Hazek's POV
I watched the couple pass by me and caught a glimpse of a video playing on the phone screen they shared.
It was Aisha's video that had gone viral.
The couple stopped by just beside my mother and Aunt Sufia and had their attention as the couple laughed together watching the screen.
This won't end well if Mother and Aunt Sufia find out about Aisha's Tiktok. No, not today, not in front of me.
I leaped towards the women of my house and came to stand between the couple and them. I became a wall to block their view while Aunt Sufia tried to move past me to view the silly couple but I moved in her direction to prevent her from taking even a glimpse.
"We should hurry back home… Dad called and said…" I try to think of a quick excuse. "We have guests at home waiting for you," I say, looking at my mother who now seemed to have my attention than the couple.
"Oh really? Who is it? Did Dad mention it?" Mother asks.
"Uhh… Couldn't ask it. Let's hurry back, we can shop some other time."
"Hazek is right. We can come again. The guests sound important otherwise Waleed bhai (brother) wouldn't have called and asked you to come home." Aunt Sufia added and my mother seemed convinced now.
"Why don't you guys wait outside and I make the payment for the things bought?"
Both of them nodded and turned to leave while I made sure to stay a blockage between the couple and them.
As I saw them leaving, I found Aisha turning around and looking at me… Was it gratitude in her eyes?
Shaking my head, I went to the cashier, made payments and headed outside to join them in the car.
"That couple in the shop seemed oblivious to the world around them." Aunt Sufia spoke as I sat in the car.
"Yeah… these smartphones are hypnotizing all the people no matter their age." Mother added with a tsk.
"Right. We have no shame either. I mean how could they enjoy themselves in public by watching dance videos of some girl?"
I looked in the front mirror and my eyes met Aisha's. For a second, her eyes held no grudge against me, no animosity, just relief and thankfulness. Or was I being delusional?
It was the first time but I could feel the warmth in them for me within a few seconds I averted my eyes and focused myself on driving the car.
"They were watching a dance video? And that of a girl?" Mother asks with disbelief while I pulled the car out of the driveway and drove onto the road.
"Yeah, I bet it was some shameless girl showing off her skin to the world."
"Those who watch such content aren't the best either. This must be Tiktik app that Maleeha was talking about."
I tried to have a look at Aisha through the front view mirror, how was she taking it all? Did it hurt her or she had become immune to all the negative comments?
But to my dismay, I couldn't read her. She looked outside the window as if she had no concern or interest in the conversation going on.
"People are going crazy over such applications." Aunt Sufia continues.
"No wonder our youth isn't interested in studies these days but instant fame to become rich." Mother adds
"Would you both stop already?" I interrupt. Anger was surging through me and I couldn't just sit back and listen to their back bitings. "Can't women not talk about a third person whenever they're together? Such people aren't the best either."
"If you are so concerned about the girl making videos, just pray for her and think of it as her being naive. One day she's going to move on and find something better to do. But you guys discussing her won't bring any good to society."
~~~
Aisha's POV
Hazek's words caught everyone off guard and instantly put everyone to silence. I never saw this side of him where he was angry to the extent that no one could speak against him.
I felt my heart drum against my chest and a small smile appeared on my face but I instantly hid it and looked out of the window.
The rest of the ride was spent in silence and after ten minutes Hazek dropped us home and I rushed upstairs and into my room.
After changing into my casual dress, I plopped on my bed and stared at the ceiling. My mind went back to Hazek when he saved me from getting exposed when he put the lid before it could blow up rather drastically.
But why did he do it? He could have just had them find it out and let them have their way with me. Does he really like me that much?
Pfft! Even if he does then who cares? I don't like him anyway. I should stop thinking about it. Why am I being thankful to him? Sooner or later everyone has to know.
I pull the sheets over my head and let sleep engulf me.
~~~
"Wow Aisha," Sana speaks after taking a seat beside me in the common room. "So many PR boxes?! You sure are getting noticed by many brands."
"Yeah, if only my parents were able to see them. I had to give them the address of my university to receive all these products." I say, eyeing the boxes piled in front of me. "Sana, please do me a favor, take all these boxes to your home, I already made videos and took pictures of them, I don't want my parents questioning me regardless."
"Alright." Sana nodded with her eyes lit.
My phone starts ringing and upon seeing the caller's name my stance goes haywire.
"Oh no." I poke my phone against my forehead.
"What? Who is it? Is it David?" Sana enquires and I nod. "Oh my god! Are you seriously giving him the cold shoulder when the guy is freaking madly after you?"
"What do I do? The timing is always wrong!"
"Pick up his phone and make it up for it somehow!"
"Just pick up and do what he asks!"
Taking a deep breath I picked up his phone and placed it against my ear. "Hey Dav-"
"Aisha, we need to talk." David sounded serious.
"Yeah… Umm… sure. Anything you say." I look at Sana who gave me a thumbs-up with a smile.
"You say that we're friends but we don't talk. You ignore my texts and hang up my call… I mean I haven't felt this humiliated in forever. Do you think it's fun?"
"No… no, no David. I… I just haven't been myself lately."
"See? What kind of friend I am when you don't trust me, when you don't rely on me and when we aren't able to share things with each other?"
"No David I trust you… And I want to share things too…"
"But?"
"But what?"
"I felt a 'but' at the end of your sentence." He emphasized the word 'but'.
"But… It's complicated." I sigh.
"Which means you don't trust me." He scoffs.
"No! I do! How can I make you believe me?"
"Then meet me."
Suddenly I froze. His words froze me and I wasn't able to utter a word. I heard another scoffing sound at his end.
"See. You don't trust me and friendship without trust has no roots." He sounded dejected.
Sana asks me with the movement of her hands that; what did he say to me and I mouth her words that he wanted to meet me. She eyes me and urges me to say yes but I remain hesitant looking back and forth between my phone and her.
"Let's just end this thing here whatever it was and not bother each other again," David speaks.
"David…" I break the silence.
"Goodbye Aisha."
Suddenly Sana snatches the phone from my hands and puts it against her ear. She blocks me with one hand before I could manage to take my phone back again.
"Mister David, it's me Sana, Aisha's best friend. I hate to tell you that my friend is a coward but don't you worry. I'll make sure you guys meet… Yeah… I'll convince her… Leave it up to me… Alright, bye." She hangs up the phone and gave it to me.
"Doll up, you're about to meet the man of your dreams." Sana winks at me while I stayed frozen on the ground.