Hey guys here's the third chapter. I hope you like this update too. Shower your love on this story too. Do check out my insta account @iwrites11....
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Shah Zain's POV (Edited)
Hashir handed me the scorching hot cup of coffee. I winced when the hot mug touched my fingertips causing me to immediately put the mug back on the table. I stared up at him and barked loudly
"What the hell? Can't you tell me it's hot?"
Hashir didn't even bat an eye and shrugged. He settled himself on the couch infront of me and stated as a matter of fact
"Coffee's are meant to be hot."
His snide remark make me want to strangle him. But I can't do that because if I do that than who would listen to my rant and problems. Hashir looked at me with a smirk and stated dreamily
"Accept it brother, no one would listen to your problems other than me."
I made a weird face at him and he just rolled his eyes. I leaned back on the couch and closed my eyes. I heard him sighing loudly and then he asked
"What's the matter? Since the time you have come, you haven't said anything."
I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. I sighed and stated
"Just usual, dado is forcing me to take responsibility. Her typical talks!"
I again leaned back on. Hashir then leaned in and placed his hands on his knees. He looked in deep thoughts and said
"Maybe she's right. Maybe you can think about it."
I looked at him like he had grown two heads. Hashir scoffed and said
"C'mon, bro. It's not like I have said
something alien to you."
I chuckled dryly and stated
"Hashir, I thought you knew me better than this. I am not at all ready for a big responsibility."
Hashir clicked his tongue in annoyance and said
"Zain, you are exaggerating. You can handle it. You just don't want to accept that."
I stood up from my place and ran my hand furiously in my hairs. Hashir also stood up and faced me. I looked at him and said
"Look I'm not here to fight with you too. So please try to understand."
But Hashir was not listening anything and said desperately trying to explain me
"Zain, I'm not fighting with you. But just look at it from your dado's point of view. Did you ever think about why she's pressurizing you so much."
His words did make sense but I'll be in hell if I accept them. So I shook my head and tried to clarify my point
"She just want me to become a workaholic person like her sons. I can't be them. Ok, you heard me. I can't be them. I can't spend my whole day sticking my nose in paperwork when I can do much more than that."
I shouted at the end. Hashir rubbed his temples. He might be annoyed by me. But he started it. Hashir ran his palms over his face and said, this time rather calmly
"Ok, relax. I don't want to argue with you. Just sit down and cool down."
I finally sat back on the couch. He also sat down opposite me. None of us said anything for few minutes. Suddenly he turned to me and offered
"What about a long drive? It might help you clear your mind."
That looked tempting! I smirked and stated while standing up
"I knew it I didn't do wrong by coming here."
Hashir burst out into laughter and we both made our way outside of his house. I really hope the long ride will give me a little bit piece of mind. I really needed that...
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Shiza's POV
Shehnaz Ammi has taken her medicine and now she is reciting Surah "Yaseen". I was listening to her recitation with great focus. Her sweet voice and the melodious words were calming the inner turmoil of mine. The Holy Quran made us forget all our bad days and filled our hearts with peace and tranquility. I don't recite Quran daily truth to be told, but still I tried to recite it once a week.
I was quietly listening to her recitation when she finished her reading and placed the Quran back on its place. I sighed and she turned to me. She passed me a beautiful smile and said
"Why are you smiling like that?"
I shook my head and stated
"You voice is so beautiful."
She laughed a little and said
"Thank you daughter."
I chuckled and tucked the stray strand of my hair behind my ear. I checked the time and it was almost evening. I turned to Shehnaz Ammi and said
"What do you want to eat in dinner?"
Shehnaz Ammi thought for a while before saying
"I want to eat the broccoli chicken soup."
I smiled and stated
"Well, I'll tell the maid to made it."
I stood up and was about to leave when I heard her amusing voice from the back
"Ruko, beta."
Translation:(Wait, daughter)
My steps halted and I turned around. I found her smiling at me amusingly. I became confused and asked her
"What's wrong? Do you need anything?"
Shehnaz Ammi chuckled and told me
"I didn't say that I want to eat from the maid's hands."
My eyebrows furrowed and I shooted my next question at her
"Then from whose hands you want to eat from?"
