50. IG STORY TROUBLE

"Hiding in Mr. Hero's car boot to see if he knows, I am here! XD" Haroon read the note again and again in his mind.

The neon lights of the terminal flickered in the distance, and the cacophony of impatient horns filled the air. He hurriedly parked his car, eager to open his car trunk. But as he rushed to unbuckle his seatbelt, it snagged, trapping him in place.

"Not now," he muttered, frustration seeping into his voice. He fumbled with the latch, his movements growing more frantic with each failed attempt. Finally, with a sharp tug, the seatbelt released, and he bolted out of the car. The cool evening air hit him as he stood up, breathing heavily. He quickly moved to the back of the car, popping the trunk with a swift motion.

As the trunk lid lifted, Haroon was met with a sight that made him freeze. There, huddled amidst his luggage, was Sofia. Her wide eyes met his, a mix of surprise and defiance in her gaze. She had crammed herself into the small space, her knees drawn up to her chest, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

Haroon blinked, disbelief washing over him. "Sofia? What the hell are you doing here?" he hissed, glancing around nervously. The traffic had slowed to a near standstill, and a few curious onlookers had started to glance their way, intrigued by the unusual scene unfolding before them.

Sofia, clearly cheery and vibrant, lifted her chin slightly. "How was my surprise?" She asked, her voice bringing him back to earth.

Haroon sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. This was the last thing he needed—a public spectacle and an unexpected stowaway. He could feel the weight of the stares from the other drivers and passengers, their judgmental eyes boring into him. He clenched his jaw, determined not to cause a scene.

"Come on," he muttered, reaching into the trunk. He gently grabbed her arm and helped her out, her petite frame unsteady as she climbed over the luggage. As she stood beside him, the reality of the situation hit him—Sofia couldn't just hide in thr trunk like that.

Without another word, Haroon closed the trunk and guided her to the passenger seat, keeping his movements brisk but calm. He could sense the murmurs from the traffic around them, the silent judgments of strangers who had no idea what was happening. He opened the passenger door and gestured for her to get in.

Sofia hesitated for a moment, looking up at him with an expression he couldn't quite read. There was brightness in her eyes, which he hesitated to erase. Haroon's irritation softened slightly, replaced by a flicker of concern. Whatever had driven her to this point, it was clear she was grappling with something significant.

As she slid into the seat, Haroon shut the door with a quiet thud. He walked around the front of the car, his mind racing. This unexpected turn of events had thrown him off balance, and he struggled to make sense of it all. He climbed back into the driver's seat, the interior of the car suddenly feeling much smaller, more intimate.

For a moment, they sat in silence, the hum of the car engine the only sound. Haroon finally spoke, keeping his voice low and measured. "You can't just hide in someone's car, Sofia. This isn't... normal." He glanced at her, trying to gauge her reaction.

She looked down at her hands, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her shirt. "I know," she murmured. "But, I saw your story on Instagram and my content isn't reaching its goal on the Instagram and my followers just boosted after a picture with you, so I just thought that my profile will be much better with you."

Haroon frowned, processing her words. He remembered the Instagram story he'd posted earlier—a casual mention of his trip to the airport, never expecting it would lead to this. He sighed again, the tension in his shoulders slowly easing. Despite the bizarre circumstances, he couldn't ignore the genuine distress in Sofia's voice.

"Are you crazy?" He shrieked trying control his rage.

What just this stupid girl was upto? He thought gripping his hairs harshly.

"Please," she dragged her word making him groan inwardly at her and glare at her

"Okay," he said, taking a deep breath and pinching the bridge of his nose. "But you can't stay here. I'll help you figure something out, but we need to get you out of here without making a scene. And please try to understand that I treasure my privacy." He glanced out the window, noting the curious eyes still lingering. The last thing he needed was more attention.

Sofia nodded, sadness flashing across her face. "Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible. There was a fragility to her that Haroon hadn't seen before, a raw vulnerability that made him want to protect her, despite the situation's absurdity.

He started the car, pulling away from the side of the road and merging back into the slow-moving traffic. As they navigated through the airport's approach, Haroon felt a mixture of emotions—annoyance, concern, and an inexplicable sense of responsibility. He glanced over at Sofia, who sat quietly, her gaze fixed on the dashboard.

In that moment, Haroon realized that whatever had led her to this desperate act, it was nothing but lack of mind. How could anyone be that idiot? He thought. 

As they approached a quieter area of the airport, Haroon pulled into a parking space and turned off the engine. He looked at Sofia, meeting her eyes with a steady gaze. "I am leaving," he said firmly. "And this time you won't follow me."

He turned around to go but she held his wrist making him stop in his tracks.

Sofia nodded, taking a deep breath as if gathering her thoughts. Haroon braced himself for whatever she was about to reveal, knowing that this unexpected encounter was just the beginning of a complicated and potentially dangerous situation.