Sandal's POV:

'Ami will be coming to your house tonight.' I received Zohma's text.

'Won't you be coming?'

'Hell no! I am a Pakistani girl and Pakistani girls don't go around giving invitations for their own wedding.'

' You can simply say that you are shy.'

'Jerk!'

'Allah Hafiz ;).' Chuckling, I replied to Zohma and get back to work again.

I was expecting this visit, Zohma told me that her mother will come to give a formal invitation to her wedding after Ami's Iddat finished. Which was finished a few days ago, therefore my eldest Mamo took us to his home on the weekend. My mother has two brothers and both of them lives together in a joint family system. It was fun being with cousins and I also got the chance to tell them that we are planning to go back. My eldest Mamo wasn't happy with this idea and the younger one was too worried about Ami's health. But when Areeba told them that we want to go back for Hareem, they gave up. Basically, it really was for Hareem, she wanted to study there with her friends and classmates who survived the incident and be there for those families who lost their kids. Both Areeba and I were amazed by her thoughts and confidence. Honestly, her feelings are respectable in every way and we want to give her all our support. So, we decided to tell both of our Mamo-s and asked their help for moving back. It was hard to make them agree but somehow we succeeded. Now, we have only one month before Hareem's school started and one month to pack our stuff. I haven't told Zohma about it yet and it was of no use in the first place, she is getting married in two weeks. So, there was no point in bothering her besides, she will get busy in her new life and things will change eventually.

I yawned, trying to keep my eyes open, I haven't slept properly since it's settled that we are going back. Like others, I am excited too, as well as afraid to face our empty home. Where we meet Papa, Shobi and Palwisha on everything. It will be hard.

I yawned again, glancing at the clock, it's almost Sir's coffee time. I sighed and got up, this man sure drinks coffee a lot. He will die one day for drinking coffee so much in this hot weather.

Plus why do I have to make tea and coffee for him? Why can't he drink the coffee/tea that is made for the rest of the staff?

It's only for a few more days...

Yes, it was only for a few more days so I should do it properly. I prepared the coffee, taking the cup I walked into his office where he was busy in a call, leaning back in his seat. He straightened himself as I entered and nodded in acknowledgement when I put the cup on the table. He narrowed his eyes at me and tilted his head a little, mentioning it was enough for now. I turned on my heels and without wasting a second I walked back to my office. I grabbed my bag and took out a pocket mirror. Quickly I check my face whether there was something on it but it was clean, so why Sir look at me like that?

I shrugged and get back to work.

~

"Where is Ahmed?" Sir Ibrar asked turning his full attention towards me.

"He was about to leave."

"Hm! He is being very busy lately because of wedding preparations." I nodded in agreement.

"So, you are free to go home or you still have work?"

"Sir Ahmed gives me an early off for the day."

"Oh, means your overtime hadn't ended yet?"

I shook my head in the negative, "No, Sir."

"Hm! So what brought you here today?"

"Actually...I wanted to discuss something before leaving."

"Sure! What is it beta?" He smiled.

"I told you before starting this job that I might quit soon." He nodded and I continue, "I want to quit it from next Friday. I know it is quite an unprofessional approach but things came up and I can no longer continue to work. So, I am here.... to hand over my resignation to you." I said putting my resignation on his table.

He stared at me for a brief moment before dropping his gaze to letter. He sighed and leaned back to the seat.

"I will not ask the reason behind this sudden decision of yours but I was hoping you will continue until your classes start."

"Actually Sir, I won't be taking admission here. We are going back to Peshawar by the end of this month."

"Going back?" He sounded surprised.

"Yes."

"Did you tell Ahmed about it?"

Why would I tell him???

"No Sir."

"And Zohma, does she know?" I shook my head.

"I will tell her later. For now, she is already so nervous about her marriage. I don't want to trouble her more."

He didn't say anything for a long time, as if he was lost in thoughts.

"Sandal, I cannot take your resignation. You will have to give this directly to Ahmed."

"Oh, okay... thanks... then I will be going now. Allah Hafiz Sir."

"Allah Hafiz." With that, I left the room. Sir Ahmed might already leave so I postponed my plan for tomorrow and walked to the main exit to go home.

~*~

"Zohma api is coming too right?" Hareem asked, she was quite fond of her.

"Nope! Only her Ami is coming." She made a displeased face and turn back to watch TV.

Areeba and I were both busy making snacks. I love preparing it at home, especially cake and samosa. The doorbell was rung and Hareem yelled.

"I'll get it."

After a moment later I heard Zohma's Ami happy voice, "Assalam o Alaikum."

"Wallaikum Assalam." Answered Ami.

"Assalam o Alaikum, Auntie." I heard a masculine voice which shocked me to point to being frozen. I didn't hear anything else after it.

"Did I hear a male voice just now?" Areeba asked me patting her eyes quickly and I nodded in a daze.

"What happened to you? Do you know him?"

"Sir Ahmed." I mumbled.

"No way! Are you sure?" She asked in disbelief.

"The voice was his."

"But ... What is he doing here?"

"Go and ask yourself." I gave her an annoyed look.

