Faajal spent seconds trying to figure out a way to avoid him. Moments ago, she had been longing for him, but now, she couldn't endure his presence. A suffocating weight tugged at her chest, reopening the bleeding. Her nostrils stiffened from the harsh inhales swooping through. Ravinder walked near and took his seat beside. Faajal rubbed her reddened nose and woodened her posture. The slightest crack in expression could spawn suspicion in his sharp observance.

Asad walked in, with Yusuf behind. "You gave me a heart attack! You should've informed earlier!"

Yusuf grinned, "I thought to give you a surprise! Surprises are better for pleasure, aren't they?"

"No! That was a lame one." Asad moaned and perched in the centre. Yusuf peeked aside. His eyes widened. A relieved smile clung to him, weakening her guard once more. She tried to remain rigid, not read too much into his mannerisms.

The curve on his mouth stretched afar, but she ignored it. Her eyes were glued to the screen. He scrunched a brow, firing unpronounced questions, but was defeated by her bar. Disappointed, he went to sit beside Asad. 10 minutes later, the screening commenced with two soundboxes that oscillated so loud, they might have exploded any moment. The credits played with a dramatic tune in the background. The fonts felt weird; like an unseasoned copy of Western films, but that didn't matter as long as the foremost part did well.

The film began with a wandering Rehman searching for jobs to meet both ends. His poetic philosophy was barely valued which stranded him with poverty. One day, he presented his couplets on the radio which grabbed Shabnam's father's attention. He contacted Rehman and appointed him as Shabnam's younger sister's tutor. Through daily presence and a few stolen glances, Shabnam and Rehman nurtured a passion for each other, but Rehman declined for her father's wrath. She urged him every day, but he kept denying until the faithful day when her father learned it all and dismissed Rehman. Shabnam attempted suicide in the river and was presumed dead. A heartbroken Rehman confronted her father and scorned for the harm he had done to his daughter.

"Baba, I am going to the restroom," Faajal murmured and left the hall. She rushed through the barely-lit aisle to the open gate. Her chest rose and fell in an erratic rhythm. Her limbs shivered from fear, anxiety and scepticism. She clamped her sides, on the verge of breakdown. Almost for an hour, she kept her constrain, but it held no more. The silence was replaced with her panting. They were done. It was over. Yet, why did her weak heart mellow? Was she so vulnerable that a single heartbreak couldn't be handled?

Suddenly, treads clucked in. She briskly fled behind a pillar and fished her way to the hall.

Though presumed deceased to the world, Shabnam defied death and was rescued by some fishermen who nursed her to health. Shattered by her assumed demise, Rehman accepted the four walls of his room the entire universe. In an attempt to help him move on, his friends set him up with a car for a long drive. Devastated and darkened, he lost control of the wheel and encountered a fatal accident near the barn where Shabnam resided. Villagers salvaged him and brought him to Shabnam who cried a river upon their fateful reunion. She demanded he must return or she shall surrender to death. Minutes later, he was rushed to the hospital. Doctors declared no hope was left, but they still operated on him. Shabnam insisted on the power of love to bring him back, and to everyone's miracle, he sprang back to life. Their story ended with a happily ever after.

Mild clapping roared in the hall. Faajal stood up and applauded proudly. A step higher, a level up to her dreams. Glints of a glorious future flashed in her mind, a creation of her own, the weapon of her retaliation.

She noticed Yusuf hurrying near the edge of her eye. While Asad was approaching, she sided, eager to leave the venue. His pace grew faster, so did her haste.

"You do have much potential, girl! When I was editing the film strips, I knew you were destined for this role. And you two have a dense chemistry—"

"Thank you for the appreciation." Faajal chuckled nervously and peeked at Ravinder, hoping he could perceive her hint. Please, don't let me be here any longer. Her chest tightened seeing Yusuf alone a few steps remote.

"Baba, shall we go now? It's getting late."

"We shall arrange a meeting tomorrow then," Ravinder told Asad and walked out, followed by Faajal. Her feet worked faster to her relief. The distant he was more, the better it would be.

─•~❉᯽❉~•─

"I had expectations already that your talent would peak at the best. You proved me wrong." Devika Rani stated.

Faajal had assumed this meeting was to convey some neutral comments. At least, a bit of appreciation, but the boss' disapproval killed it all. She wrenched in her seat uncomfortably until the words sank in.

"Your dexterity is beyond expectation. Though I know Asad has bothered you sometimes, he highly praised your charisma and the on-screen chemistry between you and Raj." An assuring smile flashed on Devika Rani's crimson-glazed lips. "It was no surprise though, as you two are already engaged in—you know," She folded her lips, suppressing her smile from broadening.

Faajal faked a subtle smile. Although they had met beyond eyes, suspicions had found their way to them. People hadn't spoken of it, but they could assume it.

"I have talked with your father about a new film. A few have come in already, but I am filtering the best ones for you. How about we hold a meeting with some of the directors and producers this week?"

"That would be fine, mam. But, this time, I wish not to perform with any of my acquaintances, if you don't mind." Faajal stammered. This might cause perplexities she half-dreaded.

"There's no mind. You can share your discomfort or any requests with me. Artists like you are my assets. Serving your request is a mere thing we do in return for your contributions."

"Thank you for understanding, mam." Faajal exited the office and was to head out for her dressing room where Ravinder awaited, but Yusuf grabbed her arm and dragged her to an empty backroom.

"Where the hell are you taking me?!" She screeched, but he didn't respond until they halted in the midst of the room.