Shehnaz Ammi smiled and looked cheekily at me. Then she said
"I want to eat from your hands."
At this confession, I was amazed. My cheeks turned red because I rarely got appreciated. This is so awkward!! Shehnaz Ammi started laughing at my red tomato face and said
"C'mon don't just sit here. I don't want to have my food late."
I nodded my head and stood up. I kissed her cheeks and assured her
"I'll make it soon."
With that said, I left the room. I made my way to the kitchen and found few maids working there. They didn't acknowledged me as they were busy working. So I cleared my throat and this gained their attention. They looked at me and one of the maid asked me
"Do you need something, beta?"
I nodded my head and said
"Can you tell me where's the pantry? I need to make soup for Shehnaz Ammi."
The maid made an o shape in realization. The maid then said
"You don't stress yourself. I'll make it for her."
I was grateful for her offer but I refused and answered
"No no, she herself asked me to make the soup. Can you please tell me the pantry?"
The maid nodded her head and show me the way to the pantry. It was as big as the kitchen. I was amazed as hell. This whole pantry is even bigger than my entire room. But I'm not at all ungrateful. I'm grateful to Allah for whatever He granted me. I'm satisfied in my life. I took out the necessary items and made my way back to the kitchen. I washed the vegetables and the chicken. I started preparing the soup and kept in mind that I have to add very little amount of salt.
Shehnaz Ammi has high blood pressure and salt is not healthy for her at all. I was in the middle of making it when Zohra aunty entered the kitchen. She looked at me making the soup and her eyes were set on me for sometime. I kept my eyes fixed on the pot like it's the most important thing in the world. I heard Zohra aunty asking one of the maid in a rude way
"What is she doing here in my kitchen?"
She emphasize on the word 'my'. The maid looked uncomfortable but still answered
"She is here to make soup for Shehnaz Sahiba."
Zohra aunty scoffed and said
"Yeah, that's what she said."
She left the kitchen not before giving me a sour look. I sighed and tried not to let her words affect me. I continued my work acting oblivious to the recent incident....
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Shah Zain's POV
Hah!! I closed my eyes relishing the calm and cool breeze around me. It's rare here in Karachi. I sighed and tried to clear my mind as best as possible. Hashir was standing beside me looking ahead. When he noticed that I was also looking ahead, he stated
"Were you able to clear your mind?"
I turned to him and nodded my head. I had to check the time so I pulled out my phone. But I noticed that there's a text from mama. I opened it and it said that
'Your grand mother has called you for dinner. Don't miss it."
I sighed putting the phone back. Dado will never let me live in piece. Hashir probably noticed the change in my demeanour and questioned
"What's wrong? Did something happen again?"
I shrugged and told him
"Just another dinner I am forced to join."
Hashir sighed and chuckled. I turned to him and asked
"What's so funny in this?"
Hashir shook his head and said
"Nothing. I think you should join them. You can't run from your Dadi like that."
Well he has a point. I can't keep running. I have to face her one day or another. I sighed and said
"I think we should go home."
He nodded and we both made our way to the car. As we sat, he started the car and we drove off. I kept thinking about how to face dado. I'm sure she'll force me to join the company again. But I will tell her clearly that I'm not ready for such a big responsibility anytime soon. I'm sure she'll understand me. Hashir parked the car at the entrance. I sighed and looked at the haveli for some moment. Hashir tapped the dashboard and I offered
"C'mon join me too."
But he shook his head and said
"No, I have to make an urgent presentation. Can't be late. See you tomorrow."
I nodded my head and stepped down the car. He drove away and finally I made my way to the front door. The guards as usual greeted me and I replied them with a polite smile. I entered inside and for the second time that same girl had to bumped with me. This time causing me to stumble and almost lose my balance. I somehow managed to pull myself back and I shouted at her
"What the hell is your problem? Why do you keep coming in my way every damn time?"
She flinched at my high voice but I don't care. She is at fault. When she didn't say anything, I snapped my fingers at her. She came out of her whatever trance she was in and looked at me dumbly. I closed my eyes in irritation and said
"Aren't you going to say anything?"
