19. Divorce
I hate him . . . Okay, maybe not so much anymore.

Ashar and I were awoken suddenly by the sound of the heating system jerking back to life. All the lights turned on.

I sat up straight yawning and stretching my muscles.

Ashar jumped to his feet and checked the windows. Snow mobiles and plows could be heard.

"I think your mom sent us a car," said Ashar. I joined his side to find out he was right. My ancient driver stood outside the black Porsche tapping his foot as if running late for a date.

Ashar and I wasted no time heading outside where signs of life were apparent. Snowmobiles were clearing out the main roads and intersections. Ashar told me he'd drive his own car and I could go with the driver. I was tempted to join him but decided against it.

Just because we spent a decent evening together didn't warrant for extremely nice behavior.

I slept in the car again and reached home before Ashar. This time, I waited for him to arrive to go in together.

"Why are you standing in the cold?" he asked when he saw me on his way in. "No one opened the door?"

He frowned and knocked hard.

"I thought we'd look better going in together," I said honestly. "For your siblings' sake."

He didn't have time to show his astonishment as Cecily opened the door. She raised an eyebrow at her friend but said nothing.

We hurried inside to find Rosie playing with my grandmother and Aara reading a book.

"Good morning," said Aara before going back to her novel.

"Ashar!" Rosie leaped into Ashar's arms with such excitement that one would've thought they hadn't seen each other for years.

I went and hugged my grandma. "I'm sorry I left you stranded. Are you alright?"

She gave me a thumbs up and blew a kiss at Rosie followed by one for Aara.

"I love Granny, Ashar!" Rosie said loudly. "Look, she made me a hat! It's so pretty!"

Rosie showed off her glittery pink crochet beanie proudly. In fact, Aara wore something similar but in periwinkle blue.

Pools of sparkly yarn sat by my grandmother's feet along with crochet needles. She was in the process of making another beanie as far as I could tell.

I felt a pang in my heart.

My grandma only ever knitted clothes for me.

While Ashar explained yesterday's events, I took the opportunity to clean up. We had forgotten to return the costumes we used as makeshift blankets, and I knew they had to go back ASAP if I wanted to keep my job.

My phone screen lit up with a message from my director about rescheduling today's shoot for tomorrow. Roshan and I had to push everything around and check actors' date and availability again.

I had put my phone on charge and once it had enough battery life, it was spammed with various other texts from friends and family. Sunny's apologies, Roshan's inquiry about me ditching him, mom, mom's secretary etc. One was from Jhanvi asking if we could meet soon.

I quickly texted back the days and times I was available. Jhanvi must've been on her phone because she immediately responded with a yes to today's lunch meeting.

I wondered what that was about. Did she want my help with patching up with Sunny? We only ever met during family reunions or parties.

Ashar came in as I headed out to eat something.

"Are you going somewhere?" he asked as he saw my changed attire.

It dawned on me that no one actually asked me where I was ever headed other than maybe Papa. Mom always said to not get in trouble and come back home early. I didn't know how to feel.

I tied my hair in a ponytail and replied, "I'm going to my study to finish up some work, and then I have a lunch meeting with my cousin."

"The one from your uncle's party?" he asked frowning. "Sunny's wife?"

I nodded. "I don't know why these two keep dragging me in their business. It wasn't like I broke them up. First, Sunny keeps following me and now she wants to see me."

I was about to head out but he blocked the doorway. "What do you mean by 'Sunny keeps following me?'"

I gave him a dismissive look. "Don't worry about it."

"Ano—"

"Ashar, please," I said irritated, "I need to get going."

He stepped out of my way. Before I could step out of the room, he had to stop me again.

"Ano," he started, "how long will your grandmother be here?"

I scowled. "Why?"

"I don't know how to address her," he said sheepishly. Heavy bags rested under his eyes and I could tell he was going back to bed. "Rosie took the liberty of calling her 'grandma,' and I don't know how you feel about that. The girls barely know their parents let alone grandparents, so having your grandmother here is an experience of a lifetime."

I pressed my lips and thought it over.

"Call her 'grandma.'"

• • •

The burning hot green tea steamed my face as I bent to take a sip.

Jhanvi played with the straw she had put in her caramel latte.

"Why am I here?" I inquired for the tenth time.

"I heard Sunny went over to your house a few times," she began slowly. "A video of you throwing a drink on Sunny also circulated around. Is there something I need to know?"

I nearly laughed. "You should ask your husband why he keeps coming to my house or bothering me when I'm out with my friends."

She sighed. "I filed for divorce."

I winced as I swallowed down the huge gulp I had taken.

"I expected as much," I told her.

The bags under eyes, the lines on her forehead, and the dryness on her face told me the amount of time she was spending on herself. I almost wondered whether her hair was normally this thin or she was losing it from stress.

"I never thought he'd cheat on me," she said her lips quivering. "What's wrong with me?"

I was finding it odd she had called me to discuss her issues. The last time we talked this year was at the party where everyone found out her husband was a cheater.

"What are you asking me?" I asked puzzled. "What about your friends?"

Her eyes filled up. "We don't have any real friends, Annie. Everyone in our circle can't be trusted. You're family."

"I don't recall being your family when my father was dead and you were busy with your business in Europe," I said calmly.

I loathed her for being the last one to show up after my father passed away. Although the time we spent together was little, we were still on amiable terms. I could still call her and ask for advice on various things. After her betrayal at my most vulnerable time, I couldn't stand being in the same room as her. She was the closest to a sibling I had and she lost that position that day.

She blinked back at me through wet eyelashes.

"I told you, Annie, I returned as soon as possible," she said. "You can't hold that against me. We have to grow up. We have to be there for each other. We are family."

