The sounds of the clinking silver ware was enough to make Rahat's mind churn with silent annoyance as he ate his meal in silence. Normally, he would take his meals inside his room but because of the sliver of selfish desire which was tugging at his heart, he chose to instead join his sister for dinner. Stealthily, he sneaked a glanced at his surroundings hoping to see /her/ somewhere but to his dismay she was no where to be seen.
Foolish Rahat, he thought. Maybe if he had taken his meal in his room he would have meet her then because more than likely, she would have brought his meal to him. With absolute disappointment at his obvious mistake, he shoved a spoonful of rice into his mouth and chewed begrudgingly, annoyed at his own assassination of the opportunity to see her as well as the burning desire that was guiding his actions.
Why.. why did he feel this magnetic pull towards her? Why did he have to fight his own self to look away from her?
The inner turmoil raged on inside him, oblivious to everyone around him. With perfect indifference he took a sip of water before wiping his mouth with the cloth and standing- "I will retire to my room now." - he said simply.
"Wait Rahat.."- his sister said with a smile, holding out a bowl to him- "Don't you want to have some halwa?" - she asked but Rahat shook his head dismissively.
"No. I am quite satisfied with the meal that I had." -he said stiffly, again stealing a glance to the living room area.
"Oh come Rahat, have some. It's good to have a bit of dessert after your meal.." - his sister said, still holding out the bowl to him. With a sigh he lowered himself back onto the chair and took the bowl from her hands. After a moment of hesitation, he ate a spoonful of the halwa, expecting his taste buds to greet the familiar taste of his sister's cooking but something was different. He chewed slowly, lavishing the taste, the sweetness of the dish seemingly caressing his tongue, though a small frown played on his face.
"It... it tastes different.." - he said after a moment, his eyes never leaving the bowl- "Did you try something else?" -he asked curiously, looking at his sister. She shook her head, the smile fading from her face to be replaced with a hint of comtempt as her eyes rested on the bowl of halwa on the table- "You didn't like it Rahat? No I did not make it. That girl did. Haaya. This is the last time she will make anything for this dinner table..." -she muttered with distaste as she reached to remove the bowl from in front of Rahat.
Rahat held out his hand to stop her, his eyes flashing darkly before he looked away from her- "I did not say I disliked it. I simply asked if it was prepared by another hand for I noticed the difference." - he stood, much to his sister's surprise and picked up the bowl- "I will finish this in my room. Contrary to your beliefs, Munisar, I enjoyed the halwa. Excuse me.." - he muttered before walking swiftly to his room.
Twenty minutes later, he exited his room, the bowl of halwa completely finished, as he made his way to the kitchen- "Munisar" - he called out- "Munisar I---" - he stopped short when he noticed Haaya by the sink, washing the dishes, completely oblivious to his presence. His shoulders immediately stiffened and feeling of tension began to brew in the pit of his stomach as he glanced down at the dirty bowl in his hand. As he moved closer to her, Haaya noticed his reflection on the glass and she immediately turned around, gulping slightly when he paused a few feet away from her. She looked at him, a hint of nervousness clinging to her expression before she looked at the bowl in his hands.
"Haaya I..." - Rahat began, his eyes roaming her face in slight confusion as to why she was always so nervous around him. But he figured, his behaviour towards her in the past could only warrant such a reaction- "I wanted to"" - he looked down at the bowl and Haaya looked at him before stepping forward and holding out her wet hand for the bowl.. He gently placed the bowl in her hand and was about to continue speaking when she turned away and returned to the sink where she proceeded to wash the bowl.
"Wait Haaya ..." -he said with a sigh when he saw her washing the bowl. He moved to stand by her side and instinctively she moved a step away from him, her hands gripping the edge of the bowl in nervous tension as she dried it- "Haaya.." -he said quietly, looking at her face until she met his eyes- "I did not mean for you to wash it.." he said slowly, silently enjoying when she glanced at his lips to comprehend his words.
"The halwa.." - he said pointing to the bowl on the table- "Did you make it?"-he asked and Haaya frowned slightly before nodding slowly.
"Oh.." - Rahat said, his eyes lingering on her beautiful eyes as a momentary silence descended upon them- "I wanted some more.." -he said slowly - "It was... I enjoyed it."- he muttered, glancing away from her, once again feeling himself drawn to her by an irresistible force- "You know what I can take it on my own.." -he said looking back at her as he reached for the bowl in her hands.
Haaya looked at him for a moment before pointing to the bowl of halwa on the table then at herself. Without another word, she walked away from him and he looked on in silent observation as she filled the bowl with the sweet dish once more before returning to him. Shyly she held out the bowl for him and he took it, his fingers brushing hers unintentionally.
At the contact, Haaya quickly brought her hands to her side and looked away from him. When he took a step towards her, she glanced at him in confusion only to see him pause, a silent battle raging in his eyes before he wordlessly turned away from her and walked swiftly to his room.
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