TWO

THIRD PERSON'S POV

The sun rays tickled her face, providing her warmth in the middle of a chilly winter morning, but here she was standing, scrunching her nose towards the man who was holding on to his stubborn and defensive stance since last fifteen minutes, and now she was losing the bits of sanity watching the stubborn mule.

"Osama!!! How irritating you can be ?! Just tell me the limit you are going to torture me, because I am at my wits end." her voice faltered and she made it look like she was close to crying but the insolent, imprudent man was not even fazed by her.

If this would have been a normal situation he would have jumped into action and complied with her orders but now he couldn't.

Why would he ?!

All he saw was the clouds of storm hovering over his head promising destruction, death and misery....

"Of course! You would say that. Because you are not the one who is endangered. Meri jaan khatre mein hai and instead of sympathising with me, you are calling me irritating....." the childlike whine and wiping of the invisible tears was enough for Maria to roll her eyes at him and smack her head, regretting going with him.

(It is my life in danger...)

Of course! he would do that. Osama Ahwaan was incomplete without drama. It was like a breath of air without which he could not sustain.

"Maan gaya tumhari mohabbat ko, bewafa ho ek number ki." and he continued with his antics which Maria knew would last so long that it would drain all her energy and boy! He did not disappoint as he continued to vex her.

(I am in awe of your love, you are nothing but a big cheater.)

"Hmmm... To main bewafa hu ?!" questioning him she raised her eyebrow as if daring him to go against her and face the punch party he was going to be presented by his older brother.

(So, I am a cheater ?!)

It wasn't like she was going to bitch about him to Mustafa, but she would take a step back and stand quiet leaving him to deal alone with his brother, which was obviously a life risking situation to the jerk standing in front.

"h-haan...ho. You broke my little heart." he was courageous yet his voice faltered watching Maria smirk.

(Yes, you are.)

"Okay then. I am going in there alone and I won't interfere when Mustafa questions you for this!" passing a sly smile, she pointed him towards her injured knuckle which was bleeding and his breath hitched again for the umpteenth time.

Only If he was not dragging her in excitement to show her the Siberian cranes, the majestic migratory birds swimming and fishing in pond, she would not had stumbled down the rocky paved path... And when she fell down, all he could do was watch her cry.

He was horrified watching her knuckle bleed.... the fear of getting smacked by his brother grouped his heart, stilling him frozen in his place, knowing he won't be spared for sure.

That man did not tolerated even a small cut, then how would he react watching her bleed so deeply.

He would surely react like she had been murdered. So, it was necessary for him to convince his human shield and plead her to save him from the fury of his dragon brother.

"Are behen aap to bura maan gayi... You are my bestie! The best girl in the whole wide world." not wanting to annoy his human shield aka Maria, Osama grinned so sweety that Maria was sure she would get dibeties from his sickening smile.

(My dear sister you don't have to feel so bad.)

"Is that so ?"

"It was my fear speaking, okay ?! And you know it has no limits. Ab bhaai ne apna aura hi aisa create kara hua hai, ye bechara! masoom sa Osama, dar jata hai." he grumbled like a small child caught stealing candies admitting his fear in front of his bestie.

(Mustafa Bhai has such an aura that I! The most innocent! The most helpless man, feels terrified.)

"Then don't make him angry Osama. You know he is after you because of your idiotic acts and he is only concerned for you." he was always at Mustafa's radar because of his carelessness. The older brother of his always treated him like his child and made sure he was not doing something which would harm him.

As much as he loved spoiling the man-child who always behaved like he was on sugar rush, he kept him in line like a brother would do.

"Says the girl who never received the end of his punishments and long boring lectures." Osama rolled his eyes at her knowledgeable lecture. Of course she would say that! After all she was pampered by his brother the most. Even when he was the younger one he was given lesser love than her and that made him a teeny weeny jealous.

But he couldn't blame his brother, he would also choose his bestie when it would come to choosing between anyone and her. After all, she was his human shield.

No matter how much he annoyed her, at the end of the day they both had taken the duty to spoil each other and Mustafa had the duty to spoiled them.

"Remind me of the same things when you go running to him for gifts. I would love to enlighten him of your noble thoughts." Maria teased him watching him pout like a baby, his cheeks huffed in annoyance.

