Always Her

II

♪♫ Tedhe-medhe raaste hain,

Jaadui imaarate hain,

Main bhi hu tu bhi hai yahan,

Khoyi soyi sadko pe,

Sitaron ke kandhon pe hum,

Naachte udte hain yahan...♪♫

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

Inaya and Ahana walked out of the conference room while Mr. Mallik—ZM Fashion House's CEO—came out after them. All three of them stopped in front of the elevator while their assistants stood a little afar.

"It was nice meeting you, Mr. Mallik." Ahana offered a nod, her face still not showing any emotion. She says it makes her look intimidating and professional. What she doesn't know is that it makes her look scarier too.

"We hope to see you soon and start the project ASAP." Inaya said with a smile which Mr. Mallik returned with one of his own.

"Of course," he agreed but it felt like he had some hidden meaning to it. "Ms. Khan, Ms. Oberoi." he smiled at her and gave a nod to Ahana before entering the elevator with his assistant.

It was almost time for lunch so both of them went to Inaya's office. After settling down on the couch with their food on the table, they started discussing the designs that they had in their mind.

"So, when is the dinner?" Ahana asked after they finished discussing business.

"Tomorrow, why?"

"I just think that there's more to this dinner than Nasir Papa is letting on." Ahana stated referring to Inaya's father. Ahana doesn't have a father and Inaya's father has always treated her like a daughter and to respect that she calls him 'Papa'.

"Well, there is a possibility for that."

"Does this friend of uncle's have a son?" Ahana asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't know. Why?"

"Think about it, if he does have a son then there's a possibility that this is not just a get-together."

"Oh god! It is to set me up with their son!" she exclaimed horrified.

"Yes! But let's not assume things okay?"

"Ahana! You always do that." Ahana looked confused. "You first tell me scenarios and then tell me to forget it like you didn't say anything."

Ahana chuckled. "I'm sorry, sugar. I was just curious and when I thought about it, I needed to share. Look, whatever happens, you can always say no. No one is going to force you and you know that"

"You're right, if I don't like something I can always voice it out."

They were silent for some time when Ahana broke the silence. "Ina, I know you don't want to get hurt but someday, someone will love you and you will forget why others couldn't. Just try to be open to new possibilities and don't be afraid to give yourself a chance, okay?"

"Thanks, I'll try."

"Trying is enough, more than enough." Ahana gave her a warm smile. "Now let's go home and pack your dress and everything else that you would need or you'll get late."

◅▫▻

She was sitting in the passenger seat while Ahana drove her to the airport.

"You know you didn't have to come." She mumbled.

"We already had this conversation, sugar. I wanted to see you off." Ahana replied, her eyes focused on the road.

"I'm going for only two days."

"Two days or two hours doesn't matter. Now wipe that grumpy look from your face. It doesn't suit you."

She huffed and crossed her hands in front of her.

"I'll give you chocolates." Ahana offered, taking a glance at her and then focusing back on the road.

"You can't bribe me with chocolates as you do with Noor."

"What can I say? She's easier to bribe." Ahana smirked. "Fine, I'll go with you to that concert you were talking about a few days ago."

Her ears perked up at that. "Really?"

"Yes, now give me that million-dollar smile of yours." Ahana said with a smile to encourage her.

She complied and grinned at her friend.

◅▫▻

"Eat your food on time."

They reached the airport and now Inaya was instructing Ahana for the weekend so she doesn't make herself sick as she gets sick very quickly.

"And for the love of god, don't work on the weekend."

"I don't have anything better to do. Noor is not here and you're also going, so work is my last resort."

"Watch a movie and web series?"

"I can't find a good movie and I get bored with web series. Those are too long."

She rolled her eyes at her friend. "Fine, do whatever you want just don't overwork yourself."

"Alright, Mom." Ahana retorted sarcastically. "Now go, or you'll miss the flight."

"Okay, bye. Love you." She left after giving Ahana a hug.

◅▫▻

She was on the plane when she recalled her first meeting with Mr. Mallik this morning.

He walked through the automated sliding door of the office building, his assistant fast walking to match his long strides. He had a dominating aura around him which no doubt would clash with Ahana's intimidating one in the near future.

"Inaya Khan." She offered her hand when he stood in front of her which he took and gave a firm shake. Her hand was so small and soft in his large and rough one.

"Zain Mallik." He turned to Ahana who was observing him.

"Ahana Oberoi." Ahana offered her hand and he shook it with a nod.

Ahana led them toward the conference room for the meeting.

"Ms. Khan," he looked at her curiously while she looked at him questioningly. "Have we met before?"

She thought for a second but couldn't recall meeting him before so she said with a polite smile. "No. I don't think so, Mr. Mallik."

She could feel his eyes on her from time to time for the whole meeting which wasn't missed by Ahana who teased her while they were packing her bag for the weekend.

She could swear that she saw a look of realization on his face during the meeting but he covered it up quickly that it felt like it wasn't there in the first place.