After Rashid had walked out, Maaz fell on the bed. He wanted to go to sleep but after he was disturbed, he couldn't sleep again. He groaned, tossed the duvet from over him and got down of the bed. He wore his flip-flops and yawned, scratching his butt over his cheese printed boxers he walked towards his wardrobe.

Like his room, even Maaz's bathroom was posh. A small jacuzzi, glass bowl-shaped washbasin, toilet seat and elegant, modern granite tilting complimenting the marble flooring. He locked the door and hung the towel on the hanger behind the door and quickly stripped his boxers and tossed it in the laundry bag which was placed under the washbasin. He sat inside the jacuzzi. Though, it was a relaxing bath but right now, Maaz was in a hurry and so he opted to use the hand shower. As he applied the shower-gel over his body he wondered what was his father's problem? He always seems to be grumpy and harbor some kind of hatred against him? Why? Was he jealous of Maaz's care-free lifestyle? Nah! He was definitely jealous of his look. Feeling better, he smiled to himself.

Rashid showered and changed into his grey business suit. He was sitting at the breakfast table and was halfway done with food when Maaz climbed down the stairs. Zainab looked at her son with pride while Rashid kept a stern face. He eyed his attire, striped black and white sleeveless Tee and his palms tugged into his olive-green cargo Bermuda pants. Rashid clicked his tongue in agitation when he noticed his son's tousled hair. He looked at Zainab, she was busy admiring her son. Maaz looked at his mother and gave a small nod, she smiled. Rashid shook his head and held his forehead.

Maaz stood next to his mother and placed his arm around her shoulder, - 'Good morning, Mom.' He greeted her brightly.

'Good morning, my bacha.' She greeted back and tip-toed and kissed his cheek. Maaz smiled closing his eyes. Zainab moved aside, as he pulled a chair and sat.

'Good morning, Dad.' He replied picking up an apple from the fruit basket. Rashid looked at him with a stern expression but that went unnoticed.

Rashid shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. Maaz took a bite of the apple and leaned in the seat.

'Son, it has been three years since you completed MBA.' – Maaz rolled his eyes, - 'Why don't you--' Rashid stopped speaking and frowned, he leaned closer and eyed Maaz, - 'What is this?' He pointed at his ear. Maaz paused eating and covered his left earlobe with his palm. Slowly, he looked at his father who had a scowl on his face.

'It's-It's my new piercing.' He smiled. Rashid's expressions relaxed, he extended his hand and removed Maaz's palm away. He eyed the tiny silver hoop earring and then held his jaw and turned his head slightly to check his other ear, it didn't have anything.

'Why didn't you pierce the other ear?'

'Dad, I was--' Maaz blushed but he was interrupted by his father's stern voice.

'Pierce your nose as well, grow your hair and wear bangles.' He taunted and Maaz's smile dropped.

'What are you blabbering, Rashid?' Zainab interrupted him. Maaz rolled his eyes and once again leaned against the chair and began eating.

'See, Zainab your son is turning into a girl.' He pointed at Maaz, a look of disgust on his face. Maaz pressed his lips tightly and slammed his palms on the table. Zainab flinched but Rashid doesn't. He kept glaring at his son. Maaz placed the half-eaten apple on the table and got up.

'Where are you going, Beta? Eat your breakfast.' Zainab advised. He turned around and looked at his father.

'I lost my appetite.' He said and looked at his mother, she gave him a helpless look him. Maaz let out a deep breath, turned around and angrily walked away. Rashid made a face and looked away. he had lost his appetite too, but Zainab wasn't lenient on him and began scolding him for ruining her dearest son's appetite.

'Enough.' – Rashid said angrily and got up, - 'Sam, Sam, get my briefcase.' He called. Within minutes, the driver arrived with the briefcase. He ignored Zainab's words and walked away.

To take out his frustration, Maaz ran around in the backyard of his mansion. He hated when his father argued with him. He always taunted him, always belittled him. Maaz has always been a rebel since childhood. He and his father had never been on the same page. Rashid always complained that his son never stood up to his expectations. But what were his son's expectations? Living in a posh mansion and having everything at his fingertips still Maaz felt suffocated because of his father and his taunts.

Maaz stopped in his tracks and as he shook his head sweat droplets fell over his face. He huffed leaning forward and grabbed his knees. He closed his eyes and took deep breathes.

