Monday evening.
Around 5 PM, the office was in chaos.
Calls kept pouring in one after another, voices overlapping, keyboards clicking faster than usual.
"Too many calls—call the evening boys in!" the manager, Aamir, instructed sharply.
Within minutes, the shift began to switch.
"Aur ladies, wrap up," Aamir said, gesturing with his hand. "Log out."
Saaniya barely looked up.
"I'm in the middle of something," she said, eyes still fixed on her screen.
Aamir stepped closer, lowering his voice but firm. "Saaniya. Log out."
She exhaled, clearly annoyed.
Then Aamir turned his head slightly.
"Daniyal, take this station."
Daniyal nodded and walked over.
For a brief second—
She looked up.
And he looked at her.
Their eyes met.
Just a glance.
Nothing more.
But something about it lingered longer than it should have.
Saaniya's expression was neutral—she didn't know him.
Daniyal's gaze, however, held something else.
A quiet disapproval.
A judgment he didn't even realize he carried.
Neither of them spoke.
And neither of them knew—
That this moment would stay with them far longer than it should.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Saaniya stood up abruptly.
"This doesn't make sense," she said, turning to Aamir. "I still have work."
"The shift is over," Aamir replied calmly. "You can continue tomorrow."
"That's not the point," she shot back. "Why call me off when I'm already handling it?"
Daniyal sat down at her station, logging in silently.
He could hear every word.
But he didn't interfere.
Didn't react.
Didn't even look up again.
Saaniya shook her head in frustration.
"Fine."
She picked up her things and walked out.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Daniyal adjusted the headset and began working.
Call after call.
In between—
His phone lit up.
Komal:Busy?
He typed quickly.
Daniyal:Yeah, a bit. Will text in between.
A faint smile crossed his face as he returned to work.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, near the elevators—
"Saaniya!"
She stopped.
Turned.
Naveed jogged toward her, slightly out of breath, waving a card in his hand.
"Wait!"
She raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
He handed her the card.
"My wedding," he said, smiling. "You have to come."
She took it, glancing at the details.
"Of course I'll come," she said easily. "Wouldn't miss it."
"Good," Naveed grinned. "I'll be watching."
She laughed lightly. "Don't worry. I'll make an entrance."
______________________________________________________________________________________________
The wedding evening arrived.
Saaniya stood in front of her wardrobe, holding up a long eastern frock.
For once—
No boots.No leather.No chaos.
Just elegance.
As she picked up her jhumkas, her mother's voice came from behind.
"Where are you going now?"
Saaniya smiled, turning slightly, side-hugging her.
"A colleague's wedding."
Her mother pulled back, frowning. "Every weekend, it's something."
Saaniya grinned playfully. "I'm just giving you and Dad some quality time together."
Her mother sighed. "That reminds me—we're going to your aunt's place. Sarah is coming with us."
Saaniya froze.
"I need the car."
"Manage," her mother replied firmly. "Tell your friends you can't go."
Saaniya smirked.
Problems never stayed problems for long with her.
She quickly typed a message.
Saaniya:Partner! No car today.
The reply came instantly.
Usman:I'll pick you.
She lit up instantly, turning toward her mother.
"Usman's picking me."
Her mother threw her hands up. "What am I going to do with this girl!"
Saaniya just laughed.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
When she stepped out—
She looked different.
Soft makeup.
Flowing outfit.
Elegance replacing her usual edge.
She wasn't perfect.
Not flawless features or striking eyes.
But there was something about her—
Something that stayed.
Especially once you spoke to her.
Usman stared as she approached.
"Wow," he said. "Racer… you look stunning."
Saaniya smirked. "I know."
Usman laughed. "Of course you do."
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Seven cars pulled into the venue together.
Lights. Music. People gathered at the entrance, welcoming guests.
As everyone stepped out, Usman and Saaniya walked in side by side.
They were mid-conversation, talking about someone who couldn't make it—
When—
Daniyal saw her.
From across the entrance.
For a moment, he didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Because the girl he had barely noticed—
The one from that brief office moment—
Stood in front of him, completely different.
His expression shifted.
Confusion.
Surprise.
Something he couldn't name.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Saaniya noticed him too.
She leaned slightly toward Usman.
"He just joined, right?" she asked quietly. "Already so important that he's standing here like family?"
Usman smiled. "Childhood friends. Naveed and him."
Saaniya gave a small nod.
As she stepped forward, Daniyal greeted her with a polite smile.
"Welcome."
She returned a brief, formal smile.
Nothing more.
And walked past him.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Inside, the wedding carried on.
Music. Laughter. Conversations.
Saaniya slipped right into her space—laughing with friends, completely herself.
Her clothes had changed.
Her personality hadn't.
From across the hall—
Daniyal found his eyes drifting toward her again and again.
Not intentionally.
But it kept happening.
Each time, she was different.
Laughing.
Talking.
Alive.
And each time—
He looked away.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Later that night—
Usman dropped her home.
As she entered, her mother's face lit up.
"Wait—stand there."
Before Saaniya could react, her mother clicked a picture.
Within seconds—
It was sent.
To Arhaan's mother.
A reply came almost immediately.
Then—
Her phone buzzed.
Arhaan:You look amazing in black. Would've been nice if you sent it yourself.
Saaniya stared at the message.
Then typed—
Saaniya:Thanks.
Nothing more.
No conversation.
No effort.
Just—
Enough.