27. His New Side

Let me know what is going to happen about Ashar and Sanaya's married life? Will they end up accepting each other or break the marriage? I want to know what you're thinking.

✸✸

I told Ashar that he didn't have to help with anything because mother was an employee of the orphanage since years so they would take care of everything, we couldn't interfere. Still Ashar went to her doctor to ask details about her progress.

I really couldn't understand why Ashar was doing this, why was he being nice to me. My mind was already very tired with all the stress so I couldn't argue with him right now so I just decided to think on it later on.

When dis-consolation overflowed in me, I thought of going out of the hospital building and fill up my lungs with some fresh air. The smell of medicine, hospital's scary environment smothering me and it was not good when I needed audacity in these weak moments.

I walked out of the hospital and went to the front yard of the building where I saw people were standing in groups, few ambulances were parked, a small garden where seating-benches were placed. I went over and sat on one of them. I slipped my feet out of my sneakers and moved my legs up on the bench. I hugged my knees.

Memories of my childhood, the smiling face of mother, her voice swirled through my brain. She always used to say to the kids there that treat her like a mother, think of her as a mother. When I got ill in my childhood period she used to sit beside my bed and help me to sleep comfortably. She used to cook for me sometimes. She told me stories. She showed me the glimpse of real Mom like how mothers are like.

Few tears escaped my eyes and slipped down to my face, to my upright knees. I used to get sad and complaint to God after seeing her services for me and other children that I wanted my own Mom. I wanted to be pampered like this for life. If I had my own Mom I would've kept her for my own-self only and wouldn't share her or her love with anyone else.

"Here."

The sudden voice startled me a little. I moved my head and saw Ashar was sitting beside me and offering my phone back. I composed myself, dried my eyes and gave him a quizzical look.

"What?" He raised his one brow, "I'm returning you your phone. You'll need this."

I took it, turning my head straight, "Thanks."

"I wanted to say something to you."

I again looked at him, "What?"

"I liked those chocolates." A faint smile formed on his lips.

"Really? You said you don't like chocolates."

"Right. I don't, still I liked yours and now I'm thinking to change my opinion about them."

My lips stretched into a smile, "Okay. That's good."

"So you smiled." His brows rose in amusement.

The smile on my face disappeared replaced by a surprise. Was he really trying to make me smile? Oh boy!

My stomach fluttered and I hated it. I  couldn't understand him. On one hand he repeatedly said he hated me and on the other hand he was being chivalrous here, "Did you really like them or did you just say that to divert my mind?"

"Yes, to both of your questions." He said in a low voice. I nodded. At least I wouldn't have to think anymore that I shouldn't have bought a gift for him because I think I did a right thing. He liked it.

"I've talked with doctors. They are going to perform a surgery in next few fours to mend the hole that is in her pancreas. If they're able to do that, then, her survival rate will increase. So, don't lose hope." He said.

"Hmm. I want to stay here till mother gets better. I don't want to go to...your house for few days," I said hesitantly.

"Are you planning to stay at the hospital till then?"

I shook my head, "No. I'll sleep at my foster home."

"What about your college?" He quizzed.

"I only want to think about mother right now, nothing else matter." I mumbled. I stood on my feet and about to walk forward when he stopped me.

"How about I accept your request and you accept mine?"

I turned around, contorting my face in confusion, "I didn't get you."

"Don't skip classes." He stood up and came to me, "Aaron will take you. I'll let you stay near your mother and in return you'll take all your classes."

"Why are you worried about my studies?"

"Because I don't want you to ruin my efforts. I helped you increasing your GPA."

I chuckled lowly, "Okay, I'll try. Thanks once again for understanding."

He breathed aloud and moved away his eyes from my face, "You're keep making me do things I don't want to do." He whispered in a very low voice that it was barely audible. I was not sure if I heard him correctly or not.

"Sanaya? What are you doing outside?" Ryan's abrupt voice made me jump a little. I immediately stepped back, creating distance between me and Ashar.

"Is there any good update?" He further asked. I shook my head in negative.

Ashar frowned when both of them looked at each other. "Who is he?" Ryan questioned.

