The next day, Sahriar Sikander arrived at the company.
But something was different.
His steps were faster than usual, his expression colder than ever, and his sharp eyes were searching everywhere as if he had lost something precious.
The entire office felt the shift in his mood.
Even the air seemed heavier.
His manager quickly approached him.
”Sir… about that night,” he said carefully.
“Zawar took Miss Zimal with him.”
Sahriar stopped walking.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
”So it was Zawar,” he said in a low voice.
Without saying anything else, he walked straight into his office.
But inside, his thoughts were not calm.
For the first time, Sahriar felt something strange…
Guilt.
He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
Should I apologize?
But immediately his mind fought back.
No.
It’s not your fault.
He exhaled sharply, confused by his own thoughts.
”Why would I apologize to a troublemaker?” he muttered.
“She spilled the drink.
She caused the scene.
It wasn’t even my mistake.”
Yet even after saying that…
He didn’t feel satisfied.
His chest felt heavy.
As if something inside him disagreed.
He stood up suddenly and walked out of his office.
Without realizing it, he stopped in front of the HR department.
Zimal’s department.
He stood there silently, staring at the place where she usually sat.
His expression remained cold…
But his mind was not.
Why am I standing here?
Ego whispered in his mind.
”Why should you apologize when you did nothing wrong?”
But something deeper replied silently.
”Because you already know the answer.”
A few moments later, Manager Ibrahim approached him.
”Sir… is everything okay?
Why are you standing here?”
Sahriar didn’t look at him.
”Come to my office.
Bring me a list of all present and absent employees today.”
Ibrahim blinked.
”Sir… this is the first time you’re asking something like this.
Is everything alright?”
Sahriar’s tone turned sharp.
”Do only what I say.”
”Okay, sir.”
Minutes later, Ibrahim returned with the report and carefully placed it on the table.
”Sir… Miss Zara and Miss Zimal are absent today.
Maybe—”
”Call Miss Afifa,” Sahriar interrupted.
Ibrahim nodded and left immediately.
—
A few minutes later, Afifa entered the office.
”Sir… you called me?”
Sahriar didn’t waste time.
”Why didn’t Zimal come today?”
Afifa hesitated for a second.
”Sir… she has a fever.
She’s very weak.
She asked me to submit her leave application, but I forgot.
I’m sorry.”
Sahriar closed the file slowly.
”Okay.
Go back.”
Afifa hesitated.
But then she spoke again carefully.
”Sir… don’t you think this is your fault?”
Silence.
The temperature in the room dropped instantly.
Sahriar looked up sharply.
”What did you say?”
Afifa swallowed.
”I just mean… maybe—”
”Are you telling me what to think?” he interrupted coldly.
“If you care so much, stay with her.
You don’t need to come here from tomorrow.”
Afifa froze.
”I’m sorry sir… that’s not what I meant.”
But before she could explain further, Sahriar pointed toward the door.
”Leave.”
Afifa walked out of the office, boiling with anger.
The moment she stepped outside, she muttered under her breath,
”What the hell is wrong with him?
Moron… bastard… crazy fool…”
She was still speaking when a voice came from behind.
”Miss… are you okay?”
She turned quickly.
Manager Ibrahim stood there awkwardly.
He scratched his head nervously and walked away after a small bow, as if afraid of getting caught in the storm.
Inside the office, he muttered quietly while entering Sahriar’s cabin,
”Congratulations, sir… your ticket to hell is ready.”
Sahriar frowned.
”What nonsense are you talking about?”
Ibrahim sighed.
”Sir, you’re insulting everyone one by one.
The employees are already scared of you.
I can’t even defend you anymore.”
Sahriar leaned back slightly.
”Do you think I care?”
Then after a pause, he added casually,
”Let’s go to Zimal’s house.”
Ibrahim blinked.
”Sir… you just said—”
”I didn’t say I’ll apologize,” Sahriar cut him off.
“Just go.”
Ibrahim sighed.
”As you wish, sir…”
—
At Zimal’s house, she was lying on her bed with fever.
Her face looked pale, and her eyes were tired.
The doorbell rang.
Afifa entered quickly.
”You should at least call me,” she said immediately.
“Do you know how worried I was?”
Zimal gave a weak smile.
”How would I know?”
Before Afifa could continue, Zawar appeared from behind carrying a bag of fruits.
”Zimal… how are you now?
I told you last night to rest properly, but you’re so stubborn.”
Afifa turned sharply.
”Can someone tell me what is going on here?”
Zawar frowned slightly.
”I only helped her.
That’s all.”
He placed the fruits on the table.
”I even brought these for her.”
Afifa crossed her arms.
”Of course you did.”
Zimal sighed weakly.
”Afifa… stop it.”
Zawar quietly went into the kitchen and started cutting fruits.
Afifa leaned closer to Zimal.
”That bastard… I swear I want to kill him.
Loser…”
”Stop it,” Zimal said softly.
“It’s my mistake too.”
Afifa rolled her eyes.
”If I had power, I would show him who we are.”
—
That night, Zimal finally fell asleep.
Afifa stayed a little longer before leaving with Zawar.
On the way out, Afifa asked quietly,
”Do you like her?”
Zawar smiled faintly.
”You can say that.”
Afifa sighed dramatically.
”Pathetic… just admit it.”
Zawar looked at her calmly.
”Love doesn’t need shame.
It only knows desire… so deep that the world feels meaningless without that one person.”
Afifa froze.
”Gosh…”
—
The next morning, Zimal returned to the office with Afifa and Zawar.
The moment they entered, Ibrahim rushed to Sahriar.
”Sir… Miss Zimal is here.”
”So what?” Sahriar replied coldly.
But suddenly, he stood up and walked out.
”I have some work,” he said sharply.
“Stay here.”
But instead of going to his office…
He walked straight toward the HR department.
And there she was.
Zimal.
Standing weakly, still recovering.
Zawar was beside her, handing her medicine.
Sahriar’s eyes darkened instantly.
”What is going on here?” he said coldly.
Everyone froze.
He stepped closer to Zimal.
”If you take another leave without permission, you’re fired.
Understand?”
Zimal lowered her head.
”Yes, sir…”
His voice hardened even more.
”Forget personal excuses like illness or family issues.
I expect full commitment.
I am paying you for your time.”
Silence.
Zimal’s voice came softly.
”Yes… sir.”
Sahriar turned and walked away.
But behind him…
Zimal clenched her fists slightly.
Afifa whispered angrily.
”That fuc—k”
”Stop,” Zimal said quietly.
“If I had even a little power… I would show him who I really am.”