Shubman slipped into his shirt and shorts, running his fingers through his damp hair without much thought for his appearance. He grabbed his car keys and started to leave his room. On his way out, he found his mother, kissed her cheek, and muttered a quick goodbye.

But she gently pulled him back as he was about to step out.

"Where are you off to?" his mother asked, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.

Shubman sighed and replied, "I'm going to confront Noor."

"And why are you planning to fight with my dear Noor?" Mumma Gill asked her tone a mix of surprise and concern.

Shubman raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, Mum? You call her 'my dear'?"

"Yes, she is my dear. Is there a problem with that? I've loved her as much as I have loved you," Mumma Gill said, crossing her arms, ready for a fight.

"Well, Mum, this 'dear' of yours has been treating your 'dear' badly over the smallest things. I need to sort this out," Shubman said, folding his arms as well, standing his ground.

Shubman's mother looked at him intently. "You're not seriously going to fight with her over for Ghazal, are you?" Mumma Gill asked, her eyes widening in scrutiny.

"Uh, yes, I am. She's my girlfriend, and she has no right to talk like that about someone I love," Shubman replied, ready to move forward, not wanting to argue any longer.

Mumma Gill took a deep breath and shut her eyes tight, trying to calm her anger. She knew there was no way to stop her stubborn son. Opening her eyes again, she grabbed his car keys. "You are going without these because I'm not letting you drive in this condition."

"Fine! But I'm still going!" Shubman said, yanking his hand softly away. He knew better than to be rude or slam doors; no matter what age, you don't act back rudely or shout, or you face the consequences.

Mumma Gill just prayed that the fight wouldn't be severe and that it wouldn't turn into a big argument which would only strain relations more. Meanwhile, Shubman was cracking his knuckles, counting the things he was going to confront Noor about. The rickshaw driver glanced at his red face, making sure to drive fast and drop the boy off quickly.

When Shubman reached his destination, he handed the driver some cash not waiting for the change. Shubman, who had been fidgeting and creating small dents in the seat, finally exited the rickshaw. The driver, pleased with the extra tip, smiled and drove away happy about the fact that the troublemaker was finally off his auto.

He stormed into the boutique, slamming the door behind him. The boutique was empty, as it was still early, except for Parminder, who was dusting the shelves. Parminder stopped mid-motion, giving Shubman a disapproving look as he announced himself loudly.

Ignoring Shubman, Parminder turned back to the shelves, uninterested in entertaining someone who had left his Noor Didi for some rich and opportunist women.

Shubman, clenching his fists, asked angrily, "Parminder, Noor kitthe hai?" ("Parminder, where is Noor?")

Parminder continued dusting the shelves without turning around and replied with sarcasm, "Kripeya apne aap labh lein." ("Please find out yourself.")

Shubman, blowing out a deep breath in frustration, shouted, "Noor! Noor, kitthe hai tu?" ("Noor! Noor, where are you?") His voice echoed through the boutique, his impatience clear as he continued to search for her.

Shubman searched everywhere in the boutique, his frustration mounting as he found no sign of Noor. Realizing his search was futile, he stood there, defeated and exasperated.

As the door jingled and Noor walked in, Shubman's frustration boiled over. He glared at Parminder and demanded, "Tuc pehla kyo kiha si ki oh ethe koni (haigi)??" ("Why did you say she wasn't here earlier?")

Parminder rolled his eyes and said, "Main ta kiha c ki' aapne aap labh lyo.' Tusi ohnu call vi kar sakde si. Main eh nahi kehna si ke store vich milu gi." ( "You could have called her too. I didn't mean you'd find her in the store.")

Noor licked her lips and moved forward, instructing Parminder, "Parminder, nave cheezan store vich Christmas layi rakhna shuru karo. Log jaldi aayenge, already 10 baje ne."("Parminder, start putting new items in the store for Christmas. People will be arriving soon; it's already 10 a.m." ) She didn't spare a single glance at Shubman making his already angry self more angry.

Noor walked into the room where the clothes were stitched and made. Suddenly, she felt herself pushed against the wall. She could feel hot breath on her dry lips, lips that were yet to be quenched by his kiss, and she knew that wasn't going to happen anytime soon. Turning her gaze upwards, she stared into his brown eyes with her blue ones, her voice trembling with anger as she muttered, "What do you want?"

He voiced out his turmoil, "Why is my best friend avoiding me and, on top of that, talking ill about someone I love?" His voice was filled with frustration and hurt, searching for answers in her unwavering gaze.

Noor, her anger palpable, snapped, "Because you have no time for me but all of it for Ghazal. And when I act rude, you get hurt. Stop being dramatic and get it straight-I have every right to be angry."

Shubman pressed Noor gently against the wall, his voice low but urgent. "What's wrong with everyone? Why does everyone seem to hate Ghazal?" His touch made her heart race, the intensity of his question reflecting his confusion and desperation for understanding.

Noor's eyes softened slightly as she said, "Trust me, even if you got the answer, you'd end up hating yourself, and I don't want that for you."

Shubman, clutching his hair in frustration, cried out, "First, this accident has made me forget everything, and now you all are acting like this. It's so confusing and tiring." His voice was filled with exhaustion and a sense of helplessness.

Noor took a deep breath, carefully gathering her words with the last of her energy. "What if I told you that you had memory loss and, before the accident, it was me you loved and Ghazal you hated?"

Shubman's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. "If that's true," he said, his voice trembling, "then everything I'm feeling now makes no sense. How could I have loved you and hated Ghazal? I don't even remember that." He looked at Noor, his confusion deepening as he tried to reconcile his current feelings with what she had just revealed.

Noor, hurt, asked, "So you don't trust your best friend?" Her voice was tinged with sadness.

"No, I don't!" he shouted. "Because what if it's all part of your plan? What if you all want me to stay away from Ghazal?" His frustration and suspicion were evident, as he struggled to understand the motives behind the people closest to him.

Noor, her blue eyes reflecting a stormy ocean, said, "So you trust the one who came recently, not the ones who have been with you all your life?" Her voice was filled with a mix of hurt and disbelief, questioning why he would doubt those who had always been there for him.

Shubman, tears streaming down his face, said, "I don't know what to think right now. Trust feels so insignificant compared to everything I'm going through." His voice wavered.

Noor wiped her tears and said, "For a moment, let's believe that everything I've said is true. Then what?" Her gaze was steady, seeking to find some clarity or resolution amidst the chaos.

Shubman, pinching the bridge of his nose, wiped away his tears and looked at her, biting his lip as he tried to compose himself. "Trust me, Noor," he said, "if that were true, it would be "Denied Destiny" because I don't feel anything that way." His voice was filled with struggle, trying to reconcile his emotions with her claims.

Noor nodded, biting her inner cheek, and said, "Do me a favour, will you?"

"What do you need?" Shubman asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Let's take a break from this friendship," Noor said. "I need some time, just like you do."

Shubman fumbled, shocked by her words. His fingers trembled as he reached out to her, struggling to find the right response. "You... you really think that's the answer?"

Noor nodded, her expression firm yet sorrowful. Shubman's voice cracked as he asked, "What about me then? Who will I lean on in hard times?" Feeling pity for his condition but knowing she needed to follow through, Noor replied, "I'm not saying this is forever, just for a while. Until then, you have the love of your life. The absence of a best friend might not matter; your love could be your best friend for now, and eventually, when you marry, she will have that title."