Saaniya stepped out of the college gates, her mind still replaying the image of Aaron's bruised eye.
Her phone rang.
Usman.
She picked up.
"Yeah?"
"What happened?" Usman's voice carried concern. "Is Aaron okay?"
Saaniya exhaled lightly. "He's fine. Got punched… but gave it back."
Usman let out a small breath. "Good. I was worried."
"Why?" she replied, a faint edge returning. "You think I'd let anything happen?"
Usman smiled slightly. "No… I know you wouldn't."
A pause.
"Still," he added softly, "take care."
Saaniya's tone softened just a little. "I always do."
She ended the call and slipped her phone into her bag, her mind already shifting back to responsibilities waiting at home.
Back at the office, her absence was felt.
Not loudly.
But noticeably.
Her chair remained empty, and even though conversations continued, something felt slightly off.
Shehla glanced toward Daniyal.
He was on a call.
"Yes, I understand your concern… give me a moment, I'll resolve this for you," he said calmly.
There was patience in his tone.
Consistency.
Something Shehla wasn't used to noticing—but now she was.
After he ended the call, she leaned slightly toward him.
"You're really good at this," she said softly.
Daniyal smiled politely. "Still learning."
Shehla shook her head lightly. "Doesn't seem like it."
He gave a small nod and turned back to his screen.
Shehla looked away, a faint smile forming.
On the other side, Usman sat with Sabuhi.
"You should've come to the wedding," he said.
Sabuhi sighed. "I told you, I couldn't."
"You never can," he replied, half teasing.
She looked at him. "You know my situation."
Usman's expression softened instantly.
"I know."
A pause.
"But still… it would've been better if you were there."
Sabuhi didn't respond.
But her silence said enough.
Near the manager's desk, Aamir spoke in a low voice,
"She just left like that…"
Yashar, standing nearby, replied calmly,
"I approved her leave."
Aamir frowned. "Rules should be the same for everyone."
Yashar looked at him directly.
"Some people earn flexibility."
Aamir went quiet.
Yashar added,"She doesn't misuse it. That's the difference."
Daniyal overheard.
He leaned back slightly.
Everyone respects her…
It added another layer to what he had already observed.
His phone buzzed.
Komal:Call tonight?Daniyal:Yes. Definitely.
He put the phone aside and returned to work.
Focused.
Present.
Evening – Daniyal's Home
The house was filled with a different kind of silence.
Structured.
Disciplined.
Daniyal stepped in, greeting briefly before heading to his room.
His elder brothers were in the lounge.
Arif, the eldest—calm, authoritative.
Badar—practical and observant.
Mehdi—quiet, neutral.
Daniyal greeted them respectfully.
" I'm home."
"Hope you had a good day," Arif replied. "Late?"
"Work," Daniyal said simply.
He didn't elaborate.
He never did.
Later that evening, he sat in his room, laptop open.
Charts.
Graphs.
Numbers.
Stocks.
He had been quietly studying the market for weeks.
Watching trends.
Learning patterns.
He wanted more.
More income.
More independence.
More control over his future.
If I manage this right… I can save faster.
He leaned back, thinking.
An apartment.
His own space.
Something he hadn't told anyone.
Not yet.
His phone buzzed again.
Komal:What are you doing?Daniyal:Just checking something.Komal:Planning our future without me?
He smiled slightly.
Daniyal:Planning it for us.
There was a pause.
Then—
Komal:What will you wear when you come this weekend?Komal:And tell me what you want to eat… I'll cook.
Daniyal leaned back, thinking.
Simple things.
Comforting things.
Daniyal:Anything you make will be fine.Komal:No. Tell me properly.Daniyal:Okay… biryani.
Komal:Done ❤️
Just then, Arif's voice came from the door.
"Daniyal."
He looked up immediately.
"Yes?"
Arif stepped inside.
"When do you plan to get married?"
Daniyal paused.
"Soon… I guess."
Arif nodded slightly.
"Komal's father called."
Daniyal straightened a little.
"What did he say?"
"He asked about your plans," Arif replied. "We're invited this weekend."
Daniyal nodded.
"Okay."
Arif studied him for a second.
"Be clear about your timeline."
"I will," Daniyal said.
As Arif turned to leave, his wife's voice came from outside,
"Before going there, we need to do some shopping."
Arif replied, "Yes, we'll go tomorrow."
Then looked back at Daniyal.
"Be ready."
Daniyal nodded.
Once alone again, he leaned back in his chair.
Marriage.
Responsibility.
Finances.
Everything aligning at once.
He looked back at the stock charts.
I need to make this work.
✦ Night – Saaniya's Home
The house was quiet.
Saaniya walked into her brothers' room.
Aaron was asleep.
The bruise near his eye still visible.
She sat beside him.
Gently ran her fingers through his hair.
Like he was still a child.
"You need to be careful…" she whispered.
Her voice softer than ever.
She looked at Mike.
Pulled his blanket properly over him.
Adjusted it.
Watched him for a second.
Then stood up.
Her phone buzzed.
Arhaan:What are your plans ahead?Arhaan:Should I come in winters or summers?
Saaniya looked at the message.
No emotion.
No curiosity.
Just… acknowledgment.
She typed—
Saaniya:As per your convenience.
And put the phone aside.
She stepped out of the room, checking doors, lights, everything.
Routine.
Responsibility.
Control.
Passing by Sarah's room—
She paused.
A faint voice.
Laughter.
Something felt off.
She walked to the kitchen.
Picked up a rolling pin.
Quietly moved toward the door.
Placed her ear close.
A soft giggle.
She pushed the door open.
Sarah turned, annoyed.
"What are you doing?"
Saaniya looked at her.
"You're on the phone?"
"Yes!" Sarah snapped. "Obviously."
"With who?"
"A friend," Sarah replied sharply. "And stop spying on me!"
Saaniya's expression hardened.
"I wasn't spying. I was checking."
"I don't need checking!" Sarah shot back. "I'm not Aaron!"
Silence.
Saaniya stepped back.
"Fine. Good night."
Back in her room, she sat down slowly.
Something didn't feel right.
But she couldn't place it.
✦
Across the city—
Daniyal lay on his bed.
Phone in hand.
Talking to Komal.
"You'll come on time, right?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"And wear something nice."
"I always do."
She laughed softly.
And just like that—
Both of them returned to their own worlds.
Separate.
Unconnected.
Unaware.