The internship week passed in a blink of an eye, I shone brilliantly and gained a lot of admiration by law personalities. Due to my personality many minds assume that I'm not a good fit for this profession however I seek it as a power. My opponents will underestimate me and I'll give them a run for their money.
Today was the last day of our internship and I'm ecstatic about it, working beyond my limit has tired every organ of my body. Thankfully Aurelian has offered a two days holiday for us last year students or else I would've resembled a zombie in an apocalypse.
After that hangout with Inaya, I didn't catch a glance of her. I must admit that I enjoyed a lot with her, she seems different from those girls who throw themselves at me, she's someone hard to get.
"Zaid will your classmate come today?" Ayzal, my annoying sister throws herself on the couch and disturbs her favorite cousin who's busy playing with his son.
"I don't pay much focus on her" Zaid cuddles Zoro with utmost affection. Zaid loves Zoro more than his life therefore he is a respectable member of our lovely family.
I bite my lower lips in order to surpress my laughter, looking at Zaid's expressions. Ayra has been visiting our home for this week as she's interning at uncle Haris's company, he seems to be really impressed by her unwavering dedication and that bothers Zaid.
Their hate for each other is unknown by the family, As Zaid has successfully avoided her by not visiting the sadaqa office during her presence.
However, I can't let this day proceed smoothly without their hatred causing any havoc. I can't get a more perfect scenario to spoil his good boy image.
"C'mon Ayzal stop annoying him" I state letting her hair flow down by pulling her clip. "None of your business Ayan" she scrunches her nose and complains with Ahad "Bhai look at Ayan he's teasing me again"
Ahad offers me a deadly glare supporting this little witch, as we
cousins are settled in the sitting room everyone is supporting the girls "you know Ayzal they only protect you because you're adopted"
A laugh escapes my mouth and she leaves the room as always, she must've ran to our parents to snitch about me.
Rayan enters the room and plops himself down on the couch. That's what happens after hours of non stop practice and daily dose of lecture.
As I witness these bored souls I can't help but wonder if they're truly my cousins. Ahad is sitting in an arm chair and Rayan lays opposite to him while Zaid is playing with Zoro.
"So who's ready for the farmhouse party?" I ask all of them in the hope that maybe they can also seek fun.
Rayan rolls his eyes "I'm out. The last time we attended such a party it ended up with me encountering a crazy someone"
I'm aware who he is referring to but for Rayan half of the population is crazy, I can't let him spoil the fun for it.
I burst into laughter before turning to Ahad "you are definitely going right? Blue eyes will be there to hypnotize you"
"What!" Zainab (Zaid's sister) exclaims keeping her voice high for anyone to hear "Bhai you are interested in that girl?"
Ahad reshoots me a deadly stare but I got his keys for now "haa Bhai ne bataya nahi? Inhe to ab hoorei achi lagti hai"
(Didn't he tell you? He has developed an interest in angels)
Zainab gazes with a bewildered expression "I mean to say the hoors in jannat"
"Shareef hogaya hai apna Bhai" Zaid joins in teasing him, I can tell Ahad is blushing but he's really great at hiding it
(Our brother has become a gentleman)
"Shut up Ayan" Ahad returns his gaze to his laptop, masking his blush.
"I'm with you for the party" Zaid passes me a high five in agreement while I opt for another option to convince them.
You know what they say 'ghee agar seedhi ungli se nahi nikalta to ungli Teri kardeni chahiye'
(If the ghee doesn't come out of straight finger then you should bend the finger.) (I don't know how else to translate it ð)
"Rayan if you won't go then I'll inform everyone about your imaginary girlfriend and Ahad tumhari hooro Kay kise to wese hi bohot mashhoor hai"
(Rayan if you won't go then I'll inform everyone about your imaginary girlfriend and Ahad your tales of loving hoors are already famous)
I flash them a mischievous grin and a flying kiss, Rayan throws his pillow at me and leaves the room after muttering under his breath "I didn't sign up for this. I'll be ready"
Looking at Ahad I'm sure he agreed when I told him that Hoorain will also join the party although it was a lucky guess.
After our conversation in our occupied sitting room, I move towards the lounge cladded in my black tshirt and grey pajamas, my messy hair covering my forehead but my glasses forbid them to block my view, Ayan following me. As I reach the lounge, I search for for my notes that are estimated to be here.
Suddenly Ayan's expression turns into something mischievous as he passes a mock-salute "looks like my favorite girl is here" he pockets his one hand and shakes his other hand with Ayra.
I honestly don't understand why did dad give her the privilege of working from our SADAQA office, I can't stand looking at her everyday in my own house.
