Maaz was very nervous. At the table in the middle of the almost empty restaurant, he kept fidgeting with crockery, utensils and nearly knocking them down. He adjusted his tie and rested his fingers on the table and took in a deep breath.

'It is okay, Maaz. Be confident—be brave.' He self-motivated himself. He was clueless about how to behave and what to say. This was the first time he was going to have dinner with a woman. He wasn't even sure if she would come. And even if she won't, he can't blame her. After the monstrous thing he has done to her, why would she?

At the thought of it, Maaz felt a rock, a size of a mountain rest on his chest and he felt uneasy. All this was a bad idea. He must have offended her more. He decided to disappear from here before he made a fool of himself. As he fumbled to get up, he knocked on the table and a glass toppled. He raised his hand and quickly grabbed it before it fell and cracked. He raised, turned and paused.

He looked at the entrance and found Anaya enter the restaurant. His gaze was stuck on her and his mouth slightly opened. She looked ravishing in the wine-red velvet dress. Her long tresses still had a straightened effect from the parlor. Half of her hair resting on her front and rest on her back. A smile appeared on his face when he noticed she had worn sneakers with the mini dress. Nervously, she looked around. Reflexively, Maaz raised his hand and waved at her. Anaya spotted him and nodded. He let out a sigh and couldn't help but smile at her. She avoided his gaze.