I forced a small smile on my face, "He's...a friend." The frown on Ashar's face deepened. I felt uneasy. I knew he wouldn't have liked it that I called him my friend. We were not friends.

Ryan nodded once, "Hi. I'm Ryan. Sanaya's old friend." He offered his hand to Ashar with a smile.

Ashar shook his hand with him, "I'm Ashar. Nice to meet you. It's sad that we're meeting like this on such a grievous event."

"Right." Ryan lowered his head on the ground, "The woman lying inside this hospital is very important to both of us."

Ashar glimpsed at me before looking Ryan again, "I hope she'll get better soon."

Ryan nodded his head in agreement then turned to me, "Have you eaten anything yet?"

I shot him a glare. He said, "The answer is no. I understood. Very much expected." He glanced at Ashar, "I tell you Ashar this girl will never grow up. She's now eighteen, but still needs a full-time guardian."

Ashar's jaws clenched. Maybe he was not liking Ryan's casualness. I snapped at Ryan, "It's not like this. You're exaggerating." Stupid Ryan was embarrassing me in front of Ashar. God. I felt my cheeks turning hot.

"Of course she is a spoilt, impulsive kid." Ashar commented. I looked at him in disbelief. I guess he was back to his old self.

"Your friend is agreeing." Ryan laughed. I glowered at him. He raised his hands in the air, "Okay. Okay I'm sorry. I won't say anything. Come inside and let me fill up your stomach."

Ryan grabbed my hand. Ashar's eyes fell onto our hands. I saw his brows lifted up. "I should go now." I said to him. He looked up on my face again and gave me a slight nod.

Ryan started dragging me towards the hospital's entrance gate, ignoring my protest. He didn't even let me properly talk to Ashar. I should've at least said goodbye or good night to him. Despite his bitter tongue, he was being good and understanding towards me. I didn't know the reason behind his change of behavior. I guess he understood how much mother was important to me.

I turned my head and saw he was walking towards his car. Ashar knew how to put aside personal grudges when it's needed and help the person. I felt a weird sensation in my heart that brought a smile on my face maybe it was because I was happy to see him like that. I didn't know if he followed the same principle with everyone or it was just me.

I would be happier if the answer to the latter question was yes.

💙

"Tessa broke up with me." Ryan said.

We were sitting in the hospital's cafeteria after finishing our snacks just to chatter about our lives. I was planning to spend the night here and then going to the foster home to get some rest and Ryan had decided to accompany me. I didn't mind it. I wanted to talk to him because it had been almost a year we last saw each other.

"Wait, what?" I questioned in astonishment.

"Yeah, she left me. She said she needs some time to sort out her feelings." He shrugged, trying to hide his sadness.

"What kind of reason is that?" I wrinkled my nose in confusion, "Did you do something?"

Ryan looked more mature and manlier than before. He had dark, warm brown hair, craggy, fair skin and grey eyes. His grey eyes had light bluish flecks that made them look ice blue in the sunlight. I'd seen Ryan growing up. I had observed how he transformed from a skinny, teenage boy to a full-grown man. It was tempting at that time when I started looking at him as a man. Even other girls in the orphanage also noticed his changes. I wasn't the only one who admired his looks.

But, things had changed now. I could only look at him as a friend now. I was slightly staggered with this change in me because his looks hardly affected my heart the way they used to in the recent past. Maybe, because he was not the only good-looking man I now knew. I knew someone who was way better than him as far as good looks were concerned.

Those blueberry eyes when studies my appearance, my heart trembled in a weird way. The goose pimples itched my skin when he touches me and those fluttering of butterflies at the pit of my stomach when he comes near to me. These feelings were new and foreign for me so I didn't know what I was really feeling. I could not name it. But I liked it how my body reacts when he is around.

When Ashar talks, I couldn't help, but notice how his lips move. The moisture on them slightly spins my head and disturbs my focus. I really wanted to experience how his mouth would move against my skin.

"Sanaya, I'm talking to you." A loud voice snapped me out of my haze.

"What?" I blinked, feeling lost, "What did you just say?"

What was I thinking the whole time?

Damn you, brain.

He sighed in irritation, "What's the matter with you? What were you thinking?"

