"Didi—Didi--"

Manal sleepily shook her head and squeezed her eyes tight.

"Didi—Didi—Didi."

She opened her eyes and glanced around; dazed. Sitting straight, Manal realized she had slept on the sofa as it was the entire night. She groaned, massaging her nape.

The young house-help peered at her, waiting for her response.

"What--is it, Varsha?" Manal spoke groggily, and annoyed.

"Nothing, Didi. I need to clean this. Please get up."

Manal sighed, rubbing her face as she rose. Drawling towards the staircase, she paused, listening to the cheery laughter of her father. She followed the sound coming from the re-creation room. On the way, the grandfather clock read eight in the morning.

Manal pushed the slightly ajar door and watched ahead. Sohail and Raza playing snooker at the pool table. While her father stood with a Cue-stick in his hand, his eyes fixated on his employee, who was in his stance, addressing the shot. Raza's eyes narrowed on the game, eyebrows knitted together, and worry lines on his forehead. Both men wore tracksuits. Manal doesn't make any movement or sound. What if she disturbed him?

Concentrating hard, Raza hit the ball he had aimed for. The ball rolled and popped into the pocket.

"Waah!" Sohail extended his hand and pulled out the ball. Raza grinned, straightened.

"Boy, you won. Congrats."

He bowed, humbly.

"You played a great game too, Big Boss." Raza praised him. Sohail laughed again and threw an arm around his shoulder.

"You are too good, boy." He pinched his cheek.

Manal cleared her throat, and the two men turned to her. Sohail placed down the cue-stick and opened his arms to greet his daughter. Manal's eyes met with Raza in the passing before her father engulfed her in a tight hug.

"Salam, my princess."

"Salam, Dad."

Sohail patted her back and walked out. Raza neatly placed the cue-sticks and collected the balls. Manal leaned against the table, spreading her hands to grip the corners of the table.

"You learned pool?" She scrutinized him.

"Yeah," Raza replied, casually. He walked around the pool table, standing in front of her, and continued, "Hanging out with rich friends had its perks." He grinned, tilting his head, and leaning his hand on the table frame.

"Hmm." She lightly hit his chest, - "Thanks for the awesome massage. Now, I can ask you for a head massage anytime at work." Manal smiled. Raza breathed deeply, his gaze lingering on her hips; watching her walk out.

After a hot bath, Manal wore a pink knitted thigh-length dress. Iman carrying Rahim got into her room. The women shared greetings as she wore her knee-length boots.

"Are you ready?" Manal inquired, combing her mid-back hair and tying a half ponytail with a bow.

"Yes," Iman replied, meekly. She helped her friend hook her slim golden chain. Her gaze flickered to the ring in her hand. Her smile dropped as she continued to look at it with sad eyes.

"When is Asim returning?" Iman quipped. Manal stopped playing with Rahim and straightened.

"In two weeks. Anyway, is Raza ready?" She pulled the long sleeve over her golden Casio watch. Iman nodded. Manal took the giggling toddler in her arms. Rahim began to play with strands of her hair.

"Is everything alright?"

Iman nodded and placed her hand around her friend's back. Together, they walked out.

Manal drove her car. Raza and Rahim played in the backseat. In a sing-song voice, he sang rhymes and alphabets for the little one. Iman sat quietly, peering out of the window. Manal kept glancing at her from the corner of her eyes. Rahim wasn't as excited with Raza as he used to be with Asim, still the kid enjoyed.

They reached an apartment close to Manal's residence. Raza and Iman were reluctant, as the society seemed out of their status. Manal assured them. Taking Sohail's name, they easily got two one BHK on the same floor. Sohail Emeer had already spoken with the owner, and personally saw that all of Raza's formalities were done. Manal completed everything for her best friend.

The one BHK wasn't very spacious, but it was cosy. There was one connecting balcony for the living room and the one bedroom. Iman got emotional and cried. Manal hugged her, and even Raza encouraged her.

"I am your neighbour. We will bond well. You can come for chai-paani even at night."

"Yes, Iman." Manal smirked at Raza, - "He is an expert in late night snacks."

At the office, Manal exited the board meeting room after shaking hands with the clients, who walked in different directions. The hour-long meeting was mentally exhausting, Manal. She sketched her arms and rested her hair on her shoulder.

In the cafeteria, Raza and Mini were talking at a small table. From a distance, Manal watched her pass a card to him. His smile faded, checking the card while Mini explained something. 

