Chapter 25 : Take Care of Him

Aaliya woke up with red eyes due to lack of sleep, her mood was not energetic as usual but instead, she was feeling exhausted due to her mental stress.

She took her phone to see a notification of text from Arsh Bhai, She hurriedly opened a text not knowing why her heartbeat got accelerated catching a glimpse of his name on the screen.

"Aaliya, I am ashamed of my behavior and I do accept that I don't have any explanation neither for my aforementioned behavior nor current! But I apologize for my raised voice and for hurting you. I have some important matter at hand but I will be back as soon as I can. And try to forgive me though I do not deserve it.                                            

- Arslan

Reading text her heartfelt peace as well as anticipation at the same time, she didn't know why is she feeling like this? Maybe it is because she now knows that he is safe! But again why?

She dropped the topic knowing that it will only cause more commotions. She didn't feel like going to work but it is life and it has to go at its own pace.

She got prepared for the work reluctantly, she was going to sit in the back seat but stopped on a sudden thought. She glanced at the driver's seat allowing a surge of memories to run through her mind.

Does he forgive him? Yes....No...No what is she thinking? Why does her damn brain stop every time at his name? Why does her every thought stops at him only?

She released an annoyed sigh sitting at the back seat, the mind was not at all in control of its owner. Her mind seemed to have become a rebellion.

She reached her office wanting to get herself immerse in work to give a rest to her mind which was continuously constructing his thoughts.

"Sophie, My today's schedule?" She asked her PA sighing some of the documents present on her desk.

"Ma'm you have the first meeting with Textile's businessman regarding the preparation of clothes for your contemporary collection..." She was nodding here and there making her continue with the further schedule.

"Then you have to visit the construction site with Mr.Arslan Siddiqui in the afternoon." Sophie enlightened her but her hand stopped on his name feeling her heartbeat got quickened.

"It is canceled Mr. Arslan is not present here!" She said after fabricating herself.

"Oh I'm sorry Ma'm but I forgot that I have got a call from Mr. Rehaan Sheikh's Secretary earlier and he informed me that Mr. Rehaan would be accompanying you instead of Mr.Arslan." She corrected herself but ready to get an earful from her boss.

But Aaliya was far away in her thoughts to reprimand her, she just responded with a curt nod, her PA's jaw fell open at her behavior. Did she let her go like that without scolding her? But then she hurried out from her cabin not wanting to get in trouble.

~*~

Rehaan was happy as well as apprehensive. He was getting to meet his dear and afraid because her life is in danger. He had developed a particular type of liking towards her but not knowing what it was!?

He knew why Arslan called him, Arslan is very protective of Aaliya he knew that fact. During his stay with him in the USA, he was very well accustomed to this fact.

Arslan knew everything about Aaliya, his guards were constantly around her for her safety. He got to know about everything, he had his sources in her offices, her colleagues everywhere. He made sure about her safety even when he was not sure about his.

Yes, Arslan was very much depressed at that period, Arslan may not have explained to him but he could see and observe it all.

He was very disturbed but he never said anything to him, that's why Rehaan extended his stay not leaving him alone on his own.

He was happy that he would be able to spend some time with her and happy that Arslan trusted him with Aaliya's responsibility.

He got up from his desk to reach the construction site, she came after few minutes. She walked towards him with her usual confident strides.

How can someone be as beautiful as her? Not just face but inner beauty as well! She is kind, honest, intelligent, smart, pretty. He could describe her qualities all day!!

His face containing a beautiful smile, she came forward and greeted him. Her voice was relatively gloomy it was not her conventional soft and cheerful none the less he replied to her.

Arslan has already passed the plan, they just have to observe the work going on there. They saw everything and concluded that everything was fine.

They were walking back to their cars, Aaliya was not her blushing-shying self today. Instead, it was like she was present here but her heart was somewhere else.

She gave short curt answers to Rehaan if he asked her something, she was not also interested in work but just doing it for the sake of committing duty.

"So, I hope you have been notified about the change in the programs earlier." Rehaan said pointing towards attending with him instead of Arslan.

"I knew Arsh Bhai wasn't there, I have got to know about your company afterward." She said not wanting to talk further feeling disinterested.

"Did you know about Arslan's departure?" Rehaan asked perplexed as he never informed anyone about his departure earlier.

"Yes, he texted me." Aaliya replied with a short answer.

Rehaan got confused but then again Arslan's and Aaliya's bond was not hidden from anyone. He thought that maybe Aaliya knew about his distress in past years also.

"Aaliya, I know that you must know about Arslan's condition better than me but I would just say Take care of him. Don't leave him alone." Rehaan said referring to his depression as he must not be left alone and not knowing about the root cause of his depression even Rehaan couldn't help him.

But what he didn't know was the root cause of Arslan's suffering was standing right in front of him.

Aaliya just nodded her head at him, walking towards her car.

Aaliya, I know that you must know about Arslan's condition better than me but I would just say Take care of him. Don't leave him alone.

Condition? Take care of him? Don't leave him alone?

What condition? And why take care of him? Her suspicion was getting stronger that he is hiding something enormous from her about his disappearance before two years.

Why her heart suddenly feels like a massive weight on it? Why is she feeling uneasiness? Is it restlessness? But why? It suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe properly, as if someone had choked her throat! She opened the window of her car to get fresh air.

The car stopped at the traffic signal, her eyes moved on its own accordance towards a big hoarding containing a picture of Arslan advertising his brand of watch collection.

Arsh Bhai? What are you hiding? Why does it feel like it would leave me a burden of something which I may not be able to deal with? But I promise I will find it very soon!

~*~

Hey Guys!

And we have finally come to the 25th chapter of this book, Amazing Right?

Back to the update, What do you think will Aaliya be able to unfold the mystery?

Thoughts?

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Till then the next update, Allah hafiz!