INAYA ali shah pov
Soft sunlight slipped through the curtains, spreading across the quiet room.
Inaya was still asleep, curled under her blanket, her hair falling across the pillow. For once, the house was peaceful.
Until the door suddenly burst open.
"Inaya! Wake up!"
Her mother's excited voice filled the room.
Inaya groaned softly and buried her face deeper into the pillow.
"Ammi… please," she mumbled sleepily. "It's too early."
But her mother was already pulling the curtains open, letting bright sunlight flood the room.
"Early?" her mother laughed. "It's almost ten! And we have so much work to do!"
Inaya slowly opened one eye, clearly unimpressed.
"Work for what?"
Her mother turned toward her with a bright, excited smile.
"For your engagement preparations, of course!"
Inaya stared at the ceiling.
Her heart felt heavy.
"Oh," she said quietly.
Her mother didn't seem to notice the lack of excitement. She was already sitting beside the bed, holding a few fabric samples and jewellery catalogues.
"Look at these! I spoke to the designer this morning. We need to decide your engagement dress.
Inaya sat up slowly, her hair messy, her expression tired.
"Ammi… it's too much," she murmured.
Her mother laughed lightly.
"This is how weddings are, beta. Busy and beautiful."
Inaya forced a small nod.
But inside her mind, her thoughts were screaming.
Beautiful?
This doesn't feel beautiful.
She looked down at the engagement ring on her finger.
The diamond sparkled under the sunlight.
I'm really didn't want to marry Zeeshan.
Her chest tightened.
Her mother noticed her silence and gently touched her shoulder.
"What's wrong?" she asked softly. "You don't look happy."
Inaya forced another smile.
"I'm just sleepy."
Her mother didn't look convinced.
"Every girl dreams about her wedding day," she said gently. "You should be excited."
Inaya looked down again.
Her fingers slowly twisted the blanket.
Inside her mind, a quiet thought whispered something she didn't want to admit.
What if I don't want this wedding?
The idea scared her.
But it didn't disappear.
Instead, it grew louder.
Maybe… I'll run away.
Her heartbeat quickened at the thought.
Yes.
Maybe that's the only way.
I'll run before the wedding happens.
"Inaya?"
Her mother's voice pulled her back to reality.
She quickly looked up.
"Yes, Ammi?"
Her mother smiled again, holding up a bright red bridal dress design.
"What do you think about this one?"
Inaya looked at the dress.
It was beautiful.
Perfect.
Exactly what a bride should wear.
But for some reason…
It didn't feel like it belonged to her.
Still, she nodded slowly.
"It's nice," she whispered.
Her mother happily continued talking about decorations, jewellery, and rituake.
But Inaya barely heard a word.
Because deep inside her mind, a dangerous thought had already taken root.
I'm not going to marry Zeeshan.
I'm going to run away before the wedding.
And for the first time…
The idea didn't feel impossible.
It felt like freedom. ✨
AUTHOR POV
The house glowed under warm golden lights. Crystal lamps hung from the ceiling, reflecting softly against walls covered in flowers. Laughter echoed through the hall as relatives and guests gathered to celebrate the night.
It was Inaya and Zeeshan's engagement.
Standing near the decorated stage, Inaya gently adjusted the delicate bracelet on her wrist. Her pastel dress shimmered with silver embroidery, catching the light every time she moved.
People surrounded her, offering congratulations and warm smiles.
But despite all the celebration, her heart felt strangely restless.
"Relax, Inaya," Zeeshan chuckled beside her, noticing her nervous expression. "You look like you're about to run away."
She forced a small smile.
"Maybe I am."
Before Zeeshan could respond, the main door slowly opened.
A tall man stepped inside.
The lively chatter in the room gradually faded as several heads turned toward him.
He wore a perfectly tailored black suit, his posture confident, every step calm and controlled. His sharp features and composed expression immediately drew attention.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
Zeeshan stared for a second before his eyes widened in shock.
"No way…" he breathed. "Maan?!"
The man's lips curved into a faint smile.
"It's Armaan Meer now," he replied calmly. "But for you… always Maan."
Zeeshan burst into laughter and rushed forward, pulling him into a tight hug.
"Bro! You disappeared to the UK and came back a big businessman without even telling me?"
Armaan smirked slightly.
"Someone had to make money while you stayed here."
More whispers passed through the guests.
Armaan Meer.
The young business tycoon who built his empire in London.
But Armaan wasn't listening to them.
Because in that exact moment…
His eyes met hers.
Inaya.
For a second, the entire room seemed to fade away.
Her breath caught in her throat as his dark gaze locked onto hers. There was something intense in his eyes—something curious… almost dangerous.
Armaan tilted his head slightly, studying her like a puzzle he was trying to solve.
Inaya quickly looked away, her heartbeat suddenly racing.
Zeeshan noticed and grinned.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce you," he said, pulling Armaan toward the stage. "Maan—sorry, Armaan—this is my fiancée, Inaya."
Armaan stopped.
Just for a moment.
Then he slowly extended his hand toward her.
"Nice to meet you," he said quietly.