Before she escorts herself into the office Ayan interrupts "Ayra sweetie, uncle told us that your internship has remarkably ended and you don't have anything to do today so why don't we sit here for a while"
I glance upwards and our eyes locks in a fiery battle, the hatred is palpable, if the eyes could kill then this is that moment. She rolls her eyes and chats with Ayan "I don't want to interrupt any further could you please thank him from my side"
"No no sweetie I won't hear anything, please sit here" Forced by Ayan's persistence, she sits in our lounge constantly rolling her eyes at me.
"Oops excuse me, my girlfriend is calling me and I'm a gentleman won't let my girl wait right?"
I glare at Ayan, knowing exactly what he's trying to do. Ayra, however, seems unfazed. Without sparing any time he rushes to his sanctuary, leaving me with her alone what am I supposed to do with her? If I even try to initiate a calm conversation it'll end up as us grabbing each other's throats in an attempt for a murder.
Ayra sits down, rolling her eyes dramatically. I grab a book from the shelf, pretending to read, but I can feel her eyes boring into me. After a few minutes of silence, I sigh and put the book down. If she's going to be here, I might as well entertain myself.
"So Ayra" I begin, a smirk tugging on my lips, this is going to be so fun "how's it like to be working in the house of great Zaid Mirza"
She raises her eyebrows "great and you?" Her voice contains no hint of emotions "must be great to live in such a delusion"
I chuckle at her savage replies it always goes this way, I seek calm and cool approach to convey my hate whilst her approach is fiery. Both ways my hate for her cannot be measured. "Delusion? More like reality. But then again, I wouldn't expect you to understand."
She leans back, crossing her arms. "Oh, I understand perfectly. You're just compensating for something."
I raise an eyebrow. "Compensating? Enlighten me, academic worm"
"Compensating for your lack of humility, obviously. It's astounding how your ego fits in this room."
I laugh, shaking my head. "Ah, Ayra. Always so feisty. Is that how you keep yourself entertained?"
"No, I keep myself entertained by watching you make a fool of yourself. It's quite the show." She smirks.
"Glad to know I'm providing you with free entertainment. I suppose it's the least I can do for someone who's so starved for excitement."
She laughs again at her silly thoughts "doing nothing is more entertaining then having you as my company"
"You know your lame replies really need some coaching" I retort although it doesn't seem to bother her.
"Did I or anyone ask?" She dramatically searches around "nope no one begged you for your ridiculous lessons clearly you enjoy my company more than you like to admit"
My smirk fades and for the first time I gaze at her with dark eyes "your same attitude will burn into ashes when I beat you with my IQ"
"Oops for that you require a higher iq to compete with me"
Before I can retort but am interrupted by a soft bark. Zoro, my love, bounds into the room, his tail wagging furiously. He makes a beeline for Ayra, who looks momentarily surprised.
Our shock is mutual as Zoro doesn't willingly get attached with any stranger but with Ayra he instantly liked her, seems like she captivated my poor Zoro in her charms.
"Zoro, no," I call out, but it's too late. He's already at her feet, nuzzling her and seeking attention. Ayra's icy demeanor melts slightly as she pets him. "Well, at least someone in this house has good taste."
I can't help but laugh. "Traitor," I mutter to Zoro, who ignores me, too busy enjoying Ayra's affection. She looks up, a small smile playing on her lips. "You know, Zoro has better taste in people than you do."
"Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you," I retort, smirking.
She plays with Zoro, patting his white fur and truly she's the first girl who's touching him so freely in my presence. Yeah I am possessive about him.
The rest of the family gathered, including my mother and my aunts. They're in the midst of planning dinner, and as soon as they see Ayra, their faces light up.
"Oh, Ayra, dear!" Mom exclaims, rushing over to greet her. "It's so good to see you. Why don't you stay for dinner?"
I open my mouth to protest, but Ayra beats me to it. "Oh, I don't want to impose..."
I can't have dinner while looking at her, she must be thinking the same. I don't know why my family loves her so much, especially mom and dad. Only if they knew that the havoc created in our relationship was rooted by her, she was the cause behind it.
"Nonsense," Aunt Nadia (Ahad's mother) insists. "You're practically family. Please, join us."
Ayra glances at me, and I can see the hesitation in her eyes. But before she can decline again, aunt Aisha (Rayan's mother) chimes in. "Yes, Ayra. We'd love to have you."
Even Rayan's mom likes her! What magic is she sprinkling on my family?
"Well, if you insist," Ayra says, her voice polite but clearly reluctant. Bile rises till my throat as I hear her polite voice, she can drop the act.
