16 September 2019

Hey, everyone! How are you all? It's my birthday soon, so I thought to treat you all with the next chapter! ;) I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Let me know what you think of it, yeah?

"The heart wants what it wants. There's no logic to these things. You meet someone and you fall in love and that's that." - Woody Allen

Alayna's POV

"Alayna, please eat at least a little bit. You'll fall ill if you don't eat!" Mum says, worriedly. She's made me my favourite lasagne with homemade garlic bread, but I don't feel like eating anything. I have no appetite, after what happened earlier at work. I can still feel that man's dirty hands on me, touching me like I've never been touched before. Recalling the memories of earlier makes me feel nauseous.

I've scrubbed myself in the shower three times from head to toe, but I still feel dirty. I can still feel him touch me.

'Mum, I'll eat later. I promise I will, you don't need to worry. I'm not hungry at all,' I tell her softly.

"Alayna, please eat sweetie. You're the strongest girl I know, and that man will have to pay for what he did. His name is in the medical records at the hospital, right? He will have to pay," Aliya says gently, rubbing soothing circles on my back.

'Yeah,' is all I say in reply. I don't feel like talking, either. I just want to be left alone, but no one will leave me alone. They're too worried about me, and they somehow want to cheer me up. But they can't.

Since I reached home, I keep getting calls from Hanna, Anum and Hina. They're all extremely worried about me, and they've left me several texts, too. I'll reply later.

Mum was upset when Hanna told her about what happened at the hospital. So was Dad, and they were absolutely furious. Dad and Yusuf Bhai promised me that they will hunt down that 'patient', and make him pay. And I know that they will. But nothing's making me feel better today.

Just then, the doorbell rings. I sigh, sinking deeper into the plush leather sofa. I'm in the living room, lying on one of the sofas.

"I'll go and answer the door, but I can't see you like this, darling. You have to eat something," Mum says, upset. She leaves the room, going to answer the front door.

I'm left with Sara, Aliya, Dad and Yusuf Bhai. I can feel all their eyes on me, but I close my eyes, wanting to escape just for a few seconds.

'Where is she, Aunty? Where's Alayna? Is she upstairs?' I hear my other best friend, Hanna's, voice call out.

"She's in the living room, dear," Mum tells her.

A few seconds later, I feel a gentle kiss on my forehead. I open my eyes. It's Hanna, and Aunty. And Laiba, Usman Bhai, Uncle, and Zayan. They're all here. The kiss was from Hanna.

'How are you feeling, dear?' Aunty asks me gently, giving me a small, worried smile.

I sit up, shrugging. "I'm fine, Aunty. I'm fine.."

'Alayna dear, we've tracked down that man, and we will be filing a report against him,' Uncle tells me.

My heart starts to race. I don't say anything in reply, but I just nod.

'What have you ate? It's 9pm, Alayna. Tell me what you've eaten,' Hanna asks me, frowning.

"Nothing," I mutter.

'What?! Come on, Alayna. You need to eat! You'll fall ill, if you haven't already! Yeah, yeah. I know I'm a doctor, but.. you better not fall ill. I don't want to treat you,' she jokes.

"I won't fall ill, Han," I respond.

'You didn't even crack a smile! Okay, I was joking. Of course I would treat you if you were ill. But I'd rather you don't fall ill, because you're my best friend and I can't see you sick. Sit up straighter, I'm going to feed you,' she says.

I shake my head. "I'll eat later, Hanna. I'm not hungry at all."

'I'm hungry, too! And I'll only eat with you, Alayna. If you don't eat with me, I'll stay starving. I don't mind,' she says, pouting. Aliya and Sara smile at her, but I sigh.

"Please eat, Han. I'm really not hungry, if I eat something, I'll be sick. I think I'm getting a fever."

'Okay, everyone. Out of my way, please. Doctor's on the way,' Zayan says, standing up and coming to me.

I give him a questioning look.

Hanna smiles slightly, standing up to give him space. He surprises me by sitting next to me on the sofa, leaving a few inches space in between us.

