Sadqay Tumhare

39.

Idrees Uncle, he had always liked her but she didn't expect that he would snatch Zaydaan away first and then try to put him on a path back to her.

As she reached the hall downstairs, her eyes landing on the Prime Minister, all she could do was stare for a moment.

Zaydaan didn't even stare at her.

One moment, she was looking at him and in the next moment, she felt consumed by him.

When gentle arms hug you, they give you a space to breathe but when there's a hug of strong arms, there's no space to breathe, just feel.

She felt him press himself against her, trying to find a comfort, trying to find some sort of comfort that he just couldn't find.

Your hug is stronger than I can remember, it's been a long while, a year almost, and I feel you. I feel your frustration, your confusion. I understand you don't know what is happening. You think you're a Prime Minister, you have a responsibility to this nation and so you think that you shouldn't even ponder over your personal feelings but I know, a part of you is hurting, is uneasy and you don't know the reason why. I know you, Zaydaan. I do. And I have missed you, you being so close, it's the most alive I've felt in a long time.

Words. So many words she wanted to say and so many words that she chose not to.

"Zaydaan." She took his name instead, feeling his teeth pressing against her back.

She smiled.

"Minal." She didn't correct him. Minal. It sounded so foreign on his tongue, calling her Minal even when they were alone.

"Are you really biting into my neck?" She questioned him instead, trying to pull away and successfully detaching herself from his arms.

"I miss you." She heard him murmur.

I miss you too.

I have missed you for so long. I have survived without you, I have been happy too but a part of me has not been happy for a very long time. I miss you so much at times that its hard to breathe but I won't tell you that. You have to make a decision based on your feelings, not mine.

She touched his forehead instead.

"You're so warm. Do you have fever?" Zaydaan shrugged.

"I don't know."

"Why are you here?" She asked next.

"I don't know."

He replied.

When did Zaydaan Ziagil not know something? You could be the leader of the world and not know about what is happening to your heart.

Life was crazy that way.

"Okay, okay.." Minal took a deep breath as she held his hand.

"Betho." She whispered. He didn't sit.

"Zaydaan, please. Betho." She insisted once again and Zaydaan finally obliged, sitting.

She observed his droopy eyes, his tired face, his confused stare. She put her hand on his head once again, feeling the fever.

Her hands reached out to the phone beside her as she dialled to the kitchen.

"Achi si chai bana do, biscuits ke sath aur do panadol bhi bhejdena, pani ke sath."

She said over the phone, frowning at how quiet and un composed Zaydaan was.

She hung up after that and stayed quiet for a moment.