Meera was on the terrace. Today was their last night in Dahanu. She was admiring the scene in front of her, thinking about how life-changing this trip was.

That's when two hands embrace her from behind and a smile forms on her face.

Meera- Apni boss ko yun bahon mein lena thik hein kya Haider, kahi aap fire hogaye toh? (She says teasing him)

Haider- Kyun? Meri girlfriend ko meri boss se jalan ho rahi hein kya?
(Meera blushes)

Meera - Kon girlfriend? (She says, looking around, trying to mess with him)

Haider- Yehi dahanu mein ek pagal si ladki ko dhundha hein. Usse na meri smile aur aakhein bohot pasand hein.

Meera- Accha ji. Aap uss raat ka zikr kar mujhe hamesha embarass karte hein.

Haider-Woh raat nahi hoti toh main apni gussel boss ke peeeche chupi meri girlfriend se kaise milta.

Meera- Haider aap bhi naa!

She starts to leave but Haider holds her waist and pulls her closer to him.

Meera - Haider...

(He leans in closer and whispers into her ears)

Haider - Boliye...

Meera- Aap ye...

Haider-Main ye kya?

(He starts kissing her neck while her heart beats rapidly. She turns and presses her lips against his. Their kiss slowly turns into a passionate one and they reach Haider's room consumed in each other. As they enter his room, they pull away trying to catch their breath. Haider then moves towards her while she stands there looking at him with her dote eyes. He unties the robe above her kurti, looking at her with anticipation. He then moves forward, but she takes a step back and falls on the bed. He moves on top of her and kisses her on her forehead, then on her lips, and slowly moves down, she shuts her eyes. For a moment, she is there, enjoying and taking it all in. Then something strikes her and she stops him.)

Meera- Haider, we can't do this...

Haider-Huh?

Meera- I mean... I don't want us to do this until we know each other completely. And...there is something you need to know about my past...

Haider- Meera, aapke past se hamare aaj mei  koi farak nahi aayega. (He says, holding her face gently)

Meera-Nahi Haider. Please. Main aapko batana chahti hu.

Haider- Thik hein. Agar aap chahti hein toh yehi sahi.

Meera - Haider…

6 saal pehele meri puri zindagi badal gayi, main badal gayi. Maa papa ke jaane ke baad..

(She pauses, trying to compose herself. Haider places his hand on her shoulder trying to reassure her)

Maa papa ke jaane ke baad main bilkul akeli pad gayi thi... par ye poori kahani 8 saal pehele shuru hui thi, jab mei usse mili thi...

Haider-Kisse?

Meera-ASAD se

*Flashback*

*8 Years ago*

A girl is on her bed, trying to sleep through her alarm, which is now on its 100th trial to wake her up. 

Rajvee- MEERAA! MEERAAA!

Meera- Ugh! Mumma! Sone do na! (she says covering her face with the pillow, in a sleepy voice)

Rajvee- Iss ladki ka main kya karu. Meera tumhe college jana hein ya nahi?

Meera- Ohh shit! Aaj toh mera singing competition hein!

(She jolts up from her bed, tossing the sheets on the floor. She climbs out of her bed and rushes to the bathroom, her steps thumping on the floor as she runs.)

Rajvee- Uth gayi? Tumhara alarm 100 baar baj chuka hein Meera. Meri nahi toh kam se kam uski aawaz ka hi khayal kar leti, kab se chilla raha hai voh bhi tum par. Thoda toh responsible bano tum!

(Meera comes out of her room, drying her hair with a towel. She sits at the table, ready for her breakfast. Meanwhile her dad, Tej also walks in from the balcony with a newspaper in his hands.)

Tej-Ohho! Kyun daant rahi ho subah subah meri princess ko.

Rajvee-Aap toh kuch boliye hi mat. Ye aapke hi laad pyar ka natija.

Meera (whispering to her dad, as she leans towards him) - Maa shuru se hi itni khadus hein kya?

Tej (whispering back, covering his face with his hand) - Bilkul...abb mujhe toh aadat pad gayi hein. Tum bhi daal hi lo.

Rajvee - Sunaa maine...aap dono ko na main abb kuch kahungi hi nahi. Jo karna hai karo. Mere kehne ka vaise bhi yahan kisi par koi asar thodi hota hai.

