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Shehryar had been waiting in the car for almost twenty minutes now. What the hell was taking his brother so long? He should've gone himself, he thought, but his little spitfire would have created a scene just to annoy him and he didn't want their lovely fight sessions to become a public show. He was already quite tired as he had drived all the way to her city just to take her stubborn-self for the Qawali Night held the day after tomorrow on his and Wali's birthday.

He personally didn't like to make a big deal out of his birthday but he knew these events were more of a way to treat their old political and business allies and make new ones. This was not the same case for Wali as he loved celebrating their birthday to the fullest and had made these weird traditions like wearing matching T-shirts to sleep which had their respective ages at the back along with the previous one with a red cross on it. And wearing a badge during the breakfast, Oh Lord, that was embarrassing. Imagine a six feet three (almost four) inches tall man with a perfectly groomed beard and a mane of dark hair who wears suits and scares the hell out of his employees wearing a light blue big ass badge with 'Birthday Baby' written on it. He had pleaded to atleast change Baby to Guy but they wouldn't budge.

Well, there was a part of him who enjoyed these childish things. They made his family happy so he tried to be a good sport. Wali had included Badiya in these childish things as well and she was more than happy to be a part of it. They had been bestfriends since childhood as their fathers belong to same village. Badiya always arranged matching outfits for the both of them according to the event every year since it was a different thing every year. Wali also had these stupid movie marathons with Badiya. They both always slept half-way through it and he had to take them both to their respective bedrooms in the middle of the night as he couldn't bear his wife sleeping with someone else even if it was in a completely palatonic way that too with his own brother.

Yes, his wife. She was not officially his wife yet but she was his the moment his five-year old self laid eyes on the pink baby wrapped in a white blanket and squealed 'baby' after poking her cute chubby cheek. The first time he held her in his arms was the time he had decided that he is not letting her go ever. There had been girls throwing themselves at him when he was doing his studies and now at work they have just increased. But he was never tempted by any of their stunts because his heart belonged to his wife. Well, fiancè for now but soon his official wife.

His parents were aware of the infatuation their son had with Badiya. Since childhood he had staked a claim on her. In every family event, he acted like his body guard. He punched his cousin once when he made fun of her frilly frock. He personally thought she looked like a princess and made her believe so as well. He helped her with her studies and was very strict. Well, he was strict with everything related to Badiya but that was his way of showing care. They had a strong bond as kids but then puberty hit. He was not comfortable with Badiya being too friendly with guys even if they were her friends or cousins. He was protective of her since ever but it only increased with time. Their relationship got strained alot when Badiya started defying him in every way possible. He was just looking out for her but she just didn't want to accept that fact. And it was the last straw for Badiya when their parents announced their engagement. And she knew for a fact that Shehryar was behind this.

She had given her parents the liberty of marrying her off to any guy they thought was suitable because she trusted her parents with that decision and she didn't have anyone in her life. It was one hell of a shock for her when they told her about how the Shah's had sent a marriage proposal for her with Shehryar and they agreed. Well, only Shehryar knew how he had made them agree. It was the most difficult task he had ever done. He was very nervous. He knew his own parents will be more than happy with his proposition but it was Badiya's parents he was worried about. More specifically her father since her mother loved him like her own son.

Mir Hussain had always valued whatever he said whether it was about business or anything else. And Shehryar himself has always looked up to him as a businessman and aspired to reach the levels of success Mir Hussain had reached. He was losing his wits when his Mir Uncle didn't give any reaction after he confessed his feelings for Badiya infront of their parents. Shehryar wanted to run for the hills when Mir Hussain asked him to come with him to take some fresh air outside but if he wanted his girl, he had to man up and thats what he did.

Mir Hussain was an experienced bussinessman. He liked to come straight to the point and that is what he did. He directly asked Shehryar what his intentions with Badiya was. Shehryar knew there was no need of beating around the bush. He was ready for the man to man conversation. He had answered the question without missing a beat saying he wanted to wife her. And that led to the interrogation of what made him worthy of Badiya and why should he give his daughter to him. It was not easy to tackle the old man but he did it. They had gone back inside with Shehryar wearing the beautifully carved silver band in his pinky finger that was previously sitting on Mir Hussain's finger. It was apparently his own engagement ring and he wanted to pass it on to his eldest son-in-law.