"Main chota bhaai hu unka. Mera haq hai Mustafa bhaai se farmaishein karna."

(I am his younger brother. And it's my right to demand gifts from Mustafa bhaai.)

"And that haq involves bitching about him as well ?" she bit her lip stopping herself from laughing out loud at his face, who looked like a guilty thief, caught stealing red handed.

"Haan! Haan! Madam ab aap guilt mein daal dein mujhe... I agree he is a little strict but loves me a lot." bhaai ki waqeel. with a huff he admitted, narrowing his eyes at Maria for putting him into a guilt trap, and all she could was chuckle softly at his childlike expressions. "Better."

(Yes, Yes! Now you are trying to make me feel guilty...)

"Ab asal mudde pe aate hai bestie. Tell me how are you going to save me from his wrath? He will definitely kill me." he bit his nails, feeling sweat beads forming on his forehead, while he thought of countless ways to survive the wrath of an older brother, but none of his plans made it to the execution desk of his genius brain.

(Now, let's come to the main issue, bestie.)

Maria was there to save the day for him but at a price. "He won't. I promise you. Main hoon na.... You just follow my instructions. Aur dimaag khol ke sun lo Osama. Just stick to my side, and DON'T YOU DARE open your mouth when I am talking with him." she knew No! She was sure, that things would go out of her jurisdiction if Osama open his mouth.

(I am here.... Open your brain and listen to me carefully.)

That man had the talent to enrage people.

And angering an already infuriated Mustafa would definitely seal Osama's death warrant which even she could not reverse.

"Haww... Par--" he pouted with an offended face but Maria was quick to shut him up and he quaked like a leaf, imagining his injured face dancing in front of his eyes. "Tum muh khologe and everything will finish. It would be chaotic!!" and your END. Maria felt so bad for scaring him with the truth, but tried damaging control as she consoled him.

(But...)

(Once you open your mouth..)

"Don't worry yaar! You won't be harmed. Just keep that dragging part to yourself and stand behind me without uttering a word. Baki main Mustafa ko handle kar lungi."

(I'll handle Mustafa.)

"Of course you will. Meri chalak lomdi! You make me so proud." her words worked like magic and the fear budding inside Osama which was ready to deliver a depressed baby as expected! miraculously birthed a happy baby... It was like a swap of babies in movies, but here it was his emotions which swapped within mere seconds of her speech.

(My clever fox.)

"Osama!" Allah iske drame! He never abandons his inner joker no matter what situation he is in. Maria groaned as he grinned proudly at her taking all the balayein befalling her, like a proud mama.

He was about to kiss her cheeks and wipe his fake 'proud mama tears' as a next step to cheer her, but she was quick to smack his shoulder and glare at him to get serious.

Before she got the chance to shut him off and ask him to get into the character of the most innocent being in the world, they got startled by Mustafa who came to check upon the backdoor of kitchen hearing sounds, while he was drinking water.

He faced the duo, and in a second he knew something was off by Osama's ashen-like face, and a look at his trembling hands confirmed his doubts.

"What did he do now ?" with a serious stare, he turned towards Maria who looked like a deer caught in headlights. Feeling speechless she gaped, her eyes turning wide like saucers making Mustafa narrow eyes at her. "Speak up."

"B-bhaai. M-maine kuch n-nahi kiya I-i s-swear..." it took few seconds for Maria to gather her senses but it was already late. Osama had opened his mouth and given a stellar performance of stuttering in front of Mustafa. Itni bekar acting ke liye isko Oscar milna chahiye of world's worst actor!

(Bhai! I am not responsible for anything.)

"There is no use of lying because I know you definitely did something. But the question is what did you do ?" Mustafa questioned again, and this time his eyes were focused over Osama who had his breaths caught in his throat ready to pass out. He looked as if he had seen real life Medusa.

And he would have passed out, if not for Maria who quickly came in front and pushed him behind her small form to fulfill her promise of safeguarding him.

"Mustafa--" she held Mustafa's arm in order to cool him down, her eyes darting towards Osama signalling him to leave before the storm, but he seemed to be rooted over his spot, eyes stuck upon his older brother.

"Did this fear have to do something with you--?" as soon as realisation dawned upon him, he took steps towards his brother to confront him face to face but Maria was quick to push Osama backwards and stand between them like a wall.

