I laid on the bed digging my face in the pillow and sobbing. I couldn't understand why I felt soo hurt. He was telling the truth anyways. Maybe because I thought we were friends now at least, but I'm just a liability to him. The smile he gave me every time was also a hoax.

Ridhima!

Was it the same Ridhima? It can't be....

She was the one who called him right? Why? Why call the guy who ruined your life and gave you such a deep scar? Why be soo bothered about me? I always thought it was strange.

I heard a knock at the bedroom door.

"Hey, we're watching the movie right?"

"I'm not in the mood." I said without lifting my head off the pillow

"Why what happened?"

"I don't feel good. Just go away!"

"Are you sick?"

Look at that fake concern of his!

"Yes, I think I'm getting my period." I said the one thing that can shut any man up.

"Oh, alright then rest well. If you need anything then....you can tell me. There's ice cream in the freezer if you want."

"I don't want anything." I said rather coldly.

"Fine..." He said and left. I felt like crying harder. What is wrong with me?!

Her desk is empty. She didn't come with me, didn't even go to college as she said she wasn't feeling well. I shouldn't be worrying now, the bodyguards and maids are in the house so she'll be safe.

I was right. The chandelier accident was her doing. She really wants to hurt Naila because she thinks she might become important to me. Ridhima called me yesterday after 4 years to ask whether I've slept with Naila yet or whether I've fallen for her.

So I had to lie saying she didn't matter to me. But of course she's important to me. It's just been 5 months but we've gotten so close. In the past 6 years she's the only person who accepts me even after knowing all that about me. I can laugh with her, fight with her....she gives me a chance to be myself again. She sometimes even brings out the old Kaif in me. First she used to be soo scared and disgusted of me but now......She's an important friend to me.... she's just like me.

And that's why I can't let her get hurt because of me. I don't know what I'll do if that ever happens.

There was a knock at the door and Desai walked in before even my permission. I rolled my eyes, I had gotten used to that behavior of his.

"Boss, here's the file you asked for." He said handing it to me.

"Oh thanks." I casually said.

He smiled.

"Uh, ma'am isn't here today?"

"No, she said she wasn't feeling well." I said reviewing the file.

"I see." He waited for a minute and then spoke again.

"You know boss, you really have changed a lot in these past few months."

"How so?" I asked still busy with the file .

"Before, you didn't even look at anyone straight. You only busied yourself in work. Pardon me say this, but you were too....monotone and....cold. You didn't treat us like humans, you treated us like machines. But now, you talk to us, even smile at us. You're not cold and intimidating anymore. You never said thank you before either. Even the female employees think you're cool. Is it all because of Bhabhi?"

I looked up at him and my lips involuntarily twitched up in a small smile. So I have changed too huh?

"Maybe." I said.

"Of course. Btw, boss did you buy a present for bhabhi.... I mean ma'am for tomorrow?" He asked.

"Tomorrow? Why?" I asked.

"Don't you remember? It's her birthday tomorrow."

My eyes widened at him. Her birthday? I didn't know.

"How did you know?"

"Oh, it's because we all hangout together sometimes." He said shrugging.

"Do you want to throw a surprise party for her?" He asked out of the blue.

###

The surprise party wasn't a bad idea. Mrs Avanti took her out faking some work while the preparations were being made at home. I thought it's only proper to call her new friends too, including Desai. I had also arranged for a special surprise for her

Her car entered the gate and we turned all the lights off. It was that kid Farhan's plan. I just thought it was too childish.

She walked in with Mrs Avanti and I turned on the light with Farhan and Desai screaming 'Surprise!'

Her hand flew to her mouth with wide eyes and she gave out a squeal as Farhan popped the party popper in front of her. She was giggling like a little girl looking around at the decoration.

"Oh wow!" She exclaimed excited.

I couldn't take my eyes of her. She was wearing a blue dress today. It's the first time I saw her in such a dress. It suited her well. There was no denying that she looked absolutely stunning and..... different.

"Happy birthday bff!" Mrs Avanti hugged her.

"Happy birthday Di!" Farhan said.

"Happy birthday bhabhi!" Desai said making me roll my eyes.

"Thank you everyone....did you all planned this?" She asked.

"Actually it was my idea of the surprise party..." Desai boasted.

"But, boss arranged all this...we helped."

She looked at me surprised.

"Really?"

I walked up to her smiling.

"Happy birthday Naila." I stretched my hand.

"Thank you." She took my hand, her eyes fixed with mine. She really looked soo beautiful.