"Your husband's betrayal made you realize that?" I asked. "Sorry, but it's too late. I'm honestly busy with my film. I don't have time for this."

I gathered my purse and my phone and left her.

I knew it was selfish of me to put her through the agony of loneliness but she had done the same to me when I needed her.

Karma didn't spare anyone.

I focused on my work thereafter and spent more time with my grandmother. She had taken far too much interest in Ashar's sisters.

Work was as worse as it could be.

When I thought working with the best director in the industry would be the best experience, I realized how untrue that was. I often skipped breakfast and lunch so my work was on point.

"Make sure the next location is ready by ten."

"Where is that costume designer? The protagonist can't be wearing this!"

"No! His tie must be fuchsia not magenta!"

The man was a tyrant. He changed his mind a hundred times a day and berated me more than Roshan. All because Roshan's dad was producing the film.

Two days after my meeting with Jhanvi and two tortured work days, I considered quitting.

I came back from work around the same time one of our drivers brought Rosie back from school.

We entered the house together and found Ashar working on his laptop. He stood up seeing his sister.

"I'm home!" She screeched and ran into Ashar's open arms.

He laughed and gave her a hug.

I watched them and wondered how it'd feel to have someone hug me when I arrived home exhausted from work with a terrible headache.

Aara entered behind me with her school bag. She offered me a sideways glance probably wondering why I was standing like a tree.

"I'm back," she said in a tired voice.

She gave Ashar and Rosie a small hug before heading to her room.

"Ano, what's wrong? Why are you standing there?" Ashar's voice broke me out of my reverie. Rosie had run away from him to change into her home clothes.

I decided to go upstairs too but when I moved, the sudden movement threw me off balance. I nearly collapsed on the floor from light headedness had Ashar not caught me on time.

"Careful." He helped me stand straight and studied my face with furrowed eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

So many things were wrong. Where was I supposed to begin?

The concern on his face made me want to lean into his arms and just rest my head on his chest.

"I'm okay," I assured him.

"Do I need to beat up your boss? Is he making my wife work too hard?" He wiggled his eyebrows.

He stroked my hair suddenly and I wondered whether or not he was serious. When he nodded his head sideways, I realized Aara was watching us.

Of course, the non-existent love story of ours had to continue. I wondered whether he'd believe my acting if I leaned into his arms.

Control yourself, I told myself.

Aara would definitely be suspicious if I hugged him because we were never the PDA couple.

He's a waiter, I reminded myself.

"Did you have lunch already?" Ashar asked.

I shook my head.

"Did you eat breakfast?"

I repeated my previous answer, but this time I clutched my aching head.

He scowled. "You're so negligent about your health. Why don't you go change while I ask Cecily to make you your rabbit food?"

He smiled so sweetly, I decided not to call him a waiter again.

He leaned in as if kissing my temple but pulled back as soon as Aara began making gagging noises.

She was on my hit-list now.

Not that Ashar would've actually kissed me. This was all his drama to show to her how much we cared about each other.

I sauntered to my room and changed quickly.

• • •

We ate dinner early because everyone was hungry. I went to the extent of cheating and eating a large bowl of cookie dough ice cream in my room later that night.

Ashar put Rosie to bed before coming into our room and hopping on his laptop next to me on the couch. I was busy watching a horror movie on TV.

"Why don't you eat proper meals to avoid these late night munchies?" he asked me.

"Okay, mom." I brought a large spoonful of ice cream to my mouth.

"I'm going to the living room," he said shutting his laptop. "I can't focus."

"How much work does my mother give you? You've been on your laptop since I came home," I said.

"I'm learning a coding language on the side," he confessed. "Better pay."

"You want a raise?" I asked. "The CEO is my mother. I can talk to her for you."

He rolled his eyes but smiled slightly. "She's my mother-in-law. I'm pretty sure I can talk to her myself."

"You're using my family to succeed, I see. Happy to be of service."

"Speaking of family, how did the conversation with your cousin go?" he asked.

"She's getting a divorce," I informed him. I watched the paranormal investigators record the poltergeist activities.

Ashar let a moment of silence fall in. He probably thought it was heartbreaking news for my family.

"Sorry to hear that," he said finally. "How's your cousin doing?"

"I don't know." I shrugged and ate a spoonful of ice cream. "We're not that close."

"Still, she's family."

I turned to face him. "Ashar, in my family, we leave each other to deal with our own business first."

"What business is more important than family?"

"She can tell you better than I can."

"Did you two have a fight or something?" he asked confused.

"Or something."

"You don't have to tell me," he said calmly. "Remember, you won't feel at ease either if you leave her to struggle by herself."

"Why are you taking her side?" I demanded. "She ditched me when I needed her the most."

"If you help her now when she is at her worst, she will never forget it the rest of her life," he said. "Trust me, she won't betray your trust again either. Wouldn't you want that kind of person to be by your side?"

I said nothing.

"Ano, I'm not trying to say I know better," he continued. "But I do believe that family support helps your mental health tremendously."

He left me to ponder over his words the rest of the night.

Maybe he wasn't wrong about mending things with Jhanvi. A part of me felt guilty about leaving her alone but the other part wanted to let her suffer.

Papa would've definitely supported Ashar's words tonight.

Why did he have to be right?!

I hate him . . . Okay, maybe not so much anymore.

————————-

A/N

Dar in duniya be haasil chra magroor megardi. Solomon gar shawi akhiir naseeb moor megardi.

Zindagi jhandwa phir bhi ghamandma.

How's life?

Not gonna lie, I had this chapter written already but never posted it because I thought it was trash. Doesn't look so bad anymore for some reason though.

Okay I'm gonna try to finish this ASAP.

—K-K-Kiran