AUTHOR'S POV:

"Why isn't it powering on?" Sheheryaar mumbled, trying to turn on his phone.

Rameen stood beside him, leaning against the bookshelf.

"Come on, this ancient thingy was working just fine when Bhai gave it to me," he almost whined.

Rameen rolled her eyes, already bored of this stranger's exaggerated shenanigans.

"You know that I have a phone as well, right?" Rameen said.

Sheheryaar looked up at her.

"Uhhh? It's good to hear that," he said before going back to fumbling with the phone, twisting it back and forth as if it would magically start working.

"I meant if you know whoever you wanna call's number, you can use this." Rameen said, fishing a phone out of the back pocket of her loose jeans.

Sheheryaar's eyes widened and he almost jumped up in gratefulness before wincing and settling back into his original position.

"Oh my God, girl, you're a lifesaver," he said, grabbing the phone.

"I know," Rameen said.

"Oh yeah, and whoever you call, ask them not to pick you up tomorrow."

"Huh? Why?" Sheheryaar looked at her suspiciously.

"Because I want to spend more time with you."

"WHAT?!"

Sheheryaar choked on thin air, his eyes widening.

Rameen gave him a deadpan expression.

"There is a festival in town tomorrow. No one can enter or exit unless they're willing to walk all the way, so..." She grabbed the empty glass from the bedside table.

Sheheryaar stared at her for a second before nodding.

"Oh."

She left the room as Sheheryaar dialed a number.

"Hello?"

A tired but sharp voice was heard on the other end.

"Bhai?" Sheheryaar said, his voice hesitant.

[Brother?]

"Sheheryaar!! Is that you? Please tell me you're fine and where the fuck are you?"

Faris' voice boomed through the phone.

It had been a day.

Sheheryaar knew how much Faris must've been worried.

"I'm completely fine, Bhai, just..." He stopped.

"Just? What happened, Sheheryaar?" Faris said, trying to calm himself down.

"I got into an accident and..." He paused. "Broke my arm."

"But I'm completely fine, Bhai, I promise. I'll come back home in a day," he explained.

"No, you're not. I'm sending a car right now, and you're coming back home. How did you even get help there? There are no hospitals near that area," Faris said, the worry evident in his tone.

"A girl helped me."

Faris frowned.

"Huh? What?"

"A girl saved me. She's a local and, from what I can tell, its kindoff started healing".

His eyes shifted toward the bandage.

"So you're telling me that you're in an unknown place, with an unknown girl and a fractured arm. Is that right?"

Faris' voice was breaking with frustration.

Sheheryaar chuckled nervously.

"Uhh... if you put it that way..."

"Sheheryaar! I swear—" Faris said, rubbing his temple.

"Bhai, I swear I'm fine. I have the situation handled, trust me. And waise bhi, you can send a car for me tomorrow."

"Why?" Faris frowned.

"A festival will be happening. No cars allowed or something. Send someone the next day," he said, combing his hair back.

Faris hummed.

"You seem stressed," Sheheryaar noticed.

"You think?" Faris sighed with relief. At least his brother was fine.

"I'm sorry, na, Bhai. How would've I known this would happen?"

[I'm sorry, brother. How would I have known this would happen?]

"Accha, just be alert until someone comes to pick you up," Faris warned.

Sheheryaar immediately noticed the change in his brother's tone.

"Everything good?"

His posture straightened.

"No... come home. We'll talk then."

Faris' voice had turned monotone.

"Okay. Goodnight, Bhai."

"Night. Take care."

The call cut.

Right on cue, Rameen walked in with a tray in her hand.

Sheheryaar placed the phone on the nightstand and cleared his throat.

"Phone ke liye thanks."

[Thanks for the phone.]

"Hmm," Rameen mumbled, setting the tray down on the bed.

Sheheryaar glanced at the food.

It was a plate of a few shami kebabs, two rotis and some rice.

"Abhi isi se guzara karna parega," Rameen said, not looking in his direction. "Mujhe pata hai is sab ki aadat nahi hogi tumhe."

[You'll have to make do with this for now. I know you're probably not used to any of this.]

She handed him a plate.

