Maaz looked around, the presidential suite, it was no else than a posh apartment. It was duplex with small spiral stairs taking upstairs. The décor was blue and white. Anaya watched his expressions keenly.

He walked up to the L-shaped white Leather sofa and ran his fingers along the back of the sofa, then he walked towards a wooden dining table and stopped. He tapped his finger over the glass table and then held the back of the wooden chair. The entire set, chocolate brown. Anaya walked towards him and spoke excitedly.

'Sir, I will show you the view.' She walked towards the large window. Maaz watched her pull apart the white and blue curtains. She looked back happily at him. He walked towards the window and glanced out. The view was enthralling indeed, and he liked it but doesn't say it as he doesn't want to look over-excited. Anaya's smile dropped. Maaz looked around and walked towards the bar counter. He admired the collection for a while before turning around. He ignored Anaya and walked towards the stairs. She huffed, but it went unnoticed by him.

Maaz placed his palm on the shining railing and climbed upstairs. Anaya pressed her lips tightly and inhaled deeply. Then, she followed him. He reached the top floor and looked around. There was a queen-sized bed facing the large French window. He walked till the window and looked down. The whole of Paris could be seen, people and cars appeared tiny while the tall skyscrapers and monuments appeared slightly larger. He looked up at the clear blue sky and watched the clouds pass by. Anaya watched him for some time before clearing her throat. Maaz doesn't turn around. That moment, Anaya clenched her fist tightly to avoid punching the back of his head and screaming at him.

Come, sir. Let us go. We, I, don't have a whole day

'Sir? Sir?' She called softly. Maaz turned around. Finally! She forced a sweet smile, Maaz maintained a straight face.

'Come, sir, I will show you around.' She gestured towards the room. Maaz nodded and walked past her. She turned around and looked at him. Maaz looked at the bed closely and walked towards the white side-table. He touched the beautiful white and blue designed night lamp. As he leisurely roamed the place, Anaya began losing her temper.

She felt the most annoyed when Maaz stopped by the mirror and began admiring himself. With great strength, she managed to keep her hands to herself and not hit him.

After some time, Maaz turned around and frowned upon seeing Anaya sitting at the edge of the bed and working on her mobile.

Isn't she supposed to be guiding me around? – Maaz thought. Then, he straightened and cleared his throat. Anaya looked up from her mobile.

'Oh, sir you are done.' She said standing up. Maaz doesn't miss her tone. She was taunting him. But he ignored her; she had no meaning to him. She adjusted her dress and looked at him and faked a smile.

'Let us go, sir?' She gestured with her hand. Maaz nodded and walked ahead. She sighed.

Maaz liked the Presidential suite more than the usual suites and room. Though they were posh, they weren't as appealing nor as elegant and luxurious as the Presidential Suite.

After they had toured the rooms, Anaya took Maaz to the main kitchen. She described the place where the main action takes place. For some reason, Maaz found the lines creepy AF. Anaya seemed to not notice his scrunched nose.

She pushed the door and entered first, she kept holding the door for him. Coolly, Maaz entered the kitchen. He felt slightly hot and so he loosened his tie. He fanned his face as he felt the humidity and heat of the high blazing stoves. Anaya took him from counter to counter and showed him around. As she passed Pooja, her friend eyed Maaz and looked at Anaya and raised her eyebrow. Anaya stuck out her palm and blinked slowly at her. Pooja looked back at Maaz. He cringed feeling sweat trickle down his temple and disappear inside his collar.

At one point, Anaya dashed into a tall figure, Gabin. She looked up at him and instantly smiled nervously. She took a step back and

'Ouch!'

Shit

Anaya turned around and began apologizing to Maaz. He clenched his jaw tightening and eyed her angrily. Without saying anything, he turned around and stormed out of the kitchen. She smacked her forehead as she watched him angrily leave.

'All okay?' Gabin asked her. She shook her head while not looking at him and quickly walked towards the exit. Once again, Gabin was left to scratch his head.

Maaz walked few distances and looked down. She stamped, no stabbed his shoe with her pointy heels and now his mood was completely spoiled. He noticed a white spot over his shoe, and he frowned. He bent down.

'Sir.' He stopped mid-way when he heard Anaya's voice. He turned around and watched Anaya practically running towards him. She stopped a few distances away from him and huffed. Panting hard, she placed her palm over her heaving chest.

'I-am-so-sorry, that was an accident.' She apologized once again. Maaz looked at her for a while before looking away and adjusting his coat.

'It is Okay.' He replied dryly. Then, he looked at her and asked her to accompany him back to his father's cabin. Anaya nodded, she walked and stopped beside him.

'Please, don't tell this to Rashid Sir.' She requested. Maaz nodded. She felt relieved. Even though, it wasn't a big deal but judging by his reaction she had thought he might make it a big issue. Maaz walked ahead of her and she followed him towards the elevator.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

'Who was the handsome hunk with you?' Pooja asked. Anaya spits the coffee and blinked at her. Pooja blinked back.

'What the hell?' – Anaya wiped the corner of her mouth, - 'Handsome hunk.' She made a face. Pooja shrugged and nodded. Anaya looked away, she rested her hands on the armrest and shook her head.

The two best friends were seated at a small coffee shop inside the hotel. It was afternoon and not many customers were present in and around the shop. The two girls sat at a small wooden table outside the shop.

'He was Maaz Nawab Ali, our boss's son.' Anaya informed. Pooja blinked a couple of times and straightened in her seat. Her face lit up, but she doesn't notice it and took a sip of the coffee.

