Too fragile for the beast

Chapter 32

His thoughts spiraled.

Zahra. His best friend's sister. His brother's sister. Arsh's sister.

Arsh...
The man who had taken him in, trusted him, stood by him when the world was a cruel place. His leader. His blood, if not by birth, then by every thread of loyalty in his body.

And now... this.

Aryan shut his eyes tightly. He could still hear her voice, feel the trembling truth in it. Zahra wasn't playing games. This wasn't a childish infatuation. It was deep, real, and it scared the hell out of him.

What if Arsh found out?

What if he thought Aryan had been watching his sister behind his back?

He rubbed a hand over his face in frustration, anger — not at Zahra, but at himself.
How could he let things go this far?

He never meant to...
He had never looked at her that way.
Or at least, he told himself he hadn't.

He couldn't do this. Not to Arsh.
Not to the man who had been everything when Aryan had nothing.

His jaw tightened. He needed to fix this. Create distance. Silence the whispers in Zahra's eyes before they became a war in Arsh's world.

Because no matter what, he couldn't — wouldn't — betray him.

Even if a part of his chest ached in ways he couldn't understand.

——————————

The sun was gentle that morning, casting a golden warmth over the terrace. A cool breeze carried the scent of fresh toast and cardamom tea. Shahil's laughter echoed as he chased his ball around, swinging his new bat with exaggerated energy.

Zahra and Shafiyya sat on a low wooden bench nearby, their plates filled with warm French toast glistening with honey, mugs of steaming tea cradled between their palms.

Shafiyya stole a side glance at Zahra.

Something was off.

Zahra wasn't talking.
No teasing, no sarcasm, no dragging Shahil into silly games.
She was... quiet. Not like herself.

"You didn't sleep well?" Shafiyya asked gently.

Zahra blinked and turned slightly, offering a half-smile.

"Hmm? No, I did... just woke up a bit tired."
Her words were casual, but her eyes weren't. They were elsewhere—watching something beyond the terrace railing. Or rather... someone.

Shafiyya followed her gaze.

Down below in the driveway, Aryan was getting into his car. His posture was rigid, face unreadable as he shut the door and started the engine. Zahra's eyes didn't leave him.

And then he was gone.

Zahra slowly pulled her gaze back, lifting the mug to her lips, trying to appear unbothered.

Shafiyya's brows pinched together slightly.
Something had happened between them. She could feel it.

But she didn't ask.

Instead, she gently changed the subject.

"Didn't you have a few assignments due this week? Or were you planning to do them last minute again?" Shafiyya asked again.

"I'll manage... I always do." Zahra replied absently.

She took a bite of her toast but barely chewed. Her fingers tightened slightly around the edge of the plate.