"No! Just cancel it!"

And he hung up harshly without waiting for the reply from other side while sighing in relief before rubbing the sides of his nose.

Multiple phones on his desk always blaring to life every minute with urgency but that one call Azlan has been anticipating since one month was never received, driving Azlan to the edges of insanity and finally he is tired of waiting and promised himself not to bother with it anymore before his mind finally decides to go crazy for that irrational caller.

Tringg...

He groaned in annoyance once again before receiving the call ready to lash out on the caller again whoever it is. Since its the time of election the more work load isn't helping his condition either.

"What now?" It was the one that is connected to his reception.

"Sir!" His receptionist flinched sensing the anger in his voice.

"Speak!"

"It..Its the call fro.." She hesitated wondering what if the mention of the subject ruin his already worsen mood even more.

"Speak before I fire you!"

"Sir, its that girl.." She mumbled nervously.

Azlan breathing suddenly stopped and it was dead silence on his side that his receptionist has to check again if the call disconnected.

"Sir?"

"Ahh..ah ye..yes connect the call.." His voice was stiff but still he couldn't hide the anticipation in his voice. He can't believe she called the moment he lost the hope to hear from her.

"Sure wait.." And then the engaging beep of the phone was perfectly matching the awaiting beat of his heart until the call got connected eventually.

"Hello!"

Its Her!

Finally his lungs started to breath again listening to the voice that has been haunting even his dream taking his sleep away during most of night.

"Hello?" She asked again when she heard only soft breathing on other side.

Libah was busy for past one month because her father's health isn't getting any better. She has been too stressed to go to telephone both moreover taking care of her father and looking after her shop was keeping her on edge twenty four seven.

"Hello!" Azlan finally spoke after gathering his nerves.

He was always the confident type especially among girls but this one call that day and just a hello from her triggered so many things inside. Especially when he don't know what is he suppose to talk to her and how the hell is he suppose to talk to her, damn him for not figuring out that before but again his priority is to figure out about Roshan's plot; well this is what he told himself before gatherings the courage to speak.

"Hello Ro..Roshan?"

Hearing a deep and extremely attractive voice of a man after so many attempts Libah's naive heart filled with hopes especially when she was on her breaking point and needed someone for her moral support. She prayed desperately in her heart for him to be her Roshan.

Azlan was silent again for a moment, taking in the desperation and hope laced in her melodious voice. He couldn't help but wonder who is Roshan to her and why she is agonizing to talk to him even after so many rejection from that bastard.

Should he clear her misunderstanding and break her hope and lose the opportunity to hear from her ever again? Or should he play along keeping her in the dark pretending to be Roshan just to hear from her more often and precisely to get the opportunity to know about the kind of man Roshan is.

"Hello? Rosha..Roshan kya ye app ho?"

(Hello?Roshan is that you?)

Fuck it!

He eventually decided to play along hearing her pleading voice made Azlan's all the rational thoughts flow out of the huge glass window of his cabin.

"Ye..yes Roshan speaking! Who are you?" He pretended to sound extremely professionally.

Libah's heart started fluttering like Meadows in crazy wind and her beautiful big brown eyes filling with tears of yearning and happiness.

"Ma..main Libah!"

"Libah!"

Azlan tasted her sacred name by swirling his sinner tongue on his tainted lips. It was like a demon seeking presence of a goddess whereas Libah felt her breath stuck in her lungs. Roshan always calls her Libbo, this is the first he ever called her Libah and with utmost affection she has ever felt from him. She wanted to ask why he isn't calling her Libbo like Everytime but decided against it guessing his colleagues must be around making him shy.

"Kaise hai aap Roshan?"

(How are you Roshan?)

Azlan cringed. He didn't like her calling him that, only if she has called him 'Azlan' with as much adoration and respect but now do he have any other option? This is what he signed up for when he agreed to act as Roshan.

"Main thik hu Libah, aap batae ek months se koi call kyu nhi kia?" He asked curiously to know the reason.

