She was about to sleep when her mobile rang, with no intention to miss that call she hurriedly received it with a shy smile on her lips but jo word come out from her mouth. Not even hello.

"Are you there?"

"Umm... Yeah." Somehow she muttered and pressed her lips together, she doesn't want to show herself shy but after fixing of wedding date she's was helpless to do so.

"Are you sleeping?"

"No," again a short replied and Daniyal hummed.

"Wo Cake aapne banaya tha?"

(Was that cake made by you?)

A smile crept to her lips, what else what she wanted other than making Daniyal taste that, nodding her head she sat down in the bed with a happy grin. "Yes"

"Hmm... I see... Seems like one."

"What? What does it mean?" She asked with confusion, whether was it a praising or mockery?

"Ye aap tareef kar rahe hain ya burayi?"

(Is it a praisig or criticising?)

"Meri itni majaal main aapke banaye hue cake ki burayi karu? Main to keh raha hu ki dekh kar hi pta chal gya wo aapne banaya hoga." This time his tone was miscellaneous, he was clearly pulling her leg because of not-good appearances of the cake, Shifa made a fake cry face and looked away as if Daniyal was sitting in front if her.

(Do I have audacity to say anything when it was baked by you? I'm just telling you that I found out that it must be made by you.)

"Deni aap mazakh utha rahe hain? Mujhe baking nhi aati." She asked with disappointment and Daniyal chuckled after imagining Shifa's annoyed as well as nervous face.

(Deni are you making fun of my cake? I'm not a good baker.)

"What do you think, what's this?" He questioned back with same mischievous tone and Shifa pouted as she understood Daniyal was pulling her leg.

"Good night." With a fake anger she said and going to disconnect the call, but stopped by Daniyal.

"Achha suno."

(Hey, listen)

"Boliye." Said with offended tone.

(Say)

"Mazakh kr rha tha, Dikhne mein kesa bhi ho taste mein bohot achha tha." He whispered giving a smile to her dull lips.

(Whatever it was in appearance, it was very good in taste.)

"Deni aap bohot bure hain, tareef bhi aese kar rahe hain jese burayi." She pouted and Daniyal chuckled.

(Deni you're so bad, you're complimenting while pointing out the falw.)

"Main to sach bol rha hai, aapko tareef lage ya burayi,"

(I'm telling a truth only, it's up to you whether you take it as a compliment or complaint.)

"Shifa are you ready or... or..." With long steps Afifa stepped into the room and her words were lost after seeing Shifa sitting on the edge of the bed. She was lost in the world of memories. "What the.... Idiot... Why aren't you ready yet?" Afifa asked, it better to say scolded her best friend.

"It's your engagement only." Seeing Shofa with wide eyes Afifa stepped towards the bed while struggling with her lehnga. Shifa nodded and stood up with an unmatched smile and stepped towards the mirror but her arm was catch by her friends. "Shifa."

"Hmm?"

"You're blushing." Afifa also smiled and hugged her bestie, both of them were smiling like fools, Shifa was the first to break the hug and take a deep breath. "Affi Deni bohot achhe hain yaar."

(Affi Deni is so nice.)

"Yaar, I'm so happy for you, I want you to live a beautiful life with my jiju." Holding her hands Afifa whispered and Shifa's blush wasn't hidden.

"I also want you to get a guy who will love you more than even your imagination." With a smile Shifa give another hug to Afifa on which she smiled dreamily. "My God... Where my prince charming is hidden."

"Afifa, I sent you to help Shifa in getting ready but you're busy in chatting and gossiping." A scolding forced both the girls to break the hug, she was Maryam standing at the doorway.

"Help her in make up and you too do your makeup." Smacking Afifa's head lightly Maryam scolded Afifa before looking at Shifa, she couldn't help but smile while opening her arms. "Happy?" She asked in whisper and Shifa nodded before giving a tight hug to her mother. "More than ever." Shifa whispered back which gave tears to Maryam's eyes. She didn't want anything else but her daughter's happiness.

"Now, get ready. Daniyal's parents are coming in half an hour." Maryam left the room after kissing Shifa's forehead.

