By lunch time, Yash had calmed down and he along with Ahaan walked into the cafeteria for lunch. As they walked in, Ahaan dashed into Jenni. She is startled and dropped her plate.

'I am so sorry.' Ahaan apologized, he kneeled picking up the tray for her. Jenni smiled looking at him. Yash grinned. Just then Rifaat entered the cafeteria and she saw Ahaan helping a woman with lunch. At first Rifaat is surprised to see Ahaan here. What is he doing here at her office? She wondered. She debated with herself if she should go talk to him. She watched him walk with another man, she assumed must be his friend. She bit her lower-lip fidgeting with her ID card.

Ahaan had gotten himself some white rice, dal, and potato eggplant sabzi, Yash has gotten noodles. The two men sat together, Yash continue to tease and annoy Ahaan, he couldn't stop talking about how Jenni was blushing and smiling when he helped her. But Ahaan isn't interested. At one point, he opened his mouth to scold his friend a soft voice stopped him mid-way, 'Ahaan.' He looked up, the fork he held fell on his plate as he looked at Rifaat standing right in front of him. Yash's mouth dropped open, what is the boss doing here? and how she knows Ahaan? Yash wondered.

'He-He-Hey...' Ahaan stammered. Rifaat smiled 'You are here?' she asked, her fingers nervously fidgeting with her ID.

'Yes, I work here. I am in the marketing team.' Ahaan smiled.

'Acha!' Rifaat said awkwardly. Now, when Rifaat realized that she is his boss she decided to leave feeling uncomfortable. She politely excused herself to get lunch, any ways she must hurry up and go home before the painters arrive. Ahaan nodded and watched her go. She stood by the cafeteria and looked at the options she is to choose. Ahaan smiled looking at her back and then looked away. His gaze fell on Yash who is looking at him with his eyebrows raised as though asking him to explain this. 'What?' he shrugged.

*******************

Rifaat paid the painters, after they looked around. Her home looks fresh and as good as new. She sighed happily and placed her palms on her hips and smiled widely.

'It is looking very good, beta!' Sheela Tai complimented. Rifaat turned her head and smiled at her. Sheela Tai had just come. She tugged her saree into her petticoat and grabbed a broom. She smiled at Rifaat who smiled back at her, she then went into the bedroom to start the cleaning work. Rifaat sat on her sofa and leaned forward picking up her phone, first she texted her Uncle "All set." And then called her parents.

Ahaan came home around 6pm, he is about to unlock his apartment when his gaze fell on Rifaat's closed door. He thought for a while if he should knock and see if everything is going well. But he was hesitant, he didn't want to make things awkward, but then he thought he should behave like a responsible neighbour and meet her once.

Rifaat sat crossed leg on the sofa, she held a coffee mug and plate full of boiled potatoes on the table in front. She is watching a badminton match.

She is startled when she heard the door-bell. She straightened up and adjusted her long mickey mouse Tee.

'Coming.' She yelled searching for a shawl. Finally, she found a shawl and quickly wrapped it around herself. She opened the door and is surprised to find Sheela Tai here, she wondered what she is doing here?

'I forgot my mobile here.' she said. Rifaat nodded her head and stepped aside letting her in. Just then Rifaat's gaze fell on the apartment opposite hers, Ahaan's. She noticed his apartment open from outside. He must have returned. For a second, she thought if she should meet him and thank him, moreover she is curious to know how he knew her name?

*******************

Ahaan had just showered and changed into his night clothes, checked Bermuda shorts and sleeveless vest. He admired his biceps in the mirror and smiled to himself. Anyone who sees him now won't be able to say there was so much fat here. As he walked towards his living room, his door-bell rang. He opened the door and is stunned to see Rifaat standing there. She held a bowl of noodles. She smiled awkwardly at him. Without breaking the eye-contact Ahaan gently pinched himself, he can't believe she is here. She raised her eyebrows, she thought he didn't like her coming to his place. She felt embarrassed and mentally smacked herself.

'You...you.... here?' Ahaan asked.

'Yeah, I wanted to thank you for helping me with the maid.' She said. Ahaan genuinely smiled at her.

'I got you this.' Rifaat forwarded a bowl of noodles towards him. Ahaan smiled, 'You made this?' She nodded, 'This is all I know to make.' Rifaat said as Ahaan stepped aside letting her in.

'Sheela Tai is a great cook as well. You can keep her as maid and cook. I do that. But now I have learned some basic cooking myself.' Ahaan said walking towards the kitchen. Rifaat and nodded.

Once Ahaan went into the kitchen she looked around. Ahaan seemed to be single but his home is too clean and tidy for a bachelor man. Rifaat likes such organized men. Hariz was complete opposite, he was too messy for a human being but Rifaat blinded with love overlooked all his flaws. Now, thinking back she thought how silly she was.

Rifaat chains of thought broke when she heard the mixer. Cautiously, she walked into the kitchen. Ahaan is pouring water-melon juice from the mixer into two glasses. She smiled looking at him. He has good etiquettes. Before he could turn Rifaat walked back into the living room. 'Why are you standing? Come sit.' Ahaan pointed towards the double sofa.

'No, I will just...' Rifaat began

'Please, don't be formal. I am not going to hurt you, promise.' He said placing the tray of two water-melon juice on the small table in front of the sofa. Rifaat smiled slightly, 'You can trust me.' he smiled at her. Rifaat recollected the time she had misunderstood him, not once but thrice yet Ahaan is behaving so nice to her.

'Why are you being so kind to me?' unable to hold her curiosity she asked.

'You are my boss, Haina? he smiled and forwarded her a glass. Rifaat smiled, technically it is true. But he didn't know that when they met in gym, café and in the apartment corridor. Rifaat sat on the double sofa while he sat the single sofa. At times, Rifaat kept glancing at Ahaan as they silently sipped their drinks. As she looked at him closely she felt something oddly familiar about his face. For some reason, she thought she has seen him somewhere. He appeared to be like a distant memory.

'Ahaan, can I ask you something?' Rifaat said holding her glass tightly in between her palms. Ahaan took a sip and nodded looking at Rifaat.

'I was speaking to Sheela Tai yesterday, and she... (Rifaat shifted little) Ahaan.... how did you know my name?' she asked inquisitively. Ahaan froze....

******************

What do you guys think? Will Ahaan tell her about him being the fatso of their school? How will Rifaat react? Let me know your pov in the comments :)