Shab-e- Mairaj Mubarak everyone!!!
Here's another update for you all. Do share your thoughts. Also thank you lots for showering love on my previous novel "Connected Souls". I am thinking of writing a bonus chapter. If you all are interested to read then please do tell me in the comments.
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Shiza's POV (Edited)
Shehnaz Ammi looked at me with no expressions. Her usual smiling and welcoming face was devoid of any smile. She was just staring at me. I exhaled and walked towards her. I took the bag from her hands and placed it on the table. She was quiet. I sighed and said
"Please have a seat."
She sat down and I also took a place infront of her. I was little curious of why she came here. She was not even looking at me few days back and now she's here to talk to me. I really don't understand the reason of her arrival. She was still quiet and I decided to ask
"Do you want tea or coffee?"
I stood up cursing myself for being so ill-mannered. I was about to leave the kitchen when her voice stopped me
"No, come back here."
I immediately halted in my steps and sat down back on my seat. She was now looking directly at me. She then asked
"How are you?"
I looked at her wide eyed. I mean I wasn't prepared to answer such a basic question. I answered anyways
"I'm good. How's your health?"
She sighed heavily and leaned back in the sofa while answering
"Honestly, speaking no one could take care of me like you."
I don't know why but her comment made me smile. She was the only member of the Mirs that treated me nicely and humbly. Otherwise, the others one were pretty hostile to me. They don't really care about me but only Shehnaz Ammi looked after for me. She was the motherly figure I never had. So, her complimenting me filled my heart with warmth. She then stated
"How's life treating you?"
Well, that's a hard question. I am still finding the answer for it. I don't know if I can lie to her. She is the purest person I've ever met and I don't want to strain our relationship.
I was always honest with her and now just thinking about lying to her was making me feel nauseated. I answered with no sugarcoating
"It's been hard since I left the Haveli. My family and I had to face alot of challenges and poverty doesn't provide much of a support."
At my answer, her eyes softened and something like guilt or sadness appeared in them. I don't want her to be guilty for the crime she didn't even commit.
She was unaware of the conspiracy that Zohra aunty did and her blaming herself is not suiting well with me. So, I shook my head and told her
"Don't blame yourself. You're the least person to take the blame, please."
She smiled and said tenderly
"Come here."
I stood up and went towards her. As I sat down, she caressed my hairs and stated
"I'm so sorry, beta. It shouldn't have happened."
I shook my head and mumbled lowly
"It wasn't your fault, Shehnaz Ammi."
She shook her head and justified
"Nhi beta. Ye meri galti ha. Agar main khamoosh na rehti to shayad tum aj bhi meri dekh bhaal krrhi hoti."
(No, dear. It's my fault. If hadn't been quite about it then you might be still there taking care of me)
I shook my head not wanted her to be guilty at all. Tears filled my eyes. Her guilty voice and saddened eyes were making me uneasy. She wrapped her arms around me and I broke down completely. I was trying to control myself since so many months but I guess there's always a breaking point.
When her frail yet tender arms wrapped around me, I immediately broke down into tears. She tightened her arms around me and I nuzzled my face in her shoulders. Her motherly fragrance was calming my nerves. When she pulled away, she wiped away my tears and said
"Don't cry, chanda. It doesn't suit you."
Her comment made me chuckle and she also started smiling. I wiped my tears fully and said
"Do you want to drink tea?"
She nodded her head and said
"Sure, beta. It's so long since I drink your tea."
I smiled and walked towards the kitchen to make tea for both of us...
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Shah Zain's POV
I was waiting for Zarnish to come out. She was here to meet her friend and I was supposed to pick her up. She decided to have dinner at the restaurant. I was leaning on my car waiting for her to come out but here I was standing waiting and just waiting.
Finally, I saw her figure coming out. She was smiling. I straightened up and showed her my watch before playfully saying
"You were supposed to be out in 10 minutes not after an hour."
She laughed and cheekily stated
"Well, I'm honoured to have the Great Shah Zain on wait."
I narrowed my eyes at her and said
"Is that what you think how it works?"
She nodded her head. We both laughed and finally made our way to the car. As we sat down, I immediately started the car. The whole ride we exchanged few causal words. When I parked the car at the restaurant parking, a smile appeared on her lips and she turned to me. She stated and happiness was dripping from her face
"You remember."