She remained quiet infuriating me more. Before I could insult her more I heard dado's voice from the dining area. I followed inside leaving her in her own imagination. Everyone was present already at the dinner table. Even baba was present. Maybe he had come early. I sat beside Nimrah and she passed me a small smile in return. I smiled back at her and greeted everyone. Everyone replied back except I bet you all knew who. But I didn't pay any heed to them. They can do whatever they want. We were all about to begin eating when that same girl had to interrupt us. She cleared her throat and said to dado
"Shehnaz Ammi, I'll take my leave now."
I sighed in relief. But of course dado had other plans. She declined and said
"No beta, sit have dinner with us."
Everyone's head turned to her. She looked uncomfortable and said unsurely
"Dinner?"
Dado nodded her head. She remained quite for few moments. But dado narrowed her eyes at her. Finally she released a deep breath and agreed. I saw from the corner of my eyes that mama was not at all happy by that. She quietly sat down at the far end of the table and we all resumed eating. I kept stealing glances at her but that girl never even once looked up from her plate. I also didn't look at her again and kept my focus on my own plate.
The dinner went well. Surprisingly, dado didn't say anything for which I was really grateful. We were all sitting in the living room when that girl again came to dado. She stated again in a small voice
"I will leave now. Khala will be worried for me."
Dado nodded her head and that girl made her way to the front door. But dado's voice stopped her. She turned back and dado asked her
"How will you go beta?"
She looked at her and answered causally
"I'll just take a walk from here. It's not that far away."
But clearly dado had other plans for this matter too. She turned to me and I noticed an another type of glint in her eyes. This doesn't seem right. She smiled and dropped the bomb at me
"Zain will drop you home."
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Shiza's POV
Well, after that horrifying insult moment with Shah Zain, I was quite sad. I didn't want to stay here anymore. I wiped my tears and made my way to the dining area. I was planning that I would leave now but Shehnaz Ammi stopped me and insists me to eat dinner with them. I didn't want to embarrass myself more but I can't refuse her. So, I sat down and quietly ate the dinner. After the dinner, I made my way to the door after biding farewell when Shehnaz Ammi again stopped me and asked Shah Zain to drop me. He looked wide eyed at his dado and I immediately declined
"No, no it's ok. I'll just take a quick walk."
But she was persistent and said
"No I won't let you leave alone at this time. Please don't make me request you."
I didn't want to refuse her but I can't stand another moment with him. He will surely find another way to insult me. I was about to protest when he stood up from his place and declared
"Ok, fine. I'll drop her home."
He grabbed his car keys and walked outside without even looking at me. I sighed. Get ready for one hell of a ride, Shiza. I saw Zohra Aunty throwing daggers at me. I ignored her and made my way outside. He was sitting in the car. I opened the door and climbed in as quiet as possible. He has a beautiful car. The insides were black so as the exterior. The whole car smelled manly. Like sandalwood and earth.
I'm sure it's his perfume. Astagfirullah! What am I even thinking? I shook my head to clear these thoughts. I turned to him and his eyes were fixed at the road ahead. He was completely ignoring me. Well, I can't sit like this. So, I decided to make small conversation and said
"I didn't want to worry you. I could have walked."
He didn't even flinch. It's like he has ignored my entire existence. It made me gulped bitterly. I again tried my luck
"I'm sorry for being a burden."
Still no response. He completely neglected me and kept focused on the road. I guess I tried my luck enough. I looked away from him and focused on the roadside. Soon, I heard the car stopping and I realized that we had reached. I turned to him and still his eyes were fixed ahead. I wonder what's so interesting ahead? But I sighed and stepped down. I turned around and thanked him
"Thank you so much for the ride."
I expected a 'welcome' in return but instead I was only greeted with the deadly silence and he drove away. Well, that went well, I guess. I sighed and made my way inside the house. Let's just forget that something about that drive ever happened today....
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That's for today guys. Do vote comment and share. Tell me your feedback in the comments section. Also, I want to say that my previous story "Connected Souls" has crossed 5k reads. Thank you so much guys. I can't thank you all enough. You all are the best. I'll see you soon with another update
Till then take care
Allah Hafiz
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