Unspoken Attractions- Zain's Unwanted Lover

Even if it costs all my riches I would gladly offer them to walk two steps with you.

A smile adorned Hoorain's features, her sapphire eyes glimmering in exhilaration on her first day of college about hotel management and culinary arts she only joined just to be with the person her heart was ablaze for- Zain.

Combing her pitch-black hairs back, she tied them in a messy bun, letting some strands fall on her face, trying to look attractive so he could notice.

"Hoorain!" Her Mother, Hania, called from downstairs, "Coming!" Her smile grew wider remembering about the day when she fell for him and marked her breaths to his rhythm.

***

Hoorain was sixteen, coming back from her highschool, it was a monotonous day, everything was fine until she was stopped by her classmate.

"Hoorain," She stopped in her tracks when he put his hand on the wall. "Where are you going?" He asked huskily, invading her space. "H-Home." She stammered, distressed by the proximity.

"Get away." She breathed out, making a disquiet face. "Why? You're going alone, let me drop you home." He smirked, coming closer to her, her breath hitched, pressing herself against the wall. Handling such scenes was always difficult for an easily startled girl.

"I don't want to go, Azed..." She mumbled, trembling up by his intense gaze upon her. "Why not?" His smirk grew wider, leaning dangerously closer to her face, a tear pricked in the corner of her eyes, trying to find a way to push him away.

He brought his hand near her face but before he could touch her, Zain came out of nowhere, slapping his hand back, "Get the hell away from her," He hissed, pushing him away and taking Hoorain's hand, "Who the hell are you?" Azed growled, disliking his interruption but Zain moved Hoorain behind her whose heart skipped a beat when he defended her instead of mocking,

"More important than you are." He retorted, "And don't you dare to come near her again." Warning seriously, taking her with him.

Her timid eyes fell upon his stern form, coming right from college, cold hazel eyes, the intimidating aura attracting every girl but when her hand held his, she felt a strange spark increasing her heart rate, unable to look elsewhere but him.

He took her near his bike and let go of her hand, turning to her, hard attributes loosening,

"You okay?" He asked softly when they reached his bike. "Yeah.." She hummed, not looking up.

"Look, Hoorain, Rayan or Emraz bhai wouldn't always be here to protect you, if you wanted to push someone away, then do it. Okay?" He sighed, "And we can settle the rest, okay?" He smiled, earning a giggle from her. She missed his warmth but didn't say a word, only nodding, "I understand."

"Good. Now come, Emraz bhai asked me to drop you home." He said calmly and that was the time, she knew what she felt for him had never occurred to her before and she wanted to treasure it. Even though he had done the same for anyone but she couldn't help but to stare at his aesthetic features on their way back home, knowing this is the origin of the yearnings which were about to ignite uncontrollable flares in her heart.

***

"Coming!" She called, going down, earning a smirk from her sister Hoor, "Ah my, someone dressed too pretty." She teased coming closer, "Who are you going to impress, hmm?" Her smirk grew wider, making her frown with an invisible blush. "Bhai! Stop Hoor." She whined, going to Emraz who was on a call.

"Come on, Hoor." He sighed, going back to his call, giving Hoorain a side hug, loving her youngest sister the most.

"Yeah Hoor, what if she dressed too pretty using makeup as her only hope?" Rayan came as well, pissing her off, ruffling her hair, "Bhai!" She made a crying face. Emraz frowned, turning to him, "Hey, what's with you? How many times do I tell you not to tease her?" He scolded them, wiping the smile on their lips as Hoorain smirked, clinging onto his arm.

"We will see you when Bhai isn't here." Hoor muttered, giving her a glare, "Bhai!" He whined, pulling his sleeves. "Don't force me to team up with her." Emraz said sternly, warning them.

"You are teaming with her." Both siblings said at the same time. "Because you guys are teaming up, let's make it fair, right Hoorain?" Emraz grinned, giving her shoulder a squeeze, "Yes!" She beamed, hugging Emraz who chuckled.

"Hoorain, you know why Emraz bhai is so good with you?" Hoor said, coming closer, "Because we found you in a bird's nest and he doesn't want you to feel bad about it." They snickered, making her gasp.

"Enough playing, Kids, come!" Hania called them for breakfast. Hoorain muttered something under her breath and left. "Hey, how many times have I told you to not treat your little sister like this?" Emraz scolded them. "It's not our fault that she is so quick to cry." Rayan shrugged, "Yeah, her face says 'bully me'." Hoor added, nodding.

