......

The next two weeks are ultimate bliss for Shazir, he will himself get ready for the office and was punctually doing his work.

He was spending more time in the office not missing a chance to be around Konain even for a second. He was like a moth attracted to the fire and he was ready to burn.

His regularity and punctuality to go to the office and do his work were surprising for the khan family.

His parents are the most shocked at his sudden change, but they are happy about it as they thought their youngest spoiled child is now getting responsible.

"Lala come on... You are so slow. We are getting late from office. I am telling you... You old age is getting to you these days,"

The glare from his brother made him shut his mouth as he pouted at the wall clock already cursing himself for not repairing his car on time and depending on his brother for the lift to the office.

Manizeh was also shocked but when she saw her husband rolling his eyes at Shazir behaviour she knew that something is suspicious.

Mir Taimoor Khan was mentally face-palming, his brother was getting in a mess. What he was trying to do will only cause him heartbreak.

Taimoor knew about Konain life and her broken engagement and how it was causing chaos in her life but he didn't want to share it with his brother because it's not his story to tell.

But he can't let his baby brother be heartbroken so he tried warning him indirectly, on their way to the office.

"So how are you finding work and office environment?"

"It's great Lala... I have never thought that I will love working but it's amazing,"

Shazir was thinking about her, the way she carries herself, the way she flinches every time he tried talking with her.

The fear and hesitation in her eyes are killing him but he was determined to win her with his heart.

The pain in her eyes was not hidden from him, he wanted to share that with her but first, he has to be her friend, her confidant before claiming her.

Taimoor looked at him lost in his daydreaming and already know what's his brother was thinking.

"You should focus on your work Shazir. I mean you are doing amazing but you should mainly give your attention to work,"

Shazir came out of his thoughts when Taimoor spoke but he frowned.

"What are you trying to say, Lala?"

Taimoor took a deep breath and looked at him briefly as he turned his gaze back to the road.

"What I am trying to say is that you should focus on work and not tried to be more friendly with everyone, specially Konain,"

"Why Lala? Are you interested in her? I mean you are not betraying Bhabhi are you? Should I have to tell Bhabhi about this?"

Taimoor knew Shazir was teasing him as he hit him upside down on his head earning a groan from him.

"Shut up you idiot... I am not betraying my wife. I love her more than life itself and I don't need anyone else but her. I am just saying this because I have always considered Konain as my sister. She is just like Mansha for me... So don't try anything because she is not stable right now,"

Shazir was joking as he knew his brother loved Manizeh, but on the mention of Konain like Mansha, he shivered. He didn't want her as his sister.

He scowled at the words but the last words of his brother made him curious.

"Yeah sister for you... but Why did you say that Lala? I also noticed her tensed behaviour and her flinching but why is she like this?"

"That's not for me to tell you Shazir... It's not my story to share. But know one thing that she was not emotionally stable right now so please don't cause more misery in her life,"

Shazir felt his heart squeezed in his chest as his worry spiked, he turned toward his brother.

"Lala... How can you think so low of me? Don't you trust me?"

Taimoor parked the car in the owner reserved parking, he turned the engine off as he completed turned toward his baby brother as he cupped Shazir cheek.

"I didn't accuse you of anything Shazir. I trust you with my life and I know that you will never do anything wrong and your intentions are pure but please try to understand... Just give her time and don't impose yourself on her,"

Shazir thought about his words for a few moments as he holds Taimoor's hand on his cheeks squeezing it to assure him, as a bright smile adorns his face.

"I will never do anything to hurt her Lala. I respect her too much to do anything. I just want to share her worries... I just want her to have a friend in her life,"

Taimoor smiled proudly, he knew that his baby brother will never hurt her, and making things clear was a relief for him.

"Now Lala... Stop this mushy stuff I am not habitual to this and special with you. Safe it for my Bhabhi...,"

Taimoor rolled his eyes at his brother as he glared at him. Indeed Shazir Khan always has his way of ruining the moment.

"That... There is the world-famous glare of the great Mir Taimoor Khan specially reserved for me. Now I am happy... Let's go, Lala, we are already late because of your bromance,"

Shazir ran out of the car before his brother can beat him as he laughed like a hyena.

"Stupid... moron... Idiot... Ewe... Bromance and with him. Kill me, someone,"

Taimoor shook his head mumbling profanities and cursing his brother and praying that his baby brother will be able to do the right thing.

With that thought, he closed the car door and proceed towards his office building.

......

The next whole month was normal, but for Konain everything is frustrating. She was already stressed and tense about her nagging phupho and the taunts of a broken engagement.

But her recent cause of stress is her boss, which means not her boss but his baby brother.

Shazir Khan has made it his goal to be friendly with her and always find reasons to roam around her.

She didn't want to be rude to him because first, he was her boss, and second, she will be taking others' anger on him but now her patience was running low.

In the morning her phupho again bless them with an early morning visit just because she was avoiding any kind of interaction but it's like today was not her lucky day.

