"Is everything fine between you and Irtaza?" her mother who came to her room, asked.
"Yes"
"Does he take good care of yours?"
"Yes"
"Zahra," her mother's voice dropped a bit, as if she was about to discuss something important and Zahra's eyes moved towards her.
"Yes?"
"I hope you didn't tell Irtaza about the whole harassment thing?"
"No mama. I didn't"
"That's good to know. I don't want your relationship with him, to be affected by your past. Possessiveness resides in the nature of men and if he comes to know that his woman was involved with another man or another man is involved with his woman, then he lights up the whole world with fire. The fire which burns both the culprits."
"But mama I wasn't involved with Shoaib"
"But you were with Daniyal, Zahra!"
"What if Irtaza came to know about this mama?"
"That is why I'm asking you not to play with fire, Zahra. If he came to know then there will be apoclaypse. On the top of that, he is in mafia. You don't how horrible they turn out when they come to this term 'revenge' Hide this from him, as long as you can."
"How do you know?"
"I've seen it. His grandfather was a very ruthless man until he took his retirement from the mafia descending everything to Shehryaar and Irtaza. You see, daughter, he didn't even accept his own son because he married me. He proposed your marriage with Irtaza as a condition for letting us stay here. And you know, Irtaza's mother, Jahan ara, was involved in extra marital affairs. That man, whom she was involved with, was killed brutally, his body was carcassed and scared of her father in law punishments, Irtaza's mother committed suicide. Shehryaar was fifteen when he killed a living being. And so was Irtaza. When you used to have toys in your hand, they had guns. They are dangerous and sharp witted people, Zahra. Specially, Shehryaar and Irtaza. I can feel that. So look before you leap"
Zahra chuckled. "How do you came to know this much information?"
"Your asma aunty told me. We' re good friends"
"Hmm"
"Zahra, I insist, don't even a slight clue should be given to him regarding you and Daniyal"
"I will try" she whispered, her eyes having a distant look. She internally scoffed.
Irtaza already knows everything, mama!
"I'm talking for your own good."
"I understand, mama"
"Zahra, why you never told me that Shoaib was harassing you?"
She shrugged her shoulders, finding no answer to it or suitable words to answer it.
"Because.... mama. I thought.... I don't know why... maybe you both...won't believe me. Because... you've lost my trust. You and baba were too busy to pay any heed to me. I felt too alone. Too alone. And compensated that lonliness in Daniyal's arm."
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Zahra, my daughter" her mother replied with a sad tone and cleared the tear which escaped from her eye.
"Mama? Why are you crying? I'm fine now. Even more than fine"
"I feel so guilty of not giving the attention to you which you needed"
"We are already over that, mama"
"I and Mujtaba were so busy in collecting the amount of loan. We were so engrossed that we forgot our daughter" her mother said, as if trying to explain her stance.
"Everyone does mistake, mother."
"I hope that Asim burn in the pit of hell. And all those who were involved in framing my Mujtaba" she avowed.
"They already are mama"
"What do you mean?"
"Your son in law has taken the revenge. And you know, a few days ago, he also took me to our old house" Zahra told and her mother's eyes lightened with that.
"What? You went there? Tell me everything in detail"
With that, Zahra told her everything. From the day, when Irtaza took her to Daniyal and till the day when he took her to her house. She told her that Irtaza already knew that it was Daniyal and his family, who were involved in decieving her father.
Her mother was so happy that, Irtaza loved her daughter to that extent. They both continued to have a conversation until they were called for dinner and night fell upon the sky, as everyone retired back to their rooms. Ammara asked Zahra to sleep with her and she happily agreed.
She laid with her mother in her room, hugging her tightly. She missed her warm embrace.. Nothing can replace the peace she felt with her mother.
The lights were turned off, only the moonlight was peeking through the window. Zahra closed her eyes waiting for the sleep to encompass her when suddenly a severe wave of nausea hit her and she immediately got up.
She felt so nauseatic. All the contents she had at the dinner were flooding up to her throat and she immediately got off and ran into the bathroom. She vomitted, emptying all the contents.
On hearing the noise, her mother turned on the lights and saw Zahra coming out from the room.
"What happened? Are you fine? Why did you vomit?"
"Nothing. Might be due to acidity" she replied, laying beside her on the bed. She had been feeling nausea since a few days.
"Zahra, are you pregnant?"
"No mother! No! Not yet" she said, surprisedly.
It was not possible. She clearly remembered, she had taken the pill.
Her mother just nodded her head at her answer.
"Sleep"
With that the lights turned off and a deep slumber engulfed them both.
'Can I really be pregnant?' was the last thought on her mind, before drifting to sleep.
....
Three days already passed in a blur. She continued her normal routine, carrying on with her university and studies. Her exams were coming soon so she had engrossed herself in studies but something hollow in her heart still made her restless. She didn't know what was that feeling.
Guilt? Or she was missing him?
She had no idea. Like a certain situation where you know you are anxious but still not sure about what.
She just came back from univversity and went to her room, straight. Tired of the whole day but still Haseeb managed to cheer her up in the ride. He had the duty to pick and drop from her uniiversity.
"Zahra, you fine?" Haseeb asked, peeking his face from the door of her room.
"Yeah brother. I'm. You've been asking the same question"
"Oh siso. I was just asking just like that. I hope everything is going good in your university too?"
