What have I done?! I'd be doomed if she told Bhai what little stunt I pulled. Rayan pulled his hairs in frustration, shaking his head while emitting shallow breaths to soothe his dismayed mind which is driven by a strong sense of enthrallment indisputable in his state.
He grit his teeth, slamming his hand on the table, cursing loudly, angry at himself for losing the composure he kept all this time to conceal his feelings, this facade was his cherished possession, he can't lose it.
It's okay, Rayan, just apologize to her. He thought, taking a deep breath, moving back. Shaking his head, he went back to his desk, to focus on his work.
After work, he went to check up on her but she wrapped her work and went home. Dejected, he wanted to apologize before things got messy.
He went home, freshened up and was in a rush to leave, "Where are you going?" Emraz asked. "To Zain."
"Oh, great. Can you give Isra Mars on my behalf?" He asked. "She likes Snickers more." His tongue slipped, speaking what he shouldn't. Mentally scolding himself, Rayan was about to correct his statement but Emraz smiled, "Oh thanks for telling, then give her that on my behalf."
He hummed but then what shouldn't arouse him his heart afflicted his mind and he stopped, "What happened? Aren't you leaving?"
"Can I ask you something, Bhai?" He asked, sitting beside him. "Yeah, what is it?"
"Are you sure about Isra?" He asked, looking at his brother skeptically. Emraz put his book down and finally looked at Rayan, arching a brow, "What do you mean?"
"I mean... Bhai.. of all people her, your employee.." He trailed off. "She no longer works for me." He shrugged. "But, what would people say? How are you going to shut them?" His voice came out low, manipulative.
"What are you trying to say, Rayan?"
"Bhai, I have just heard a rumor that Isra seduced you to do all this, that she is a gold digger. What would she feel if she heard them?" He lied, speaking softly. Emraz narrowed his eyes when he was infuriated at his talk, "Who said it?" He asked angrily.
"It doesn't matter."
"No, it does. I won't allow anyone to disrespect Isra like that." He enunciated, getting furious. "Bhai, she was like this in College too, that's why they are saying this. You have to understand." He said, not removing his eyes from Emraz, trying to evoke doubt in his heart. "Wait a minute, what did you just say?"
"Nothing, I am just trying to state a fact." Emraz looked around and got up, going out to the Lawn with Rayan so no one could hear their conversation.
Closing his arms at his chest, Emraz asked assertively, "Why are you bringing this up now? Also, I have been noticing you are not pleased with this, is there something you are hiding from me, Rayan?" He asked.
"No.. I mean you guys like each other, my tongue just slipped." He shrugged, looking away. "Look at me and answer Rayan, What are you trying to say?"
Rayan gulped hard and stared at Emraz's face for a few seconds and then blurted out, "She used to have a very bad image back in college."
Emraz sighed, holding his forehead in disappointment, "That was in college, Man. I never thought you would judge her based upon her past."
"I wouldn't have if it's reflection is not chasing her till now, Bhai." He argued. "What do you mean?" Emraz asked sternly, not believing what he was saying. "Bhai... I just.. Hope she is serious with you." With this Rayan walked away, leaving Emraz baffled by his misleading talks which only pulled the trigger of the thoughts which never crossed his mind before but now they are surely going to wreck havoc.
Rayan, whose hands were trembling, rushed to his car and sat down, holding the steering tightly with his eyes widened in shock at the stunt he just pulled. Breathing heavily, he kept looking down,
"What have I done?" He asked himself, breathless. Swallowing the lump of his throat, he took a few deep breaths before putting his senses at serene and let out the thoughts building in his head.
Denying his action, he left to complete the purpose he was supposed to fulfill in the first place- Isra's forgiveness.
After getting once again a single white lily and Snickers for her he headed for the Bukhari household. Zain opened the door and frowned at Rayan, "Thanks but I am not your girlfriend." He said, indicating the stuff in his hand, "Bro, it's for Isra." He told him, getting inside, "Woah, she is not your Bhabhi yet and you're just-"
"Hey, shut up." Rayan frowned at his words. Zain laughed, "She is in her room," He motioned, going back to his room, "By the way, what's the occasion?"
"I just wanted to apologize." He muttered, rolling his eyes and Zain laughed again, "Unbelievable, Rayan is actually apologizing to Isra? Gotta witness this."
"Hey-"
"No, I am amazed. Of all people you are going to say sorry to her. How can I miss it?" He snickered, teasing Rayan but he was not enlivened by it, "I had to."
"Must have been Emraz bhai forcing you to do it." He mused. "It's nothing like this, now can I go?" He asked irritably. "Mending bonds, aren't we?"
