Let me Hate you by Anjaani (top reads txt) 📖

Asmaira smiled and requested her to lead her to the room. While on the way, every maid smiled politely, and yet the same thought was running in their mind as that of Maya's. She is too simple; no wonder the young master did not want to get married to her. She was no way like their young mistress, who was beautiful and elegant, a perfect match for their master.

Asmaira was lost in her own thought and was ignorant of all the judgmental stares coming from her back.

Once they reach Madam Hashmi's room, Maya knocks and waits for the order from inside. Once it was confirmed, she opened the door and let Asmara step in. She was asked to leave them alone with a gesture, and she bowed, went out of the room, leaving the Mother in law and the daughter-in-law alone. 

"Maya, is she like a young mistress? She looks simple, not like our young mistress. She was so beautiful and polite. Remember how lively the mansion was when she was here?" her colleague asked her.

Another Maid added, "Yes, yes, we were waiting to know how our new mistress is? I saw the young master last night, and he was not in a good mood when he came out of his room. I never saw him like that before, not  even on the day the young mistress left." 

Maya knew how her friend loved to gossip; however, she had a good impression about Asmaira, the innocence in her eye could not be denied. Though she was not a bit like her previous mistress, something about her was intriguing.

She shook her head, thinking Madam Hashmi was an intelligent woman and would never choose anything too simple or plain. She might have her reason, and as her employee, they have no right to discuss their matter. 

"Would you like to be thrown out of the mansion? Did you forget how Madam Hashmi has saved you from your family and gave honor and let you work in the mansion?" This was all enough to disperse the gossip. Maya was a loyal servant and never pry into their matters, and that is why she was chosen to escort Asmara to the mansion till she gets habituated to the new environment.

She looked at the closed door, wondering what was happening. None of your business, don't forget your place, she sighed.

After 20 mins of wait, Maya was called in and was told to help Asmaira get familiar with the mansion. 

"Make sure she eats her food before you show her around," Fariya ordered before they left.

She is interesting; though she looks thin, I have to make sure she is healthy before handling the responsibility. Would Amaan like her? She is so unlike her? How can they both be so different? Fariya thought before immersing herself in her NGO work.

"I am not hungry," Asmaira said while lowering her head in embarrassment.

She can't tell directly that she can't eat alone while being stared at by everybody. In her family, it was mandatory to eat food together, no matter how busy anyone was. 

Well, I guess rich people don't eat together, she thought while looking at the food on the table, yet she lost her appetite. Seeing her hesitation and embarrassment, Maya told her, "Please eat something, or is there anything you want me to cook? Madam has given instruction. I am afraid I have to oblige."

The last thing Asmaira would want is to let someone suffer because of her. She shook her head and ate silently. Unknown to Maya, deep down, Asmaira trembled with nervousness as she never left her house, not to mention staying at someone else's home, no, not house mansion. 

She spent the entire afternoon getting accustomed to that mansion. Maya was patient enough to answer her questions without rolling her eyes. She already forgot the way back to her room; how naive? Maya thought while smiling. On the other hand, Asmaira was embarrassed to ask her the way back to her room, not that she wanted to stay there. 

While Maya showed her the garden area, Asmaira hesitantly asked her, "Where is Kabir's room? I remember you showed everything except that room." Maya's smile froze.

She was blank for a moment, thinking how to answer the question. She turned to look at her and said, "Madam is the right person to ask the question. I am just a servant here." Asmaira understood the hidden meaning and thought, Maybe it's not the right time. She simply nodded and followed her.

"How do you remember everything about this place, this mansion is big enough to accommodate ten villas? Did you ever get lost here?"Asmaira asked innocently.

Maya, who was escorting her, was taken aback. She tried hard not to laugh at her question, yet she could not stop herself from chuckling, which she covered up with a fake cough."You will get used to it" is all she could manage to answer.

In the evening time, Asmaira was called to the living room by Fariya for tea. This was a daily ritual that she never missed, including the mealtime where all the family members are supposed to be present. It was a custom in the Hashmi Mansion that the entire family would meet at least one meal. To Salar's annoyance, Mrs. Hashmi herself has set this custom, and no one, including Salar, could go against it.

This was also the first time when Asmaira met her co-sisters, whom she didn't get to see in the afternoon.

"How was your day?" Mrs, Hashmi asked while gesturing to her to sit beside her on the couch. Her co- sisters, who were already there, sat opposite to them.

"Good," was all she could whisper, lowering her head. Her answer, however, amuses the rest of the inhabitants of the room. 

All three of them looked at each other and then at Asmaira, whose head was still low. 

'Is she scared of us?

"Good! Take your time to adjust to your new. Maya will always be there to assist you with anything." Fariya could not help but smile, looking at her daughter-in-law. One was Fire, and the other is cool like ice. What an irony, she thought.