Mumma Bajwa threw her hands in the air, exasperated. 'Ki gall hai? Tussi taan sab toh vadh dost ho, eh taan sab toh vadh Changi gall hai na?'"("What's the problem? You're best friends, isn't that the best thing?")

"Khala, assi bas dost haan, te dosti te pyaar vich farak hunda hai." Shubman frustratedly explained. (Khala, we're just friends, and there's a difference between love and friendship,")

Mumma Gill spoke, trying to make her point. "Par beta, dosti hi te pyaar di buniyad hai. Agar tuhade vich dosti hai, te pyaar v ho sakda hai." ("But son, friendship is the foundation of love. If there is friendship between you, then love is possible too.")

Noor was about to argue when Papa Gill raised his hands in the air, stopping her. "Wait, Noori,' he said firmly. "We'll give you both half an hour. Go upstairs and decide."

With an angry sigh, Shubman pulled Noor's hand, leading her upstairs. "Let's go, kudiye," he said sharply, not waiting for her response as he closed the door behind them in Noor's room. Noor stood there, feeling hurt by all the denials from him downstairs. Shubman ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

"Noori, you know... I know it's just friendship," he began, holding her shoulders. "And something like marriage with you... it's not something I imagine." As he uttered the words, the remaining pieces of her heart shattered.

Noor nodded, biting her lips to control her tears. Seeing her nod, Shubman yanked his hands down, frustration evident as he clenched his fists. "But why are they not understanding?" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with frustration and confusion.

Noor looked up at Shubman, her eyes filled with sorrow. "I don't know, Kaake," she whispered softly. "Sometimes, people just don't see things the way we do. Maybe they'll understand eventually."

Shubman let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I hope so, Noori. I hope so," he murmured, his voice heavy with uncertainty.

As Shubman sat on the bed, huffing in frustration, Noor moved closer and sat beside him, intertwining their fingers. "You don't have to stress out," she said gently, trying to reassure him. "You have an ODI series coming up next week. Practice for that and use it as an excuse for the delay."

Shubman breathed heavily, his mind weighed down by conflicting emotions. "Noori, the answer should be no once and for all," he replied, his voice tinged with resignation. "I know our parents are stubborn. If we delay, they might have more time to convince us otherwise."

Shubman laid his head on Noor's shoulders, exhausted, and closed his eyes. "You know, Noori, you've been my entire childhood and teenage years," he began softly, his voice laden with emotion. "But there's someone out there who's waiting to be the rest of my life."

Noor's breath hitched as she listened to his words, her heart sinking with each syllable. She gulped, looking away to conceal the tears welling up in her eyes as she processed the information. Shubman continued, his voice steady but heavy with meaning, "You asked why I always go to Mumbai first. Well, there's someone waiting for me there, someone I want to hold in my arms for the rest of my life."

Noor gathered her courage, her voice still betraying the turmoil of her emotions as she spoke. Her words came out small, almost hesitant. "Well, who's the lucky girl?"

With a blush rising on his cheeks and a smile adorning his face, Shubman paused for a moment as he imagined her beautiful face, picturing her smile adorned with brown lipstick, the image etched in his mind. "Ghazal," he said softly, his voice filled with affection. He repeated her name, almost as if savouring the sound, "Ghazal Raichandani."

Noor's voice trembled slightly as she asked in a small voice, "The heiress of Raichandani Couture?" She had always envisioned herself achieving fame like them, selling her designs and capturing women's hearts. But what she never imagined was the heiress of the couture stealing her lover's heart.

Shubman opened his eyes, nodding with a soft smile as he rested his chin on Noor's shoulder, holding her hands gently. "Yes, the very same," he replied, his voice filled with admiration. With a fond smile, he began to describe Ghazal, painting her as the epitome of perfection.

"Ghazal," he began, his voice filled with admiration, "is like a painting come to life. Like strands of midnight silk, her hair cascades down her shoulders, framing her delicate features. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of emerald green, hold a captivating allure that draws you in, yet hints at a mysterious depth. Her lips, full and inviting, curve into a smile that could charm even the most hardened souls."

He continued, each word dripping with reverence, "Her presence exudes confidence and grace, like a queen reigning over her kingdom. And yet, there's a fire within her, a boldness that refuses to be tamed. She's like a rose with thorns, beautiful yet formidable."

Noor smiled softly, though sadness lingered in the depths of her eyes, depths even she couldn't fathom. Running her hands through his hair, she asked, "How long have you been together?"

He bit his lip, blushing as he looked into Noor's blue eyes. "It's been one year," he confessed softly. "And, Noori, I love her so damn much. No words can describe it."

Noori chuckled softly, though her blue eyes hid storms of emotions within them. "Well, she must be something special if she's captured my Kaake's heart," she remarked a hint of bittersweetness in her tone.

Shubman caught on to the sweetness in her tone oblivious to the bitter part and nodded in agreement. "Yes, exactly," he said, acknowledging the significance of Ghazal's place in his heart. But then, his expression shifted to one of resignation. "That's why, Noor, we have to tell our parents no. I can't reveal my relationship now. I even hid it from you because Ghazal didn't want it out, and even my form wasn't up to mark."

Noor nodded, but a pang of disappointment hit her heart. She felt bad that Shubman had hidden things from her—her Kaake, who used to share even the smallest details with her, was now keeping secrets. But she knew she wasn't in a place to confront him anymore. She understood that she wasn't that important in his life right now, especially since the best-friend tag seemed to have shifted the moment he found a girlfriend last year. Since then, he had been behaving strangely, and Noor couldn't shake the feeling of being left behind.

Noor's eyes shifted to the clock; it had been half an hour already. Time seemed to be forgotten when she was with him, but now she had to face reality. She couldn't hold onto the love that she knew wouldn't be returned. With a heavy heart, she looked at Shubman and said, "Well then, let's finally tell them our decision—that we are just meant to be friends."

*******

ᴄʜᴀᴘʟɪɴ ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋꜱ

Hey there!

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