Chapter 45: Chapter 45

Natasha was pacing back and forth in the living room as Farhan sat on the sofa comfortably and drew something innovative. Everywhere else was a mess and only the living room was somewhat clean and tidy. He tried hard to concentrate, but with Natasha pacing here and there, his mind was getting distracted. When she wouldn't stop walking, he closed his notepad with an inward sigh and got up from there. She was too lost in her thinking that she didn't even notice his presence which made her jump in surprise as he sneaked up from behind, Farhan then caught hold of her with a laugh.

Damn, him. Even his laugh was so attractive. Her breath hitched as she felt his strong hands holding her, safely from behind. His hot breath fanned over her neck. She wanted to ignore those weird sensations forming in her stomach, but staying close to him would be no help.

Ugh! Stop driving me crazy...

She blinked her eyes twice whilst pulling back quickly, and then smiled sheepishly at him, as she tucked her silky hair behind her ears.

"What happened?" dragging her to sit on the sofa, Farhan finally asked whilst taking a seat beside her.

"I-I lost on a bet with my friends." Natasha bit her cheeks from inside with a frown, as if losing the bet was not enough embarrassing enough, admitting it to him was damaging her self esteem furthermore.

"Wow?" he laughed at her whilst pulling her cheeks which she slapped away a bit too harshly this time.

"You think it's funny?" she asked angrily.

"Your face looks really funny." he pulled her cheeks again but she pouted this time.

"I'm serious, I lost that stupid bet and now, I'm supposed to treat them all with dinner at my place, aka here." Natasha wasn't sure how would Farhan take this news. She was nervous about inviting those donkeys to their home. They're in the middle of packing everything and their apartment was a serious mess.

"You're a great cook, so what's the big deal?" Farhan asked whilst furrowing his brows and she gave him a look.

"You don't mind me inviting them here?" Natasha asked with a surprise-filled voice as she stressed the word 'here'

"What's wrong with this place?" he frowned at her question.

"You're asking me that? Look at this place, I mean look at it. This is such a mess." She exclaimed dramatically whilst shaking his shoulders in the process.

"Woah there. Calm down. If that's what bothers you so much, I'll help you clean it up while you cook?" Farhan suggested with a chuckle and she beamed at him in relief.

"You'll do that for me? Really?" Natasha asked as though she couldn't believe her ears, he glared at her question whilst getting up from the sofa.

"Wait, where are you going? Answer me first?" she tugged at his wrists, he turned to face her and smacked her head playfully and said, "I'm going to start cleaning the house, why are you still sitting? Go and start with your cooking."

"You're the best, Farhan." Jumping excitedly, she gave him a quick hug and ran from there, leaving behind a frozen Farhan. He was too shocked to react to anything. The way she felt pressed against him, as she hugged... it felt something so out of the world. But why the heck would he feel something like that?

It was just a hug.

Only just a hug.

And why the hell was it affecting him so much?

Shrugging his thoughts, Farhan went on to clean up the apartment and before he realized it, it was past seven already. The cleaning and all was also finally done as he crashed on his bed with a sigh. It was way too tiring. Draining out all of his energy.

"Farhan! Go and get dressed. The dinner is ready and my friends will be here any minute." Natasha barged into his room with an excited smile and frowned as she saw him laying on the bed, casually.

"Tired?"

"Don't even ask." he groaned whilst sitting properly.

"Thanks for cleaning the house. Do you need a balm or something?" she gave him a grateful smile whilst worrying about him.

" Hey! I am not that weak," he said defensively making her chuckle.

"Also, stop saying thanks all time, Nats. We live together and I created this mess as much as you. It's no big deal. I'll change quickly. Wait for me outside." Natasha nodded with a small smile and left the room.

***

Farhan hated that Arsalaan and he don't even know why. Maybe because; Natasha was giving him the place which he used to have earlier, the place of her best friend or because of the way Arsalaan looked at her in his boutique. He knew that look very much. It was the type of look a guy gives when he is attracted to someone.

But he had no idea why that look has bothered him so much on that day.

"Hey!" Arsalaan greeted Natasha with his charming smile as they opened the door, behind him stood two other people, who Farhan has never met. He smiled at them politely whilst paying no heed to Arsalaan.

