Caged Crown

◇2

The familiar, comforting fragrance hit my nostrils. I slowly opened my eyes to see the figure that eased my pain. Whenever I get frustrated, I craved for his presence and now at this instant, he's here in his leather jacket which is slightly opened at the top revealing his inner white T-shirt. His dark chocolaty, orbs struck to mine, wishing to stay like this forever.

“Leo,” he whispered softly. I could make out what he was saying due to our close proximity. “Doraemon!” Tears rolled down my cheeks as I gave tongue to that name. Although it had been days I'd not seen him, I felt as if it were for  decades. “What you doin' here?” I asked, but this being kept aside, he replied. “What happened? Did someone hurt you?”

I got off his grip, faking a smile and answered, “No, I'm beyond happy living here.” A pure lie fell off me. He let out a humourless chuckle, “Who are you fooling, me?”  Anybody could have easily read out just by looking at my face that I was hurt.

“Something inside me evoked saying you're hurt and I was so hell annoyed not talking to you. I came here to see you because I missed you, Laiha.” I didn't speak a word because I was afraid of getting vulnerable again. I lost my loved ones and I was afraid of losing him either. I can't lose him and at the same time I know what I'm doing is Haram.

“Something's wrong so let's go out and talk,” he said pulling me as I stopped there, not moving an inch.

“Nope, I can't”

“Laiha!” his voice slowly rose in seconds, “What's bothering you?”

“I can't come, Ayman. I'm scared of getting hurt, they'll hurt us if they see you here.” My eyes weren't potent enough to hold the tears and soon my eyes moistened and lips parched.

“Tell me who hurt you?” he said, “let's go inside and talk then.” He was about to step forward, “They won’t open the door,”  His eyebrows furrowed in bewilderment. I can't tell him the truth that I was sent out punished.

“Ayman, you may please go now.” I said, politely.

“No. I want to know what's happening here. Who put you out?” He continued, “I'm going to go in and do something about this.” He was determined and I know this stubborn Ayman wouldn't listen to me. I had to do something before he tries to barge in and create a mess. I kneeled down and hugged his legs, “Ayman, please don't. That could only hurt me more. They'll hurt me if they realise that you're my boyfriend. Please don't create a mess.” The great stubborn guy halted his moves. He bent down and tried to look into my eyes as I avoided his.

“Look into my eyes, Leo.” He whispered and I slowly lifted my eyes obeying.

“You know that I'm with you. Then who are you afraid of? Tell me who hurt you.”

He still doesn't know the seriousness of this. I simply slided it off and asked, “What happened? Did you see your result?”

He gave me a toothy grin, forgetting all the anger and stubbornness inside him and replied, “That's the reason why I flew back to India. You know that I had been trying to get into the medicine. Like your wish, I wrote the exam well and the result came and I did it. I really did it Laiha.” My eyes lit up in enthusiasm. I giggled like a kid and the next sentence wiped out the smile in my face. “I'm leaving this saturday to the States to start up my studies.” I didn't reply.

“What happened Laiha?” he said, “aren't you happy?”

“I'm more than happy.” My lies grow even higher. But deep inside, I wasn't happy about his decision.

“No, stop lying. I'd come all the way from the States to see you and inform  about this because I'd expected you to jump in excitement. You were the one who forced me to study medicine. You dreamt of seeing me as a doctor more than me but I drew insane when I found out that you left the orphanage.” Hw frowned.