"Oh look... The great queen Konain is here today. I am telling you brother stop her now... She was already rejected by one man and only Allah knows how many will do the same with her rebel and slutty behavior,"

Konain felt her heart paining at the words as she straightens her dupatta on her head.

She turned around to face her parents who are just looking at her with misty eyes.

Her father was indebted to his sister so he never said anything to her and this break Konain heart, but when her father stood up for her, she smiled weakly at him.

"Appa doesn't say something like this about my Konain... I know she was just as pure as any Angel. I trust her so please don't say this,"

Rubina beghum didn't like her brother taking his daughter's side as she scoffs but then smiled sweetly at him.

"Bhai... I am not saying that, it's what the neighborhood was saying. I hope you guys will understand. I just want her happiness and for our reputation to be intact,"

Konain felt her blood boiled at the words, she knew this is a facade just for her father and like a great human he is, he smiled at his sister gratefully.

Konain just smiled at her fate as she turned toward her phupho.

"Don't worry phupho Jaan... I will not do anything to ruin your reputation. That relationship was not meant to be... They are just greedy and I know my Baba will never give my hand to someone like him,"

The father-daughter duo smiled at each other as Rubina beghum was burning in jealousy and anger.

Saying that she went on her way to the office to do her work and to be away from this toxic environment for a few moments.

Rubina beghum was cursing her because she was the one who comes with the alliance and now the boy family was taunting her.

She promised them a big dowry, in exchange for her son's job opportunity, but now when the alliance was rejected.

She was angry and taking it all on them, more than she normally does.

She promised to make Konain life hell; she just has to wait for the right time and strike.

.......

She reached the office one hour late because she missed her bus, then as she was running toward the building she collided with the door.

Her phone fell on the floor, breaking it into pieces as she cursed herself.

She felt like crying as her already bad day was getting worse. She was now frustrated.

"Good... People said that if you saw a black cat then your day will be ruined, they never mentioned what happened when they saw people with black hearts and character... Bravo phupho you ruined my day,"

She was mumbling and huffing as she goes toward the Shazir Khan cabin to give him some files as everyone else was busy with their lunch break but because of her late start, she was behind the schedule and working on her break.

She was angry, hungry, and frustrated, this combination is not good for everyone, because when Konain Farooq is in a mood with this combination she can kill someone with her words as she was a walking volcano.

She was going to open the door but it's was already pushed toward her knocking her to the ground.

Shazir was lost in her thoughts when he opened the door, but then the next moment he heard her gasping.

She was on the floor because he was not paying attention.

He cursed himself and moved to help her but she flinches at his closeness. He waited for her to stand up and repeatedly say sorry.

"I am sorry... I am really sorry... Are you ok? You are not hurt haina. I am sorry Konain...,"

"It's ok sir... I am fine,"

He frowned at the word 'Sir', he smirked and tried to be friendly when he was relieved that she was not hurt.

"How many times I have to tell you to not call me sir? I feel old yar... We are almost of the same age so please call me Shazir,"

She was out of patience, but still maintains her professional smile as she looked at him, making his heartbeat frantically.

"Because I cannot say your name sir. You are my boss brother that makes you my boss. So I don't have any problems with calling you, sir,"

"But I have a problem with you calling me sir... I don't want you to call me sir. We can be friends you know,"

"Well I have a problem and I will call you sir... Here are the files Taimoor sir wanted you to read for the Hamdani project... Please read it,"

She ignored his last comment and handing him the files she turned around but his cheeky voice stopped her.

"Are you running away Miss Konain Farooq? Are you afraid of a little friendly friendship with a handsome man like me? Don't worry I promise you I will not try anything funny I am just trying to make working together easy,"

He flashed her his charming smile, he was just trying to be friendly but her anger got the best of her.

"Stop!!! Just stop your nonsense, Mr. Khan. I don't want to be your friend Mr. Shazir Khan, I am not running away, nor I am afraid. I just don't want to befriend someone like you... You think I am not noticing your flirting and frankness. I do this job do spend some stress less time but because of you now it's not possible,"

Shazir was stunned at her outburst, he didn't know she thinks like this about him. He was surprised but this is not over, as the time ticking bomb blows up.

"You think I am blind and like all other girls I will be at your feet with your advances and you will get another victory. But news flash Mr. Khan... I am not like those girls. I will never fell for this... You can stop this whole friendship drama now. I fear my LORD and you should too,"

Konain takes deep breaths after her rambling, the adrenaline pumping through her veins, the emotions taking over her mind but soon his voice breaks her trance.

Shazir was heartbroken at her words but soon her words registered in his mind and his eyes flashed with anger, his hand fisted and jaw clenched.

He felt his vein tightening and he looked at her with so much anger that she shivered. This is the first time he felt this much fury and rage in his bones.

It's like someone killed his puppy but he moved toward her but still maintain a respectable distance.

"Miss Konain Farooq... I have heard enough of your gibberish talk and it's high time you stop before it's too late and you will regret it. You think I am flirting with you... That I am trying to take advantage of you... You think so low of me,"

She tried to speak but his glare stopped her, she gulped in nervousness as she saw his blazing eyes at her.

