Next morning...

I got up at 7 a.m. as my alarm broke my chain of sleep. I quickly rushed out of the bed and in to the bathroom. After I was done with my shower, I dressed in to a fine Armani black suit. I checked my iPhone to see if there are any new mails received. Janet had sent me the place and timing of the meeting. Gathering my wallet, handkerchief and my iPhone I went out of my room. Nancy had already kept my breakfast on the dining table. I pulled my chair back as it makes a screeching sound and sat on it. Hearing the sound of screeching Nancy came out of the kitchen smiling brightly.

"Good morning Nancy." I wished her and started munching on cereals.

"Good morning Asad. What would you like to have for lunch?" she asked.

"Actually Nancy, I won't be here for the lunch. So, don't bother for it." I informed her.

After I was done with my breakfast, I bid a good-bye in Nancy's direction and headed out. Landon as usual was waiting for me in the car. I waved at him and he pulled the car out of the parking lot. Once I got in the car, I informed him about the address of restaurant. Later on, I called Janet to know if everything is fixed to which she replied positively. Within fifteen minutes we reached the restaurant through the drive way. I was half hour early as I entered the restaurant Rafa called me. I picked it up on the second ring.

"Assalamualaikum.” I heard him greet.

"Walaikumasalam, how come you called early in the morning?" I asked him, sitting on the sofa chair.

" Did I interrupted in between the meeting?" he asked.

"NO, why?" I questioned curiously.

"Actually, dude when I told mom and dad yesterday that you would be coming here, they got happy and as for now mom is like constantly nagging me to ask you at what time you will be coming as well as what you would be having for the lunch?" he blabbered nonchalantly.

"Hmm... I will be there by 12 p.m. and tell aunty that she can make as she pleases but do tell her I want ajar ka halwa for sweet dish. Okay " I answered his question, motioning the waiter.

"Alright Asad" with that he hung-up.

"Yes sir?" the waiter asked. He was having brown hairs and some- what grey eyes.

"Get me one expresso" I ordered. " sure sir" he replied and scurried away.

After I had my expresso, I went through the newspaper kept in front of me. It was past 9:45 a.m. and Mr. Collins was no were to be seen. Well let’s see that he makes it on time because I don't appreciate late comers. Time is money you know.

When there was only 5 minutes left for 10 a.m. I saw Mr. Collin come in through the glass doors. He skillfully walked with the large steps confidently towards my table. As he approached me, I stood up as he greeted me " Mr. Asad Sufiyan " and proposed a hand forward for handshake which I brightly shook with mines.

"Thanks for coming here Mr. Sufiyan from India." he thanked, another man nearly aged 30 approached our table. He was an African with dark black curly hairs.

" Mr. Sufiyan meet Christian, he is a qualified and well-known architect and would be working for you, for the structure and layout of the hotel." he mentioned introducing Christian and we did the handshake part.

"So, Christian have you prepared any sample projects for the hotel?" I asked him.

"Yes, sir I had visited the land where you want to build this hotel, so I have 4 sample layouts projects for your hotel" he said, as he started to show me layouts.

Going through the project we decided that the hotel will stand at 72 floors height. There were some corrections in every layout so I gave him my idea of layout and asked him to consider while making the new project layout.

I wanted luxury, comfort, style, uniqueness, as well as I wanted that customers should also feel a sense of relief in it. It should have the calming effect. The best part was that Christian understood my point and idea.

After the meeting was over it was past 11:30 a.m. I called Landon to be ready as I head out of the restaurant. We lastly, I mean Christian, I and Mr. Collins parted our ways.

I saw Landon waiting at the exit of the gate way of the restaurant, I went there and got in the car. I told him to take me to Rafa's bungalow. Within 20 minutes I reached there. Watchman opened the gates as he spotted Landon and he pulled the car through the driveway. Flashbacks of childhood memories flashed as I, Rafa, Firdaus and Elnaz use to play football in here.

As I stepped out of the car at the large French styled doors, I saw Umera chichi, Rehan Chacha and Rafa standing there to greet me.

"Always on time huh!" Rafa commented.

"Assalamualaikum Chacha and Chachi" I greeted as I hugged Rehan Chacha and bowed my head in front her, as she patted my back.

"Let’s go in. Lunch is ready." She said, moving in.

Rafa showed me my room when I use to stay here for holidays, it was exactly like I had left it. I got in and directly went in to the washroom. After freshening up I got out only to see Rafa sitting on the bed, with his iPhone in his hand typing vigorously. As I closed the door behind me which made him shoot his head up towards my direction. But before I can speak, he spoke.

"I knew you wouldn't be bringing your clothes, here it is." He motioned towards the bed where a track and a t-shirt were laying.

"They are new in my closet. Although mine but you can have it." He continued.

"Rafa there is no need for that. I am comfortable with my suit." I told him. He eyed me more like surprised.

"What is with you now a days? You acting so formal? Anything wrong?" He asked, voice lacing concern.

"Nothing is wrong Rafa. Rubbish you think." I taunted him.

" Man, you know that we man's have an appetite and we always want comfort while eating. I am not saying that your Armani is not comfortable but tracks are irreplaceable." He reasoned.

"Okay I will borrow your tracks." I said as I went towards the track, and going in to the closet. I changed in to the tracks but let my shirt be. Surprisingly this track went good with my Armani shirt. Great!

After I changed, me and Rafa went downstairs to the dining hall. The smell of Biryani, Gajar ka halwa, raita etc. filled my senses. It was mouthwatering. As our steps hit the floor, I was greeted with a pleasant smile of Rehan uncle and Umera aunty. I smiled them back.

"Come sit Asad" aunty gestured me to the chair to which I sat on willingly.

"Mom once Asad came you forgot me" Rafa whined, grinning. It is surprising how Rafa being one of the strict and ruthless man can be such child sometimes.

"Come sit here. Nautanki! (drama queen)" aunty chuckled.

"I am not a Nautanki, mom." He spoke back sitting on the chair.

Aunty started to fill the plates with kababs and biryani rice plus adding some raita to the bowl. Once everyone's plate was full aunty too joined us for lunch.

"How are you coping with work Asad beta (son)?" Rehan uncle asked.

"It’s great uncle plus interesting." I answered.

"What about competitors and rivals?" He asked forth.

"Well, all I can say is I am difficult with them." Was my answer.

"You should be after all whose son, are you? Mr. Zayn Sufiyan's." He said, eyes glowing with pride.

" yaa-" I stopped when I heard someone speaking.

Rather someone speaking. Coming in through the doors and fiddling with the cover of her file. There stood she. Beautiful as ever. In fact, more beautiful than the last time I saw her. She has grown in to a woman. Wearing her hijab, perfectly. Clutching her iPhone in one hand while a file or two in other. She was not seeing up as she was busy going through her file.

"Assalamualaikum Ammi, Abbu and Bhai." She greeted, still looking down at her file.

" Walaikumasalam." All replied.

"Firdaus look whose here. Your best friend. Come greet Asad and have food." Aunty called her. As if she heard my name her head snapped up and her eyes widened.

There our eyes met. Our breathing raging. She stood there completely frozen while I was rather looking at her after such a long time.

"Assalamualaikum." She greeted me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Walaikumasalam." Was all we talked. She sat on the front of me. Her posture was stiff throughout the lunch. Eating slowly. I ate my food and after I was done with the halwa I left the dining table excusing some work.

*****