SARA

Bella is snoozing peacefully on my lap as I recline comfortably against the plush couch, waiting for Inaya. It has been nearly an hour and a half since my arrival at her apartment, but she's still buried in her work.

Each time I inquire about her progress, she just says "5 more minutes," which has now stretched into over an hour.

My eyelids surrender to the weight of drowsiness, gently lulling me into sleep until Inaya's sudden voice startles me awake. "I'm finished working," she announces wearily, sinking into the cushions with her eyes closed, arms outstretched on either side of the couch. I shake my head, letting out a sigh. "Who even works on weekends?"

"The one and only Inaya," her hand effortlessly glides to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear, though her expression subtly betrays the weariness that lingers. "You know about the new project, and the whole team is all in. As the CEO, the weight of responsibility rests squarely on my shoulders."

Abruptly, her eyes spring open, locking onto mine. "Any updates on the Aryan Kabir situation? Were you able to broach the topic of his father during the dinner?"

I just shake my head. "Nope. He didn't even bother to acknowledge my presence," I answer, observing her perfectly arched eyebrows knit in curiosity. "What do you mean? Not a single word?"

I shake my head once again in response. "No. We probably had a mere second of eye contact, or even less than that. His father invited him to join us for dinner, but he simply replied, 'I'm not hungry,' and left."

This time, Inaya leans in, her focus solely on me. "No way! Did he really do that? I mean, his dad called him for dinner right in front of you, and he still said no. And I'm sure he must know that you're his dad's therapist, but he just ignored you and didn't bother asking about his dad's health?"

"Apparently not," I respond. Her gaze briefly shifts away from me, pondering something before returning to meet my eyes once again. "Any hunches on what's brewing between them? Probably there are some issues going on"

"I guess so. I really tried hard to read his face to figure out what he's thinking, but it was like trying to read a blank page. He didn't show any emotion," I tell Inaya, and her eyes stay glued to me, hanging on my every word like I'm spilling the most interesting tea ever.

"Does he have ice for every meal, breakfast, lunch, dinner?" She asks, prompting a laugh from me, which she shrugs off with an 'I don't care' expression.

"I mean, just wrap up this meeting quickly and then stay away from him. From what you've said, he sounds like a real cold fish. I doubt he even cares about his dad," she says. "And be careful when you talk to him. Given his description, he might not respond kindly."

I don't know how to respond to this or whether to align with her. It's the same person I encountered that night in the rain, and now these unforeseen revelations about him are unsettling. I just hope he's not the person Inaya and I suspect he might be.

———

My eyes raise up at the towering building in front of me that proudly displays the name AK on its pinnacle. I stand there for a moment and gather all my courage. I know what I am doing is a part of my responsibility, and I can't back off.

NOT AT ALL.

INHALE. EXHALE. INHALE. EXHALE. THAT'S IT. LETS GO.

I walk into the main entrance, my eyes scanning my surroundings until they settle on a familiar figure at the front desk. "Ava?" I say as I approach her. A wide smile lights up her face as our eyes meet. "Sara?"

Ava happens to be one of my patients. As her therapist, seeing her doing well and happy after her therapy session a month ago fills me with relief.

"I'd like to meet with Mr. Aryan Kabir. As his father's psychologist, I have something important to discuss about his father's health. I hope you understand the urgency and can help arrange a meeting," I explain, hoping this strong reason will allow me to have a conversation with him.

"I'm not sure if you'll secure the appointment as Sir is often occupied. However, let me check his schedule," Ava responds before redirecting her gaze to the computer screen in front of her. I nod swiftly, my fingers fiddling with each other, hoping to get a chance to meet him.

Shortly after, she glances back at me, a sigh escaping her lips. "I'm afraid it's not possible."

My lower lip hides beneath my teeth as thoughts whirl in my mind. Retrieving my phone, I text Inaya.

Me : I had a feeling this wouldn’t pan out

Inaya : Are you still at the company?

Me : Yes. I asked Ava, but she mentioned she couldn't help

Inaya : Ava? Who is she?

Me : The receptionist. Interestingly, she turned out to be one of my former patients. Seeing her completely fine now made me so happy

Inaya : That's it! Since you both know each other, why not ask for her help?

Me : But

Inaya : No buts! You were her psychologist. I'm sure she can help

Inaya : Go on, ask her now!

