Have you ever felt like a third wheel between a couple?

Both of them want to talk their hearts out to each other.

But they can't because of your presence.

Do you know how enjoyable yet embarrassing it feels?

Because that's exactly what Zahra and Aram were feeling.

First of all, wish a happy birthday to Qainaat. She has turned twenty-one.

After lots of convincing finally, her father and brother let her go on a lunch date with Ahsan, but their condition was that Zahra will accompany her.

And no one exactly knows why Aram decided to accompany Ahsan as well.
But I guess you all are enough smart to know his reason.

*cough* Zahra *cough*

Aram was busy on his phone. It appeared as if he is doing some important work. But only Ahsan, who was sitting beside him, knew that his elder brother was playing Candy Crush.

Wow! After crushing his romantic plans he is playing Candy Crush.

Zahra was also lost in the empire of Whatsapp. Because Qaran was texting her every then and now.

Like, "don't leave them alone."

"Keep an eye on him."

"Don't let him touch her."

And the list goes on.

Finally, she lost her patience and went outside to knock some sense into Qaran over a phone call.

As if on the queue, Qainaat poured some juice in a glass and forwarded it to Aram.

"Aram Bhai, have some juice."

"Sure."

However, before Aram could hold the glass, the juice was spilt all over his overcoat.

"Oh! I am so sorry!"

"No, it's alright."

Saying this Aram went to the restroom.

Ahsan looked at Qainaat suspiciously.

"Qaina, you did it intentionally?"

All she did was a smirk.

🤍🤍🤍

Zahra came out of the restaurant and immediately shouted on Qaran over the call.

"Don't you have some other work then nagging me."

People around her gave her a weird look at hearing her loud tone.

"I didn't nag you, Zahra." Qaran defended himself.

"Oh, really? Then who is texting me again and again that don't let him do this and that."

At this point, the spectators understood two brother-sister are agruing. Because brother-sister doesn't need reason to fight, they just need a chance.

"I was just concerned about Qainaat."

"Concerned about Qainaat? Why you forget that she is a boy in the body of a girl. She can easily manhandle a mountain like you then what is Ahsan."

"Wait a minute, when did she manhandle me?"

"Wrong question. You should ask when she didn't manhandle you. You cut her hair in rage, she hit your head with a bat. You broke her doll, she broke your arm. You slapped her, she rained her shoes over you. You--"

"Okay, okay. I understood. I won't text you. Now stop eating my mind out and have some cold drink to cool down your burning top floor."

"Good." Saying so she cut the call.

🤍🤍🤍

Zahra came back after giving an enraged lecture to Qaran. But her eyes widened finding no one present at the table.

"Where did everyone go?"

She was about to call Qainaat when Aram also came there.

"Where are both of them?"

He pulled out his phone and called Ahsan. Zahra called Qainaat as well. Their attention diverted when they heard two ringtones from their table.

Qainaat and Ahsan left their phones on the table itself. Along with their phones, there was a note as well.

"We will be back in three hours. Till then enjoy and wait for us."

Zahra tensed up. If Qaran got to know that Qainaat and Ahsan are alone, he will not spare her. But on the second thought, it happened because of him.

If he hadn't messaged her again and again, she wouldn't have left them alone.

On the other hand, Aram now understood that Qainaat intentionally spilt juice on him. This girl doesn't only have a big mouth but a big brain as well. She tricked Aram Ali Khan.

"Umm... Till the time they don't come I can't go back home." Zahra mumbled.

"Let's go to a nearby park then."

🤍🤍🤍

Kids playing.

Kids crying.

Kids laughing.

Kids shouting.

That was all they could see in the park.

Aram and Zahra had several questions for each other but there was a hesitation between them. They were still strangers to each other.

"Weather is nice." Aram tried to initiate conversation.

"Kids are adorable," Zahra mumbled whatever came into her mind.

"Qainaat has turned twenty-one, right?"

"Qaran Bhai has gifted her a puppy."

"Will you have some coffee?"

"I like hot chocolate."

"And I like you."

Zahra turned to him. What did he just say?

"I mean, I like your nature."

This awkwardness was making them behave weird.

"Can I ask you something?" Zahra finally dared to ask.

"Yes."

"That day in the university, when you saved me from falling off the stairs, how you knew my name?"

Aram stiffened, he no way could tell her the truth, especially after what her uncle Zaid told him.

