Dua's POV

I was laughing as I stepped onto the lawn. God! Momin’s expression was priceless—he looked both cute and intimidated at the same time.

"Has lo jitna hasna hai! (Laugh as much as you want!) But don’t forget, Momin will take his revenge," I heard his voice, and I turned to see him. He was ready to leave for the office.

"I would love to be avenged," I winked at him. He raised his eyebrows at me, amused.

Yes. I didn’t fear him. Why would I? I knew that whatever he did, he would never truly hurt me.

"Meri jaan, apko nahi lagta aj kal aap kuch zyada badmash hogayi hai? (My love, don’t you think you’ve become a bit too naughty these days?)"

"Han. Aur isi badmashi pe to aap marte hai (Yes. And it’s this naughty side of mine that you love)," I replied, walking closer to him and wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

"Wo to hai… but still, I will take my revenge." He bit my nose, making me hiss in pain, before waving goodbye and getting into his car to drive off.

I rubbed my nose, pouting, and went to my room. Picking up my mobile, I noticed Rabiya’s missed calls. I dialed her number and waited for her to answer.

"Heyya Dua! Wassup?" she greeted loudly.

"Hi, Bia… you called," I replied, lying on my bed.

"Yes, I needed to tell you something," she said.

"Okay… I’m listening."

"Dua, when are you coming?" she asked.

"Uh… I’ll come at the end of this month," I informed her.

"No! Dua, you should come as soon as possible. Our college will start in the first week of next month. So, it’s better if you come earlier," she said hurriedly. I frowned.

"I know classes start next month. Then why do I need to come early?" I asked, confused.

"Dua, we need to settle you here. I want to introduce you to my friends, and you should befriend them… so that when you go to university, you won’t feel like a stranger," she explained. I thought about it.

"Dua, you’re my sister, and I want to make sure you’re comfortable here," she persuaded again. I didn’t know what to say, but she was right. If I befriended her friends, I wouldn’t feel out of place.

I smiled. Rabiya was such a kind soul. She really cared about me. "Okay. I’ll talk to Mama and Papa first," I said, and we hung up after exchanging a few more words.

I sat thinking about everything. Something inside me whispered not to go. I wanted to stay with Momin… but I could be with him after completing my education, right?

---

"This week? But you said you’d go after a couple of weeks since your classes start next month?" Mama asked, passing tea to Dadu and Dadi. She handed me my coffee and sat beside me, holding her own cup.

"Yeah, Bia said it would be good if I come before classes start, so I could settle in comfortably," I said, sipping my coffee.

"I don’t know… I still can’t convince myself that you’re going alone," Mama said in a concerned tone. I scooted closer to her.

"Mama, don’t worry so much. It’s only for a few years. After that, I’ll come back to you and never leave your side," I assured her, resting my head on her shoulder. She caressed my cheeks.

"And I believe Rabiya and Riya will take care of you, so beta, don’t stress yourself," Dadu said. Mama smiled a little.

"Okay. I’ll talk to your Papa about the tickets and other arrangements," Mama said. I smiled, kissed her cheeks, and walked out of the lounge, sipping my coffee.

Suddenly, I bumped into someone and spilled all the contents onto them.

"Oops… sorry!" I looked up and found my little sister glaring at me.

"Can’t you see where you’re going, Dua? You ruined my dress!" she almost shouted. I rolled my eyes.

"Chill, okay? It’s not like you don’t have other dresses. And if you want this same dress, then take it from me," I said, turning to go to my room.

"Why would I take your dress? I have mine," Maham said angrily. I turned and smirked.

"But you’ve always liked taking my things. Since childhood, you’ve set your eyes on my possessions. You even wanted to take my possession over Momin. So, what’s the big deal taking my clothes now?" Her eyes widened. "Take it… only clothes. And remember, you can’t have everything that belongs to me. Now you’re going to lose your friendship with Momin. Before leaving, I’ll tell him about your feelings, and trust me, after that, he won’t even look at you. So be prepared," I said angrily and strode toward my room. For days, I had wanted to confront her, but never got the chance.

---

Maham’s POV

I stood there frozen, my eyes wide.

Dua knew! She knew about my feelings! No… she would break our friendship!

I began panicking. I knew that if Dua told Momin, he would not keep our friendship. He would end it. And as Dua said, he wouldn’t even look at me after knowing my feelings.

"No! I can’t let that happen! Dua is leaving soon, and if she says anything to Momin, there’ll be nothing I can do. No! I have to stop her," I muttered, running after her. She went to her room, and I followed.

"Dua, listen to me!" I called. She turned to me.

"I’ve already listened to what’s in your heart. Now you will listen to what Momin will say about this!" she said coldly.

"Dua! Dua, please don’t tell Momin anything! Look, I’m sorry!" I cried, standing in front of her. She stared at me with a cold expression. "Dua, I’m really sorry! I couldn’t control my heart. I fell for him! I know he loves you, and he won’t love me back!" I sank onto the bed, holding my head, sobbing.

"I tried, Dua! I tried not to fall for him, but I couldn’t stop my heart! Trust me!" I cried, my chest aching.

"Maham," Dua called softly. She sat beside me, and I looked up at her.

"I get that you love him, but what you’re thinking and doing is wrong. I’m not angry at you for falling for him, but because of your thinking. You thought if I were away from him, you could make him fall for you?" she asked. I stared at her in fear. How did she know? How could she know all this—my feelings, my thoughts?