Shifa looked at herself in the mirror and a new smile crept to her lips. That's difficult to believe that it was her engagement that too with Daniyal. Her dreams were converting into reality in front of her eyes. She wanted to wear the same gown she wore in the reception of her Hamdan Bhai but ended up with a black colored lehnga which she received from her in-laws. Mrs Kazmi had chosen it for her by itself so she didn't find in her to refuse. But it was also looking good on Shifa. Afifa helped her in curling up her long hair and then thought to help her in makeup but even after searching every drawer of that small dressing table she found nothing.

"Don't you have some good makeup items?" Afifa asked while searching for makeup products but Shifa shook her head. Other than an eyeliner, one mascara and two lip glosses Shifa had nothing on the name of makeup.

"I don't do makeup, so it's fine for me." While applying eyeliner Shifa told Afifa then coated her curly lashes with mascara.

"How could you be so simple Shifa? It's your own engagement, not your neighbour's,''

"Afifa, I'm fine, I don't believe in showing myself prettier than original." And she picked a gloss from the table.

"At least, apply a darker shade of lipstick." This demand of Adofa was acceptable, so Shifa coated her lips with a wine red shade and lighten it while pressing her lips on a tissue paper. Afifa smack her forehead while rolling her eyes.

"You're mad."

"I know, that's why I'm tolerting you since childhood." This time Shifa replied quickly, before Afifa could reply a knock on the already open door grabbed their attention. Shariq was standing on the doorway with a basket of flowers in his hands.

"Yes?" Afifa asked after glaring him.

"Mamu ne kaha tha ye extra flowers storeroom mein rakhne ke liye." Saying that Shariq stepped into the room and placed the basket in the corner of the room.

(Mamu had said to keep these extra flowers in the storeroom.)

"Excuse me. It's my room, not storeroom" Shifa gave him a weird look,

''Jis room mein ghar ka bekaar saman rakha jata hai wo hi storeroom hota hai." Shariq rolled her eyes while saying so and left the room with a big grin on face. Shifa was shocked as well as hurt but Afifa turned red due to rage.

(The room in which the waste items of the house are kept is the storeroom.)

"Iska to main muh tood dungi." Saying that Afifa took a long step towards the door but Shifa caught her arm.

(I'll smack his head.)

"Ignore him, I don't care." Mumbling that Shifa picked her mobile phone from the bed but her dead smile told the reality.

"Don't spoil your mood, it's your day." Afifa squeezed her hands with a faint smile. "You're so brave."

"You go and check if mummy need some help and I'm calling Hamdan bhai, I'm missing him. It's my big day and my big brother is not with me." Saying so Shifa dialed a number and Afifa stepped out from the room, not before giving a new touch to her makeup.

Hamdan received the call, Shifa started talking to him and Mehvish while Afifa stepped out from the room.

"Ahem." Shariq fake cleared his throat when Afifa crossed by him which attracted his attention. Making her brows furrowed she looked at him but he was intentionally looking away like he didn't even notice Afifa.

Placing her hands on her waist she glared at him, he looked at her with a pair of questioning eyes. "Ji madam kya hua?"

(Yes Madam, what happened?)

"Yehi sawal ho main bhi puchhna chah rhi hu, kya hua? Gale mein kya phas gya?" Afifa glared at Shariq and he again fame cleared his throat.

(I'm also curious to know what's stuck in the throat?)

"Mirchi khaa kar ayi ho kya?" Picking up a cup of ice cream he asked with a smile on face.

(Have you come after eating chillies?)

"Tum se matlab?" Afifa rolled her eyes.

(None of your business.)

"Ice Cream khaogi?" Shariq passed the ice cream cup, first Afifa glared at him but took it with a different level of attitude which only she could hold. How could she refuse to take her favourite ice cream?

Carrying the dupatta on her arm Afifa took only one step ahead when a voice again stopped her.

"At least say thanks.'' That's was nothing else but a way to continue the conversation.

" For what?" Ready to bite him like a vampire, she asked with rage.

Umm... Not rage but 80% attitude and 21% rudeness.

