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Rohaan

I burst out laughing.

Ahmed blinked at me like I'd just grown wings. "Yo, Tariq, they are doing random drugs and alcohol checks today. You good?" 

"This guy?" I moved away from the one-sided window that showed me the police officers interrogating the man who had chased Yamna. "Is this irony or what? His brother got arrested for being a bloody stalker, and now he is going around chasing young girls off the train! I can knock him down with a flick of a frickin' finger."

Ahmed raised both eyebrows at me. "You seem way too relieved." 

"I'm glad it isn't a gang member. That would have been a problem." I chuckled.

"That a****le detective is the reason." The man's voice came through and I turned to hear. "That smug arrogant little son of a b***h..."

"Did he just swear at my mother?" All humour disappeared from my face.

"Okay, down boy. Back off." Ahmed placed both hands on my chest.

"If he hadn't arrested my brother, I wouldn't have gone after his little girlfriend!" The man shouted.

"Okay, he's asking for an Executive Level a**-kicking." I began to walk towards the room.

"Bhai, pitwa ke marawayega tu, kamine." Ahmed snapped. "Our seniors are in there."

*"Bro, you'll get us beaten up and killed, wretched man."

I tried to remain calm, for the sake of professionalism. However, had I been present in the room when he called my mother a 'b***h', I would have lunged at him. No doubt.

Our seniors came out and reassured me that the man would be dealt with appropriately, and a restraining order would be issued against him to stay away from Yamna. 

"So, I'm not allowed to throw a punch? Or two?" I asked.

"Rohaan." They both said with a sigh.

*

Yamna

I came downstairs for breakfast and was surprised to hear Rohaan's voice in the dining room. I walked inside and greeted everyone. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam!"

I raised both eyebrows at Rohaan, who sat on the opposite side of the table, having coffee. I took a seat beside Mama, who gave me a smile.

"My boy Ro has blessed us with good news this morning!" Papa looked at his nephew, proudly, before turning to face me. "The man has been caught, sweetheart. You are no longer in danger." 

I almost sagged in relief. "Really?" I looked at Rohaan for confirmation.

"He's gonna be quite cushy in prison for a while, considering how he was wanted already by the police for numerous offences against women." Rohaan nodded. "I thought I'd personally come and give you guys this good news." 

"I'm so happy that you did." Papa looked at me. "First Rehan Bhai always looked after me, and now his son is looking after our Yamna." 

Rohaan glanced at me over the table. It was brief, but it made my heart skip a beat. A corner of his mouth turned up slightly. Clearing his throat, he stood up. "I better go. I have to head to work."

"You should have eaten something, Rohaan!" Mama insisted. "How is coffee enough? Bhabi never lets us leave without feeding us until we're full." 

"That's holding people hostage, and making them do things under duress." Rohaan grinned. "She only gets away with it is because she has officers on her side." He pulled up his collar almost proudly.

"So...corrupt officers?" I teased.

"Yamna." Mama widened her eyes at me.

But Rohaan looked unfazed. "I'll give you that one, hamster. That's a good one." 

I grinned, now feeling proud of myself. 

Papa got up and hugged Rohaan, before seeing him out. Even Mama got up and followed.

I was grabbing a toast, when Rohaan suddenly came up beside me, leaning against the back of the empty chair. "Listen, hamster."

I looked up at him.

"Well done for dodging him. You were very brave. You acted sensibly." He gave me a smile.

"It's call adrenaline."

"People need to stop calling you innocent and naïve if you can act like such a bada** when the circumstances require." With another grin, he walked off. "Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz." I replied, breathlessly.

*

"Papa?" 

A few days later, Tayan and his family were over for lunch. And I took this as an opportunity to present my case in front of the adults.

"Oh, that tone." Tayan smiled knowingly.

"Good luck, Yasin and Saba." Anabia Tayi added.

"What is it, Yamna?" Papa asked me.

