“Try dating him."

“ABSOLUTELY NOT!” Yusra screamed horrified. "Are you my Bhabhi or his? You've completely lost your mind."

"No." Zara sat down comfortably. "I'm being practical. Look, he's handsome. He's rich. He's interested in you and most importantly, within a few days, you'll know exactly how he treats you.”

Yusra remained silent and was looking at her sister-in-law with such an expression as if she was uttering complete nonsense.

Zara's expression softened. “You've always wanted to avoid an arranged marriage, haven't you? That's why you rejected Fahad Bhaijaan's proposal in the first place.” 

Yusra didn't answer.

"So why not give this a chance when an interesting life is being offered to you? You're not promising him anything. You're not agreeing to marry him. You're simply getting to know him." Zara stood.

"If it doesn't work, he already told you he'll leave." She reached the door. "And if it does..." A small smile appeared on her face. "At least you won't have to marry a complete stranger."

Yusra stared at her with her mouth slightly open.

Zara opened the door and then turned to look at her. "Oh, and one more thing."

Yusra looked up.

"Don't let your stubbornness make your decision for you." Then she walked out.

The door closed behind her and for the first time in three days...Yusra had absolutely nothing to say.

She slowly sat down on the edge of her bed. Her gaze dropped to the floor. Her mind replayed every word Zara had said.

Try.

Just try.

Get to know him.

If it doesn't work, he'll leave.

If it does...

She frowned. "No." She shook her head. "Absolutely not."

A few seconds passed. Then another thought appeared. "...But what if?"

She immediately shook it away. "No."

She stood up and started pacing. "He's insane." One lap. "He literally came into my house." Another lap. "He keeps changing numbers. Does he have a phone sim factory or what?" Another. "He blackmailed me with a stupid video."

She stopped. Then quietly admitted, "...But he did protect me from that Bhadwa."

Then she remembered the way Fahad had started avoiding her. The way he had changed his route whenever he saw her.

For the first time in years, she had walked through school without constantly looking over her shoulder.

Uzair had actually kept his promise. He had protected her without asking for anything in return.

Except this.

A chance.

She frowned. "And he never actually hurt me." She sat down again. "He could have taken advantage of the situation that day. He didn't." She stared at the ceiling. "And he said he'll give me time."

Silence answered her but her fingers twisted together. "What if Zara Bhabhijaan is right?" 

She immediately shook her head. "No." Then after a pause mumbled, "Maybe."

She fell backward onto her pillow and turned onto her other side. "But he's still completely insane."

She pulled the blanket over herself then threw it away.

"Who enters someone's house like that?" Another turn. "Who sends messages from ten different numbers?" Another turn. "Who calls someone sweetheart after meeting her twice?" She sat up. "Who even does that?"

Yusra stared at the darkness. Then, very quietly, she admitted to herself, "But..."

Then again immediately stopped. "No." She shook her head. "I'm not thinking about that. Absolutely not."

She lay down again.

Five minutes later, she sat back up. "Maybe one chance."

Her eyes widened at her own words. "No! Yusra have you gone mad?"

She buried her face in the pillow. "Why am I even considering this?" She rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling.

The more she tried not to think about Uzair, the more clearly his face appeared in her mind.

His calm eyes. That irritating smirk. The way he had stood in front of her beneath the staircase as though her entire house belonged to him. The way he had looked at her when he said he wanted to know her and worst of all… The way he had promised that if she didn't like him after giving him a chance, he would leave.

Yusra pulled the blanket up to her chin. "Maybe..." She stopped herself again. "Maybe I should just see a psychiatrist."

She again turned over and screamed in pillow. “Maybe I should talk to him?”

Her heart gave an uneasy little beat. She immediately frowned. "No. Tomorrow I'll decide."

She closed her eyes and a few seconds passed. Then she opened them again. "Or maybe I'll decide the day after tomorrow." Another pause. "Or never." She groaned. "What if Bhabhijaan was right?”

Her eyes widened at her own thought. "No!"

She sat back up again. "Why am I even considering this?" She grabbed her pillow and hugged it tightly. "Is this man actually crazy? Or...Am I the one going crazy?"

