Fiza's mother joined her in the kitchen as they prepared tea and pazham pori (banana fry), while Farzana and her father waited in the living room.

Fiza attached a wireless microphone to her bra, allowing Alan to listen in on the phone.

As she listened at the door, a male voice complimented, "You look gorgeous. You are the most beautiful girl I've ever seen!"

This was followed by laughter as Farzana playfully responded, "That's going to be a problem if you marry my sister, won't it?"

Fiza couldn't help but chuckle at the playful banter, but her mother seemed a bit concerned. Handing Fiza a tray with six cups of tea, intended for the guests, not including Fiza herself. With a faint smile, Fiza entered the room, fully aware that her wireless mic was capturing every word.

However, when she locked eyes with someone unexpected - Faisal - her shock was evident. Despite her surprise, she greeted him warmly with a wide smile. She was relieved. Faisal knew about her relationship with Alan. He would understand.

Faisal smiled back, his gaze intense as he took in her appearance.

Fiza proceeded to serve everyone tea and went back to the kitchen to fetch the banana fry, which she then placed on the center table.

"So Faisal just completed his fellowship in gastroenterology. We own a hospital, 'Sunshine Hospital' in Calicut. It is doing very well. He will work there, and Fiza can also join there," his father explained.

Fiza responded with a polite smile but couldn't help staring at Faisal, who remained silent but looked at her intently.

"We live in a high-rise building just across from the hospital. We own a second apartment under Faisal's name, above the one we stay at. It's a luxurious 4BHK. There will be no commute to the hospital. We are okay with the girl working after marriage also," continued Faisal's father while Fiza started to feel increasingly nervous, her eyes still locked on Faisal.

"We are in the hospitality industry, not the hospital industry," her father joked. "We have resorts in Ooty and Thekkady. We have just started one here in Kadamakkudy. I was hoping one of our daughters would marry a businessman, but both want doctors!"

Everyone in the room, except Fiza and Faisal, shared a laugh.

Fiza shifted her gaze, realizing that her prolonged eye contact with Faisal might be misunderstood.

Her mother spoke on her behalf, listing her qualities. "Fiza knows some cooking basics. She is a very homely girl. She sings very well. She has a big heart."

"Faisal also sings very well," his mother chimed in. "And he likes modern girls," she added with a laugh, directing a smile at Fiza, who returned it with politeness.

"We are a very liberal family. You won't find much difference between your home and ours," she assured Fiza directly.

"Maybe the kids want to talk?" suggested Faisal's father, smiling.

Fiza reacted swiftly, standing up abruptly and walking towards her room, signaling for Faisal to follow. He looked at Fiza's father, who nodded in approval. He seemed very pleased.

Once they reached her room, Fiza shut and locked the door, then leaned against it, facing Faisal. She didn't hold back her emotions. "What the hell, Faisal?" she asked, her gaze locked onto his.

Faisal stepped closer to her, his eyes moving from hers to her lips. His voice was a soft whisper, laden with emotion. "Fiza, I love you," he confessed. She felt her cheeks flush under his intense gaze.

"I love you. I've told you this before. You are everything I ever wanted in a wife. It's like I dreamed you into life," he said, letting out a nervous laugh at his unintentional rhyme.

Fiza's heart raced as Faisal drew closer, his words laden with persuasion. She found herself unable to move, rooted to the spot as he inched closer.

"It will be so easy, Fiza," he continued, his voice low and earnest. "We get along so well. I can give you an easy life, Fiza, a comfortable one. You heard my dad; we will already be established. We own the hospital, and you'll have flexible timings. Especially when we..." He hesitated, and her eyes widened. "Especially if we have kids," he mumbled.

Faisal took a deep breath, his hands caressing her cheek, causing her breath to hitch. His other hand rested against the door, his face mere inches from hers. His words flowed like a gentle stream, promising her a future.

"You would be able to have it all, Fiza. Your career, family life. Your family's reputation will be preserved. We can bring our children up as Muslims or just spiritually if you prefer," he whispered, his body brushing against hers.

Fiza closed her eyes, torn and confused by his words. It became clear that he was going to kiss her, and her heart raced even faster in anticipation.

She loved Alan but the life Faisal was painting sounded so appealing. Maybe it will help. Hadn't Alan told her to kiss Faisal, to get it all out? She parted her lips and she felt Faisal's lips on her. It was a gentle kiss. He broke away, breathing hard, looking at her. She was breathing hard too.

