Allah knows.. When you feel all alone in this world. And there is nobody to count your tears. Just remember, no matter where you are Allah knows.. Allah knows..

*********************************

Alhaan's p.o.v

At office:-

Alhaan's cabin

I was sitting with Tauhid discussing about the meeting which will be held next week with the Eurotech company. This is no less than a dream project to me. If it's successful then we get to collaborate with the Eurotech company which in turn will be helpful in signing projects globally.

"Make sure everything is perfect. We need to be very keen on our graphic skills. And one more thing, the software updates should be automated." I said for the umpteenth time.

"Everything will be under control Alhaan. Just relax. We need to discuss about the variation in software which will out stand it from the other softwares." Tauhid replied.

I just gave a nod. Everything depends upon the uniqueness of the design. This is the best chance to prove my skills but I cannot do it without my team.

"Lets discuss it with the team. I want to know everyone's opinion and suggestions. I'm sure our team work will make this successful."

Tauhid smiled on my words showing a thumps up. This meeting can never be successful without him. I am really happy that he works with me.

"You know Alhaan, our team is fed up with you." Tauhid said. I had a confused look as to why they are fed up with me. He smiled looking at me and said, "Because of attending meetings which will be held every alternate day or week. Why do you organize so many meetings???"

"I have a reason for so many meetings. I want to know each person's view and share my ideas with them before finalizing anything. I am nothing without them and this is my way of telling them that their opinions matter to me." I said as a matter of fact.

The knock on the door draws our attention and I ask the person to come in. The door opens revealing Inaraah with a file in her hand. However what caught my attention was the missing ring on her finger. It hurts to see she isn't wearing her engagement ring. But soon the hurt is transformed to shock, thanks to my dear buddy.

"Assalamualaikum Bhabi."

I look at Tauhid who have a mischievous smile plastered on his face. And as always Inaraah's eyes are wide hearing his greeting. She looked at me and I immediately look away arranging the pen stand as if it's the most important task.

"Why are you standing at the door? Please come in. This is your cabin as well Bhabi." He adds and I start coughing to stop him. He looks at me wiggling his brows while I glare at him asking him to shut his mouth.

"Uhh...I.. umm.. I just came to give this file. Please have a look at it and then sign the papers." Inaraah spoke and move forward to hand me over the file. When I was about to take the file, my eyes fell on her wrist. She was wearing the bracelet which Mamma gave her on our engagement. My lips twitch up into a big smile.

'She values our relation.'

"Oh okay. Well Bha..............." Tauhid was about to speak but Inaraah interrupted him.

"I have work. Please excuse me." Saying so, she practically ran out of the cabin probably embarrassed of what just happened. I took the pen from the pen stand and threw at Tauhid. It hit him near the eye and he groaned at me.

I glare at him and said, "That was for embarrassing her."

"Woah!! My friend is whipped." Tauhid retorted. I just rolled my eyes at him.

"So now Bhabi is more important than childhood friend, Haan?" Tauhid complained like a school boy.

"Stop it man." I replied in a slightly annoyed tone. He sensed the seriousness in my tone and asked, "What's wrong Alhaan?"

Even I don't know what's wrong. I'm trying my best to make Inaraah comfortable but guess nothing is working out. Maybe he can help me in finding out.

"Inaraah is behaving weird lately. It's being two weeks to our engagement and she seems to be distancing herself from everyone.

She is hardly speaking to anyone in office. I want to know what's troubling her but she speaks to me only when it's work related. I don't know what to do?"

Her distant behaviour has been troubling me since last week. I know we aren't married yet but I really wanna know what's up with her. Without communication I cannot make her comfortable around me.

"I don't know what to say. Even I have observed her but I didn't want to stress you more. That's why I kept it to myself. I suggest you talk to her once. I mean you can try, maybe she will open up." Tauhid said.

I think he is right. I need to talk to her, only then I will know what's going on in her mind. On the other hand, Aarzoo is irritating me. That girl is really getting on my nerves. And I don't know what to do with her. I pulled my hair in frustration.

