VEILS OF ROSE

CHAPTER 8️⃣

          🌟AUTHOR'S POV🌟

They say new days bring new beginnings, don’t they? In this case, however, the day was drawing to a close. In the darkness of the night, unknown to everyone, a man lay resting on the couch with his eyes closed in a dimly lit room, the moonlight being the only source of illumination. Suddenly, the room lit up as lightning cracked across the sky, revealing hundreds of sketches perfectly aligned and decorating the room’s walls. He opened his eyes slowly, gazing lovingly at a particular sketch — a detailed, almost lifelike drawing of a girl. The girl in the sketch was none other than Sara. His eyes softened, admiration and love clear in his expression.

Meanwhile, Ahaan was driving through a deserted road, the rain pouring heavily, blurring the windshield. Through his side mirror, he caught sight of a drenched figure walking along the roadside. Slowing down, he squinted through the downpour and recognized the figure — it was Noorie. Halting the car, he rolled down his window just as she looked up in surprise. A car stopping near her at that hour made her anxious. Quickly rummaging through her bag, she took out a small pepper spray bottle and braced herself. She was about to lunge forward when the door opened and out stepped Ahaan.

"Haan! What are you doing here?" she asked, both relieved and shivering from the cold rain.

"That should be my question, Noor. What are you thinking walking alone on a deserted road in this heavy downpour?" Ahaan replied, eyes scanning her soaked figure as he quickly took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.

"Actually, my friend was supposed to drop me off but ditched me last minute for a stupid party. And me, being the unluckiest soul alive, couldn't get a ride. My cab got cancelled too due to the rain," Noorie said, wrapping the jacket tightly around herself and rolling her eyes in frustration.

"Okay. Come on, get in the car. I’ll drop you," he said, opening the door for her.

"Are you sure? Your car seat will get completely soaked," she said, hesitating.

"Positive. Now come fast," Ahaan insisted.

She got in, and he turned on the heater. After a few moments of silence, Ahaan broke it.

"You should’ve asked Ishaan. Don’t you both work at the same place? He would've gladly dropped you."

"Yes, he would have. But unfortunately, he had an important meeting elsewhere today and left the office much earlier than me," she explained.

"You're lucky I recognized you and stopped."

"I really am. Thank you, Ahaan. If not for you, I'd be a frozen statue by now," Noorie grinned.

He gave her a fond smile and focused on the road. The silence that followed was a comfortable one.

Once they reached her apartment complex, Ahaan parked the car and, being the gentleman he was, accompanied her to the door. They took the lift to her floor. As they reached her flat, she rang the doorbell. The door opened to reveal her grandmother, Safa Jiwani — a woman of strong morals and principles, despite her age. Seeing Noorie soaked to the bone made her eyes widen in concern.

"Come inside quickly, both of you," Grandma urged, moving aside to let them in.

Ahaan was about to excuse himself when Grandma stopped him.

"Have a seat, son. Thank you so much for bringing her home safely. I was getting worried, especially with the sudden change in weather. I truly appreciate it."

"Please don’t thank me. It was my duty — as a responsible citizen and a friend," Ahaan replied politely.

"Call me Grandma, young man, just like my Noorie does," she said with a kind smile.