"Be ready with your ideas, we'll discuss them in the next meeting" David announced at the end of the meeting and all the employees nodded their heads in response, before standing up to leave the meeting room, including Shifa.

The meeting was good and surprisingly Daniyal saved Shifa from David's scolding. Getting this job was not less than a miracle for Shifa, but she had no professional experience as an RJ so sometimes she does big mistakes. But for today, She was thankful to Daniyal.

'I have to admit, he is much better than my assumption.' With this thought she smiled and glanced at her mobile, there was still an hour for her recording and she was feeling hungry. She looked around, everyone was busy with their works so the recording room was empty. 

Finding no barrier she went to the recording room and draws out her lunch box from the bag. But before she could lift the very first bite of rice a voice stopped her in between.

"Yaha to lunch chal raha hai. Sorry, mene aap ko disturb kar diya." Shifa looked up, Daniyal was standing near the door.

(Oh, sorry to disturb you in between your lunch)

"No sir, it's okay. Come in" Shifa replied with a small smile and lift the lid to close her lunchbox.

"You continue having your meal." Shifa smiled hesitantly and decided to resume her lunch as she was very hungry.

"Kesa zamana aa gya na, now people don't even offer lunch to their colleagues" Shifa suddenly looked up, Daniyal was holding a teasing smile on his face, but shifa was embarrassed. 

"Umm... I- I'm sorry" She muttered while gritting her teeth nervously, pulling the chair Daniyal sat down beside her, and put his mobile on the table. Being a foodie he was ready to share lunch with Shifa moreover he was hungry too.

Shifa felt embarrassed. "Sorry, sir but... I can't share it with you" Without looking at him, she replied which made Daniyal embarrassed. He was teasing Shifa by asking to share her lunch but her clear refusal humiliate him.

"Oh... It's okay, even I'm sorry... I was just..." Picking his mobile he tries to mask his remorse and Shifa felt guilty.

"I would love to share lunch with you but..." Before she could complete her sentence Daniyal shook his head with a fake smile. "It's okay if you don't want to. I've already ordered a pizza for me, it'll be arriving in no time" Daniyal cleared his side and cursed himself to become too affable to Shifa.

"It's not like that... But... I can't share it with you" Shifa muttered with a lower gaze before continuing. "This is leftover from dinner... So... I mean it's not fresh" She explained the reason for not sharing the lunch and Daniyal looked at her with a shocked expression on his face.

"Are you for real, Shifa?" The poor girl was confused.

"We have a fridge at home, and we use it to store leftovers, then eat that next day. What's wrong with it?" Asking that Daniyal raised his hand to take Shifa's lunchbox and she silently passed it.

"Umm... It's tasty," After taking a morsel he asked, Shifa was amazed at Daniyal's friendly and decent behaviour. He was having that food without any kind of hesitation. "Shifa had you cooked it?" She shook her head in reply.

"All credit goes to my mom" she smiled and Daniyal nodded. "Hmm, Mothers have magic in their hands" He muttered whilst having another morsel and offered it to Shifa too as if it was his lunch, not hers. Meanwhile, the cheese pizza with extra toppings also arrived and Daniyal offered it to Shifa, though she wanted to refuse due to hesitation, but it's not good to refuse to have a cheesy pizza. So she lifts a slice.

That's how they had their first lunch together.

"Thanks for the pizza, sir" She smiled, and Daniyal returned that smile with a nod. "Could you please call me Daniyal? Please. It's extremely awful to hear this word." Shifa sigh and shrugged. "It's difficult but I'll try"

"That's like a good girl, start practising from now only"

"Sir You're very demanding" She blinked and Daniyal showed his grin with a nod. "And stubborn too" he must be the first person who was praising himself but Shifa laughed.

"Yes you're, RJ Deni" For the first time Shifa call him without salutation and Daniyal dramatically sighed with relief.

"RJ khushi, could you please share today's script with me?"

"Why not Si... I mean Deni?"