"There is this overnight university trip." I began, noticing Rohaan standing in the doorway. "It's for five days during the Easter holidays."

"No." Papa said, instantly.

"Why not?" I asked. "At least hear me out."

"Overnight trip? After all that's been going on?" Mama shook her head. "Absolutely not."

"That man has been arrested, Mama!"

"No. You know the shenanigans that go on during such trips." My mother remained adamant.

"Shenanigans?" I asked in disbelief. "Firstly, it's organised by the university, and a couple of lecturers will be coming with us. And secondly, shenanigans? Really?" I turned to my Tayan. "Tayan, in the absence of Dado and Dada Jaan, you are the eldest. Please convince them, Tayan!"

Dada Jaan and Dado were both in their nineties and required twenty-four/seven care, and therefore now resided in a medical facility. However, Tayan and his family would be moving into the Tariq family home soon, and once they were there, our grandparents would return home and would have a live-in nurse and regular carers visiting them.

"Yasin, Saba, we have the complete respect for you and your decisions as parents," Tayan began. "But if it's a university organised trip, do reconsider your decisions."

"I don't know, Papa. Does it seem safe?" In a teasing tone, Rohaan questioned.

"See, even Rohaan doesn't think it's safe!" Mama immediately said.

"Are you listening to Rohaan?" I asked. "Mama, trust me. It's safe. There won't be shenanigans. I'll behave." 

"Rohaan, don't speak unnecessarily." Tayan told his son off.

Rohaan winked at me, smiling mischievously.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"We'll think about it." Papa sighed. "There's still some time." 

"I need to submit the payment by Friday." I said, sheepishly.

"And now you're reminding us?" Mama shook her head at me. "It's the limit, Yamna!" 

*

"If there's anything you need, Mira, let me know, okay?" Rohaan spoke softly on the phone as I entered.

A strange pang shot through my heart and I walked to the fridge to get the container of strawberries.

"See you soon." Rohaan hung up and turned to me. "You still love strawberries, don't you?" He watched me wash them and put them in a bowl.

"Hmm." 

He reached out and took one. "So...this trip. Girls only or...?" 

I paused. "I go to a co-ed university. Boys will be there too."

"This trip is mainly chaperoned?" 

"It's an educational trip, and yes, a lot of the time the lecturers will be around. But the rest of the time we'll be able to go and explore on our own." 

His phone buzzed on the counter and I saw Mira's name in the notification. 

"Why do you care anyway?" I had no idea what happened to me. "What goes on with me, whether I'm safe or not, is as relevant to you as a lifespan of a hamster!"

He blinked, looking taken aback, ignoring message after message from Mira. "Wait. What? Where is all that coming from?"

"Somebody really needs to get through to you." I nodded towards his phone, before turning to walk out of the room with the bowl of strawberries.

I winced, closing my eyes. I had acted like a cliché myself: rude due to envy.

"Yamna."

I stopped. My actual name sounded weird from his mouth. "Sorry, Rohaan. I didn't mean to snap."

He came and stood beside me. "The lifespan of this hamster is very much relevant to me, as is her safety." Then he walked off.

Um...what?

*

Rohaan

"Yo, grasshopper." 

Arsalan looked up from where he was working on his laptop on the kitchen isle. "What do you want now?" 

"Rude." I slapped the back of his head. I picked up the lid of a pan to see what was cooked and saw a chicken achari dish that made my stomach growl. "Do you think I can come off as mean?" 

"Is the sun hot? Is Haya Appi your best friend who you can't live without?" He smirked.

"Shut up, grasshopper."

"What? You asked and I gave you my opinion." He looked curious. "Who showed you the reality?"

"What goes on with me, whether I'm safe or not, is as relevant to you as a lifespan of a hamster!" Yamna had said. It had been odd thing for her to say, and the words really got to me. Despite my teasing and pranks, she knew I always had her back. She knew that I always took care of her, and that her safety mattered a lot to me.

