Chapter 9

"Hello." I smiled at the lady.

"Hello." He copied her fake excitement, making her scrunch her face.

It has been two weeks since I left them behind, but they have totally another plan. Since then, Safdar Hamdani was following me, like a shadow. When I said "shadow", it meant at a totally different level. He would just be with me everywhere I go, talk to me, eat with me. And I would just ignore him all along.

Azferene had been meeting me now and then, but I ignored her too. Because I can't forget the hurt I gave her, and the guilt was too overpowering my emotions. Gulabo and Khalid had done that too. And now it was getting on my nerves. They all were frustrating me now. And about Mr. And Mrs. Wajahat aka my parents, I don't even want to think about them. But as Azferene said, they were too ashamed to face me.

"One farmhouse pizza with burst cheese and one chicken noodles." I ordered, and as usual he copied me ordering the same order and followed me towards the table.

"You know, you are the first girl who has the audacity to make The Safdar Hamdani roam behind her." He said proudly while I, as usual, ignored him. But I would be lying if I said my heart didn't flutter at his sentence and kept eating my lunch.

He sighed dejectedly. I still don't know why he was even following me? I wasn't anyone to him, then why was he making it a big deal.

"I will just pray Zuhr in the nearby masjid and come." Saying he stood up and paid the bill before exiting the hotel when I didn't even reply.

I sat there taking my time to finish the lunch unconsciously waiting for him to return. But then scolding myself for thinking like that, I left the hotel.

In contrast to the warm atmosphere of the hotel, a cold breeze welcomed me, making me shiver as I hugged myself.

Reality was very hard to sink in, only if I was still alone, I wouldn't have been drowning in guilt of misbehaving with them. I wouldn't have been cursing myself for hurting them. I wouldn't be dying from thinking for these people. I just wouldn't.

I just kept walking without realising where I was going when a loud horn resonated around me and someone pulled me back before that car could hit me. I didn't even flinch...maybe because I was hoping to die from this nightmare.

"ARE YOU MAD?" I flinched this time because that voice was close to my ear, Safdar Hamdani shouted at me.

I brushed away his hands, it was the first time he touched me like that if you won't count the first meeting where he slightly pushed me in his car.

"I AM TALKING TO YOU ILHAAM! ARE YOU MAD? YOU COULD HAVE DIED!" The horror, the fear he felt for me was clearly evident in his eyes as well as voice which was laced with slight anger...okay a little more anger.

"THEN LET ME BE! WHAT IS IT TO YOU? HUH? EVEN IF I WOULD HAVE DIED, WHAT IS IT TO YOU? WHO ARE YOU TO ME? IT WOULD BE BETTER WHEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE ANYONE TO FOLLOW AROUND EVERYWHERE FOR WHATEVER REASON YOU HAVE! LET ME DIE! I DON'T EVEN HAVE ANYONE WHO WOULD WAIT FOR ME IF I DIDN'T REACHED HOME ON TIME! AND...Who are you to save me? Huh? I don't even know you. I don't even know where you were after that accident. And you think I should trust you?" That old habit of mine was taking a toll on me. My voice died down at the end as I myself didn't know what nonsense I was talking about.

He just kept listening to my blabber all the while, while people began to gather around us, but his one glare was enough to scatter them away.

"I just wanted you to forgive your friends, you are angry at them because of me. I told them not to tell anyone. And about my whereabouts, I was undercover, Zafar needed to be arrested so I was appointed to get the proof of his dirty business."

"Why you? It's not that I want to know. I am just curious as to why they will appoint a Mafia man as undercover?" I asked once he sat down on the nearby bench tiredly.

"I am not Mafia Ilhaam…" his eyes showed the desperation he felt, desperation of wanting me to believe him. As if I will! "I work for the government, like a police officer...it is just that, I don't need rules to follow. The work which can't be done by the police can be done by us. And there are very few of us...that day...I wasn't in that car, I tricked them. The guard who leaked our information was driving and I was out through the forest just to make Zafar know that I died." His shoulders slacked as if he was tired, tired of running behind me.

"Khalid knew, because the proofs I gathered earlier were in my room and I needed them. He and Gulabo aren't at fault. They have been very sad since you left the house."

I took a deep breath. This information was too much for me. "Okay. I will talk to them. But I won't be coming there. Happy? Now can you stop following me around?" I showed him my fakest smile and asked sweetly.

"Ohh...yeah...umm...about your parents…" he started but I cut him off.

"The things we talked about till now, were the things related to us. But the route you are taking right now is personal, I don't share my personal life with strangers." I deadpanned at him and it was an illusion or what? Did I just see hurt flashing through his eyes?

