8- New Start

Rayan couldn't believe Isra actually agreed for this, he thought she would never do this as he was her Boss or probably she doesn't want to get married but his effort was in vain, his talks to sort things out with Emraz were failed and she agreed to get married with him, she was ready. She accepted him; there was no place for him anywhere. Clenching and unclenching his hands repeatedly, he was trying to let out any unwanted thoughts from his mind but all his efforts were fruitless, each time he tried diverting his mind but failed. "Goddamn it!" Hissing, he slammed his hand on the table, gritting his teeth in ire. "How could it happen?" He asked himself, exhaling sharply, trying to soothe his mind but to no avail. Being facile was not an option. He can't act superficially now. You proved I was nothing to you. After work Rayan went to meet Zain only using his name as an excuse to talk to Isra about what happened. Things were nonchalant there, Isra in her room, talking. "I still can't believe it, Man..." Zain chuckled. "Me too." He hummed, passing a faint smile. "You okay, bro? You seem dull." Zain said, noticing the vexation written on his forehead. "Yeah, somehow... you got some ice-cream in the fridge?" He asked. "Nope, but chocolate, you want it?" Zain asked, slacking off, watching TV. "Sure, I will get it." Rayan smiles, getting up. "Get one for me too." Zain added. "Sure." Since they were close ever since childhood, everyone in the house was comfortable around each other, they were close. Humming, he went to the kitchen. "Oh, hey, When did you come?" Isra smiled, turning to him. "Hi." He waved. "Hey, you focus on the dish." Aima scolded from behind. "Are you making dinner today?" Rayan asked, peeking to get a look and inhaled a decent aroma, making him smile. "Yeah, I wanted to learn Biryani." Isra chuckled. "Bhai's favorite?" He smirked, teasing. "What?" Aima asked, unaware of it. Isra blushed, "What? No. Because I love it too." She reasoned nervously. Aima narrowed her eyes at her in suspicion but they continued, "Nice aroma, by the way." He complimented. "You can go, Mama. I can do this." She insisted. "Hmm, okay." She hummed and left. After Aima left, She sighed deeply and began to cook. "Make sure-" She cut Rayan off with a hiss, "After Mama's scolding I don't want to hear anything from you." "Woah, I was just advising, rice matters a lot, make sure not to overcook." He reminded her and took out the chocolate and began to eat it while watching her cook. "Isra..." He called her after a while. "Hmm?" "I can't believe you agreed for marriage. I thought you didn't want to. Especially my brother." He said, wanting to earn a reaction to his pleasing from her but she only smiled, "Rayan, it doesn't matter and as I said if the guy is great then why not?" "And you think Emraz bhai is great?" He asked, leaning on the counter, moving back to look at her face, controlling the urge to remove the strand on her face, "What do you mean by this?" Her smile faded, tugging her hair back, arching a brow at his ridiculous statement. "I didn't mean to offend, just asking, always being some weird shit when a thirty-years old said he is single and not even seeing anyone." He mumbled, taking a bite from his chocolate, rolling his eyes. "Even if he was, I don't care.-" "I am not saying he is, I was just telling what most happens with others." He reasoned, shrugging his shoulders, "Okay, I guess but it's fine because it must be before." She told him casually. "So you wouldn't care if out of nowhere his non-existent girlfriend comes out and breaks your bond?" He asked, getting desperate with his words which only baffled Isra and worried about Rayan's demeanor. "Did you hit your head, Rayan?" She asked, irritated at this point, putting her hand on her waist, she turned to him, glaring at him to leave and not piss her, "I was just saying." "Let me cook, dammit. Go back to Zain." She muttered, turning away and continued to cook again. "I didn't mean it like this." He said, putting his hand defensively. "I know." She replied, "Stop overreacting like always and let me live my life." She taunted which pricked his heart and continued to cook as Rayan left. The next day, Isra went to her workplace, trying to control her pounding heartbeat and fluttering sensation building inside, suppressing a smile, she walked inside, trying to ignore the gaze given from everyone which made her slightly uncomfortable and went inside. Keeping things as usual and not bothering to talk with anyone or ruining her mood by hearing what they are talking about her, she was working as usual but couldn't focus so she went to Emraz's office. Knocking on his door, his voice came "Come in" She entered timidly, heart rate increasing in his presence, she looked away and came closer, "Oh, Isra, what happened?" He asked, closing his file and giving her his full attention, "I want to talk to you, Sir." She said, coming closer. "What is it?" "First of all, who the hell told everyone about the proposal?" She asked in agitation. He chuckled, "Natasha is your neighbor." "Oh, damn." She sighed, holding her forehead. "Anyways, what happened?" "Umm.. If you don't mind." Pausing she shut her eyes, speaking hurriedly. "I feel distracted because of you, I can't focus on work anymore." She said frustratedly, slamming the files on his table. "Me too." He gave her his signature smile which could warm any heart. "I would suggest you work at Rayan's place as long as you want, like until marriage or.. Till your next job." He told her monotonously. "This would be fine. How long would it take?" She asked. "I will ask him, he will tell you." "Great." She finally relaxed, smiling to herself, "Thank you." He smirked, putting his elbow on the table, putting his cheek on his knuckle, saying cutely, "Thank you." She chuckled, shaking her head. "I am going back to work." She said, turning to leave. "Isra... everyone knows anyway..." He rose from his seat and stood in front of her, smiling faintly, leaning closer to her face, "Would you like to go on a date with me?" He asked sweetly. Staring in captivation into his black orb with a feeble smile, drowned into this completely, whispering, "Yes." "Thanks, I will see you after work." He said, moving back. Getting out from her zone of faze, her breath hitched, leaving quickly out of his room with a scarlet tint adorning her cheek and timid hazel orbs. She went to her cabin, continued to work, engrossed in it to pass her time and not think about their upcoming date. Aware of Emraz's charisma, she just wanted to think about something else or else his thoughts would stir her mind again.