Coming to her room, she began pacing back and forth. Although her mother had made her take the day off, it was necessary to inform Kayan; otherwise, he would come straight to the house. Summoning her courage, she searched for Kayan's number in her contact list. She didn't have to look far—at the very top, his attractive picture appeared next to the name "Hubby." She called, and he picked up on the very first bell.
"Mama told me not to come to school today, so I can't come. Sorry. Allah Hafiz."
She finished her sentence in one breath and hung up.
Kayan was surprised by this act and felt a surge of anger. He tried to call her back, but her phone was switched off, fueling his fury further.
"It seems, Madam, that I will have to meet you in person."
He got up and walked out of his office. From the Principal's office, he heard the sounds of someone arguing. Initially, he ignored it, but the voice sounded familiar. At the mention of Hooreen's name, he stopped in his tracks and turned toward the office.
Haleema Begum had come straight to the school. Samara initially tried to stop her from meeting the Principal, but she forced her way into the office. Samara followed her in, where Mahjabeen and Amna were already present. Upon seeing them, Haleema Begum began to lash out in anger. When Amna asked what was wrong, she explained everything.
"Don't you people have any shame or modesty? Did your consciences not prick you before slandering my innocent child?"
"Oh lady, we all know exactly how 'innocent' your daughter is. She isn't exactly washed in milk; your daughter is trying to trap our boss," the Principal remarked sarcastically.
"You are the one saying this...? She did every bit of your work. She even worked at midnight when you called her for tasks that belonged to other staff. You make her work four times more than the salary you pay her, yet she never uttered a word of complaint. And today, you say such things about Hooreen?"
Amna spoke up, trembling with shock, while Mahjabeen added in a venomous tone:
"Hooreen doesn't come here to teach; she comes here to enjoy luxury and trap rich men in her net."
"She has been here for four years. You never saw her do anything of the sort. If you don't want her to work, simply say so, but do not level such disgusting allegations," Haleema Begum shouted in anger. Amna joined in:
"How small-minded you all are. Neither I nor Hooreen will stay here for another minute."
"I think this mother is also in on it with her, along with this sidekick, Amn,a who is taking her side so much," Samara spat out her hatred. She had been trying to attract Kayan's attention for a long time, but he never gave her the time of day—let alone looked at her. She couldn't digest the fact that Kayan was giving Hooreen so much importance.
Kayan had heard their entire argument as he entered. A silence fell over the room the moment he appeared. He asked in a cold, authoritative voice:
"Will someone tell me what is going on here? This is my school, not someone's house or a battlefield."
Everyone looked at him. Haleema Begum was shocked to see him, while he was equally surprised to see her there.
"Kayan beta, you...?" his name escaped her lips.
Kayan greeted her respectfully, and she placed her hand affectionately on his head. He then asked:
"How are you? And why are you here like this? Is everything alright?"
"Yes... I came to take Hooreen and Amna. They cannot continue their jobs here."
Haleema Begum lied because it was a matter of her daughter's reputation; she feared Kayan might misunderstand her child, as people often believe lies when five or six people repeat them. At Haleema Begum's words, Amna looked at her as if signaling her to tell the truth. Kayan noticed this and asked again in a commanding voice:
"What was going on here before I arrived? I am asking all of you. Speak up."
When everyone remained silent, he turned to Amna.
"Miss Amna, you tell me what was happening here. I will not tolerate even a single lie."
He spoke sternly, and Amna, like a trained parrot, recounted the entire event. The veins in Kayan's neck tightened with rage. He roared with extreme disrespect:
"How dare you people talk such rubbish about Hoor? Have you ever looked at your own characters? Miss Mahjabeen! I know exactly where you go for dinners and with whom. Miss Samara, the moment you arrived, you entered Mr. Akbar's house in everyone's absence. I told you that day to mind your own business, or it wouldn't take long for the photos held by certain people to go viral. And Miss Nimra, you? Being the mother of a grown daughter yourself, you are pointing fingers at someone else's child? I have records of all the frauds you've committed. Despite all that, you were talking about that innocent girl? You made a grave mistake by speaking about her. I won't let any of you go. Just wait and see what I do... and there is no need for you to come to this school anymore."
Then he addressed Haleema Begum.
"I know it is my staff's fault, and they will be punished in a way they will remember for the rest of their lives. Do not worry; your daughter is very innocent and pure. No harm will ever come to her character or honor, nor will anyone ever point a finger at her. I will never allow anyone to do so."
At his words, the ground slipped from beneath the feet of those three women; they were struck dumb. On the other hand, Haleema Begum and Amna were astonished by his words and his major decision. Haleema Begum now understood that Kayan was the owner of the school and that the "Sir" Hooreen had mentioned was none other than Kayan. She felt proud, and all her doubts vanished. She became certain that there could be no one better than Kayan for her daughter.
"Miss Amna, go to your class and throw these three out of here. I don't want to see them again."
"Sir, please forgive us. Don't fire us from the school, please...!"
They begged for forgiveness, but Kayan wasn't ready to listen. He left the premises with Haleema Begum.
He came to the house with her to pick up Hooreen. Haleema Begum made him sit on the sofa and said:
"I will call Hooreen, but before that, tell me—should I bring coffee or tea?"
"Dad has praised your coffee a lot, so please give me that. And if you don't mind, may I talk to Hoor myself?"
