The next morning at the office began like any other—keyboards clicking, phones ringing, and half-awake faces slowly adjusting to the rhythm of work.
Saaniya had just logged in when Shanaya slid her chair closer, her expression unusually bright.
"I need to tell you something," she whispered, barely containing her excitement.
Saaniya glanced at her. "That tone means trouble. What did you do?"
Shanaya bit her lip, blushing. "Imran and I… we're going out this weekend."
Saaniya froze mid-typing. "Going out… as in?"
"A date," Shanaya said softly.
Saaniya turned fully toward her, eyes wide. "Since when did this happen?"
Shanaya tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "We've been talking… after work. Calls, messages… it just happened. And now he wants to take me out."
Saaniya stared at her for a second, then shook her head in disbelief. "You people don't waste time."
Before Shanaya could respond, Sabuhi walked in, dragging her steps, her eyes half-closed.
"Good morning," she muttered, dropping into her chair like she hadn't slept in days.
Saaniya smirked. "Look at you. What happened?"
Sabuhi yawned. "This is what life looks like after marriage and kids. You two enjoy your energy while it lasts."
Saaniya leaned back dramatically. "No, no. This energy is not natural. It's Shanaya."
Sabuhi frowned. "What did she do?"
Saaniya leaned forward conspiratorially. "She's going on a date."
Sabuhi's sleepiness vanished instantly. "What?"
Shanaya covered her face. "Stop it!"
"With Imran," Saaniya added.
Sabuhi sat upright. "Since when?"
"I just found out," Saaniya said. "Apparently, we are the last ones to know."
Before the conversation could escalate, a voice interrupted from behind.
"Good morning, girlfriend. Missed me?"
All three turned.
Daniyal stood behind Saaniya's chair, tall, relaxed, and grinning like he owned the moment.
Saaniya rolled her eyes. "Give me a break."
He leaned slightly closer. "Why? You liked me. I'm just accepting it."
Sabuhi covered her mouth to hide a laugh. Shanaya looked between them, amused.
Daniyal continued, "So let's make it official. Boyfriend and girlfriend."
Saaniya turned her chair toward him, unimpressed. "Okay, boyfriend. Just don't try to act like my father."
He laughed. "Deal."
And just like that, the tension dissolved into ease.
They logged in.
A little while later, Usman walked in and joined their cubicle. Imran logged in nearby, his eyes instinctively searching for Shanaya.
Their gazes met.
A quiet smile.
A blush.
Something unspoken but understood.
Saaniya noticed everything—but said nothing.
Sabuhi, meanwhile, seemed lighter in Usman's presence. She leaned toward him occasionally, whispering something, laughing softly. Usman responded, but there was something in his eyes—something distant.
An ache.
Saaniya noticed.
She always did.
But she didn't ask.
He'll tell me when he's ready, she thought.
Daniyal, on the other hand, had grown completely comfortable in this space. Saaniya's sharp replies, her confidence, her unpredictability—it no longer surprised him.
If anything…
It drew him in.
The week passed in a blur of laughter, work, teasing, and small glances that lingered longer than they should.
And before anyone realized—
The weekend arrived.
That evening, Saaniya pulled up outside Irene's house, honking twice.
The door burst open, and Irene came out dragging her suitcase behind her.
"You're late!" she shouted.
"You're dramatic," Saaniya replied. "Get in."
Irene tossed her bag in the back and slid into the passenger seat. "Do you have any idea how much I've missed this city?"
"Traffic, noise, chaos?" Saaniya smirked.
"Exactly," Irene said, laughing. "And you."
They drove home, music playing, voices overlapping, stories spilling out.
The moment Irene stepped into the house, she stopped.
She inhaled deeply.
"Oh my God," she said, closing her eyes. "That smell."
Saaniya laughed. "You haven't even seen the food yet."
"Mama!" Irene shouted, rushing toward the kitchen.
Saaniya's mother turned just in time to be pulled into a tight hug.
