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Hi my sweeties!😃
There isn't much to write in the A/N so just...read and comment?!😃
Love!
CHAPTER 2
It was his third day back home. His parents had shifted here 3 years back while he was still in London. He missed the house he grew up in, but it had now been renovated to be used as a guest house.
He liked his locality, it seemed pretty posh and was clean and green dotted with large independent houses. His room faced their swimming pool on one side, and the other was east-facing, an issue he dealt with, every morning.
Today was no different, so Zain decided to at least make good use of the fact that he was now up at 6 A.M. And here he was, at the entrance of their community park, hoping to get some fresh air and sweat it out.
Though she faced restrictions in certain aspects, Aaliya had her schedule pretty much sorted. She would go for a jog early morning, come back by 7 to shower because his alarm went off at 7:30 and then follow it up with the daily chores.
She reached the park and checked her watch. 6:10 A.M. She was detangling her earplugs when a tap on the shoulder interrupted the annoying process.
Though she faced restrictions in certain aspects, Aaliya had her schedule pretty much sorted. She would go for a jog early morning, come back by 7 to shower because his alarm went off at 7:30 and then follow it up with the daily chores.
She reached the park and checked her watch. 6:10 A.M. She was detangling her earplugs when a tap on the shoulder interrupted the annoying process.
While Zain didn't harbour any feelings after the marriage fiasco, there was a hell lot of curiosity regarding her that he was unable to understand himself.
When he had asked his mom, the only information he got was that the couple had shifted 2 years back after marriage and were not very social, though Aaliya got along with most of the people quite well. He didn't probe further fearing a round of questions from mom hinting otherwise.
Recognizing her instantly, he didn't let the chance go.
When he had asked his mom, the only information he got was that the couple had shifted 2 years back after marriage and were not very social, though Aaliya got along with most of the people quite well. He didn't probe further fearing a round of questions from mom hinting otherwise.
Recognizing her instantly, he didn't let the chance go.
"Hey!"
"Hey!! Umm...Zain Abdullah, right?"
"Yep! The very same!"
Aaliya realized Suraiya Aunty had been blessed with extremely good looking sons, remembering her elder son Fahad's second marriage a cause of second heartbreak to a lot of girls. She took in his tad arrogant face, a smirk playing on his lips kind of making up for it.
"We aren't meant to shake hands ever or what?" He asked eyeing the mess of the two wires in her hands.
"We aren't meant to shake hands ever or what?" He asked eyeing the mess of the two wires in her hands.
She chuckled, looking at the same and then opened her palms indicating him to untangle.
He bent towards her and asked, "Would you need them?"
Aaliya blushed involuntarily as she pocketed them and they entered. Surprised at her own reaction to this new guy, Aaliya decided she would make small talk and then be on her way as soon as possible. And then, probably find a new park the next day. Or she could buy a jogger at home...she could come in the evenings...
Aaliya was hoping he would go after the initial 2 rounds of talking about his family, his life in London, what he had been doing here for 2 days. Boy, he talked a lot. "Met him for the first time properly today, and here is giving an interview for his biography..." He asked a hell lot of questions as well and she lied efficiently. Since he was in no mood to give up, Aaliya gave in for a day.
"So what is your jam like? Mine is more Afrojack and Metallica stuff. What about you?"
"Oh nothing special...whatever comes up in the playlist is good enough. I don't have time for trying out new things." Aaliya replied.
"Don't say that! There is always time for new stuff in life! In fact, it helps you discover more. Umm...What is your line of profession?"
"Well, I am not currently working but I have a degree in Finance, so..." she
"Well then, you have the perfect opportunity to try out new avenues for jobs! You could work from home...and in fact, the other day, my dad really wanted to appoint someone for supervising the Accounts department. I think, there have been a couple of mess-ups..."
"Okay! Hold the thought there! As much as I am thankful for the offer...I can't take it up" Aaliya cut him short.
"Can't? But why? You look like a smart nerd.."
"Oh please. I was never a nerd. I have other interests which are quite interesting." Aaliya said faking haughtiness.
Zain smiled. "Acha? Jaise...? Miss Nerdy Bunny?" he teased.
Aaliya's eyes widened. "Now why would you call me a bunny?!" Aaliya stopped in her tracks, her hands on her waist.
"Bunnies are small and cute. Suited you." He winked as he jogged ahead.
Aaliya hid a smile. It had been so long she had enjoyed this kind of attention or even talking to someone new.
"Well, whatever. You should be relieved to find that I like bunnies." She said, catching up to him.
Zain let out a laughter. "So bunny it is?"
Aaliya nodded at him smiling mischievously and suddenly yelled "First!" and ran. Zain, not quite ready for a competition fell behind a second or two before following suit.
"Yay!!!" She crashed onto the ground on her knees, motioning Zain to come next to her as he stood panting.
Zain looked at her. Even in this state, she was quite a beauty. But he couldn't avoid the constricted feeling he was getting, on realizing she hadn't said anything that would give away any signs of unhappy life. Maybe Aaliya and her husband were quite in love actually and Zain had just read the signs wrong. And read too much into it as well.
" Bunny hopped faster it seems, Mr Tortoise." Aaliya smirked.
"Next time, I will see you!" he clicked his fingers, faking a punch.
"Dream on. I was quite an athlete in school and college. Sports captain, thank you very much." She said pulling up her sleeves.
"That's nice! But...why do you not pursue anything of your interest now? Mom says you hardly socialize or come out..."
"You researched on me?" she tilted her head, cocking an eyebrow. Then, her expression suddenly changing to pretty grim, she replied "Umm...I got married." Not quite meeting his eyes now.
"So?" he probed.
"So...you know, it is not possible...umm...it becomes difficult to handle both responsibilities..." she mumbled, while capping the water bottle.
"I am not saying about working, but you can always pursue your hobbies...why in god's name is your hand so bruised and purple?!" he said reaching out for her hand as he noticed the bruises yet again.
Aaliya pulled back as if current had shot through her. "It's nothing! Kitchen mein kaam kartey waqt ho hee jaata hai" she swiftly rolled open her sleeves.
Then laughing nervously she added, "I am a very clumsy worker, heh"
Zain wasn't quite convinced. "Itna zyaada hai Aaliya, why don't you take care?" He pulled her hand back. Rolling up her hoodie sleeves, he felt the bruises lightly, with utmost care.
A weird sensation spread through Aaliya's body, warming her and her eyes welled up at the care bestowed by this stranger.
After a very long pause, she retrieved her hand.
"There is too much to handle already Zain." She said, smiling now, a very tired smile.
Then glancing at her watch, she jumped. "7!! Bye!" she quickly got up and ran. Yet again taken by surprise, he quickly called after her "Bye!"
Then glancing at her watch, she jumped. "7!! Bye!" she quickly got up and ran. Yet again taken by surprise, he quickly called after her "Bye!"
She waved without glancing back.
More confused than ever, Zain walked back to his own place as well.
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More confused than ever, Zain walked back to his own place as well.
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😳
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