I slam the front door behind me, my heart racing with pure frustration. My baat pakki? With Ayra? Are they out of their minds?
I storm into the living room, where my parents are sitting all too casually, as if they haven't just turned my life upside down. My mom is scrolling through her phone, while my dad sits glued to the TV.
"What the hell was that?" I yell, my voice loud enough to shake the walls.
Mom looks up, startled but composed. "Zaid, what's wrong?"
What's wrong? What's wrong? I feel my fists clenching at my sides. "You said it was a get-together! A casual family thing! And now suddenly my baat pakki with Ayra? What are you thinking?"
Dad glances at me briefly, as if this whole thing isn't a big deal. "Zaid, calm down. We thought it was time..."
"Time? You thought it was time to marry me off to Ayra?" I cut him off, pacing around the room. My, my academic rival, the girl who ruined everything for me!
Just then, Zahra walks in, a smirk plastered across her face. "Oh, this is rich. You and Ayra. I mean, couldn't have picked a better match, huh?"
I glare at her, but before I can respond, Ayan barges in with his usual over-the-top enthusiasm. "Oh man, Zaid ki baat pakki! Ayra, huh? This is better than any drama I've seen!"
Ayan is practically bouncing with excitement, like a kid who just found out he won a lottery, as he pulls out his phone. "Oh, this is too good. I gotta tell Rayan about this!"
I grab his arm, my jaw tightening. "Don't you dare."
But it's too late. He's already dialing. My stomach sinks as I try to snatch the phone away, but Ayan's quicker. Within seconds, the call's connected, and I can hear Rayan's deep voice through the speaker. "What's up, Ayan?" Ayan couldn't have waited for Rayan to return tonight from hi match.
Ayan grins mischievously and blurts out, "Guess what, man? Zaid ki baat pakki ho gayi! And guess with who?"
There's a brief pause on the other end, and then Rayan's calm, incredulous voice comes through. "Wait... Ayra?"
Before I can say anything, Ahad's voice cuts in, full of disbelief. "You've got to be kidding. Ayra? That's... unexpected."
I pinch the bridge of my nose, feeling the headache that's been brewing all night getting worse. "This isn't happening. It's not happening."
Ayan, of course, is still loving the chaos he's caused. "Oh, it's happening. You should've seen his face when our parents announced it. Man, he looked like he'd seen a ghost."
Rayan chuckles on the other end. "I'm surprised. You and Ayra have been at each other's throats for years. How's this going to work?"
"It's not," I snap, glaring at Ayan. "This is ridiculous. Ayra? Of all people?"
Before anyone can say anything else, the doorbell rings, followed by a chorus of voices. I turn, and sure enough, it's a flood of relatives. The news has already spread like wildfire, and now all the aunties and uncles are pouring into the living room, congratulating my parents, and of course, me.
"Zaid, beta, mubarak ho!" an overly excited aunt exclaims, her bangles jingling as she pats my arm. "Such a lovely match!"
"Congratulations Zaid" Aunt Ayesha chimes in, grabbing my hand. "You two will make such a perfect couple!"
I force a tight smile, trying to hold back the frustration boiling inside me. They're acting like this is the happiest moment of my life, but it feels like a nightmare I can't wake up from.
I glance at my father, hoping, praying, that maybe he'll stop this madness. But when our eyes meet, he gives me that look. The one that says don't even think about it.
Taking a deep breath, I step forward. "Dad, this is insane. I don't even like her."
My father's face hardens instantly, his voice cutting through the room like a knife. "Zaid, enough. We're not discussing this here."
"But I-"
He holds up a hand, silencing me before I can even finish. "You're the future heir of our family's legacy. Ayra is smart, well-educated, and from a respectable family. She's a perfect match for you."
"A perfect match?" I repeat, disbelief dripping from my words. "Dad, you have no idea what's going on between us. This isn't right. You can't just-"
"I said, enough." His tone leaves no room for argument. "This is happening. You need to stop thinking emotionally and start thinking practically."
My mother, who has been quiet up until now, gives me a soft look, almost apologetic but still firm. "Your father's right, Zaid. You and Ayra will be good for each other. Just... give it some time."
I feel like I'm suffocating. Every part of me is screaming to fight back, to shout at the top of my lungs that this is all wrong. But looking at my parents, I know it won't make a difference. They've already decided my future, and there's no room for negotiation.
Without another word, I turn on my heel and storm upstairs, slamming the door of my room behind me.
The silence in my room is deafening compared to the chaos downstairs. I lean against the door, taking deep breaths, trying to calm down, but it's no use. The frustration is eating me alive.
