Maryam was already waiting for Shifa in the said shop but she was late to arrive. For passing time Maryam started seeing some clothes for herself. She picked a white cotton suit, meanwhile, another hand grabbed it.

Both the ladies passed a smile and looked at the suit present in their hands.

''You take this one," Maryam smiled and turned towards the salesman asking him for another piece of the same suit but it was the last one in the stock.

"You take this, I'll buy another one." The lady said politely but Maryam shook her head. "It's okay. You buy it."

"Are you sure?" the lady asked and Maryam nodded with the same smile she usually carries.

"Shukriya." The lady passed a warm smile before seeing another suit and Maryam started selecting for herself.

(Thanks.)

"Ammi aur kitni deer lagegi? aapki shopping ho gyi ho to chalen?" A man walked into the shop and asked the lady who was standing beside Maryam.

(Ammi let's go if you're done with shopping)

"Beta, abhi to thoda time lagega." The lady told her son which grabbed Maryam's attention.

(It'll take some time my son)

"Ammi I won't come with you next time, you take too much time."

"Sare ladko ka yahi haal hai," Maryam muttered but the lady listened and suddenly looked at Maryam which made her nervous.

(All boys are same.)

"Aapko bura laga ho to maafi chahti hu, lekin mere beto ka bhi yahi haal hai. They never company me in shopping." Maryam told the lady who smiled and looked at his son with disappointment.

(I'm sorry if you feel bad, but my sons are also like this.)

"Maazrat wali koi baat nhi hai, theek kaha aapne, sare ladko ka yahi haal hai." The lady smiled and Maryam nodded.

(It's nothing to feel sorry. You're right)

"Aap aksar akeli aati hain shopping karne ke liye?" The lady asked Maryam while picking up a suit then putting it back but Maryam shook her head.

(Do you often come for shopping alone?)

"I usually come with my daughter, even I'm still waiting for her."

"Khushnaseeb hain aap. Meri koi beti nahi hai warna inke nakhre nhi dekhne padte." The lady said and Maryam smiled. Indeed daughters are blessing!

(Lucky you! I don't have any daughter that's why he shows tantrums)

"Ammi aap har jagah shuru ho jati hain! Kahi to meri izzat ka khayal kar liya Karen!"

(Ammi you starts everywhere, at least think about my reputation in front of others!)

Both the ladies started talking on random topics while seeing different suits, and the poor guy was smacking his forehead. In the time being a girl entered the same shop with long steps.

Shifa! No one else!

"Sorry Mumma, I'm late... Actually metro..." Shifa didn't complete the sentence as her gaze fall on the lady standing with Maryam, she smiled with amazement and the grey eyes guy with square specs was shocked.

"Assalamualaikum aunty." Shifa greeted that lady and her son smiled, but Maryam was confused.

"Shifa aapki beti hai?" The lady asked and Maryam nod her head with confusion.

"Shifa You already know her?"

Shifa nodded and looked at the grey eyes guy who fake cleared his throat and set his specs.

"Actually mummy..." Shifa felt nervous but nodded. "I told you about my colleague... Daniyal..." Shifa muttered and Maryam looked at the grey eyes guy whose mother was scolding him in a friendly way just a few minutes back.

"She is his mother."

"And aunty, she is my mumma". After all, Shifa introduced the ladies formally. Daniyal and Shifa both paid a quick glance to each other and focused on their respective mother and their facial expressions. On one hand, Mrs Kazmi was delighted to see Shifa, on the other hand, Maryam was examining Daniyal's personality as well as his mother's.

" Nice to see you..." Mrs Kazmi stopped

"It's Maryam."

"Aapki beti bohot pyari hai, main to kab se aapse milna chahti thi, lekin aese milenge ye socha nhi tha." Mrs Kazmi lovingly cupped Shifa's cheek which brought a smile to Maryam's lips.

(Your daughter is very cute, I wanted to meet you for a long, but did not imagine the meeting like this)

Maryam and Mrs Kazmi were talking about Random topics while selecting dresses for Shifa, Daniyal was feeling awkward in that situation. Now, neither he could force his mother to go back home soon nor he was interested in standing there and seeing different dresses for Shifa.

