"Shit, are we seriously meeting your parents?"

Karim stared at Shaheen, "Are you having second thoughts? We haven't rung the bell yet. We could run away?"

"We're standing outside the house. We can't leave now," she said. She started pacing, nearly knocking over the flowerpots. "Karim, what if they don't like me?"

He rolled his eyes before taking her hand, "First, it's impossible not to like you. Second, they're just my parents and they know you're my girlfriend. It's not like we're springing a surprise on them."

She took a deep breath, "You're right, of course. I mean, I already met your friends in the worse way possible. How bad can this get? OH MY GOD, DON'T RING THE BELL, YOU BALD FUCKER!"

He laughed, pressing the bell.

Shaheen hurriedly looked at her clothes, smoothing out the lines of her lime green kurta which hung flowing over her jeans. She wondered as a last minute regret whether heels had been a good choice for this lunch. What if I embarrass myself and need to run? I'll trip and fall and embarrass myself further.

The door opened and she put on her best smile, "Assalamalaikum, ma'am."

She could hear Karim snicker beside her and she reddened. I'll strangle him.

"Walaikumassalam, dear," the woman smiled, warmly. "Come in. Karim told me you like chicken kebabs so I'm hoping you like the lunch."

Shaheen nodded and walked in.

Karim's Mom went on, "But, son, aren't you eating? You look awfully weak and tired."

"You say that every time I come, Mum," he mumbled.

"SURPRISE!" cried a chorus of voices.

"Muuum," he complained. "Did you invite everyone?"

She laughed, "Of course. We're all here to meet your girlfriend. Shaheen, dear, you don't mind, do you?"

"No, ma'am," she said, feeling very much intimidated.

"Call me Wahida please," Karim's Mom said. "So, let me introduce you...?"

***

"Hello, Chand?"

"Hey, Shaheen! What's up?"

"Nothing much. Just, you know, checking up on my little sister. How's life in India? How's Isco? Did you tell him?"

"Uh, no," Chand replied. "Life in India is great. My internship is going great. Isco is doing great and there's no way, I'll ever tell him about my extraordinarily huge crush on him."

"Why?"

"You know why. Okay, let me give you an example. We're at the mall at the moment and while I stand here talking to you, looking through a shoe sale, Isco is outside the changing room helping Gulnaz decide which outfit suits her more."

Shaheen gasped, "Shit, your best friend and your crush are hanging out together? How?"

"I don't know. We bumped into her and since she loves Isco's fashion sense, she asked him for help."

"Ugh, are you sure you're okay with this? Maybe if you just told him—"

"Uh, sis, why is your voice echoing so much? Are you in the bathroom?"

"No?" Shaheen protested.

"Wait a sec, you're supposed to be meeting Karim's parents today!"

"Yeah, I'm at their house. I've just...locked myself in the bathroom for a bit."

Chand cried out, "You idiot! Get off your phone and behave like a normal person. Why are you hiding anyway? Are they that scary?"

"No," Shaheen said. "They're fine. His Dad is shy and his Mum is super friendly. It's just that his extended family and friends are here. I feel like if I mess up, I'd die of shame."

"I can't believe this, Shaheen. Just go, please? He must be looking for you and his family must be thinking you're having stomach trouble."

"Okay, okay, I'm going. So, are you telling Isc—"

"I'm hanging up, bye."

Shaheen scowled at the phone and then took a deep breath. She walked out, mingling in the party. She looked around for Karim but found herself facing one of his aunties instead.

"So, you're Shaheen."

Something in the voice made her heart clutch dangerously but she turned around and smiled, "Salam, Aunty."

"Hmm and where did Karim meet you?"

"Uh, we met on an app," she stammered. No point in lying. He's told his Mum and God knows who else. Besides, we were just chatting. No harm there.

The woman's eyebrow arched, "An app?"

"Yes, its this program on a phone," she began.

"I know what it is. Snapchat, isn't that the one?"

"Yes."

"And what does your mother have to say about this?"

Shaheen stood up straight, "I have no idea."

"Your mother doesn't know of your relationship?"

"Actually, she's separated from the family. We don't talk anymore."

Pure disdain flashed across the woman's eyes, "And what is it that you do?"

"I'm a Youtuber. I make videos online."

"What kind of videos?"

"Um, football-related," Shaheen laughed nervously.

"I heard you are infatuated with Karim's best friend?"

Uh-oh, the problems of the life of a fangirl. Who even is this woman? How does she know so much about me? Has she been doing research? Shaheen narrowed her eyes, "You seem to know a lot about me. I didn't catch your name?"

"I'm Nikhat, a very close friend of the family. Known Karim since he was a kid. His mother and I spent so much of his childhood thinking about his marriage to Yeshi," she sighed. "It's disheartening how children grow up to shock us. Though I think in this case, you're responsible too."