"This looks serious." Arsal's voice brought me back to reality.

"Get back to work." I muttered, walking out of the kitchen.

*

Yamna

 I was at the university library, looking through the shelves at the new arrivals. 

"Hamster." 

My heart skipped a beat and I whirled around.

"Is that what your keychain is? A hamster?" Mobeen Faraz, an irritating guy who always seemed to want to talk to me, approached me.

"Yes. It's a hamster."

"Hamsters are adorable. As are you, with your keychains and pink bag." He smiled.

I began to walk away, but he stepped right in front of me. "Want to have coffee with me?"

"No, I don't want to." I said. 

"You don't like coffee?" 

"I don't like you." I shrugged. "Leave me alone, Mobeen. I'm not going to say it again."

To my horror, he reached out and snatched my glasses, holding them high up in the air. "Hey! Give me my glasses back!" What were in, in Primary School?

"Or what?" 

You have a spare pair in your bag. Walk away, Yamna. Do not further interact with him. I quietly turned on my heels and started to walk off.

I have spent a good portion of my school life being bullied, so I wasn't fazed. I had just thought that I had gotten past that phase of my life. 

He caught up with me and threw my glasses at me. "Nerds like you shouldn't play hard to get. There's nothing special about you anyway." Scoffing, he walked away.

I put my glasses back on and headed out of the library, swallowing hard. Do not let the words of an irrelevant person bother you. Do not let the words of an irrelevant person bother you.

But I was a sensitive person at heart, and the tear that ran down my cheek was unavoidable.

*

Rohaan

The house seemed a bit lively when I got home. 

"Oh great, the sisters are here." I groaned, speaking loudly enough for them to hear.

"MA....MUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!" My eldest nephew, ten-year-old Ali Farhaan, son of my sister Hooriya, ran out into the foyer with a huge grin on his face. He came and slammed into me, wrapping his arm around me. "Assalam Alaikum."

"Walaikum Assalam, kid." I ruffled his hair.

"MAMU!" Seven-year-old Arham Aariz, son of my sister Haya (a.k.a. Behaya), also chased after his cousin brother. 

I high-fived both my nephews. "How are my buddies?"

"Excuse me? Me too!" A pouty voice came from the doorway.

With an adoring smile, I walked over and got on the floor on one knee. "How can I ever forget you?" I lifted up the small hand and brought it to my mouth.

Four-year-old Maham Aariz smiled shyly, a blush covering her cheeks.

I got up and went into the living room.

"Oh, he still lives in the same country!" Haya immediately muttered sarcastically as she saw me.

I saw that it was just my mother and sisters in the room, not my brothers-in-law. "Assalam Alaikum." 

"Walaikum Assalam."

Hooriya stood up. She was five months pregnant, a relief for her after years of waiting. 

"Sit." I told her, giving her a one-armed hug. "How are you doing?" 

"You tell me. You're too busy for us now." Hoor complained, reaching up and pinching my cheek like I was a child.

"You know me. I like making criminals miserable." I walked over to Haya and sat down beside her. "Behaya, as lazy as ever. Not bothering to get up to meet me."

"Kind words in front of the kids, Rohaan." Mama reminded me.

I just grinned sheepishly, glancing at Behaya. "You good?"

"I'm wondering when you're going to get married." Behaya looked thoughtful. "Arsal's wedding is already fixed for June, but you are still as lost as ever."

"Don't worry. He agreed, so sooner or later, your Papa and I will be making an announcement, In Sha Allah." Mama smiled. "Let our responsibilities be over and done with so your Papa and I can sit back and relax." 

"So, who's the lucky girl?" Hoor smiled.

"Who's the bechari, you mean?" Behaya laughed, before turning to Hoor. "How's our Bhabi-to-be doing?" 

"Well, Tahira is managing the first London branch of Rose Luxe very well, Ma Sha Allah. Farhaan gave her a chance with it, and she beyond excelled at it." Hoor replied. 

