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Shiza's POV (Edited)
It was night now. Khala was in the kitchen making dinner. Since morning, when Shah Zain left me there, I was instantly engulfed by khala's sweet embrace. Her motherly scent enhanced my senses.
The way her face contorted into pure surprise and joy just made my day. Although, I felt bad for lying to her when she asked me where Shah Zain was. She was looking forward for him to come here. I did make a reasonable excuse
"He was running late for a very important meeting. He should've stop by if he wasn't getting late."
Khala nodded her head in affirmation and said
"Don't worry dear. It's ok."
I tried to smile at her but my smile came out forced. Well, I spent all my day chattering to her. We talked and ate together. Bisma also decided to come home early as her lectures was canceled and she also reached early. She was really excited when she saw me sitting there.
Since then, khala was busy in kitchen while me and Bisma decided to chatted along. We talked about all the things I missed. Bisma told me that how she passed with flying colors in her recent tests.
I was really happy for her. She is doing really best. I am satisfied that both my family members are doing all right. They are satisfyingly living their lives. Ya Allah! Keep them safe and sound and always keep them in your protection...
***
It was almost nine in the night. We had already ate our dinner. Khala had made my favorite Chinese rice. I loved to eat them especially made by khala's hands. We catch up everything in this span of time and enjoyed the time together.
After we got freed from dinner, it was already 10 in the night. Shah Zain had messaged me that he will pick me up at around 11. He will directly come here and pick me up. Since then, I have been waiting for him to come. Bisma had gone to bed as she has an early class in the morning. Khala is reciting Quran as her habit.
She always recite Quran before going to bed. I was sitting beside her resting my head on her lap and closed my eyes. Her beautiful voice and the intriguing words of the Holy Quran were a melancholy in my ears. They were sweet like honey. Khala was even stroking my hairs and it almost made me sleepy. But I can't sleep.
Shah Zain will pick me soon. I was on the verge on sleep when the door bell rang. Khala and my attention went towards the door. I sat up from her lap and she stroked my hairs before saying
"Go and check beta. Shah Zain has come."
I nodded my head before making my way to the front door. As I opened the door, I found him standing there. His usual clothing was a little unmanaged. His hairs were messy. His jacket was off and was hanging on his arm. His eyes looked tired and his shoulders were slouched. He looked worn out. His tired yet edgy voice brought me out of my wonderland
"Are you planning to stand here the whole night?"
I shrugged off my thoughts before khala made her way out. The moment he saw her, he immediately greeted her
"Asalamualikum!"
Khala smiled before replying too. He passed her a small smile before turning his attention to me and saying
"Shall we leave?"
I nodded my head but khala decided to say
"Beta, come inside. Drink tea with us."
He shook his lightly before saying
"No, I shouldn't bother you."
His voice was calm and not edgy unlike the voice he used with me. Khala sighed before turning to me and stating
"Beta, do come again. We miss you so much."
I smiled and nodded my head. I bade farewell to her before grabbing my bag and making my way to the car. Shah Zain was already seated on the driving seat. He was tapping the dash board.
As I opened the door and sat inside, he stopped the tapping. He immediately straightened up before wearing his seat belt and ignited the engine. The whole ride, it was an awkward silence. None of us dared to say anything. The tension was yet again thick. My eyes were getting droopy and it got very hard for me to keep them open.
We were also now stuck in the traffic. I really want to just lay down and sleep. Shah Zain was also tired because he was sighing loudly time to time. He was also massaging his head from time to time. I felt bad for him. I tired to blink away the sleepiness off my eyes but it get pretty hard. His smooth voice reached my ears
"You can take a nap. I will wake you up when we reach the home."
I looked at him but he was looking ahead. He refused to maintain eye contact with me. I nodded my head before placing my head on the seat and soon enough I dozed off....
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Flashback
It was a bright Saturday morning. Yet here I am at the grocery store. I was buying the usual grocery for the Mir Haveli. You all might be thinking that why I am doing this? Shouldn't they have servants for it? For your answer, yes they had alot of servants for this work. But since Zohra aunty doesn't like me much, she ordered me to bring the grocery.
She said that all the other servants are busy as they had a little get together at night so I must go and buy all the necessary things. I don't mind it though. It's not like it will lessen my pride. I loved to help them. I know it's not part of my job there but sometimes it doesn't hurt to help someone. So I agreed and here I am. But the thing I didn't know that she didn't send any driver or car with me. I was alone here.