"For the ice cream." He smiled.

"Am I supposed to thank you for this mere ice cream?"

"Umm... Not supposed to but ought to!" 

"At least you don't talk about ought to, one with no morals is giving me the lessons of morality." Mumbling louder than needed she held Shariq's wrist and place the ice cream cup on his palm.

"Itna gussa... Achha mat bolo thanks, ice cream to khaa lo."

(Okay don't thank me, but at least have this.)

Afifa grabbed the cup with a jolt and glared at him, surprisingly he smiled at her rude act, and before she could turn to go another question came to her. "Kuch aur laun?"

(Want something else?)

"Puchh to aese rahe ho jese main tumhare sath date par aayi hu aur bill tum doge." Afifa glared at him again while lifting the spoonful of ice cream.

(You're asking as if I'm here with you on a date and the bill is on you.)

"Tum chaho to date par bhi jaa sakte hain." Holding hope in his eyes he muttered with a small smile but Afifa was shocked. She wasn't expecting anything like this from Shariq. The bold girl was numb for a while, the ice cream spoon stayed in the air for next few moments but before it would fell down Afifa consumed it and huffed to show her anger.

(We can go for a date too. If you're agree.)

"Shakal dekhi hai apni?"

(Have you ever seen your face in the mirror?)

"Buri nhi hai,"

(It's not bad) he whispered. His voice holds a charm which was inexpressible in words. Afifa's heart jumped louder than normal and he added "Ek baar dhyaan se to dekho."

(Look once carefully)

"Hazaar baar dekhi hai tumhari shakal, bachpan se dekhti aa rhi hu, itni achhi bhi nhi hai." Glaring him with a deadly sight she was about to took another step ahead when Shariq's words again stopped her.

(Have seen your face since childhood, it's not that good too.)

"Hazaar baar dekhi hui cheez ko zra dhayaan se dekho, ho sakta hai achhi lagne lag jaye." He whispered with a smile but Afifa keep glaring him with anger until his next sentence skipped a beat of her heart. "Jese mujhe tum achhi lagne lagi."

(Watch the thousand times watched face carefully, maybe you'll start liking it.)

(Just I started liking yours.)

Afifa took a step back, her face was pale and heart was beating faster than normal. She never expect anything like this from Shariq. She placed the ice cream cup near Shariq and rushed to Shifa.

"Shifa... Shifa Shariq pagal ho gya hai." Afifa said in a single breath, Shifa jumped on er place due to that sudden cry but soon she rolled her eyes.

(Shifa, Shifa Shariq has gone mad.)

"Tell me something new!"

"Do you know what was he saying?" Afifa asked in a hurry, she was already nervous but Shifa was happiest at that time, she didn't notice Afifa's condition just smiled while holding her hands tight. "Affo, please. Don't take his name in front of me. Today's my engagement with Deni, and I don't want to spoil my mood due to him or his mother." Shifa's demand was genuine. Afifa tried to control her heart to beat in an abnormal manner and nodded.

"But why are you looking pale?" Shifa asked and Afifa fake a smile, "Nothing."

"Afifa Aapi, bring Shifa Aapi outside. Daniyal bhai and his family is waiting." Bilal peeped in the room to deliver the message and run away as he had to do some work but Shifa's eyes widen.

"When did they come? You didn't tell me Afifa." Setting her dupatta, the pretty girl complaint without knowing her friend's condition.

"Affo, main kesi lag rahi hu?" Shifa asked nervously and this time Afifa smiled wholeheartedly.

(Affo, how do I am looking?)

"Don't worry, the one whom you wanna impress will be gone crazy." Afifa winked making Shifa's eyes widen, "Shut up, Affo... Nothing like that..." With a failed attempt to hid the blush Shifa scolded her friends but her heart was beating with different chimes with every beat. 

"Lalu, let's go mera bachcha." Maham entered into the room and kissed Shifa's head before helping her to go towards the living area. It was a small function, from Daniyal's side there were only ten or twelve people and from Shifa's side, only Maham, Razi, Musa and their families were present. 

