Chapter 27: Chapter 27

"You guys know each other??" Liam asked, frowning at the easy interaction between Zahir and his Mirrie. As far as he knew, Mirrie kept away from the attention of people. And here she is happily talking to Zahir as if she has known him for ages.

Zada stiffened in alarm and shot a pleading look at her brother who casually leaned back in his chair and shrugged his shoulders.

"I asked you a question, Ahmed." Liam asked icily.

Zada held her breath and felt the walls closing in on her.

Then she wondered why the hell she is even hiding her identity.

It has been a stupid decision to begin with which now turned into a necessity because she is terrified things would change between her and Liam once he knew she is his best friends' sister. What if he chooses his best friends over her?

How had Liam become so important to her in such a short period of time?

She knows she can't hide it forever, but she needs to be more secure in their relationship.

What relationship? Her brain taunted.

Well, that's the point.

She is not secure enough to believe that they have a stable relationship, and taking into consideration Liam's reputation, could anyone blame her?? He is the certified playboy of their university.

All she knows is that she likes him a tad bit too much.

And she didn't want any silly bro code to ruin things for her.

Why do these boys have to have bro codes to begin with??

Look at her!! How happy she is that her brother likes her best friend.

Shouldn't her brothers return the courtesy?

Don't sisters deserve that??

How could brothers be such a hypocritical creation of God.

"We do," she heard Zahir saying lazily and Zada's breath hitched.

Oh God! Everything is gonna end here… Her relationship with Liam is going to end before it even began.

She sneaked a glance at Liam and couldn't read his expression.

"How do you know each other??" Liam asked and Zahir frowned at his tone.

"She is Emma's best friend." Zahir said and Zada let out her breath in relief.

At least her brother had the presence of mind to come up with that excuse. If the question was solely directed at her, she would have messed up badly.

Why didn't she think of that anyway??

"And Emma introduced you two?? And why didn't she tell me about it?" Liam asked, his finger pointing at Zada making Zahir's frown deeper.

Zahir leaned forward and looked straight into Liam's eyes.

"And why would she tell you anything? How do you know her??" Zahir asked icily.

Zada clenched her fist in frustration.

Why does this have to happen with her??

What sin did she do in the last birth that all this is catching upon her?

God!! Being with Emma, she is turning into a drama-queen already.

"Uh.. I meant Emma. Not her." Liam said awkwardly now that he is put on spot.

"And why should Emma tell you anything about her??" Zahir asked, raising his eyebrows in query.

"Because she calls me Freddy bro. That makes me her big brother. Is that reason enough?" Liam asked glaring at him and Zahir looked on suspiciously.

The better thing to do would be to get up and leave. And that would take their focus away from her and hopefully to something else, Zada thought wearily.

"Guys. I think it's better I leave. It was nice meeting you both." She said eyeing both of them meaningfully to which they both nodded in understanding hoping the other one wouldn't notice.

Zada walked away from the table and sent a prayer to her momma's favourite god, hoping that he would distract both the boys.

Liam kept staring at her as she walked out.

"Why are you looking at her like that??" Zahir snapped furiously.

"What is it to you? Why are you so bothered about her??" Liam snapped back, equally furious.

"Just keep away from her, Fredrick." Zahir warned and Liam's lips thinned in annoyance.

"Why the hell should I??" Liam asked his voice raising.

"I don't want you to ruin it for Zi" Zahir said trying to reign his temper.

He would like to talk with his fists, because he definitely saw the way Fredrick looked at his little sister.

Liam was interested and he simply didn't like it.

No one looks at his sister that way.

Not when he is alive.

"Zi?? Zian likes her??" Liam asked in horror.

"No. Of course not. Zi likes Emma. And she is Emma's best friend. And like it or not. We both know your reputation among girls.'' Zahir said sarcastically.

"Just like yours," Liam retorted which Zahir decided to ignore.

"As I said. I don't want you to play with Zi's girl's bestiee. Because we both know your interest won't last and when it happens it will indirectly affect Zi and Emma. So Fredrick, better keep away from her." Zahir said.

"What non sense!" Liam muttered.

"Why are you so fixated on her??" Zahir snapped angrily.

Oh he would love to scream it at his face that the girl is his little sister and he would punch the life out of him if he so much as breathe in her direction, but then his sister would disown him.

"I am not fixated on her. I just didn't like you ordering me around." Liam said defensively.

He could have simply said that she is his Mirrie. The girl he likes and who indeed likes him too. But then Mirrie would never forgive him. She wouldn't like to be in the spotlight. And it's his duty to protect her.

"Well. As long as you stay away from her, things will be good." Zahir said.

"Wait. Did you say Zian and Emma's relationship?? What relationship??" Liam asked, finally catching upon new information he just received.

Zahir grinned happily.

"Zi likes her. You should see him when she is around," Zahir said, chuckling.

"Really?? Zian and Emma?? That's a very unusual combination." Liam said, chuckling.

"But they look cute together." Zahir said.

"That they do," Liam agreed and then his eyes widened as he looked around.

"Where is Izzy??" Liam asked in worry.

"Izzy??" Zahir asked, confused as he hadn’t seen Izzy anywhere around.

"Yeah. She came in with me. She was here. Does she know that Zian likes Emma." Liam asked in worry.

Zahir sighed.

"I think she does." Zahir said.

"Damn it. She might have seen them going out together. Let me go and check on her." Liam stood up from his seat to go search for Izzy.

"No. I will go see her. You didn't have your lunch yet, right? " Zahir said and stood up from his chair.

"Fine. Just make sure she is okay." Liam said, sighing.

"Hmm. See ya" Zahir said and walked out of the cafe in search of Izzy.