"What are you doing?" I ask him, confused.

He gently grabs my wrist to check my pulse. 'You're right.'

"Huh? Right about what?" I ask. Everyone's watching us, looking amused.

"You're getting a fever, Alayna. An extremely high fever, of about 41 degrees celsius. It's serious. I think you need to be admitted to the hospital." He sounds serious and professional, making my lips twitch.

'Yeah? I don't think it's that serious, Dr. Zayan,' I reply.

"No, no. It is serious. And wait. Aunty, Uncle? She's fallen ill, she's right. She has an extremely high temperature, and is burning up," he says, feeling my forehead. I feel my heartbeat quicken for a second.

I touch my forehead and glare at him. 'I'm not burning up. I don't even have a fever.'

"It seems like you have an extremely sore throat too, with swollen lymph nodes. You have an infection," he tells me seriously, though his eyes are playful.

'Really, now? Perhaps I should change my doctor then, to you, Dr. Zayan. Seeing as you can tell my symptoms just by looking at me,' I say, making everyone chuckle.

He nods. "Perhaps you should. You have a sore throat, aren't I right?" He asks.

I shake my head, frowning. 'No, Doctor. You're wrong. I don't have a sore throat.'

"Hmm, so you're saying that you don't have a fever or a sore throat. Then tell me, why aren't you eating? If your throat is working just fine, why aren't you eating?" He asks, raising an eyebrow.

I sigh. 'Not you, too. Please. I'm not hungry.'

I stand to my feet to leave the room for air for just a few seconds, but I start to sway on the spot. It must be because of all the stress I'm taking, and because I haven't eaten a thing since breakfast this morning at half seven. It's been fourteen hours since I've eaten anything. And I only had a banana and a glass of orange juice for breakfast.

I steady myself and take a step, before I start to feel very dizzy. I hold my head for support, before my legs give way.

'Careful, Alayna,' I hear Zayan's voice as I land in his arms. His arms are on my waist to steady me, but I have absolutely no energy right now. My head falls to his chest, and I close my eyes.

Everyone in the room starts to freak out as I nearly faint in his arms.

'Alayna, that's what happens if you don't eat anything. I understand that you're upset, but you will fall ill. You have fallen ill,' Mum says, coming to us.

"I'm f-fine." My voice comes out shaky, and I fall deeper into Zayan's arms, in front of both our families. I don't know what I'm doing, though, as I'm just about conscious.

'Where's your room, Alayna? Aunty, where's her room? I'll take her upstairs, she needs to rest,' Zayan asks. His voice sounds serious now, and he's clearly worried.

"It's the room at the end of the main corridor when you go upstairs, on the left hand side," Mum says. "I'll show you."

'No, I'm f-fine,' I mumble, unable to keep my eyes open.

"You're not fine, Alayna. I'll take you upstairs, okay? You'll feel better after you've had some rest and eaten," he tells me.

'D-don't worry. I'm m-making everyone worry, I'm f-fine. D-don't follow me,' I say, not wanting everyone to worry about me. I feel guilty for making everyone worry. I'm fine. I will be fine.

"Okay, she doesn't want everyone to follow her upstairs. Maybe Alayna needs some time alone. Aunty, please come with me. Everyone else, stay here please. I'll be right back."

He carries me in his arms, making me giggle. I don't know what I'm saying or doing in front of everyone, but I know that I'm embarrassing myself.

Oh, my god. I'm in Zayan's arms. He's carrying me to my room.

He starts to walk out the room. My eyes are closed, but I feel him walk up the stairs. I feel so safe in his arms, for some reason.

"Is she awake, Zayan dear? Thank you so much for everything," Mum thanks him.

'Just about. She'll be okay, Aunty. I understand how upset and stressed she must be feeling, it's not her fault. But she definitely needs to eat something,' Zayan replies.

"T-thank you, you're my hero," I whisper, before starting to giggle again. Oh, god. I really have gone crazy.

