Check the end of the chapter to find the meanings of foreign words used here...

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Game on!

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Ayan's POV:

I see the whole city from the glass window of my meeting room which is on the 40th floor of my office. The busy city with hustle bustle seems quite alike with my life...

Sometimes busy with the workload, sometimes busy with life and sometimes Ayaah...

And now busy with the thought of  Mahira's proposal.

You need to give a reason to reject someone's proposal... But this time, what kind of reason can I give?

********

Flashback:

I was speaking to one of my business clients when I see Mahira entering the party wearing a classy black gown. Every head of the men snapped towards the entrance as she entered. And why not, she has an aura of herself, which she carries with her attitude.

I didn't give many thoughts to her and continued my conversation with my client.

"Won't you even greet me, Mr. Siddique?"  I heard a voice from behind after some time. I turned around to see Mahira there.

"Ohh... Ms. Mahira. It's nothing like that, I thought you would be busy right now... Anyways, good evening Ms. Iqbal. It's a pleasure to meet you again.." I said with a formal smile.

"Same here, soon... Would you like to have some wine with me?"

"Oh, no Ms. Mahira. I don't  drink.."

"Oh, I remember now. I am sorry for the offering. The thing is that a religious guy like you in our business world is rare... I admire you for that."

I smiled at her comment...

"Well, you have met one now!"

We continued our conversation for some more time, discussing various kinds of stuff. She has a good sense of humor.

"Mr. Siddique, since you haven't complimented my appearance today... I am asking myself now, how do I look today?" She asked after some time...

"Oh! Really sorry about that. You look great today... "

I say giving her a genuine smile.

"Great enough to be your future wife?"... I shot my eyes at Mahira hearing this

" Excuse me?" I asked astonished...

Did I hear right?

"Have I asked a difficult question, Mr. Siddique? Well, let's make it easy then..." I watched her keenly as she said that... She had a tint of blush on her face. I am doomed!

" Look, Mr.Siddique... I am a very straight forward person. So I will keep it straight... I am giving you a proposal of marriage..."

Oh no!

"I... I am sorry, Ms. Mahira?" My reply was more of a question.

"Ayan, I am serious about the proposal... I liked you when we first met. I have never seen someone like you before! That too in this industry! And this marriage can benefit both of us... I have a huge empire to handle and my dad has named 50% of his shares to me... After marriage, it will be yours... And if our companies join hands we can be at the top..what do you say about this Mr. Siddique?"She said with a little blush.

"Umm... I.. I am sorry Ms. Mahira. But I can't...marry you." I said, not able to look at her but didn’t miss the disappointment on her face...

"Mr. Siddique, I am not expecting an answer right now. You can take your time... But if you reject my proposal, you should give me a valid reason for that! Otherwise, I will end my Partnership with you for our current project... And I ain't joking!"

I didn’t miss the threat in her voice...

I chose to stay silent. I excused myself and left the party...

Should I tell her, I like someone else? But what if she asks whom!

now it's not that I don't wanna disclose but, she is an outsider to know about my personal life...

Flashback ends...

********

I sip my coffee relishing its taste. Espresso is a real stress-buster...

The problem now is that the more I try to make my and Ayah's relation easy...  The more complicated it gets...

But I can't marry Mahira for that... I need to think of a way...

"Busy in thoughts, Mr. Siddique?" I heard a deep male voice...

I turned around to see my buddy and one of the top businessmen of the country... Yasir Sheikh...

"Hey, buddy!" We shared a bro hug as he entered...

"What's up? You seemed tensed on the phone." He asked patting my shoulder.

I sigh as I looked at him...

"I don't know what to do.."

"Wait, wait, wait! THE Ayan Siddique doesn’t know what to do! The case must be serious.." He asked giving a fake shocked look as he sat on my office desk like he owns the cabin.

He and his dramas!

I rolled my eyes at his reaction and just then my phone rings. It's nonother than Mahira Iqbal.

Yasir whistled teasingly as he looked at the caller id and said, "Mahira Iqbal? The Mahira Iqbal?"

I nodded in reply as I ignored her call, she has called a lot today, I need a break from her.

