Sandal's POV:

"Zohma, why are meeting for lunch?" I whined.

"Friends don't need reasons to meet." She stated.

"Okay fine!"

"Good, I'll pick you."

" Okay! Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz."

Ending the call I glanced at the notebook which has today's schedule of Sir. I have to inform him about it but, too hesitant to do it. It was never my favourite task, to begin with. It always ruined my day because it's my first work early in the morning and he always humiliated me with his stupid comments on my lack of professional training. But things started to change slowly and for an unknown reason, he stopped embarrassing me. Now... he just stares, with an unfathomable expression on his face. His gaze never leaves me and makes me uncomfortable to the point that sometimes I started to stutter. I didn't want today to be the same, as I already feel pathetic enough for yesterday. Knocking the door I walked inside his office.

"Assalam o Allaikum Sir."

"Wallaikum Assalam!"

"Sir toda-" I started to speak but was instantly stopped.

"Sandal I thought Zohma give you my message to take a day off." There was anger in his voice as well as in his eyes.

"Eh?... ah... yes." I gazed down after taking a glance at him.

"Still you're here... why?"

"I am fine now. There wasn't any need for a day off."

"Is that so?"

A frown formed on my forehead, I didn't like his tone. Still, I didn't answer him just nodded.

"Hm!... okay... good." He said staring into space and suddenly got up.

"Go and grab your phone, you are going with me." He said closing his laptop.

"Huh?... where?"

"For breakfast, I am hungry."

"But I am not." I said abruptly, "I mean... I already took my breakfast."

"Then just have a cup of coffee and give me company."

"Company?" My eyes widened.

What is he talking about ...

"What?" He asked frowning and I hurriedly shook my head.

"Good! Go and pick your things, hurry."

"But Sir-"

"Sandal, I don't like no for an answer." He said in a monotonous voice.

First his sister and now him.... does this stubbornness run through all of his family??

Stomping back to my office, I grab my bag and mobile, I silently walk behind him. Sitting on the passenger seat beside him, I squirm as usual while looking at him, to make sure he doesn't notice. 

He was wearing a white check shirt and black dress pants. Which was the same colour as his hair? The black colour suits him better. I don't know why he changes his hairstyle so frequently and why he abuses his natural hair colour like this.

"It's rude to stare Sandal." I snapped out of my thoughts on his voice.

"I- I wasn't staring." I said looking away.

"Then?" He smirked.

"I was... Thinking."

"Really?... so what were you thinking, looking at me like that?" His smirk widened.

Why is he...???

"Nothing." I mumbled.

"Hm!... it must be something embarrassing." He mumbled, loud enough for me to hear.

"What?" My head snapped towards him.

"What? What?"

"What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"No! You said something and I heard it clearly. I wasn't thinking about anything embarrassing... I was just wondering why you change your hairstyle so often."

"Oh! So you don't like it?"

"What?" His question caught me off guard.

"You don't like me changing my hairstyles?" He asked looking into my eyes.

"Yes!...No... hairstyles doesn't matter... what I mean is a person's appearance is important but it's worthless if his personality... is... not good." As I finished the car came to a halt and he glanced at me for a brief moment before getting off the car and mentioning me to come. I stepped outside and look at the huge lavish building in front of me.

I don't want to go in...

I felt my heart is about to sink. I look around and found Sir coming towards me.

"Come."

"Sir this place is too lavish for people like me."

"What do you mean people like you? Not very long ago you told me that appearance doesn't matter much."

"Yes but-"

"And besides ... I am here with you... so don't worry about a thing. Okay?" He insured me and I couldn't help myself from nodding.

We walk inside and a waiter comes in our way.

"Assalam o Alaikum Mr Ahmed ... your reserved cabin is ready ... let me lead you-"

"There is no need, just tell me where it is."

The waiter nodded and mentioned towards the corridor, "Third from the left side Sir."

Sir nodded striding towards the corridor. The waiter stood there looking at us in surprise as I follow him. But I slowed down because My sandals started to slip on the marble floor. I kept walking carefully, looking down and didn't realize I was going in the wrong direction until I was yanked by someone.

"Where are you going?"

"Huh...Sorry! I didn't realize where I was going." I slowly released my arm from his grip.

"Stay focused and stop walking like a snail."

"Snail crawls." I mumbled but still, he heard.

"Whatever!...just walk fast."

" I can't. I will fall.... my sandals are slipping."

"I won't let you fall... Come."

"Why don't we sit here?... there are many empty tables." I said when he mentioned towards a corridor.

"I like to eat peacefully ... and crowded places don't give me peace."

I took a deep breath and start walking again. Sir was right beside me and his one hand was on my back, but it never touched me. Maybe it's a gesture of saving me if I fall???

As we enter the corridor, we were welcomed by dim blue lights ... or I say light. Because there was only one light hanging from the ceiling and big mirror arrangements are used to reflect its light. This place really felt peaceful.

"Careful." Sir warned me, typing something on his phone.

I looked at him and the next thing I know I lost my balance but was immediately held firmly by Sir. When I come to my senses I found Sir towering me and holding my arm in one hand.

"Told you I won't let you fall... You should've believed me." He smirked.

I jerked away from his arm and stood properly. He chuckled and went into the cabin, leaving me embarrassed.

Ya Allah! Kill me right now...

Biting my inner lip I also walk entered the cabin. He didn't look at me nor say a word. Later he orders breakfast for himself and a coffee for me. Luckily, he ate silently and switched into his business mod again. Which was best for me... I can't handle more of his smirks and unusual behaviour.

~*~

"Sandal! I am coming to pick you. Get ready."

"I.am.not.going.anywhere."

"Huh?... Why? What about our lunch?"

"I don't care about any lunch." I yelled on the phone and hung up. I was already angry and embarrassed and I was afraid if I meet Zohma now I will let my anger out on her.

But later I ended up having lunch with Zohma. Both of these siblings sure know how to boss others. Coming back to the office after the break I opened my email to reply to Hareem school email. I have to do this before they contact Ami. As I opened it my eyes narrowed on recent mail, which was from school authorities, quickly I read it and my body went numb. It was a confirmation letter, whether we have received Shoaib's and Palwasha's belongings that were sent from authorities or not.

My head dropped on the back of my seat lifelessly. All mine and Areeba's efforts went to waste. We came back from where we started.

"Allah! I don't know how long I can handle this... help me... please."

I said out loud and got up for Zohar prayer.

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