'That wasn't Miss. Hasan's cabin.' Maaz scolded the young man behind the reception counter. He frowned.

'Sir, there are few Hasans but who are you talking about?' The young man spoke politely. He paused for a moment and then added, - 'What is her first name?' He asked. Maaz was about to open his mouth but paused because he didn't know her first name. He leaned back and scratched his head as he racked his brain thinking of her name.

What was her name? Something with A? At least I know the starting letter of her name? Amaira? No, No, Anamika? No, No. How can she be Anamika Hasan? Anuskha? Ananya? Aisha? A....

After a moment, he felt his head hurt. He looked angrily at the young lad.

'Dude, I haven't got the whole day. I am the boss and I have so much work to do. And see my secretary is missing.' Maaz retorted.

Realization dawned on the reception guy and he smiled, - 'Sir, you mean Anaya Hussain.' He pointed out. Maaz felt the name sound familiar and so he nodded. He noticed the man smile slightly and he felt stupid. He cleared his throat and straightened buttoning his coat. Then, the man guided him to her cabin. Maaz mentally noted the way.

Around fifteen minutes later, Maaz was lost and he ended up in the basement. He was haphazard by the time he managed to come to the kitchen. He looked around and found a tall French man wearing a chef coat walking towards the kitchen.

'Hey, you!' He called. The man paused with his hand on the door. He turned around. Maaz placed his palms into his trouser pocket and walked towards the man.

'You?'

'Gabin.' He replied and ran his finger through his hair. Maaz eyed his hair for a moment and then looked into his eyes.

He cleared his throat, - 'You—you know—where my sectary's cabin is?' He asked. Gabin nodded.

'Come, sir, I will show you.' He said. Maaz was mentally relieved Gabin himself suggested it. Now, he won't be lost.

Maaz stood outside the cabin, he read the name-plate and confirmed it was indeed her cabin. Then, he cleared his throat and knocked at the door. There was no response. Maaz wasn't patient to knock again and so he entered. He frowned looking around. The tiny cabin was empty.

'Miss Hasan?' He called but no response. He walked towards the table and tapped on the wooden surface with his index finger. Looking around he found something lying on the table, an envelope. He got curious.

Is she resigning? Shit man, I don't want another secretary. I don't start everything with scratch – He thought, making a face. Without thinking he tore the top of the envelope and took out a maroon card.

Ever since the invite to her engagement has come, Anaya was very disturbed. Her parents went so far and got the invite also ready. Can't they see she was miserable? She didn't even open the envelope and spent her time in one cubicle of the ladies washroom. She didn't even go to receive Maaz. She knew he must be angry, but she was too depressed to think about it.

After she had calmed down, she washed her face and walked out of the washroom. Mindlessly, she entered her cabin and was startled upon seeing Maaz in her cabin. He was reading something. Her eyes widened when she noticed the torn envelope on the table and the invite in his hand. She pressed her lips tightly and placed her palm on her hips.

'Sir?' She called sternly. Maaz looked up.

'Congrats Miss. Hasan.' He said with a wide smile. Anaya marched towards him and snatched the card from his hand.

He was startled, - 'Hey!'

'First of all, sir. It's Hussain not Hasan and second, why are you touching my personal things.'

Maaz felt infuriated with her tone but doesn't say anything instead, demands for a chilled beer. Anaya was surprised as well as irritated by the fact that he was looking all over the place for her, just to get a beer.

She turned and began stuffing the invite into the envelope, - 'I will bring the beer to your cabin, sir.' She replied dryly.

Maaz placed one hand into the pocket and took a step closer, - 'Excuse me,' – Anaya looked at him, - 'I am your boss. Don't ever talk to me in that tone.' He warned her by raising his index finger at her. Anaya wasn't intimidated. She just stared into his eyes.

He looked at her and haughtily walked out of the cabin. Anaya shook her head and got back to stuffing the invite. She doesn't even bother seeing the invite.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Friday,

Anaya had been part of many business parties held in the hotel. But she had never been so excited for any other party. Also, she had never bothered to look good for any of the many business parties. She took an early leave from work and spent much of her time and money in the beauty parlor. She wanted to look very beautiful for Gabin so that when she confesses her feelings for him, he will be sure about her and not reject her.

She got dressed in a white short-sleeved wrap shirt and cream white side slit long pencil skirt. The slit wasn't long, just up to the knees. She combed her hair and tied it in a neat French twist. She applied lipstick, kohl and wore white closed pencil heels. She was tying the ankle strap of her heels when her phone rang. Quickly, she tied the strap and got up. She wiped her palms on her skirt and walked towards the dressing table. She smiled seeing Pooja's name flash on the screen.

'Hello.'

Her smile widened when Pooja informed her that Gabin has come and was working in the kitchen. Anaya cut the call and smiled looking at her reflection.

Oh, God! Please let tonight be a life-changing night – She mentally prayed and then walked out of the room.

