Chapter 19: Then come to my home. 

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"There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other."

-J. K. Rowling-

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Yusra's head hurt. She instinctively pulled the blanket in her hands closer to her head. She smelt something nice, familiar; her mind told her so she inhaled deeply. The scent made her smile and snuggle into whatever was on her. That was when things came rushing back. The eye contact, the smile, the realization and the fainting. Immediately her eyes opened and she peered out of the blanket she was covered in.

"Yes E. I hear you" she heard Islah speak before she saw him. When she realized he hadn't seen her awake, she took her time to study the so-called person she now­ likes.

Islah Reza-Ibrahim is tall, about 6 foot with dark brown hair and an equally pigmented beard. His beard was short and neatly groomed just his hair. I'd kill to see them messy though. She decided to chastise herself later for such thoughts. Islah had broad shoulders and torso on which, the white dress shirt fit nicely. She wanted to smack her inner thoughts for such comments but even Yusra could not deny Islah was goodlooking. Absolutely gorgeous. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she did not realize he had caught her staring at him.

When she realized he was walking over, she immediately closed her eyes and pulled the blanket slightly up to cover her eyes. Her heart was running a marathon right now. Please don't know I am awake. Please.

"I know you are awake" she heard him say and groaned lowly. His chuckle sounded next before she felt the blanket being tugged away slowly. She held onto the blanket and peered out of it. She gasped when she saw how close the CEO was. He was (again) kneeling down beside her with a smile, his blue-gray eyes shining bright.

"Hi" Stupid. Out of all the things, you thought of saying this! Islah did not seem to mind it though. He grinned instead.

"Hey" Awkward. She waited for Islah to break eye contact but he didn't. Not until the two heard a cough from the door of the office. Islah almost fell on the ground and Yusra set up abruptly, her hand going to her head to check for a hijab. Stupid girl. You didn't do that when he was staring at you but did it when someone else entered? What has gotten into you?!

"I am sorry to interrupt but are you okay darling?" Rabail walked towards her, followed by Iravat. Ah great.

"Fine" she replied sheepishly. Rabail smiled at her and held out a brown bag. When Yusra did not take it, Rabail placed it on her lap.

"It's some painkillers." She told her and turned to Islah. "What did the doctor say?"

Islah cleared his throat as three pairs of eyes turned to him.

"It's exhaustion. You haven't been getting much sleep lately I take it?" Islah directed his firm gaze to Yusra who looked away sheepishly. Right. Korean dramas do that to you.

"Awh my poor baby" Rabail had taken Yusra's hand in hers and was now cooing at her like a mother hen. Yusra let out a surprised yelp and turned to the boys. Both the brothers remained indifferent to Rabail's antics.

"Rab? I think you should let her be for now" Iravat told her and Yusra looked at him again. Rab? When Iravat did not acknowledge her, she turned to Rabail. The woman was still playing with her hands.

"Thank you" she told her and Rabail met her gaze with questioning ones.

"Why?"

"For making sure I was safe" she replied and Rabail let out a chuckle.

"Thank Islah. The man would not have anyone near you. He carried-" Islah coughed at this and Rabail took the cue to shut up. She grinned teasingly at Islah before standing up. Yusra waited for her to continue talking but she didn't.

"I came to check if you are fine. Now if you both will excuse us, we have a date" she said and Iravat face palmed himself, blushing furiously. Islah barked out a laugh and if Yusra wasn't too busy being mesmerized by Islah's laugh, she too would have laughed.

Rabail turned to her actual 3 inch heels and began walking out of the office. Iravat nodded at his brother before following her out.

"Have fun!" Islah called out and the brother groaned again, shutting the door.

Yusra turned to Islah who was already looking at her.

"Dinner?" he asked her and her eyes widened. Dinner? What time is it? She haphazardly checked her watch to realize it was past 6pm. I slept all these hours?

"Yes you did" Islah laughed and she turned to him, scowling. He held his hand up and sobered up quickly.

"So?" he asked her after a moment of silence. She sighed and stood up, pulling the blanket with her. She folded it neatly and placed it on the couch she was laying on. How did I get up here?