Rayan and Hoor were always close to each other, always working like a team and Emraz being the big responsible brother but they were always too much to control disregarding the age.

After breakfast, Emraz dropped Hoorain at her college, she entered with a smile adorning her features, trying to look for the person for whom she chose this profession in the first place.

"Where are you? Where are you?" She asked, scanning the area, hopes fading but,-

There he was. The guy with hazel eyes and a dashing personality and not to mention his young age which made every girl drool for him. His eyes glistening under the sunlight, pushing his black hairs back, he was walking around.

Zain Bukhari, after his graduation he joined this college as the professor of the subject Marketing to help at home financially and collect some money to join his dream culinary school to become a chef.

Her face lit up in immense happiness when she saw him. Dressed in a black shirt and black pants, hands in his pocket, walking forth, her heart skipped a beat when she saw him like this. So handsome. She thought, tugging her hairs behind, fixing herself quickly.

"I have never seen him dressed up, gosh.. He is.. so enticing..." She paused when he came closer and deepened her blush. "Y-You?" She paused. She never wanted to call him Bhai and knew if she called his name, Rayan would force her to call him Bhai as well and she would never allow it.

"Well yeah, I am a professor here. Don't you remember?" He chuckled, "I see.. Sir." She smiled faintly, finally relieved to not call him Brother. "My, such obedience." He laughed a little, motioning her to come after him.

"Well, judging you never called my name, I should have known you would be hasty to find me a name." He said nonchalantly but her heart skipped a beat. "Y-You noticed?" She asked hesitantly.

"When you will call everyone but me then how can I not? It was obvious. Although I never know why." He asked playfully, turning to her. Tugging her hair behind, she looked away, "I.. never know.. What to call you.. That's all." She made up a reason, not meeting his gaze, "Seems like it, but now you do. Good luck." He gave her an aesthetic smile which made her smile as well. "Well, here we go. The administrative office. I should go to my class, see you around." He waved, "Thank you." She grinned.

"No problem, you are my best friend's sister after all. Feel free to ask me anything." He chuckled and left. Best Friend's Sister. She thought bitterly which wiped her smile. I don't want you to remember it like this. Remember me as Hoorain. She thought but it was pointless. Sighing in disappointment, she went to the office to get all the work needed to be done before going for her first class but to her disappointment Zain only teaches the final year students.

But this couldn't stop the zeal burning in her chest. "How was your first day?" Zain asked after her first day. "Fine..." She replied, when her eyes affixed on him, nothing else mattered. It was uncontrollable in his presence.

"Glad to know. By the way, May I ask Hoorain why you joined this course? Your family wanted you to do ACCA, you know." He asked casually as they walked down the corridor.

"But, I wanted to do this." She shrugged, either course, none of it would matter, she could do any. "I see. What about it intrigues you?" He asked. "Uh..." You. She paused, "Hmm?" He arched his brow and with cold breaths, she gulped, "Um.. Foreign offers." She excused mindlessly. "Mostly UAE and they are not too easy to grasp either. You gotta work hard." He explained. "I will." She whispered as they walked and he said after a prolonged silence when they reached the end of the corridor, "Okay then, if you need anything then tell me, I will be on my way and good luck." His smile gave her inexplicable felicity, her gaze lingering on his silhouette more than she ever had the chance and this was all she desired.

"Thank you." She smiled sweetly as he bid her goodbye and left as he kept watching him leave.

Only if you know you are the reason I have lost my path.

Years were passing by and Hoorain's feelings for Zain were increasing uncontrollably, she could no longer hold her posture when he was in front of her and her heart fluttered whenever her eyes fell upon him.

Shall I call it my zeal or a prolonged infatuation? She thought, sitting on the grass with her eyes affixed on Zain talking to his students. A smile adorned her lips, unable to impede the rhythm arising in her heart.

"That's enough staring for one day, Hoorain." Her Best Friend Haziqa Hassan, the only person who is aware of her untold arrest snapped her fingers, chuckling at her daze. "What the hell, Haziqa?" Hoorain frowned, finally parting her gaze and turning to her.

"If you want to be seen as an obsessive freak then tell me I will hold the honor of spreading rumors." She smirked, folding her arm. "Am I?" She gasped, almost startled at the title, "Well, if you stare constantly at someone, then you will." She hummed, sitting on the grass beside her. "A clear pry on his very soul by your piercing gaze." She chuckled, pinching her nerves by her comments.