Inaya hesitated before placing her hand in his.
The moment their fingers touched, an unexpected silence passed between them.
Not a word.
Just a look.
Just a strange feeling neither of them understood yet.
Armaan released her hand slowly, a faint smile touching his lips.
"Congratulations," he said.
But the way he looked at her…
after some time
Guests gathered excitedly.
Everyone was waiting for the most important moment of the night.
The ring ceremony.
"Inaya, sit straight," her mother whispered while adjusting her dupatta.
Inaya nodded quietly.
She sat beside Zeeshan on the decorated sofa on the stage. Cameras flashed every few seconds while relatives surrounded them with smiling faces.
Zeeshan leaned closer and whispered playfully, "You look like someone forced you here."
Inaya forced a small smile.
"Maybe they did."
Zeeshan laughed softly.
Across the garden, standing near the crowd, Armaan watched everything silently.
His expression was calm, but his eyes stayed fixed on the stage.
On her.
Inaya could feel it again.
That strange awareness.
Like someone's gaze was resting on her.
Her eyes slowly lifted.
And there he was.
Armaan.
Standing with his hands in his pockets, watching the ceremony quietly.
Their eyes met for a brief second.
His gaze was steady.
Almost unreadable.
Inaya quickly looked away, her heartbeat suddenly faster.
"Okay everyone!" Zeeshan's aunt announced loudly. "It's time for the rings!"
The crowd cheered.
A small velvet box was placed in Zeeshan's hand.
He opened it with a grin and turned toward Inaya.
"Ready?" he asked softly.
Inaya nodded slowly, though her fingers felt strangely cold.
Zeeshan gently took her hand.
"Don't run away now," he teased.
A few guests laughed.
But Inaya barely heard them.
Because for some reason…
Her eyes moved through the crowd again.
And once again, they found Armaan.
He was still watching.
His expression hadn't changed.
But there was something different in his gaze now.
Something deeper.
Something intense.
Inaya quickly looked down.
Zeeshan slid the diamond ring onto her finger.
The crowd clapped loudly.
"Congratulations!" someone shouted.
Now it was her turn.
Her hands trembled slightly as she picked up the ring meant for Zeeshan.
This is really happening, she thought.
I'm really getting engaged.
For a brief second, she hesitated.
Her thoughts whispered again.
You're going to run away anyway.
The idea made her chest tighten.
But everyone was watching.
Her mother.
The guests.
Zeeshan.
Slowly, she slipped the ring onto Zeeshan's finger.
The crowd burst into applause again.
Flowers were thrown in the air while cameras flashed nonstop.
Zeeshan smiled happily and held her hand.
"We're officially engaged now," he said proudly.
Inaya nodded.
But her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Across the crowd, Armaan watched the moment carefully.
His gaze briefly dropped to the ring now shining on her finger.
Then slowly returned to her face.
For a second…
Something unreadable passed through his expression.
Before it disappeared behind his usual calm smirk.
He lifted his glass slightly, almost like a silent toast.
To the engagement.
Or maybe…
To the chaos that was yet to come.
Because somewhere deep inside her heart, Inaya already knew one thing.
That ring on her finger…
Later That Night
The engagement party had grown livelier.
Music drifted through the garden while guests laughed, danced, and gathered near the decorated stage for pictures. Strings of fairy lights shimmered above them like scattered stars.
Inaya stood near the dessert table, quietly stirring the straw in her drink.
Her mind replayed the same moment again and again.
Armaan Meer.
The way he had looked at her.
She didn't even know him… yet something about that gaze had unsettled her.
Across the garden, Armaan leaned casually against a pillar, holding a glass of juice. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd until they found her again.
Inaya.
Zeeshan's fiance.
He exhaled slowly, almost amused.
"Interesting," he murmured under his breath.
Suddenly Zeeshan appeared beside him, throwing an arm around his shoulder.
"Bro! You disappear to the UK for years and now you're standing here looking like some mysterious villain."
Armaan chuckled.
"Maybe I am."
Zeeshan followed his gaze and noticed he was looking toward the dessert table.
"Oh," he grinned proudly. "Looking at Inaya?"
Armaan didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he watched as Inaya laughed softly at something Zeeshan's cousin said. The fairy lights reflected in her eyes, making them shine.
Then she felt it again.
That strange sensation.
Like someone was watching her.
She slowly lifted her head.
And there he was.
Armaan.
Their eyes locked again across the garden.
For a moment, neither of them looked away.
Not even when people walked between them.
Not even when the music grew louder.
Just a silent, lingering gaze.
Zeeshan noticed nothing.
He was too busy talking.
"Bro, you have to stay longer this time," Zeeshan said. "You missed everything—my business expansion, my engagement…"
Armaan's lips curved slightly.
"Yes," he said quietly, still watching Inaya.
"I can see that."
Inaya quickly turned away, pretending to focus on her drink, but her heart was racing.
Why did his gaze feel so intense?
Why did it feel like he was trying to read something inside her?
Across the garden, Armaan straightened his suit jacket.
And for the first time since arriving…
The powerful businessman from London felt something unfamiliar.
Curiosity.