I shrugged and just said
"How can I forget?"
I chose to dine at "The Lora" restaurant. (The restaurant name is made up.) It was Zarnish's favorite restaurant. She loves to dine here with her loved ones. We both stepped out of the car and I handed my keys to the valet.
We both made our way inside. The manager greeted her almost immediately and said
"Your seats are over there."
We both walked to our table and it was a perfect view of the whole Karachi. The city of lights were glimmering in the night and it was a sight for sore eyes. As we made ourselves comfortable, the waiter handed us the menu card I motioned Zarnish to order. At that, she looked at me and said
"Kia mere kehne per zeher bhi kha loge, tum?"
(Will you eat poison for me?)
I laughed and answered
"Ap jo kehen main karne to tayyar hu."
(Whatever you say, I'm ready)
Although, she said this in fun but I meant the words. I can do anything for her. I have feelings for her since teenage years and I can't wait to make her mine. I want to share my happiness and sadness with her.
She is looking radiant in her pastel sky blue color kurti and pants. Her hairs were tied in sleek bun but she looked decent. Her long eye lashes were resting on her cheeks as she looked down at the menu card. Her smile is contagious and I could find myself lost in her magical eyes. She looked up and ordered
"We will take two Alfredo pasta and a plate of meatballs and pizza fries. But please don't add oregano in fries."
The water nodded and soon left. As she turned to me, I stated
"You don't forget, do you?"
She smiled and held my hand that was resting on the table. She gave it a gentle squeeze and said
"I remember every little thing about you, Zain. Your allergy can get very bad."
I was allergic to oregano. It cause pretty severe reaction on me. I tried to avoid it as much as I can. My whole family knew it but at restaurants especially Italian restaurant, I have to be super cautious. We both then got busy in the normal conversation. She asked me seriously this time
"Zain, are you really happy with dado's decision?"
I answered after taking a deep breath
"Yeah. I mean it was meant to be happen."
She smiled sadly and then further asked
"But are you really looking forward to it?"
I went in deep thoughts. I mean I was told since the beginning that I have to handle the company one day. My mind was already made up. So, I answered
"Yeah. I believe in dado. Her decisions are never wrong."
She smiled and then said
"Fine. If you're happy than I'm too happy."
I laughed and just then the waiter came with our order. We both dig in our meals and enjoyed the comfortable silence that came with it..
Zarnish's dress
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I inserted the key and opened the front door. The whole Haveli was quite with no sound. We both entered inside as quietly as possible. It was midnight. I was practically fearing inside because dado doesn't like us to be out till late. But we both didn't realize when the time passes. I drove like a mad man because I don't want to be anymore late than that. It's already 2 in the night.
Dado was probably fuming at the dinner table. She already doesn't like the absence on dinner table. We reached the lounge without getting caught. I hope dado had slept. I don't want to hear her lecture right now. Just as I was about to climb the stairs, Zarnish grabbed my arm and I turned around. She looked at me with apologetic eyes and mumbled lowly
"I'm sorry. It happened because of me. I shouldn't have asked you to stop the car at the ice cream parlor."
My eyes softened hearing her apology. She doesn't have to apologize. It's not her fault. I should have also be careful. I sighed and assured her
"It's ok. It's not your fault. Wese bhi konsa hum roz outing per jate hain. Dado will understand, don't worry."
(It's not like we daily go on outing.)
She nodded her head. I then told her
"Now go and take a rest."
She smiled and climbed upstairs. I was going behind her when a voice stopped me
"Where are you going?"
I winced and turned around. As I make eye contact with her, my fear became true. Dado was standing there with her arms crossed around her chest. Her gaze was sharp. I hissed not wanting to hear her lecture. But whom am I kidding? She had caught me and now I'll have to hear her lecturing me. She asked sarcastically
"Tell me Zain, were you even going to come home?"
Her voice was edgy. I answered trying not to anger her
"Dado, I'm sorry. I lost the track of time."
She shook her head and said
"Zain, how many times do I have to tell you that you shouldn't be out till late."
Why is she treating me like a child? I'm an adult. But I still tried to be calm and said
"It will not happen again."
She sighed heavily and then motioned me to sit down. I looked at her confusingly. Is she going to lecture me? When I didn't move, she verbally said
"Zain, take a seat."
