"Boss, coffee."

Manal opened her eyes and looked up at Raza, beaming at her with a cup. She sighed, scrunching her eyebrows and massaged her neck, - "I need to go home."

Raza looked nervous and placed his hand on the desk. Manal flinched and glared at him.

"Are you mad?"

"You can't leave, Boss."

"Why? How dare you sto--"

"Your meeting with Balakrishnan is scheduled in half an hour."

"Argh!" Manal held her head, massaging the temples, - "That guy is so slow. It will take an eternity to explain to him the basics."

Raza made an apologetic face, and shrugged, - "Shall I call your dad? He can handle--"

"No. No. There is no need to trouble him." She waved her hand at him and picked up the cup of coffee. The perfect beverage energized her. Raza requested early off as he had to transfer money to his old-school father and someone from his town was coming. Unwillingly, Manal agreed.

Asim called, enquiring about their Dehradun trip, giving her bad vibes once again. Before the dreadful meeting, Manal made a painting. Venting her emotions into the canvas, relieving stress a bit. She washed her face, adjusted her hair and tugged on her blazer before strutting out of her cabin.

Raza hurried from the boutique. He greeted the watchmen before rushing through the tall double door and into the spacious living room. On the classic rosewood sofa, a middle-aged woman in a bright yellow Kurtha suit chatted with Sohail. Repeatedly, she ran her palm over her full grey hair tied in a sleek bun and tugged on her pearl necklace.

Raza took a deep breath and grinned, hurrying to them.

"Phoupijaan." He beamed. The lady's frown turned into a smile. She greeted him back. Raza placed the designer cloth bag on the single sofa. Phoupi blessed him. He politely spoke in a charming tone, - "Wow. You are looking gorgeous, Phoupijaan, like a diva."

She blushed.

"I am so happy that you came here. How is everything in Kolkata? And how are Hana and Azaan?"

Sohail watched the interaction with a smiling face. "See, Farisha Baji. Such a sweet boy, Raza. Very hardworking and dedicated."

"I know, I know. And my kids are fine. Aur beta, how is your father? Have you thought of marriage?" Farisha twisted her body a little for a better glimpse. Raza blushed, lightly scratching his neck.

"You find someone for me. You are experienced, wise and know how to analyse people." He said humbly.

Farisha chuckled, - "I would love to. But no one from my circle would marry their daughter to you. I will talk to Hana's father; he will find someone from your financial status."

Raza's smile faintly dropped, but he spoke lightly, - "I am not in a hurry, Phoupijaan. My elderly father needs me more."

Farisha nodded, - "Then, we will have to wait for him to get better or—"

"Baji?" Sohail worriedly interrupted. Farisha shrugged, passing a clueless look to the two men.

"What? Aaj kal no girl wants to take care of their husband's parents. It is the truth."

"Okay. Whatever. Raza." Sohail dismissed her, and smiled apologetically at his employee, - "Did you get the dress?"

Raza nodded, - "Yes, and I instructed Balakrishna to sketch the meeting." He smirked. Sohail smiled as well. Then, his expressions turned sour, mentioning about Asim being with the event planner on the other side of the large living room, partitioned by a wall.

Speaking of him, Asim came out with a young woman and a few men continued their work, while some followed them with decorations in their hands.

"And Farisha Baji got the cake. It's in the kitchen."

"I also explained to the chef about all of Boss's favorite dishes." Raza checked on his phone, mentally ticking off everything.

"Uncle, everything is perfect. I supervised everything."

"Okay, okay." Sohail was dismissive of Asim. He sighed, looking dull. Raza held his shoulder firmly.

"We know." He encouraged him. Motivated, Asim took the woman around the living room. They sat at the dining table; she opened her laptop, and they began their work.

Farisha leaned into Sohail, - "The boy is good, but—Sorry to say your daughter's taste in men sucks." She looked grimly at her younger brother. Sohail shrugged, raising his eyebrows.

"Don't mind, huh, Brother? But you have Rani Beti syndrome."

Sohail flinched his head back slightly.

"Aur nahi toh kya." She twisted her lips, - "Like women have—Raja Beta syndrome. They project their emotional insecurities on their sons."

Raza's smile instantly dropped. He glanced away.

"Like their emotionally absent husband lets them down and they expect their sons to take that emotional space."

Raza cleared his throat and excused himself. Asim called him, but he ignored him and rushed out of the mansion.

"So? Manal is not my son."

"Exactly. But you believe she is—get her married and make her more feminine. What are you doing? Anyway, that is not the point. Since Zooni's death, God bless her and place her in heaven. You are emotionally dependent on your daughter. First, you were Joru ka Ghulam, now you are Beti's Ghulam."

Sohail frowned, waving his hand, - "Whatever, Farisha Baji." He rose from his place and walked away. In his mind, he realized again why Manal disliked his side of the family. And so did Zooni.

Manal parked her car and got down, picking up her bag.

"What nonsense is this?" She slammed the door. The meeting aggravated her headache. Raza, Sohail, and Asim weren't answering her call.

Around her, the sky deepened, shifting from vibrant orange to fiery red. The sun was dipping behind her. The guards greeted her and opened the tall carved double door. In the passing, Manal noted they hid their smiles. Furiously, she walked into complete darkness. All of the sudden, there was an outburst of people, too many of them. Paper-poppers burst loud near her and hundreds of balloon softly landed on her.

"Happy Birthday, Manal." Everyone echoed in a sing-song voice in sync.

Manal blinked, dropping her bag; dazed by the suddenness of everything. Sohail pushed through the crowd and embraced her, kissing the side of her head, - "Happy Birthday, doll." After he parted, Asim shook hands, wishing her. He wanted to hug her, but out of respect, in the presence of her father and elders.

Raza congratulated her from afar.

"Manal, your dress is there in the room." Sohail held her shoulders and maneuverer her to the stairs. On the way, everyone greeted and wished her. Shaking hands and embracing her. Manal was exhausted, but seeing the cheerful faces of her two favourite men, she didn't completely mind.

𝙿𝚛𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚙

Caged in his strong arms, Raza's warm lips left moist lingering kisses, igniting fire on her skin. She glided her soft palms over his muscular biceps, her other hand dragged leisurely on his sturdy back.

Raza's brown eyes stared lovingly into her eyes;bewitching her. She inhaled, gripping his tall frame.

Does this count ascheating? After lust had died down, now guilt overpowered her. 

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Please drop lots, lots, and lots of comments, guys. I need your support and motivation *_*

Our Manal is January baby (the time I wrote this part, it was Jan)

One word for Sohail's elder sister?