"Kyun? Aisa kyun lagta hai tumhe?" Sheheryaar asked, intrigued.

[Why? What makes you think that?]

"Kapre, chaal dhaal... you know, the basics. You don't look like one of us."

[Your clothes, the way you carry yourself... you know, the basics. You don't look like one of us.]

"Arey, ab toh alien wali feel aa rahi hai."

[Come on, now you're making me feel like an alien.]

Sheheryaar tried to lighten the mood as he grabbed some rice and a kebab.

As soon as he took a bite, the rich flavors exploded in his mouth, making him close his eyes in appreciation.

Rameen looked at him with a raised eyebrow before shaking her head.

She grabbed a chair from nearby and sat down. Taking a plate of her own, she started eating.

"Sooo, what do you do, Ms. Rameen?" Sheheryaar asked.

Rameen finished her bite before speaking.

"I run a restaurant on the next street and study virtually."

"Ohh, business owner. Fancy."

Sheheryaar raised his hands dramatically.

"Whom did you just call? Could practically hear him through the speaker," Rameen said.

Sheheryaar chuckled.

"That's my... really lovingly overprotective brother."

He smiled before shifting his gaze toward her.

His eyes went to her brown hair, tied in a messy bun, with a few pieces of stray hair framing her face.

Then to her eyes, which were downcast as she focused on her plate.

A small silver nose ring rested against her creamy tan skin, giving her an almost ethereal look.

"Stop staring. It's turning creepy now."

Rameen looked up at him.

Sheheryaar immediately looked away.

Real sleek, dude. Real sleek.

"Uhm... so what about you? Any family? Siblings?" he asked, trying to shift the topic.

"Nope. Just me."

Rameen paused.

"My parents are dead. An accident. Immediate death. And no siblings."

She looked at Sheheryaar.

"I'm sorry..."

Rameen simply nodded.

"Heard that a lot of times."

She picked at her food.

"My parents... died as well."

Rameen looked up.

"In an accident," he continued.

"What a coincidence," she said.

Sheheryaar nodded.

"But..." He stopped.

Rameen raised an eyebrow.

"I think it's deeper than that."

"You think the accident is just a cover?" Rameen asked, leaning forward.

"Hmm. I don't know."

Sheheryaar stared at the wall, his expression thoughtful.

Rameen got up, grabbing the plates.

"I have an early morning tomorrow. You should rest too."

Sheheryaar nodded.

She walked toward the door and switched off the light on her way out.

A small lamp continued to illuminate the room as Sheheryaar settled back against the pillow.

And eventually, he fell into a restless sleep.

RAMEEN'S POV:

The loud banging on the front door woke me up.

I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head.

Another bang followed.

"Rameen!"

I immediately sat up.

I rubbed my eyes before getting out of bed and making my way downstairs.

The moment I opened the door, I found two men standing outside.

Neither looked particularly pleased.

"Paise kab de rahi ho?" the older one asked.

[When are you going to pay the money?]

I frowned.

"Subah subah? Salam dua bhi nahi?"

[This early in the morning? Not even a hello?]

He didn't even blink.

"Teen haftay ho gaye hain."

[It's been three weeks.]

"I know."

"Toh phir paise?"

[Then where's the money?]

I sighed.

"Maine kaha na, de dungi."

[I told you, I'll pay it.]

"Kab?"

[When?]

"Jab honge."

[When I have it.]

The younger one scoffed.

"Hum intezar karte rahenge kya?"

[Are we supposed to keep waiting forever?]

"That's generally how waiting works."

The older man glared at me.

"Zyada hoshyari mat dikhao, Rameen."

[Don't get too smart with me, Rameen.]

I crossed my arms.

"Main hoshyari nahi dikha rahi. Tum log subah subah mera darwaza peet kar kharay ho aur main bas jawab de rahi hoon."

[I'm not trying to be smart. You people are banging on my door first thing in the morning, and I'm simply answering you.]

"Teen haftay se yahi jawab de rahi ho."

[You've been giving us the same answer for three weeks.]

"I know."

"Toh aaj paise do."

[Then give us the money today.]

I shook my head.

"Abhi nahi hain."

[I don't have it right now.]

