Chapter 3

Asad watched Zoya huff and stomp away. It had been a few weeks since he had vowed he would make sure that Ms. Farooqui was treated as a guest and day-by-day she was getting restless.

He saw her eyes narrow a fraction when he came downstairs for dinner and he smirked inwardly. He cleared his throat as he sat down and saw her back stiffen.

"Ms. Farooqui, I hope you are finding your stay pleasant," he said. Zoya glanced at him and saw the smirk playing around the corners of his lips. Why that little!

"Not at all, Mr. Khan. Thank you so much for being such a gracious host," Zoya replied cheekily. She basked in the feeling of pure joy when she saw him freeze and his gaze snapped to her.

"Mr. Khan, I have to say if someone wants to know how to be a proper host, they should come to you for classes. Right, Phuppi?" Zoya asked. Dilshad nodded with a smile, intrigued at what caused the change in her son. Zoya shot him a satisfied smirk, which he would've caught were his mind not occupied with what had just taken place.

"Ms. Farooqui? Are you feeling alright?" He asked, shaking himself out of his daze.

"Mr. Khan, a few weeks ago I was asking you the same question and your reply was that you wanted to be a good host. My reply to your question is am I not allowed to be a proper guest and respect you as a host?" She asked with fake innocence. Asad was just about ready to slam his fork onto the table, grab her shoulders and shake some sense into her. She wasn't supposed to just-just turn the tables! He was the one that was supposed to mock her! Not the other way around. But he was saved when a voice called his name.

"Jammy?"

Zoya's festivities were put to a halt as in came that little miss perfect. Zoya could feel the tension in the air thicken. Well at least for her it did. There was something off about Tanveer and Zoya wasn't able to put a finger on it.

"Jammy, thank you for last night," she said softly. Zoya's eyes widened to the size of saucers as she looked between the two.

"What happened last night?" She blurted before she could stop herself.

"Ms. Farooqui," Asad said. It seemed that was all he needed to say because Zoya fell silent. She grabbed her bag and left, telling Dilshad that she shouldn't wait for her over her shoulder.

* * * * *

"Jammy?" Asad turned to face Tanveer as he put his watch on.

"What can I help you with, Tanu?" He asked.

"Jammy, I needed a few photos from our childhood," she said. Asad stopped his actions and looked up at her.

"Photos? Why?" He asked. Tanu smiled and pushed forth, he noticed, a box that she was holding. He picked off the lid and was surprised to find a number of photos. He picked a few of them and couldn't help but smile as he saw that they were indeed photos of their childhood.

"But, Tanu. Why?" He asked.

"I wanted to make something for Khaala before I left. So I wanted to put together a few photos as a collage. However, you've got most of the photos," she said. Asad nodded, not being able to help himself as the little chill of enthusiasm wracked his spine.

"I think Ammi put them in the store room. Come," he said. The two chatted mildly as they walked down to the storeroom.

"Oh! I forgot! Jammy, could you please put the photos in my room. I have to make an emergency call," Tanveer said, halting in her tracks. Asad nodded and the two parted ways. If only he could find the photos. Ammi had put them somewhere in the storeroom. But where? He didn't know. Asad looked around for a while before his gaze landed on a box tucked at the corner. He opened the lid and a satisfied sound escaped his lips. He lifted the box and made his way back to the door. Asad reached for the door and pulled. The door didn't budge. Asad put the box he was holding and pulled it again. Once again, the door didn't budge.

"Why is this not moving?" He growled as he tried again. The door was jammed.

"Ammi! Tamatar!" He called simultaneously trying to open the door. He heard a crash and turned to locate the sound but he couldn't see anything. He turned his attention back to the door.

"Najma!" He called again. Asad struggled with the door but whatever he tried, the door wouldn't move. It was sealed shut. It was only when a faint smell of burning wood reached his nose did he turn around. Asad's eyes went wide as his vision was filled with nothing but bright orange red flames licking up the walls of the storeroom.