A life of secrets

chapter 3

" aabi where are you now a days. You have been got so busy that i am worried about your health. "

Aabi's mother came to his room when he was getting ready for the office.

" look at your face. You go to office early and come back late"

" u don't even have time for your mother"

Mrs husain said in grief tone.

" its nothing mom. Lately i was busy in a project, i am going to launch soon"

Aabi held his mom's shoulder and made her sit on the couch. He loved his mother so much. She was his world. He held her hands in his hand.

" its good that you have took hold of your dad's business but you have to take care of your health also"

Mrs Hussain said to aabi

" after your father's death you have taken care of every thing very well. Now every thing is settled you should get married now"

Mrs Hussain said with hope.

" not now mom i don't want to get married. "

Aabi said while turning his face to the side. While zulfishan's face appeared in his eyes and his heart beat got faster.

" i am getting late mom. There is an important meeting. See you in the evening."

He got scared of his feelings and rushed towards the door while mrs hussain felt strange from his behaviour.

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" today is my first day, i must reach the office in time"

Zulfishan was getting ready in a hurry.

" hi cousin, where are you going?"

Salman interrupted her.

" going to office"

Zulfishan answered shortly.

" you have got a job"

He asked

"Yes "

She replied

"Now can you please step a side. I am getting late "

She asked annoyingly

" sure, by the way i can offer you a lift"

He said giving her way.

"No thanks i will manage"

" salman take her to office. Her dad's bike is parked .today is her first day. She has got this job after so many difficulties. If she got late her boss will be angry "

Her step mom said from the kitchen window.

" ok aunty"

He said obediently. His heart filled with joy. Its was like a dream come true. He had liked zulfishan for so many years but she had never gave him any hope.

Salman started the bike and zulfishan sat behind him with angry face.

After a ride of twenty minutes they were in front of the office.

It was as if salman was on cloud nine. He said to her.

" when your office time is off give me a call i will come pick you up".

" thanks for your ride. I will manage my self"

She said and turned towards the entrance of the office. While two people watched her. One was salman who was looking with love in his eyes

And the other was aabi who had seen zulfishan with salman and there were unreadable emotions in his eyes.

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Zulfishan entered the grand office building of Ebaad Couture with a strange feeling in her chest—something between nervousness and hope. It was her first day at work. The glass walls, polished floors, and high ceilings made everything seem surreal. She adjusted her scarf, straightened her shoulders, and stepped inside.

Erum, a graceful and confident young woman, greeted her at the reception with a warm smile. "Welcome, Miss Zulfishan. Let me show you to your department."

Zulfishan followed Erum down the wide hallway. Everything around her looked expensive and modern. She couldn’t help but feel out of place, like a misplaced puzzle piece in a perfect frame. But she reminded herself that she had earned this—through pain, loss, and determination.

“This is your workstation,” Erum pointed toward a neat desk beside a glass window. “You’ll start by assisting in cataloging the new designs. Your manager will guide you further.”

Zulfishan nodded. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“Also,” Erum added, “you’ll eventually attend review meetings with the higher-ups. Be prepared.”

With that, Erum left, and Zulfishan was alone with her thoughts and a stack of fabric files. She took a deep breath and began reading through the material. Her mind was trying to stay focused, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her.

What she didn’t know was that across the floor, behind the tinted glass walls of the top office, Aabi was watching her.

He stood silently, arms crossed, eyes fixed on her. He hadn’t spoken to her yet—not directly. But he had ensured her hiring, reviewed her file personally, and watched every step she had taken from the moment she entered the building.

There was something fragile yet resilient about her that made him pause every time she passed by. Her eyes held sadness, but her posture was composed. She had clearly been through more than she showed. He admired that.

But he also feared something—his own feelings.

He had told himself this was just coincidence. That she was just the daughter of a loyal employee. That she was just an intern. Nothing more. But he couldn’t lie to himself for long.

Back at her desk, Zulfishan noticed Erum returning.

“How’s it going?” Erum asked.

“Good so far,” she replied politely.

Erum sat beside her, lowering her voice. “By the way… have you noticed how the boss keeps looking at you?”

Zulfishan looked up, startled. “What?”

Erum laughed lightly. “Relax. I just meant… he has an eye for potential. He’s very focused. But you caught his attention somehow.”

Zulfishan forced a smile. “I guess he’s just watching over the new hires.”

“Maybe,” Erum said with a knowing look, “or maybe it’s more.”

Zulfishan went quiet. She didn’t want to believe anything unnecessary. She was here to work, not daydream. But deep inside, her heartbeat was not as calm as her expression.

Later that afternoon, as she walked down the hallway holding a few files, she passed by the conference room. Aabi was inside, standing by the window, speaking with another executive. She didn’t mean to look—but his eyes found hers for a split second. It was barely a glance, but it felt like something shifted in the air. Like he saw through her… and she saw him.

Zulfishan quickly looked away and walked faster, but her fingers trembled slightly. She scolded herself inwardly. You’re just an employee. Don’t be foolish.

That night, as she sat alone on the rooftop of her house, sipping tea under the stars, she allowed herself to think.

There was Salman—always trying to be close, always offering help, but never feeling like the answer. And then there was this stranger… her boss, a man who hadn’t spoken more than a few words to her but had somehow left a trace on her heart.

She hugged her shawl tightly around her shoulders and whispered into the night sky:

“I don’t know where life is taking me… but I hope it’s somewhere better than where I’ve been.”

She didn’t know that in another part of the city, Aabi stood by his bedroom window, thinking the same.