pyar na karne ki hazar waje mil
sakti hain darr ke bazaar mein,
liken pyar karne ki sirf ek
dhoondni hoti hai apne dil mein

پیار نہ کرنے کی ہزار وجہ مل سکتی ہیں ڈر کے بازار میں،
لیکن پیار کرنے کی صرف ایک ڈھونڈنی ہوتی ہے اپنے دل میں

The golden glory of the afternoon sun streamed through the wide open windows, throwing my room into the gleaming brightness of a warm, balmy summer. The rose taupe walls of my room glowed under the flooding light against the depth of the polished monochrome furniture that glistened like glossy marble. The deep mahogany wooden floor gleamed like red wine under the invading rays.

I peeped outside the window and saw the bright riot of the green trees that dappled under the towering sun. The somber trees were lined with an avenue of flowering bushes and shrubs that bustled with a bright joy against the cool green shadiness of the plantation. The white pearly jasmines littered the mossy carpet of leaves like tiny speck of snow while the variegated Bougainville and roses broke the monotony with their streaks of pink, scarlet and purple. A faint wild fragrance from the garden lingered in the breeze, making the world smile with happiness.

It was difficult to not savour the palpitating joy on this beautiful summer day, but I frowned when I turned around, my eyes silently taking in the condition of my room. Discarded garments, shoes and jewellery laid carelessly on the bed, the floor and in a brightly coloured piled heap on the couch. I had spent all morning going through my wardrobe, scavenging for an outfit to wear for this evening, but all I had done was reject and discard each article for no particular reason.

I picked up a red silk dress and walked up to the mirror. Twisting around, I held the dress against my body, trying to preen myself. But the more I looked, the more my eyebrows puckered together in a frown and an irritated confusion fell upon me. The dress did look great, but I was unsure of the colour. I didn't want him to think I was trying too hard. I groaned loudly, sinking into the bed, my face buried in the pillows.

An urgent tapping on my door made me look up and I saw Layla and mother walk inside. For a moment Mum just stared at me disapprovingly, a little bewildered at the untidy and littered appearance of my otherwise well kept room. But Layla just passed me an amused grin. "Did a tornado hit your room?" She asked with an impudent smirk.

"Are you going somewhere?" Mum asked, picking up the clothes off the floor and I straightened up embarrassed at the state of my room.

"Oh. You haven't told mum?" Layla wriggled her eyebrows, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Aliyaar Bhai is taking her out today."

"Oh." Her grey eyes looked at me with a flicker of surprise, but it quickly faded and she smiled at me. "I see." She said looking at the piles of clothes and I pursed my lips sheepishly. "Have you asked Abba or your father?"

I shook my head, "Aliyaar said he'd talk to them. Hasn't he already?" I frowned slightly, worried we might not get permission.

"Your father didn't mention anything. This dress would look good, what do you think?" She said picking up a floral summer dress with a ruched bodice from my bed. "Where are you going?"

"He hasn't told me." I said, taking the dress from her hand and holding it against me in the mirror. "You sure this would look good?" I asked unsurely.

"Since when did you start worrying about clothes?" Layla asked with a chuckle, getting up to see the dress in the mirror. "Looks good. Perfect for a summer evening."

"Yes, it will look great on you. Now hurry up and get ready." Mum said.

"But what if they don't allow us to go." I looked at mum with a worrying expression, but she just gave me a relaxed smile in return.

"Your father will talk to Abba, if need be. Now stop worrying and enjoy your day. I've never seen you this excited in a while."

I beamed at them brightly, then turned around quickly to change into the dress. It was almost late in the afternoon, and I realised he'd be here soon. "Can you ask your stylist to do my hair and makeup?" I called out, before shutting the door behind me.

➰➰➰

I looked at the clock, once again, with a quiet restored sigh. My eyes darted at the door, but there was no sign of him. I sank back into my bed, my head burrowed in my pillows. A cursory thought about messing up my hair flitted my mind, but I was too far gone to care. It was way past the time he had promised and I lay back trying to control the anger and irritation rousing hot in my mind.