"Bhaai--" Osama gulped, watching the temple vein of his older brother tick like a bomb ready to blow his heart. He was so thankful to Maria who had caged his brother's hands, grasping him, and keeping him from charging off.

She wasn't physically strong enough to hold him out, but she had the power to stop him, to abate his actions from moving further until she wanted.

"OSAMA! DON'T YOU DARE INFURIATE ME MORE THAN I ALREADY AM. WARNA KHUDA KI KASAM AAJ YAHI KAYAMAT KHADI KAR DUNGA! JITNA POOCHA HAI USKA JAWAB DO!!" Mustafa warned, watching Maria wincing at his warning, her eyes closing in accord with his loud tone. Her reaction caused Mustafa to instantly tone down his anger and squeeze her hand softly.

(If you don't answer me now, I swear on God, it would be doomsday I'll be bringing upon you.)

In order to calm her innocent form, he dragged his fingers and ran small circles over the back of her tiny hand, the same hand which had imprisoned his both.. tightly in her hold. It was a silent gesture of an apology from his side, guilty for scaring her.

Smiling at his affection she opened her mouth to speak, and saw it as the perfect opportunity to resolve Osama's issue, but then again the said man had to beat her up from speaking first.

"It is not my fault that she got injured, it's just that we were--" Maria groaned as she literally held herself from smacking Osama herself. One thing! She had asked him to do one thing, but that stupid man had to open his mouth and ruin everything.

And not only did he open his mouth but instead of pacifying Mustafa, he spoke utter nonsense.

He shot himself in the foot. Ab to Allah hi Malik hai iska!

"DIDN'T I TOLD YOU TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES ? One day you both go out and she comes back with an injury. Kamal ki baat hai dono mein se ek ko chot lagi hai. How come you are unharmed ? Jaisi harkatein hai apki us hisaab se to apko bhi do chaar chotien lagni chahiye thi!" his eyes flared with anger while he taunted Osama, reminding how big trouble magnet he was, the one who could cause more damage if not put in check.

(It's a miracle that one of you got harmed. I am surprised that you are unharmed because from where I know, you should also have come with three four injuries.)

"But she is the older one. She should be the one to take care of both of us. Main aakhir chota hu--" feeling offended, Osama whined like a baby who thought he could get away from his mistakes by whining and crying. His words made Maria gasp in betrayal, and she narrowed eyes at him for blaming everything on her so smoothly.

(I am the younger one..)

One word from her and he would be beaten black and blue, but still that man had the audacity to--

God!! Her eyes widened watching Mustafa hold Osama's ear above her head.

Talk about her being a shorty.

"Mustafa! Stop! I said stop!!" holding his hand over her head she pleaded him to leave Osama, wincing in pain as Mustafa tried holding her back from her other hand which was injured.

Her painful gasp was enough for Mustafa to leave his brother and look down towards her, watching her eyes well up from pain.

"Osama jao yaha se!" leave if you don't want to get smacked, idiot! Jo bola tha wo isse hota hi nahi hai and he expects me to save him when he can't control his das gaz lambi zubaan...

(Osama! leave..)

mumbling softly, she glared at him asking him to leave and save his life, mumbling profanities in his praise inside her mind, feeling already tired with the tug of war between the brothers.

It had always been like that.... She being the refree to their WWE fights... Well the fight where Osama was always the permanent loser.

"Thank-you for saving my life my knight shining in armour!" not wasting a second Osama left with a grin, not sparing a glance to his brother, making her roll her eyes in pain. That man was back to his cheery self with his life spared from dragon.

That man had a list of useless and countless nicknames for everyone and that too for every occasion.

"Show it to me!" Mustafa questioned watching Osama's retreating back. He did not even give her a chance to react as he was fast enough to pull her hand and started inspecting it, his face marring into a frown noting her bloodied knuckle.

"God! You are so careless, Maria. Har dusre din koi chot laga leti ho." Maria bit her lip at his scolding, staying silent. She knew he was being over sensitive and exaggeratimg about her wounding herself everyday....but that was what he had always had been like, and no amount of explanation would waver his thought of her being careless.

(You always come up with some new wound every other day.)

Also, she would get scolded bad if she tried to oppose him... She had the freedom to do anything in the world and he would always be by her side, but a scratch on her and he would draw a line... So, it was better to stay silent and get admonished a little.