"Whatever you call it." He scoffed and was about to knock at Isra's room but Zain held his arm and asked seriously, "What did you do?" He asked deadpanned as his previous amusement faltered. Nervous by his sudden presence, Rayan responded, "N-Nothing..."
"Tell me. It must be something significant," he asked. Rayan sighed, "I just asked her whether she loves Emraz bhai or not."
"What? Dude, you've got to be kidding me!" Zain whisper-yelled, "That's why I want to apologize."
"Bro, I get it you he is your brother but that doesn't give you the right to doubt her." He hissed. "I feel guilty, I am sorry. Can I go now?" Rayan asked.
"Rayan, we are forming a relationship now. We can't say anything without thinking. You must learn to control this mouth." Zain scolded in a stern voice, letting him go.
"I know." He mumbled, looking down. "Go." He sighed, motioning him to do what he came for and left.
Inhaling, he knocked, "Isra." He called her. She opened the door after a few seconds, frowning at his presence, "What do you want?"
"Isra, look, I.. I am sorry. I shouldn't have said it. I just wasn't in my senses." He apologized sweetly, offering her the chocolate and flower.
"Please accept my apology." He smiled sweetly. She narrowed her eyes at him, putting her hand on her waist, "You practically imposed your failure at love on us."
"I told you, I wasn't in my senses. I am sorry." He said, looking at her expectantly, smiling faintly. Contemplating his form, she asked, "Are you alright now?" She asked.
"Huh?.. Oh.. yeah. I am." She smiled, taking the lily and snickers from him. "Okay then, apology accepted." She grinned. He also smiled, "Thank you."
"You must be tense, it's okay." She smiled. He smiled back and nodded in response. "Okay then, I am leaving."
"So early? Stay and have dinner." She offered. "No, you know, no coming over till engagement. If Mama came to know she would be mad." He told her. Giggling Irsa shook her head, "Okay then. Thanks for this, I love them."
"I know." He smirked, moving away. She leaned on the door frame, not thinking much about it, considering Zain must have told him and began to eat the snicker he gave her. Rayan was about to leave but he stopped and turned to her, "And yeah, Isra.."
"Hmm?"
"French braids suits you more than simple ones." He smiled cutely and left. She chuckled, "It consumes time." She said and went back to her room.
Rayan walked out and saw Zain there, "So you apologized?"
"Yeah..." He hummed, standing beside him. "How are you these days?" He asked. Rayan smiled and looked down, "Existing."
"Did you love Sateesha that much?" Zain asked. "I don't know, we mutually decided to part."
"Why?" He asked. "I don't know. It's still a mystery."
"This is all inside your head, Bro. And just don't take it out on my Sister." He muttered the last part, "I know, I won't do it again."
"And one more thing, Rayan."
"Hmm?"
"Tell Hoorain to pay attention in class, it's her last semester and she is zoning out, is everything okay with her?" He asked. "Yeah, she is as usual at home." He shrugged. "I don't know. At least I don't want any student of my class to fail." He chuckled. "Yeah, Yeah, I will tell her to focus."
"Hmm."
"By the way, dude..." Rayan smirked, turning to him, "I am not making any red velvet cake." Zain opposed. "Come on."
"No man, I have got work to do."
"I am not saying now, on the weekend." Rayan grinning, clinging on his shoulder. "I will smack this face, get the hell away," Zain hissed. "Hey, come on."
"I will get you on a date with Natasha."
"The Block D one?" Zain asked, finally interested in it. "Yeah, Isra's co worker." Rayan smirked. "Deal done." He smirked back. "I will be waiting for it on Sunday... Anyways, I gotta go now."
"You're leaving early?"
"Yeah... Bye." He waved. "Bye." Zain waved back and went back inside.
Rayan went home and saw Emraz was still vexed over what Rayan said. Acting unaffected, he came back. "Where were you, Bhai?" Hoorain asked. "Just out."
"I am telling you, he went to Isra Bhabhi's place." She complained with her Mother. "Hey, that's my friend's home." He reasoned, walking away. "And Mama, tell her to focus on studies and stop dazing out." He told her sternly, going back to his room.
Hoorain blushed furiously and opened her mouth to argue but Hania just shrugged it off, sighing, scolding both Rayan and Hoorain and left.
Rayan only hummed and was going to his room but saw Emraz, "Oh hey, did you give her the chocolate?" Emraz asked. "Yeah, she said thanks." He lied and went to his room. The moment he entered his room, he leaned on the door, covering his face with his hand, cursing himself for doing this. Closing his eyes he whispered to himself, disquiet about what is doing unintentionally, "What the hell am I doing?"
Clearly, he was trapped in the web of deceits...