A Tale of Hearts

Chapter Two

Kamran's POV:

"Kam...ran? That is too difficult to say." Anushay looked deep in thought as she put her hand on my head and pet me. Her small body seemed so delicate. I wanted to protect her. "I am just going to call you Sher!"

"Sher?" I looked at her confused, not minding the hand on my head. It was calming. She nodded happily as she held my face with both her small hands and pulled it towards herself so that our faces were only inches apart.

"Yeah! Because you look like one. A lion. With your fluffy hair and scary eyes!" She grinned at me, one of her front tooth was chipped but it looked adorable on her face. "Come on! Let's go to the sea!" She grabbed my hand and started dragging me in a random direction.

"It's late already. How about we go tomorrow?" I caused her to halt as she looked at me confused while tilting her head. She really was adorable when she did that. It actually wasn't late but I had wanted her wound to heal sooner. I felt guilt pull at me when I saw the bandage on her wrist.

"Tomorrow? Do you promise?" Her big bright eyes stared into my soul. They were drawing me in.

"Yes, yes, I promise." I held unto her hand.

"Yay! You are best, Sher. My Sher!" Anushay grinned at me again but her face started to fade away. Ah, fuck, this was another dream huh? Another memory from the past? I have been getting a lot of these dreams lately. If only back then I had taken her to the sea when she asked for it, maybe things would have been different. As her face disappeared into the darkness, I opened my eyes to see Fahad on the driving seat.

"You are up? We are here." Fahad grinned as he pointed his thumb to the front side. We were in front of Rubab's house?

Rubab's POV:

"And this one is called Faizan. Yes, he really has grey eyes. His stare makes you uncomfortable but he has a really soothing aura around him. He is one year my senior in Law school." Zoya zoomed into his face and handed me the phone so I could have a closer look. He wasn't that bad. His eyes really did make you uncomfortable though.

"Um, no." I replied to which Zoya lightened up and swiped the phone screen to show me another guy.

"Not your type? Oh well, check this one out. His name is Haider. He is on his way to becoming a chartered accountant. Isn't he hot? When he flexes his arms, you just want to-" Zoya was cut off when the house doorbell rang. It was just the two of us and Sohail who were home since Ammi Abbu had gone to some wedding.

"It's the pizza delivery guy." I looked at the clock on the wall and then got up from the bed, putting Zoya's phone on the pillow. It was about time for him to come. It had been around 30 minute since I ordered. I picked up my wallet from the side table before casting Zoya a glance. "I will be right back."

"Want me to tag along?" Zoya offered but I shook my head. All I had to do was fetch the pizza and come back.

"Nah, it will hardly take a minute. Sohail is sleeping so I will just get it myself." With that, I left the room. I peeked into Sohail's room and he was really sound asleep. He must have been tired, he had back to back exams till late afternoon.

I took a step out of the wooden door and walked towards the main metal gate. There was a sound of clang and then I unlocked the door. My heart nearly stopped when I saw Fahad on the other side of the door, a grin on his face like a Cheshire cat. On reflex, I decided to close the door on his face but he stopped me almost immediately by placing a hand on the gate, the veins in his arm tightening. Not only the veins but I noticed the scratches on his arm too. What did he do to get hurt like that?

It was none of your business, Rubab. He can jump in a ditch for all you care. My inner voice spoke and I agreed with it completely.

"What's the rush, Rubab?" The way he called me sent a shiver down my spine. Ignore it. "Pretend or not, I am still your lover. Is this any way to treat me?" He leaned forward causing me to take a step back. I gripped the door handle tightly. I really didn't want him here.