Two clever minds were sitting together working on their new plan and their prey was unknown about this. She was occupied by her books and notes as exams were in the other corner and she had to learn a big lot.

Opening the books she looked at her left side, her best friend was not sitting there, which ran a big wave of pain and guilt in her heart. At the same time, she saw Afifa entering the college garden. Both of them glared at each other just to show their hollow anger and false hatred but in reality, they can't afford to stay away from one another. Afifa took steps toward Shifa and sat down beside her after throwing a deadly glare at her, Shifa also answered that with the same glaring. For the next ten minutes, there was a thick silence between them. Then a voice echoes which grabbed Afifa's attention towards Shifa's bag as she was drawing out a packet of chocolate biscuits from the bag.

Shifa opens the packet and put it in between both of them without saying a single word. Afifa glared at her before looking away. Shifa picked one from the packet and started biting that, Afifa was occasionally glaring at her which she was ignoring very easily. When only three biscuits were left in the packet and Shifa's hand was about to grab one, suddenly a hand yanked the packet and Shifa smiled.

"Can't you offer me to eat?" Afifa asked with fake anger and Shifa opened her arms. Though both of them wanted to show their rude sides but besties don't know the meaning of being angry with each other. Afifa hugged Shifa and both smiled.

"Ab sorry bhi bol de." She whispered in Shifa's ear just to make her laugh.

(Say sorry for what you've done)

"Happy birthday." Breaking the hug Shifa glared at her but smiled again. "I would never talk to you if you would forget my birthday." Afifa huffed with fake anger.

"I'm sorry, I was angry and drew out my frustration on you." Shifa apologised and after a gap of a few days both friends talked to each other

"Now tell me what's going on?" Afifa asked and Shifa shrugged. "Two good news and two bad."

"What's good?"

"Shariq's chapter is over. And my new program is going to start from the day after tomorrow."

"And what is bad news?"

"Mumma papa is not talking to each other, they argued. and second news is... Deni loves someone else."

Afifa sighed and think for a few minutes. "It means that you also like Deni." Afifa asked and Shifa nodded silently. "It's impossible to ignore him. Who couldn't fall for him? He is just perfect." Shifa shared everything with Afifa and both best friends bunk the next lecture in order to spend time together.

"Let's go to celebrate my birthday," Afifa suggested to boost Shifa's mood and she also got agree.

<><><><><><>

Shifa and Afifa took a seat in their favorite cafe and ordered soft drink and burgers. Shifa was giving her eyes to her mobile phone but Afifa was looking here and there while waiting for food to be served. Suddenly Afifa noticed a good looking guy who just sitting opposite to them, he was doing something in his laptop while showing it to the other middle aged person sitting with him, but in between he was glancing at Shifa. Soon the handsome guy shut his laptop down and shake his hand with the other person with a big smile, they discussed something for a few minutes then the other middle aged man left. Afifa was watching everything keenly as the guy was glancing at Shifa every now and then. Shifa was unaware about all these things as she was writing her script.

"I'll break his glasses if he again lift his gaze towards her." Gritting her teeth Afifa mumbled and Shifa looked up. "Hmm? Have you said something?"

"Nope." Afifa mumbled and Shifa again focused on her work. Meanwhile, Afifa looked at the guy, it seems he was seeking for Shifa's attention that's why he was glancing at her every now and then. But instead of Shifa, his gaze clashed with Afifa, who glared at the guy with a deadly sight, meanwhile, their order was served. The guy suddenly looked away and started having a sandwich that was untouched for half an hour.

"Shifa."

"Hmm..."

"Have it." Afifa passed a burger to her but she shook her head. "Lemme complete this first, otherwise I will forget." mumbling that Shifa didn't lift her gaze and Afifa nodded. The guy again looked at Shifa but his gaze again clashed with Afifa to make her blood boil. The guy looked away but Afifa keep glaring at him. He looked at Afifa with the corner of his eyes and when found her eyes always fix on himself he looked away.

Shifa took a small sip of soft drink while lifting her gaze and a smile crept to her lips which she hid very well and bowed her head down to continue her work. "What? Why are you smiling Shifa?" Afifa was surprised but Shifa shook her head.

"Nothing... Just..." She shrugged and again glanced towards the guy who already paying a glance at Shifa. Both eyes met and both looked away.