I sighed dejectedly and sat down. She also took a place beside me. She face me and then said
"Beta, I know you're an adult now and you can chose between right and wrong. But sometimes we have to think about others too."
I remained quiet not wanting to interrupt her. She continued
"Beta, Zohra was really worried. You were not even picking up her call. You were never this careless, Zain."
Oh shit! I almost forgot about mama. She must be worried. I defended myself
"Dado, my battery died."
She nodded her head and then said
"Beta, hum ne tumhen kabhi nhi roka kisi bhi cheez se. Lekin tumhen apni adatein badalni hongi. Aakhir aesa kab tk chale ga."
(Son, we never stopped you from anything. But you have to change your ways. Till how long will it keep going?)
I know I'm not good in managing time. I have been coming late. Mama and baba are not happy with my time routine. Baba even scolded me but I can't do anything. I apologized
"I am sorry, dado. I should have been careful."
She sighed and said
"Beta, I'm not going to scold you. You're mature and can decide by yourself. You have to change. Agay tumhari shadi bhi hoge. Kia shadi k bad bhi tum issi tarah ka rawayya rakhoge."
(You have to get married too. Will you still be acting like this with your wife?)
I cringed at the name of the wedding. I'm not ready for it. Dado hold my hand and said
"Zain, you're my eldest grand-child. I have my full trust on you. Don't let me down, beta."
I nodded my head. I kissed her hand and assured her
"I'm sorry for troubling you dado. But I will try my best."
She smiled and then said
"Now go and take a rest."
I stood up and climbed the stairs but again her voice stopped me
"Zain!"
I turned around and she said
"Beta, kal subha mujhe ek zaroori bat karni ha sab se. Tumhara hona zaroori ha."
(I will talk about something impressed tomorrow with everyone. You have to be present)
I nodded my head and then went upstairs to take a much needed rest...
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Shiza's POV
We were sipping tea. Shehnaz Ammi has been quiet since then. We both were enjoying the comfortable silence. She placed the cup on the table infront of her. She then turned to me and said
"You are really hard working beta."
I smiled and thanked her. But then a sad smile appeared on her lips and she said
"But life was not easy on you. I know I am also a part of your misery. Please do forgive me."
I don't like her apologizing me. She is my elder and she can scold me for what she need. I shook my head and told her
"Please don't say that. You are my elder and I don't want you to apologize to me repeatedly."
She smiled and caressed my hairs before saying
"You are such a gem, beta. May Allah bless you with uncountable happiness."
I muttered Ameen under my breath. Suddenly, a serious expression took over her face. She took a deep breath and said
"Now, let's talk about the main thing. I am here to discuss something important with you, beta."
I focused solely on her and she began
"Beta, I know that you didn't steal Zohra's necklace. You're not that type of girl and I believe in you."
Her words were like a balm on my open wounds. Atleast, there's someone who believe me. She then continued
"Beta, main ab bohri hogaye hu. Main chahti hu k mere ghar wale apni apni zindagi main khush hun."
(Dear, I'm getting old. I want to see my family happy in their lives)
I nodded along with her. Everyone wants their family to be happy and content. She again continued
"I want to see the happiness of my grand children too. I adored each one of them and I wanted the best for them. Especially for Shah Zain. It's not like I don't want happiness for my other grand children. They are all equal but Shah Zain got a special place in my heart."
I was quiet. I don't know what to say. She continued
"Beta, mujhe sab se ziada pareshani Shah Zain ki ha. Zain bhale hi mehnati aur qabil ha lekin wo aj bhi laparwa ha."
(Dear, I'm really worried for Shah Zain. He might be hardworking but he's still careless)
I don't know what to say. Why is she telling me that? I really don't understand her intention of coming here. So, I asked
"Why are you telling me this?"
She looked at me and then held my hand. I was totally confused. She then said
"Beta, kia tum meri bat mano ge."
(Dear, will you agree to me?)
Her eyes were begging me to say yes. I never saw her this hopeful. Her eyes were screaming me to agree. I nodded my head not uttering any word. But the next words that she spoke shook me to the core
"I want you to marry my Shah Zain..."
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Here's the update guys. A long chapter. I hope you like it. What do you think will happen next? Do share your thoughts in the comments. Do like share and comment.
Until then take care
Allah Hafiz
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