Ayra. Out of all the people in the world... Ayra.
The girl who betrayed me, ruined everything I worked for, and made sure I'd never forget it. Now, they expect me to marry her? Share my life with her?
I pace around the room, the weight of everything pressing down on me like a ton of bricks. How did it come to this? How did everything spiral out of control so fast?
There's a knock on the door, and before I can respond, Ayan sticks his head in, grinning like the idiot he is. "So, how does it feel, future groom?"
"Get lost, Ayan," I growl, throwing a pillow in his direction.
He storms out laughing like an idiot.
I'm re-surrounded by the familiar rhythm of anxiety, I may have acted confident before Ayra but deep down I was struggling to process everything.
It's not that I want to marry her, more like I don't have an option.
The era of my destruction begins now as I'll be sliding the ring bearing my name on the finger of someone whom I hate.
So if the question arises, how do I feel?
I feel like nothingness.
Like I have left every leash tied to the decisions of my own life, like vulnerability...yes.
It's better to name the vulnerability as a mere revenge.
Rayan stares at me like I've just suggested something completely absurd. Well, I kinda did, but that's beside the point. His fingers tug through his hair, the frustration etched across his face as he glares at me like I'm the root cause of his misery. Which, to be fair, I might be-at least in this instance.
"You know what" His voice drips with disbelief, eyes narrowing as he leans forward slightly. "You're unbelievable"
I shrug, spinning lazily in my chair, trying to ignore the way my eyelids feel heavy with sleep. We've been at this for hours-working on my project, no less-and now he's bombarding me with his Mariam dilemma. His mother is practically shoving her at him, and my suggestion? Stick to the plan. Apparently, that makes me a terrible fake girlfriend. Who knew?
"Rayan, I mean, what else am I supposed to say? You want me to go beat up your mom? Or Mariam? I think she could take me in a fight." I grin, knowing it's only going to wind him up more.
He groans, clearly not amused. "Maha, you know, sometimes I wonder how someone can be so unpredictable, so confusing, so-"
I cut him off mid-rant, stretching my arms above my head with a loud yawn that I don't even try to stifle. "Rhino shino, aren't you getting fussy these days?" I laugh, letting the chair spin in circles.
He looks utterly unimpressed, like he's wondering if I've lost my mind. "Bhar mein jao," he mutters, running a hand through his hair, clearly at the end of his rope.
I grin at him, grabbing a crumpled piece of paper from my desk and tossing it in his direction. "Address dedo. Sath bhar mein chalte hain." The paper barely grazes him, and I burst into laughter, while he just shoots me a deadpan look.
Rayan stares at me like I've just sprouted a second head. "You're insane, you know that?"
I close my eyes dramatically and place my hand over my chest, reciting with mock seriousness. "Mom says when someone acts awkward or weird, they're probably possessed by a ghost."
He blinks at me, stunned silent for a moment, before shaking his head. "Shut up. There's no ghost involved here-just you and your crazy nature. Why are you like this?"
I bat my eyelashes innocently. "Born this way, darling. You should've known what you were signing up for when you asked me to be your fake girlfriend."
"I didn't ask-I was forced," he corrects, clearly exasperated, though there's the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.
Rayan rubs his temples, looking like he's on the verge of giving up. He leans back in his chair, eyes closed for a moment, and then he sighs, long and deep, like he's about to dive into something he really doesn't want to.
"So, I'm going on a date with Mariam in, like, an hour," he says, his tone laced with reluctance.
I stop spinning in my chair and look at him, wide-eyed. "Oh, you're serious?"
"Dead serious," he mutters.
"Okay, well, have fun!" I chirp, flashing him my most dazzling smile.
He narrows his eyes at me. "That's all you've got? Okay? I'm going on a date with someone who isn't you, and all you have to say is 'okay'? You're my fake girlfriend!"
I shrug, hopping off my chair and heading toward the door. "Yeah, okay. Your mom wants you to go and you can just tell her that it didn't work out. What's the big deal?"
He looks at me like I've missed the point entirely, which I probably have. "The point is, Maha, you're supposed to be my fake girlfriend. You could at least pretend to care that I'm being dragged into this."
I wave a hand dismissively, grinning. "Relax, Rhino, it's just a date. Besides, I trust you'll be so dull and grumpy that Mariam will run for the hills by dessert."
He glares, though there's a hint of a smirk threatening to appear. "You're so supportive."
"Always!" I wink at him before turning back to grab my things. "Anyway, don't overthink it. Just go, be Rayan. I'm sure she'll leave in the middle"
"Right," he says dryly, standing up and following me to the door. "Because my girlfriend wants me to go on a date with someone else"
I giggle, reaching for the door handle. "You've got this. I believe in your ability to be the absolute worst date ever."