What's the matter with me? Why was I thinking about Ashar's mouth? Why was I even comparing him with Ryan? Die, Sanaya. Die.

"It's nothing." Still couldn't come out of my haywire thoughts, "Tell me what you were saying about Tessa and you."

It was confirmed that my mind had started walking on a wrong track; the track that could further messed up my already perplexed life. I hated Ashar. I hated his judgmental personality, his haughtiness, his unkind behavior, but still the attraction in me was going wild. I had to do something. I had to stay away from him. I had to stop myself from thinking this way.

"We had some arguments recently. I got angry at her few times and that made her angrier." Ryan explicated.

"I thought you loved her." I said in concern.

"I do love her, but I guess she doesn't." He stated, ruffling his hair. He put his head down on the table for a moment as if he was trying to calm himself. He sat straight again, avoiding to look at me.

"Are you okay, Ryan?"

"Yes. I think I am." He whispered.

I placed my hand on top of his and tried to comfort him, "Give him some time. She'll come back to you."

He passed me a sad smile, grabbing my hand, "Let's talk about you. Tell me about your new friend."

"There's nothing to tell."

He gave me a suspicious look. "Ryan." I said in a threatening tone.

"Relax. I was just kidding." He laughed, "But on a serious note, I thought you're now into older guys. I was shocked for a minute, but then I think, it can't be possible."

I gave him an angry look and pulled back my hand from his. He was telling the truth. Ashar – with me was next to impossible.

"Don't exaggerate things. He's just someone I know." I responded.

💙

Gratefully, next day, mother was shifted to the private room after her surgery. Although, surgery didn't give the best results, but still doctors succeeded in waking her up. Doctors were kept on saying the same thing that patient's old age was making the whole case very complicated. Her organs were not strong enough to endure so much pain and pressure, but they were still trying.

I knew we all had to be ready for any kind of situation. I knew she was very aged and severely wounded and could not bear things longer. But, I was not losing hope. If hospitals are a place of bad news, but it's also a place where miracles happen. The factor of uncertainty is always there.

I stepped out of the bathroom after taking a long shower and wearing a fresh pair of clothes that I got from the volunteer here. After spending a night at the hospital, I went to take my class to keep my words to Ashar then I came here at orphanage, took two hours rest and afterwards, attended a prayer meeting that was arranged for mother's fast recovery. I prepared desserts for the children, guests and volunteers who participated in the prayer session.

Drying my hair with a towel, I rambled outside the big ground where children usually played different sports in their spare time. I stopped walking when my gaze caught Ashar who was surrounded by kids. One of them was sitting on his leg while he was distributing sweets and candies among them. My mouth fell opened at the sight.

The thing that further increased my astonishment was a blissful, bright smile that was playing on his lips. I had never seen him smiling like that before. He looked happy, boyish and a normal human instead of hard-headed, arrogant and mean. That's what his personality explicated to me nowadays.

"So you saw him. He's Ashar Hobsons, the young heir of the Hobsons Electronics." Emma, a volunteer here came to me and whispered in my ear, "He just met with the administration and donated a huge amount."

I widened my eyes in bewilderment, "Really?" Another surprise!

She smiled, nodding, "He's a rich businessman. I've seen his pictures few times in the online news portals. Isn't he quite handsome?"

Those series of surprises was like a blow to my head. Why he came here at my foster home at the first place? I could think about his donations later on.

"Uh. Yeah." I responded reluctantly. I again looked at him. A girl child said something to her and he started laughing, shaking his head. I was sure my heart stopped for a second at this amazing view. I reminded myself about my plan that I had decided last night that I would stay away from him, not going to look at him unless it's necessary and also keep our conversations short.

His gaze met with mine. I immediately looked away. Hanging the towel on my arm, I pretended to talk with Emma who was full of admiration for him because she was impressed by his donations.

"He's coming this way." Emma informed, turning straight.

I tucked the lock of my hair behind my ear in uneasiness and stole a glimpse of him. He was already looking at me.

"Thank you so much, sir for the endowment. People like you think of these children is really helpful." Emma said in courteous manner.