"Shifa that guy is seeing you from the corner of his eyes," Afifa whispered and Shifa suppress her smile while making a startled facial expression.

"Really?"

"Yeah..., and I swear if he sees you one more time I'll break his specs." Afifa's anger had no limits but she was surprised too. Shifa was not reacting unlike ever, otherwise, she either panics or become angry when a guy looks at her.

"Affo, don't be angry. It's your birthday. Don't spoil your mood and have it. Ignore the guy." Shifa said with a smile but Afifa was confused. How could Shifa's behaviour be calmed when an unknown guy was seeing her? Somehow, Afifa nodded and pick her burger.

Meanwhile, Shifa's gaze went to the guy whose grey eyes were covered with rectangular shape specs. Both of them smiled. The guy slightly lift the glass of cold coffee like he was offering Shifa, and she slowly shook her head while gesturing towards her glass of soft drink, like trying to say that she already has hers.

"Who??" Gesturing towards afifa, who was busy with her meal, the guy asked with lipsing. "Friend" shifa mouthed and lowered her head but the smile was not leaving her lips. Afifa looked up, her friend was giving her eyes to the mobile screen but the grey-eyed guy was looking at her. 

"I won't leave him this time.... I'll break his glasses for sure." Mumbling that Afifa stood up with a jolt and moved towards the other table, Shifa was shocked, so she also stood up but Afifa was fast to read to the grey-eyed guy.

"Tumhare Ghar mein behene nahi hain kya?" Afifa asked while placing her hands on the tabletop. The guy was amazed at the question but being an honest one he shook his head.

(Don't you have sisters at your home?)

"Nhi..."

(No)

"Afifa what are you doing?" Shifa grabbed her arm but was that easy to control Afifa? Of course not!

"Oh, she is Miss Afifa? Nice name and not so nice meeting you." The guy smiled while making himself stand and Afifa glared at him.

"I've seen many shameless guys but he is on the top list." Afifa gritted her teeth, if Shifa wasn't there to hold her hands she could slap the guy at any moment.

"Mohtarma aapki friend to bohot khatarnaak hain."

(Miss, your friend is dangerous)

"Affo, please... Try to understand. He is Deni." Shifa pulled back Afifa while mumbling the same which gave a 440-volt shock to Afifa.

"Jiju?" Afifa unthought out.

{Jiju=brother in law}

Shifa was red due to embarrassment, Daniyal was blinking at what did he heard just now and Afifa was cursing herself.

"What?" Daniyal asked while adjusting his specs and Shifa glared Afifa who wanted to hit her head on the nearest wall.

"I... I... Mean... Ji.. Jiii... I mean... Ju.. Ju... Don't you know j... Ju?" Afifa was babbling and stammering, God knows what!

"What?" Daniyal asked as he didn't understand a single word. "What's Ji Ji Ju ju?" He blinked and Shifa palmed her face.

"Don.. Don't you know about ju?" Afifa tries to show herself confident, she literally scolded Daniyal but she also knows what she was doing. Daniyal shook his head, while trying to conclude what is ju? "I was saying that Ji woh ju..."

{Ju= hair lice}

"Is she mad?" Daniyal's heart questioned and he looked at Shifa who was looking embarrassed.

"What's she saying Shifa?" Daniyal asked in a whisper.

"I don't know?"

"I'm saying... Umm... Ju.. Ji.. Mean...that's a..." Afifa mumbled and Shifa squeezed her hand. "Chup ho ja meri maa, chup ho jaa."

(Shut up Afifa, just shut your mouth)

"Ju? Where is Ju?" Deni suddenly realise what is ju and he asked while looking at his shoulder and white shirt.

"Main... Main to keh rahi thi... Ji... Ju nhi hai... Kahi bhi nhi...hehe... Hai hi nhi..." Afifa gulped while saying that and looking at Shifa, Daniyal looked at Shifa like he was asking what was going on?

(I... I was saying... that... It's... No..nowhere, not at all anywhere)

"Hehe... Deni... Ye bechari abhi abhi pagalkhane se chhut kar ayi hai, normal hone me thoda time lagega..." Shifa passed an awkward laugh and Daniyal nodded with same awkward smile.

(Deni, actually she has arrived from mental asylum just now. It would take some time to become fine)

"Hmm... Wo to lag raha hai..."

