Bakht- Pt 7

*****

Time flew by like a slow snail, taking its leisure time to get on Ayaan's nerve every time he woke up in the morning and found no one to annoy. His sister's room was left empty, the many things she kept stuffed in every corner were either gone or a few left that didn't hold many memories. The days had been tough on him- with a twin not there to give him the daily dose of mischief and a certain rose who wasn't ready to leave his thoughts alone.

"Ayaan, kaha gum ho itni subah?"

Zaira pointed out at the dining table. Breakfast was being served and Ayaan who would usually jump at the opportunity to gobble down tasty food sat still, as though he had nothing to do. His face didn't seem like the cheery kid Zaira knew nor did his eyes glint with mirth.

Concerned as to what had gotten him so closed off, Zaira shared a look with her husband who kept down the tabloid and cleared his throat.

"Zoya, ki yaad aa rahi hai?"

Azlan's words were coated with the slightest bit of teasing and Ayaan scowled at his father. The latter scoffed in reply and took a bite of the toast.

"Mujhe uski yaad kyu aayegi? In fact, I'm more than happy with this peace."

Lies.

He knew it and his parents did too.

Not wanting to get too deep into the topic, Ayaan kissed his mother's forehead and rolled his eyes at his father who now wore a frown on his face.

"Mama hai meri. She loves me more than you anyway, old man."

"Old man? Abhi batata hu tujhe."

Azlan had just gotten up to give his son a peace of mind but Ayaan was quick to run out of the house, cackling like a chick.

Azlan's narrowed eyes met his wife's amused ones and huffing in dismay, he begrudgingly ate the rest of his breakfast.

College had been boring to say the least, at least for Ayaan. Ahzan had not made another visit since so long while Sayeed was busy banging his head against the medical textbooks that made Ayaan dizzy just by looking at them.

And to add into this boring mix was she who wasn't even aware of how unsettled Ayaan felt when she was around. He didn't know why or how, but every time she was near, he had a hard time controlling the urge to just shy away and calm his heart down.

"Yaar, yeh professor logo ke paas humara jeena haram karne ke alawa koi aur kaam nahi hai kya?"

Sayeed whined as he took a bite of the samosa. His notes lay right next to the plate and he kept switching from looking at the rough handwriting that was no less than a kid's scribbles and then at his plate where the steaming hot samosa lay, calling out to him like a moth to a flame.

"Tell me about it. Sab ko pata hai economy ka kya haal hua pada hai, phir kyu yeh sugarcoat kar ke sab kuch padha rahe hai?"

Ayaan couldn't bring himself to eat as of now and he passed his plate to Sayeed who happily took hold of it, munching on everything and anything.

He sat there idly, looking at the passing people who were cracking jokes that could make even a comedian cry at the way they were being told, when the familiar whiff of a citrus rose scent made him want to bang his head on the table in frustration. He subtly glanced behind him only to find her walking towards their table with a few books in her hand and a small smile playing on her lips.

Ayaan held himself from sighing out loud at how seemingly innocent she looked. Amal had been a part of their group since the day he taught the bullies a lesson and would always find some time to at least greet them.

"Aye, kaha thi aaj?"

Sayeed asked with an excited smile when Amal neared the table. Her eyes looked at Ayaan before she quickly averted her gaze upon finding him already looking her way. Trying to hide the hues of red on her cheek, she pretended to adjust the dupatta over her head and smiled at Sayeed.

"Reference ke liye kuch books lene library gayi thi. Did you know they're holding a campfire tonight? Meri classmate ne mujhe bulaya hai par pata nahi jau ki nahi."

"Don't go."

It was Ayaan who spoke, more like commanded her not to and Amal frowned at his tone. Sayeed gave a curious look to his friend but upon seeing the glare that he received, he cleared his throat and pretended to not hear what was being said.

"Kyu na jau? The whole class would be there. Aur kuch seniors-"

"Amal, it's not safe."

"But I'll have-"

"Why would you argue regarding your safety?"

Ayaan burst out all of a sudden and Amal flinched when he raised his voice at her. Sayeed choked on the samosa he had just tried gulping down and his wide eyes couldn't believe what just happened.

THE Ayaan Mir, lost his calm composure.