"What can I do? It's not that I could stop it. I.. never meant to." Hoorain mumbled with a sigh of disappointment, "Doesn't his oblivion hurt you?" She asked cooly, using her phone, "What can I do? His ignorance is favorable, losing him would be a dear price." She responded, dejected to think about rejection.

She looked up again but he was gone, wiping her feeble smile. "But don't make it obvious too, he is not your Brother's best friend here. He is our soon-to-be professor." Haziqa told her nonchalantly but smirked teasingly at the last sentence.

"I can't believe it." Hoorain breathed out, not believing starting from next year Zain would be her teacher, the thought alone made her heart race unruly.

"Time passes in a blink of an eye, don't you think?" Hoorain asked, turning to her, she hummed in response, still using her phone. "What are you going to do after?" Haziqa asked, not looking up. "What else? Join the hotel he would." She shrugged, leaning back on the tree.

"You are a stalker." She mocked, a fading smile from her, "What do you mean?"

"I mean just say it to his face rather than doing creepy stuff like following his trails like a dog. Sounds harsh? Sorry girl, but that's what it is." She smiled jeeringly, placing harsh reality she turned blind to. "You are ruining your life by running after him like this, disregarding the outcome which will leave you all alone in the end." She stated the bitter fact Hoorain was not ready to accept. "Nothing of this sort is happening, you are going too far." She muttered, not even bothering to pay heed, hugging her knees, digging her nails to neglect her advice.

"I am warning you already, Hoorain, don't ruin your life for someone who is not yours." Haziqa told her sternly. Hoorain opened her mouth to argue but no words came out as Haziqa got up taking her stuff and leaving for her class.

But, she did ruin her life for someone who was not meant to be.

"My life is not running away, what's wrong if I spend some moments with his thoughts?" She mumbled to herself before outrageously grabbing her stuff and leaving for her class as well.

Meanwhile Zain left the staff room after helping a girl of his class with some doubts. Zain, being the youngest and most handsome teacher in class, was always surrounded by girls but to him, his ambition matters the most, only focusing on his job.

"You sure are popular, Mr Bukhari." Anaya, his fellow worker smirked, teasing him. "Ah, don't mention it please, Mrs Singh." He chuckled. "Why? All of them lined up for you." She joked.

"Do you want to get me fired?" He asked, turning to her. "Just kidding, your world revolves around work all the time, doesn't your mind wander sometimes?" She asked with a shrug.

"I don't think I need anything at work, I have a life outside of it, No need to keep it here." He replied nonchalantly. "Yeah, Yeah." She hummed, putting her hand in the air in defeat.

"By the way, how's your culinary school?" She asked, Zain finally started his dream school, it would be a matter of time when he will fulfill his dream. "Great. Just call it the first step." He grinned, telling her about it as soon as time passed and he left for his class.

Later Hoorain's test results came, stating she was not doing that well. Well, what can she do when someone can't leave her mind and rendering her unable to do anything else?

"Wow, just look at her grades!" Hoor scoffed as everyone was present, displeased with her grades. "So what? She passed, what more do you need?" Emraz tried to defend her as she stood beside him, frowning deeply, holding his sleeves.

"Emraz bhai stop defending this midget. She got into that school with such persistence and if she can't even maintain a good grade then what's the point of it?" Rayan said strictly, rebuking her but Emraz kept defending her.

"Yeah, exactly! If you are doing what you love, your grades shouldn't be like that." Hoor added, as the pair berated her and the parents sighed, not knowing what they should say, "Will you leave something for us to say?" Rehman asked, "Because last time I checked, I was the Man of this house and her Father." Rehman said, pouting childishly.

"I will try harder next time..." Hoorain mumbled, hiding behind Emraz's back, holding his shirt but he smiled and put his hand on her shoulder, giving her a side hug, "See, she is saying she will try harder, don't be so harsh on her." He said cheerfully but Hania said strictly, "And you stop being so soft on her."

"But, Mama-" He tried to reason but she cut him off, "Hush, Emraz. She did this course herself, at least she should put more effort doing what she wanted." Hania chided too, giving her a glare which shut her mouth, making an apologetic face.

"Yeah, Hania is right. We didn't force you, you are doing what you wanted but at least show us some results, I don't even think you wanted to do this course." Rehman said softly, trying to make her understand to work hard to gain what she loves but how can she tell them about the real reason why she joined this course.

