The next morning, Daniyal was late.
Again.
He rushed into the office, adjusting his shirt, his eyes slightly tired after spending most of the night talking to Komal.
His phone buzzed.
Komal: You reached?
Daniyal: Just did. Late because of you.
Komal: Oh wow, blaming me now?
Daniyal: Always. 😊
He slipped his phone into his pocket and looked around.
Usman was already there.
Sitting with the girls.
Exactly where Daniyal had sat the day before.
"Of course," Daniyal muttered under his breath and moved to a nearby station to log in.
The morning shift had its own rhythm—fast, demanding, yet somehow lighter because of the people.
Saaniya was in the middle of it all.
Handling calls, guiding Shanaya, teasing Sabuhi, and laughing with Shehla—effortlessly balancing everything.
"Shanaya, that's not how you close a call," Saaniya said, smiling. "Customer should actually feel you care."
"I do care!" Shanaya laughed.
"Then sound like it," Saaniya replied. "Confidence. Always."
Daniyal glanced at her.
Again.
How does she do that so easily?
Nearby, Shehla kept noticing Daniyal.
The way he spoke politely.
The calm in his tone.
The steadiness in his presence.
After ending one of his calls, she leaned slightly toward him.
"You handle customers really well," she said softly.
Daniyal smiled.
"Just patience, I guess."
Shehla nodded, looking away quickly, a small smile forming.
On the other side, Usman sat beside Sabuhi.
"You should've come to the wedding," he said.
Sabuhi sighed lightly. "I couldn't."
"You never can," Usman said, half-teasing, half-serious.
She gave him a look. "You know why."
His expression softened.
"Still… you missed a good night."
Sabuhi smiled faintly.
"I'm glad you enjoyed."
Usman didn't reply.
Because for him—
It would've been better if she was there.
By noon, Babar walked over.
"Lunch?" he asked casually.
"Yes!" Saaniya said immediately. "I'm starving."
Everyone laughed.
"Let's all go," Imran added.
Shehla leaned toward Sabuhi. "Ask Daniyal also… he'll feel left out."
Sabuhi nudged Usman.
Usman turned.
"Daniyal! Lunch?"
Daniyal looked up. "Yeah… sure."
Lunch was loud.
Chaotic.
Full of energy.
Saaniya was completely in her element.
"This is amazing," she said, taking another bite. "Who ordered this?"
"Me," Babar said instantly.
"Good. You have taste," she replied.
Babar grinned, clearly pleased.
"Try this," Saaniya said, pushing a plate toward Shanaya. "No, no, not like that—properly!"
Usman laughed. "You're feeding everyone like it's your wedding."
"Food is serious business," she replied.
Daniyal sat quietly, observing.
She doesn't filter herself at all…
His phone buzzed.
Komal: Did you eat?
Daniyal: Yeah. With colleagues.
Komal: Miss you.
Daniyal: Miss you more.
He looked up again.
And there she was—
Laughing.
Alive.
Unbothered.
After lunch, everyone returned to their stations.
The calls resumed.
The rhythm returned.
Then—
Saaniya's phone rang.
She glanced at it.
Her expression changed instantly.
"Aaron?" she answered quickly.
"What happened?"
Her tone sharpened.
"What do you mean fight? Where are you?"
The nearby chatter stopped.
"I'm coming," she said and ended the call.
Without hesitation, she stood up and walked straight to Aamir.
"I need to leave early."
Aamir frowned. "Shift is not over."
"My brother is in trouble," she said, her voice controlled but firm.
"You can leave after your shift," he replied.
For a moment—
Silence.
Saaniya's jaw tightened.
"My brother is my responsibility," she said, her voice lower now.
Aamir shook his head. "Rules are rules."
Something shifted.
The air changed.
Without another word, she turned and walked straight to Yashar's office.
Knocked once.
Entered.
"Sir, I need to leave. My younger brother is in trouble at college."
Yashar looked at her for a second.
Then nodded.
"Go."
"Thank you," she said and walked out.
As she returned to her desk, quickly logging out, everyone gathered around.
"What happened?" Shanaya asked.
"Aaron got into a fight," Saaniya replied, grabbing her bag.
"Is he okay?" Shehla asked.
"I'll see."
Usman stood up.
"Relax," he said lightly. "Don't be furious."
Then added with a grin,
"And try not to beat anyone."
A few people laughed nervously.
Daniyal and Usman exchanged a glance and smiled.
Saaniya looked at him.
"No promises."
And she walked out.
Silence lingered for a moment after she left.
Then Daniyal turned to Usman.
"How would she beat someone?" he asked, genuinely confused.
Usman leaned back casually.
"You don't know?"
Daniyal shook his head.
Usman smirked.
"She keeps a baseball bat in her car."
Daniyal blinked.
"What?"
"In the trunk," Usman added. "For people who push her too far."
Daniyal stared at him.
"And her family…" Usman said quietly,
"…is her red line."
Daniyal leaned back slowly.
Processing.
The girl who laughed.
Joked.
Ate without hesitation.
Was also—
This.
His phone buzzed again.
Komal: Call me when free.
Daniyal: Will do.
But his mind wasn't on the phone anymore.
Somewhere between understanding and confusion—
Saaniya had become…
Unavoidable.