Silence embraces the environment when Daniyal got an order from his mother to hold an introduction. Shifa was uncomfortable.

"Ammi, what are you doing here?" Daniyal asked in a whisper.

"Kazmi Sahab is correct, This boy is just useless," Mrs Kazmi muttered and looked at Shifa. "I'm Khatija, Daniyal's mother."

Shifa smiled with hesitation and respectfully greeted her, Mrs Kazmi saw Shifa with a smile then shift her sight towards her only son.

"Ammi she is my colleague, Shifa." Daniyal got a glare from his mother. "I already know only she is Shifa?"

"But how do you know aunty?" Shifa questioned with hesitation. How and why could anyone be so happy to meet her son's colleague? The poor heart of this nervous girl raised another question after witnessing Mrs Kazmi's overjoy.

"Daniyal ki choice itni achhi ho sakti hai mene to Kabhi socha bhi nhi tha."

(I never thought that Daniyal's choice could be so good.)

" Ji?" Shifa looked at Daniyal then Mrs Kazmi with a shocked face.

"Ammi... Stop it." Daniyal pressed his mother's arm as if that could affect her, but Shifa's face was holding many questions.

"Woohh... Actually Shifa... Other day you helped me with shopping... So Ammi is talking about that, she knows my choice couldn't be so good... But she liked yours... You're understanding na... What I'm saying." Daniyal was stammering and Shifa was blinking blankly.

"Oh... Yeah, I see." Though, she didn't understand anything but still mumbled with a nervous smile.

"Ammi, come with me. Let's meet David, Shifa you go." Daniyal gestured Shifa towards the exit and hold her mother's shoulder and lightly pulled her towards the office but he shouldn't forget, Mrs Khatija Kazmi is his mother.

"I'll meet David some other day, let me talk Shifa. At least lemme thank her for helping you." Removing Daniyal's hand from her shoulder Khatija stepped towards Shifa.

"Nice to meet you beta." Shifa smiled nervously and looked at Daniyal who was also holding the same nervous expressions. "Same here aunty."

"Go Shifa, it's getting dark... Don't waste your time here." Daniyal tried his best to stop his mother to talk to Shifa and she nodded.

"Yeah, I should go. Allah Hafiz Aunty, remember me in your prayers." With those respectful words, Shifa stepped ahead and Daniyal sighed with relief but not for more than a second.

"Shifa, we'll drop you." Daniyal closed his eyes for a while and Shifa looked at him, she was also feeling nervous due to Mrs Kazmi's behaviour.

"No aunty I'll manage."

"Ammi she could go alone."

Daniyal and Shifa both replied in unison which made Khatija smile, she was happy to see her son and Shifa's connection, they were understanding each other without even communicating. Mrs Kazmi insisted on the same and this time Shifa gave up. What else could a girl do in that situation? Refusing would sound rude and Shifa wasn't a rude girl.

Daniyal offered the front passenger seat to his mother but she shook her head and look at Shifa who was taking the back seat.

"Ammi, please... Don't do these things. We're only colleagues. What will she think about me?" Holding her mother's arm Daniyal Stopped her to go after Shifa and whispered in her ear.

"I told you to introduce me to her, but you..."

"Ammi please don't create problems for me. You're talking us wrong." Daniyal whispered but Mrs Kazmi stepped head and took her seat beside Shifa.

"So Shifa tell me something about your family. Where do you live, what are your hobbies?"

Shifa smiled nervously, she could feel it was a general interview but had a hidden purpose.

"Ammi, app kyu is bechari ki prescan kar rahi hain?" Daniyal asked while starting driving but got a glare from his mother.

(Ammi why are you bothering this girl?)

"I'm not bothering her. Am I right Shifa? Or am I bothering you?" Mrs Kazmi first answered back to his son then asked Shifa who nervously shook her head. "No, it's all good, aunty."

Daniyal wanted to smack his forehead but instead, he focus on the drive. Poor Shifa was telling Mrs Kazmi about her family and hobbies, with a madly beating heart. She was not ready to meet Daniyal's mother in this way.

