Mannat

5 | Zayaan in dilemma

ZAYAAN

I closed my eyes and reclined back against my chair, exhaling slowly. Yet no matter how hard I tried, my mind betrayed me. The only image playing on repeat was her —the faint sheen on her lashes, the quiet innocence in her small, serene eyes as they stared back at me, unaware of the storm they had stirred within my chest.

I clenched my jaw and inhaled deeply to regain control.

Why am I thinking about her again?

This wasn’t like me. One fleeting moment with her had unraveled my composure.

Her eyes weren’t something unusual to capture my attention. They were normal brown eyes but the way her eyes peered at me had a bizarre effect on my mind. Her eyes were deep as the ocean, mesmerizing as sunrise and at the same time they were innocent like a child.

There was something unsettling about the way her silence spoke louder than words, the way her nervousness tugged at an unfamiliar tenderness inside me.

A strange pull—equal parts confusion and longing—settled in my chest, leaving me restless.  Albeit I never got to see her face but her dreamy eyes were enough to create chaos in my soul.
The feeling I experienced today was the same as the day I met Shiza—only this time, it was far more real.

Shiza name was the one that broke my trance of thought.

“Shit! What am I doing?” I mutter raking finger through my hair in frustration.

❖❖

I smirk looking at Shiza's confused face. She walked inside the staff room giving me a nervous smile.

I had made sure only Shiza and I had this period free. I did a lot of home work to track her classes and align them with mine.

She plopped down in her seat and randomly picked a book only to stare at it with her brows furrowed.

“You know you can ask whatever is bothering you.” I start resting my elbows on the table.

She leisurely hoisted her head and peered at me, “No nothing… I was expecting Zoya here, she and I have this period free.”

My lips curl up, “I take that you don’t like my company then?”

“No, I like —” she cleared her throat trailing off, “I like to spend some alone time so it’s good she isn’t having free period.” She muttered nervously touching her hijab and lowering her head.

I shake my head smiling. She kept biting her lips and fidgeting with the corner of the book.

“Would you like some coffee?” I ask standing up and looking at her.

She slowly raised her head, her doe like eyes blinking in perplexity. “Coffee? Yeah sure.” She closed the book and pushed it to the corner of the table and stood up taking measured steps towards the door.

I swiftly make my way towards the door and shoved it open. I held the door waiting for her to walk outside. When she walked past me in slow pace, my nostrils were welcomed with fresh strawberry scent. She had changed her perfume I guess, Indeed the strawberry scent was refreshing but the effect jasmine aroma had on me the first day was second to none.

She and I walked next to each other. I was controlling my smile when I found her holding her phone firmly. She was nervous, it’s good to know that my presence had some affect on her.

We ordered coffee and started speaking about some random topics.

“So you have no siblings?” Shiza asked, by now she was kind of comfortable conversing with me.

“No… What about you?”

“I have an elder sister. She is Software Engineer.” She answered and before she could continue our coffee arrived.

“Shiza I am curious about something.” I questioned and waited to see her reaction cause I addressed her as Shiza instead of Ms.Irani.
Her hands which were wrapped around coffee mug halted in mid air. Her cheeks flushed while she coughed blinking her eyes.

“Is it okay if I call you Shiza?” I ask with my voice dropped half an octave. I passed a tissue to her.

She tapped tissue over her lips and nodded her head, “What are you curious about?”

“Irani's business is quite huge and successful so why are you and your sister not working at your company… Aren’t you planning to take over your family business.” I question. Shiza's family owns a cosmetic company which was very famous.

“Till we turn 25 I and my sister have decided to do something which is our passion and then after that we will take over dad’s company.” She answered smiling. I could stare at her smiling face for entire day without getting bored.

“I think we should leave. I have to prepare for next class.” She said tapping on her wrist watch.

“Yeah let’s go.”

❖❖

From the moment I have spoken with Shiza my mind wandered around her thoughts. I wanted to get to know her more. I tapped my foot waiting for her class to end. I was supposed to leave for my company but here I was leaning against my car waiting for Shiza.
Right on cue the door opened. Shiza walked out holding books in her hand. She hoisted her head and looked at me, I stood straight smiling at her.

Giving the books to one of the students she made her way towards me.
“Waiting for someone?” She raised her brow looking around.

“I was waiting for you.” I reply slipping my hands into my pocket.

“Me? But why?”

“Shiza… I want to take you out on dinner.” I blurt staring directly into her brown eyes. I know it’s too early to ask her out but I didn’t want to wait. That wasn’t me — I get whatever I desire the moment I lay my eyes on it. And I wanted Shiza from the moment she walked past me wearing that white dress.

Shiza gasped batting her eyelids. She stared at me for good few seconds before clearing her throat. “Did you say dinner?”

“Yes. I know you met me this morning but I know you for quite some time and I really want to know everything about you.”

Shiza lowered her head, a pink tint creeped along her cheeks. She expanded her smile a fraction further making me look at her in awe.

“Sure…” She whispered sprinting away.

❤...