Azure

Chapter Twelve: I try my best to look away.

Arhaans P.O.V

I lay on bed stressed out of my mind.

Should I say ammi about azoora? or should I wait till I hear back from Zahra on what Azoora had said. I didn't know what to do.

In the whole 24 years of my life, never had I come across a tough situation like I am in right now.

My phone rang which made me jump off the bed. maybe it was Zahra calling to say azoora had said no. I ran to the desk and looked at the caller ID.

It was from my office.

I ignored it hoping it would stop ringing, but I had no choice but to pick it up since it started ringing a second time.

"Hello." I spoke into the phone.

"hello Mr. Arhaan, we've got a request from Marcus Santiago on doing a partnership with their latest software. they've requested for a meeting tomorrow, at 10:00 am." Indiana, my assistant spoke.

"Alright. If we do not have any other meetings, then go ahead and schedule it for 10 am." I said.

"No sir, we do not have any meetings at 10. I shall schedule it then. Have a good day sir. Good evening" she replied.

"You too. Good evening." I said hanging up

A partnership with the Marcus cooperation, it was every young software architectures dream. I wasn't really shocked by the news though, I expected this sooner or later, after all our family business was in second place in the charts of top businesses, the Marcus cooperation being the top. I intend on changing it soon, inshallah.

I walked to the balcony of my room and sat on the fur chair.

The view never seizes to amaze me. Having a pent house on the 30th floor had its perks. Her face repeatedly appearing in my mind was not helping my nerves one bit.

She simply knew how to take my breath away the second my eyes fell on her.

I was never a person who gazes at women. ammi grew me up better. But azoora, she was different from other girls, she made me want to throw all my manners away. No matter how much I tried to look away, my eyes would always find their way back to her face.

The first time I saw her was at Ayoubs cousin, kayas wedding. She walked by me, talking to herself while carrying the tray of sweets which she was supposed to give me. I was just about to call out to her when she tripped on a banana? who even trips on bananas? it was completely hilarious which made me want to laugh but I held them back because she looked like she was in pain, I walked to her asking if she was okay while I knew she clearly wasn't okay. her huge black doe eyes that stared back at me held a little bit of tears which sprouted back even after she had wiped them away really fast. She was feisty, which was adorable since she looked innocent. Then out of the blues, she spoke of her love for bananas.

she was different.

I had totally forgot her until the next day, Zahra and Lana asked me to drop them off at kayas since Ayoub had taken up a business trip.

Just as I turned into the lane to Zuhair uncles place, I saw azoora standing out in the porch, her head turned in the direction of the car, she was squinting her eyes and then she turned away due to the blinding headlights.

I remember Zahra saying that it was an all girls function, and they planned on going to the function and removing the hijabs. Azoora had her hijab loosely hanging on her head.

While I took the baby bags out of the car, I heard Lana and Zahra talking to Azoora. I kept my eyes lowered the whole time. Not once did I look up. It took everything me to not look up, but it only lasted until I heard Lana say Azoora looked hot.

My heart squeezed at her sight up close.

I wanted to do nothing but drive back to my place and stay to myself.

But you don't get everything you want. I suggested on helping her with the lights, since she clearly needed help.

She lead me to the rooftop which held all the switches.

2 minutes into messing with the wires and I got electrocuted. It hurt terribly, but the next second, Azoora was kneeling next to me, with my hand in hers, she was massaging my hand. Her face was evident with fear. Which literally made my heart get a squeeze. She was extremely close to me. she looked up at me, then on realizing our distance she dropped my hand and froze, I wanted to move away, but I couldn't, my limbs felt heavy. Coming to her senses she immediately backed up and stood. well at least she could move, I sat there looking at her while smiling like a freak the whole time.

I went back home stressed out of my mind. My thoughts scattered.

I repeatedly convinced myself saying I didn't know her, and there's no way I could catch feeling. I didn't know if I was catching feeling. I didn't know how it felt to be in love, or even attracted to someone. but my mind confirmed I was attracted to her, because I wanted to do nothing but gaze at her.

I thought I wouldn't bump into her again until the wedding.

But when I went to pick Zahra from after the function, she wanted me to drop azoora off.

She sat at the back with Majid on her lap and Lana next to her.

No matter how hard I stopped myself, my eyes kept drifting to the rear view mirror.

I looked at the rear view mirror, and saw her playing with Majid, and she looked up and caught me looking at her which made her eyes widen and she soon looked away.

It was too cute I had no choice but to laugh lightly, which made Zahra give me weird look with her eyebrows raised, I shook my head as a reply to her.

I watched her while she was about to get off the vehicle.

She lifted her eyes to the rearview mirror before she got off, and our eyes met.

It was so sudden, it made my heart literally skip a beat.

~~~~~~~~~

"Arhaan, why don't you stay over? and you too Lana." Zahra asked on our drive to her place "and Ayoub's not here too."

"Oh god! yes please, I would very much like it. Thankyou aapi." Lana said from behind.

"Alright then. I'll call and let ammi know Lana will be staying over" Zahra said.

~~~~~~~~~

I walked into the guest room I usually took when I stayed over at Zahras place.

I got out off the shower and slipped into a pair of sweat pants and a t shirt.

I walked down to have a glass of water when I passed by Lana and Zahra, the two of them were seated on the couch, and Lana was showing Zahra a video.

"Hey, what are you guys watching?" I asked walking by them.

"Its a few videos from the mehendi night" Lana replied.

"Oooh can I see" I asked wiggling my eyebrows.

"yeah sure. come. come watch the girls dance. of course, why not." Lana said smiling sweetly.

"god you're so sarcastic. you'll make a proper desi aunty in the future" I said returning the smile.

"rude!" I heard Lana yelled.

I laughed in return and walked back to the room.