Chapter : 13 - Admiration

Aziz, is this necessary? My mind questioned.

If you don't do this, how will you have a conversation with your fire, idiot, my heart replied.

I can't believe I'm actually puncturing her car's tire just to spend time with her.

Aziz, this is so wrong. If she finds out about your scheme, she'll definitely be furious. You're crazy, Aziz, I said while puncturing her car's tire.

Finally getting up, I looked at her black Mercedes. I'm sorry, but I don't have any other option than doing this. I can't live without hearing her voice.

I need her voice to survive.

I might sound crazy, but I am, for her.

I went inside after completing the task.

I saw her sitting at a table, deeply engrossed in reading her book.

I never thought I would fall in love with someone who is so devoted to her religion, while I don't believe in her Allah.

She never revealed her full hair, only a glimpse when she adjusted her scarf.

What am I lacking that I should ask from her Allah?

Whatever I ask for, I get it, so why should I ask her Allah?

Everyone says to ask from Allah and you'll receive it.

"Aur agar allah unhe deta bhi hai, toh unhe us cheez ka intezaar kar na hota gai, aur meri dictionary mein intezaar jaisa shabd hein nahi hai."

"Joh chahe woh haasil kar sakta hoon. Aur main Uns ko bhi haasil kar lunga aur uske allah ko dekhaunga, ki maine usse kitni jaldi haasil kiya hai."

Finally, it was 10:00, time to close the cafe, and everyone was leaving by now. All her coworkers had left, including Hamza.

She was packing her bag, and I too took my coat and walked out. I stood near my car while she was locking the cafe.

She walked towards her car, completely ignoring my presence. I smiled, seeing her coldness; she looked even more beautiful when angry.

Her red nose, though, looked even cuter, perfectly matching her angry face.

She was about to get into her car but halted her steps upon seeing her first tire punctured. She clenched her fist, ready to punch her car, but stopped and looked at me.

Finally, peace. I felt a mix of emotions forming only from her cold stare. She then broke eye contact and started calling someone.

I was standing on her left side, as my car was parked beside hers. I guess the person wasn't picking up the call; she tried again.

Finally giving up, she started walking away, perhaps to grab a taxi. I watched her every move; she didn't speak a single word, neither did I.

As she passed by me, "Your tire is punctured. Let me drop you, Ms. Reza," I asked, keeping my voice as soft as possible.

"I don't go with strangers," she said with her cold voice and began walking away.

"Am I a stranger to you, Ms. Reza?" I asked, following her.

"Yes, you are," she replied.

"I thought we were at least friends," I said back.

"I don't see you as my friend, Mr. Nader," she said, turning towards me.

I stopped walking and looked into her eyes, which held nothing right now, no anger, no peace, completely blank.

"Then what am I to you, Ms. Reza?" I asked, not tearing my eyes away from her.

"Enemy," she replied, not moving her gaze from me.

I smiled at her response, only my heart knows how deeply it ached to hear this word from her.

"Thank goodness, at least I mean something to you," I said, then continued,

"Chalo dushman hein sahi, let me drop you home; you won't find a taxi at this hour, Ms. Reza," I said as I walked towards the car.

"I can't go with you, Mr. Nader," she said sternly.

"I can't leave you all alone here, Ms. Reza," I replied.

"Okay, wait a minute," I said while taking my phone and dialing a number.

"Who are you calling now?" she asked, seeing my actions.

"Your mother," I said, waiting for her mom to pick up the call.

"Are you crazy, Nader? Why are you calling her?" she asked, now frustrated.

"Yes, I am crazy, and I am calling to ask for her permission to drop you," I replied.

"Ya Allah," she said, lifting her hands up; she might be complaining about me only. I smiled seeing her actions, then her mom picked up the call.

I greeted her and told her that her car's tire is punctured, so can I drop her home. I thought she might hesitate to say something or think before answering me, but to my surprise, aunty said yes and hung up the call.

I am shocked yet surprised. Does she believe me so much?

"What did Ammi say?" she, who was previously complaining to her Allah, now looked at me and asked.

"She gave me permission," I said calmly with a small smile on my lips.

"What? So easily she agreed to it?" she asked, not believing what I said.

"You can ask her if you want, Uns," I said, then continued, "I don't know what you think of me, but one thing I can assure you is, you're safe with me."