"Yes it is"
"You sure? You can share anything"
"I'm absolutely fine, Haseeb"
"Nice. Just wanted to have a quick check. Gotta go" he said and closed the door, letting himself alone in the hallway, when he got a call which he picked up.
"Are you looking after her?"
"She is fine. Assure him" he replied, "I've to go somewhere" he said and cut the call going to the lounge to tease Dua.
As the door closed, Zahra sighed and fell upon the bed, tiredly. Haseeb's attitude was a bit changed since past few days. He'll continuously keep a check on her and stay around her as if keeping an eye. But she ignored all these thoughts as her thoughts were so messy these days.
If it was due to the fact that, she was missing Irtaza then she surely was doomed. She didn't want to attach herself with anyone anymore. She was scared of trusting people now and attaching herself with someone meant giving your weakness to someone, giving him a chance to play with your emotions. Her heart was already so broken because of Daniyal's betrayal that she couldn't sustain another blow of that betrayal.
No
She can't
Then, this uneasinesss might be due to the guilt. Guilt of betraying Irtaza. Dua's words had hit her hard, like a truck. She stated facts and her being angry with her wasn't wrong at all. If someone would have done the same thing with her which she did with Irtaza then she might have committed suicide. It would have been so painful.
Giving an overview to the situation, this thought hit her that she never asked forgiveness from him, for betraying him. He did. But she never really said a sorry to him. Though, he did punish her, as he said, but that doesn't mean, it had removed the guilt inside her.
Her thoughts really disturbed her, so she simply picked up the phone and called him. She was frustrated now, because of her messed up thoughts. The line trilled but wasn't answered. She re dialed but again, it wasn't picked up. Calling him 3 to 4 times, she placed the phone back. He didn't pick it up.
She closed her eyes for a brief moment when her phone ringed and she immediately picked it up.
"Hello" his voice reached her ears. She felt as if hearing this voice after years. She didn't know why but weird feelings accumulated at the pit of her heart.
Did she miss him?
No!
"Hello, Zahra?" he said again, when she didn't answer.
"Hello Assalam alaikum"
"Wsalam. Is everything alright?"
"Yes it is"
"Then?"
"Do you forgive me?" she straightly asked, without beating about the bush.
"For?"
"For betraying you"
"I do" he said, without giving a second thought.
"Are you sure? Right?"
"100 percent"
"I'm sorry, Irtaza. For betraying you, for playing with your feelings. I didn't want to but-" she said, her voice getting shaky.
"Shh senorita. Don't cry. I love you and I've forgiven you too. We're way past that"
"Thank you"
"Your welcome. Now fix up."
"When you'll be coming back?"
"Tomorrow" he replied, when she heard the sound of commotion behind him and suddenly the call went off. She frowned, removing the phone from her ear, wondering why it got off suddenly.
She called back but it wasn't answered.
Hoping that everything would be fine, she laid down and within minutes she was asleep.
"Ma'am" someone jolted her shoulder and her eyes slightly opened.
"Ma'am please wake up!" she said again.
"I want to sleep" she groggily replied.
"Please ma'am, wake up. Otherwise I won't be spared" the maid said in her troublesome tone. which woke her up, instantly.
"What happened? Are you fine?"
"No..UYes. I'm. Thank you. Shehryaar sir is calling you downstairs now. Please hurry" she told her.
"Ok. I'm coming"
"Please come fast. I insist. Sir would get angry"
She nodded and went in the washroom, washing her face, so it could freshen up. From some odd reason, her anxiety had increased tenfold.
Why would he be calling her?
For some odd reason, she found Shehryaar, really intimidating and scary. His presence screamed danger. Even, she was more intimidating than Irtaza himself.
Going down, she found him standing near the foot of stairs
"You called me?" she asked, her voice automatically getting smaller. His gaze was demanding obedience and submission.
"I want to have a word with you, Zahra. Come to my office, now" he said, and flicked his finger, indicating her to follow behind him.
"Why?" her heart suddenly begin to hammer in her chest.
He turned around and gave him a look which told her, 'you better don't fuck up with me cuz I ain't the one to be fucked with'
"Come" he stated plainly but she didn't miss the underlying threat.
He moved ahead knowing she'll be following him, now. As they reached his office, he opened the door and let her in and then followed behind, before closing the door.
He turned towards her. His sharp striking gaze shoot her anxiety. It was the same feeling of fear, she had been accustomed to.
"Yes?" she asked.
"I'm not talking with you right now as your husband's younger brother but as the sardaar of haveli. So I expect only truth and obedience" he said in his clipped tone. His eyes calculating her movements.
By his statement, the gravity of situation was evident to her and also she can't run from him as he had made himself called as the sardaar. She kind of have an idea what power does the sardaar holds in the Shah haveli. His words were like a law. Not even a single sound of opposition was heard to a Sardaar's order. Everyone has to obey.
"Did you make a call to Irtaza?" he questioned.
She frowned.
"Why are you asking?"
"Answer the damn question!" he suddenly bellowed making her shudder.
"Yes, yes. I did" she whispered, hurriedly.
"When?"
"Today, at noon"
His jaw clenched after hearing her answer and she could feel the change in his demeanor.
"For more than three minutes?" he asked in a matter of factly tone.
"Yes"
"Fuck!" he cussed under his breath.
"What happened?"
"He has been kidnapped" he replied.