Ahmed's POV:

I laughed when the driver called me to tell that Sandal went out of the city to visit her relatives. She left the shopping bag in the car. I thought she forgot it, so I told the driver to deliver it to her house. But now it seems that she did this intentionally.

So that was the reason behind her submissive behaviour. I thought it was strange that she silently accepted everything. But leaving the bags in the car.....

I chuckled again and open my wardrobe when suddenly I heard a knock on the door.

"Yes?"

"Assalam o Allaikum, bhai. You have a minute?" Zohma came in smiling.

I nodded, "Waallaikum Assalam." I closed my wardrobe, giving her my full attention. It's rare of Zohma to be coming into my room like this.

"How is your hand?"

"It's much better now." I said, looking at my hand. "Is there a problem? Do you want to talk about something?"

"Yeah! Well.... sort of." She said, looking at her feet.

"Has it something to do with your future in-laws?" I asked, frowning.

"Eh? No! Not at all, bhai. You shouldn't always think that the only thing I want to talk to you is about my in-laws or my marriage. There are many other things than this." She says, walking to the couch and sits.

"Such as?" I said, sitting beside her.

"Such as you, your health, your activities, your work, your... assistant."

"What about Sandal?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Why did you take her shopping?" She asks with a displeased look.

"Who told you?"

"Sandal." I frowned at her name.

Why did she tell her?

"I wanted to meet her today. So I texted her to meet me after work..... But she told me that she is with you... Bhai, listen to me," She fully turned towards me, raising her hands in mid-air to stop me from talking "I am not saying that I don't like you and Sandal to be together or anything. It's just ...... if you guys are not friends then ...don't... Sandal is not the type of girl, ...you know, your truck art types assistant and the girls you mostly spend your time with. And don't spend your money on her. She may not be from a wealthy family like us, but she is not a greedy person. She believes in hard work and that is very admirable. .....So please, give her the respect she deserves." She says with pleading eyes. It irritated me.

"Why do you care about her so much? And are you here just to talk about your friend?"

"No Bhai, it's not about her. It's about you too."

"It doesn't sound like it."

"Believe me, it's not about Sandal. I wanted to ask you to give your life a new direction Bhai, what you are doing won't bring any good to any of us."

"And you are referring to....?"

"Anam." I looked at her in shock.

How did she find out about her?

"Don't give me that look, Bhai. It may not seem like it, but I know a lot more than you think." She smirked.

"Look, about Anam..." before I clarify myself, I was cut by her.

"You don't have to give explanations Bhai, it's okay. But cut all your ties with Anam and her family before Ami gets to know of this. You know how much Ami hates her family and you can get Saifi House without involving them. So there is no point left of pushing yourself or risking our happiness."

I didn't say anything. She holds my injured hand with both of her hands. "Bhai! I don't remember Dad much. Neither does Muskan. All we have is you. You are our brother and father at the same time. We love you and wish the best for you, but good things won't come to you when you're chasing after bad things. Leave Anam, please Bhai and stop dating those model type girls. We don't want to start a parlour or model training academy with your future wife. So, choose someone decent, okay?" I didn't answer her again, just stare at her.

My baby sister is lecturing me...

I chuckle at the thought.

"Bhai???"

"Hm?"

"Were you listening to me?"

"Yes! I am." I answered smiling.

"Then promise me you think about what I have said." She said, pointing her index finger at me.

I hold her finger and shook it, saying, "Promise."

"Good boy!" She said, nodding.

"Got to go, love you Bhai." She said and quickly got up and left the room. I lean back at my couch and close my eyes.

You don't know how sweet revenge is, Zohma!

~*~

She hesitantly stands beside me as we greeted Uncle Sarmad and his wife. Uncle Sarmad doesn't like being called Sir Samad or Mr Samad, so I call him uncle and he is very happy about it.

"What happened to your hand?" He asked as he stared at it.

"Just a little accident."

"Oh! And who is this young lady?" he asks, looking at Sandal.

"She is a friend of mine actually and right now working as an assistant for me during her semester break. Work is not boring when you are with a friend, you know." I said smiling.

"True! Especially when your friend is a young beautiful girl." He winked and Mrs Samad hit his arm playfully.

"Agree!" I smiled also.

"Stop, both of you. You're embarrassing the poor girl. She already looks uncomfortable." Mrs Samad said to us then turned her attention to Sandal. "Don't mind them, dear. Relax and enjoy the party." She patted her cheek, smiling.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure she does enjoy." I reply instead of Sandal.

"I am sure you will. Excuse us." Uncle Sarmad says and left with his wife.

