***
I moved forward, noticing the alertness in Haider's eyes. His hands had curled into fists, and he frowned with hostility. Unfavourable to him, he got me tensed up as well.
Slowly, I approached the door. The atmosphere grew cold, too odd to become similar to a horror movie.
And in every cliché, a strange creature would always abide behind the door.
I gulped and began reciting Ayatul Kursi in my head. I cannot be taking risks. I licked my lips and waited for another brief moment.
DING DING
This mustn't do. I must answer it. I cannot let my fear engulf me and cause me to become paranoid. The possibility of an anomaly could be there, but the odds may differ in the same sense.
It could be the latter, against all outcomes.
So, summoning my courage, I opened my mouth and tried to pronounce.
"Wh-"
SWOOSH
Instantly- my arm was pulled back, and a giant pair of hands shut my mouth tightly before pinning me against the wall.
It was Haider.
The cold wall against my back was the only thing keeping me upright amidst the immediate disbelief of the situation arising at the minute.
He leaned in close, his shadowy silhouette casting a heavy, suffocating warmth over me.
His hand reached up, fingers gently cupping the side of my head, tilting my face towards his with a firm yet soft touch. I could feel his warm breath brushing against my skin, sending an electric shiver straight down my spine.
A red flare ran across my face, and I could only remain still.
If he were to be looking at me right now, things might have played out differently. The distance wasn't as close as before; however, it was still a risky space.
My stare quickly found out the cause of his unease.
And soon- a voice loud enough came from behind the door.
"ANYBODY THERE!!?"
His fingers trailed back to my mouth, and for a breathy second, he glanced at me.
"Shush."
He whispered before moving away and tiptoeing his way towards the main door. He moved like a trained owl, a sharp scowl accompanying his swift, soundless movements.
My heart beat like a drum, this time out of fear.
He placed his eye on the peephole and observed the person behind the door.
After a minute, I could hear some footsteps drawing away from our door, and what made my theory clear was Haider letting out a sigh of relief.
"Who was it?"
He didn't turn back to answer my question. Instead, both his hands rested at either side of his hips as he pondered for a while.
"The neighbour's kids pulled a prank." He smiled as he turned. "Don't worry."
A lie... why would a man like Haider lie?
Someone so faithful and submissive to his Lord was lying with a straight face. Fear should've submerged him, but instead, he was smiling.
I decided not to pry further.
Considering the falsehood, there should be a reason for it. Haider is a smart and calculated man; he wouldn't do anything without a cause.
It could also be a white lie.
I examined him as he dried the last set of dishes and began heading back to his room. The stare in his eyes was nothing like the one I had seen before.
It was intelligible that he was thinking about the event. I could imagine a wave of precise, methodical thoughts and calculations being drawn in his head.
Haider may have been like an ocean with no transgressions. His actions and words were lucid with absolute clarity.
And just like a pair that had been blessed together, there was a cause for the Lord above to have me in his ocean.
If he is the fathomless and tidal sea, then I was built to be a tenacious boat, an anchor in a storm.
His tides were to be calmed by me, and his ocean of resolve should be found by me.
I was unaware of his circumstances and his misconduct against me; however, I wasn't holding that grudge.
If anything, I was meant to help.
My duty was to be his comfort and support, and I was already failing at it. In any case, I must find out about his worry and prove to him that I can lend him a helping hand.
A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, so I should've expected some rough seas.
The tongue weighs practically nothing, but few people are strong enough to hold it. He is a practical man with restraint tied to his tongue. Those were the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ.
Who could be behind the door to make him lose his tongue?