Zimal lay silently on her bed, staring at the ceiling while countless thoughts filled her mind.
Her dreams were never just dreams.
Every night, her past returned like an unfinished story.
No matter how much she tried to forget, she could never truly escape it.
Deep inside, Zimal still regretted the decision she made years ago.
Why did she let him go?
She had so many reasons to turn back… so many reasons to stop him… but she never looked back again.
And in the end, she lost him forever.
A painful sigh escaped her lips.
Suddenly, the door of her room burst open.
”Zimal!”
It was her brother Zakaria.
He was breathing heavily, almost like someone who had run for miles.
His face looked pale and terrified.
Zimal immediately sat up in fear.
”Zakaria?
What happened?”
For a moment, he could not even speak properly.
Words got stuck in his throat.
”M-Mom…” he finally managed to say.
“Mom is not feeling well.”
Zimal’s heartbeat stopped.
”Where’s Dad?”
”He’s not home yet.”
Without wasting another second, Zimal rushed downstairs.
Her mother was struggling to breathe properly while holding her chest weakly.
Fear spread through Zimal’s entire body.
”Mom… Mom, please stay awake,” she whispered nervously.
With Zakaria’s help, Zimal quickly took her mother to the hospital.
The entire ride felt endless.
Her hands were trembling while she continuously prayed silently.
After reaching the hospital, doctors immediately took her mother for treatment.
Zimal quickly called her father.
”Dad, please come to the hospital quickly.”
Her voice was shaking badly.
Within minutes, her father arrived in a hurry.
”Where’s your mother?” he asked anxiously.
”They took her inside.”
After some time, the doctor finally came out.
”Don’t worry,” the doctor said calmly.
“She suffered from severe anxiety and stress.
If you take proper care of her, she’ll recover soon.”
Relief finally appeared on Zimal’s father’s face.
”Thank you, doctor.”
The family quietly entered the hospital room where Zimal’s mother had been admitted.
After making sure her mother was stable, Zimal left the room to buy medicines.
She reached the cash counter and handed over the prescription.
But the nurse looked at the computer and smiled softly.
”Miss, the bill has already been paid.”
Zimal frowned in confusion.
”What?”
”The hospital bill and medicines were already paid for by someone else.”
Zimal became shocked.
”Who paid it?”
The nurse shook her head politely.
”The person refused to reveal his name.”
Zimal stood there silently, unable to understand anything.
Who would do something like this for her family?
She took the medicines and slowly walked back toward the room.
Even while walking, her mind remained stuck on the same question.
Who was that person?
After entering the room, she told her father everything.
Her father looked equally surprised.
”We’ve lived here for years,” he said thoughtfully, “but I don’t know anyone who would suddenly help us like this.”
He looked at Zimal carefully.
”Is there someone you know?”
Zimal slowly shook her head.
”No…”
But deep inside, even she was not sure anymore.
—
After her mother recovered slightly, they finally returned home.
But even after coming back, Zimal could not stop thinking about the mysterious stranger.
Who paid the bill?
Why would someone help without revealing their name?
And most importantly…
How did that person even know about them?
The questions stayed in her mind the entire night.
The next morning, despite being exhausted, Zimal still got ready for work.
Dark circles had appeared under her eyes because she had not slept properly.
Her father looked at her worriedly.
”Zimal, you should stay home today.”
She shook her head immediately.
”That’s not possible, Dad.
I have to go.”
Her father sighed helplessly.
On the way to the office, Afifa looked at her carefully.
”Is your mother okay now?”
”She’s better.”
”Then why did you come to work today?” Afifa asked.
“You should’ve taken leave.”
Zimal gave a tired smile.
”You know our CEO.
Taking leave that easily is impossible.”
Afifa nodded dramatically.
”Right… Mr.
Sahriar Sikander, the king of terror.”
Zimal laughed weakly.
The moment they entered the company building, the atmosphere instantly became serious again.
At the same time, Sahriar Sikander was walking toward the main hallway.
His sharp eyes casually moved around the office before suddenly stopping on Zimal.
He noticed her pale face immediately.