My eyes stilled at the chandelier hanging above me, as several angry, treacherous and worrying thoughts coasted through my mind. My fingers clenched together in agitated knots, as my eyes wandered around my room unseeingly. My room, which was bustling with energy this morning, suddenly felt silent and gloomy; perhaps a morbid reminder of my sullen crestfallen mood.

A discreet knock stirred me up from my position and I rushed to the door, my heart thudding loudly with anticipation and excitement?

I paused at the threshold of the door, drawing in a deep breath, before I slowly opened the door and peeped outside like a scurrying mouse.

"Hey." There he was, standing with his hands buried deep within his pockets, looking at me with a pair of deep, soft eyes which under the light seemed to be glazed with honey. He stepped closer and I realised he had chopped his hair slightly and they now showed off his strikingly symmetrical face. He had pushed his hair back and only a lose tendril curled in violation around his forehand. He smiled, offering me his hand, "Let's go."

I narrowed my eyes at him, my face drawn into a blank unreadable expression. I looked at him stolidly and he arched his eyebrow at me, his expression changing from excitement to unexpected confusion. "What's wrong?" He asked, and I was surprised by the concern in his voice, after making me wait for a good two hours. He frowned slightly as confusion kissed the perfectly trimmed hair of his dark stubble.

His eyes followed mine and stopped on the watch on his wrist. "What is the time?" I asked, looking up and I couldn't help but notice how the confusion on his face abruptly ebbed. He squeezed his eyes shut, looking heavenward. His shoulders squared and he peeked at me fearfully from under the curtain of his bristly black lashes. He tilted his face slightly, his brows drawing together in a grovelingly apologetic look.

He smiled at me sheepishly, "I know I'm late—"

"Very late." I corrected, my tone doing a poor job at concealing my irritation. I turned around walking back into my room, and he followed behind, hot on his heels.

"I promise I came here on time." He said sitting besides me.

"Then what? The dog bit you?" I said in a reproachful tone, turning away from him.

I heard him chuckle, but he pursed his lips together when I turned around to look at him with an angry scowl. Amusement danced in his eyes and flirted with the corner of his mouth, but he bent forward hiding his amused grin behind his hand. I shot him a sharp look and he sobered up, taking my hands in his. "I promise I came here on time. But the Governor was here to meet your grandfather and they called me in to meet him. I've been in your grandfather's study for the past two hours." He puckered his lips, his eyes rounding innocently and he smiled at me apologetically.

I stole a look at him from the corner of my vision, and I couldn't help but smile at the sight in front of me. I bit my lip trying to fight my smile. I'm supposed to be angry at him, but I felt my anger melt like hot butter with his charming ways. "Don't act cute with me." I said with a forced frown, pulling my hand back from his hold.

"Why? Is it working?" He asked sliding closer, looping his finger with mine. I kept a straight face, while he played with my fingers, trying to make me look at him. "I'm sorry. I promise it won't happen again." He said tugging my finger.

I turned around to face him and he looked at me with convincing, pleading eyes and I couldn't help but notice the adoration and wild tenderness that burnt in them like hot embers. His mouth was still lit with amusement, and a shy smile made its way on my lips.

"I had been waiting for you." I complained.

"I know and I'm sorry. Next time I'll tell the Governor to wait." He said with an impish smile and I couldn't help but giggle. His eyes shone like the summer sunrise, glowing with a rapturous playfulness.

"You're ridiculous." I said, shaking my head.

"And you're beautiful."

I felt my heart still momentarily, before it began to flutter with a strange sensation. My hands felt clammy and I became an unraveling bundle of nerves. I felt my breath hitch when I looked up to meet his somber, wistful gaze that was illuminated with a raw, vulnerable emotion. But there was something very deep, very honest and very warm in the way he looked at me. Those golden irises bewitched me like a magician and I felt their heat melt my icy heart.

A slow shy smile worked its way on my face and I looked away trying to hide the fierce blush that crept up my cheeks like a burning flame.

