Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha

Ch. 3: Tuna Sandwiches

Alizey's P.O.V.

"Your girlfriend's here to see you. She brought you lunch."

His what?!

I looked at Fawad with my lips parted, flustered.

Fawad's girlfriend. How would someone so mysterious and handsome be like as a boyfriend? The author in me can't imagine him being mushy. The dark cloud surrounding him screamed a passionate, angsty kind of love.

Instead of movie nights in, it would be long talks on rooftops while watching the view. Instead of cute bicycle rides, it would be long cruises down the empty streets on his motorcycle (if he even has one). Borrowing his jacket that smelled nothing but of him, his cologne, and cigarette smoke. Being surprised with a tattoo immortalizing his love. Having the world come to a standstill when looking into each other's eyes. Feeling like it's us against the world.

'Hey, I'm Fawad's girlfriend, Alizey. Nice to meet you. He's told me so much ab-' There you go again, Alizey. This isn't one of your novels. You don't even know him. If anything, he knows more about you than you do about him. You've developed some sort of crush on him, but keep. It. At. That!

But what if-

Fawad's features grew firm. "She's not my girlfriend," he clarified in a serious tone.

I didn't understand why, but it felt like my insides deflated like a balloon after he said those words.

See? There was nothing between you two, and there never will be. He probably has a girlfriend, or who knows? Maybe he's married. Keep your crush to yourself, and let it remain that. Just a crush. Nothing more.

Yes. That's what I need to do. There's enough on my plate. Heartbreak was the last thing I wanted to deal with.

The man rolled his eyes with a smile before walking back to his work station.

Fawad walked over, clad in his navy-blue coverall, and stood in front of me. His demeanor softened slightly as he studied my eyes. "Sorry about that."

I shook my head, clearing my throat. "That's alright. Dilnaaz Mami sent some biryani for you. She just made it. It's still warm," I extended the bag towards him.

He nodded, taking it, "I'll give her a call." He gazed down into my eyes again, and I felt my heart starting to race. "Thanks."

I've yet to even see the man smile, but what a sight that would be.

"You're welcome," I smiled politely.

Say something to keep me back. Something. Anything. I want to talk to you. I want to get to know you. Do you even like Pakistani food? Do you speak Urdu? What interests you? What do you like to do?

He gave a me brief nod, "See you around."

I felt my expression falter while I watched him walk out the garage and disappear around the corner with the bag of food.

With a deep breath, I returned to my car and went home. It's awful when home doesn't feel like home because of the tension there.

After unlocking the door, I greeted my mother and gave her the food Mami sent. She told me to start getting ready for the dinner party at Siraj Uncle's house.

I slid on a pink salwar kameez then began doing my makeup.

"Yes?" I responded when there was a knock on my bedroom door.

Jia Api stepped in with a guilty expression, shutting the door behind her. "What are you doing?"

"Just doing my makeup," I answered, continuing to blend my foundation.