While making the prayer, Anaya didn't even realize her prayers will be answered but not in the way she thought. Tonight indeed will be a life-changing night. Not only for Anaya but for someone else too.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Maaz was confused as to why he was here when Rashid had come as well. Rashid and Zainab had taken Sam with them while Maaz drove his car. He sighed and turned his head.

'I am glad you are with me. Now, the boring party will be bearable.' He commented and smiled.

Rukhsar smiled, - 'Arey, my Maaz. I am your bff how can I let you suffer alone.' She replied and looked away.

He smiled clenching the steering wheel tightly, - 'I wish you could be with me at work as well.' He said while taking a turn. Rukhsar smiled adjusting her pearl bracelet.

Maaz drove them to the venue and handed his key to the valet. He looked with pride at Rukhsar and even she was impressed by the fact that they reached before Rashid's car.

'Should we wait for them?' She asked. Maaz clicked his tongue, shaking his head. She doesn't protest. They turned and Maaz moved his arm around her shoulder and together they walked inside the hotel.

Anaya wanted to talk to Gabin, but she got busy with the arrangement and couldn't find time to even see him. She planned to go to the kitchen once Maaz checked on everything. She was relieved when she saw him enter the venue. Already a few people were present in the venue. Even though she didn't like it, she greeted Maaz with a smile. He simply waved his hand. Then, she smiled and greeted the woman beside him.

'Rukhsar.'

'Anaya.'

They shook hands. And, before the ladies could talk, Maaz led Rukhsar away. Anaya bit her lip angrily and glared at his back. Also, she wondered what a decent girl like Rukhsar was doing with the self-obsessed Manic. Then, she thought of meeting Gabin and a smile appeared on her face.

Anaya was about to exit the venue when she met Rashid and Zainab. She was surprised to see him but soon the happiness of seeing him after so long overtook her initial feeling. They greeted each other, and she asked about his health. She was happy to know his health was good now. Zainab didn't bother greeting or even smiling at her. Instead, she kept a straight face. Her arms looped with her husband's arm. Anaya now realized from where Maaz got his obnoxious attitude from. Rashid wanted to ask more about Maaz and how working under him was, but Zainab began tugging on his arm. He had to excuse and left. After he had walked away with his wife, Anaya turned around. She took a step to walk but retracted her feet.

No, Rashid sir has come after so long. I should be around him until he is settled – She decided. Mission propose Gabin can wait.

The party was in full swing. Anaya constantly felt anxious as she wanted to talk to Gabin, but she kept getting caught in something or the other; it was mostly Maaz calling her. Many times, in anger Anaya wanted to point out that she was his sectary and not his personal butler.

After some time, Pooja called Anaya and informed her that Gabin left. Anaya groaned stamping her feet angrily, she turned her head and found Maaz at the food counter, inspecting the food. Seems like nothing was to his liking. Clearly, he was bored. Anaya sighed.

Everything ruined because of this monkey – She thought while glaring at him.

She waited for some time before walking up to Rashid and Zainab. He was occupied by some delegates. They were very pleased to see him. Anaya stood beside Rashid and waited for him to be free. Zainab looked at her and made a face. Much to Anaya's annoyance Maaz also appeared out of no-where.

'Dad.' He called. Anaya felt he should have waited till his father was free but then, he is Maaz, Maaz Nawab Ali, who can stop him. Rashid looked at his son.

'I am leaving.' He said bluntly. Rashid frowned but before he could answer him, Anaya spoke as well.

'Sir, me too.'

Rashid's eyes darted from Maaz to Anaya, even Maaz looked at her. She doesn't look back.

Rashid pushed up the sleeve of his coat and shirt and checked his wristwatch, then looked at Anaya.

'How will you be leaving?' He asked.

'I will take a metro or a cab.' She replied. Rashid frowned.

'But it is raining heavily, you will have trouble with the cab. Also, the metro is far from here.' He said. Anaya simply nodded.

'I will manage, sir.' She said politely. Rashid wanted to counter that but Maaz interrupted.

'Dad,' – He whined, - 'I am leaving.' He said. Rashid glared at him and then looked at Anaya.

'Anaya, dear. Maaz will drop you home.' He suggested. Anaya and Maaz's eyes widened. They looked at each other and shook their heads.

'No way.'

'What about Rukhsar?'

They spoke in unison. Rashid breathed deeply and placed his palms into his pockets and said, - 'No, excuses. Anaya I can't let you go alone in the rain.' He sounded determined. Zainab protested but one glare from him and she quietened. Then, Rashid held Maaz's shoulder and looked straight into his eyes.

'And don't worry about Rukhsar, she will come with us.' He said seriously. Maaz sighed and nodded his head. Maaz and Anaya looked at each other. Hesitantly, they agreed. But, neither of them knew a lot of things will be changing after tonight. Their lives will be taking a sharp turn.