18- Non-Existent Path

The next day, Hoorain went to her class and saw Azed smirking at her which brought a scowl to her lips as she was about to walk away but he called her, 'Hoorain." 'What?" She asked rudely. 'Be nice to me, we are going to work together." His smirk grew wider, hitting her nerves. 'What?" She asked, narrowing her eyes in confusion but the mischief flickering on his face told he was not fooling around. 'Yeah, we were offered a placement. I agreed, I don't know about you." He shrugged, turning to her, he resting his hand on the table, leaning closer to her face, 'Will your groom-to-be allow it?" He teased, asking in a low tone but she hissed, pushing him back. 'Snap out of your silly thoughts, Azed. I am not engaged to anyone." Declaring, she moved back, taking a seat. 'Whatever you say but still, are you gonna work like this?" He asked, taking a seat as well, trying to rile her up but she let out a deep sigh and glared at him, 'I am not going to work with you. No matter what." She enunciated, rolling her eyes off but Haziqa pushed her by her elbow, 'What?" Hoorain asked, trying to ignore Azed's words but they were echoing and she didn't want to have an association with him. It was the most undesirable job she might ever have but- 'Do you even know where you are going?" Haziqa asked and Hoorain was not ready to listen, 'I don't care." 'I will not work with him and that's for sure." She said loud and clear enough for Azed to hear, bringing a frown on his lips and letting out a sigh of disappointment, he leaned back on his seat. Haziqa moved closer and whispered to her, 'You are going to work with Sir Zain." Upon hearing it, Hoorain choked for a moment, she let out a fake cough with astonishment glimmering in her eyes. 'When did he get a job?" She asked in a whisper, still not believing it and suddenly the idea doesn't sound bad anymore. 'A week after your engagement. Don't you know?" Haziqa asked, not believing that she doesn't know about it. 'I don't. No one told me." She mumbled, angry to be ignorant about such an important part of his life. 'You were offered by Saya Parade. Sir was offered a placement by his institute but Azed is going through nepotism." She told her which made her more bewildered. 'What? How?" She asked and Haziqa sighed at her lack of knowledge. 'His Father sponsors Saya Parade and other five-star hotels, isn't it obvious Azed did this?" She asked which made her heart race in dread to think this is his plan but for what she doesn't know yet. 'Then I won't go. No matter what, I am not doing it." She shook her head in denial, refusing to spend a second with him. 'Let's see." They both sighed as their classes started and after class, she went to their incharge to decline the offer. 'Sir, I cannot do it." She said, 'Why, Hoorain? You need experience and what is the point of learning when you are not going to put your education into practical use?" He said, trying to convince her but she insisted. 'Sir, please, try to understand. I cannot manage both studies and work at the same time." She tried to give a proper excuse. 'Oh, I see. Since you are Zain's fiancée, I had a high image of you in my mind but I forget you are you." He chuckled nervously, unintentionally taunting her. Her heart pricked realizing her image is superior among teachers as she is his fiancée and he has forged a perfect facade of flairs amidst everyone. 'I am not a perfectionist, Sir. I am sorry." She said sadly, not wanting to let down Zain but she did and went back. 'What happened? What's the gloom?" Haziqa asked, noticing her expressions. 'I have let him down.. Again." She mumbled, covering half of her face with her hand to conceal the vexation. 'What do you mean?" She asked. 'Can't you see? Everything I have done is the exact opposite of what he wants? The more I try to eradicate distances, the more they are formed and I cannot stop it. No matter what I do, I end up disappointing him." She confessed, pulling her hairs out of frustration, gritting her teeth but failed to control her raze. 'From confession, studies, engagement and now this job. What have I ever done to win his trust? To impress him?" She asked, voice almost cracking in dejection. 'Maybe he is out of my league. I cannot compare with him, he is on a much higher level. Why would he want a selfish brat like me?" She whispered. She was losing her hope, her self-confidence at this point and Haziqa didn't know what to do to cheer her spirits as she only watched Hoorain taking out her agony with brimmed tears and hopeless words. On the other hand, Zain came to the staff room after his class. 'Hey, I ordered a cup of tea for you." Anaya said sweetly, offering him a cup. 'Thank you very much, Mrs Singh." He smiled sincerely, taking the cup. 'Ah, there you are, Zain!" Karim's voice came, rushing to him. 'Are you looking for me, Sir?" He asked vaguely, noticing his displeasure. 'Did I- No-" But he stopped, knowing what could be wrong, 'Did Hoorain do something?" He asked which made Anaya chuckle. 'What a connection." She teased from behind but he pretended not to listen and turned to Karim. 'Yeah, she refused the offer. Maybe she doesn't want to work with you?" Karim shrugged. Hoorain thought it was Azed but it was Zain who asked to place Hoorain as a trainee in his Hotel but she refused which induced immense disappointment in him. 'What? Why would she? She could never do this." Zain said, putting his cup down with a grimace appearing on his face. 'But, she did. I did as you told but she refused. Why don't you talk it out?" He asked. 'Of course, I will. I know her more than anyone, there must be something else." He said, leaning back. 'As you wish, Anyways, I need to attend my class, I thought I might tell you." He said, waving his hand and left them alone in the staff room. 'Ah my, are you displeased?" Anaya teased, noticing his expression. 'I am more perplexed." He mused, holding his chin. 'She would never refuse it on her own. Something must have happened. I know her, she would never miss her chance to be with me." He reasoned, refusing to believe she would do this. 'Does she even know?" Anaya asked. 'I- Shit. I didn't tell her." He cursed under his breath, slamming his hand down. 'See." She chuckled, leaning on the table. 'And the tuition incident, not to remember. Do you honestly think she would want to be with you?" She asked, since Zain shares everything with her, he knows he has messed things up. 'I know but I want to know her better. Now that we are engaged, I cannot run away from my duties and this is not possible if she won't open up to me." He reasoned, still not comprehending what was wrong. 'That's the problem, Zain. You are a practical man and she is an emotional woman, your collision will surely end in separation because none of you can understand each other." She reminded him, amusement vanishing into the air and replaced with sternness. 'But I truly don't know how to deal with her emotions. I don't know what she feels but that's the least I could do for her." His voice softened. 'Mrs Singh, she is no longer my student or a friend's sister that I will reject or neglect. She is my fiancée, she needs me, my support and I must provide it to her, I must try to return her love-" He tried to explain his obligation but Anaya cut him off, 'Because that's your responsibility, isn't it? To love her back?" She asked and he wanted to argue but couldn't because it was true. 'I- I.. don't know anymore." He confessed, leaning back, rubbing his temples. 'Think out of responsibilities, Zain. You will not be sincere to your bond if you force feelings out." She told him, smiling faintly. 'Then, what should I do?" He asked, hopelessly seeking a way which could guide him. 'Let your heart speak. If her heart is going to break then so be it." She said assertive, his lips parted to argue with her heartless words but she continued, 'Because breaking heart is far better than to receive false hopes from the person you love the most." And her reply showed him what he was doing was wrong all along, his actions were only leading her to a non-existent path of heartbreak which he has to avoid.