"Anything more which I should know Alhaan." Tauhid asked.

I let out a sigh of frustration. "Aarzoo.. She is irritating me to no end.  She doesn't leave an opportunity to get close to me. She walks in my cabin whenever she wants as if it's a park. Last week she crossed her limit. She caught hold of my hand and wasn't letting me go. I want to get rid of her but how?"

I looked at Tauhid who seems to be deep in his thoughts. I don't know whether he heard me or not. I waved my hand bringing him out of his reverie. He looked at me and said, "I suggest you tell Inaraah everything about Aarzoo. If Inaraah comes to know about it by other means then she will be more hurt and maybe won't trust you. It's better you let her know before she finds it out."

I nodded my head. He is right. I should tell Inaraah everything. 'I don't want to lose her.'

"Okay come now, lets go to the discussion room." Tauhid said and we moved out of my cabin.

Discussion room:

We all settled in our seats and I briefed them about the meeting. I am sure their suggestions will help me a lot in giving a successful presentation.

"Okay I hope I am clear. Our idea's should be unique and innovative. You all already have work load of the current project and now this. I know it's difficult but together we can definitely achieve it."

Everyone were busy in brainstorming while my eye's were set only on one person who kept herself involved in writing something. I feel so helpless in front of her.
'What's troubling you Inaraah?'

"Alhaan I want to tell something." Mr. Khan's voice brought me to my senses and I looked up at him asking him to continue. "Before proceeding with the presentation, let's revise our previous projects."

"What will we achieve by reviewing previous projects?" Aarzoo questioned. I just ignored her, not wanting to create any fuss in front of my team.

"Mr. Khan is right Ms. Aarzoo. We can learn from our previous projects. Reviewing old projects will give us idea of modifying it in a unique way." Mr. Arun said.

I'm impressed. They are absolutely right. We can learn many new things from our previous projects and thus can avoid mistakes. I'm so glad to have experienced people like them. But seems everyone doesn't have same opinion.

"Oh common Arun sir. Reviewing old projects will only waste our time. We need to think of better ideas rather than depending on old ones. Old technology is obsolete in modern world." Aarzoo commented.

I was infuriated at her reply. Surely she doesn't know to respect her seniors. If not their experience, she can at least consider their age. I was about to reply but Inaraah beat me to it.

"Really Ms. Aarzoo. Well we are curious to know your idea considering the modern day technology. If you don't mind, please share it with us."

I looked at Inaraah who seemed to be annoyed as well. I will let her handle the situation and enjoy the cat fight. Thinking of her junglee billi (ferocious cat) mode brought a smile on my face.

"We can design a software with a language interpretation which the system will automatically do rather than the manual work." Aarzoo suggested.

Her suggestion is not bad but it has nothing to do with the graphic designing. Though it will be helpful in software development.

"Ms. Aarzoo did you anytime go through other software companies blogs?" Inaraah questioned in a sarcastic tone. Aarzoo was perplexed with her question and had a blank look.

"Your expression says it all. Do you know that the idea you suggested is decade old. And the German software company have a patent published related to it. And you cannot use patents without the company's permission. Moreover it had a long history of legal case because apparently the other company had used their patents without the company's permission.

And we may have to deal with the same situation if we use other companies ideas. Plus the company should pay a price for illegal usage of patent which will lead us to huge loss and also losing the opportunity of collaborating with the foreign companies.

You are a software engineer. You should at least have knowledge about these things and keep yourself updated." Inaraah retorted.

I was shocked with the information she provided. I hate to admit it but even I didn't knew about it. As she said, it's decade old and at that time I was in school so I will hardly have knowledge about it.

I looked at Tauhid who was mirroring my expression. I still can't believe she go through other blogs to learn new things. I shouldn't be saying this but reading articles and journals is so boring.

'Ms. Hijabi turning to Ms. Perfectionist.'

"We are a team and I suggest you to coordinate with us. You are free to express your views but not by criticizing others. If not for their experience at least consider their age before passing rude comments."

