Ahmed's POV:

Sitting in the backseat of my car, I was looking out the window before closing my eyes and leaning my head back.

What's with these days? Nothing is appealing and has a continuous agitating feeling inside. I tried to shove away this feeling but failed pathetically. So, I ran. Ran away from the foreign feelings I have been feeling lately. I took the first flight on Monday and came to Islamabad.

I didn't expand my business to Islamabad but still bought my own house here.

Whenever my family or I visit here, we always stay at my house. I thought I could spend some time alone in peace but Allah has its own plans. He can create anything and can ruin anything. Like how he ruined my peaceful time alone by sending my friends on the next day. But still, I thank him for not sending all of them.

"Come on, man! Don't be like this. You're destroying our get together." I heard Salman's voice from the passenger's seat.

"It wasn't supposed to be a get together in the first place." I said without opening my eyes.

"Are you sulking?" He asks again.

"About what?" This time I open my eyes.

"Hm... Let me see... You were planning to spend time with Anam or something and we ruined your plan by coming here."

I shook my head and closed my eyes again.

"Are you upset about something? Is it about Saifi House?" This time it was Armaghan who asked.

"Tell me, did any of my sisters send you here?" Instead of answering, I throw my question at them.

"Nope! She just told us that you look upset. So, we came to check on you. Now speak up! What is the...." This was Salman.

"Quit it, for now, Salman. We can talk about it later. Besides, human minds don't work properly when your stomach is empty." Armaghan shut him up as he stops the car near a restaurant.

We gave our orders and start talking about the weather which ends with international politics. In between eating, they informed me that Imran and Saeed would also be here until nighttime.

I am happy that Saeed is coming too. He has been very busy since he got married. It could help him to take a break from being a responsible husband. On the other hand, Imran is too much to handle sometimes, especially when he is with Salman. But it would be fun, all of my friends will be together.

~*~

Saeed and Imran came late at night. So, we let them rest. The next morning, we all gather in the car and drove to Maree. It's a beautiful place with high hills, tall trees and lots of monkeys. We spent almost two days sightseeing, tasting the food and mountain climbing. It feels like being back in the old days, enjoying everything. This thought calms me a lot but every text or call I receive from work brings me back to reality, along with that agitating feeling.

"You're going to catch a cold, you know." My head snapped towards the owner of the voice and saw Saeed standing with two cups of coffee.

He sat beside me and handed over a cup to me, which I gladly took. It's freezing here, especially when you're lying on the grass at sunrise.

"It's still so cold in Islamabad that you have to wear a sweater." I started the conversation before taking a sip from my cup.

"It is,... that is something you have to get used to if you are living in Pakistan. It has all kinds of weather at the same time." He said with a smile and continued without looking at me, "So, what are you running from this time?"

"... nothing!"

"There are thousands of things behind one single 'nothing' Ahmed and I am not going to buy it." He stated.

"That's the reason you guys coming here?" I asked, but he remains silent.

"Thought so!" I said to myself out loud.

"Well, yes... And no... we wanted to have some fun and you just provided the purpose. Now tell me."

"As I said before, it's nothing."

"Okay... Then allow me to guess... It is definitely not about Saifi House, Anam and her mother. Because if it were, you would've told us without us asking... It can't be about your sisters and your mother, as they are fine... It can't be related to work because when it comes to work, you enjoy troubles and challenges and work even harder... Then that remains a relationship... But you don't have any... So, what are we missing?" He asks, looking at me with a mischievous smile and I narrow my eyes at him. I had a feeling that he figured it out already, but didn't say anything. We kept quiet, looking at the rising sun for a while.

"Say it!" I finally broke the silence.

"No!"

"Say it!" I groan.

"No! ...I want you to say it."

"Say what?" I am irritated now.

"That you are running from Sandal." He stated calmly.

"I am not!" I said in a low voice, trying to hide my irritation.

"See! ...That's the problem."

"What's the problem?"

"You're not sure what the problem is and what you are running from."

"...I am running from myself... my stupid thoughts and...feelings, which are making me do stupid things..." I almost shouted, finally letting it out.

I hate it when he becomes so pushy. After a while, when my irritation had died down a little, I sighed, "Sorry man! I didn't mean to shout."

"It's okay ...It was necessary to make you speak... So, what sort of 'stupid things'?" He smirked.

I sighed and comb my hair with my fingers, "I... I don't know. It's like she's always in my mind... When I am alone, I often find myself thinking about her. When I know she is around but not in sight, I'd always have the urge to see her. And when she is within sight, I'd want to talk to her."

"Then talk to her!" He stated.

"She doesn't talk to me... If it's not about work, she won't talk. Not to me, nor to other men in the office. She'd always keep herself busy in her work and mind her own business. Even if I give her orders, all she does is nod."

"Oooh! That's an assistant for Ahmed Wali." His smirk widened and I rolled my eyes.

"And what is the story behind Sunday night, when you threw the bag out of your car?"

"How do you know?" My eyes widened.

"We 'are' your friends... So, about the bag?"

"I bought her a dress and she refused to accept."

"So you threw it out?" He is enjoying it.

"Yes." I said and he burst out laughing.

"Seriously man! ...That girl is sure giving you a hard time... Who would have thought that Ahmed Wali, would be running from a girl." He says between laughter.

"Shut up!" But he continues to laugh.

"Tell me... Do you like her?" He asks when his laughter died down.

"No!"

"Then why are you being like this?" I didn't answer, I don't know what to say when I am not even sure of myself.

"Listen, Ahmed!... We all are from high-class families, have glamorous lives, big houses, cars, you name it and we have it. But when it comes to someone who cares for you, we can be the most unlucky ones... So if you ever found that someone, don't let her go... If she's special, then it is okay to let go of your ego and reach out to get her." He said in a serious tone.

"Oye!..." I shake his shoulder. "Who are you and what have you done to Saeed."

"Shut up!" He shoved away my hand.

"Thanks for the advice. I'll keep it in mind. But that's not the case here. I don't like Sandal."

"You sure?" He asks, raising a brow.

"Yes!" I stated.

"We will see." He smiled meaningfully and got up... Leaving me behind, staring into space...

"I don't like Sandal."

I recall what I said earlier.

"You sure?"

"I am... not..." I mumble and got up.

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