" 𝐵𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑 𝐵𝑦 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑓 "

~ 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 04 ~

The sun was high in the sky, casting an intense heat typical of the summer season . Hareem, having returned from school, changed out of her uniform and lay down on the old carpet spread across her room floor, skipping lunch .

She hadn’t been feeling well that day, which was why she hadn’t gone to Chaudhury House to help her mother . Just as she was beginning to drift off, Sana entered the room .

" Hareem, what’s wrong ? Why are you lying here ? Come on, Mom said to bring you to the haveli as soon as you got back . Get up now " Sana said, grabbing her hand and pulling her out of the room .

Hareem made a face, reluctantly following her . She knew arguing with Sana was as futile as banging her head against a wall, so she went along without much protest .

✩✩✩✩✩✩

On the other side, Zuhair and Balaj sat across from each other at the dining table, supposedly having breakfast .

But at this time of day, it looked more like they were having a silent standoff, with intense glances being exchanged more than actual conversation .

Their mothers were in the kitchen with Mrs. Naila, leaving only the two of them at the table. The silence between them was heavy, but their eyes were saying plenty to each other .

“ If you keep staring like that, my good looks might just get cursed ” Zuhair said calmly without looking up, continuing with his breakfast .

“ Good looks ? What kind of delusion are you living in ? ” Balaj retorted, glaring at him with fierce eyes as if trying to make a point . “ I’ve seen plenty like you, understand ? ”

Zuhair let out a hearty, charming laugh, finishing his breakfast and wiping his hands with a smug smile . “ If my looks weren’t truly good, you wouldn’t be staring so deeply, Balaj Choudhury . ”

Balaj's blood began to boil at Zuhair’s remarks, and he was about to respond when Sana and Hareem entered through the main door of the lounge .

Sana wore a bright smile, while Hareem’s face showed a hint of weariness, her head bowed as she walked quietly beside her sister .

Hand in hand, they approached the dining table, where Balaj and Zuhair, who had been lost in their own bickering, suddenly fell silent, their eyes fixed on the newcomers .

" Assalam-u-Alaikum, Zuhair bhai ( brother ) ! How are you ? " Sana's cheerful voice rang out, filling the lounge with her lively tone .

Hareem glanced up briefly at the two men seated across the table, only to avert her gaze indifferently, as though their presence held little interest .

" Walaikum Assalam, Sana . I’m well . How are you ? " Zuhair replied warmly, a respectful tone in his voice . Balaj, however, had his eyes locked solely on Hareem .

He had abandoned his half-finished breakfast, as if the girl standing before him held far greater significance at that moment .

As Sana and Zuhair continued their light conversation, Balaj suddenly broke the silence, his voice carrying a firm, authoritative tone as he called out to Hareem, “ Hareem, come have some breakfast . ”

Hareem, who had been nursing a mild headache, flinched slightly at the sound of Balaj’s cold, commanding voice . She lifted her gaze towards him, her expression showing subtle defiance .

“ No, I don’t wish to eat . You go ahead, Balaj bhai ( brother ) ” she replied, adding a slight emphasis on “bhai” . 

Zuhair barely suppressed a smirk, while Balaj’s face turned red with a mix of anger and embarrassment . Yet, he remained silent, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that spoke volumes .