(I am fine Libah, how about you disappearing for a month?)

"Vo..vo Roshan..vo" She was unsure to tell him about her father's condition just to not to worry him.

(Roshan ac.. actually)

"Ji Libah bataein?" He couldn't help but enjoy and feel more at peace hearing her melodious voice.

(Yes Libah speak?)

"Ji..ji vo kuch nhi bs ghr se dur haina to roz aane ka time nhi milta.." She lied smoothly.

"mhm.."

Azlan has so many questions to ask that why she always calls from booth and why don't she own a phone, what's her realtionship with Roshan but he knows he can't because he will be caught.

All in time..

He patiently assured his heart and only focused on enjoying her melodious voice.

"Roshan apne phone le lia abtak ya nahi?" She asked meekly meanwhile Azlan frowned.

He clearly remember his company offering him a set of new laptop and phone on the very second day after he joined however it took their company a week to settle the issue with his sim card and other security and confidential policies. Then why he lied to Libah?

"Oh yeah, that's sorted now.." He replied absently

"Ji.. Lunch kr lia apne?" She asked changing the subject, she didn't really feel comfortable on his reply in English that too in accent.

(Did you have your lunch?)

He sounded different, completely different. Perhaps, the big city is really polishing him well. Libah wondered feeling insecure about herself.

*******

It was a brigt afternoon when Azlan was sitting in conference room, leaning on his one elbow tracing the his long fingers elegantly scribbling the black ink against white sheet while sipping on his bitter coffee when a soft knock on the glass door made his coiled lip twitched in a sligt smile.

Knock...Knock

"Come in!"

He looked completely worn out with his satin tie loose on the collar of his blue shirt, dark as coffee hairs ruffled in every direction but the subject of interest he have in his hand is enough to keep his determination intact.

"Sir you called?" Azlan smirked viciously without even bothering to look up.

Finally, the prey is in lion's den!

Its been two weeks now since Azlan has finally given Libah his personal number to call whenever she gets time because they couldn't manage to talk to each other during her restricted time slots due to work and meetings since then they have been constantly on calls. During this time he also discovered her reasons for not owning a phone and walking a mile just to talk to him on daily basis is; her embryonic locality.

"Ah Roshan, yea come inside!" He smiled stiffly drifting his attention towards him.

Roshan nodded before taking the chair across from him. He was a little apprehensive when he heard the Boss wants to see him. He isn't sure what is it about but he is hoping for something good. After all he is considered to be one of the most efficient employ just in a few days after working here.

"I heard you're are from Dhamakpur, right?"

"Yes boss.." Roshan frowned in confusion. "A very small village with no conviniece whatsoever." He added further.

Azlan leaned back in his chair nodding thoughtfully as a sign for him to continue speaking more.

"Well there's nothing much about my village but may I know what's the sudden interest?" Roshan asked suddenly more curious.

"How is the employment and locals there?" Azlan asked one of his own question without bothering to answer his, after all he is the boss and he don't see any reason why he should be bothered.

"Honestly speaking.." Roshan sighed "My village is barely employed due to lack of education and skills. Most of the locals are farmers there hence agriculture and livestock is the main source. Some have really small piece of land for cultivation and the majority of farmers are indebted in one or another causing them to sell their lands to the rich landlords while cultivating for them." Azlan nodded staring the glass wall without blinking. Roshan may be not has his eyes on him but he has his complete attention.

"So how did you manage to get good education and bag such prestigious position in my company?" Azlan brows perked up in suspicion and curiosity.

"Well my father send me away to the nearest city to receive best quality of education. He sold his land and took debt only to make me what I am today and then I got job in your company through placement as you already know." Roshan voice is filled with pride for himself.

"Okay well... coming to your earlier question I am planning my next project in Dhamakpur. So I need you to give me a detailed report of your village by the end of the week." Azlan eventually dropped the bomb.