"I will try." She said feebly, looking down, "She will, don't you, Hoorain?" Emraz smiled, putting his hand over her head causing her eyes to glimmer with a grin, "Of course bhai!" She beamed, nodding vigorously as they eldery couple smiled, knowing only Emraz could make their girl listen.

"See. If she is having difficulties then how about we find her a tutor?" Emraz suggested happily. Hoorain's heart fluttered in a beat in blissful anticipation that it could be Zain. "I think Emraz is right." Rehman agreed. "Rayan, what about Zain? Can't he teach her?" Emraz asked.

"Yeah!" Hoorain said immediately in utter glee but after realizing what she did, she shut her mouth, taking a step back. "Zain has more things to do other than teaching this blind brain. He has college in the morning and culinary class in the evening. He doesn't have time for this brat." Rayan shrugged, narrowing his eyes at Hoorain who's happiness faltered the instant it crept upon her face.

"It's okay, I will find you a tutor, okay?" Emraz offered, turning to Hoorain who came back to her world. If it's not him then I don't want anyone. She thought and argued, "No, No, No. It's okay, Bhai. I will study harder next time. I don't want a tutor." She said hurried, put her hands in the air, shaking her head in denial,

Oblivious of her behavior, he shrugged this thought off and agreed, "Well, if you say so. But if your grades won't improve, you will have to get one, okay?" He said with a gentle smile, patting her head. "Okay." She grinned and nodded firmly.

"Good. Now, go to your room." Rehman smiled and with a chuckle and sticking her tongue at her other two siblings she ran to her room, "Okay!"

"Ah, My, I can't believe it." Hania exclaimed in glee, hugging her daughter when her final year started. "I am amazed she even passed." Hoor muttered and Rayan nodded in agreement. "Well, this calls for a treat!" Emraz beamed, hugging Hoorain, kissing the top of her head.

"Yay!" She cheered as they went to have a family dinner together to celebrate her passing as her final year she was waiting for finally started.

The time when she will be taught by him.

This lone fact gave her happiness she couldn't fathom and everyone thought she was happy because of her course's final year "I am gonna miss you a lot, Hoor." Rayan mumbled, resting his cheek on his palm. "What was I supposed to do without you?" He asked sadly but she chuckled, "Don't worry, I am not going that far." She giggled. "Far?! You are going to a whole other country and you are saying this!?" He frowned deeply but she simply smiled, patting his head.

"Besides, Emraz bhai could compensate for it." She smirked, turning to him, "What?" He asked, furrowing his brows. "By bringing a sister-in-law." She tittered, "She is not a thing I was supposed to bring." He muttered, dismissing the matter.

"Come on, Bhai. You are the eldest. I barely doubt this man has any intention of doing it either so that leaves you." She said, turning to him.

"Why me? Rayan has a girlfriend. Tell him to do that." He shrugged. "Yeah, Bhai!" Hoorain grinned, agreeing with her sister. "Not you too." He sighed, holding his forehead. "Hey, don't tease my boy. Don't you guys worry, an angel will descend for him." Rehman laughed, patting Emraz's back, he smiled.

"I hope." He breathed out as they continued their dinner, filled with the sound of chattering and a lovely time.

The next day, her classes started. her heart was thumping beyond control, putting her hand on her chest, she tried to clear her mind but couldn't the smile on her lips was not removing.

"You're happy, aren't you?" Hoor asked, etnering and plopping on the bed. "Huh? What do you mean?" She asked, gasping, turning to her, holding her shirt.

"Do you think I don't know why you are trying to look good?" She asked, taking a bite of her apple. "Do you think he will notice?" Hoorain asked, lowering her head. Despite the gap in age, Hoorain has told her sister everything about her crush on Zain from the very start.

"He will but not in a good way." She hummed, contemplating her form. "What do you mean?" She asked, panicking a little.

"Why bother yourself when you have me?" She asked, proud of herself as all her female friends asked her for fashion advice. "Let's get ready." She smiled, throwing the core of her apple in the dustbin and helping Hoorain to get ready, making sure she looks simple but pretty.

"There, all done." She smiled, applying a faint tint on her cheeks and lips. "Perfect." She smiled.

"Thanks, Hoor Api." She grinned, checking herself out in the mirror. "No problem. And yeah, even if I am going away that certainly doesn't mean you won't tell me anything, understood?" She asked sternly, smirking, leaning on the wall.

"Of course, If I won't tell you then with whom I will?" She asked with a giggle, taking her bag.

"Let's just hope he notices." They both sighed and walked out, talking with each other as both brothers left for work early.

