Shaizaan smirked and turned his phone screen toward Omar. It flashed with an incoming call. ‘Miss Iram.’ He stood up to the corner of the room and answered the call smoothly,

“Assalamualaikum, Miss Iram. I didn’t expect you to call so soon.”

“Walaikum assalam.” Her tone was tight, holding back anger.

“I was shocked you didn’t attend the function to receive your certificates.”

“I had personal reasons,” Iram replied curtly.

“Oh, I see. Then let me tell you, you’ll get them only if you meet me.”

“How dare you?” Her temper snapped. 

“Someone’s angry,” Shaizaan teased, adding fuel to her anger.

“Mr. Shaizaan, first of all, you had no right to take my certificates. And now you dare dictate a meeting?”

“Yes. Meet me at the WNA company on 20th August, or else forget your certificates.”

“Well, I can always ask my college to reissue them.” Iram replied confidently.

“If that were an option, you wouldn’t be calling me, Miss Iram.”

There was a sharp, long pause. 

“ Miss Iram, are you there?” Shaizaan asked.

“ Fine. You better keep my certificates safe. I won't be responsible for the consequences. " Iram agreed with a warning.

“Let’s see.”

The call ended.

Omar stared at Shaizaan. “That’s not you. You’re not Shaizaan.”

Shaizaan gave a cold smile. “Maybe you never knew me fully.”

“ I don't think so. Anyway, what's your plan for your dream project? After all, I’ll be handling the finances, right? ”

Shaizaan nodded and presented a slideshow on his phone screen, playing the details of the project.

“ I want to do this. I want to open this in Bhopal. Izhaan and I want this project to become alive, which was on hold because of me.”

“ Okay, I understand. But why Bhopal? Why not Bangalore?”

“ Because Izhaan is settled there.” Shaizaan made an excuse.

“ Or it's Iram..” Omar observed Shaizaan’s expression.

“ You must be kidding, right?” Shaizaan chuckled.

“ No. Because, coincidentally, Iram also lives in Bhopal. And your plan is not just to give her certificates when she gets back, you have a different plan.”

“ You read my mind like an open book, Omar. Wow…” Shaizaan praised his friend.

“ I know. That's how I handle business. Now tell me about your other plan?”

“ That’s nothing..”

Omar shook his head. “You’re planning to drag her into a contract, use her as a pawn in your dream project… when did you become like this? She’s innocent.”

“ Look, I don’t want to do that either.”

Omar snapped. “You shouldn’t have touched those certificates. Let destiny do its work. Don’t play dirty.”

“Call it cruel if you want,” Shaizaan said. “But this is the only way I know.”

He left. Omar sighed, pressing his forehead into his palms. “Ya Allah, give Iram strength to handle this man… and give Shaizaan sense before he ruins them both.”

*****

That evening, Shaizaan entered the home with the news.

“ Mom, I’m shifting to Bhopal. I’ll work on my dream project there.” 

“ You are shifting? When?” JahanAra blinked.

“ This weekend. ”

“ Are you sure about this?”

“ Yes. Omar will manage everything.”

“ Okay. But where will you stay? Not a hotel…”

“ I know, Mom. I’ll ask Huzaifa for keys to his house.”

“ But Huzaifa is in Canada. How will you get the keys? ” 

“ He will be here soon,” Shaizaan replied and realised he could not reveal the incident of Emaan to his mother.

“ Is he coming tonight?”

“ No, Mom. I’m just saying that I'll call him back here. After all, he's doing nothing in Canada except enjoying. He is wasting his brilliant mind.” Shaizaan lied, trying to cover up while also stating some truth.

“ I don't think he’ll agree. That house holds too many memories of his mother. He won’t allow changes.”

“ I know. Then maybe I’ll stay at Qizra’s house. They live alone in that, I don't know, 4-5 bhk house.”

“ Seriously. You’ll trouble their married life.” JahanAra sighed.

“ She’s married to Izhaan. My childhood friend. He will let me stay there.”

“ Even if he agrees, buy yourself a house. Maybe the one next to there’s. I heard there are 3-4 houses left to sell.”

“ Fine. But you’ll have to buy that under your name. I’ll use my savings to buy a place for office.”

“ Alright. I’ll cook your favorite food tomorrow before you leave.”

“ Okay, Mom.” Shiazaan smiled and hugged her.

“ Promise me, you’ll visit at least once a week.”

“ I’ll try my best, Mom.”

JahanAra smiled. 

Watching Shaizaan walk to his room upstairs, her instincts gave uneasy feeling.

“Why Bhopal? Why now?”

She poured herself a glass of water and whispered, “This isn’t just about business. This is about Iram.”

Her lips curved into a thin smile. 

“And if my guess is right, then perhaps fate has already begun its work.”