I was shocked to see this side of Inaraah. I guess this is the first time she was being so blunt and a bit rude because even others were baffled with her outburst. With everyone's gaze on her, she became conscious and said, "I am sorry for being rude. Please excuse me."

Saying so she left the room. I looked at Aarzoo and said, "Think twice before you speak. You cannot expect your juniors to respect you, if you can't do the same to your seniors."

"Mr. Khan I liked your opinion. If you can review the previous projects and present me, then I can prepare the presentation accordingly. I know I can do it as well but as I don't have much idea of the old projects I may miss something which can be important.

Your opinion gave me a clear idea of how to deal with this meeting. Instead of looking for something new, we will present them our old designs and explain how we are going to modify them." Saying so I dismissed the meeting and moved out to check upon Inaraah.

I looked for her but she wasn't there at her cubicle. It's nearing lunch time so she should be with Fatima aunty. I need to talk to her.

2nd floor:

After informing Tauhid, I came on 2nd floor at Fatima aunt's institute. I was above to go to her cabin when someone caught my hand.

Inaraah, I said without looking at the person. But to my dismay it was Aarzoo.

Damn! What is she doing here? What if Inaraah saw us?

"Aarzoo. It's Aarzoo, Alhaan." She said glaring at me. I removed my hand from her hold not wanting to converse with her. But she caught hold of my shirt pulling me towards her.

"Are you out of your mind? Leave me." I snapped trying to remove her hand off my shirt.

"Yes I'm not in my senses because of you Alhaan. Your distant behaviour is hurting me. That girl insulted me in front of all and you didn't say her a word. She is such a attention seeker, always trying to get your attention. You don't know her, she is such a .................."

"Shut up. Just shut up. Look at yourself before commenting on others. You don't have any right to speak about Inaraah. I'm warning you. Stay away from her." I growled at her.

"What's wrong with you Alhaan? Why are you behaving like this with me?

I love you. We love each other. How can you forget that?"

Saying so she hugged me. I was too shocked to respond to her. She thinks I love her but I never loved her and probably never ever said her. The only girl I love is Inaraah.

Freak, I am here for Inaraah. If she sees Aarzoo hugging me, she will take it all wrong. I pushed her away from me. I didn't intend to do that but she left no choice.

"Look Aarzoo. I don't love you. I never did. I was just attracted to you. Azaan bhai appointed you and I couldn't deny him. Stop assuming that I accepted you because I love you. I'm just being professional. So please stop following or troubling me. I hope I'm clear." I told her and left the place not wanting to be caught by anyone. I need to tell about my past to Inaraah. It's suffocating me now and she has all the right to know about me.

Azaan's cabin:

I came back to office and went near Azaan Bhai. I told him everything that happened few minutes before. And also asked him to help me in letting Inaraah know about my past with Aarzoo.

"Are you sure about it Chote? You want to tell her everything?" Bhai asked.

"Yes Bhai. I'm very sure. I want to tell her everything before she finds it out on her own. I feel like I'm betraying her. In fact I want to tell her now itself. Please help me." I said.

"I can understand Chote. But right now it's not possible. Inaraah was not feeling well. You weren't there in office, so I permitted her to leave. She left sometime before." Bhai informed.

Argh! I feel like punching myself. I should have told her everything before itself.

"Relax Alhaan. You can talk to her tomorrow. Now come let's go and offer zuhr salah." Bhai said

I nodded and left with him. Only prayer can calm me for now.

********************************

Inaraah's p.o.v.

At office:

Nowadays I don't feel like coming to office. After speaking to Suhana, I really wanted to try. But seeing Aarzoo and Alhaan sir together, I started rethinking about my decision.

At first I thought I was being dubious but when I saw them holding hands my doubts were clear. Something is going on between them and I feel like an intruder. All these thoughts were frustrating me.

Today when Aarzoo passed a rude comment, I lost it. All the frustration, anger which I was holding back came out. I never behaved rudely with anyone but her comment and my anger summed up and I snapped at her.