"I thought you'd bail on us or something." said the other guy, behind Arsalaan whilst getting in the house.

"I did lose the bet. And I stand by my words. The dinner is ready, and I prepared everyone's favourite dishes." Natasha huffed at Fahad Abbasi, who nodded his head with a smug smile.

"Hi, Alisha." Natasha greeted the girl, who grinned back at her.

Farhan stood there awkwardly as she made them sit on the sofa, and went on to fetch their drinks from the fridge, the three of them talked among themselves and he walked ahead and sat on the opposite sofa across them.

"Hey, man! I'm Fahad Abbasi. And you are?" At the same time, Natasha too came there along with their drinks as she served them one by one and then sat beside Farhan. She could see Alisha passing heart eyes to Farhan and that made her want to punch that girl. It was her who started this stupid bet thing all along. And now she freaking lost the bet.

"I'm Farhan Sheikh." he smiled politely at them. Alisha still hadn't averted her gaze.

It was an everyday thing anyway. Farhan used to get those heart eyes everywhere he went, it was the result of being ridiculously hot and handsome.

Realization strikes upon Arsalaan as he recollected who Farhan was, "wait... You're the same guy who dragged her into your office that day, right?"

Fahad and Alisha passed confused glances to each other.

"You guys live together?" Arsalaan asked as if it was the most stupid thing. Farhan hated this guy more than ever now. Just when they were beginning to forget things and start afresh, he had to come here and remind that memory again.

But Farhan was a douche though. Nothing could change that.

Natasha smiled nervously as she glanced at the two of them and cleared her throat," well, he is my husband. We ought to live together."

The three of them had their mouth agape at this news, "YOU GOT MARRIED AND DIDN'T TELL US?" it was Fahad, the overdramatic one of the trio.

Alisha was disappointed. She thought that he was Natasha's brother or something.

"Damn, Rehman. I thought you were single." Arsalaan faked hurt making her chuckle. It was meant to be a joke, but it made Farhan clench his fist tightly.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Alisha asked, failing to mask her bitterness.

"It happened so quickly." Natasha tried hard not to snap at the girl, she wasn't even her friend. But Arsalaan and Fahad's, who has joined her in their group and it was only polite that she at least made that girl her acquaintance. She was grateful to have some company in her college though, so preparing the dinner was nothing.

"Oh."

"Yes, it happened quickly." Farhan placed his hands over her shoulders as if taunting Arsalaan. And gave Natasha one of his rare smiles; which took her breath away.  Their eyes got locked. Charcoal black against green.

She was feeling the whole zoo in her stomach as he eyed her like that, with his beautiful smile plastered on his lips, his hands still on her shoulders. It wasn't an everyday thing that Farhan does these things and it was causing havoc inside her.

Damn. Why do you have so much effect on me, Farhan?

"Happened quickly, yes." she turned towards her friends, who had teasing smiles on their faces. Except for Alisha.

"I thought he was a jerk or something, with the way he dragged you that day." Arsalaan chuckled.

"He was- uh, I mean. He is my best friend. We had some differences at that time." Natasha smiled sheepishly, she was almost going to agree that he was a jerk. But then his hold on her shoulder tightened a little bit which made her freeze. Was he planning to kill her or what?

It was official,  Farhan hated this guy.

"Let's have that grand dinner." Alisha interrupted.

Soon everyone was seated at the dining table and Natasha began to serve them with her special dinner.

"Yum. It smells so good." Fahad exclaimed as she served him with chicken biriyani.

"And tastes the best! You're such a great cook!" Arsalaan passed his charming smile to Natasha, who blushed at the compliments.

"But, why are you standing? Sit here." Arsalaan swiftly got up from his seat and took out the empty chair beside him and made her sit on it.

"I will serve for you." she couldn't argue with that as he was already serving her. People really had such a big misconception about this guy. To everyone, he was cold and arrogant but when he starts to care for you, he cares to his fullest.

Natasha's cheeks pained from smiling all the time as Fahad complimented her cooking skills continuously and Arsalaan joked along. Alisha was silent the whole time, stealing silent glances at Farhan.

Everyone enjoyed the dinner, except for Farhan, who clenched his fist, angrily; as he watched that Arsalaan guy smile at Natasha and she too was smiling back at his every stupid joke. And his jokes were not even funny!