Now that's something very new to him and to everyone in the canteen who were looking at the table of three.

Feeling insulted, Amal gritted her teeth and controlled herself from tearing up. Ayaan seemed to be like a completely different version of the one whom she liked and she was in no mood to entertain his mood swings.

Getting up from the chair with her face dead set and eyes slightly red, Amal glared at Ayaan who seemed to have realized what he had just done.

"You're no one to command me. Meri marzi, main jau ya nahi."

"Amal-"

Ayaan had only started speaking in a soft tone with an intention to apologize but Amal gave him a stink eye and walked out of the canteen. Ayaan held himself from going after her, especially when he saw the tears that had gathered in her eyes.

With guilt weighing him down, he put his hands on his head, a pained expression marred his features as he silently groaned in frustration.

He only wanted to keep her safe, away from the nasty things and encounters that could scar someone but everything had a proper way in which they are supposed to be done.

He just had to pretend to blend in the group and make sure she was safe.

How tough could that be now?

*****

Ayaan was seconds away from ticking like a time bomb.

Ahzan had made his presence out of nowhere. Someone had put up a post regarding the camp fire tonight and more than a few people had barged in the place. Surrounded by light music, high chortles, and swaying students, it looked more than how much Amal could bear.

"Soo, senorita, how's your classes going?"

Ahzan casually took a sip of the coke that he was drinking. The devilish glint in his eyes looked from a fuming Ayaan to Amal who stayed close to the former's side, completely ignoring the presence of the other man.

She was naraaz and he better realize that.

"A little stressful but I'm trying to keep up."

She smiled at Ahzan, the same shy smile she used to give to Ayaan every time they met and the latter fisted his coke with a grip that could choke even the metal can.

"Ahuh, waise, koi ladka pasand aaya?"

Amal coughed at the random question. Her skin was spilled with pink as her wide eyes looked at Ahzan who was gazing at her innocently. Feeling the need to deny- she shook her head almost immediately but the subtle glance she gave in Ayaan's direction wasn't missed by the one who asked the question.

"Haye, I'm single. Wanna engage?"

Amal knew it was harmless flirting with the way he wiggled his eyebrows and the mirth in his eyes made her laugh with joy. Ahzan grinned at the sound and made the mistake to look at Ayaan who had had enough.

Ahzan felt his eyes widening at the glare that was digging a grave for him. Nervously chuckling under his breath, he took cautious steps back from where he sat. Amal gave him a confused look and Ahzan smiled in apology, mumbling lowly to himself.

"Yaha se nikal le Ahzan warna duniya se nikal jayega."

Amal watched in confusion when Ahzan bid a hasty goodbye. A sullen look appeared on her features upon losing someone to talk to and she looked ahead of her only to find Ayaan glaring in the direction where Ahzan had disappeared.

"Aise kyu ghur rahe ho use?"

She bit out with annoyance. She hadn't yet forgiven him nor did he ask for forgiveness. He had been standing silently for so long, not cracking any jokes nor engaging in a conversation.

Ayaan blinked at her question. Trying to tone down the flaring urge to just punch his annoying friend, he absent-mindedly bit the insides of his cheek to stop a chuckle that was about to escape his lips upon seeing Amal's expressions. The little rose had turned red due to the wind that had dropped its temperature considerably. Her button nose was scrunched and her eyes tried to glare at him, but looked like the emojis one used for puppy eyes.

How could one be so cute?

Or maybe, it was just his eyes showing him things many couldn't see.

His reverie was broken when she sneezed all of a sudden. By the look on her face, she was clearly embarrassed of the fact and Ayaan held himself back from pulling her cheeks.

"You'll catch a cold. Jacket kyu nahi layi saath?"

"Itni thand nahi thi pehle."

She mumbled with a sullen look. Her hands wrapped themselves around her elbows when she felt a little something being draped over her shoulders.

"Pehno ise. You look seconds away from freezing."

Ayaan frowned in concern. The winds were cold but not cold enough for one to shiver. He placed his palm against her forehead, checking her temperature alongside his. A deep sigh escaped his lips upon sensing her high temperature.

"Lag gayi na thand. Why would you be so careless?"

"Subah subah karela khaya tha? Kab se dekh rahi hu daante ja rahe hai."