(Rajvee leaves the kitchen and stomps off to her room)

Tej-Tum jao ready ho jao. Main apni boss ko manata hu.

(Meera and Tej laugh)

Meera finishes her breakfast and goes to her room to get ready. After she comes out she sees Rajvee and Tej sitting at the table. She hugs her mom from the back.

Meera- Maaa, I love you. (She kisses her cheek)

Rajvee- I love you too beta. Par please, itna aalas chod do. Meri koi baat toh maan liya karo. Aage jaake sangeet ko tumhe hi sambhalna hein.

Tej - Waqt aayega toh voh sab karlegi Rajvee.

Meera-Yes Captian! (she says as she mocks a salute).

Chalo, maa papa, main ab chalti hu.

***

(Meera reaches the college )

Bani-Meeraa! (she waves at her)

Meera - Hey Bani!

Bani- So all done? Saari preparations hogayi competition ki?

Meera-Haan...par I am really nervous yaar.

Shivaay- You don't have to worry Meera. You have a beautiful voice. Dekh lena competition tu hi jeetengi.

Meera-Hii Shivaay! And thanks itne motivation ke liye. I really needed it.

(That's when Siddhant passes by. Bani and Siddhant give each other an awkward smile.)

Meera - Tere aur Sid ke beech...all well?

Shivaay- Madam ka kal break up hogaya.

Meera-Wait what!? Kyun? Aur mujhe tune bataya kyun nahi?

Bani-Shivaay tu naa! Kabhi toh chup reh liya kar! Meera main tujhe performance se pehele pareshaan nahi karna chahti thi.

Meera - Main tujhse bohot naraz hu.

Bani- Accha baba...Sorry. Abb tu performance pe dhyaan de. Okay?

Meera- Main abhi aakar teri khabar leti hu.

Meera leaves and Shivaay chuckles. Bani hits Shivaay on his shoulder.

Shivaay-Ouch.

Bani-You deserve it.

Shivaay- Well, mujhe pata tha ki you guys will break up.

Bani-Excuse me?

Shivaay- I mean I always thought that you guys were good as friends.

Bani- Yeah I guess so. But tu na abhi apni situation dekh. Teri Tia aati hi hogi.

Tia - Shivaay!! Baby! I was searching for you. Kahan the tum!?

Bani passes a smile and leaves.

***

(Meera enters the auditorium where the competition was being held. As soon as she walks in, she collides with somebody and falls into his arms.

He had slightly long hair in the front that fell just above his eyebrows. His eyes were dark brown in color. He looked very handsome and his arms felt quite strong as he held Meera.

She was taken aback. She was lost in the moment for a while.)

Guy-You alright?

Meera-Ye...Yeah. Thanks.

Guy- Oh it’s not a problem. Hi! I am Asad (he says, extending his hand forward)

Meera- (reciprocating the handshake) Meera.

(They smile looking, shaking hands)

Announcer- Ms. Meera Kapoor, please report backstage immediately.

Meera-I...I have to go...

Asad- Oh yeah definitely! All the best Meera.

(He smiles back at her, waving)

(Meera steps on the stage. She is very nervous. Then, she spots Asad. All her nervousness fades right away at that moment. )

Yahi Hai Woh Pal
Saansein Tham Chal Har Kadam
Kab Kahan Kainat Chahe Badal

(Meera starts singing while everyone present in the auditorium is swayed with her voice. Asad’s eyes were fixed on her while his heart was lost in her voice.)

Rab Sun Mere Dil Ki Dhadkan
Kyun Ki Yahi Hai Woh Pal
Shuru Hone Se Pehle
Khatam Ho Kahani
Ab Chahe Jo Maangu Loon
Kurbaani

(Uski aakhon mein kuch toh tha jo Meera ko apni aur kheech raha tha. Woh usse janna chahti, usse pechanna chahti thi. )

Main Hazir Hoon
Maanu Lo Sitharon Ki
Bhool Hai
Tum Agar Saath Ho
Mujhe Har Kayamath
Qubool Hai Qubool Hai

(Her performance ends. Everybody starts clapping and the hall fills up with the echo of all the applauds. She climbs down the stage. Asad approaches her. )

Asad: Meera, aapko aur gaana chahiye. You know, your voice... it's just... magical.
(Meera blushes)

Meera- Thank you, Asad. Waise I have never seen you around here.

