'What do you mean they are out of station?' Mrs. Qazmi said eyeing her son and Rifaat as they sat together on the double sofa. Mr and Mrs. Qazmi sat on the single sofa facing each other.

After Ahaan had blown Rifaat's mind, not in a good way, she panicked. Ahaan had a very hard time calming her down. Finally, when she had calmed down and Ahaan got some time to think, he got an idea.

'We will say your Uncle and Aunt are gone off to Maldives for one month holiday.' He had said. Rifaat agreed to whatever, anything that will do damage control. And so, when they met his parents later in the evening, they said the same.

'One month is a very long time.' Mr. Qazmi said. His wife nodded in agreement.

'Let us have a small private engagement now, then grand one later.' Mrs. Qazmi said. Rifaat's eyes widened and Ahaan mentally face-palmed.

'But Ma, how can we? Rifaat's Uncle Aunt also parents aren't here. It will be...'

'Beta! We understand. That's why your mother is suggesting a private engagement. Just for our satisfaction.' Mr. Qazmi said.

Ahaan stood up angrily, startling everyone in the room, 'What Satisfaction? I am not running away.' He clenched his fist tightly. His parents simply gaped at him. Rifaat grabbed his hand and stood up.

'Please excuse us for a minute.' She said flashing an awkward smile. She held Ahaan's arm and dragged him to his room. His parents still shocked by the way their obedient, mild son reacted.

'What are you doing?' Rifaat whispered angrily to Ahaan once they were in the room and Ahaan had jerked his hand from her.

'Me? what are my parents doing? why are they being so insecure?' Ahaan said massaging his forehead, his other hand resting on his hip.

Rifaat sighed, 'I think.... we should just get engaged.' She said not looking at Ahaan but at his feet.

'Huh!' Ahaan is stunned.

Slowly, she looked up at him, 'I mean not real engagement. Pretend engagement. No one will know. One month later, we will think of what to do.' She said. Ahaan looked skeptical and so she added, 'If you have a better idea, you tell.' Ahaan simply stared at her, his mind contemplating her idea.

Mr. and Mrs. Qazmi are simply sitting there, still numb. Ahaan and Rifaat come from the room. Ahaan isn't liking the expressions on his parent's face and regrets speaking rudely to them. Like every Indian parent, they are also concerned for their son's marriage.

'Ma, Papa!' he said, his felt ashamed for misbehaving with his parents. Mrs. Qazmi looked up at him but his dad didn't.

Ahaan glanced at Rifaat, she held his hand (making sure no one saw). She smiled at him urging him to go on.

'We...are.... ready for the engagement.' He said. Rifaat took a deep breath and forced a smile.

'Thank you, my beta!' Mrs. Qazmi rushed to her son and hugged him. Ahaan reluctantly hugged his mother. Mr. Qazmi looked up at him, he didn't look convinced.

'Theek hai, beta! Tomorrow evening we will have the small ceremony.' Mrs. Qazmi said smiling brightly at Rifaat, who smiled awkwardly. Mr. Qazmi looked at Rifaat from top to bottom, she is still dressed in her office wear- Peach bodycon reaching till her knees.

'Beta, now you are going to be Qazmi Bahu soon, so if you could...you know...' Mrs. Qazmi said pointing at her dress.

'Rifaat need not change anything, Ma!' Ahaan interrupted.

'No...it is okay...whatever Aunty says.' Rifaat gestured Ahaan to stop talking and that she has things handled.

Ahaan doesn't want Rifaat to handle the situation, seeing her track record recently he fears of letting Rifaat handle any situation.

Mrs. Qazmi smiled and hugged Rifaat, who hugged her back awkwardly.

'There is no need of expensive rings.' Ahaan said once the ladies broke the hug.

'There is no need of buying rings. We have brought our kandani rings.' Mrs. Qazmi said brightly, a naughty glint in her eyes. Ahaan blinked at her, "Oh, so his parents have come armed." He thought.