"Shifa, go." Daniyal pulled the hand break in front of the metro station and they both took a relief breath. "Allah Hafiz Aunty." Shifa grabbed her handbag but how could Mrs Kazmi leave her would-be daughter-in-law so easily?

"Why here? Daniyal, drop her at her home."

"No aunty... It's fine. I always go through the metro... Even thank you so much for dropping me here." Shifa tried to convince the old lady but in the end, she found herself in the same car and Daniyal was driving towards her home.

'Ya Allah please do Mercy on me...' Shifa's heart was praying with each passing minute.

"What's your father's name, Shifa," Mrs Kazmi asked as she wanted to pass all the details to her husband so that he could enquire about Shifa and her family.

"Anwar," Shifa replied meekly but Daniyal suddenly turned his head to see Shifa. "What? Anwar? Your father's name is Anwar?" Daniyal Asked as if he got a big shook, before Shifa could nod her head he again focused on the drive.

"Yeah... My papa's name is Anwar." Shifa shrugged and Daniyal hummed slowly, but he was thinking something deeply.

The interview session didn't end until Daniyal pushed the break in front of Shifa's home. She was already feeling scared if anyone see her getting out of a car then it could create a new problem but Mrs Kazmi wanted to see Shifa's home so she insisted to Drop Shifa at her home, not nearby.

"Is this your home?" Shifa nods to Mrs Kazmi's question.

"Aunty, I'm not feeling good that you're going back from the doorstep, at least come in, mummy will be happy to meet you," after getting out of the car, Shifa said with a smile but in reality, she was praying that Mrs Kazmi refuses to come In with her.

"Not today, but I'll come another day with Daniyal's baba, to meet your parents, then we'll talk a lot." Mrs Kazmi also hopped out of the car and said with a smile. "Aapko koi aetraaz to nahi hai na beta?" She asked lovingly and Shifa smiled while shaking her head.

(I hope you don't have any problem)

"Aetraz kis baat ka aunty? Aap ka ghar hai aap jab chahe aa jaiye. Hume khushi hogi." Shifa replied formally and Daniyal literally smack his forehead.

(Why would we have any problem aunty? We'll be happy to have you as our guest.)

"Ye ladki kitni ahmak hai! Couldn't she understand my mother is asking to come to her home for her proposal? Now, what will ammi think about us?"

(This girl is an idiot)

"Allah Hafiz, Aunty." Shifa smiled and Mrs Kazmi cupped her face with both hands. "Shaad-o-abaad rahiye, Allah aap ko sari khushiyan de, aap hamesha isi tarha muskrats rahe." Showering Shifa with blessings, wrapped in the purest form of love. The motherly love.

(Stay blessed, may Allah give you all the happiness, may you always keep smiling like this.)

"Shifa, be ready with your new idea, David won't give you much time." Daniyal; who was still in the driving seat, instructed Shifa, making her afraid one more time. She forced a smile on her face before taking leave from Mrs Kazmi.

"Masha Allah, such a sweet girl." Mrs Kazmi muttered with a big grin while securing herself with the seat belt and Daniyal sighed.

"Ammi she is only my colleague, please don't think that we are having a love affair" Daniyal pleaded one more time, he was kinda embarrassed due to his mother's behaviour with Shifa. It was very unprofessional.

"Fine, if you are saying that you don't love this girl I'm trusting in you." Daniyal smiled and resume driving. "But I like this girl so much, if not by love marriage then by Arrange marriage but only Shifa will become your wife. It's my final decision."

"But Amm.."

"No, if and but. It's my final decision. Let me talk about this matter to you baba and we will be coming to her home with your proposal." Daniyal grit his teeth, his mood was converting into angry.

"Ammi why are you not understanding me? Shifa is not that girl whom I like."

"Daniyal stops it, I could see your smile when you were talking to Shifa, I have never seen you smiling like this with any other girl."

===============

Finding no one on the doorstep She took a deep breath and let it out. Thanking Almighty for saving her she silently took steps towards her room without knowing that a pair of Eyes was witnessing the whole scene from the terrace. Those eyes were already turning red due to anger and a new volcano was waiting to blast.