"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence." He follows close behind as I pull the door open.
But, in my usual chaotic fashion, I push it a little too hard on my way out, and it swings back-right into Rayan's forehead with a dull thud.
"Ow!" he hisses, rubbing his head, and I freeze, covering my mouth to stifle a laugh. It's not funny-well, maybe a little.
"Oops, sorry!" I say, not really sorry at all because my laughter is already bubbling up.
He shakes his head, clearly used to my antics by now. "I would've been surprised if you had actually left me without some kind of injury."
"Hey, it's not my fault you were standing so close!" I defend myself, though the grin on my face makes it obvious I'm not taking this seriously at all.
"Yeah Maha I know you want to laugh so go ahead" and that's all it took for me to let go the laughing fits I was holding back.
He shakes his head, "I literally forgot what's peace"
I round the corner, I can still hear Rayan's quiet grumbling, the sound fading as I step further down the hall. A satisfied grin stretches across my face. There's something ridiculously fun about watching him wrestle with his own frustration-like a grumpy cat swiping at a playful pup. And me? I'm the pup, obviously. Always bouncing around, keeping things lively. He hates it... but he also kind of doesn't.
I slow my pace, my steps lighter as I let the echoes of my earlier teasing replay in my head. I bet he's standing there right now, rubbing the spot on his head where the door hit him, muttering about how I'm going to be the death of him one day. There's something strangely heartwarming about that.
"Peace is overrated," I mumble to myself, smiling at the thought of him sitting through his date with Mariam, all stiff and awkward. I can almost picture it-him staring at his plate, arms crossed, grumbling under his breath about the absurdity of the whole thing. Poor Mariam has no idea what she's in for.
And then there's me. The fake girlfriend who's supposed to help him navigate this whirlwind of meddling mothers and unwanted dates, but all I seem to be doing is adding to the chaos. Not that I mind. Watching Rayan fumble is half the fun.
I glance over my shoulder, half expecting to see him still standing there, brooding as always. But of course, he's gone. Off to get ready for his big date. Part of me wonders how it'll go. Will he even try to charm Mariam, or will he sulk his way through the evening, thinking about how this entire situation spiraled out of his control the moment I entered his life?
As I round the corner, feeling victorious after my little spat with Rayan, I spot a familiar figure leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, and a mischievous grin plastered on his face.
Ayan Ansari. Of course.
"Hey Maha" he says, his voice dripping with amusement, "left Rayan with that price tag?"
I can't help but smirk. "What can I say? I love annoying him"
Ayan chuckles, pushing off the wall and falling into step beside me. "Weren't you his girlfriend"
I groan dramatically, rolling my eyes. "Fake"
Ayan snorts. "You know how it is-mothers, man. They've got the world's worst taste sometimes. No offense to Auntie, but Mariam? Really?"
"Yeah she'd rather have her son dating a price tag than me" I mutter, which earns me a bark of laughter from Ayan.
He winks at me. "Exactly why I think we should do something about it."
I raise an eyebrow, already knowing that whatever he's about to suggest is going to be reckless and potentially catastrophic. But... fun. Ayan and I are the dynamic duo when it comes to chaos, after all.
"Do something, huh?" I say slowly, dragging out the words. "What exactly are you plotting?"
He leans in, his grin widening. "What do you say we go... stalk them? You know, just to see how our boy handles himself on a date. And maybe throw Mariam off a little. For fun."
I stop in my tracks and stare at him, a wide grin spreading across my face. "You want to spy on Rayan and his date? You're a genius, Ansari."
Ayan shrugs like it's no big deal, but the glint in his eyes gives away his excitement. "Figured you'd be game. Besides, it's not like we'll let anything serious happen between them, right? Gotta make sure Mariam knows her place."
I snicker. "Oh, absolutely. If anyone's going to give Rayan a hard time, it's going to be us. Not some knockoff princess who thinks buying bags will solve everything"
Ayan claps his hands together, his eyes lighting up with glee. "That's the spirit! So, what's the plan? We need to go full incognito-sunglasses, hoodies, maybe even a fake mustache?"
I roll my eyes, but I can't stop the giggle that escapes me. "Please, we don't need disguises. We'll just blend in with our natural charm."
He laughs. "You, blending in? Sure, Maha. You're about as subtle as a firework."
"Hey!" I punch his arm lightly. "I can be subtle. I just choose not to."
"Right," he smirks. Whatever you say".
