LOST SOUL....

8

Ayan saw Maryam sitting on a log near the lake.
She was deep in her thoughts.
He went closer to her and sat beside her.
Maryam turned towards him and smiled but it didn't seemed genuine.

"Ahh...don't give me those forced smiles" he rolled his eyes at her.

" And from when Mr. Genius started reading others?" She asked sarcastically.

"Don't change the topic. What is bothering you?" He asked with gaze fixed on her face.

" Nothing..I was just enjoying my own company" she replied not meeting his gaze.

" Repeat the same thing looking at me " he said.

" Alright I give up" She raised her hand  surrendering.

" Good. Now spill the tea" he wiggled his brow.

" I was just missing my Parents" she slowly replied with her gaze lowered.

" Then go home early and meet them" he replied carelessly.

"I wish what you said was possible" she smiled sadly.

" what do you mean?" he was confused.

" I lost my parents when I was a kid." She replied.

" Oh. I am so sorry I didn't know" He was now guilty to dig on the matter.

"I can understand your pain. The feeling of being left alone. When you wanted to express so much but yet you couldn't find the right person to share with" He replied with his gaze fixed on the calm water.

"Wow!! Seems like you had a prior experience" she teased.

"May be" he shrugged.

" Okay enough of being sentimental let's go the new park. It is close to the college" He said standing up and dusted his clothes.

He forwarded his hand to help Maryam standing up.

Maryam took his hand and stood up.

They were strolling towards the park when out of nowhere a gang of boys came towards them.

Asim was standing with his boys. Adil, Nikhil, and Arman.

"See who is it ?" Asim mocked with a wicked smirk

" what do you want Asim" Ayan asked calmly

" Nothing much I just came to ask for a date" he replied with his gaze on Maryam

Maryam shifted uncomfortably from his gaze and held Ayan's t-shirt.

"If you don't want to create any drama please leave" Ayan gritted his teeth.

" Oh so now Ayan sheikh is going to stand against me for this girl" Asim mocked him checking her out from head to toe.

Maryam felt disgusted, tears glittered in her eyes, her hold loosened on his shirt and she was about to run away from the situation.

Ayan knew her next move so he held her palm strongly in his grip.

"I am not going to tolerate one word against her Asim and you would never understand what friendship is because you don't deserve it" Ayan replied.

" You do remember right that I belong from a powerful family and we have the status people will die to be my friend" he smirked

" You might get a friend but they will never be genuine with you, they will never be there when you will need them" Ayan said

" I am not at all interested in listening to your bullshit. All I want is her" Asim said with his gaze fixed on Maryam.

" And I won't let you touch her hair forget about owning her " Ayan met his gaze with equal intensity.

" I Asim Sayad challenge you that she will be my girlfriend in 10 days by hook or by crook" he said with an evil smile.

" We will see" Ayan grip tightened.

Asim left along with his boys. Watching them leaving Maryam sighed in relief.

"What was that?" She asked slowly.

"Am I a thing that you both had a deal of?" Maryam eyes were filled with fresh tears.

" I didn't expect you to accept his challenge " she was clearly hurt.

" So you wanted me to watch him taking you for a date " he screamed.

Maryam flinched at his tone.

" Ayan you do trust me right?" She asked softly.

He nodded in response.

" Then you should know I would never go anywhere with him. He gives me creepy vibes" she shuddered in fear.

Ayan bit his lips to stop himself from smiling.

But deep inside his heart he was still scared and worried about her. He knew Asim is not going to let go of this matter so easily.

He sighed in frustration.

When Maryam saw an Ice-cream parlor her eyes lit up like a 3-year-old kid.

"Let's have some Ice-cream" she said and went towards the Ice-cream parlor without waiting for his response.

Ayan shook his head smiling and followed her.

They both ordered their favorite Ice-cream.

Ayan ordered butterscotch and Maryam ordered Mango flavored ice-cream. Both of them were enjoying it.

After finishing, they went to the counter and after arguing about who will pay Maryam won, smiling victoriously she paid.