His Hidden Crush

Chapter 2

Zahran POV:

After finishing our breakfast, Ayat and Zara followed me to the car with Zara's usual banter with Ayat. I swear both of them were like ‘Tom and Jerry’.

Neither could live with each other and nor could live without each other. Despite having a 2 year age gap. They were best friends. Zara was 23 and Ayat was 21.

Meanwhile I was 27.

Zara hurriedly opened the back door of the car and sat down or should I say lay down on the car seat making and excuse to take a rest during the ride.

I opened the passenger door for Ayat. She smiled at me and muttered a ‘thank you’, while I took my seat beside Ayat at the driving seat and ignited the engine after reading ‘safar ki dua’.

I was busy driving from time to time glancing at the beauty sitting beside me aka my hidden crush.

Yeah I never told her due to the fear of being judged and above all rejected. Ruining our relationship as cousins too served as a factor. So it is still hidden.

I smiled remembering how I got a crush on her.

Flashback:

“Are you going to tell me what you were doing with Ali? Didn't I tell you to stay away from him. He is indeed not a good person to make friends with?”

Abu asked me while holding his belt that was clearly to beat me.He caught me with Ali smoking cigarettes.

His jaw clenched, eyes were bloodshot red and he was gritting his teeth making it obvious, he was super angry. So I thought it was better to remain quiet.

Instead of calming his anger, it fueled it more. He was about to hit me with it but a sweet feminine voice stopped him.

“Taya abu!! Stop!! That was not bhai’s fault. . Ali bhai did that. I am telling the truth.”

Abu raised an eyebrow at her and asked.

“How do you know, Chanda?”

“I was returning from the academy with Zara when I witnessed this scene. Only Ali bhai was involved in smoking, not Zahran bhai.”

Abu eyed me waiting for an explanation understanding his gesture, I nodded my head at him and said,

“it is true, abu.”

Throwing his belt away, he said,

“Fine, I am leaving you this time but cut off your friendship with Ali as soon as possible.”

I smiled with admiration at that 16 year old Ayat who bravely took a stand for me. That day changed my point of view of seeing her.

Flashback ends

 
Ayat was sitting quietly while Zara was taking a nap in the back seat. She was fidgeting her fingers so I assumed she was nervous.

But my question was.
Why?!

Clearing my throat, I asked her.
“Is everything ok, Ayat?”
“Yes.” She replied.

“Then why are you feeling so nervous?”
“Wo… Bhai nothing much. I just have a test. So I was wondering whether I'd perform well or not.”

I chuckled at her and assured her hoping she'd feel good.
“That's it. Ayat, have faith in yourself. You prepared well for the test. I am sure you'll ace it.”

Then she smiled a little and nodded her head, melting my heart at her innocent gesture.

Returning her smile, I turned on the radio and played her favorite song ‘Kahani Suno’ by Kaifi Khalil from the Playlist so she could relax a little before the test.

We were humming the songs from her favorite Playlist (yes, I knew her favorite Playlist and had her in my music list),
when suddenly a car came from the opposite direction I assumed to take a U-turn.

I pressed the brake at the last moment. Three of us jolted forward, so I immediately put my hand before Ayat's body, preventing her from any kind of injury while Zara fell down from her seat due to the impact of the pressing brake.

Immediately became alerted and asked Ayat. “Hey are you ok?” “Yes, I am.”

She turned to the back seat where Zara was seated and then I remembered my sister fell down the seat in her sleep.
“Hey, troublemaker, are you ok?” I asked her by calling her with the nickname I often used.

“Haha, yes. I am ok, in fact I am so fine that I injured my knee.” She gave me a reply full of sarcasm.

Guilt rushed me for forgetting my sister.
Well, I wasn't at fault. Blame the girl sitting besides me for distracting me.
“Don't be dramatic and tell seriously. Are you ok?”
“Yes, I am. Nothing serious. Just a minor knee injury.”

Before I could've said anything, Ayat advised my stupid sister. “Yet, you shouldn't not ignore it. We are going to get it treated the moment we enter university. Ok?”

My heart touched at her concern and I smiled. “Yes, Mother Teresa. I will.”

A sharp sound of laughter echoed in the car. It belonged to the girl sitting beside me. I chuckled seeing her happy and silently prayed to Allah for keeping her always as happy as she was right now.