*A week later

Noor's pov:

"I have a shoot." Aariz glares as I am standing in front of the door.

"I have a shoot too!" I say, still not moving from the door of the bathroom.

"Kya shoot tumhari? Actor hu main! Jaldi shooting spot pr jana padega! Aap to pure din ghar hi baithi rehte ho us laptop ki samne." he says trying to shoo me away.

(What kind of shoot do you have? I am an actor and I need to go to the shooting spot quickly! You just sit around in the house all day in front of that laptop.)

"Tumhara kya matlab hai? Main laptop mein kaam hi krti hun! Agar yakeen nhi hota to dekhlo! Kitne saare pyari designs hain! Us ka hi to aaj meri photoshoot hai."

(What do you mean? I work in my laptop! Check it if you don't believe me. It's filled with so many pretty designs. That's what I have the photoshoot for!)

"Haan bohot kaam kiya apne. Abh to mujhe jane do!" (Yes do did so much work. Now let me go.) he tries to enter the bathroom again.

"Nhi! Mein pehle jaungi!" I order again. (No! I'm going first!)

"Is pagal ladki ko lekar mein kya karunga Khuda! Yes your highness. Go go." He bows sarcastically as he moves to the side. (Oh God. What am I going to do with this crazy girl?)

I hit him on the shoulder. 

"Ouch!" he glares at me again.

"Mujhe pagal kyu bola?" I stick my tongue out and then go inside the bathroom. (Why did you call me crazy?)

--

I come out of the bathroom and start looking for a hair dryer to dry my hair.

"What are you trying to find?" Aariz asks annoyed.

"Nothing. Just go and shower." I continue looking for the hair dryer.

"Areh! You're making the floor wet because of hair!" 

"I'm trying to find a hair dryer to dry it. Where do you keep yours?"

"Hair dryer? I don't really need one." He says calmly which seriously made me pissed at myself. 

Of course he doesn't need one! Why did I think he would have a hair dryer in his room?

"You're seriously going to drown us! Is your hair a cloud?" 

I glare at him. "Shut up if you don't want to get hit by a Jhadu (broom) again you cockroach!" I warn.

"Oh gosh. Stop drenching the floor and come here!" he was standing on top of the floor mat. He probably wanted me to go there.

"Why should I listen to your order?" I say stubbornly. I will change this guy for sure.

"Your Highness. Please grace me with your presence and stand on top of the mat." he bows again.

"Since you're being so nice. Fine." I stand on top of the mat- right in front of him. Not sure how that would help.

I feel a pair of hands in my hair.

"Ah! What are you doing? That scared me." I say turning around.

"Apko bukhar ajayegi. Or ageyi to mujhe Ma daategi apki care nhi kiya isliye." (You will get a cold. And if you do, then Ma will scold me cause I couldn't take care of you properly.)

"Oh." I didn't know what else to say to be honest. I kept quiet while he dried my hair.

No one had ever done that to me before. I always used a hair dryer.

"Ho gyi. Ab mujhe nahane do." (Done. Now let me shower.) He shoos me away. 

I try and walk out but I feel him grabbing my hair.

"Ah! That hurts what are you doing?" I screamed without wanting.

"What? I didn't do anythi- Oh." he goes silent.

"What is it? Ouch!" I feel another pull as I try to turn around.

I turn around and see that my hair got stuck in the button of his shirt. Jo nahi ho na tha wo ho geya. (What happened, didn't actually mean to happen.)

"Allah, why do all these always have to happen to me?" he says trying to get my hair off of his button.

"Ouch! It hurts!" I say as he tries to pull my hair out again. 

"Oh Gosh." He starts unbuttoning his shirt.

"What are you doing?" I ask surprised.

"I don't have a choice do I?" he takes his shirt off and hands it to me. I take it but my eyes went somewhere else.

His abs. They were-

"Oi pervert! Eyes on mine." he snaps his finger in front of my face.