"Why would I mind, son? You are the son-in-law of this house and Hooreen's husband. Go to her room and talk to her. It's the room right in front; I'll make the coffee in the meantime."
Saying this, she went to the kitchen while he headed toward Hooreen's room.
She was sitting on her bed, leaning forward with her laptop in front of her, engrossed in a horror movie and holding a bowl of popcorn. He abandoned the idea of entering and stood in the doorway watching her.
She was completely lost in the movie. The scene was perfectly silent, as was the room, until the silence was broken by her phone ringing. She jumped in fright, causing some popcorn to fall on her clothes, the bed, the floor, and some even got stuck in her hair. Kayan struggled to suppress his laughter at the sight.
Hooreen picked up the phone and, placing a hand on her heart, spoke angrily:
"You useless... disrespectful girl... you scared me! I was watching the movie so peacefully, but your call nearly stopped my heart. If I had heart failure, did you think about what would happen to my future babies? You are hell-bent on killing their mother before they even enter the world!"
It was becoming very difficult for Kayan to stop laughing. He had never imagined his Hoor talked so much, and in such a way that it would leave anyone stunned.
"You are worried about the movie and your future babies? Do you even know what happened here and why you didn't come to school?" Amna scolded her.
"Mama told me to stay home and rest today, that's why I didn't come. But what happened at school?"
Upon her inquiry, Amna told her the whole incident and hung up after telling her to come to school. Hearing this, Hooreen sat holding her head. She had been noticing a familiar scent around her for a while but had been ignoring it, thinking he couldn't possibly be there. Thinking of something, she dialed Kayan's number. The sound of the ringtone came from right near her. She looked toward the sound and saw him leaning against the door, a charming smile on his face and mischief in his eyes. Seeing him there, she panicked and immediately went to him, grabbed his hand, and pulled him inside. She peeked outside to make sure no one had seen him, then locked the door. She was still holding Kayan's hand. She spoke nervously:
"You... here... when... how...?"
He moved closer and removed a piece of popcorn from her hair.
"Well, Mrs. Kayan, I've been here since you were busy watching the movie, getting scared by a phone call, and then... our future babies..."
She spoke before he could finish.
"You... please leave from here... someone will see...!"
"You're the one who brought me into the room and locked the door. You're still holding my hand and telling me to leave...? What are your intentions, Begum Sahiba...?"
He spoke meaningfully, making her stumble over her words. She asked angrily:
"Why have you come here?"
"I've come to take you. I told you that not even a single leave is allowed."
"I can't come. I told you the reason on the call. Please go, if Mama comes, it will be a big problem. You've already done so much at school."
"There won't be any problem. I came home with your Mama and entered your room with her permission. She is the one who told me to take you to school with me."
He finished his sentence calmly and sat on the bed where Hooreen had been sitting moments ago.
"You are lying...!" she said in disbelief.
"Why would I lie to you...? She has gone to make coffee for me. When she comes, ask her yourself."
Having said that, he looked at the laptop screen. Assuming a serious expression, he spoke with feigned surprise, though mischief was hidden in his eyes:
"You were watching this movie? This is an adult movie. You were watching such a romantic movie...? I know I told you to watch them, but I didn't know you would act on it so quickly."
"No... no, there is nothing like that in it...!"
At Kayan's words, she lowered her head in shame. She hadn't seen the movie before and had only just started it; she had no idea it would contain such things.
He came close to Hooreen, fixing his intense, passionate eyes on her.
"By the way, you watch such romantic movies, but when I do the same, why do you start sweating? Why are you so nervous about my proximity...?"
"That... Mama... must have... made the coffee... by now..."
She had no answer for Kayan's words, so she sought an escape and ran out of the room.
When Kayan came out as well, Haleema Begum said to both of them:
"Son, you have your coffee. Meanwhile, Hooreen, you go get ready for work. Kayan has come himself to pick you up."
"Mama, how do you know him?" she asked in shock, wondering how her mother allowed a stranger into her room and was now sending her with him.
"Oh, listen to this! How would I not know my own nephew...? He is my brother's only child. I've found him after so long."
At her words, Hooreen was in a state of shock.
"How is this possible, Mama? You never mentioned anything like this, so this...?"
Upon her asking, Haleema Begum took a deep breath and told her everything.
She looked at Kayan in surprise and then at her mother, who was telling her about Kayan and her brother with great pride. Hooreen, who had intended to tell the truth about Kayan, went to her room in silence, got ready, and came out. She didn't want to be the cause of her mother's grief by telling her everything, yet she herself was unaware of the full reality.
She was sleeping peacefully when her phone rang. She answered in her sleep, and Mahjabeen's tearful voice came through.
"Hooreen, please forgive us for whatever we did that day. This job is very important for all three of us. Please talk to Sir and ask him to keep us on. Samara is also in a terrible state from crying."
"Hooreen beta, I also apologize to you. I am like a mother to you. We shouldn't have slandered you."
The Principal spoke, and Hooreen replied immediately, as she couldn't bear to see anyone distressed because of her.
"You are my elders; please don't apologize. I will talk to him. You all should come to school by 11 AM."
She reassured them and hung up.
The three of them wiped their fake tears and smiled at each other. They weren't as worried about the job as they were about Kayan's words and the evidence he held. They couldn't afford to let their positions be ruined at any cost.