Sandal's POV:

I step into my home saying 'Assalam o Alaikum ' loudly but my steps come to halt when I found Ami walking towards me.

I am in trouble ...

"Assalam o Allaikum Ami."

"Wallaikum Assalam, do you know what time it is?"

"Eight-thirty."

"Do you remember that I allowed you to do this job because you will get back before Maghrib. And now it's almost Isha time."

"Sorry, Ami. I was busy."

"Were you in the office?"

"No!"

"Than?"

"I was in a meeting with Sir... when we about to come back he bumped into a pole and his nose starts to bleed badly... it wasn't right to ask him to drop me home like this. So, we went to the hospital on our way here." I told half-truth and half lie.

Please forgive Allah for lying to my mother ...

"Is your boss blind that he can't see the pole in front of him?"

"Ami???" I looked in her shock, " What's wrong with you? What are you saying?"

She was about to say something but Areeba interrupted, "Ami at least let her come in. You can take her class later."

Thanks, sis...

Ami got the point and returned to the sofa. I mouthed 'Thank you' to Areeba and she went into the kitchen mentioning me to follow her. I put my stuff on the bed, take a quick shower, changed into some comfortable and go to the kitchen where Areeba was preparing dinner.

"What's for dinner?" I asked happily.

"Daal Chawal."

"Thank God...! I am so hungry."

"Why? Didn't your boss ask you for dinner?"

"Uff...First Ami and now you too? What's wrong with you guys?" I turned her to face me holding both of her shoulders.

"What is wrong with me....? what is wrong with you bajjo? You suppose to come home before Maghrib. Plus you were a stranger... with a man alone all the time. Do you have any idea how worried I was? I lied to Ami because of it that two other colleagues of yours are with you."

"Areeba... you were listening when I told the reason why I was late?"

"I am not questioning your reason bajjo. I am mad at you because you kept ignoring my texts when I asked you where you were. You should be more careful.... at least tell us your location when you are alone with him."

"Wait! Are you worried about me being with him?" She didn't answer.

"Areeba?"

"Yes!" She stated.

I sighed and said, "Listen! ...He might be rich and a jerk, but he is not that kind of man. He can be trusted."

"And what makes you so sure about it???"

Her question got me off guard, I didn't understand how to answer her and I am not even sure why I said such a thing. I don't know him much, so why I believe that he will not harm me.

"See! That's what I am worried about." She said and passed across me, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

After it whenever I tried to bring up the topic, she dodges it.

~*~

Ahmed's POV:

I punched the punching bag again and again. I feel frustrated?... Yes!... I was keeping this secret from everyone,... only my few friends and my family knows about it... and now that girl... that weird girl knows.

But, am I mad at her?... No!... I am not... I hate the fact that I can't be angry at her, even if she read me... like I was an open book.

'One could easily tell by observing'

Her voice echoed in my mind once again and my punches start slowing down until I stop and step aside. I pick my water bottle and slam myself on a seat.

Damn her voice...

It kept reverberating in my mind along with the visions of her being so near. That was the second time when I got so close to her. But this was different from before ... this time her eyes were wide open, looking at me, nervously and confused. Then she averted her gaze, holding the breath, her body stiffened as I step near her.

Pale skin...down casted eyes... blushed pink cheeks...she looked like a beautiful sculpture to me... I wanted to go even more close to her,...touch her...to make sure she was real.

God knows how I refrain myself that moment, from touching her or embracing her tight in my arms.

But she pushed back...

Well! that was the first time...

I was not only pushed back by a girl whom I am treating gently but got hit by her too...Why is that girl so confusing?

I sighed and walk back to my room. Took a long shower and change into trousers and a sleeveless T-shirt. Walking down to the kitchen, I heard voices from the living room. Turning my pace, now I am going to the living room.

"Mamo?" I said out loud when I saw Mamo sitting with Muskan arguing on something. His head turned to me and his eyes widened.

"Assalam o Alaikum Mamo." I walked to him and he got up to give me a hug.

"Are my eyes deceiving me, or you really are my nephew Ahmed?" He said mentioning my hair and sitting back with Muskan, but kept looking at me with a small smile at the corner of his lips.

~*~

After dinner when Mamo was leaving, I walked with him to the car. We talk about his tour and many other things.

"Mamo! Do you know about Sandal's family?"

"If you talking about her family being a victim of a terrorist attack then yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because Sandal didn't want it."