That's embarrassing.

"Ye-yeah I umm." I was stuttering. Me! Stuttering!

"Go now." he closes the door of the bathroom.

Rude.

My dream was finally coming true!

People are wearing my dresses! Models will be wearing them today! 

It's such a big thing and now I have to worry about how to get this hair out of this freaking button!

-

After about 10 minutes of struggling, I noticed he got out of the bathroom.

"You still haven't gotten it out?" he says staring at me surprised.

"No! I don't want to rip my hair. It will make the length uneven!" I say while trying to get it out again.

"It's just a few strands Noor. Just cut it and it will be fine." he hands me a pair of scissors.

"Are no!"

"Come on Your Highness! I'll get late because of you!" 

"Why would you get late because of me?"

"I have to drop you off na? You don't know the way from here." he was right. Oh gosh.

"Let me do it. I'll only cut off the tiniest bit. I promise." he says looking sincere. I mean, I didn't have any other choice. 

I would be late otherwise.

 "Fine." I turn around and face my back towards him.

I feel a small cut. I turn around to see it was indeed a very small amount of hair. But even that made me sad.

"Now can we go your highness?" 

"Yes yes, chalo." (Let's go)

--

I finish my shoot and then take the bus to Aariz's shooting spot. His shooting doesn't end until one more hour and I have nothing better to do so might as well go there.

"Mrs Raihan? It's a pleasure to see you here. Are you here to see Mr Aariz Raihan?" a guard greets me.

"Yes, do you mind telling me where he is?" I ask politely.

"If you go straight and then turn left, he should be in the dressing room right now as they just finished shooting one scene." he points at the direction.

I thank him and then follow his directions and get to the dressing room where I see him with Arshia.

What is that bitch doing here with him?

Aliyah's pov:

'Hey sparkle. Come back.'

'Hey sparkle. Come back.'

'Hey sparkle. Come back.'

'Hey sparkle-'

"Rahsin? Rahsin? Aliyah?" Ahaan snaps his fingers to bring me back to reality.

I haven't been able to focus on anything lately because of that text. 

That text. 

That text is the only direct threat to me. It is the only thing that's making me actually consider getting married. So I don't have to go back.

Would my dear mother ask him to send this so I get married even faster?

"Aliyah? Gosh, you're such a nightmare!" he snaps his fingers again.

"Yes what?" I say annoyed. 

Why do I have to deal with so many terrible men since so long? 

"The surgery, it's tomorrow. If you keep zoning out like this then I'll request for another assistant surgeon." 

"Don't you dare! I'll be fine. I'm not zoning out! I was just, thinking of how to murder you with a scalpel."

"Think about that later. Go to the patient and inform her about all the conditions of the surgery." he orders.

I didn't have the mood to argue, so I just obeyed and left.

I go to the patient and inform her about the surgery and all the conditions to follow before it. 

I let her sign the contract and then leave to give Ahaan the signed file. 

When I reach, I see him standing outside his door for no reason. I go up to him and give him the file.

"Here. She is prepared."

He froze on the spot. What the heck?

"Oi! Did you see a ghost? Here, take the file." I shove the file in his hands and leave.

I go inside my room when I get a text.

Another one from him.

Again.

'Sparkle. I hope you're planning to be back soon.'

I need to find someone.

By the end of this freaking week! I can't deal with all this shit anymore!

Water. I need water.

I get the water bottle out of my bag and start chugging it like it was my first time ever drinking water.

There was a knock on the door. Before I could say anything, Ahaan Raihan barged in.

"Marry me." I spat all the water in my mouth on him and started choking.

"What?" I say while still choking. Ignoring the fact that he was drenched with water.

"You heard me right. I'm not getting on my knees if you're expecting that because I don't kneel infront of anyone. Just tell me your answer." he says which shocks me even more.

"I think you came to the wrong room. You realise who I am right?" I say still shocked.