The formal relationship between them was converting into friendship without any notice, and surprisingly they both were enjoying one another company without even realising. There were some similarities between them which were making them friends and a few differences which were attracting them just like the opposite poles of a magnet.

<><><><><>

The knife was attacking the vegetables as if, it was the neck of enemies, every strike was making a loud thud with the help of a chopping board.

"Mummy, stop it. You've to chop them, not mince." Looking at the condition of the cucumber he said out of frustration.

"How can you be so cool in this situation?" She yelled at her son who rolled his eyes.

"You're saying as if I'm dying to marry Shifa... I also don't like her. But don't know why dad is forcing this decision on me?" Shariq came out of frustration but without compromising with the game he was already playing on his mobile.

"And what are you doing? You're accepting his decision. You haven't denied even once." Rani burst out on her son who put his mobile down.

"Dad wants to make Shifa his daughter-in-law, let him fulfil his wish, you and me both know very well he doesn't listen to anyone after making decisions."

"How can you be ready to accept her as your wife?"

"Mummy, I'm not ready to accept her as my wife, but as a daughter-in-law of your husband. Padi rahegi ghar ke kisi koone me, aur aapko bhi to koi chahiye na jo ghar ka sara kaam kar de." rolling his eyes Shariq resumed the game and Rani Huffed.

(She will be lying in some corner of the house, and you also need someone who can do all the household chores.)

"But I don't want to introduce Shifa as your wife."

"That's your problem, not mine. I'll not have any problem introducing her as my wife. Jo bhi ho, shakal to theek hi hai uski, I'll not feel embarrassed." He replied without bothering to look up but he could feel Rani glaring at him.

(She is fine by looks)

"Mummy accept the reality you couldn't do anything" Rani huffed in a defeated way but Shariq smirked. "But shifa and Maryam Mami could do"

"What do you mean?" She asked

"Anwar Mama and his family is coming for lunch. Right?" Rani nodded with confusion, "Mummy you just have to pass a few comments as usual or say something bitter in your sweet style which will hurt Shifa and Maryam Mami so that they both refuse this proposal on their own." Rani nodded and her evil mind started playing a small game.

"Hmm... Just see, how I'll reveal the secrets of Shifa in front of Anwar bhai." Rani mumbled with an evil smirk and Shariq jerk his head. "Do whatever you want to do, I don't care" with this phrase he stepped out from the home.

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

"Hello, my dear brothers and their sisters this is your RJ Deni welcoming you in our program shades of life."

"And this is RJ Khushi, welcoming you all. Today is a special day as we're going to take a few questions of our listeners" Shifa and Daniyal started the program full of enthusiasm.

It was only a few minutes of recording when Daniyal and Shifa's gaze fell at the mobile, which was placed on the table, just in between them. Shifa's heart skipped a beat as was flashed an incoming call of Anwar. Her legs felt numb for a while. Trying to ignore the call she shift her gaze to the diary which was holding the script.

"So the ne- next question... Was. Is" She didn't know what she wanted to say and what was coming out from her lips. It was the first time when Anwar was calling her at the time of work wo it was obvious for her to be nervous.

"Relax Shifa" She jumped at her place when Daniyal leaned towards and whispered to her ear. She felt scared not only because of his act but due to her Papa's call too.

"And the next question is from Mitali but... We'll answer this after a short break and a few songs. Till then Stay tuned." with this line the recording was paused for a while. Again thanks to RJ Deni... Sometimes he appears like a saviour for Shifa.

"Shifa you may receive the call" Daniyal instructed and Shifa took a deep breath while nodding her head. It was impossible to go out of the recording room as David was already standing there. So Leaving with no other way she received the call in front of Daniyal.

"Ji papa"

"Where are you right now?" A wave of fear slipped into her every bone.

Does he get to know?

Does he see me near the radio station?

Does he get to know about my identity as RJ Khushi?

"Shifa I'm asking where are you right now?"

"Papa, I... I'm giving tuition" Shifa lied and Daniyal Sir suddenly looked up to find her colourless face.

"When you're coming back?" Anwar's tone was as usually overbearing. Enough to stop Shifa's heart to beat further.

