Mannat

18 | I thought I lost you

ZAYAAN

"Qulsum?" I mumble taking steps closer to her.
"Are you serious? What on earth are you doing here?" I whisper yelled raking finger through my hair.

"Zayaan I —" she started but I cut her off by raising my hand.
"Fuck" I curse with clenched teeth and fisted palm. It took every ounce of strength within me to not yell at her.

"Why do you have to make this so hard for me huh? You did the only thing I practically begged you not to do."

"Zayaan, how can I leave you and Shiza alone? I was scared..." she answered with her eyebrows pulled upwards.

Grasping her hand in mine I place it above my erratically pounding heart, "You feel that? Now I'm scared Qulsum." I peer into her brown orbs.

There was a moment of silence between us. I could hear my own heartbeat. She ducked her down avoiding my gaze. With her hand placed on my chest I felt warmth seeping throughout my body. Slowly she heaved her eyelids and gazed at me.

She opened her mouth to say something but again pressed her lips straight. "I am sorry. Aap akele kyun aye huh? Kisiko saath laate toh mai nahi ati. [ Why did you come alone huh? If you had taken someone along with you, I wouldn't have come here]" she said pointing her index finger towards me. Her lips were set in a pout — a cute one.

Looking at her all my vexation flew away. How can she look this cute even in situation like this?

Smirking lightly I shake my head, "So you came here to help me?"

"Han jii... [Yess]" She answered rolling her eyes.

Squeezing her hand which was placed above my heart lightly I gave her gentle smile. "Jaan lelogi eik din meri... [You will take my life someday]" I whisper. A tint of red color sweeped across her cheek bones.

"Whoa! I didn't expect guests." Came another voice making my head snap in the direction of voice.

Fleetly I pull Qulsum behind me and glowered at Nathan who had malicious smile plastered on his face. His eyes trailed behind me making my grasp on Qulsum' s wrist tighten. I clench my teeth covering her petite frame behind me.

"Ohhhh! No ways." Nathan gazed in our direction as if he had realized something. "Are you kidding me?" He laughed leaning against the door.

"Here I was wondering why the great 'Zayaan Zaidi' was taking more than 24 hours to find the love of his life... Now I know the reason." he said clicking his tongue whilst shaking his head.

Trailing his finger over the gun he stared at me with a sly smirk laced on his face. "I got the wrong girl, didn't I?" He winked making my blood boil.

I just stared at him with jaws clenched. I couldn't say or do anything to trigger him now; not when Qulsum was with me. I just stood there like a statue throwing daggers at him. How I wish I could strangle him to death.

"Why I am loving this scene? Zayaan Zaidi standing in front of me being helpless..." He padded towards us alarming me. He came to halt in front of me, "Where is the aggressive Zayaan huh?" He raised his brow challenging me.

"You did the biggest mistake of your life by kidnapping her." I barked.

"Is it?" He questioned with one of his brow raised.

"Anyways, let me take a look at the beauty you are trying to hide." He started forwarding his hand to pull Qulsum from behind me but before he could reach Qulsum I held his hand and shoved him back as adrenaline shot through me. "Don't even try." I growled vexation brimming my eyes.

He staggered backwards and then let out a baleful laugh. "Oh okay. Don't get offensive... Since I am sucker for pretty girls and money; I have a great deal for you Zayaan. You give me the girl behind you and I will let your fiancée free." He said, pointing at Shiza.

Rage pumped into my veins, I clench my fist breathing heavily.

"Don't even think about touching her." I snapped.

"Boys get the girl..." He said turning around. He walked towards the couch and plopped himself on it while gazing in my direction with smug look.

Two of his men walked inside the room.

"Zayaan" Qulsum mumbled holding my hand firmly and snuggling into me. Her petite frame hugging my back.

"Touch her I swear I'll destroy all of you..." I roared, "Don't play with me Nathan. I never knew you were so naïve to even think I came here alone without a backup. In a snap of finger, I can burn your precious hide out into ashes."

Nathan sat up straight when he heard my sentence, "Wait!" he gestured his men to move away from us.

"Hide out?" He questioned standing up. He gulped narrowing his eyes, "What hideout are we talking about?"

"The same hide out where you have stored all your precious drugs. The only warehouse which is preventing you and your family from going bankrupt." I watched as his face turned pale. He looked like he was about to faint.

"How did you find it? If this is some kind of sick joke Zayaan I'll kill you." He uttered rubbing the back of his neck. I could see beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

"You know I don't do jokes. Well, now that we are speaking, I have a deal for you." Now it was my time to smirk. How can he even think I would come alone without a plan? I had to have a plan B because I was bringing Qulsum with me and Shiza safely was on stake.

"You leave the girls and turn yourself to police and in turn I'll ask my men to not burn your warehouse into ashes." I said.

Nathan retrieved his phone from his pocket and started tapping on it.

I turned around to face Qulsum."You okay?" I ask peering at her fear-stricken face. She dipped her teeth into her lower lip and nodded her head. "Can you untie the ropes around Shiza?"

"Yes" she gulped and trailed her eyes behind me.

"I will take care of him." I gave her a light smile assuring her that she is safe now.

She took measured steps towards Shiza while I turned to face Nathan who was on a phone call.

"Fuck..." He cursed loudly hurling his phone towards the wall.

"Now that you have confirmed from your men. Why don't you walk out of room because your presence is scaring my wife and I will do anything and everything to make her feel safe." I state slipping my hands into my pocket.

Nathan nose flared while he pointed his gun at me.

I let out a chuckle, "Drop your gun Nathan because both you and I know, you love your life more than you hate me." I was sure he will never fire a bullet; he just cannot afford to lose the warehouse. Nathan has so many enemies in mafia that once the rumor of his warehouse burning gets out, he will be killed no matter wherever he is – that's the only thing keeping him alive.

"Ahh, my head." Came a fatigued voice from behind me. I spun around to find Shiza holding her head with both her hands. Frowning she rubbed her palm on her eyes trying to adjust to the light and half opened her eyes.

"Zay-yan," she whispered gulping and closing her eyes again.

"Shiza" both I and Qulsum called simultaneously. I quickly sprinted towards her and held her hand in mine.

"When they kidnapped me, I — I thought I lost you Zayaan." She mumbled and slipped into unconsciousness.

And that's when my heart shattered into pieces. I felt as if someone had stabbed my heart.

I felt a tear drop on my hand which was placed above Shiza's. I guardedly raised my head and looked at Qulsum. She had her hand clamped over her mouth, her eyes burning with tears.

❤...