FOUR

He felt annoyed and grumpy the whole day, courtesy of fighting with his most favourite person... His heart was not at peace, nor was it letting anyone work in peace.

Mustafa Ahwaan had been flaring and glaring time to time at the hospital staff for the minutest work. Seeing him on the edge, his staff warded off his gaze.

The same fate was of his office employees as he did a daily visit in the evening and now they were the ones facing his wrath. He looked like the incarnation of the devil sitting behind the mahogany table barking orders.

"Eat almonds to sharpen your memory Suraj. I asked you to get the file of Khurana builders not Malik! Ek file boli thi lane ko par nahi ek kaam dhang se nahi hota!" clenching his jaws, Mustafa hissed hitting the file hard on the table, controlling the urge to hit his fist against it.

(I asked you to get one file but you don't know how to do one single task.)

He could never imagine a person affecting him so much.

"Don't know how Hassan handles your incompetence. I believe I should visit here more often. Hassan is being too lenient with you all." His assistant who was standing before him gulped in fear, watching his eyes burn with anger.

"Are you waiting for my formal invitation to bring that file ?!" he again fired, digging daggers to the poor man who immediately shook his head.

Not wanting to anger his boss more he rushed to grab the files like his pants caught fire, his heart praying for the younger Ahwaan to arrive sooner from the business trip.

At least he would be less dominating and intimidating to the staff.... Maybe more sparing.

The senior one was only making their life difficult. And it wasn't wrong. Handling an angry Mustafa Ahwaan was not everyone's cup of tea...well, except for one person.

With their heartfelt prayers the day finally came to an end, so did their misery as they watched their boss leaving the office building.

What a pretty sight it was....

But fate was not kind to everyone, or say it was being too harsh on Mustafa Ahwaan!

As soon as he entered home, he was blessed with sounds of bickering. His lips stretched automatically knowing the person behind the contagious voice... It was enough to spread peace inside the anguished heart of his.

"Appi no!"

"Yes Maria!"

"I don't want to."

"At least try it and then complain!"

"How can I ?! It's blueberry."

It looked like they were bickering about something related to food where his younger sister was persuading Maria who was not complying with her demands. With her whines he was sure she was pouting like a baby as always.

Oh how soothing their voices were to his heart, just like the balm to his injuries. He was sure of the peaceful sleep he would be blessed with after a whole torturous day.

It was as if his legs were on auto pilot mode, he turned towards the kitchen area where his sister and Maria were, but all came to halt when he saw the scene unfolding in front of him.

Azhar was hovering over Maria while his younger sister Aamina was standing behind her. He was holding a plate with a piece of blueberry cheesecake which he was trying to feed her.

Mustafa saw red watching them so close. That man was invading her personal space and she was not even affected by it. That silly girl was more concerned about the flavour of cheesecake.

Before he could walk and pull that leech of man away he saw him leaning his hand towards Maria smiling wickedly, as he fed her a full spoon of the cheesecake.

"Now ?!" all her protests were ignored as both Aamina and Azhar smiled, watching her expressions change. They were too excited for the reaction overlooking the presence of another person there.

Well it was good not like she had imagined but before she chewed the piece and answered them, a loud voice made her jump, her face turning ashen watching the man standing in front of them.

"WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING HERE ?" Mustafa roared like a lion he was, not wanting to entertain anyone, warning them of his bad temper which could be easily felt away from miles.

Azhar and Aamina exchanged clueless glances but Maria was well aware of his eyes. They were set upon her, stalking her like prey he was ready to devour. Her widened as she watched his angry browns trained upon her.

Osama was so right when he said his brother looked like a ferocious dragon breathing fire, and she was sure she could put a stamp on those golden words now.

Breath caught in her throat heart thudding crazily, she watched him take slow predatory steps towards her. His eyes were ravenous, full on attacking mode as they never left hers for a second.

That time she knew she was doomed.

She felt timid like a doe, terror so high that she forgot she still had to chew the piece of the cheesecake Azhar forcefully fed her, and by the time she realised it, she had already choked on it.

Her violent coughs were enough for Mustafa to snap out of his beast mode, and in a second he was by her side rubbing her back. "Are you okay ?" he quipped with concern as took hold of her chin, wincing at the sight of her face, which was now deep red with coughing.