Her eyes were red.
Dark circles rested beneath them, making it obvious she had not slept all night.
For a few seconds, Sahriar quietly stared at her.
She looked exhausted…
Like someone carrying too many responsibilities alone.
A strange thought crossed his mind.
”She looks tired… just like me.”
Without realizing it, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Just then, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
”Sir!”
Sahriar looked back.
Afifa and Zimal were standing behind him.
”Yes?” he replied coldly.
Afifa smiled nervously.
”Sir, may I take a few minutes?”
Sahriar folded his arms.
”Speak.”
”Sir, my friend isn’t feeling well.
She has a headache and looks weak.
Can she take leave today?”
Sahriar glanced toward Zimal before replying coldly,
”Doesn’t she have her own mouth to speak?”
Afifa became silent.
”If she’s sick, how is that my problem?” Sahriar continued harshly.
“I pay employees for work, not excuses.”
Zimal lowered her gaze immediately.
Then suddenly Sahriar looked directly at her.
”By the way… what’s your name?”
”Sir, my name is Zimal,” she answered softly.
“HR department, second building.”
The moment he heard her name, Sahriar became silent.
For a few seconds…
He kept staring into her eyes.
And strangely, Zimal looked back too.
It felt as if both of them were searching for something inside each other’s eyes.
Something familiar.
Something forgotten.
Finally, Sahriar looked away first and continued walking.
Afifa immediately grabbed Zimal’s arm dramatically.
”Zimal!
Are you okay?
You were completely lost in his eyes.”
”Stop your nonsense,” Zimal replied quickly.
Then suddenly she remembered something.
”Oh… I need to tell you something.”
”What?”
”Last night someone paid my mother’s hospital bill.”
Afifa’s eyes widened instantly.
”What?!”
”I still don’t know who it was,” Zimal whispered.
“Even Dad doesn’t know.”
Afifa suddenly gasped loudly.
”It was definitely the person asking for your number yesterday!”
Zimal looked confused.
”I don’t even know who that person is.”
Afifa crossed her arms proudly.
”I know.”
”Who?”
”The new employee… Mr.
Zawar.”
”Zawar?” Zimal looked shocked.
“Afifa, are you serious?
He looks innocent.”
Afifa smirked.
”Looks can be deceiving.
Not every innocent-looking person is actually innocent.”
Zimal stayed silent.
Afifa continued dramatically,
”He called me yesterday and asked, ‘Is Zimal your best friend?'”
”And what did you say?”
”I said yes.”
”Then?”
”He asked if he could talk to you.”
Zimal immediately looked suspicious.
”You gave him my number?!”
Afifa placed a hand dramatically on her chest.
”How could you even think that about me?”
Zimal narrowed her eyes.
”I refused,” Afifa continued proudly.
“I told him if he has something important to say, he can talk to you in the office.”
Zimal relaxed slightly.
Then Afifa suddenly grinned.
”What’s your problem with him anyway?
He’s handsome, smart, has a good job, a nice voice, and an innocent face.”
Zimal rolled her eyes.
”You want him instead?”
Afifa flipped her hair proudly.
”People like him chase me all the time.”
Suddenly, a voice came from behind them.
”Miss Afifa.”
Both girls turned around.
Zawar stood there with a warm smile on his face.
He raised his hand casually while walking toward them.
For a moment, sunlight from the large office windows fell across his face, making him look strangely charming.
”Hi, Miss Zimal,” he said softly.
His voice sounded calm and gentle.
”Yes?” Zimal replied carefully.
”Nothing important,” Zawar smiled.
“I just wanted to walk with you.
May I?”
Before Zimal could answer, Afifa interrupted dramatically.
”No need to ask.
Come with us.”
All three of them walked toward their cabins together.
Around them, employees remained busy with work.
After some time, Manager Ibrahim suddenly approached Zimal.
”Miss Zimal, come with me.”
Zimal immediately stood up nervously.
”What happened?”
”The CEO is calling you.”
Her eyes widened instantly.
”Is everything okay?”
Ibrahim gave her a mysterious smile.