She knew he was watching her. The steely gaze of his was fixated over her form, making her shiver like always and she closed her eyes, unable to look into his. "I am so sorry for always troubling you." her voice was low, like a gentle whisper, the troubled look on his face screamed how concerned he was for her, and she wasn't able to look in his eyes anymore.

It hurt to see him hurt because of her.

"DON'T YOU DARE SAY THAT EVER! YOU CAN NEVER TROUBLE ME.." she let out a tender gasp and her eyes widened as he pulled her chin up, her eyes flickering over his jaw that was set hard just like as his eyes. He was affronted with her words....

Maria could swear she would have run for hills fearing his steely gaze, the same gaze which has always been tender and soft for her....was now scaring her for the words she just uttered.

Why was he feeling so offended ?

Did he harbor any feelings for--

No it was not possible!

Yes! He had always been gentle, protective towards her maybe fond of her, but there was no spark of something else....

Something which she herself was afraid to admit, hence locking it in the depths of her heart.

And friendship was much better!

Love would destroy their beautiful bond.

"Aise kyu dekh rahi ho ? Hmm bolo ?!" mistaking her gasp, he thought she was offended by his words, His nose flickered in anger and his jaw turned painfully hard, panicking Maria who stood there dumbfounded by his changing mood.

(Why are you looking at me like that ? Tell me?!)

"Don't you dare think I said something wrong!" He schooled her, feeling a tinge pain inside his heart. Did he had no right over her ?! Was he not allowed to look out for her ?

"But I never said anything. Aap khamakha kyu daat rahe hai ? Maine to ek lafz bhi nahi kaha apko!" Maria pouted her lips hurting out like a child ready to throw tantrums, courtesy of her favourite human scolding her.

(Why are you scolding me for nothing? I never said anything to you!)

Her actions drew a chuckle from Mustafa whose eyes softened in a second and he laughed, pinching her cheeks, earning a glare from her. The pain brewing inside his heart curing instantly, like it never existed.

"Aur aap keh bhi nahi sakti..." he boasted proudly, but he knew the dynamics too well.

(And you have no right to do that..)

She was the one who possessed more power.

"And I never wanted to scold you. But you looked like I offended you....And even if I did then it doesn't matter. Mera haq hai ye."

(It's my right.)

"Mujhe daatne ka haq ?" Maria teased, trying to make a serious poker like face but Mustafa was quick to catch her eyes.

(You mean the right to scold me ?!)

"Yes, when you harm yourself I'll definitely scold you." Maria tried to argue that she never harmed herself, but stopped as he continued.

"--Aur waise bhi mere alawa ye kar kaun kar sakta hai?! Is there anyone in this world who can handle my little birdie like I do ? Hmm ?!" There!! He flickered her heart with tons of butterflies again but she just passed him a soft smile, knowing there was only friendship he felt for her, it had always been like that.

(And who else can do that other than me ?)

"Nahi. Mere nakhre sirf aap hi jhel sakte hai." her words made him smile wide, the one which would make anyone think he achieved some big accomplishment, but she did not pay heed to it, or maybe compelled her heart to ignore it and focused over the antiseptic gel he had started to rub over her wound.

(No! You are the only one who can tolerate my tantrums.)

Blowing a few breaths over it he winced like it was a hell big wound he was operating. Maria chuckled at the man sitting in front of her.

Who would say he was the famous Doctor Mustafa Ahwaan ?!

"Itni badi chot nahi hai ye Mustafa, and this is not the first time you are doing this. Apko yaad to hai na ke aap ek doctor hai ?!" the burn on her skin did not stop her from teasing him, she tried to lighten up the atmosphere.

(It's not a big wound, Mustafa. You remember you are a doctor?!)

"I remember that very well, but I will always be weak when it comes to you. Tumhari har takleef, har chot pe, main aise hi react karunga jaisa abhi kar raha hoon... And you missy are in no condition to question me or make fun of me for this." The mirth of impishness vanished from her eyes, leaving her spellbound once again in his presence.

(Every pain, every wound of yours would make me react just like I am reacting now.)

He pulled her in like the tides against the moon enchanting her into his spell, the spell which had her captured, preparing for her to surrender.

Maybe she already did.

"Nahi karungi."

(I won't.)

How wrong she was ?! For each and every word of his would come to haunt her.

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