Incandescence

Chapter 41

Anis

I stood in the corner, with Shahmir as I watched Asad greet Alisha as he entered and then Sadaf leave them alone. I felt tinge of irritation at the way Alisha was smiling at Asad and talking to him animatedly. I didn't like the way they'd come close to each other as friends. If I didn't know better, I could say that I was jealous but I wasn't. I just wanted to know what they were up to because I had a hunch that they were up to something. I had seen Alisha at his clinic the other day when I'd gone to meet him. They were definitely up to something but what?

Was Alisha cheating on me? No! She wouldn't do that now. There must be some other reason for all this and I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt.

"What has got you brooding over like that?" Shahmir asked as he took a sip from his soda glass.

"Nothing really!" I turned my attention away from Alisha and turned towards Shahmir.

"Something is on your mind, Anis. I know that expression of yours so spit it out."

I laughed.

"Dude, there is nothing wrong. I was just thinking about Alisha and all." I said, glancing towards her again. She was smiling at Asad as she listened to whatever he was telling her.

"She looks beautiful, doesn't she?" Shahmir asked, looking towards Alisha as well. I smiled. She did look beautiful in the yellow and white dress that I'd picked up from the Maria B. outlet earlier today.

"She always does." I responded, sending a quick glance her way again. Sadaf joined us just then, looking at both of us with a wide grin on her face.

"What are you both up to? If I didn't know better I would say that you were gossiping like old women." She grinned and took a sip from Shahmir's glass.

"You know what, Shahmir," she added, "elders say that if you eat and drink from each other's plate, it increases your love." Grinning, she took another sip.

Shahmir rolled his eyes at her.

"I wonder how much more love you want from me. You tire me out." He said playfully. Sadaf blushed and slapped him playfully across his shoulder.

"At least behave yourself in front of Anis, Shahmir!" she exclaimed shyly, to which Shahmir laughed loudly.

"Shahmir isn't listening to us, love, he's busy trying to think of ways to strangle Asad right now." Both turned to look towards me, drawing my attention back towards them.

"Oh!" Sadaf said cheerfully.

"I'm thinking no such thing, Shahmir." I was about to add more when my gaze fell on a familiar person and my blood boiled. At least, I now had a victim to take out my frustration on.

"Excuse me, guys, I have to talk to Hashim about something." I was about to walk away when I heard Sadaf.

"Poor Hashim! He should've known he had it coming to him." I walked away from the group towards the other end of the room, where Hashim was engrossed in talking to my sister. I wanted to break the guy's nose for even daring to talk to her. I stopped in front of Maira and Hashim.

"Big brother!" Maira exclaimed, grinning at me. I ignored her as I looked at Hashim with blood in my eyes. I just didn't like that guy. There was something about him that pricked me and I wanted both of the girls that mean a lot to me to stay away from him.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stay away from my girls?" I said slowly, my brow furrowed in anger. Hashim stood in front of me, surprise on his face.

"Your girls?" Hashim asked and then he looked at Maira questioningly.

"You heard her. I'm her BIG BROTHER, you moron!" My fist clashed with his cheek. "This will always remind you to keep your hands off my fiancé and my sister in the future." I said. I was about to send another punch his way but Shahmir came in between.