She didn't say anything and went towards the car.

But before I could open the door, some drops of water started falling on my hand. We looked up to see the rain pouring, and within seconds, it started raining heavily.

"Mashallah, baarish," Uns said, looking up.

"What's this? Rain without clouds?" I said while looking with her.

Then I looked down to open the door, and when I turned, only to see Uns walking in the empty road, collecting the rainwater in her hands and splashing it on her face.

Her eyes contained so many emotions now, something I can't describe.

I hated rain way too much, but she loves rain way too much.

I was so lost seeing her lost in rain, not caring how wet her clothes were right now; her salwar was now totally drenched. Her tomato cheeks shining in the rainwater.

She just stood in one place while looking up, eyes closed, as if observing rain. She looked ethereal.

I was so lost in her that I totally forgot to close the car door. After closing it, I went towards her and stood beside her, while looking up and observing the rain.

After a while, I looked at her; her eyes were still closed, but mine refused to even blink. Her face held so much peace.

The peace I was searching for my whole life is standing next to me.

She looked at me, while I was still looking at her. No words were spoken; just our eyes were communicating with each other.

The place was beautiful, the moment was beautiful, she was beautiful. Her beauty had no end. She admired the rain, and I am admiring her.

"What is it about Uns that pulls me towards her?" I still couldn't find any answers, or I can say I don't have any answer to give when asked, why I like her?

I myself don't know the answer.

"Lets go," she said after breaking the eye contact and going towards the car.

I followed her and opened the door for her. She sat, and I too came and sat.

Her clothes were fully wet by now, but it seemed like it didn't affect her; she was looking out from the window still admiring the rain.

I took my coat from the back seat and handed it to her.

"You might need it," I said while giving it to her.

"Where is my coat"? She asked about the coat she gave me yesterday.

"I forgot to bring it", I said.

Without saying anything, she took it and wore it.

"Aziz, control your mouth; don't say something stupid now. She is looking like a child right now; the coat is indeed big for her," I smiled seeing her and started to drive.

The drive was silent; no one spoke. I wanted to speak; I wanted to hear her, but I am afraid.

What if we start arguing again, and she tells me to stop the car and go alone? I can't take that risk, so I zipped my lips and focused on driving.

"I am still angry with you," I heard her saying while still looking out from the window.

"I know," I replied.

Pure silence again.

"Then don't talk to me," she again said, but this time looking at me.

She is making it difficult for me to focus on driving. Once I see her, I can't tear my gaze away from her.

"But you're the one who is talking to me," I replied without looking at her.

"Oh, so it means you don't want to talk to me. Great, it's good for you; you don't have to hear my voice," she said sternly and with a bit of an angry tone.

I laughed at her statement.

"Don't laugh," she said.

" Agar tumhari awaaz nahi sununga toh mar jaunga mai Uns," I said, still focused on driving.

She looked at me, but I can't take the risk of looking at her. I will lose myself in her eyes.

"Do you want to drink coffee?" I asked her.

"Tum di laouge?" she asked.

"Of course, di launga. Isiliye toh pucha," I said while smiling.

"Theke," she said.

I stopped my car near a cafe and went out to bring it. After coming from the cafe, I saw her standing outside the car, while roaming around the place.

Even the rain had stopped by now, just a few droplets of water.

The street was filled with the fresh mud smell that comes after the rain. I inhaled the fresh smell and walked towards her, offering a cup of coffee and holding the other one with me.

"You're drinking coffee?" she asked, shocked to see me holding the coffee cup.

"Yes," I replied, taking a sip.

"You don't have to drink it when you don't even like it," she said, looking towards me.

"I don't want to miss this beautiful moment I am living with you just because of my dislikes".

"Joh cheez mujhe sabse jyada pasand hai, woh mere saath hai, baaki sab maine nahi rakhta," I said while looking at the moon.

She looked at me for a while, then started drinking her coffee.

We reached her mansion; I opened the door for her, and she came out. While walking towards the gate, she turned towards me, maybe she wanted to say something.

I waited for her to say something, but she just stared at me, then started walking.

"Uns," I called her.

She turned back.

"Aap sach mein das bacche chahati ho Uns?" I asked her with a smirk playing on my lips.

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