"I knew it. I knew it!" Shanzay said with excitement.
"Tu jyotishi hai kya?" Iman asked, sounding unimpressed.
Meanwhile, my hands were ready to wring Hafiz's neck.
"I think he's planning to propose to you," Shanzay added, her voice suddenly thoughtful.
I Froze.
Forget about just wringing his neck-I was ready to rip his head off.
"Of course, I knew it! He's handsome, girl, he's brilliant at studies, he's-" Shanzay was lost in a Hafiz Appreciation Speech, and I was this close to finding a way to reach through the phone and shut her up myself.
What was so good about Hafiz? What made him so worthy of Iman's time?
"Shanzay. Shanzayyyyyyyyyy!" Iman finally interrupted her.
Good. Otherwise, I would've had to step in.
"Shanzayyy, shut up. Okay? Shut the hell up," Iman snapped, pure frustration lacing her voice.
Shanzay, for once in her life, finally muted herself.
"Good," Iman huffed before hanging up the call.
She didn't turn to me. She didn't say a word. She just walked away.
I clenched my jaw. Breaking the ice between us? Not an option right now.
It was enough.
Iman had to understand.
71%
Iman quickened her steps.
Two of hers matched one of mine.
Shorty, you have no idea what the hell you're doing to my mind.
She hadn't turned toward me even once.
"Iman." My voice came out sharper than I intended.
No reply.
Heck.
"Iman, can't you see I'm talking to you?" Another degree dropped.
Still nothing.
Hell.
"IMAN." My voice sliced through the air, sharper than a blade. "Look at me."
Of course, that stubborn girl wouldn't obey. She never does.
My gaze burned into her neck, right where that small mole sat just above her collarbone. If looks could kill, that mole would be a crater by now.
"Iman, what's wrong with you?"
I reached out, caught her wrist, and yanked her towards me.
I tightened my grip on her arms, forcing her to look at me.
"What's wrong?" My voice was still sharp.
"What's wrong with me?" She frowned. "What. Is. Wrong. With you, Ahad?"
I closed my eyes, forcing myself to calm down.
Inhale. Exhale.
"Huh? Why are you acting like this? You were never like this. What's wrong?" she pressed.
Enough.
I released my hold. The moment she took two steps back, realization hit-I had been gripping her too tightly.
Her eyes never left mine.
"Exactly. Something is wrong with me," I ran a hand down my face, frustration bubbling over.
"Something is wrong. Definitely. And you refuse to understand it."
"Understand what?" Her voice was laced with confusion.
I looked at her, my hand rubbing the back of my neck.
"Seriously?"
I took a step toward her.
She instinctively stepped back.
"Seriously, you don't understand? Huh?" My eyes locked onto hers in disbelief.
She took another step back. "What are you talking about?"
I stopped.
"I'm talking about you and Haffiz!"
Damn it. How many times had I yelled today?
She stopped too.
Her eyes widened.
"What?" Her brows knitted together.
"What are you saying, Ahad?"
She took a step toward me, her hand reaching out to touch my arm.
I stepped back.
Turned away.
A brief silence stretched between us.
"Why do you do this, Iman?" My voice was low but firm.
"Why do you give attention to Haffiz?" I pointed toward his house.
She let out a chuckle-one laced with disbelief and shook her head.
"Ahad, he's my neighbor. We go to the same school, we're in the same grade."
"Exactly," I cut her off. "Same school, same grade... but he's not your friend, nor you cousin" i cried begire dropping my voice at alarming rate " is he?"