LET ME HATE YOU

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Amaan clenched his fists, seeing a lone tear trailed over Asmaira's cheek. He hated seeing her in tears and realizing he was the reason behind it; he wanted nothing but to smack himself. The moment froze for both. His hand itched to hold her in his arms and console her, but knowing things were fragile between them, he had to rein himself in.

Asmaira, on the other hand, was stunned to see Amaan after a long absence. For a fleeting moment, the world around her ceased to exist. All she wanted was to rush into his embrace and beg him to silence the tormenting voices in her head. She wished, as she always did, that he would say the words she longed to hear and help her escape her inner turmoil.

She rose from the bed, on the verge of acting on her impulse, when Amaan misinterpreted her action. "Planning to run away, again?"

As if splashed by cold water, she came out of her trance.

'Shameless. Yearning for someone who belongs to your sister.'

Seeing her go in flight mode, Amaan's eyes flashed. Before she could run past him, he caught her and held on to her waist.

"No more running away."

"Please leave me."

Asmaira pushed him with all her might. His patience snapped, and he locked her arm behind her back before grabbing the nape of her neck, forcing her to look at him

"Enough! Fucking st—" he abruptly stopped when she flinched and closed her eyes at his raised voice. Seeing her go pale, he swallowed his anger and placed his forehead over hers, "Please. Stop running away from me."

She couldn't face him.

"Stop avoiding me, please," Amaan whispered.

"I'm a monster, I know. But I can't breathe. I swear I'll go mad if you won't look at me," he pleaded, and there was a glint of desperation in his eyes.

The desperation was melting her resolve. She became still in his hold, unconsiously gazing into his emerald iris that softened at her attention. The familiar warmth filled her, making it difficult for her to not nuzzle into his chest. The hand pushing his chest, flattened, feeling his erratic heartbeat.

"Aashi.."

I would never do anything to you otherwise. You are Raina's sister.

And just like that, she was brought out of her trance harshly when his words on that night rang in her mind. She can't mistake his care as something else. She was Raina's sister and Kabir's mother to him. And that is how their relationship should remain.

"K..Kabir is waiting, let me go," she struggled to get out of his grip, but failed.

Maybe she heard him wrong. Why will he call himself a monster? If anything, she is a monster. He should be despising her. He should be disgusted with her. Her breathing grew heavy, and her vision blurred, perhaps due to unshed tears. His big, warm hand reminded her of that fateful night. His firm grip over her neck flashed the memory of her first kiss. Her lips tingled abruptly with the remembrance of it.

'You are shameless. Poor Raina.'

The voice mocked, making her gag in self-loathing. Her struggle intensified, and she kept avoiding meeting his gaze. Having had enough of her reluctance, he grabbed her jaw, forcing her to look at him.

"Fucking at Look at me! I won't let you meet Kabir unless we talk."

Amaan thought that if he threatened her with Kabir, she would surrender. However, contrary to her assumption, it only intensified her body tremors, and her eyes widened in newfound fear. His attempt to make her talk backfired. Asmaira shrank, assuming her fear had come true, and panicked that she would lose Kabir as a result of her sin. Her breathing turned shallow.