"Hamza, pay attention, what are you thinking?" I rolled my eyes and shouted at him. He passed me a weak smile and his eyes held a lot of untold emotions. I didn't know why but it made my heart twitch a little.

"Are you okay Hamza,?" I put my hands on his shoulder and fixed my gaze on him.

" Yeah, " he faked a smile and softly removed my hand from his shoulder.

He sat like a statue for a few minutes then rushed to the washroom.

"He's missing mom and dad," Hammad said sighing.

" Don't you miss them too? "

" Of course I miss them but you know Hamza is more attached to mom. And mom's health has gone worse," his voice became low and his eyes were shining from some visible tears.

"What happen to your mom?" I asked looking directly into his eyes.

"She... She's...."

"Nevermind" he was cut off by someone, I whipped around my head to see one and only rude person, Wajahat Shah.

"I guess you're here to teach them then why are you taking interest in our personal lives, why can't you just mind your own business? " His tone became harsh, he moved a step closer to me then eyed me from head to toe.

"I was just asking...."

"But why? Just a reminder you're nothing just their tutor and we are tolerating you in our house cuz you're a friend of that stupid Zara, so act formal and keep your nose away from our family's matter," he said in a menacing tone and lashed out.

Tears automatically started rolling down my cheeks. His words pierced my soul, no one had ever humiliated me in that way.

"Why is she crying," Hamza walked out from the washroom.

" Wajahat Bhai said a lot of mean things to her, it was really rude," Hammad lowered his head and whispered.

Hamza came near to me and looked at me, "ummm... I'm sorry on his behalf, just don't cry," I was shocked by his words. Wasn't he the same Hamza who used to roll his eyes at me for no reason?

When she asked me about mom, I couldn't hold my tears and ran to the washroom. I really missed her, it's been two years, I didn't see her. I missed her soft voice, beautiful smile, and everything about her. I was very attached to her. I didn't wanna cry in front of Miss Zaynah so I ran to the washroom. After washing my face as I stepped inside, my eyes grew wider. Her eyes and nose were red from crying. I don't know what type of emotion was this but it was hurting me. I came closer to her and looked at her, then my gaze finally stopped. Her eyes...

"Why is she crying?" I asked Hammad.

"Wajahat Bhai said a lot of mean things to her, it was really rude," Hammad answered and I sighed. I knew how much Wajahat Bhai loves my mom. He just overreacted.

When I apologized to her she looked at me with a shock like she wasn't expecting this gesture from me.

"Look you're not a baby, don't cry please," I pressed my lips and sighed. I had no idea how to console someone.

"I'm just seventeen," she rubbed his eyes and hugged me. It was really unexpected, there was something that I couldn't keep myself from hugging her back.

"Your Wajahat Bhai is a jerk," she parted from me and I missed that warmth.

"Yeah, maybe... but...just take care," I scratched my head.

"I gotta go," she wiped off her tears and gave us a small weak smile.

As she exited from the room, Hammad gave me a weird look.

"What?"

"I thought you hate her," he sat beside me.

" But I see you like her too," he smiled at me.

"I don't know but she's...I mean I love her presence, I love her voice and smile," I opened up in front of my only best friend.

"Cuz she's different, just like her" Hammad put his hands on my shoulders and my body sniffed. Her?? The only person I miss more than my mom!

"I miss her Hammad," a tear fell from my eyes and I hugged Hammad and cried my eyes out.

I swear now I officially hate that arrogant person.

But what about the butterflies he gives you?

Get lost...

I know you like him...

I hate him...

Don't fool me Zaynah, why your eyes always lit up when you see him??

Cuz I was stupid...

I just hate him...

But I was still in shock at what Hamza did today? I was so wrong about Hamza, I used to think he is exactly like Wajahat but he had a soft heart and the way he hugged me... The hug I was always craving from Maaz and my father. He was younger than me but still, he was non-mehram for me, but whatever I felt a comfort around him.

I shrugged those stupid thoughts off my head and opened my books. I needed to focus on my studies.

I was busy with books when a notification popped on my screen.

Hey! How have you been lately?

I'm good, what about you??

What were you saying that day?

I thought it was you who helped me ;)

Who knows :-)

So it was youuu... Why the heck were you lying to me?

Sorry! I was just playing around!

Bruhh! You scared meee...

I didn't realize that we chatted for almost an hour. He was a nice guy and I can count him in my friends. I just wanted to meet that unknown stranger who was my savior! Indeed Allah sent him for me...

I started feeling a different connection towards him. The way his touch shot electricity in my body was...

Finally, I distracted my mind from Wajahat.

*****

"Who were you to say those shit to her?" I shot daggers at him and my voice became louder.

" Why the heck she's taking so much interest in our personal matter?" He rolled his eyes.

" She never took any interest Wajahat, she never asked a single thing about anyone. It was just a normal question she asked Hammad," I snorted.

" You're too innocent Zara," he sighed," Remember all those girls who were so nice towards you and then what they did to you?" His words stabbed my heart but I kept my expressions normal.

"Okay, but at least I'm not hanging out with them like you, you're always sticking behind Farwa like a puppet," I spat back but the next second I realized my mistake. I shouldn't say these things to him. His face became dark.

"You know what Farwa means a lot to me, I know you guys don't like her but it's your problem, Don't say anything again about her, " He cut me off and replied curtly.

"Just wanna say don't trust anyone too much," He sighed.

"I trust Zaynah... she's not like other girls, she's different..." I paused for a moment.

" Zara," he came closer to me, "No Zara, No, you'll get hurt, remember the girls you met in school," his words brought a wave of different emotions and hurt on my face.

" I really like her, and you know she's exactly like... her..." I stuttered and lowered my gaze.

" Her?? Zara... " He looked straight into my eyes and let out a deep breath.

"Please, She's not going to return, you know," his eyes were shining from visible tears.

"Wajahat, please, be strong," I wiped off my tears and looked at my brother. His face darkened and he exited from my room. I knew where was he going.

I sighed and laid down on my bed. I needed to apologize to Zaynah on his behalf.