"Are you blushing?" He asked teasingly, crouching forward to see my face.

"Stop, Aliyaar!" I said pushing him away. I could feel the heat rise up my face, burning my cheeks and ears. I suddenly felt so coy and shy, trying to hide the scarlet tint behind my palms.

"So am I forgiven? Or do you want me to do something silly like hold my ears?"

"Okay." I said turning around to see him.

He sighed thankfully, his full lips curling into a captivating smile. "Let's go." He said taking my hand.

"No. No." I pulled back and he looked at me bemused, "I meant okay, hold your ears." A grin spread on my face and my eyes twinkled with mischief. He looked at me incredulously, a little shocked by my words. "Come on." I said holding his hands and bringing them up to his ears.

"What are you making me do." He groaned, shaking his head defeatedly, while he held on to his ear and I burst into a hearty laugh at the endearing sight in front of me. He looked at me disapprovingly, but his lips held a faint smile. "Can we go now?"

➰➰➰

The last vestiges of the glorious sun were slowly bleeding into the cold quilt of darkness, kissing the coppery hues of the sky good-bye. I looked outside the car, enjoying the fading twilight settle over us. The yellow gleam of the lampposts, lining the road, shone against the darkening clouds, that swirled in the shades of pink and indigo. The roads were mostly empty, and the car cruised at a steady speed, before slowly rounding towards a massive building.

"Do you have some work?" I asked, as the sign of Utopia Corporation came into view.

"No."

"But aren't these your company headquarters?" I asked, looking at the massive complex.

"They are."

I furrowed my eyebrows together at his chipped replies. The car rounded around the main entrance leading us towards the back of the complex. "Why are we here then?"

"You wanted to go somewhere private."

I looked at him in disbelief. "So you bought me to your office?" I looked at him trying to find any signs of jest, but there were none and an unbelieving laugh bubbled through my throat. "This is very romantic." I said with a sarcastic snicker.

"I couldn't think of any other place." He stopped the car at the back entrance, coming around the car to open my door. "I did think of booking a restaurant, but I was told you wouldn't appreciate that." He said taking hand, as I stepped outside.

I stiffened hearing his words. An unknown pain pricked my heart at the remainder of the man who must have told him about me. The man who knew me like a book. The man who betrayed me. I forced a smile, trying to calm myself. This night was about the man in front of me, not the man who was a painful memory of my past.

"You're right. Why destroy other people's outings, just because we failed to make our country safe enough for us to roam around freely." I grinned at him. "This place should work just fine."

"Ouch. That was — brutal."  He said as we stepped inside the lift.

I gave him a sorry smile. "I hate when the political class goes to extreme lengths to ensure their own safety. Maybe it's time to reassess our priorities. My family has been the ruling elite for ages, yet the country isn't safe for us to roam around freely. It's a shame."

His face became taut as he stood silently listening to my words. A sudden tension lingered in the air and I felt a fear crawl up my spine. I knew nothing about him and I wasn't sure if my words had angered or annoyed him. I had been honest with him thus far, but after what Shehryar did, could I really trust him. What if this was just a ploy to bait me in, just a game to win. A overwhelming fear knocked on me and I felt myself closing up.

The elevator dinged open and we stepped out into a small lobby. I looked around taking in the surroundings which spoke of the absurd wealth and infinite privilege of this family. I felt his hand settle on the small of my back ushering me towards a room. "This is my office." I heard him say as he pushed the door open for me, waiting for me to step in.

"This is quite nice." I said, my eyes settling on the decorated table in the corner of the room. The small flickering flames of the candles illuminated the darkened room. The lightening was warm and golden, allowing the candles to bask in the glory against the backdrop of the glittering city, visible from the massive glass windows behind the table.

He bent forward, picking up the bouquet of roses from the table, "These are for you." I took the bouquet, my heart jumping seeing the flowers in my hand, but I controlled myself and just smiled at him as I bought the bouquet up to my nose for a sniff.

"These are beautiful. You did all this?" I asked with a hint of surprise in my voice and I felt myself flush again under his rakish gaze.