"Remind her that we're taking her shopping this weekend." Haya said.

Our future sister-in-law, Tahira Anwar, did not have any family, so the wedding was going to be completely handled by our side. Like Yasin Chachu and Saba Chachi, Arsal and Tahira had a bit of a star-crossed story as well. It  seemed to be a generational thing. 

I frowned. "Why is it so quiet?" I saw Maham sitting beside Mama, colouring in her princess book. "Where are the boys?" 

"Ya Allah!" Haya slapped her forehead. "Rohaan, use your Rohaanish mind and think about what the two could be doing right now." 

I got up, grinning. "I think I know. Looks like annoying Grasshopper runs in the blood." I headed out of the room, dashing up the stairs. 

Indeed, Ali and Arham were in Arsalan's room, laughing as they tried to come up with pranks to annoy their youngest Mamu. 

"Guys, it's not nice to be in someone's room when they are not around." I said, trying to be the responsible adult.

"You know it's fun messing with Arsal Mamu, yaar." Ali's blue-green eye sparkled with mischief.

"Yaar?" I questioned.

"Are you in or you a boring adult?" Arham asked me in a challenging tone.

I couldn't help laughing. "Oh, that was definitely karma. The King has been overthrown." 

"Look what we got, Mamu!" Arham took off his backpack and zipped it open. Taking out a zip lock bag, he held it up for me to see.

Frowning, I reached out to grab the bag. "Are these fake grasshoppers?" I chuckled. "Where in God's sweet planet did you manage to find these?" 

"Stick with us. You'll learn a lot." Ali grinned.

"I'm impressed." I crossed my arms over my chest. "Fine boys. Let's prank Arsal Mamu epically."

 *

Third Person POV

Saba walked into Yamna's room. It was almost two at night, and she had seen the light on, but her daughter hadn't answered when she had knocked.

Yamna was asleep at her desk, her face pressed against the page of her diary. As Saba got closer, she saw a dried tear track on her daughter's face. 

Saba's heart broke for her, and she ran a gentle hand over her daughter's head. "My sweetheart."

Yamna had a terrible history with being bullied, and both her parents worried greatly for her.

"If anything happens to us tomorrow, how will she cope?" Saba whispered, glancing heavenward. "Allah, the world would eat her up if she has to manage on her own." She placed her hands on Yamna's shoulders. "Yamna..."

The girl sat up straight with a gasp upon feeling her mother's touch. Turning her head, she looked up wide-eyed, a look of terror in her eyes.

"Yamna, what's wrong?" Saba asked, concerned.

She shook her head. "Nothing. I think I just had a bad dream." She closed her diary and stood up.

"Are you okay?" 

"I'm fine, Mama." She gave Saba a weak smile. "I'm tired. I'll sleep on my bed now." She laughed lightly. 

Saba tucked her in, even taking off her glasses for her. Leaning down to kiss her forehead, she whispered. "May Allah always keep you under His protection. Ameen."

"Ameen." She muttered sleepily, closing her eye.

Saba had once enrolled Yamna in karate classes when she was a kid. She had worried that her daughter was going to be afraid of the world, shy and living in her own little shell. She wanted Yamna to open up a little and learn to defend herself a little. Yamna had hated those classes and had refused to go. 

How do I ease my worries about Yamna?

*

Yamna

I tried to apply the eyeliner but it smudged everywhere, some going into my eye. I had to wash my eyes out and try again. Neater, but it still looked like a child applied it.

"Nerds like you shouldn't play hard to get. There's nothing special about you anyway."

I knew very well that his words and opinion didn't matter. I knew that beauty was in the eye of the beholder. I knew that internal beauty is what truly matter. But people had no idea how words can hurt someone's self-esteem.

Applying lip-gloss, I stared at my reflection thoughtfully. I wasn't beautiful like Hooriya Appi or Haya Appi. I was... me. Plain, boring and ordinary. I fingered my straight, silky hair, the only quality of mine that I thought was above average. 