"Why?" Trying to sound entirely fine she questioned back. And the answer gave relief to her madly beating heart. Since Hamdan was in India for a few more days, so Rani and Musa invited them for lunch. But then Musa changed in the plan to have our dinner together too which made Anwar and Maryam worried.

They all were supposed to come back before the evening, but having dinner with Rani and Musa would change the plan. They would come back late at night.

"Could you come soon? We'll take you along" Shifa think for a few moments, though she could manage to go back soon but she wasn't interested in going to Rani's home.

"Papa, I can't Come back soon, tomorrow is their test so I will be late." Shifa lied one more time. But Anwar was concerned about her. "Neither you've spare keys nor anyone else will be present at home. How will you manage?"

"Papa, y'all go to Rani Phuppo, I'll go to Nani's home," Thought it wasn't easy to bring around Anwar but her luck worked.

"Okay. I'll pick you while returning" Shifa sighed with relief and hang up the call. Meanwhile, the break was over and Daniyal continued the recording, Shifa also contribute in the recording with full of energy as she was happy.

"Shifa" After completing the recording Daniyal utter her name while placing down the headphones on the table.

"Yeah?"

"What's this? You've lied to your father. You're not giving tuitions right here." Daniyal was looking disappointed, though he didn't have any right but he finds Shifa's deed against her genuine nature.

Shifa wasn't answerable to Daniyal but she didn't find in herself to hide the facts one more time.

"Papa doesn't want me to do the job, specifically in a field related to acting and singing," Shifa uttered with guilt and Daniyal removed his specs.

"You're not a singer or an actress, you're an RJ"

"I know, but I got this job when I won a singing competition in college. And in the beginning, I was a singer, not RJ" Shifa informed and Daniyal wear his specs back.

"Shifa, he is your father, he must have his reasons behind this decision. Try to talk to him, lying is not a solution to any problems" Daniyal swirl his chair to face her properly.

"This job is important for me, I can't reveal this. Maybe he'll not allow me to do this job further" Shifa shove her diary and pen in the bag while informing this Daniyal and he sighs.

"Shifa, listen to me" Leaning ahead a bit he utter in his deep and manly voice. Shifa nodded seriously.

"No one can love us more than our parents. Agree or not?" Daniyal asked and Shifa nodded but she knew the reality of the situation of her life.

"Aapko pta hai Shifa, Mere baba mujhe hamesha daat'te rehte hain, according to him I'm stupid, I couldn't make any good decision but I know his love is hidden behind his anger and scolding." Shifa keeps her mouth silent and Daniyal keep watching her.

(You know what Shifa, My baba always scolds me)

"Main aap ko zyada to nahi jaanta, magar abhi tak jitna bhi jana hai us se itna to yaqeen ho gya hai ki aap ek achhi ladki ho00." Daniyal was sounding serious and Shifa was considering his every word deeply.

(I don't know you very much, but from what I have known so far, I am sure that you are a nice girl.)

"Shifa aap koi galat kaam nahi kar rahi ho, ye ek izzatdaar job hai. Lekin ghar walo se ye baat chhupa kar aap apne sahi kaam ko bhi galat bana rahi ho." Shifa lower her gaze.

(Shifa you're not doing anything wrong, it's a reputed job. But you're doing wrong by hiding this from your family)

"You're the only person after my friend who knows that I'm hiding this from my family" Shifa shared with a guilt-ridden feeling.

"Shifa, aap apne papa ko khud sach bata do, unhe kisi aur se pta chalega to problem ho sakti hai," Daniyal suggested and Shifa found a well-wisher and good adviser in him.

(Shifa, you tell the truth to your papa yourself, if he comes to know from someone else, then there may be a problem.)

"I don't have the courage to hurt them by admitting that I'm lying about my job," Shifa Mumbled and Daniyal rubbed his forehead with his first finger before resting his back to the chair.