"Oh come on you guys. What are you business partners to shake hands?" At least hug each other tightly." Mrs Avanti said and pushed her making her lose her balance in those high heels and I grabbed her in my arms to save her from falling. She looked up at me, our faces just centimeters away. My breath caught up in my throat and the smell of her sweet smelling perfume was making me hazy.

"Oooooo."

We akwardly got back from each other.

I was more like shocked than surprised seeing everyone. I was soo happy to see the decorations. It was soo beautiful. When Avanti said she wanted to go shopping all of a sudden I knew something was up, but I never imagined they were throwing a surprise party for me. She even made me buy this dress that I never thought I could wear something like this. To be honest, I'd even forgotten that it was my bday today.

Moreover, I find that Kaif was the one who arranged all this. When he walked towards me, it really made me feel weird all over. He looked soo handsome in his black shirt and white pants too.

"Come on let's go cut the cake everyone. The real surprise is outside~" Farhan sang.

I looked at Kaif confused. He just shrugged with a mischievous smile, stretching his hands out for me to take....again.

Oh My!

I gave my hand in his sheepishly while his other hand in his pocket, he took me out in the backyard following the others.

I gasped at the extraordinary view in front of me. A long table was set with the most beautiful flowers and about the chairs lanterns were decorated. It all looked like a dream. Right at the center of the table was my favorite chocolate cake...that to 2 tire. Wow!

"This isn't the actual surprise." Kaif whispered in my ear making my heart flutter. I watched him confused again. What can be a bigger surprise than this?

He let go of my hand and I frowned a little at the loss of his touch. Why?

"You can come out now." He said turning towards the door.

I looked in the direction curiously. My hand flew to my mouth and tears made their way out....

"Happy birthday Didi." A lean figure walked towards me.

"Ayesha." I sobbed. My sister was here. I took off my high heels and ran to her on the soft grass and took her in my arms. We both cried hugging each other. It's been soo long since we saw each other after the wedding.

"I missed you soo much Didi."

"I missed you too my jaan!" I cried. Avanti came and hugged us both.

"Aww, don't cry you too, or else I'll cry too."

We both smiled wiping each other's tears.

"The cake is waiting!" Farhan called out.

We cut the cake and fed each other. Ayesha, Farhan and Avanti painted my face with the frosting. Mr Arnav didn't fall too behind either. I put some frosting on Kaif's nose too. He looked at me shocked first but then he made sure to ruin my makeup completely as revenge. I never had soo much fun before. It was the first time in my life someone threw me a surprise birthday party. My heart was aching with joy. All these wonderful memories were being recorded in a camera.

Avanti fixed my makeup and made me sit on the couch set near the decorations inside and we all took a lot of pictures. Then we went out again for the delicious dinner.

"It feels like I'm in a 5star hotel."Farhan said stuffing his face.

"You're home is beautiful Naila, Jiju."

Kaif smiled. "Thanku." It was a surprise he didn't mind being called Jiju. Ofcourse we aren't at the office and Yeah, it really did feel like home today.

###

I came in to ask all the servants to join us too for dinner but they denied shyly so I provided them food in the kitchen.

"Didi, where's the washroom?" Ayesha came in searching for me. I took her to our room. After she was done, she came and sat beside me on the bed smiling.

"Didi, you know I was soo worried about you before because of what people said about Jiju, but seeing his today talking to him, he's nothing like that so all my worries have disappeared." She said holding my hands.

"How are Mumma and Daddy? I see daddy in the office everyday but I don't dare to go talk to him." I said looking down.

She laid her head on my lap laying on the bed to see my face.

"Didi don't be too upset. They don't show it but they worry about you too. Jiju called Daddy personally to invite us all here today. But you know those 2! Although, they both told me themselves to come here. Mumma said, 'All the young kids will be there in the party, so you should go too.' "

"Really, they really sent you here willingly?" I asked her surprised.

She nodded. It made me soo happy to hear that.

"Didi.."

"Hm." I played with her hair.

"Jiju is such a nice person. I really don't want to believe whatever people say. He is gentle and kind to u right?"

I nodded.

"And.... he's soo in love with you." She said in a teasing tone.

My hands froze. That's preposterous...how can he love me?!

"The whole time, he's eyes were just fixed on you, when you smiled, he smiled, when u cried, his face became sad too. It was like all he could see was you..." She giggled.

"You're soo lucky Masha Allah! He's rich, extremely handsome and he loves and cares for you soo much. I hope I can find a husband like him too."

"Um..."

"Oohooo Didi, look at your face going all red~" she teased me.

"Shut up now Ayesha.... don't talk nonsense." I hit her gently and touched my cheeks to find them getting hot. Oh no!

"Why......" She starting tickling me.

"Hey stop it...." I laughed tickling her back....

