“You love testing me, don’t you?” Forcing the lump in her throat, her feet froze to the ground, meeting his gaze fretfully. Moving, he growled in her ears, immersing her fright, defeated before his abrupt dominance, “I will show what happens when you overuse my leniency.” Gasping at his voice, she tried to move back back unfortunately behind her was nothing but the table, moving his free hand across, he secured it on the table, not removing his assertive orbs from her startled ones, “What happened now, hmm?” He hummed in low tone, invading her vicinity, pressed against the table, she felt powerless before. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” She whispered, holding the hem of her dress. “Yeah, of course, you never know yet you always manage to hit my nerves, don’t you?” He hissed, slamming his hand slightly, her very being shivered, shutting her eyes. Her heartbeats were raised immensely by his actions, unable to comprehend what happened to him, “P-Please, get away.” She stammered, incapable of meeting his ferocity. “Why would I? You wanted this, you wanted me to be near you, right? So here I am.” He mocked, putting his other hand on the table as well, utterly close to feel her breath lingering on his face, the distress gleaming in her eyes but he was blinded by wrath as well. “What will you do, hmm?” He asked in a low tone, contemplating her reactions. “I swear, I don’t know what you are talking about.” She whispered, slowly opening her eyes which were brimmed with tears, “Tell why the hell do you disobey me?!” He whisper-yelled, slamming his hand again, audible this time causing her to gasp, “When I told you that I didn’t want to teach, I don’t want anything to do with you then why your tiny brain cannot apprehend this little fact?” He growled, scolding her, not maintaining a distance, glaring at her. “Why do you keep finding reasons to hit my nerves? Why do you always do what infuriates me? When I have said I don’t want to be near you then don’t try to annihilate distances, Hoorain.” He hissed, uncared about the tear which rolled down her cheek in dejection, averting her gaze as her fear converted into ache. “I am warning you for the last time. Don’t test me again.” He warned, jaw clenched, pulling away slowly, scrutinizing her rather unforeseen reactions for him, “Understand?” He asked dominantly, moving back, resting his hands in his pocket, turning his head away coldly. Sniffling to not cry, she nodded, not meeting his gaze, “Don’t just nod, reply properly.” He ordered, voice lacking emotions anymore. “Yes.” She whispered, wiping the tears on her cheek. Disheartened as she didn’t know what was wrong she did. “Tsk, what a nuisance.” He scoffed, moving back, knowing he is stuck here. Gathering her courage, she cleared her vision and looked at him sorrowfully, “You don’t have to force yourself to teach me, I will convince Sir Kasim. I didn’t know you came without your will.” She said, twirling her fingers around her dress, biting her trembling lip. “You didn’t?” Narrowing his eyes, perplexity surrounded him, turning to her he came closer, “No.” She shook her head. “Don’t act, Hoorain. I told Haziqa to deliver my message, I told her to tell you to refuse yet you agreed.” He scolded, rage coming back thinking she was lying. Her eyes widened as she looked up into his stern orbs with her teary ones, “I didn’t know this. Haziqa told me nothing.” She replied as Zain’s eyes widened in disbelief, realizing he messed up badly by taking an unknown ire on her. “What?” He asked, hoping he heard her wrong but she gulped, “Yes. I don’t know what you are talking about.” She whispered, looking away, “Yes, I was happy that you were coming, I was truly elated but guess I was wrong. You were here without your consent… again.” She said in a low, dolorous tone, trying to control to not cry to display weakness in front of him but realizing his mistake, his eyes softened instantly. “Hoorain, I.. didn’t know. I thought she told you.” He said softly, taking a step closer but hugging her sides, she moved back with a hitched breath. “I am sorry, Hoorain. I should have asked first instead of taking action.” He breathed out, curling his hands in a fist, hoping to rectify his mistake. “No, it’s alright. From my records of actions, it wasn’t surprising that you thought it was me.” She chuckled dryly, aware of her actions which brought trouble and came as no astonishment that he didn’t believe in her. “But this time, you weren’t and it was my fault for acting mindlessly.” He said tenderly, taking a step closer, he knew he had to do something