Hasan climbed down his car, picking out some notes and his bag. He adjusted his bag on his shoulder and walked towards the entrance. On his way, he was knocked by an incoming car. Thankfully, the driver was driving slowly, looking for a parking space. Hasan fell to the ground and angrily gathered himself and his belonging.

"Hey, can't you see? Driving a big fat car doesn't make you a Bahubali." He fisted his hand and reprimanded the driver.

Soon, the car door flung open and he straightened in his place. A woman in a pink linen saree and white sleeveless blouse climbed down the car. Hasan's facial expressions relaxed, and his mouth dropped a little.

"Calm down, Mister. You aren't dead." The woman jerked her sunglasses and blinked at him. Hasan was forced to remember the first time he had met Anaisha. And once again, they were in a similar situation.

Anaisha threw him a look and dryly asked him to step away, - "Next time, watch where you are walking." She gestured with her fingers towards her eyes and pointed back at him. She huffed and turned towards her car. Hasan kept staring stupidly at the front. She sat in her car, pulled down the window, and stuck her head out.

"Now move." She motioned with her hand. He shook his head, coming out from his daze, and stepped aside.

Hasan stepped into the science block and was greeted by an over-excited student.

"Asalam aliakum, Bhaijaan."

Hasan looked sideways and held his shoulders, - "Waliakum Asalam, Khalil. How many times I told you, no Bhaijaan business here. I am Professor Rauf for you, like everybody else." He warned lightly. Khalil sighed, nodding.

"Okay, Professor."- He smiled, and then frowned, - "What's that, Bhai—Professor." He pointed at the muddied knees of Hasan's jeans.

He groaned, placing a palm over his face. Flashes of encounter with Anaisha raced through his head.

"Just minor accident, Khalil. I will clean up in the washroom." He assured his younger brother, patting his shoulder. Khalil nodded, smiling at his elder brother.

Anaisha walked into the principal's office. Principal Mukherjee welcomed her with a warm greeting, - "I was expecting you, Miss. Singhaniya."

She nodded, removing her sunglasses, - "Hmm."

"Please sit down, I will get tea—"

"No need for that, Principal Mukherjee. I just want to see that block." Anaisha spoke formally. Principal Mukherjee paused for a moment and then nodded. He called Professor Jindal. Ten minutes later, he came and was asked to accompany Anaisha for the sightseeing.

"You are going to love this."

"I am St. Xavier's ex-student Professor. I know about it. This is just formality." She replied without sparing a glance at him.

Professor Jindal gulped. They walked some distance and he spoke again, - "Ma'am, may I? I would like to point out that you are looking beautiful today." He tried to flatter her.

Anaisha scoffed and looked at him, lowering her sunglasses, - "Don't I always look beautiful?" She stared at him. He awkwardly looked away and gulped hard.

The abandoned block was almost as she had left it. Only with more wild plants and spider webs. As the peon unlocked the door and they walked in, a gust of dust cloud welcomed them. All coughed, waving their hands.

Anaisha removed her sunglasses and looked around. Her gaze fell over a broken window and she smiled recollecting how she and her friends used to sneak in for smoke and drinks. Her trip to memory lane was interrupted by Professor Jindal's remark about finding old rotting and broken bottles of alcohol. He had his mouth covered with a handkerchief and so one could barely hear his ranting. Thankfully.

She ignored him and looked away, - "This will be perfect for the classical music classes." She chirped.

Jindal looked stunned, he hurried to her, - "But the place is a mess, Ma'am."

She smirked at him, folding her arms, - "Then, we will fix it." She wore her sunglasses again and turned around.

Outside the block, Professor Jindal insisted on some fruit juice or something from the canteen. He sighted it will be cool in the summer afternoon.

"I am sorry, I can't stay longer. I have got to meet my brother." She tried to wave him off politely.

Before walking away, Anaisha stopped as her gaze fell over a pillar and she instantly recollected the day she had found Hasan sobbing for his sister-in-law. She was startled to realize she remembered that day with vivid details. She frowned and looked away sharply. Professor Jindal insisted he dropped her till the car, but she flatly refused. She hated his pampering. And was relieved that he didn't pester her much.

The Singhaniya real estate business was flourishing under Abhinav's leadership. They had not only expanded the business but also modified the company. Anaisha was awestruck by the grandeur. She had never visited their office, so she couldn't compare the two. But she looked at the before and after model at the reception and felt proud of her brother's achievements.

The glass elevator carried her to the tenth floor, she leaned against the railing and admired the office. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she dashed into a person.

A young woman around Anaisha's age stared back at her. She apologized and smiled a little. Anaisha looked into her kohl-laced grey eyes and felt hooked to her. She wore a simple maroon salwar suit with rhinestone embedded white net dupatta. She noticed the woman's medium pregnant belly.

