The vibes sucks when you're back at your hectic routine after a period of adrenaline rush, sometimes all I wish to do is run away and whirl around the streets, do whatever I want blurring the fear of criticism but sadly, doing that won't bring food to the table.
Being candid, I was utterly flattered by the way Rayan announced our fake relationship. That was something I could've never expected him to carry out but there it goes. My screen was flooded with notifications after that, some of which were requests of people as I'm dating a popular guy, and few of them were fangirls criticizing me.
Hence disregarding all of their remarks I head over to the field as Rayan requested me to be there. As I extend my feet to that spot I observe the boys' stares burning a hole inside me, well what can I say? I am actually good looking. I scan the area, my eyes darting from corner to corner but Rayan is nowhere to be found.
Is he pranking me-- my thoughts are interrupted by a sudden jerk, it feels as though an invisible pull is drawing me nearer to their chest, my heart echoes the rhythm as a familiar scent captivates me. Before I can realize that I'm embraced by Rayan Khan, a low groan escapes his mouth when a ball with full speed hits his back.
The truth settles upon me that Rayan hugged me to prevent that ball harming me, damn I'll ask Hoor to add such scene in her book. This considerate act cast a morning light on all the dark claims that Rayan is impassive.
"Why do you have to be so clumsy?" He whispers causing an unusual fluttering in my heart "you can't even see a visible ball coming towards you. Why do you always have to get into problems?" he complains while I'm still attached with his chest, struggling really hard not to fantasize about his abs.
"Rhino, it's not my fault at all, you know sometimes I feel like someone has provided my location to all the problems existing" that's precisely the truth, I don't aim to push myself in problems on the other side they just love me a lot.
"Hmm for surely how can Maha Aamir be wrong?" He says as I chuckle against his chest "that's right so don't even think to call me wrong"
"No ma'am how can I dare?"
I notice that I'm still shamelessly smelling his scent as he's not letting me go "you know you can stop hugging me now all your teammates are watching"
A muscle in his jaw feathers before he shoots a glare at his teammates, all of their heads peer down and none of the boy in the ground dared to look at us. "Ohh that was sexy man! One glare from you and their heads went down"
"You definitely need filters for your mouth" he shakes his head and I can tell that he's trying to swallow back a smile. He turns me and gently guides me to his changing room.
"What? Are you here to show me your abs? That how sexy you actually are?"
He chokes on air and hesitantly utters "filters Maha filters!" But the awkward thing is that Rayan himself isn't daring to spare me single glance, his head remains down. Releasing a low sigh he sheds his jacket, revealing prominent veins of his arms.
"Here wear this" he gently offers me the jacket as I give him a muddled look. I'm already cladded in my sleek button down sweater and his varsity jacket will spoil my look, maybe he wants others to know that he loves me so much- falsely.
I shake my head "definitely no, you know this jacket is black and white varsity while my sweater is a lavender perfection. Both of them together make an awful fashion combination and secondly I know I'm looking really beautiful that's why the boys were staring at me however I can't have them-"
"Chup ho jao Maha" this time he didn't yell. He rolls his eyes and steps forward while clenching his jaw, his hands reach out to my sweater as he softly fastens the upper buttons that were left undone in haste. Reality crashes on me, leaving me with no wish then to bury myself seven feet under the ground. Everything makes sense now, the boys were staring me because of this and he continuously hugged me because of this!
Congratulations Maha you have successfully embarrassed yourself for again infinity times!
After fastening the buttons his eyes meets mine in a silence reassurance, he gradually blinks his eyes and annoyingly my brain pondered of it as a knowledge that he's conveying it's okay. "You could've just said it" I affirm while backing off, his chuckle resonates the room "do you let anyone else speak?"
A mock scowl makes their way on my face and there I lightly hit my feet on his earning a groan from him "what have I done to you Pagal larki?"
(Crazy girl)
"Nothing" I applaud Rayan for this as it would've been way embarrassing if he had just told me to fasten the buttons.
He shakes his head probably regretting his life decisions however that's least of my concerns currently, "so we'll be going to my work space for your measurements and cloth selection" I demand sparing him no chance to retort before rushing straightly out of the room, glancing back I realize that he's following me with his forever best friend scowl.
Of course I'm born to an optimistic and stubborn leech.
"Watch me rhino" I call out, twirling around in the hallway, my laughter echoing off the walls of hallway. He walks behind me, hands in the pocket, his famous scowl right on its place. I'm kind of weird because I may have aged in size but the kid inside me never fades, I'll continue being myself if someone likes me fine and if not then it's also fine.
"Do you ever walk normally?" He grumbles, but there's a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "Where's fun in that?" I reply skipping back to him "besides, life's too short to act like a grandpa"
We turn at a corner to fetch some water from the dispenser as I feel my throat going dry. Reluctantly, I replenish the disposal glass of water but before I can gulp it down, the water threatens to spill on my dress.
