"Ohho Yusuf, hua kya hai ? You are so out of character today." Meher said clipping off the seat belt and then opened the door of the car to get out in front of the cafe Yusuf had parked.
(What's wrong)

"Nothing is wrong, let's go." He said pulling the glass door of the cafe open and gestured Meher to enter.

They were both lead by the manager to a booth in the busy cafe, and then were handed over each a menu to browse though.

"Thank you, give us a minute to order." Yusuf said politely dismissing the attendant.

"What do you want my fair lady ?" Yusuf asked in his usual flirtatious charming way.

"I don't know." Meher said with a pout. "I've never really been to such a fancy place." She said honestly.

"That's no big deal, I'll order for you then, if you don't mind." He said and skimmed through the leaflet. "So cold or hot ?"

"Cold."

"Ice cream kya kharab thi phir." He said grumbling making Meher laugh. (What was wrong with having ice cream then.)

"So coffee ya milkshake ?"

"Coffee ?"

"Chocolate ya caramel ?"

"Caramel."

"It's a salted caramel frappe then." He said with a look of triumph on his face.

"Excuse me." He said calling out to the attendant. "A salted caramel frappe and one white choco mocha."

"Sure sir, anything else ?"

"That would be all for now. Thank you."

Once the attendant left the two alone, Yusuf leaned forward on the table extending his hand and wrapped Meher's hand in his.

"How are you Nur." He asked seriously looking into her eyes to read them.

"I'm fine Yusuf, no I'm great." She said truthfully. "Mujhe kya hoga ?" (What will happen to me )

"Nur Jahan, I've known you for just less than a week but, but you are my best friend okay, just like Arham and Hooriya, I'm always there for you Nur, I care for you deeply and I would never never never hurt you intentionally." He said truthfully.

"Yusuf." She said seriously. "You are scaring me, what is wrong Yusuf ? Are you alright ? Is Arham alright ?" She asked panic laced in her voice.

"Usse kya hoga." He scoffed. (What will happen to him)

"Yusuf." Meher said giving him a pointed look. "Tell me what's wrong Yusuf please."

"Nur, I .. I really care about you okay, and I didn't want to be the one to tell you this but, I... Nur , Arham is al-."

"Sir your order." The barista said chirpy, interrupting the two and preventing Yusuf from telling her the truth.

"Thank you." He said giving the barista a small smile who very sneakily pushed a tissue under his cup which had her number written on it.

As the intruder left Meher leaned in and held Yusuf's hand to grab his attention.

"Tell me." She said seriously.

"Nur. I -."

"Dr. Yusuf Chaudhary." Another voice interrupted them.
Meher quickly retracted her hand from him but the action didn't go unnoticed by the stranger.
"What a surprise."

"Dr. Alia Ali." Yusuf said with a forced smile. "Surprise indeed."

"Aap ab apne kaam ke aalava kisi aur ko bhi ab time dete hai ye dekh kar accha laga." She said looking at Meher and gave her a smile which did not quite reach her eye. (You have started dedicating time to someone apart from your work, it's nice to see the progress)

"Oh Nur this is Alia, Alia this is Nur.. I mean Meher." He said introducing the two.

"Nice to meet you meher." Alia said extending her arm.

"Likewise." Meher replied with a genuine smile. "Please join us."

"Oh no I wouldn't like to be an intrusion I just-."

"You aren't an intrusion, Yusuf anyway was just throwing riddles my way." Meher said looking at Yusuf with a supposedly angry expression.

"Stop, you can't pull that look." He said with a chuckle.

"I so can Mister." Meher said with an adorable pout.

"Doctor."

"Fine, Doctor." Meher rolled her eyes making him laugh.

"It's good to know that someone makes you laugh, truly laugh." Alia said making the two realise that they had company.

"Alia I.. How are you ?" Yusuf asked hesitantly.

"I'm better now." she said softly looking at her fingers which were placed on her lap.

"Aap Yusuf ke hospital me kaam karti hai ?" Meher asked her out if curiosity. (Do you work with him)

"Ji Nahi, we use to be together, I mean work together before, I stay in Islamabad ab." (Oh no)

"I see there is a lot you haven't told her yet, you should soon." Alia said to Yusuf. "But I'm happy to see you like this, happy to see you care about another person who isn't your patient or your work." She said with a sad smile.

"Alia I wanted to appolog-."

"I think I'll take your leave now. It was good to see you Meher, I'm so happy to know that he has learned to love. Truly love." Alia said and got up from her seat. Giving one final longing look towards Yusuf she turned around and walked out of the cafe door, leaving Meher confused and Yusuf thinking.

•••

After Alia had left, Meher and Yusuf finished their beverages in silence. Now in the confines of their car Meher looked at Yusuf whose eyes were focused on the road.

"Who was she Yusuf ?"

"My past." He said not taking his eyes from the road. "I was going to marry her, I loved her but things didn't work out."

"Aur ab ?" (And now)

"Ab kya ?" (Now what ?)

"Pyar nahi karte usse." (Don't you love her) she asked making him shift his gaze from the road towards her.

"Ab Nahi karta." He said looking at Meher. (I'm not in love with her)

Yusuf pulled the car in front of Butt mansion.

"What happened why have you stopped the car outside ?" Meher said giving him a confused look.

"Because I can't go further than this." He said looking at her.

"Kya matlab ?" (What do you mean)

"Nothing. I'll see you soon." He said with a small smile and quickly adverted his gaze from her.

"I'll call you later okay ? You are making me worry about you Yusuf." Meher said getting rid of the seat belt.

"Don't worry about me." He said and drove the car without saying a goodbye.

Meher turned around and walked inside the gates entering her home. The house was silent, she walked inside to see everyone assembled in the inner courtyard.

"Assalam Walekum." She greeted everyone. "What's wrong why do you all look so tensed."

AN: What do you think happened at the Butt Mansion ?
Also vote guys, I'm really pleased that a lot of you are voting so cheers to you
If this chapter gets 150 Sunday update for sure.
Stay safe
Lots of love
xoxo