"When you look in a mirror, it's not your eyes that show you what's in there. It's your self-esteem, and how you are feeling about yourself right now." Dado used to say.

"Well, my self-esteem is so low that it can see the ruins of the Titanic." I muttered, grumpily. 

Fortunately, Mama and Papa had already gone to work so they wouldn't see me in make-up. I glanced at my outfit, thinking that it should be fine. I recalled Haya Appi's message from last night.

<Haya Appi: Hey, hamster 🐹❤️! Hoor and I will be staying a couple of days. Come straight over after uni!>

I smiled genuinely. Haya Appi was here! She'd always been like the perfect combination of a big sister and best friend for me. I'd gotten along with all of my Tayan's kids, but Haya Appi and I had a special bond.

I bet if she hears that someone made me feel bad about myself, she would go to my uni and tell that stupid Mobeen off!

It didn't matter. I was just happy that I was going to see Haya Appi tonight. And Hoor Appi, of course! 

*

"Assalam Alaikum." I smiled at Anabia Tayi as she opened the front door.

"Walaikum Assalam." She smiled back, hugging me tightly. She then hugged Mama, who had picked me up from university today. "Yamna, honey, go inside! Everyone's waiting for you." 

Feeling oddly shy, I headed down the hall and into the living room. 

"There she is, my Yum-Yum!" Haya Appi immediately jumped up and rushed over to me to give me a tight hug. 

"Assalam Alaikum!" I said, hugging her back tightly.

Everyone replied to my greeting and Hoor Appi got up to hug me, even though I asked her to remain seated.

"You okay?" Arsal Bhai smiled up at me from the armchair.

"I'm okay. Alhumdulillah." I set my bag down on the ground. "Where are the kids?" 

"Maham is taking a nap." Haya Appi replied. "And the boys are, as usual, with Rohaan playing football." 

"I'm going to wash my hands." I excused myself and headed down the hall to the downstairs bathroom.

As I came back out, through the kitchen window I could see Rohaan playing with his nephews. The boys, as always, looked very happy playing with their Mamu. And a small smile appeared on my face as I saw the normally tough Rohaan loosen up, a carefree grin on his face. It was only when he lifted up his shirt to wipe away the sweat that my cheeks turned red and I hurried away down the hallway.

"By the end of the year, I want Rohaan to be married too." Anabia Tayi was speaking quietly to Mama as I sat down on an empty sofa.

"The same year as Arsal? Won't two weddings in one year be hard to manage, Bhabi?" Mama asked, concerned.

"Call it my restlessness, Saba. There's no reason to delay for Rohaan. He's older anyway, and he is settled in his job. I see no reason to hold it off." 

"He's okay with it?" 

"Yeah, he likes Mira and..."

My heart almost stopped.

Mama smiled. "I suspected that it would be Mira." 

"I know, the chemistry seems obvious, right?" Tayi also smiled.

As the mothers chatted, I felt my heart sinking further and further. I mean, I don't know what I was expecting. This was bound to happen. 

Rohaan and the boys entered the room, and Rohaan took a seat beside me, stretching his arms out on the back of the sofa. "Assalam Alaikum, Saba Chachi. Hamster."

"Walaikum Assalam." I muttered while Mama greeted him back enthusiastically.

"Why does Mamu call her hamster?" Ali looked curious. "Can we call her that?" 

"You kids are not going to call her that. She's older than you." Rohaan told him nicely but firmly.

"It's just a cute nickname between cousins." Hoor Appi explained to her son. "But Mamu is right. You kids won't be calling her that, okay?"

As everyone started talking amongst themselves, I slid closer to Rohaan so that I could whisper, "You're not mad at me still, are you? I was rude."

He glanced at me. "If I hadn't known you forever, I'd be mad. But I'll let you off this time."

"And next time?" I asked, curiously.

