Risen from dust

Forty Three

Zaviyaar's frustration with the situation and his own feelings boiled beneath the surface. He turned to face Noor, his expression tense. "You think I'm toying with you?" His voice held a hint of anger as he continued, "You have no idea what's going on here, Noor. This isn't some game for me."

Noor, too, felt her emotions intensify. She wasn't one to back down easily. "Well, it certainly feels like a game. One minute you want to help, the next you're telling me to stay away from you. Make up your mind, Zaviyaar."

Zaviyaar's frustration grew, and he couldn't help but raise his voice slightly, "You don't understand, Noor! It's not that simple. I can't just fix everything with a snap of my fingers."

Noor, determined to make her point, retorted, "And I don't need you to fix everything for me. I've managed my whole life without your help."

The tension between them was palpable as their emotions clashed. The gap between them widened as uncertainty and misunderstanding hung heavy in the air.

Noor hurried upstairs to Daadi's room, determined to put on a brave face despite her inner turmoil. Before entering, she wiped away her tears and conjured a smile. "Daadi jaan, how are you doing?"

Daadi scrutinized Noor's face for a moment and then asked, "Where were you all morning, girl?"

Noor hesitated, knowing she had to fabricate a story to avoid worrying Daadi. "Mrs. Mehnaz had some work she wanted me to take care of," she replied, feeling a pang of guilt for lying to her beloved Daadi. But she believed it was for the best, considering the circumstances.

Daadi sighed and then reached for her purse, rummaging through it for some cash. "Ohhh, my medicine is almost over, and I didn't even realize. Neither did you, silly girl. Now run along and get them for me," she instructed, handing Noor the money for the medications.

Noor's heart raced as she contemplated how to explain her inability to leave the house. "Me? How can I?" she hesitated, fearing Daadi's reaction. After all, her Uncle Khalifa had always been adamant about her not leaving the house.

Daadi's tone was reassuring. While placing the money in Noors hand, she said,"Why not? Rabail used to get it for me. Why can't you? Don't be scared, my dear. This is a safe community, and the pharmacy is just round the corner. A bit of fresh air will do you some good. Be quick."

Noor nodded, her apprehension mingling with a glimmer of hope. She was torn between her duty to Daadi and the risk of going outside, but she knew she had to try for the sake of the woman who had become her family.

Zaviyaar had stormed out of the house after his heated argument with Noor, leaving behind the intense emotions that had gripped him. Now, he found himself in the company of a different woman, Tina, or perhaps it was Faryal; the details blurred as the night wore on. She clung to his arm, and he held a drink in his hand, the ice cubes clinking softly against the glass. It was a stark contrast to the complicated emotions and disagreements he had just experienced with Noor.

With this woman, Tina—or was it Faryal?—by his side, Zaviyaar felt a sense of carefree liberation. This woman was vivacious, outgoing, and didn't hesitate to touch him. Her laughter was infectious, and she seemed entirely unburdened by the complexities of life. Zaviyaar couldn't help but find it refreshing. Noor, on the other hand, was a puzzle to him. Her emotional depth sometimes felt overwhelming. She had a way of delving into the depths of his soul, stirring up feelings he had long suppressed. And yes, she had her reservations about physical contact, which was in stark contrast to the easy, casual touches of the woman beside him.

Zaviyaar's attempt to be a "better" person weighed heavily on his mind as he sat in the dimly lit bar, surrounded by the rhythmic beats of music and the laughter of strangers. What had he gained from this change in himself? His mother and father had both vehemently opposed his newfound interest in someone like Noor. Society deemed her a good person, but her position as a servant seemed to make her unworthy in the eyes of his family and perhaps even himself. His attraction towards her had deluded him.

Doubts crept into his mind. Was he overreacting? Had he allowed himself to become too emotionally involved with someone who, according to the norms he had grown up with, was meant to be invisible, a background figure in their lives? The thought gnawed at him, and he found himself torn between the expectations of his family and the feelings he couldn't deny.

Perhaps Baba was right, he thought bitterly. Noor was just a servant, and he was changing himself fundamentally for someone who, by society's standards, was beneath him. These conflicting emotions and the disapproval from those he loved left him in a state of turmoil, questioning the path he had chosen to take.

Noor made her way towards the pharmacy with a joyful spring in her step, the money Daadi had given her clutched in her hand. Each stride was a little skip, and a smile played on her lips. She relished the opportunity to step out of the house, breathe in the fresh air, and escape the confines of the four walls that had been her world for so long.

As she walked along, she couldn't help but notice the beauty of the world around her. The birds perched on telephone wires above, their melodious chirping filling the air with a sweet serenade. The sky painted a breathtaking canvas overhead, hues of orange and pink merging as the sun began its descent. The sight of the sunset left her in awe, its vibrant colours a reminder of the beauty that existed beyond her everyday struggles.

Noor arrived at the pharmacy, and with a sense of purpose, she went inside and purchased the much-needed medicines. Daadi had handed her a large bill since she didn't have any change, and Noor knew she had to be careful with it. Money had never held a strong allure for her, even though she had lived a poor life.

As she handed over the bill and received the change, Noor felt a fleeting sense of responsibility for the precious currency in her hands. She understood that every penny counted, especially in their modest household, and she was determined to ensure that Daadi's needs were met with utmost care and efficiency. With the medicines safely in her possession and the change secured.

Noor left the pharmacy, her steps light and as soon as she was just about to turn the corner that led to the path toward the house when, in an instant, she felt a strong hand grab her shoulder from behind. The unexpected touch sent a shiver of fear down her spine, and she froze in her tracks, her heart pounding in her chest.