"How did I get up here?" she asked him and Islah shifted on his feet. She saw it and frowned. When Islah began rubbing his neck and his cheeks tinted pink, Yusra knew something was wrong.

"What happened?" she asked him in all seriousness. He shook his head, walking away. She rushed after him and stood in front of him, blocking his way.

"What happened?" she asked again, in a firm manner. Islah rolled his eyes.

"I carried you here after you fainted" he replied and all color drained off Yusra's face. He carried me here? In his arms? No Yusra, in a stretcher! Her mind sassed her. Yusra's hands went over her face in utter embarrassment.

"In front of everyone?" she asked in a small voice and Islah smiled smugly. 

"Yes. Don't worry, Rabail handled the situation" he told her and she blushed more. Now Miss. Rabail too.

Islah watched her with awe. She is embarrassed, he thought smugly. But it was true. He did carry her upstairs in his arms and boy did she fit in perfectly. He recalled what had occurred a few hours earlier. He walked into the refreshment room to introduce Rabail to the company and as always, he began his search for her. When Islah caught her eyes, he grinned. She was the one he was searching for and somehow he felt she knew it. Then he had watched her face flush and then pale out before she fell. He had ran to her and immediately pried off whoever was shaking her. He picked her up bridal style and rushed to the elevator with Markos following him and Rabail asking everyone to stay calm.

Markos had called the doctor who arrived fifteen minutes later and inspected Yusra. Turns out his woman was merely exhausted and Islah felt bad about it. Work must be taking a toll on her, he had thought in disdain.

Since he was the CEO, he had to introduce Rabail to his employees so he had left Yusra in Markos' care for a while. After introducing Rabail, he had made a mad dash for his office with Rabail hot on his heels. She was as concerned for her temporary PA as Islah was. Islah made sure Yusra was covered in a blanket all times and had even increased the AC temperature to make it less cool. And that was it. He had gone back to work while Yusra slept the day away.

"Islah?" he snapped out of his thoughts and smiled at her.

"What is it, little kid?" he asked softly. Little kid again? If his voice wasn't so soft, I would have headbutted him to the ground!

"May I leave now?" she asked him and he nodded at her.

"Give me a minute. Let me grab my coat and I'll drop you home" he told her and she shook her head furiously.

"I will call baba" she told him. He frowned, already picking up his coat and phone.

"I will drop you home. Your phone" he handed her, her phone and she immediately opened it. Her eyes widened when she saw 5 missed calls from her mother and 7 from her father. I am so dead. I am so dead. She dialed her baba's number and he picked up on the second ring.

"Yusra! We have been trying to reach you all afternoon!" her father sounded worried and Yusra immediately felt guilt creeping in.

"I am sorry baba. I was-" asleep? "Busy" she muttered and Islah stifled a laugh at her lie. He was now leaning onto the door, waiting for Yusra to leave the office.

"At least leave a message baba," her father replied and Yusra bit her tongue. If I tell them I fainted, they will blow a fuse.

"Yes baba. I will"

"Great. I take it you are still at the office?" he asked her and she nodded. Islah let out an audible laugh and she turned to him, glowering. 'He can't see you' Islah whispered and she blushed. Right.

"Yes baba. Will you be able to pick me up?" she asked him, her gaze still on Islah. The man merely smiled at her.

"I can pick you up in two hours max" her father replied and Yusra frowned.

"Why two hours?" she asked him. Her house is an hour away from her work, including traffic. Her father must not be home to say that.

"Your mother, Am'mah Maheen and I are at the hospital" her father replied and Yusra's eyes widened again. Hospital?

"Hospital? Did something happen, baba?" she asked him and her father let out a small laugh.

"No, we are fine but Maheen's mother-in-law isn't. So we are here to see her. Abaan and Maha are with us. Will you be fine waiting?" her father asked her. She heaved a sigh looking at Islah, who was still gazing at her.

"No baba. It's fine then. Don't worry about me, stay with them. I will get the CEO to drop me home" she replied and Islah grinned at her words.

"Islah? You sure? I can talk to him if you want" her father told her but she denied it.

"I will be fine baba. Take care."

"Alright. Do thank Islah for me. Take care baba. Call me once you are home. We might take a little while here" her father informed her and she rubbed her forehead. Great.

