Author's POV

Dua knocked on the door of his cabin and waited for his reply.

“Come in,” he called.

With a racing heartbeat, she went inside. Shazil was surprised to see her, but quickly masked his expressions.

“Yes, Miss Dua?” he asked, his tone formal.

Dua stared at his face for a few seconds before gathering her courage and walking closer. His expression was stern, giving no space for nonsense, which made her nervous.

“Momin…” she whispered.

“Shazil!” he corrected sharply. Dua closed her eyes for a second before opening them again.

“You can fool the world. You can be anyone. But the truth is—you are my Momin,” she emphasized, making him clench his jaw. “My soul is familiar with your soul. My heart knows when to beat faster,” she added with a small smile.

“Look, Miss Dua. I don’t know who this Momin is. But I think he is no more… because you’re behaving like this,” he said calmly.

“He is standing right in front of me,” she answered back with the same calmness.

“Please leave from here,” he dismissed her, his voice cold. The words hurt her deeply.

“I want to tell you something… but I won’t say it until you accept that you are my Momin.”

“I don’t want to hear anything. Just leave from here.”

“Remember this. Don’t tell me later that I didn’t inform you.” With that, she walked out of the cabin, leaving him banging his hand on the table in frustration.

***********

Shazil walked out of the cabin, his assistant briefing him about the schedule, but his mind wasn’t listening.

Dua, on the other side of the office, was instructing her juniors for the upcoming meeting. They nodded respectfully at her every word. She carried a grace and authority that commanded respect. Her aura was captivating—and that’s exactly what caught Deniz’s attention, one of the new Turkish employees who had just joined the company.

As Shazil walked by, Deniz passed him, heading inside with his colleague. He glanced at Dua, unable to resist a remark.

“Güzellik bu şirkette maaş olsaydı, Dua Hanım en yüksek maaşı alırdı.”

(If beauty were a salary in this company, Miss Dua would earn the highest pay.)

People around chuckled softly at the flirty comment, translating it for others. Many of them already knew within the week that Dua was not the type to engage in flirtation or casual banter.

Shazil’s steps faltered the moment he heard Dua’s name in that tone. Instinctively, his sharp, piercing eyes cut toward Deniz. Deniz, who had been staring at Dua, suddenly froze as Shazil stopped right beside him.

“Keep your eyes on your work. I don’t like your eyes wandering around the women in my office,” he said in a low, icy voice.

Then his gaze shifted briefly to Dua—who was already looking at him. Her eyes spoke volumes he didn’t want to hear.

They seemed to say: You are my Momin. And see—you still can’t bear anyone’s eyes on me.

His jaw tightened before he walked away.

Dua glanced at Deniz, who passed her a small, awkward smile. She turned back, walking away, but a tiny smile crept onto her lips as she remembered that fleeting glint of her possessive Momin.

Later, in the car, his assistant climbed in, but Shazil stopped him.

“Stay here for a few minutes. I want to attend some calls,” he muttered before sitting inside.

The moment the door shut, he punched the back of the driver’s seat.

“Calm down, Shazil. She is no one. You have no right to feel this way. You are Shazil. Don’t forget—you are Shazil. You are Shazil,” he repeated to himself, trying to bury the storm in his chest.

But her eyes… her eyes still had the power to shake his soul. He leaned back, closing his eyes, trying to find composure.

*********

The next day, in the meeting room, Shazil was presenting something while Dua sat opposite him. She didn’t want to, but her eyes couldn’t help lingering on him. For years, her heart had been thirsty for his presence, and now that he was here, she couldn’t stop herself from quenching that thirst.

It was the same as before—when Dua used to be in front of Momin, everything else blurred around him. Now it was her turn. The room full of people, the discussions, the presentations—everything blurred, except him. Years had only made her love stronger, more devoted.

Shazil, sensing her gaze, glanced at her. She wasn’t even trying to hide it—her eyes openly claimed him as hers, without fear, as if he belonged to her alone. He shook his head and turned back to answer a few questions from the team.

When the meeting ended, everyone dispersed except Dua, Shazil, and his assistant. Shazil looked at Dua, who was still staring at him.

“You go,” he unexpectedly told his assistant. The man left, leaving only the two of them in the room.

“What?” he asked coldly.

“Are you coming to India?” Dua asked out of nowhere. They were both set to return in a couple of days, and the thought gnawed at her. She didn’t want to leave without him. She didn’t know what to do, but the anxiety made her ask.

“Why would I come to India?” he raised his brows.

“Mama and Baba miss you. They are still waiting for you. Not for me—but for them… can you come back to India?” Dua’s voice lowered as she spoke.

Shazil exhaled sharply at the mention of her parents.

“I… don’t know your parents. And I’m still sticking to my words—I am not your Momin. Accept it.” Saying this, he walked away, leaving Dua sighing as she covered her face in helplessness.

_____________

That evening, Shazil came home only to find Aliya dressed up, waiting.

“You promised to take me to the best restaurant here, but you forgot,” she pouted angrily.

Shazil rubbed the back of his head.

“Um… I didn’t forget, I just didn’t get the time to go out,” he said, slightly awkward.

Aliya huffed. “Now go get ready. You have only fifteen minutes. I’m waiting.”

“I don’t want—”

“Shazil, beta, take her na. After a couple of days, we’re eventually going back to our countries,” his grandfather requested gently.

Shazil had no choice but to nod.

Exactly fifteen minutes later, they were out of the house together.

**********

Author’s POV

They were in the famous restaurant, having their dinner, when they heard laughing voices from behind. Aliya turned and saw a group enjoying their meals with soft laughter and chatter.

“Shazil, I think they are from our company,” Aliya said, making him look up from his plate. His eyes fell on the Indian team. Dua was also there.

