7- Undeniable Charm

"Are you sure about this Bhai?" Rayan asked in edginess, watching his brother getting ready, "Yeah, what's wrong?" He asked, applying cologne. "She works under you."

"If she has a problem with it, we will talk it out." He shrugged, setting his hair, checking himself out before getting ready.

"But, What if she doesn't want it?" He asked. Emraz failed to notice the glimmer of expectation in his brother's eyes by this sentence.

"Well, if she doesn't want it. I can't force her." He shrugged. Putting his hand in his pocket, watching his reflection whether he is looking good enough or not. An invisible smiled came on Rayan's lips,

"Rayan, is it fine or should I trim the beard more?" He asked, narrowing his eyes. "You're perfect bhai."

"No one is." He laughed a little. "Come on, look at your reflection even this mirror would crack from shyness." Rayan complimented.

"Okay, okay. Let's go." He smiled, getting down to leave only to hear Hoorain's whining.

"No fair! I want to come too, Mama!"

"We all would go but if they accept our proposal, you have to wait till then." Hania explained to her, standing beside her husband Rehman.

"Oh there's Emraz. Oh, look at my handsome son." He grinned, kissing his forehead.

"I wanna come too!"

"Next time." Emraz smiled, patting her head. "Good luck bhai." Emraz smiled and gave her a side hug and turned to Rayan who showed him a thumbs up, smiling, mouthing a 'Good Luck' and even he knew he didn't mean his words, praying deeply she would reject.

If she agrees then I never meant anything to her. He thought.

They all left and Rayan sighed, leaving for his room, having a firm belief in his heart that Isra would disagree.

"Oh my God! They are here." Isra gasped, setting her dress, "Isn't my lipstick too much? I wish Hoor would be here, she always gives the best fashion advice." She mumbled, setting herself.

"Why are you so nervous? Chill, Isra." Zain assured. She pouted and put her freezing hands on her cheek, "That's how nervous I am!" She hissed, moving back and getting a better view of their car from the window.

"Calm down, Isra. Take deep breaths." She consoled herself, putting her hand on her waist, taking deep breaths.

"Oh my God." She bit her lips.

"They are here, come." Zain said, taking her icy hand and going to the entrance with her to greet their guest.

"It's gonna be alright, It's gonna be alright." She repeated it continuously until they reached the entrance.

Her heart stopped for a second when her eyes fell upon Emraz. Holding the soft smile greeting everyone politely, not even glancing at Isra out of respect, knowing she is nervous. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably as if it would leap out of her chest. Biting her cheeks, she took a deep breath and came forth, greeting everyone and stopped at Emraz.

Her eyes met his for a few seconds, her lips can't pursue a sound, only boring her timid orbs into his unflinching ones. Trying to neglect her fluttering sensations. At her lack of response, Emraz spoke up, "Hey."

"Huh? I.. um. Hi." Everyone chuckled at her response, "My, how shy." Hania chuckled and they went inside. "Don't worry, I don't bite." He told her in a low tone, coming inside. She smiled faintly, blushing madly and coming after them.

"Emraz always wanted the girl to be someone he knows and they cooperate well. I feel stupid to not think of Isra. When I told her name, he agreed." Hania said. "You did?" Isra mentally scolded herself for asking this.

"Of course, or I barely doubt he noticed it either." She smiled. The vexation stuck in Isra's mind that He liked her washed out, exhaling in relief, she relaxed a bit.

"Even though there's nothing to ask or talk about as you guys meet each other everyday at work still if you want to talk about something, you guys can go." Aima said. "Isra, show him around."

"Um.. Sure. Shall we go to the garden?" She asked, "You would love the roses I grew." She smiled.

"I would love to see them." He replied, getting up.

"I tried to grow lavenders too but couldn't." She told him as they walked away, "No, it's fine. I like roses too." He smiled, his hand at his back, glancing at her from time to time.

"I know." Everyone watched them happily, to see they are not awkward and comfortable.

