Unspoken Attractions by Failia Baighaan (read after txt) 📗

9- Excruciatingly

Zain was returning from his class and heard some students whispering about him which he wanted to ignore but couldn’t help the curiosity,

“Did you hear? There is something going on between Sir Zain and Senior Student Hoorain. I have heard it from Esha, it says, they were having an affair.” His jaw clenched upon hearing. How dare they. 

“Yeah, I heard it too. Of course they are family friends, they must be very close. It is surely possible when one has such close connections” His grip on his book tightened, gritting his teeth in fire, trying to divert his mind from this tribulation. 

“That explains why she has high grades only in his subject.” His mouth gaped in disbelief, ready to bear anything but doubts on his capabilities. 

“There must be more than studying, place bets.” And this was the extent he could hear and walk by, refraining himself to do something regretful.

Walking down the hallway to the staff room and saw Hoorain on the way but immediately looked down in lamentation in his presence, stilling for a moment but ignoring as if she doesn’t exist, he passed by. 

Hoorain stopped and opened her mouth to speak something but closed it, knowing it’s meaningless, nothing could cease his wrath. He walked as another voice came,

“Ah my, such coldness~” A coo appeared from the other side. Gasping, he saw his colleague Anaya smirking at him, “Mrs Singh? What are you doing?” He asked, narrowing his eyes in bewilderment, “I love scaring people.” She chuckled, joining him as they walked down.

“So, what’s going on?” She asked casually, “Nothing but a damn misunderstanding. A topic to gossip for their pleasure.” He muttered rudely under his breath, throwing his book on the table, loosening his tie, rolling his sleeves roughly after falling back on his seat angrily.

“I don’t know about you but all of it is clear from her, she likes you. Probably this would cost you your job only but her years and emotions.” She shrugged, leaning on the table. “And I don’t care. This is her mess, she cannot force her feelings upon me.” He growled, curling his hand in a fist, resting his elbow on the armrest, leaning back.

“You should. Sometimes the world wins over reality. If they won’t find reasoning, it could affect both of you… badly” She told him sternly. “I know but what am I supposed to do? My course is about to complete, I still need to pay my last installment. Their mere talks could ruin both of our lives and people don’t realize what’s their entertainment is someone else’s torture.” He told her frustratingly, rubbing his temples to regain his senses and think about it thoroughly.

“Either she will be suspended or you or even you both. Sir won’t tolerate such blasphemy at his institute.” She smirked dryly, closing her arms at her chest. “I did nothing. Please stop making an ordeal out of nothing, Mrs Singh.” Zain enunciated, rubbing his temples. 

"Prove it. Zain Bukhari, caught with his student Hoorain Ahmed, both claimed it’s ‘nothing’” She emphasized on nothing to make him realize, but her effort was futile. “And when you say nothing. People know there is definitely something.” She added, counseling him but running his hand in his hair, he hissed.

“Shit.” He cursed under his breath, clenching and unclenching his hands.

“Cursing won’t help, Either of you has to tell the truth.” She told him strictly. “And raze her life? Mrs Singh, we both know. People find faults in women, they will eat her up and I don’t want her future to be destroyed over feelings, over me. I cannot let her ruin her life, one has to think carefully.” He said, voice growing exhausted and broken.

“And what will you do? Get fired? Who will pay your fees then? Because your parents can either afford their household or your fees.” She said, “I will find another job until my degree, I will get my placement soon enough anyways.” He shrugged. “But you won’t let her be rusticated?” She asked, curling her lips from one side. 

“No. No matter what it costs. I don’t want to be considered among her regrets. Okay, liking and all, it’s all a part of growing up but definitely not regret.” He was staggered at his own response, not expecting to hold this perception which invoked a smirk from her. “Why? Why not her regret?” She asked, hoping her will say something but quickly excused,

“Because she is young. She doesn’t know about things, unaware how to deal with them. It’s an experience, not a mistake.” He muttered, closing his eyes to be consumed by darkness for a momentary lull.

“As you wish, I can only pray for you.” She sighed, going for her next class as leaving him all alone in his tensed thoughts, turning him incapable to think straight and grasp his next step

Later,

At Bukhari household, everyone was present to discuss the rumor that began to spread after that day, they were not stopping before hearing a proper explanation and everyone was growing weary of what was happening.

Amir began to say, "Everyone has begun to talk ill of Zain and Hoorain and even the fact the main host and his wife left out of the blue affirmed their rumors." He ended in a hiss, glaring at the young couple exchanging nervous glances and clearing throats. 

Sighing, he continued, "They are saying they were in a forbidden relationship at University and have done wrong things. This is soiling our name and image." 

"That's completely wrong! I could never think of Hoorain like this. I never did." Zain reasoned, certainly not wanting to have any bond with Hoorain. Hoorain kept looking down, not saying anything.

"We know it but we can't shut people out." Amir sighed. "People can go to hell. I don't care what others think, I know I have done nothing wrong." Zain scoffed, glaring at Hoorain from the corner of his eyes as she kept looking down. “And no matter what anyone else says, this cannot alter what I know.” He enunciated. “Still Zain, you have to understand.” Rehman told him softly.

‍​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‍