"Hello, I am looking for Abhinav's cabin." Anaisha looked away from the beautiful lady and glanced around. She grinned, her grey eyes lighting up and her heart-shaped lips curved into a smile. Anaisha found her gaze stuck to a small mole at the corner of her upper lip.

"Come, Ma'am. I am Tahira, Abhinav sir's assistant." She extended her hand. Anaisha was a little skeptical, nevertheless, she shook hands with her.

Tahira guided her towards the cabin, passing through a marble-floored corridor, through a glass door, and into a lobby. The huge chandelier brightened the place along with spotlights and the place cooled by the central cooling AC. Anaisha was slightly taken aback when Tahira walked into the cabin without knocking.

"Abhinav." She called.

Abhinav was busy on a call with his back turned to them. He moved his phone and clicked his tongue, turning his head to a side, - "How many times I have told you Tahira that—"

"Sir." She added quickly. Anaisha eyed them carefully. Abhinav swiftly turned around and looked as if he was caught stealing. His expressions relaxed upon seeing his sister.

"Choti!" He chuckled nervously. Anaisha doesn't fail to notice the exchange of glances between her brother and his assistant.

"Um, Tahira. Get some tea and snacks." He motioned her to go away. Tahira nodded urgently and had just turned when Anaisha interrupted her.

"Green Tea for me and no snacks, please." She requested. Tahira nodded politely and walked out of the room.

Anaisha looked at Abhinav who was now seated behind the mahogany table. He flashed a grin at his younger sister and gestured for her to sit opposite him.

At first, she started by buttering him up; praising his work, and then thanked him for helping her set up a classical music course at St. Xavier. Abhinav kept a prideful smile but his cheeks flushed. Even though clean-shaven looks were off trends now, Anaisha had to admit her brother looked exceptionally handsome with this look. According to her, the beard looks are over-rated, anyway. Every third person will be sporting a beard thinking they are a macho celebrity or something.

Soon, the brother and sister got comfortable; tea and snacks were also brought by a peon. It was then Anaisha confessed her real reason for coming here.

"But why, Choti? What is the problem with staying at our place? That is our home, Choti?" Abhinav sounded shocked and a tinge of hurt reflected on his face.

Anaisha sighed, leaning forward and placed her tea-cup, - "No offense, brother. It is just that—I don't feel comfortable. The irony, right? Even you don't stay at home. Before I was bounded but now, I am free."

"Not exactly."- Abhinav leaned, placing a hand on the table, - "How will you pay the rent? Do you work?" He raised an eyebrow, - "You used up your savings from Seattle in that, that classical course thing." He reminded her.

Anaisha bit her lip, - "I was thinking—if I join you here? Like an MD or something."

Abhinav blinked at her and then began laughing. He fell back against the chair while she frowned at him. The feel of insult made her cheeks burn. He relaxed, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, and took a deep breath.

"Woah! Are you kidding me, Choti? How can I randomly give you a job here? That too MD? Wow!"

Anaisha fumed standing up with a jolt. Abhinav's head shot up as well. She glared at him.

"You have changed, Abhinav Singhaniya. You always had my back. Okay, if you can't give me a job here, at least you shouldn't have insulted me." She slammed a hand over the table, toppling down the pen stand. He quickly held it and began to arrange it.

"Choti! Wait, stop." He called leaping from his seat, but his sister doesn't pay heed to him and kept walking towards the entrance. And before she stepped out, Abhinav held her shoulder and pulled her back into the cabin.

"Look, I am sorry. Choti! It is that I can't see you away from me. It has already been eight years. With you in the house, I will feel at ease there. You will be the reason for me to come home." He held her face and stared into her eyes. Anaisha shook her head and moved away from him.

"I can't compromise my self-respect. I came here because you called. Now, I am returning to the US."

"No, no, Choti."- Abhinav held her wrist, - "Please don't go away. I am sorry if I offended you. Come here."- He guided her towards the table and made her sit, then rushed to the other side.

After he sat down, he handed her details of some real estate property. Anaisha rejected all of them and requested a simple apartment the one with not much rent. Abhinav was skeptical.

"I want you to live luxuriously. Don't worry about the rent. I am there for you."

"No, Bhai. You opened my eyes. I want to be independent. I am going to apply for a job here. After all, I have work experience from Seattle. Till I can pay, you will have to adjust the rent."

Abhinav nodded thoughtfully. Even though, he wasn't satisfied he doesn't protest any further. Just added a condition that he will accompany her to whichever apartment she chose. He dialed a number on the landline and spoke to his assistant, - "Tahira, cancel all my meetings and office work for today." He listened to her and then placed down the phone. Anaisha reluctantly smiled at him.

How was the Chapter, my lovelies? Abhinav is definitely suspicious. *hmmm*

Drop your thoughts in the comments, please, and Stay Tuned for the next update *lots of love* *hugs and kisses*