"Shifa try this one." Passing a wine coloured long gown Mrs Kazmi righteously ordered her. Shifa looked at Maryam who nodded to grant permission.

Wearing that gown she peeped out from the changing room, Daniyal was also standing there, and Shifa was feeling shy as the boat-shaped neck was enough deep to show her cleavage.

"Mumma," Shifa whispered which grabbed Daniyal's attention. She was only peeping out from the half-open door. "Mummy." She again calls Maryam a bit louder than before.

"Come out Shifa," Maryam instructed, but Shifa glanced at Daniyal who understood her nervousness!

Mrs Kazmi and Maryam both followed Shifa's gaze, which stopped on Daniyal, before the ladies could understand anything he fixed his gaze on the mobile screen and turned his back towards Shifa.

Mrs Kazmi looked at Shifa and smiled. "Looking beautiful but..." She stopped in between and Maryam compete for her sentence, ''It's not good enough to be wear in a party." Both ladies nodded and gaze another dress to Shifa.

The process was quite long and tiring for Shifa as well as Daniyal as he was standing there aimlessly. But after some half an hour all three ladies select a simple yet elegant black dress.

"It was nice to meet you," Maryam said formally and Mrs Kazmi smiled with the same gratitude. "Same here. I wish we'll meet again.''

Both ladies were formally talking to each other when Daniyal glanced at the nervous Shifa who was standing beside him holding a few shopping bags. She was feeling awkward but at the same time, she was praying in her heart that Maryam would like Daniyal and his mother.

"Shifa."

"Ji?"

"We're already getting late for recording!" Daniyal said in a hushed tone, "Yeah Deni, but I can't do anything." She replied in the same tone.

"Nor I!"

"What's the position of today's script?" He asked pushing his mobile phone in his pocket.

"Needs editing, but now I don't think it possible!" Shifa shared and Daniyal sighed while looking towards the ladies. Seems they both were enjoying each other's company.

"Ahem" Daniyal fake cleared his throat. "Excuse me, ladies, if you don't mind could we both take our leave? We are getting late for recording." Daniyal showed a good amount of courage and both ladies realised about the time.

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It was decided that Daniyal will drop both the ladies near Radio Station and they will go to their respective homes by taking a taxi. Daniyal took the driving seat beside his mother and Shifa along with Maryam took the back passenger seat.

The drive was silent but when they were just a few meters away from the parking area of the Radio Station, suddenly a voice echoed in the car "Shifa."

"Ji Deni?" Without even thinking twice Shifa replied to gain a glare from Maryam, which dried her blood.

"Umm... I... I mean Yes Daniyal sir?"

Shifa stammered and Daniyal suppressed his smile. He was already a good actor, who knows how to hide his emotions!

"Won't you like to show your work to your Mumma?" Daniyal smiled while parking the car and gestured for all three ladies to come out from the car. Shifa looked at Maryam who silently hopped out from the car. Shifa always wanted to show herself as RJ Khushi in front of her mother, and it seems, Daniyal one more time read her mind. 

"Let's go ammi, David will be happy to see you." Mrs Kazmi nodded but Maryam shook her head. "No Shifa." She muttered and Shifa held her hand. "Please Mummy, I wanted you to see me as a famous RJ," Shifa whispered which turned Maryam emotional.

"No matter you're famous or not you're my pride"

"Arey Shifa suniye to zara." Daniya's call skipped a beat of Shifa's heart.

(Hey Shifa, listen)

"Ji?"

(Yes)

"Aap jaldi se Sheena Ma'am ke paas jao, or unse baat kro ki aaj live calls attend karenge,"

(You quickly go to Sheena Maa'm and talk to her to attend live calls today.)

"What?” Shifa was shocked. "Deni I'm not prepared for callers," she added

"Main hu na! Dono mil kar sambhal lenge. Be confident!" Shifa nodded but this time Maryam smiled, she didn't take that conversation as a professional one, what she sees was a great partner who was standing beside her daughter.

(Don't worry, we both will manage it together. Be confident!)

