Yusra leaned slightly to peek toward the sitting area and the second her eyes landed there…

Her soul left her body.

Sitting comfortably beside Zubair on the couch… Were those same two men from Friday evening.

One smiling lazily and the other…The dangerous brown-eyed stranger she had publicly called her boyfriend in the middle of the market, talking to her brother.

Yusra’s entire body froze. “Oh my God.” Panic exploded inside her instantly.

“What is he doing here?” she whispered to herself in horror the only thought that came to her mind in the first place. “Did he come to complain to Abbu?”

“Why?” a voice suddenly came from behind her. “What exactly did you do to him that he would come to complain?”

Yusra flinched so violently she almost screamed.

Turning around, she found Zara standing there, hand on hip and trying not to laugh because her sister-in-law is looking as if she has seen a ghost.

“You scared me!” Yusra smacked her shoulder lightly.

Zara narrowed her eyes suspiciously and asked again, “What did you do?”

Yusra nervously peeked toward the living room again and immediately regretted it.

Because Uzair was already looking directly at her, watching, smirking slightly and Yusra gulped looking at that smirk.

Then instantly grabbed Zara’s wrist and dragged her away. “Come with me.”

“Yusra what happened?”

But Yusra kept dragging her all the way into the kitchen before finally whispering aggressively, “That man outside.”

“Which one?”

“The tall handsome mountain sitting beside bhaijaan.”

Zara blinked once. “…Okay?”

“That day you were too busy drowning in Vincent and Vanessa’s lust story to properly hear me,” Yusra whispered dramatically. “So now listen carefully.”

Zara folded her arms immediately, interested.

“In short,” Yusra continued rapidly, “I called him my boyfriend in the middle of the market to get your bhadwa brother beaten publicly.”

Silence crept into that kitchen and then suddenly… Zara burst out laughing. Actually laughing.

Yusra stared at her in disbelief. “I am in danger and you are laughing?”

Zara held her stomach still laughing her ass off. “You WHAT?”

“He slapped Fahad so hard his soul disconnected from WiFi!”

That only made Zara laugh harder.

Yusra looked deeply offended. “Bhabhijaan focus!”

Finally Zara calmed herself slightly and told her, “Relax, drama queen. He is Zubair’s client.”

Yusra blinked. “What?”

“Your brother invited them for lunch and they are just talking business.”

“…That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

Yusra’s lungs finally started working again. Zara shook her head affectionately. “You overthink too much.”

Yusra exhaled heavily.

“Go freshen up,” Zara said while smiling. “Lunch will be ready soon.”

Yusra nodded weakly and started walking upstairs. Still slightly suspicious. Still slightly terrified. Still replaying Friday evening in her head.

She climbed toward the first floor quietly and the house had grown calmer here. Less noise. Less chaos.

She had just reached near the staircase turning toward the second floor when suddenly a strong hand grabbed her wrist.

Before she could scream, she was pulled sharply into the shadowy space beneath the staircase.

Yusra gasped but before even a single sound would come out of her mouth a large rough finger pressed instantly against her lips.

“Shhh,” a deep voice whispered near her ear. “Do not scream. It’s me.”

Her heart started hammering violently against her ribs.

The small hidden corner beneath the stairs barely had enough light and for a second her eyes struggled adjusting.

Then slowly… She saw him. Those same dark brown eyes from the market watching her again.

Except today….They were smiling. Actually smiling. A dangerous amused spark dancing inside them.

Yusra’s breathing hitched.

Then immediately she slapped his hand away from her mouth. “Have you lost your mind?” She whisper-hissed furiously. “What are you doing here?”

But instead of answering normally…Uzair simply leaned lazily towards her with a hand pressed to the side of her head that made Yusra’s heart go racing.

Completely relaxed. Completely shameless and then with that devastating smirk…He said calmly, “I came to turn your lie into the truth.”

Yusra's brows pulled together in confusion. "...What do you mean?"

Uzair's smile deepened, calm and infuriatingly confident as leaned more towards her. "You know exactly which lie I'm talking about."