(Hmm... I see )

"Arey Main pagal nhi hu..." Afifa protest just to get Shifa's glare. "Nahi nhi... Hu hu... Lekin zyada nhi bas thodi si..."

(I'm not mad)

(Umm... I'm... Yes I'm... But only a bit)

"Dhyan rakho Shifa, Neem pagal pure pagalo se zyada khatarnaak hote hain."

(Shifa, take care of her. Half mental are more dangerous than completely mad)

"Yeah Deni, I know. But don't worry. She become mad when meets new people otherwise she is just fine... Aapko dekh kar doora parh gya, wese to theek hi thi." Shifa grabbed Afifa's hand and gestured her to come back to the table but she was Afifa, how could she leave the chance to talk to Daniyal. Her would-be JiJu...

"Would you like to join us? It's my birthday please don't refuse." Afifa asked and Deni looked at Shifa who smack her forehead.

"Deni you could ignore her. You do what you like." Shifa told politely while glaring at Afifa but the reply surprised her.

"Jesa aap chahe."

(As you wish)

Shifa's lips engaged with a smile on the decency of Daniyal's words. One part of her heart didn't want Daniyal to join them as she knew Afifa could do something odd but the other half of her was dying to spent some time with Deni, and she let the other half win.

"Please... It would be our pleasure." Shifa smiled and soon Daniyal was sitting with Both the girls.

"So Mr. Daniyal, who was the other man with whom you were talking?" Afifa asked and Shifa squeezed her arm.

"Shut up Affo."

"You shut up, it's important to know everything." Afifa whispered in Shifa's ear and Daniyal adjust his specs.

"I'm a freelancer so I was with him to finalise a deal." Daniyal's reply was short and Afifa nodded.

"I think, I should take my leave otherwise it's difficult to reach Radio Station on correct time." Shifa muttered and Daniyal nodded in agreement. She picked the burger which was as cold as ice by then.

"Let's go together," Daniyal offered and Afifa smiled.

"Seems your destination is same, I hope this journey will be beautiful together." Afifa delivered a double meaning comment, but Both Daniyal and Shifa understood the hidden meaning of this.

"In'sha Allah."

"Ameen."

Daniyal and Shifa muttered under their breath. His lips showed a weak as well as painful smile but her heart was blooming more than a flower. Both took steps ahead together but Afifa's voice stopped them

"Shifa it's on you. Right? I haven't get my pocket money yet."

Shifa rolled her eyes, "It's your birthday treat. Isn't it?" Braeinh out her mobile, Shifa asked but Afifa giggled.

"Jo insaan birthday treat ke naam pr thanda burger garam Pepsi hath me pakda de aur bill bhi aapse hi pay karwaye us insaan ki qadar kro, wo hi hai sachha mitr." Daniyal gave an important lesson that made Shifa laugh.

(Never let the person go away from your life who gives you a cold burger along with a hot soft drink, in the name of birthday treat, moreover, ask you to pay the bills. That's a true friend.)

"Aap meta mazakh uda rahe hain?" Afifa slightly glared at Daniyal who was holding a mischievous smirk

(Are you teasing me?)

"Meri itni himaat kaha?"

(Not at all)

"Deni, should we go?" Shifa asked and he nodded looking at Afifa.

"Goodbye birthday girl."

"Take care of my friend otherwise..." Afifa threatened him making Shifa embarrassed, But Daniyal nodded.

"In shaa Allah I'll," he blinks before adding "You don't worry just take care of yourself and take your medicines on time, you're dangerous for some innocent people like me."

Afifa and Shifa both were amazed as well as confused. Should they both feel happy that Daniyal confessed that he would take care of Shifa which clearly shows that he respects her or should they both chuckle at the leg-pulling on Afifa? But the small meeting ended on a big round of playful laughter.

<><><><><><>

Shifa was busy with revision, she was rewriting her own unsuccessful love story in the form of Sheeri and Farhad, but she was happy as Daniyal was her co-host in this program. Daniyal himself demanded to work on this project and David couldn't refuse because he already knows that the pair of RJ Deni and RJ Khushi always get from the audience.

"Shifa."

"Yeah Deni?"

"Ammi wants to talk to you," Deni said while taking his seat beside her,

"Why? I mean... Is everything fine?" She asked and Daniyal nodded.

