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Reaching the hotel, my thoughts were in turmoil. The conversation with my father replayed in my mind. Standing on the balcony, the cold air did nothing to numb the pain of betrayal. My cousin, my world, had turned against me.
"How could she do this?" I wondered. It wasn't just the betrayal; it was the confusion and heartbreak that came with it. I knew we hadn't been in contact much, but still, how could she?
Rhea was asleep, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing inside me. I envied her ability to find peace so easily. I couldn't let this go. I picked up my phone and contacted my father's PA. He had always been like a brother to me, someone I could rely on.
"Can we meet at 8 AM at the coffee shop near the hotel?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
"Of course, Fiza. I'll be there. We need to talk," he replied without hesitation.
Setting multiple alarms for the morning-7:00, 7:05, 7:15-I finally lay down. I couldn't afford to be late for this meeting. I needed answers. Exhaustion eventually took over, and I drifted off into a restless sleep.
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The conversation I overheard between Fiza and her father left me confused. Why did everyone at the office call her an orphan if she had a family? I remembered the first time I entered her office, hearing the gossip. Something wasn't adding up.
As I paced in my room, I saw Adi sleeping peacefully. Lucky him. I needed answers, and the only person who might help was Raghav. I dialed his number, my mind racing.
"I need your help. I need to know about Fiza's past," I said, unable to mask the urgency in my voice.
Raghav listened as I explained my confusion. "Meet me tomorrow morning. We'll figure this out together," he assured me.
Hanging up, I felt a bit of relief. But questions still lingered. Why did her office believe she was an orphan? And what was the real story behind Fiza's family?
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As the night wore on, both Fiza and Haris were lost in their thoughts, seeking answers to questions that had suddenly become crucial to their understanding of each other and the world around them. Eventually, they both fell asleep.
Next Morning
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The next morning, I woke up early at 6 AM. After a quick shower, I was almost ready by 7. I chose to wear a simple kurti with jeans and my favorite Kolhapuri chappals, embracing the Delhi culture I love so much. A watch on my wrist, as always, completed my look. Despite being ready, I was incredibly stressed, pacing around the room. My restless movement woke Rhea, who groaned, "Fiza, will you stop running around? My head is killing me."
"Who told you to drink so much last night? Now, shut up and go back to sleep because I'm not stopping until I meet Bhaiya," I snapped back.
Rhea, burying herself under the blanket, muttered, "Which brother are you meeting now? Please, just let me sleep."
"Fine, I'm leaving now," I replied, stepping out as it was almost time for my meeting. I headed to the coffee shop, feeling a mix of nerves and anticipation. I had already ordered a hot coffee and a cold cup, knowing the PA would arrive any minute.
When bhaiya arrived, I was overjoyed to see him after such a long time. I greeted him warmly, "Assalamualaikum, Bhaiya! How are you?"
"Walekumassalam, Baccha," he replied, patting my head affectionately. "I'm fine. How about you? Why did you call me so urgently? Is something wrong?"
"Yes, Bhaiya. Can you tell me who was managing my work at the office?" I asked, my anxiety showing.
"Ruhiya was handling it. As far as I know, after you left, she completed her graduation. Your father asked her to join, and your uncle and aunt wanted her to work as well," he explained.
I had suspected as much. "I thought it might be Ruhiya. Did Dad ever scold her?" I inquired.
He nodded, "Yes, once. In front of the entire office, your father scolded Ruhiya. That was the first time he mentioned you."
Hearing this, I felt a mix of shock and happiness as I started connecting the dots. "What did he say?" I asked eagerly.
"That day, your father was very angry because of a company loss. He saw Ruhiya fooling around instead of working and said, 'You are here to work, not to fool around. Learn to be professional. If Fiza were here, she would have taught you, and this loss wouldn't have happened.' Ruhiya was deeply hurt and didn't eat for two days, eventually getting hospitalized. Your uncle fought with your father over this. After that, your father didn't say anything to anyone. He's better now, but you should come back," he urged.
"No, Bhaiya, I can't come back. You know why," I replied firmly. "And there's something else you need to know." I then explained how my sister sabotaged my designs just to win and get applauded by my father. The PA was completely shocked.
"Did you tell your father?" he asked, concerned.
"Yes, I did. I thought Bhaiya was responsible, so I was rude to my father," I admitted.
"Take your time, dear. But don't be late in returning," he advised before leaving.
I walked back to the hotel, my mind racing yet somehow calm. The conversation with the PA had cleared up so much. My father had actually missed me, and Ruhiya's actions now made a twisted kind of sense. I needed to speak with her, to understand why she had done what she did and to make peace if possible.
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Hey Bookish Beauties! 📚🌟
All the revelations can't be done in a single chapter, right?
You'll have to wait for Fiza's big reveal! 😉
Sorry for the suspense, but I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Please support me by voting and commenting if possible.
