Airport – Evening
The sliding doors opened, and a rush of passengers flooded out. Saaniya tapped her fingers impatiently on the barrier. Her eyes scanned the crowd until—
"I MISSED YOU!"
Irene came running and collided into her, nearly toppling both. Saaniya staggered backward, laughing.
"You're still dramatic," she said.
"And you're still heartless," Irene shot back, pulling away. "No tears? No emotion? I've crossed the ocean, and this is all I get?"
"You're alive. That's enough."
Irene smirked. "You love me."
"Barely," Saaniya muttered.
Irene leaned closer, conspiratorial. "Did you miss me?"
Saaniya paused. "…Yes." That admission was enough. Irene's grin widened.
They navigated through the crowd, weaving between travelers.
"So," Irene asked casually, "how's it going with Arhaan?"
Saaniya rolled her eyes. "Same."
"Meaning?"
"We talk like strangers."
Irene laughed. "Perfect foundation for marriage."
"Don't start."
"I'm serious," Irene said, shrugging. "I don't like him. But if your family wants it… I'm okay."
Saaniya glanced at her. "You despise him."
"I do," Irene said simply. "But I trust you."
Saaniya smiled faintly.
"Did you bring it?" Saaniya asked, eyes narrowing.
Irene gasped. "No hello, no welcome, just alcohol?"
"Answer."
Irene's grin stretched across her face. "Your Bailey's is safe. Whole year supply."
"Good," Saaniya said, satisfied. "Let's go."
Drive – Night
The city lights blurred past. The wind whipped against the slightly open windows, carrying the faint scent of the sea. Music played softly, but silence lingered between the two friends.
"So," Irene stretched, "how many blind dates did you go on without me?"
"None."
"Liar."
"Busy."
"Busy with what? Responsibility?" Irene made a face.
"Someone has to be," Saaniya replied, deadpan.
Irene laughed. "Disgusting."
Saaniya smirked faintly. "Don't start."
"You started," Irene said, nudging her shoulder.
Home – Late Night
They arrived quietly. Too quietly.
"What time is this?" Irene's mother's voice cut through the air.
Both froze.
"I–Traffic," Saaniya said instantly.
"Three hours?" her father raised an eyebrow.
"We got lost," Irene added innocently.
"You live here," her mother snapped. "And you got lost?"
Silence.
"Go to your rooms," her mother said firmly.
"Yes, mama," Irene said sweetly.
As they walked away, Irene whispered, "Worth it."
Saaniya smirked. "Always."
Room – Night
They lay side by side. Dim lights, a soft hum of the city outside.
"You look tired," Irene said quietly.
"I'm not," Saaniya replied.
"You are," Irene insisted.
Saaniya didn't argue. Irene always knew.
Her phone buzzed. Arhaan: What are your plans? Should I come in winters or summers?
Saaniya stared at the screen, fingers hovering. Finally, she typed:
As per your convenience.
Sent. No emotion, no hesitation.
Irene's eyes twinkled. "You're cold. Perfectly cold."
Saaniya glanced at her. "I've learned from the best."
Office – Next Day
The office was buzzing. Naveed had returned from his honeymoon.
"Finally!" Usman exclaimed, hugging him. "How was married life?"
"Peaceful," Naveed smirked.
"Liar," Babar laughed.
At the girls' station, a different kind of buzz lingered.
Shehla was unusually quiet.
Saaniya noticed immediately. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Shehla mumbled.
Shanaya leaned forward. "You've been silent all morning."
Sabuhi added gently, "Tell us."
Shehla hesitated. "…I miss someone."
Three heads turned instantly.
"Oh?" Saaniya leaned back. "Who?"
"No one."
"Not acceptable," Shanaya said. "Name."
After a long pause—Shehla whispered, "Daniyal."
The reaction was instantaneous. Shanaya gasped. Sabuhi smiled, and Saaniya's eyes lit up.
"Well," she said slowly, "this is interesting."
Mission Begins
"We're helping you," Shanaya declared.
"No—" Shehla panicked.
"Too late," Sabuhi said, smiling.
Saaniya looked at her seriously. "You deserve better, but if you want him… we'll try."
Shehla lowered her gaze, faintly smiling.
Evening Shift
Daniyal walked in, and the air shifted.
"Hi," Saaniya said casually.
He blinked. "You're… being nice."
"I'm always nice."
"No," he said. "You're not."
Shanaya choked on her laughter.
Saaniya leaned closer, teasing. "Sit here tomorrow. I'll reserve a seat."
"Why?"
"Because I said so," she replied.
Daniyal smiled. "Okay."
Shehla's cheeks burned quietly.
The Game
"There's a girl who likes you," Saaniya said casually.
Daniyal laughed. "Who?"
"I'll tell you in a few days."
"Give me a hint," he said.
"Starts with S," Sabuhi added.
Saaniya frowned. "That's not quite right."
Daniyal noticed. "All of you are S?"
"Figure it out," Saaniya smirked.
Days passed—hints, teasing, laughter. Daniyal enjoyed it but never guessed Shehla.
The next day, Sabuhi returned from meeting Usman.
"He said… Daniyal already has someone. He'll get married soon."
Silence.
Shehla's smile faded.
Saaniya leaned forward. "Don't lose hope."
"But—"
"Try," Saaniya said firmly. "But don't lose yourself."
Shehla nodded, determined.
The Blind Date – Weekend
Saaniya and Irene sat at a café. Cold coffee in hand.
"How do we recognize him?" Saaniya asked.
"I told him to wear black," Irene said confidently.
Saaniya looked around. "Five guys in black."
Irene blinked. "Oh."
They both burst out laughing.
Her phone rang. Irene answered, paused, then sighed.
"He's not coming. Busy."
"Let's go," Saaniya said.
As they walked out—someone was watching. Unseen, unnoticed.
Seaside – Night
They sat near the shore. Waves crashed, wind strong.
Saaniya spoke about the office, the game, the girl.
Irene listened quietly.
"You're playing with fire," she said finally.
Saaniya shrugged. "It's harmless."
Irene didn't look convinced.
The Reveal Day
Back at the office, Daniyal walked in. Shehla's hands went cold.
"Today," Saaniya said, smiling, "we tell you."
Daniyal sat down. "Finally."
"Guess," Sabuhi said.
"Starts with S," she added.
Daniyal looked at all of them, eyes catching Saaniya's.
"You're all S," he said.
They laughed.
He leaned forward. "I want to know."
They delayed, teased, avoided.
Finally—
"Saaniya."
Silence.
For the first time, Saaniya didn't react.
No smile. No sarcasm. Just… still.
She looked at Shanaya. Shanaya shrugged.
Shehla's eyes pleaded silently—Go with it.
Daniyal broke the silence with laughter. "Seriously? You?"
The room laughed with him.
But something had shifted. Quietly. Irreversibly.