”Go see for yourself.
And… good luck.”
”You scared me,” she whispered.
Taking a deep breath, Zimal walked toward the CEO’s office.
Her nervousness increased with every step.
Finally, she knocked on the door softly.
”May I come in, sir?”
”Yes.”
Zimal slowly entered.
”Sir, did you call me?”
”Yes, Miss Zimal.”
Sahriar looked up from the file in front of him.
”Is something wrong at your home?”
Zimal became surprised.
”No, sir… nothing serious.”
”Then why are you unable to focus on your work today?” he asked coldly.
His voice immediately made her nervous.
”I-I’m sorry, sir.”
Sahriar leaned back slightly.
”Focus properly on your work next time.”
”Yes, sir.”
”You may go.”
Zimal quickly left the office.
Outside, Ibrahim immediately looked at her curiously.
”What happened?”
”You told him something, didn’t you?” Zimal accused.
”Told him what?”
”Mr.
Sahriar suddenly got angry at me.”
Afifa suddenly joined dramatically.
”Maybe he fought with his wife.”
Ibrahim immediately replied,
”He’s not married.”
Afifa’s eyes sparkled instantly.
”Really?
Then maybe I still have a chance because he is totally my type.”
At that moment, Zawar looked toward Zimal.
”Miss Zimal, don’t worry too much about him.”
”Okay, Zawar.”
The moment she said his name, Zawar suddenly placed a hand on his chest dramatically.
”I think I have a heart disease.”
Everyone looked at him in confusion.
”Because every time I hear my name from your lips, my heart starts beating faster.”
Silence filled the cabin.
Even Afifa looked shocked for a second.
Then after a long pause, Zawar laughed softly.
”I’m just kidding.”
But somehow…
The way he looked at Zimal did not feel like a joke at all.
——-
The CEO’s voice came sharply from behind.
Everyone turned instantly.
The manager froze for a second before slowly turning around.
And there he was.
Sahriar Sikander.
Standing right behind them with his usual cold expression.
”Oh…” the manager whispered nervously.
“Sir… what are you doing here?”
Sahriar raised an eyebrow.
”That is exactly what I should be asking you,” he said coldly.
“What are you all doing here?
Don’t you have work?”
The manager quickly straightened up.
”Sir, I came to inform everyone that there will be a dinner tonight from my side.”
Zimal frowned slightly.
”Dinner?” she asked softly.
“But sir, you didn’t inform us.”
The manager nodded quickly.
“Yes… it’s for Zawar’s welcome.”
Zawar smiled politely.
“Thank you, sir, but this isn’t necessary.”
The manager immediately shook his head.
“It’s my pleasure.”
Sahriar’s eyes shifted sharply.
”Did you invite me too?” he asked the manager.
Manager Ibrahim hesitated.
“No, sir… I was about to inform you.”
Sahriar clicked his tongue lightly.
”I’m busy.”
Manager Ibrahim quickly added, “Sir, the schedule is already over.
We have nothing else today.”
Before Sahriar could respond, Zawar suddenly spoke.
”Sir… it’s from me.
Could you please join us for dinner?
It would mean a lot for your new employee.”
The atmosphere instantly changed.
It felt like Zawar had just stepped into a battlefield without realizing it.
Everyone silently thought the same thing: he just dug his own grave.
Sahriar looked at him for a long moment.
Then his gaze shifted slightly.
”Are you all going?” he asked flatly.
Zimal quickly shook her head.
“No, sir.
I already have plans.
Sorry.”
Zawar smiled softly at her.
”It’s okay.
Whenever you’re free, I’ll treat you later.”
A strange silence fell again.
Afifa’s eyes widened dramatically as she leaned toward Zimal and whispered, “It looks like you two are already dating.”
Zimal immediately pushed her shoulder.
“Stop nonsense.
Let’s go.”
Zawar raised his hand lightly.
”Should I drop you home?”
”No, thank you,” Zimal replied politely.
“I can manage.”
She turned to leave with Afifa.
At the company gate, Sahriar and his manager stood nearby.
The manager waved goodbye to the girls.