"Oh, it's no problem. I'm thinking to become a regular benefactor here." Ashar turned his head to look at the children who were running around and playing, "The environment is nice and pleasant here."

I could not anticipate what was going in his head. I was impressed by the fact that he had a heart for these orphans and thought about their lives. If every wealthy person starts thinking about the needy and helpless people, then no one would be deprived of basic necessities for living. Orphanages need lots of money for raising these children and fulfilling their basic needs like food, clothes, schooling...

"Hey, I'm Lucy." Another volunteer came forward and greeted him, "I've heard about you from the administration. It's good to see you."

Ashar shook his hand with hers, "Thank you."

I was feeling awkward now. It was not easy to pretend that I didn't know him. Lucy turned to me, "Sanaya, when are you going to the hospital again?"

I felt Ashar's penetrating gaze on me, "In a while."

"Okay. I got a call from Patricia. She's saying to bring mother's shawl and few clothes."

I nodded. Lucy faced Ashar again, "It would be good if you let us serve you some good food. Have a meal with these children they would love it." I widened my eyes in surprise at her offer. She should just let him go.

"No. It's okay. It's not needed." Ashar quickly refused.

"Please, come on." Emma insisted, "Our Sanaya has prepared delicious desserts. I tell you she's a great cook. You'll like it."

I cleared my throat aloud, making them all to look at me, "I think I should go and collect mother's clothes from the room." I shot Emma a glare before escaping from that awkward situation and Ashar's presence.

💙

About an hour later, I had decided to leave for the hospital again. Since I had a sleepless night yesterday, my energy was draining now. Still I couldn't think about rest right now because I knew this anxiety and stress in me would not let me sleep. Once mother would be back here, I would take a long rest.

Emma told me that Ashar agreed to have one meal with the children. I didn't take part in it because I wanted to avoid him. I think he would've left by now so I was little bit relaxed. Carrying the bag that had mother's few clothes and other necessary items, I walked out of the building. A wave of surprise swept through me when I saw Ashar was standing against his car. His head was down.

When he saw me, he moved his head up. I moistened my lips in uneasiness and tried to avoid the eye contact with him. I was going to restrain myself from now from checking him out. My wild imaginations were so embarrassing.

"Hey. You're still here." I tried to smile, wandering my eyes around.

"Yes. I was waiting for you."

"Me?" I pointed my finger at myself.

He nodded, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You're behaving differently. Why you left me alone? I was your guest. You should've served me, welcomed me instead of leaving me all alone among strange faces." A hint of annoyance was there in his voice.

I looked at him in bewilderment, "Why should I? And by the way, why are you here? Why you came at my foster home?"

"I came for you, obviously." He said, "I went to the hospital and there I found out that you're here so I just came to see how you're doing. I think I made a good decision. I enjoyed here. Your world is cool."

The corners of his mouth lifted up into a small, warm smile. My stomach contracted and my mouth went dry. I was again feeling lost in the haze that was created by him. I guess Ashar was much more than the tactless side he always showed me. There were things about him that I didn't know. His this side – the new side of his personality was good, impressive and fascinating.

You've decided you'll not look at him. The voice in my head reminded me. I instantly moved my eyes away from his face and came back to my senses. No, I would not lead myself to the wrong track. I would keep my distance.

"Thanks. I should go." I scratched the side of my head and then walked past him.

"Are you avoiding me?" Ashar quizzed.

I stopped and squeezed my eyes shut for a moment. I was such a foul actor. I couldn't even do a single thing properly. He came in front and tilted his head a little, "Tell me?"

"Avoiding you?" I chuckled fakely, "Why would I avoid you? It's nothing like that."

"Then why I'm feeling like that you're nervous or something? You're not even looking at my face. Tell me what's wrong." His gaze studied my face.

"There's nothing." I looked into his eyes to make him believe on my words, "I should go now. I'm getting late."

He nodded his head in a thoughtful manner, "Let me take you there."

"No, thanks. I'll manage." I quickly denied.

He shook his head in irritation, "I'm leaving too. I can drop you to the hospital on the way."

He took the bag from my hand and put it on the backseat of his vehicle. He was not going to make it easy for me. I think I was in deep trouble.