Realization flashed across her face and she instantly tried to make him understand, "Look, Bhaijaan..."

"Don't call me that.” he interrupted immediately. “Ever again.”

His voice remained quiet, yet there was enough authority in it to stop her mid-sentence.

For the first time since he had cornered her, Yusra actually fell silent. 

But only for a second.

She folded her arms across her chest, lifted her chin stubbornly, and looked straight into his eyes. "Fine. Whatever. Look, I made a mistake. I was trying to get away from Fahad, so I did something stupid."

"Bhadwa," Uzair corrected casually.

She stared at him. "...Excuse me?"

"Bhadwa. Not Fahad."

Yusra rolled her eyes dramatically. "Fine. Bhadwa. Happy?"

"I wasn't exactly unhappy before."

She let out an irritated breath. "I only did all that to get rid of him. That doesn't mean you were supposed to take it seriously. I even apologized to you. You yourself said it was okay. That day you could've not acted if you wanted to. You didn't. You helped me willingly."

She jabbed a finger toward his chest. "So why are you standing inside my house trying to make my life difficult?"

Uzair didn't even glance at the finger poking his chest. His gaze never left hers. "You lied."

"So?"

"I intend to turn that lie into the truth.".He paused just long enough for the words to sink in. "I came here to make you my girlfriend. End of the discussion."

Silence….then Yusra blinked once and then twice. "...Have you completely lost your mind?"

A slow predatory smile spread across his face. "Yes." He leaned a little closer. "Someone made me."

Yusra scoffed loudly. "Oh please." She crossed her arms tighter. "Should I call Abbu? Or maybe Bhaijaan? They'll throw you out of this house with their shoes beating up your useless head that has been not working properly."

Uzair looked almost amused. "Go ahead." His shoulders lifted in an indifferent shrug. "Call them."

She frowned at his over confidence but his next words almost took her breath away.

"But then you'll have to tell them everything."

Her confidence faltered for the briefest second. "...What exactly do you mean?"

"You'll have to tell them that in the middle of a crowded market..." He counted on his fingers. "...you called a complete stranger your boyfriend. You held his hand. You hugged him. You made him beat Fahad aka your former fiance aka cousin." Then he smiled again. "And if words aren't convincing enough..."

His hand disappeared into his pocket. "I can always show them the video."

"...Video?” Yusra's eyes widened. "What video?"

"What?" Uzair asked, almost innocently. "You thought a scene that big happened in the middle of a market and nobody recorded it?" He chuckled. "These days people would rather record a fight than stop one."

He pulled out his phone lazily.."I made sure that video never got circulated." His thumb tapped lightly against the phone. "I had everyone delete it right there.".Then he looked back at her. "But for the memory of our first meeting……I kept one copy."

Yusra stared at the phone as if it were a ticking bomb. "You..."

Uzair unlocked the screen. "Should I show you?" A thoughtful expression crossed his face. "No..." He shook his head. "Not you."

His eyes gleamed with mischief. "Let's show everyone downstairs." He looked toward the staircase. "The television in the living room is quite big."

Yusra's heartbeat skipped. "Are you insane?" She grabbed his wrist before he could even take one step. "Don't you dare."

He looked down at the hand gripping him then back at her. "So…..My girlfriend?"

She immediately let go as if burned. "This is blackmail."

"No. This is negotiation."

"I don't negotiate."

"You already did."

"When?" She threw her hands in the air in disbelief.

"The day you introduced me as your boyfriend."

Yusra glared so hard she looked ready to punch him. "Nothing like that is ever happening. Leave."

Uzair remained exactly where he was. "I didn't come here to leave." His voice stayed calm. "I came here to leave with a girlfriend."

"You are impossible." She growled.

But that growl only made something awaken inside Uzair. He leaned closer towards her and whispered softly against the shell of her ear that raised goosebumps on her entire body.

"So I've been told."

His hot breath when hot against her soft skin as he said those four words Yusra's entire body stiffed and she felt something in the pit of her stomach because the huskiness in his voice was something that she never felt before.

