Love Means Sacrifice

Ch. 36: Office

Mehwish's P.O.V.

My phone buzzed with a message from Zahid letting me know he was downstairs right as I finished spraying my perfume.

He exited the car to open my door, and I got in without even looking at him.

Once he started the car, he began with a friendly tone, "So? Are you excited for your first day?"

Oh, so now he wants to talk? He was quiet these past few months, plotting to get Javed and I together, and now that he's accomplished his goal and moved on himself, he wants to make conversation?

"Listen, do I really have to work under you? Can't you put me with Mahira Apa or Ayaan Uncle?" I retorted.

Zahid's P.O.V.

Her anger made me flinch, but it was okay. She had the right to be angry.

"I already asked Abba because I knew you would be more comfortable with them instead, but they're both in the middle of working on a project with a specific team."

She crossed her arms and quietly muttered to herself.

I turned on the radio to fill the silence, forgetting my phone was connected to it, and a Punjabi love-song that Mehwish and I used to listen began playing through the speakers.

Mehwish and I both reached towards the off-button, and our fingers touched in the process, making us freeze.

Mehwish's P.O.V.

It was a rainy night.

Zahid was driving me home after a dinner date while I scrolled through his playlist and pressed on a song that I liked.

I was humming along but stopped when Zahid began serenading me.

I was mesmerized. I thought to myself, "Wow, the boy can sing too?"

He caressed my different facial features, matching the song lyrics. Once the song was over, he took my hand in his and kissed it.

It had become our song.

I scoffed internally. That was how it was supposed to be. What did Zahid do?

I snatched my hand away when I realized Zahid's fingers were still touching mine. He slowly retreated his hand too.

I quickly shut off the radio and crossed my arms again before looking out the window.

We both stayed silent for the remaining duration of the car ride.

Once we arrived in front of a tall glass building, we parked and went up to the seventh floor using the elevator.

I trailed behind Zahid timidly and smiled at those who greeted him. We eventually reached two doors and Zahid knocked on it with his knuckles before opening it. It was Ayaan Uncle's cabin.

"Come in, come in! Good morning, kids." Ayaan Uncle enthused.

Mahira Apa, who was in the middle of showing him some files, also grinned at us, "Good morning!"

Zahid and I both returned their greetings.

"How are you, Uncle?" I asked.

"I'm well, alhamdulillah. How are you? Are you excited for your first day?"

"Alhamdulillah. Yes I am, Uncle. I will work hard. I won't disappoint you."

"Oh, I'm not worried, my dear. I know you will do great. Zahid, did you show her where she'll work?"