Sandal's POV:

"Tell me the truth Sandal, what happened yesterday night? I will not be buying 'nothing' as an answer. So you better spill it out." Zohma asked me with her arms crossed. This is probably the fifth time she asked me this question and I am trying to avoid this topic as much as I can.

Right now, we are sitting in her room, on her bed. Early this morning, I received a text from her to get ready and that she will pick me up in fifteen minutes. I called her and gave an excuse for today but she wouldn't listen and within eleven minutes, she was on my doorstep. Leaving me with no choice but to go with her.

"Spill out what?"

"Why did you guys come home early from yesterday's party? And why was Bhai angry?"

"Ask your brother, how would I know why he was angry."

"But he won't answer me." She whined.

"Sorry, not my fault." I shrugged.

Suddenly, she narrowed her eyes on me then widened, "Don't tell me, you two broke up?"

"WHAT?" I almost shouted. "What do you mean by 'broke up'?"

"'Broke up' means broke up, idiot."

"I know what it means, idiot. There isn't anything between us for it to 'broke', okay? He is the employer and I am his employee." I said, glaring at her.

"That's it? Not even friends?"

"Not even friends. And besides, who'd want to be friends with your brother?" I mumbled the last part.

"Hey! I heard that." She threw a cushion at me which I easily caught.

"Seriously, tell me what happened yesterday. Why was he angry?"

"I honestly don't know, okay. We got separated there, it was my first time attending such a party so I panicked a little. I tried to find him but failed. Not knowing what to do, I stood in a corner. Then he showed up with an angry face and announced we are leaving the party."

"That's it?"

"Yes, that's it."

"You didn't question him?"

"About what?"

"About leaving the party."

"Nope!"

"Why?"

This is getting annoying. I don't want to talk about it.

"Because I don't talk to him much, nor ask him questions, okay. Now change the topic. Why am I here?"

"No reason." She said, grinning, "And besides... Ami and Muskan are at Mamo's house, so I bring you here." She announced like she had won a trophy. Giving her a doubtful look, I nodded.

"Don't worry, I won't eat you." She winked, "Oh! I forgot to show you my house." Her eyes widened in the sudden realization. She jumped out of bed and dragged me out of the room.

I've never seen a house this big. So I am kind of excited about it. At first, she showed me her mother's room, sister's room, and two guest rooms. This is the upper floor, connected by white marble stairs.

Then she led me downstairs and showed me the drawing-room, kitchen, and living room. There is only one bedroom here which belonged to Sir. When she was about to enter, I grabbed her by the hand.

"What are you doing? Don't disturb him." I don't want to face him, at least not right now.

"Relax! He left after we came. So the room is empty."

"It's okay, I don't want to see it."

"Oh shut up!" She grabs my arm and walks in.

Hesitantly, I got inside too. Sir's room turns out to be the total opposite of what I had imagined. It's probably the simplest room of the house.

"It's so simple." I couldn't stop myself from saying.

"Yes, Bhai likes simplicity for the things he personally uses." She says, leaning at the door frame, while I kept observing the room, standing beside her.

"It's nice. Simple and bright. I was expecting dark and gloomy colours."

"Dark and gloomy colours?" I yelped and turn around to find Sir standing right behind me with amusement written all over his face.

"Assalam o Alaikum, Sandal." He said in a low voice, tilting his head a little. He is looking straight into my eyes, smiling.

I felt my heart skip a beat. He was standing so close and this is probably the first time he Salam me.

"W-Wallaikum Assalam!" I was barely able to say while taking a step back to create distance between us.

"When did you come home, Bhai?" Zohma asks.

"Just now!" He averted his gaze from me to Zohma, "by the way, would you care to fill me in on what are you two ladies are doing in my room?" He crosses his arm on his chest.

"Showing Sandal our house." She shrugged.

"Ahan! So do you like our house, Sandal?"

"Eh? Yeah... I mean yes. Your house is beautiful." I answer without making eye contact while unconsciously caressing my right wrist. This didn't go unnoticed by him and he looked away from me.

"Zohma, can I borrow your friend for a while?"

What?

"Bhai, if it's about your work, then no!"

"It's not about work." He rolled his eyes.

"Okay! Sandal, meet me in my room later."

Huh?

Before I could do anything, she dashed out of the room, leaving us alone. After an awkward moment of silence, Sir cleared his throat, "Are you going to stand here forever? Come inside, have a seat." He offers me politely but I refused.

"I am fine here, Sir."

"Why are you calling me 'Sir'?" He frowns.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"You are not on duty and you didn't come here as my employee. So don't call me Sir."

"Then what should I call you?" I asked, looking at him.

"Whatever you want. But don't call me Sir."

"Okay...Ahmed Bhai." I nodded in acknowledgement.

"Bhai?" He sounds shocked.

"I... think Sandal, 'Sir' sounds much better." He says in an irritating manner while walking into the room and sat on the bed.

Idiot.

Here started another awkward moment of silence, which I broke.

"Is that all you want to talk about?"

"How is your wrist?" He says in a low voice, glancing at my hand.

So he remembers...

My eyes also landed upon my hands.

The story I told Zohma was a half-lie. Sir Ahmed didn't tell me or ask me to leave the party. Without spilling a word out, he roughly grabbed my wrist and dragged me out of the party. When I tried to free my wrist from his hand, he tightened his grip. My complaints and my painful hissing didn't affect him. It was like he became deaf. His face was red and sweaty and his breath was heavy. Seeing him in this state, I kept my mouth shut. I had a feeling that something was wrong.

