I N A Y A
"Ahad, I'm leaving". I called out to him who was busy in the closet searching for something. I walked inside while putting on my wristwatch when he didn't reply, only to gasp.
The entire closet was a mess, his casuals sprawled here and there. He stood infront of the almost empty closet, his hands folded and brows knitted in frustration.
It's 7 in the morning and why was he troubled searching for something in the casual wears? Ughh! This man is really tough to handle.
"What on Earth are you doing?" I yelled and he turned to look at me.
"Where's my black turtle neck T-shirt?" He asked, his voice low and frustrated.
"Don't tell me you're searching that shirt for the last half an hour?" I asked with disbelief.
He sighed and groaned, being annoyed, "Where is it?" He asked.
"Godd! Ahad. You were the one to put it in the laundry 2 days ago, remember? I liked it and asked you about it, you told me that it was your favourite". I said and he stayed still thinking for a while.
"At this pace, I'm definitely gonna go mad". He spoke rubbing his forehead and I huffed walking towards him.
I held his shoulder gently and spoke, "Don't overburden yourself with work, if you go mad, People will call me a mad person's wife. Ew!. That sounds weird!" My tone so serious that it took him a while to realise what I just said, his head snapped at me as he glared.
"See! You Are The Reason". He pointed a finger at me accusingly. Ouch!
"Oh! You mean I'm driving you crazy? Yeah Mr.Qureshi?" I narrowed my eyes at him and he began walking towards me. I took quick steps back only to stop when my back hit the wall. Oh wall! Please leave your stereotype and move, and let me escape this man.
But the walls were always by his side.
He smirked devilishly, knowing that I was trapped now, I gulped as he leaned forward, placing his hands on either side of my head. "What did you say? You're driving me crazy?" He asked, his voice dangerously low, my gaze fell down, admiring the tiles beneath. They seem so beautiful suddenly!
I stood there frozen because no matter how much I try, It's like his presence, his cologne blocks my senses except for the heart which beats wildly.
"You wanna know the answer?" He lifted my face by putting his finger beneath my chin, my idiot heart skipping a beat.
"A‐Ahad". I tried to stop him because us getting this close nowadays is crushing my guards down. "Sshh". He placed a finger on my lips and moved closer, not even sparing air to pass between us.
"You've asked a question and I must answer it right?" He whispered sensually and I made a note mentally about never pushing him to the edge, specially when he was already pissed. "Answer me". He commanded and I glared at him.
This is the tone I absolutely hate. And he knows it.
"I won't". I snapped and he smirked raising his brow.
"This". He growled and ran his fingers through his hair and closed his eyes for a moment, "drives me crazy". He looked dead into my eyes and I swear I saw that in there. Goosebumps erupted over my body and our vicinity did nothing better.
It was silence that followed, was it a confession? Or another claim?
Oh no! I had to leave for Pune, I'm getting late.
"I-I'm leaving". I spoke finally, my voice only a low whisper. His face fell but he didn't move. I frowned.
"When will you return?" He asked. I looked into his eyes perplexed by his question. I'm really confused by his behavior!
"By tomorrow or two days are maximum". I spoke slowly, he didn't budge yet.
I knitted my eyebrows in confusion and placed my hand on his shoulder gesturing his to move away. He quickly averted his gaze and turned his back to me.
"Are you going alone?" He asked again. Seriously? I've traveled all across the world alone and he's asking about Pune?
I huffed, "Yes, I'm taking my driver Lillian". He nodded his head and we walked outside.
"Clean that closet, don't leave it messy. And the laundry boy will bring your suits today after dry cleaning. Don't forget to tell someone to collect it. Okay?" I said while checking my bag once again and he followed me simply.
"You look good like this, behaving like a typical wife". His tone was mocking, I looked around and he grinned at me. I couldn't help but smile.
"Take care and miss me!" I winked at him and began walking out. He held my hand and I looked back, he quickly came forward and placed a gentle kiss at my forehead, "I can't help missing you!" He said and I blushed again. Oh goddd! Ughh!!
He chuckled and I teased back, "Quite cheesy hm?". He laughed and replied, "only for you!" I laughed shaking my head and left.
I can clearly sense things changing between us but what's the problem if it's letting us open up and act easy around each other. I wish things don't escalate any further or have they already?
I greeted everyone and left for the farmhouse first, I collected Mumma's journal and left. We drove straight to Pune, it was a 3 hours drive from Mumbai.
The accident occured in Pune. We were at our maternal grandparents home and we randomly went to get some stuff when the most terrible accident of my life occured. I sat in the car silently turning the pages of journal and reading it, sniffing silently.
It had all the little moments we have shared together, right now I'm reading the time when I was 17 years old.
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A U T H O R
The cold chilling air hit Inaya's body as she stepped out of her Jaguar car. The huge hospital building stood straight infront of her, it was the Pune government hospital.