They haven't made an official announcement yet, much to his dismay, but he knew it was going to be soon as they are all going to their ancestral haveli after a few weeks and his father asked him to clear his schedule for a month. He was going to be announced as the Shah of the village and they'll introduce the engagement as well, he presumed.

His chain of thoughts was broken when Wali and Badiya came into his view surrounded by the guards. The irritation was clear on his Badiya's face due to the unwanted company of the guards. He didn't like the platoon of guards following him everywhere as well but it was his Abbu's orders and he cannot defy him. His father had been very worried about his safety after he got shot at while coming out of his office building three days back. The bullet had missed penetrating him by luck and just touched his arm leaving a flesh wound. The situation was covered and the media hadn't gotten a wind about it but Kaleem Shah was really worried. They had hired private investigators but there was no lead till now.

Shehryar got out of the car and took a few steps towards them, his personal guards following him. He looked at Badiya from top to bottom. She looked like an aphsara clad in red. Her red lips enchanted him and he wanted to have a taste. He cleared his throat to clear the tempting thoughts and noticed Wali touching Badiya's waist making him glare at Wali.

Badiya felt her steps waver a bit when she saw Shehryar getting off the land cruiser in black jeans and dark blue denim shirt with his Ray Ban's perched up on his straight nose. I'll have to go through like thirty nose jobs for a nose like that, she thought with a pout. Then scolded herself for thinking something like that.

'He is an ugly piece of ass that I am angry at. Keep repeating.' She mumbled and nodded her head.

"Apne sajan ko dekhne ki khushi mai pagal to nahi ho gayi. Kya khudse barrbarra rahi ho?" (Have you gone crazy with happiness after seeing your lover? What are you mumbling to yourself?) Wali poked her waist and asked with humour as they were walking towards the cars. Shehryar was still glaring at Wali's hand and said as soon as they reached him.

"Keep your hands to yourself."

"She's all yours, Bhai." Wali pushed Badiya towards Shehryar making her stumble and raised his hands up in surrender. Badiya almost fell on Shehryar but he caught her in time. She glared hard at Wali but didn't say anything because of the guards standing around them.

"Ahem. So, I'll come in that car. You both can do your coochy-coo in this one. Please don't christen the driver's seat, I drive this baby sometimes." Wali said with a wink and turned to the car parked behind Shehryar's.

"Uh-I'll come with you." She stepped towards Wali but Shehryar pulled her back towards himself with her arm.

"You're coming with me." He said in a stern tone. She pouted her lips and would have thrown a tantrum if not for the damn gaurds.

"To Wali bhi humare sath a jaye. Ese alag alag cars mai jaane ka kya matlab." (Then Wali should come with us as well. What is the purpose of going in different cars.) Badiya resorted to her last plea. She didn't want to be alone in a car with Shehryar.

Wali was about to make a teasing comment but stopped because of Badiya's pleading eyes and agreed. The phone in Badiya's hand rung and her lips stretched in a giddy smile after seeing the caller ID.

Uncle Shah. Her phone screen said and a ray of hope lightened in her heart that maybe she'll succeed in escaping this trip.

She accepted the phone call and said her salam. The brothers looked at her with questioning gaze and she turned the phone on speaker with a smug look.

"Beta, I had no idea my sons would drive all the way to get you." Kaleem Shah said after replying to her salam. He was informed by his wife about their sons' doing and he called Badiya immidiately.

She gave them a devious look and said in an innocent tone.

"Uncle, they made me leave my function at university. I was in the middle of something, you know, and Wali just took me from there."

"I was in a meeting or I would have stopped Sherry-" Badiya felt her plan working as she thought her Uncle Shah would scold his sons and she won't have to go with them.

"-and asked him to go by air or take a driver atleast." She felt her last ray of hope being crushed when he said that.