He took his car keys from the driver and almost threw me into the car. He started the car and drove very fast to my house and when it stopped, I abruptly got off of the car and ran inside the building without looking back.

"Sandal? Are you here?" His voice brought me back from my thoughts.

"Huh? ...um, yes. It's fine."

"No, it's not." He stated, "I know my hand left an imprint on your wrist. I am sorry about that, I... I wasn't feeling well yesterday." He apologized easily. It surprised me. I never thought he could apologize. Normally people like him are too arrogant for that.

"Don't look at me like I have grown horns on my head, Sandal. Under normal circumstances, I would never apologize to someone who refused my gifts." He smirked, "but you were hurt. Physically. And that's something I don't like." He says as he got up from the bed and walks to me. "So, I am sorry for what happened and what will happen." He says and stood beside me, leaning against the door frame. I gave him a questioning look but kept my lips sealed.

"Common sense, Sandal." He says, pointing his index finger to his head, "People saw us leaving the party together, holding hands. No one knows the real situation and I believe it will become a scandal soon."

I remain silent for a minute, taking everything in of what he said and I started to panic when I understood what he meant. I give him a glance and found him studying me. He might have a serious face, but the glint of amusement in his eyes can easily be seen. He looks different right now, with his messy hair, wearing a red sleeveless T-shirt, which is perfectly fitted to his body, and black jeans. That's not the Ahmed Wali I knew.

"I ...need to go. Zohma must be waiting for me."

"Hm! Tell her that I am going out too. Don't wait for me for lunch." He stated.

This is the Ahmed Wali I know...

I nodded, turn around and walk towards Zohma's room.

~*~

"This is my mother, Shama and my little sister, Muskan." Zohma introduced me to her mother and sister. Her mother is a reserved person and Muskan seems to be the total opposite of everyone. Her light brown eyes have a mischievous glint and she is much jollier than Zohma.

Lunch went great, we all talked about many things. When Shama Auntie started to ask about my family, I dodged the topic. I don't want to talk about it, neither do I want anyone's sympathy. After lunch, we again went to Zohma's room, this time Muskan joined us too. We talked for don't know how long and by Asar Azaan, I said Allah Hafiz to everyone. I have to reach home before Maghrib. This is one of my Ami's strict rules, if you're not at work or college/university, you have to come home before Maghrib.

"Sandal wait for a little, I will take you home." Zohma said.

"It's okay, I can go by myself." I assured her.

"No Sandal, I am taking ..."

"I'll take her home." She was cut by a masculine voice from behind. We both turned around to see none other than Ahmed Wali.

"I can go by myself." I said to him, looking straight into his eyes.

He glared in return, "I am not asking you, Sandal. I am telling you that I am taking you home." His voice was in his usual authoritative tone, along with his usual serious expression. I grind my teeth and looked away.

I don't want to be seen with him especially after yesterday. I already have too much on my plate to deal with. If what he said earlier about the possibility of a scandal is true, it will eventually lead me to resign from work.

"Bhai please," Zohma broke in, "This is home and she is my friend right now." Then she turned to face me, "And Sandal, you are invited to Saturday dinner at our house. Azhar is coming with family, so you have to be here, okay?" I smiled and gave her a hug, which she returned.

~*~

After five minutes, I was on the passenger seat, while Sir is in the driver seat. One can tell from looking that he is having a problem driving with an injured hand but he is still driving. The ride was silent until he broke it. "Last few days were quite dramatic, wasn't it?" He said in a normal carefree voice while giving me a glance. There is no authoritative tone, nor demanding words.

"You're referring to....?" I said without looking at him.

"Many things. First, I injured my hand and you collapsed after seeing it. I called my sister to help and she turns out to be your friend." I felt my face heating up when he mentioned collapsing.

"Phase two: I took you to buy a dress, which you did but wouldn't accept. Then you came to the party wearing the dress of your own choice...You disappeared from my sight while I was talking to others. Then I became frustrated and when I found you standing alone in the dark, I lost control of myself and dragged you out from there."

I remained silent and he continued, "Phase three: Next day, I found you standing in my room with my sister. The guilt of hurting your hand I had been feeling yesterday bubbled up and I ended up apologizing to you." The car came to a halt because of the red traffic light signal and he turned his full attention towards me. I was already feeling strange at how easily and openly he was talking to me. "And still I don't know whether you've forgiven me or do I have to apologize again?" He asked me, looking straight into my eyes.

I nodded and mumbled, "It's okay."

Like I have a choice...

I said to myself.

"Good," He said and grabbed something from the backseat and hands it over to me.

It's the dress he bought for me.

"I can't take it." I gave it back to him.

"I thought you forgave me." He frowned.

"Yes, I said so and I meant it. But I never agreed to accept the dress."

He straightened his posture and drove the car as the signal turned green. After a minute or so, he asks me, "So you won't accept it no matter what, right?"

I kept silent.

"I take this as a 'yes'." His voice held anger and then he did the most unexpected thing.

He opened the window and threw the bag out.

A gasp escaped from my lips and my eyes widened.

"Sir..."

"Shut up, Sandal." He said in a low voice and increased the car speed.

When the car stopped in front of my apartment, I tried to talk to him but didn't find the courage. So, I silently step out of the car and before I could say 'Allah Hafiz', he starts the car and drove away. I stood there for a moment before taking slow steps towards my house.

I felt something.

Since the incident of APS, this is the first time I felt something. Something besides anger, fear, and emptiness.

I felt guilty.