Shaking her mind to empty her mind and focus on her work, Hoorain went and saw Azed already there. The suspicion in her heart was cleared now so she didn’t feel intimidated in his presence.
“Hey.” He smiled, waving at her.
She smiled back and waved, “Hey.”
They didn’t exchange much conversation. Azed felt awkward, he was nervous to think what Hoorain must be thinking about him or she might not tell Haziqa about it.
In their break, Azed came to her, “Listen, Hoorain.”
“Hmm?” She hummed, turning to him.
“I need to talk to you about something important.” Azed said and Zain came as well as he wanted to check up on Hoorain to reassure her that she doesn’t need to be scared.
That he is here for her and she shouldn’t vex and work relaxful but stopped when he heard Azed saying this.
‘What could it be?’ He thought, stopping.
“Yes, what is it?” She asked. Because of her own worries, her mind shut down and resonance lowered immensely to sound whisper-like.
“Are you okay?” He asked, furrowing his brows after noticing her expressions.
“Yeah, you tell me. What do you want to talk about?” She asked, forcing herself to smile to show she is fine.
“If you say so.” He sighed, considering it none of his matter and cleared his throat to ask what he wanted.
“Could you please… forget what happened today?” Azed asked desperately, making a worried face.
Zain narrowed his eyes in suspicion to ponder what happened.
“Yeah, sure.” She smiled, reassuring him.
“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.” She said and Zain, who realized he shouldn’t eavesdrop, walked out and saw Hoorain gave his shoulder a pat with a smile and walked.
She saw Zain and averted her eyes. “Hello Sir.” Hoorain greeted coldly and walked away.
Azed was bewildered, recalling Zain’s warning and thinking what is between these two.
“Hello Sir.” Azed spoke in the same cold tone, narrowing his eyes at Zain who remained unaffected and hummed in response.
“I just wanted to check up on you guys. Hope everything is okay.” Zain said, making up an excuse.
Azed internally scoffed but acted politely as they exchanged small talk and he left, gaining no chance to talk to Hoorain alone which certainly displeased him.
But, nonetheless, he kept an eye on them, considering it his duty to watch if she is uncomfortable with the job or not. Watching her out from afar.
And since their shifts ended at the same time, he rushed to her side. She was using her phone in the middle of the corridor, totally minding her own business but he ran to her.
"Oh, there you are, Hoorain." He smiled, coming to her.
"Do you need something, Sir?" She asked. She was about to call Emraz but stopped and turned to him.
"I was going home." She informed him, confused at his smile and presence.
"I can drop you off." He offered happily, hoping to spend some time and ask her about it.
"No, thank you. I have called Emraz Bhai to pick me up." She replied softly and he noticed the faintness in her voice.
"I don't want to bother you." She whispered, forcing a feeble smile and was about to turn her head away.
"No, no, it's okay. It’s late anyways." He spoke instantly, not letting her turn her head away, insisting to drop her off.
She thought about it for a second and powerless before her desires, the chance to be alone with him, she agreed for it.
"If you say so…" Shrugging her shoulders, she was ready to leave with him.
She got her stuff and they left. Their drive was silent. Zain glanced at her from time to time, thinking about her dejected expressions.
Hoorain was making her mind to confront him and ask about the display of responsibilities but felt hesitant to know the truth.
It would definitely hurt her if she came to know this holds no emotions for him.
"So, how was your first day?" Zain asked finally, trying to eradicate the silence inducing awkwardness in him.
"Fine." She replied, not lifting her eyes affixed on her laps, forcing a smile.
"I hope you didn’t feel scared by Azed." He said in an assuring voice.
"You don’t have to be vexed about it anymore." She sighed, looking up at him.
"Hmm?" He hummed, arching a brow to ponder what happened, mind going back to what he heard back then.
"It was a misunderstanding. He cleared it up." She told him in an empty tone, the smile not leaving her lips.
Did he tell her? He thought, worried he might tell her about his warning and that is why she is acting distant.
"What misunderstanding?" He asked, praying it would not be what he thinks.
"Oh, he didn't do anything. He only talks to me because he likes Haziqa and it was not him either who proposed my offer." And her response evoked an internal sigh of relief.
He was glad whatever it was, it was nothing related to her.
"Oh, so who was it?" He hummed again, serene, but not showing it.
“Dunno. Maybe Sir Kasim.”
"Didn't he say anything else?" He asked again, suspecting Azed clearly spoke something which made her like this.
"No. Why?" She asked with a nervous chuckle, tugging her hair behind her ears.
"Nothing. Just asking if you are okay or not." He shook his head. At solace to know she doesn’t know anything or else what she will think of him.
"I am fine." She hummed, leaning back and closing her eyes, swallowing hard, gathering her words but they refused to come out.
“Are you sure? You sound so low.” He was getting perturbed about her reactions at this point.
He wanted to know what was bothering her so he could help her deal with this but she was struggling to ask the question whose answer was unbearable to her.
This is it, Hoorain.