"Yes Nightmare. Now stop being such a Nightmare and tell me your answer." he was seriously serious!

"I-" he cuts me off. "Before you answer, this is a contract marriage only. Don't expect anything. I'm just desperate." 

Talk about opportunities.

But him?

Oh gosh. Do I even have any choice?

"So?" he says when I don't reply.

"Yes." 

Ahaan's pov:

Did I want to ask her? Nope.

But did I have any other choice? Nope.

Raihans never break their promises.

"Yes." her answer shocks me. I did not expect her to say yes.

Well great then, now I don't have to worry about finding a girl anymore.

"Are you able to meet my family today then?" I gotta get engaged by 31 days. Everything has to be fast-paced.

"Okay. My shift ends now anyway." she replied in a nonchalant tone. 

A feeling of coldness washes over me. When I realised, I was still soaking wet. I did not expect her to be drinking water during that or else I wouldn't have come so close!

I did not know we had similar schedules. I mean, I knew she was always around when I was, but I didn't know our shift ended during the same time.

"Okay then," I throw my car keys at her and surprisingly, she caught them. At least she has good reflexes.

"Wait for me in my car. Black Aston Martin. It's noticeable, you'll find it." I say and leave to change.

I couldn't go home drenched like this. Thankfully, I had an extra pair of clothes.

--

I open the door of the driver's seat and sit down to see that Aliyah is not beside me. She was behind.

"I am not your Uber driver. Sit at the front." I say annoyed.

"Nope. I like it here," she says not budging to move. 

"Stop being such a Nightmare and sit in the passenger seat."

"Stop being such an Angry bird and drive." This girl is a serious fucking nightmare.

"If you don't sit at the front right now, then I will pick you up and make you sit in the front." I was not joking. And I think she got that as she did listen and sat beside me.

"See? Wasn't that hard." I start the car.

Can't believe I asked Aliyah freaking Rahsin to marry me. And I also can't believe that she agreed!

Flashback to morning*

"Ahaan Raihan. You better find someone by the end of the week. According to your promise, you at least need to get engaged by the end of this month! December has started." Mum says as I was leaving the house.

"Remember Ahaan, Raihans don't break promises." She says as I left without replying.

That fucking promise. Promises are always so stupid.

Flashback to the afternoon (after Aliyah left to talk to the patient)*

I can't do this anymore. That promise. I need to find someone as soon as possible. 

How do I find someone? Where do I even start? 

The hospital? People here ogle over me. They would probably agree to marry.

This is such a stupid fucking idea. But I'm so desperate right now. 

I'll ask the first un-married person who walks up to me after I get out of this room.

This is really stupid. But I don't have a choice. Beggers can't be choosers.

I come out of the room and as soon as I come out, Aliyah Rahsin runs up to me to say the patient is ready.

I froze out of shock.

Her? Out of everyone? Will she even agree? This is all so useless!

Or kya? Ab to puch na hi parega. (What else? I have to ask now.)

Flashback ends*

We reach the mansion. I park the car and we both get out of the car.

Aliyah looks around for a few seconds.

"So this is where Noor lives now," she muttered to herself.

"Let's go." I lead her to the entrance.

Normally there is no one in the living room so I'd probably have to call everyone.

I was so wrong. I entered to see everyone was present in the living room. Including one of Aliyah's friends Karya.

"What is happening here?" I asked confused.

"Aryan brought a girl here. In his arms." Azaan said while clapping his hands.

"Her?" Aliyah asked surprised and pointed at Karya.

"Yes! Who else would he bring?" Noor replies.

"Areh! Sirf maine hi ladki le kar aaya kya? Isko dekho Mumma! Ye bhi to ek ladki lekar aageya!" Aryan says which transfers everyone's focus from him to me. (Am I the only one who brought a girl? Look at him! He also brought a girl with him!)

"Haan. Ahaan. Who is she?" Mum asks curiously.