Before she could think, his lips came down on hers again, now more urgently. One hand caressed the back of her neck, while the other held her over her bare waist. His touch on her bare waist sent shivers down her spine, and before she knew it, she was kissing him back, their lips moving in a passionate dance. His tongue found its way into her mouth, intensifying the kiss. She moaned softly.

However, amid the whirlwind of sensations, Fiza's clarity began to return. She abruptly realized what she was doing - kissing Faisal, someone she didn't truly love. Her emotions were in turmoil. She pulled away, breaking the kiss, and turned her face to the side. Faisal's forehead rested against hers, his breath warm on her skin.

"I... I can't," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I'm with Alan."

Desperation filled Faisal's eyes as he tried to bridge the emotional chasm between them.

"He isn't good for you. He doesn't treat you right. He has been cheating on you..." He leaned in, brushing his lips against her lips once more

But this time, Fiza was more resolute. She pulled away, her heart pounding, feeling trapped between him and the door.

"Move," she pleaded, her voice shaking.

Faisal complied immediately, stepping back and Fiza unlocked the door.

Fiza hurriedly picked up her phone, realizing the gravity of the situation. Alan had witnessed her betrayal. She needed to reach him, explain everything, but her calls went unanswered. Panic set in as she realized he had either turned off his phone or blocked her.

Without wasting another moment, Fiza booked a taxi, her fingers trembling on the phone screen. The driver would arrive in just four minutes. She needed to gather her essentials - wallet, extra clothes, glasses, charger - and stuffed them into a tote bag. Her thoughts were a whirlwind, and Faisal watched her helplessly, unable to comprehend why she couldn't see that they were meant to be together.

The tension was palpable as Fiza walked out, closely followed by Faisal. Her mother's eyes scanned her daughter's worried expression and then narrowed suspiciously at Faisal, whose lips bore the unmistakable traces of red lipstick. Meanwhile, Faisal's parents shared similar expressions of shock.

Outside, Fiza stood waiting for the taxi, her mother joining her. Concern etched on her face, she asked the question that weighed heavily on her mind, "Did he hurt you, Fiza?" Fiza shook her head, the turmoil within her evident.

Her mother's next question was equally bewildering, "Did you kiss him?"

Fiza's response was honest but conflicted, "He kissed me, and I kissed him back."

Desperation and confusion clouded her mother's face as she implored her daughter to come back inside so they could sort things out. However, the timing was off as the taxi arrived just then. Without further ado, Fiza got into the taxi and gave the driver the destination, "Airport."

As the taxi pulled away, she heard her mother calling after her, but she knew where she needed to be, and it wasn't at home - it was with Alan.

The next two hours were a blur for Fiza. She booked a flight in haste while inside the taxi, hoping she would make it on time. Panic coursed through her veins.

Once at the airport, she hurried through security, her heart racing as they began boarding the flight. She sprinted to the gate and barely caught her breath as she settled into her seat.

Desperation drove her to call Alan once more, but she still couldn't get through. Defeated, she left him a heartfelt voicemail, her voice trembling with emotion, "I'm heading over. Please, let's talk. I love you."

Ignoring her mother's call, she sent her a text to reassure her that she was on the flight to Bangalore and would let them know once she reached Alan's house. "Please don't worry," she added, her fingers trembling as she pressed send.

Fiza arrived at Alan's house in Bangalore, her anxiety levels rising by the second. She rang the doorbell frantically, repeatedly, until Alan's mother finally answered the door. Her eyes widened at Fiza's decked up appearance, clearly sensing something was amiss.

"Alan's in his room, he has... locked the door," she stammered, her voice laced with concern. "He is so upset!" She seemed on the verge of tears. "Are you guys fighting? What is happening, Fiza? He threw his phone..."

Fiza's gaze followed Alan's mother's trembling finger, which pointed to the coffee table where Alan's broken phone lay. It was evident that something was terribly wrong, and Fiza felt a sinking feeling in her chest.

Fiza's heart ached as tears welled up in her eyes, imagining how much pain Alan must be going through. She knew that if the situation were reversed, she would be devastated too.

Desperation filled her voice as she knocked on Alan's door, but there was no response. Alan's mother explained the grim situation. "It's been like this for the last 3 hours. No sound. I called his father... I am scared, Fiza."

Fiza's worry deepened. Had he hurt himself? She knew she needed to find a way to communicate with Alan, to let him know that she was there and willing to talk things through.

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Author's note

What are your thoughts?

Please vote and comment. Thank you for reading so far. This book is so special to me.

❤️Faiza