"He should rest his arm when the wound is still fresh. Put him on line." Wound? What wound? Badiya's giddiness turned into worry as she looked at Shehryar questioningly. He just gave her an assuring look. He wasn't planning on telling Badiya about that matter as he didn't want to worry her but the cat was out of the bag.

"Yes, Abbu?" Shehryar took the phone from Badiya's hand and was about to put the phone to his ear but Badiya stopped him from doing that by holding his hand looking confused and worried.

"Qad lamba ho gaya hai iska matlb baap se bhi barray ho gaye ho?" (You've gotten taller than your father it means you're above him now.) His father's angry voice came through the speaker and Wali signed the guards to move back and out of earshot.

"Nahi, Abbu, esi baat nahi hai-"(No, Abbu, it's not like that-) Shehryar tried to coax his father into not yelling at him infront his woman.

"You know how worried I am and you decide to increase my burden by travelling all the way to Islamabad that to by road. You want to reopen your wound? Just shoot it again yourself then." His father cut him off and taunted, worry still lacing his voice.

"I took my personal security as well as your assigned team. And Wali is with me as well. I am fine, Abbu."

"You know what I am saying, Badr. There is no lead on who shot you and you're not taking the matter serious. You both have not only put yourselves in danger but my Bahu (daughter-in-law) as well. I didn't expect you to be so irresponsible. You say you lo-" Shehryar turned the speaker off and put the phone to his ear when he realised what his father was about to say.

"-ve her but you sacrifice her safety. Now come back as soon as possible. And don't drive yourself. Don't let Wali drive either. Ask a guard to drive. And keep my Bahu safe." His father only called him by his middle name when he was pissed and Shehryar knew he was going to receive a long lecture after returning.

Badiya felt the ground slipping beneath her feet when she heard that Shehryar got shot. Her hands shook with anxiety as fear clutched her heart. Shehryar noticed her trembling hands and grabbed it in a soothing embrace.

"You-you got...shot. Are you okay? And why didn't anybody tell me?" She questioned in a trembling voice. She might behave like she hates him and tries to annoy him every chance she gets but she cannot imagine her life without him as well. The thought of him being hurt shook her to the core and she didn't even try to hide her worry and anger.

"I'm fine, Badiya. The bullet barely touched me." He tried to pull her towards himself and embrace her in his arms as her worried form was making him anxious as well but Badiya pulled her hand back from him bruising his ego.

"Why did I not know about this? When did it happen? Tell me!"

"Hey, he's fine. It happened three days ago and it was only a flesh wound. Calm down." Wali held Badiya from the back and rubbed her arms in a soothing manner. Badiya felt a little better and she leaned into his brotherly warmth.

"We should leave. Wali you coming with us?" Shehryar went back to his cold attitude and asked him. He was hurt because Badiya rejected his touch but she was fine with Wali's touch. He understood they both behaved like practically siblings but it still didn't help his jealousy.

"I actually have to pick up a few things Mom asked me to." Wali said looking at Badiya. He actually wanted his Bhai and Bhabhi to spend some time alone and comfort each other as Badiya was quite shaken.

Badiya just absent-mindedly nodded and sat in the car Shehryar was sitting in previously. The thought of being alone with Shehryar didn't sit well with her at first but now she didn't want to leave him out of sight.

Shehryar gave the guards a few instructions and then sat in the back with Badiya. She looked to be lost in her thoughts and her duppata was lying carelessly on the car seat beside her. Shehryar clicked a button and a divider screen came up. He knew she didn't like handling dupattay as she always struggled with it and felt more comfortable without it but he, ofcourse, didn't want the guards to ogle at his woman.

Badiya came out of her chain of thoughts when the car started moving and she looked beside her to see Shehryar sitting there doing something on his phone.

"Which arm?" She asked in a timid voice making him look at her.

"This one." Shehryar pointed to his right arm which was facing the car door.

Badiya had the urge to be close to him and make sure he was really with her as her heart was still clutched in fear. She scooted over to him and grabbed his arm wrapping it around her and leaned on his chest. One of her hands went to caress his right bicep and she looked up at him.