********

Zayan's POV

'Oh, really now? I'm your hero, Alayna? I'm always here for you,' I tell her, smiling. She looks so beautiful, even in a state like this.

She opens her eyes slightly, looking up at me. "Gosh, you're... hot," she mumbles, before closing her eyes and leaning in towards me.

I smirk. She definitely won't remember any of this once she's feeling better. Getting such a comment from her, it makes me laugh. If anyone else called me 'hot', I'd probably feel annoyed. Because I'm always getting comments like these from girls. From guys, too, actually.

'Zayan, this is her room on the left,' Aunty tells me. Thankfully, she didn't hear our small interaction back there. Alayna would feel absolutely mortified if she found out that Aunty heard. Or if Alayna even found out what she said. I don't think she's in her right state of mind.

I open the large, white door to Alayna's bedroom. I'm pleasantly surprised by the room. It's large, very spacious actually. Right in the middle of the room is a king-sized bed with is heaped with dozens of pillows and cushions, and looks very comfortable. The colour scheme of her room is white and gold. Everything in her room, from her bed, drawers, dressing table, sofas, TV, desktop computer, bedside tables and lamps, is white and gold. On the far right side of the room is what seems to be a walk-in closet. On the left side of the room is a small white door to what must be her en-suite bathroom.

'Zayan, I'll be right back with some food for Alayna. And I'll call Hanna upstairs, too,' I hear Aunty say.

"Okay, sure Aunty. I'll just set her down and come downstairs," I say politely. She nods, smiling at me and leaving.

I walk into her room and lay her down onto her plush white bed. Her eyes remain closed, but she's not asleep yet. Her long, thick black hair falls over the white pillows beautifully, and some falls over her stunning, delicate face.

I brush the strands of hair away from her face, before I move back. Or rather, before I start to move back.

She grabs my hand, making me stop. 'Don't go, please..' her voice is broken, afraid. It hurts me to see her like this. Whenever I've seen Alayna, she's always been so cheerful. Her and Hanna are always joking about, having fun. But today, she's afraid. She's upset, and I can't see her like this for some reason.

'I-I'm so scared,' she mumbles, opening her eyes to meet mine. They're filled with hurt, anger and various other emotions.

"I'm here, Alayna. You don't need to be scared when you're with me. You're completely safe with me," I tell her honestly.

'My head's spinning, Zayan. I-I don't have a fever, but I feel sick,' she says in a small voice.

"I know, Alayna. You have to eat something, and you'll feel better. You're dehydrated, too. You nearly fainted in my arms downstairs, do you know that?" I tell her, worrying.

She frowns slightly, before her cheeks turn pink. I smirk slightly. 'Y-yeah, I did. I guess. W-wait. Everyone was there.'

"Yes, everyone was there. My family and your family. You don't need to worry, though. Everyone's extremely worried about you, and I'm your doctor now, aren't I?"

Her cheeks burn scarlet, making me chuckle. 'You're my doctor.'

Hearing her say 'my' doctor makes me smile. It makes me happy for a weird reason. I'm crazy. Just a week ago, even less than a week ago, I was furious at my parents and had a go at them for arranging my marriage to Alayna. I'm still mad at them about it.

And now, I'm getting happy for small things like this? First, when she called me her hero, and now when she called me her doctor? For so long, I felt absolutely furious towards a girl I didn't even know. I felt hatred towards Alayna, a girl I hadn't even seen. I blamed her for it, I don't know why. I didn't blame our parents,  but I blamed her for sticking me into such a situation. But now, when I'm getting to know her, she's nothing like I'd thought. Nothing like I'd ever imagined.

I used to think that Alayna is an annoying, spoilt girl who forced her parents and mine into arranging her marriage to me. How crazy had I been, when I had thought that? She still doesn't know about our arranged marriage. She has absolutely no idea.

Last night, my parents told me that her parents would tell her about the arrangement very soon. Like, in a few days time soon. Apparently, the time had come. Alayna needed to know now.

