preference delights

" Repulsion and submission"

           **___Chapter 24____**

Zarmeena visited three markets, and Salaar, who disdained even passing by such crowded places, blissfully took her along and followed her.

"Can I sleep for a while in your car? I mean, there's still some time to reach the clinic," Zarmeena requested in a firm voice.

Salaar didn't say anything in response, only nodded his head. He noticed the dark circles around her eyes, revealing the secrets of her sleepless nights. Zarmeena leaned her head against the car window and, within seconds, dozed off, giving Salaar the opportunity to observe her closely.

She wasn't that ordinary-actually, she was pretty attractive. Gazing at her closely, he noticed that she didn't have a fair complexion but wasn't very dark either. It seemed as though her face had never been touched by beauty products or the hands of a parlor. She looked pure in her sleep, far removed from her active demeanor. She had very cute lips and slightly chubby cheeks. He badly wanted to feel her touch. Troubled by the effort to control himself, he suddenly slammed the brakes and gasped.

"Why do I feel so helpless in front of her? Why, why... I never felt this way for anyone before... Why does my heart ache when she's away? Why does my energy evaporate just by feeling her so close? Why are these feelings so ethereal that I want to experience them forever, yet sometimes so suffocating that I strive for release?"

Salaar, staggered by his impulses, lowered his eyelids and let his head drift back to touch the car seat.

"Are you alright? I mean, we haven't arrived yet, and you stopped the car," Zarmeena asked, a bit confused.

He was so lost in thought that he hadn't noticed Zarmeena had jerked awake when the car stopped. He only gazed at her, unable to speak, trying to unveil his agony through his eyes.

He ignited the engine and headed towards the clinic.

Puzzled by Salaar's silence and his troubled eyes, Zarmeena preferred to stay quiet. She assumed Salaar was annoyed because she had visited many vendors along the way without informing him beforehand.

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In the meantime, they reached their destination. Salaar glanced at the building. It was a random clinic in a small suburban locality. A little more immaculate than the places Zarmeena usually visited, but still could not be called sterile.

When they entered the main gate, the reception counter was directly in front of them. Farid was already there, dealing with the discharge procedure. He glanced at Zarmeena, and his face lit up.

"Salaam, brother Farid. Sorry I'm a bit late," Zarmeena exclaimed apologetically. Farid shifted his gaze to a handsome man with aversion etched on his face.

"Brother Farid, this is my senior, Salaar Malik. Since there's a taxi strike, I took his help to take Dadi home." Speculating from Farid's expression, she explained.

"Oh... but Dadi is already heading home with aunty Zareena, Ahmed, and Sajid. I forgot to tell you that, knowing about the taxi strike, I requested one of my seniors for an army ambulance. They just left. Sajid left your bike keys so we could follow them."

Farid unraveled, still confused about the man standing in front of him. He felt a strange connection with him. Salaar was also feeling the same vibes-a strong connection of opposing forces, like opposite sides of a magnet that repel but are still connected to the same magnetic field. Both of them sensed something peculiar about each other.

"Salaar, thank you for your help, and sorry for troubling you with stopping in so many crowded areas. I will definitely repay your favor, whatever you want," Zarmeena forced herself to mellow her tone, sensing Salaar's tense expressions and trying to lighten the situation.

Zarmeena was heading toward the reception when she heard Salaar say, "If you want to repay me, then accept my friendship."
She turned around and gazed at Salaar, and in that moment, a revelation came over her. She uncovered the secret behind his agonizing eyes. This was not the Salaar she had first encountered. Where had his dominating aura gone? The attitude that once kept people at a distance seemed long lost. This was not the Salaar who had once seemed so self-assured but instead was desperate, broken, shattered, and now pleading for her friendship.

"Please, Zarmeena, don't deny me. Take some time to think it over. I ask for nothing more-just your friendship," his voice stuttered, unable to control his intense emotions.

Farid was also moved by the intensity of the moment, and with all his devotion, he prayed that Zarmeena would reject Salaar's offer or retaliate as she normally did.

The three of them stood speechless, their voices stolen by the weight of the moment. After a few tense seconds, Salaar turned and headed outside.

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Salaar's car halted at the main gate of Malik Villas. Two uniformed guards quickly opened the gate for him, and he drove inside. After crossing a long pathway, the car came to a stop in the porch. Salaar sighed and stepped out, placing both hands in the pockets of his branded jacket as he bent his head downward, still pondering his bold actions that day. But it had been unintentional. It felt as though some mystical power had taken over, making him act beyond his control. Suddenly reminded of something, he quickly turned back to his car. Opening the door, he searched for a moment, retrieved a pen from under the seat, and slipped it into his pocket.

As he entered his portion of the villa, he encountered Zubair.

"Zubair, here are my car keys. Make sure nobody uses my car or even sits in the passenger seat," Salaar said in a warning tone. Zubair was a bit stunned by Salaar's possessiveness, as Salaar had never bothered about such things before. He had always preferred the choices Zubair made for him-from his outfits to his food and vehicles. But lately, Salaar had even started questioning Zubair's selections, which was very unlike him.

Exhausted, Salaar was heading toward his bedroom when Nazli intercepted him.

"Salaar, please come with me." Her face was etched with an unknown fear, and her tone was urgent.

"Is everything okay?" Salaar asked, apprehensive.

"Leena was found unconscious in her room," Nazli's voice was heavy with emotion, and tears streamed down her face.

Salaar felt alarmed, reminded of their recent argument.

"Okay, let's go. Zubair, tell the driver to prepare the other car," Salaar ordered, but Zubair reminded him about the car.

"Salaar, leave it. Taimur is waiting for us outside. Just move quickly," Nazli urged in a pensive voice. Salaar followed her.

When they arrived at the hospital, Leena's mother was already in the lobby, sobbing uncontrollably. She looked at Salaar with a pleading gaze. Although he had done nothing directly, he felt somehow responsible for Leena's condition.

"What happened, Mom?" Nazli asked anxiously.

"We were out of town for two days. Last night, when we got home, I found her in this condition in her room. The maid said she hadn't eaten for the past two days," Mrs. Qureshi said between sobs. Just then, a nurse arrived.

"The patient is fully conscious now. You can meet her. The doctor would like someone to speak with him for further details," the nurse informed them before leaving.

"You all go inside; I'll talk with the doctor," Taimur offered, heading toward the doctor's office. Salaar entered the ward along with Mrs. Qureshi and Nazli.

Salaar gazed at the fragile soul lying on the hospital bed. Leena's drained eyes brightened at the sight of him. He felt sympathy for her, but beyond that, he was helpless-his heart was already fully stamped by Zarmeena.

"Salaar, my love. You've brought me back to life just by your presence," Leena murmured in a frail voice, ignoring the presence of her sister and mother. She took Salaar's hand in both of hers and closed her eyes, leaving him in an awkward position before her family. Salaar tried to withdraw his hand, but Leena held on tightly.

As Taimur entered the ward, he witnessed the scene.