"There will be a next time?" 

I pretended to think about it. "No."

He chuckled. "Good... because I don't want to tell Chachi off you. Although, this repayment would be long overdue."

I played with my bracelet, my cheeks turning warm. "Don't tell Mama. She might still cancel the trip." 

"Be nicer to me then. Don't be a meanie." He grinned.

I glanced up at him. "You've been a meanie to me all my life."

"I've also had your back all your life." He paused. "The question is, will you have my back if needed?" 

"Always. I'm loyal." I looked straight into his eyes as I replied. As I realised how bold my reply sounded, I added, "For Tayan's sake. Because you're his son." I looked around the room and my eyes widened slightly as I saw Haya Appi looking between me and Rohaan with a small smile on her face.

I smiled back at her, my naïve mind didn't realising at that point what her mind was cooking.

*

Rohaan

I was flicking through the TV channels later in the night, when Behaya walked in.

"Move your legs." She ordered, nodding down at my legs stretched out on the sofa.

"Sit somewhere else." 

"Move!" She remained adamant.

Sighing, I sat up and she took a seat beside me. "What the f**k, Behaya?"

"I needed your opinion on something." She looked at me.

I scoffed. "Since when?" 

She rolled her eyes. "Aariz has been assigned this group of medical interns at work. He assigns them their duties, and he is basically their mentor. I met one of them the other day. Young guy, good looking. I saw him and I instantly thought of Yum-Yum."

I glanced at her sharply. "What? Yum-Yum? Why?" 

"He seems nice, and he seems like he'd be sweet to our Yum-Yum."

"We already made a mistake by getting her engaged to Yusuf at such an early stage. Just let her finish her education properly, start a career and..."

"I mean, I'm not saying now either. I mean later." 

I shrugged after a brief hesitation. "It's up to Yamna and her parents." 

"And you don't have a problem with that?" Behaya looked at me as if studying my face.

"Why would I have a problem? And why would my opinion even be relevant in this?" 

"You're a policeman. You can read people. Maybe you can get to know him and..." 

I sighed. "Behaya, we are not a couple of matchmaking rishta aunties. I mean, you might be, but I am not." 

"You didn't have a problem giving your opinion when it was about Yamna and Yusuf."

"Yusuf was my friend. Of course, I gave my opinion."

"And Yamna is nothing? If you have a doubt that someone might not be good for her, you won't say anything?" 

"What is wrong with you today?" I glared at her.

"I'm trying to figure something out." She said, quietly.

"What?" 

"Where you lost you brain. But then I suddenly remembered that it never existed." She rolled her eyes and stood up. "Fine. Don't give your opinion. I'll speak to Chachu and Chachi about it and..."

"Just like that? No background checks and you're going to mention him Chachu and Chachi? What if he's a serial killer?" 

"He's going to be a doctor, Rohaan."

I scoffed. "Makes things easier for him." 

"You are a confused man. One minute you didn't want to give an opinion, and now you suddenly care if he's a serial killer or not." 

"I'm a detective. Of course I care about whether a person has a criminal record!"

"Especially a potential suitor for Yamna?" She down beside me once again. "Why are you so overprotective of Yamna?"

"Why are you?" I shot back.

"Because I adore her like a little sister." She raised her eyebrow challengingly. "What is your answer to this, Rohaan Rehan Tariq?" 

"Papa adores Yasin Chachu. We adore Chachu..."

"And we adore Yamna."

"Exactly, we adore..." I stopped talking. "You adore Yamna. I tolerate her." 

"I have my answer. Good night, Rohaan." She stood up and began to walk out of the room.

"Next time don't come home high on something!" I called out after her.

"I stole from your stash, actually." She shot back.

I chuckled. "I expected nothing less from you, Behaya."

*

Today, Saba Chachi specially requested me to pick Yamna up from university. There was an exhibition at the art gallery that she worked at, and she had to work late. And Chachu had an extra evening class to teach at the university.