But she composed herself real quick and shoved him hard. He barely moved. It was like trying to push a concrete wall.

Yusra looked offended. "You think you'll say a few ridiculous lines and I'll suddenly agree?"

"I don't expect you to." He answered so calmly that it annoyed her even more. "I want you to become my girlfriend so you get the chance to know me." He held her gaze steadily. "Understand me. I want to give you time." He paused. "Otherwise…. I had another option."

She narrowed her eyes. "What option?"

"I could've sent a marriage proposal." His expression never changed. "And not just any proposal. One that would've been very difficult to refuse."

Yusra burst into an unbelieving laugh. "Oh really?" She folded her arms again. "What are you? Some legendary family whose proposal nobody rejects?" She smirked. "I rejected that bhadwa Fahad's proposal. What makes you think you're any different?"

"I am different." His answer came instantly. "I'm not Fahad and my proposal won't be rejected."

Yusra lifted her chin proudly. "My father would never force me into a marriage. If I refuse, he'll stand by me and I will never say yes to your proposal.”

Uzair inclined his head ever so slightly. "I know." A tiny smile touched his lips. "But what happens......when your grandmother says yes?"

Yusra's forehead creased. "What?"

"Unfortunately for you...My grandmother and your grandmother are distant cousins." He spoke as though discussing the weather. "I won't even have to work very hard. One phone call to my grandmother. She'll call yours in Hyderabad and when two old sisters decide a marriage should happen..." His eyes settled on hers. "...you know as well as I do that your father won't refuse his mother."

Yusra simply stared at him. For several seconds her mind struggled to process how this conversation had spiraled so far beyond normal.

Then she let out a dry laugh. "I don't get scared because of anyone's father." She stepped closer until barely a foot separated them. "I'm definitely not getting scared of your baseless nonsence."

Uzair's expression remained composed. "I'm not threatening you." His voice softened just enough to sound sincere. "I'm giving you a chance." He looked directly into her eyes. "Be my girlfriend. Get to know me. Understand me. If, after giving me that chance, you still don't like me...I'll walk away from your life myself. No pressure. No force.”

Yusra looked at him for a long moment then she laughed once. Coldly. "I don't have time for your nonsense."

She planted both palms against his chest and shoved him with all the strength she had.

This time he took one deliberate step backward. Not because she had managed to overpower him. Simply because he allowed it.

Yusra shot him one last glare. "And stay away from me. Otherwise… You know what I have done to that bhadwa." She deliberately looked down at her feet towards her sandals. “I won't hesitate to do the same with you.”

Without waiting for another word, she turned on her heel and walked away with her head held high.

Not once did she look back.

Only after she disappeared around the staircase did Uzair let out a quiet chuckle.

He watched the empty corridor for another moment before raising two fingers to his forehead in a lazy salute toward the direction she had left. "Challenge accepted."

Then he slipped his phone back into his pocket, adjusted the cuff of his watch, and calmly walked downstairs wearing the same composed expression as if nothing at all had happened upstairs as though he had done nothing more than excuse himself to use the washroom.

He settled onto the sofa with the same relaxed posture as before, crossing one leg over the other.

"...So as I was saying," Zubair continued, sliding another file toward him.

Uzair's attention shifted to the documents without missing a beat. "I understand your concern," he replied evenly. "But that clause will create problems later. We should revise it."

The conversation flowed naturally. Numbers. Contracts. Investments. Business.

Nothing about the man sitting there suggested that barely two minutes earlier he had cornered a girl beneath the staircase of her own house and calmly informed her that she was going to become his girlfriend.

Across from him, Zaid glanced at his best friend before smiling to himself. The man looked perfectly composed. Perfectly normal. Not even a single strand of hair was out of place.

Meanwhile...

The moment Yusra entered her bedroom, she shut the door behind her with a loud thud and leaned against it.

Her heart pounded so violently she could hear it echoing in her ears.

She pressed a hand against her chest and inhaled deeply. "Ya Allah..."

She squeezed her eyes shut. "What just happened?"

The next second she pushed herself away from the door and started pacing around the room.