"Or kon hoga mumma. Apki liye bahu le kar aageya isne." Aryan says before I can reply. (Who else would she be? He brought a daughter-in-law for you.)

"Ye such hai kya?" (Is it true?) Mum asks me to confirm and I just nod.

"I recognise you from the events. You're Noor's friend Aliyah aren't you? Come in, sit." Mum starts welcoming Aliyah.

"Yes." Aliyah says quietly.

"Did you agree or did he force you?" Aariz asks her after she sits beside Karya. I will seriously kill this guy.

"No, I agreed." Aliyah says.

"Then let's move on with it! How about your parents? Give us their contact so we can move forward and plan the dates."

"My parents? I don't have any." Aliyah says as quietly as possible but still loud enough for everyone to hear.

I noticed Aryan's facial expressions changing when she said it.

"Oh dear. Do you have any other family?" Mum's expressions soften. This was the first time it happened with anyone except Aariz and Aryan.

"No. Just my friends. Noor and this girl Karya. And also Nafisa. They're my only family." Even I felt bad for her.

It's nice how she had friends who were like family but it's sad that she didn't have any family. But what were Aryan's expressions?

"Okay then. We can start discussing the engagement date with you then. If you don't have any problem with that." Mum asks politely.

"Sure."

"Ruko! Isse pehle hamko to Aryan ko puchna chahiye. Ki wo ek ladki ko aise kyu lekar aaye." Aariz says mid-discussion. (Wait. First we need to ask Aryan why he brought a girl like this.)

"Areh haan. Aryan, you still didn't answer us. We kept asking you from before Ahaan came. But right when you started answering, he entered." Dad starts interrogating him.

"Areh kuch bhi nhi. She came here to meet Noor bhabi and then slipped and twisted her ankle. As the gentlemen I am, I just helped her." he says innocently. The elders believed him. But the rest of us knew better. I have a lot of questioning to do with him later. (Oh, it's nothing)

"Oh my gosh. Karu, are you okay? Let me see." Aliyah takes Karya's leg in her lap and starts checking for any injuries.

"If you're seriously injured then Ahaan here is a doctor. He can help." Dad says to Karya when she starts wincing in the pain as Aliyah massages her foot.

"Areh, apka hone-wali bahu bhi to ek doctor hain." (Your to-be daughter-in-law is also a doctor.) Aryan says. Ye ladka aaj mere hath marne wale hein. (This guy will die in my hands today.)

"Oh really. Is that how you met him?" Mum asks Aliyah who is still massaging Karya's feet.

Noor even brought her some herbal medicine to apply on Karya's foot while we were talking.

"Yes." Aliyah's voice was still quiet. This is the first time I've seen her being so quiet for so long.

Except for the time when she had a panic attack but that didn't really count.

Karya's pov:

Aliyah's massage worked like magic on my swollen ankle. 

If only I decided to come here another day to discuss my story with Noor. 

But then, I wouldn't have been able to see all this drama. Poor Nafisa, she missed it all.

I was still so annoyed at Aryan for everything!

Flashback*

I reach the Raihans' mansion. 

I finished planning my new story and wanted to show Noor. Nafisa was still working and Aliyah was probably still at the hospital. Noor is the only available person.

"Surprised to see the Curry here." Aryan's voice was heard. This guy. I can't wait to get that pen back. I seriously need it soon!

"Tumhari bhabi se milne aayi mein. Tumse nhi. So move." I said as he was now standing in front of me. (I came here to meet your bhabi. Not you.)

"Areh Curry. Still, it's your first time in my house. I should welcome you grandly." he gestures towards the door.

"Why should I go that way? Noor told me the way towards the back and from there to her room." I turn around and start walking in the direction Noor told me to go when I stumble into a rock and almost fall on my face when I feel a hand grabbing my hand and pulling me up.

"I got you," Aryan says with a proud smile.

