"Live the full life of the mind,

exhilarated by new ideas,

intoxicated by the

romance of the unusual."

                                                  - Ernest Hemingway

Playlist:

Meghan Trainer-I'm gonna love you like

Sia-Helium

Aaliyan's office was big and extremely clean - actually, the cleanest place I had ever seen in my life. I couldn't even find a tiny spot on the glass table. I turned to the wall - also made of glass and smudge-less - watching the beautiful city filled with greenery, the cars passing on the clean and broad roads, and the huge buildings dwarfed in my eyes due to distance.

The office was painted grey and all the other things were white. I wondered if it was already grey or if he had re-painted it grey after meeting me. My lips curled up in a silly grin.

Exactly after an hour later, he walked into his office, with his captivating scent. Aaliyan's face looked flushed, his eyes red-rimmed as he ran his hand ran through his messy brown hair. It made me confused and anxious at the same time. I wanted to ask him what made his mood go foul, but I couldn't muster the courage. It was not the time, I mentally taught myself a lesson of patience.

We left his office. I took a deep breath as we sat in his car. The silence was deafening but I didn't dare to say something. I kept staring outside the window with empty eyes all the while. The weird feeling in my stomach like something bad was going to happen wouldn't let me stay sane.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, making him nod curtly. My stomach dropped, something was not okay and it was making him dull and frustrated. His behavior was driving me nuts.

He stopped the car; his jaw was tight as he freed himself from the prison of the seat belt. His angry stare fixed on me but looking at my face his expressions softened. He threw his coat away in the car and got out immediately. I was getting more worried with each passing second.

It was a lakeside; he had pulled up the car. The weather was pleasant but I suddenly felt cold when I got out of the car. The night very slowly was spreading everywhere around us but the full moon hid in the clouds, raining its light on earth to prove he was present.

I went to Aaliyan's side; hugging his arm. He had a frown on his face that showed his inner turmoil. I cupped his hot cheek that I suspected was because he had a fever.

I turned his face towards me but his gaze didn't meet mine.

"Look me in the eye, Aaliyan!" My voice was barely a whisper. He took a deep breath closing his eyes and opening them, gazing at me with his glassy golden eyes.

"Share it with me." I heard myself saying, after a long moment.

"I can't." He jerked my hand away.

"Why?"

"I don't know." It felt like he wanted to run away from that topic.

It was so cold, inside and out.

There was this big tree. I took Aaliyan's hand in mine and strode towards it. I lay under it and pulled him down so he lay next to me, then took his arm to rest my head upon. I felt warm in the cold, looking at his face and he stared at the cloudy dark sky, with a round moon raining its light on us.

I wanted time to stop. I wanted to stay with him forever, never letting him go away from me. If it was in my hands, I would have tied him with me with shackles forever.

Being with him was the most beautiful feeling but yet it was the worst too. I didn't know how long we would be together? I didn't know when would we fall apart? When would he get bored with me? When would he leave me like the trash I was?

I placed my hand on his cheek making him look at me and whispered. "Aaliyan, I want to . . . I want to be with you. I want the satisfaction that I'm with you. You're with me; by my side. I want you . . . to smile so I could spend my time watching this fascinating sight without blinking until my eyes hurt."

A tiny, charming smile made its way on his lips, and water formed in his glassy golden eyes. I placed my hand on his cheek, moving my thumb with affection as I stared at his eyes.

"God, you don't know how sad you're making me with this sadness and hurt in your eyes."

My heart contracted with pain when a tear came rolling down from the corner of his eyes to his haughty nose.

"I'm happy that you have started feeling like me." His voice was raspy as he beamed at me.

I leaned towards his face and gave his both eyes a feather-like kiss.

"Tell me what's bothering you?"

"You'll hate me." He was afraid.

"I won't, I'll never." I shook my head.

He sat up, making me sit up with him too. "I don't know...how to...I'm sorry but..." he ran a hand through his hair, inhaling sharply like talking about this was making his breathing stop. "When I was five, my father... dad went bankrupt, we didn't have much. Dad put a great effort to get back to his previous position but no good results, and one day... my mother-- left-- she left us."

