Laazawaal Mohabbat

Chapter 9 : You... love me ?

After Zunera calmed down, he led her towards the park and made her sit on the bench.

“I'll just grab the water bottle from my car.” - he said and turned to go but she held his wrist, making him turn back.

“Don't go please! He can return! Please don't leave me!” - she said earnestly. Her eyes panicked.

He looked at her for a moment before sitting on his knees infront of her. He took her hand holding his wrist and held it between both of his hands.

“I won't leave you Zooni. Ever. Even if you want me to I can't. It's... out of my hands.” - he said softly.

She blinked at him several times. Her tensed mind unable to process his words at the moment. He smiled and gently placed her hand in her lap before standing up.

“I'll be right back.” - he said and waited for her response.

She kept looking at him before nodding her head at last. He ran to his car, quickly grabbing the water bottle and returned to her in record time.

“Here.” - he gave her water and she took a few sips.

“Thank you so much.” - she said softly and her tone stated she was not just thanking for the water.

“It's alright. Now tell me what are you doing here at this hour of the night ?”

She went quiet. Fidgeting with her hands in nervousness.

“Zooni... you can trust me. I hope you know that.” - he said gently, making her look at him.

Her eyes watered again before a tear rolled down her cheek and he felt it dropping onto his heart like acid.

“I... I'm an orphan.” - she choked out. “I live in an orphanage. When I was 4, a man left me there. I was fond of studies from a very young age so studied in the schools for orphans. The quality of education was below average but I continued nonetheless. But that experience made me realize that there are so many children who want to get education but can't afford fees of good institutions and free institutes don't have that level of education. So it became my aim of life to build a school for those children with high standards. And that's where my struggle started.” - she paused, a sad smile appearing on her face.

“I needed money to fulfill my dream and for money, needed a job. And job demanded a good degree. So I started my preparation and sat in the tests for Masters in several well known universities, hoping for scholarship. Then I got selected in Ajmer University on scholarship and shifted in the hostel for fours years until my degree is completed. I started part-time job of a Barista in the cafe from 6 to 10. To start saving some money for the school and handle personal expenses that were not under university's responsibility. As my degree completed, I started searching for jobs. And that's where I got another shocker of life that getting a job didn't need good degree or intelligence. It required sources and connections to impactful personalities.” - she said, smiling a hollow smile that caused his heart to pain sharply.

“What happened of that interview ? The one at The Siddiques ?” - he asked and her head snapped to him in surprise.

“You know it was me ?” - she asked, wide eyed. “But how ? My face was covered...”

He smiled. “You won't understand.” - he answered, causing her to blink at him in confusion.

“Anyways, I just had handed over my CV to the CEO when his daughter had barged into the cabin. Stating that she had promised her friend the job and demanded to do it right then.” - she told him, shrugging.

His eyes widened. CEO's daughter...

‘...how would I know that Abhi. I was with you naaa... Besides, you know Baba jani handles everything on pure merit so I don't interfere in his matters much...’