"Lala, I'm nervous." Shifa muttered in her Auntie's ear who just awed at her innocent act. "And I'm feeling happy for you. Shifa Daniyal and his family members are so good." Replied Maham in her extra happy form. Shifa lift her gaze, Daniyal was sitting on the middle of King sofa but he saw her coming, he shifts to the corner, just like a gentle man, and she make sure to looked away very soon but that stubborn blush of her cheeks told that all how happy she was.

On the other hand, Afifa's heart skipped a beat when she found Shaiq's gaze fixed on her. Maryam and Mrs Kazmi were busy in adoring Shifa from a distance, she was looking beautiful.

"Maryam are you crying?" Mrs Kamzi asked after noticing the shine of tears over eyes, Maryam smiled while blinking away the tears and shook her head. "No... just overwhelming emotions. It's like she's grown up in a blink of eyes." Maryam's words were full of emotion and motherly love Mrs Kazmi gave a quick side hug to her with an assuring smile that she won't let her daughter face any problem. But both ladies were unaware of a pair of eyes seeing them as well as Daniyal.

No one else but Rani...

"Tum kyu itna has rahe ho jese tumhari shadi hai?" Rani glared at his son and asked with anger.

(why are you smiling like a cherished cat as if it's your wedding?)

"Mera chhoriye, Aap kyu itna jal rahi hain jese ye papa ki dusri shadi hai?" Shariq: being Rani's own son let her taste her own medicine, to get another sharp gaze from her.

(Drop my topic and tell me why are you jealous as if this is Papa's second marriage?)

"Bakwaas Band kro, ye wo hi ladka hai jiske sath ye maharani radio mein kaam karti hai..."

(Cut the crap, he's the same guy with whom she works in the radio)

"Bhaad mein jaye... Iski shadi radio wale se ho, TV wale se ya kabadi wale se, aapko kya Matlab hai?" Shariq rolled his eyes but for the first time he was correct. He wanted his mother to do not poke her nose in any matter but how could Rani do so?

(Hell with her, it's none of your matter whether she get married to the radio guy, the TV guy or anyone else.)

"Maryam, baate baad mein kar lena, pehle kaam kar lo..." Anwar's voice dragged everyone's attention and Maryam realised that she had to give rings as well as gifts for Daniyal. She quickly excused from Mrs kazmi and started her duty as a mother. Meanwhile, Rani approached Mrs Kazmi with a sweet smile but her intentions were venomous.

(Maryam you may chit chat later, now do some work)

The ring exchanging was simple. Mrs Kazmi made Shifa wear a diamond ring and Anwar made Daniyal wear a gold ring. No one knows what both of them holding in their hearts, Daniyal was covering a pain in her smile but shifa was trying to hide her happiness which was reflecting in her smile.

With a shy feeling she tried to look at Daniyal who was looking Handsome in white kurta Pajama which was teamed up with a black waist coat; but it was not easy for her to make eye contact with her Deni. Shifa's eyes were fixed on Daniyal's wrist as he was wearing he same watch that she had gifted him on his birthday.

What else she wanted other than good time for herself and him?

Meanwhile Anwar gave an envelop to Daniyal and made him wear a gold chain.

"Itna sab kuch karne ki kya zarurat hai Anwar sahab?" Mr and Mrs Kazmi asked in unison.

(What is the need to do all this, Anwar sahab?)

"Ye moqe bhi kabhi kabhi aate hain, behtar hai inhe yaadgaar bana lein..." Anwar replied in the most formal way which was enough to make Shifa shocked, she wasn't expecting such reply. A smile crept up to her lips and she looked at Daniyal who was busy in his own thoughts but trying to show that he was happy.

(These moments don't come often, so it's better to make them memorable.)

"Itna to koi sage rishto ke liye nhi karta hit a mere bhai soteli beti ke liye kar rahe hain.'' Rani mumbled intentionally louder than needed and her words created a pin drop silence.

(No one does this much for close relationships, but my brother is doing it for the step-daughter.)

Shifa's heart skipped a beat and she looked at Daniyal then his parents', she wanted to see their reactions but eventually her sight fall on Maryam whose eyes filled with tears.