"Okay then! I won't disturb you again." His voice suddenly went cold making me shiver internally.

But even if my heart whispered to call him back. To talk to him, to let my heart out in front of him, I didn't. Because the rational part of me knew, I wasn't the one for him. I wasn't the one he wanted. And I wasn't the one eligible enough for a soul like him.

He is resolved. And I needed someone to resolve my mystery.

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"Bhabi Lunch?" Haniya came with her food in the room itself. She was trying to compensate for her mistake by spending time with her. Zaid was guilty too, although he hadn't talked about it but whenever he came to ask about her health, the guilt in his expression and voice was clearly evident.

She was getting slightly used to Haniya's talkative nature. She would sit with her for hours and they would talk about everything and nothing. Sometimes, Aqsa would join them too.

Today was Sunday, and from tomorrow she was supposed to join the work again after a week of leave after her fainting in the boutique, meaning all the members were home.

After having her lunch, which she was forced to have in her room, her parents in law had totally banned her from leaving her room the entire week, she opened her laptop to work on her current designs when Haroon barged in the room followed by a whining Aqib.

She was shocked, which would be an understatement. For the first time in her married life with Haroon, she had seen them acting like that. Or maybe it was real...who knows?

Haroon had a stubborn expression plastered on his face while Aqib was continuously whining, as if asking him to do some work.

"Please. Please. Please…" joining of hands was left for Aqib to convince his strong headed brother.

"Aqib. No. You did it last time too. I warned you clearly before joining the office. If you can't handle studies and a job together, better not join yet." Saying that Haroon plucked in earphones and ignored his brother who seemed to be on the verge of crying.

Azferene left out a laugh making both of them look at her. "Uhh...sorry." But her face still had a smile seeing both of them in their sibling mode.

"Do you need help?" She asked Aqib politely who ignored her for some moments glaring at his brother, then turned towards her.

"I had a seminar to attend tomorrow in the office. And my assignment submission is also scheduled tomorrow." He literally was on the verge of crying.

"And like always, he had kept it gathered to complete it till the last moment." Haroon grumbled, shooting him a glare making a tear fall from his eyes. "And now he wants me to handle his seminar."

"Bhaaaiiii…" Aqib made a pouting face while whining.

"Let's do one thing, I will write your assignment while you can prepare for your seminar? What do you say?" Azferene suggested expectantly searching for answers on Yazdani brothers faces.

"Yes!"

"No!"

Two different answers. Two different opinions. Two different voices.

"She is sick. She won't write your assignment. Ask your wife to." Haroon said, plucking out his earphones.

"If you are forgetting, she is also in the same class as me. And our habits are pretty similar." Aqib rolled his eyes.

"It's ok. I will do it." Azferene was already out of the bed but Haroon's one glare stopped her. "I am bored already resting on the bed for a week. Please." She mirrored Aqib's expression as they both stood side by side pleading that thick head.

"Okay fine!" They literally jumped on their places in happiness. One for getting help and other for getting out of the bed.

And the next three to four hours, she sat in Aqib and Aqsa's room completing his assignments while Aqsa do her's and Aqib sat on the study table preparing his seminar.

It was almost dinner time when they were done.

"Bhabi?" She looked at Aqib's beaming face. "Thank you." His grateful smile was all she needed, her work paid off.

"Not needed." She shook her head looking down. "Just to let you know, I am not the same as Aliah. I don't have such cheap morals." Shrugging her shoulders she was out of their room.

After all, it wasn't that tough to change her opinion in someone's mind, moreover when it was the matter of family.

Now, only her dear sister-in-law, who was as thick as her husband, remained to know her.

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I was yet again standing on the threshold of her house, her actual house to be precise, "The Yazdani House."

Taking deep breaths, I knocked on the door. And as soon as I did, I regretted it. I just wanted to go back and hide myself in my room away from all these troubles.

But I was too late, not that I was too lucky in these things. Astagfirullah.

A girl around my age opened the door. "Yes?"

"Umm...I actually want to meet Azferene. I am her sis...never mind. Just tell her Ilhaam is here." A smile broke onto her lips as soon as she heard my name.

"Ohh...you are  Ilhaam. Finally! I have heard so much about you. Come inside. I will call Bhabi." She didn't even give me a chance to protest and dragged me inside.

"BHABI…" her voice was loud enough for all the corners of the house.

"You are still standing? Have a seat. Feel yourself at home. I am Aqsa by the way. The youngest and cutest daughter in law of the house." I could just smile back at the over enthusiastic girl.

"Ilhaam?" Azferene was shocked to see me there. Her expressions had it all. Behind her was Haroon, if I am correct, her husband.