"You are accusing me of being a flirt... On what basis may I know. Just because I wanted to be friendly with my future co-worker... It made me a playboy. Bravo... I thought you are not like all the other girls but no you are just like them. Thinking all the men are alike...,"

"You said I am a flirt and took advantage of you... no Miss Farooq... I tried to become your friend just because I saw how you flinch each time someone tried talking with you. I saw how you don't have many friends here... I saw the pain in your eyes, the stress in your face, and the misery of your soul,"

She was stunned at his words but he was not going to stop before getting it all off his chest.

"That's why I wanted to be your friend... I am not a flirt... it's in my nature to make friends and be happy all the time and also be friendly with others. I find you a good human and thought why not be the reason for your stressless moments in this office but I am wrong... you like all people took it in the wrong way. Damn why I tried to be nice when people nowadays don't deserve it,"

The adrenaline rush was over for her as her mind clear of fog and she came to her senses knowing that she did wrong in her anger.

But she was now facing the wrath of Shazir Khan's anger, she was stunned at his words and knew that she did wrong.

"News flash to you too Miss Konain Farooq... I am not a playboy. I am a respectful man who knows how to respect women. So if this is how you feel that I am imposing myself on you then I give you my words that I will not come in your way again. You will have no problems from my side... Allah Hafiz Miss Konain Farooq... You can go now,"

Saying this, he turned around leaving a shocked and perplexed Konain in her place.

She knew everything he said was true and she overreacted, but hearing the words about her from him broke her.

She felt guilt grip her heart so strong but she knew she can't do anything now. She accused a nice man and she knew this is unforgivable.

She was a mature woman, who spent her life under so much stress and anxiety to provide for her family and avoiding the society talk, while he was the lively man who made life memorable and joyous for everyone but today she broke his heart.

Shazir closed the door and walk towards his desk on trembling legs, it's like his body was shutting down. He fell on the chair as a lone tear escapes his eyes.

This is the second time he cried, first when his Dadi Janam was admitted to the hospital.

He felt like her words are a knife stabbing his heart continuously.

He knew that he speaks too much in anger to her but if space she wants then it's what she will get.

He will never hurt her, she captured his heart at the first glance and he knew that he will do anything for her but never hurt her.

"I am sorry Nain... Really sorry. But I didn't want to hurt you... I will stay away if you want me to... I am sorry,"

The first girl he felt something for broke his heart accusing him of flirting and making her another victory of him, calling him a playboy.

He promised himself that he will now become more devoted to work and give her space and time, but first, he has a broken heart to nurse.

He opened his desk drawer taking out all his chocolate stash and start eating, ignoring all his work as he played Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's famous songs and emerge himself in self-pity.

"Humse ye soch kar koi wada karo... Ek wade pe umren guzar jayengi

Ye hai dunia yahan kitne Ahl-e-wafaa... Bewafa ho gaye dekhte dekhte"

He heard the lyrics eating his chocolate and mumbling the song and her name.

"Haye Nain!!!!... What will I do with my heart,"

.....

The next week everything is awkward between them. Shazir did his best to avoid her and Konain was so guilty that she thought that not facing him was best.

Shazir was more devoted and dedicated to his work as he spent more time in his cabin and rarely interact with others.

He stirred clear of any action that involves Konain.

They will just talk in monosyllables when required, this behaviour of these two didn't go unnoticed by the great Mir Taimoor Khan.

He saw his brother grumpy majnu look and Konain guilty look whenever she is close to Shazir.

He rolled his eyes knowing that his love-sick puppy brother was either bashed by the lady or rejected.

He knew Shazir was too sensitive when the people he cared about are involved so he just keeps quiet and let them handle it.

But today luck was not with them as they have to work on a project together, but the problem is that Taimoor gives them the file on lunch break.

Konain was nervous about talking with him or how to apologize for her stupidity.

She turned around but was bumped into a hard wall of muscle knocking her head.

She hissed rubbing her head but soon her breath hitched when she inhaled his scent.

He was so close to her that their heart started pounding hard, they felt shiver went down their spine.

They made eye contact, feeling like the time stopped. Her presence was like fire for his soul, he felt like burning but this burn is good. He wanted to be burnt just like the moth.

She was mesmerized by his soulful eyes and their liveliness, but soon they came to their senses and moved apart maintaining a safe and respectful distance.

"I am sorry...,"

They spoke simultaneously and a small smile graced his face but she was nervous.

"We should stop meeting like this Miss Farooq... Otherwise, you will also say I am doing this deliberately,"

He just said it as a joke but she felt more guilty, her words are like a punch to the guts.

She opened her mouth to apologize for her mistake but before she can say anything, a bitter voice got their attention.

"So this is the reason you broke the engagement, Konain Farooq... Because you are having an affair. Such a cheap girl you are... I must say,"

They both turned around and was surprised to see the person as Konain gasped loudly and Shazir was angry to hear those words.

......

Hazerin Nazerin... Dekhti ankhoo aur parhne walo ko Mera Salaam...