Wafa Zaini was not a normal twenty-one years girl according to her friends.

She barely had two, and they think she was abnormal. Well, she doesn't care either way. Who cares if she doesn't like to spend hours deciding which shoes will look good on her or if she can't update herself with the latest trends every few months?

She doesn't have the money to do that kind of stuff and Wafa hated following the herd mentality. She was her own person and she followed a trend if she liked it or simply ignored them otherwise.

She was also a quick decision-maker and could never understand why it takes hours for a few to just shop random and bizarre things. No, she is not trying to be that girl who screams-I'm different from the others, but really just hated wasting time in shopping. 

"We are not bringing you with us next time," Zunera glared at her as she ushered her friends to get done with their shopping quickly. They have been here for the past half an hour and still haven't bought anything. What a waste of time, she thought with an eye roll.

"We came here to buy things for me and I'm done. What's taking you both so long?" She asked her in exasperation while their other friend was in her own world, oblivious to her pestering.

"Shut up, waffle. Your selection looks boring. And I'm going to choose something eye-catching. Just see, everyone at the party is going to be mind blown by you. It's very important." Humera, the twin of Zunera gushed excitedly whilst Wafa was regretting why she asked for their help in the first place.

But they were all she has. And she loved them with all her heart. Friends like them are rare to find.

"This looks very much perfect to me," She eyed her choice sceptically, "and I don't want to blow anyone's mind. It's just a party which I'm forced to attend. I could save this money for something more worthy," She mumbled the last two lines to herself while Humera jumped with a screech.

They both turned to look at the dramatic girl, who held a gorgeous light blue chiffon Kurti along with its dupatta and pants in her hands. It had a beautiful red colour border to compliment the whole look and Wafa was impressed by her friend's choice. She smiled at her but the worry of its price made her hesitate.

"This is gorgeous," Zunera spoke her words excitedly whilst she watched the sibling gush about its exquisite design. She felt bad for having to break their hearts soon. But looking at the dress, she was sure that it was going to be very expensive.

"Girls, I already chose this one. We should just go." Her voice was barely a whisper and the twins whipped their heads towards her she spoke something crazy.

It was kind of intimidating when they go all angry and intense like that. And they both look so much alike making it all the scarier.

"Waffle babe, I'm buying this for you and it's final,"

Waffle was the nickname they gave her dearly. Even though it was annoying and cringy, it started to grow on her as the days passed. It's something she has come to adore now.

"Humi and Zuni. Just listen to me, I'm buying this dress. It's pretty. That's all I know." She didn't want to embarrass herself any further. It was humiliating to know that she didn't have enough money to buy even a simple dress like that. But designer stores just rob money from people, maybe for the ones like Zunera and Humera it wasn't anything. 

Wafa knows how much hard her mother had to work for getting every single penny and she didn't wish to spend it on unnecessary things like this.

The party wasn't even that significant, to begin with. Maybe it was significant. But she didn't want to acknowledge that.

It was their master's son, Shahzaib's twenty-eighth birthday today. That's all. She doesn't consider him anything more. And all the servants and workers were invited to that. She was obligated to go as well. Maybe more than just obligated to, but Wafa didn't want to think about that part.

Which also brought her to this whole problem. Of buying a good-looking dress to fit in among the elite crowd. She knew that she'd never achieve that. Fit in that is. But she could at least look presentable and that was why she wanted her friend's help. But she didn't think their choices would be very expensive, just like them.

Zunera and Humera were pretty well of themselves but they were the most humble and kind pair of human beings she has ever come across. They didn't have that arrogance or rude aura when she first joined the college as the rest of her classmates did.

They didn't care that she was not their equal, in status or money. They have just been there for her throughout the past four years of her architecture degree in college without asking for anything in return, even in the upcoming final year, she was happy and glad that they were still the same. Humble and kind.

Wafa was blessed to have such great friends after having a horrible experience in her schooling years.

"Your birthday is literally the day after tomorrow and I'm buying this for you as an advance gift." Humera can get adamant when she wants to be and Wafa knew there was no running away from this.

"Let me see that first," She took the dress and subtly eyed the tag, thankfully it wasn't that costly. It was well within her budget and she sighed in relief before smiling at her friends.

"Well, If you insist so much, I'll buy this one only."

Humera grinned excitedly and Zunera nodded in approval.

"But I wanted to buy that for you," Humera trailed off as they walked towards the cashier. Wafa knows that her friend didn't mean to put her down with that action, but she valued her self-respect too much to let her friends buy things for her.

"It's okay. I got this." She smiled at them both before placing it on the counter, the twins were yet to buy things for themselves but Wafa planned to escape from this place sooner lest they'd buy something else for her.

"How much?"

The cashier asked lesser than what it was in the tag and Wafa raised her brows questioningly.

"We are having a clearance sale, ma'am. Our team is yet to put up the board. But the sale begins from today." The cashier explained while Wafa passed her the money with a smile. It was cheaper than her budget. Which made her save some money in the end. It was good, she thought happily.

"That's awesome. I'm going to grab a bunch of things." The twins looked at each other excitedly, and Wafa gave them a knowing look.

"Guys. The party will be in a few hours. I think mama would need some help with the cooking or something. I should be there, so I need to get going but don't stop on my account." The twins looked at her sceptically but she nodded in assurance.

