Arsh would have been surprised if Noor had accepted him. Hearing her rejection, he was not surprised yet he still felt a dull pain.

He had two ways to handle it. One; To give her time. Another; to change her way of thinking and simplify it for her.

​​

He could give her time. For the one who waited for more than a decade, a few more months wasn't a big deal but is it really going to be a few months? Or a few years?

And he very well knew, because of it, her relationship with his family would also sour. And she wouldn't be able to speak with him the same. She won't look for him if she needs help or a suggestion.

Hence he didn't like giving her time.

So changing her way of handling the situation. He could do that but what if she thinks he was forcing her to change herself? Yes, he wants her for himself but not forcefully. Willingly, and happily.

He wasn't the type to roam with other girls to make her jealous. Noor wasn't the jealous type either. If she sees him with others, then she would wish them happiness. So he would never go that way.

Give up!? No, he would never do that. It's her or nobody else.

He watched her grab her files so that they don't have to sit there awkwardly. She thanked him for the tea and walked towards her car, without turning behind in uncertainty.

Arsh watched her like everything was in his expectation. However, before she created more distance, Arsh called her, still sitting on the bench, turned around to look at her, "Noor."

Noor felt her heart skip a beat. It was the first time she heard the hint of uncertainty in his voice. It made her feel him alive and a little closer to her. The high position she had given to him, suddenly felt like there was no level, both were the same. It was his choice to choose who to reveal and conceal his emotions.

She paused and turned around with anticipation for his words. She wished he didn't call her to say bye, she didn't know why she wished that.

Still unsure how it might sound to her, Arsh voiced it, "What if I say you won't be distracted from work and manage… Handle…"

Arsh cursed in mind for not finding the right words for him in her life. He doesn't know her feelings for him so he didn't want to mention it as like or love him.

Noor completed it for him as her lips slightly curled, "Consider you." She unknowingly felt him cute.

Arsh faintly shrugged his shoulders and saw her give it a thought.

It was true Noor liked to be around Arsh and whenever he gives her attention or does something for her. She wholly took her decision to reject him because she didn't want to give up something to have him. Hearing him, she hoped she wasn't making a mistake.

Arsh, who was thinking she might ask for some time to consider it, was now surprised when she returned and sat on the bench. She placed her handbag and files on the bench before looking at him.

'Here he goes,' she thought looking at his unemotional face. Nonetheless, she questioned curiously, "How?"

Arsh placed his right elbow on the backrest of the bench propped his head on his fist and watched her. He didn't want to assume anything but was peculiarly interested to know what was going on in her mind. It was easy to read her but he felt something needed to be spoken for clear understanding instead of misconception.

Noor slowly turned bright red under his intense gaze before she frantically looked away. She wanted to ask whether the solution was looking at each other and why he was gazing at her that way. She didn't get the chance.

"Why did you return?" He asked.

Noor: "..."

She felt like she fell in the wolf's trap. Could she run away now? The car unknowingly seemed far away.

Arsh had the whole world's patience to wait for her response. So Noor was left with no choice but to answer the question as though she didn't understand what he meant.

"Because you said there is a solution." She carefully uttered each word.

Arsh nodded to it and changed his question. Playing smart with him? He would gladly play along, "Alright. So why are you willing to consider me with the solution?"

Noor: "..."

Just because she found him cute, doesn't mean he was cute. Noor wanted to disappear now. Still unclear about her feelings, Noor didn't want to wrongly name her feelings. So she stood up trying to make him submit, "Fine, I am going home."

Her little tricks were seen through by Arsh immediately. He chuckled seeing her pout. He wasn't certain why she was curious about the solution, he decided to tell anyway.

"You were distracted at work because you don't know how to react to the situation."

Noor turned to him and nodded as she took a seat.

"Then take some time off from your work, and decide," Arsh added.

Noor tilted her head, "How could that be a solution?" She didn't get his solution completely.

Arsh smacked her head, "You have so many relations. Your parents, grandparents, sister, friends, relatives, acquaintances. Are you confused about them?"

Rubbing her head, Noor shook her head. She wasn't confused about anybody that could make her think of them all day. She understood what he was trying to say. "You mean I should sort out my feelings and come to a conclusion. Then I won't be distracted."

'Feelings.' Arsh wanted to say 'considering me.' Hearing her dumbly say out as sorting her feelings, he just nodded without making her uncomfortable.

Noor gave it a thought and mumbled, "I need to ask Dad, I have a lot of work."

Then she suddenly gasped, "So whatever sister was saying about you was right. And- and I had said to Dad that there is nothing like that." She started panicking.

Arsh elegantly stood up. It was her choice if she wanted to tell her parents or wait. So he didn't give his opinion on it. "What will be your plans tomorrow then?"

Noor was thinking how her parents might react to this news so she carelessly shook her head, "Nothing."

Arsh nodded as he stuffed his hands in his pockets, "Pay the coffee and tea bill."

Noor: "..." She turned around and saw him walk slowly.

Arsh walked away saying, "I will pick you up tomorrow for lunch."

Noor was flabbergasted. She couldn't believe he left her in panic and absconded flashing a mischievous smile.

She lifted her finger pointing at him but no words came out. She watched him get into his car and drive away as though if he stayed a minute longer, she would throw a tantrum.

Well, yes, she wanted to beat him up because she had no idea how to bring this up in front of her family, especially her sister.

She felt like a dumb sheep who fell for the wolf's trick.