"So what? You will leave the job after your degree." Her tone was desperate, “It’s not like you are going to work here as a teacher always nor I will study forever. It’s not even a reason.” She said hopelessly, thinking he would understand but to no avail, "Listen Hoorain, stop this nonsense." He breathed out, trying to maintain his posture. "You can't call my emotions nonsense!" She shouted. "Shh. Someone will listen." He hissed. Exhaling deeply, he shook his head, utterly disheartened at her, "Listen, I feel nothing for you. I don't know what hit your head but you better forget what you have said. You and I have no comparison and I don't want this thing coming to your lips again. Understood?" He ordered. "But-" "And if this keeps going on then I am going straight to your parents and tell them about your damn audacity to even think romantically about your teacher." He threatened, taking a step closer. “I am repeating it for the last time so you could engrave it in your mind.” His tone came out stone-cold, hands resting in his pocket, standing right in front of her, speaking his next words harshly, shattering her heart, “I feel nothing for you.” A tear rolled down her cheek, chest constricted with knitted agony, “You understand?” He whispered in a dominant tone. Sniffing, she nodded, “Yes…” Startled at his anger, she took a step back, lowering her head in shame, "I am sorry." She was almost crying and his eyes softened for a second, exhaling in disappointment. "You have your whole life ahead of you, Hoorain. Don't waste it, this demeanor will lead you nowhere. I am sure you will find someone much better than me. Focus on your life rather than involving in something which will only hurt you. Do you understand?" He tried to advise her, calming down a bit. "Yes... Sir." A weak reply came with a tear rolling down but she wiped it quickly. "Good. Now go and don't talk about this matter ever again." He said softly, shaking his head in approval. “Okay?” “Yes.” She nodded, gulping her heartache, wiping her eyes and went back to her class. “What happened to you?" Haziqa asked, noticing the moisture in her eyes, rendering her unable to lift her head. "I am fine." She spoke inaudibly as they walked down the corridor. "Are you sure? You don't look fine." Haziqa asked again, concerned about her friend. "Haziqa..." Her steps halted, swallowing hard, lifting her teary gaze. "What happened, Hoorain?" She asked softly and being unable to take more of it, she ended up sobbing, hugging her instantly, letting out the torment stacking her chest in the form of raze. "H-Hoorain? W-What happened?" She asked, panicking a little but she continued to cry, hugging her friend, letting out the heartbreak imprisoning her feelings to desperation. "He.. He.." Not caring about the attention she gained, she looked up at her with her teary gaze and she didn't need to ask for a reason anymore. "He doesn't feel the same, right?" She asked in compassion, hugging her, patting her back as she cried, nodding miserably. "I told you already this would lead you nowhere." She sighed, trying to help her friend. "What do I lack, Haziqa? Why did he do this? What is wrong with me? Why?" She sobbed, sitting down, wiping her eyes but tears spilled uncontrollably. "Shh, don't cry, it's gonna be alright. I am sure you will find someone better than him." She whispered, patting her head. "But, I want him!" She whisper-yelled and she didn't know who to react, knowing it would be better to not advise her for now and help her to take out her ache as she continued to soothe her while she continued to cry until her eyes felt heavy from woe. And on the other hand, Hoorain's confession left Zain flabbergasted but he acted, nothing happened, not wanting to ruin the already messed up things. After work, Zain went to meet Rayan. They were in a pub, talking. "How's Isra?" Zain asked. "Not ready to accept me." Rayan chuckled dryly, finishing his drink in one go. "It's gonna be alright. This must be hard for her. You know, marrying the Brother of her fiancé." He reasoned. "Still. I am trying to reassure her but she made it clear, she is not ready to give me a chance." He said in a grieved tone, slamming his hand on the table, "Hmm.. Calm down Bro. I'm sure it will pass." Zain said, rubbing his back, trying to calm him. "By the way, Emraz Bhai truly met Papa. I didn't know what they talked about but we are told to forget everything and move on..." Zain said, making a sour face, taking a sip of his whiskey, "I don't get it, how easy it is for them to pretend nothing happened. Can anyone imagine Isra's pain?" Zain hissed, not liking the fact things were taken lightly for Emraz who dared to hurt his sister. "I know... that's why I just want her to let it be and give herself some time." Rayan mumbled, staring at his glass. "Well, I am relieved she has you." He smiled genuinely, looking at him. "Thanks.. I am trying." "And yeah, Rayan..." "Hmm?" Zain paused a little, not knowing how to tell him about the act of his Sister, "Bro, tell Hoorain to focus on her studies, that girl is slipping out your hands." He said quickly, finishing his drink. "What did she do this time?" Rayan laughed. "If you don't want her to fail," "Yeah.. But what did she do?" Rayan asked, leaning on the counter, smiling, feeling tipsy, "Crushing on someone she shouldn't." Zain replied. "Man... it's fine. It's just liking.. a mere infatuation will falter eventually.. . Let her be like that." He waved his hand to shrug it off, "The problem is the person." Zain mumbled. "You are saying as if she likes her old ass principal." He joked. "Something like this." "Huh?" "Nothing, just counsel her. " "Yeah.. Yeah.." He said, not paying much heed to his words and hiding his face in his arms, "Anyways, I gotta go." Zain said, taking his stuff and patting his back. "And yeah, don't forget to bring Isra home on Saturday." "I will.." He replied, without looking up. "Bye. " Zain knew if her brothers came to know, the one who would be in trouble would be him and he had no idea how to prevent this tribulation.