Asad- Yeah. I am a new transfer student. Meri behen Nazma pehele se yahan padhti hai. So, even I got myself transferred here.

Meera- Glad you did (says under her breath)

Asad- Ji?

Meera- I mean aap bhi gaate hein kya?

Asad- Nahi, I am here for Nazma only. Usne bhi iss event main part liya hai.

Meera - Ohh, that’s great!

(Asad smiles)

Meera- Chaliye, main chalti hu.

Asad - Waise Meera...

Meera-Ji boliye?

Asad- I am glad too.

(Meera blushes and leaves.)

***

Meera reaches her house... still thinking about Asad and their little conversation. As she enters her room, she sees Bani there.

Bani- Kaisa raha competition?

Meera- Accha tha. Results 1-week baad aayenge.

(Meera moves towards the jug, pouring a glass of water)

Bani- Aur baaki performances kaise the? Tujhe laga kya ki kisi aur ka performance terse better tha??

(she says, excited to find out more about the competition. However, Meera’s mind was somewhere else. Meanwhile, the water she was pouring starts overflowing as she continues pouring more in.)

Bani- Meeraa!!

Meera (startled)- Kya hua?

Bani- Paniii! (she points at the glass)

Meera- Ohh shit! (she quickly lifts the jug and stares at the mess made on the floor.)

Bani- Tera dhyan kahaan hein??

Meera - Woh...kuch nahi.

Bani- Apni best friend se secrets rakhna is illegal madam. Bol kya hua hai.

Meera- Woh...aaj actually... I met someone. A guy.

Bani- Guy? Guy? Ohhh my goddd!! Did I just listen to you referring to a guy?!

Meera- Drama queen. Itna overreact karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai.

Bani-  What Drama queen! Tune apni 18 saal ki life mein peheli baar kisi ladke ke baare mein baat ki hein. Overreaction toh banta hai.

Meera- Main na ja rahi hu. Tu karti reh apna overreaction akele.

Bani- Accha accha, bata na kon hein woh? I’m dying to knoww!!

Meera- Asad. Hamare college ka naya transfer student hein.

Bani- Offo. Toh hamari Meera ki life mein finally pyaar ne dastak de hi di.

Meera- Main usse bas ek baar mili hu Bani. Pyaar vagera kya bakwas kar rahi hai.

Bani- You know...there is this thing called, love at first sight.

Meera (rolling her eyes) - And you know I don't believe in it. I mean, peheli nazar mein attraction ho sakta hein par pyaar nahi. And actually, batana toh tujhe tha na! Tere aur sid ke baara mein. Uske aur tere beech hua kya??

Bani- Sid and I were more like best friends Meera. I mean somewhere...that spark was missing. I care for him and isiliye... I didn't wanna string him along.

Meera-That’s a good decision

(Meera gets a notification on her phone.)

Meera- OMGGG!BANI!! Mujhe Khan Industries mein internship mil gayi!!

Bani- (hugging Meera) Congratulations Meeraaaa! That’s amazzinngg!!!

Rajvee- What internship? (Rajvee walks in, holding a tray, while Tej follows.)

Meera - Maa...

Meera (in mind)- Mar gaye. Ab toh yudh hoga.

Rajvee- Bolo Meera.

Meera- Maa woh actually... maine Khan Industries mein internship ke liye apply kiya tha.

Tej- Aur tumhe zaruri nahi laga ki tum ek baar humse iss baare mein baat karti? Princess hamari khud ki company hein aur Rakesh ki company bhi hein. Toh bahar kyun kaam karna hein?

Meera- Dad par mujhe bahar ka exposure chahiye taaki main future mein Sangeet ko aur behtar tarike se handle kar saku.

Rajvee - I think Meera's right Tej.

Meera- Sachi maa…? Thank youuu!! (she says hugging her)

Tej- Abb tum maa beti ek team mein kya hogaye mujhe toh chod hi diya!

Bani-Mujhe bhi!!

