One week passed, Anaya was surprised she had her sanity intact, even after Sheeraz and especially, Maaz testing her patience. She can still avoid Sheeraz but Maaz, she must spend half her day with him.

The only good thing that happened in this one week was Gabin. She would smile recollecting their one and only proper meeting. It was the time she had gone to lunch at her favorite joint. He was there too, and they had shared a meal together. Not talking much and Anaya made a fool of herself by accidentally dropping a cup. After that, he kept popping up in most places where she went.

At first, Anaya was surprised. It was always she who would secretly be crushing over him. Now, he was taking so much interest in her. It was nothing, but a dream come true. Compare to her, Pooja had very less interaction with him. Every time, she would want to talk to him. He would answer her while not looking at her or would hastily talk to her or if they cross their paths in the kitchen, he would avoid her. All this discouraged Pooja a lot.

'You are a lucky bitch, Anaya.' Pooja commented as she took her seat on the sofa. Anaya beamed at her and slumped beside her. Tonight, was one of the nights when Pooja had off and she decided to be with Anaya that night. Pooja sighed and leaned forward. She uncapped a bottle of coke and poured some coke into one glass and then the other.

'But what about Sheeraz?' She asked as she passed a glass to Anaya. She frowned. Anaya knew Pooja purposefully asked this question. But she doesn't point it out, instead, she hummed and nodded.

'What have you thought of him?' Pooja inquired further.

'I dunno,' – Anaya shrugged, - 'But I know one thing, Gabin too likes me perhaps not more than I do, but still. So, I am thinking to confront him. Once he tells me that he loves me then-'

'Then?' Pooja interrupted taking a sip. Anaya frowned for a moment and then smirked.

'Then I will elope with him and get married.' She said. Pooja's mouth opened but before the drink spilled from her mouth, she quickly closed it. Anaya cringed as she wiped the corner of her mouth. She gulped the drink and blinked at her

'Babes, you are set and me,' – She sighed, - 'I guess I should start hitting on the new boss.' Her face lit up and Anaya rolled her eyes. She leaned on the sofa and brought the rim of the glass to her mouth.

'No use.' She informed taking a sip. Pooja frowned and looked at her.

'Why?'- She gasped, - 'Abey, yaar. Don't tell me he has a girlfriend.' She whined looking away.

Anaya smiled to herself and very calmly replied, - 'He has a boyfriend.' She twirled her feet. Pooja looked as though she will faint at any moment.

'He is gay?' -She exclaimed and took a moment to add further, - 'Shit yaar, why are all handsome men turning gay, nowadays.' She punched the air in anger. Anaya suppressed her giggle.

'No, babes.' – She leaned forward and placed her glass on the table, - 'He is not gay, but he is in love,' – She paused for dramatic effort, Pooja blinked at her, - 'He is in love with himself.' She said. The two women blinked at each other and began laughing. Anaya fell back on the sofa as Pooja narrated incidents of spotting him admiring himself, or setting his hair or simply passing haughtily and not giving anyone a second glance.

'He is arrogant, self-obsessed, self-centered—snob.' Anaya commented taking the last sip of the coke. Pooja agreed re-filling her glass, Anaya also extended her glass.

'But he is hot.' She commented staring dreamily at the wall in front. Anaya sighed, shaking her head.

After the girl bonding time, Pooja and Anaya cooked together. Instead of cooking, Pooja only guided Anaya. Her reason was simple – I already cook at work and my rule is no cooking at home. And she added that she was very strict with this rule. Anaya could only smile.

After dinner, they retired to Anaya's room where they planned to watch a movie.

Much to Anaya's displeasure, it was decided they will watch a horror movie. After realizing about Gabin, Pooja was in no mood to watch romantic movies. Anaya had to agree.

She got a laptop and had just settled with Pooja on the bed when her phone rang. She hoped it wasn't Sheeraz calling. Usually, he calls after dinner. Much to her relief, it was her brother, Azlaan calling. She excused and got up from the bed.

'But the movie, ya?' Pooja whined.

'You start, I will come in a minute.' Anaya replied as she walked out of the room. She picked up the call and happily greeted her brother. She frowned when she heard her brother's voice sounding serious.

'What happened, bro?' Anaya asked, concerned.

Azlaan exhaled loudly, - 'Appi, Mom and Dad have fixed your engagement.' He informed. Anaya froze, her smile faded and her heart dropped into the bottom of her stomach. Azlaan gave his sister a moment to sink the information before he dropped another bomb.

'Next week.'

Anaya was shocked, but she managed to stop her brother when he said he will think of something and kick Sheeraz out. He will beat him so much that he will forget about marriage.

After cutting the call. Anaya covered her mouth with her palm and fell on the sofa. Engagement, next week. She felt numb. In front of her eyes, she could see her future dark. She knew the day was inevitable, but she didn't know it will come so soon. She was planning to somehow change her parent's thought about the marriage but here they have decided the date of the engagement. Frustrated, Anaya ran her fingers through her hair and looked up at the ceiling.

'God, I have all hopes on you, now. Please,' – She clasped her palms tightly and closed her eyes, - 'Please, do something, anything—a miracle, but cancel this engagement. I don't want to marry that idiot, Sheeraz. Please.' She made urgent prayers.

Pooja was busy watching the movie. One scene popped up and she shrieked jumping on the spot. Quickly, she paused the movie and breathed out placing her palm on her chest. She closed her eyes, shook her head and moved her arm.

'Anaya, Anaya?' She called moving her hand. She gulped hard feeling no one beside her. Her eyes spun open and quickly, she leaped from the bed. In fear, she hurried from the room. She toppled out of the room and paused when she saw Anaya sitting on the couch and holding her head. She frowned and took baby steps towards her. She extended her hand and noticed it was quivering.

Bhagwanji, please let her be Anaya and not a ghost – Pooja thought in her hand and she placed her palm on her shoulder. Her heart pounded hard out of fear and sweat beads formed on her face. She gulped the tight lump in her throat and held the shoulder firmly.

'Anaya.' She called meekly. She retracted her hand when the figure shifted. Pooja opened her mouth, her lips trembling hard. 'Anaya.' She called again.

Why is she sitting in the dark? She is pakka a ghost – Pooja clasped her sweaty palms tightly. She gulped again; her throat felt parched.

'My life is over, Pooja.' The figure in the dark spoke. Pooja let out the breath she had been holding and closed her eyes. She looked up and mentally thanked God. Also, she promised to never watch a horror movie in the dark. After confirming, the figure was Anaya, Pooja switched on the light. Both the girls winced. After Pooja's eyes had gotten adjusted to the light, she noticed Anaya had tears rolling down her cheek. She got concerned and sat beside her.

'Hey?' She asked placing her palm on her shoulder again. Anaya breathed out and leaned resting her head on her friend's shoulder. Pooja moved her arm and wrapped it around her shoulder.

After she finished narrating everything, Pooja consoled her and kept caressing her arm. After some time, she got water for her and sat beside her.

'What if destiny has chosen Sheeraz for you? You will realize after marriage.' Pooja said and Anaya glared at her.

'I don't love him. I hate him. You know about my feelings for Gabin still, you are saying rubbish like this.' She scolded her. Pooja rolled her eyes.

'Then confess to him and elope.' Pooja said dryly. Anaya bit her lip and thought for a while.

Then, she said as she stared at the floor, - 'This Friday we have a business party at our hotel. I will find him then and confess to him.' She sounded determined. Pooja half-heartedly patted her shoulder.