"I am sorry. I just wanted you to try this cake, it is my favourite, I thought you would like it as well." Azhar mumbled a quick apology, his eyes reflecting guilt. He smirked viciously when no one noticed, something he knew he did deliberately to piss off Mustafa.

He knew how Mustafa was protective of Maria and disliked him or any other man near her but how could he let go of the golden opportunity to tease him. And by the looks of him, he knew he pissed him off for sure.

"She clearly doesn't have the same choice as yours. We all just witnessed how much she liked it." Mustafa replied sarcastically, a bone chilling glare set on his target. He was one step away from punching Azhar knowing his scheme well.

He was trying hard to impress Maria. But would it work ?! Never in his wildest dreams.

"--And you!" his gaze was now turned towards the woman in his arms who was taking deep breaths recovering from the after effects of coughing so wildly.

His words alerted her and she looked up, freezing to her spot finding his eyes trailing on her, caging hers orbs as his captive.

"Bhaai. It's not her fault." she wasn't able to look away even when she heard Aamina in the background.

That was the power Mustafa Ahwaan held over her. His gaze was so strong and engaging, encompassing all things.

"Aamina did she ask you to advocate for her ? And I am just talking with her. You both may leave." without breaking their eye contact Mustafa shut his sister who sighed knowing there was no way she could stop her brother.

"Okay. As you say." Passing a sympathy look to Maria, she walked out silently pulling Azhar along with her. She knew Maria was awaiting her first ever scolding from her brother. She was sure by his looks. But the man cared so much for her that he couldn't watch her choking on her breath.

She knew there was no way Maria would need her help. That girl could single-handedly handle her brother.

Especially his temper. Something she couldn't, just like her siblings.

"Maria--" she knew that look. It was of uncertainty and of disdain like she had committed some crime.

It hurt her. The accusation in his eyes hurt her like no other. Did he take her to be such a low character girl ?!

Wasn't he supposed to be the one who knew her all in and out ?

"Do you have anything important to say ?" keeping her emotions at bay she cut him off and passed him a blank look. Well if he was going to accuse her she was ready to fight him off.

Love could go hell when it was her self respect which was at stake.

"Something important?! You are seriously asking me that." his blood boiled at her behaviour. It was as if he was blind and had not seen what just happened a few moments ago.

When was she going to understand that man was not good for her and she should maintain distance from him. It was better she should run hills in his presence. But no that woman was not ready to listen to him and defy everything he said.

"Yes, I am. Tell me what's bothering you." Maria replied, her voice calm opposite to the chaos Mustafa was holding, It was as if one snap and he was ready for destruction, to perish everything on his way.

And the patience he was holding finally snapped when she opened her mouth.

“Tell me, what wrong did you see that you are screaming like this ?”

He acknowledged her words with a condescending sneer as he clapped loudly. "Wow! You are acting all nonchalant. I am all impressed, Maria." his words were full of mockery but went searing through her fragile heart.

"I aim to please. Now if you just excuse me!" pushing him, she faked a smile, desperate to move out, of his way and his hurtful words.

He was angry and so was she. And anger would destroy everything.

But Mustafa Ahwaan was not ready to leave, not yet. Not when his questions were left unanswered.

He wanted to know the truth behind everything. He wanted to be sure about her feelings for Azhar. He didn't know why, but he knew his heart was desperate for it. It was as if his breaths were dependent on her answer.

"You aren't! I won't let you leave, not until you tell me what's going on!" She was pulled back in his strong hold only to be trapped between him and the slab of the kitchen.

She let out a small gasp when his fingers brushed her waist, holding the counter. She was totally clueless if that was deliberate or totally innocent.

But one thing was for sure.... Mustafa Ahwaan had trapped her in his smoldering gaze, and that was totally unsettling for her. It had made her feel fuzzy and warm inside her belly.

She was infuriated with herself for her reaction. How could her feelings for him overpower the accusation he was putting on her ?!

It frustrated her so much, and to the extent that she screamed at Mustafa who was taken aback at her voice.

"THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON!" Her words held truth and sincerity.

