As I stepped out of Izel’s office and settled into my car, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

“Yes, Mom?” I answered, my tone neutral.

“Beta, ghar aja dinner pe (Come home for dinner, son),” she said with her usual warmth.

“I’m busy, Mom,” I replied, already anticipating her insistence.

“Bas, excuses maat do. Aaj aapko ana hoga (No more excuses. Youhaveto come home today),” she said firmly.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. There was no saying no to her, especially when she used that tone.

“Fine, I’ll come,” I relented, ending the call.

Time slipped through my fingers like sand ever since I dropped by the office earlier. Work had consumed me, and frankly, I hadn’t kept track of the hours.

By the time I arrived home, Dewan was the first to greet me.

“Bhai, akhir aapko ghar ka raasta yaad agaya (Brother, you finally remembered the way home),” he teased, pulling me into a quick hug.

I smirked faintly but said nothing. Entering the dining room, I was met with my father’s disapproving gaze.

“Late again,” he remarked sharply. “Time ka koi hisaab hai ya nahi? (Do you even keep track of time?)”

“Sorry, Dad. Kaam tha (Work),” I replied curtly, not in the mood for a lecture.

I sat down, and my dad and I discussed some business matters.

After our conversation, my mom called out, “Aajao, khana kha lo!” (Come, let’s eat!)

We headed to the dining room and began having dinner. Mid-meal, Mom soon joined us, her radiant smile softening the tension. But just as I thought I’d escaped, she launched into her favorite topic.

“Beta, meine ek ladki dekhi hai (I’ve found a girl for you),” she began, her voice tinged with excitement.

I sighed inwardly, leaning back in my chair.

“Mom, not again,” I said, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice.

“Sun toh lo (Just listen),” she insisted. “Her name is Sophia. She’s the daughter of our family friend. I’ve known her since she was a child, and she’s grown into a beautiful and intelligent young woman.”

I tuned her out halfway, her words blending into the background. Normally, this conversation would’ve grated on my nerves. Marriage was the last thing on my mind. But tonight, something was different.

My thoughts wandered, unbidden, toher.

Izel.

Her sharp gaze haunted me, those eyes piercing through my carefully constructed walls. For the first time, instead of feeling irritated by my family’s attempts to push me toward marriage, I found myself picturing her.

Izel in a wedding dress.

The thought struck me like lightning, unrelenting and vivid. Her poised demeanor, the elegance with which she carried herself even the smallest tilt of her head it all seemed to fit. I could see her walking down the aisle, her eyes locking with mine..... The image was absurd, yet it refused to leave me.

“Irfaz?” Mom’s voice broke through my thoughts.

“Huh?” I blinked, forcing myself back to reality.

“Meine poocha, kya socha hai shaadi ke bare mein? (I asked, what have you thought about marriage?)”

I cleared my throat. “I’m not interested, Mom.” I said, pushing my chair back from the table.

“I think we’ve covered enough ground for today,”

My answer was the same as always, but tonight, it felt like a half-truth. Because even though I denied it, my mind was still lost in Izel’s eyes, imagining her as my bride. And for the first time, the thought of marriage didn’t irritate me it intrigued me.

My father frowned, but I ignored him. My thoughts had already drifted to Miss Raincoat.

Her confident stride, piercing gaze, and enigmatic presence had lingered in my mind since our first meeting. Despite myself, I found my thoughts returning to her. I hated distractions, but something about her was... different.

After enduring the endless dinner conversations about my marriage, I finally excused myself and left.

-----

Driving through the city lights, I couldn’t shake off the strange thoughts clouding my mind. Izel’s face kept flashing before me those intense eyes, the way she carried herself with a quiet confidence that both irritated and intrigued me. I pressed my foot on the accelerator, trying to outrun the whirlwind of emotions stirring inside me.

By the time I reached my penthouse, the night had fully settled in. The quietness of my space was a stark contrast to the chaotic thoughts running wild in my head.

I threw my keys on the counter and sank into the couch, letting out a frustrated sigh.

‘Izel. Why the hell couldn’t I stop thinking about her?’

Her eyes, her voice, her mere presence had a way of infiltrating my mind and refusing to leave.

Leaning back, I stared at the ceiling, my fingers tapping against my knee.

“Snap out of it, Irfaz,” I muttered to myself.

But the more I tried to push her out of my thoughts, the more vivid they became.

It was strange. I’d always been so sure of my priorities my work, my ambitions, my carefully controlled life. And yet, in the span of a single evening,shehad somehow managed to disrupt it all.

After the shower, I wrapped a towel around my waist and stepped into the bedroom, the cool night air slipping in through the open window. But the chill didn’t quite match the warmth that slowly crept into my chest, a warmth that washer. My mind kept circling back to her, despite my best efforts to push her away.

For the first time, I allowed myself to entertain the thought.

What if?

What ifIzelwasn’t just a passing curiosity, a woman who would be gone once the moment had passed? What if her presence in my life meant something more something deeper?

I clenched my jaw, forcing the thought away.

Ridiculous,

I told myself. I had no room for distractions. I couldn’t afford to be unsettled by someone who challenged me in ways no one else ever had.

But then again, I’d never met anyone who could provoke me like she did.

My mind wandered back to that first encounter, on the flight...

The hum of the plane’s engine filled the background as I settled in, the heat of Mumbai still lingering on me. I glanced to my right and saw a girl in an oversized hoodie and black mask, her eyes captivating even with most of her face hidden.

She tried to start a conversation, but I was too distracted by her intense gaze.

Instead, I chose to stay cool, focusing on the snacks I had piled beside me. I shoved another handful into my mouth, making a series of weird noises that made me cringe internally.

Kya kar raha hoon? (What am I doing?)

I thought, wondering if I could at least reply in my usual cold manner instead of acting like some overeager child. But nope, I chose to wallow in my awkwardness.

I blurted out, “Pagal ladki, mere khane mein nazar kyun rakhi hai?” (Crazy girl, why are you eyeing my food?)

She smirked, unfazed. “Why do you act like you’re starving yourself?”

I shot back, “Terse mtlb udhar dekh.” (Just look over there.)

I pointed dramatically out the window, hoping she’d stop noticing my embarrassing munching.

------

I chuckled at the memory of that flight, shaking my head. She had been something else entirely bold and unbothered by my sharp remarks. Who even does that? Most people kept their distance, but not her. No, Izel had made it her mission to challenge me at every turn.

I let out a long sigh, standing by the window of my bedroom. The city lights twinkled below, but they didn’t hold my attention tonight.

“She’s nothing but a distraction,” I muttered to myself, almost like a mantra.

Yet, even as I tried to conlet out a long sigh, standing by the window of my bedroom.

TO BE COUTINUE...................

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