"Did she say that?"

"Ahmed! There are many things that should be understood without saying." He sighed and said.

"See you in the office tomorrow." He said and sit in the car.

"Allah Hafiz Mamo."

~*~

Sandal POV:

I was waiting for the traffic light to turn red so I could cross the road. Thanks to Areeba I slept late last night. All the time her stupid comment bugged me and I ended up missing my bus. I was already late as I got up late but after missing my bus I came to the office by changing two busses. So yes! I am late today.

And Sir is going to kill me...

I sighed and look at the signal again. Suddenly a car stops near me. I step aside thinking that someone will come out from it but instead I heard my name being called by a masculine voice. Frowning I turned my head to see the owner of the voice and found

Mr Ibrar smiled gently at me. Quickly I covered the distance to the car.

"Assalam o Alaikum Sir! It's a pleasure to see you again."

"Wallaikum Assalam Sandal! Going office?" He asks and I nodded.

"Good! Come, I will take you.

Hesitantly I accept his offer and sit beside him on the back seat.

"So, you're late?" He starts the conversation again and I nodded in answer.

"Sandal don't tell me you've been working for all this time just on depending on nodding?" He mused.

"It's... not like that Sir."

"Good!"

The car came to a halt and he got off and so does I. As we enter the building I stop at the entrance to change my sneakers but Sir Ibrar asks me to come with him.

"Sir I'll come later, I have to inform Sir Ahmed that I am here."

"He will eventually know Sandal, now come."

I looked around and saw Sohail Bhai watching me with amusement. I pouted and walk behind Sir Ibrar.

As we enter the office I saw someone sitting on the sofa in the corner. I pay no heed to the person and sit down on the chair, as Sir Ibrar mentioned me to.

"You're early." Sir Ibrar comment, looking at the guest.

"No! You're late."

That voice...

It belonged to none other than Sir Ahmed. I abruptly stood up and turned around to Salam him but before I could say anything, he Salam me. In a sarcastic manner. He waited for me to answer him but I was so engrossed in looking at the man standing before me. He was wearing a suit with his short hair parted on the right-hand side. He changed his hairstyle again. No long hairs no spikes. He is looking like a decent handsome person right now.

I snapped out of my thoughts when he took a step closer.

"Haye! You okay?" He asked worriedly, leaning down to my face. I nodded and sit back on the seat. Feeling embarrassed I start looking down at my hands.

Ya Allah, was I checking him out???

Sir took out the seat beside me and sit on it facing both me and Sir Ibrar.

"About to go somewhere?" Sir Ibrar started the conversation by asking Sir Ahmed.

"Hm! To meet an old friend of Papa."

"Oh! So who will deal with work here?"

"I won't take long. Besides, I think Sandal can handle it." He says looking at me and I looked him back in confusion.

Since when he start to trust me with his business????

"Good." Sir Ibrar smiled and continue, "So Sandal tells me something."

"Yes?"

"What happened to Ahmed's nose?"

"I hit him." I said without realizing whom I was answering. I came to my senses when I heard Sir Ibrar's shocked voice.

"What?... Ahmed is that true?" He looked at Sir who was glaring at me.

"Yes! I mean no.... actually as we were coming back from the meeting Sir was walking behind me. I didn't realize that he was like... really behind me. So when I hung my bag on shoulder, my elbow accidentally hit his nose... so that's what happened ...Sir." I said this all in a single breath and mumble the last part when I saw them both staring with a surprised expression.

As I shut my mouth Sir Ibrar chuckled.

" It would have been a sight. I think I would love to see Ahmed being hit by a girl."

"Mamo!" Sir Ahmed frowned at him but he chuckled again and I kept looking at my hands on my lap for saving myself from further embarrassment.

~*~

There was still time in going home so quickly I print out all official E-mails and opened my personal E-mail account. Since moving to Karachi this is my first time opening it. I go through all the emails one by one. Most were from my classmates and friends asking where I am??

But the mail that caught my attention was from Hareem's school. It was an invitation for her to join the opening ceremony of school after reconstructions. There was also a notice for the student's parents about the start of the educational session and rehabilitation session for students.

I read that mail again and again and my mind started to show flashback images of the incident day. Loud ambulance sirens, yelling doctors, screams, painful cries... all of the voices started to echo in my mind once again. Feeling suffocated I stood up to go out but sudden dizziness caused me to sit back again. I put my head down on my desk and soon everything blackout.

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