"Then what was what I just saw ?" He again questioned. No matter what, he was just not able to let go of the picture which was stuck in his head, and that was them standing closer.

He knew she was losing her mind but so was he. His heart needed assurance and that could only be given by her.

"I have no idea what your eyes perceived. So you tell me, what did you saw ?!" She could tell he was not liking her counter questions but she had no plans to clear his mind.

Let him think what he wanted.

Mustafa did not trust her, and It was useless to give him any explanation when he was blinded by rage and his eyes.

He should have known better.

He should have believed her.

"Is there something going on between you two ?" His tone was uncertain because of the truth in her eyes but he still spoke his mind, something which was troubling him. A lot.

But Maria did not deny anything instead she laughed. She laughed as he crushed her expectations at her stupid heart for thinking he would trust her.

"Aapko kya lagta hai ?" She teased with a blank look, not letting the emotion of her heart transparent to him. Her heart, which shattered into millions of pieces.

(What do you think ?)

This man could believe something which was a lie, but he was blind to the truth.

Couldn't he see her eyes ? Her eyes which had always been filled with love, for him.

"Maria!” her behaviour scared him. Her eyes were so hollow that he jerked her close. There was fear in his heart, the fear of losing her.

He did not know why, but he pulled her close, too much closer than they ever had ever been...and then he inhaled her in, Like she was his only need, the sole reason for his survival.

"Tell me, what do you think ?" But he was jerked away the next second deprived of her scent, of his solace, like the thirsty wanderer in the desert.

"He was standing so close to you. Kis haq se--" he started off, the fear of losing his only light to that jerk. No! He couldn't lose her. He wanted her to comfort him to tell him, he was her priority but she was in no mood of mercy.

"You are also standing close to me....No! Let me rephrase it! You are not only standing close to me but you are also holding me." Her words were a slap of reality to his face as he caught in the sight of two of them standing too close, too close for anyone to assume anything just like he did.... For a second his mind wandered off to her words, but her next sentence was enough to add fuel to his fire. "--Now tell me aap kis haq se mere itne kareeb hai ?"

(Tell me what right do you have to be this close to me ?)

All he thought, No! He knew she was questioning him for that man. The man who liked her.... Was she considering him ? Had she taken account of his actions and considered him ? Was she preferring Azhar over him ?! Mustafa Ahwaan!

She is not wrong. You are just her friend but he is the man she might consider as a prospective groo--

He did not let his conscience complete it's thoughts and screamed, his eyes looking all red and devastated.

"YOU. ARE. QUESTIONING. ME ?!" He did not knew why but her words hurt him. They went directly to his heart.

He thought he was her best friend. The man who held number one position in her life. Was she letting go of him ? Did he lose his place in her life ? In her heart ?!

"And you are questioning my character..." She sobbed a small tear leaking out of her eye. No matter how much her heart yearned for him she couldn't let go of the fact that he was joining her name with Azhar.

She had said she did not liked him, did her words not matter to him ?!

Mustafa’s hand trembled as they reached out towards her cheeks, wiping off the tear even when his mind warned him. He was no one to touch her or be close to her... But he wasn't able to control himself. He never had been, when it was about her.

His heart was a rogue when it came to her. His little bidie.

He just couldn't see her in pain.... He could never!

"You know you have hurt me with those words, Maria." He said, his voice barely a whisper.

She had hurt him...

But so did he.

She was well aware of his pain but was blind to her's but she would not be the one to tell him that.

She would keep quiet to her pain.

If he wanted to understand her, he had to read her eyes which he always had.

"I am well aware, Mustafa." She whispered, admitting her wrong, her words made him take a step back from her.

It was when he knew he had to let go of his little birdie. She wasn't his anymore.

A disease named love had trapped her.

And it was true. She was trapped in love.... But it was not Azhar’s, it was his love which had shackled her.

Only if he had seen it properly.

"Fine....I won't interfere in your life anymore. You can do whatever you want. Be with whomsoever your heart heart desires... Even if it is him."

Tears trailed down her cheeks as she chuckled at the sight of him turning on his heels, leaving her all alone.

He was so wrong.

She could not have what her heart desired.

Not this time.

It was yearning for a man who was Unrequited for her... The same man who just left her shattered and broken with his words.