(On Hold)manzil e ishq (destined love)

"'Tum' nahi, 'aap' bolo," he demanded, crossing his arms like a child trying to act like an adult.

"No chance," she smirked.

He narrowed his eyes, clearly not used to losing a battle.

"Main husband hoon tumhara. Tum mujhe 'aap' bologi. Samjhi?"

"Husband ho toh kya hua?" she shrugged like it meant nothing.

"Ruhi bhi toh Zayan bhai ko 'aap' bolti hai. So why can't you?"

"Because Zayan bhai is older than Ruhi," she said with a sweet but savage smile.

"And so am I."

"Sirf do mahine ke," she scoffed.

Zain clenched his jaw dramatically. "Ishu, don't make me mad. Call me aap, or I'll tell Mumma."

"Ohh, Mumma's boy ko bura lag gaya?" she teased. "Kya karoge? You'll cry?"

He sighed, defeated, rubbing his temple. "It's enough now... dimag kharab mat karo mera."

"Tumhare paas dimag hai bhi?" she raised an eyebrow.

"Tumse toh zyada hi hai," he grinned.

"Haan, isiliye tumhare marks hamesha mujhse kam aate hain... hai na?" she shot back.

He opened his mouth, then closed it again. She won - this round.

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💍 Summary:

Two best friends - one fire, one ice - are forced into a marriage of convenience to silence a scandal neither of them created.

Ishu, the fierce and focused girl-next-door, believes in logic, independence, and maintaining boundaries - especially with Zain, the boy who has been teasing her since forever. Gets irritated easily

Zain, the charming troublemaker with a golden heart, hides his depth behind constant banter and smirks - especially when it comes to Ishu, the only person who never falls for his charm.loves to irritate her.

They agree to act like the perfect couple - for the family, for society, for peace.

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🌟 Tropes:

Sunshine × Sunshine Protector
Marriage of Convenience
Forced Proximity
Best Friends to Lovers
Bickering Couple
He Falls First (but hides it)
Slow Burn Romance
Teasing as a Love Language
She's oblivious, he's obvious