7 Chapter 7/Expectations

I don't go straight inside the car, instead I wait for Aarib because why not? I've already made quite a few foolish mistakes this night. . .another one won't hurt.

After a few moments of me going through every scenario of Aarib being hurt, he finally blesses me with his presence and I release a HUGE breath, letting my eyes close for a second before focusing them on Aarib. Although the darkness makes it difficult to detect what mood he is in—his eyes still manage to penetrate through my soul.

"Has anyone ever told you what a big, idiotic fool you are?" he mutters, glaring at me. "Do you even know what time it is? It's literally ten, and I bet your parents' would've gone to the police station by now. Gah. You fool."

Uh—"Excuse me?" I bark out a humorless laugh in his face. "Maybe you shouldn't have stormed off from my house in the first place!" Why am I even bothering to put up with his issues? With a defeated sigh, I yank open the BMW's passenger seat and all but throw myself in, slamming the door shut. Literally, the whole car shook, a feeling of proudness filling me for being able to do that. Does he now see how strong I am?

Aarib doesn't hide his anger either. Appearing behind the wheel, he slams his palms on the steering wheel making me jump, and presses his forehead against the BMW logo on the wheel. I try to ignore how his knuckles are once again swollen and read, but I just. . .can't.

"Aarib. . .your hands—"

"Shut up. Okay? Just. . .just don't talk to me right now."

Hurt slams right into me like a ball thrown with full force. Sure, I don't expect love confessions and cute things to come from Aarib. . .but he could at least not say 'Shut up' and that also in the rudest way possible. I bite back the anger which I wanted to unleash on him with merely my words, knowing this would only end bad with hearts being broken. Though I doubt he even has one.

As the engine roars to life, I slump back in my seat and gaze out of the window. I was never meant to stumble in his life, yet I did. I should've run away from him that day in the restaurant, or gone to Mrs Adam in the first place that she switch my partners. I didn't do any of that. Now both of us suffered.

The familiar buildings from my neighborhood came in sight. The car which was being driven maniacally, now slowed to a snail's pace and stopped along the curb to my house.

I didn't waste a second before storming out of his stupid rich car. I didn't care how he'd return mine home, or what explanation I'd have to give to my family, because all I wanted was to be the furthest away from Aarib and the toxic air around him.

To my horror, I had completely forgotten to lock the door after leaving. How could I be so stupid!

My hand rests on the door handle while tears burn my eyes. What if someone was hiding inside, waiting for me to arrive? As far as I remembered, I didn't have any haters, but that did little to calm my erratic heart and the sound of blood pounding in my ears. My nerves grew frantic and panic surged inside me.

"What's wrong?"

I jump at the sound of him, my hand flying to my mouth to stifle the scream. I was so ingrained in guessing all the possibilities that I had not even heard him reaching me.

I gulp. "Nothing."

"Stop lying. Why aren't you going inside?"

I peek at him. "Why didn't you just leave?"

A shadow flickers over his features. "Without making sure you got in safely? Pardon me, but I think you have this special tendency to attract every sort of danger towards you."

My lips thin to form a straight line. "Turns out it only happens when I am in your presence." It's just so interesting how we both never manage to miss an opportunity to banter back and forth.

His lips curl into a dangerous, sinister smile. I hate that smile. It rips him off any real emotion he possesses. "Are you scared of me though? After all, you do know now that I have descended from a family of criminals. And speaking of, you can't tell anyone of it."

"I hadn't planned on," I confess truthfully. "Besides, I don't like to spread other people's personal information to anyone. And to answer your question, yes, you do scare me sometimes." I wonder if that is the truth.

His lips part in surprise as if he didn't expect this answer in a million years.

"It's not your anger or sudden temperamental issue that scare me," I explain further. I tilt my head and study him with a focused gaze. "It's how you manage to hide your true self behind a mask. . .your emotions that are always guarded by strong unbreakable walls is what scares me."

This time, he is not able to hide his shock. It's definitely a wonder, though. How much longer can he hide his emotions from the world? There will come a point on his life where everything that he's been trying to hold in will gush out of him like a never ending stream of water.

In the cool winter air, I begin shivering. But something tells me it's not because of the chilly breeze blowing in my face, rather it has to do with the way this callous, rude boy standing in front of me who cannot decide whether he wants to throttle me for saying the truth or hug me.

Maybe both?

"If I scare you so damn much, then why do you still let me near you?" he mutters.

I huff out an aggravated sigh. "I just can't with you. Go."

"You didn't ans—"

"Just go home, Aarib," I snap, anger all of a sudden seizing hold of me. "Perhaps you're right. I shouldn't try at all. I'll let you ruin your life further. Bye."

I don't glance at him as I slam the door shut at his face.

What do I do? What am I doing to myself by letting him get into my life? What is this about him that is just so alluring about him which doesn't let me pull away?

I press my back against the door and close my eyes, taking lung full of air. Thank God my family hasn't returned yet because if they got to know I was out interfering in MAFIA business, they would ground me forever.

The muffled voice of a car engine roaring causes my eyes to fly open in horror.

I was alone. Before arguing with Aarib, I should've asked him to check the house for me. Shoot! How could I be so forgetful? My temples throb with pain. Ugh. I could just run inside my room and lock it before going to sleep, because I surely can't defend myself when I can barely open my eyes—and these yawns appearing out of nowhere make me even more tired.

With a sour mood and heavy legs, I somehow manage to carry myself up to my stairs while managing not to trip.

Bang!

"Wake up! Why the hell is your door locked?"

Bang!

"HAYAAAAA!"

I stir in my sleep and let out a what could be called the loudest roar—louder than a lion's as my forehead creases. "Go away!" I yell at whoever it is that is trying to not let me have my beauty rest.

"Open the door, or I am going to break it," Azaan's voice echo's through the room, practically shaking the walls.

"ARGHH!" I groan and throw away the covers as I drag myself to the door, unlock it, and throw it open. "WHAT?" I growl like an animal ready to pounce on its prey.

Azaan's eyes narrow. "I have been banging your door for literally five minutes. Please don't tell me you don't remember it is your brother's Nikah today."

I had totally forgotten.

I nod with full enthusiasm, not bothering to cover my mouth as I yawn.

"Of course you forgot, you forgetful little thing," my brother mutters. "Now get ready because you have exactly an hour before the guests start arriving. And since this is not a Pakistani wedding, the guests would be on time."

I wave a dismissive hand, yawning again. Why am I literally so sleepy all the time? "Whatever. Go away."

He rolls his eyes but leaves me alone. Good bro.

Inside the room, I march to my closest and ruffle through my dresses, trying to find the one for today. As the peach silk appears in sight, a dreamy sigh escapes my lips—weird, I know, but this the dress I would be wearing on my wedding. Whenever that's going to be.

However, for now, I quickly pay a visit to the bathroom and throw on my pants and long embroidered shirt along with the silk scarf. When I am ready to turn heads, I descend the stairs and halt in my steps when I see who is blocking the front doorway.

Aarib—our eyes meet and the world slows down.