"I got someone to arrange it, if that counts." He said with a boyish grin.

I felt my heart explode as a smouldering heat spread across my cheeks at his effort and the intimacy of the moment. I stepped forward, taking his hand in mine. "Thank you. It's very thoughtful of you."

"Did you really think, I'd make you dine on the desk or a conference table?" He asked, as he lead me to the table and pulled out the chair for me.

I bit my lips, trying to fight the smile twitching on my lips. "I actually did." I said with a guilty shrug of my shoulder.

"I'd be damned if I did that to you." He said with a chuckle and I felt my heart flutter at his words. "I took the liberty of ordering the food as well. I hope you don't mind."

"It's alright." I offered him a small smile. "But don't you think it's a bit early for dinner."

"We were supposed to have tea actually, but we're late. Let's have snacks for now, I want to show you something later." He said pulling the lids off the dishes open. My eyes twinkled with excitement seeing the dishes in front of me.

"You ordered street food for me. I love samosas and chaat." I said dipping the samosa in the mint chutney.

"Don't we all love it?" He grinned. "Kachoris are my favourite." He said dishing some in my plate.

"I love them too. But hardly ever get a chance to eat it." I said taking a bite of the crispy samosa.

"Why?"

"Mum is a health freak. She has always been very controlling of our diet. You should see how she controls herself when I spread butter on my toast in the mornings." I said with a slight giggle. "But I know she'd want me to go on a diet before the wedding."

"But you're perfect. Why would you want to lose weight?" He said, dishing out the chickpea chaat for himself.

"I've a strict diet and exercise routine. I don't enjoy it, but it's a part of my life now." His eyes softened and he nodded. "I would have never guessed you'd order this, I thought you'd prefer some exotic cuisine."

He gave me a bright grin, "Too boring. Plus sushi or steak wouldn't have bought that smile on your face. And I wouldn't miss that for the world." My heart ached. "So, tell me about yourself."

"What do you want to know?" I asked coyly, looking up at him from the curtain of my thick curled lashes.

"Everything." I didn't have to look up to know he was staring at me with a smile on his face.

"We'd be here all night then. How about you tell me what you already know about me, and we can take it from there." I murmured quietly, looking up to meet his soft, sensual gaze.

He looked at me thoughtfully for a while, before he finally spoke, "Well, I know you're the heiress of the Malik family." I shrugged, raising my brows at him at the obvious information and he laughed, "And I know you hate everything about it."

"Well, not everything." I interjected awkwardly.

"Most of it though." He smirked, "I also know you're honest, brutally honest, if I may add." And I let out a small snort at his words. "I know you're brave, selfless and extremely stubborn." I looked at him in disbelief, but before I could protest, he raised his hand. "And no, you don't get to fight with me on that one."

"I'm not stubborn. Maybe a little, but not at all how you describe me." I said with a proud tilt of my chin.

"Well you like to fight for what you believe in. And I love that about you. Few people have the courage to chase their dreams. You're one of them." I smiled at him, deeply touched by his words. His eyes shifted and a suddenly sparkled with roguishness, and I narrowed my eyes skeptically, "I also know you like street food and flowers and you love it when I compliment you." He said in a teasing tone.

"Aliyaar, stop!" I almost whined out in embarrassment, my cheeks flushed with heat. "You don't need to tell me anymore." I grumbled under a faint smile. A loud laugh rumbled off his chest and I felt my heart stop at the sound.

He was tugging at the strings of my heart.

"Alright. So what are you studying? You were away at university for the past few months, weren't you?" He asked sobering up.

"I wasn't studying. I was doing research, on child psychology. I had a degree in Education and I wanted to do something in that field."

"That's an interesting choice. What made you choose it?" He asked with a curious glint.

"I wanted to do something different from my family. I didn't want to be in their shadow. I felt I could help people with this, bring about a change in system. Why did you choose politics when you have a such a huge property and construction business?"

