Hikayat ✔

Chap. 24

*Cough* *Cough*

Harris had been coughing badly since morning and the sound of his soft moans every time he lowered his head, made Vania wince. He thought he was being discreet, but for someone whose attention seemed to make him a target somehow, it was hard to miss he was in pain.

She knew he probably didn't take any medication either because Harris was both careless and inconsiderate about his health, and when it came to his hated bitter tasting tablets without Hafsa Khala there, it was next to an impossible feat to get him to take them.

'He definitely slept with the window open! Or maybe the fan! This idiot!' She thought to herself.

It wasn't much more than seasonal flu, because he was still adjusting to the Lahori weather, however, Harris being sick really disturbed Vania specially because he was so far from home, with no one to take care of him.

*Cough* the sound came again more raspy and he pressed a hand against his temple squinting at the screen as if hurt his eyes to focus.

Vania swallowed.

She tried hard to ignore him and concentrate on her work, because she knew he wouldn't like her inquiring about his health. After everything that went down in their last encounter there was no way he'd appreciate her probing.

And if it weren't for her heart she probably would not have the courage to ask either... But this traitorous heart..

"Tum ne— tum ne kuch khaya hai subha se?" She whispered tentatively, knowing he wouldn't react in front of everyone.

Harris stiffened besides her and she saw his throat work a swallow.

"Tum ko kya hai? Zyada caring banne ki zaroorat nhi hai!" he whispered back, a hint of irritation lacing his words.

She rolled her eyes and sighed.

As expected.

Even when sick, with a terrible headache, he had to show his macho man attitude.

"Please, kuch khaa lo uss ke baghair--"

"Please tum apney kam se kam rakho, Vania!" He cut her off rudely and got up from his chair.

Harris felt like his head would burst with the pain, and it was getting extremely difficult for him to focus at the computer screen.

More than that he hated Vania acting so concerned. The constant side glances she was throwing his way acting she wasn't keeping an eye on him. The way she kept asking everyone to keep their voices low as if it was her head that was hurting.

She didn't love him, she made that clear, then why all the drama?

It was frustrating for him to see her care specially because it confused his head further. And Harris only wanted peace. At least for the day.

Scoffing he pushed out of the room, going towards the restroom.

When Harris returned to his desk, he paused. Eyebrows furrowed he observed the bottle of water, pack of Candy biscuit and a strip of Panadol Extra, sitting on his desk beside his computer.

He looked around and saw Farah standing on the other side of his work table, give him a smile.

Did she?....

Then his gaze shifted to the side and caught Vania standing next to Anoushey, discussing something and also passing furtive glances at his desk, trying not to get caught.

His fists tightened.

No, not Farah, this was definitely her.

Hariss picked it all up, put it back on her desk, and just resumed working.