She lay down, turned onto one side then the other..Five minutes later, she was on her back again..She pulled the blanket over herself then kicked it away and then again pulled it back.

She grabbed her phone. Stared at the screen and there were no new messages.

For some reason...That irritated her even more. She tossed the phone aside. "Why hasn't he texted?"

She froze.

"...Wait." Her eyes widened. "Why am I waiting for his message?" She immediately grabbed the pillow and buried her face into it. "No. This is bad."

Very bad.

She turned over again. "One chance." Her voice was barely a whisper. "Just one." She stared at the ceiling. "I'll get to know him. That's all.".A pause.."If he's as crazy as I think he is...I'll walk away." Another pause. "And if he's not..." She stopped herself.

"No." She pulled the blanket up to her chin. "I'm not thinking about that."

Three minutes later….She was still thinking about exactly that and the entire night passed with Yusra changing her mind every few minutes.

No.

Maybe.

Absolutely not.

Perhaps.

Never.

Just one chance.

Maybe.

By dawn, she had reached exactly one conclusion.

She still didn't know what she was going to do. But for the first time… She wasn't completely certain that the answer would be no.

Meanwhile... the night had settled quietly over Mumbai.

Uzair stepped out of his car, his phone still in his hand.

For a moment, his thumb hovered over Yusra's contact. He had been about to text her. 

Something simple. ‘Good night, sweetheart.’

But then he stopped himself and a faint smile touched his lips. "No." He locked his phone. 

For all his shameless persistence during the day, there was one thing Uzair was surprisingly particular about.

He didn't want to ruin her sleep.

If she had finally managed to get some peace after spending the entire day being irritated by him, he would let her have the night. Tomorrow was another matter.

He slipped his phone into his pocket and walked toward the mansion, a quiet smile still lingering on his face.

The moment he entered the living room, he found Hiba Begum sitting there waiting for him as always.

The elderly woman looked up the moment she heard his footsteps and immediately noticed the smile.

Her eyes narrowed playfully and a soft smile touched her lips. "Subah se itne mand mand muskura rahe ho, kya baat hai? (Why have you been smiling so mysteriously since morning? What's the matter?)”

Uzair's smile disappeared instantly. "Nothing, Dadijaan."

Hiba Begum raised an eyebrow. "Nothing?"

"Zaid send me a stupid joke." He lied smoothly.

She stared at him for a moment. "Really?”

Uzair nodded with complete seriousness. “Yes.”

Hiba Begum smiled knowingly. "Jhoot bolna bahut ache se seekh gae ho. (You've gotten really good at lying.)”

Uzair chuckled under his breath.

She stood slowly with a soft smile lingering on her lips while saying, "Chalo, khana kha lo. Kab se tumhara intezar kar rahi hoon. Tumhara Ghar ane jane ka koi waqt hi nhi hai. (Come on, have some dinner. I've been waiting for you for so long. You never have any fixed time for coming home.)”

Uzair sighed defeatedly. "Dadijaan, aap roz mera intezar kyun karti hain? Aap so jaya karein. Aaram kiya karein. Main khud kha sakta hoon. (Dadijaan, why do you wait for me every day? You should go to sleep and get some rest. I can eat by myself.)"

Hiba Begum gave him an affectionate look. "Haan, tum kha sakte ho. Lekin loge nahi, ye bhi jaanti hoon. (Yes, you can eat on your own. But I also know you won't actually eat properly.)”  She walked toward the dining room. "Main nahi chahti mera bachcha bhookhe pet soye. (I don't want my child going to bed hungry.)”

A small smile appeared on Uzair's face because his grandmother never let him feel the absence of his mother. He followed her quietly.

then asked while sitting on the chair, "Apke Allah ne aapko mujhe itna spoil karne ki ijazat kab di? (When did your Allah give you permission to spoil me this much?)”

Hiba Begum laughed softly while caressing his head lovingly. "Jis din tumhari Ammi ne pehli baar tumhe meri godh mei diya. (The day your Ammi placed you in my arms for the very first time.)”

And started serving him herself like always.

Uzair reached for her hand and kissed the back of it. "Thank you, Dadijaan."

She smiled and picked up a little food with her fingers before holding the first bite toward him. "Munh kholo. (Now open your mouth.)"