"I enjoy power. I like the feeling of having absolute control, the feeling of being looked up to. The privilege, the position, the influence it gets you."

"That was an honest answer." I gulped, nodding my head slowly, the fears and doubts visibly floating in my eyes.

"You probably didn't like my answer, but you need to know the truth." He bent forward placing his hand on mine. "You have to trust me." I nodded, his words comforting me. I had to trust him, there was no other way we could make this work. "So, tell me about your life, your likes, dislikes."

Almost an hour later, after we had moved to the black leather couch and talked about everything and nothing, did I began to loosen up. The flames of fear began to dwindle away, slowly replaced with the warmth of comfort. I realised how during the length of the conversation, Aliyaar had sneakily scooted closer, his hands playing with the ends of my hair, while his eyes kept straying from my face to the exposed skin of my shoulders.

"Are you even listening to me?" I attempted to reprimand him despite the growing rosy blush flushing my cheeks. I fully turned towards him, and saw him watching me with a lazy soft smile, his head resting against the palm of his hand.

The strands of my hair slipped from his other hand as I moved away to face him and I felt him frown slightly. "I am." He muttered, his searing eyes focussing back on me.

"No you're not." I complained, pulling my hair into a bun. Sudden his eyes narrowed and the frown deepened on his face. I gave him a dubious look. "What's wrong?"

"Don't do that."

"Do what?" I gave him a confused look, as he etched closer, his fingers lacing through the strands of my hair, untangling them from their loose confine.

"Don't tie your hair. I love it when it's open." He said in a low voice, his finger coming around to caress my cheek.

"Oh." I let out a forced chuckle, but within me I felt my heart stop for a second before it began pounding in my chest like a loud drum. His eyes caught mine, sweeping over my face and gaze darkened with warm appreciation. I glanced down, biting my lips suddenly conscious under his heated gaze. "Someone told me, staring isn't polite."

He laughed, "I should really be careful with what I say in front of you. You're adorable." He said touching my cheek.

"And you're a flirt."

"I've you to blame." He shrugged with an unapologetic look. I arched my eyebrows at him, crossing my arms around me. "What? I'm serious." He chuckled lightly, his finger twirling my hair around it.

"For someone as dark and dangerous as you, you sure are romantic." I said without realising I had spoken the words out loud, until his chest rumbled with a loud laugh.

"It depends on the company. It would be very strange if I was flirty with your grandfather." He wrinkled his face in disgust and I laughed. "People just know my professional life, the ruthless, shrewd businessman and politician, but that doesn't mean I don't have a life outside it."

"I can see that." I gave him a soft smile, moving forward taking his hand in mine. "Can I ask you something?"

"Anything."

"Were you forced into this?"

"Who would force me?"

"I don't know. My grandfather or your situation."

"No one can force me. Your grandfather tried, but if you remember I left that meeting. And I'm so glad I did."

"Why?" I looked at him expectantly.

"Because I got to see you dance in the rain. And did I tell you how breathtaking you looked?" He said softy, leaning closer, "Wild yet so innocent." I probably went crimson hearing his words, and my blush wasn't lost on him, because he chuckled lightly, "You look nice when you blush."

He moved forward pulling my reddened nose playfully, before I swatted his hand away. "You're crazy." I said shaking my head, an unstoppable smile plastered on my face.

"For you."

I shuttered with a raw emotion, as I held onto his hands and looked into his wistful eyes that gleamed with unsaid promises. But unlike other times, they didn't frighten me today. He seemed to exorcise the abysmal fears, that would creep up from with the folds of my soul and pestered me like haunted spirits, into scudding clouds of happiness. My heart leapt with joy, hammering wildly with excited happiness. I needed one reason to fall hopelessly in love with my life again.

And I think I had found mine.

^Their outfits for the date.

Finally a light-hearted update!
Thoughts on today's chapter & AliZae!

Also, just to clarify, Aliyaar was her choice in the last chapter and she didn't just say yes to him because of what happened with Shehryar. ♥️

A massive thank you for the overwhelming response to the previous chapter!
I love you all!

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