Chapter 15

Salaar's longing for a peaceful sleep was shattered when Warda brought up the Gondals.

"Salaar... Think, think, think of something to get yourself out of this mess. Otherwise, mom won't let you be at peace until she've got you married. Think!"

Salaar was deeply contemplating but failing to find any solution. Frustrated, he gave up and decided to head to the university. The thought of seeing Zarmeena made his heart race like a drum. He was even fed up with his own obsession.

Fighting laziness, he strolled out of his room in search of Zubair Chacha. When he couldn't find him, he asked a well-dressed servant, "Aslam, have you seen Zubair Chacha?" he demanded.

"Yes, sir. He had to leave for some urgent work but said he'd return soon," Aslam replied obediently, wondering because Zubair Chacha never went anywhere without Salaar's consent.

"Alright, bring me a cup of black coffee and tell the driver to prepare the car," Salaar ordered, returning to his room.

Meanwhile, Zubair escorted Leena to the outer lawn of the house. Leena, with her head held high, took some money from her purse and handed it to Zubair.

"Take this. It's for helping me today," Leena said firmly, without an ounce of gratitude.

"I don't want this, ma'am. But please, don't put yourself and Sir Salaar in this situation again. I won't be able to help next time," Zubair respectfully declined the money, his tone cautious but stern.

Leena's eyes flashed with anger. "How dare you try to stop me from seeing Salaar? Don't forget your place-you're just a servant!" she fumed.

Before Zubair could respond, Nazli appeared and slapped Leena across the face, leaving her stunned.

"I apologize on her behalf, Zubair. I promise she won't set foot in Salaar's part of the house again," Nazli said apologetically.

"Ma'am, Leena may be right in her own way, but it's my duty to protect Sir Salaar and prevent such embarrassment," Zubair said, bowing his head in respect.

"Please, Zubair, don't let anyone know about this," Nazli pleaded, fearing Warda's wrath if she found out.

"Don't worry, ma'am. Your secret is safe," Zubair assured her before walking away.

As soon as Zubair disappeared from view, Nazli roughly grabbed Leena's hand and forced her into the passenger seat of her car. Leena, still in shock, said nothing as Nazli drove them out of the gates, heading toward their parents' home.

At the hospital, the doctor was briefing them about Dadi's condition. "Her blood pressure is stable, but she's still not out of danger. We're keeping her under observation in the ICU," the doctor proclaimed professionally.

"Doctor, will my Dadi recover fully?" Ahmed asked, his voice trembling.

"I can't give you a definitive answer right now. We'll know more once she regains consciousness," the doctor replied, careful not to offer false hope. He handed Ahmed a piece of paper.

"We need to conduct these tests as soon as possible. You can have them done at any lab, but it's better to do them here for the convenience of the patient. Some are complimentary, but you'll have to pay for the rest."

"Please, doctor, save my mother-in-law," Zareena pleaded, tears in her eyes.

"We'll do our best. It's our duty," the doctor assured them before leaving. Zareena turned to Zarmeena.

"Zarmeena, go withdraw all the cash from the bank. We'll need it," she said, handing over her ATM card.

"Don't worry, Amma. You keep this. I have some savings. I'll use that," Zarmeena said, trying to ease her mother's burden.

"No, keep your money for your studies. I've set aside funds for emergencies, and this is the time to use it for your Dadi," Zareena insisted, refusing to let her children bear the weight of the medical expenses.

"Take this card for the initial bills," Zareena said, offering a credit card, but Zarmeena refused.

"Amma, we can use the card for payments here. There's no need for cash," Zarmeena reassured her.

"Don't worry, Mom. We'll take care of Dadi together," Zarmeena whispered, hugging her mother. Zareena felt a wave of relief wash over her at her daughter's comforting words.

Meanwhile, Salaar stood frozen for a moment, unsure of what to do. Since childhood, Zubair had always helped him get dressed. Deciding to wait, he headed to the bathroom for a shower, but before stepping inside, he heard Zubair's hurried voice from behind.

"Sir, the bathroom is filthy. The plumber just fixed a leaking pipe," Zubair explained quickly, not wanting Salaar to find someone else's presence in his private space.

Mrs. Saleema Qureshi was engrossed in the latest fashion magazine, leisurely sipping her favorite espresso, when the abrupt arrival of her daughters diverted her attention.

"Mom, ask your daughter where she's been all morning!" Nazli exclaimed, almost dragging her younger sister in front of their mother.

"Nazli, what's the matter? Why are you so furious? Is this how you treat your younger sister?" Mrs. Qureshi frowned at Nazli's aggressive tone and for dragging Leena like this.

"Mom! Before lecturing me about manners, try controlling your sweet little daughter! She was nearly caught red-handed in Salaar's room!" Nazli declared bluntly, leaving her mother utterly stunned.

"What?" Mrs. Qureshi was so shocked by Nazli's words that she spilled her espresso on her new dress.

"Yes, Mom, believe me! Warda Aunty was looking for her in Salaar's room. Luckily, Salaar was asleep, and she didn't catch anything suspicious. If she had, I'd be the one packing my bags and getting sent back here." Nazli's frustration was laced with concern for her own situation.

"Oh, Leena! What am I going to do with you? When will this madness over Salaar end?" Mrs. Qureshi clutched her head in distress.

"I sent Taimur to Salaar's side of the house to make sure his mother wasn't around and made up an excuse to invite them to dinner. Then, Salaar's most trusted servant, Zubair, helped her escape through the bathroom's back door," Nazli explained, narrating the entire incident. "Instead of being grateful, she tried to bribe him, knowing full well that everyone at the Malik household respects him like family." Mrs. Qureshi was getting shock after shock.

"I know about your obsession, but could you really be so foolish as to risk everything-for yourself and your sister?" Mrs. Qureshi's disappointment weighed heavily on her words.

"Mom, I know I messed up, but I called her several times and her phone was off. I didn't know what else to do!" Leena shot back before turning on Nazli. "And you, do you think you're so smart? Salaar's parents have been invited by the Gondals for their daughter. Taimur knows all about it, but he kept it from you!" Now it was Leena's turn to drop the bomb.

"This must be Warda Aunty's plan to keep you away from Salaar. Taimur surely doesn't know about any of this," Nazli stuttered, her face falling in disbelief.

"Is that what you think? When Warda Aunty was convincing Salaar about the proposal, he didn't look the least bit surprised," Leena retorted, her words cutting through Nazli's defenses.

"Imagine that! Taimur constantly professes his love to me, yet he keeps secrets with his mother. He didn't even give me a hint of Warda's scheme!" Nazli, stunned by Leena's revelation, felt a pang of betrayal.

"If your own husband is hiding things from you, how can you possibly help me?" Leena shot back, already feeling as if her future was slipping through her fingers. Determined, she resolved to take matters into her own hands.

"Leena, this doesn't justify your actions. If you continue down this path, you won't just lose Salaar-you'll destroy your sister's marriage too. I've decided-you're banned from the Malik villa," Mrs. Qureshi declared firmly.

Leena frowned, visibly displeased by her mother's decision.

"Leena, I'm more concerned about your future than my own. Trust me, Salaar will be yours, but you need to believe in me and stay away from the Malik house," Nazli tried to console her sister, but Leena had already made up her mind to rely on no one but herself.

"Fine. I'm going out with my friends. May I leave now?" Leena asked, standing up and grabbing her car keys.

Mrs. Qureshi and Nazli exchanged worried glances but said nothing, knowing that pressing her further would only lead to more trouble. Meanwhile, Leena knew exactly where she was headed.