Mannat

32 | Hide from Shiza

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Closing the gate, Qulsum crossed the road and walked towards Zayaan car.

Zayaan was leaning against the car with his legs crossed at his ankles and his hands tucked in his pockets. He was looking at Qulsum intensely, memorizing her every step and every minute expression.

Qulsum gulped the huge lump formed in her throat when she peered at Zayaan. He like always looked like a model who walked straight out of magazine. It wasn't just his physical feature which made her nervous this time. It was the look that he carried in his eyes, it was so intense and deep that it could annihilate all her senses. His eyes carried immense amount of care, tenderness, warmth and most importantly love.

Love!

Yes, for the first time his eyes openly displayed love for her without hesitation. It made Qulsum heart to thump.

"Zay-" Before she could complete her sentence, Zayaan held both her arms and pushed her against the car, caging her between him and the car.

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T H I R D   P E R S O N

"Why Qulsum?" Zayaan whispered, placing one of his hand above her head and leaning closer to her - almost into her personal space.
Her nostrils were welcomed by his addicting scent.

Qulsum gulped the huge lump formed in her throat. "What are you saying?" She mumbled, even though at the back of her head she had an idea what he might be asking about.

"Why?" He again questioned, peering at her skittish orbs.

The cold gust of wind, their proximity, Zayaan's deep voice made a cold shiver to coarse down her spine.

"I don't know what you are speaking about." She lowered her eyes, him being so close to her was not good for her heart.

Zayaan released her arm languidly, while he stood in the same place. Pushing his hands inside his jean pocket, he retrieved anklet - a pair.

Hearing the tinkling sound, Qulsum gazed at his hand only for her eyes to turn wide like saucers.
She took the anklet from his hand and examined it. The moment she looked at the tiny butterfly which was engraved at the attachment of anklet, a low gasp escaped her lips. It was her anklets, the same one which she took from Zayaan drawer. "You - Did you - when did you take it? How do you have it?" She asked baffled.

Zayaan lips curled up on one side, letting out a light chuckle he started, "A little correction. I didn't take it, it was with me and you took it from my drawer." He muttered wrapping his hand around Qulsum wrist, the one in which she held the anklets. Goosebumps erupted all over her arm when his finger caressed inside of her cold wrist.

"What?" Qulsum whispered in a low voice. Her tone was spasmodic.

Zayaan eyes were as dreamy as starry night and he kept gazing at Qulsum's doe eyes making her extremely nervous. She wasn't just ready for this conversation and their closeness.
The atmosphere around them had unfurled with tension. Zayaan took one more step closer to her, their shoes touching one another and their faces only inches apart.

"When did you find out about the truth?" Zayaan asked releasing her wrist and tracing his hand lower towards her arm. Qulsum dipped her teeth into her lower lip as her breath came out ragged.

Zayaan stared at her and smirked knowing the effect his touch had on her and then finally he snaked his hand around her waist and pulled her flush against him. Qulsum breath hitched, her hand was the only barrier seperating their front. Her heart was beating erratically and loud enough for her to hear it.
This was the first time Zayaan had pulled this kind of stunt to come closer to her. She was surrounded with his addicting fresh manly scent.