Chapter 13: More like the villain
The luxury sedan glided through the streets of the city, the silence between Heer and Aslam vibrating with the unspoken tension of the tailor shop. When the car finally pulled up in front of Aslam's apartment building, the engine's hum died down, leaving only the sound of his own heartbeat. Aslam stepped out, the cool evening air hitting his face. He began to head toward the entrance, his mind already racing with the technical tasks he'd put on hold.
"I think you forgot something," Heer's voice called from the window.
Aslam stopped and looked back, blinking. "Wha—what?"
Heer was looking at him, her gaze lingering just a second too long on his frame before she gestured to the seat beside her.
"Oh," Aslam realized, a flush of embarrassment hitting him. "Yes. Right."
He reached back into the car and retrieved the heavy, high-grade suit bag. The Midnight Blue Silk felt like a lead weight in his hand—a reminder of the contract he was now physically bound to.
"Don't be late," Heer said, her voice regaining its sharp, executive edge. "It's 05:00 PM. I will see you at the restaurant at 6:00 PM sharp. Wear the suit, Aslam. Don't even think about showing up in a hoodie."
"I get it, Ma'am..." Aslam replied.
Before he could say another word, the car took off at full speed, leaving a trail of high-end exhaust and the lingering scent of her perfume in the air. Aslam turned toward his building, but his phone began to vibrate violently in his pocket. It was Parwaiz. He answered before the second ring.
"Yes, Parwaiz? What happened?"
"Bro! Where are you?" Parwaiz's voice was panicked, breathless. "I'm waiting inside your apartment. Just... come quickly! It's urgent!"
The line went dead. Aslam didn't waste another second. He gripped the suit bag and sprinted toward the elevator. He burst through his front door, expecting a disaster—a server crash or a security breach. Instead, he froze.
Parwaiz was standing in the middle of the room, surrounded by a sea of fabric. Aslam's best suits were laid out in a perfect line across the bed. Parwaiz stood there holding two more hangers, looking like his life depended on the choice.
"Which one, bro? Which one do I wear to the dinner?"
Aslam's face turned a dangerous shade of red. The panic evaporated, replaced by pure, unadulterated rage. "Parwaiz... I will kill you! You idiot!"
"What? What happened to you?" Parwaiz asked, genuinely confused as he dodged a flying cushion. "Aslam, have you gone mad? This is a high-stakes mission!"
After ten minutes of shouting and rushed grooming, they were finally ready. They headed to the parking lot and climbed into Parwaiz's car, the engine roaring as they sped toward the restaurant.
On the other side of the city, Heer and Asia were in a different kind of war zone: a high-end beauty parlor. Asia had practically dragged Heer there, commanding the beauticians like a general. "My friend has a date tonight. I want every man who looks at her to hate her boyfriend for having won the lottery. Make her legendary."
Meanwhile, as the boys approached the venue, Parwaiz pulled over at a florist to buy a massive bouquet. He looked at Aslam's empty hands. "You didn't buy anything? Aslam, come on!"
"Let's just finish this torture," Aslam groaned.
Both cars pulled into the valet at the exact same moment. As the doors opened, Aslam and Parwaiz stepped out, but their jaws hit the pavement. Heer and Asia looked like two angels who had just descended from heaven.
Without wasting a second, Parwaiz offered the bouquet to Asia. "I know these flowers are not capable of being near a beauty like yours, but if you accept them, their beauty will increase a thousand percent."
Asia took a breath and looked at Parwaiz. "I have a boyfriend," she said flatly.
The words hit Parwaiz like a gunshot to the heart. He stood there, frozen, his romantic dreams shattering. He slowly looked back at Aslam, who had a smug smirk on his face. Take more flying arrows on your back, Mr. Romeo, Aslam thought.
Asia looked at Aslam, her eyes widening. "Hi! Aslam, you are looking too good in this new look. Seriously, who are you and what did you do with the coder?"
"Really?" Aslam asked, feeling self-conscious.
"She's right," Asia nodded.
Parwaiz, still recovering from his "heart-shot," leaned over to Heer and whispered loudly, "Is this your and Aslam's date, or Aslam and Asia's?"
Heer's eyes flashed with sharp jealousy. Without a word, she stepped forward and firmly gripped Aslam's hand. "Let's move, sweetie," she said in a possessive tone.
Aslam's heart stopped for a full second. Before he could process the warmth of her hand, Heer was pulling him inside the 7-star luxury establishment. The lobby smelled of expensive orchids. A waiter bowed. "Your tables are ready, Ma'am."
As they were seated, Aslam looked around at the other wealthy patrons. He leaned in and whispered to Heer, "I thought you would book the entire restaurant. Why are there so many other people here?"
"Why would I do that?" Heer asked.
"I don't know," Aslam shrugged. "In Korean dramas, heroes always book the whole place for a date."
Parwaiz snorted. "But bro, she's not the hero. She's more like the villain."
Asia and Aslam broke into laughter, but it died instantly. Heer was staring at them with the dangerous intensity of a tigress watching a group of deer. Aslam immediately buried his face in the menu. Asia suddenly started talking to someone on her phone to escape the tension.
"I mean... you are a heroine! A total heroine, Miss Heer! No other meanings, believe me!" Parwaiz stammered as the waiter arrived.
"Bro, you just saved my life," Parwaiz whispered to the waiter. He was going to give the order, but Heer interrupted.
"First, everything in your special menu. I need everything, one by one, on my table."
"Ok, Ma'am," the waiter replied.
Heer looked back at them. "We don't have enough time. Asia, make some pictures so we can go."
"Ok," Asia said, already adjusting her lens.
After having the most expensive and delicious dinner of their lives, Aslam and Parwaiz headed toward the rooftop where the most beautiful look of the city was waiting for them. Asia clicked the photos. Heer grabbed Aslam's hand and started clicking photos. Asia was instructing them, "Come closer... a bit more... a little more!"
Aslam was freezing with shame, but there were no emotions on Heer's face. She was like a machine who smiles exactly when the capture button is pressed. They took photos in many different poses. Finally, Asia lowered the camera and grinned with mischief.
"Okay, one last picture. Now, Aslam... you have to kiss her."
Aslam's brain short-circuited. "Wha—WHAT?!"
[End of Chapter 13]