ZOYA'S POV.
I could not believe that he made coffee for his ex-girlfriend because she was disabled and could not make her own coffee by herself.
"Ma'am, is there an issue?" Katin asked.
"No you may continue," I replied, sipping my energy drink.
I needed to stay focused. I cannot afford to be distracted by a man who was just a stand-in.
The meeting continued for quite some time and finally, it was time for me to go home. I had to leave early today since I was going to my parent's house today.
I walked out of my office to tell Abrar of our plan but he seemed to have left work which was quite shocking.
"Good day ma'am" Kaif suddenly greeted me.
"Oh Kaif, sorry but where is Abrar?" I asked, still looking wrong, to see if I could spot him.
"Abrar left for some field work" Kaif informed me, his mouth filled up with sausage. I noticed Kaif was always either eating something or flirting with someone.
"Field work? But he is not assigned to do that" I said looking confused.
"Nikhat asked him to escort him and he agreed," Kaif reported.
First, he made coffee for her and now he escorts her to a field site, was he the only male she could go with?
"Okay then thank you" I replied, walking back to my office.
It was almost five p. m. and still, Abrar was not yet back.
I picked up my phone and called him but still did not get a reply from him. I can't believe he wants to disappoint me after telling him of my plan.
I grabbed my bag and angrily exited the office. I cannot continue waiting for him any longer.
He was not picking up my calls and neither was he replying to my texts. Seems like he is enjoying his time with his love. I am only an unwanted distraction anyway.
"Welcome him dear" my father greeted me with a small smile as soon as I stepped into the house, while my mom stood a few feet behind him.
"Good day Father" I replied. I walked over to my mother and greeted her in a traditional way asking for her blessings. "Bless you, child," she said, engulfing me in a tight hug " I missed you so much dear," she said, her voice tinged with a little bit of longing.
"I missed you so much mama" I replied, hugging her back with such enthusiasm.
Ever since the whole Abrar incident I had not seen or talked to my mother. She was one of my closest friends and companions.
"Where is Abrar?" My father asked, looking around.
"He should be here soon, just consumed with work I suppose," I said, trying to cover up for his shortcomings.
I should have known that the moment Abrar refused to pick my calls that he wasn't going to show up.
We had rounded up dinner and still, Abrar was a show. "I am not sure he will be able to make it, he must really be consumed with work," I said, still trying to defend him.
"It's okay, it's a new position and a rare one is a very diligent and hardworking young man. He takes his job seriously, I am sure something must have held him down," my father said.
I looked over to my mum but she did not look convinced at all, one thing about my mother was that she was a family-orientated person and she believed that since I was already a workaholic like my dad she wanted someone who was more family oriented for me so that it could balance my work and family life ratio. I can boldly say Abrar has lost some points when it comes to my mother's approval.
He may have my dad's approval but my mother's approval is quite hard to get and he does not have a good start right now.
"Well, he should know when it is time for family, this was a family gathering and he did not bother to come. No amount of work should stop you from visiting your loved ones" my mother objected with a disappointed expression on her face.
With a nodding and a wave goodbye I drove out making my way back home to my temporary home.
From the lights coming from the house, I knew instantly that Abrar was back and I looked at my phone and noticed that he had not responded to any of my calls.
I walked into the house to see him standing with a surprised expression on his face like he saw a ghost or something and was a little to pass out.
"Where were you all day Abrar?" I yelled at him.
"I am so sorry Zoya, my phone went off and we were so consumed with work at the site I totally forgot," he said looking apologetic but at that moment I was so angry at him I could barely hear anything he was saying.
"Do you know how embarrassing it was showing up alone at my family house alone? I could feel the disapproving stares from my aunty and uncles. It did not help matters knowing you were also ignoring my messages and like a fool I was defending you" I yelled at him.
"I am very sorry" he apologized once again, a defeated expression on his face.
"If you know you enjoy spending time with your ex let just end all this. I know it is a fake relationship but I don't want you going around with another woman when everyone thinks we are together that would look disrespectful" I said, grabbing my bag to walk back into my room.
"And you? Are you any different?" He suddenly asked.
"What?" I asked, dumbfounded by his question.
" If I remember vividly I asked you who Anas was but you said he was nothing all for me to discover he was the ex you replaced me with" he yelled back at me.
I knew I told him Anas was nothing because he was nothing. Anas is someone from my past I have no intention of visiting the memory of.
"That is because he is nothing to me," I replied.
"How am I supposed to believe that, just a few weeks ago you were crying in the street because of him? I am actually in this situation now because of him, so tell me how am I supposed to believe the fact that you feel nothing for him when every time he approached you at the office I see your eyes light up in excitement" he yelled at me
I could see how angry and agitated he looked but one thing for sure was I didn't have any feelings whatsoever again for Anas anymore all I felt for him was hatred.
Although I do not show it I am very grateful to Abrar as I don't know what I would have done without him that day I might still be roaming the streets too scared of going home.
"I have no feelings for him, Abrar. He is my past, a past I am sometimes ashamed of because I was naïve and stupid, but not anymore" I said.
The tension between us slowly calmed down as we quickly realized that we were just holding grudges because of the sudden appearances of our exes in our lives.
"I am absolutely sorry for today Zoya, if I had remembered I would not have gone on that trip with her," he said in a calming tone.
"Okay then, I will accept your apology but don't you think of doing something like this again if not you would really not get my mother's approval" I informed him.
"My mum is not happy with you at all and demands you go over and visit" I added.
"When?" He asked, looking a bit nervous.
"Tomorrow," I informed.
"So we will go back tomorrow?" He asked.
"No, you will go there tomorrow by yourself. I am too busy for all that" I said walking away but was quickly halted by his arm which wrapped around my biceps.
"Why? You know I can't go there by myself. Come on please come with me" he pleaded and I almost burst out laughing at how nervous and scared he looked.
"Please" he pleaded once again.
"Fine but I want pizza," I said willing to collect some bribe. I cannot be cheap.
"Seriously?" He asked, looking at me like I was joking.
"I am dead serious," I replied.
"Okay fine, I will give you your pizza" he replied with a defeated tone.
"Good your penalty wasn't that much now was it" I said, smiling excitedly as I walked to the bedroom.
I took a warm shower and as soon as I finished dressing up for the night my late pizza snack was waiting on the counter. I could not help myself from squealing in excitement.
It was so warm and so cheeky, the perfect late-night snack.
"You can take a slice, just a slice though," I noticed Abrar watching the cheesy pizza with longing in his eyes.
He quickly dived in and grabbed the largest piece of pizza I was keeping as my last.
"Abrar"I scolded him but he only laughed as he quickly finished the piece.
It was fun, we were laughing and eating dinner together, something that I have to say rarely happens or never happens if I must say.
Abrar looked so happy and at that moment I also felt happy.