(They all laugh)

***
The next day, at college.

Meera is walking through the corridor with Bani and Shivaay, all of them getting to their classes and chit-chatting. Then, she spots Asad.

Meera- Hey Asad.

Asad- Hii Meera.

Meera- Asad, this is Bani and that’s Shivaay. Guys, this is Asad.

(They both wave at Asad with a smile.)

Meera- Aap kuch dhoond rahe the kya?
You look confused.

Asad- Yeah, main apni class dhundh raha tha.

Bani- Ohh usme toh Meera apki help kar hi degi. Iss college ka kona kona jaanti jo hai yeh.

(Meera gives Bani ‘the look’. She slightly nudges her.)

Bani- Arre, kuch galat thodi bola maine, haina Shivaay?

(She winks at Shivaay, telling him to play along. Shivaay nods and smiles with mischief in his eyes)

Shivaay- Haan haan Meera. Thodi help karde na Asad ki. Waise bhi he is new. Asad ek baar apna schedule dikhana.

(Asad hands him his timetable, hiding a smile seeing them teasing Meera.)

Shivaay- (looking into his schedule) - Arre tum dono ki toh abhi Social Entrepreneurship ki hi class hai. Kya baat hai huh…(He gives Meera a side glance, his eyes filled with amusement at Meera’s torment;) Meera glares back at him.)

Shivaay- Arre jao na tum dono ab nahi toh late ho jaaoge. Aur vaise bhi Bhatia sir ka gussa toh tu jaanti hi hai Meera. Don’t risk it.

(Shivaay gently pushes Meera and Asad away. They walk away, Meera looking back at Shivaay, giving him a death glare. He mouth the words ”You’re welcome”. Bani tries to control herself but bursts into a laugh as soon as Meera and Asad walk away, far enough to not hear them)

Bani- Tu bhi na Shivaay! Bichari ki shakal dekhi thi tune. Jab dekho uske maze leta rehta hai!

Shivaay- Jab tak mauka milega, Always!

(They both continue laughing.)

Meera and Asad reach the class

(They both enter the class and sit together)

Meera- I’m sorry for all that. Dono na pagal hi hai. Kuch bhi bolte rehte hai.

Asad- Arre koi baat nahi. I don’t mind. I am anyway glad I have you here.

Meera- Ji?

Asad- I mean I am glad ki I have you warna mai pata nahi yahan kaise adjust karta.

(She smiles at him.)

Class ends.

Meera- Asad ye saare notes hein. Isse aapne jo kuch bhi miss kiya woh sab aaram se cover-up hojayega.

(He takes the notes from her and their fingers brush against each other.)

Asad- Thank you Meera.

***
It was Saturday. Meera was supposed to go to the Khan Industries for her internship, scheduled on weekends.

Meera entered the premises. She was nervous and a little worried about her first day there. That’s when somebody pats her shoulder.

Meera - Asad!?

Asad- Hii.. Tum yahan?

Meera- Main yahaan internship ke liye aayi hoon. Aur aap?

Asad - Main bhi.

Meera- Wow! That's a coincidence.
Asad- A beautiful one. (He says with a small smile, She smiles back)

(Since then, they both grew close. They became best friends. Asad also formed a great bond with Shivaay and Bani while  Meera formed one with Nazma. During the weekends, they helped each other with the company’s work and guided each other.)

***

2 months later

Meera- Asad! Ye mujhse ho kyun nahi raha hein!! (she says in an irritated voice)

Asad- Meera, patience rakhiye sab hojayega.

(Meera was sitting in her seat. Asad bends over from behind her chair and clicks a few keys on her laptops while explaining to her what she did wrong.)

Meera- Asad you are myy saviour!!

(Meera says and turns. That's when they realize how close they were to each other. Just one step would make many things step up.)

Niveditha- Ahem Ahem!

(They move away from each other.)

Niveditha- Asad, aapko Mr. Khan bula rahe hein.

(He glances at her and leaves.)

Niveditha- Meera tum Asad se...rather I would say ki hamare future boss se itne close kaise ho?

Meera- Future boss? What do you mean?

Niveditha- Wait a minute, you really don't know?

Meera- What?

Niveditha- Asad is Asad Ahmed Khan! Mr. Khan’s oldest son.