Roshan was shocked is an understatement. He never knew someone as high and mighty as Azlan Mir ; who even feel could take interest in a village like Dhamakpur

"Sir?" Roshan was baffled.

"Didn't I make myself clear enough?" Azlan rebuked arrogantly.

"Sorry Sir! " Roshan gulped nodding in agreement.

"Good!" He smirked. "Now send my secretary inside on your way back.." after ordering he immersed himself in work completely dismissing Roshan's presence.

"Aap hamari birthday pr aa rahe haina?"

(You're coming back on my birthday, right?)

"Aah..Ka..kab hai ye birthday apki?"

(Ah well! When is it?)

"Aap..a..ap bhul gae ? Pr..pr aap..."

(Did you really forget the date?)

Shit!

Azlan was dumbstruck on the slip of his tongue. He couldn't believe a man like him could make such stupid mistake. What the hell was he thinking before asking such silly question?

"Ro.. Roshan?" Libah frowned not receiving any answer to her question.

Its been two weeks since they both have been constantly on call. Sometimes Libah found his behavior stranger especially when she speaks about their family and people from village, she never receives expected reaction rather a quite affirmative 'hmm'. And also the way he speaks its too formal; no more I love you's. Her Roshan barely used English vocabularies with her but these days she hear not just words but full fledge sentences in that weird English accent. And most importantly he sounds clueless on the most basic Punjabi vocabularies most of the time as if hearing them for the first time.

"Ro..roshan ye.. ye aa..aap hi hona?"

(Roshan is this really you?)

Libah's voice started to shake in fear.

"Wha.. what nonsense!Of.. of course ye... ye main hi..hi hun!" Azlan was flabbergasted on her question.

(its me!)

"To..to fir apko Meri salgirah kaise nhi yaad?" She asked in broken voice.

(then how did you forget my birthday?)

Roshan never forgets her birthday. He always has appeared something special for her since they were engaged.

"Ma.. main to..to bs mazak kr raha tha. Of..of course I remember!" Azlan lied through gritted teeth, soothing the headache by rubbing his Temple.

(Come on! I was just kidding, really!)

"Acha? To k..kb hoti hai hamari saalgirah?" Libah must be naive but she isn't stupid.

(okay then tell me when is it my birthday?)

Azlan turned pale on her question. He didn't know how to answer her question.

"I won't tell you, I will prove it the day I will come for you on your birthday, until then wait for me.." Saying this Azlan hung up leaving Libah astonished and bewildered.

*******

Hussain Mir eyes sparked with pride when he found his son completely engaged in his work, working really hard swiftly switching his eyes between screen to papers unaware of his presence. Surely, his son is rebellious, Playboy but when it comes to business he is as passionate as his escapades.

Proudly sitting on the CEO's chair that once belong to Hussain Mir, focusing on his work with his nose twitching in focus or discomfort. He looked unapproachable and someone you don't want to mess with and that is what makes him an even better businessman because he knows to get all his expectations and demands to meet. Although Azlan got the position on silver platter but he already has proven his worth more than ones caliber.

Its only him who deserves to be on that chair!

"Azlan..."

"Oh Dad! " That's when Azlan noticed his father's presence. "Please come, why are you standing there?"

"Too busy these days to even visit your old parents now?" Hussain Mir taunted while taking the seat right in front of him.

Azlan just looked away in guilt. He hadn't visited his father since that night when Hussain Mir asked him to meet one of the politician's daughter; he don't even remember the name anymore.

"Sorry Dad! Elections and work altogether held me up these days. By the way how's mom?" He asked putting his files away, now giving all his attention to his father.

"Oh You won't like what's your mother planning behind your back.." Mir Husain laughed loudly.

"What do you mean?" Azlan was confused.

"She is looking for a prospective bride for you these days..."

"What the hell?" Azlan was shocked.

"The hell she is creating for you my boy!" Hussain Mir joked seeing his son's reaction.

"Dad please ask mom to stop..." He groaned sliding on his chair in frustration like a kid.