"Ah its okay baba. Allah hafiz" once her father replied the salutation, she hung up and stared at her phone in disdain. My house is empty and I will probably have to search for food.

"What happened?" Islah asked, still leaning on the door frame. Yusra looked at him with narrowed eyes even though she was silently thanking the heavens he was there. For now. He does look good leaning on that door though.

"Maha's grandmother is sick so now all of them are at the hospital, an hour away I guess. I have no idea which hospital though." She told him and he nodded.

"I drop you home?" he asked and she rolled her eyes at him. He threw her a cheeky grin. He heard me on the phone with baba! Wallahi this boy. But you still like him, her mind sassed again.

She sighed and began walking out of the office. The building had ceiling lights on and as they passed, Islah shut them off. Yusra walked to her desk and picked up her stuff before the two began descending to the lobby. The office was empty save for the three guards around. Islah nodded at them and the two walked out. Islah locked up the place as Yusra stood outside in the chilly air.

"Home alone" she muttered to herself as she rubbed her jacket clad arms. Islah chose the exact moment to walk over to her.

"Hmm?" he asked her as they began their short walk to Islah's Jeep. Yusra shook her head at him.

"Home alone. I will be alone" she replied, feeling uneasy. She hated being alone, especially home. Something about her is always paranoid even though they have the best security.

"Then come to my home" he replied automatically and Yusra halted at her tracks, staring at him incredulously. Did he just invite me to his place? When Islah realized what he said, he shook his head frantically and waved his arms like King Julian from Penguins of Madagascar.  

"No I meant-" that's when he realized he had said exactly what he meant. "I live with my family so you could stay over with mom until Professor Abideen can pick you up" Yusra's expression morphed into a grin as his fumbling. He is so cute when he fumbles.

"It is fine" she told him, walking over to Islah who had opened the passenger side door for her. He placed his hand over her head as he got in and Yusra found his adorable. Awwwhh. He makes sure I don't hurt myself. He shut the door and walked over to the other side while Yusra buckled up. He took off his jacket and placed it on the back seat where his laptop and files lay. He then rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt causing Yusra to ogle (again) at his hands. Why are his hands so perfect? So beautiful?

He got in and started the ignition. Immediately cold air hit her face, making her shiver (and snapping her out of her fangirling moment). Just how hot does this guy feel to have his AC so cold?! She remembered the other time she was in this vehicle and smiled immediately. Good memories. Yusra fumbled with the air conditioning vent on her side until she successfully turned it away from her. She grinned while Islah shook his head. They were out on the main street and as predicted, it was busy.

Islah switched on the radio and music began drifting into the vehicle. Yusra frowned at the song. I know this one. She hummed to it until she found the name. Rockabye Baby, by Clean Bandit, Sean Paul and Anne Marie. She liked all the artist hence she knew the song. When she began humming along with it a little louder, Islah smiled to himself showing all his pearly whites.

My woman is so cute, he thought while Yusra jammed to the song she hadn't heard in ages.

"You want to meet mom or no?" he asked her as they stopped at a red light. Now the song had changed to Classic by MKTO and she was (again) jamming to it. When she heard his question, she stopped. Go or not go? I can ask baba but should I?

"It's alright. By the time I reach home, it will be over an hour so I will have roughly an hour or so alone. I can handle that" she replied but Islah saw her paranoia.

"Why don't you like being alone?" he asked her and she stilled in her motion. He realized he had asked her a sour question. She sighed.

"I just don't like being alone. When I was around four, my cousins were over and somehow while playing, they locked me in a shed at our old house. I was there for over four hours, according to baba. And since then, I grew afraid of being alone. I can handle myself but I just don't necessarily like being alone" she explained and he grimaced, as a picture of small, frightened Yusra alone in a shed formed in his mind. Yusra watched his expression and smiled.

"I am fine though" she muttered and he sighed, pulling to a stop at the nearby bus stop. Yusra turned to him, confused. Why are we stopping here? She watched him whip out his phone and dial a number.

"Hey Rabail" 

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HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! 

Have a lovely day. :) 

| R - C - V |

xx,

-Aalihha.