The restaurant was alive with the hum of lunchtime chatter — clinking glasses, the low murmur of conversations, and the faint aroma of roasted coffee beans. Sunlight spilled across the wooden tables, where Inaya and Nabeel sat facing each other, a quiet tension hanging between them.
Inaya's fingers curled around her glass, her voice steady but filled with the weight of impatience.
Inaya: "Look Nabeel, it's time now that you introduce me to your parents."
Nabeel exhaled softly, avoiding her eyes. His spoon stirred his drink even though it didn't need stirring.
Nabeel: "I already told you na. I'll take you to meet them soon."
Inaya leaned back, disbelief written all over her face.
Inaya: "You know what? You've been saying this for the last few months. It's already time now."
Nabeel: "Just wait a little bit more. I'm going to let them know about our relationship soon."
Her frustration finally broke through the calm exterior she had been trying to hold.
Inaya (frustrated): "You haven't even told them about us? Are you really serious about us?"
Nabeel's eyes flickered nervously, his tone hurried.
Nabeel: "It's not that. I'm very serious about us."
But that wasn't enough anymore.
Inaya (shouting): "Is this what serious means?"
Her raised voice cut through the restaurant like a blade. Forks paused midair. Conversations died out. Dozens of curious eyes turned toward their table.
In an instant, whispers filled the room — quiet, judgmental.Someone murmured about Nabeel being a playboy, and the word spread like wildfire.
Nabeel's face flushed with embarrassment. He looked down, unable to meet anyone's gaze. His jaw tightened as he spoke under his breath.
Nabeel (ashamed): "Okay fine… come to the bus station near my house. I'll pick you up today at 4 PM."
Inaya froze, her frustration melting into disbelief.
Inaya (in disbelief): "Seriously??"
Nabeel: "Yes."
A wide, radiant smile spread across her face. Without a second thought, she leaned forward and hugged him tightly, her earlier anger forgotten.
Inaya (cheerfully): "I'm so happy today! I'll get going now. I have to dress up my best today."
Nabeel: "Okay."
Inaya: "Bye. Meet you at 4 PM!"
She rushed out of the restaurant, her excitement lighting up her steps as if the world had suddenly become brighter.
The moment the glass door closed behind her, the brightness faded. Nabeel let out a long sigh and rubbed his forehead, frustration bubbling inside him.
Nabeel (to himself, frustrated): "Oh, this girl… she's getting on my nerves. How will I prepare my parents now? It's just for money for me."
***
Outside, the afternoon sun glared down on the parking lot as Inaya exited the restaurant, her phone pressed against her ear. Her steps were light, her smile wide — the kind of joy that came from finally getting what she had longed for.
Inaya (cheerfully): "Guess what happened today?"
Meher: "Nah koi hi na hello?"Inaya: "I'm too happy for formalities today!"
Meher: "What happened to you?"
Inaya: "He finally agreed!"
Meher: "Who? Agreed to what?"
Inaya: "Nabeel! He agreed to introduce me to his parents."
Meher: "Ohh… I thought it was something worth celebrating. He says that usually."
Inaya (excited): "No, this time he told me the exact time too! And guess what? I'm going to meet his parents today!"
Meher: "That's great news. Then you should be your best version today."
Inaya: "Yes! I'm going home to get ready."
Meher: "But it's only 2:30."
Inaya: "I'm putting in some extra effort, so I'll need more time today."
Meher: "Okay, okay. If you need anything, let me know. And also tell me what his parents say when you meet them!"
Inaya: "Of— Ahhh!"
Her words ended abruptly — cut off by a sharp, terrified scream.
Meher (shocked): "Inaya? Hello?"
There was a moment of static, then the sound of chaos — people shouting, car horns blaring, panic flooding through the speaker.
Unknown Person (panicked): "The girl got into an accident in the parking lot!"
Meher (horrified): "What? Is she alright?"
Person: "I don't know. A crowd gathered here... I can't see anything clearly."
The call disconnected.
Meher (to herself, panicking): "Hello? Oh no… where is she?"
Her heart pounded in her chest. The phone shook in her trembling hand.
Then suddenly — a flash of memory.
***
Flashback:
A few months ago, Meher was late.Inaya sat waiting for her on a park bench, glancing at her watch again and again.
Meher: "Sorry, I was late. Got stuck in a meeting."
Inaya (half-annoyed, half-relieved): "You're always late."
She reached for Meher's phone playfully.
Inaya: "Give me your phone. I'm installing an app so we can see each other's location anytime."
They both laughed, unaware how meaningful that small act would become one day.
***
Present Day:
Meher's hands flew to her phone. Her breath hitched as she opened the location-sharing app.
A blinking dot appeared — Inaya's phone, still, unmoving… in the restaurant's parking lot.
Without wasting another second, Meher grabbed her bag, her mind racing, her eyes blurring with tears.
She rushed toward the elevator, whispering under her breath, "Hold on, Inaya… I'm coming."
And with that, she disappeared through the office doors, the sound of her footsteps echoing down the hallway like a desperate heartbeat.
To be continued....