"Well that's your mom. I suggest you better handle her." Hussain Mir shrugged casually internally enjoying his don's condition.

"But Dad..."

"Anyways am rest aside am here for something else actually..." Mir Hussain suddenly turned serious.

"What is it Dad?" Azlan asked curiously.

"I got a notice last night, you invited all the BOD to a new meeting today about some new plans for the company. What is it? I don't remember you discussing about any new projects with me then which one is it?" He asked curiously.

After all Hussain Mir is still the owner. Azlan definitely approves and draw all the decisions and schemes but things are still discussed with Senior Mir initially.

"Yes Dad actually I drafted a new project for the company and I personally want to present it to all of you and hopefully expect all of your approval. This is the very first project I have been planned and drew all on my own, I expect everyone of you to give your reviews and decision after the meeting."

Azlan turned all serious but Mir Hussain didn't miss the determination and hope in his eyes. Mir Hussain was really surprised by the new turn of event and to say he is now utterly curious and anticipating the meeting. He surely would like to know what his CEO brain has planned and how far his skills has enhanced.

"Anhan! Okay then see you in today's meeting at sharp.... 3:00 pm" Mir Hussain got up from his chair while fixing his jacket before bidding his farewell.

They both can't wait for the meeting to start!

**********

"First of all , Thankyou all for coming on such short notice but I couldn't really wait to discuss my plans with you. I know some of you must be in doubts since the plan was made in haste and already here am presenting it to you..I hope for you all to hear me sound and clear and then you all are allowed to give your decision and suggestions." Azlan started with the greetings after the room filled with all the shareholders and BODs of the Mir estate.

Aal were sitting there with curiosity and anticipating Azlan's presentation.

"So May I start?" He formally asked and after receiving curt nod from them the light of the conference room dimmed.

"Good Luck Azlan!" It was his Dad.

Azlan smiled greatfully before his soft expression morphed into strict professional one, his aura shifted to business mode.

"Here, its a remote area, a village Dhamakpur located in the north east area between Sindh and Punjab near Lahore. Basically its on Sindh border. Their main source of livelihood is agriculture and livestock only, the people of this village are only limited to that. This area of land is rich with resources yet there's no development so far. There's no education hub, hospital, public services atleast for around 2500 km². No source of employment, most of the locals here either have a small piece of lsnd to cultivate or they survive by cultivating others land. Here by most of the locals here are in debts......" Azlan went on with all the information about this village.

"So the new project I have drew is actually to provide resources to them and as well as help the company to rise. The reason for such urgent draft is the state elections. I guess its high time that Mir estate should take initiative to help and to develop the country and its best if we could do this by collaborating with the government. It will not only benefit us but also it will help our favoured party to raise votes." He paused to slide the screen before he started speaking again.

"It will be a hard infrastructure project. We will be planting our factories, education hub, hospital that will offer employment, education and services to their locals. And our government will going to play a huge part in it....." He pointed out. " Basically its a welfare project for the needy and helpless of Dhamakpur and that's it for today." With that he shut of the project.

" It was just a quick draft however to continue this project further I expect everyone's opinions and suggestions on this in tomorrow's meeting. Thankyou!" And the meeting was dismissed by leaving all those present there with thoughts.

"You already have my approval son! I am proud of you." And Mir Hussain left the conference room leaving a giddy Azlan all to himself.

He never thought there will be a day when he will be drawing a project for others welfare but today Azlan just didn't prove his father wrong but also himself. And he can't express in words that how satisfied he is feeling right now. He actually got to experience such feeling of selfishness where he actually want to put his heart into something good is all because of the little mermaid.

It was the day for the next meeting where Azlan was trying to hide his nervousness. He was anticipating everyone's views and opinions. Today's meeting going to decide if this project is worth to continue. He needs approximately 52% votes for approval.

Azlan couldn't help the shaking of his legs in a very serious on going meeting where he was silently hearing everyone's suggestions and opinions which is by far better than expected.

"I think this....."