Mum and Dad are still telling me that in the end, it's my choice and Alayna's, however they would very much appreciate if we both agreed to it. It would bring our extremely close families even closer together, and it would merge our companies. If our companies got merged together, it would be the biggest company in the whole country.

But, I don't care. I don't care about any of that. We already have more money than we know what to do with, and so does Alayna. I don't need even more money, and I'm sure that Alayna doesn't, either. More important than our companies merging together, though, is the fact that our families would become one with our alliance, for our parents.

Since childhood, my father has been best friends with Alayna's father. They always wished for me and Alayna to get married one day. It's their biggest ever wish.

I don't know how Alayna will react when she finds out. Will she be mad at her parents? Will she be mad at me, like I used to be mad at her? I hope not. I know that she doesn't want to get married yet, but if she finds out that our parents have arranged her marriage to me, what will she do? I have absolutely no idea.

Just because I've been hurt in the past by someone I loved very much, it doesn't mean that it'll happen again.

Just then, I realise something. Ever since I met Alayna, I haven't thought once about Mariyah.

'Z-Zayan, are you okay?' Alayna asks, looking worriedly at me.

I nod, forcing myself out of my thoughts. How is it possible, though? How has it been a whole month since I thought about Mariyah? It's been one month and two days since I met Alayna.

"I'm fine, Alayna, but you're not. Now that I'm your doctor, I need to make sure that you feel better. Aunty's getting some food for you, and you need to eat."

'Okay, doctor,' she whispers, making me smile.

I haven't smiled this much in a while.

********

Aunty and Hanna come upstairs a couple minutes later, with some food and water for Alayna. I excuse myself and head downstairs, telling Alayna that I will be back shortly to check how much she's eaten.

I go out into her back garden, enjoying the fresh air that hits me. I walk further into the huge garden, enjoying the scenery. I take a seat on a garden swing seat in front of a large bed of red roses.

She's made her way into my mind in just a month. In just one month. Since the talk with my parents, I've been thinking. Not about Alayna, but about the concept of marriage.

Perhaps it's not such a bad idea. I'll be turning thirty in a few months, I'm not getting any younger. Just because one girl hurt me, trampled all over me and broke my heart, it doesn't mean that every girl will do the same. Maybe I should get married. I do want to get married one day, have children of my own and live happily. Maybe not just yet, but.. perhaps it's not such a bad thing.

I've never felt nervous in my entire life. I'm Zayan Khan. But today, I feel nervous. I don't know how Alayna will react when her parents tell her about the arranged marriage, and most importantly, I don't know how I want her to react.

Will I be happy when she declines the proposal, when she laughs it off and tells her parents that there's no way in hell that she'd ever marry me? I'll be happy when she calls off the 'deal', right? That way, there won't be any question left.

But what if.. what if she agrees? What if she accepts the proposal?

I laugh internally, shaking my head. There's no way that she's going to accept. She will obviously say 'no', and then we'll both go our own ways and marry other people.

I rub my temples with my fingers, closing my eyes. I feel a headache coming my way. I need to stop thinking about all this. Alayna's not thinking about it and getting stressed about it, so why should I?

Five minutes later, I get up and go inside. I sit for a while with our families.

Twenty minutes later, Alayna comes downstairs, with Hanna, Laiba Bhabhi and Aliya. She seems to be in a slightly better mood, thankfully. And she looks a lot better. She has some energy now that she's eaten.

I give her a small smile, which she returns with one of her dazzling ones. She surprises me by coming towards me, and taking a seat on the sofa opposite mine.

'Zayan, thank you so much. Everyone, thank you so much. You're all honestly so amazing. I feel upset because of earlier, I still do, but I honestly feel so much better now. Thanks to you all. Especially you, Doctor,' she says, smiling softly.

I automatically smile back at her. "I'm glad you're feeling better, Alayna. You have the rest of the week off from work. Take rest, eat properly and have fun. Do whatever you want. Okay?"

'No! Zayan, I'm absolutely fine now. I'll be a hundred percent by tomorrow morning. I want to work, I'll get bored at home! And.. I want the award for the best first year resident, don't I?' She teases.