I curse myself for acting so clumsy everytime but as I lower my gaze, I'm astonished to see Rayan holding a handkerchief under my glass, preventing the water to spill on my dress.
The most unexpected thing is that he was scrolling through his phone which signifies that he already knew I was going to spill the water. Gosh am I that clumsy?
"Don't worry Maha as long as I'm here you can continue being the clumsy you are, I'll take care of that" is this man for real? Firstly he can flatter any woman with his gestures. Secondly, he does all of that with an expressionless face.
He brushes off a few strands from my face after clutching his phone back in his pocket, and this mere gesture feels like a handful of butterflies have been released in my stomach.
"Did they go?"
"What? Who?"
"Those girls? They were looking at us with suspicious eyes. We're fake dating remember?"
There goes the glass of my unstable love life shattering into millions of countless pieces, each of them a reflection of how screwed up the romance in my life is.
"Umm yup. They went"
"Good shall we leave Ms clumsy cum crazy Maha"
Sometimes all I think about is him and his assumptions regarding me, I maybe a goofball but I ain't crazy. So what if I accidentally ended up in jail just because of dancing on item songs in the middle of the night? Or sneaking into university regardless of their high tech security system? I'm just an adventurous soul not a crazy one. He surely doesn't mean it, he calls me crazy because I call him rhino.
He snaps his finger before me, stretching me out of my dilemma. This is definitely not going to be easy.
As we walk through the university halls, I can't help but steal glances at him. His expressions are unreadable, stoic as usual, but even with a face having no hint of smile he manages to look striking and handsome. I'm definitely sure that Ayra will sue me if she catches me getting attracted to a guy because her moto is that all boys are bastards, handsome or not.
I push open the door to my workspace, a small but cozy workplace. The sunrise lamp casting a warm glow on the walls painted by vibrant hues. He shoots an awkward look around probably not used to such attractive colors right, he's too much trapped in the beauty of black.
"Just to be clear Maha, I won't be wearing any glimmery or vibrant sports wear make it black"
I huff in response because he's so naive to think I'll ever listen to him "don't forget rhino in our relationship I do the talking and you do the listening"
"Yeah my apologies your highness" I chuckle and pretend to bow like a real princess "I forgot that you give orders and I'm supposed to follow obediently"
I nod enthusiastically, there's something about him that distances him from all the boys in this generation; maybe it's his unwavering looks or a mystery he veils from the world.
I shuffle through the piles of paper on my desk and pull out a stack of sketches. "Here are the designs for your athletic gear. Iâve been experimenting with different colors and materials to ensure theyâre not only stylish but also comfortable and functional."
This assignment is going to be an asset for my career if I succeed to impress the higher ups and ideal fashion designers. This idea will either drown me or kick me higher, for according to my search, no one in the history of Aurelian ever decided to introduce a sports line as they all went for gowns, stylish suits, dresses e.t.c but I guess I'm born to be different.
I spread the sketches out on the desk, and Rayan leans in to take a closer look. His brows furrow in concentration as he takes in each one of them.
"These are.... impressive" he says, sounding genuinely astonished "I didn't know you were that talented Maha"
A blush creeps up my cheeks at the unexpected compliment. He takes one of the sketches and studies it more closely after a pleasant grin tugs at the corners of his lips "you really are surprising Maha, I've never seen such unique sports wear"
I beam with pride "it's Maha you're talking about after all" I flip my hair earning a chuckle from him. Honestly I never wondered that I'll ever attract a compliment from him but his praise whirls out every ounce of anxiousness that once settled inside me.
"Now...about..." I mumble, trying to pull out a measuring tape. In my effort, I scatter a few of the papers on the floor, finally when I succeed in searching a measuring tape, excitement blooms in me. With a bit too much force, I turn back, and the corner of paper pokes Rayan in his eye, FYI that paper was also in my hands.
"What the-" he utters while harshly rubbing his eye. "Oh My gosh! I'm so sorry" I turn over to him, my heart sinking "I didn't mean to"
"Crazy girl just tell me that will I return in one-piece from here?" Ignoring his rude comment, I gently pull his hand away from his eye "hold still" I whisper, softly rubbing the corner of his eye with my thumb. His skin feels warm under my touch. Then I blow lightly into his eye, trying to ease the irritation. Our faces are close, and when he opens his eyes again, our gazes lock. The intensity of the moment catches me off guard, and for a few seconds, we just stand there, staring at each other. His light brown eyes hold a depth I've never noticed before, and I find myself lost in them.
"Better?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Yeah, thanks," he replies, his voice equally soft. I step back, breaking the spell. "Okay, let's get back to work."I take the tape measure again, ready to get his measurements. As I reach out, he stops me. "Maha, you know I can do it myself if you're uncomfortable."