We continue down the hall, side by side, Ayan's energy feeding into mine as we plot out our little espionage mission. The more we talk, the more ridiculous the plan becomes-fake accents, fake phone calls, maybe even a well-timed "accidental" interruption of the date. This bastards have tracked Rayan's location using the trick Ahad Bhai taught him, Ayan informed that he had to blackmail him for weeks to teach him that.
(â à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹â )
Ayan and I arrive at the mall, fully committed to our mission. We blend into the crowd as best we can-though blending in isn't exactly my strong suit, as Ayan loves to remind me. But that doesn't matter. We're here to spy on Rayan, and by the look of things, this is going to be a long evening.
"Alright, the restaurant's on the first floor, but where's Mariam?" Ayan asks, his eyes scanning the sea of shoppers.
I squint and point. "There she is, over by that luxury boutique. Of course, she'd be shopping before a date. Who needs dinner when you can spend obscene amounts of money on clothes?"
Ayan snickers, nudging me with his elbow. "Classic Mariam. And look at Rayan, he's already regretting his life choices."
I follow Ayan's gaze to where Rayan is standing just outside the store, hands shoved into his pockets, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. His expression is a mix of boredom and mild suffering, the kind that comes with being dragged around a mall by someone with an eye for expensive things.
Ayan and I sneak around the corner of the store, barely holding back our laughter as we watch Mariam drag Rayan deeper into the racks of dresses, her hands gripping his like he's her personal shopping assistant. Rayan's face says it all-utter dread. He's loaded with bags, dresses slung over his arm like he's a human hanger, and Mariam is barely giving him time to breathe.
"Look at him," Ayan snorts, shaking his head. "The poor guy is one dress away from a meltdown."
I giggle, crouching down behind a mannequin. Ayan strikes a ridiculous pose beside it, draping one arm over its stiff shoulder and tossing his head back like a professional model. "I'm telling you, Maha, if they hired me as a mannequin, these girls would buy everything in the store. I'd be a national sensation."
I roll my eyes, but I can't help the laughter bubbling up. "Oh, sure. You'd make Vogue's cover in no time. 'Mannequin of the Year.'"
Just as Rayan passes by, I yank Ayan down beside me. "Get down, or that grump will spot us and turn us into dust with one glare."
Ayan, eyes wide, nods like we're on a covert mission. We stay frozen until Rayan and Mariam disappear into the far end of the store. Then, Ayan tugs me toward a nearby seating area, grinning mischievously as we plop down on the plush chairs.
He picks up a stack of fashion magazines from the table, flipping through them with exaggerated flair. "Here, let's pretend we're interested in the latest fall trends," he says, but he's clearly only half-interested in the glossy pages. His eyes flick to Rayan, who's standing near the changing rooms, holding what looks like a mountain of clothes Mariam plans to try on.
I burst out laughing as Ayan slowly pulls out a fake mustache from his pocket, holding it up like a prized treasure. "Oh no," I say, shaking my head. "You are not doing this."
Ayan smirks, handing me a matching mustache. "Oh yes, we are."
Without another word, we both slap on the ridiculous fake mustaches, barely containing our laughter as we sit there, pretending to be serious customers flipping through magazines like undercover detectives.
I peer over my magazine at Rayan, who's still standing there, lost in the chaos of Mariam's shopping spree. He hasn't noticed us yet, but the mustaches are really pushing our luck.
Ayan nudges me. "I think it's time for phase two."
I raise an eyebrow. "Phase two?"
Ayan's grin turns devilish. "You'll see."
Just then, Mariam steps out of the changing room, holding up a hideous lime-green dress that looks like it's been attacked by a highlighter. "Ray! What do you think of this one?" she calls out, her voice a little too eager.
Rayan, looking utterly lost, glances at the dress and gives a non-committal shrug. "Uh... yeah, it's... nice."
Ayan snorts beside me, muttering, "Nice? He hates shimmer"
As Mariam disappears back into the changing room, Ayan nudges me again, this time with a more serious look. "Now's our chance. Let's move those clothes and watch the chaos unfold."
I blink at him. "Wait, what? You mean..."
Before I can finish, Ayan's already halfway across the store, heading toward the racks of clothes Mariam left behind. I scramble after him, heart pounding from a mix of excitement and the knowledge that we're about to stir up some serious trouble.
We grab the dresses, darting through the store like two secret agents on a mission. "Where do we put them?" I whisper, my hands full of overpriced outfits.
Ayan points toward the farthest corner of the store, where the most random collection of items is located-hats, scarves, shoes, and, apparently, now Mariam's clothes.