"Bye!" Hoorain waved and left for her college too.

She reached early and rushed to Haziqa. "Hey!" She grinned, coming to her. "Ah my, someone sure came prepared." She smirked, teasing her, causing her to blush and look down shyly. "Three years... hmm?" She smirked, pushing her by her shoulder, "Hush, Haziqa, someone might hear." She mumbled, biting her lips. "Let them, I think most of them would have noticed by now the way you look at him." She teased but gasped, she stumbled back.

"What!? Really?!" She asked, abruptly apprehensive about it. Haziqa chuckled at her reaction and sighed, "No silly, I was just teasing you. When the target of your eyes doesn't notice, no one will." She grinned, tapping her shoulder to ease her and not vex about this anymore.

"You scared me for a second." She sighed, emitting a long sigh, shaking her head but Haziqa's smile faded and was replaced with a scowled, "Well everyone except one." She hissed when their fellow Azed Durani a.k.a the heart stealer of their class came with a smirk plastered on his lips, hands resting his pockets, his green eyes shimmering under the sun along with his brown hair. "Argh, not him." Hoorain's excitement faded, turning to him when he approached them steadily.

"Hey." His deep tone came, eyes affixed on Hoorain who was looking away with a stoic expression. "Hey." The girls responded rudely.

"Don't make this face." He said sweetly. "I don't know what you are talking about." Hoorain shrugged. "You know exactly what I am talking about, Hoorain. Why do you make this face whenever I am here? What have I ever done?" He asked, tilting his head in confusion, lips curling downwards. Even being a playboy of the institute, he has always been nice to Hoorain and never tried to hit on her after high school but she hates him for his image.

"I don't even want you to do anything." She retorted. "I guess even asking for a friendship is too much." And this was the extent of what they call manipulation.

"Yes, It is. Let's go, Hoorain." Haziqa hissed, grabbing her arm and leading her to their class.

"Geez, that man never fails to ruin my mood." Haziqa muttered. "You sure hate him." Hoorain chuckled. "I have no intentions of simping over a playboy." She scoffed as they both sat down. waiting for the class to start.

"Who knows he might be nice." Hoorain shrugged. "Such guys talk sweetly only to use you. Don't be absurd, Hoorain. Besides..." Her rage eventually faltered and was replaced by a smirk when she turned as their teacher entered, whispering, "Your beloved is there."

A deep blush appeared on Hoorain's face, her heart began to pound, seeing Zain there, wearing a white shirt with gray pants and a matching tie, sleeves rolled to elbow perfectly, upholding a perfect dominant aura, enhancing her feelings more.

"Good Morning, Class. I am Zain Bukhari and as of today I will take your Hospitality and Management class." He began to say, teaching the class and all she felt was mesmerization, lost in his words, smile not leaving her lips but Haziqa broke her connection, pulling her arm,

"You daydream whenever you want. Focus for now." She hissed and sighing, rolling her eyes off, taking notes.

Finally starting her classes, the days she was waiting for.

Later, when days passed, Hoorain went to see Zain often under the name of doubt, just to make small talk.

"Sir.." She called, coming to him. "Hmm?" He hummed, looking up at her with a sweet smile. "Could you help me with this topic please?" She asked softly. She was only good in his subject and average in others, she wanted to gain good grades to gain his praise.

"Sure, What is it?" He asked as she came near and showed him, he began to explain and she couldn't remove her eyes from his irresistible features, getting lost in him entirely as nothing but him existed.

"I hope this clears your doubt." he smiled, giving her book back, "Yes. Thank you." Her smile grew wider, putting it near her chest and was about to leave but he called her, "Listen, Hoorain, I wanted to talk to you for a while now." He called her. Her heart skipped a beat, turning to him, asking softly, "Yes...?"

"You only ask me for doubts and only good in my subject, may I know?" He asked, folding his arms, leaning back on his seat.

"Um.. because I suck at Hospitality and Management so I give it more time than others." She excused quickly, chuckling nervously. "But, just this won't take you anywhere. You have to pay attention to others as well, understand?" He advised her in a soft tone.

"I understand." She nodded timidly, putting her book near her chest.

"I know you can do it. I believe in you." He smiled and his one sentence of encouragement brought an inexplicable glee to her face, grinning as she nodded, "I will work harder." She said sweetly.

"That's the spirit! Good luck!" He cheered. "I better see you on top." He chuckled, making her giggle, "I will try my best." She smiled softly and left with a nod.

For you, I will