Chapter 3

Liyana was left to follow where her legs took her, beside Ayaan. She could utter nothing. Ayaan collected her written purchase list and did the shopping while she followed him up like a deaf mute. When they were done shopping, he led her back to the road, beside his power bike.

“Lead the way to your home, okay? I will take you,” he offered. Liyana could still say nothing. She only continued watching him act like a no-talking programmed robot. Ayaan sat astride on his bike. Liyana straddled behind him. “Hold me, okay?” he told her. Her heart skipped a beat. He started the bike and she hesitantly wrapped her arms around his abdomen. She closed her eyes with a deep short breath and relaxed. She opened her eyes and he rode off. Upon reaching Liyana’s house, she alighted from the bike.

“Huh…!” she puffed like a punctured tire. Ayaan handed her basket to her and set to leave.

“Hold on,” she finally spoke out, lifting her hand as a hint. “Don’t you hate me too?” she queried, dropping her hand. Ayaan did a small laugh.

“I hate no one, Liyana. How then can I hate you of all people?” he said, his voice penetrating her heart. Her eyes were filled with stardust, staring at him in wonder. “Go on now. I will see you tomorrow,” he bade.

“Vroom…!” he rode off.

Liyana turned to go inside. When she entered, her mother was in the living room, holding her phone up. She swiveled on her spot to look at Liyana. Liyana didn’t notice her mother in her state of mixed expression. She shuffled inside.

“Why are you late?” the mother threw the question at her. She shuddered like a wind-blown wind chime.

“Huh?” she chattered, looking at her mother. She moved closer to her. “It was hard getting a rickshaw, Mother,” she replied.

“What happened to your phone then, huh?” the mother queried calmly this time. Liyana opened her change purse and checked her phone. She saw five missed calls from her mother.

“Um, I didn’t know my phone was ringing,” she said, putting the phone back in her purse. “I was busy shopping.”

“Okay, take the items to the kitchen fast. Let’s begin fixing dinner,” the mother instructed, putting her phone on the couch and adjusting her saree. “Your father will be home soon.”

Liyana led the way to the kitchen, her mother followed suit. While preparing dinner, Liyana couldn’t concentrate, the thought of Ayaan helping her rumbled in her head. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts. Her mother noticed her withdrawn attitude. She looked at her, cleaning her hands with the kitchen towel.

“Are you okay?” the mother asked, moving away to the dish rack.

“Yes, Mother, I am fine,” Liyana smiled, turning the food on fire.

In a peach-dark room appeared a figure. The heavy breathing of a crying lady was heard. She was seated on the bed, drawing back as the figure moved closer to her.

“Haw…!” the fearful voice of the lady filled the room. She tried to cover her mouth from making any sound. Her heart banged her ribcage like the warning sound of a drumbeat. The figure moved closer, caressing the belt in his hands. He was now closer to the bed. The lady shifted back to the headboard. He stretched his hand, grabbing her shirt and pulling her closer to himself. She couldn’t look into his eyes. It was Rayan.

“Boo hoo!” she cried. Her heart pounded heavier. He flung her back on the bed.

“Pow!” he lashed the lady with the belt.

“Oww…!” she cried, crawling back on the bed.

“Pow!” he continued whipping her while she continued crying, with nowhere to escape from him.

The next day in college, Liyana was done with lectures. She was now waiting for Sofia. While waiting, her eyes darted around the campus for Ayaan. The thought that she couldn’t sleep because he helped her was stagnant in her mind. She moved around, looking everywhere. She hasn’t seen him since she arrived in the morning, and now the sun is blazing, leaving people squinting to see through. She had gone to his department to look for him, but she didn’t see him. Sofia came along.

“Salaam alaikum, Liyana. Sorry for keeping you waiting,” Sofia said, putting her books in her handbag.

“Walaikum salaam,” Liyana replied, still looking around.

“Are you looking out for someone?” Sofia queried, looking at Liyana who was still busy with her lookout.

“I think so.”

“Funny! You aren’t even sure,” Sofia smiled.

Just then, Ayaan rode along to campus with Faizan behind him. Liyana’s heart did a thumbs up to her throat the moment she sighted them. She quickly put her phone in her loose shoulder hanging bag. Sofia got a message from her elder sister to come home immediately after her lectures.

“Liyana, let’s head home,” Sofia said, standing up. “Sister Amal wants me home.”

Liyana stood up. She looked at Ayaan quickly, then looked back at Sofia. “You go on, I will call you,” Liyana stated, hanging her bag on one shoulder.

“Why?”

“I have a mission to accomplish. See you,” Liyana said in a hurry and flitted away. Sofia shook her head and headed on.

“Lest I forget,” Faizan said, dipping his hand into his pocket and bringing out Ayaan’s phone. “Here is your phone, dude,” Faizan handed the phone to Ayaan. Ayaan did a careful turn around of the phone in his hand. The broken screen was replaced and the phone was back to normal.

“Thank you, buddy. How much does it cost?”

“Never mind. Thanks for the ride,” Faizan said, moving back while still looking at Ayaan. “See you tomorrow,” he smiled, facing his front and heading to his department. Ayaan shook his head with a smile and turned to his bike. He held one of the bike handlebars and steered it. He bestrides the bike and was about to kick start when Liyana came along.

“Hey!” she waved her hand, calming her breathing.

“Salaam alaikum,” he saluted.

“Walaikum salaam. Where are you going?” she queried softly, taking a step closer.

“I’m going home,” he responded. She moved closer, touching the mirror and looking down at it. “I got no lectures today.”

“No wonder. I have been looking out for you,” she said, lifting her eyes to him.

“Any problem?” Ayaan asked, relaxing on the bike while fixing his eyes on hers.

“Um, not really,” she moved back a bit. “I…I just wanted to, um. I want to say thank you for the help you rendered me yesterday. I’m deeply grateful.”

“I’m glad to help,” he said, clutching the handlebars and tried kick-starting it.

“Hold on, Ayaan,” she said, placing her hand on his. She quickly removed her hand and stared at him. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. Her voice was super tender like the humming sound of an adorable bird.

“Sorry for what?” Ayaan chuckled.

“Don’t start, Ayaan. You know I did many wrongs to you,” she began, taking a careful step toward him. He listened with his arms crossed. “I ventured all my anger on you. I said lots of crazy and hurtful things to you. I never knew, even in my wildest imagination that you will help me. I thought you hate me too and I was going to use that against you,” she moved closer and placed her hand on his shoulder. “Do forgive me, Ayaan. I’m sincerely sorry, okay?” she apologized honestly. She removed her hand from his shoulder and moved away.

“It’s fine, I hold no grudges,” he smiled. “But I want to ask what I did. Did I hurt you in any way?” he asked. She felt a light pang in her heart. What reason does she have to hate him in the first place? She looked down to the ground and then back to his eyes.

“I can’t deliberate on the reason. All I know is that I was wrong in thinking that I hate you. Try to forgive me, please.”

“As I said, I hold no grudges. I have forgiven you. Are we cool now?” he stated and she nodded with a smile.

“Thanks a lot. Now I am relieved.”

“Do you still have lectures?” he asked.

“Oh…no, not at all.”

“Come on then, I will give you a ride.”

“Really? Thank you,” she smiled, heading to his back and straddling the bike. She adjusted to it. She wrapped her arms around him.

“My pleasure,” he smiled and kick-started the bike. He rode off while she tightened her grip around him.

Author’s note ❤️❤️❤️

I’m back again. I honestly want to know what you think about the story. It will help me a lot with continuing the story. Sorry for any grammatical errors. English is my second language, so, I’m just blending in 🤭🤭🤭.