###

I met Kaif in the way as he came out of the other washroom after washing his hands. I smiled at him.

"Do you liked the surprise?" He asked.

I giggled.

"Is that even a question? I loved it. Thank you so much. Thanks for inviting everyone.... especially my sister."

"Don't mention it. I just wanted to do something for you to make up for the missed movie." He said.

I gave him a thumbs up.

"And you did." He chuckled. He glanced outside at everyone enjoying dinner, I followed his gaze. I was soo happy to see my Ayesha today and it's all because of him. With all my friends here and this surprise party, he really made this the best day of my life. I had to express my gratitude to him properly.

"Hey Kaif..." I turned to him.

"Hm." He looked at me.

I stretched my neck to give a friendly kiss on his cheek but out of the blue I guess someone pushed me making my lips land over his. We both froze in that state with wide eyes and my heart literally stopped. I kissed his lips instead. !

We turned away from each other soon dying of embarrassment. I wanted to dig myself in a hole and close that hole forever.

"Sorry ma'am, I didn't see anything." A maid said and ran away giggling to herself. She was the one who pushed me? Oh God! Did she see?!

"S...s... sorry I wasn't going to kiss you.... I.... I mean I was going to....b...but not like that.... I mean...." I hopelessly blabbed nonsense.

"Yeah...um...uh...i... it's yeah...ok." He stammered clearly, it wasn't ok.

He cleared his throat walking away.

Shit! What did I do?! Idiot! Stupid! Fool! Go die!

I was walking like a zombie poundering over my stupidity. What would he be thinking of me?! Why did I even had to try to kiss his cheek? He's not a little baby! He's a grown man.... he's even older to me.

"Yo Naila!"

"I DIDN'T DO IT ON PURPOSE!" I yelled.

"Ookaay?" Farhan said looking at me like I was an alien.

"Oh sorry.... it's you." I exhaled relieved.

"Yeah, it's me. A~nyways..... You're sister, Ayesha right? She's kinda cute. Do you mind if I...."

"I will end your life!" I warned him glaring before he could finish.

He gapped at me.

"Geez! You're soo scarily overprotective. I got chills yaar!"

Avanti joined us

"Hi babe. It's getting late so I should leave now. Once again happy birthday sweetie." She hugged me.

"Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow at college." I said hugging her tight.

"Btw, Jiju was totally smitten by u huh~ looks like you gonna score tonight. Don't worry, you can skip the first lecture tomorrow. Have fun!" She giggled turning me red like a tomato.

I walked her out and her husband was here to pick her. She ran to him and hugged him in front of everyone. He was quite embarrassed and blushing soo hard it made me giggle at their cuteness.

"I'll be leaving too now Didi. I love you." Ayesha hugged me. I hugged her back sadly.

"I love you too my baccha."

"I can drop her on the way." Farhan said pointing towards his bike.

I darted my eyes on him.

"The driver can drop her and don't worry, we have a female bodyguard to accompany her. She's quite strong and can easily throw a man off her shoulders with one arm." I snapped.

He took a step back scared.

"As you say Naila begam." He pouted.

I waved at Ayesha watching her leave, then Farhan left too.

"Bhabhi, where's boss? I need to talk to him about investment in a new promising project." Mr Arnav said.

I blushed slightly at the mention of his name remembering the kiss.

"Um....he must be in the bedroom."

"Ok, btw, how did your movie date go? Was the movie good? My girlfriend was asking me to take her to watch it too, so I wanted your opinion."

I frowned.

"What movie? Your meeting went on till soo late, we wouldn't even had gotten to see the climax by the time he came home." I pouted.

"Sorry? What meeting? Did he go to any other meeting without me after the 11 o'clock meeting?"

"What do you mean Mr Arnav? Didn't the meeting go on for 5 hours?" I asked confused.

"5 hours! U are joking right? What meeting goes on for soo long? It wasn't even an AGM, just a simple business meeting. We are humans Bhabhi not a machine." He chuckled.

Huh? But he told me the meeting went late. Why did he lie to me then?

"The movie was a 3 to 6 show right? I know because I booked the tickets for you. He got free around 12:30. You could've even gone to a lunch." He said leaving me dumbfounded.

If the meeting ended soo soon then where was he all that time? What so important came that he had to break our promise and even lie about it?

That Naila doesn't mean anything to me..... so keep her out of this Ridhima

RIDHIMA!

Does that mean....he went to meet her? But how.....why?

Maybe....no it cannot be. Maybe I'm overthinking this....but it can be a possibility.

Was the rape accusation a lie? Did she do that to hide the fact that....

They were in a ?