"What kind of disaster have I walked into?" She pulled her hair in frustration. "I was trying to escape Fahad and somehow I ended up attracting something even worse."

She took two steps then stopped and turned around then started pacing again.

"Is that man even normal? He met me in the market. Today he's inside my house." She pointed dramatically toward the door. "At this rate tomorrow I'll find him sitting in the staff room at my school drinking tea."

She grabbed both sides of her head. "Ya Allah… He's even clingier than Fahad." She paused. "...No." She shook her head immediately. "Not clingy. He is a certified disaster and congratulations Yusra bibi you put that disaster around your neck like a noose.”

She had barely completed another lap around the room when someone knocked on the door and Yusra froze.

"Oh no..." Her eyes widened. "Please don't tell me he found my room too."

Another knock followed.

This time Zara's voice came from outside. "Yusra? Where are you? Come downstairs. Lunch is ready."

Yusra closed her eyes in relief. "Thank God..." Then she answered through the door. "Bhabhijaan... I'm not hungry."

"Not hungry?" Zara sounded genuinely confused. "Five minutes ago you said you were starving."

"I'm... not anymore."

"Open the door." Zara knocked.

"No."

"Yusra."

"I mean it. I'm not hungry." Yusra tried to make her understand.

Another knock. "Either you open the door or I'm calling Zubair."

Yusra pulled a face before unlocking it and the moment the door opened, Zara looked her up and down. "What happened?"

"Nothing."

"Then why aren't you coming for lunch?"

Yusra looked away. "He's downstairs."

Zara bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing. "Relax. He isn't here to complain about you."

Yusra sighed inwardly. ‘If only complaining had been the reason.’ Out loud she simply muttered, "I'm really not hungry."

Zara caught her wrist. "Enough drama. Come with me.”

Before Yusra could protest again, Zara dragged her downstairs.

Everyone had already gathered around the dining table.

As they entered, Zubair looked up. "There you are." He smiled. "Come here."

Yusra forced the most polite smile she could manage before walking over.

Zubair gestured toward the two guests. "Yusra, you haven't met them yet." Her heartbeat instantly doubled.

Of course she had and far more intimately than anyone at this table could imagine. But she still smiled politely.

Zubair continued. "This is Mr. Uzair Chaudhary and this is his friend, Zaid."

Yusra folded her hand politely. "Assalamu Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam," Zaid replied warmly.

Uzair rose from his chair. For a brief moment, their eyes met. His expression was perfectly civil. Perfectly respectful. As though this truly was their first meeting.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Yusra." His lips curved ever so slightly. "Your brother talked too much about you..." He paused just enough for only her to notice. "...it feels like we've already known you."

Yusra's pulse skipped. Only she caught the hidden amusement glittering in his brown eyes.

She forced a polite smile and to everyone else, it sounded like harmless conversation.

To Yusra… It felt like a direct attack. She smiled through clenched teeth.

Zara made Yusra sit beside her and the moment Yusra looked up… Her heart stalled again.

Directly across the table… Sat Uzair. A plate full of food rested in front of him. But his attention… Remained entirely on her.

Yusra immediately lowered her gaze. She deliberately began rearranging the rice on her plate with her spoon.

One bite. Two bites. Three. Then she felt it. He was still looking.

She gathered enough courage to glance up for just a second.

He hadn't moved. That same faint smile rested on his lips. As though silently asking, ‘So…? Have you decided?’

Yusra immediately looked away and reached for her glass of water but her hand trembled just enough for the glass to lightly hit the table.

And as that slight clink echoed everyone looked toward her.

"You alright?" Her mother asked.

"Yes." She answered a little too quickly. "My hand slipped. Sorry Ammi."

Nobody questioned it.

Except Uzair. He didn't say a single word. He simply looked at her once more. This time his eyes clearly said, ‘I'm waiting.’

Yusra clenched her jaw.

‘Eat your food instead of interviewing people with your eyes,’ she muttered silently to herself.

The entire lunch passed with Yusra making one determined effort. Do not look at him. Not even once.

And Uzair… Almost seemed to enjoy testing her resolve.