'Why was he here? Will he be coming again? Is Rashid Sir retiring?' Pooja bombarded her with all the questions, and this startled Anaya. She raised her palms and asked her to calm down. Pooja pouted and leaned in her chair. Anaya placed the coffee mug on the table and picked up some tissues. Pooja tapped her fingers on the chair's armrest as she watched Anaya wipe her mouth.

'Look I have no idea about all that.' She replied, and Pooja made a face. Anaya picked up the coffee mug again. Pooja sighed clenching the mug with both her hands.

'I wish,' – She looked up, a dreamy look in her eyes, - 'He comes here permanently.' She sighed again. Anaya eyed her while sipping from the mug. She moved the mug from her lips and thought for a moment.

'I think,' – Pooja looked at her, - 'Rashid Sir is more handsome than him.' Anaya commented. Pooja nodded.

'Both Father and Son are just...Damn awesome genes.' Pooja said. Anaya simply smiled and relaxed back in the chair.

The two women continued to drink, with Pooja occasionally annoying Anaya. Anaya had just finished with her coffee and her phone beeped. She leaned placing the cup on the table and picked up her phone from the table beside the empty mug. She unlocked her phone and clicked her tongue checking the message from her mother.

Come to our place in twenty minutes and dress in the red suit I had bought for you.

Her mother's message confused her. Even though she and her parents live in the same city Anaya barely goes to her home or they come to her apartment; unless there was something very important. Pooja eyed her friend.

She placed her mug down, - 'What happened?' She asked looking at her. Anaya looked away from her phone and shook her head.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Anaya took early leave, wore her sneakers and hurried home. She came home and quickly dashed into her room. She opened the slim, cupboard to the right of the main cupboard. This was the cupboard where she kept traditional, ethnic wears that her mother gets for her. She searched for the red suit her mother had recently given her. She hasn't worn this dress before. She picked out the dress and a towel. Then, she hurried to the bathroom.

After taking a quick shower she picked up the dress from the edge of the bed. She never liked these block printed Gharara pants, but thankfully the Short Kurthi was only red, the dupatta was also red with white delicate border. She removed the towel from around her naked frame and dropped it on the floor. Then, quickly she began wearing her dress but the Kurthi was slightly tight around her waist area and she had little difficulty in pulling it down. She huffed after she managed to pull it down. She wore the Gharara pants and placed the dupatta on her shoulders.

After she left the apartment, she hurried down the stairs. Outside her building, people were slightly startled seeing a woman dressed in long flowing bell-bottom type looking pants and running around while struggling with her dupatta. Anaya ignored the on-lookers and called for a taxi. After getting into the taxi, she quickly combed her hair with her fingers whilst looking at her reflection in the rear-view mirror. Once, she caught the cab driver looking at her. She glared at him and he looked away. Anaya placed one leg over the other and rested her elbow on the windowpane and looked out.

She climbed down the cab and paid the driver. Then, she turned around and looked up at the building. She lifted her flowing gharara little and hurried towards the building. Her Dupatta pressed against her throat and rest wrapped around her forearms.

She climbed the first floor and walked along with the narrow lobby.

TING TONG...

Soon the door opened and a woman wearing a simple salwar suit opened the door. Anaya smiled at her mother. She smiled little and stepped aside. Anaya noticed she was wearing lipstick and her waist-length hair was open and resting on her shoulder. She frowned but before she could point it out, someone called her name. Hearing the happy hyper-excited voice, a wide smile appeared on her face. She looked up and saw the young boy standing at the door to his room. He had a spiky haircut and was dressed in black Tee and red baggy pants. Anaya folded her arms and quickly, he removed the big headphones placed around his neck. He flashed a mischievous smile.

Anaya pressed her lips and faked a glare at him, - 'What is this, Azlaan? How many times I have told you to focus on your studies.' She said seriously. Azlaan held his right ear and smiled.

'Sorry, Appi.' He said cutely. Anaya melted and opened her arms, she gestured him to come to her, but he shook his head.

'I am fifteen and not five.' He said simply. Anaya frowned and placed her hands on her hips.

'So? What is wrong in hugging your elder sister?' She pointed out. Azlaan shrugged placing his palms into his pocket. Many times, Anaya doesn't understand him. Just now, he was over-excited to see her and now he was acting very cool.

'Stop.' She raised her palm and her brother stopped in his tracks, just a few distance from her. He frowned.

'I don't want to hug you just for sake of it.' She said dryly. After that, Azlaan smiled widely.

'But I want to.' He said and before she could respond he hugged her. The tight embrace almost choked her, but his words made her feel much better.

'I missed you so much, sis. Good to see you here.' He confessed. Anaya smiled and hugged her brother. Even though he was her younger brother now he has managed to reach almost her height. It felt like it was just yesterday when he was a baby and Anaya used to play with him. She remembered how protective she used to be about him. And now, it has reversed. The brother-sister kept hugging each other until their mother separated them.

'Enough!'- She held Anaya's arm and made her look at her, - 'Go, get ready. I have put make-up and jewelry on the table.' She said with a scowl on her face. Anaya frowned.

'Why? Is someone coming?' She asked cluelessly. Azlaan made an angry face and folded his arms. Anaya looked from her brother to her mother.

'Yes. Sheeraz is coming from India.' Mrs. Hussain replied. Anaya's mouth dropped, and her eyes widened. Azlaan muttered something under his breath.

'What?' She asked shocked. Mrs. Hussain nodded and held her forearm. She turned her around.

'We have very less time, your dad has gone to the airport to pick him.' She kept talking as she took Anaya with her to the room.

'Why is he coming?' Anaya protested while being dragged towards the master bedroom.

'You will see.' Her mother kept the suspense.