Originally posted by: bookworm123
Continued from page 1
Finally! They were done with the staff meeting. Asfand could feel Dr. Sheroze and Dr. Asfa's subtle but curious stares at him. He was probably even more brusque than his usual self this time.
Zubia was seated opposite him and looked at him blankly during the meeting as though everything was perfectly normal. He was not fooled anymore by her seemingly composed demeanor. Just an hour ago, she looked so fragile, ready to break. The memory of it made him clench his jaw, restless for some privacy so he could talk to her.
...
Zubia walked towards her room in the mess after her late evening shift. The grueling hospital routine which had been a blessed distraction till now no longer offered her it's protection. Waves of sadness enveloped her. Marriage to Dr. Asfandyar...her foolish heart leaped with joy when his mother proposed it but that feeling was quickly chased away by fear...it was do difficult to steel herself to walk away after making some excuses from their home, it felt more like home that her's ever had. Would she be able to return to it ever again?
If that was difficult, the conversation in his office was an even bigger ordeal. She should have kept her distance ever since that car ride, but he had become so attentive and caring towards her. He made her feel safe, cherished, desired..she was powerless to resist. She respected him so much, he was standing up for his long dead brother's respect and her brother could not be bothered to lift a finger for his little sister's respect,a sister who was alive and alone in this world. That thought once again highlighted the stark difference between them. No, they could never be together.
Lost in her thoughts, she did not notice that Asfand who was waiting at the end of the parking lot had been watching her. She was startled when he approached her and said "I will walk you home, we need to talk"
She was completely unprepared to face him in this state. She turned away and said "no, it's not far, it's not necessary" to which he replied firmly "yes, it's not but it's necessary".
Since she could not argue with him when he was in such a mood, she focused on calming her emotions, it was important for her to stay as emotionless as possible.
They walked in silence in the increasing darkness which came quickly to this beautiful mountainous region, the sound of birds the only sound punctuating it.
Suddenly he stopped and faced her.
"Zubia, what are your feelings for me?, he asked her in a clear voice. She sighed, she should have expected this directness from him, it was one of the things she admired about him.
Forcing herself to meet his eyes and speak in an even tone she said "I have a lot of respect for you and everyone in your family, I am sure you know that".
"Tell me you don't want to marry me", he said.
"I do not want to get married", she responded.
"I did not ask you whether you wanted to get married. Look me in the eye and tell me you do not want to marry me", he insisted.
"This conversation is making me uncomfortable", she said, hoping he would relent. "I am sorry but I need your answer", he said, not sounding sorry at all.
When she did not respond, he removed his glasses and looked at her intently. She tried to look away but could not.
"Zubia, I am sure you know how I feel about you. I don't know when exactly things changed between us but for quite some time now, I think about you all the time. I..I don't know if I admire you more or adore you more.."
When she gestured to stop him from continuing, he said "No, hear me out. I want to take care of you make you happy. I know my family and I will be very happy if you become part of our family"
She tried to hold them back, but her tears would not be held back at his honest words.
Taking her hand in his, he asked her "Zubia, what is it? Tell me, don't cry like this". She tried to tear her hand away from his grasp and move away from him to compose herself but he would let her. He held her hand gently, but firmly preventing her from leaving.
"Zubia, I know this is not one-sided, I know you care about me. You have to tell me what is bothering you"
"Please, I want to go. I don't want to discuss this anymore", she implored, tears falling freely now.
"Ok, ok, Don't cry". He released her hand, reached into his pocket for his handkerchief. "Here wipe your tears". After a pause in which she wiped her face with trembling fingers he said "Come on, I will drop you to your mess". When she tried to protest he said " I will not talk about this right now but I need to drop you home. I don't want you to walk alone in such a state"
They walked on in silence till they reached her gate. She moved forward to open the gate when he called out from behind her "Zubia". She looked up and their eyes met. "This conversation is not over. I am sure you know that"
Breaking their eye contact, she wordlessly opened her gate and walked ahead while he turned away and walked in the other direction.
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