I ran down the short steps of Bristol Magistrate Court with my gown fluttering in air behind me. One hand pressing the phone against my ear, whilst the other holding my wig.

"Blast it!" I swore, pulling the phone away from my face before rushing into my car. Throwing the wig along with my gown on the passenger seat, I pressed on the engine button and pulled the car out of the driveway.

I rushed back to the house, hoping that I was imagining the worst and there would be a very reasonable explanation to why she had sent that message and wasn't picking any of my calls now.

'I'll open the door and she would still be there and greet me like usual.'

But she wasn't.

I felt the worst of my fears confirming, when I opened the door to her room and found the hangers sprawled on her bed. But only one of her bag was missing and she didn't leave the house key either. So, is she going to come back for the rest of her stuff?

With a slump, I dropped down on the bed. My hand shaking slightly as I clicked open her message.

"I am leaving."

It had already been 6 hours, since she sent this message. I was in the court the whole day and didn't see her calls until now.

Why? Was it because of what I said yesterday? Did she think, I—and where did she go? Wasn't one of her sister living in London? Maybe there—? But why wasn't she taking my calls—At the very least, I deserved to be told this to my face. Did she think, I wasn't even worth that much?

Exhaling an exhausted sigh, I dropped my face in my hands. I sat still in my place, when the ringing of phone pulled me out of my anguish.

Quickly grabbing my phone, I watched the caller ID for her name, but felt the energy drain out of me, when I saw Jake's name.

'He called before too. Did something happen to Gramps? I was so panicked before, that I overlooked his calls. God, please let them be okay.' I silently prayed, rubbing a hand over my face as I took his call.

"Hello, sir." Jake's calm voice sounded on the other side. He was my grandparents' butler and I trusted him fully with their wellbeing.

"Hi. Sorry Jake, I missed your calls. Was in the court. Is Gramps okay?" I asked with panic laced in my voice.

"No problem, Sir. Sir and Madam are in perfectly good health." He answered in a levelled tone and I found myself nodding in relief.

"Right—Thank God. I got worried for a moment there—" Closing my eyes, I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Yes, Sir. I just wanted to convey a message. The young Madam had asked me to inform you of her safe arrival, an hour ago. As directed by Sir and Madam, I personally chaperoned her travel to make sure, there wasn't any thing amiss. Also, Sir and Madam wished to inquire, if you'll be able to make it to dinner?" He continued in that detached tone of his, whilst I sat there stunned.

"Sir? Are you still there?" Jake's voice shook me back to reality.

"Is—-Zaira—You're saying that Gramps and Nana called Zaira, over?" I found my voice hollow.

"I believe so, Sir. Yes." He returned, confused. I couldn't exactly pinpoint if it was relief or anger, but I couldn't stop laughing.

"Sir? Are you alright?" Jake's solemn voice was buried underneath my chuckles.

"Right—! I am on my way. Inform them. Please." I remarked after stifling my mirth with great difficulty.

'This woman, will be the end of me.'

————————————

"Call Bert." I spoke into the bluetooth, gliding my way through the minimal traffic, while the call got connected to my trainee.

"Hello." Albert's rushed voice sounded on the other side.

"Yeah. Can you get those case files for my court on Monday? They are on my table. I'll be there in 5." I added quickly, swerving through the corner.

"Right, Sir. On it." After 5 minutes of his call, I stopped the car outside the firm. Thankfully, I got there just in time to catch up with Albert.

"Are you going somewhere, sir?" He inquired, handing over the files. I took the bulk with a thanks before dropping them in the trunk of my car.

"Yeah. I most definitely am." I grinned, giving his shoulder a squeeze in thanks, before speeding away in my car.

————————————

I was talking to Gramps and Nanna, while they explained to me about the preparations for our reception tomorrow; which had accidentally escaped my memory.

"But, I have given strict instructions that I want the flowers to be fresh, so they must put it only—" I was sitting on the arm rest, listening to Nanna go on in an animated way, when my gaze drifted towards the staircase and froze there. She was coming down, when I got up and started to walk upto her. I had reached her before she could reach the end of the stairs.

The whole ride, I thought of things that I would scold her for, but now when I was looking at her, I couldn't escape the sense of immense relief. My eyes didn't leave hers for a single moment. Yet, as I opened my mouth to tell her off, my eyes trailed over her face and I couldn't get a single word out.

Why? Why does she have a sad look in her eyes?

"Ra—" She began, taking a step towards me as she pulled away her hand from the railing but before she could complete that step, her footing missed and she slipped towards me.

I heard Nanna's shreik and noticed her eyes widening before I could catch her in my arms. She was leaning towards me, gaping with eyes wide open and hands pressed against my chest. Our faces were only inches apart and I couldn't take my eyes off of her.