"I am? Well, uh..." Lady, what's your problem?

"Before you, Karim and Yeshi were practically engaged. They've been friends since...well, since we can remember. And she's such a nice girl too. Have you met her? She's a neurosurgeon at Apollo."

"I haven't had the pleasure to meet her actually." And neither do I want to, now. I hate her already! Why didn't Karim tell me all this? That ass.

Before Nikhat Aunty could say anything more devastating to Shaheen's ego, she quickly said, "I'm going to go help Wahida actually. I think she's calling me. See you."

She slipped away, towards the windows where lemonade and appetizers had been laid out. What if everyone here ships Karim with Yeshi? What if they all hate me? She caught her reflection in the glass, I'm attractive, in a cutesy way. I have a good CV and I'm a successful YouTuber. What more could they want? Yeshi is a neurosurgeon, bleh. See, Karim loves me. That is all that matters. Except they all ship Yeshi with him!

"Hey, should I pour out a glass for you?"

Shaheen turned to her side and shook her head, "No, thank you. I just needed some air."

The woman nodded, smiling, "Family can be quite a handful. Shaheen, right? I'm Ayesha."

"Actually, Karim's family is nice. I suppose it's just hard filling the shoes of the mighty Yeshi!"

Ayesha laughed, "Is that so? What makes you think that?"

Shaheen recounted a polite version of her encounter with Nikhat.

Ayesha laughed again, "Karim and Yeshi were never engaged. Sure, people liked to fantasize that way when Karim got into Madrid. It's just one of those rumours that have no basis. Believe me, there was never anything there."

"But Nikh—"

"Nikhat is just angry because she was snubbed her matchmaker opportunity. She's actually not that bad once you get to know her. She was probably just testing your patience levels. I think you passed."

"Ayesha, you're making me feel so good suddenly. So, Karim's Mum doesn't hate me?"

"Lord, no, she's delighted that Karim finally found the courage to date someone. He's shy and..."

"Awkward," Shaheen nodded, laughing. "He's cute though. I lov—"

"Shaheen, I've been looking everywhere for you. Oh you've met Yeshi," Karim appeared, looking very pleased with himself.

Y-Yeshi? Oh no. Ayesha is Yeshi. Well, shit. Now, I know how the Madrid players felt when they realized they'd messed up in recognising me.

Ayesha blushed, "Yeah, it's a silly nickname that stuck. I'm sorry. I would have told you but I thought you'd hate me."

"Dude, if you're the famous Yeshi, I can see why everyone loves you. I think I'm falling for you too," Shaheen said, waving away the apology. "I'm sorry if I said anything horrible though."

"Oi," Karim looked confused, "how is it that you guys are friends already? By the way, Shaheen, let me warn you, Yeshi has been the bane of my existence ever since everyone found out that she was top of her class in middle school. Ever since then, I have been compared to her mercilessly and when she became a neurosurgeon, I knew I was doomed to be the lesser favoured person in the family. She's bad for the ego, man."

"Hey, I can't help it if you were bad at school. You know, I have got lots of good stories for you, Shaheen."

Shaheen looked at Karim, "Oh I would love to hear Karim's embarrassing moments. I add to them daily."

Ayesha grinned, "I like her, Karim. You better marry her. Otherwise you're going to be a bachelor all your life. By the way, have you met Karim's cousin, Yusuf? He's hot da—"

"Okay, okay, time to introduce you to other people," Karim said, loudly. He whispered as they walked away, "She's evil."

Shaheen laughed, "Who's Yusuf?"

"She has her eyes on Yusuf since forever. He's the cousin who lowers people's self-esteem."

"Are you jealous?" she asked.

"No?" he said. "Okay, just a little."

"If its helps, I was very very jealous of Yeshi and even though I shouldn't be and this is illogical, but I am so happy to learn she wants Yusuf."

"Oh?" Karim arched an eyebrow. "You want me all for yourself, huh?"

"Definitely, baldie."

"I'm not a baldie. It's a crop cut," Karim groaned.

"Yeah, of course," Shaheen smiled.

[ SHOUTOUT TO ALL THE  NOSY AUNTIES WHO LIVE OFF DRAMA AND DESTRUCTION.

Just imagine meeting bald fucker's parents omg :'D #Sharim going places yasss. Also wtf Yeshi turned out to be a sweetheart.

Guys you all should know this book is ending in like 2 chapters or so. We are so proud of our babies #Sharim and how far their story has come. None of which would have been possible without all you beautiful and supportive people! 

And like you all know as one book ends another begins ;) (Not saying anything right now though...tee hee)

Do tell us if you enjoyed this update and don't forget to VOTE AND COMMENT.

Lots of love and chocolates xx ]