They came out as a silence broke out for a few moments between them, They were looking around and Emraz spoke up, "Isra." Her heart skipped a beat when he called her name, "Yeah..?"

"I know you must be thinking first, it's too sudden, second, Didn't I like you before or I am the one who asked Mama. And it must make you uncomfortable, isn't it?" She chuckled nervously and turned to him, "A little bit."

"Well, you heard my Mom, it wasn't like this, I also realized when Mom mentioned and I truly liked your presence. And this is sudden for me as well, so bear with it." He chuckled. "No, No, it's okay, Sir." She said, waving her hand in the air to assure him.

"Sir?" He smirked. "I mean.. Um.." She tried to speak his name but couldn't and looked away, "It's okay, don't force it out." He laughed. She smiled, reassured he wasn't forcing, being his usual chivalrous self. They talked for a while.

"Um, Isra, Can I ask you something?" He asked. She hummed, tugging her hair behind her ear. "Did you and Rayan have a fight when you went to Hoor's place?" He asked. "Nope, why?"

"Strange. He first opposed this idea, that's why I asked." He told her casually. "Rayan did?" She asked in astonishment. What is left? She thought sadly but didn't show. "Yeah, but eventually calmed down."

"Ah, leave him. It's his habit to oppose anything which involves me." She muttered, closing her arms at her chest, trying to not think about it. "I can see that."

After a silence Emraz began to speak, "Isra, I'll be honest with you, I think we will work out, I will try my best to treat you with respect and affection and not force anything upon you and If there's anything you want to tell me; You can, like if you don't like me or anything." He finished with a radiant smile, arching a brow to contemplate her reaction.

Flabbergast Isra only listened, blinking to grasp his in-depth words, whispering unintentionally, "You're such a charmer."

He tittered, "Thank you very much but it's not the answer I perceived."

"Oh sorry, Sir. Umm.. I. was just unsure about things, probably not ready."

"It's okay, you don't have to force yourself." he put her at ease with his words.

"Thank you.. uh..Also.. Wouldn't it be awkward at work? I don't think I could work at the agency any longer." She told him hesitantly, looking down. "That's fine too. You can work at Rayan's place until you find another job, in fact, I will look for one for you." The manner his poised tone came out, it made her melt into his balmy entirely and place faith upon his unfazed words which were trying to help her collect herself.

"Um. that's not it. I.. only want to work just before marriage. I want to be a housewife."

"I see. If that's what you want." She was about to say something but Zain called them back. Emraz was about to leave,

"Um.. do you think we will work?" She asked, tugging on his sleeves. He smiled, "I will try my best." He told her sincerely and went back with her.

"Take care." He smiled. She hummed, returning a feeble smile. "You too." And they left and after meeting him she found her answer immediately in his soft words which wrapped around her heart perfectly so no perturb could mislead her towards something virulent.

"So.. How was it?" Rayan asked, his face lit up in glee, "Hmm, I am not sure. She was startled." He told him, taking off his watch and other accessories.

"Hmm, but there must be something." He asked, intrigued.

"She said she wanted to be a housewife." He told him, taking off his coat, hanging it neatly and leaning on the dressing table, "I tried my best to assure her." He told him and hope building inside Rayan began to falter a bit, knowing Emraz gallantry was admirable and if he tried, she would sway instantly.

"I see... Good Luck." He mumbled, getting up and leaving to his room, "Thanks!" He grinned and left for the bathroom.

Rayan walked out, closing the door behind him. He went to his room, scrutinizing Isra's number tensely, unsure whether to call her or not. What difference would it make? He thought, gritting his teeth, looking down and emitting a deep sigh of disappointment, throwing his phone away.

And the next day the news he wasn't ready to hear reached him as the first call of devastation, aching his heart to know his Moon is going to shine in someone else's life. Inducing uncontrollable unwanted thoughts in his mind, stirring it badly with dismal when Hoorain ran everywhere announcing Isra accepted the proposal and from this one thing was clear,

Even Isra couldn't resist his undeniable charm...