Even if it costs all my riches I would gladly offer them to walk two steps with you.
A smile adorned Hoorain’s features, her sapphire eyes glimmering in exhilaration on her first day of college about hotel management and culinary arts she only joined just to be with the person her heart was ablaze for- Zain.
Combing her pitch-black hairs back, she tied them in a messy bun, letting some strands fall on her face, trying to look attractive so he could notice.
“Hoorain!” Her Mother, Hania, called from downstairs, “Coming!” Her smile grew wider remembering about the day when she fell for him and marked her breaths to his rhythm.
***
Hoorain was sixteen, coming back from her highschool, it was a monotonous day, everything was fine until she was stopped by her classmate.
“Hoorain,” She stopped in her tracks when he put his hand on the wall. "Where are you going?" He asked huskily, invading her space. "H-Home." She stammered, distressed by the proximity.
“Get away.” She breathed out, making a disquiet face. “Why? You’re going alone, let me drop you home.” He smirked, coming closer to her, her breath hitched, pressing herself against the wall. Handling such scenes was always difficult for an easily startled girl.
“I don’t want to go, Azed…” She mumbled, trembling up by his intense gaze upon her. “Why not?” His smirk grew wider, leaning dangerously closer to her face, a tear pricked in the corner of her eyes, trying to find a way to push him away.
He brought his hand near her face but before he could touch her, Zain came out of nowhere, slapping his hand back, “Get the hell away from her,” He hissed, pushing him away and taking Hoorain’s hand, "Who the hell are you?" Azed growled, disliking his interruption but Zain moved Hoorain behind her whose heart skipped a beat when he defended her instead of mocking,
"More important than you are." He retorted, "And don't you dare to come near her again." Warning seriously, taking her with him.
Her timid eyes fell upon his stern form, coming right from college, cold hazel eyes, the intimidating aura attracting every girl but when her hand held his, she felt a strange spark increasing her heart rate, unable to look elsewhere but him.
He took her near his bike and let go of her hand, turning to her, hard attributes loosening,
"You okay?" He asked softly when they reached his bike. "Yeah.." She hummed, not looking up.
"Look, Hoorain, Rayan or Emraz bhai wouldn't always be here to protect you, if you wanted to push someone away, then do it. Okay?" He sighed, "And we can settle the rest, okay?" He smiled, earning a giggle from her. She missed his warmth but didn't say a word, only nodding, "I understand."
"Good. Now come, Emraz bhai asked me to drop you home." He said calmly and that was the time, she knew what she felt for him had never occurred to her before and she wanted to treasure it. Even though he had done the same for anyone but she couldn't help but to stare at his aesthetic features on their way back home, knowing this is the origin of the yearnings which were about to ignite uncontrollable flares in her heart.
***
“Coming!” She called, going down, earning a smirk from her sister Hoor, “Ah my, someone dressed too pretty.” She teased coming closer, “Who are you going to impress, hmm?” Her smirk grew wider, making her frown with an invisible blush. “Bhai! Stop Hoor.” She whined, going to Emraz who was on a call.
“Come on, Hoor.” He sighed, going back to his call, giving Hoorain a side hug, loving her youngest sister the most.
“Yeah Hoor, what if she dressed too pretty using makeup as her only hope?” Rayan came as well, pissing her off, ruffling her hair, “Bhai!” She made a crying face. Emraz frowned, turning to him, “Hey, what’s with you? How many times do I tell you not to tease her?” He scolded them, wiping the smile on their lips as Hoorain smirked, clinging onto his arm.
“We will see you when Bhai isn't here.” Hoor muttered, giving her a glare, “Bhai!” He whined, pulling his sleeves. “Don’t force me to team up with her.” Emraz said sternly, warning them.
“You are teaming with her.” Both siblings said at the same time. “Because you guys are teaming up, let’s make it fair, right Hoorain?” Emraz grinned, giving her shoulder a squeeze, “Yes!” She beamed, hugging Emraz who chuckled.