Maryam and Mrs Kazmi followed Daniyal to the Cabin of the boss who was sitting in an angry mood.

"Daniyal, dude is this your time to arrive? Moreover, your co-host is missing!! Only ten minutes are left in recording, do you have any sense of responsibility? And where is Shifa? Call he.r..."

"Will you stop this rubbish, David?" Daniyal almost yelled to stop him and just then he noticed Mrs Kazmi along with another lady, standing at the entrance of the cabin.

"Shifa is in the recording room and your program is under control, so don't worry just take care of my ammi and shifa's mummy. Order some juice and snacks for them until we both rolled up today's recording." Daniyal ordered and turned to go to the recording room.

"He is the boss, but feel free to ask if you need anything," Daniyal told Maryam in a respectful matter and left in a hurry.

Shifa and Daniyal started recording, she was nervous but Daniyal was enjoying it. Shifa open her mouth to say something but Daniyal stopped her with a gesture of the hand.

"And today, we want to hear your old but true love stories... " Daniyal announced making Shifa amazed at how beautifully he handled everything. She close her diary and left everything on Daniyal. At every point Daniyal was guiding Shifa and each time she was understanding his gestures without much efforts. They both were unaware that their mothers were seeing their chemistry from behind the glass wall.

"Maryam." It was Mrs Kazmi's hushed call.

"Yes?"

"Main un logo main se nhi hu jo baato ko ghumana pasand karte hain, main aapse saaf saaf baat karungi." Mrs Kazmi was sounding very serious; Maryam nodded.

(I'm not from those who make loops of words. I would like to talk to you clearly.)

"Daniyal aur Shifa dono ek sath mein achhe lagte hain, dono ek dusre ko samajhte bhi hain... Main chahti hu inhe ek rishte main bandh diya jaye taaki puri zindagi haq se, isi tarha ek dusre ka sath nibha sake!" Mrs Kazmi shared her intentions about what Maryam was already aware of.

(Daniyal and Shifa look good together, and they both understand each other too. I want them to tie in a relationship so that they could stay together and support each other rightfully.)

"Aapko koi aetraaz na ho to main Shifa ke rishte ke liye aapke ghar aana chahti hu, ek baar families mil lengi."

(If you don't mind, I wanna come to your home for asking Shifa's hand for Daniyal. It would be better if both families will meet.)

Maryam was silent for a while, then she looked at Shifa. She was smiling at Daniyal who was raising his imaginary collar with a teasing smile on his face. Maryam hasn't seen Shifa so happy in anyone's presence. Somewhere she found the crucial amount of understanding between both of them, which brought a smile to her lips.

"Main Shifa ke papa se baat kar ke aapko batati hu," Maryam replied and Mrs Kazmi nodded.

(I'll let you know after talking to Shifa's dad)

On the other hand, Shifa and Daniyal complete the recording, they both stepped out from the room on an enthusiastic note. "Deni I have an idea." She said in a hushed tone.

"What's that madam?"

"We should give a message or moral lesson at the end of each program. What's your opinion?" Shifa asked proudly as she was confident about her idea, Daniyal narrowed his eyes without giving up on his handsome smile.

"Why I didn't get this idea?" He raised a question as well as his right brow. Maryam and Mrs Kazmi who were listening to their convo smiled at them. "Because you don't own my brain!" She giggles but the smile vanished from her lips when found her mother in front of herself. She felt uncomfortable while talking to Daniyal in front of the ladies.

Shifa introduced Maryam to her colleagues, it was a proud moment for Maryam as well as Shifa. Every child wants to make their parents proud and every parent wants to be introduced to their child's regard. Today their dream come true to a good extent.

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After three days...

"Mene jo pills ke liye bola tha wo kaha hain?"

(Where are the pills I asked for?)

"Here they are!" His friend passed a small brown glass bottle which brought an evil smile to his face.

"Tonight her game is going to be over!! This will be the revenge of that Slap Shifa. Get ready! Other day you insulted me in front of whole collage, now it's my turn, you won't be able to show your face to anyone after tonight!!’’ Kabeer huffed, his eyes were red due to anger, on the other hand, Shifa was getting ready for the party; unknown about all these things!!

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