'Eifad...' Shad said shocked, looking at Eifad standing in front of him. She is dressed in a full sleeved black peplum top and skinny white jean, her hair open and resting on her shoulder. She has no makeup except powder and red lip gloss. She smiled at him removing her sunglasses.

'You were expecting someone else?' She said darkly. Shad gulped. He is happy to see Eifad here but also little disappointed as his happy times with Rhea is now over.

'No! No. what a pleasant surprise' he said and moved aside letting her in. She entered the room and looked around.

'Which.... which...is your room?' Shad said following her. Eifad turned around, 'You don't look pleasantly surprised' she said watching him intently. Shad felt like he is being scanned, he could feel sweat bead form on his forehead. He doesn't know why he is nervous? Is he nervous because of Rhea? He recollected Eifad's reaction back in the restaurant. He gulped. Eifad sat at the edge of the bed and smiled 'Dr. Singhaniya is busy with some urgent work, and I have come instead of him' Eifad said

Shad frowned, he then realized that yesterday it was only him, Rhea and Imran who had arrived but not Dr. Singhaniya. He mentally smacked his forehead, how he didn't notice that yesterday?

'What work?' Shad asked curiously

'My mom had a heart attack' Eifad said with a straight face, her gaze fixed on Shad. A shocked expression replaced his confused look. Aisha had a heart attack, and Eifad is so cool about it

'Aunty had a heart attack? What are you doing here, shouldn't you be with her?' Shad asked shocked. He sits beside her at the edge of the bed. Eifad looked at him

'Relax she is fine. Dr. Singhaniya is with her. But someone had to be here. I can't trust anyone with Ma other than him, and he can't trust anyone with the conference but me.'

Shad placed his hand on Eifad's shoulder 'I am glad she is okay.'

Shad asked Eifad to wait outside while he freshens up. Eifad looked around, and her gaze fell on his red and black shirt that lay on the sofa. She glanced at the bathroom door; she could hear the shower. So, she turned her attention to his shirt. She picked it up and brought it close to her nose. She closed her eyes inhaling his scent. She felt goosebumps. After few seconds, she moved the shirt little away. She tilted her head sideways and admired the shirt with a smile on her face. She was missing him so much. She was worried about her mother; she had decided to drop her plan to come to Pune, but when Dr. Singhaniya said that she wasn't that serious and he is going to Pune, then she ordered him to stay and instead she came to Pune. She had called Saxena and had him book tickets for the next day. She left to Pune early in the morning.

'Hey!' Shad said coming out from the bathroom dressed in formal black shirt and trousers. His hair is still wet. Eifad stared at him as he walked towards the mirror. He is looking around for his cologne when Eifad got a towel and forwarded to him. He is surprised

'Thanks' he said and took the towel from her. Eifad doesn't like this. His response when he had seen her wasn't what he usually has. Usually, he gets overexcited on seeing her and hugs her. But this time the color drained from his face and his smile dropped. Eifad watched him comb his hair wondering if her Shad has changed in just one day. Eifad passed him his watch, he smiled at her and took the watch. Eifad placed her palm leaning against the dressing table admiring him, while oblivious to her gaze Shad applied some cologne and started to gel his hair. Eifad walked away and picked up his blazer. She helped him wear it.

'Thanks' he said with a small smile. Eifad frowned, this is unlike him. Now, Eifad feels insecure.

***********

Rhea is sitting in the fourth row and time to time glancing anxiously at the main door and then at her watch. It's 9.30; the hall is almost full by now, but there is no sign of Shad. She wondered where he is? She took out her phone to call him, maybe he slept again. Just then Imran nudged her arm, and she looked at him irritated.

'Dr. Shad is here...' Imran said gesturing towards the door. Rhea smiled widely and looked at Shad. But, her smile fades when she saw Eifad walking beside him. Shad stopped and smiled at Rhea; she smiled back feeling little uncomfortable with Eifad. Not because she is with Shad but because she scares the hell out of Rhea. Eifad looked at the duo exchange smile, and she is annoyed. Shad is about to walk towards the empty seat beside Rhea when Eifad held his arm and dragged him to sit with her in the front row. Rhea's face fell with disappointment. Shad is little disappointed as well but he doesn't want to upset Eifad and so agreed to sit with her. Eifad smiled to herself that she managed to part them, but little does she know that throughout the conference they kept glancing at each other longingly.