The grocery list was so long and there were almost 10 shopping bags. How am I supposed to carry them? I should hail a cab. After paying the bill, I made my way outside. I unloaded the shopping bags from the trolley before placing it on its right place. I decided to wait for the cab or rikhshaw to come.
I even stopped some but they all were asking way too much and I didn't have enough money with me. Did I forget to tell you that I bought all that stuff with my money? It cost me a lot. No one was getting ready for take me to the Haveli. They were charging too much. Ya Allah! It's so hot and I haven't even drink water since noon.
I sighed before somehow managing all the bags on my hands and started to walk. Maybe, I'll find a cab at the main road. I was having difficulties in walking as the weight was too much. I was also sweating. People were casting weird glances at me but what can I do? I took deep breaths to calm myself down.
It's so heavy that it seems like my hands will fall off. I was still in the middle of walking when a black car stopped right beside me. My back was towards it so I didn't see who stepped out of the car. The person walked straight infront of me causing me to clash with him. I stumbled and few bags fell on the pathway.
Thank God the stuff inside them was safe. I sighed before looking up to apologize but my words died down when I saw Shah Zain standing there. He looked at me with weird emotions before asking
"What you are doing here?"
My throat always went constricted whenever he asked me a question. It's like I don't have words to say. I gulped hardly before saying
"I was here to shop for the Haveli."
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion before he asked me
"But why you? We have servants for that."
I sighed before telling him everything. The frown still didn't leave his face. He again asked as a matter of fact
"But where is the driver? Didn't he come with you?"
I remained quiet. He must have understood my silence and took a deep breath. He rubbed his temples before saying
"Come on. I will take you there."
I immediately shook my head causing him to frown again. I then said
"It's ok. I'll just take a cab from somewhere."
He shook his head saying it's not a big deal. But I shouldn't do that. Zohra aunty doesn't like me near him anywhere. I again tried my luck
"I don't want to bother you. I will take a cab."
He clicked his tongue in irritation before saying rather rudely
"It's fine. Go and sit down."
I sighed and saw that he started to take the bag. I also decided to help but he refused. But my helpful self couldn't keep quiet so I again said
"Please let me help. It must be heavy."
On that statement, he just started harshly
"Shut up, Shiza. I told you to go and sit inside the car."
I walked towards the car and sat inside not wanting to embarrassed myself more. He also sat down inside before starting the car and rushing to the Haveli..
***
We reached soon enough. He stepped out of the car and started to unload the bags. Some servants instantly came and helped him. I stood there for sometime before making my way inside. I was about to approach Shehnaz ammi's room when Zohra aunty grabbed my arm and pulled me back harshly. I gasped in surprise and she gritted her teeth at me before saying
"I told you to stay away from my son. In what language will you understand that?"
I tried to free myself but she just tightened her grip at me. I answered somehow
"He offered me a ride back home."
She laughed dryly at my statement before muttering quiet patronizingly
"So you're saying that my son offered a ride to a girl like you. Have you seen your status girl? What would my son do that?"
Her words were like a dagger straight to my heart. Why is she so venomous? I was about to reply but Shah Zain's voice from behind stopped me
"I was just helping her mama. It doesn't need status to help someone, doesn't it?"
His words were challenging. He was looking directly to his mother. Zohra aunty sighed before muttering rather softly this time
"That's not what I meant beta. But what will people think? Don't you think it's a little weird that the son of the Mir is driving with a servant? Tell me beta if I'm wrong?"
I didn't miss that how she chose to call me a servant when I'm not. But I remained quiet. Shah Zain then answered his mother
"Well, if next time you don't want me to pick her than send a driver with her atleast."
His reply made Zohra aunty's eyes wide. I was also not expecting that reply. She nodded her head forcefully. He was about to leave but stopped in his tracks and again said
"And mom, she is not a servant here. She is dado's caretaker. There's a difference between a caretaker and a servant."
With that, he went upstairs leaving his mother and me in utter shock. Zohra aunty huffed before also leaving for the backyard. That day I thought that he might not hate me as much as I thought. That day I thought that maybe he is not what he shows he is. That day I thought that he might not treat me like his other family member...
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Phew! I am not satisfied with this chapter at all guys. Do share your thoughts with me. Also belated Ramzan Mubarak. Updates might not be frequent as they were but I will still try to update once a week. Let's hope that I get rid of my writer's block before the next update. Do vote comment and share
Till then take care
Allah Hafiz
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