"Umm... I had seen your profile on Instagram, so it came into my mind at that moment and I blurted out your name."

"But I don't have an Instagram account. I use Zania's account."

"Then it would be any other Zahra."

"Any other Zahra who looks like me?"

"Yes, it is possible."

"Are you stalking me?"

"Why would I stalk you? I don't even know you properly."

"You give me that Wattpad Billionaire vibe."

"Wattpad Billionaire?"

"Yeah, billionaires in those Wattpad stories. They will fall in love with stranger girls and would stalk them and then forcibly marry them."

"So you think I am in love with you and want to marry you?" He smirked.

"No! I mean, you give me that kind of vibe."

"You mean, you are crushing over me?"

"Not at all."

"But your vibes say otherwise."

"If you are good looking, handsome and hot, it doesn't mean every other girl is crushing over you."

"Thanks for the compliment but every other girl do crush over me."

"But I am not like those girls."

"Yeah, you are way bolder than them. Look, you just flirted with me."

"Flirt? When did this happened?"

"When you called me good looking, handsome and hot."

"I was stating the fact."

"I am also stating the fact."

"You are obsessed with yourself."

"And you are obsessed with hot guys. I can bet you have a long list of crushes."

"No, it's only around a hundred for your kind information."

"And what's my ranking among them?"

"Zero."

"You... I had no idea that you have this stupid side as well. You look mature, not childish."

"I am mature, but I guess when two mature people talk, their conversation turns childish on their own. You know, like poles repulse."

"I guess you are right."

🤍🤍🤍

Qaran was pacing around in the garden. He was no way going to rest till the time Qainaat and Zahra don't come back.

"Qaran, stop overthinking," said Zania, who was sitting on the swing with Qainaat's newest pet Silky in her lap.

"I can't trust someone with my sister so easily."

"Ahsan is a very nice guy."

"But he is a guy."

"What?"

"I mean, what if he tried to cross his limits? I will kill him."

"Before you, Qainaat will kill him. She is a martial arts champion if you remember."

"I can't stop myself from overthinking. I am a brother, Zania."

"Okay then, Mr Brother, let's go on a walk with your Sister's puppy."

"Not a bad idea. Come on, Silky."

Qaran took a told the chain attached to Silky's collar. He, Zania and of course, Silky went out for a walk on the chilly weather.

“Qaran, do you like someone?” Zania asked while rubbing her palm together.

“Why are you asking?” He eyed her suspiciously.

“Umm... Aapi told me. That you like someone and I know her very well. But I can't figure out who exactly she is.”

“Zahra told you?” Means Zahra knew about his liking towards Zania.

“Yes. Who is she?”

“She is a cousin of mine. I am really close to her.” He replied with a smile. Not giving out any hint that he was talking about her only.

“It's not Aapi, right?”

“Zahra is like a sister to me, Zania.”

“Then who is this cousin?”

“You will know very soon. Just be patient.”

Zania whined but let it go.

🤍🤍🤍

Qainaat and Ahsan were sitting outside an ice cream parlour, devouring their ice creams.

"Ahsan, Dad was saying if we get engaged for now. We will not marry for the next five years at least. But..."

"But the father inside him is insecure about the fact that his daughter will be in a relationship without being engaged or married. Am I right?"

"Yes."

"I am ready."

Qainaat smiled and put her head on his shoulder.

"Ahsan, I love you."

"You don't need to tell me that again and again. Your gestures say it louder than your voice." He put his arms around her shoulders.

"By the way, will you invite your foster family?"

"Even if I invite them, no one will come. It was always Aram Bhai who cared for me."

"Hmm... Sorry."

"Qaina, I haven't told your father or brother who exactly my foster family is. I mean, that they are the Nawab family of Lucknow."

"I think Aram Bhai will tell them someday. It will be disclosed soon. And what's the issue?"

"This family is ruined and is capable of ruining others as well, that's the issue."

"We are away from them."

"I doubt that."

Looking at Ahsan's serious expression Qainaat kissed him on the cheek to uplift his mood.

"Qaina, your brother will kill me if he got to know we kissed."

"And who will tell him?"

"Uff! You will be the death of me."

"That I know." She winked at him.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I hope you are liking the storyline. I have a test at 12:30 and to not feel nervous I decided to write this chapter and divert my mind.