The roar of engines still lingered in everyone's mind as Saaniya's car disappeared into the night.
"Mad girl," Usman muttered, shaking his head as they all made their way back to Sean's apartment.
Inside, the energy had dropped, but the excitement hadn't.
"Alright," Usman clapped his hands. "Enough for tonight. Tomorrow—fishing."
"What time?" Imran asked, grabbing a drink.
"Six sharp. At the dock. Don't be late."
Naveed groaned. "Six? That's barely morning."
Usman smirked. "Then don't come."
"I didn't say that," Naveed replied quickly. "I'll be there."
Daniyal didn't say much. He was already typing on his phone.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
The next morning, the sea stretched endlessly under the soft glow of the rising sun.
The boys gathered at the dock, yawning, laughing, half-asleep.
"Everyone here?" Usman called out.
"Barely alive, but yes," Sufian replied.
They stepped onto the launch, the engine starting with a low rumble as it cut through the water, heading toward the middle of the sea.
The air was fresh. Calm.
Very different from last night.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
"So…" Babar leaned back, stretching. "Last night."
Usman laughed. "You're still thinking about it?"
"I'm thinking about her," Babar said.
Imran smirked. "Of course you are."
Babar shook his head, half amused. "I just wanna see her do that again. On water this time. Imagine Saaniya on a fishing trip."
Usman chuckled. "She'd probably outdo all of us."
"I swear," Babar added, "I wish she comes fishing someday."
Daniyal, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke—his tone slightly edged.
"You seem impressed."
Babar looked at him. "Aren't you?"
Daniyal shrugged lightly. "If you're that impressed, do something that impresses her."
Babar laughed, completely unbothered. "Like what? You think you can?"
Daniyal looked at him for a second.
"Watch me."
Before anyone could react, he stood up, pulling off his jacket, then his shirt.
"Daniyal—what are you doing?" Naveed frowned.
But he didn't answer.
In one swift movement—
He jumped.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" Usman shouted.
The splash echoed across the water.
For a moment—silence.
Then—
Daniyal emerged, floating easily, water glistening under the morning light.
He looked up at Babar and called out,
"Can you do that?"
Babar stared at him, then scoffed. "You're insane."
"I'll take that as a no," Daniyal replied calmly.
"Idiot," Babar muttered, already pulling out his phone.
The others exchanged looks—half shocked, half impressed.
"Get back here before you become fish food!" Usman shouted.
Daniyal swam back, climbing onto the launch, water dripping from his hair and shoulders.
Naveed shook his head. "You've lost it."
Daniyal just smiled faintly, grabbing his shirt.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
A few minutes later, he sat at the edge, phone in hand again.
It rang.
"Hello?" his voice softened instantly.
Komal: "Where were you? You didn't reply."
"I just jumped into the sea," he said casually.
There was a pause.
"You did what?"
He chuckled lightly. "Relax. I'm fine."
"You're impossible," she said, but there was a smile in her voice.
He leaned back slightly, looking at the water.
"Tell me about your day," he said. "Did you miss me?"
"Maybe," she teased.
"Maybe?" he smiled. "That's not enough."
She laughed softly. "Okay… I did."
He closed his eyes briefly, listening.
"Once we're married," he said, "I'll bring you here."
"To the sea?"
"Hmm," he nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "And I'll jump in again… but this time, with you."
"You're not serious."
"I am."
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Daniyal was the youngest of four brothers.
Twenty-seven.
His parents were no more, and life had changed early for him.
Two of his brothers were married. One was still single.
And him—
Engaged.
He came from a conservative, religious family, where life followed structure, values, and expectations.
His engagement to Komal had come through family connections.
Now, he was trying to build something of his own—stand on his feet, create stability, prepare for the life ahead.
This new job, this environment—
It was different.
But he was learning.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
"Daniyal!" Usman's voice snapped him back.
He looked up.
"You came here with us to enjoy," Usman said, slightly annoyed, "not to stay on your phone the whole time."
Daniyal nodded. "Yeah, just a minute."
He brought the phone back to his ear.
"I'll message you later," he said softly.
"Okay," Komal replied.
He ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Saaniya Sikandar didn't become who she was overnight.
She became Saaniya because of one man—
Her father.
The man she admired the most.
The man who raised her not just as a daughter—
But as strength.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
She was the eldest of four siblings.
A younger sister—Sarah.
Two younger brothers—Aaron and Mike.
After her father's retirement, responsibilities shifted.
And Saaniya stepped forward without hesitation.
She worked.
She managed.
She carried.
Her mother never approved of her lifestyle.
"Why do you have to be like this?" her mother would often say. "Parties, outings… this is not how a girl should live."
Saaniya would stay silent.
Because explaining was pointless.
Her mother had only one daughter in her eyes—
Sarah.
Gentle. Soft. Acceptable.
Saaniya was something else entirely.
And she had learned long ago—
Not to show everything she felt.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Saturday afternoon.
No noise. No music.
Just silence.
Saaniya sat at her desk, laptop open, papers scattered around.
Numbers. Plans. Calculations.
Her life—organized.
Her future—decided.
Her family had already chosen someone for her.
Arhaan.
UK-based.
Well-settled.
Appropriate.
She hadn't spoken to him.
Not really.
And yet—
She had already accepted it.
Because sometimes, life wasn't about what you wanted.
It was about what worked.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from her mother:
"Arhaan is coming soon. You both should talk."
Another message followed.
"His sister is unsure… but we will manage."
Saaniya stared at the screen for a moment, then locked her phone.
She leaned back, exhaling slowly.
"Whatever," she whispered to herself.
Because that's how she handled things.
No drama.
No emotion.
Just acceptance.