He gulped audibly like there was a noose that wouldn't let him talk but still he tried. "I was raised by my dad and his sister, my aunt, he got married again to Maya when I was thirteen . . . she was an evil woman. She gave daddy everything he had lost . . . but she never failed to brainwash him - he wouldn't talk to me. I never even heard him say." he lowered his head to the point I couldn't see his face, "my name," he whispered.

"We were so distant to each other, never talking unless he had to give me some work to do. One day Maya left him, but this time he wasn't broke, he had all the money- he had everything he needed. And then he started calling me Aaliyan. Aaliyan." He repeated his name in a trance-like it gave him a sadistic satisfaction. "He would talk to me for hours. . . I had the most perfect days of my life with my dad..."

Tears welled up in his eyes as he threw me a bitter smile. I grimaced at the pain I felt in my heart for him.

"One day when I came back from university and dad called me to sit with him; he said something that was - I shouted at him that day and said - said I hated him ... I hated him more than I have hated anything in my life...It was a lie, and I lied. Then, I went to my room and fell asleep."

"I was awakened by our maid, she told me that dad was no more, in a car crash... He left because of me... he had only me... I was his last hope and I... cruelly killed him. I killed him... and I hate myself for killing him... I loved him so much and I never had a chance to tell him that."

Aaliyan was panting; tears streamed down his face. He suddenly stood up and strode towards the water, running a hand through his hair. I got up and followed him, feeling his pain as mine. I hugged him from behind to let him know I was there for him, he was not alone.

"My mother is alive, and she is not in a good position financially." Bitterness was evident in his voice. "Her health is not good, she has some kidney problem and . . . she wants to meet me..."

"You should meet her," I mumbled.

He turned around, jerking me away from him. I flinched, afraid because he looked so intimidating. His expression softened, as his gaze met mine. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into an embrace.

"I have no one, only you."

I inhaled his scent, which calmed my senses and his warmth keeping me warm in the cold night.

We walked for a long time without saying anything. This time the silence was comforting. He stopped, as we approached an old man with dark skin and black mustache, wearing a black Pakol and a red shawl; he had a lantern in his hands. Who keeps a lantern with them in this era?

He smiled warmly at Aaliyan; he greeted us and said something to Aaliyan in Urdu that made Aaliyan laugh. Aaliyan possessively wrapped an arm around my figure, saying something to him back.

"What was that?" I narrowed my eyes at him when the old man walked away.

"That was this." He pointed me to look at the water.

I cocked my head to the side and my lips tugged upwards in a smile. Excitement bubbled up in me. "We are going boating?"

He put a hand on his chest, bowing slightly, a charming smile on his lips. "Yes, we are my lady."

"You know, how to move these oars right?"

"Yes," He chuckled, his mesmerizing laugh, and dreamy eyes gave my heart tingling feelings. "I won't drown you, now c'mon."

With his help, I stepped into the boat. When we both were seated, Aaliyan took the oars and with the smooth movements of Aaliyan's hands, the boat started to float on the water.

This was so serene, a perfect night, a night I would give my life for. The cool, slow breeze kept stroking my skin, making me shiver slightly. The sound of water that was being moved by the oars, the moon above us seemed bigger than usual. Moon hiding in the fog, sparkling water was making me doubt if it was a dream.

Aaliyan stopped the boat when we were in the middle of the deep water.

"Eee, we won't drown right?" I got up going to his side and sat next to him.

"I thought you were a swimming champion."

I pinched his arm. "Shurrup,"

He winced. "Wicked woman,"

"Why did you stop?" I raised my chin, to look into his golden eyes that shone enigmatically in the dark.

"I want to sleep here." He suppressed his smile.

"You gotta be kidding me."

"I wanted to be with you alone." His eyes shone.

"Don't you know it's dangerous to be with me..." I leaned up towards his face, a mischievous smirk spread across my face. "Alone?"

He nodded in reply; his lips twitching.

"Aaliyan," I said playfully, faking a warning tone. "Use your words when you reply to me or I'll hurt you."