"Zaira!" We were pulled out of our daze by Nanna's scream. With one quick move, I picked her and steadied her on the ground. I let go of her when Nanna came over. With a sigh, I began to move away.

But before I could, I saw flush creeping up her cheeks as her eyes met mine.

—————————————

"I said, I am sorry." I continued working on my laptop, without taking any notice of her.

"Rayyan!" She called out again.

"It was an honest mistake—! I really thought I had sent you that message!" She remarked miserably. I didn't need to look at her face to know she really was sorry.

"Right and I am sure you can say the same for not answering my calls." I remarked coldly and shot her a glare. She deserved a little punishment for making me go through that torture.

Her mouth opened in surprise before she closed it bewildered.

"I—I forgot it was in my bag....on silent..." She returned meekly looking at the floor and chewing on her lower lip. I stifled my smile before turning my attention back to the screen.

"I think...your plan to play this miserable prank on me would've been successful, if not for Jake. God bless that poor man's soul." I added tragically.

"—but—! I did tell Jake to inform you—!" She announced but I paid no heed to it. For a few moments she stood over me with her hands clutched on her sides.

"Rayyan. Are you still very mad at me? " I heard her whimper and it took everything in me to not give in to her cuteness.

"Very." My reply came curt.

"But! I did say, I am sorry—!" She cried dreadfully .

"Are you..? Sorry?" I finally looked up to find her watching me with a puckered lower lip which she drew into a thin line before turning away.

"Fine! I don't care anymore." She declared hotly, before leaving the room and I was finally able to release the suppressed laughter.

However, she returned some time later with 2 mugs in her hand, one of which she placed in front of me. I quirked an eyebrow at her at which she smiled easily.

"It's hot cocoa. You must be very tired." She answered with a sweet smile. I looked at her and then the mug infront of me.

"Is this a bribe? Are you actually trying to bribe me with chocolate, right now?" I asked amazed with raised brows, at which her smile changed into a scowl before she turned away with a hmph. I almost chuckled out loud at this but then she turned to me expectantly and I exhaled an exaggerated sigh and shook my head for extra effect.

—————————

An hour or so had passed while I was still working on the case and she had gone to bed. I assumed she was sleeping, until I saw her standing in front of me, rubbing her eyes. I jumped at this slightly.

"Sorry. Is the light disturbing you?" I inquired concerned. She only shook her head at that.

"You're not going to sleep?" She asked groggily. I smiled and shook my head at her.

"I'll sleep in a bit." I still had some stuff to finish, before I could sleep.

"Okay." She replied, but continued to stand there chewing on her lips.

"What is it?" I asked, cocking my brows at her.

"Where—That—" she stammered, looking away, visibly raking her mind to come up with the right words.

"Ah. Don't worry about that. I am fine here." I reassured her. There wasn't any couch in the room, so I would've had to make do on the chair tonight.

"No! You—I—It's huge and—I have set a pillow wall—so—you—" She remarked in broken sentences and I tilted my head at her.

"Are you suggesting that we can sleep on the same bed, thanks to the makeshift pillow wall you made?" I inquired slowly, stressing on my words. She watched me with widening eyes.

"Well-I—yes. You will be very safe—" Her voice trailing off unsure towards the end, before she averted her gaze.

"Anywho—You don't need to worry. I won't cross the line." She remarked with a hint of doubt and remnants of confidence from before. I looked away with a sigh.

"Really. Your words don't seem reassuring at all. Also, I don't want to share anything with you." I glanced up at her with raised brows. At my words her mouth opened in protest before turning into a pout.

"Really, Rayyan. Are you actually going to be this childish?" She inquired with a glare and arms crossed over her chest.

"Yes." I added briefly and then suddenly found her fingers wrapped around my free hand.

"No?" She had bent down to look at me with doleful eyes. Our faces were separated by only few inches and I felt myself gulp, as I peered into those resolute chocolate brown eyes.

"Yes." My voice came out raspy as my gaze trailed down from her eyes.

"You'll sleep on the bed?" I heard her whisper but my eyes didn't look away from the movement of her lips.

"Yes..." I returned in a whisper and saw the corners of her mouth lift in a smile before she pulled away with a jerk.

"That's much better." She announced triumphant while watching me with a satisfied smile on her face. I watched her return to bed stupefied.

What just—

—And after desperately trying to ward off the distractions haunting me for the past hour and failing at it miserably, I gave up and came to bed. I scoffed at her makeshift wall before getting into the warmth of the duvet.

And when morning came, the wall was brutally cast aside on her side of the floor while I found myself staring at the ceiling the whole night, without having got a moment's shut eye.

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