Uzair obediently leaned forward and ate it then said,  "That's enough. I'll eat now.”

Hiba Begum shook her head. "Do niwale apni dadi ke haath se kha lene se tumhari shaan kam nahi ho jayegi. (Eating a couple of bites from your grandmother's hand won't diminish your dignity.)”

Uzair smiled and took another bite. "Shayad meri shaan nahi, aapka laad badh jayega. (Perhaps not my dignity, but your pampering will increase.)”

She laughed. "Bilkul. (Absolutely.)”

“Now, I'll eat myself, Dadijaan, please go and rest.” Uzair requested.

After making sure he had eaten enough, Hiba Begum finally stood. "Now eat peacefully.”

She leaned down and kissed his forehead. "Allah tumhe hamesha khush rakhe. (May Allah always keep you happy.)”

"Ameen." He said smiling.

She turned toward the hallway, but after taking only a few steps, she suddenly stopped and then she turned around. "Achha, is jumme ko mere saath chaloge? (By the way, will you come with me this Friday?)”

Uzair immediately looked up and denied instantly. "Dadijaan, wherever you have to go, please take Badshah or Zaid with you. I'm not going anywhere.”

Before Hiba could answer, a deep voice came from behind them.

"Jahan tumhari dadi ja rahi hain, wahan Badshah le jaane layak nahi hai. (Where your grandmother is going, Badshah is not suitable company to take along.)”

Uzair raised his eyes and there Shamsher Chaudhary was standing near the entrance, his walking stick resting firmly in one hand.

Uzair sighed. "Dadajaan..."

Shamsher walked closer and said firmly because he's aware of Badshah’s reputation very well. “No, you are going with her.”

Uzair immediately shook his head. “Take zaid.”

Shamsher gave him a firm look. "Tum hi jaoge. Tumhari dadi shaadi mein ja rahi hain. (You are going. Your grandmother is going to a wedding.)” He paused deliberately.

"Kya pata wahan tumhe koi ladki pasand aa jaye. Ya kisi ladki ke maa-baap ko tum pasand aa jao. (Who knows? Maybe you will like some girl there. Or perhaps some girl's parents will like you.) We want you to get settled.”

Hiba Begum smiled. "Har ladki ke maa-baap ko toh ye pasand aa hi jaate hain. Bas ise koi ladki pasand nahi aati. (Every girl's parents end up liking him anyway. It's just that he never seems to like any girl.)”

Shamsher nodded. "Bas yahi masla hai. (That's exactly the problem.)”

Uzair leaned back in his chair. "Dadajaan, Dadijaan... I'm not going anywhere." He looked between them. "Please. Aap dono jaiye, aaram se. Raat bahut ho gayi hai. (Please. You two go comfortably. It's already very late.)”

His tone made it very clear that the discussion was over.

Hiba Begum looked at Shamsher. Shamsher looked at Hiba. Both exchanged the same defeated expression.

Hiba sighed. "Chalo ji."

Shamsher shook his head. "Is ladke ka kuch nahi ho sakta. (Nothing can be done about this boy.)”

Uzair smiled innocently. "Allah Hafiz. (Good night.)”

The two elders finally disappeared toward their room, muttering about their impossible grandson.

Uzair watched them leave with an amused smile before returning to his dinner.

But the moment he was alone again, his hand instinctively moved toward his pocket.

His phone.

He pulled it out. The screen lit up and Yusra's photograph appeared.

That same photograph.

That same stubborn girl standing in the middle of the market, when she was glaring at Fahad as though the entire world had personally offended her.

Uzair's expression softened instantly. His thumb brushed lightly over the screen.

His grandparents' words echoed in his mind. ‘Maybe you will like some girl.’

A quiet smile appeared. "I don't need to go anywhere looking for one." His gaze remained fixed on Yusra. "I already found mine."

He leaned back slightly while talking to the photo as if telling Yusra herself and she's listening.

"But I'm not telling these two yet." His smile deepened. “Not until you say yes."

He locked the phone and stood. But before leaving the dining room, he suddenly remembered something.

His hand slipped into the inner pocket of his jacket and pulled out a velvet box which he had bought earlier that day.