I smirk, shaking my head. "Three days off won't affect the award, Alayna. You're in second position right now."

'Oh? I've forgotten to check the board, lately. Who's first?' She asks me.

"Dr. Anum," I say, after a few minutes of thinking.

She looks towards Hanna and chuckles. 'What about Hanna?'

"Hanna's third right now. You both have a little less than two months to compete for the position of the best first year resident," I tell Hanna and Alayna.

Hanna shrugs. 'I want Alayna to win.'

Alayna looks towards her and grins. "Really?"

Hanna nods. 'Definitely!'

I shake my head, chuckling at their beautiful friendship. I'm glad Hanna found Alayna as a best friend.

We get up to leave ten minutes later. It's almost 11pm now, and me and Hanna have work early in the morning.

'Take plenty of rest, okay? I'll see you on Monday.' I say to Alayna.

She nods, giving me a small, beautiful smile. "Okay. Thank you again, Zayan. Honestly."

'It's my pleasure, Alayna. I'm always here for you,' I tell her, in front of our families.

She blushes, looking towards the ground to hide her face. Then, she hugs Aunty, Uncle, Laiba Bhabhi and Hanna, saying goodbye.

********

Alayna's POV

I start work again the next Monday, and after that, time flies by. The time has come for Aliya's sangeet. Well, it's tomorrow evening. I've just returned home from last minute wedding shopping, and I'm absolutely exhausted.

It's 9pm, and I've finished having dinner with my family. We're all sitting in the living room, talking about tomorrow. Tomorrow is the first day of the sangeet. Me, Hanna, Aliya and Sara have planned so many songs and dances, and we can't wait. I'm so excited! I don't think I'll be this excited when it's my own wedding!

It's been three weeks since the day that I was harrassed by a patient at the hospital. I've recovered fully, thanks to all my friends and family. And Dr. Zayan, of course. I've known him for almost two months now. Time flies, right?!

I'm chatting to Sara about what we're going to be wearing tomorrow evening, when I notice Mum and Dad share nervous glances. It makes me very suspicious.

I know exactly what topic they're about to start, but I ask them. 'Mum, Dad? What's wrong? Why do you both look so nervous?'

They share another look, before Dad sighs and finally nods at Mum.

"Okay, we'll tell you. It's time to finally tell you, Alayna, but you have to promise us that you won't freak out. Please listen to what we have to say, and don't freak out. We're your parents, and we just want what's best for you," Mum says, her voice shaky.

I sigh, leaning back into the sofa. 'Okay, I won't freak out. Tell me.' My own voice is also shaky.

They switch off the TV, and everyone is silent. Mum, Dad, Sara, Yusuf Bhai.

"Alayna, years ago, when you were a child, we arranged your marriage. To the son of a huge businessman," Dad says, looking for my every reaction.

'Please continue,' I say, a few seconds later. I can't believe this.

"Me and my best friend planned this many years ago. My childhood best friend. We arranged for you to marry his son, when it was time. And we believe that now it's time for you both to marry. Only if you agree to it."

'I have a choice in this?' I laugh humourlessly. Then, I add, "You've had quite a few friends throughout your life, Dad. Which friend's son is this?"

'You know him, Alayna. You know him quite well now,' Mum tells me.

"What? I know him? Oh, god! Dad, Mum! Please, please tell me it's not Danish, the son of Uncle Faisal! Please!" I shout, freaking out.

Dad chuckles. 'It's not him. I wouldn't allow my daughter to marry someone like Danish.'

"Thank god! I'm still mad at you guys, but you know what? Over the past month, I've been thinking. I've been thinking a lot. Especially after what happened at the hospital when that patient tried to.. yeah. I- I think that I agree with you guys. I think I'm happy to get married soon. Even though I'm freaking out badly, because I don't know who this lucky guy is!" I ramble.

