His Hidden Crush

Chapter 5

Ayat POV:

“Ayat Chanda, today come early from university.” Ami said to me when I came to the kitchen for breakfast. “But why, Ami?” Not helping my curiosity, I asked.

“Your phupo is coming today with her family for Zara's wedding.” She replied, chopping some vegetables that she was going to prepare for lunch with the help of tayi ami.

“Ok..” The only thought of phupo coming made my chai pratha tasteless and I lost my appetite.

I never liked my phupo neither she liked me. She always hated me but loved Zahran bhai and Zara. I never knew what I did to her that she treated me like I wasn't more than the dirt beneath her shoes.

Cherry on top, her creepy son, Rauf bhai, was another problem. He always finds ways to touch me and he oogles me in such ways that made my skin crawl.. His gaze was always full of lust. Either I catch him staring at my chest or my back.
Like mother, like son!
Both are evil.

Leaving my breakfast, I bid goodbye to ami and tayi ami who were busy preparing dishes for their near and dear one nand.
Note the sarcasm.

Taya abu and Baba had already left for company along with Zahran bhai.
Zara, our bride to be was still sleeping, since she took leave from university. Her wedding was in a week now. Here was me, an innocent soul who still had to go to university.

It's been 2 weeks since Zara and I went to the mall with Zahran bhai for her meeting with Waqas bhai.

He bought a beautiful maroon color lehnga for her which has golden embroidery on it. He gifted me a dress for their wedding too. As he said and I quote ‘Ayat, you are Zara's sister which means you are my sali. So here is a little gift for you.’
Seriously, he is so nice.
May Allah keep both of them happy always.
Ameen!

Sighing silently, I headed towards the outside of the house. I greeted Kamran uncle, our driver and left for university.

On my way, I was reading my new book which I started last night. It was ‘King of Pride’ by Ana Huang. I just read 3 chapters but I was already in love with “Kai Young”

Of course, I haven't forgotten Zade. He's my first love but not last. I have a long list of boyfriends and husbands but they are fictional.

I giggled reading my book and didn't realize I had already reached university. Kamran uncle called me and I raised my head and realized I had arrived. Muttering goodbye I entered the university.

**************

“Sorry, beta. I was stuck in traffic.” Kamran uncle apologized to me, making me embarrassed.

“It's ok, uncle. I didn't have to wait for so long.” I sat inside the back seat and Kamran uncle ignited the engine driving me at home.

I left university today at 2 pm. Usually I returned to home at 4 pm. But since phupo is coming so I'd to come early today.

After reaching home, I heard a chatter of laughter and gossip. ‘So phupo has arrived already’ I thought.

Mustering all my courage, preparing myself to bear her taunts and insults, I entered the living room.
Everyone was present there. Ami, Baba, Taya Abu, Tayi Ami, Zara and Zahran bhai along with phupo and her son but phupa wasn't nowhere to be seen.

“Assalam-o-Alaikum” I said loudly gaining everyone's attention.

The smile on phupo's face was wiped off while Rauf bhai was staring at me, drilling holes in my soul.

“Walaikum assalam” Everyone replied to my Salam except phupo.

“Beta, go and freshen up. We were waiting for you for lunch.” Tayi ami said lovingly.

Smiling nervously I nodded my head not trusting my words under the malicious gaze of phupo.

Immediately picking my pace, I ran off to my room. Closing the door of my room behind me, I sighed heavily then sat down on bed placing a hand at my heart which was beating so loudly.

O, Allah please let this time pass quickly.
Praying silently, I did my wudu and offered my Duhur prayer and changed my clothes to light one knowing phupo will criticize my clothes obviously.

I changed into a dark green kameez and red shalwar with a red and green chiffon dupatta. Tying my hair in a ponytail, leaving my face makeup free, I headed downstairs ready for lunch.

I entered the kitchen seeing everyone already seated in their places leaving only a single seat for me that too beside Rauf bhai.

Shit.
Fuck.

I cursed my fate inside my head for leaving a seat beside Rauf bhai only. Why? Why me? 😭

Composing myself I apologized for making everyone wait. “I am sorry. I was offering my namaz.”

“Koi fikar hi nai hai k ghr mein mehman aye hain mohtarma ko apny aram ki pari hai.” Phupo being phupo couldn't keep quiet and said.

I pressed my lips in a thin line and looked at the floor feeling embarrassed.

“It's ok. We were just talking. Now come and sit down, Ayat.” Zahran bhai defended me while giving me his million dollar smile.

I returned his smile and took seat beside Rauf bhai who was smirking so I assumed, he did this on purpose.

Fucking piece of shit!!

I sat down beside him on the edge of my chair all stiff, afraid of even a minor contact of skin between him and I.
I was so uncomfortable.

Everyone soon dug in and started having lunch.

Dining table was decorated with lot of dishes which were made in the honor of our so called phupo.
Please note the sarcasm.

It had biryani, pulao, kebab, raita, qorma, aloo gosht and as for sweet dish kheer.
Though I preferred ice-cream.

I was feeling a heated gaze on myself. I saw with my peripheral gaze that jerk was eyeing me instead of food as I was the food… Yuck!!!

I continued ignoring him and was silently praying that the lunch would end as soon as possible.