Unspoken Attractions by Failia Baighaan (read after txt) 📗

10- Eager to Shatter

And the undesirable day on Zain’s side came, inducing unbearable rage in his heart. He never wanted to face this day.  Such a nuisance. He wanted to get out of this predicament and go back to his monotonous life but that’s not the case anymore, he has to face it no matter how unbearable it is.

“Zain? Are you ready?” Aima asked, entering the room, looking at her son in mesmerization, “Yes.” He replied coldly, taking his phone and using it. “Ah, my, You look so handsome.” She smiled, kissing the top of his head, delighted for her but he was nowhere near exhilarated.

“Amir!” She called her husband, Amir entered, smiling feebly at Zain who frowned deeply at his Father for forcing him into this. “Aima, could you leave us alone for a moment?” He asked softly. She nodded in understanding and left them alone.

“Zain.” He called to which he sighed mentally bracing for his lecture, “I know you are angry with me for what I did.” he began to say, coming closer, “But I did this to protect both of you from the rumors. I don’t know who blazed this rapidly but we have to do something before it affects both of us.” He said softly, coming closer, putting his hand on his shoulder. Zain sighed, looking up at his Father, “I know this much but.” Removing his hand, he moved back,

“You could have proposed this to be a pretense which will end the moment she will graduate rather than calling a whole real engagement.” Zain argued, displeased with the idea of it, “And why do you think she will agree to fake her life with a stranger?” Amir asked strictly. Zain opened his mouth to retort but paused. That’s the problem. I am not a stranger.

“Still…” Zain’s stoic expression reduced, relaxing his shoulders, “I know what you must be feeling, son. But consider her emotions as well.” His voice came out low but that’s something Zain was unable to perform.

“Why would I when I don’t want to?” Zain asked, “Why don’t we leave it to time. The decision later is based entirely on you guys but for now, save your image.” He whispered, patting his back, lighting his face in relief to hear this, “The decision of the future will depend on us?” He asked for confirmation and he nodded. “Yes.”

“Are you willing to do it now or not?” He asked expectantly and smiling feebly, he nodded, relieved that he can end this ordeal as soon as possible, rip it from his mind like a baseless memory.

“But.” The smile on Amir’s face dropped into seriousness. “But?” Zain asked vaguely. “As long as you are engaged to her, you will remain sincere to your bond. You must prioritize it, understand?” He warned. Zain’s lip curled downwards more, closing his arms at his chest, displeased, “Why are you telling me the obvious?” He asked assertively, moving back.

“Sorry to break your delusion, Father but I still have a shred of dignity left in me. I am aware of my obligations, I won’t promise but I will try to maintain the pureness of our bond.” He said sincerely, although having no intentions of giving one bit to this bind except the unavoidable ones.

Amir stared at his face for a few seconds before returning a smile, giving his shoulder a pat, “Glad to know.” Smiling faintly, they went to the hall as everyone gathered eventually for the function. The felicity was nowhere found, Zain’s expressions visibly showed their distances he never planned to eradicate.

On the other hand, Hoorain was not lifting her gaze from the ground, the heavy white embroidered dress, enhancing her innocence to no extent with the minimum makeup and grace. But her beauty cannot conceal the sting on her chest, the agony cracking her heart terribly.

Am I jinxed? She thought, impotent to react anymore. Zain’s stiff features noticed the distress on her face and he mocked. 

“Are you satisfied now?” She gasped inaudibly, moving back, holding the hem of her dress, tears brimming in her eyes, “What?” His brow furrowed in perplexity to notice her looks, “Are you trying to make me the bad guy again?” He asked, not looking back at her, moving back and taking a tissue from the table and giving it to her. “No..” She whispered, taking it and wiping the moisture in her eyes.

“Then what is it?” He asked, voice relaxing a little. “I.. think.. I am cursed.” She muttered, twirling her fingers with her dress, “What?” He asked, still confused. “Yes…” She whispered, wiping her tears. 

“Why are you making a big deal of this engagement, it’s not my last breath.” He shrugged, vexed unintentionally. Unable to comprehend why she is crying when he did literally nothing now.

“I hurt everyone. My words only bring trouble… I am so unfortunate.” The barely audible voice broke, suppressing the tears. Zain looked around and thankfully everyone was lost in their own world.

“Hoorain.” He called her sternly, motioning her to look at him, “Look at me.” He commanded, swallowing hard, she looked up at him. “What happened?” He asked. “I told Isra Bhabhi everything. I didn’t want to, I was confessing to Bhai that I know but she heard it and left Bhai. I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to.” She whispered hurriedly, frightened of his reaction.

“So what?” He asked, raising his brows, “What?”

“She was going to know about it one day so why not now? It’s better than the future hurdles.” He muttered, straight upforth again and she was taken aback at his lack of reaction, “And besides, they know what they should be doing. They will sort it out themselves.” He said calmly, setting the collar of his shirt, clearing his throat.

“Doesn’t it affect you?” She asked in disbelief, “They both love each other. And I have my own tribulations to deal with.” His icy tone clenched her heart. “I am sorry.” She whispered, averting her gaze again.

“This cannot change the point we have reached.” He retorted. “I didn’t mean to.” She replied, digging her nails on her arm, biting her lips to control her overwhelming ache, “At least one of us is happy.” He replied derisively with a dry chuckle, “Why do you think I am? It’s not how I imagine things to be.” She responded sadly and chuckled dry again, “Oh, but how will you understand? You don’t care nor it matters.” Her comment earned a skeptical glance from him. He stared at her for a few seconds in dismal silence before looking away.

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