"Thank you for shopping here," the cashier passed her the bag when the billing was done and they walked back into the store with her friends.

"Are you sure you want to leave? How will you go back? You came with us," Zunera began to worry but she shook her head negatively.

"Seriously. It's fine. I'll book ola or something. Don't worry about me. Enjoy the sale." She smiled at them both before going for a side hug. They nodded excitedly while she exited the store with a sigh of relief.

Wafa looked at the time on her wristwatch and calculated how much more time she has got to get back to the house. There was plenty, thankfully. She walked ahead absent-mindedly and bumped into a large frame which made her slip. She landed flat on her bum and winced in pain. Her bag fell along with her.

The passerby people giggled and stared as they moved along. No one had time to stop and help her. It wasn't like she cared. Everyone is busy in their own little world and no one had time to help a stranger anymore. She ignored them all completely.

She looked up to see whom did she bump into and her mouth goes dry as she came face to face with the familiar pair of chocolate brown eyes, looking down at her with raised brows. What was he doing here? She wondered with little annoyance. Can't she ever get a break from this man?

"What are you doing here?" Shahzaib Hussain asked her in a clipped tone. He glanced at her keenly as if to see if she got hurt somewhere. She scoffed at her thoughts. He doesn't care about her. What could change suddenly?

A lot of things. A small voice in her head said but she ignored it.

"I asked you something, Wafa."

She wanted to roll her eyes at him. Since when did she become obligated to say her whereabouts to him? She was just another servant's daughter who lived in their house for free. He should have just ignored her.

"I was out with my friends. I'm going to the house now," her tone was equally unfriendly as she picked up her bag.

Wafa noticed how his jaw clenched at her response. Shahzaib gave her his hands, indicating that he wanted to help her stand up. She looked at his handsome face and then at his muscular hands. She'd rather get up on her own and did exactly that.

Shahzaib looked so offended like he couldn't believe she did that.

He passed her a cold look and she stared at him blankly.

"I'll get going now. Allah Hafiz." She whispered incoherently and walked past him quickly but he caught hold of her hands. His touch brought a sudden spark all over her skin and her eyes went wide at his sudden gesture.

"How are you going back?" He asked while she stared at him speechlessly, not able to understand his sudden interest in her life.

"I'll book an auto. I'm getting late now," Wafa tried to get her hands but he held them more firmly in response.

"I'll take you, I'm going home anyway," Shahzaib announced as he finally left her hands. She moved them quickly and hid them behind her like he could hold them again, which was ridiculous.

"There's no need," She attempted to refuse but he gave her a look, the one which was challenging. As if to say- defy me if you can.

Wafa clenched her fist in anger as she shook her head and walked along with him. She moved behind him unwillingly and slowly. At one point, he turned behind and gave her a pointed stare.

"Could you move a bit faster? I don't have all day." Shahzaib's words made her want to strangle him. It wasn't her who insisted that she'd go with him.

Passing him a fake smile, she increased her pace and they stopped near his brand-new expensive car. It's a day-old car and Wafa was sure Shahzaib didn't take anyone else for a ride in this. She was going to be the first one.

Why did that make her feel something?

It doesn't make a difference but it did somehow.

Maybe he took someone for a ride while he was at work. It really didn't matter.

She was going to sit in the backseat but heard him say, "I'm not your driver. Sit in the front."

With a huff, she walked towards the front seat and sat inside uninterestedly. He locked the door for her and she couldn't hide the surprise on her face.

Shahzaib joined her in the car and shut the door behind him with a little noise. She flinched at that whilst passing him a cold glare. He ignored her while starting the car. She puts on the seat belt before he could ask her to.

The air inside suddenly felt very tense as they travelled in silence. She peeked a glance at him and noticed how his sleeves were rolled up a little bit, showing off his muscular tan skin. She scolded herself for noticing such a thing and turned back to gaze out of the window.

The AC was directly on her face which made her shiver a little. She hugged herself tightly and counted the minutes. She can't wait to get out of this stupid car.

Wafa was stunned when the AC was turned off and the windows got rolled down, sending in the natural air. She gave a puzzled look his way but Shahzaib was unfazed as if it wasn't a big deal.

But it was to her. The fact that he cared enough for her little comfort made her heart skip a few beats.

Why the hell was he messing with her head?

Before they could realise it, they were already inside the Hussain mansion. Wafa sighed in relief, finally, she could get away from his infuriating presence.

It was getting too much for her. And she ran as soon as he parked the car.

"Wait, Wafa." She paused as he got down and walked towards her. What now? She sulked mentally.

"Be dressed in something good today. I want you on your best behaviour. Many important guests will be joining the party this evening. I don't want you to mess this up for me," He declared with a frown. 

"I know how to conduct myself, Shahzaib. I've been to all your birthday parties. I never messed up anything," She looked him dead in the eyes.

"You're my wife now. That changes everything." He replied annoyedly, clearly not liking the way she was talking with him. But too bad, she couldn't care less.

But Wafa frowned at the mention of being his wife.

"You forgot to add something there- Temporary. I'm just your temporary wife. Or did you forget that already?" She corrected him angrily.

"And don't worry, Hussain, I won't mess anything up."