"I'm okay. Pareshan mat ho." (Don't be worried.) He rubbed her back in a soothing manner and dropped his phone on the car seat. Badiya hmm'ed finally feeling at peace and closed her eyes drifting to sleep but before she went into dreamland, she said in a teasing voice, "I still don't like you so don't get any ideas, okay." and she felt his chest vibrating with a chuckle.

~

"Mama, Diya ka saman bhai ke kamray mai rkhwa doon? Matlb bicharon ko ese room to room sneak krne mai mushkil ho gi na." (Mama, should I have Diya's suitcases place in Bhai's room? I mean it'll be difficult for them to sneak from room to room.) Wali snickered as Badiya's cheeks turned pink and Shehryar glared at him.

They were sitting in the lounge after having a hearty dinner and were discussing the arrangements of Qawali Night. Badiya was sitting with their mother and her Aunty Sharmeen. She was really close to the family and they also loved her like their own. Sharmeen had actually changed her diapers as well and she always teased Badiya about it.

"Chalo badmash. Meri beti ko tang mat kro." (You naughty boy! Don't tease my daughter.) His mother scolded him laughing at Badiya's expression and kissed her forehead.

"Mai to bas yeh-" (I was just-) Wali continued his teasing but Shehryar cut him off.

"Wali, did you call the decorators to confirm the date?"

"Oh, I forgot about it." He said sheepishly.

"Do it now." He ordered without looking up from the journal he was writing something on.

"Jee, Bhai." He went outside with his phone to take a call.

"I still haven't arranged the clothes." Badiya thought out aloud.

"You can call the designer here. I'd prefer you don't go out by yourself." Shehryar said.

"I can take Wali with me. Or the guards." She countered and her blush deepened as she noticed a little red mark on his denim shirt. It was almost unnoticable due to the dark shade of blue but Badiya still caught it and got reminded of how his arm felt around her and how she woke up to the light strokes of his hand on her head when they reached his home.

"You are not going out and that's final. Do not argue on this." Shehryar said with a glare and got up to leave.

"Dekhain apka beta kese ghooriyan daalta hai mujhe." (See, how your son glares at me.) She turned to Sharmeen with a pout after he left and hugged her.

"Koi baat nahi. Shaadi ke baad kaan kheenchna iske. Biwi ke hathon seedha ho jaye ga." (It's okay. You'll sort him out after marriage. He'll listen to his wife after all.) Sharmeen teased her and Badiya just kept her face hidden on Sharmeen's shoulder with unwanted shyness pooling around her.

~

"Wali, yaar, pakray gaye to bohot class lagge gi." (Wali, bro, if we get caught, we'll be doomed.) Badiya whispered in a scared tone holding Wali's arm as they both tip-toed towards Shehryar's room.

"Array, do want revenge or not? Bhai forbade you from going out and we stop him from going out. Simple concept." Wali whispered back.

They both were going to steal Shehryar's car and bike keys as to take revenge on him. There were other cars as well but all house cars were going to be busy tomorrow for preparations and Shehryar only travelled in his own car anyways as he didn't like to use someone else's car. This was completely Wali's plan as he urged Badiya to take revenge on her sajan.

"Remember the last time you planned a simple concept revenge?" Badiya whispered with wide eyes and Wali shuddered on the memory. They both had planned to get matching burgundy streaks in their hair last year and Shehryar stopped them from doing so as they would look ridiculous. They both spray dyed his hair green during night while he was asleep as per Wali's simple concept revenge and all hell broke loose when Shehryar woke up the next morning. They got the scolding of their lives and Wali even received a few punches. Thankfully, the dye was not permanent and his anger cooled down after a month. Yes, a month.

"Ishh. Achay kaam krne se pehle burri batain nahi sochte. Shubh shubh socho." (Ishh. You shouldn't remember such bad things before doing something good. Think positive.)

They both silently entered the room and heard the shower running. They started searching for his keys. Wali searched the high table near the door and Badiya searched his bedside drawers. Wali turned towards his dresser and spotted the keys on top of it.