to fade her heartbreak instantly. Swallowing hard, he came closer and lifted her chin, staring intently into her flabbergasted eyes as he spoke in a low charming tone, “I am sorry, Hoorain for not placing faith.” She couldn’t believe what occurred, how beautifully his fingers latched to her skin, the intense contact manipulating her breath to move in his rhythm and forget everything else. “I-It’s okay.” She stuttered, trying to register how to react but he returned a feeble smile, moving back. “So, as for compensation, I will teach you. I will help you.” He said sincerely, moving away, she missed his warmth, his tenderness, intertwined to her felicity. “You don’t have to. You have work and your classes, you will barely get any time to relax.” She reasoned, not wanting him to exert himself. “It’s okay, I can make time for you.” He hummed, taking out his phone, using it. His once again, nonchalant sentence gave butterflies to her heart, making it thump rapidly with barely controllable sensations. “Besides, I don’t want people to call my fiancée a failure. I hope you are aware that I have always been the topper of my time. Since I am at the top, I won’t let you reach the bottom.” He teased, chuckling faintly. A scarlet shade appeared on her cheeks, hearing the talk leaving her at cloud-nine, smiling radiantly to herself, wallowing in the moment passing in his presence. Zain noticed she was still standing and called, “Why are you standing? Get your books, we have already wasted a lot of time.” He called. “Y-Yes, Sir.” She nodded quickly as they started their study session. During the session, she couldn’t help but to wander her gaze in his direction. How handsome. She thought. I wished I could cup those cheeks. She thought, scanning his form with a suppressed smile, tugging her hairs and going back to the book, treasuring this moment, getting lost in the beauty of it and then the most gratifying moment came, she saw he was wearing their wedding ring. “Do you get it?” He asked, pausing and turning to her. “No.. not this part.” She replied quickly. “Okay,” He sighed and explained to her again. “Do you get it now?” He asked, leaning back, “Yes.” She nodded. “Good.” He smiled faintly and checked the time. “I guess that’s it for today. See you tomorrow.” He said, rising from his seat to leave. “Um.. can I ask you something?” She called nervously. “Yeah?” He hummed. “Why are you wearing this?” She asked, pointing at his engagement ring. Furrowing his brow, he glanced at his ring and shrugged, “I kinda like this ring. I always wanted one.” He lied smoothly. “I see.” She nodded. “Hoorain-” The door knocked and Emraz entered and saw Zain there, narrowing his suspicion he completed his sentence, “Mama is calling you for tea..” “Me or us?” She asked again, glancing at Zain, “Oh, that explains why Mama said them.” He hummed, shrugging his shoulders, “So, how’s tuition?” He asked. “Is it that obvious?” Zain asked in perplexity. It could be any assumption, he was her fiancé, they could think anything but no. “Yup. Won’t gonna misjudge you again.” Emraz chuckled nervously, “I would have done the same for Isra.” He replied. “Anyways, I need to leave.” He said, taking his phone from the table. “Come on, at least have tea. Everyone is waiting for you.” Emraz offered, “Thanks, Emraz bhai but I need to leave for my classes as well.” He said, declining politely, “There is still time, a cup of tea won’t hurt. Come on.” Emraz smiled, patting his back, taking him with him. Hoorain followed them quietly as they talked with each other. “So.. is she going to pass or not?” Emraz asked, looking at Hoorain for a second, “She certainly will.” He chuckled. “I am not as bad as you think.” Hoorain argued, frowning. “Calm down, Dear. I am just asking.” He smiled sweetly. “For now you are, regain your senses and stop soiling my name.” Zain said casually. “Your name?” She asked. “The whole staff knows, you make one mistake and they take it out on me.” He muttered as they walked down the stairs. “I didn’t know that.” She said, feeling bad for her behavior now. “At least keep his name. Don’t spoil it.” Emraz teased but her frown deepened, “What’s with you, Bhai?” “Nothing, just filling in for Hoor and Rayan.” Emraz laughed a little, patting her head. “You don’t have to.” She mumbled, closing her arms at her chest, chuckling at her demeanor, they went to the dining hall. “Ah, how was it?” Hania asked. “Fine.” Hoorain sighed, taking a seat. Zain smiled at her from the corner of his eyes but shaking his head, he focused on his tea and left for his classes after tuition.