Page 144 of Storm
While I scowled,
“Did you just call me a dog?!”
He shrugged rolling his eyes,
“I called all of us animals. You can be a stray tigress if you like.”
“Will suit...” Aariz murmured slowly, but I heard him.
He shared a wink with Zee and laughed along with everyone else.
I used that moment to wipe my tears that threatened to fall.
Aariz was ready to talk to everyone. He was smiling and did not look least bit as miserable as I felt. Like, he did not care; he did not miss me...At all.
He was ready to talk about me, but not to me. Wow! And he used to say I don't share everything with him. Was I such a bad girlfriend, that he simply gave up trying for us...Gave up on me?
“Who is dead?” Zidaan nudged my shoulder a few minutes later, staring at me, by craning his neck.
“No one I know.” I muttered looking out of the window, just in case more water fills my eyes.
“Then why do you have that mournful face on?” Ibbi asked curiously, peering at me from beside Umber.
He chuckled adding,
“Someone would say you have had a breakup.”
Aariz turned sharply towards him, pulling on urgent breaks. Thus, making everyone raise their eyebrows in surprise.
“I thought everyone would like breakfast. There is a food place here somewhere.” Aariz answered defensively, keeping his gaze on the road ahead.
“Why aren’t you throwing back sarcastic quips at them?” Umber tried to look in my eyes, cupping my face.
I gently brushed her hand away.
Zidaan bent himself from the front seat moving his face in mine. If I looked down, he moved his face down trying to peer into my eyes,
“Why aren’t you laughing? You can laugh. Really.”
That’s why I did not wish to be here. Too many nosy friends who apparently all thought my eyes and expressions are some sort of book.
“You are taking all my oxygen Zee. Back off!” I grumbled pushing him away as he laughed hard.
I shook my head, unable to stop the amused smile that crept on my lips at their antics. But I did not miss that between all this laughter, Aariz whispered something to Zee.
After which Zee announced,
“That’s it. I need to stretch my legs. I’ll sit at the back after we have had breakfast.”
Before I could refuse, he turned towards me with a knowing smile,
“Sani, you take my place here and trust me, oxygen is purer through this window.” He winked and got down from the car along with everyone else except Aariz.
Aariz did not speak to me or turn around. I waited patiently for a few minutes, then annoyed by him, I opened the door and moved out. He did the same, the next moment.
He did not wish to leave me alone.
All through the breakfast, I could feel Aariz's eyes on me non-stop. Whenever I looked, he did not even try to hide the fact that he was staring. We did not exchange words, not even a smile or a touch.
