Nahi," [No] he said softly, his face unusually gentle, a small smile playing on his lips.
He stepped closer, leaning down toward me.
Instinctively, I moved back, only to feel my spine press against the bookshelf.
"You didn't said anything-too much-, madam," he murmured. "I'm just surprised. While most girls say they don't want to get married, here you are, flipping through books about love."
His hand, veins prominent beneath his skin, rested beside my head, effectively caging me in.
He leaned in a little more, and I immediately dropped my gaze. His voice softened even further before he spoke again.
"Achi baat hai" [That's a good thing.]
My head jerked up, locking my eyes into his already-intense gaze. My mind went blank with confusion.
"Kya... kya matlab?" [Whats does that mean?] I frowned.
Ahad smirked knowingly but said nothing.
We might have stayed like that forever if-
"Meow."
Both of us snapped out of it at the same time. He pulled away so fast it took me a full five seconds to get back to my senses.
"You waste my time, besharam," I muttered hastily, turning away and pretending to focus on the bookshelf again.
"Meow."
Ahad shot the cat an exasperated look, as if cursing it for ruining a beautiful moment.
He made a mocking face at it.
And I almost laughed.
Almost.
Ahad took a seat next to the cat again.
Meanwhile, I tried my best to grab a book from the upper shelf, but-unfortunately-my height.
Oh God, why couldn't I have been born tall?
My toes ached, but even after stretching as much as I could, I hadn't managed to touch the book.
Ten minutes straight, and now I was starting to feel dizzy.
"I can surely help if you ask, Iman," Ahad said casually.
"No, thanks. I can handle it," I snapped back. Seek help from him? Over my dead body. Unless I wanted to hear for the rest of my life- 'Remember, you're a shorty. You can't even get a book from the upper shelf, dear.'
One more inch. I was almost there. Almost.
My feet hurt so much they could barely hold on for a few more seconds-and then, just like that, I lost balance.
"Ouch!"
Damnit.
Ahad immediately rose from his seat, concern flashing across his face. He must have said something, but I couldn't quite register his words.
"Yaar, tum thoda aur sabr nahi kar sakti thi kya?"My irritation spilled out as I looked down at my foot.
I was too busy scolding my own foot to realize Ahad had already approached me.
"Are you deaf, dear?" His voice was still laced with concern despite his choice of words. "Tum theek ho na?"
He placed his rough hands on my arms, forcing me to look at him. "Why didn't you let me do that for you? You could've hurt yourself, madam." His gaze remained fixed on me, checking for any injuries.
Idiot. I didn't fall from the last shelf. Thankfully. My foot just twisted slightly-that was it.
"Seeking help from you?" I said coolly. "Not unless I want to be called Miss Shorty for the rest of my life."
This time, I shot him a glare.
"Ufff! Iman!" Ahad groaned and ran a frustrated hand over his face.
"Darling, I dont need an excuse to call you shorty when I already call you that."
Well, he had a point.
But still, I could manage on my own.
"Thanks," I said, placing a hand on his chest and brushing him off to the side. "But I'll handle it."
"Iman, you're being-" He stopped when I gave him a death glare.
"I. Said. I. Will. Handle."
I took a stool.
Honestly, I'd rather say 'thank you for helping' to a non-living thing than say the same to Ahad Shah.
"Do you seriously think you won't fall?" he asked.
"For sure," I said confidently as I stepped onto the stool. I looked down at him and pointed my index finger at his face. "Aur tum-stop talking like that. Tumhari zubaan kharab hai. I might actually fall because of you."
"It's not about my tongue," he replied. "It doesn't take a genius to predict you're gonna fall. Just look at the way you're balancing."
I was already busy searching for my book. Wasn't it just here ten minutes ago? Then why couldn't my eyes spot it now?
I ignored him and kept looking.
"Doesn't require a genius, huh?" I said casually.
"Of course. Any fool can predict you're gonna fall," he snapped back.
"Hmm... and yet you predicted it," I said, a slow smile forming across my lips.
His face grew serious, his eyes gleaming as if he had caught on to my mischievous intent. My smile widened.
"Glad you finally accepted yourself," I added.
"Keep your mouth shut if you don't want the prediction to come true," he warned.
I laughed, throwing my hands into the air.
"Oh, stop it, Mr. Shah," I laughed again. "Don't interrupt when I'm talking about something-wait, where were we?" My brows furrowed as I tried to remember.
He stood there patiently, arms crossed over his chest, knowing well that whatever I was about to say wouldn't be a compliment.
"Haan!" I finally recalled. "We were talking about you being an idiot."
"A fool-let me correct you, Miss," he shot back.
"Both don't have much of a difference, by the way," I teased, unable to contain my laughter. "You just accepted it again! One should take pride in who they are," I said mock-seriously. "Even if they're a complete fool." I burst into laughter.
He smirked, looking up at me and leaned against the wooden shelf. We were just a few centimeters apart.
"Keep laughing like that and you'll majestically fall on your face," he said smoothly.
My mood shifted instantly, and irritation flooded over me.
I looked down at him. "Listen carefully, Mr. Shah."
He smiled and leaned his ear closer to me.
"Have I ever told you how much I hate you?"
"Maybe once or twice," he replied, unfazed. "But I don't mind hearing it again."