We stuff the dresses into the racks, barely holding back our laughter. "She'll never find these in time," Ayan whispers, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
Just as we finish, I glance over at the changing room. "Run!"
We dart out of the store, barely able to contain our giggles as we make our escape. I tug off the fake mustache, shoving it into my pocket, while Ayan tries to suppress his laughter.
"We're the worst," I say, breathless from running.
"The best," Ayan corrects with a grin. "Mariam won't know what hit her."
As we tumble out of the store, breathless from laughing and barely able to stand, I glance over my shoulder to see if Rayan and Mariam have noticed our little stunt. No sign of them yet. The coast is clear. Ayan is still grinning like a madman, eyes glinting with the thrill of mischief.
"That was epic," Ayan chuckles, his fake moustache still sticking. "Did you see the look on Rayan's face when Mariam dragged him into that store? He looked like a hostage."
I snort, catching my breath. "Honestly, I'm surprised he hasn't bolted yet. That girl's a handful."
Ayan shoots me a sly grin. "He's probably regretting every life choice that led him to this moment. But don't worry. We're here to spice things up."
We skulk along the corridor, weaving in and out of shoppers, keeping an eye on Rayan through the store window. He looks even more worn out than before, standing stiffly with an armful of bags as Mariam parades around with another bundle of dresses. The poor guy is all but sinking under the weight of designer fabric.
"She's going to make him carry the entire store, isn't she?" I whisper.
Ayan shakes his head, amused. "Definitely. And he'll just stand there like the grumpy robot he is."
We duck behind a pillar as Rayan finally makes his way out of the store, sighing loudly, his expression growing more exasperated by the second. Mariam is still in her shopping daze, chatting away while waving her hands dramatically. Rayan looks like he's one loud noise away from snapping.
"Alright" I say, cracking my knuckles. "Let's follow them. Our job isn't done yet."
He smirks, falling in step beside me. "You know, we should get a medal for enduring this level of boredom. We're saving Rayan from a fate worse than death."
"Agreed. He'll thank us later."
We trail behind them at a safe distance, ducking into various stores as they continue their slow, torturous journey through the mall. Every now and then, Ayan pretends to strike a pose in front of store windows, making me giggle uncontrollably. He's in his element, playing the goofy sidekick to my equally ridiculous partner-in-crime routine.
As we near the escalators, I spot Mariam pulling Rayan toward the restaurant section on the upper floor. His expression, somehow, has grown even more lifeless.
"Great," he says, "they're heading to eat. How do we sneak in there without being caught?"
I rub my chin, glancing around. "Easy, following the motto, why fear when Maha is here"
"Watch and learn," I wink, pulling a pair of sunglasses from my jacket. He smirks understanding my point, flips the collar of his shirt, walking with an exaggerated swagger, drawing a few amused glances from passersby. I follow suit, trying not to laugh as we casually stroll into the restaurant area.
We spot them almost immediately, sitting by a window with a prime view of the city below. Mariam is chattering away, oblivious to Rayan's misery. He's barely touched the menu, arms crossed and eyes glazing over. It's almost painful to watch.
Ayan raises an eyebrow, glancing down at the fake cockroach I pull from my pocket. "What in the world is that?"
I smirk, holding the plastic bug up with a mischievous twinkle in my eyes. "Mariam ka special gift. Courtesy of yours truly. I think it'll go perfectly with her drink."
Ayan lets out a low whistle, his grin widening. "I have to admit, you're taking this to a whole new level. I'm impressed."
"Thank you, thank you," I say, bowing dramatically. "Now, we just need to get it in there without Rayan noticing."
We both peer over the top of our menus, eyes trained on Rayan and Mariam. She's leaning in now, flipping her hair in what's clearly an attempt at flirting. Rayan looks like he's just trying to survive the conversation, his gaze fixed on the table in front of him as she babbles on about some overpriced boutique.
"Okay," I whisper to Ayan. "The coast is clear. We move now."
With the stealth of seasoned pranksters, we slide out of our booth and make our way toward their table. Rayan's back is turned, and Mariam is too busy admiring herself in the reflection of the window to notice us. I motion to Ayan, who reaches into his pocket and casually bumps into a waiter, causing a brief distraction.
I take the opportunity, dropping the fake cockroach into Mariam's drink in one smooth motion. The ice clinks as it lands at the bottom, and I suppress a giggle as I quickly retreat back to our booth. Ayan follows, and we both sit back down, trying to act casual as we wait for the inevitable chaos.
A few moments pass before Mariam picks up her glass, completely oblivious. She flashes Rayan what she probably thinks is a charming smile. "You know, Rayan," she says in a sing-song voice, "I think we could really be something special together."
