1!

ZAISHA POV

"Zaisha, give me that chai and go wake up Sanaam. I don't know how much longer that girl will sleep," my mom said sarcastically as she took the tray from my hands.

I looked at her and smiled slightly.

"Arey, Ammi, don't worry. She'll wake up," I replied, taking the tray back and starting to arrange the biscuits.

Is she really going to wake up? Hell no.

Sanam loves to sleep so much that even if a tsunami hit, she wouldn't stir—and I'm absolutely certain of it.

I quickly arranged the tray with biscuits and chai. The clock showed 7:25. I picked up the tray and walked into the hall.

"Good morning, everyone!" I greeted, offering a smile. I went to my father, who smiled back and took the cup I offered.

"Morning, beta. Did you sleep well last night?" my dad asked, noticing my dark red eyes.

"Yes, Abbajaan, I slept well. Don't worry about me," I replied, placing the biscuits on the table.

But only I knew how little I had actually slept. It had been two years since I last had a peaceful night's rest.

I shrugged off my thoughts and continued serving chai to everyone.

We live in a joint family—my Taya Abbu, Chachu, and all of us live under the same roof.

My Chachi is truly the sweetest person, while my Tayi Ammi... well, not so much.

Still, I have to respect her. Taya Abbu is the kindest soul and loves me like I'm his own daughter.

I huffed—and just then, a voice echoed.

"Di, make me some coffee," I heard a sleepy voice say, and I smiled, turning to look at the girl standing at the edge of the stairs.

She's so cute.

Well, that's my sister, Sanaam.

The rudest, kindest, half-minded, and absolute soul sister.

She looked at me as if her whole life depended on me. Time for a little drama.

"What happened, Sanam? Want some coffee?" I asked, pretending to be all innocent.

"Yes, Di! Please make one for me, please, please!" She clasped her hands together dramatically, and I chuckled at her antics.

"Why not give her a little poison too, Zaisha Di?" Ruaan, my cousin, teased as he walked into the hall—probably just back from the gym.

"Oh please, Ruaan. I am poison. I don't need any extra," Sanaam snapped back playfully, grabbing an apple and dropping herself onto a chair at the dining table.

"Di, don't listen to him. Please just make me some coffee," she pleaded again.

"Only if you come to the garden with me first," I said, flipping my hair with dramatic flair. Her little pout was honestly adorable.

"Di, please! I really don't like gardening at all," she said, stealing a glance at the garden beyond the glass door with visible dread.

"Alright then, forget about the coffee," I replied casually.

"Ugh, fine! I'll come with you... But I'm not touching the soil!" she surrendered, pointing dramatically in the direction of the garden.

"Strong or light?" I asked.

"Obviously strong!" she grinned, and I made my way toward the kitchen, where Ammi and Tayi were already busy with their chores.

I grabbed a bowl and started preparing coffee for both of us.

"Look at this... instead of scolding her sister, she's making her coffee," Tayi Ammi taunted.

I glanced at my mother, who quietly gestured with her eyes to let it go.

But I really did want to say something.

"If I wanted to, I could scold her... but I prefer better methods," I said calmly while stirring the coffee powder.

The aroma of coffee filled the air as I swirled the spoon and then placed the cups neatly on a tray.

I didn't even look at her—I already knew her face had turned red with embarrassment.

Carrying the cups, I returned to the hall. Sanaam was lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone.

"Here you go," I said, handing her the cup.

"Di, look at this! Let's do this for the garden!" she said, excitedly showing me Pinterest-style photos of garden setups on her phone.

I just stared at her. Is this the same girl who claimed she hated gardening just a few minutes ago?

Well... I know my sister.

We were about to goes to the gardening but my phone buzzed.

---

Saira calling...📞

Saira: "Assalamu alaikum."

Me: "Walikum assalam."

Saira: "Khush khabri hai..." (Good news...)

My curiosity piqued.

Me: "Tum maa banne wali ho?" (Are you going to be a mother?) I asked, barely holding back my laughter.

I know I am not a straight forward girl.

Serious situation mein hasna, mazak karna is my thing after all.

Saira: "Haan, aur tum baap ho mere bache ki." (Yes, and you're the father of my child.) I burst out laughing.

Me: "Achha, matter bata." (Okay, tell me the real news.)

Saira: "Pehle sorry bol." (First, say sorry.)

