Soha's point of view:

"We'll keep shuffling every section twice a month. For example: let's set up  the toiletries section on the north side. And the beverages in this section." I pointed at the empty rack.

The super shop I had bought was running smoothly. I changed the whole decor, and made it cosy looking. The previous owner failed due to his lack of interest in experimenting and taking risk. But I was one to take the risk of buying this shop and turn it into one of the biggest super shop in the country. I also aimed at opening up branches in other cities.

With that aim in my mind, I gathered the employees, allowing them to share their opinions as well on the matter of policies that I had taken. This was a great way to make them feel that their opinions were valuable too. And they really were. A few employees pointed out many reasons why it was unable to make profit before.

I kept their valuable opinions in mind and made a new strategy. But my brain wasn't working right. No one had a single clue what was going on in my mind. I heart ached, but I tried to keep a straight face.

I felt empty.

My fear came true.

He was unwilling to talk to me.

Don't go there. Stop thinking about it. I scolded myself mentally.

Even though my mind tried to forget about it. I couldn't just make myself do so.

"Ma'am, is that all?" The cashier asked.

"Uh. . Yes. All of you know what your duties are." I said knowing that as all of them were working here before I bought it.

"So, I don't think I've to say anything else. Do you have any questions?"

Someone raised their hand. It was a teenage boy wearing a red polo shirt with short hair. He wore a red polo shirt that meant he was one of the salesmen here.

"Why do we have to keep shuffling the goods twice a month?" He asked with his eyes full of curiosity while everyone else laughed.

"Good question. But I'd rather let you find it out yourself." I was sure someone else could explain him the business strategy. I wasn't in the mood for talking any more.

Thinking about the incident, made me regret the night we created the fake account. I wished I had never agreed to Mahi. Then I wouldn't have known Rahat.

I made him hate me. I shouldn't have told him the truth.

I thought as I came out of the shop. But the truth was I no longer could hide it. It felt like I was going to explode one of these days.

  ¤¤¤¤¤¤Flashback¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤

Him: Tell me something about yourself. Something that you haven't told me before.

My heart beat rapidly as I read his text. "Should I tell him?" I asked myself.

Me: I. . .

I was beating around the bush trying to gather enough courage for the next few moments. I went back to my room and turned on the air conditioner because I started sweating. I took the cell phone with shaking hands, and typed the next text. 

Me: I've something to say.

Him: Yeah? What is it?

I took a minute trying to figure out how to make it less nasty. . It definitely sounded bad when I said in my head that I wasn't what he thought I was.

Me: I've been hiding something from you.

Him: Really? What?

Fear engulfed me. I was going to lose my one true friend other than Mahi.

Me: This is a fake id.

Ugh! I forgot what I've been practicing a few minutes ago! I wanted to slap myself for being so stupid.

Me: I meant to say. . .

Before I could type the rest of the sentence, he replied.

Him: You're a guy? I've been talking to a guy this whole time?

Me: No no no no.

Me: I'm a girl.

Me: please believe me.

Him: I'm confused. If you're a girl. And this is a girl's id. Then how's it fake?

Me: It's fake because the info which is given in the bio is not true.

Him: You're not my Soha?

I gulped in pain as I read his last text. I wondered how to make him understand that I was his Soha, but not the seventeen year old girl he thought I was.

Me: My real name is not Nowshin. It's Soha Haider.

Me: And I'm not seventeen. I'm twenty three.

I tried to make it as simple as possible. At least I thought I did.

Me: I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to do it.

He wasn't replying. I felt numb thinking about the possibilities of him blocking me and never talking to me again.

Me: please say something. . .

My hands shoke terribly.

Him: What do you want me to say? 

I didn't know what I wanted him to say. Did I want him to forgive and forget?  Could I forgive him if I were in his place? I had no answer to those questions. But I didn't want him to not talk to me again, that's for sure.

Me: I'm sorry. :(

'Sorry doesn't cut it.' I knew a simple sorry didn't mean anything. But I really meant it. . . I was apologizing from the bottom of my heart.

''Only if I had a way to show it to him. . ." I told myself.

Him: Why did you do it? 

"If I tell him I created the fake account to have some fun, some adventure in my dull life, he'd never ever forgive me." I spoke aloud.

Me: Actually, this account is not mine. My friend Mahzabin made this account for her cousin, Nowshin. But Nowshin was busy with her admission into uni. So she let us use her it.

I didn't know what I was saying at that moment. I just knew that I couldn't let him know the real reason. I didn't even think twice if it made any sense before clicking the send button.

Him: It doesn't make any sense to me.

Him: I'm so confused right now.

Him: You said it's a fake account. Now you're saying this account belongs to a girl named Nowshin.

Me: Yes, that's what I said.

Me: The account is actually real because there's a real owner of this account.

Me: But, I'm using it now. So, it's fake for me. Got it?

Him: A little.

Me: I'm sorry for lying.

Me: Whatever I told you about myself is true.  I hide the truth about my name and age, nothing else.

Him: Why did you lie? You could have told me it wasn't your id.

Me: I don't have any answer to this question. At first I thought we were going to talk casually.

Me: I never thought I would be friends with someone for real. So, I went along with the information provided in the profile.

Him: But you didn't stop. You continuously lied to my face.

Me: I would've understood if it was a month or two. You lied to me for five months. How could you?

Me: I know, and I'm really very sorry for that.  Please forgive me.

Him: I think it would be better if we stop texting each other right now. Bye.

¤¤¤¤Flashback over¤¤¤¤

With that bye, he went offline. A whole day had passed. And there was no reply. I texted him every hour of the day, apologized numerous times. But he stayed silent. I sighed knowing that I was the one to blame for this.

While confessing, I made up a new lie. I didn't know why had I became so desperate to make him not hate me.

Maybe my subconscious mind thought this lie would make him hate me less or something. Whatever it was, I regret lying to him once more.

"It would be no surprise if he hated me right now. Because I hate myself." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/n: So, how was it? My heart was beating so fast while writing this chapter. I don't know why.

I'm so disappointed because last chapter has only 20 votes. I know those twenty people are regular readers and they wait for the update so eagerly. It makes me feel so special.

But sometimes the reads and votes get to me. Only a writer knows how inspiring votes or reads could be. So, please don't be a ghost reader. Participate in this by voting and commenting. 

Love you guys. ♥