Page 80 of If I Loved You Less
When he turns his gaze to me, my breath catches. He takes a step toward me, and my heartbeat scatters. His lips part, as if he is about to speak.
Rizwan clears his throat. Fawad blinks and stops suddenly, eyes going from me to Rizwan.
A strange look passes between him and Rizwan, something so quick I cannot decipher it.
“Yes, I—” Fawad begins. He cuts off, as if he’s muddled in the head. He takes his glasses off and rubs his eyes, trying to collect his bearings.
“Did you hear what happened?” Shanzay asks. He clenches his jaw.
“Yes, I heard a bit.” He does not look at me. Instead, he approaches Shanzay, eyes warm with concern. “Are you alright?”
“I am, now,” she says, smiling.
“Good.” He nods. “You ought to rest. I better get going, then.”
“Me, as well,” Rizwan says, standing beside him.
Why did Fawad come?I wonder, as I go to fluff Shanzay’s pillow. As the boys exchange some commentary about the accident, Shanzay pulls me close.
“I think I am in love, once more,” she whispers into my ear. I can barely suppress my gasp.
“Are you quite sure?” I whisper, pulling back to look into her wide eyes. Her gaze shifts to where the boys are standing in the entryway of the living room and nods just as they exit our sight.
“He was so kind tonight,” Shanzay whispers. “I don’t think I’ll ever forget the service he rendered me.”
I get excited, then force myself to calm down. “Shanzay, I have promised to give up matchmaking and never meddle again, so do not say his name. I don’t want to know.”
“I won’t,” she says, biting her lip. “But surely you can guess?”
I nod, and we both giggle. “I approve immensely.”
“You don’t think he’s out of my league?” she asks, eyebrows creasing.
“You deserve the world! No one is out of your league,” I say. She covers her face with her blanket, smiling.
“You don’t mind, do you?” she asks, nervous again. I shake my head.
“No, not at all!”
I must say, I’m actually relieved. Rizwan and Shanzay will be happy together, I am sure of it. He was so attentive to her just now! I haven’t been enthusiastic toward him for a little while now, and once he sees how fond Shanzay is, he’ll surely forget about me and fall for her immediately!
Perhaps I’m so in love with the idea of love that I put my expectations way too high when there is even the slightest glimmer of hope, which I believe is what happened with Rizwan and I.
No matter! He and Shanzay pair well. And I know I said I am done with meddling, but...
“Wait!” I cry, leaving Shanzay’s side. Both boys come rushing back.
“What is it?” Fawad asks, worried.
“What can I do?” Rizwan asks at the same time.
They glance at one another. Fawad’s eyebrows furrow ever so slightly in irritation.
“Will you stay?” I ask sweetly. I look at Rizwan, batting my eyelashes. “For breakfast, at least. As thanks for helping Shanzay.”
“Of course,” Rizwan replies, smiling warmly. “Of course.”
I am about to tell Fawad to stay as well, but he is already gone, his shoulders a stiff line as he exits the door and slams it shut behind him.