Without thinking, I throw the tape measure at him. "Yeah, it's better. Go ahead." He catches it easily, a smirk playing on his lips. "Alright then, Miss Clumsy," he teases.
He starts taking his own measurements, and I can't help but watch. There's something fascinating about the way he moves, so sure and confident. But then I remember, this is Rayan, the guy who calls me crazy, the guy I'm fake dating. Why does he have to be so... captivating?
It's fake Maha! Fake!!!
As he finishes, he hands the tape measure back to me. "Here you go. All done."
"Thanks," I say, jotting down the numbers. "I'll get started on the prototypes right away."
A mischievous thought crosses my mind, and before I can stop myself, I blurt out, "You know, if you ever need a side gig, you could totally be a model. Just saying."
Rayan raises an eyebrow, a skeptical look on his face. "A model? Really?"
I nod enthusiastically. "Yeah! You've got the looks, the confidence, and the whole 'brooding athlete' vibe. Plus, imagine the headlines: 'Football Captain Takes Fashion World by Storm!'"
He stares at me for a moment, and then, to my surprise, he bursts out laughing. It's a genuine, hearty laugh that lights up his face and makes my heart skip a beat.
"You're something else, Maha," he says, shaking his head with a smile. "Only you could come up with something like that."
I grin, feeling a warm glow inside. "Well, you know me, always full of surprises." He chuckles again,
"Alright, future supermodel," I say, handing him a stack of papers. "Let's get these designs finalized."
"Lead the way, Ms. Crazy Designer," he replies, still smiling.
Sometimes even I find the constant female attention a bit too overwhelming, especially when they attempt to touch me unnecessarily and label themselves as my girlfriend. Well, previously I would've enjoyed such experiences but nowadays I don't. In order to escape their gaze, I seek refuge in the first place nearby that is library.
The mighty shelves cladded by books and the nerds motioning me to stay silent stretches me into a foreign awkward feeling. Why can't I talk in a bookstore? Not like my words will mingle with their next ink world.
Scanning the surrounding, my eyes catch a sight of familiar hazel and a pleasant smile makes its way on my face. Seems like library isn't so boring like I assumed it to be.
Hanging my bag on my shoulder I walk nearby but judging by her condition that was not a preferable idea. Chocolate wrappers are collected at her side and she's wiping her tears with a tissue while mumbling a few words to herself, "sometimes I think I'd die reading books and screaming me when?"
My mind is shrouded in a cloud of confusion, this young lady is surely and exceptional situation. She talks with herself, chocolate over anything and a wicked blackmailing child.
"Didn't know you can talk with yourself as well?" her head snaps in my direction as I take a seat beside her, "better than talking with idiots like you"
"Ooh I'm offended hazel" I grin earning a scoff from her, "anyways why were you crying?"
I can tell this question brings a different gleam in her eyes like she loves to talk about it "because I just read a very cute line by a fictional man and I realized no one will ever love me like that"
I raise my eyebrow in a puzzled look. Inaya is a beautiful girl, most of all she differs from the girls who prioritizes looks over heart, any boy would be lucky to have her. "And why do you think like that?"
I sigh follows her baby pout "because I'm lazy as hell if it was in my hand I won't even bother coming out of my bed, I buy books like they are my oxygen and I enjoy doing nothing. I'm really awkward to love and fictional man doesn't exist"
I find myself tangled in the delicate balance of curiosity and negligence, Inaya chose incorrect words to describe her personality, if it was on me then I would've defined her as the beauty like vintage letters, a warm sunrise and a full moon. "Hmm that doesn't make you unlovable Naya, just say yes to me and you'd be on the bed all day and I'll do everything you order"
Her composure is different, her cheeks doesn't blush like others' after my flirtatious remarks rather she's aggravated by them, and that's what convinces me to tease her more.
"No please your bed will be already filled with many girls I don't want to be one of them"
My lips parts in a soft chuckle, "oh thank God you're not like other girls, see neither you are sexy and you don't know how to charm a guy"
Her laughter carries a hint of sarcasm, as if she stands on the edge of mockery "thank you for enlightening me with Ayan if it wasn't for you I would've died"
Our friendship is like a quiet secret in the dark of the night, I feel myself with her. She's the only one who doesn't see me as a heartthrob Ayan Ansari but an actual person. You know when they say what's friendship without healthy flirting and a bit of roasting?
"Hmm" I reply, processing for excuses to tag along with her.
