Haider was busy buttoning his fit-slim checked shirt when he was startled by Amaal dropping her laptop on his bed. He adjusted the collar and looked at her. She raised her palm and kneeled on the floor, opened the flap of her laptop. He looked with furrowed eyebrows at the screen. His expressions changed upon seeing pictures of Alina and Mikael exchanging rings and happily posing with everyone else. His heart skipped a beat and he quickly looked away. Amaal pressed her lips tightly and slammed her palms on the bed as she bounced up on her feet.
'Look here.' – She held his arm and turned him to face her, - 'This is not to make you feel low or mock you. I just wanted you to see this so that it gets into your head that Alina isn't your soulmate.' Amaal tried to make him see sense. He jerked his hand from her grip and scowled at her.
'Leave me alone.' He spoke rudely and angrily pulled out a muffler, woolen cap, and a grey woolen jacket. Amaal quietly watched him storm out of the room. She let him go as she knew he needed some fresh air to clear his head.
Haider placed his palms into his pocket and brisk fully walked through the streets of Mussoorie. As Christmas approached, the weather became colder. He let out a breath and felt vapor escape his mouth, then he pressed his chapped lips tightly. The streets had a fair number of people minding their business, few people were collected by the gift shops shopping for the upcoming festivity. But those voices were subdued for him and vision blurred with hot tears glistening in his eyes.
'You know Haider. The mother you once loved his now my wife and the father you love and admire is no more. You, you are all alone. At my mercy. You deserve to be. You know why? Because you didn't cling to your loved ones strong enough. Perhaps you weren't passionate enough. So, you lost them.......'
Alina held his hand in a tighter grip, - 'I am there with you. We are in this together.' She motivated him. He placed his palm over her.
- 'You have no idea what you are getting into. Many women came in my life claiming to be "in this together" but ditched me in a heartbeat.'
Alina leaned and kissed his forehead, - 'I won't.' She smiled reassuringly at him. Haider smiled back. Then, she adjusted his duvet and slipped to her side. He watched her sit up and tie her hair in a quick braid. She rested beside him, looked at him. He blinked softly at her and she smiled at him.
'No one cared for me the way you are caring for me.' He confessed. Alina smiled and leaned. She held his face and gently caressed his rugged cheek with his thumb. The feel of velvety touch of his stubbles grazed her skin.
'With very little time you have become important to me, Haider.' – she looked lovingly into his eyes, he had tears glistening in his eyes. She leaned and kissed his forehead. He closed his eyes feeling bliss and comfort in her arms.
Haider stopped in his tracks, 'With very little time you have become important to me, Haider.'
Staring front, he pulled out his phone from the coat pocket and dialed a number. Few rings later, the person on the other side answered the call. He gulped the tightness in his throat and said in a small, pained voice, - 'Congratulations, Miss. Alina.' He blinked feeling tears sting his eyes.
There was a pause, he told hear her nervous breathing. Somehow, he didn't feel comforted by her. He exhaled deeply, letting more vapor escape his mouth.
'I know this must be har—'
'You said I was important to you. You could have waited for me, Miss. Alina.' He felt a tear drop escape his eyes and he pressed his trembling lips tightly.
'Um, Haider. You are a genuinely nice man and you deserve much better. Someone who genuinely loves you and appreciates you and—'
'But I want you.' – Haider paused, taking a small gulp again, - 'I need you.'
There was another pause, - 'No, Haider, no. I am not the one for you. I had said a lot to you, I thought I could pull it off but—the moment I felt threatened, I walked out of your life. I just—couldn't take the risk. With Mikael, I feel different. Content and—' – She exhaled deeply, - 'Still, I do have a soft corner for you. But not—love. I am sorry, I can't—'
Haider doesn't listen further and disconnects the call. He shut his eyes tightly letting tears flow down his cheeks. After a few seconds, he wiped his tears with the sleeves of his coat and began to walk with his head lowered. As he took quick paces towards no direction, his meeting with Eifad flashed in his mind's eyes and he recollected her words. Amaal's talks ringed in his ears. A strange feeling of warmth flooded his chest, but the sinking feeling of losing Alina still bothered him.
Remember, son. Whatever is destined to you, will always come to you no matter what. And whatever isn't, will never come to you – His father's wise words reverberated in his mind. Then, he thought – What was destined for him? First his dad, then his mom, Roma, and now Alina. Who is for him? No one, perhaps?
▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪
A thud of a palm on her shoulder got Alina out of her trance. She looked up at a grinning Meera. Noticing her worried, she frowned and gestured with her head.
'What happened?' Meera enquired tugging wild curls behind her ear and blinked at her. Alina sighed leaning back and held her forehead. She closed her eyes.
'Haider called.' – Alina ignored Meera's loud gasp, - 'He has not taken the news of my engagement very well. I don't know how to convince him to move on?' She shrugged, looking concerned and worried. Meera nodded and held her hands,
- 'Also, I am worried he might come back. With Jahangir, it is not safe for him.'
Meera exhaled deeply, clenching her friend's hands in a tight grasp, - 'I thought he found out about Hania.' – She sounded grim. Alina bit her lip feeling a heavyweight rest on her chest. She looked away, resting her fingers against her lips. Haider will be devasted if he found out.
Gosh!
Alina couldn't help but feel terrible for him. One after the other he just keeps receiving blows. Only thought of Amaal being with him comforted her a bit. But how much can she trust her? Alina tapped her fingers, licking her lips. Then, she picked up her phone from the desk.
At lunch, she shared her thoughts with Mikael. He suggested they take a few days off and visit Mussoorie. Alina dropped the idea siting the current situation of the company and Jahangir's strange absence.
Slowly, Mikael reached out and held her hand firmly yet with a comforting hold. She smiled gently at him.
Haider is heart-broken
What do you guys, my lovelies, feel he will do next? Come to Noida, again? And where has Jahangir disappeared *good riddance, i say*
Please do drop your thoughts in the comments *smiles* and Stay Tuned for the next update *Lots of hugs and kisses*