Rayan looks like he's trying to hold in a groan, but before he can respond, Mariam takes a big sip from her glass. The second the liquid touches her lips, her face contorts into a look of pure horror. Her eyes go wide, and she immediately spits the drink back into the glass, gagging.
"What the hell is that?!" she shrieks, throwing the glass across the table. It clatters onto the floor, spilling the contents everywhere. Rayan jerks back in shock, while Mariam frantically wipes her mouth, looking absolutely livid.
"My dress!" she screeches, staring down at herself like she's been doused in acid. "Do you know how much this cost?! This is a designer piece! A thousand dollars, Rayan! A thousand dollars! Do you have any idea-"
Rayan just blinks, completely bewildered. He's staring at her like he's trying to process what's happening, his eyes flicking from the spilled drink to the horrified look on Mariam's face.
And then, as if in slow motion, he catches sight of me and Ayan, who are doing our absolute best not to burst into laughter. We're both hunched over in our booth, shaking with barely-contained mirth, trying to hide behind our menus but failing miserably.
Rayan's eyes narrow, and I see the exact moment he realizes we're responsible for the chaos unfolding in front of him. His jaw tightens, and for a second, I swear he's about to strangle us from across the room. But then his expression shifts-there's a hint of disbelief, and even amusement creeping into his features, though he's trying hard to suppress it.
"Maha... Ayan..." Rayan's voice is low, dangerously calm. "What... did you do?"
Ayan grins, leaning back in his chair like he's proud of our handiwork. "Just a little... enhancement to Mariam's dining experience. You're welcome, by the way."
Before our heels could've assisted us to leave this place, Rayan calls us out.
Ayan and I exchange glances, and though we're both stifling laughter, we know there's no escaping him now. Reluctantly, we turn around to find Rayan striding toward us with a look that's equal parts frustrated and amused. Mariam, on the other hand, looks livid. Her eyes are practically burning holes through us.
"Wha-" just as Rayan is about to begin his scolding session, Mariam cuts her off, upon which he just exhales a frustrated sigh.
"Oh, you two think you're so clever, don't you?" Mariam snaps, crossing her arms as she glares at us. "You're behind all of this, aren't you? The cockroach, the drink-this is your doing!"
Rayan begins again, "whose plan was it?" but Mariam interrupts him again.
"Mariam ya to mein baat karlu ya Tum karlo" he blurts out, in return a chuckle escapes my mouth but I'm fast enough to cover my mouth.
"Ok whose plan was it?" He asks again. I point towards Ayan but little did I know that his finger is already directed towards me. Rayan rubs his temples and affirms, "for god sake remove these moustaches!"
With slow movements we remove the sticky, fake moustache from our skin while struggling to maintain our laugh.
Ayan, always quick with his remarks, adds, "chill Rayan cockroach se Kya daregi iski same species hai"
Mariam scoffs, her perfectly manicured nails tapping impatiently against her arm. "Badtameezi ki bhi had hoti hai"
I flash her a grin, shrugging as if it's the greatest compliment I've ever received. "Jab apko had ka pata hai to AP pehle hi cross kyun kar chuki ho?"
Mariam opens her mouth to retort, but before she can say anything, I step back a little too dramatically, waving my arms in frustration "you know what!" -only to accidentally swing one of them right into a passing waiter. The tray in his hands tilts, and in a second that feels like slow motion, everything comes crashing down.
Plates clatter to the floor, breaking into pieces, and food spills everywhere. The sound echoes across the restaurant, drawing all eyes toward us. I clap my hands over my mouth, my eyes wide in shock.
"Mene plates todiiiii!" I cry out dramatically, my voice echoing through the restaurant. I point towards the plates then at Rayan "Rayan, plates tordiiiii!"
Rayan's eyes widen in pure disbelief as he rushes over, clearly trying to calm me down. "Don't worry Maha, it's nothing please stop crying"
But I'm having none of it. I point dramatically at the broken plates, still caught up in my fake distress. "No, Rayan! Plates tordiii! Everything's gareeb insaan hu pese bhi nahi hai"
Ayan, always the instigator, bursts into laughter, clutching his stomach "I'm so enjoying this day"
Mariam, watching the entire spectacle, rolls her eyes and mutters under her breath, "She's crazy..."
But before she can finish the sentence, Rayan shoots her a dark look. "Finish that sentence, Mariam, and I'll forget all about being a gentleman."
"Ooh Mariam mein to na sehta" Ayan chuckles and engages himself to have salad that Rayan formerly ordered.