Me : I don't know how to ask her

Me : It feels a bit awkward

Inaya : Idc

Inaya : Just ask, and that's final

Inaya : Bye!

Me : I shouldn't have listened to you🙂

Me : Your plans are always risky

Slipping my phone back into my purse, I refocus on Ava. "Ava, it's really important. Please, do something. I urgently need to see him... Even if just for 15 minutes," I implore.

"You're aware that it's against the rules to-"

"Ava, please."

Her eyes linger on the computer screen for a moment. Finally she looks back at me. "Okay, fine. I'm just helping you because I know you very well, and I trust you won't do anything inappropriate. I'll guide you to his office, and after that, we're strangers," she agrees.

A bright smile lights up my face. "Don't worry, you won't lose your job. And thank you so much, Ava!" She smiles back, "I just hope it helps."

I know that this could be one of the most immature or even the dumbest things I've ever done. But it seems like I have a penchant for taking risks. I'm unsure if formally attempting to meet and discuss his dad would actually help, because he doesn't appear to care about his father, so I'm not sure if he would agree to meet me. This uncertainty is what is pushing me to do this today. I know I might regret it later.

I stand in front of his cabin's door with Ava by my side. "I'm leaving," she whispers before walking away. I take a deep breath, then knock on the door.

"Come in,"

Just as I hear his voice, I grasp the handle and gently push the door, creating an entrance for myself.

There he is. Aryan Kabir, dressed perfectly in a bespoke rich charcoal gray suit, tailored to perfection. His hair is flawlessly arranged, with just a few strands elegantly cascading onto his forehead.

His eyes rise to meet mine, confusion spreading across them, yet he maintains a composed expression. "Why are you here?" he inquires, certainly remembering who I am. "I had something important to discuss with you, Mr. Kabir," I respond.

However, his facial expression indicates he is not amused by my presence at all. "Who let you come inside?" he questions with his usual cold tone, leaning back in his chair, fingers twirling a pen.

His icy gaze pierces through my soul.

"Can I just discuss the thing I wanted to discuss, Mr. Kabir?" I ask, pulling out a chair and confidently taking a seat. "I hope it's alright that I sit here."

"I didn't give you permission to sit," his words prompt me to want to press a strong punch to his face, but I manage to suppress the anger inside me and force out a smile. Inaya was right, he isn't friendly at all. "Oh, Mr. Kabir, let's not be rude now."

My response causes him to lean forward. "Oops! My apologies. Would you care for some coffee or tea?" Sarcasm drips from his voice. I force another smile, "Will you please allow me to discuss the main topic?"

He reclines in his chair, "Go ahead."

"It's actually about your father. I understand that you're a busy person and it's not easy for you to find time for others. But, I want you to consider something. While you've been fulfilling your father's every desire, it's also important to provide him with happiness and a little bit of your time. He's all alone, no one is there to spend time with him. Moreover, last night, your behavior towards him was truly noticeable. I worry that it might have a negative impact on his mental well-being, something that we, as psychologists, strive to protect. Please don't abandon your father like this" I try to be polite as much as I can.

Soon, my heart starts racing in my chest as I see his expression darken, his brows furrowing with a blend of anger and annoyance. "Your time is up. You can leave now."

Frustration wells up inside me, yet I decide to remain calm. "I just hope you consider what I said."

"Already told you once. Your time is up."

"I'm only trying to make you see the harm you're causing your own father. Doesn't he deserve better? What you are doing is wrong." I can't believe I actually managed to say those words with such a polite tone.

"I. SAID. LEAVE." His voice darkens even more.

"So you are really heartless" I whisper but I know it's audible enough for him.

The tension in the room peaks as he slams his palms on the table, rising from his chair with rage blazing in his eyes. "This is the final warning, leave before I call security."

I can't stay any longer. I grab my bag and storm out of his office, feeling anger coursing through me.

I return to my apartment, still feeling that anger bubbling inside me. The level of patience he exhausted from me today was staggering. I wish he wasn't the same person I met six months back.

I just can't believe he turned out to be the complete opposite of what I thought! His attitude, it's just plain rude. Ugh, Sara! You gotta throw him out of your mind! Stop thinking about him. Inaya was right, he's heartless. I need to stay away from him.