"Yeah thanks whatever." I turn to walk out again but I wince at the pain caused by my ankle. It was swollen.

How lovely!

"Easy there sweetheart." Aryan says holding my hand as I was about to fall again.

Then I feel a pair of hands lifting me upwards.

"What are you doing? You idiot! Put me down!" I started screaming when he picked me up.

"You can't walk like this Curry. Now let's go." he starts walking towards the main entrance.

"Put. Me. Down. Right. Now! Your family will think I'm a pervert!" I order again.

"Areh sweetheart don't worry. No one stays in the living room anyway," he says calmly and walks inside the living room.

To my horror, he was wrong. Literally everyone was there!

"Aryan! Ye kya h?" Their mother says looking at as surprised. (Aryan? What is this?)

"Karya? What are you doing here?" Noor looks at me surprised.

Aryan puts me down beside Noor and walks up to two of his brothers- Aariz and Azaan- as Ahaan was not in the picture.

"Areh mumma kuch nhi." Aryan says casually. (It's nothing.)

This guy!

"Tell the truth. What happened? Why did you bring her here like this?" Their Dad asks him.

"Are wo-"(It's-) he stops when the main gate opens and reveals Ahaan. With Aliyah! 

Flashback ends*

"Noor. You can take your friends with you. We need to have some conversation with our dear sons right now." Noor's mother-in-law tells her politely.

"Can you walk now?" Noor asks worried.

"Yes, I'm fine. Aliyah's massage was magical!" I whisper back.

The two of us follow Noor upstairs where she leads us to a balcony.

"Woah. Teri naya ghar bohot sundar hain." Aliyah says while looking around. (Your new house is really pretty.)

"Ab to ye tere ghar bhi ho jayegi." Noor says teasing Aliyah. (Now it will also become your house.)

"Oh my gosh. Yes. What is all this about Aliyah? You're getting married to him? Didn't you say you hated him?" I asked her the question I was dying to ask the whole time for the past hour.

And then Aliyah sat and told us everything. The order from her mother, the threats from him and lastly, Ahaan's proposal which gave her the opportunity.

"Ahaan proposed to you? So like, he got down on his knees and all that? Where is the ring then?" Noor asks after taking Aliyah's hand.

"Areh no! You know him. That angry bird just asked me if I want to marry him. Apparently he was desperate himself. And he was like ~I am NOt getTINg On MY KneES if THat's what YoU exPECT. I DOn't KNeEL to ANYoNE~ and all that blah blah." she said after mimicking him which made us both laugh.

"Does Nafu know?" Noor asks.

"No. One of you will need to tell her. If I tell her then she will kill me for not telling her earlier." Aliyah says nervously.

"Anyways, enough about me. You," Aliyah glares at me. "What was all that about? How did he bring you in?"

"Areh. It's nothing." I deny.

"Oi! Excuse me? Nothing? Aloo you know? Aryan brought her inside in his arms! In bridal style!" Noor shouts out.

"Kya? Oh wow. Hamari harami ladki aaj kitni acchi ek kdrama moment experience karli!"  Aliyah claps her hands. (Our harami girl experienced such a nice kdrama moment today!)

"Yeah yeah whatever." I say and try to move the point. "Anyways. Hamari desi girl ki married life kaisi chal rhi hein?" (How is married life going for our desi girl?) I say moving the topic from me to Noor.

"Jhadu jyesi." she says calmly. (Like jhadu {broom}) 

"What? Jhadu? Why?" I ask confused.

"Areh kuch bhi nhi." (It's nothing) "Anyway, Aloo. It's a very sensitive topic. What if he tries to do what he did before? Maybe even something worse. You know? Arshia works with Aariz. As his co-actress." Noor said annoyed. Her voice filled with jealousy.

"I don't know. Let's hope not. And about Arshia. Don't worry. That snake and Arisha, they are both literally everywhere!" Aliyah tries to comfort Noor.

--

Thank you for reading<3