Since morning she was silently battling with herself and her thoughts. She was recalling her love for Aatish and his betrayal... Deep down she wanted to live a happy life with Aatish and Shifa, but her past was making her regret.

"Rani.'' Musa grit his teeth and Anwar glared her but the lady was already done with what she wanted to do. "Have I said something wrong?" She asked innocently and Shifa looked at Mrs Kamzi, her heart was frightened to the thought of losing Daniyal after coming to this stage. Resulting, a tiny drop of water jumped out from her eye which she wiped away in a hurry but Mr Kazmi noticed that.

"Dil ki baat hoti hai, maan lo to koi rishta sotela nhi hota, aur na maano to sage rishto ka bhi paas nhi rakha jata." Mr Kazmi said with a smile then looked at Rani one more time. "Wese aap to Anwar sahab ki sagi behen hain na? Dikh hi raha hai aapko apne bhai se kitna pyaar hai air aap unki kitni fikr karti hain." That was a clear sarcastic statement from Mr Kazmi which was enough to humilate Rani.

(It is a matter of the heart, if you believe then no relationship is step relationships, and if you don't believe it, even blood relatives are not close enough.)

(By the way, you're real sister of Anwar Sahab... Isn't you? It's clear that you're so concerned about your brother.)

"Actually... We didn't tell you because... I felt it wasn't needed..." Maryam approached towards Mrs Kazmi with her weak statement but she smiled and shook her head.

"No need to explain anything, Maryam. Shifa's love for Bilal and Hamdan is a proof in itself that your upbringing is much better than few others. You've teach them to love, not to hate on the name of step relationship." Mrs Kamzi's statement was another humilation for Rani, but comforting for Maryam. On one hand all this heated moments were taking place on the other hand a seed of love was going to bloom in a innocent crystal heart which was broken once, just because of Rani.

"Now why are you crying?" A whispering voice forced Shifa to lift her gaze towards Daniyal. "I'm not crying." She muttered and to blink away her unshed tears but Daniyal rolled his eyes while pushing his hand in his pocket, and passed his hankie to Shifa. She silently grabbed that and soaked her unshed tears.

"Aaj aapke papa se jahez ki bhi baat kar lunga... Meri kuch demands hain," Daniyal whispered while shifting little bit towards her which was another shock for her.

(Today I will talk to your papa about dowry too... I have some demands)

"Deni." She tried to say something but couldn't, her breath was hitched.

"Unse kahunga mujhe dowry mein kam se kam 6 dozen hankie chahiye, kyuki sare to unki beti le let hai."

(I'll ask him for at least 6 dozen hankies as his daughter takes all the mine.)

Shifa blinked twice then burst into a small chuckle which attracted everyone's attention towards her and Daniyal.

"Deni~ aap bohot bure hain." She fake cried while wiping her fresh tears and suddenly realised that wasn't in the recording room but in front of family members as well as relatives. Her hand which was wiping the tear drop, froze on the cheek and heart gave a loud best. Every gaze was fixed on Daniyal and her.

(Deni~ you're so bad)

"What the hell I've done?" She muttered nervously and Daniyal rolled his eyes because Shifa was overthinking one more time.

"Mujhe koi mithayi nhi khilayega kya? Itni deer se ye bechari gulab jamun meri muntazir hai, main ise ab aur intezaar nhi kara sakta..." Daniyal asked the first part while looking towards everyone but after saying the last part he picked a gulab jamun by himself without bothering to wait for anyone and the environment again filled with happiness.

(Would anyone feed me sweets or not? This poor gulab jamun is waiting for me for so long... I can't see her longing anymore.)

Shifa grinned happily while her head bowed down a little as an act of shyness. Everyone was happy to see the bond between Shifa and Daniyal. It wasn't hidden from any eye how Daniyal handle the crying Shifa and made her laugh.

This girl deserves every single happiness over life so as Daniyal, and they both were perfect to fill the empty space of each other's life, to towards that they already took their very first step officially.

Now both are engaged... But their hearts had to attach with each other's to make this bond everlasting.

<><><><>