"Oh... Boy! Mahira giving her personal number to someone! It's gonna be news of the town mann! That woman is fire!"

I kept silent as he didn’t stop his ranting. After some time I told him all that happened...

He became silent as he looked at me.

"Sooooo... This Mahira, she is interested in you?" He asked

I nodded sighing.

"And you still like your cousin Ayaah?"

I have nodded again.

"Hmmm... Well, Ayan I think you should give a chance to Mahira. Cause knowing you, you are never gonna confess your feelings towards your cousin, so the option left is to move on from her." My eyes widened at his words...

"Hey! Are you out of your mind? I can't give a chance to Mahira. And it’s not that I don't want to confess. But I don't know what Ayaah's feelings are. I can't risk what we have!" In no way, I am gonna marry Mahira.

My wife is gonna be Ayaah, and if not her then no one else!

"That is the reason I told you to give Mahira a chance. The only way to know her feelings is to make her jealous! If she becomes jealous at the thought of you with someone else then you know she likes you!" He said as he gave me his carefree look.

"What do you mean to say?"

"Isn’t it simple, Date Mahira and make Ayaah jealous? Then you won't lose your deal and get to know Ayaah's feelings too!"

"Yasir! Isn’t this risky? I mean Mahira isn’t someone to mess with.. "

I said a little tensed...

"Oi... Buddy, who told you to have a serious relationship with her? Just let her know that you want everything formal and 'Halaal'. And I am sure, seeing you're over religious behavior, she will end the relationship... And if not then... Let her know!" He replied.

"What if I let her know now?"

"You will die a virgin! Do you want that? Ayan, remember one thing, no risk no life!"

He said patting his shoulder...

"It’s just that, I love her Yasir... And in no way, I wanna risk my love." I replied burying my head in my palms.

"Look, now I don't know about this love and all. For me, love is a deal, and if the feelings are strong then it’s a game of hormones!" He said and winked at me

Ya Allah! Look who is giving me suggestions! But I need to do this. This is the best option I have now!

Bismillah!

*********

Ayaah's POV:

"Salaam Mahira." I greeted her as she called me for the.

"Wassalaam!" I heard her reply.

"So, did you get to know about Ayan's thoughts for me?"

I sigh as I heard her, "Mahira, I am sorry to say, but Ayan isn’t interested in you.."

"What? But why? " I did hear the disappointment in her voice.

"How would I know why? I think every person has a different set of choices that’s why.."  I said annoyed...

When he says that he is not interested, that means he is not interested! Why do you need to ask again and again?

"Well, then tell me what kind of girl he likes?"...

I heard her say, as I felt my insides burning...

Not you!

"Well, I think he likes someone religious, cause he is a religious person.." I said shrugging.

"Well, I think being religious or not is completely our own choices. Why should our partners force us? We find our life partners on our own, anyway... And I don't believe in religions!"

I could hear the annoyance in her voice.

"It's not about forcing! Well, why forget the one who gave you your life partner, after getting your him/her? We do say thankyous to someone who helps us just one time. Where, our creator Allah (SWT.) provides us with more than millions of help, millions of blessings, millions of chances...

Very little thanks we give to him!"

I replied confidently.

There was some silence for sometimes but then I heard her annoyed voice, "Yah whatever!"

"But I think very soon I will be with Ayan!" I felt her confident voice.

Ya, in your dreams!

"Let's see!" I replied sighing.

"Okay, game on! But I can guarantee you that, it’s gonna happen in 24 hours..." She said and I felt a smirk on her face...

"Mahira, I need to go, message me or call me when your 'happen in 24 hours' really happens...Okay, bye"

I said with a tight smile and cut the call. Arghhh!

And what did she mean by game on? Am I playing a game with her! Huh,

Though she's gonna lose anyway...

*********

Mahira's POV:

'Mahira, I thought a lot about your proposal. I think I should give a chance to this. But I don't want anything physical. I wanna know about you more before getting married. I can't marry you just like that.'

I read the message from Ayan and smirked. You gave me a chance is enough Ayan, the rest I'll handle.

You lose Ayaah...

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Bismillah: I start with the name of Allah.