Anaa - a tale of ego and love

Chapter 14

Author's note: Okay, we're finally moving the plot forwards. As always leave likes and comments, if you're still reading, it definitely gives me the motivation to continue writing. ☺️

Izza's POV:

Kabir stepped in her direction, his eyes narrowing as he asked, "What's that on your neck?"

The question hung in the air, sharp and pointed. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed Altamash's head snapping in Kabir's direction abruptly.

Izza's pulse quickened, her fingers instinctively pulling at the collar of Altamash's coat, trying to hide the evidence of what had just transpired between them. "It's nothing," she said quickly, her voice wavering. "Just a minor burn from the fire. It's... it'll heal."

But Kabir's gaze didn't leave her. He stepped closer, his eyes locked on the spot as if trying to decode and dissect it. His smile was gone now, replaced by something colder. "A burn, you say?" His voice was unmistakably dangerous. "You should have been more careful, Izza. Something unfortunate could have happened."

Izza swallowed hard, her throat dry.

Her fingers automatically fiddled with the collar of Altamash's coat, pulling it tighter as if she could hide from Kabir's scrutinising gaze. Before she could respond, Altamash's voice cut through the room, "She is okay now. You don't have to worry, I got there in time." He said staring Kabir down.

Anya, still hovering over Altamash, suddenly turned. Concern flitted across her face as she moved toward Izza, arms open. "Oh, thank God you're okay too, Izza." She whispered, pulling Izza into a warm hug.

But when Anya pulled back, her eyes caught on Izza's neck. A flicker of recognition passed through her gaze, her expression tightening for a brief moment before she quickly masked it. Then, without missing a beat, Anya casually draped her own dupatta around Izza's shoulders, expertly concealing the bite-mark on her neck. The gesture was small, almost imperceptible, but it brought much needed relief that Izza needed in the moment.

Anya knew.

"Protect the burn, Izza," Anya said casually. "You don't want it getting worse with exposure to sun and dust."

To anyone else, it would have seemed like an innocent display of concern between friends. But to Izza, it was a lifeline.

"Thank you," Izza murmured.

Anya gave her a reassuring squeeze on the arm, her eyes softening in understanding.

"Are you okay?" Altamash's voice was soft, concerned, and full of emotion directed at her, from across the room.

Izza, however, wished the earth would swallow her whole. Why was Altamash talking to her in front of people? Now that she was back in her senses, she couldn't even believe she'd let herself and him, get so carried away.

So much for not wanting to entangle herself with this man.

The tension in the room felt suffocating to her. Kabir's gaze had shifted toward Altamash now with a flash of irritation behind his eyes. Clearing his throat, he began, "Thank you, Mr. Altamash, for saving my fiancée from the fire."

Altamash's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening as they locked onto Kabir's. "Fiancée?," he asked, his voice rougher than usual.

"Didn't you hear, Izza and I are betrothed." Kabir replied casually, walking up to her side.

Kabir was truly turning things worse for her. She had asked him for one favour and he had twisted it into a mess. She couldn't deal with it all, not when Altamash was right there!