Sahriar did not.
But his eyes… followed one person only.
Zimal.
She looked back at him for a moment too.
And just like that, time slowed between them.
Afifa immediately noticed and lightly hit Zimal’s arm.
”You’re staring again,” she whispered.
“What are you looking for in his eyes?”
Zimal quickly looked away.
”Nothing.”
She walked forward slowly.
”The weather feels strange today… maybe it will rain.”
At the same time, the manager turned toward Sahriar.
”Sir, shall we drop you somewhere?”
Sahriar didn’t take his eyes off Zimal for a second.
”If you are done, let’s leave.”
Zawar suddenly came closer and gently held Zimal’s wrist.
”Maybe you should come with me,” he said softly.
Zimal immediately pulled her hand away.
”No, thanks.
I can go myself.”
Afifa quickly grabbed Zimal’s hand.
”I’ll go with her,” she said hurriedly, pulling her away toward the car.
Within seconds, they were inside Sahriar’s car.
Zimal ended up sitting in the back seat… right next to him.
Silence filled the car instantly.
Sahriar glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.
”You are troublesome,” he said coldly.
Zimal frowned.
“Am I?”
Afifa quickly interrupted from the front seat.
“Sir, your car is very nice!”
No response.
Sahriar ignored her completely.
The rain began to fall softly outside.
The sound of drops hitting the car windows filled the silence.
Zimal kept stealing small glances at him… as if searching for something unknown in his face.
And strangely… Sahriar was doing the same.
In his mind, thoughts refused to settle.
Why does she feel familiar?
Why do I keep looking at her?
The manager suddenly cleared his throat.
”Sir… should I get drinks?”
”As you wish,” Sahriar replied.
He brought four drinks.
Zimal’s favorite drink was placed in front of her without any question.
She looked surprised.
”Thank you…”
The car started moving again.
But suddenly—
Zimal leaned forward accidentally.
And the drink spilled all over Sahriar’s coat.
Silence.
Dead silence.
”Oh my God…” Sahriar muttered darkly.
“You troublemaker.”
The car stopped immediately.
Manager Ibrahim panicked and rushed out.
“Sir, I’m sorry!
It’s my fault!”
Sahriar didn’t even look at him.
”Napkin.”
Zimal quickly grabbed tissues.
“I’m really sorry, sir…”
She began cleaning his coat carefully.
Her hands were trembling slightly.
Sahriar snatched the napkin from her hand.
”Get out.”
The words hit like ice.
Manager Ibrahim immediately protested.
“Sir, it’s raining heavily outside, where will she go?”
Afifa quickly added, “Sir, I’ll go with her.”
But Sahriar’s voice turned sharper.
”No one is going anywhere with her.
Zimal, get out.”
The door opened.
Zimal stepped out into the heavy rain.
Afifa tried to argue.
“Sir, please—”
But Sahriar didn’t listen.
”Drive.”
The car moved away.
And Zimal stood alone in the rain… completely soaked.
Her eyes lowered, but she didn’t move.
As if she was waiting for something… or someone.
—
Inside the car, silence remained heavy.
Sahriar leaned back, but his expression had changed.
Something was wrong.
His jaw tightened slightly.
He kept looking out of the window… searching.
”Is she still there?” he thought suddenly.
”I hope she’s okay…”
The uneasiness inside him kept growing.
Minutes passed.
The car dropped Afifa at her home.
Then Sahriar sent the manager away too.
Now he was alone.
Yet his mind was not.
He kept thinking about Zimal.
Where is she?
Did she leave?
Is she safe?
Without realizing it, he asked Ibrahim to drive again through the same route.
His eyes searched every corner of the road.
And then—
A figure appeared.
A car passed in front of him.
Inside it… Zimal.
But she wasn’t alone.
Someone was with her.
Sahriar’s eyes narrowed instantly.
His heart tightened strangely.
Relief came first…
Then something darker followed.
Curiosity.
And maybe something he didn’t yet understand.
He leaned forward slightly.
”Follow that car,” he said coldly.
And in that moment…
The story shifted again.