Mum grins at Dad, who has a small smile on his face. 'You really think you're ready for marriage, Alayna? Please don't feel pressured in any way, even though.. even though we arranged your marriage years ago. It's your choice in the end, and Zayan's, of course.'

My heart stops, and my mouth falls open. I didn't hear correctly, did I? I must be hallucinating, because for some reason, his handsome face doesn't leave my mind. Not even when I'm asleep.

"What did you just say? Who?" My voice comes out in a low whisper. My own voice sounds foreign to me.

I look towards my sister, who has the biggest grin on her face.

'Zayan. Yes, Alayna. Zayan Khan. Dr. Zayan. Who else was my childhood best friend, dear? His father, of course! We arranged your marriage with Zayan years ago! Isn't it amazing?!' Dad asks, joyful.

I can't find the words to speak. I don't even know what my own name is right now.

Zayan?

Dr. Zayan?!

My marriage was arranged with Zayan?! This can't be possible!

"You're lying," I blurt, trembling like crazy.

Sara touches my hand, shaking her head. 'You heard right, sis!'

"Aren't you happy, dear? I know this must be a shock to you, but.. he's an amazing guy! He's definitely the perfect guy for you, Alayna! And he's very handsome. You like him, right? He's a good guy, right?" Mum asks me.

'Mum!' I answer.

"Yes, darling? Please say something!"

'He's my mentor!' I reply, in utter shock.

Yusuf Bhai and Sara are laughing at my reaction, but I ignore them. I can't believe my ears. It can't be possible. Dad and Uncle arranged my marriage to.. Zayan?

This must be a dream.

Is it a good dream, though, or a nightmare? I don't know anything right now.

I was beginning to develop a crush on him. A strong crush. I'm twenty-five years old, yes, but he's so.. handsome. Caring. Protective. Helpful.

"So what if he's your mentor? He's Hanna's brother!" Mum laughs.

'Aliya's sangeet is tomorrow, at his mansion!' I start to freak out even worse. 'He'll be there!'

"Yes!" Mum says, happily.

'Tell me that you guys are joking with me. This isn't real, right? You're joking?' I stutter, looking towards my parents.

They look very serious, though, and very happy indeed. "We're not joking, sweetheart. We really believe that he's the right man for you. The only one. He's very caring, kind, friendly, honest, fun, hardworking, and he's a good guy, Alayna. Isn't he?" Dad asks, a small smile on his lips.

'He's a good guy, Dad. Does he know? Does he know about this?! Does Hanna know?' I ask. I have so many questions in my mind right now, so many questions that need to be answered. However, most of the questions are for him. For Zayan.

Dad nods, and I get a weird, giddy feeling. And another weird feeling in the pit of my stomach. This is all surreal. Unreal.

"Zayan knows, he's known for a while now. Hanna doesn't know anything, but she will know by tonight."

Zayan's known for a while? He's known, and he didn't tell me anything? Is that what he was trying to tell me over a month ago, when he said that my family were hiding something from me, and he wasn't the right person to ask? That must have been it.

I can't believe any of this! I'm mad at my parents, but at the same time, I feel.. giddy. I feel like this is all a dream.

Zayan, where are you? I need so many answers from you tomorrow.

There's no way in hell that Zayan would marry me. I mean, he can't, can he? He's one of the most eligible bachelors in the city. One of the best doctors in the whole country. I'm his mentor! I work under him, he's practically my boss.

He won't ever want to marry me.

Tomorrow. I will get all my answers tomorrow, after Aliya's sangeet.

********

Hey, guys! So much happens in this chapter, right? Zayan helps Alayna, Alayna finds out about the arranged marriage! Finally! I only made her find out so soon because you all wanted it that way! So tell me, what did you think of this chapter?

What was your favourite part of the chapter?

Who's your favourite character now? Guess mine!

In the next chapter will be Aliya's sangeet! What will happen? ;)

What will Zayan do, and say? Tell meee!

Guys, this chapter is unedited like all the others, so please point out any grammatical errors and I'll be sure to correct them right away.

Question: What's your usual morning routine?

Bye, guys! x