The arch of her brows tightens, a silent mock-storm brewing in her eyes and I don't even know what have I done to upset her? "What's hmm?" She says "if you don't want to talk with me then you can say it on my face but hmm isn't any kind of reply"
"Calm down woman" I rise my hands in surrender. Leaning closer, our breaths mingle and I can view her hazel eyes far better. "God you're an overthinker"
"No I'm not" she argues back
"Yes you are"
"Fine I am. I'm a weird case, I overthink about literally every situation and you know what's awkward? I need reassurance all the time but I don't want to tell anyone anything. And why am I even telling you?" Following her furious outburst, she snatches the books from the desk and storms into the library, anger etched across her delicate feature.
I can't help but chuckle at how cute she looks while she's furious. She's an enigma, her emotions switches from joy to anger in a second. Her mood swirls like the skies of July, each one more captivating than the last.
Placing my bag on the seat, I step inside letting the hallowed silence envelope me. She's already there, perched on the floor, she clutches a book immediately lost in other world of ink.
I approach cautiously, my footsteps echoing in the ravenous place "oh c'mon hazel you know you look really cute in anger"
"I look even more cute while punching"
"If that's the case then my face is all yours hazel, punch me however you want"
I sit down opposite her, legs crossed. "You know" I say, leaning in "I'd prefer reading your eyes forever then touch a single book here"
She glares at me, her hazel eyes sparkles reflecting the red hue painting her cheeks, but I won't point it out because that may evolve a minute thing in our friendship and I don't want that-not when I know what the consequences will be. I don't want to lose my friendship with her.
I grin, sheepishly lowering my head down "ok baba I won't flirt now but uplift your mood as well"
She shakes her head "hold your ears and apologize nicely"
"You really are a kiddo," I tease, nudging her playfully. She shoots me a sidelong glance, her eyes narrowing. But there's no harm in it right? I hold my ears nicely and apologize to which a pleasant giggle escapes her lips.
As she continues to flip the pages, I proceed with looking at her "What do you want?" she asks, her voice laced with mock irritation.
"Your book recommendations," I reply, leaning back against the shelf. "What's this one about?"
Her lips twitch, and she closes the book with more force than necessary. "It's a billionaire romance," she says. "You know, the classic grumpy meets sunshine trope. But guess what? The brooding hero has dimples. Dimples, I wish I had."
I can't help but smile. "Well," I say, feigning seriousness, "you do have one."
Her eyebrows shoot up. "What? No, I don't."
I lean closer, my breath warm against her cheek. "You don't even notice," I murmur. "But whenever you laugh harder and genuinely about something, a light dimple forms on your left cheek. Occasionally."
She blinks at me, stunned. "You noticed that?"
I'm unaware of the reason behind her insecurities and the lack of attention towards herself, it's like she has lost all hopes that life actually has something for her. To my surprise this girl never noticed her dimple, which I observed in a snap.
"We're friends," I say, my voice soft. "Of course, I notice things about you."
The chemistry between us, the unspoken connection that I don't want to develop, I don't want her to get any wrong hint about my feelings because I'm aware I don't deserve her, and I can't let this soul shatter for my silly activities.
She blushes, looking away. "Well," she says, her tone flippant, "don't get too attached to my occasional dimple. It's not a permanent feature."
I grin. "We'll see about that," I reply. "Maybe I'll make it a missionâto make those dimples appear more often."
Her cheeks flush and she swats my arm with her book "stop it"
"But I haven't started flirting yet" I protest "I'm just getting started"
I chuckle and break the chocolate into half offering her one side, I'm sure she'll internally curse me for taking the other side.
"Flirting is overrated" she grumbles "and anyways I need-"
"Let me guess a bookish kinda fantasy, a love where words aren't required" I finish for her as I know that Inaya Hassan is an upper level delusional girl, she won't settle for anything less than a fictional man.
"Yeah like someone who bakes me cookies and doesn't let me lift a finger" she rolls her eyes.
"Exactly" I stretch out, leaning my head on her lap. "What the-" she reluctantly stops I guess she didn't mind then.
"God be a good friend and let me rest"
She stiffens but I feel the tremor in her finger as they hover above my hair, "yeah alright pervert Ayan"
I chuckle and shut my eyes, "Tomorrow come at my place"
"No"
"Please"
"Never"
"Please"
"Never means never ever"
"You can bring your friends with you and I promise I won't ask you anything absurd I have sisters besides we're friends"
"Uhhh why do you have to be so stubborn? Fine I'll come. Text me the time"
I grin in joy because I don't know what struck my mind but this feels like I'm doing right.
"Will be waiting for you hazel"
There's how I storm out of library clutching the amount of happiness I face by her visit.
(â à¹â Ëâ â¥â Ëâ à¹â )
Hey guys I hope y'all are doing fine and well.
Do share your views about today's Chapter if you liked it or not.
Which character are you enjoying the most?
Also, I wanted to ask y'all that do you guys enjoy reading romance between the couples or the friendship adventures more?
Stay tuned for the next chapter. It's a treat for those readers who love Ahara