"Kab tak chupaogi Shifa? Sachai ek beej ki tarah hoti hai, aap use zameen me kitni bhi gehrayi me daba do, ek na ek din wo ek poodha ban kar bahar aa hi jata hai"

(For how long will you hide this, Shifa? Truth is like a seed, no matter how deep you've buried it in the soil, it will come out sooner or later as a plant, which will be impossible to hide. 

"Deni Sir, aap mujhe dara rahe hain"

(You're frightening me)

"Shifa, Zindagi me aese bohot kam log milte hain Jo humse beloos mohabbat karte hain, waalidain unme se ek hote hain. Mujhe yaqeen hai aapke Papa bhi aapko bohot pyaar karte honge, wo aapke jhut ko maaf kar denge aur aapki kaamyabi se khush honge."

(Shifa, there are only a few people in our life who love us selflessly, and parents are one of them. I am sure your papa also loves you very much, he will forgive your lie and will be happy with your success.)

"And what if he'll be angry more than happy?" Shifa asked as if Daniyal had all the solutions.

"Ho Santa hai wo aapse naraaz ho jayen, thoda gussa bhi Karen lekin jab unka gussa thanda ho jaye to unhe mana lena. Betiyan to wese bhi papa ki princess heti hain, jab aap unhe manaogi to wo maan jayenge. Nahi maane to bachpan ke incidents yaad dila kar thoda emotional blackmail kar lena, I'm sure, wo maan jayenge"

(Maybe, he gets downhearted, even a little angry too, but you could convince him when his anger cools down. Daughters are always papa's princess, you'll bring around him by making him remember some of your childhood incidents, this is the best way to emotionally blackmail your parents. And believe me, it always works)

Daniyal smiled brightly, but he didn't know he hurt Shifa deeply. Father's love was her biggest craving since childhood. Even after recalling deeply, she was unable to remember a single incident when Anwar showed his love over Shifa like other fathers.

"Every girl is not papa's princess" Shifa mumbled but Daniyal didn't get her. "Sorry?"

"Nothing" She faked a smile.

"Shifa, Daniyal you're are supposed to vacant the office today only." They both looked at the clock which indicated that they were already an hour late. "Oh no" Mumbling that Shifa scoot towards the exit and Daniyal silently followed her. As usually he passed his pen to sign the record register and they both stepped out from the building together.

Shifa cursed herself to be so careless regarding the time, the sun was already taking its leave from the sky allowing the environment to wrap up itself in the sheer sheet of darkness.

"Shifa it's already dark, may I drop you at the metro station? This area is not safe to go alone." Her heart skipped a beat. She was still same the same Shifa who had never been alone outside the home after sunset.

She looked at the empty and dark road, she had to cover ten minutes walking distance to reach the metro station then she looked at Daniyal who was waiting for her near his car.

'He is a nice man' she thought

'Or maybe not! Maybe he is a nice actor only!' She debated with herself.

"I'll manage. Thanks for the offer" With fear on her face she uttered nervously. No matter how confident she became, she was still a timid meek girl who like to stay away from boys.

"It's not safe to..." She didn't let him complete.

"I'm sorry but I can't take a lift from you or any other man. But thanks a lot." Saying that Shifa turned and started walking, Daniyal was stunned. He forgot to blink and the next breath stuck in his chest as the flesh of memory fall on his heart. Shifa was lost in the darkness of the road and he was lost in the haze of his past.

<><><>

A gust of fear hit her hard when suddenly a bike rider passed by her. Gulping the fear she looked here and there, to find nothing on the road, she still had to cover 8 minutes walking distance to reach the metro station. "Allah paak, please help me" Mumbling that she covered her head with her scarf and walk ahead whilst reciting Ayat-al-kursi. And Allah answered her prayer the very next moment. A bright light came from her backside making her scared for a second, turning back she covered her eyes with her right arm to protect her eyes from that glow but soon she noticed the driver of that car.

He was no one else but The Daniyal Kazmi.

"Don't worry, I'm not offering you a lift," Rolling down the glass of the car he passed a small smile. She smiled and resumed the walk, but this time she was satisfied because Daniyal's car was crawling with her on that empty road.

<><><><><>