His Obsession

Chapter 21

Night with its cloaking darkness surrounded the entire room.My eyes suddenly opened, call it intuition or gut feeling but when I opened my eyes I saw Aarej sleeping beside me on a chair holding my hand in his tightened grip.My heart lept at the sight he looked so relaxed & his age of twenty five, like any normal guy napping but I knew better he wasn't a normal random guy he was an unleashed force, he was ferocity sheathed in elegance, perfection veined with flaws.Regardless, he was haunted by his nightmares in the sheer silence of night, his demons overpowering, leaving him helpless.It was gut-wrenching to witness the soul deep despair.I was unabashedly curious of the root of his nightmares but the most disturbing fact was with my all-to-familiar curiosity, there was that annoying constant Need to make all better for him, to relieve him of the sorrow that plagued his dreams, That was beyond irritating & to be honest concerning...why I care about his nightmares?...why does his despair matter to me?...haah!!!

I was extremely tired with my inner monologue & bewildered at the stupid questions which I couldn't answer, deciding to leave it at bay.I intent to pray Tahaju'd prayer(prayer that is prayed after midnight) & very silently removed Aarej's hand and went to the washroom, after my Wudu(ablution) I came back & offered Tahaju'd.I was wide awake so I started reciting Chapters(Surahs) from the Holy Quran, I was in the world of servitude & contentment by reading the Word of Allah, when my eyes dropped I closed the Holy book reverently & placed it carefully.As I was going to bed my eyes wandered to Aarej & unconsciously I picked a duvet & draped it over him, I myself suprised at my actions lay on the bed when my my head hit the pillow I was sucked into the land of dreams.

My eyes opened at the soft caress I watched with my sleep filled eyes that Aarej was siting on his hunches on the floor, in front of me, looking at me intensely.His finger was tracing my cheeks while his other hand was clasped around my hand.I quickly sat up trying to arrange my dupatta while covering the disarray of my long hair which were definitely looking like a bird's nest when Aarej captured a stray tendril, twirling it around his fingers I blushed & tried to cover my head but Aarej placed his hand on my waist ushering me towards him.I resisted but against his brute strength it was futile & I was gently pressed to his chest, he hugged me & buried his face in my hair though, he was sitting still he was huge compared to my petite frame and I was completely enveloped in his warm embrace.I was getting all tingly & tried to move away, Aarej getting a hint squeezed me tightly then releases me.I immediately got up bulldozing straight to the washroom, after locking the door I released a huge sigh, calming my wild heart, I washed my face & went back.Thankfully, Aarej have left after I changed, Fatima arrived & asked me to come to the dinning hall I nodded & we both went there making small talk on the way.When we reached there she was telling me about a recipe which turns out to be a complete diaster, I was laughing with her, when my eyes landed on Aarej who was sitting at the head of the long glass table.My laughter stopped, uneasiness creeping as I recalled the tender way he woke me in the morning.I looked away from his ensaring gaze & observed the huge dining hall with its one walled cupboard filled with variety of cutlery whereas, the other wall was adorned by a massive mirror the remaining walls were artistically adored by different paintings & wall hangings.In the center was a gleaming chandelier in long ropes giving a distinct impression of tangled stars & the dinning table which could easily accommodate fifty people with its polised wood chairs & spotless glass accentured the entire space.I now noticed the other two occupants of the table, everything was so quiet during my appraisal I broke the pronounced silence with Salam & walked towards the table when I reached there I sat at the first chair beside Ashir I saw Aarej frowning.Both Ashir & Tahir greeted me back I smiled at them then, Ashir in his best mocking tone of a humble servant listed the breakfast items & asked me to choose what I want.I copying an arrogant queen narrated my order to him hauntingly, he laughed making me & Tahir laugh.Suddenly, Aarej's hand landed on the table with a boom shaking the entire table, I jumped startled & looked at him he looked dangerously beautiful & intimidating in his black T-shirt & jeans.He stood up & was glaring daggers at Ashir & barked