Maaz was in deep slumber. As he snored happily, he felt a tight slap by something hard and crisp. It smelled of ink and felt like paper.

'What the hell?' He sat up straight on the bed and looked alarmed. In front of him stood a fuming Rashid with his hands on his hips, his eyes slightly bulging and nostrils flaring. Beside him stood a worried-looking Zainab. Maaz gulped.

Now, happened? – He wondered.

'What is this, Maaz?' Rashid pointed at the newspaper. Baffled, Maaz picked up the paper. He frowned looking at his picture with his secretary- Ms. Hassan. Then, his gaze fell on the title of the paper and he frowned harder.

'You and Anaya are having an affair?' Rashid asked in anger.

'No!' Maaz muttered while staring at the paper. Rashid grabbed the paper from his hand. Startled Maaz looked up at his father. Why was he so mad at a gossip?

'If you two love each other than you could have told me or--Zainab,' – she made a face, - 'I would have done something, but everything coming out like this-- like this. It's too much. You have ruined my reputation by this careless PDA.' Rashid expressed his disappointment.

Maaz shook his head as he slid down the bed, - 'it's nothing like that, Dad. I and Ananya don't love each other.'

Rashid frowned. His son can't even remember Anaya's name then what is all this?

'Besides you had sent her with me.' Maaz reasoned.

Rashid scowled at him, - 'I asked you to drop her home, not—will you care to explain? Son.'

Maaz explained the nights event. Zainab agreed to everything her son said but Rashid was skeptical. Maazsighed and walked away while muttering, - 'There is no use talking to you guys.'

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

As always, Anaya came to work on time. Everything seemed normal until she entered the building. From the receptionist to the staff members everyone eyed her in a strange way. Suddenly, she felt conscious and began adjusting her hair, collar of her olive shirt, pleats of her white pencil skirt. In a hurry to escape the prying eyes, she dashed into someone.

'So, sorry.' She apologized. The person was Trevor, one of the staff members. He looked at her and raised his eyebrow. Anaya flashed him a nervous smile, but his gaze felt uncomfortable. Quickly, she hurried from there.

Anaya was glad that the washroom was empty. She checked her reflection in the mirror, but she couldn't find anything funny or strange. Confused, she leaned closer.

'Anaya!' A loud shrill voice made her flinch. She found an all smiling Pooja. She hurried to her and hugged her tight. Anaya's eyes widened and arms suspended in the air.

Pooja moved back, still holding her, - 'I didn't know you had it in you. But you—I can't believe it.' She huffed and sighed, - 'Anaya,' – she adjusted the collar of her friend's shirt.

Anaya frowned, - 'What is wrong with her? - She wondered. Annoyed, she pulled the shirt from her grip. Before Pooja could reveal their colleague, Mridula, entered the washroom. She looked at Anaya and her expressions changed. Pooja looked at her and the girls passed a naughty smile. Anaya frowned watching the two girls. Mridula informed Pooja that the head-chef was calling her. Pooja bid Anaya a hurried good-bye and rushed to her co-worker. Anaya watched them giggle and whisper as they left the washroom. She frowned at their weird behavior.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Maaz stepped down the car and out of nowhere few media personal cornered him.

'Woah!' He let out his palms. The reporters introduced themselves to be from entertainment channels and gossip magazines. Before Maaz could respond they began bombarding him about his alleged affair.

'Tell us more about this woman in your life, sir?'

'You have just taken over the business and already have an affair, that too with your employee?'

........

........

.......

'Hold on, hold on,' – Maaz waved his hands, - 'There is nothing between me and my employee.' He explained.

'So, sir?' – one brunette reporter interrupted, - 'was it a one-night affair?'

Maaz was taken aback, - 'Well, you can call it that—it was, just that I took shelter at Ms. Hassan's home. That's all.' He explained. He noticed the reporter's eyes twinkle while the others began murmuring amongst each other. And before they could ask anything further, Maaz excused himself. He ignored the rest of the questions and walked away. On the way to the hotel, he wondered if he had said something wrong.

Maaz stepped into the lobby and was welcomed by Anaya. He looked at her and felt awkward but her posture seemed normal; only her smile was slightly different.

'Good morning, sir.' She greeted him. Maaz simply nodded walking past her and her smile dropped. She shrugged and walked behind him. As they walked together Maaz noticed the weird glances everyone threw their way. Anaya felt strange too and was surprised that Maaz wasn't comfortable either.

Maaz held the doorknob to his cabin and stopped in spot, Anaya brushed against him and barely missed hitting him.

'One beer, quick.' He ordered without turning to look at her. She nodded and answered in affirmative. Maaz walked inside and shut the door. Anaya pinched her wrist to make sure she wasn't dreaming – Why is everyone behaving so strange, including Maaz?