Amaal blinked rapidly as Noori explained her everything. With each word, Haider regretted coming here. When Dr. Geiti advised him, she didn't mention anything about meeting this mad woman. Also, he couldn't help but compare the siblings, though they are twins they are poles apart in nature. One is calm and the other is a hurricane.

He zoned out for a moment but was brought back to reality when he heard Amaal arguing with Noori, - 'You should have warned me,' – she huffed as she collected the bedsheet and dumped it on the bed, - 'I would have arranged everything and changed,' – she sniffed her under her arm and scrunched her nose. Haider held in the rush of bile to his mouth and looked away.

'Or bathed.' She whined.

Noori placed her hands to her hips and pressed her lips tightly, - 'Amaal, it is mid-afternoon, and you haven't yet bathed? It is unlike you.' She reprimanded her. Amaal doesn't pay much attention and gets busy in arranging the room. Haider realized it will take an eternity, so he cleared his throat and looked at Noori.

'Um, Miss. Noori. I want to freshen up—' He hesitated. Noori smiled warmly and asked him to unpack. She looked at Amaal, who looked back with a bunch of clothes gathered in her arms.

'Show Mr. Zaidi the bathroom and. Behave.' She said strictly.

Once Noori had left Amaal dropped the piles of clothes and hurried to him.

'Haider!' She placed her palm over his shoulder, and he looked sharply at her. She retracted her hand back.

'You can call me, Mr. Minhas. Miss. Jaffery.' He said in a formal tone. Amaal chuckled in response.

'We are roommates now, Haider. And we are equal.' – she placed her elbow on his shoulder and he shrugged her hand.

'Why are you so irritating?'

'And why are you so Khadus?'

Amaal asked him to sleep in the down bunker as hers was the top. Haider readily accepts. She explained to him the timing and the rules. The kids and old people, nurses were resting. They are strict with their timing, especially the afternoon nap for kids. That is why no kids were found anywhere in the garden and there was silence everywhere. She also informed him about the Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, it's timing and menu. All the while, Haider unpacked keeping his ears to her.

Haider was slightly disappointed as there was no bathtub. Then, he reminded himself that he was not in his luxurious villa or a hotel. He sighed throwing the towel on his shoulder and walked in. He locked the door and looked around before stripping and stepping under the shower. He was relieved that there was hot water.

As he bathed, he heard loud bells, as school bells rang and an announcement sounded, - 'All kids assemble in the hall, snacks will be served shortly. Elderly, please do come to hall 2 for snacks and beverages.'

A few seconds later someone knocked at the door and he was startled. The lathered shampoo got into his eyes and yelped.

'Come out, Haider. I need to shower too. I will miss the snacks.' Amaal's voice came from the other side. He felt his eyes burn and on top of that Amaal's voice infuriated him further. He wiped lather off his face and hurriedly washed the rest of his body.

Amaal kept knocking the door until it flung open and her delicate fist landed on his wet, rugged bare chest.

'Woah! I wasn't in such a hurry that you came out naked.' She commented, biting her smile. Haider shivered as the cold breeze hit his bare body, he clenched his towel and glared at her.

Then why were you banging on the door like a crazy woman – He thought with agitation. Without saying anything else he stepped back and closed the door on her face. Amaal blinked and then called, - 'Okay, take five minutes more.'

Haider pulled up the collar of his grey cardigan and looked around cluelessly. He was at the end of the stairs and strained his ears to follow the chattering of kids. He began to walk hoping to meet someone to guide him. Luckily, on the way, he found a guard who guided him to the Mess. He was relieved to find Hall 1. The playful chatters of kids and clicking of utensils resonated from the hall. An instant gush of positivity soared through his chest and he felt elated. As Haider stepped inside the hall, he was stunned to find Amaal standing behind the counter and serving samosas to the kids who stood in line.

How did she reach before him? - He scratched his head. She was dressed in loose short-sleeved Blue knitted top and happily served the kids. As he approached the counter, he heard her discipline the kids, raising her palm and asking them to maintain the queue. He passed the kids and picked up steel tumbler. He was about to fill it with warm milk when a rogue arm slapped his hand away.

'Hey!' He whined angrily and scowled.

'Can't you see the line, Mister.' Amaal reprimanded him. Haider looked at the long line and frowned, then he looked back at her.

'I am not a kid to stand in line.' He commented. Amaal passed him a sarcastic grin.

'Then go to hall 2, elderlies are being served there.' She pointed towards the exit. Haider blinked at her in shock, while she confidently looked back. He sighed and grumpily walked towards the end of the line.

Alina sat on her bed with her back leaning against the wall. An open book laid lifelessly on her lap, while she gazed mindlessly at the wall in front. Her gaze fixed on the beautiful and large Dream catcher hanging behind three strings of fairy lights. The room was illuminated by only those lights. The noise from the TV, that Jessica watched, was heavily muffled and almost inaudible. Her thoughts wandered to memories of Haider. It made her restless to think where he could be and what he could be doing. As she kept thinking, she flinched upon hearing her phone ring. She grabbed her phone and noticed it was an unknown number.

'Hello?' She answered in an uncertain tone. There was no response. She could hear steady breathing from the other side.

'Hello? Who is there?' She asked again. There was still no response. She frowned and repeated herself. To her surprise, the phone got disconnected. She brought the phone to her face and blinked at the screen.

Just then, the door flung open and Meera walked into the room with a loud thud.

Alina screamed, Meera reflexively screamed too.

'Gosh! You scared me.' Alina gasped for air. Meera placed her palm over his thumping heart and scolded her for scaring life out of her. She bit her lips, retracting in the bed. Meera frowned and sat beside her whilst complaining about reading in dim light. She stopped talking when Alina told her about the blank call.

'Do you think it was Haider?' Meera whispered with her eyes wide.

Alina gave a thoughtful nod, - 'I am doubting it is him. Not sure.' She replied truthfully. Meera nodded and held her palm. She gripped her hand tightly.

'You are thinking too much about him. Maybe that is why you are thinking about him. I suggest you forget him, unless—'

'Unless?' Alina raised her eyebrow. Meera just smiled at her in response and side hugged her. Alina breathed deeply and rested her head against her friend's shoulder.

Okay, so, Haider's misery starts *hehehehehe* But, but, but, who is calling Alina? What do you guys, think?

So, my lovelies, How was the Chapter? Drop your thoughts in the comments, please *smiles* and do share the story with your friends *hearts*