Too fragile for the beast

Chapter 24

"I came here just a couple of hours before. I didn't disturb you as aunty told me you are taking rest after taking your medications. And He had some works to do so he left after dropping me here dadi". I said smiling to her.

"I warned him yet he did like this. I have a punishment for him. Let's wait till he comes. And sorry dear that I didn't attend your wedding. I stopped attending occasions after my husband died ". She said apologetically and I returned a nod with a warm smile.

"Zahra, I need a help from you" I said hesitantly and hearing me she shifted her eyes from the screen and looked at me curiously.

"Bhabhi, anything for you". She said with a soft smile which made me smile too.

"Ahm can I borrow your mobile for a while. I want to talk to my home". I asked and she was surprised for a second and handed her phone to me instantly. It's not like my dad didn't let me have one but my favorite mobile which I was using more than three years, fell down from my hand in the train after seeing him and shattered into pieces. It not an expensive one and sometimes it will struck working and I have to wait a lot of time to use it properly again yet I was happy with that.

I took the phone and went outside of the mansion into the beautiful little garden. I dialed dad's number and unfortunately it was out of reach. Sighing I dialed mom's number and within two rings she picked up the phone.

"Assalamy alykum mom. It's me Shafiyya talking"

" Shafiyya, my beti. Walaikum salam. I was really waiting for a call from you. How are you doing? I am sick worried about you" She said and her voice was stammering.

"I am doing good mom . How you all doing? What about Shahil? Did he sleep well without me?". I asked as I knew surely he would throw a big tantrum.

"Somehow we managed him and you don't worry about Shafiyya. We will take care of him. We just want you to be"

"Where is dad? I called him but he didn't answer"

"May be he is busy with his lecturer. I will tell him when he comes home. Is everything okay there? Is he treating you well" she asked anxiously.

"Yes mom. Actually I am at aunt's home. We came for lunch here. You know mom. Zahra has dadi who is very kind. All are treating me lovely mom and I like them too. Zahra and aunty, very friendly towards me". I said faking a happiness in my voice to avoid questions about him. It is indeed true that his family is treating me with so much love but about him I don't know what to say.

"Okay Shafiyya. Now after talking to you I can breathe in peace. When you get time call me again". Saying this we disconnected the call.

After talking to her I also felt little relaxed. I have never been away from them and this is the first time in my life that I spent  my night in another place.

.................................................................................

The sun was already set and the night sky was twinkling with millions of stars. I was standing in the balcony of Zahra's room wrapping my shawl around my shoulders. It was quite chilling today. He didn't come for lunch and informed aunty that he will be late. So without waiting for him we ate our specially made lunch by aunt. Dadi was very angry at him and waiting for his arrival to deal with him. After lunch I had a good nap with Zahra. In the evening I explored the little garden with Zahra and aunty.

"Bhabi, what do you doing there" I turned to where Zahra's voice came. She entered outside the balcony with Zaina behind her who has stone like expression. Since I came here she didn't talk with me nor I. She avoided being in the place where my presence was there. I also didn't bother to talk with her because of that terrible experience.

"I was just chilling here and enjoying the night sky" I said wrapping hands over my arms.

"Zaina, don't you think Arsh bhai is lucky to get Shafiyya as his life partner?" Zahra asked out of no where to Zaina which made her roll her eyes on me.

"Who cares?" She said uninterested in the topic.

"I care Zaina" Zahra said showing her teeth on display.

"So, you dragged me here with you to give this useless information to me? I have works to do" saying this angrily she dashed out of the room leaving Zahra giggling.

"Zahra, what is this? Why did you do like that" I asked in shocked with her behavior towards Zaina.

"Oh don't worry about her bhabi. I just did to tease her. Did you see her face" she said laughing.
"You know something bhabi? She has a crush on bhai and she was trying all her tricks to make bhai fall for her and see what happened. He fell for you". She said standing against the railing. And about zaina's crush I already knew that.

"Then why didn't he like her? She looks pretty as well" I asked nonchalantly.

"Beauty of appearance is not a matter when considering inner beauty bhabi. She will act very nice and good with me and mom only when bhai and dadi was there, other times she will just show her bitch side only". She said annoyed.

"Zahra don't curse" I said strictly.

"Oops, sorry and I forgot to tell you bhai is waiting for you downstairs and dadi told you to come down"

To be continued •••