It was destiny ✨

Chapter 5

Azlan cleared his throat and averted his eyes. Haya released the breath she didn't even realize she was holding.

"Ahem, this cat is adorable. I couldn't resist petting her." Azlan struggled to explain his sudden action. Haya was struggling to figure out her response when Shayan called Azlan.

"Azlan Bhai, you're just like Haya appi. She loves cats!" Shayan exclaimed.

Heat rose to Haya's cheeks, hinting redness. Azlan again tried to steal a glance, but this time Haya fixed her eyes on the cat. However, he didn't miss her pink cheeks. He always thought that animals were treated poorly in Pakistan, but seeing Haya dote on a cat melted his heart and cleared his misconception a little. Before anyone could add anything further, house-help called them inside, for everyone was waiting at the dining table for them.

At the dining table, Haya sat beside Sana and Azlan with Shayan. Everyone was engaged in a lively chat except Haya. She continued staring at her food the whole time. After what happened on the lawn, she was in no position to speak. As usual, they attributed her silence to timidity.

After Haya finished her meal, she picked up her plate and proceeded to the kitchen to place it in the sink. Picking up her plate by herself was just an excuse she made to avoid being in the same room with him. From the kitchen, she continued straight to the secluded spot in the backyard and sat on the cane swing, wrapping herself in a pashmina shawl for protection against the frosty winds of Kashmir. To clear her mind, Haya's constant activity was gazing at the constellations, and this was something she's been doing since her childhood. She found her solace in the stars and the sorrow they concealed behind their shine.

She was busy admiring Orion's belt when Shayan found her.

"Appi, mama wants you to make chai for the guests,"

"Why can't she tell anyone else to do it?" Haya was visibly irked.

"You know her na, sirf apke ya apne haath ki chai peeti hain," Shayan tried to justify.

"You know her na, she only drinks chai made by you or by herself,"

After making the tea, Haya poured it into the fancy china teapot reserved for special visitors and guided the house-help to carry the tray to the lounge. Haya entered and saw the patriarchs laughing heartily.

"Bano, tum jaao Haya daal dei gi chai," Hamna ordered the house-help to retire.

"Bano, you go Haya will serve the chai," 

Haya rolled her eyes inwardly at her statement. Her mother always instructed her to serve the chai and this annoyed Haya as she felt like a perfect showpiece being presented to the world. Hamna was so proud of her daughter's upbringing that she wished people to know Haya is no ordinary woman.

After pouring the tea into the cups, she handed out the cups to everyone sitting. First, she served all the elders, and then Sana. Now it was time to hand the tea to Azlan. Her heart raced at that thought, but she readied herself and picked up the cup. She advanced towards Azlan with confident strides and gave him the cup. Her cool fingers brushed with his velvety fingers, and this caused both of them to look into each other's eyes. But the eye-lock was not for long as Haya averted her eyes instantly. 

"Thank you," Azlan expressed in a low voice.

Hearing his voice, she felt the hairs on her arms raising. While she was proceeding back to her chair, Haya could see from the corner of her eyes that Azlan's eyes were on her retreating back.

The Khan household was seeing off the Yousafzai's in the driveway. Haya hugged Sana and Tehmina. Haya warmed up to Sana, and it was absolutely unlike her, but thanks to Sana's bubbly personality, it was natural for Haya. After bidding adieu, the Khan's retreated to their respective rooms. Sleep soon consumed Haya after she changed into her night suit and moved to the bed. 

Azlan was shifting in his bed as he couldn't sleep because of the endless thoughts. He kept replaying his interaction with that hazel-eyed girl. Azlan wasn't the dude who would lose his sleep because of a girl, and this irritated him. He checked the time on the table clock on his nightstand and it was two in the morning. He decided to call Zaina, and she was by chance awake. Azlan soon dozed off after catching up with Zaina. 

A/N: Hey guys, I'm sorry for the short and delayed update, I have my exams coming up so I'm a bit busy with that. 

This update was a bit dry and slow, I agree, but the next chapter is def going to be something! I promise.