'Hey, Maaz!'

Hearing a sweet feminine voice, his eyes opened and still huffing he looked up.

He smiled. 'Hey, Rukhsar.' He straightened. She looked at him and scrunched her nose.

'Uff, you are sweating so much.' She made a face. Maaz admired her cute round face and laughed. He opened his arms and took a step closer, - 'Come, babes. Hug me.' He grinned.

'Chi, yuck. You will spoil my dress, idiot.' She protested and began taking steps back, Maaz took hurried steps. She yelped turning around and ran. He smiled to himself and ran behind her.

'Ahh! Maaz, please don't.' She yelled running around, all the while she kept pulling down her peach summer dress. Maaz was not giving up and eventually got up. She screamed as he held her waist from behind and lifted her off the ground.

'Put me down.' She protested as he twirled them around. He kept grinning happily while she looked like she was close to getting a heart attack. After some time, he placed her down. She turned around and glared at him. He placed his palms on his waist and laughed loudly.

'You always do this, moron. Don't you know about consent?' She said angrily and began hitting him with her delicate fists.

Maaz continued to laugh and fell on the ground. Watching him laugh so carefreely Rukhsar smiled too. She sat down beside him and tugged down her dress. She looked at him and placed her palm on his shoulder.

'Now, tell me what was bothering you?' She asked softly. Maaz turned his head and looked at her.

'What problem?' He shrugged. Rukhsar smiled twisting her lips, she placed her palms on the grass and shifted closer.

'I know you since we were toddlers, darling. You are my best friend. I know whenever you are super-tensed you take out your frustration like this.' She said sweetly.

Maaz smiled, nodding his head and placed his arms around his knees. He sighed.

As he narrated the incident from the morning, Rukhsar listened intently to him. As the two friends sat and talked, their mothers came looking for them. Zainab spotted them sitting together and a smile appeared on her face. She admired them for a while before tapping her friend's shoulder.

'Mona, Mona.'

Her friend turned her head and looked at her, Zainab pointed towards them. Mona also smiled widely watching them. Maaz was talking something, Rukhsar was smiling and occasionally tugged her cheek- length brown hair behind her ear.

'Haaye.' Mona and Zainab said in unison, then they glanced at each other and grinned. They turned their head and looked at them again, this time as Rukhsar spoke Maaz moved his hand and tugged her hair behind her ear. Mona held Zainab's hand and the two women giggled.

'Let us leave the two love-birds alone.' Zainab said in between her giggles. Mona agreed and then the two women walked away.

Zainab and Mona knew each other for twenty-eight years, they met for the first time in one of the kitty parties. Zainab was new to these parties and high-class society, but Mona had been kind to her and groomed her. As the two women became best friends, their kids Rukhsar and Maaz became bffs too. Rukhsar being one year elder to Maaz had initially, bullied him but slowly became friends. Ever since their friendship grew the two ladies began dreaming of getting them married. Everything was perfect but there was only one problem. Maaz and Rukhsar, they had always seen each other as friends, only friends, and bluntly refused every time topic of their marriage came up.

'Hi, Aunty.' Maaz and Rukhsar called in unison. The ladies looked up. Mona nudged Zainab as they eyed Maaz's arm looped with Rukhsar's. Zainab looked at Mona and they passed a cheeky grin. Maaz excused himself as he needed to shower again. Rukhsar sat down on the double sofa next to her mother. She adjusted her dress and placed her legs closely together. Zainab admired her. Rukhsar was just the girl she wanted for her son. She was beautiful with a slender figure, cute round face, hazel eyes, and olive skin tone. He cheek-length hair was fuller. She was also well qualified with an MBA degree from the same college as Maaz, and now she was working in a successful MNC. Even though, she needn't because of her billionaire father.

'So, Aunty. What's up?' Rukhsar's voice broke Zainab's reverie. She cleared her throat and shifted in her seat. She smiled and replied a general answer. Then, she called one of their maids and asked her to bring tea and some snacks.

'Oh, mine with no milk and sugar.' Rukhsar said and smiled politely at the young woman dressed in a French maid uniform. The woman smiled back and turned around. Zainab sighed placing her elbow on the armrest and resting her chin on her palm.

This girl is so perfect. Bas, Maaz should come to his senses and marry this girl – Zainab thought in her head. The thought of Maaz made her smile turn into a frown.