Dua smiled at something her colleague said, but her smile faded the moment she felt someone’s gaze on her. She looked around—and she was right. Her Momin was there. He was staring at her.

A smile touched her lips, but it disappeared again when she saw the girl sitting beside him.

Her heart sank. She lowered her head and started eating again, unable to bear the sight of her Momin with someone else. The pain was unbearable. Jiya followed her gaze toward Shazil, and something clicked in her head.

After dinner, everyone walked out to their cars. They had brought two cars. While leaving, Jiya “accidentally” spilled her juice can on Dua.

“Oh, I’m sorry! You should go and clean this, otherwise the stain will get worse,” Jiya said. Dua nodded and went toward the washroom.

“Come, let’s go,” Jiya quickly got into the car.

“Where is Dua?” Sarah asked.

“She went into the other car. Now let’s go, I’m feeling sleepy,” Jiya lied, and the car drove away.

Ya Allah, make Shazil do something that shows he is truly Momin.

Jiya prayed from the depth of her heart.

Dua came out of the washroom only to find no one there. She quickly took out her phone and saw Jiya’s message.

Wait there until Shazil sir sees you alone. Don’t take a cab. Just wait.

Dua palmed her forehead in frustration. She wouldn’t have agreed if Jiya had asked her beforehand. The last thing she wanted was a scene in front of Aliya. Sighing, she sat down on the bench outside. She wrapped her arms around herself as the cold wind touched her.

Her eyes lifted to the moon shining brightly in the night sky. It was a beautiful, cold night. She remembered how she and Momin used to sat in the garden for hours, staring at the moon together.

“You know, Dua… I always want my nights to be with you.” He had turned to her, smiling. They were sitting on the bench in the garden. “You are like the moon to me. You light up the darkness of my life.” He had touched her cheeks lovingly.

“Chaand me daag hote hain. Tum meri khamiyan kabool karoge?” (The moon has flaws. Will you accept mine?) Dua asked, gazing into his eyes.

“Your flaws will never be flaws to me. I love you. And I love your flaws too,” he replied, making her smile wide.

“Always love me like this, Momin. Dua is nothing without her Momin,” she whispered, tears gathering in her eyes.

“And I am nothing without you, Dua. Always be with me, or else I will die,” he said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. Dua had closed her eyes, resting on him.

A tear slipped from her eyes now as she stared at the same moon. I killed my Momin.

She knew why he had changed his name—because he always used to say, “Momin is nothing without his Dua.” Their names were intertwined with their lives. Her heart broke thinking about how much pain he must have endured to become like this. How many nights he must have cried, staring at this same moon, drowning in her betrayal.

While Dua was still gazing at the moon, Shazil walked toward the exit. His steps halted when his eyes caught Dua sitting alone on the bench. He thought everyone had already left—so why was she here, alone?

He glanced around and saw a group of boys staring at her with indecent eyes. A fire burned inside him instantly.

“Aliya, go to the car. I’ll come,” he said, handing her his keys. Aliya nodded and walked toward the car.

Dua was lost in her thoughts, staring at the moon, when suddenly her view was blocked. The moon disappeared, replaced by Shazil’s face. Her eyes widened. She straightened and looked back at him. He was standing there, his face hard.

“What are you doing here alone?” he asked sternly.

“Waiting for you,” she whispered honestly.

His brows furrowed in confusion. She reached out, holding his hand, and pulled him toward the bench. He sat beside her, jaw clenched.

“Look there,” she pointed toward the moon. Shazil unknowingly followed her gesture and stared at it.

“You used to say I’m like the moon to you. And I used to ask: The moon has stains—will you accept my flaws too? And you always said you loved my flaws as well,” her voice cracked as tears spilled from her eyes.

Shazil looked at her, his eyes holding unreadable emotions. Dua gazed back at him.

“Then why don’t you forgive me for my mistakes? Your love was always greater than mine,” she asked with hope.

“If you loved him that much, then why did you make a mistake that cannot be forgiven?” he said, as if speaking about someone else. “I am not your Momin,” he repeated coldly.

Dua covered her face and broke down, crying.

Shazil inhaled deeply, then stood up. “Come. I’ll drive you to your cottage.”

“I can go by myself. You don’t have to worry about some random woman,” Dua snapped with tear-filled eyes, turning toward the road.

But before she could take a step, he grabbed her arm and jerked her back. She collided with his chest.

“Don’t make a scene here. Come with me.”

“First tell me—you are my Momin.”

“I am not your Momin.”

“Then I won’t go with you.”

“I will fire you,” he threatened.

“Go ahead,” the old, stubborn Dua resurfaced.

Without another word, he started dragging her toward the car. She struggled, trying to pull away, but he didn’t let her go.

Aliya, waiting in the car, saw him dragging the woman along. Dua suddenly stopped struggling when her eyes met Aliya’s. Shazil opened the back door and made Dua sit inside. She glared at him, while Aliya silently stared in shock.

Shazil climbed into the driver’s seat, starting the car without a word. Aliya was still stunned. Shazil had never looked at any woman, yet here he was, holding this stranger with his own hands. She couldn’t question him in front of Dua.

“She is Dua. Our employee. She was left alone—her team went without her. She didn’t want to come with us, so I had to force her,” he explained, his voice steady. The truth, but it shocked Aliya even more.

He stopped the car in front of the cottage. Dua opened the door and walked out without looking back or saying thank you. Shazil drove away immediately.

“She didn’t even say thank you. Why did you do that for her?” Aliya asked.

“I don’t want to talk about her. Please forget everything you saw. And don’t mention this to Dada Abbu,” he said firmly.

At that moment, Aliya realized—there was much more to this than she knew. She only nodded and stayed silent the entire way back home.

★★★★