Amal couldn't help but ask. Ayaan was more than amused by the sass in her tone and the way she huffed, pulling the jacket closer to her form.

"Acha, woh..."

He started casually, taking a seat beside her on the log. Amal turned slightly towards him, showing him that he had her full attention. Ayaan cleared his throat, happy about the darkness around since he could feel his skin turning a shade of carmine- maybe darker than hers.

"I-I'm sorry for, ahm, you know..."

"Yeh wali baat ke liye ya pehle wali?"

Ayaan narrowed his eyes when she tried to pretend that the question was of genuine curiosity and not to make him feel more guilty than he already was. Mumbling incoherently under his breath, he shook his head and took in a deep breath.

"Dono baaton ke liye. I didn't mean to. It was just ki I was upset about something else and my anger was unnecessarily thrown at you. Maaf kardo na, please."

He made a puppy face at her, urging her to forgive him within seconds. Amal narrowed her eyes at him, knowing well what he was trying to do and with a puff, she agreed. A small smile danced on the two of their lips and an unexpected chuckle was shared.

The two looked at each other in silence. Amal tipped her chin at him, as though asking why he was staring and he raised an eyebrow at her, silently asking the same question.

Ayaan waited as Amal opened her mouth to speak something but instead of words, she sneezed again. Her wide eyes looked at his that blinked once and Ayaan fell into a fit of laughter at how adorable she looked. Amal blushed at the second hand embarrassment and hit his shoulders, asking him to shut up but the man laughed harder, enjoying her predicament much to Amal's annoyance.

And in all this, maybe they forgot to realize the threads that had weaved its way among them, waiting for the time to join the two ends- the two hearts for eternity.

*****

Zoya peeked from behind the doorway of the kitchen. Haider was busy making a treat for the two of them. The man was more skilled in the arts of cooking than her and the information was solidified when Zoya burnt the rice she had kept for cooking when all she had to do was turn the stove off after enough water had been soaked.

"Main help karu?"

She felt guilty for doing nothing even though he had assured her that he enjoyed cooking. When abroad, he had made a habit to learn the different cuisines and menus one could enjoy.

"Jaan, I'll manage. Go watch something."

"But I want to help."

She whined and finally stepped into the kitchen. Her eyes squinted as she looked around in hopes of finding out why she was so dull when it came to kitchen work?

Haider stirred the chicken on the stove and regulated the flames before turning his attention to his sulking wife. His eyes that Zoya loved dearly assessed her from head to toe and she couldn't help but let the rogue pink dance on her skin.

They had been staying at his apartment for a while now. Samra had tried to call them back but Haider had politely declined, saying that he needed a little more time away from everything that had happened.

In all this, Zoya found an excuse to wear a shirt of his every single day. Her legs would often be left bare since she'd choose one of his shorts. They had fallen into a comfortable routine but she was yet to stop herself from blushing whenever he had his sole attention focused on her.

"Aren't you taking a little too much advantage of the situation, Mrs. Haider?"

Haider pointed at his white shirt that she had draped over her form and Zoya grinned cheekily at him. Flipping her hair that was tied in a loose bun, she gave him an innocent look, clearly playing the clueless card.

"I'm not really able to get your point, Mr. Haider."

Zoya bit back an 'ah-oh' when Haider switched off the stove and took steps in her direction. Zoya gulped and chuckled nervously when his eyes hid the warmth behind the intense barriers, staring intently at her form.

"I'll be more than happy to show you the point, Mrs. Haider."

And Zoya had no idea whether to cry at the trouble she had dig for herself or blush when he picked her in his arms and draped the day under the covers of love, showing her what exactly he meant and making sure that she understood every single one of it.

*********

Haye, aren't my babies worth making one blush?!

Ahuh, find me some nice ship names for the two couples!

The fact that majority of you asked me to open a factory to bring fictional men to life says enough about the world. Kya karu main ab? I need a sponsor, a few partners and whole loads of materials like loyalty, trust, care, and what not. They are too expensive re baba....

P.S. I need some help with translating the book. Can any of you volunteer? I'll give the proper credits too. If you're interested, please dm me and only when there are at least 7 people (since the majority of the book contains roman urdu) I'll divide the work equally.

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