"I...umm… I am sorry." Although it was awkward, I uttered those words in front of the two strangers, one of which understood my situation and left us while, my supposed brother in law didn't budged.

"You don't have to Ilhaam. You are my sis…"

"Please. Don't complete that sentence." I cut her off rudely and from the look of her husband he was getting angry. Well, I am too. He wasn't too kind to my sister. There I said it!

"But this is the reality Ilhaam. You can't ignore it." Azferene grabbed my hands. "Please. Give us one chance. Ammi-Baba is very impatient to meet you. But they are waiting for you to accept them. Please don't do this." She talked to me as if she was talking to a toddler. "Please…"

"I can't. I can't Azferene. I tried. But I can't just forget what I have been through. I just can't. No matter how much I tried to neglect it, they abandoned me for whatever reason. But they did! And I can't forget that. You know, it wouldn't have hurt this much if they would have adopted me." My voice was just above a whisper.

"But you can't just go on shouting at people like you are the only one who has problems…" Haroon said but Azferene was fast enough to stop him.

"What do you mean by that? As far as I know...you too weren't that kind to someone who wasn't at fault in your second marriage." I said back, glaring squarely at him. What he did next, shocked me like a current.

"Thanks for reminding me." He flashed a full blown smile and kissed Azferene's forehead whispering something, making her blush.

"You have a crazy family, Azferene." I said with a raised eyebrow and scrunched face.

"Ayyyy…" Haroon showed his fake angry face which she ignored.

"Ilhaam before you get to know from someone else and again you get on your angry mode, let me tell you, Safdar is Haroon's friend." Azferene took a deep breath before telling her, making her eyes wide.

"That's why I thought, why is he annoying like certain people?" She smiled sweetly and anyone could tell how fake it was. "He was the one who told you about my shouting right?"

"Any doubt?" Haroon's chest puffed with pride.

"Not at all. After knowing you both are friends, I can only imagine how similar you both are." Ilhaam was in for a fight.

Why was she even going through these meaningless, annoying, awkward moments from the past week? First, Safdar Hamdani and now this.

Remembering SH, it had only been a day since he stopped following me. I was happy for the first few hours but now it has also been getting me frustrated for no reason at all.

"Can we talk alone?" Ignoring Haroon, I turned towards an amused Azferene.

"Sure."

"No. She was supposed to spend her time with me." Haroon had his own plans, but it seems he will have to cancel it.

"Ohh...dear, brother-in-law. You didn't realise it yet? She loves me more than you." I pointed towards Azferene who was already halfway towards her room to get ready.

"I know." I went silent at his serious answer, I was only joking. "And you better not hurt her this time, because when hurt comes from their loved one's, it hurts the most. She is ecstatic to have a sister and so are your parents. They had a reason behind their actions Ilhaam, hear them out once." I started playing with my fingers not wanting to reply to him.

"I know you are hurt. And I would be too. And I wouldn't have even handled the situation as well as you are doing. But just keep in mind, the feeling of being loved is beautiful. And you are getting this love after years, Ilhaam. Don't ruin them with your stubbornness."

"I am still not as stubborn as you." She sniffled a little, making him smile.

"Thank god you're not my real sister. I would have been bald by now handling you along with Aqib, Zaid and Saman." He surrendered his hand exasperatedly.

"Ohh...you wish. Now I am your sister too, cause my sister is your wife. And I am her sister and you are her husband that makes the two of us. It would be better if you start consoling yourself and prepare to bear me." I laughed at his horrified expressions.

"I should first console Safdar."

"What do you mean by that?" I demanded the answer keeping my hands on my hips.

"Nothing." He smiled like a Cheshire cat.

"Whatever." I rolled my eyes and just on cue Azferene came back. I gesture, 'I am watching you' sign and leave the house, making him laugh.

Even though we met for the first time, it felt like we have been friends forever. Haroon was so cool. Totally suits Azferene. Like a rainbow, on a rainy day. Or a moon on a starless night. They were perfect together. And seeing them together developed an unknown feeling in my heart. A feeling that I killed when I saw Safdar's car exploding. A feeling I wanted to cherish with someone special.

I couldn't ignore the awkward situations I had been putting myself in. The awkward situations in which I had meaningless conversations with everyone without thinking. The conversations, I couldn't forget all of my life. The hurt I gave them, which forever planted a seed of guilt in my heart. And without acknowledging, I still know in the corner of my heart which was left untouched, one thing was still left. Which will burn all of my heart into ashes. And that was my parents.

My story still remains. My love was still left. Because something was still left on the horizon of my fate.

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31.12.21

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Love,
Nabiha❤