“You seem stressed, Zain.” Anaya asked, leaning on the wall, arms closed at her chest. They were in the garden, sharing a cup of tea thanks to the free lecture.
“Since when I wasn’t, Mr Singh?” He asked with a sigh of dismay, leaning on the wall.
“Career tension or love? Both are equally stressful anyways.” She asked, pinching his sensitive nerve but displeased at her statement, he frowned.
“Since when love became a part of my ordeals? I don't recall having time for a mere subject.” He asked, a grimace plastered on his face.
“Not in your perception but what about hers? Do you deem them unnecessary as well? Though you don't care but what about her?” She smirked, taking a sip of her drink, motioning to the side.
Narrowing his eyes in septic, he turned his head to the side and saw Hoorain looking at him with an aching gaze, glistening with suffering which constricted his heart.
“Are they meaningless or fatuous?” She asked, wanting to know what he considers her emotion.
“I… don’t know..” He breathed out truthfully, breaking the momentary gaze, “I don’t know where it would lead her, what this bond would provide her but…” Pausing, a dire took over his features, completing his sentence, “I won’t be able to forgive myself if it shattered her life.”
“Why? Why does it matter? I was simply checking your reactions but ah my, look, you do care.” She teased, suppressing her laugh, trying to scrutinize his emotions but failed, “Indirectly it would be my fault to be the foundation of her stray and I cannot take guilt on my account.” He shrugged, making it sound nonchalant but to him it was not.
“Then why bother? It is not your fault for not accepting her love. You have choices, loving is hers and not is yours, You can’t force anyone.” She shrugged, reminding him love is not an emotion which could be forced.
“I know… but, I don’t want to be known as her culprit.” He breathed out, moving back to leave her sight as her gaze was pricking needles in his heart. “I am not a ruthless person who could disregard emotions. I need to focus on my life which I will, her matter is not my concern nor my first priority even if I feel compassion but as you said, it was her choice so kindly don't try to twist my mind.” He breathed out, shaking his head to let out unnerving thoughts afflicting his mind, inducing intentional throbs. "I am already entangled in worries, don't increase them. I truly don’t want to think about this matter and hope to bear the responsibility of my career and this bind." He said sternly, pulling himself away from all worries but in vain.
“Oh, so you are sticking to your obligations as her fiance?” She asked, smirking, stopping in his tracks, he glanced at her over his shoulder, “Do I have another option? When none of us is elated about this bond, the least we could do is refrain from obliterating our terms on unfavorable terms.” He responded, looking down, staring down at his hands devoid, smiling hollowly but shaking his head, he walked away without speaking further.
Meanwhile, Hoorain and Haziqa were outside, talking with each other until Azed came to interrupt their time, “Hey.” He waved, leaning on the tree. “You okay, Hoorain?” he asked, tilting his head to get a clearer look on her face, “Hmm,” She hummed, “It doesn’t concern you.” She scoffed, putting up a cold front.
“What is your problem with me? Can’t you reply politely?” He asked, curling his lips downwards, “What wrong did I say?” She replied in the same tone, turning her face to his.
“I saw you were perturbed for the past few days so I wanted to ask about your wellbeing.” He shrugged, not removing his eyes from hers but she couldn’t with anyone's gaze anymore.
"I am fine…" She breathed out, lowering her head. "What about the rumors? Oh, don't worry about them, people talk. That's what people do. Don't take it to heart." He said softly, taking a seat well. Haziqa, displeased at his presence, sighed and scoffed.
"I know… but.. I just don't know what to do.." She mumbled, rubbing her temples due to strain collecting in her mind. "And your empty consolation means nothing since you know nothing." Haziqa added rudely, closing her arms at her chest, not liking his presence.
"What is your problem with me, Haziqa? Why do you take my kindness wrongly?" He argued, glaring at her, weary of her constant taunts. "Why would I trust you in the first place? You don't hold the image where we could trust a disloyal person like you." She snapped, throwing his true nature on his face and Hoorain nodded in agreement.
"Unless we want to break our hearts." Hoorain added. "Oh come on, how many times have I hit on you, Hoorain? Once? Like years ago and you stuck on it?" He asked angrily, not knowing their ordeal with him.
Hoorain’s emotions dropped, returning him a glare. "You are right. Once and it ruined it all. It was all your fault." She snarled. Narrowing his eyes at her in bewilderment, he asked, "What? What did I do?" Confusion covered his face but pouting, Hoorain raised from the ground, "Hoorain?" Haziqa called, confused at her reaction but she walked away.
"What's with you?" She asked, coming after her but with a scowl lingering over her face she muttered under her breath,
"It’s all his fault. If he hadn’t made his attempt for the first and last time he wouldn't have saved me and this moment would have become the origin of my journey, of my emotion. Only if he hadn’t saved me from Azed." Haziqa's steps gradually faltered, pulling her back roughly.
At the same time, Zain was leaving for his class and heard Haziqa's voice which halted his steps and remina there, hearing the girl's voice.
"What the hell, Hoorain?!"
"What?" She asked, not knowing what happened to Haziqa now. "All this happened and you never told me about it." She asked, infuriated that her best friend never told her about it.
"I did but I never specified who it was. But it doesn't matter, I can’t do anything about it, this has happened." She shrugged, tone converted into argue-type.
The rage eventually faded and she narrowed her eyes at Hoorain, "So.. you are angry about it?" She nodded, looking away timidly, nibbling on her bottom lips, holding her arm, unaware of her own feelings.
"What the hell are they talking about?" Zain asked himself.
"I don't know…" She whispered, gritting her teeth as her beats fastened immensely, rubbing her hands together, replacing her rage with woe.
"Do you regret the moment it all started?" Both Zain and Hoorain’s eyes widened in dismay, contemplating her words in their heart.
Closing her eyes Hoorain breathed out as Zain also replied in his heart.
"No, I don't." Yes, I do.