "Its Shaheen, you can say whatever you want."

But she understood, "Uh, I better get ready for the rasam. You two have your talk, yeah? Okay, see you."

"Did you hear that? She said see you to me. Thank God, I think she might like me."

"No shit Sherlock," his friend rolled his eyes as they walked away. "I've got bad, worse and worst news. Which would you like to hear first?"

"Woah...bad first?"

"Zidane called once again. He figured out you and Isco have blocked his number. He wants us back and he wants to talk to you asap."

"Oh shit," Karim muttered. "What's worse?"

"He's still on the phone. Isco is talking to him. We originally cut his call saying that there was no signal but he just kept calling back. You gotta talk to the coach, man."

"How do you have something even worse than this to say?"

Raphael smiled grimly, "Well, you saved the worst for last. So here goes. Jamila's real brother came to see you. Thankfully, you weren't there. He seemed really angry. I haven't heard him telling other people yet but your fake identity might be failing."

"Shit shit shit. What do we do? What do we do? I'm busted. What if they call the police and arrest me for identity theft? I haven't even tried paragliding yet."

"Let's...take this one at a time. You should talk to Zidane first."

"Oh God, okay," Karim said. "Wait, what did he tell you?"

"He told me to get your ass back here, you're one of my best defenders, don't you dare slack!"

"Eep, that sounds..."

"Yep, he's not too happy."

"What did you tell him?"

Raphael raised his hands in defence, "Dude, he scared the shit out of me. I just said, yes, Mister, yes, sir, sorry, sir."

Karim reached Raphael's room only to have a very flustered Isco shout gratefully, "There he is, Zizou bear. Karim, coach's been asking for you."

"Yes, coach?"

"Karim?"

"Yes, coach."

"Do you plan on coming back anytime soon?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good, because I swear, if I don't see you and your band of Chickflick buddies back here at practice tomorrow morning, I'll come and pick you up myself, and that won't be pretty. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."

Zidane sighed, his voice softer, "Gareth just got injured. We're putting too much pressure on Cristiano, we're pushing youngsters to play full time, we're tying matches because we need you here. I can't have both you and Isco missing as well as a weaker defence. I know this is important for you and if I could, I would never ask you to come back on unfinished business. I trust you. But I also can't explain your absence to Perez and the Board for too long."

"I understand."

"Did you tell her?"

Karim smiled shyly, "I did."

"Good. Any girl would be lucky to have you."

"Thanks, Coach."

"I'll see you tomorrow?"

Karim's voice was low when he answered, "Of course."

"I am sorry for calling you back."

He hadn't even kept the phone back when people started banging the door. He recognized Jaun's voice, "OYE FAKE BROTHER, BAHAR NIKAL, OPEN UP RIGHT NOW!"

He looked at his friends, seeing his shock mirrored on their faces. Isco opened the window, "Thank God, we're on the ground floor. You guys coming?"

Jese looked pale as he saw Isco jump out, "Guys, you all go. I can't jump or run with my sprained ankle. I'll stay here and stop them as best as I can."

Karim groaned, "Don't be so melodramatic. I'll help you. Let's go."

He and Raphael helped Jese out of the window just in time to hear the bedroom door crash open as people rushed in.

"The thieves are escaping!" Jaun cried out. "Someone go block them that way."

And that was how four Madrid players found themselves running across the décor of an Indian wedding, dodging people, chased by accusatory screams and shouts.

"Why are they calling us thieves?" Raphael panted.

"I don't know," Karim gasped.

"They look really angry," Jese wailed.

Isco shouted, "Let's split up. If they catch us, they might just hand us over to the police. My family would disown me."

"Or worse," Karim said, "they might beat us."

They went three different ways, Raphael supporting Jese.

Karim contemplated shouting out Shaheen's name blindly but stopped himself in time. He didn't want to cause problems for her.

And that was how fifteen minutes later he found himself facing Shaheen's mother, step-father, step-brother and the bride's family.

"So you're saying you're not a thief?"

Karim gulped, "No, sir, I am not."

"So you're a wedding crasher?" Rehan asked.

"N-no," Karim looked sheepishly at Shaheen's step-brother.

Mariyam gave him a strict look, no doubt remembering that she had seen him with her daughter, "Then what are you doing here with your accomplices?"

Jamila's real brother spoke up, "And how dare you try to pass yourself off as my brother?"

"What sort of crazy batshit person does this?" Jamila asked.

"Are you trying to prank us?" Jamila's father frowned. "Because that, young man, is not very polite. I'm calling the police right away."

Karim stole a glance at Raphael and Jese (Isco had managed to escape) wondering how to reply to all the questions being thrown at them.

Someone burst through the door, "He's my boyfriend, let him go!"

Mariyam was more shocked than Karim to see her daughter proclaim that loudly and gasped, "Shaheen, what are you saying?"

Shaheen gasped—she'd run all the way to Rehan's room—, "Its true. He's my boyfriend and—he-er-erm-he came over to see the wedding. I invited him."

"Shaheen," Karim gasped, "you don't need to lie for me. Ma'am, your daughter is trying to cover for me. She had no idea I was coming here."

She glared at him, "No, Karim, you don't need to lie for me. What I am saying is true. I invited him. He—you shouldn't call the police on them. It's my fault."

He stared at her, feeling so very guilty at all this. She was lying, trying to save them from getting arrested. "Please," he said. "You don't need to do this."

She looked angry that he wasn't helping her save him. She gave a look as if to say, but I do need to.

And that was when it hit him. She loved him. She really did and maybe they were fools who couldn't always say the words but right now, he knew it. He had a fair idea that she, who was strong and angry like a tempest, who had a warm heart of gold, who smiled and scolded, who was just beautifully alluring—was lying to save him, despite everything.

And God, he loved her so much.

"Shaheen, you've lost your mind," Mariyam shouted.

Her daughter flinched, "What would you know? You abandoned us."

"You do not talk to your mother like that!"

"I can and I will. You're not my Mum. You lost the right to that title when you left us."

"Okay, okay, that's enough, my dear. I can hear you down the corridor. What is happening?" Irfan sidled into the room.

He looked taken aback when he saw the small crowd that had assembled in the room. "Is there a problem? Because I'm sure we can-" His mouth dropped open as he saw Karim and his teammates, "WHAT THE ACTUAL FISHYSTINK!? IS THAT KARIM BENZEMA?"

[ DRAMA DRAMA DRAMAAAA! #SHARIM playing with our feelings aaaaah and poor Karim got caught  :( 

Do tell us your views about the chapter. We love to hear from you guys ♡

Our colleges have again reopened and we are back home from Patna. It's really cold here. How's it at your end?

Also our cousin's wedding was super fun. Maybe we'll update a chapter regarding it on "Bitchy". Like we can show you peeps what we wore because we personally loved our attires lmao and seriously it had been ages since we wore lehengas. 

And don't forget to VOTE AND COMMENT. Lots of love xx ]