Mannat

25 | Bike Ride.

Z A Y A A N

"You look dead." Asad commented thursting the door open and walking inside my office.

"I am dead from inside." I say letting out a sigh and reclining back on my chair.

"That was deep, but honestly what happened to you?" Asad sat on the chair planting his elbow on the armrest of the chair whilst looking at me with puzzled look plastered on his face.

"I kind of kissed Qulsum." I mumbled with a meek voice.

Asad's elbow plopped off the armrest making him almost fall.

Shaking his head he stood up and narrowed his eyes at me.
“You did what?” he shrieked with bewilderment.

"I am not repeating." I close my eyes shut for a second and rubbed my temple with my fingers.

“Oh shit!" He cursed and continued, "You're fucked, for real this time. Anyways how was the kiss huh?” Asad started bombarding me with question and not to forget the annoying smirk which was laced on his face which was making me even more frustrated.

"Forehead! I pecked her forehead. And why the hell are you smiling at me like that." I clench my jaws.

"Seriously? Forehead Zayaan? Way to spoil a moment." He spoke clicking his tongue and shaking his head to and fro.

"Asad I'm serious. You know how I am feeling right now? I am feeling hopeless and culpable. I love Shiza not Qulsum... I have loved Shiza even before seeing her face. The first time I got a glimpse of Shiza during that rally; was the time I made a decision. She is going to be my one and only love." I bury my face in my hands feeling annoyed as my actions from last night replayed in front of my eyes.

I am leading Qulsum in a path where I can't give her anything but agony.

"Zayaan?" Asad called, his voice devoid of mischief. "Do you regret kissing Qulsum?"

I gaze at him without answering. My mind and heart battling with thoughts. This was my main concern — I wasn't regretting kissing Qulsum. I was just ashamed of my actions but given a chance I would want to stay close to her again.

My heart flutters and my whole being get consumed by an overwhelming emotions when I am around Qulsum. This is wrong in so many ways...

I don't know what connection I have with Qulsum but since the first day I met her at my office. My soul craves for her presence around me. There is an invisible pull that's pulling me closer and closer to Qulsum.

Sometimes I feel it was Qulsum I met that day at rally but then I ward off such thoughts from my mind and remind myself that I do not want to hurt Shiza and it is only her I am supposed to think about.

"Zayaan! You can't do this man. Control your emotions. You love her, just remember that." Asad said looking at my troubled state. The look in his eyes said it all — he knew under what kind of dilemma I was and how dangerous it can be for all us.

My trance of thought broke when my phone buzzed with an incoming call.

Shiza

Beads of sweat accumulated on my forehead just by looking at her name. How will I face her if she asks me about my wierd behavior.