"Mumma, I'm home.'' She announced while opening the door of her room and Maryam came out from the kitchen.

"Shifa, babu today you help me out with dinner. I'm exhausted." Shifa nodded and connect her mobile with the charger.

"Okay Mumma, coming in five minutes." Being a daughter she must help her mother with this thought Shifa ignored her mother and soon join Maryam in the kitchen but she was striving to get a new idea to paas on to David.

"Maryam." A loud call echoed in the home which shocked Shifa.

"Today papa come back early?" Shifa asked and Maryam nodded while wiping her hand with the kitchen towel.

"Maryam can't you listen I'm summoning you?" That was a roar that fluttered the hearts of both mother-daughter duo. "Coming." Leaving everything behind Maryam stepped out of the kitchen.

"Ji?"

"Where is Shifa?" A strict question from Anwar made Maryam scared, Shifa was standing outside the room holding her breath.

"She is in the kitchen." Maryam's voice was hard to hear but her heartbeat could be heard easily.

"Ku... Kuch hua hai kya?" Gathering all her courage Maryam asked, even after 24 years Anwar holds the same amount of anger which still shivers Maryam without any difference.

(Is something wrong?)

"Go serve dinner and send Shifa." That was a ruthless order which dried up all the blood of Shifa's body who was already standing outside the room.

' Have he seen me with Deni's Ammi?'

'Or he got to know about my job?'

'Or something else?'

'Why problems wait for me with open arms?'

Shifa was questioning when Maryam stepped out from the room and gestures to her to face Anwar.

"Mumma... I'm scared." Shifa held Maryam's hand while mumbling

"Is everything fine?" Shifa Shrugs and stepped into the room while praying for her well being.

"Who was that lady with whom you come back?" The first question stopped Shifa's beating heart.

"Papa... She... She is..." Shifa was answerless. "You go to give tuitions, aren't you?" Anwar glared at her.

"She is a nice lady, I know her... She offered me a lift and... I" Shifa again stammered to get a glare in reply.

"You don't have to take lifts. If you need to pick me up from somewhere just call me or Bilal. Got it?" Shifa nodded hurriedly and left the room after another glare from Anwar.

"Who was that lady Shifa?" As soon as Shifa stepped out of the room, Maryam held her arm.

"Mumma, She is a family friend of Mehvish bhabhi... Hamdan bhai also knows her son... She is a nice lady." Maryam sigh and slowly creased her head.

"Don't trust anyone. We can't trust anyone. Anyone means anyone. So don't take favours from others." Shifa nodded and Maryam smiled sadly. She had a bad experience when she trusted Aatish so she was often cared for by her only daughter.

"Fine mummy, I won't come with anyone," Shifa assured her and Maryam kissed her forehead. "Go and take rest for ten minutes, then I'll serve dinner." Shifa nod her head before marching to her room and Maryam took a deep breath while dealing with the flesh of bitter memories which never leave her alone.

<><><>

Dear diary,

Today I have recognised the true love of my life. No matter who comes and whoever goes but this particular one won't leave me alone, either in happiness or in Sadness. No one else but my problems. Why I couldn't break up with my problems? Why my life is so... Ugh... I hate my life. Nothing good is permanent here.

_Shifa.

She closes her diary with a thud and closes her eyes while resting her head on the tabletop.

'I'm sure papa will kill me if he got to know about my job when he is so angry only for taking a lift from Deni's mother then how would he react if he will get to know that I do work in a Radio Station?' Doing another fail trial to conclude what she should do, she wasted another ten minutes of her life when a call grabbed her attention.

"Shifaaaa... I'm serving dinner."

"Coming mummaaaa"

"Maryam, I was talking to Musa." When shifa entered the dining area she heard Anwar telling this to Maryam.

"Hmm... What he was saying?" Asked the busy Maryam and Shifa also started arranging cutlery to help her mother.

"We were talking about Shifa and Shariq's engagement. Musa is saying to halt the marriage until Shifa's masters, but we could do a formal announcement of their alliance." spoons present in her hands fell on the floor.