"You are wrong," she continued. "You are wrong to think like this. I know Momin better than anyone, and I know he will never love anyone else the way he loves me. Trust me, Maham, he will never accept you. He could never leave me. He is crazy for me, and I’m sure about it! In the end, you will only get hurt. So please, don’t chase someone who already belongs to someone else. He has already given his heart and soul to me. Momin and I both know he could never get over me. So please, stop where you are," she said, her words filled with confidence and pride, making my heart clench. She spoke as if she owned him. Her certainty pierced me with pain and anger. I clenched my fists and took a deep breath.

"I think… you’re right. I’m running after a man who will never be mine. I understand your point, Dua," I said, wiping my tears before holding her hand. "I will bury my feelings deep in my heart, but please, Dua, don’t tell Momin anything! If you do, I could never face him," I sobbed, clutching her hand.

She pulled me into a hug, surprising me.

"I won’t tell him if you’re ready to forget him. I just wanted to make you understand, and now that you do, there’s no way I’ll drag Momin into this," she said, patting my back before breaking the hug. "But remember, if you do anything wrong, I won’t hesitate to tell him everything," she warned. I nodded and smiled.

"Thank you, Dua. You’re the best sister," I smiled and hugged her.

And… stupid too.

A smirk formed on my lips.

**********

Dua’s POV

"Mama, I need a new dress!" I said, stomping my foot.

"Dua, you have so many dresses that you haven’t even worn yet. So just wear one of them," Mama replied.

"No, those are old," I argued.

"Last month you bought those," Mama reminded me. I rolled my eyes.

"Whatever! I just want to go shopping, that’s it!"

"The party is tomorrow, and it’s already evening. When are you going to shop? You should have thought about this earlier. I told you a couple of days ago about the party," Mama scolded me. I pouted.

We were going to Fathima Phupo’s place tomorrow for her wedding anniversary party, and I didn’t have a dress to wear—not exactly. I just wanted to go shopping.

"I’m going now," I said, turning to leave.

"You dare to take a step out of this house at this time, Dua Ruman Mirza?" Mama warned, her voice dangerously sharp.

"Why?" I whined.

"No means no. You are not going anywhere. If you don’t want to wear your dress, then ask Maham to give you one. She has plenty of pretty dresses too," Mama suggested.

"Mama, you know I don’t like wearing her things. I want my own," I protested.

"Then adjust with what you have," she said in a dismal tone, going back to her reading.

"I’ll go to Papa. My Papa is better than you," I said angrily and walked out of her room.

---

"You’re talking just like Mama."

"And your Mama is right," Papa said.

"No, no, no! If I don’t buy a new dress today, then I swear I won’t go tomorrow with all of you!" I crossed my arms and looked away.

Papa was saying the same thing—that it was late and I shouldn’t go out alone.

"Meri jaan, don’t be sad. I’ll take you shopping," Papa said, making me smile.

"Okay, I’ll get ready," I said, sprinting out of the study and into my room.

After getting ready, I went to my parents’ room and found Papa sleeping on the sofa. Mama was arranging the cupboard.

"Papa is sleeping," I said with a pout.

"Yes, he was tired and fell asleep while waiting for you," Mama said as she continued her work.

"I’ll wake him up," I said, moving toward him, but Mama scolded me softly.

"Don’t, Dua. He’s tired. Today was hectic at the office, so let him rest."

"What about my shopping?" I whined.

"Go with Momin," she suggested.

"He’s also not available, or else I wouldn’t have even bothered you," I muttered in annoyance.

I was getting irritated that I couldn’t go shopping without a guardian.

"I’m available," I heard a familiar voice. I turned and saw him walking into the room.

"Aunty, when uncle wakes up, give him this file," he said, handing the file to Mama. "And where do you want to go, madam?" he asked, turning to me.

"She wants to go shopping," Mama informed him. "Will you take her?" she asked. Naturally, he nodded.

---

"How about this dress?" Momin asked, showing me a beautiful blue frock. I shook my head.

"No frocks, no gowns. I want something different," I said, scanning through the dresses.

"Okay, let’s find something different for my wifey," he said with enthusiasm in his voice. Most men hate shopping, as far as I know, but Momin… he never seemed to get tired of doing anything for me.

We searched for something that suited my taste, but nothing caught my eye.

"Dua, look at this," Momin called. I walked toward another section where he was holding an elegant top, but my eyes caught something else behind him.

"I want this one!" I exclaimed, picking up a top. It was sleeveless and a little short, with striking black and red colors. "Isn’t it beautiful?" I asked, showing it to Momin.

He gave me a disapproving look and shook his head. "No, you will not wear this," he said, snatching the top from my hands.

"Why?" I asked, frowning.

"Can’t you see? This is sleeveless and too short for my liking. I don’t want anyone seeing you in this," Momin said sternly.

"But Momin, I like it!" I whined, only to get a glare in response.

"Choose something else," he said, placing the top back on the rack. I snatched it back again.

"I said I will buy this! I want this!" I said stubbornly.

"Dua, don’t be stubborn. You know I hate this type of dress on you," he said.

"But everyone wears this type of clothing," I argued.

---

"You are not everyone, and you are not anyone. You are my love, my wife. My dignity, my pride… and I will raise hell before I let anyone compromise them," he declared, staring into my eyes.

"But I like this dress," I said stubbornly. Though his words touched my heart, I still insisted on my choice.

"Fine," he sighed in defeat. "But… you can wear this only in the house, in front of me and your family. Not outside," he demanded. I thought for a moment, then smiled.

"Thank you!" I said happily. I didn’t see it as wrong—besides, I had no desire to dress for anyone else. I wanted to look pretty for the party, and if I loved this dress, I would wear it only for him. "You know how to make me agree with you," I said.

"And you know how to make me give in," Momin replied with a smile.

★★★★