I know what I said must have been a shock to Sandal, as she is still staring at me in disbelief. I tilted my head a little to her and whisper, "Sandal, you can tell me directly how handsome I am looking tonight but it's rude to stare." Her cheeks redden when she understood what I said and look the other way. I stare at her blushed face a moment before averting my attention to my friends who were watching us with meaningful smirks on their faces.

Idiots...

I have to lie to them too because if I tell them the truth, Sandal might become the main target of their flirting and women taunting the whole night.

Dragging her here wasn't necessary. It was the arrogant side of me who wanted to show her the glamour, the world of money and power, the world she never even dreamt of. That side of me wanted to humiliate her to the point where she gets to know her place in society. But now, when it comes down I am protecting her by lying to others.

Why am I becoming such a softie???

"This way." I lead her to my friends. The hesitation from a few moments ago was gone. Holding her clutch and full-length frock gracefully, she silently starts walking beside me.

~*~

Sandal's POV:

"It's rude to stare"

I should be the one saying that. He has been staring at me since I sat in the car to come here and still, I can feel his gaze. It's uncomfortable, I shouldn't have come here. I hate these types of gatherings, where people are a facade, hollow from inside, wearing an artificial mask, holding secrets in their hearts.

"Sandal? You there?" A man from Sir's circle of friends asked me.

I smile at him and nodded.

What was his name????

I don't remember it.

"You were spacing out."

"Sorry! I am not very fond of gatherings like this."

"Ahan! No wonder we never see you with Ahmed. Anyways, now you are here, let me show you around." He said to me guiding to a table.

"Here he goes again, hey Imran. No flirting with a friend's friend, okay?" Says another man, whose name I also don't remember.

"It's not flirting, idiot. I am just being nice." Ibrar rolled his eyes.

Bitting my inner lip, I take a step back cautiously, making sure no one notices. He was standing too close.

"Don't mind him, let me show you my house..."

"Your house? I thought it is Mr Samad's."

"Well! It's ours. He is my uncle from father's side and this is his house. So, it belongs to all of us." He explained, guiding me to get out of the circle of friends. I looked at Mr Ahmed, but he was busy talking with a girl.

"Oh come on! He may be your boss, but right now he is your friend. You don't have to ask for permission for everything you do, okay? So come."

He took a step closer towards me but stopped in the middle when a feminine hand reached onto his shoulder.

"Did someone say showing around the house?" A woman about the age of twenty-six came between us.

"No! You heard wrong." Ibrar made a displeased face.

"Oh! I might have wrongly heard it. Anyways, your father is looking for you."

"Hm! Excuse me." He said and leaves, glaring at the woman. She smirked and turns to me.

"It will be best for you to stay away from men. By the way, I am Iqra, Ibrar's first cousin." She seems like a very friendly person.

"I am Sandal."

"Sandal! That's a pretty name. So if I am not wrong, you're with Ahmed right?" She says, smiling.

"No! ...I mean yes. I am with him but not on my own will. I was dragged here." I don't know if I should've said this or not.

"Thought so." She says and led me to a table.

"You know, I would be surprised if he came without a girl but I wasn't expecting him to be with a simple girl like you. Don't take me wrong, okay. But these five are bad news for girls like you. Girls are toys to them. They play with them and throw whenever they want, including Ahmed too. I hope you know what you got yourself into." Sitting beside Iqra, I was staring into space.

Was it the right thing by coming with him?

I questioned myself.

Hesitantly, I asked her "Why are you telling me this?"

"Not all rich people in this world are arrogant and heartless, dear." She says, looking into my eyes with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"You know Sandal... Ah, just forget it. I like you. Simply simple innocent you. So, just wanted to warn you. Be careful, okay? I got to go before the husband of mine gets angry." She abruptly stood up, winking at me and left.

I also stood up and start looking for Sir Ahmed but couldn't find him. All of a sudden, I feel scared. Did he leave me?

I took out my phone and began walking to a place where the light was dim. The party is arranged in a garden, so I can see everyone from here and can be seen by everyone. I quickly dialled Sobia baji's number and asked her to send someone to pick me up. I wanted to leave this place, not knowing where I am, I turned on the GPS. So, whoever is coming can easily find me.

What the hell was I thinking by coming with a complete stranger to an unknown place?? Especially when I am new to this city? How can I be so stupid? So careless!

I don't know if what Iqra said was right or wrong, but I can't shake the fear I am feeling. I just want to get out of here. I don't care about my job. Screw this job and Sir Ahmed. I want to go home.

Ya Allah, please...

I close my eyes shut tightly.

"Sandal! What the hell are you doing there?!"

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