She hardened her arm in protest, but his grip grew tighter. "Let me go!"

His palms cupped her chin, his bone-chilling countenance softened. Silence pulsated as his orbs locked with hers. The azure strokes trapped light within, seeming like crafted from glass. "What has happened to you? Why were you ignoring me yesterday?" His tone low yet sharp.

"What's your concern?" She gritted out.

"Of course, it's my concern! We meet after days and you act like an utter stranger! Did someone tell you something? Did your baba or sisters mock you?"

She pushed him away. "Thank you, but you shouldn't think of me, now. I can take care of myself."

"Why are you behaving so strangely, Faajal? You didn't even respond before—" He was to touch her but she backed, lifting her palm. "It's better we keep distance from now on."

"What are you talking about?" His voice dangerously dimmed.

"We both know. So, stop this pretension, please!" Her voice hardened.

"What prentesion?! Can you explain what the hell–" He almost grabbed her arm, but she yeeted it off. Her dupatta tore away in his hand. Her brown eyes clashed with his blue ones. Insults dribbled hot to strike at him.

"Faajal!" He clutched his shoulder and dragged her before. His intent eyes pinned on her. "What the hell is wrong with you?! What did I do for you're acting like this?"

"You know it very well! Yet, you're baiting me this way. How dare you!" She flipped the loose strands itching her cheeks. Her jaw clenched in rage. If she didn't parry now, she would lose her hard-won pride.

"What do I know?!" He jerked her shoulders. "What are you talking about?"

"You're promised to another!" She spat. "Yet, you're playing with me!"

He frowned in confusion. "What?!"

She finally shrugged off his hands. "A married man shouldn't betray his spouse! So, it's better if we keep on friendly terms."

"Married man?" A befuddled whisper came from him.

"Yes!" A strangled reply from her.

"That stopped days ago!" He growled.

"Stop lying!" She yelled, pointing her finger.

"Why would I? Why would I on such a silly matter?! Are you out of your mind?! Did that accident cause your brain to stop working?!"

"Don't put your nose in my matters!" She grunted, trembling with wrath.

He clasped her waist, hauling her so close, she could feel his outrageous breaths skidding off her neck. "Your everything is mine, just as my everything is yours." A menacing hiss coated with impatience.

"Go, tell these to your wife!" She thrust him away, causing him to stagger back. Her fury reached a boiling point, now.

Just as she was to bolt away, he yanked her close and pinned her against a wall. His fingers dove into her hair and tugged the roots. She yelped but tried to keep a straight face. "Leave me! This isn't going to be any good!" She shrieked.

"Are you out of your mind?! I cancelled that!! WHO TOLD YOU THIS RUBBISH?!"

She wrenched in his grasp, writhing her shoulders when he planted a tight slap on her cheek and hardened his hold. Faajal drew in a sharp inhale, incredulous that he could ever raise his hand on her. The fingerprints still burned as when they had been imprinted on her face.

"That postcard," She wearily whispered, weakening her guard. "You sent me that last week."

His expression softened. "I didn't send.....I couldn't! Post-service was terminated in Peshawar. Instead, I got this letter that you were severely injured! Then, Pran sent me an absurd letter, asking how could I let the nikah happen when I had already stopped it!"

"He told me he also got a letter from you." These revelations jangled her, tugging from all sides.

"No, Faajal! How could I let this happen? I would rather die than let this happen." His fingertips stroked her hair. Her nostrils reddened from the sobs forming behind her throat. "I thought—"

"What?! That I'd leave you this easily? I told you, I am not that easy." He chuckled amid the tears cascading down his cheeks. "How could you believe that?"

"Two letters, two letters about the same matter made me believe that. That postcard said your ammi was ill and her last wish was that you marry that girl." Faajal stuttered. A pang of shame hit her.

"That proves that you're the greatest fool to exist!" He spurted, his eyeballs almost ruptured from the sockets.

She lowered her head, avoiding his incredulous stare. His clutch loosened. "Idiot!" His rage slipped into a smile, that signature sunshine smile.

"Sorry, I was so overwhelmed since you left and then–" Tears barged free and she clutched him, melting on his body.

"You'll definitely be punished for this." He spat in mock rage.

She attempted to grab his hand but he shirked off. "I am sorry, Yusuf." Her voice was a jangle of weeps and guilt.

He grabbed her by the hair and bent her nape. "Don't ever think I can leave you. Never! Because there's no Yusuf without Faajal and no Faajal without Yusuf!" She nodded, taking a deep breath. His lips opened in a full smile, now. She was to return his smile when something replaced it with shock. Crimson lines glided off his nose. Blood!

"Blood! Yusuf, blood!" She let out a strangled whisper, dabbing the lines. His smile vanished as he touched his nose and acknowledged. He drove his hand to wipe those off, but Faajal blocked him. "Don't hide anything from me, Yusuf Khan Dehlavi! Tell me what's wrong! I also noticed it before."

"I just had a cold." He shrugged.

"No! Something's wrong with you....." She pulled him closer.

"No! I just pricked my nose. That may have caused it." He snickered, unnerved himself. He looked more hesitant than convincing. 

Faajal studied the stains on her fingertips and glanced at his nose. Something was wrong, seriously wrong.

At the jubilance of their reunion, such a hint loomed over that would result in an irreparable consequence later on. 

A/N: Pretty lady and sex symbol are back together! Yayy! And also a quick update! Good days are back and it won't be much longer to witness the glorious facade of Bollywood and the polished lives of superstars, because Yusuf will be dropping a banger soon! {Spolier, I know that!}