He opened it and inside lay a delicate pair of Jhumkas (earrings).

Nothing overly extravagant. Just elegant enough to suit her.

Uzair stared at them quietly. He remembered seeing them in a jewellery shop earlier. He was walking past without much interest.

Then he had seen the earrings again and immediately he had pictured Yusra wearing them.

Her hair falling around her face. Those hazel eyes narrowed in irritation. Her head shaking furiously while she argued with someone and these beautiful jhumkas moving with her head and kissing her cheeks.

He could almost hear her voice. ‘Bhadwa!’

A quiet laugh escaped him. He gently picked up one earring between his fingers.

He imagined it against her ear. The little movement of her head whenever she became annoyed. The way the earrings would catch the light beside her face. For some reason, the thought pleased him far more than it should have.

"These will look good on you, my rebellious little queen."

He brought the jhumka closer and pressed a soft kiss against the edge of it before keeping it back carefully in the box.

They were hers.

Even if she didn't know it yet.

Uzair placed the box safely inside the drawer beside his bed, then picked up his phone once again and Yusra's photograph appeared.

He smiled. There was something almost ridiculous about the way his mind had begun collecting little things for her without her even knowing.

Plans.

Places.

Gifts.

A future he hadn't even been invited into yet and somehow, he had already started making room for her in it.

He looked at her picture one last time. "Just give me a little time, Yusra." His voice was barely above a whisper. "I'll make you understand why I chose you." A faint smile curved across his lips. "And once you do..."

He locked the phone and placed it carefully on the bedside table. "...you won't want anyone else either."

With that, Uzair finally turned off the lights and closed his eyes.

For the first time that night, the most feared man in the country looked completely at peace.

Because somewhere in Lucknow, a stubborn girl was probably still awake, arguing with herself about him.

And strangely...That thought alone was enough to make him smile.

The next morning, Yusra woke up feeling as though she had barely slept at all.

Her mind had refused to quiet down the entire night.

Every time she closed her eyes, one particular face appeared in her thoughts.

Those dark brown eyes. That irritatingly calm voice. That stupid smirk and those endless messages.

By the time she finally got out of bed, she was already exhausted.

She freshened up, changed into a simple outfit and went downstairs for breakfast.

The dining room was already lively.

Her mother, Shabnam, was sitting at the table while her father, Amir, was helping himself to breakfast. Zayan was sitting beside him, happily eating while occasionally trying to smuggle his fruits he doesn’t like into his grandfather's plate.

The moment Amir noticed Yusra entering, his expression softened. “Aa gai meri Shehzadi. (Here comes my princess.)

Yusra’s face lit up the moment she heard her father's voice and she ran towards him,  "Assalamu Alaikum, Abbu."

"Walaikum Assalam, Meri jaan." Amir kissed her forehead and she took an empty seat beside him.

Amir looked at her carefully and noticed her solemn expression. For a few seconds, he said nothing then he reached over and gently pulled her into a brief embrace. "What happened to my girl?"

Yusra blinked. "What?"

He pulled back and studied her face. "I've been noticing you for the past few days." His brows furrowed with concern. "You look tired and distracted. Very distracted."

Yusra immediately looked down at her plate. "Nothing happened, Abbu."

"Are you sure?" Her father asked, concerned.

"Yes." She lied.

"Did something happen at school?"

"Everything is fine." She assured him with a smile.

But Amir didn't look convinced. "Then why does my daughter look like she hasn't slept properly in days?"

Yusra forced a small laugh. "Because there are some new children in school and they cry a lot."

Amir's expression softened slightly. "Ah."

"It gets exhausting sometimes," she admitted. "You know how little children are. One starts crying, then another one starts crying because the first one is crying."

Amir chuckled. "Sounds chaotic."

"It is." She finally smiled properly. "But I love my job, Papa. You know that. I genuinely love being around those children."

"I know."

"Sometimes it just gets a little overwhelming."

Amir reached over and gently patted her hand. "Then you need to take care of yourself too, beta."

"I do."

"It doesn't look like it to me.” Amir said with a soft smile. “If anything happened other than your students in the school you know you can share with me. I'll talk to your phuphi.”