"Mumma..." Shifa muttered taking a backstep, her eyes filled with tears and she shook her head. "I won't marry him," Mumbling that she looked at Anwar who was not expecting such reaction.

"Shifa listen..." Maryam step towards her daughter who wipe her tear which rolled down. "What's wrong with Shariq?" Anwar asked and Shifa look at Maryam

"You may kill me, but I won't marry him" Mumbling that shifa stepped out from the room.

"Suniye, please try to understand, Shifa is not happy so don't force her."

"Maryam, Shariq will change his teasings with passing time, don't be a fool and knock some senses in Shifa's brain, she is taking a wrong decision in hurry," Anwar Said in his overbearing cold voice.

==========

"Shariq what are you doing? Why are you so calm? Are you ready to accept Shifa?" Rani burst out on her son who was smirking while focusing on his mobile.

"You keep smiling and that girl will become your wife." Rani ground her teeth but Shariq smiled while looking up.

"Have you remember, I told you about the guy with whom we met at a restaurant?" Shariq asked but Rani huffed, she wasn't interested in knowing about anyone. "Who?"

"Mummy, I'm talking about Daniyal, the guy who was with Mehvish bhabhi's friends..."

"Ohh..., but why are you discussing this right now?" Rani muttered and Shariq smirked.

" I was correct, Other day, Shifa and Daniyal were pretending as if they are strangers, but they know each other." Rani's eyes became wide and she understood the reason behind Shariq's smirk.

"It means only Shifa is RJ Khushi and our doubt was correct?" Rani asked with excitement and Shariq nodded.

Both mother and son were trying to find out something which could point out towards Shifa and they finally got that along with proof.

"Let's go and tell this to papa." Shariq stood up but his arm was held by Rani. "No, your papa will do nothing but appreciate Shifa. Let's deliver this news to Anwar bhai. Tomorrow we will go to meet them with sweets to celebrate the engagement and this news to break the engagement." Rani smirked and Shariq rolled his eyes.

"Do whatever you want to do, I'm with you because this is the matter of Shifa, but mummy I'm telling you now only... Don't become a cunning mother-in-law, I know you very well." Rani blinked twice when his son showed her reality.

==========

Holding a cigarette in between the first and middle finger he lifts it to his lips before taking a small puff. Swirling the sweet-bitter smoke around his tongue he slowly pushed it out from his mouth, letting it disappear in the air just like magic.

"Stop smoking, it's your third one." One of his friends tries to stop him to turn another cigarette into ash.

"I'm burning from inside more than this." Looking at the lit-up cigarette he grits his teeth and his friends rolled their eyes.

"Come on Kabeer, forget about Shifa. She's not your type." His friend advised him to gain a glare. Throwing the cigarette on the floor Kabeer crushed it under his shoe tip. "Soon I'll crush her ego like this, just wait and watch. How dare she slap me in front of everyone?"

"What you're up to?" One of his friends asked and Kabeer flip his hair with his left hand while his lips engaged with an evil smirk.

"Wait for the farewell party, only one sleeping pill in her drink and..." Rolling his eyes Kabeer smirked.

"You're a Rascal." Kabeer smiled and shook his head. "It's nothing, wait for the real surprise waiting for Shifa."

"What is your plan?"

"Just wait and watch." Kabeer grinned evilly and left his friends in chaos regarding his plan.

===========

Shifa's POV

Tears rolled down from my eyes, while my heart was beating rapidly. Why does papa want to marry me off with Shariq? Why does he want to get rid of me? Just because I'm a burden on him!! Sometimes I want to run away from this home and live alone to get a peaceful life.

Mummy knock on my door but I didn't open it. "Mumma leave me alone for some time" I yelled trying to hide my crying state but I'm sure my horse voice already betrayed me.

"Shifa open the door, babu..."

"Mumma, please... Leave me alone..." I didn't get any other knocking sound after that. Thankfully she left me alone. I couldn't imagine my life after getting married to Shariq. How would I tolerate Rani Phuppo?

'Hey, shifa, What were you imagining? You'll get a charming hero like Deni? No, don't even imagine it.' Bitterly asked my soul, I close my eyes letting a few tears roll down my cheeks.