(Meera was confused. She wondered why did Asad didn't tell her anything about it. Let alone tell her, he didn’t even mention it vaguely to her. Later, he returns but Meera doesn't talk to him. Everybody starts leaving as the office hours come to an end.)

Asad- Meera!!

Meera - Boliye Asad, or should I say, Mr. Khan.

Asad- Meera...

Meera(starts leaving)- I thought we were close Asad.

Asad- Meera meri baat suniye. Maine aapko ye nahi bataya kyunki mujhe ye zaruri nahi lagi.

Meera- Asad ye baat aapko zaruri nahi lagi?

Asad- Meera kabhi maine bhi toh aapse nahi pucha ki Sangeet ki owner yahaan Khan Industries mein kya kar rahi hein. Pata hai kyun? Kyunki yeh sab cheezen mere liye maayine hi nahi rakhti.

Meera - Asad maine aapse kuch chupaya nai. Par maine jab aapse pucha toh aapne apna naam Asad ahmed bataya.

Asad- Toh abb aap mujhse baat nahi karengi?

Meera- Baat karne ko kuch bacha nahi hein.

Asad- (pulling her towards him) Thik hein toh phir ye lijiye (hands her a small gift-wrapped box). Ye meri peheli salary se aapke liye, mera pehla aur aakhiri tohfa.

(Meera just keeps looking at him.)

***
Next day.

(Meera goes to work. Asad is busy with his work but Meera...she was continuously thinking about him. She was angry at him. But not talking to him was a punishment she wasn’t only giving to him, but herself as well.

It was lunchtime. Meera went to the cafeteria. She saw Nivedita and Asad sitting, eating, and laughing with each other. She was jealous or should we say very jealous. She keeps smushing the noodles and then hits her plate with the fork.)

Employee-Meera, kiska gussa nikal rahi ho noodles pe.

(Asad hears it and smiles internally. Well, yes he was doing this intentionally because her not talking to him was affecting him as well.)

***
Next day in college

(Meera wears a white Churidar with the silver earrings that Asad had gifted her. She searches for him in the class but he isn’t there. She comes out of the class wondering where he was.)

Meera- Bani, tujhe pata hein kya Asad kahan hai?

Bani- Woh toh aaj aaya hi nahi. Uski tabet thodi kharab hein. Usne tujhe nahi bataya?

Meera(In mind) - Matlab mujhe batane tak ka time nahi hein uske pass abb.
(Meera starts leaving.)

Shivaay- Kahan ja rahi hein?

Bani- Aaj toh pakka kisi ki class lagne wali hein, chal hum aaj milke TVD dekhte hein.

Shivaay-Tu aur tera Damon Salvatore ka obsession. Don't tell me you want some bad boy in your life too.

Bani- Who knows... maybe.

Shivaay- Tu apne" Veer" bahadur  ka intezar kar. I am leaving.

Bani-  Aur tu jaa apni Tia baby ke saath taro card reading kar.

(Shivaay rolls his eyes and leaves.)

***
(Meera reaches Asad's house and rings the bell. Nazma opens the door. )

Meera- Ms tamatar. Hiii!

Nazma - Hi Meera di. Bhaijan upar hein apne kamre mein.

Meera- Thanks Nazma.

(Meera reaches Asad's room. The room is empty. She pulls out a gift from her bag and places it in the drawer. )

Asad- Tohfein yun chup chupkar nahi diye jate Meera.

Meera -(gets startled) Aap...

***
Hello dear readers!
Firstly I would like to thank ammuhere for showering our story with comments and votes. It really means a lot!

So guys how was the update?
Do you guys like the growth in Haira's relationship?
Meera's finally opening up to Haider but will this past revelation bring them close or drift them apart?

Asad and Meera seems so perfect. What do you think exactly happened between them?

Did you like Shivaay, Bani and Meera's bonding or Meera's bonding with her parents?

Also how many of you missed Veer? What do you think will happen if Veer meets Sid someday!
Also you will be seeing a new side of bani;) in the next update

Next update will be within 4-5 days. Each chapter has around 2500-3000 words, that is why it takes time for me to update in order to maintain the quality of the story :)

Love you guys!
stay tuned;)

Edited by ReemesM ♡