Unspoken Attractions by Failia Baighaan (read after txt) 📗

11- Strangers

Finally the couple’s life started nonchalantly as a pretense of nothing. It was not a desirable bind they dreamt of but since they are stuck in it, obligations have strangled them.

“We were engaged and considered it necessary to keep it out of the college’s boundaries, we have to bind by its ethics and we did. Outside of it doesn’t concern anyone.” Zain told the Dean calmly while Hoorain stood beside him, trying to make up a fake story to end this ordeal.

“I see but still it is prohibited.” The Dean said. “I can understand. And before it, you know it, there is not a single rumor. We are aware of our limitations, Sir. You never had a complaint from our side and I assure you it will remain the same.” Zain said, hoping he will understand. 

“Still, Mr Bukhari.” 

“Sir, it’s not about me. Her years would go to waste. She didn’t even commit a crime or anything. It was just an engagement. Please, it is her final year, her exams are going to start. Spare her education. I promise you will not hear anything from our side.” Zain said desperately, doing whatever he can to save her hard work. Hoorain looked at him in bewilderment, not expecting him to turn desperate for her.

“Please, Sir.” Zain said and Dean stared at them for a few seconds before emitting a sigh of disappointment, shaking his head, “Fine but I don’t want to see you two together anymore nor should this go out. No one should know about it, understand?” He warned. 

“Thank you very much.” Zain smiled in relief, glancing at Hoorain who kept looking down. “You may leave now.” Nodding they both walked out. They were walking out and she looked at him, strange sensations flowing in her heart, trying to control her feelings but they flowed out and smiling, she whispered,

“Thank you..” He stopped in his tracks and replied coldly, “I would have done the same for anyone. I would personally feel bad if your efforts will result in vain.” He sighed, pinching the bridge on his nose, wiping her smile.

“I see.” She trailed off, not having the strength to meet his eyes. 

“And I hope you are aware of the fact that no one should know about us so keep your mouth shut. Don’t even tell your Best Friend about it, understand?” He warned her, taking a step closer, she nodded timidly. “Good. Now, go to your class.” He ordered, putting his hand in his pocket after checking the time. “I am getting late for my class as well.” He said, steps retreating and said what means nothing to him but a lot to her, “Take care.” He said and left.

She stood stunned, not knowing how to react to it. “Take care…” She repeated his words, fidgeting her fingers around her dress and sighed deeply, going to her class as well.

“Hey, where were you?” Haziqa asked, tilting her head in confusion. “Gotta deal with something.” She sighed, throwing her bag on the side, taking a seat

“What?” She asked and Hoorain said with a heavy heart, “Leave it. It’s not important.” 

Their baseless bond started as nothing. 

Hoorain returned home, throwing her stuff on the bed, falling down, covering her face, pressing her teeth together as it was hurting more than it hurt before.

Losing you even after having you is much more painful than before… She thought, digging her nail in her arm but her phone rang and Hoor called. 

“Hey, Girl, How’s everything?” She asked worriedly. “Did anything change in the first place?” Hoorain asked dryly and chuckled, “Oh yeah, a worthless one did.” She smiled and the dejection on her face evoked sympathy from Hoor, “Hoorain..” She whispered her name.

“What? I am not wrong. What changed, Api? I don’t see a difference. Things are the way they always were.” She said, looking down, biting her bottom lip, “Please don’t say this, Hoorain.” Hoor said, “If they were worse then why did you let this happen? Why didn’t you stop this engagement?” Hoor asked but Hoorain chuckled, “Isn’t it obvious?”

“I was selfish in love, I wanted him to be mine. I thought.. It was an opportunity. Although I didn’t realize, something cannot be yours even if it belongs to you.” An unwanted tear rolled down her cheek, gritting her teeth to suppress the voice hurting her, “Hoorain, it will pass, it will be alright. Please have patience.” Hoor tried to give the empty consolation.

“That is all I have.” She whispered, shutting her eyes, “I have been patient all my life and now when my feelings have busted, I cannot control it, Api. It is simply beyond my ability. My thoughts, my emotion, my action; they have smeared, scattered all over the place.” She tried to explain the condition of her heart, what she is going through, what she is feeling.

“And I am trying to pick those pieces but it will take time for me to recover and be my usual self.” She told her truthfully and Hoor sighed, “I will pray for you.” That’s all she could say.

“Please do.” She sighed and cut the call, throwing her phone away, falling on the bed again, staring at the ceiling, devoid of emotions, closing her eyes to let darkness sink her soul in.

Later,

It’s been a few weeks since their things were going monotonous. It was seen as a non-existent matter at this point and they were completely cut off from each other. 

“Is this what they considered appropriate, Huh? Forcing you two in an engagement to avoid this shit. What was going through your tiny brain, Hoorain? You know he doesn’t feel the same and it would end miserably yet.. You agreed? Were you this desperate for a man who doesn’t care?” Haziqa mocked after Hoorain told her about her engagement, unable to bear the intensity of her fury of whether to curse Zain or her for letting this happen. 

“He told me not to tell you.” She whispered, resting her head on her knees. “And that is why you are depressed nowadays, aren’t you?” She asked, infuriated to no extent. 

“I don’t know what to do. His words echo in my mind.” Her voice came out broken, “What words?” She asked. “If I ever fall in love, I pray it won’t be you.” She quoted his words, she curled her toes due to woe building in her chest. “He said this and yet… YET you let it happen.” Haziqa growled, grabbing her arm, forcing her to look up.

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