"Found them." He stepped towards it but then the shower turned off. They both looked at each other with wide eyes.

Wali ran towards the door and clicked it shut, the same time as the bathroom door opened. Badiya could only reach the couch as the door was quite far from her and dived behind it just as Shehryar walked into the room. She hit her wrist on the floor during her stunt and let out a yelp.

Shehryar who was walking towards his wardrobe turned on hearing a sound in his room. He opened the drawer of the dresser and cautiously took out his pistol.

"Who's there?"

Badiya covered her mouth as her breathing increased on the fear of being caught. She saw the balcony curtains moving due to the light breeze blowing and got the stupid idea of diving behind them to hide. Just as she crouched up and her head got visible, she heard the safety of gun going off and Shehryar shouted, "Stop or I'll shoot!"

"It's me!" She yelled and stood up straight still behind the couch with her hands up in a surrender position but didn't turn around.

"Are you out of your mind?" Shehryar marched towards her putting the gun on the coffee table after turning on the safety and yelled grabbing her arm and turning her around.

Badiya screamed and turned back around with her hands covering her eyes after witnessing Shehryar Badr Shah in all his wet and naked glory except the towel around his waist.

"Why are you naked?" She yelled back at him.

"Why are you sneaking around in my room?" He countered her question turning her back around with an amused look on his face.

"Go, put some clothes on!" She yelled still covering face with one hand and placing the other on her heart which was ready to escape her chest.

"Well, this is my room and I can do whatever I want." He stated with a smirk and pulled her closer by her wrist with which she was covering eyes.

"Actually, this towel is really uncomfortable. I think I should-"

"No!" Badiya screamed grabing his hand which was moving towards his towel.

"Ow, stop screaming. People would get the wrong idea, you know." He further teased her pulling her closer to him.

"Shehryar, mujhe-mujhe chhorain. Wo mujhe...." (Shehryar, leave me please. I....)

"Wo tumhe?" (You waht?) He asked in an amused tone with raised eyebrows.

"Wo mujhe ja-jana hai." (I have to g-go.) Badiya said looking at anything but him. He chuckled lightly at her flustered state.

"First you sneak into my room so late at night and now you want to go. Ese to nahi ho sakta." (This is not how it works.) He said after moving her face to look at him, her hand still captive in his other hand.

"Shehryar, please." She pleaded bowing her eyes down to the floor. She was getting very flustered in being such a close proximity to him. It was different when she hugged him in the car since he was fully clothed then.

"Please, what?" Shehryar whispered back.

"Koi aa jaye ga." (Someone might come.) She said in a timid voice.

"Tou?" (So?) He challenged.

"Kisi ne ese dekha to masla ho jaye ga na. Jaanay dain, please." (If someone caught us like this, it'll create a scene.) She tried to pull her hand back from his hand.

"Yeh to aanay se pehle sochna tha." (You should've thought this before coming here.) He tightened his grip on her wrist.

"Mai to bas...bas yeh poochhne ayi thi ke...ap blue prefer krain ge ya black?" (I just...just came here to ask...would you prefer blue or black?) She blurted the only thing she could come up with at the moment.

"And you were searching for the answer behind the couch?" He said in a sarcastic tone.

"Uh-no. My ring slipped off." The lie smoothly flowed out of her lips.

"Hmm." Badiya looked ready to melt in his arms and he found the sight very amusing and cute. That's a first for him.

"Black." He left her entirely and stepped back, folding his arms on his chest.

It took Badiya a moment to register that Shehryar had set her free as she stared at his face with wide open eyes and her face flushed red. She ran out of his room as soon as her brain started working again and Shehryar shook his head at her running form with a smile on his face.

Author's Note

I pushed myself to write just for you peeps. It was a bit annoying when everyone kept asking me to update 😂 but it did work I guess.

Finally, Shehryar Badr Shah is here. What do you think of his chahracter so far?

Do you think all my stories have similar plots amd characters?

Did you like the chapter? Tell me in the comment section.