The younger thug stepped closer.

"Toh bhaag jaogi?"

[So you're going to run away?]

I frowned.

"Kahan?"

[Where?]

"Paise diye baghair."

[Without paying the money.]

I scoffed.

"Main bhaag nahi rahi."

[I'm not running away.]

He suddenly grabbed my arm.

"Bhag sakti bhi nahi."

[You can't even run away.]

My eyes dropped to his hand around my arm.

For a second, I just stared at it.

Then I looked back at him.

"Haath hatao."

[Take your hand off me.]

He tightened his grip.

"Ky—"

My fist connected with his face before he could finish.

He stumbled backward, clutching his nose.

I stared at my knuckles for half a second.

"Oops."

"Rameen!"

I looked toward the hallway.

Sheheryaar stood there, looking half-awake, his good hand resting against the wall for support.

His eyes moved from me to the man holding his nose.

Then to the other man.

"What the hell is going on?"

I sighed.

"Nothing. Go back upstairs."

[Nothing. Go back upstairs.]

He stared at me.

"Nothing?"

The younger man stepped forward again.

"You—"

Sheheryaar immediately moved between us.

"Don't."

I grabbed his shoulder and pulled him slightly back.

"I've handled it."

[I've handled it.]

He looked at me.

"You punched him."

"He grabbed me."

Sheheryaar looked toward the man, then back at me.

"Right."

I turned toward the two men.

"Now, if you're done—"

The older one wiped his mouth and glared at me.

"You think this is funny?"

"No."

"You've got until tomorrow."

I didn't answer.

"If you don't pay, we'll make sure you regret it."

My jaw tightened.

"And your restaurant?"

I looked at him.

"What about it?"

"You know what happens when people don't pay us."

The threat hung between us.

"We'll destroy that little restaurant of yours."

My expression hardened.

"Don't touch my restaurant."

[Don't touch my restaurant.]

"Then have the money ready."

They turned and walked away.

I watched them disappear down the road before shutting the door.

For a few seconds, the house was completely silent.

Then—

"You owe them money?"

I turned around.

Sheheryaar was still standing there.

"Apparently."

He frowned.

"How much?"

I looked away.

"Enough."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the one you're getting."

He stayed quiet for a moment.

Then he glanced toward the door.

"They actually threatened your restaurant?"

I nodded.

"They've been coming for weeks."

"Why?"

I sighed.

"Business hasn't been good."

He didn't say anything.

I walked toward the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water.

"The restaurant is in this small town. People here don't exactly have money to spend eating out all the time."

Sheheryaar followed a few steps behind, careful with his injured arm.

"So you borrowed money to keep it running?"

"No."

I shook my head.

"I borrowed money for renovations when I first opened it. I thought business would pick up."

"And it didn't?"

"Not enough."

I took a sip.

"Some days the restaurant is full. Other days I sit there for hours and barely get a few customers."

She looked down at the glass in her hand.

"And whatever I make goes into rent, supplies, bills... and paying them back."

Sheheryaar nodded slowly.

"That's why you're applying in the city?"

I looked up at him.

"You heard that?"

"You said yesterday you study virtually."

"And I'm applying for jobs in the city."

"Why?"

"Because I need something stable."

I leaned against the counter.

"The restaurant is mine, but I can't keep depending on it when I don't even know how much I'll make next month."

Sheheryaar was quiet for a moment.

"Do you want to leave the restaurant?"

I shook my head.

"No."

"Then?"

"I want to keep it."

I looked toward the window.

"I just need enough money to keep it alive."

He nodded, his expression thoughtful.

"Right."

I looked at him.

"What?"

"Nothing."

He glanced at the door again.

"Just... you really don't look like someone who needs saving."

I raised an eyebrow.

"I don't."

He gave a small nod.

"I figured."

I turned toward the stairs.

"You should go back upstairs. You have a broken arm."

He looked down at his cast.

"Fair point."

I walked away before he could say anything else.

Behind me, I heard him mumble—

"Still would've helped."

I rolled my eyes.

Stranger or not, he was definitely annoying.

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poora chapter in dono mai nikal dia.

chalo next chapter mai milte

love ya'll💋💋💋