Mariam huffs, clearly annoyed, and tosses her hair over her shoulder. "Whatever. I don't need to deal with this." She storms off, leaving the three of us in the middle of the mess.
Once she's gone, Rayan turns his attention back to me. He's trying hard to stay calm, but I can see the twitch in his jaw, the mix of exasperation and concern in his eyes.
Rayan's eyes lock onto mine, his expression torn between frustration and something softer, something almost... protective. Without a word, he gently guides me to a nearby seat and then, to my surprise, kneels in front of me, bringing himself to my height. The bustling noise of the restaurant fades away, and it's just the two of us in this strange little moment.
I open my mouth to say something-probably to crack a joke or dramatically apologize for my "crime against fine dining"-but Rayan beats me to it. His hand moves smoothly into his wallet, pulling out his card. He hands it over to the flustered waiter, who is still collecting broken plates from the floor.
"I'll pay for the damages," Rayan sighs, his tone weary but calm. His thumb and forefinger pinch the bridge of his nose in that familiar way he does when he's trying not to lose his patience with me.
I should feel guilty, but instead, I just feel... warm. It's not every day you get a grumpy football captain to literally kneel for you in the middle of a high-end restaurant, after all.
"You didn't have to do that," I mumble, though a grin is already tugging at the corners of my lips. "I mean, I was ready to sacrifice myself to the restaurant heads, take responsibility for my actions, and live a life of servitude cleaning dishes."
Rayan's eyes narrow slightly, but I catch the twitch of amusement in his lips. "Maha chup karjao please"
I can't help it. I giggle, the sound escaping before I can stop it. "But Rayan you know I was a little too crazy today"
He sighs again, this time with a hint of a smile that he's clearly trying to hide. His hands come up to rest on my knees, his touch gentle, but there's a firmness in his gaze that makes me feel oddly... secure.
"Ha Chalo maana Kay paagal ho Lekin Meri Pagal ho" he says softly, his voice holding a warmth that contrasts with the exasperation etched in his expression.
"Fake girlfriend Rayan" I reply, smiling at him sweetly.
Rayan shakes his head, a reluctant chuckle escaping him. "Of course Ms I remember the rule number four I guess"
I lean forward, just slightly, lowering my voice to a mock-whisper. "Hmm but you know you seem a lot interested in breaking that one"
He freezes for a beat, his eyes searching mine. For a second, I wonder if I've pushed him too far, but then he exhales a soft laugh. "Add the word hesitation in your dictionary"
There's something about the way he says it-quiet, almost resigned but fond-that makes my heart skip a beat. I'm about to respond, maybe tease him a little more, when he stands up and stretches out his hand to me.
"Come on, drama queen. Let's get out of here before you decide to break the entire mall too."
I grab his hand with a grin, letting him pull me up. "Only if you promise not to ban me from future stalking missions. You know how much I love those."
Rayan groans, rolling his eyes in mock despair. "Who am I to restrict you ma'am? Besides I'm beginning to think that Ayan is just escalating your craziness"
Ayan looks at us munching his salad, "oh please! I was, am and will be innocent"
Rayan rolls his eyes "of course and I am jhope of BTS"
Ayan refocus on his food while I lead Rayan towards the mall section. Enough with the time he had with that Mariam shariam.
After Maha portrayed no hint of interest in the forced date I had with Mariam, I had to brace myself for the constant boredom.
Regardless of the grumpy image I have built of myself, I'm also a commoner that has certain definitions of entertainment.
Which do not include listening Mariam's favorite brands at all.
The entire day I had to count every single second, each one of them felt like eternity, I can hear Maha blabber about anything for hours but a moment with Mariam is something I'll never cherish.
Thankfully, when we were done with her shopping session, Maha and Ayan decided to make a special entrance. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't amused a tat bit.
We're walking through the mall, and as usual, Maha's buzzing around like she's got a sugar rush, pointing out random stores, odd decorations, and-of course-people-watching with the enthusiasm of a five-year-old on their first trip to Disneyland. Her arm is looped through mine, and I can already feel her practically vibrating with energy.
"Look at that store!" she chirps, pointing to some place selling chic dresses. "I wish to have mine one day. You know one day I'll make sports outfits and you'll question yourself"
I grunt, half-amused, half-exasperated. "Maha, I already question my life choices every time you drag me into one of these schemes. Especially when Ayan's involved."
She laughs, a light, infectious sound, and I can't help but smirk despite myself. She's like this whirlwind of sunshine, and no matter how much I try to stay grumpy, she always manages to chip away at it.
"You love it," she swings her arms in the air.