His mouth tugged upwards in amusement. "It would be an honor for me to get hurt by you, my lady!

A little throaty laugh escaped my lips. "Are you trying to impress me, my lord?"

"Do I need to impress you?" He pouted and I was damn sure my heart was beating in my eyes. "Um no, you're already very much impressed by me."

That was enough; of course, this hunk with all his mighty handsomeness was making me feeble. I leaned up towards his neck and lightly bit him, tasting his delicious taste.

He pushed me away slightly and touched his neck, groaning. "It hurts."

"What about the line, you said just minutes ago?"

"Okay, that was cheesy." He raised his hands in mock surrender. "It hurts."

"You alien!"

He gaped at me. "You're extremely rude, arrogant brat!" His heated stare bored holes in me. "Don't misbehave with me, you understand?

I stuck my tongue out at him. His facial expressions softened and a smile made its way to his lips. Looking down at me he touched my cheek with the back of his fingers.

"You're so unusual, sometimes I wonder if you're real."

"Don't worry, I'm very much real," my eyes closed as I leaned to his touch. "I want to sing a song."

"Then sing!" The command in his husky voice was enough to make my stomach flip. I opened my eyes and began to sing, my voice echoing around us.

I found myself dreaming

In silver and gold

Like a scene from a movie

That every broken heart knows

He was smiling at me, the moonlight making his face much more beautiful. His eyes were shining; shining gold in the silver moonlight.

Split-second and you disappeared and then I was all alone

I woke up in tears

With you by my side

A breath of relief

And I realized

No, we're not promised tomorrow...

My voice came out throaty. My insecurities taking over me as a tear rolled down my cheek. He grabbed my hand in his and intertwined his fingers with mine. Gazing at his intense orbs of gold, I sucked in a breath. His gaze was so intense. It was blazing at me.

So I'm gonna love you

Like I'm gonna lose you

I'm gonna hold you

Like I'm saying goodbye wherever we're standing

I won't take you for granted 'cause we'll never know when

When we'll run out of time so I'm gonna love you

Like I'm gonna lose you

The song ended in whispers. I stared at him with my watery eyes. He closed his eyes and leaned down. I shut my trembling eyelashes as his lips touched my forehead.

"I have a problem."

"What?" His voice had an edge of terror to it. "What problem?"

"Look at the sky."

He obliged.

"You won't find any stars," my voice was barely audible "I can't see any stars, I have never seen stars when I need them, my portion of the sky is always empty, no stars."

"Look at the sky," he repeated my words, his voice sounded delightful. I looked up; the moon brightened the night. "The moon is like a star too..." His voice shot chills down my spine. "The biggest star, its light brightens everything in the night, but the little stars...are the mere decoration of the sky." He took a deep breath. "They don't lighten anything; they are not the light to the darkness of someone's path."

I smiled at the accuracy of his statement but my stubborn urge to see the stars wouldn't let me agree with him. "But I want the stars."

He looked down at me and smile. Like he was smiling at a child's foolishness.

"I'll be your star, Musca."

I shivered at the intensity of his eyes and the way he said it.

"I'll give you the stars." My heart skipped a beat. "I'll give you the stars, Musca."

                                                                                    ****

We were under the tree after boating around for a while. He leaned his back against the tree. I placed my head on his chest while my hand played with his tie and shirt buttons.

"Mai jub chota tha, around five or six-years..." My ears stood to pay attention to Aaliyan's storytelling way, but my eyebrows pulled together when he started talking in Urdu.

Urdu was gibberish to me and Aaliyan kept talking in his deep manly voice, and his accent made my heart squeeze in delight and feel calmer and warmer. My eyes were fixed on his perfect face that changed expressions as he talked.

He stopped and put his finger under my chin, making me look into his golden eyes that shone with brilliance. "Sun rahi ho na?"

I didn't know what he meant so I nodded, humming. A smile formed on Aaliyan's lips that meant 'you're so stupid Musca.' I ignored his mocking smile and shook him lightly to continue his Urdu monologue.