Hmm... I had started making a dreamland after befriending Deni, the way he listen to me without judging, the way he teases me, the way he advise me... Everything is just perfect about him, but every time I forget that I don't have anything perfect in my fate. I was dreaming to get a guy like Deni but what I am going to get? Shariq! The guy who doesn't let a single change go to insult me in front of others.

I cried silently for at least one hour, then my mobile started ringing and I was shocked. It was Deni's call. Why he's calling?

I took a deep breath to sound normal, and received the call "hello"

"Umm... Shifa... Actually, I... I've called you to apologise... Actually... Ammi... I don't know why she was asking you all those questions... I know you're not comfortable... I'm so sorry for... Shifa are you there?" Getting no response from my side he asked the last part

"Hmm, I'm here," I mumbled.

"Are you crying? Shifa tell me what's wrong?" I stay silent.

"Shifa... Are you worried because David told you about a new project?" He asked and my heart skipped a beat. How could I forget that I have to share a new idea with David sir? Otherwise, my job will be terminated.

"Deni meri zindagi me kuch bhi theek kyu nahi ho sakta?" I was frustrated as well as angry.

(Deni, Why can't anything be right in my life?)

"Zindagi me sab theek ho jayega to zindagi boring nhi ho jayegi?" He laughed and I wanted to hit his head with something. He was trying to tease me.

(Don't you think life will become dull without these problems?)

"Aap has lijiye, main kya aapko koi joke suna rahi hu?" I asked with frustration.

(Okay, laugh! Am I telling you a joke?)

"Achha aap gussa mat ho." He was still laughing

(Okay, don't be angry)

"Gussa nahi hu."

(I'm not angry)

"Naraz ho?"

(Offended?)

"Main aap se naraz kyu hongi, Deni?" Forgetting about shading tears I burst on him.

(Why would I be offended with you Deni?)

"Mohtarma aapka masla kya hai aap batane ki zehmat karengi?"

(Miss, what is your issue would you bother to tell me?)

"Papa... He. .." I couldn't control my sob this time.

"Shifa, you're making me worried." Thankfully he came to a serious tone, otherwise, he was laughing as if I was telling a joke.

"He has fixed my engagement with Shariq..."

I don't know why I was telling him my problem but I was feeling light.

"Shifa stop crying right now." It was an order for me but I'm not a robot who change their expressions within a single command, I'm a human! But who cares?

"You should tackle this problem very bravely but you're crying like an ordinary weak girl, Shifa you're not a weak girl. You're very strong. How could you break down so easily?" I blinked twice and remove the mobile from my ear, just to glance at the screen. I was talking to him for the last twenty minutes.

"Deni you'll not understand my condition," I muttered while wiping my tears.

"Oh come on Shifa, don't be a mellow Drama Queen. Talk to your papa right now."

"What do you think Deni? Is it so simple? Papa won't understand me ever." With full of anger, I replied.

"Shifa every relationship is important. I'm sure your papa loves you so much so it's better to talk clearly and sort out everything." I stay silent as so he.

"Shifa. "

"Yeah?"

"Don't worry, you'll not get married to Shariq''

" how do you know?" I asked meekly.

"A nice girl like you doesn't deserve Shariq, you deserve a good man. " smiled sadly

"I don't deserve anything good in my life."

"Stop it, you deserve best. Don't forget you're RJ khushi, you have so many followers but you're breaking down so easily!! Soooo stop crying out loud and smile. "

"Smile in this Situation?"

"Yeah, smile because it is a sunnat." This melted my heart and a beautiful smile captured my lips. He knew how to handle me.

"Now don't cry. Okay?" He asked

"Hmm okay" I mutteres but Deni and his stubborn has no limits. "Let me tell you a few jokes so that you start to feel better." and he started telling me few horrible joke, I started feeling better. Only talking to him was making everything better

'Ya Allah grant me a life partner just like Dehi, who will be on my side for the rest of my life.' I smiled at his silly jokes and didn't realise my eyes started getting heavy...

=========