And now I'm sitting here in the ladies room scolding myself for losing it. Even though she was wrong, I still feel bad for her. I don't have any right to insult someone and moreover she is my senior. I should have controlled my temper and tongue.

'You're an idiot Inu'

Not knowing what to do, I moved out to meet Fatima aunty. It was lunch time so she will be free as well. I always feel good after talking to her. I guess some people have such aura of making others feel better around them. And Fatima aunty is surely one among them.

I was moving towards her cabin when I saw Alhaan sir and Aarzoo together. I thought to apologize to her for my rude behaviour in the discussion room. I was above to go to them but stopped on hearing her word's.

"What's wrong with you Alhaan? Why are you behaving like this with me?

I love you. We love each other. How can you forget that?"

I remained rooted at my place after hearing her. Unknowingly a lone tear slipped from my right eye. I didn't have the strength to confront them so I just left from that place.

I wiped my tears and entered the office. I kept my head low not wanting anyone to look at me. I didn't see Azaan Bhai coming and bumped into him.

'Ouch! My head.' I rubbed my forehead to ease the pain.

"Are you okay Inaraah?" Azaan Bhai asked.

I looked at him and said, "I'm fine Bhai. Actually I didn't knew your body is made of steel instead of flesh."

He mused at my sarcasm. "Well I take that as a compliment. But on a serious note, are you okay? You look pale."

I was controlling myself from crying in front of him. I can't tell him and surely doesn't want to talk to Alhaan sir for now.

"Uhh... Actually bhai I'm not feeling well. Can I take a half day leave?" I lied but it was a partial truth. After whatever I heard I don't feel good.

"Of course you can. Health comes first. You can leave. I'll inform Chote since he isn't there." Bhai said.

I know Bhai he isn't there. He is with Aarzoo. Again the image of them hugging flashed in my mind breaking my heart. I nodded and left the office.

Inaraah's room:

All the ladies of my family had a puzzled look when I came early. I was having hard time controlling my emotions. I said them that I wasn't feeling well so I came.

After having my lunch, I excused myself saying I want to rest and asked them not to disturb me. I came to my room and the tears which I was keeping at bay started rolling down from my eyes.

I ran into washroom not wanting my family to hear my sobs. I turned on the shower and sat under it.

'We love each other'. My mind kept on repeating her word's. I was crying like a small baby in the shower. For the first time I let my heart win over my brain only to get it broken.

'I warned you about it before', my mind scolded me.

'Look at you Inaraah. Aarzoo and you are poles apart. She is smart, beautiful, stylish and you are boring, introvert and average looking girl.'

'How can you expect that Alhaan sir will love a girl like you?'

My mind screamed at me and I just kept crying feeling betrayed.

"Why Alhaan sir?
Why did you bring the proposal when you loved someone else?
What's my mistake in all this?"

I was questioning as if he was here to answer me. I was only an option for him. They are many girls out there who are dying to marry him. Then why did he choose me?

'You were a source for him to make Aarzoo jealous.' My mind replied.

I didn't want to believe my mind but I guess it's right. I was being ignorant and let my heart trust him. But in the end I'm the one who is broken. That's why I never let anyone in my life. They come, play with our feelings and at the end leave us broken.

Don't know for how long I sat under the shower crying. I got up when my knee started hurting. I dried myself and changed my clothes.

I wanted to share my pain, my feelings but no one is there to hear me out. And as always I let my diary sink my feelings and hide it from everyone. I went to my cupboard and took my diary. I sat on my bed and started scribbling whatever came to mind.

Trapped in a world full of betrayal..
Everybody is two-faced, no one's real..

It is difficult to find peace..
Like opening a lock without keys..

Scared to share my insecurities with people..
Don't know when and where they fickle..

Just like birds sway in sky..
Even I want to be free to fly..

But at the end they require a nest..
So is my soul which is in need of rest..

My tears were flowing continuously while writing. I lay down on my bed holding my diary close to me. My eyelids started feeling heavy and I don't know when sleep consumed me.