Oh God, this girl.

Me: "Achha baba, sorry, ab bol bhi." (Okay, okay, sorry. Now tell me.)

Saira: "Tu interview ke liye select ho gayi." (You've been selected for the interview.)

She dropped the news like a bomb.

Me: "Sachi?" (Really?) I asked, still in disbelief.

Saira: "Haan, sach mein yaar." (Yes, really.)

Five seconds passed. My brain was processing it.

Me: "Interview kab hai?" (When's the interview?)

Saira: "Kal, 2:00 baje." (Tomorrow, 2:00 PM.)

Me: "Kal?" (Tomorrow?)

I applied for the job just two days ago—I expected at least a week's wait.

Saira: "Haan yaar, Nisha ne bola ki unki company ki secretary fire ho gayi hai. Isliye woh log jaldi dhoondh rahe hain."

(Yes, Nisha said their company's secretary got fired. That's why they're looking for someone quickly.)

Me: "Lekin maine toh secretary ke liye apply nahi kiya?"

(But I didn't apply for secretary?)

I'm a designer—I applied for a design role!

Saira: "Abey yaar, secretary ka aur bhi achha hai na,aur b acha kaam milega. Aur abhi tere liye job bohot important hai."

(Oh come on, secretary is even better.And right now, you really need the job.)

And yes, she was right. I really needed it.

Me: "Haan yaar! Samajh gayi. Theek hai, main kal interview attend karti hoon."

(Yeah, I get it. Alright, I'll attend the interview tomorrow.)

Saira: "Rock the interview, babe!"

I smiled.

Me: "Haan, chal, bye..."

She hung up. I turned to my sister, who was grinning wide.

"Di, you got selected for the interview! I'm so happy!"

She jumped in joy.

"I have accepted for the interview, not the job yet, Sanam," I reminded her gently, placing my hands on her shoulders.

"So what? I know you're going to get this job. Just keep your faith in Allah, okay?"

She said, pulling me into a warm side hug.

FAARIS POV

I stared at the file in front of me, the bold letters ECHO 2023 stamped across it like a scar that refused to fade.

Inside it—secrets. Secrets sharp enough to cut through silence.

No one knows how to open them. Or worse, what will happen when they do.

A pang of something dark and familiar stirred in my chest as memories clawed their way back—

The helplessness. The rage. The moment everything shattered.

And just like that, the part of me I kept locked away began to stir.

The devil within... was waking up.

Suddenly,There was a knock on my door.

"May I come in, sir?" my assistant's voice echoed from the other side.

I quickly grabbed the file and shoved it inside my drawer, hiding it before anyone could see.

That file wasn't meant for just anyone's eyes.

"Come in," I said, adjusting my composure.

He walked in, a bunch of files stacked in his hands. The sight alone made my jaw clench.

Looks like it's time to get back to my real work.

I hate this. I've always hated this.

This design company—I built it 2.5 years ago with a heart full of dreams.

But now? Every decision I made for them... I regret it.

The people I trusted. The ones I loved like family.

All of it—it's a fucking nightmare now.

And the worst part?

Knowing it was never real.

"Sir, your new secretary is joining today. Should I double-check all the formalities to ensure there are no issues later?" my assistant asked in a steady, professional tone.

"No. Leave that part to me," I replied, my voice firm. "Just do exactly as I say."

I gave him the instructions—precise, everything is calculated.

This isn't the first time I'm doing something like this.

But this time... this is the right moment.

I know what I'm about to do will come with consequences—might even burn me.

But people need to learn their lesson.

And now? Now is the perfect time.

"Understood, sir. I'll follow your lead. I'll take my leave now," he said respectfully,and leaves from the room

Truth be told, he's more than just an assistant.

He's my right hand in every storm I've faced.

It's exactly 2 PM.

That means... she must be here by now.

Probably sitting in that interview room, answering those predictable questions.

It should take about 30 minutes—just enough time to prepare myself.

Let's wait.

For the first bomb I'm about to drop.

The beginning of what she truly deserves.

__________________________

TRUST ME GUYS FAARIS POV WASN'T A PART OF CHAPTER 1 BUT STILL I HOOKED THE FIRST CHAPTER.

AND DO VOTE,COMMENT IF YOU'RE LIKING THE STORY -- DON'T BE SILENT READER.

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~ALINA