Yusra smiled. “Nothing happened, Abbu. So please chill and if you are so worried toh apne is chuhe ke kaan khinchiye. (then just pull this little rat's ears.)” She pointed accusingly at Zayan.

Poor Zayan's Nutella toast slipped right out of his hand. His eyes widened in horror, and he immediately shook his head vigorously, looking at his grandfather. In the most innocent little whisper, he pleaded,

“No, Daddu...Maine tuch ni tiya (I didn't do anything.) God plomise...”

“He lies, Abbu,” Yusra immediately accused him. “The entire class doesn't trouble me half as much as this one boy does.”

“No, Dadu...” Zayan kept repeating, shaking his head so hard in denial that Amir, who had been watching him, burst out laughing. Soon, everyone else joined in.

Poor Zayan looked as though he was on the verge of tears.

Seeing his little face, Shabnam immediately pulled him into her arms and kissed the top of his head. “I know how well-behaved my Zayan is.”

“Thant you, Dadijaan,” he whispered meekly, sniffling into her embrace and Amir pulled Yusra into his embrace.

For a moment, Yusra simply sat there beside him. The warmth of her father's presence eased something inside her chest.

Maybe she really was overthinking everything. Maybe things would settle down. Maybe...

Her phone suddenly vibrated against the table.

Yusra froze. She didn't even look at the screen. She immediately turned the phone face down and silenced it.

Amir glanced at it. "Who is it?"

Yusra didn't miss a beat. "Aastha."

"Aastha this early in the morning?"

Yusra nodded casually. "She's asking when I'm coming to school."

Amir smiled. "You two have been inseparable since childhood."

From the other side of the table, Shabnam shook her head. "I honestly don't know how you two girls are going to survive after marriage."

Yusra almost choked on her juice. "Ammi..."

"What?"

"You've started again."

Her mother looked completely innocent. "What did I say? I only mentioned it because you keep rejecting good proposals."

"You mention it every day."

Amir chuckled. "Let her eat."

Her mother ignored him. "You two cannot spend a single day without talking to each other. I wonder how you will live once you both get married."

Amir casually picked up his tea. "Simple."

His wife looked at him. "What?"

"We'll find two good boys and marry them into the same family."

Yusra stared at him. "Abbu!"

Zara and Zubair both laughed.

Amir grinned. "What? I'm only solving the problem."

"I don't want to get married right now." Yusra said, “So please no more discussions on this topic.”

Her mother immediately sighed. "Not now, then when?"

"Ammi..."

"There are so many good proposals coming..."

"Please….."

"You won't even consider any of them….."

"Ammi, can I please just eat my breakfast?"

Amir finally intervened. "Enough." His tone remained gentle, but firm. "Let her eat, Shabnam Begum."

Her mother sighed dramatically. "Fine."

Yusra gave her father a grateful look. "Thank you."

He smiled. "Eat."

She finally relaxed again and continued her breakfast.

Then her mother suddenly spoke again. "Oh, and don't make plans for this evening."

Yusra looked up. "Why?"

"We're going shopping."

"For what?"

Her mother stared at her in disbelief. "Have you forgotten your Khala's daughter's wedding?"

Yusra blinked. "Oh."

"Exactly. Oh." Shabnam sighed. "And I already spoke to your Phuppi."

Yusra looked at her in confusion. "About what?"

"Your leave." Zara said this time. “You have a week off from school."

Yusra's eyes widened slightly. "Really?"

Her mother nodded. "We're leaving tomorrow morning for Delhi."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

Yusra sat back and for a moment, she didn't say anything.

Then a tiny sense of relief settled inside her. A week away. A wedding. Family. Shopping. Endless functions. People. Noise.

Means distraction.

Maybe that was exactly what she needed. Something to keep her mind occupied. Something that would stop her from thinking about a certain irritating man every five minutes.

"Okay," she said softly.

Her mother smiled. "Good. So don't make any plans for this evening. We have a lot to do."

Yusra nodded. "I'll be ready."

And for the first time in days, she actually felt like she could breathe.

Maybe a week away would help. Maybe she'd finally stop thinking about Uzair. Maybe she'd finally get some peace.

She had no idea how quickly that hope was going to be tested.