“Hoorain, you know why Emraz bhai is so good with you?” Hoor said, coming closer, “Because we found you in a bird's nest and he doesn't want you to feel bad about it.” They snickered, making her gasp.
“Enough playing, Kids, come!” Hania called them for breakfast. Hoorain muttered something under her breath and left. “Hey, how many times have I told you to not treat your little sister like this?” Emraz scolded them. “It’s not our fault that she is so quick to cry.” Rayan shrugged, “Yeah, her face says 'bully me'.” Hoor added, nodding.
Rayan and Hoor were always close to each other, always working like a team and Emraz being the big responsible brother but they were always too much to control disregarding the age.
After breakfast, Emraz dropped Hoorain at her college, she entered with a smile adorning her features, trying to look for the person for whom she chose this profession in the first place.
"Where are you? Where are you?" She asked, scanning the area, hopes fading but,-
There he was. The guy with hazel eyes and a dashing personality and not to mention his young age which made every girl drool for him. His eyes glistening under the sunlight, pushing his black hairs back, he was walking around.
Zain Bukhari, after his graduation he joined this college as the professor of the subject Marketing to help at home financially and collect some money to join his dream culinary school to become a chef.
Her face lit up in immense happiness when she saw him. Dressed in a black shirt and black pants, hands in his pocket, walking forth, her heart skipped a beat when she saw him like this. So handsome. She thought, tugging her hairs behind, fixing herself quickly.
“I have never seen him dressed up, gosh.. He is.. so enticing…” She paused when he came closer and deepened her blush. “Y-You?” She paused. She never wanted to call him Bhai and knew if she called his name, Rayan would force her to call him Bhai as well and she would never allow it.
“Well yeah, I am a professor here. Don't you remember?” He chuckled, “I see.. Sir.” She smiled faintly, finally relieved to not call him Brother. “My, such obedience.” He laughed a little, motioning her to come after him.
“Well, judging you never called my name, I should have known you would be hasty to find me a name.” He said nonchalantly but her heart skipped a beat. “Y-You noticed?” She asked hesitantly.
“When you will call everyone but me then how can I not? It was obvious. Although I never know why.” He asked playfully, turning to her. Tugging her hair behind, she looked away, “I.. never know.. What to call you.. That’s all.” She made up a reason, not meeting his gaze, “Seems like it, but now you do. Good luck.” He gave her an aesthetic smile which made her smile as well. “Well, here we go. The administrative office. I should go to my class, see you around.” He waved, “Thank you.” She grinned.
“No problem, you are my best friend’s sister after all. Feel free to ask me anything.” He chuckled and left. Best Friend’s Sister. She thought bitterly which wiped her smile. I don’t want you to remember it like this. Remember me as Hoorain. She thought but it was pointless. Sighing in disappointment, she went to the office to get all the work needed to be done before going for her first class but to her disappointment Zain only teaches the final year students.
But this couldn't stop the zeal burning in her chest. “How was your first day?” Zain asked after her first day. “Fine…” She replied, when her eyes affixed on him, nothing else mattered. It was uncontrollable in his presence.
“Glad to know. By the way, May I ask Hoorain why you joined this course? Your family wanted you to do ACCA, you know.” He asked casually as they walked down the corridor.
“But, I wanted to do this.” She shrugged, either course, none of it would matter, she could do any. “I see. What about it intrigues you?” He asked. "Uh…" You. She paused, "Hmm?" He arched his brow and with cold breaths, she gulped, "Um.. Foreign offers." She excused mindlessly. "Mostly UAE and they are not too easy to grasp either. You gotta work hard." He explained. "I will." She whispered as they walked and he said after a prolonged silence when they reached the end of the corridor, “Okay then, if you need anything then tell me, I will be on my way and good luck.” His smile gave her inexplicable felicity, her gaze lingering on his silhouette more than she ever had the chance and this was all she desired.
“Thank you.” She smiled sweetly as he bid her goodbye and left as he kept watching him leave.
Only if you know you are the reason I have lost my path.