"Great!" Mom claps her hands. "Let's set another place at the table."
As we all move to the dining room, I can't help but feel a sense of impending doom. Sitting through dinner with Ayra, my family, and all my cousins is bound to be a disaster. I glance at Ayan, who winks at me, clearly enjoying the chaos he's created. He's surely going to pay for this.
The dining room is a lively scene as everyone finds their seats. Zahra and Zainab sit next to each other, chatting animatedly. Ahad and Rayan take their usual spots, engaged in a quiet conversation. Ayan, ever the instigator, positions himself near Ayra, while I end up across from her, Zoro sitting obediently at my feet.
Dinner starts off uneventfully, with the usual polite conversation and compliments about the food. Dad, Ayra's mentor praises Ayra's work ethic. "Ayra has been a tremendous help at the office. She's diligent, hardworking, and very organized."
I scoff quietly, earning a sharp look from my mother. Ayra, to her credit, ignores me and thanks Dad graciously. "Thank you, Mr. Mirza. I've learned a lot from working with you."
Grace and her are two different things ! I'm glad other uncle's aren't present here or too much praises of Ayra the great would've been difficult to fathom.
Aunt Aisha beams at Ayra. "You know, Ayra, it's so refreshing to see such a young woman who has her life so together. You're a wonderful role model."
I can't help but smirk at the absurdity of the situation. If only they knew the real Ayra. "Yes, a real paragon of virtue," I mutter under my breath.
Ayra's eyes flick to me, her expression cool. "Unlike some people, I don't need to compensate for my insecurities with sarcasm."
Zainab, ever the peacemaker, tries to lighten the mood. "So, Ayra, do you have any hobbies outside of work and school?"
Ayra smiles politely. "Nope I actually never got an opportunity to do anything apart my studies"
I sense a hint of vulnerability in her eyes as she speaks about her lack of hobbies, it twinges my heart awkwardly.
Aunt Nadia being the forever optimistic adds "no worries dear, You must love studying so much and that's also a hobby" Ayra genuinely smiles at her comment.
The table falls silent for a moment, and I can see my mother's disapproving glare for my low responses. But before she can say anything, Ayan jumps in. "So, Ayra, after our carnival we are having our grand test so who's stealing the first spot?"
Ayra looks at me with mock politeness "the one who deserves"
I nearly choke on my food as I hear her reply. The Ayra I know would've presented theories on how she'll be the one receiving first spot.
Ayan laughs, clearly enjoying the back-and-forth. "You two should have your own reality show. 'Zaid and Ayra: The enemies Chronicles.'"
Zahra giggles. "I'd watch that."
Ahad, ever the voice of reason, interjects. "Alright, that's enough. Let's all try to have a pleasant dinner."
Rayan nods in agreement. "Yeah, let's not ruin a good meal with bickering."
Ayra and I exchange one last glare before settling back into our seats. The rest of the dinner passes with less tension, though Ayan continues to make sly remarks and keep the atmosphere lively. By the time dessert is served, I'm almost relieved that the evening is coming to an end and I won't have to look at her anymore.
As we finish up, Aunts and mom smiles at Ayra. "Thank you for joining us, Ayra. It was lovely having you."
"Thank you for having me," Ayra replies, her tone genuine. "It was a pleasure."
I scoff quietly, earning another glare from my mother. Ayra stands up to leave, and as she passes me, she leans in close. "I hope I never see you again genius"
I smirk. "And I hope you slip somewhere academic worm"
She gives me a sweet smile. "I hope that whatever you hope goes back to you"
We bid eachother good bye which to everyone seemed a friendly one.
As Ayra leaves, Zoro follows her to the door, wagging his tail. She bends down to give him one last pat before she goes, and I can't help but feel a pang of jealousy at how easily she won him over.
"See you around" I call over my shoulder.
"Unfortunately," she replies, though there's no real malice in her voice.
As the door closes behind her, I sigh, leaning back in my chair. Dinner with Ayra was as exhausting as I'd expected.
"Well," Ayan says, clapping me on the shoulder, "that was fun. We should do it again sometime."
I glare at him. "Next time, I'll make sure you're the one sitting across from her."
He laughs. "I wouldn't mind. She's pretty entertaining."
"You're impossible," I mutter, shaking my head.
"And you're predictable," he retorts, grinning.
As the family disperses, I head to my room, Zoro trotting beside me. Maybe tonight didn't go as planned, but having dinner with Ayra is one thing that will never happen again in this household. I scoff at her audacity to be in my dad's good books after nearly spoiling his reputation and mine.
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