He picked up his water. Set down his fork. Answered Zubair's questions. Spoke to Zaid. Spoke to her father even had a very friendly conversation with Zayan as if he is his long lost friend. Smiled politely at Zara and her mother.

Yet every few minutes… His eyes found Yusra again. Without any fail.

Eventually lunch came to an end.

Zubair walked both guests toward the front gate and hiding behind the drawing room curtains, Yusra secretly watched.

The black SUV slowly disappeared through the gates. Only then did she finally release the breath she had been holding.

"Alhamdulillah...The disaster has finally left."

She hurried upstairs toward her room. The second she stepped inside… Her phone vibrated.

Unknown Number.

She frowned before opening the message.

‘So... what did you decide?’

Yusra stared at the screen. “What the Fuck?” Her first thought was immediate. "Where on earth did he get my number?"

As though he had heard the question inside her head… Another message arrived.

‘You're wondering how I got your number, aren't you?’

Yusra's mouth slowly fell open. "Can this man read minds too?"

Almost instantly another text appeared.

‘If I can find my way into your house...Finding your phone number wasn't exactly difficult.’

She blocked his number without replying.

And two seconds later...

Another vibration came with a new number. ‘Ignoring me won't change my question.’

Her eyes widened in disbelief but without giving a single thought she blocked it again.

But exactly a moment later another message with another unknown number again popped up on her phone screen.

‘Think about it until tonight. I'll ask you again tomorrow morning.’

Without wasting another second… Yusra blocked the number again.

Exactly three seconds later… Her phone vibrated again. Another unknown number.

She opened it with a groan.

‘Did you really think blocking numbers would make me give up?’

‘Block as many as you like. I'll simply text you from another one.’

Yusra stared at the message for several long seconds. Then dramatically threw the phone onto the bed.

"Ya Allah..."

She collapsed beside it and covered her face with both hands. "Is this man a human being.....or an entire telecom company?"

For quite a while, the poor girl remained in a state of panic. She was furious. A part of her wanted to smash his head in, but she knew this was a disaster she had brought upon herself. More than anyone else, she was angry at herself.

She spent a long time cursing herself, muttering every insult she could think of at Uzair. After wallowing in her misery for a while, she finally picked up her laptop and got to work.

No matter what was happening in her personal life, she had to finish her book and send it to her publisher as soon as possible. Thousands of readers were waiting for the next installment, and she couldn't afford to let her personal problems affect her work.

But the moment she sat down to write, she froze.

She couldn't bring herself to write a romantic-erotic scene between Vincent and Vanessa.

Something that had once been second nature to her now felt impossible. Every idea seemed unsuitable. Every scene felt repetitive. Nothing she wrote felt right anymore.

Everytime she tries to think of something or anything to write nothing romantic is coming to mind besides Uzair's hot breath against her skin when he was whispering against her ear.

Suddenly she felt that same knot in the put of her stomach that she felt this afternoon when Uzair was whispering against her ear.

Is this what she writers about, the butterflies?

"No! Fucking way!" Groaning in frustration, Yusra buried her fingers in her hair, tugging at it as she cursed Uzair under her breath. This was all his fault. She couldn't concentrate. Every passing second, she kept expecting another call from an unknown number. The constant anxiety was driving her insane, and she felt as though she was on the verge of tears.

Just then, her bedroom door flew open.

Zayan came running in.

“Phupho!” he exclaimed excitedly. “I finish all my homewolk! Will you take me fol ice cream? I did evelything without youl help!”

The moment Yusra saw him, all her worries melted away.

She pulled him into her arms and covered his chubby cheeks with kisses.

“Come on,” she said with a smile. “Today, I'll buy you two ice creams.”

Zayan for a second was a little taken aback by what happened to his aunt suddenly. The woman who's ready to punish him for everything is now agreeing to buy him two ice creams and that too without any negotiations or conditions.

But he recovered soon, his face lit up with excitement.

Taking his little hand in hers, Yusra led him out of the room.

Because, at that moment… She needed the distraction just as much as he wanted the ice cream.