"I missed you so much," Irene said dramatically. "The UK is beautiful, but nothing compares to this."
Her mother smiled warmly, kissing her forehead. "Welcome back. Go wash up. Food is ready."
"I'm starving," Irene declared.
She ran toward the rooms, peeking into each one. "Where's Dad?"
"He's at the market," her mother replied.
Irene nodded, already making herself at home.
Within minutes, she was sitting with Mike, teasing him, laughing loudly, completely blending into the family as if she had never left.
Saaniya watched her quietly.
Home felt fuller with her here.
Across the city, Daniyal sat in the car with his brothers.
Arif glanced at him. "Have you thought about it?"
Daniyal looked ahead. "About what?"
"Marriage," Arif said. "Komal's father asked."
Daniyal exhaled slowly. "I need a year."
"A year?" Badar asked.
"I want to settle properly first," Daniyal replied.
Arif nodded. "We'll discuss it."
The car fell into silence as they drove toward Komal's house.
Meanwhile, Shanaya stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her outfit nervously.
Her sisters watched her.
"Where are you going?" one asked.
"With Sabuhi," she replied quickly.
Her father's voice came from the other room. "Don't be late."
"I won't," she said.
Later that evening, Shanaya sat across from Imran.
Soft lights.
Quiet music.
Her hands rested on the table—until Imran gently reached for them.
She looked up.
He smiled.
"I've been wanting to do this for a long time," he said.
She didn't pull away.
Instead, she let her fingers rest in his.
A moment.
Simple.
But meaningful.
Elsewhere, Usman stared at his phone before typing.
Are you okay?
He hesitated.
Then added:
I need to talk.
He sent it.
And waited.
At Komal's house, Daniyal entered with his family.
Glances were exchanged.
Smiles filled the room.
The elders sat together, discussing the future.
Arif spoke calmly. "We need about a year before the wedding."
Komal's father nodded slowly. "We'll think about it."
Dinner followed.
Polite conversation.
Careful observation.
Later, tea was served.
And finally—
A moment alone.
On the balcony, Komal stood looking out, the city lights reflecting softly in her eyes.
Daniyal stepped beside her, holding a small box.
"For you," he said.
She turned, surprised. "What is it?"
"Open it."
Inside—
Gold earrings.
Her face lit up. "They're beautiful."
"Wear them," he said.
She smiled and put them on.
"How do I look?" she asked.
He looked at her for a moment. "Perfect."
Silence settled between them—comfortable at first.
Then she asked softly, "So… how's the new workplace?"
Daniyal leaned against the railing. "It's different."
"Different how?"
"The guys are fun," he said. "We went fishing last week. Chaos. No one knew what they were doing."
She laughed. "Sounds like you."
"And the office boys… they're all characters," he continued. "Usman, Babar… everyone has their own story."
"And the girls?" she asked, casually.
He paused for a second.
Then shrugged. "They're… different."
"How?"
"There's one," he said slowly. "Saaniya."
The name slipped out naturally.
"She's…" he searched for the right word, "…not like anyone I've met."
Komal watched him carefully.
"She fights," he continued lightly. "Argues. Talks like she owns the place. Even carries a baseball bat in her car."
Komal laughed. "You're joking."
"I wish," he said, smiling faintly.
There was a pause.
Then, without realizing it, he added quietly—
"She's chaos."
The word lingered.
He stared ahead, as if the thought had gone deeper than intended.
As if it meant more.
And then—
Almost instinctively—
He turned to Komal.
"You're my peace."
The contrast hung between them.
Unspoken.
Heavy.
As if somewhere in that moment—
Without saying it—
He had placed Saaniya in a space he didn't yet understand.
A space that felt…
His.
Komal smiled.
But something in her eyes flickered.
Daniyal stepped closer and gently put his arm around her, trying to smooth over the moment.
But even he knew—
Something had shifted.
And far away, in a house filled with laughter—
Saaniya sat with Irene, completely unaware—
That somewhere, in someone's thoughts—
She had already become something she never intended to be.