"Yea, all good. Just... Ammi liked you so much... So..." Daniyal shrugs, Shifa smiled with difficulty. Being a girl it's not difficult to understand when a lady is interested in you for her son's proposal and Shifa was getting the same vibes from Mrs Khatija Kazmi.

"Okay, may I talk to her after recording?" Shifa asked and Daniyal thinks for a few minutes then nodded.

"Mujhe bhi aapse kuch baat karni hai, recording ke baad."

(I also have to talk, after recording.)

Shifa's heart was beating fast. Her sixth sense was saying something which was making her scared due to consciences.

"What's the matter, De-?" Before Shifa could complete the sentence an announcement grabbed her attention. "RJ Khushi, RJ Deni are you ready?"

"Yeah, I'm." Daniyal picked a headset while showing his thumbs-up, Shifa also nodded while taking a deep breath.

"With the count down of five..." They both listened and nodded.

"Five"

"Four"

"Three"

"Shifa I'll be opening the program, just go in the flow."

"Okay, Fine."

"And one"

"Hey beautiful ladies and gentlemen this is your Host RJ Deni along with RJ Khushi, welcoming you all to our new program OLD LOVE IN MODERN ERA" Daniyal Gestured Shifa to continue and she nodded.

"So, we all know about Sheeri and Farhad of an old era, but do you know we have Sheeri and Farhad in this era. Another example of true love." Shifa's lines were delivered and it was Daniyal's turn.

"This is the story of a young beautiful girl who has a pure heart." Daniyal smiled looking at Shifa who found an ocean of respect for herself. "17 years old Sheeri, of this era."

"And A man who didn't attract Sheeri from his handsome looks but his pure heart and honesty. Farhad of this era." Shifa added while looking at Daniyal. It seems she wasn't talking about Faraz but Daniyal only.

<><><><><><>

"Daniyal, I can't believe it. This is the very first episode and we're getting impressive responses." David announced which made Daniyal smile but Shifa was feeling nervous.

"Deni, I should go now," Shifa whispered in Daniyal's ear and he glanced at his wristwatch.

"I wanna talk... Just five minutes." He whispered back and Shifa nodded while going towards the counter to sign the attendance register. David smirked and raised his brow.

"What's going on Mr Deni?" Copying Shifa's style David asked. Being a good friend it's his right to tease Daniyal which he didn't like a single bit.

"Nothing is going on."

"After her, she is the first girl who is making you roam around herself." David rolled his eyes

"Neither Adeena nor Shifa are making me roam around them. We are just good friends."

"So turn this friendship into partnership. I know this girl for one year, she is just like you. Reserved and well mannered." David put his hand on Daniyal's shoulder who nodded with a dead smile.

"Let's see."

"Deni, what were you saying?" Shifa asked when Daniyal come towards her.

"Ammi wants to come to your home." Daniyal opens the door of his for Shifa, she hopped in and think for a long minute. "Guests are always welcome to my home but the problem is... How will I introduce her to Mumma?" Shifa shared with an embarrassing attitude. How could she refuse Mrs Kazmi to come to her home?

"Shifa, you're not understanding. Ammi wants to come to your home with my marriage proposal for you."

Shifa, who was already dreaming about Deni, suddenly felt a jolt in her heart. Her heart was ready to come out at any moment.

"Deni... Wh..."

"Shifa listen to me first." Daniyal didn't let her complete.

"Ammi don't know anything about my past, she doesn't know anything about me and Adeena but you know everything. I don't want to get married because I know I can't love anyone else other than Adeena. I could give my everything to my wife but my heart." Daniyal's words look away from the next breath from Shifa. 

"Why are you telling me all these things?" After a long silence, Shifa asked and Daniyal pushed the breaks.

"I am not selfish. I don't want to trap a girl in the bond of marriage without letting her know that I can't give her my heart, think about it. If you don't have any problem I will send Ammi to your home but if you do not agree I'll handle her in my way." Daniyal gestured for her to go as the metro station already arrived. "Please don't take me wrong." He added.

"I need some time, Deni."

"Jesa aap chahe. Jitna waqt lena hai lijiye." He smiled with difficulty and Shifa stepped out with a loudly beating heart.

(As you wish, Take as long as you need.)

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