After Anaya had silently eaten her dinner, she walked into the kitchen carrying her used plate. The kitchen was an open kitchen, she liked this as she could move freely. She opened the tap and placed her plate under it. After washing, drying and placing the plate on the utensil rack, she wiped her forehead with the back of her palm and began washing the rest of the empty used utensils. Anaya wasn't a brilliant cook, but she can cook something to survive. By now, she was used to eating food made by her hands. Even after her mother's countless taunts she still didn't get interested in cooking.

After she was done in the kitchen, she poured water from a tap into a glass. Then, she gulped it down in one go. As she walked out of the kitchen, she heard her phone ringing. She picked up her phone from the dining table and inhaled deeply seeing her mother's name.

She sat cross-legged on the sofa,- 'Hello, Ma!' She answered the call with a bright smile.

'What hello, Ma?' – Her mother's angry tone made her smile drop, - 'Why aren't you picking up Sheeraz's call?' She asked sternly.

Anaya exhaled deeply. Her mother waited for a moment before she said, - 'Don't forget he is your fiancé.'

Anaya rolled her eyes, - 'Ma,' – She spoke with her teeth clenched, - 'he is not my fiancé.'

'Shut up. He is. Don't forget, we got you engaged with all the rituals.'

Anaya sighed placing her palm on her forehead, - 'Ma,' – She moved her hand away, - 'How will I forget when I don't even remember,' – She pointed an index finger in the air, - 'You are forgetting, I was just four- and he was what- ten, and you guys were like,' – She shifted and held her leg with her free hand, - 'we are playing house-house you two.' She exhaled loudly and fell back against the sofa.

'If you remember all that then how you forgot-'

'All this Dadi told me, Ma.' Anaya interrupted agitatedly. Her mother groaned from the other side and spoke sternly.

'Listen, I don't know all this. Your father is very keen on getting you married to Sheeraz. Even Sheeraz takes you as his fiancé and you should too. That's it and I don't want to hear anything else.'

Anaya exhaled deeply after the call got cut. She moved the phone from her ear and stared at the wallpaper. It was a photo of her clinging on to her mother. Her arms wrapped around her and had her chin resting on her shoulder. Her mother held her hands and the two were smiling brightly at the camera. She smiled sadly caressing the photo lovingly. After a moment of admiring the photo, Anaya dropped her phone on the sofa and got down. She wore her flip-flop and walked towards the French window next to the dining table. She opened the blind-fold curtains and stared into the starry night. She unlocked the window and pulled it up. Then, she leaned placing her forearms on the window still and sighed.

She was very close to her mother, and she was forcing her to marry, which made things complicated for Anaya. She wanted to oblige to her wishes only for the sake of it but in reality, she doesn't like Sheeraz. She doesn't hate him either, in fact she doesn't feel anything for him.

She agrees her parents have given birth to her, and they love her. Whatever they will decide will be in her favor but, but what about her feelings, her wishes, dreams? Don't they mean anything? Shouldn't they, her parents, let her make her own decisions. Sure, they will be protective, but shouldn't they let her explore if she gets hurt they will be there with her, right?

A lot of things crossed her mind. She wrapped her arms around herself. She can reason with her mother but her father? She shivered little thinking about him. Bad memories flooded her mind, making her feel very uneasy. She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly before closing the window.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Anaya got down the metro and adjusted the sling of her leather bag as she quickly walked out of the subway. She had worn sneakers and so it was easy for her. She clenched a bag tightly in her hand. She wouldn't have worn sneakers but today Rashid had called and asked her to come early. Hurriedly, she climbed up and walked into the hotel. The doorman smiled as he opened the door for her. She smiled back. His smile turned into a frown he noticed her mismatched attire.

Anaya hurried through the lobby, avoiding the gaze of people and got into the elevator. Inside, she wasn't alone. There was a man, a butler. She felt conscious and pulled up the shoulder of her beige pencil dress. She looked down.

Thank God, no cleavage – She thought and breath sigh of relief with her hand over her chest. She eyed the two men from the corner of her eyes and took a step forward. Cleverly, she placed her finger over the V-neck of her dress and pulled it up slightly. She ironed her dress and adjusted the loose flute sleeves.

TING... The elevator opened, and she stepped out. She doesn't look back and began walking towards her cabin. She entered her cabin and quickly turned the bag upside down; her beige heels fell from inside. She sat on the chair and quickly removed her sneakers and wore the heels. Speedily, she wore them and tied the ankle strap and got down.

Sam drove the car through the driveway of the hotel. Maaz adjusted his blue, white tiny dotted tie and gulped. He felt silly for this was the first time he would be seeing his own father's business empire. He was all cool last night but now he was slightly nervous. He took out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. There wasn't much sweat, but just in case. Rashid looked at him but doesn't interrupt him lest he makes him awkward. Rashid never felt so proud of his achievement than he was feeling now. The look of admiration on Maaz's face made him feel hopeful. Maybe coming to work will bring the needed change and motivation in his son's life.

Anaya checked her hair clip and adjusted her hair on either side of her shoulder, she left some on her back. She clenched the notepad tightly against her chest and waited patiently for her boss to come. Sometime later, she straightened upon seeing the black Mercedes.

The car stopped, Maaz shifted in his seat and looked at his father when he felt his palm on his shoulder. Rashid smiled little and patted his shoulder. Maaz smiled back. Sam got down and opened the door for Rashid. First Rashid climbed down and then Maaz.

Anaya looked at the man beside Rashid and wondered who he could be? She had never seen him before. The two men were walking side by side. The man was dressed in a navy blue slim fit suit. She looked at him, he looked lost and slightly disinterested. He was taking slow steps and his body posture slightly droopy. He adjusted his coat button and kept walking. Anaya looked up, his jet-black hair was neatly combed and side-parted. She looked down at his toned long legs for a moment before forcing herself to look up at Rashid. She pressed her lips tightly and hurried to them.

Maaz looked around the posh hotel and his mouth slightly parted in awe. He had heard a lot about his father's business but was actually seeing everything for the first time. So, strange. Maaz placed his palms into his pockets and looked at his father. Rashid smiled at him and he smiled back.

'Good morning, sir.' – Anaya greeted Rashid and then looked at Maaz. He doesn't look back and instead tried to look inside. Rashid looked from Anaya to Maaz and then placed his palm on his shoulder. Maaz looked at him.

'Beta, she is Anaya Hussain.' Rashid gestured towards Anaya. Maaz looked at her and nodded, then he looked away. Anaya bit her lip.

'And Anaya, he is Maaz, my son.' He informed her. Anaya looked from Rashid and looked at Maaz. She eyed him for a moment before smiling at him.

'Hello, sir.' She extended her hand to him. Maaz looked at her, his gaze lingered on her glistening tiny nose stud for a moment.

'Hmm.' He nodded. Anaya's smile faded and slowly, she retracted her hand. She looked at Rashid who had a disappointed look. To not make things awkward, he held Maaz's shoulder and asked him to walk with him to the cabin. As the men walked ahead, Anaya took a moment to follow them. She eyed Maaz's back and mutter grumpily- 'He is so rude.'

As three walked towards the cabin through the corridor, Anaya kept briefing Rashid about today's schedule. Maaz was looking around the place. On the way, he caught curious glances of the employees, especially the female staff. He smiled his dimpled smile and watched them smile back. He was loving the attention. Anaya and Rashid were busy with their work.

Soon, they reached the cabin and politely Anaya opened the door for them. Maaz smiled to himself.

Girls getting the door for the men, interesting – He thought as he entered the door. Out of formality, Anaya smiled at him but he doesn't spare a glance at her. Her smile got replaced with a scowl.