FROM DARE TO LOVE (Editing)✔

CHAPTER 49

Next day, I ring the doorbell and am greeted by Vimala who smiles widely at me. I smile meekly at her and walk in.

'Alu!' Adnan exclaims when he sees me enter, I smile, I have to, I can't let Adnan be suspicious that something is wrong with me. He will start enquiring and I will break down and will spill all the beans, which I don't want to.

Adnan is ready for office and was about to leave when I came, I am glad I came on time else I would have missed meeting him. He was really upset when I had informed that I will have to stay one more day there. I see him happy now that he saw me.

I hugged my brother tight, my eyes filled with tears but I blinked back my tears

'You rest for now (he places his palm on my cheek) you must be really tried (Adnan then turns to Vimala) Vimala, don't disturb her and after some time get her good food or anything she wants (he then turns to me again) have something to eat, look at you, within four days you have lost so much weight' he says shaking his head

I smile and place my palm over his 'Stop acting like a mother, Bhai. And it's good that I lost weight, I am looking slimmer' I say happily.

He smiles and kissed my forehead and then takes my leave. Vimala and I carried my luggage to my room.

I didn't even bother changing, I am too exhausted from all the crying. I fell asleep as soon as I lay on the bed.

'Aleesa...Aleesa...' I hear Adnan's voice, I felt his palm caress my forehead and cheek. With my eyes still closed I smile and my smile widens when strong aroma of coffee hit my nostrils.

'Wake up sleepy head....'he says shaking me to wake me up. I slowly opened eyes and smile at my brother. Slowly I sit up and he forwards me a cup of steaming coffee.

'So, how was the function?' Adnan says. I almost choked on my coffee, suddenly Riad's dark eyes and pained expressions flashed before my eyes and my heart sinks. Adnan asks me if everything is alright and I replied in affirmative and went on to narrate him everything about the event leaving out the obvious.

'What!' I exclaim over the phone to Ruchi. It is around 9pm and dinner is about to be served but before I could enquire about dinner I had received a call from Ruchi giving me a shocking news.

There has been short circuit at my workplace and there is a fire. I panicked and without second thought I cut the call, quickly changing into casuals I run downstairs.

'Bhai...Bhai!' I say rushing to his study, Vimala sees me and panics. Adnan, who had been working in his study stands up and looks at me concerned. I hugged my brother tight and sobbed

'Bhai, my office.... fire...fire...' I sobbed. Adnan separates our frames and asks me not to panic.

Together with Adnan we drive to my workplace.

Ruchi along with some senior members of my staff are standing in front of my burning office, the fire brigade had just arrived. I leaped out from the car and rushed towards Ruchi, she is having tears in her eyes.

'Ruchi...'

'Aleesa...'

We hugged each other. A police van comes too.

One tall and pot-bellied inspector walks up to me and Ruchi, who are hugging each other and crying.

Before the inspector could enquire anything from us, Adnan steps in. He says the inspector to kindly not ask any questions now as I am clearly disturbed. I am shattered as I watch my three years of hard work burning in front of my eyes. Adnan wraps his arms around me and I leaned my head against his shoulder and continue to cry.

The inspector assured us that he will look into this and find if there is any foul play. He confidently said he will catch the culprit. I didn't respond, I just watched my office burn.

Liqa's wedding is next week, but now I will be needing time to gather myself up and restart my business from scratch. How will I manage everything? I am ruined.

Back at home, Adnan suggested he will get be another property so I can shift my work as soon as possible but I refused.

Adnan kept insisting but I am determined. My business is ruined but I don't want my brother to suffer any loss. I will buy a new property and on my own, and I know the perfect guy who can help me in this time of crisis.

'Are you sure, Aleesa?' Adnan asked me. I nod my head; I take his hand in mine and smile sadly at him.

'I will be fine, Bhai' I say and shift closer to him and hugged him tightly, he hugs me gently caressing my head and I felt better.

Next day, I went to my office. I can only look at it from outside, the police aren't letting anyone to enter in lest they disturb any evidence the apparent miscreant might have left behind.

I look sadly at my office; major part of my office has been burned. One officer comes to me; she hands me some magazines and other stuffs that had survived the fire. I look at it sadly. I get a call from Ruchi, she wanted to know if I needed any help in property hunting. I asked her not to worry and I will manage things here.

After talking with Ruchi I drive to NAWAB ALI ESTATES, I had got the details and address of his office.

I don't know why but I trust him, I know if I go to him for help he will help me out. He will get me the best deal and quickly.

As I stand in front of his office, I feel guilty. Riad loves me, and I felt like I am taking advantage of his emotions.

I am asked to wait, since I don't even have an appointment I will have to wait much longer. I didn't want to take advantage of the fact that I knew Riad. So, without any argument I take my seat in the waiting room.

After about fifteen minutes, I hear a voice. I look up from my mobile and find Vikram, Riad's assistant standing in front of me.

'Hey!' I reply and stand up. He looks surprised seeing me here. Anyone will be surprised to see sister of a rival here. He asks me why I am here. I say him I need to talk to Riad regarding a property, I didn't give much details. He asks me if it's an emergency. And I nod, but I also added that I can wait.

'No, no...Sir, is free for now. If it's an emergency, then I think you should meet him.' Vikram says. I think for few seconds and then nods. I didn't want to miss this chance and wait longer, as it is I have wasted time.

I followed Vikram towards Riad's cabin and I started to feel little nervous. Vikram looks at me and asked me to wait out while he goes in and speaks with Riad and then will call me in after Riad's approval.

I nod my head nervously and silently stand there outside the cabin.

RIAD NAWAB ALI, CEO. I smile gently caressing his name, I feel much better as I do so.