Episode 2 — The Proposal

The Rahman mansion glowed beneath rows of warm golden lights.

Servants moved quietly through the halls, making sure every detail was perfect.

In the kitchen, Mahnoor placed the last dessert on a silver tray before stepping back with a satisfied smile.

"Done!"

Her mother looked at the table and nodded proudly.

"You've worked hard today."

Mahnoor smiled.

"I wanted everything to be perfect for Baba's guests."

Just then, the sound of several luxury cars stopping outside echoed through the house.

A servant hurried inside.

"Sir... the guests have arrived."

Nawab Rahman straightened his suit before walking toward the entrance.

Outside...

A convoy of black vehicles stood before the mansion.

The rear door of the center car slowly opened.

Polished black shoes touched the ground.

Then came a tall man dressed in an immaculate black suit.

His expression remained unreadable.

Without saying a word, he adjusted his cufflinks and looked at the mansion.

For a brief second...

His eyes hardened.

Then the emotion disappeared.

"Welcome, Mr. Zayan."

Nawab Rahman greeted him warmly.

"It's an honor to have you here."

"The honor is mine."

His voice was calm and respectful.

The two men shook hands before walking inside.

No one noticed the silent exchange between Zayan and the bodyguards positioned around the property.

He observed everything.

Every entrance.

Every exit.

Every security camera.

A habit he had never been able to abandon.

Upstairs...

Mahnoor stood before the mirror, smoothing the sleeves of her soft blue dress.

She rarely dressed up for guests.

Today felt different.

For reasons she couldn't explain.

Her cousin Hiba entered with a teasing smile.

"You look pretty."

Mahnoor laughed.

"It's just dinner."

"Mhm."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Hiba..."

"I just think someone downstairs might be impressed."

Mahnoor rolled her eyes.

"They're Baba's business guests."

"Still..."

She leaned closer.

"...what if one of them is handsome?"

Mahnoor covered her burning cheeks.

"You watch too many dramas."

"And you read too many romance novels."

"I do not."

"You literally cried because the hero proposed in chapter thirty."

"I was emotional!"

"You were dramatic."

Both girls laughed.

A servant knocked on the door.

"Miss Mahnoor... Sir has asked everyone to come downstairs."

The drawing room was filled with polite conversation.

Mahnoor followed her mother inside with her gaze lowered.

"Assalamu Alaikum."

"Wa Alaikum Assalam."

She greeted everyone softly.

Only after taking her seat did she look up.

Across the room...

A man in a black suit sat beside her father.

He wasn't speaking.

He wasn't smiling.

He simply observed everything with quiet confidence.

Their eyes met.

Mahnoor immediately looked away.

"Why does he seem so... distant?"

She couldn't explain it.

There was something about him that made the room feel colder.

Dinner passed peacefully.

Business conversations filled most of the evening.

Mahnoor quietly served tea and dinner whenever needed.

As she placed a teacup before Zayan, her fingers slipped slightly.

The spoon clinked against the saucer.

"I'm... sorry."

She expected annoyance.

Instead...

"It's alright."

Two simple words.

His voice remained calm.

She looked at him in surprise.

"...Thank you."

He only nodded.

Nothing more.

After dinner, everyone returned to the drawing room.

The atmosphere suddenly became unusually serious.

Nawab Rahman placed his teacup on the table.

"There is something important I'd like to discuss."

The room fell silent.

Mahnoor looked curiously at her father.

He turned toward Zayan.

"I've known Mr. Zayan for quite some time now."

Zayan remained silent.

"I respect his character, his values, and the way he carries himself."

Mahnoor blinked.

Where was this conversation going?

Then her father looked at her.

"Mahnoor."

"Ji, Baba?"

"I believe..."

He paused.

"...that it's time I fulfilled one of my responsibilities as a father."

Her heartbeat quickened.

"I would like..."

"...to ask for your hand in marriage."

Everything around her seemed to stop.

Marriage?

She looked at her mother in shock.

Her mother offered only a gentle, reassuring smile.

Mahnoor slowly turned toward Zayan.

He sat exactly as before.

Calm.

Composed.

Almost as if he had expected this moment all along.

Not once had surprise crossed his face.

Not once had he looked uncertain.

His expression remained impossible to read.

Nawab Rahman broke the silence.

"Of course, I won't force my daughter."

He smiled gently at Mahnoor.

"Take your time, beta."

Mahnoor lowered her eyes.

Her heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear anything else.

Marriage had always been a beautiful dream.

But dreams felt very different...

...when they suddenly became reality.

She stole one final glance toward Zayan.

For just a second...

She thought she saw sadness hidden behind his cold eyes.

The feeling disappeared before she could be sure.

Outside, thunder rumbled across the dark sky.

Inside...

A single question lingered in the air.

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