Biting her inner lip she peeked inside the living room, so Hareem could see her. We specially trained Hareem and Palwisha for helping us out in giving information about the guest. If the guest were aunties and uncles we just greet them, talk a little and leave everything to Ami and Papa to handle. If the guests have young girls then one of us has to give them company and if it were boys then it was Shoaib's duty.

Hareem came into the kitchen as soon as she saw Areeba.

"Who is with Auntie?" Areeba asked excitedly.

"Ahmed bhai." Hareem grinned ear to ear.

"How is he?" Areeba asked and I hit her head.

"Have you lost your mind? And why are you're so excited anyway?" I crossed my arms.

"Sobia baji's fault. She told me that he was handsome. So it's not wrong to be excited."

"Then let me help you get over with it." I took the drinks and handed them over to her.

"Go and serve it." I ordered.

"Why should I do it? Are you prohibited to go in front of him?"

"Shut up! I am making samosa here."

Areeba was about to say something but Hareem interrupted, "Why are you two fighting?... bajjo your samosa will get burned, api they are waiting there." She said in an annoyed manner and we both turn to do our work. I quickly fry all samosas and place everything on the table. We didn't get the chance to arrange our drawing properly, so I thought it would be better if everyone came here. Setting my dupatta on my head, put my bangs behind my ears and walked into the drawing-room.

"Assalam o Alaikum, Auntie." I salam Auntie smiling.

"Wallaikum Assalam beta." She got up from the sofa and hugged me. I was startled for a bit but soon recover and hugged her back. Holding my hand she made me sit beside her.

That's odd...

My eyes landed on Sir, he was sitting gracefully beside Hareem. Wearing light blue Shalwar Kameez suit, smiling at something Hareem said. It's rare to see him smile, usually, he smirked. Like now, when he saw me looking at him, I quickly Salam him and turned my gaze away.

~*~

Ahmed's POV:

" Please Auntie no more, I already eat two." I pleaded Auntie as she put another samosa on my plate, but she didn't listen.

"Eat it, your mother told me that you were not eating properly these days." Said Auntie. I looked at Ami and her helplessly and both of them laughed.

I also hear Hareem giggles which were the cutest. It's been a while since I communicate with a kid... so I liked it very much and she helped in telling a lot of things about Sandal too. I can say she was on my side now and I guess I am also not failed in writing my name on Auntie's good book.

"So Areeba... right? , what are you studying?" I asked Areeba who was sitting in front of me.

"I am studying fashion designing."

Cool!

"So you want to be a fashion designer?" I asked and she nodded.

That girl is sharp... really sharp. She was polite at first but for some reason, her behaviour changed. Whenever she talks to me, a word pop in my mind... 'Cactus'... it will be hard to get in her good book and she will be no help at all.

I glance at Sandal, she was talking with Ami and whenever she nodded one of her hair strands fell down on her face which she puts back behind her ear. She was not wearing a scarf but she kept her head covered with dupatta, it suited her better than a scarf. I came back to my senses when I heard someone clearing her throat. I look in the direction of the noise and saw Areeba staring at me with narrow eyes.

Damn this girl...!

I turned my full attention to Hareem and eat silently. After tea, we chat a little and went back to our home and when I step inside the house I was instantly dragged by Zohma and started interrogating me about my first visit to Sandal's house.

~*~

Sandal's POV:

Yesterday was a surprise for me. I never thought that Sir Ahmed would come to my house and I was nervous too. Working with him was different from meeting him at home. He was the total opposite of what he is at work and it was hard for me to handle his normal self.

He didn't come office today so I called him to ask if I could meet him. He said he will be there before off timings. Therefore, I was waiting for his arrival at the end of the day.

Soon I heard a knock and Sir came in.

"I am not late am I?" He asked and I shook my head in negative.

"Good! Come." He tilt his head, mentioning me to come to his office and walked out. I picked my bag and followed him, slowly I opened the door and step inside.

"Sit." He ordered and also slumped down on his seat, after taking off his coat.

"You wanted to talk?" He said in his serious business tone. It was his usual self when he was tired because of the workload.

"Yes... Sir, I was appointed here on temporary basis I assume that Sir Ibrar told you."

"Yes, he did. And if I remember correctly, you will quit the job to continue your studies." He said leaning back in his seat.

"Yes, Sir."

"So, what about it?"

Is it just me, or he is being overly serious today???

"I will quit soon."

"How soon?" A frown formed on his forehead instantly.

"Next week actually ... I have also brought my resignation." I looked at him and found him staring at me.

"...But I can work for this month if the company couldn't find a suitable assistant soon."

"And what about after this month?" He raised every eyebrow.

"Than you will have to manage."

"And why is that? I think it will be mid of semester in universities and new admission will start after it ends... so are you planning on switching the job?"

"No sir... actually our family is moving out."

"What do you mean by moving out? Where are you going?" There was an authority in his voice.

"Back to Peshawar."

He went silent for a long time, just staring at me and was getting awkward.

"Sir?" I called him.

"You are not allowed to go... anywhere." His voice was deadly serious.

What???

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