"I tolerate it," I correct, trying to sound serious, but she just grins wider.
We keep walking, and just as I'm about to steer her away from another store, something-or rather someone-catches my eye.
There, just ahead, Zaid and Ayra are walking out of a shop together. Zaid looks his usual smug self, and Ayra... well, she looks like she's about two seconds away from either decking him or walking off in a huff. Nothing unusual there.
Maha's eyes widen as she spots them too. "Oh, right. She did mention this, that she'll be going on shopping with her fiance" she says, more to herself than to me, nodding in some odd form of understanding.
Zaid and Ayra catch sight of us, and there's this awkward pause where we all kind of size each other up. It's almost like a silent "are we going to pretend this isn't weird?" moment, but before any of us can act like normal human beings, Ayra suddenly points toward another shop.
"Wait... is that-" Maha starts, eyes following Ayra's pointing finger.
My eyes follow as well, and sure enough, through the glass of the next store, there's Ahad and Hoorain, standing alongside Inaya. The trio is huddled together, looking at something on a shelf, completely unaware they're about to be ambushed by the world's loudest whirlwind.
"Hoorain!" Maha suddenly yells, her voice echoing through the mall like she's trying to call out to someone across a football field.
I react on instinct. Before I even think about it, my hand flies up, clamping over her mouth to stop her from shouting again. "Will you please not make a scene for five seconds?" I mutter, glaring at her.
Maha's eyes twinkle mischievously, and I know exactly what she's planning. Before I can react, her teeth sink into my hand.
"OW! What the-" I yank my hand back, glaring at her while she just shrugs, her grin widening. "You deserved it," she says sweetly, but her eyes are already locked on the group just ahead.
And then, there they are-Hoorain and Ahad, standing so close that you could fit maybe half a piece of paper between them. Hoorain's face is flushed as she nervously glances around, and Ahad... well, he's doing a terrible job pretending he's not totally smitten. Inaya's there too, standing off to the side, casually munching on a chocolate bar, completely unbothered, clearly the third wheel in this secret rendezvous.
Maha gasps dramatically, grabbing Ayra's arm, and I can already feel the storm brewing. Ayra's eyes narrow, taking in the sight of Ahad and Hoorain together, and her lips purse in a way that says, Oh, they are so dead. I didn't sign up for this.
"Wait a second," Maha starts, her voice dropping to a mock-hurt tone as she strides forward, Ayra hot on her heels. "Is this... what I think it is?" Her hand dramatically flies to her chest as if she's been betrayed.
Hoorain's eyes widen in pure panic "M-Maha! Ayra! W-what are you guys doing here?"
"We should be asking you that!" Ayra interjects, crossing her arms and shooting daggers at Ahad, who, to his credit, looks like he's desperately trying to keep a straight face.
Maha and Ayra exchange a glance, both of them looking equally scandalized. "Ok he's hot but it doesn't mean that we remain oblivious to it"
Hoorain, bless her, looks like she wants to sink into the floor. "I was just going to tell you but the consequences-"
Ahad raises an eyebrow, completely unfazed. "I thought it was pretty obvious, I'm in love with this young lady here" He glances down at Hoorain, a slight smirk tugging at his lips.
Ayra gasps dramatically, pointing at the two of them. "Did anyone ask you to become a poet? We're talking to our best friend here"
"Yup girls code you know that is being broken" Maha adds, gesturing to Inaya, who's still munching on her chocolate, watching the whole thing like it's the latest episode of a soap opera. "Don't look at me, I got chocolates and I'm third wheeling"
Hoorain looks up from her crossed arms, and says, "girls I can explain"
Ayra throws her hands up. "We're not letting you date until and unless we approve of you" she points at Ahad.
Hoorain bites her lip, looking from Ayra to Maha, then to Ahad. "I. Am. Dating. Her"
"Spare us the excuses!" Maha interrupts, a playful grin spreading across her face. "The real question is, why didn't you tell us? I mean, Ahad's a solid catch-green flag and all." She winks at Hoorain, and I can't help but snort.
Ayra, clearly not over the betrayal, nods seriously. "Exactly. As your best friends, we have a right to know about these things." She pauses dramatically, narrowing her eyes at Ahad. "And you have to go through our steps in order to date her"
"What steps?" Ahad asks, being skeptical.
The girls look at eachother despite the underlying tension and chant in a simultaneous chorus "The partner girls check... interview"
(â à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹â )
Hey guys I hope y'all are doing fine and well.
Here's the update and I'm looking forward to hearing all of your views regarding it.
I apologize if this chapter doesn't match your expectations ð I'm currently going through a writer's block.
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