Raza knocked at the door and walked in with notes in his hand. He cleared his throat. Manal looked away from her computer screen and nodded. Before Raza spoke, she interrupted him, - "What was your friend saying?"

Raza blinked blankly at her. She pressed her lips, exhaled deeply, and repeated herself.

"Um. She gave me her wedding card. But she said—I needed a company with me. A—girl- because her family is very conservative. They don't appreciate friendship with male colleagues."

"So," Manal shrugged, - "You won't go?"

Raza slumped his posture and shook his lowered head, - "I really want to, but--" He trailed.

"Hmmm." She leaned, placing one leg over the other and twirled her booted ankle, - "Get your best ethnic wear. I will go with you."

Raza's head shot up, his jaw dropped and eyes widened.

Manal rolled her eyes and got up, pushing back the office chair. She walked to him, pushing his chin up. Shutting his mouth.

He blinked, - "Are you serious?"

Manal smirked, - "For the wonderful massage. Also, tonight, I want another one of your massages." She grinned cheekily. Patting his shoulder, she turned and casually walked to the table.

"Is there any meeting coming up?" She enquired, reading the notes he had kept on the table.

Raza shook his head slightly, still reeling from the shocker his boss had thrown at him.

"No--"

"Good," Manal exclaimed, passing the notes back to him and asking for no disturbance, as she would be refreshing her mind with a painting. Raza nodded, dazed, and walked out. Manal stifled her smile.

Why was she so gullible? Initially, he thought she was acting this way. But she trusts so easily. So easily.

The mists from the grass pressing against the soles of his feet resonated comfort throughout his body. He pulled the hoodie a little over his head and dug his hands into his pockets.

"You are so sweet, Manal. You don't judge me or my mother."

Manal placed a hand on his cheek and smiled warmly, - "Why will I? I know you can never hurt me."

"You trust me so much?"

"Obviously. Because I love you. I love you, Zayan."

He smirked, continuing to walk leisurely over the cool grass, while barks of stray dogs resonated outside the walls.

Was she still like that? Or has she changed? Has she started to trust again—love again?

Zayan blew vapor out of his mouth as he huffed, slumping on the bench, and looked up at the balcony. His smirk grew.

Manal sat on the lounge chair, shuddering in cold, and rubbed her hands together. Delhi winter wasn't showing any mercy. She glanced at the wall-clock, reading time eleven pm. Hearing a knock, she straightened and called the person inside.

Raza peeped first; she nodded, and he walked in carrying a bowl.

"I have warmed the oil for your head, Boss," He informed with a smile.

"Great." Manal leaned against the lounge chair and spread her hair back. Raza left the door ajar, stepping in. She folded her legs up, holding her ankle.

"So, when is the marriage?"

"Day after tomorrow. Today is other functions." He informed, in his usual jolly tone.

Manal closed her eyes as the tips of his finger dipped in warm oil touched her scalp. Carefully, he moved his fingers in her hair. The subtle scent of vanilla, a trace of her shampoo, reached him. He smiled, the fragrance a delightful caress to his senses.

"You are too nice, boss. I didn't know this side of you."

"Don't get too excited." Manal retorted, frowning with her eyes closed. Raza smiled.

"You trust me, Boss. To let me in your room."

She inhaled sharply, pressing her knees against her chest and relaxed on the chair.

"You have been working with us for two and a half years. Half year with Dad and rest with me. And you had your chance in Kerala resort." She replied calmly.

"Hmm. But blind trust is dangerous, Boss." He mumbled, circling his fingers on the sides of her head.

"I trust God. He will give a befitting punishment." She snuggled into the chair and, taking steady breaths, sleep engulfed her. Raza finished his massage and realized she had fallen asleep. He hesitated before bending and scooping her in his arms. In her sleep, Manal wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her head against his chest. Gently, he placed her on the bed and covered her with a duvet. He turned to leave when Manal gripped his palm with her delicate hand.

"Why did you—do this to me—Zayan?" Her lips fluttered, - "I—love—you—so—much—and--you--" Manal began to snore lightly, her hand dropped. She shifted her head. Raza eyed her slightly parted lips briefly, then he dimmed the lights and walked out, cautiously shutting the door.

Raza is right, don't you think, my lovelies? Blind trust is bad. Is he hinting something? 

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