I arrived ten minutes early, which was like a whole new record for me.

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel as I waited, my gaze going around the campus. But then I saw something that made me frown. I glanced at my wristwatch. I thought I was early? 

But there she sat on a bench, clutching a book to her chest, her head bowed. 

I got out of my car and started walking towards her but paused when I saw a guy approach her, another uni student. He reached down and snatched the book from her, making her look up, startled. My jaw clenched and my hands curled into fists. The anger inside me shot up in severe intensity when I realised that it was Yamna's diary that he had snatched from her.

"Give it back!" She stood up, her bag dropping down to the ground with her movement.

I strode forward as he flipped open the diary.

"Please, just give it back!" She pleaded, a tear running down her cheek, jumping up slightly to try and grab it as he held it out of her reach.

"Why don't you take it back, hamster?" He chuckled nastily. 

Approaching from behind, I snatched the diary from him, moving forward to stand between him and Yamna.

"What the f**k, man..." His voice died down as he stared up at me.

"You call her hamster again, and you will become hamster food." I spoke in a low voice. I grabbed him by the lapel with one hand, keeping the danger and threat obvious in my tone and expressions. "You will not come near her again. You will not speak to her. You will not even look in her direction."

"T-This is t-the twenty-first century. You don't get away with threatening people." He had the audacity to speak.

"And you can get away with bullying a young girl?" I raised an eyebrow. "Live stream it, video record it, I don't give a s**t. But come near her again, and I will live stream your a** kicking myself, and that's a promise." 

He scoffed. "I don't want this boring nerd anyway. She's not even pretty." 

I grabbed his lapel with my other hand, after tossing Yamna's diary towards the bench. "Apologise to her." 

"Leave it." Yamna whispered to me, softly. "His words mean nothing to me."

The boy looked smug.

"I'm a reasonable guy." I told him. "I don't get violent unless I'm provoked. I'm giving you a warning this time that this girl is not to be messed with. And if you ever, ever make the mistake of bullying her again, I will not only rearrange this smug face of yours, but I will ensure that you never get into a university or a decent job again. I have connections that will make even your father p**s his trousers with fear." I shoved him back roughly.

He laughed. "And yet you choose this unattractive nerd."

I reached back and punched him so suddenly that Yamna jumped back, startled. He fell back onto the ground, groaning.

"Go ahead." I told him. "Report me. And then I'll be mention your bullying."

He got up, gave him the middle finger while covering his mouth with one hand, and walked off.

I felt Yamna lace her fingers through mine, and glanced down at her in surprise. Her face was pale, she was trembling and her skin was ice cold. But what surprised me even more were the words she asked me, "Rohaan, what if you get in trouble for this?" 

"Don't worry about me. I know how to take care of myself." I gave her a reassuring smile. "You okay?" 

She looked up and met my gaze. "In case anything does happen, I'll have your back." She jumped back suddenly, taking her hand out of my grip. "S-Sorry. I didn't mean to..." Her cheeks turned a dark shade of red, as she picked her diary and stuffed it into her bag.

"He bothers you again, you'll tell me, right?" 

"I have a feeling that he won't bother me again." She spoke shyly, her gaze lowered.

"Come on, I'm in the mood for goll gappay." I began to walk towards the car.

"No."

"What do you mean 'no'?" 

"You burp too much when you have them and then you annoy me."

I laughed. "I'm gonna have double my usual then."

"Rohaan!" 

"Come on, hamster. You should be used to me by now." 

Our bantering continued throughout the whole drive.

But I definitely didn't miss how she eased up as soon as she was with me. Her sadness had disappeared and she was smiling again. And it made me feel good.

*

Poor Yamna always gets bullied!

Haya seemed to have picked up on a thing or two...

Arsal and Tahira are finally getting their happily ever after!

Will Rohaan's marriage be fixed elsewhere?

Favourite part?

Thoughts and comments?

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