She was on the verge of tears but could she let anyone see it? Definitely not.
She entered the hospital, her presence commanding unwavering attention as eyes darted in her direction. Her Abaya whispering slowly against her body. She made her way directly to the manager's office, her arrival was already informed. The manager was overly prepared as he thought she was here for some business deal and working with her was a privilege for them, unaware of the fact.
She knocked and entered, he got up quickly and greeted her. She just nodded her head and sat on the chair infront of him.
"Do you have the records of every patient that was treated here?" She asked and he replied respectfully, "Yes ma'am, How can I help you?"
"I want the medical records of Samra Asad Khan, she was brought here after an accident on 15th October 20XX" Her voice authorative holding a sense of immense power.
"Sure ma'am, it'll take a few minutes". He said and called someone informing them to get the papers.
"I'll wait outside". She spoke and left.
After a while, a person came and handed her the records. She took it quickly and barged out after paying quite a good sum. She sent the pictures to Ananya, for the analysis. She recieved it and began the work.
Inaya then drove straight to the private hospital they talked about. It was really a very huge hospital and she was sure that the one to own this is definitely a profound businessman.
She entered and spoke to the receptionist and found out that the manager was absent today. She stormed out, her hands fisted in balls as anger surged through her. She had to get the records soon.
She decided to leave for the resort she planned to stay in and dismissed Lillian to get some rest.
It was evening.
Ahad was sleeping simply on the bed, his one hand and leg rested on the bed and the other dangling down. Yes, he was missing His lady! His Lioness.
"She hasn't even called me once". He sighed to himself complaining like a lovesick teenager and then his phone began ringing. He took it excitedly only to frown as Salman was calling him.
"Hey mann!" Salman chirped from the other side.
"Yes". Ahad spoke boringly, all he wanted right now was to speak to Inaya.
"You don't seem good? All okay?" He asked again and Ahad just hummed.
"Actually, I called to inform you that we all are coming to your home within a week". He said and Ahad jolted up on his bed. That means Seema aunty will be coming too and how can he forget his Grandma!
"Grandma is also coming?" He asked urgently.
"Ofcourse, we all are. For Shahida's marriage". Salman clarified and they emded the call after a short talk.
Ahad sighed rubbing his forehead because his Grandma is quite troublesome! It took her a few months to accept his mother as the daughter in law even after marriage. He was now worried for Inaya as her anger is always present on the tip of her nose.
Then the phone rang again, it was Inaya this time. A grin spread across his face as he recieved it quickly.
"Assalamualaikum". She greeted and he greeted back.
"Done witht the work?" Ahad asked being impatient as he was already missing her.
She chuckled softly, "No, I think I'll stay till day after tomorrow and then return". She spoke with a sad expression on her face while there was nothing different on his face.
They spoke randomly for a while, laughing and teasing and hung up.
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The next morning,
Inaya made no delay in reaching the hospital.
"Sorry ma'am, but we don't seem to have records about the lady you are asking". The man spoke professionally only for Inaya to close her eyes in frustration.
"Who's the owner?" She asked, her tone sending chills through the person infront of her.
"The Mehtas" he spoke and that was it. A clear lie. She knew Mehtas for a long time, they were partners in this but not the owners.
"I ASKED WHO IS THE OWNER?" She seethed in a tone that the man literally trembled in his seat.
"B-but I sai-" "Just shut up, I know all of your propagandas, I'M ASKING FOR THE LAST TIME. WHO IS THE OWNER?". The man sweat but didn't utter a word. Her doubt was confirmed that he was definitely lieing. The tricks, you know!
She pulled out a paper packet and tossed it on the table, he looked between them confused. She gestured towards it, he took the paper in his shivering hands and opened it and gasped.
5 lakh rupees.
"This is the amount I'll pay, if you give me the reports. The owner's name will get you double of the amount". She finally played her final ploy and smirked when he quickly took the money and gestured a man to go and fetch the reports.
"NAME?" She hissed gritting her teeth and placed another bag on the table.
He gulped and spoke, "Haamid Sheikh".
Her brows furrowed in confusion as she never heard this name before. She glared at him, "If This Information Turns Out To Be Wrong. You'll Cry All Your Life". She snarled hitting the table with her fist and stood up.
"N-no ma'am, this is t-the truth". He stuttered and the man reached with the file. She grabbed it and left just like heavy rain, that poured heavily and stopped all of a sudden.
But the storm in Inaya's chest has just begun.
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They say MONEY cannot buy everything,
Nah!
They just don't know where to shop.
~Inaya Ahad Qureshi.
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Do vote and comment your favourite part.
Who do you think is Hamid Sheikh?
What will happen when Salman's family will set their feet in Qureshi Mansion?
How are you finding the story so far?
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