I traced his sharp, perfect jawline with my index finger. He had stopped talking and I could sense a load off his chest. I didn't know what he told me, but I knew that that thing was something he wanted to share and yet couldn't tell me; else he would have talked in English. I was impressed by his cleverness; he told me the whole thing and made sure I didn't understand anything. It made me laugh.

Smiling, he pulled me closer like it was even possible. The tight grip was making it hard to breathe but when I thought the grip was his; it felt all kinds of comfy.

"I miss Papa." It was a breathy whisper coming out of my mouth. He placed a hand on my face smiling affectionately at me. "I want to go back to him."

His smile disappeared and his expressions fell. A frown made its way to my face in confusion. I didn't say anything wrong so why that sudden change of mood.

He stood up, pulling me up with him and strode towards the water. He took off his shoes furiously the socks went after. I stood there reading his movements curiously. At last, he sat down at the lakefront; folding his pants up to his calves; he put his legs under the cold water.

My eyes widened. "You'll catch a cold Mr. Aaliyan Haider!" I yelled at him, knowing that he was sensitive to cold. His name came out as "Aaliyan Header". It didn't matter if he was in a foul mood, he couldn't stifle the snicker that left his mouth.

He threw his head back, laughing.

"Stop it." I flared at him; it didn't stop him from laughing. I stomped my foot on the grassy floor. He laughed more. I turned around facing him my back and fumbled with the buttons and zipper of my ripped jeans under my royal blue long frock, which had a short side slit.

"What are you doing?" he asked from behind; full of alarm. I took my feet out of the flats I was wearing.

"Taking off my jeans," I rolled down my jeans from my legs.

"No, don't."

Nevertheless, I had already pulled the jeans out of my ankles.

"Who wears jeans with a dress?" he asked in utter shock watching the jeans in my hands.

"I do!"

"You're impossible."

"I take it as a compliment," I said calmly sitting next to him pulling my frock up and dipped my legs in the cold water. The cold stinging sensation formed Goosebumps on my skin.

I glanced at him, side of his neck and his cheek was crimson, a smile spread on my lips. "I can skinny dip for you if you um wan-want it?

My words left him as red as a tomato but he managed to shoot me a glare. "Shut up!"

I couldn't help but let out a giggle putting both of my hands on my mouth to stop it. "Aw, is my little alien blushing?"

Aaliyan gave me a glare that made me laugh more. "Oh, isn't he blushing?"

The next thing I experienced was cold, cold water and a loud shriek leaving my mouth that echoed in the air. I was fully soaked in the cold water, trembling fiercely. My dress floated on the water. I immediately pushed it down, drowning it in the water, in embarrassment.

Shocked and inflamed, I looked up at Aaliyan, but he was not sitting there. The other thing I experienced was a loud splash in the water and Aaliyan swimming towards me, with an annoying grin on his face.

I wanted to slap that smirk off his face and my hand moved on its own accord and hit his cheek with so much force, my hand hurt. My eyes widened at what I just did, I looked up at Aaliyan in horror. He was holding his jaw, his mouth hung open and his eyes wide.

"Aa... liyan...I didn't..." He shot me an innocent glare, making me feel guilty. "I'm sorr-"

I was cut off by a laugh, and recognizing the laugh I looked up at Aaliyan, who was still holding his jaw, but the laughter erupting from his mouth freely. Was he out of his mind?

With a scowl of astonishment on my face, I shook his arm, "Are you okay?" He laughed more, making me hate his mood swings; he changed moods faster than a girl on periods. "Aaliyan!"

"Kitni si hou, or itna gussa karti ho?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Kabhi kabhi mera dil chahta hai, kha jaun tumhey." He leaned down and bit my cheek. I winced, pushing him away. I was sure he had left his teeth marks on my cheek. "You're such a whining baby Musca."

"Look who's talking," I rolled my eyes at him. Aaliyan started laughing for unknown reasons and listening to his addicting laughter, my giggles joined his laughter too.

The moon above the lake, cold and beautiful night, he by my side and our chortle echoing in the background was all I wanted in my life.